That was a long lay off. And after Thursday's - defensive - warm up, we're ready to see all these teams back on the field and living up to everything they said since last season.
Just a quick note, this is Week 1 so keep your stakes low and as we progress into the season hopefully we will have a bankroll behind us and a more clear cut picture of who to be following this season.
These previews are meant to be for fun only and are a way to preview games. Only back them if you're doing so for fun and have the means.
I will be keeping a weekly profit spreadsheet updated and shared every Tuesday for full transparency. Check back here and @Betting1SBD on Twitter.
BET OF THE WEEK
I don’t like laying points bigger than a touchdown in the NFL because the majority of games are decided by a touchdown or less. And in a a divisional game in Week 1? But these are two teams with different trajectories for the coming season.
The Eagles look like Super Bowl contenders while the Redskins look like they could have a rough ride on offence. Especially here against a stacked Eagles defense. This may be close for parts of the game but the Eagles are simply too talented not to beat this team by nine points or more.
VERDICT: Eagles -8.5 @ 4/6 3pts
NEXT BEST BET
This will not come as shock to anyone who I’ve been talking to about the Dolphins. I know it's an early season game in Florida, and the heavy and humid weather is usually a steer clear factor.
But this is a very good team against a very, very poor team.
The Ravens could easily have the number 1 defense in the league this year. They have questions surrounding quarterback Lamar Jackson and his throwing capabilities -- namely his accuracy. But even with that taken into account, Baltimore should easily have enough talent to beat a Dolphins team that looks devoid of any hope.
The one thing that scares me is Dolphins signal call Ryan Fitzpatrick. He always plays unbelievable for three/four weeks when he gets a chance. Barring an unforeseen miracle, the Ravens should be winning this game by double digits however.
VERDICT: Ravens -7 @ 10/11 2pts
UNDERDOG BET OF THE WEEK
This looks like a match up that could tell us how both these teams will get on this year. 49ERS quarterback Jimmy G is healthy and has an offence surrounding him with good talent. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has had the off-season to put together what we can only assume will be one of the better organised offences in football.
I expect San Francisco to be an extremely entertaining team to watch this season. On the other side, Tampa Bay now has head coach Bruce Arians to finally get quarterback Jameis Winston's obvious talent onto the field and show it on a weekly basis. I think this will be a close high scoring affair but the 49ers may just have the firepower to edge it.
At 13/5, it could well be a good bet.
VERDICT: 49ers win and Over 50.5 points scored @ 13/5 1pt
WEEK 1 ACCUMULATOR
EAGLES -8.5 (v Redskins)
BROWNS -5.5 (v Titans)
SEAHAWKS -8.5 (v Bengals)
VIKINGS -3.5 (v Falcons)
RAVENS -7 (@ Dolphins)
@ 19.87/1 0.5pt
Total Staked: 6.5 pts
*All prices are correct as at 11:15 today on Betfair
