Starting the season on a strong foot is the goal of every NFL team. When it comes to best bets for NFL Week 1, there are always a few numbers that have value because the bookmakers haven’t figured out which teams are good and bad yet.
While these numbers will tighten up as the season goes along, the first few weeks of the NFL season are always good for a few surprises.
Best NFL Picks Week 1
- Carolina Panthers vs. Cleveland Browns
- Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Washington Commanders
Carolina Panthers vs. Cleveland Browns
Matchup Information
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium
- Matchup Time: 1 p.m.
- How to watch: Direct Tv
- Where to watch: CBS
Browns Analysis
Offense:
The Cleveland Browns have had a chaotic off-season on the offensive side of the ball. Cleveland had to wait for nearly the entire offseason to learn the fate of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Instead, the Browns will need to lean on veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett to lead the offense.
Fortunately for Brissett, the Browns still have an excellent running game, and we’ll have a strong offensive line in front of him.
Nick Chubb can help carry the load at tailback and likely is what makes the NFL Weeks odds as tight as they are for a team missing their starting quarterback.
Defense:
Cleveland had a strong past defense last year. The Browns ranked in the top five in the league in terms of passing yard and total yards allowed.
Cleveland will want to be more explosive on defense as the Browns only forced 23 turnovers last year, which ranked 18th in the league.
Panthers Analysis
Offense:
The Carolina Panthers didn’t rest on their laurels in the offseason. Carolina went out and traded with the Browns to get Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback.
Mayfield regressed a little bit last season, but that was mostly due to injury. Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey will also return to the lineup.
Defense:
Carolina didn’t allow opponents to gain many yards last season. In fact, the Panthers ranked second in the league in terms of total yards allowed. But when it came to scoring defense and takeaways, the Panthers lagged behind the rest of the league.
The Carolina defense allowed 23.8 points per game and only forced 16 turnovers last season. When it comes to best bets for NFL Week 1, it will be interesting to see if the Panthers can handle Cleveland’s rushing attack.
NFL Stats and Standings
The Panthers finished last season 5-12 and in last place in the NFC South. Cleveland finished 8-9 and in third place in the AFC North.
Most Remarkable Player for this Matchup
- Baker Mayfield, quarterback, 3,010 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, 13 interceptions
- Nick Chubb, running back, 1,259 rushing yards, 5.5 yards per carry, 8 touchdowns
- Christian McCaffrey, running back, 442 yards, 4.5 yards per carry 1 touchdown
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Washington Commanders
- Matchup Information
- Venue: TIAA Bank Field
- Matchup Time: 1 p.m.
- How to watch: Direct Tv
- Where to watch: Fox
Jaguars Analysis
Offense:
Jaguars first-year coach Doug Pederson hopes he can get the most out of second-year Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence as he did out of a young Carson Wentz. Jacksonville Jaguars is still in the process of rebuilding its offensive line.
However, the Jaguars have added some playmakers. Jacksonville signed wide receiver Christian Kirk, running back James Robinson, and Travis Etienne will return.
Defense:
The Jaguars’ defense was pretty sad last year. Jacksonville only forced 9 turnovers and ranked dead last in the league in creating extra possessions for its offense.
Three of the Jaguars’ first picks in this year’s NFL Draft were on the defensive side of the ball, including first-round defensive end Travon Walker.
Commanders Analysis
Offense:
The Washington Commanders we’ll see the debut of veteran quarterback Wentz under center. By looking at his stats, you wouldn’t guess the people had much reason to complain about Wentz.
However, one struggled in big moments in Indianapolis last season, and we’ll be battling perception as well as his opponents this season.
When it comes to best bets for NFL Week 1, it will be interesting to see Wentz’s experience against a team that struggled mightily on defense last season.
Defense:
Defense was what helped the Commanders win the NFC East two seasons ago, but they had issues last season.
Chase Young, who won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020, missed most of the season with a torn ACL and won’t return this season until around the midway mark when he heals from the injury.
NFL Stats and Standings
Jacksonville finished 3-14 and in last place in the AFC South last season. Washington finished 7-10 and in third place in the NFC East.
Most Remarkable Player for this Matchup
- Carson Wentz, QB, 3,563 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, 7 interceptions
- Christian Kirk, WR, 77 catches, 982 yards, five touchdowns
- Trevor Lawrence, QB, 3,641 yards, 12 touchdowns, 17 interceptions
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