NFL Week 1 Odds, 2022 Schedule and Betting Analysis
by Matt Stevens- May 22nd, 2022
- Category: Betting News
The NFL has released its schedule for the 2022 season, and NFL gambling sites have posted lines and
odds for Week 1. The best online sportsbooks are sharp when setting lines. Week 1 comes with risk, but
oddsmakers have a lot of time to smooth out the kinks.
Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Rams
NFL gambling sites opening this game at anything other than Rams -3 is very revealing. They are viewing
the Bills as the superior team. After they lost in the Divisional Round to the Chiefs, Josh Allen, Stefon
Diggs, and Devin Singletary are ready to start strong.
The Rams return a lot of the team that won the Super Bowl. Matthew Stafford is back, and Cooper Kupp
remains the best wide receiver. We like the Bills to get the road win.
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bills | PK ( -110 ) | 52 ( -110 ) | -110 |  |
| Rams | PK ( -110 ) | 52 ( -110 ) | -110 | |
| ||||
Pick: Bills 34, Rams 31
Cleveland Browns vs. Carolina Panthers
We are not sure how NFL gambling sites can set a line for this game without knowledge of Deshaun
Watson’s status. They appear to assume he will play. Watson hasn’t played since 2020, but if he’s out
there, he’ll be a huge edge for the Browns.
The Panthers could still trade for Baker Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo, but everything points to Darnold.
The Browns have Amari Cooper, while the Panthers don’t have anyone to complement DJ Moore.
They may have a healthy Christian McCaffrey, but we don’t see the Panthers keeping up with the Browns.
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browns | -4½ ( -110 ) | 43½ ( -110 ) | -210 | |
| Panthers | +4½ ( -110 ) | 43½ ( -110 ) | +175 | |
| ||||
Pick: Browns 24, Panthers 14
Week 1 New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are bad, but setting them as little more than a field-goal home dog against the Saints seems
harsh. Jameis Winston coming off a torn ACL. Michael Thomas has not played in almost two years. It’s
debatable whether Winston is better than Marcus Mariota.
The Falcons won’t have Calvin Ridley, but they do have Kyle Pitts and rookie Drake London. Neither
team is crawling with playmakers, but they seem more evenly matched than the line suggests.
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | -4 ( -110 ) | 41½ ( -110 ) | -200 | |
| Falcons | +4 ( -110 ) | 41½ ( -110 ) | +170 | |
| ||||
Pick: Falcons 20, Saints 17
Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Jets
The Ravens managed to miss the playoffs following an 8-3 start last season, they remain one of the better
teams as long as they stay healthy. On the other side, the Jets are setting Zach Wilson up for success.
They added Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall to Elijah Moore, Corey Davis, and Braxton Berrios. We like
the Ravens, but the Jets are much improved from 2022.
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravens | -5 ( -110 ) | 45 ( -110 ) | -210 | |
| Jets | +5 ( -110 ) | 45 ( -110 ) | +175 | |
| ||||
Pick: Ravens 23, Jets 19
San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears
We don’t know who is going to start at QB for the 49ers. Trey Lance should get the nod, but Jimmy
Garoppolo is still on the roster. For the Bears it will be Justin Fields. Unlike the Jets, the Bears have done
little to help their sophomore
QB. Fields’ WR1 is Darnell Mooney, and his WR2 and WR3 are Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St.
Brown. The only WR Chicago drafted was 25-year-old Velus Jones Jr. A TD is a heavy on the road, but
we have no confidence in the Bears.
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49ers | -6½ ( -110 ) | 42 ( -110 ) | -280 | |
| Bears | +6½ ( -110 ) | 42 ( -110 ) | +230 | |
| ||||
Pick: 49ers 27, Bears 13
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Washington Commanders
This is the hardest game to pick on Week 1. Will Trevor Lawrence step up following his underwhelming
rookie season? Can Carson Wentz pick up the pieces of his career on his third team in as many seasons?
The Jags’ offense has plenty of good, but not great, players. The former Redskins may have a great wide
receiver in Terry McLaurin but a lot is unclear beyond that. This is a game where it’s best to err on the
side of caution.
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguars | +3½ ( -110 ) | 44 ( -110 ) | +160 | |
| Commanders | -3½ ( -110 ) | 44 ( -110 ) | -190 | |
| ||||
Pick: Commanders 20, Jaguars 17
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Steelers are embarking on the post-Ben Roethlisberger era. Whether it’s Mitchell Trubisky or Kenny
Pickett, their chances don’t look good. The Bengals return their entire offense with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr
Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and Joe Mixon.
They spent the offseason bolstering their offensive line. Instead of a Super Bowl loss hangover, we expect
an inspired display wherein the Bengals take advantage of a Steelers team not ready to move on from Big
Ben.
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steelers | +6½ ( -110 ) | 44½ ( -110 ) | +220 | |
| Bengals | -6½ ( -110 ) | 44½ ( -110 ) | -270 | |
| ||||
Pick: Bengals 27, Steelers 17
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins
We like the Dolphins. Tyreek Hill is going to be of help to the Samoan Bulldozer Tua Tagovailoa.
Together with Jaylen Waddle, Cedrick Wilson Jr., and Chase Edmonds, Hill gives the Hawaiian
Behemoth many weapons.
The Patriots seem to be clueless. They spent three draft picks on two running backs and a backup QB.
Their best wide receiver is DeVante Parker. Mac Jones may be the superior quarterback, but the Dolphins are the superior team.
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patriots | +3 ( -110 ) | 44½ ( -110 ) | +130 | |
| Dolphins | -3 ( -110 ) | 44½ ( -110 ) | -150 | |
| ||||
Pick: Dolphins 22, Patriots 16
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions
Jared Goff is not an elite quarterback, but he’s better than people think. The Eagles added A.J. Brown, a
true WR1 in addition to DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert. We still don’t see them as real contenders
quite yet.
The Lions’ additions of DJ Chark and Jameson Williams to go with D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson
(plus Amon-Ra St. Brown) gives them the look of a sneaky wild card candidate.
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagles | -4½ ( -110 ) | 46½ ( -110 ) | -200 | |
| Lions | +4½ ( -110 ) | 46½ ( -110 ) | +170 | |
| ||||
Pick: Lions 24, Eagles 20
Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans
Matt Ryan’s best days have come and gone, but he’s still a step up from Carson Wentz. Michael Pittman
has star potential, and Jonathan Taylor will run circles the Texans.
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | -8 ( -110 ) | 44 ( -110 ) | -370 | |
| Texans | +8 ( -110 ) | 44 ( -110 ) | +295 | |
| ||||
Pick: Colts 31, Texans 19
New York Giants vs. Tennessee Titans
The Giants have made most of the right moves for a bright future, but that matters little without a
quarterback. Daniel Jones ain’t it. The Titans got Malik Willis in the third round, Ryan Tannehill’s job is
safe. He’s not Super Bowl material, but you could do a lot worse.
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giants | +6½ ( -110 ) | 44 ( -110 ) | +235 | |
| Titans | -6½ ( -110 ) | 44 ( -110 ) | -290 | |
| ||||
Pick: Titans 28, Giants 14
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Rodgers is still playing at an elite level, even if he’s far from the smartest human being that ever
walked the Earth. He lost Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling and now will have to make do
with Sammy Watkins, Christian Watson, and Romeo Doubs.
The Vikings have committed to Kirk Cousins. They have one of the top wide receivers in Justin Jefferson.
Adam Thielen is in good health, as is Dalvin Cook.
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packers | -1½ ( -110 ) | 49 ( -110 ) | -120 | |
| Vikings | +1½ ( -110 ) | 49 ( -110 ) | EV | |
| ||||
Pick: Vikings 27, Packers 24
Week 1 Kansas City Chiefs vs. Arizona Cardinals
Tyreek Hill is irreplaceable. The only receivers Patrick Mahomes has from last season are Travis Kelce
and Mecole Hardman. He will have to get used to JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and
Skyy Moore.
Kyler Murray tends to start hot and then cool off. He’ll be without DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk.
He has Marquise Brown, Zach Ertz and James Conner.
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | -3 ( -110 ) | 53 ( -110 ) | -150 | |
| Cardinals | +3 ( -110 ) | 53 ( -110 ) | +130 | |
| ||||
Pick: Cardinals 34, Chiefs 30
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers.
The Raiders acquired Davante Adams. The Chargers haven’t added a lot to their offense, but they have
focused on improving their offensive line.
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raiders | -1½ ( -110 ) | 33½ ( -110 ) | -120 | |
| Chargers | +1½ ( -110 ) | 33½ ( -110 ) | EV | |
| ||||
Pick: Chargers 26, Raiders 20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys
We are expecting a close, high-scoring affair, but with a reverse outcome from their past season opener.
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buccaneers | -2 ( -110 ) | 52 ( -110 ) | -135 | |
| Cowboys | +2 ( -110 ) | 52 ( -110 ) | +115 | |
| ||||
Pick: Cowboys 31, Buccaneers 28
Week 1 Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks
Wilson will have Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Javonte Williams, and Albert Okwuegbunam. Lock or
Smith will have DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | -4 ( -110 ) | 41 ( -110 ) | -190 | |
| Seahawks | +4 ( -110 ) | 41 ( -110 ) | +160 | |
| ||||
Pick: Broncos 24, Seahawks 20
