The NFL is back and that means one thing. Well, it actually means a lot of things, but bettors can get back to work. There are several interesting matchups in Week 1 and even more interesting lines. Here’s a look at the top five NFL Week 1 ATS picks.
Check out our top five NFL week 1 over/under picks as well.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills Week 1
Steelers vs. Bills Picks
Pittsburgh won 11 straight to open last season. Then, they lost five of their last six, including the first round playoff game. Now, the Steelers are just a shell of their former selves. The offensive line has issues and QB Ben Roethlisberger is old.
The Bills have a legitimate MVP candidate in QB Josh Allen. WR Stefon Diggs led the NFL in receptions last season and the running game is solid. Buffalo has beaten Pittsburgh in each of the past two seasons. Winning in Buffalo is hard enough. The Bills will open the 2021 season with a statement victory as they look to get back to the AFC Championship game.
ATS Pick: BUFFALO -6.5
San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions Week 1
49ers vs. Lions Picks
It’s a new NFL season, but it will probably be the same old Detroit Lions. Sure, they have a new coach in Dan Campbell, but new quarterback Jared Goff is a downgrade from Matt Stafford. Plus, the 49ers played Goff twice per season during his career in Los Angeles.
A healthy 49ers roster is as good as any in the NFL. DE Nick Bosa is back and will wreak havoc on Goff. Campbell and the Lions will try to run the football, but that will be like trying to beat a dead horse.
The problem with betting this game is the spread. The 49ers are 7.5-point favorites. Anything over a touchdown presents a problem even for a team with a much better roster than its opponent. Detroit will play well early and will keep this game within a score. Back the Lions.
ATS Pick: LIONS +7.5
Minnesota Vikings vs. Cincinnati Bengals Week 1
Vikings vs. Bengals Picks
Bengals QB Joe Burrow is back and the Bengals are primed for a Week 1 NFL upset. Cincy is a 3.5-point underdog at home on the first Sunday of the season. All signs point directly to the Bengals pulling off at least an ATS win.
The Vikings haven’t covered a spread in seven straight games. Cincinnati is 5-2 ATS in its last seven home games. Plus, Minnesota has lost five straight as the betting favorite. After a disappointing 7-9 campaign in 2020, Minnesota starts the 2021 season slowly.
ATS Pick: BENGALS +3.5
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Atlanta Falcons Week 1
Eagles vs. Falcons Picks
Matt Ryan is one of the most prolific passers in NFL history. He now gets to operate an offense under new head coach Arthur Smith, the former Tennessee offensive coordinator. The Titans finished third in total offense and fourth in scoring (30.7 ppg) last season. Ryan loses WR Julio Jones but gains rookie TE Kyle Pitts.
Philadelphia is headed toward train wreck status. They have a new coach as well in Mike Sirianni, but they just don’t have the weapons that Atlanta does. Plus, Philly went 6-10 ATS last season and they were even worse when on the road. In away games last year, the Eagles only covered in one out of eight games.
ATS Pick: FALCONS -3.5
Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans Week 1
Cardinals vs. Titans Picks
This one should be fun to watch. Both teams have outstanding, high-powered offenses. Tennessee averaged 30.7 points a game last season while Arizona scored 25.6. The Titans have the best running back in the league in Derrick Henry, who has led the NFL in rushing in each of the past two seasons.
Henry helps open up the Titans passing game led by QB Ryan Tannehill. Now, Tannehill will have Julio Jones to throw to opposite AJ Brown.
The Cardinals counter with QB Kyler Murray and WR DeAndre Hopkins and their free agent acquisition AJ Green. The difference in this one will be which defense can make more stops. That will be Tennessee’s.
ATS Pick: TITANS -3
Check out our 2021 NFL last team to be undefeated predictions.
