The 2024 NFL schedule was released last Thursday, which means we can officially start breaking down Week 1. Sportsbooks have already posted lines for these matchups, so you can bet on NFL football right now!
Let’s break down some of these matchups. As we do every week during the NFL regular season, we will pick and discuss our top five against-the-spread picks. It will be fun to see how these lines shift over the next few months, and with a couple of these lines, it could be a good idea to place your wager now. Let’s jump in.
All odds come courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
While C.J. Stroud had a rookie season for the record books, he did go 1-1 against the Colts — as Zaire Franklin tried to point out to him. Indy defeated Houston in Week 2, 31-20, while Anthony Richardson left the game in the second quarter due to a concussion. Richardson getting hurt was a common theme in 2023, as he finished just one game healthy during his rookie season.
I’m worried about Richardson’s health and potential rust. As for the Texans, they got better this offseason by adding Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs on offense, plus Denico Autry and Danielle Hunter on defense. Give me Houston.
The pick: Texans -2
Projected score: Texans 30-23
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)
Both Tennessee and Chicago had incredibly exciting offseasons. The Titans swung big for Calvin Ridley and L’Jarius Sneed, while the Bears picked up a new franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams, and also landed a couple of new wideouts in Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze. I anticipated the Bears being favorites in this game, but 4.5 points?
The last 15 quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall went 0-14-1 in their first career start. I’m not saying the Titans are Super Bowl contenders, but new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson has an impressive track record, and his scheme figures to be aggressive, yet tough to figure out. It may not…
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