The countdown has begun, and it won’t be long before NFL fans can’t wait for the weekends to arrive. The regular season of the NFL gets under way on Thursday, September 8, and the opening clash will take place between the defending Super Bowl champions, the LA Rams, and the Buffalo Bills. The two teams will face off in the venue of the last Super Bowl, the Sofi Stadium.
Of course, the run-up to the season is an exciting time if you’re an NFL fan. When Week 1 arrives, you want to be well prepared so you can enjoy every moment. Below is a look at how you can prepare for the first week of action and at some of the predictions of how Week 1 will pan out.
Make sure you’re up to date
If you want to get the most out of following the NFL, the first important thing to do is research. The 2022 draft was a busy one and 262 players were selected. Knowing who has come and gone will add to your enjoyment of games, as you can see how well or otherwise they perform in their new team.
Know the schedule
NFL teams face a grueling season and will first play two games against the other three teams in their division before going up against teams in other divisions and beyond. If you’re going to follow the action, make sure you know who’s playing.
Choose a good sportsbook
A sportsbook accepts bets from people betting on sports. You need to find one who takes bets on the NFL, especially if you want to bet on your favorite team. There are plenty out there. It’s important to make sure you’re placing your bet with a legal, regulated operator.
Learn the different types of NFL bets
There are several different types of bets you can make: the moneyline bet, in which you simply place your money on the side you think will win; the over/under bet, in which the sportsbook sets a total they think will be scored and you bet whether more points or fewer will be; and the point spread bet, in which a team must win or lose by a certain amount for you to win.
Then there are fun bets called “prop bets.” These are bets on aspects of the game such as how many passes a quarterback will throw.
Understand the odds
If you’re going to place a bet on a game, it’s important to understand the NFL Week 1 odds. If a team has a negative sign against the number, this is a sign they’re the favorite and the sportsbook considers them likely to win. The team that has a plus sign against their number is considered the underdog and the sportsbook feels they’re less likely to win.
Predictions for Week 1
Naturally, as the start of the season edges closers, experts have been making their predictions about how Week 1 and the rest of the season will go. Below are some of the predictions regarding the action in Week 1.
LA Rams vs Buffalo Bills
The Rams may be the defending Super Bowl champions, but they’ve got a tough opener against the Bills. Although the Rams have had the benefit of having the full off-season to prepare for the clash, sportsbooks aren’t optimistic the game will go the LA team’s way. They make the Rams the underdog.
Baltimore Ravens vs New York Jets
Will the Jets win the Super Bowl? They start the season in a familiar place: as un underdog. In terms of this clash, however, experts see the New Yorkers as the favorites to win this matchup. Quarterback Zach Wilson has some real weapons to work with in the form of the running back, receiver and tight end, and Week 1 is always something of a crazy week, which is why experts predict the Jets will emerge victorious in this game.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals
The Steelers and the Bengals have been long-time rivals and face off against each other in their first game of the regular season. The Bengals are the defending AFC and AFC North champions, and have strengthened their offensive line to enable movement from their quarterback Joe Burrow. Meanwhile, there’s still some uncertainty about who will be the starting quarterback for this one: rookie Kenny Pickett or veteran Mitch Trubisky? Experts are plumping for Trubisky, but when it comes to picking a winner, they see the Bengals as the favorites in this one.
The regular NFL season is moving closer and closer. Preparations are beginning and predictions being made. Getting up to date and everything that’s been happening in the NFL, especially in the draft, and understanding the different bets and other aspects of NFL betting will allow you to prepare for the first week comfortably.
