2021 NFL Week 1 Picks, Odds: Raiders stun Ravens, Bills crush Steelers, Cardinals upset Titans

Soccer! It is again, it is actual and it is spectacular. Whereas there’s nonetheless a pandemic within the background, it feels vastly totally different from a 12 months in the past, when soccer legitimately might have simply disappeared. Now we have now followers within the stands and it might current some attention-grabbing betting alternatives — on the very least it is going to create wildly totally different recreation conditions for these gamers.

After a 12 months of with the ability to simply talk in empty stadiums, quarterbacks now must regulate to mildly totally different environments. When you do not imagine me, watch this goosebumps-inducing video of Virginia Tech blasting “Enter Sandman” forward of its large upset of North Carolina final Friday night time.

There are at the least three beginning quarterbacks — Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa and Joe Burrow — who haven’t performed towards NFL defenses on the highway with full stadiums of followers shedding their minds. I am not suggesting they will crumble or something this season, however highway video games are going to be tougher (and doubtless some residence video games for Herbert). It felt like college football delivered a fairly large home-field benefit in some conditions. So the development warrants monitoring this week within the NFL as effectively.

Earlier than we get to the picks, huge shoutout to Ryan Satsky, Justin Web page and all the CBS Sports activities analysis group. That crew places an insane quantity of labor into creating these large packets of information for us and do not get practically sufficient credit score for a way exhausting they grind behind the scenes.

To the picks!

All NFL odds are by way of Caesars Sportsbook

NFL Week 1 Picks

Cowboys at Buccaneers

Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NBC | Stream: fuboTV (click here)
Comply with: CBS Sports App

Newest Odds:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
-9

Let’s not sugar coat this. If you wish to again the man who introduced out an “Austin Powers” meme in entrance of a bunch of 25-year-old youngsters as an alternative of backing the one best player in NFL historical past, who just lately declared that his favourite ring was his subsequent whereas getting ready to look because the oldest defending Super Bowl champion quarterback in NFL historical past, backed by 22 returning starters and an elite protection captained by Todd Bowles, who bought shafted by the Jets and Devin White, who it’s best to guess for DPOY and Lavonte David, probably the most criminally underrated linebacker within the NFL over the past 5 years, plus Vita Vea/Ndamukong Suh going up towards an offensive line with out Zack Martin, by all means go forward.

The decide: Buccaneers 35, Cowboys 24

Props, Finest Bets: Over 51.5, Tom Brady 1st TD (40-1), Antonio Brown over 4.5 receptions, O.J. Howard anytime TD +490

Cardinals at Titans

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)

Newest Odds:

Tennessee Titans
-3

This feels just like the “let’s not overreact to Week 1” Recreation of the 12 months. Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury have to take the proverbial leap this 12 months however I do not know if we will say it occurred as a result of they beat the Titans. Tennessee’s protection must be higher, however I am unsure we will say it’s towards an offense that’s solely typically explosive. Watch Derrick Henry’s carries right here — if the Titans are going to maintain him within the storage early within the season it’s going to change how their offense operates. This recreation might be shut with a ton of factors.

The decide: Cardinals 35, Titans 31

Props, Finest Bets: Over no matter, Below Derrick Henry rush yards

Excited for the largest NFL schedule in historical past? Follow along on the CBS Sports app and get the latest insights from our team of NFL insiders, plus news from our team of experts, as well as data insights on every player. If you have already got the CBS Sports activities app, ensure to favourite the your favourite group so you do not miss a factor!

Jaguars at Texans

Sunday,1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)

Newest Odds:

Houston Texans
+3

No matter you do, do not take the Jaguars in your Survivor Pool. Do not do it! The Texans may be the worst group in soccer, however the Jaguars aren’t that a lot better, it is a division recreation, it is Week 1, it is on the highway and that is principally David Culley’s Tremendous Bowl. He wants this win a LOT greater than City Meyer does. Trevor Lawrence is gonna be exhausting to screw up and City has completed this lengthy sufficient the place he in all probability is aware of what he is doing. However in the event you count on Jacksonville to roll right here simply because Houston is terrible, you have not watched sufficient NFL soccer.

The Choose: Texans 21, Jaguars 17

Bets: Nope

Chargers at Soccer Crew

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)

Newest Odds:

Washington Soccer Crew
-1

See what I discussed above about crowds? My boys The Junkies on 106.7 the Fan do not assume that is going to be an insane crowd in Washington (cannot blame them, FedEx Subject is a dump and actually far-off and this group has been MEEEEEH for 10 years working) however there’s going to be folks there and Ron Rivera’s protection will present up and trigger issues for a younger quarterback with a brand new coach, a brand new offensive system and a number of new offensive linemen. Finally I feel the Chargers did Justin Herbert a favor by including Corey Linsley, et al, this offseason. However we should not count on this group — with a brand new coach in Brandon Staley — to simply magically be superior out of the gate. Shut recreation however the residence group ought to sneak it out.

The Choose: WFT 24, Chargers 21

Bets: Cross

Vikings at Bengals

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV: FOX | Stream: fuboTV (click here)

Newest Odds:

Cincinnati Bengals
+3

Kirk Cousins has completed an excellent job this offseason making the Minnesota Vikings unattractive from a season-long betting perspective, however that will not matter on this recreation. Joe Burrow is again however is he BACK? We have not seen him confidently working the pocket the way in which we count on. Ja’Marr Chase’s drops are a priority however I feel he’ll find yourself being advantageous. The larger downside right here is Cincy in all probability cannot decelerate the Vikings dashing assault. This can be a Dalvin Cook dinner smash spot out of the gate towards a foul protection with an improved offensive line. I feel Minnesota will get the lead and leans into it aggressively. When you disagree, take it up with Vegas: Dalvin’s rush prop at Caesar’s is 95.5! That is a bit too wealthy for Week 1 however I’d nonetheless lean over on it.

The Choose: Vikings 28, Bengals 17

Bets: Vikings -3

Jets at Panthers

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)

Newest Odds:

Carolina Panthers
-4

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN … THE SAM DARNOLD REVENGE GAME!!!! Proper out of the gate, you like to see it. Good work, NFL schedule makers. You need to discuss a referendum recreation — if Darnold stinks towards his outdated group, Panthers followers are going to freak out. Conversely, if Darnold is superior and Zach Wilson struggles, the NY Publish again web page goes to be unbelievable on Monday morning. A lot at stake for such a meaningless recreation. I nonetheless imagine in Darnold and whereas I am petrified to take action, the common idea that something Adam Gase stops touching turns to gold is in play right here huge time. Matt Rhule and David Tepper will need to showcase their QB right here, so I count on loads of photographs down the sector towards a horrendous Jets secondary. P.S. Sneaky revenge recreation for Rhule, too, who wished the Jets job till they demanded to manage what coaches he employed!

The Choose: Panthers 31, Jets 24

Bets: Darnold over passing yards

Eagles at Falcons

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV: FOX | Stream: fuboTV (click here)

Newest Odds:

Atlanta Falcons
-3

Not probably the most engaging Week 1 Chicken Bowl right here, though there are a ton of fantasy-related questions that would/might be answered right here. How does Jalen Hurts look in Nick Sirianni’s offense? How does Matt Ryan look (or extra importantly how does the OL look) in Arthur Smith’s offense? Will Dean Pees create strain with out an abundance of expertise for the Falcons protection? Are DeVonta Smith and Jalen Reagor going to reply the draft hype? Nobody is on the lookout for these two groups to make the playoffs however it is a sneaky enjoyable recreation. I’d lean over right here and assume most individuals imagine that however I might prefer to see the tempo from these groups first earlier than betting it.

The Choose: Falcons 28, Eagles 21

Bets: Cross

Steelers at Payments

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)

Newest Odds:

Buffalo Payments
-6.5

A really fast warmth test for the “Massive Ben is ok” crowd with a visit to Buffalo that ought to characteristic QUITE the rowdy crowd in addition to a Sean McDermott protection anticipated to bounce again for the Payments. I’m tremendous excessive on Buffalo this 12 months — not fairly as excessive as Pete Prisco and 4 or 5 different NFL writers right here at CBS however fairly excessive — for apparent causes. If Josh Allen someway will get BETTER look out. If he simply maintains final 12 months’s degree it is a 11-13-win group. Pittsburgh will get to seek out out shortly how the revamped offensive line appears to be like and I’d count on Allen to check that secondary deep early and infrequently.

The Choose: Payments 38, Steelers 24

Bets: Payments -6.5

Seahawks at Colts

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV: FOX | Stream: fuboTV (click here)

Newest Odds:

Indianapolis Colts
+3

OK possibly that is the “let’s freak out about Week 1” recreation of the 12 months of the century. Russell Wilson spent all offseason complaining — in a really passive-aggressive vogue — about not being the Seahawks GM, solely to return again and apologize to Pete Carroll and embrace no matter Shane Waldron goes to do on offense. We’re led to imagine it is going to be up-tempo and that it’s going to characteristic extra brief passing and that it’s going to #LetRussCook. We’ll see! Carson Wentz is forcing his method again regardless of a fairly large foot harm within the preseason. Is he going to be cell nonetheless? Or will he be a handoff machine on this recreation? I’d guess the Colts need to gradual this factor all the way down to a crawl. How the Seahawks reply is admittedly fascinating as a result of you’ll be able to lure Carroll into an pointless slugfest fairly simply.

The Choose: Seahawks 24, Colts 17

Bets: Cross

49ers at Lions

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)

Newest Odds:

Detroit Lions
+8

Ever have a recreation you immediately take a look at midweek and get frightened of how apparent it’s? As a result of Kyle Shanahan vs. Dan Campbell, with all of my Trey Sermon shares, and as dangerous as Detroit needs to be and pretty much as good as I count on the 49ers to be … effectively, that is that recreation for me. How are the Niners not going to blast the Lions into oblivion? Everybody and their brother might be on San Francisco in survivor swimming pools. Jamey Eisenberg named Raheem Mostert his Start of the Week out of the gate. Is the world going to mush the 49ers? Or are the Lions simply horrendous? I lean towards the latter as a result of it seems actually apparent and we have now a long time of historical past to level to.

The Choose: 49ers 35, Lions 10

Bets: 49ers -7.5 — higher to tease them truthfully, blind over Trey Sermon rush yards

Browns at Chiefs

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)

Newest Odds:

Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
-5.5

What a David and Goliath second right here for Cleveland and Baker Mayfield. They’d the Chiefs down on the mat within the playoffs final 12 months, dangerously near taking out the brand new AFC dynasty earlier than Andy Reid and *checks notes* CHAD HENNE popped again up and gained. The Browns are bizarre as a result of they’re tremendous into analytics and but most analytical soccer websites are down on them as a result of they overachieved final 12 months. On the similar time, their roster is superior! Put them in a special uniform and I am far more bullish on them most definitely. Their protection is not slowing down Patrick Mahomes, however I do not assume the Chiefs will cease Baker and Nick Chubb both. Scoring fest right here with the Browns sneaking in a last-minute cowl.

The Choose: Chiefs 31, Browns 28

Bets: Over

Packers at Saints (in Jacksonville)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: FOX | Stream: fuboTV (click here)

Newest Odds:

New Orleans Saints
+3.5

This recreation is now being performed in Jacksonville, which is fairly large from a home-field perspective — the Saints had been going to have a WILD scene within the Superdome for this recreation. I am very bullish on Jameis Winston this season and assume he might find yourself having a pleasant 12 months. However the Packers ought to be capable to get the offense cooking early and I count on Aaron Rodgers to return out weapons blazing after this offseason and no motion within the preseason. The Final Dance kicks off on the Touchdown and the Packers roll.

The Choose: Packers 31, Saints 24

Bets: Packers -4, Davante Adams first TD any quantity

Broncos at Giants

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: FOX | Stream: fuboTV (click here)

Newest Odds:

New York Giants
+3

Vic Fangio and Jason Garrett in the identical stadium? My, my, my. We should always actually be in retailer for a bunch of factors on this one. I really like Denver right here however assume it is in all probability going to be a low-scoring affair. Each of those defenses are stout and each offenses are extraordinarily conservative. Teddy Bridgewater is beginning for a motive — he does not flip the ball over and is a good recreation supervisor. You recognize who DOES flip the ball over? Daniel Jones aka Danny Dimes. Give me the Broncos in a sludgefest.

The Choose: Broncos 17, Giants 10

Bets: Broncos -3 and below

Dolphins at Patriots

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)

Newest Odds:

New England Patriots
-3

I am tremendous bullish on the Patriots — you may make the case that since they’re rolling with a rookie QB in Mac Jones their offense may be restricted, however I feel Invoice Belichick going with Mac ought to make us all that rather more assured in his means to play at a excessive degree. That is going to be a run-first/defense-based group and I count on them to make life very, very tough for Tua Tagovailoa who has by no means truly performed towards an NFL protection in a completely packed away recreation. Welcome to New England towards Invoice Belichick’s revamped protection, younger man!

The Choose: Patriots 24, Dolphins 13

Bets: Pats -3, below

Bears at Rams

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NBC | Stream: fuboTV (click here)

Newest Odds:

Los Angeles Rams
-7.5

Fairly easy handicap right here: the Bears offensive line is horrible, Andy Dalton struggles badly when he is pressured, the Rams have Aaron Donald and Sean McVay does not lose Week 1 video games as a head coach within the NFL. The Rams ought to hammer the Bears and this recreation ought to fly below the whole, similar to each single one of many McVay/Matt Nagy matchups has.

The Choose: Rams 21, Bears 10

Bets: Below

Ravens at Raiders

Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN | Stream: fuboTV (click here)

Newest Odds:

Las Vegas Raiders
+4

I’m not significantly excessive on the Raiders this 12 months, however this Week 1 matchup needs to be a great place for them, particularly since Baltimore’s means to pound the ball took one other huge hit with Gus Edwards taking place, becoming a member of J.Okay. Dobbins and Justice Hill. The followers might be rowdy and Lamar Jackson simply does not have sufficient assist round him to pile up the factors. Baltimore’s file in Week 1 video games with Lamar is terrifying for certain, however I feel Jon Gruden will prepare dinner up quite a bit right here on offense, Derek Carr will play surprisingly effectively and Las Vegas pulls of a stunner on MNF.

The Choose: Raiders 24, Ravens 21

Bets: Cross