NFL Predictions 2020: Very Early Week 1 Picks Against The Spread, Betting Odds

The entire 2020 NFL schedule became available Thursday night, along with betting odds for every Week 1 game. With team sports still on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, we might as well make some predictions for contests that won’t be played for another few months.

Here are very early picks against the spread for every game in Week 1. Betting lines are courtesy of OddsShark.

Houston Texans (+10.5) at Kansas City Chiefs

The Texans won at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 6 last season, and Houston took a 24-0 lead in Kansas City in the divisional playoffs before the wheels came off. Grab the 10-plus points with Deshaun Watson. This has the potential to be a great first game.

Prediction ATS: Houston

Green Bay Packers (+3.5) at Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have won at home by at least eight points in Week 1 in three consecutive seasons. Minnesota hasn’t lost a home opener since 2014 when they hosted New England and Matt Cassel was the Vikings’ starting quarterback. Aaron Rodgers last threw for more than 216 yards in Minnesota in 2013.

Prediction ATS: Minnesota

Miami Dolphins (+6.5) at New England Patriots

The Dolphins defeated the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in last year’s regular-season finale when New England needed a victory to secure a first-round bye. Things might not go any better when Jarrett Stidham makes his first start.

Prediction ATS: Miami

Chicago Bears (+1.5) at Detroit Lions

It’s unknown if it’ll be Nick Foles or Mitchell Trubisky under center for Chicago in the opener. Neither quarterback should be trusted very much on the road.

Prediction ATS: Detroit

Seattle Seahawks (-1) at Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta’s strong finish to last season might not exactly be a sign of things to come. Russell Wilson is the best quarterback in the NFC. He’s got a chance to shred the Falcons’ defense.

Prediction ATS: Seattle

Philadelphia Eagles (-6.5) at Washington Redskins

Carson Wentz should be healthy for the season opener. Dwayne Haskins had a very underwhelming rookie campaign. Washington might have the worst home-field advantage in football.

Prediction ATS: Philadelphia

Indianapolis Colts (-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars

Philip Rivers’ 20 interceptions in 2019 might be a sign that he’s headed toward the twilight of his career. The Colts arguably didn’t get much better at quarterback by replacing Jacoby Brissett. Aside from the trade for defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis didn’t make many notable additions to the roster.

Prediction ATS: Jacksonville

Cleveland Browns (+9) at Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens were virtually unstoppable last regular season. If the reigning MVP limits his turnovers—he had two interceptions and a lost fumble in Baltimore’s playoff loss—the Ravens should get off to a fast start to the season.

Prediction ATS: Baltimore

New York Jets (+6) at Buffalo Bills

Buffalo is a candidate to be among the most disappointing teams in 2020. The Bills needed a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Jets in last year’s season opener.

Prediction ATS: New York

Las Vegas Raiders (+1) at Carolina Panthers

It’s hard to know what to expect from Carolina in its first season with Matt Rhule as the head coach and Teddy Bridgewater as the starting quarterback. The Raiders could have one of the league’s better offenses after ranking 11th in total yards last year.

Prediction ATS: Las Vegas

Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5) at Cincinnati Bengals

Twelve quarterbacks were drafted first overall from 2003-2019. None of them started and won in Week 1 of their rookie seasons. As great as Joe Burrow was at LSU, he could struggle to begin his NFL career.

Prediction: Los Angeles

Arizona Cardinals (+8) at San Francisco 49ers

It’s going to be very hard for San Francisco to replicate the success it had on defense last season. Arizona might emerge as a playoff contender with Kyler Murray entering his second season and DeAndre Hopkins joining the team. The Cardinals played the 49ers close twice in 2019.

Prediction ATS: Arizona

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+4.5) at New Orleans Saints

New Orleans has underachieved early on in recent seasons, going 2-15 against the spread in its last 17 Week 1 and Week 2 matchups. Tampa Bay’s defense could be much improved now that Jameis Winston won’t be constantly throwing interceptions and giving opposing teams great field position. Tom Brady last threw more than 11 picks in 2011.

Prediction ATS: Tampa Bay

Dallas Cowboys (-2.5) at Los Angeles Rams

This line should be closer to a pick’em, considering the Rams finished ahead of the Cowboys in the overall standings last season and have always posted a winning record under Sean McVay. Los Angeles could put up a lot of points against a mediocre Dallas defense.

Prediction ATS: Los Angeles

Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5) at New York Giants

The Steelers should return to being a force in the AFC now that they’ll have a competent starting quarterback. There’s little reason to believe the Giants won’t have a very bad defense, once again.

Prediction ATS: Pittsburgh

Tennessee Titans (+2.5) at Denver Broncos

Maybe Ryan Tannehill won’t be an MVP-caliber quarterback anymore, but last season suggests he can be an above-average signal caller with the Titans. Derrick Henry is the AFC’s best running back. It’s an easy decision to grab the points with a team that reached the conference title game against one that has missed the playoffs in four straight years.

Prediction ATS: Tennessee