NFL Betting Picks and Winning Odds for Week 1

If you’re fired up for the quickly approaching 2017 regular season and you’re still looking for some expert NFL betting picks, then you’re going to love my trio of must-bet matchups that you just can’t miss on opening weekend. With that said, I’ve got a trio of Week 1 picks that all have a great chance of helping you get off to a great betting campaign. Now, let’s get down to business and review the betting odds for the NFL games that will take place on Week 1.

NFL Betting Picks and Winning Odds for Week 1

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

When: Sunday, September 10, 2017 at 8:30 PM ET Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas TV: NBC NFL Odds: Dallas -3.5 / Total: 47.5

Weather Forecast

• Clear: 27°C/81°F
• Humidity: 42%
• Precipitation: 0%
• Cloud Cover: 0%
• Wind: 6 mph NE
• Stadium Type: Retractable

Expert Analysis

The Giants had a solid preseason by going 2-2 and taking out the Jets and Patriots in Weeks 3 and 4 after falling against the Steelers and Browns in Weeks 1 and 2. The Giants were outstanding defensively in 2016 as they ranked second in points allowed (17.8 ppg), but Eli Manning and the team’s offense struggled in finishing a discouraging 26th in scoring by averaging a modest 19.4 points per game. The Cowboys went 3-1 this preseason by beating Arizona in the Hall of Fame game and Indianapolis and Washington in Weeks 2 and 3 respectively. The Cowboys lost to the Rams in Week 1. Dallas ranked an identical fifth in scoring (26.3 ppg) and points allowed (19.1 ppg) in 2016 although their pass defense was an issue last season.

Final NFL Betting Prediction

I like Eli Manning and the Giants to get past Dak Prescott and the Cowboys for the third straight time in this Week 1 opener. I’m expecting New York to get just enough offense from Eli Manning and the passing game while their still, stout defense shuts down both, Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott.  The Cowboys are an uninspiring 2-5 ATS in their last seven games against their NFC East division rivals and 1-6 ATS in their last seven games overall. On the flip side of the coin, Manning and the G-Men have gone 6-1 ATS in their last seven games on fieldturf while the underdog in this series is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings. NFL Betting Pick: New York +3.5

NFL Odds for Week 1: Philadelphia at Washington Game Preview & Pick

Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers

When: Sunday, September 10, 2017 at 4:25 PM ET Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California TV: FOX NFL Odds: Carolina -5.5 / Total: 48

Weather Forecast

• Clear: 31°C/88°F
• Humidity: 37%
• Precipitation: 0%
• Cloud Cover: 23%
• Wind: 11 mph WNW
• Stadium Type: Open

Expert Analysis

Carolina went 2-2 in the preseason by beating Houston and Jacksonville in Weeks 1 and 3 respectively while losing to Tennessee and Pittsburgh in Weeks 2 and 4. The Panthers went 6-9-1 last season just one year after reaching Super Bowl 50 while struggling on both sides of the ball by finishing 15th in scoring (23.1 ppg) and a dismal 26th in points allowed (25.1 ppg). San Francisco went 2-2 in the preseason by beating Kansas City and the L.A. Chargers in Weeks 2 and 4 while losing to Denver and Minnesota in Weeks 2 and 3 respectively. San Francisco is rebuilding after going 2-14 last season. The 49ers finished the 2016 season ranked 27th in scoring (19.3 ppg) and a pitiful dead last in points allowed (30.0 ppg). The Panthers drafted gifted running back Christian McCaffrey in the first round and wide receiver Curtis Samuel in the second round to add some youth and speed to their offense while adding veteran defensive end Julius Peppers in free agency. The Niners have a new GM in John Lynch and a new head coach in former Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Veteran signal-caller Brian Hoyer is expected to bte the starter although he got a good challenge from rookie C.J. Beathard this preseason. The Niners added veteran wide receivers Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin in free agency and grabbed a pair of elite defensive players in first round draft picks Solomon Thomas, a defensive end the Niners got with the third overall pick and freakish linebacker Reuben Foster with the 31st overall pick.

Final NFL Betting Prediction

This Week 1 pick is as easy as pie as Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers should roll all over the rebuilding San Francisco 49ers and whoever starts under center for the Niners. The Panthers made some really nice additions and I think they’re going to be much better off this season because of them. Carolina is 4-1 in their last five games on grass and 3-1-1 ATS in their last five road games. San Francisco is 1-6 ATS in their last seven home games and 1-4 ATS in their last five games in the month of September.  The Panthers are the better team on both sides of the ball and will get the SU win and ATS cover as near, touchdown road faves. NFL Betting Pick: Carolina -5.5

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

When: Sunday, September 10, 2017 at 1:00 PM ET Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio TV: CBS NFL Odds: Cincinnati -3 / Total: 42.5

Weather Forecast

• Clear: 20°C/68°F
• Humidity 53%
• Precipitation % 0%
• Cloud Cover 1%
• Wind 9 mph E
• Stadium Type Open

Expert Analysis

The Ravens went 4-0 in the preseason by beating the Redskins, Dolphins, Bills and Saints. Baltimore went 8-8 last season and finished an underwhelming 21st in scoring (21.4 ppg) and respectable ninth in points allowed (20.1 ppg). Cincinnati went 1-3 in the preseason by beating Tampa Bay in their opener and losing to the Chiefs, Redskins and Colts. The Bengals finished 2016 ranked a solid eighth in points allowed (19.7 ppg) but they struggled offensively by sinking all the way to 24th in scoring (20.3 ppg) after having previously been one of the more potent offenses for a handful of seasons. However, Cincinnati made a bunch of excellent moves in the offseason by drafting speedy wide receiver John Ross and gifted running back Joe Mixon while adding veterans like linebacker Kevin Minter and tackle Andre Smith. Instead of addressing their issues with their offense Baltimore actually chose to improve their defense, which is why I believe they’ll struggle again in 2017.

Final NFL Betting Prediction

The Ravens are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games against their AFC North division rivals but they’re also 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games. Cincinnati has gone 3-0-1 ATS in their last four Week 1 games and 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall. The Ravens have not won a game in Cincinnati since January 1st, 2012 and they won’t win this one either. NFL Betting Pick: Cincinnati -3