NFL Week 1 Bets: 5 best ATS bets to make

Analyzing the early sports betting odds and lines for Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season, picking the 5 best bets against the spread.

With the recent release of the 2020 NFL schedule, BetMGM posted lines for Week 1. Here are five of the best bets vs. the spread to make for Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season.

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Odds last updated Sunday, May 10 at 1:50 a.m. ET.

Best bet 1: Miami Dolphins (+6.5) at New England Patriots

Sunday, Sept. 13 (1 p.m. ET)

The Dolphins went out in the offseason and spent a bunch of money in free agency and also added talent in the draft. They still have a productive veteran starting quarterback in Ryan Fitzpatrick, while the Pats have lost many key players; most importantly, QB Tom Brady. The Dolphins aren’t as bad as they were a year ago and the Pats are not going to be as good.

Best bet 2: Arizona Cardinals (+8.5) at San Francisco 49ers

Sunday, Sept. 13 (4:25 p.m. ET)

The 49ers lost a key offensive weapon in WR Emmanuel Sanders and traded away DL DeForest Buckner. Even in their 13-3 season a year ago, they failed to cover the spread in both games vs. the Cardinals. Arizona added WR DeAndre Hopkins and upgraded its 31st-ranked defense from 2019.


Place your Week 1 NFL bets at BetMGM, or play in their online casino. Bet now!


Best bet 3: New Orleans Saints (-4.5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sunday, Sept. 13 (4:25 p.m. ET)

The Bucs might have Brady at QB, but with a shortened offseason and a new offense that traditionally takes a few games for quarterbacks to adjust to, expect New Orleans to come out on fire. The Saints added another big weapon in the passing game in WR Sanders, while they still have QB Drew Brees, RB Alvin Kamara and WR Michael Thomas.

Best bet 4: Tennessee Titans (+2.5) at Denver Broncos

Monday, Sept. 14 (10:10 p.m. ET)

The Broncos added young receivers in the draft but the Titans were one of the hottest teams in the NFL after Ryan Tannehill took over at quarterback. Tannehill returns as does RB Derrick Henry. Tennessee will beat Denver, especially with Drew Lock at QB for the Broncos.

Best bet 5: Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5) at New York Giants

Monday, Sept. 14 (7:15 p.m. ET)

The Steelers get QB Ben Roethlisberger back. The Giants still have questions around their defense. New York QB Daniel Jones has more protection, but the lack of an offseason with a new head coach will show in Week 1.

Want action on NFL futures betting? Sign up and place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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NFL Week 1 Bets: 4 best total bets to make

Looking at the early betting lines for Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season and pick four total bets to make.

The 2020 NFL schedule is out, laying out all 16 games for each of the 32 teams. The Week 1 slate is filled with intriguing matchups, ones that also offer some promising wagers on the Over/Under. Here are four of the best total bets to make for Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season.

Also see – Week 1 NFL betting lines up at BetMGM: Chiefs, 49ers among biggest favorites

Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams: O/U 50.5

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Odds last updated Friday, May 8 at 5 p.m. ET.

Cowboys-Rams is one of the best games of the opening weekend, pitting two of the best offenses against each other in primetime on Sunday night. It’s also the first regular-season game ever at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, so anticipation will be even higher for this matchup.

At least one of these teams has scored 30 or more points in their last eight meetings, so offense is almost never hard to come by. Add in the fact the Rams will be trotting out a new defense under first-year coordinator Brandon Staley, and the fact Dallas’ secondary could start two rookies, and this has the makings of a shootout.

Take the OVER 50.5 (-110) in this game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints: O/U 49.5

The Saints and Bucs played in Week 1 two years ago and lit up the scoreboard, scoring 88 total points. That probably won’t happen again, but never doubt the abilities of QBs Tom Brady and Drew Brees – especially in a dome.

The Over is a perfect 3-0 in the Saints’ last three Week 1 game, and New Orleans has scored the second-most points in season openers in that span. This should be a high-scoring affair between two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks and two offensive-minded coaches.

Bet the OVER 49.5 (-110) and expect to see a lot of points on the board.


Place your Week 1 NFL bets at BetMGM, or play in their online casino. Bet now!


Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs: O/U 55.5

The highest point total of Week 1 belongs to the Texans and Chiefs at 55.5, which shouldn’t be a surprise. The Chiefs can easily put up 35 points on a Houston defense not exactly flush with talent, and QB Deshaun Watson can score in a hurry for the Texans.

It’s a lot of points to cover, but the Chiefs have scored more Week 1 points than any team in the NFL since 2017 and the Over is 3-0 in such games. Houston is 10th on that list.

Bet the OVER 55.5 (-110).

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions: O/U 44.5

It’s not yet clear who will be the Bears’ starting quarterback, but neither Mitchell Trubisky nor Nick Foles is a great option. Either way, their offense shouldn’t be all that explosive. Detroit still has QB Matthew Stafford and WR Kenny Golladay, but the Bears defense is fearsome.

I’m taking the UNDER 44.5 (-110), even with a lower point projection. There’s just too much uncertainty with the Bears on offense and Detroit’s offense could have some trouble against Khalil Mack and Co.

Want action on the Week 1 NFL betting lines? Sign up and place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook. Please gamble responsibly.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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