NFL picks for Week 1: Predictions include Vikings vs. Packers and Steelers vs. Bengals

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers warms up before the start of an NFL preseason football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers.

NFL Week 1 kicked off on Thursday night, but Sunday’s schedule features multiple divisional battles and our experts have NFL picks for two key games.AP

The Buffalo Bills took down the Los Angeles Rams to kick off the NFL season on Thursday night, and our experts cashed their best bet on the Bills -2.5. They also previewed the Ravens and Jets matchup here, but they have two more NFL picks for Week 1 this Sunday. Let’s dive into both predictions with odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook.

Betting MarketBest bet for Sunday, 9/11
Money line predictionVikings ML (+100)
Point spread predictionSteelers +7 (-125)

Click here to claim $200 in free bets from DraftKings Sportsbook for NFL Week 1.

Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 18005224700 (KS), 888-789-7777/visit https://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or 18885323500 (VA).

NFL picks for Week 1 highlighted by Vikings ML and Steelers +7

Sunday’s NFL slate includes six different divisional matchups, and both the NFC North and AFC North have matchups that our experts targeted. The Minnesota Vikings will host the Green Bay Packers, while the Pittsburgh Steelers will travel for a road date with the Cincinnati Bengals. Our experts predict that Minnesota will grab a win and Pittsburgh will cover the +7 point spread currently offered by DraftKings.

Let’s explain the reasoning behind our NFL picks for Week 1 this Sunday.

Packers vs. Vikings prediction: MIN Vikings ML (+100 at DraftKings)

The Packers travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings in both teams’ opening games, and we predict the hosts can get a win. Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers will not have many weapons on Sunday after star WR Davante Adams was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in the offseason. Minnesota’s secondary isn’t extremely strong, but its front seven should test the Packers’ offensive line.

Click this link to claim DraftKings Sportsbook’s football promotion, which gives $200 in free bets to all new customers.

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith (a former Packer) will anchor Minnesota’s defensive line, and we don’t picture Green Bay having much success on the ground. Reports around Minnesota’s training camp stated that new head coach Kevin O’Connell brought renewed energy to the organization. We’re confident QB Kirk Cousins and the entire offense will thrive in front of their home fans, which will cause Rodgers to force the issue in hopes of keeping up.

The Vikings are the only team that carries a better than .500 ATS record against Rodgers and they’re 4-1 in the last five meetings between these two teams at U.S. Bank Stadium. We’ll ride the Vikings to win outright on Sunday as our first NFL pick for Week 1.

Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 18005224700 (KS), 888-789-7777/visit https://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or 18885323500 (VA).

Steelers vs. Bengals prediction: PIT Steelers +7 (-125 at DraftKings)

Our second best bet for our NFL picks features the Steelers and Bengals matchup. Pittsburgh will begin its journey without QB Ben Roethlisberger, but we think QB Mitchell Trubisky is actually an upgrade compared to a 39-year-old Big Ben. He’ll have plenty of weapons, as Pittsburgh boasts a wide receiving corps of Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and rookie Georgie Pickens to pair with TE Pat Freiermuth and RB Najee Harris.

All eyes will be on the Bengals after they made it to the Super Bowl, but we think the 2021 AFC champs will start slow out of the blocks. There could be a Super Bowl hangover for the team, and although Joe Burrow’s appendectomy in late July was brushed off as a minor procedure, the star QB appears to have lost a few pounds and we don’t think he’ll be 100% in the home opener.

Click here to claim an extra $150 in free bets after you make a $5 bet with or against our week 1 predictions.

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

The Steelers aren’t getting the respect they deserve with this line, mainly because of Cincinnati’s Super Bowl run in 2021. Pittsburgh is 35-15-2 ATS in its last 52 as an underdog and 16-5-2 ATS in its previous 23 away matchups against Cincinnati. Additionally, there is a revenge factor tied to this game after the Bengals destroyed the Steelers 41-10 in Cincinnati last year. Expect head coach Mike Tomlin to have his team ready, so Pittsburgh +7 is our Steelers vs. Bengals best bet.

Week 1 NFL odds and latest lines

DraftKings Sportsbook has betting odds for every NFL Week 1 matchup, and the latest lines can be seen below:

  • San Francisco 49ers -7 (-110) vs. Chicago Bears +7 (-110)
  • Jacksonville Jaguars +2.5 (-110) vs. Washington Commanders -2.5 (-110)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers +6.5 (-110) vs. Cincinnati Bengals -6.5 (-110)
  • New Orleans Saints -5.5 (-115) vs. Atlanta Falcons +5.5 (-105)
  • Cleveland Browns PK (-110) vs. Carolina Panthers PK (-110)
  • Baltimore Ravens -6.5 (-110) vs. New York Jets +6.5 (-110)
  • Philadelphia Eagles -4.5 (-110) vs. Detroit Lions +4.5 (-110)
  • New England Patriots +3.5 (-115) vs. Miami Dolphins -3.5 (-105)
  • Indianapolis Colts -7 (-115) vs. Houston Texans +7 (-105)
  • New York Giants +5.5 (-110) vs. Tennessee Titans -5.5 (-110)
  • Green Bay Packers -1 (-115) vs. Minnesota Vikings +1 (-105)
  • Las Vegas Raiders +3.5 (-110) vs. Los Angeles Chargers -3.5 (-110)
  • Kansas City Chiefs -6 (-110) vs. Arizona Cardinals +6 (-110)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers -2.5 (-115) vs. Dallas Cowboys +2.5 (-105)
  • Denver Broncos -6.5 (-110) vs. Seattle Seahawks +6.5 (-110)

Click here to claim $200 in free bets from DraftKings for NFL Week 1.

Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 18005224700 (KS), 888-789-7777/visit https://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or 18885323500 (VA).

How to bet on the NFL at PointsBet Sportsbook

Our experts backed Vikings ML and Steelers +7 as their two best bets for their NFL picks, and if you already have an account at DraftKings just click here to sign up at PointsBet Sportsbook. PointsBet is giving all new customers two risk-free bets worth up to $2,000. You can use these free bets however you see fit, so make sure you click here and claim this offer before Sunday.

MORE SPORTS BETTING STORIES

Ravens vs. Jets prediction and pick against the spread: NFL Week 1

Syracuse vs. UConn prediction, picks and updated odds for Saturday

Best sports betting sites in New York

FREE TO PLAY CONTESTS

Think you know the Bills? Play the Syracuse.com Prop Bet Showdown for this week’s Bills-Rams game for a chance to win weekly and season-long prizes!

Make your NFL Week 1 picks against the spread in our Syracuse.com Pro Picks Challenge. Cash prizes for the winners each week and for the season!

If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more information.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.