The Buffalo Bills have yet to name their new starting quarterback for the upcoming 2018 regular season, but they enter the new campaign looking to take another step forward after snapping a 17-year playoff drought last season. The Baltimore Ravens are also looking to improve after coming up just short of reaching the playoffs last season by underachieving at the worst time possible last season.
Now, with the two playoff hopefuls set to square off in their Week 1 regular season opener, let’s find out which team is offering the best betting value against their NFL Week 1 odds.
Bills at Ravens NFL Week 1 Lines & Betting Analysis
When: Sunday, September 9, 2018 at 1:00 PM ET NFL Week 1 Odds: Baltimore -6.5 / Total: 41
Oddsmakers are expecting this one to be a low-scoring affair. Baltimore holds It down at home in a defensive battle to get the win and narrow ATS cover. Ravens 21 Bills 17.
Why Bet On the Buffalo Bills?
Why should you consider betting on Buffalo in their regular season opener?
The best reason to consider betting on Buffalo in this Week 1 matchup is that they were pretty solid defensively last season in finishing 18t in points allowed (22.4 ppg) and will likely be just as good if not better on that side of the ball under now, second-year head coach Sean McDermott. The bad news for Buffalo however is that they could also be a bit worse on the offensive side of the ball with McDermott clearly in a foolish rush to replace former starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor in favor of either second-year signal-caller Nathan Peterman or veteran backup A.J. McCarron.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 17.94
- Total Yards: 300.29
- Pass Yards: 174
- Rush Yards: 126.29
- Average Score Against: 21.71
- Total Yards: 347.88
- Pass Yards: 221.35
- Rush Yards: 126.53
Why Bet On the Baltimore Ravens?
Why should you consider betting on Baltimore in their regular season and home opener? The best reasons the back the Ravens are simple. Baltimore was elite on both sides of the ball last season as they finished an encouraging ninth in scoring (24.7 ppg) and stellar sixth in points allowed (18.9 ppg). Baltimore will again, be very good defensively in 2018, but they could be a lot more dangerous on offense after addressing their lack of a passing attack by adding some veteran wide receivers like Michael Crabtree while drafting a pair of rookie tight ends in the NFL draft.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 24.69
- Total Yards: 305.38
- Pass Yards: 189.38
- Rush Yards: 116
- Average Score Against: 18.94
- Total Yards: 325.06
- Pass Yards: 213.81
- Rush Yards: 111.25
NFL Betting Trends for Bills at Ravens
- Baltimore is 1-0 ATS vs Buffalo over the last 3 seasons
- Baltimore is 1-0 SU vs Buffalo over the last 3 seasons
- 1 of 1 games in this series have gone under the total over the last 3 seasons
Bills at Ravens NFL Week 1 Analysis and Prediction
Look, I’ll be honest and admit that I’m not real fond of the near touchdown point spread in this Week 1 matchup, but I’m going to advise you to back the Baltimore Ravens to get the win and the super narrow ATS cover. Right now, I think the Bills are poised to be one of the biggest ‘step backwards’ teams in the NFL this coming season. Buffalo doesn’t know who their starting quarterback is going to be and really – what kind of play they’ll get out of the position and that’s just not very conducive to winning.
Baltimore will be very good defensively and I also expect them to be a lot more explosive offensively in 2018 with Joe Flacco now having a fire lit under him.
I know the Bills are a perfect 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in the month of September and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Week 1 games, but the Ravens are a robust 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games in Week 1 and 4-1 ATS in their last five home dates against the Bills. Baltimore wins and narrowly covers the chalk MYBookie NFL betting faithful!
NFL Week 1 Pick: Baltimore 24 Buffalo 17
