Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season is upon us.
The new crusade begins Thursday night when Super Bowl protection champion Kansas City Chiefs receives the Houston Texans. This season opener will be followed by a 13-game line-up on Sunday and a double “Monday Night Football” title. And with the return of football, of course, it marks the return of weekly betting.
When making your plan for the board, bet on those 3 losers in Week 1, two of whom will have a cash advantage.
(scores based on consensus data).
Green Bay Packers (2. 5) in Minnesota Vikings The NFC North seems pretty open this season, and the Packers and Vikings will look to do a Sunday when the department’s rivals face off at USBank Stadium. This game is about to be a little difficult. slugfest as it includes two of the NFL’s most productive defensive ensembles.
While Aaron Rodgers ‘collection of pass receivers is nothing out of the ordinary, Kirk Cousins’ supporting cast, at least on paper, is far better. The Vikings quarterback no longer has the Stefon Diggs component of an elite receiving tandem with Adam Thielen.
In a contest that may not require much trouble winning, we’re going with Rodgers to beat Cousins in Minnesota. It’s also valuable to note that the Packers haven’t lost a normal-season first game since 2014, and a motivated Rodgers will be able to continue that trend on Sunday.
Seattle Seahawks to Atlanta Falcons (+1. 5) Simply put, the Falcons are another team at home. Matt Ryan and company appear to be at their most productive at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and that’s where they’ll be on Sunday when they host Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks.
This has a chance of being a shooting. The Seahawks provided Wilson with some new weapons during the off-season, while the Falcons’ already charged offensive was reinforced by the addition of Todd Gurley. Seattle High School is not a joke, however, it will be difficult to keep quiet like Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and newcomer Hayden Hurst.
The Falcons’ 2019 season has been woefully disappointing, so we expect Dan Quinn’s team to have a chip on their shoulders in Week 1 as they look to build a rebounding campaign.
Tennessee Titans in Denver Broncos (2. 5) The Broncos are unlikely to win the West AFC this season, but they look at Denver as a valid contender for a wildcard spot. Drew Lock was inspired as a rookie in 2019, and his arsenal gained some great additions the off-season in the form of WR rookie Jerry Jeudy and veteran Melvin Gordon.
While Ryan Tannehill’s career in 2019 is undoubtedly impressive, it was not consistent enough throughout his career to motivate overall optimism. Tennessee now has a goal on its back after its march towards the AFC Championship game last season, and Denver is a difficult position to play for visitors, even without stands enthusiasts.
With some numbers to paint on, we can see the Broncos ahead of the Titans.
Thumbnail photo Brace Hemmelgarn / USA TODAY Sports Images