NFL Week 1 Betting Tips and Predictions: Defence to shine in Pittsburgh

• Chiefs are 6/17.00 to be 8th back-to-back Super Bowl champs

• Back a defensive struggle in Pittsburgh

• NFL...Only Bettor out every Wednesday during season

---

We're back! The race to Las Vegas starts here with the first NFL Sunday of the season - and following the Detroit Lions upsetting the champion Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday it's again clear that anything really can happen in Week One.

You can read more thoughts for the months to come in my NFL new season preview.

But we're here for Week 1 which has a few absolute crackers on the slate, so let's dive right in....

---

San Francisco 49ers @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Match Odds: 3/41.75 | 11/102.11
Spread: Niners -2.5
O/U: 41.5

What a game this is to start as we see two of the best defensive players in the league clash, with Nick Bosa fresh off his new deal heading into TJ Watt's Pittsburgh back yard.

Bosa hasn't practiced much though and Brock Purdy's coming off elbow surgery so Pittsburgh could well pick up the upset here - but in terms of best bets back a low-scoring opening quarter where these two defences will be at their most fierce.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns

Match Odds: 4/51.80 | 21/202.05
Spread: Bengals -1.5
Points: 47.5

Joe Burrow has a huge new deal with will his calf injury slow him down? The Browns will be better this year as Deshaun Watson improves, but I think we're looking for an upset of sorts here more than believing in one.

Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens

Match Odds: 7/24.50 | 2/91.22
Spread: Ravens -10
Points: 43.5

I'm high on the Ravens this season and they should get off to a great start as one of the locks of the week at home. I've got Lamar Jackson as a live MVP shout with Odell Beckham among his best ever set of receivers - to go with the usual Baltimore bruisers in the run game.

Houston's second overall pick CJ Stroud could hardly have a tougher debut, and 4/61.67 on him to throw an interception is a no-brainer - a bit like a comfortable home win.

Arizona Cardinals @ Washington Commanders

Match Odds: 27/103.70 | 3/101.30
Spread: Commanders -7
O/U: 38.5

It looks like being a long season for consensus No.32 in most people's power rankings Arizona - so much so that Washington are seven-point favourites for the first time in six years.

Washington's Sam Howell has a sneaky good supporting cast but it's their pass rush that could cause chaos whoever Arizona end up starting at QB.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts

Match Odds: 9/201.45 | 15/82.88
Spread: Jags -4.5
O/U: 46.5

The Colts have lost nine straight season openers, while the Jags have lost five in a row in Indy, so something has to give. Anthony Richardson could be great, but this Jags pass rush will give him fits in his debut.

Trevor Lawrence started to deliver late last season, especially in the playoffs, and he'll now have a genuine top tier wideout in Calvin Ridley against a dodgy secondary

Jags to cover the spread is a good bet at 10/111.91 but you have to think Ridley will score to start off what could be a stellar season for him and Lawrence.

Philadelphia Eagles @ New England Patriots

Match Odds: 8/151.53 | 8/52.60
Spread: Eagles -3.5
O/U: 45

Tom Brady will be back in Foxborough on Sunday to be celebrated by the Patriots, but unless he's brought his helmet and pads his former side will be in for a tough night.

Even Brady would struggle behind this Pats offensive line against one of the best pass rushing units in league history - who recorded the third-most ever in a season last year (70).

Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks

Match Odds: 9/52.80 | 1/21.50
Spread: Seahawks -4.5
O/U: 45.5

The Rams are another team who could struggle this season, while the Seahawks are on the up and have won five straight home season openers under Peter Carroll. They'll make that six on Sunday with Seattle another staple for any accas.

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears

Match Odds: 21/202.05 | 4/51.80
Spread: Bears -1.5
O/U: 41.5

With Chicago part-owner Aaron Rodgers now gone, the Bears should end their eight-game losing streak in the NFL's oldest rivalry. Jordan Love has earned rave reviews in pre-season, but he's missing top target Christian Watson and WR2 Romeo Doubs is questionable.

The Bears led the league in rush yards per game last season, the Packers rush defence was among the worst, and now Justin Fields has a premium receiver in DJ Moore to offer an alternative outlet.

Bears fans have long dreamed of this day - Rodgers has gone, the Packers have issues while they look settled at QB for the foreseeable and the NFC North is wide open.

Week 1 NFL Acca

I'll try to pick out an acca each week from some of the best bets above, be it player props, TD or just an acca, which is what we're going for in Week One with a 5/16.00 four-timer.

Watch NFL...Only Bettor season preview

---