Henry Roldán
Finally, the wait will be over for all football fans next Thursday, September 8, when the 2022 NFL season begins. This is expected to be one of the most tightly contested in recent years and that’s why here at JefeBet we bring you today the best NFL predictions for the 18 weeks of regular rounds, the postseason, and the Super Bowl.
Without further ado, let’s go over the 16 games we’ll have for the first week of the championship and how they see them in Las Vegas.
Predictions for 2022 NFL Week 1 matchups
Buffalo Bills (-135) vs Los Angeles Rams (+115) / Thursday, September 8 / 8:20 PM E.T.
- Bills Spread: -2.5
- Rams Spread: +2.5
- Over/Under: 52.5
The NFL couldn’t have a better opening matchup than one between two of the top contenders to win the Super Bowl in 2022: Josh Allen’s Bills and the current champion Rams.
In a high-revving affair, Buffalo’s dynamic offense, led by the young quarterback, will have to prove it’s ready for big things against Aaron Donald and Los Angeles’ impenetrable defense. Also, Matthew Stafford is doubtful for the Rams for Week 1, which is positive news for the experienced visiting defense.
JefeBet Prediction: The possible absence of Stafford and Jalen Ramsey for the Rams is not good. The Bills come in with their full team and looking to take on the world. I’m going with the Buffalo moneyline.
New Orleans Saints (-225) vs Atlanta Falcons (+185) / Sunday, September 11 / 1:00 PM E.T.
- Spread Saints: -5.5
- Falcons Spread: +5.5
- Over/Under: 42.5
Week 1 action features one of the NFC South’s most heated rivalries, as the Saints and Falcons square off, with both teams embracing a new era for different reasons. New Orleans has a new head coach in Dennis Allen after 15 seasons with Sean Payton. On Atlanta’s side, Marcus Mariota is in charge of replacing Matt Ryan at quarterback.
The Falcons are an intriguing team to watch this season because, if Mariota performs well, their offense could compensate for the defense’s flaws. On the Saints side, Jameis Winston will have an excellent receiving corps at his disposal including running back Alvin Kamara, who for now appears to have avoided a suspension, while the defense is expected to once again be one of the best in the league.
JefeBet’s Prediction: We don’t know how Mariota will come, but we do know that the Saints defense is relentless, something the Falcons don’t have, and that’s why they will certainly suffer this Sunday. I’m going with the New Orleans Spread.
San Francisco 49ers (-305) vs Chicago Bears (+245) / Sunday, September 11 / 1:00 PM E.T.
- 49ers Spread: -7.0
- Bears Spread: +7.0
- Over/Under: 42.5
The Week 1 NFL matchup between the 49ers and the Bears will take place in a quite different context for both teams, as the former have serious postseason aspirations and the home team is hoping not to have a disastrous season.
Despite the fact that young Trey Lance will be San Francisco’s starting QB, expectations in the Bay Area are quite high with a talented offense and a pretty solid defense. It’s not the case in Chicago, where Justin Fields won’t have many weapons at his disposal. Meanwhile, the defense, a trademark of the Bears in recent years, may not be as powerful for the second consecutive season, especially due to the departure of Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn’s problems with management.
JefeBet’s prediction: Chicago’s ground defense was horrible last year, and this time it’s expected to be the same or worse. Having Deebo Samuel, the 49ers are one of the best ground attacks in the NFL and this Sunday they will surely have a good time. I’m going with the San Francisco spread.
Pittsburgh Steelers (+225) vs Cincinnati Bengals (-275) / Sunday, September 11 / 1:00 PM E.T.
- Steelers Spread: +6.5
- Bengals Spread: -6.5
- Over/Under: 44.5
The Steelers’ era without Ben Roethlisberger begins with a tough matchup against last season’s finalists, the Bengals, who are the favorites in Las Vegas for this matchup and our NFL predictions tell you about it.
While Joe Burrow may be just about ready for the game after recovering from an appendectomy, Cincinnati did its job during the preseason by keeping nearly its entire team and strengthening the offensive line that caused them so many headaches. In Pittsburgh’s case, Mitchell Trubisky will be in charge of pulling the offensive strings along with running back Najee Harris, while on the defensive side beyond T.J. Watts the problems could be serious regarding aerial attack.
JefeBet’s Prediction: Although Burrow is a question mark, all indications are that he will play, and that it will be a high-scoring affair. Both teams are very talented on offense and the Steelers defense will no doubt concede touchdowns. I’m going with the matchup’s Over.
Philadelphia Eagles (-200) vs Detroit Lions (+170) / Sunday, September 11 / 1:00 PM E.T.
- Eagles Spread: -4.0
- Lions Spread: +4.0
- Over/Under: 48.5
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles open the season against the Lions, who were one of the victors of the last NFL Draft. Also, they will be looking to second-round pick Aidan Hutchinson to strengthen the defense in 2022.
They will have to deal with the difficult Hurts, who, despite not working well when under duress, ended as the team’s leader in ground yards last season; therefore, containing him will be terribly difficult. For the Lions, Jared Goff will take over at quarterback once more, with all eyes on him and what he can do with a young but talented team.
JefeBet Prediction: While the Eagles now have A.J. Brown in their receiving corps, their biggest strength should be defense. Precisely because of this Detroit and Goff are not going to have a high point night, so I’m going with the Under.
New England Patriots (+145) vs Miami Dolphins (-165) / Sunday, September 11 / 1:00 PM E.T.
- Patriots Spread: +3.0
- Dolphins Spread: -3.0
- Over/Under: 47
The matchup between the Patriots and Dolphins, old acquaintances in the AFC East, promises to be one of the most exciting games of the first week of 2022 NFL because of what it represents for both teams and because of how Miami has strengthened its team for this championship.
With the Bills favored to win the division, one of the conference wild cards will likely come out of these two. At first glance, the Dolphins should be over the top with the arrival of Mike McDaniel as head coach and Tyreek Hill at wide receiver. As for the Patriots, we’ll have to see how Mac Jones handles it with Matt Patricia as offensive coordinator and a very questionable defensive secondary.
JefeBet Prediction: Tua Tagovailoa will have plenty of weapons to develop his QB game, and the Dolphins defense looks like one of the most reliable in the league. They have a 7-2 record at home in the last nine games against the Patriots, so I’m going with the Dolphins spread.
Baltimore Ravens (-300) vs New York Jets (+240) / Sunday, September 11 / 1:00 PM E.T.
- Ravens Spread: -7.0
- Spread Jets: +7.0
- Over/Under: 44.5
Expectations for this game are high because it marks the return of Lamar Jackson, who is still without a contract extension, to the gridiron following his injury midway through the 2021 season. In addition to that, we will see, for the first time, a Jets team that promises improvement after an excellent Draft.
Jackson will enter the season eager to put up big numbers that will him reach a large contract, either with Baltimore or as a free agent, so a New York defense that has been revamped with young players and has a lot to show could be a nice place for him to start. For their part, the Jets could be without QB Zach Wilson, so Joey Flacco is expected to be in charge of testing the team’s new weapons against his former teammates.
JefeBet Prediction: The Ravens are shaping up to fight for the AFC North against the Bengals, but they won’t have an easy time visiting a revamped New York franchise that will be looking to make a lot of lives miserable this year. I’m going with the Jets spread.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+145) vs Washington Commanders (-165) / Sunday, September 11 / 1:00 PM E.T.
- Jaguars Spread: +3.0
- Spread Commanders: -3.0
- Over/Under: 44
The city of Washington will host the season’s first game, Jaguars vs. Commanders, which will pit two clubs hoping to improve on their results from the previous season, both having finished with negative records.
Let’s start with the home team, the Commanders, who acquired quarterback Carson Wentz to try to fight for something in the NFC East, despite the fact that their secondary is projected to remain one of the worst in the league. On the Jaguars side, Doug Pederson is the new head coach of a young group led by QB Trevor Lawrence and the first overall pick of last year’s draft, defensive end Travon Walker.
JefeBet’s Prediction: The Commanders have a more experienced team, but Jacksonville’s offense, with Pederson on the bench, should be vastly improved and Lawrence should have a big day against the home defense. I’m going with one of the surprises of the week, the Jaguars’ moneyline.
Cleveland Browns (+115) vs Carolina Panthers (-135) / Sunday, September 11 / 1:00 PM E.T.
- Spread Browns: +2.0
- Panthers Spread: -2.0
- Over/Under: 41.5
Everyone will be looking forward to the moment Baker Mayfield and the Panthers host his former team, the Browns, during Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season.
Mayfield is likely to be more than motivated after a disastrous exit from Cleveland, and will have D.J. Moore through the air and the stellar Christian McCaffrey on the ground at his disposal. These are very complicated weapons for the Browns’ defense, a team that will have in Jacoby Brissett its starting QB after Deshaun Watson’s 11-game suspension, and the explosive running back duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
JefeBet Prediction: While Brisset’s performance is more than intriguing, the Browns’ ground attack could have a good night against the Panthers’ defensive line, while Mayfield and McCaffrey are a real danger to the inconsistent visiting defense. I’m going with the Over of the game.
Indianapolis Colts (-380) vs Houston Texans (+300) / Sunday, September 11 / 1:00 PM E.T.
- Spread Colts: -8.0
- Texans Spread: +8.0
- Over/Under: 45.5
In an AFC South divisional game, the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans square off this Sunday as part of the 2022 NFL regular season Week 1 schedule.
The arrival of Matt Ryan, who will form an explosive combo with triple-crown ground rusher Jonathan Taylor, will mark the Colts’ quarterback debut, and they will be facing one of the league’s worst defenses in 2021. As for the Texans, in the midst of a restructuring process, they will have young Davin Mills leading an offense where their best receiver is the experienced Brandin Cooks.
JefeBet Prediction: Indianapolis is a big favorite for this game due to their offensive power and the strength they have in their linebackers to pressure Mills. However, I don’t think these will be enough for them to overcome the spread as visitors, so I’m going with the Colts moneyline .
New York Giants (+215) vs Tennessee Titants (-260) / Sunday, September 11 / 4:25 PM E.T.
- Giants Spread: +5.5
- Titans Spread: -5.5
- Over/Under: 43.5
The two-time defending AFC South champion Tennessee Titans will have the opportunity to get their 2022 season off to a great start in front of their home fans when they host the New York Giants on Sunday.
Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry should have a fairly quiet afternoon against a Giants team that finished among the worst defenses of last season and that neither the arrival of Brian Daboll as head coach nor rookie linebacker Kevin Thibodeaux seem to be able to change. Regarding the Giants’ offense, Daniel Jones will have serious problems when he faces one of the best defenses in terms of quarterback catches.
JefeBet Prediction: This will probably be one of the gifts of the day. The Giants have talent, but the Titans are playing at home, with an impressive defense and Henry on offense. The Gians have little chance, so I’m going with the Titans spread.
Green Bay Packers (-130) vs Minnesota Vikings (+110) / Sunday, September 11 / 4:25 PM E.T.
- Packers Spread: -1.5
- Spread Vikings: +1.5
- Over/Under: 48
The NFC North’s fiercest rivalry comes in the very first week of the 2022 season when the Green Bay Packers visit the home of their archrivals, the Minnesota Vikings.
After dominating the division for seven of the last ten years, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers feel less optimistic in their chances this season due to the departure of important players like as Davante Adams; this leaves the quarterback with little alternatives for his aerial attack. Meanwhile, the Vikings’ high-powered offense remains intact with Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson, while the secondary was strengthened during the preseason.
JefeBet’s Prediction: Of course, Rodgers, and the Packers should never be written off, but both clubs won every time they met at home last season, and the Green Bay quarterback must acclimate to a new receiving corps. The Vikings come in stronger, which is why I’m going with the Minnesota moneyline.
Kansas City Chiefs (-210) vs Arizona Cardinals (+175) / Sunday, September 11 / 4:25 PM E.T.
- Spread Chiefs: -4.5
- Cardinals Spread: +4.5
- Over/Under: 53.5
Arizona City could see a lightning-fast, high-scoring game in just the first week of the season when the Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals meet on Sunday.
While there are many questions as to how Patrick Mahomes will function without Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs quarterback keeps plenty of weapons at his disposal including star tight end Trevis Kelce, so he is sure to adapt his talents to a new era. On the other hand, there’s Kyler Murray, who recently extended his deal with the team and has shown that he has what it takes offensively speaking, due to his ability to run and throw the ball.
JefeBet Prediction: Despite the absence of Hill and DeAndre Hopkins (suspended), both teams have an offensive arsenal and their defenses project to be within league average. This is more than enough reason for me to choose the Over.
Las Vegas Raiders (+160) vs Los Angeles Chargers (-180) / Sunday, September 11 / 4:25 PM E.T.
- Spread Raiders: +3.0
- Spread Chargers: -3.0
- Over/Under: 52
Among the top-3 explosive matchups of the NFL’s opening week, we have this one between the Raiders and Chargers, teams that fought for the last postseason berth in the final week of the championship in 2021 and that now strengthened, will compete in the dreaded AFC West this season.
The Las Vegas team comes into this matchup with expectations for the arrival of Davante Adams to partner Derek Carr, as well as Chandler Jones as the key to Maxx Crosby at linebacker. On the other side we have Justin Herbert, from whom much is expected this year, along with a defense bolstered by the arrival of Khalil Mack and the presence of Joey Bosa and Derwin James.
JefeBet Prediction: While both teams may have two of the best offenses in the league, they also have two of the best defenses in the league. Who will be the best? We will see, but what is certain is that it will be a hard fought, tough and close game until the end. That’s why I’m going with the Under.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-125) vs Dallas Cowboys (+105) / Sunday, September 11 / 8:20 PM E.T.
- Buccaneers Spread: -1.5
- Spread Cowboys: +1.5
- Over/Under: 50
The first Sunday Night Football of the season will be contested by two of the teams favored to reach the NFC postseason: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys.
Tom Brady will take the field with a team that is favored to win the NFC South and even reach the Super Bowl. While they’ve lost some weapons on their offensive line, they are still a pretty compact team with the best quarterback in history leading them. On the Cowboys’ side, Dak Prescott will also be short of receivers with the departure of Amari Cooper and the injury to Michael Gallup, so Dallas is impatiently waiting for Ezekiel Elliott to wake up.
JefeBet’s Prediction: Prescott will not have Gallup and Brady may not have Chris Godwin this first week, but Tampa Bay is a more complete team with much more experience, so they will not waste this great opportunity. I’m going with the Buccaneers moneyline.
Denver Broncos (-245) vs Seattle Seahawks (+205) / Sunday, September 11 / 8:15 PM E.T.
- Broncos Spread : -6.0
- Spread Seahawks: +6.0
- Over/Under: 42
There’s no better way to end the first week of the championship than with Russell Wilson’s fast return to Seattle. The player is now quarterback of the Denver Broncos, and will face the Seahawks on Monday Night Football after 10 seasons with that team.
Wilson and the Denver team come in as heavy favorites against a Seattle team that is undergoing restructuring and looks to be one of the worst teams of the season. The Broncos are in a totally different situation and expect the experienced QB to quickly lead them to the postseason in the tough AFC West. To do so, they will have to overcome the Seahawks, who, although they’ll have Geno Smith leading a weak offensive line, are usually not easy to beat at home.
JefeBet Prediction: Wilson’s return will certainly create an unusual atmosphere in Seattle. However, the Broncos should be able to overcome this by the second half and defeat a poor home squad. I’m going with the Broncos spread.
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