The NFL season will be kicking off with one of the best matchups of the weekend. The Lions had a breakout 2022 season, despite losing six of their first seven games. They return their fantastic offense and added an exciting rookie running back in Jahmyr Gibbs. While we still have questions about their defense, we think the Chiefs’ injuries will help them get the win.
The Super Bowl Champions are primed to repeat this season, but it won’t start on Thursday. Kansas City will be without DT Chris Jones (holdout) and likely TE Travis Kelce (hyperextended knee). The Chiefs don’t have a lot of pass rushers to replace Jones, and this offense struggles without Kelce. Their absences will be felt and ultimately lead to a home loss.
It might take them a while to get going on the road Thursday, but they will ultimately capitalize on the Chiefs injuries to start the season out with a win.
Lions injury report
Chiefs injury report
| Bookmaker | Pick | Odds |
 | Lions +5.5 | -115 |
 | Lions ML | +195 |
 | Over 52.5 | -110 |
This may not be the most exciting game of the weekend, but it is the safest bet on the schedule. We like the Falcons to get an easy win for a couple of different reasons. The first is that they have a ton of young playmakers who are primed for big seasons. The includes QB Desmond Ridder, rookie RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London, and TE Kyle Pitts.
On the other side, the Panthers will be starting rookie QB Bryce Young. His receiving corps is led by two veterans past their primes. Rookie WR Jonathan Mingo could be in for a good season, but it’s hard to see him or Young looking great in their NFL debut. Atlanta’s defense was bad last season, but adding David Oneyemata and Calais Campbell means they are good enough to handle Carolina.
Expect to see the Panthers offense struggle, while the Falcons show off their exciting young offense.
Panthers injury report
Falcons injury report
| Bookmaker | Pick | Odds |
| Falcons -3.5 | -110 |
| Falcons ML | -185 |
| Under 39.5 | -110 |
These two in-state rivals both boast good rosters and have their sights set on winning the AFC North. While it is only the first game of the season, the result could have a major impact on who ends up as division champions this winter. These two teams split their series last season, with the home team winning each.
While the Bengals are the better team, we think a lingering QB JoeBurrow injury will lead to a loss at home this weekend. Look for the potent Browns’ offense to expose the Bengals, and for an injured Burrow (or his backup) to struggled to keep up. Unless Burrow is 100%, don’t count on the Bengals looking like the Super Bowl team they are expected to be.
Cleveland Browns stadium is going to be wild given the teams high expectations, and that is going to help them get a fantastic week 1 win.
Bengals injury report
Browns injury report
| Bookmaker | Pick | Odds |
| Browns +2.5 | -110 |
| Browns ML | +114 |
| Over 47.5 | -110 |
While the Niners have been near unbeatable since trading for RB Christian McCaffery last season. The key will be how QB Brock Purdy fares in his second season as a starting quarterback. He will face one of the league’s best defenses on the road and may be without star TE George Kittle. The Niners rely heavily on Kittle for blocking and pass catching, so his absence would have a major impact.
The Steelers have been one of the most popular Super Bowl longshot bets this offseason. QB Kenny Pickett looks like he has taken a major step forward, as has top-receiver George Pickens. TE Pat Freiermith and WR Diontae Johnson are back as well, meaning this offense has the weapons to be great. The Niners defense is incredible, but they will be challenged on the road against this dangerous young offense.
We are locking in the Steelers at home because we believe this offense has taken a step forward. The Pittsburgh defense is great and expect to see TJ Watt make life miserable for Purdy on Sunday.
49ers injury report
Steelers injury report
| Bookmaker | Pick | Odds |
| Steelers +2.5 | -110 |
| Steelers ML | +120 |
| Under 41 | -110 |
Philadelphia lost one of the best Super Bowl games in history last season, and they will be looking for payback. The Eagles will return most of the team that ranked third yards gained and second in yards allowed. They will be up against an improved, but still unimpressive Patriots team and we think it leads to a blowout.
The Patriots appeared to be turning things around last season when they stated 6-4. The improvement didn’t last, as they finished the season by losing five of their final eight games. We like QB Mac Jones, but he has been the victim of a broken offense. The Pats added WR Juju Smith-Schuster in the offseason, but that won’t matter if the offensive gameplan doesn’t improve.
While the injuries to the Eagle’s linebacking corps is concerning, it isn’t enough to stop them from dominating a weaker team on Sunday. Expect to see this game get out of control easy, leading to an easy moneyline win for bettors.
Eagles injury report
Patriots injury report
| Bookmaker | Pick | Odds |
| Eagles -3.5 | -115 |
| Eagles ML | -198 |
| Over 45 | -106 |
The Dolphins will have one of their best teams in recent memory, but week one could be rough. They have a gigantic injury report, highlighted by RB Jeff Wilson Jr and CB Jalen Ramsey being on the IR. Ramsey is a massive lost for an already questionable secondary, but Wilson’s absence means RB Raheem Mostert will be on his own. We see Miami winning a lot of games, but that won’t start this weekend.
The Chargers had a disappointing season in 2022, but they are ready to make a run this season. They return all their key playmakers, though it remains to be seen if the team can keep WR Keenan Allen (Missed six games last season) and WR Mike Williams (Missed three games last season) on the field. They will have them ready for week one, which will be a big advantage against a Ramsey-less Miami secondary.
These two teams played last season, with the Chargers winning 23-17. Look for San Diego to pick apart the Miami secondary, while their defense takes advantage of a weak backfield.
Dolphins injury report
Chargers injury report
| Bookmaker | Pick | Odds |
| Chargers -3 | -110 |
| Chargers ML | -170 |
| Over 45 | -106 |
There are a lot of unknowns around QB Jordan Love and the Packer offense, which makes this game hard to pick. The Packers defense is improved from last season, but they will be without CB Eric Stokes and top CB Jaire Alexander. That is a big problem against Justin Fields and an improved receiving corps. Look for Green Bay to be vulnerable to big plays, costing them the game on Sunday.
While many still expect the Bears to struggle in 2023, there is a lot of hype around QB Justin Fields and their offense. Adding WR DJ Moore gives their receiving corps a big boost, and it gives Field a great deep threat. The Bears’ defense isn’t overly impressive, but they are good enough to take on Love and this young Packers offense this weekend.
The Bears have been a punching bag for the Packers for a while now, and they will get some payback tonight. Look for a fantastic stat line from Fields, leading the Bears to a big win at home this weekend.
Packers injury report
Bears injury report
| Bookmaker | Pick | Odds |
| Bears -1.5 | -104 |
| Bears ML | -115 |
| Over 43 | -110 |
The AFC East is loaded with good teams, and the Bills are the best of the bunch. While last season ended with a disappointing playoff loss, this team still went 13-3 last season. Buffalo lost to the Jets on the road last season, the Bills were still the better team. The defense finished sixth in yards allowed last season, and they are going to spoil the debut of this new Jets offense on Monday night.
The addition of QB Aaron Rodgers has Jet fans thinking Super Bowl, but we aren’t sold. Rodgers did not look good last season, and he will turn 40 this winter. While he will have better weapons in New York, their offensive line is questionable at best. Rodgers does not do well under pressure, which he will face from the Bills on Monday.
Prepare for the Jets Super Bowl dreams come crashing down Monday as they are demolished by a superior Bills team.
Bills injury report
Jets injury report
| Bookmaker | Pick | Odds |
| Bills -2.5 | -110 |
| Bills ML | -142 |
| Over 46.5 | -110 |
