Jake’s Takes: NFL Week 1 Betting Preview with Huddle’s Trading Team

Jake Moszkowski is back with his latest "Jake's Takes" breaking down the best bets for NFL Week 1.

The NFL season is here! I know many people are overjoyed with the return of the football season, first initiated when college football kicked off a few weeks back, and now fully here with the NFL’s first weekend. 

At the time of writing this, the Chiefs v. Lions game (which kicks off on Thursday, September 7th) has added intrigue. Star Chiefs DT Chris Jones seems likely to sit this one out, opening the door for talented Detroit RBs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs to run wild. Travis Kelce, the NFL’s best TE and Patrick Mahomes’ favorite target, seems likely to sit out as well, as he suffered a hyperextended knee and bone bruise recently. 

But looking at this slate of weekend’s games, there’s three that stand out for interesting wagers. 

Packers @ Bears

I get it. Future HOF QB Aaron Rodgers is gone. The Bears longtime tormentor is plying his trade for the New York Jets now, and untested quarterback Jordan Love has taken his place. The Bears are currently -1 to beat the Packers, and that just seems a little silly.

Yes, Justin Fields has a revamped offense, a new left tackle, and a legit WR1 in DJ Moore. But the Bears were also the worst team in the NFL last season, and I’m not sure I’m buying that they’re going to go out and beat the Packers, who have a well-rounded defense and an offense that can lean on their powerful RB duo in Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon while Love acclimates to the starting role.

We’ll take the Packers +1 against Chicago.

Cowboys @ Giants

The Cowboys being more than a field goal favorite, against a good division foe, on the road is interesting. The Dallas roster probably features more talent, on paper, and added a good WR2 in Brandin Cooks. But there’s a lot of pressure on Mike McCarthy and Dak Prescott to succeed this season, and the Cowboys of late haven’t always been the best team when under pressure.

The Giants tend to keep games close in this rivalry, and the return of Saquon Barkley (and the addition of tight end Darren Waller) should help elevate the NYG offense. New York should ride some momentum from their playoff appearance last season and benefit from playing an emotional home game in front of an absolutely raucous home crowd.

We’ll take the Giants +3 against Dallas.

Texans @ Ravens

Rookie quarterbacks tend to struggle against Baltimore. Throw in the Texans starting center being ruled out for the year, their starting right tackle being out for four weeks, and their starting left guard also out for the year, and you have a recipe for disaster for CJ Stroud in Baltimore.

Meanwhile, Baltimore’s offense is going to come out swinging against an overmatched opponent, with Lamar Jackson throwing to OBJ, Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers, and Mark Andrews. That’s the most weapons Jackson has ever had on offense. 

The over is currently set at 44. I think the Ravens might hit that number by themselves. We’ll take the O 44.

Read about Huddle's Innovative Same Game Parlay Product 

For Fun: Dolphins @ Chargers

This one is easy for me. 

I’m hammering the over on Justin Herbert’s passing yards in this game. He’s a top-10, borderline top-5 NFL QB. He gets to open the NFL season by playing a Miami Dolphins defense without Jalen Ramsey, while the Chargers added a first round wideout (Quentin Johnston) to his arsenal of receiving weapons. Mind you, the Dolphins have the offensive talent to make this game a shootout. 

I’ll gladly take O 290.5 passing yards for Herbert, as we get to see Game 1 of his partnership with gifted offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.