NFL Odds: Our Week 1 Accumulator For The Big Kick-Off
NFL Acca tips:
- Pittsburgh Steelers +2.5 points - 20/21 with BoyleSports
- Houston Texans +10 points - 5/6 with Coral
- Atlanta Falcons -3.5 points - 4/5 with Ladbrokes
- Dallas Cowboys -3.5 points - Evens with William Hill
Week 1 of the NFL season is when the flammable gas of the off-season hype meets the naked flame of reality.
And the off-season is long, so that means there’s a lot of gas heading into Sunday’s grand kick-off.
We’re expecting explosive action from the off and hoping to pick a few stand-out punts on betting sites for you.
Sunday 6pm: San Francisco 49ers @ Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers finished last season strongly after a rough start and their pre-season play has the league abuzz despite the usual caveats about the practice games.
Their offensive starters were on the field for five drives over the three tune-up games and scored five touchdowns.
Coach Mike Tomlin has worked wonders, relatively speaking, with depleted Pittsburgh rosters in the past and the thinking is that this season’s crop will be stronger than many of their recent teams.
He’s also got a great record as a home underdog against the spread, going 16-4-3 throughout his career, while also straight up winning 14 of those match-ups.
The Steelers also have a fully healthy TJ Watt back on defence, who makes a huge difference to their chances, while the Niners’ equivalent, Nick Bosa, has missed much of the preseason after holding out for a new contract.
There’s also a question about how Brock Purdy will perfume following surgery on his injured arm, and how he will cope against pressure with the San Francisco line now missing Mike McGlinchey.
The Steelers +2.5 at 20/21 with best NFL betting sites are an easy play for a Sunday multiple and worth a look on the Moneyline too.
Tip: Pittsburgh Steelers +2.5 points - 20/21 with BoyleSports
Sunday 6pm: Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens come into this season as one of the dark horses in a loaded AFC. They assuaged Lamar Jackson’s concerns with a lovely big contract in the off-season, they’ve given him a few more targets too having left the receiving cupboard bare for much of last term.
Baltimore also moved on from Greg Roman’s offensive scheme, replacing him with Todd Monken, who helped Georgia to two National Championships in recent years.
It all points to a much more diverse, fluid, and potent offence. However, injuries and exits on the other side of the ball would make you wonder.
Jadeveon Clowney was a late addition in an effort to create some sort of pass-rush, with Justin Houston, Jason Pierre-Paul and Calais Campbell all moved on.
In the secondary, Marcus Peters is now in Vegas, Chuck Clark is a Jet and Marlon Humphry is dealing with a foot injury before a game has been played.
The defence carried them despite offensive struggles late last season, but with so much turnover it’s tough to have confidence in them earl in the season.
The Texans have endured a turbulent few years to say the least, but they could come out the other side of those troubles this year with a highly-rated new coach in former Niners DC DeMeco Ryans, a first round rookie QB who many liked as much (or more) as Bryce Young in CJ Stroud and some useful offensive pieces around him.
No one expects miracles in Houston, but they should be better this year than last and they made games tougher than they had much right to during 2022.
A handicap of 10 points looks a lot to cover in Week 1 for the Ravens, so Houston +10 is the play at 5/6 with Coral.
Tip: Houston Texans +10 points - 5/6 with Coral
Sunday 6pm: Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons
The NFC South is a wide-open division this year and the games between all four contenders have a little extra juice because you can’t expect too many out of division wins given the relative strengths of all four teams.
The Falcons need to make a run this season, the third of head coach Arthur Smith’s reign - the previous two ending without a playoff appearance.
They have some weapons. They spent a high draft pick on the best running back in this year’s draft, Bijan Robinson and expectations are high for him.
Kyle Pitts has to start catching more passes and Drake London could be a great safety blanket for a quarterback. The question is, do Atlanta have one?
They are starting Desmond Ridder - a 2022 third rounder - as their starter this season, signing Taylor Heinicke to back him up. Neither inspire huge confidence, but against the Panthers it might not matter too much.
They have first overall pick Bryce Young starting his first game this week. His pre-season struggles behind a leaky offensive line have drawn almost as much attention as the Steelers.
First overall quarterbacks also have a dreadful record historically starting in Week 1. The last to win their first game was David Carr back in 2002.
As if that wasn’t enough, the players signed to catch any passes Young manages to get off, DJ Chark and Adam Thielen, are both in doubt for this game and Terrace Marshall is also likely out. It’s hard to see how Carolina score.
It all points in Atlanta’s favour. They can cover -3.5 points on the handicap.
Tip: Atlanta Falcons -3.5 points - 4/5 with Ladbrokes
Monday 1.20am: Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
With the NFC weak, their offence loaded and their defence retaining Dan Quinn as coordinator, the Cowboys have to be eyeing up a deep January run. If they’re not, coach Mike McCarthy will pay for it in 2024.
The Giants have paid Daniel Jones based on their unexpected playoff performance last season and that has seen their NFL odds take an upward turn.
While they might remember their upset of the Vikings in the Wildcard round, the Divisional blowout to the Eagles was more indicative of where they are relative to the Super Bowl contenders.
They’ve added some receivers and tight-end Darren Waller should become a firm favourite of Jones very quickly, but the Cowboys controlled their Thanksgiving showdown last year and have only improved with Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks the notable additions - along with Tony Pollard finally getting starting duties at running back.
Dallas should plan to cover -3.5 handicap (Evens on betting apps) against an average Giants team if they really think they can make a Super Bowl charge. Tony Pollard is solid option for the First TD too.
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