Ricky Dimon
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The 2022 NFL season if officially here. Thursday Night Football kicked off the festivities, as the Super Bowl favorite Buffalo Bills knocked off the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams with a 31-10 blowout. Twenty-eight of the remaining 30 teams will be in action on Sunday before Week 1 wraps up with Monday Night Football between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. Sunday’s slate is headlined by a primetime showdown between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys, but we are looking elsewhere in this particular piece to find betting value.
Here is our Week 1 mega parlay.
Lions ML (+185)
Vikings ML (+100)
Chargers -5.5 alternate spread (+115)
Parlay odds: +1126
For this parlay we are going with two underdogs on the money line and one favorite against an alternate spread. Let’s break down each of the three legs one by one.
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Detroit Lions ML over Philadelphia Eagles (+185)
When you can get a home team as this big of an underdog against a rather unspectacular opponent in the very first week of the season, it’s an opportunity that should be taken. The Eagles could end up contending for the NFC East title along with the Dallas Cowboys, but I doubt they will already be a well-oiled machine in the season opener. Detroit head coach Dan Campbell is going to have his team ready to compete in Week 1, especially in front of a fanbase that is eager for some long-awaited success.
Although the Lions were bad in 2021 (what’s new?), Jared Goff and the offense improved down the stretch after former offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn was relieved of his duties. Goff and company actually won their last three home games of the season and scored at least 29 points in all three. There is no reason why they can’t extend their Ford Field hot streak.
Be sure to check out our full Philadelphia Eagles vs Detroit Lions predictions
Minnesota Vikings ML over Green Bay Packers (+100)
This is Week 1’s only divisional matchup between teams that are projected to be the two best in that division. In other words, this is basically the most important game on the entire slate. Usually, anything can happen in this kind of showdown. Even though it is fairly priced, I will happily take the home team as an underdog – albeit a slight one.
It is a new era in Green Bay; Aaron Rodgers is still under center, but longtime No. 1 WR Davante Adams is gone. Rodgers’ pass-catching weapons are extremely inexperienced, so there could be some growing pains for the Packers in the early stages of the 2022 campaign. The Vikings’ front four, which includes Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith (formerly with the Packers), could compound the visitors’ problems. As for Minnesota’s offense, it is wildly talented. Kirk Cousins has every reason to succeed with the players he has out wide and in the backfield. Don’t be surprised if the Vikes start the season strong.
Be sure to check out our full Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings predictions
Los Angeles Chargers -5.5 alternate spread over Las Vegas Raiders (+115)
Another intriguing division rivalry game pits the Raiders against the Chargers. This one may not be quite as competitive, however. Although Las Vegas is no slouch and was a playoff team last season, an opening road date with Los Angeles is quite a tough test. Justin Herbert is a bona fide MVP candidate because of both his own skill and his dynamic group of weapons with which he is going to work.
On defense, L.A. already boasted one of the league’s best pass-rushers in Joey Bosa and then they added Khalil Mack and Kyle Van Noy to the defensive front this offseason. This squad is far more talented than its 2021 record indicated. I have no trouble moving this spread up a couple of points and still keeping it under the key number of 6.
Don’t miss any of our NFL picks for every single matchup in Week 1 and throughout the season.
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