The 2022 NFL Hall of Fame Game has already taken place, and that means that Week 1 of the preseason is officially here. Every team in the NFL is set to take the field at some point this week as they will get the first real reps against another team.
The regular season draws most of the betting action, but you will still find betting options in the preseason. Here are the five best Week 1 point spread picks.
New York Giants at New England Patriots
Best Bet: Patriots +1.5
The New York Giants and New England Patriots have quite the history, and it’s mostly been positive for New York. We are well removed from the Eli Manning days with the Giants, but that team caused plenty of heartbreak for New England.
The Giants are expected to struggle in 2022, while the Patriots should be in the race to win the AFC East. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is known to be tough on his team, and they will want to respond in this game.
Even though it’s the preseason, the Patriots get some revenge and win this game.
Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions
Best Bet: Lions +2.5
There is an interesting matchup taking place in Detroit in Week 1 of the preseason as the Lions host the Atlanta Falcons. Both teams were really bad in 2021, but the Lions actually look like a team that can take a big step forward.
The Falcons are likely headed for one of the worst records in football this season as they just don’t have a ton of talent. Atlanta could find a way to sneak out some wins, but things won’t be easy.
Detroit is ready to take a big step forward, and they are going to look sharp at home in the preseason opener. The Lions win big to cover the 2.5-point spread.
Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars
Best Bet: Browns +1.5
The Jacksonville Jaguars played in the Hall of Fame Game, and that could give them an advantage in this matchup. Jacksonville did look bad in that matchup, and that should factor into your betting decision in this one.
Cleveland enters the 2022 season with plenty of questions and that coaching staff will want to figure things out in the preseason. The Browns should have a solid 2022 season, and it will start by pulling off a slight upset in Week 1 of the preseason.
Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears
Best Bet: Bears -3.5
The Chicago Bears host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 of the preseason. Kansas City is expected to be a Super Bowl contender yet again, while the Bears could have another long season.
The Bears will have something to prove in Week 1, and head coach Matt Eberflus has already indicated that the starters will play in this game. Kansas City is not going to play starters in Week 1 as they don’t need to do that.
The Bears will start the season on a positive note; they win and cover the spread in Week 1.
Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Best Bet: Dolphins -1
In-state rivals down in Florida meet up in Week 1 of the preseason as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Miami Dolphins. Miami is a slim one-point road favorite, but those odds would be much different if this was a regular season game.
The Buccaneers have a veteran roster, and those veterans are going to be watching from the sidelines. Miami also has some proven veterans that won’t suit up in this matchup, but they do have some positional battles that need to be sorted out.
Look for the Dolphins to win the preseason opener and cover the slim one-point spread.
Read our point spread betting guide if you’renew to sports gambling
