Tag: Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts

Best NFL underdog picks and predictions for Week 1

Analyzing NFL Week 1 betting odds and lines, with expert predictions and picks of the 3 best underdogs to cash in on.

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The 2024 NFL season begins with the 2-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting QB Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens Thursday night. Week 1 always brings surprises. It is one of the harder weeks to predict how things will go, as every team has had weeks to prepare for the game.

So which games will bring upsets? There are some every week. Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook NFL odds and lines, and tab the best NFL Week 1 underdog bets to cash in on among SportbookWire’s NFL expert picks and predictions.

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NFL underdog predictions: Week 1

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 9:06 a.m. ET. All games Sunday and ET unless noted.

CARDINALS +6.5 (-110) at Bills – 1 p.m. (CBS)

Arizona’s offense, with a healthy QB Kyler Murray, was a good offense in the 2nd half of last season. Now, the Cardinals they added No. 4 overall pick WR Marvin Harrison Jr. to bolster a passing attack and complement what was the No. 4 rushing attack in 2023.

While Arizona’s defense is not expected to be good, turnovers will keep the game close, allowing Murray to keep up. Bills QB Josh Allen has thrown 5 INTs in his last 2 season openers.

The Cardinals, despite winning only 4 games last season, were one of the most competitive teams, going 9-8 ATS. I don’t expect an upset win, but Arizona should keep it within less than a TD for the cover.

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Texans at COLTS (+130) – 1 p.m. (CBS)

The Texans, who beat out the Colts in the final week of the season last year to win the division and make the postseason, could be even better with the addition of WR Stefon Diggs and DE Danielle Hunter.

But the Colts have a healthy QB Anthony Richardson and RB Jonathan Taylor. 

In last year’s Week 2 matchup in Houston, Richardson rushed for 2 TDs before getting hurt and the Colts blew the Texans out 31-20. The Texans beat the Colts 23-19 in Indy in Week 18.

Both teams will battle for the AFC South again. But I like to give extra juice to the home team in their home opener. Indy will look to avenge that home loss to end their season.

Go with the plus odds on the home team.

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BRONCOS +6 (-110) at Seahawks – 4:05 p.m. (CBS)

The Seahawks have a new offense, new defense and new head coach.

The Broncos have a rookie starting QB in Bo Nix.

While Seattle HC Mike Macdonald led a top defense in the league last year in Baltimore, it will take time to get Seattle’s unit to that level.

Meanwhile, it will be Denver’s 2nd season in DC Vance Joseph’s system.

Neither team is expected to be competitive this year for the postseason, so the 6-point spread seems like a lot with 2 basically unknown teams.

Denver averaged 33 points per game in the preseason, not that is a great predictor of how they will play offensively in the regular season, but this game is probably going to be close.

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Twitter erupts over the Bears getting the No. 1 overall draft pick

Bears fans celebrated Lovie Smith and the Texans victory that gave them the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Chicago Bears entered Week 18 with the opportunity to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. At 3-13, the Bears just needed to lose to the Minnesota Vikings and have the 2-12-1 Houston Texans, led by former Bears head coach Lovie Smith, get a victory against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Bears did their part, losing 29-13 to finish the season 3-14. All that was left was to watch the Texans try to come back against the Colts after blowing a double-digit lead.

Thanks to an improbable fourth and 20 conversion to score a touchdown and then get the go-ahead two-point conversion, Houston secured the 32-31 win that gave the Bears the top draft pick. It’s the first time since 1947 Chicago will hold the keys to the first overall selection.

Watching the back-and-forth game between the Texans and Colts was stressful for Bears fans, but they rejoiced when it was all said and done. With the top draft pick and the most cap space in the NFL this offseason, the Bears will be very active in the spring. Fans couldn’t contain their excitement while thanking Smith and the Texans for getting the job done.