NFL Preseason Betting Tips Week 1
NFL Preseason Betting Tips Week 1
The 2022 NFL Preseason schedule got underway last week when the Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in the annual Hall of Fame Game from Canton, Ohio. This week, all 32 teams are in action, with 16 games on tap from Thursday through Sunday.
There is action to be had to whet the bettor’s appetite prior to the regular season kicking off on Thursday, September 8. That NFL Kickoff Game between the Bills and Rams will surely attract a sizable handle, but until then, there’s still money to be won and lost.
We’ve combed through the card and present our recommendations for the best NFL games to bet on during Week 1 of the Preseason. See all our NFL Odds Here
Atlanta Falcons @ Detroit Lions (+1) - Friday 6:00pm EST
Admittedly, this isn’t the most attractive game on the board after the two teams combined to earn ten wins in 2021, resulting in both selecting in the top 10 of the 2022 NFL Draft.
In the last two years, both the Lions and Falcons launched into full-blown rebuild mode, trading away their long-time quarterbacks and faces of the franchise.
Matthew Stafford was dealt to the Rams prior to the 2021 season, and Matt Ryan was traded to Indianapolis this past March. Dan Campbell and Arthur Smith are also entering their second years as their team’s respective head coaches.
So far, Jared Goff has secured the starting spot in Detroit, while Atlanta will eventually harbor a competition after signing Marcus Mariota in the offseason and then drafting Desmond Ridder this past spring. The Lions had the number one overall pick in that draft, but with a lack of firepower at the QB position, they went defensive end and took Aidan Hutchinson from Michigan.
Neither team won a single preseason game a year ago, so that streak will end for one of them. We believe that will be the home dogs who will play their starters some in this one, including Goff, as a victory could provide for some compelling theater next week on Hard Knocks.
Pick: Lions +1
Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers (-2.5) - Sunday 8:30 pm EST
Now, this is a little more appealing. It might not live up to the hype of a regular season showdown, but this preseason opener for both the Packers and 49ers is a rematch of last year’s NFC Divisional Playoff.
Green Bay has remained mum on if revenge is on their minds after San Fran upset them at Lambeau and ended their season, but the history between the two is reason enough to flip on the NFL Network on prime time Saturday night.
It should also present an opportunity for fans to get a glimpse of the future, even though the future is now for the 49ers. San Francisco hasn’t officially traded Jimmy Garoppolo, but they have moved on to Trey Lance, the number 3 overall pick from the 2021 NFL Draft, as they wait for the right suitor to step up and acquire Jimmy G.
Over in the green and gold locker room, another former first-round pick in Jordan Love will get to showcase his talents despite preparing for another season sitting behind Aaron Rodgers.
The back-to-back reigning NFL MVP will not play on Saturday, and it remains to be seen if he’ll suit up at all during the preseason. Rodgers doesn’t see value in playing just one series, but he and his new receiving corps will need to get acclimated before the regular season kicks off.
Neither Love nor Lance have been particularly impressive during Training Camp, but the edge goes to the Niners, who will be playing more of their starters at home.
Pick: 49ers -2.5
New York Jets @ Philadelphia Eagles (EVEN) - Friday 7:30 pm EST
Our final recommendation takes us to the City of Brotherly Love, where the Eagles will play host to the Jets on Friday night, another rematch from the 2021 regular season. The Birds ran all over New York inside the Meadowlands last December, led by Gardner Minshew, who was replacing an injured Jalen Hurts.
Minshew is now in a fight to keep a hold of that QB2 spot with Reid Sinnett and rookie Carson Strong breathing down his neck this summer. All three will get a crack at making an impression on Friday, though Hurts and most of the starters will see at least one series.
On paper, the Eagles are much further ahead in their rebuild than the Jets, but Philly will likely keep it vanilla in this one, similar to what they showed in front of a packed crowd during an inter-squad scrimmage last week.
Zach Wilson and company need to clean up quite a bit and figure out a replacement for Mekhi Becton, but they’ll put more on tape than the Eagles, enough to score more points as they look to stay undefeated in the preseason going back to 2019.
Pick: Jets (EVEN)
Derek Hudson
Derek is a long time sports bettor who grew up in Providence, RI. Derek is data driven and believes the key to betting the sportsbooks is finding an edge in analytics. Derek is happily married and has two young boys. Derek will bet on anything if you let him.
