It’s time for the talk to stop and the action to start. NFL Week 1 Best Bets and Preview from Punting Stars Gridiron expert below!
Arizona Cardinals @ Detroit Lions 3am AEST
If you have read our preseason divisional previews you’ll know that we think the Cardinals can turn their fortune around this year and return to somewhere near the lofty heights of 2015/16.
The Lions, on the other hand, were one of the luckiest teams in Football last season and are one of our main candidates to regress. Playing in the Dome will suit the Cardinal offense and this is one of those opportunities where you get to bet off your preseason Power Rankings before the bookies catch up.
Suggested bet: Arizona -2.5 @ Pinnacle $1.93
Confidence level: 75%
New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills 3am AEST
It’s the first game of the season and the Buffalo Bills who won just seven games last season are laying eight points at home to a division rival? If it feels like a trap, looks like a trap and smells like a trap… it’s probably a trap right?
The Jets are one of the lowest teams on our preseason Power Rankings but to be getting more than a PAT touchdown against anyone who isn’t ranked in our top ten is absurd and Buffalo aren’t even in our top 20!
Suggested bet: New York + 8 @ various bookies
Confidence level: 70%
Punting Star: Billy Walters US Sports Punter
Indianapolis Colts @ LA Rams 6:35am AEST
The Colts are on the board as a regression candidate this season but were no doubt a better Football team (12th ranked offensive DVOA) than the Rams for the majority of last season. So why are the Rams laying 4.5 and even 5 points at some books?
The Rams ranked last in offensive DVOA last season and have a rookie coach in with a suspect quarterback and a running back who’s looked awful since week 12 of his rookie season. What could go wrong?
How this game is beyond a field-goal has us beat. Take the points and hope that the Indy offense has too much firepower for the Rams.