close
close
bsxonair

Four plays that could go against the spread

Gillberg
Four plays that could go against the spread

play

The 2024 NFL season begins this week with a lot of questions around the league. Six teams have new coaches until the end of 2023; seven more have new offensive coordinators. Three rookie quarterbacks start in Week 1.

The first week of the season may have some surprises. A few teams could have a strong showing to start the new season with a win – or beating the spread. Here are four games that could go against the spread this week, with lines from BetMGM’s latest NFL odds.

Week 1 NFL Picks: Will the Jets or 49ers win on Monday night?

NFL Week 1 picks against the spread

Green Bay Packers (+2) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Green Bay Packers offense finished last season on a high as one of the top units in the league despite playing the youngest skill position group in the NFL. On defense, Green Bay brought in new coordinator Jeff Hafley in the offseason and signed top free agent Xavier McKinney.

Philadelphia ended last season with a 32-9 loss to Tampa Bay in the NFC wild card round. They brought in new coordinators on offense (Kellen Moore) and defense (Vic Fangio) for the 2024 season. They are one of the most talented teams in the league, but it may take time for the offense to get up to speed under Moore.

On a neutral site in Brazil’s first NFL game, there’s no home field advantage to help Philadelphia. If the Packers pick up where they left off last season and see some improvement on defense early, they should be the favorite.

NFL Hot Seat Rankings: Mike McCarthy, Nick Sirianni among the coaches already announced

Arizona Cardinals (+6.5) vs. Buffalo Bills

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is healthy to start the season for the first time since 2022 and has a Pro Bowl-caliber wide receiver for the first time since 2020. Arizona’s offense should improve from last season with Marvin Harrison Jr. in the building and an ascendant. talent at tight end in Trey McBride.

Even with new faces in the wide receiver room, Buffalo should put up plenty of points. But the Bills start the season without linebacker Matt Milano and could be giving up a lot, too. This could turn into a shootout, and even if Arizona doesn’t win, they might just keep up enough to beat the spread.

Tennessee Titans (+4) vs. Chicago Bears

The Titans had one of the busiest offseasons in the league. They brought in a new coach in Brian Callahan, drafted left tackle JC Latham and signed wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd as well as quarterback Tony Pollard. Only the offense should be in a much better place than last season. Their defense finished 2023 16th in points allowed and shouldn’t take a huge drop off.

Chicago has one of the best rookie quarterback prospects in recent years in Caleb Williams. The Bears have the talent to be a good offense in its first season, but they may not be anywhere near their prime on Sunday. That leaves room for the Titans to impress in Week 1. A field goal could make the difference in this one.

NFL Power Rankings Week 1: Champion Chiefs in first place, but the shuffle is happening behind them

Los Angeles Rams (+3.5) vs. Detroit Lions

These two teams met in a thrilling NFC playoff game last season that ended with the Lions winning 24-23. This year’s “Sunday Night Football” opener could repeat itself in Detroit.

Los Angeles bolstered the offensive line in the offseason and has the talent on that side of the ball to put up plenty of points. So do the Lions, who return the most starters from last year’s No. 5 offense. Both teams invested in their defenses before the season. The Rams selected defensive linemen in the first two rounds of the draft, and the Lions drafted cornerback Terrion Arnold in the first round in addition to trading for cornerback Carlton Davis.

These moves and returning infrastructure have both teams in good position to start the season. It should be another close affair and this spread looks big for two NFC playoff contenders.

Related Posts