NFL Preseason Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels Ready for Debuts

• Games will take place Thursday-Sunday

• The first and second picks in the NFL Draft are both expected to make their debuts

• The Baltimore Ravens won 24 straight postseason games

The first taste of real action is coming this week as teams prepare for the 2024 NFL campaign with Week 1 of the preseason.

The festivities begin with two games on Thursday and wrap up with America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys, visiting the Los Angeles Rams. Although these games are only dress rehearsals for the regular season, there are still plenty of betting opportunities—ones that we’re about to share.

Here are our best bets against the spread for Week 1 of the NFL preseason.

NFL Preseason Week 1 Picks 

• Panthers +6.5 (-105) vs. Patriots at BetMGM

• Browns -3 (-105) vs. Packers at BetMGM

• Commanders -2.5 (-120) vs. Jets at BetMGM

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NFL Preseason Week 1 Predictions and Odds

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Giants vs. Lions - Aug 8, 7:00 PM ET 

Spread: Lions +3.5 (-115), Giants -3.5 (-105)

Money Line: Lions (+150), Giants (-185)

Total: Over/under 35 (-105/-115)

The Giants and Lions engaged in several fights during their shared practices early in the week, raising the temperature for a usually-calm time of the preseason. The Lions have the unquestioned better starting unit, but the Giants’ quarterback depth on their bench, along with the fire burning in rookie wideout Malik Nabers, should get them to this line.

• Giants vs. Lions pick: Giants -3.5 (-105) at BetMGM

Patriots vs. Panthers - Aug 8, 7:00 PM ET

Spread: Panthers +6.5 (-105), Patriots -6.5 (-115) 

Money Line: Panthers (+240), Patriots (-300)

Total: Over/under 33.5 (-110/-110)

The Panthers were the worst team in football last year, yet the Patriots have the shortest odds to secure the worst record in 2024. Rookies Drake Maye and Joe Milton III are likely to get a heavy workload, which means Carolina should cover this large spread even with a poor offensive showing.

• Patriots vs. Panthers pick: Panthers +6.5 (-105) at BetMGM

Dolphins vs. Falcons - Aug 9, 7:00 PM ET

Spread: Dolphins +2.5 (-115), Falcons -2.5 (-105)

Money Line: Dolphins (+115), Falcons (-140)

Total: Over/under 38.5 (-115/-105)

Michael Penix Jr. is a pro-style quarterback who almost won the Heisman and will be eager to show what he has before he backs up Kirk Cousins. Taylor Heinicke is also a reputable backup, whereas the Dolphins’ contingent of Mike White and Skyler Thompson presents more volatility.

• Dolphins vs. Falcons pick: Falcons -2.5 (-105) at BetMGM

Steelers vs. Texans - Aug 9, 7:00 PM ET

Spread: Steelers -1 (+100), Texans +1 (-120)

Money Line: Steelers (-110), Texans (-110)

Total: Over/under 37.5 (-110/-110)

This is a sneakily-important game for the Steelers QBs, namely Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, who are battling for the starting job. The Texans, meanwhile, have one of the deepest quarterback rooms (by preseason standards), which should lead to this being a high-scoring game. We’ll give the edge to Pittsburgh since Wilson and Field have the most to play for.

• Steelers vs. Texans pick: Steelers -1 (+100) at BetMGM

Ravens vs. Eagles - Aug 9, 7:30 PM ET

Spread: Ravens +1 (-110), Eagles -1 (-110)

Money Line: Ravens (+100), Eagles (-120)

Total: Over/under 34.5 (-110/-110)

The Ravens won 24 straight preseason games, bringing John Harbaugh to a .772 career preseason winning percentage. Their quarterback room pales in comparison to the Eagles’ and they have a new defensive coordinator, but we’re not ready to give up on a highly profitable trend just yet.

• Ravens vs. Eagles pick: Ravens +1 (-110) at BetMGM

Jets vs. Commanders - Aug 10, 12:00 PM ET

Spread: Commanders -2.5 (-120), Jets +2.5 (+100)

Money Line: Commanders (-155), Jets (+130)

Total: Over/under 34.5 (-110/-110)

Aaron Rodgers will sit on the bench, setting the stage for rookie second-overall pick Jayden Daniels to steal the show. Daniels has reportedly been better than advertised and comfortable operating the pocket, so we expect him and a horde of newcomers in Washington to get a decent amount of reps and to make their mark with a solid start.

• Jets vs. Commanders pick: Commanders -2.5 (-120) at BetMGM

Bills vs. Bears - Aug 10, 1:00 PM ET

Spread: Bills +1.5 (-115), Bears -1.5 (-105)

Money Line: Bills (+105), Bears (-125)

Total: Over/under 37.5 (-115/-105)

Buffalo’s lack of depth was a concern last year and will be tested in preseason games such as this one, especially since Josh Allen will be limited (if not unavailable). On the other side, first-overall pick Caleb Williams should get some burn with a much-improved roster that features explosive weapons and a defense that was among the three best in the league during the final months of 2023.

• Bills vs. Bears pick: Bears -1.5 (-105) at BetMGM

Vikings vs. Raiders - Aug 10, 4:00 PM ET

Spread: Vikings +3.5 (-105), Raiders -3.5 (-115)

Money Line: Vikings (+170), Raiders (-210)

Total: Over/under 38.5 (-110/-110)

Sam Darnold is listed as the starter in the Vikings’ depth chart, meaning that J.J. McCarthy could spend real time on the field. Vegas has uninspiring quarterback options with Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew and also lost Josh Jacobs, though Antonio Pierce managed to get the best out of his team every week en route to an 8-9 season. We expect them to keep that level of intensity and to set the tone for the year.

• Vikings vs. Raiders pick: Raiders -3.5 (-115) at BetMGM

Browns vs. Packers - Aug 10, 4:25 PM ET

Spread: Browns -3 (-105), Packers +3 (-115)

Money Line: Browns (-155), Packers (+130)

Total: Over/under 39.5 (-110/-110)

A rotation of Jameis Winston, Tyler Huntley, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson might not be enough to win a Super Bowl, but it’s more than enough to win a preseason game. The Packers went on a great run to end last year but are still very young and don’t have the defensive depth that Cleveland does.

• Browns vs. Packers pick: Browns -3 (-105) at BetMGM

Bengals vs. Buccaneers - Aug 10, 7:00 PM ET

Spread: Bengals -4.5 (-110), Buccaneers +4.5 (-110)

Money Line: Bengals (-225), Buccaneers (+180)

Total: Over/under 38.5 (-110/-110)

The Bengals are Super Bowl contenders as long as Joe Burrow is upright and healthy. However, their defense disappointed last year, while the Buccaneers’ overachieved. Tampa also has an exciting rookie running back in Bucky Irving who could star in this game.

• Bengals vs. Buccaneers pick: Buccaneers +4.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Titans vs. 49ers - Aug 10, 7:00 PM ET

Spread: Titans -4.5 (-110), 49ers +4.5 (-110)

Money Line: Titans (-225), 49ers (+180)

Total: Over/under 38.5 (-110/-110)

The Titans spent a lot of money to bring in veteran free agents during the offseason in hopes of keeping them competitive in a young but talented AFC South. That’s important for the regular season but won’t help them much in the preseason, especially against a well-oiled 49ers machine.

• Titans vs. 49ers pick: 49ers +4.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Jaguars vs. Chiefs - Aug 10, 7:00 PM ET

Spread: Jaguars -2.5 (-110), Chiefs +2.5 (-110)

Money Line: Jaguars (-145), Chiefs (+120)

Total: Over/under 38.5 (-110/-110)

The Chiefs are looking to become the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls. But because their ambitions can’t be achieved until months in the future, it’s unlikely they will attack the preseason with much vigor. Mac Jones is also looking to revitalize his career and could be a real weapon in the preseason.

• Jaguars vs. Chiefs pick: Jaguars -2.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Chargers vs. Seahawks - Aug 10, 7:05 PM ET

Spread: Chargers +1.5 (-110), Seahawks -1.5 (-110)

Money Line: Chargers (+105), Seahawks (-125)

Total: Over/under 35 (-110/-110)

Jim Harbaugh and Mike MacDonald worked together at the University of Michigan and are both newcomers to their respective teams. Harbaugh will be without injured QB Justin Herbert and has a totally remade offense, while MacDonald has pieces in place but needs to get more production out of them, particularly on defense. This should be cagey because of the coaches’ familiarity with one another, but we like the healthier Seahawks.

• Chargers vs. Seahawks pick: Seahawks -1.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Cardinals vs. Saints - Aug 10, 8:00 PM ET

Spread: Cardinals +1.5 (-110), Saints -1.5 (-110)

Money Line: Cardinals (+100), Saints (-120)

Total: Over/under 36.5 (-110/-110)

Jonathan Gannon didn’t get much of a chance to show his stuff as a head coach due to the Cardinals' lack of talent and Kyler Murray’s injury. He’ll start his second season against a Saints squad that has talent but also can’t quite figure out what stage it is in as a franchise.

• Cardinals vs. Saints pick: Cardinals +1.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Colts vs. Broncos - Aug 11, 1:00 PM ET

Spread: Colts -1.5 (-110), Broncos +1.5 (-110) 

Money Line: Colts (-125), Broncos (+105)

Total: Over/under 37.5 (-120/+100)

Shane Steichen had the Colts one dropped pass away from winning the AFC South and making the playoffs last year. They lost Gardner Minshew but added Joe Flacco and several weapons that should make this an explosive offense. Meanwhile, the Broncos are in quarterback purgatory and got worse on defense after ranking 27th in points allowed a year ago.

• Colts vs. Broncos pick: Colts -1.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Rams vs. Cowboys - Aug 11, 4:30 PM ET

Spread: Rams +4 (-110), Cowboys -4 (-110)

Money Line: Rams (+165), Cowboys (-200)

Total: Over/under 35 (-110/-110)

The Rams have impressive young pieces on defense and an explosive offense, making them an underrated team heading into 2024. The Cowboys, meanwhile, had one of the worst offseasons of any team and lost several coaches, including defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, which gives us reason to doubt them early on.

• Rams vs. Cowboys pick: Rams +4 (-110) at BetMGM