NFL Week 1 Predictions 2022: Upset Picks, Straight Up Winners Include Raiders, Falcons
If there's any time to bet on NFL underdogs, it might be in Week 1 when there's still so much to learn about which teams will contend. More than one-third of the games on last year's entire 18-week schedule featured upsets. A few favorites appear particularly susceptible to losing straight up Sunday.
Here are the best upset picks for Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season.
Atlanta Falcons (+195) vs. New Orleans Saints [DraftKings Sportsbook]
This is more of a pick against the Saints than it is a bet on the Falcons. New Orleans is one giant question mark heading into the season. Maybe the Saints will compete in the NFC South. They can just as easily be one of the worst teams in the conference. All of that uncertainty makes the Falcons a worthwhile upset bet at nearly 2/1 odds.
Very little was asked of Jameis Winston in seven games with the Saints last season. What happens if New Orleans has to play from behind? Winston had 30 interceptions in his last full season as a starter. Michael Thomas, his No. 1 receiver, hasn't played football in two years. The Saints replaced future Hall of Famer Sean Payton with Dennis Allen, who has an 8-28 career record as a head coach.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+120) at Washington Commanders [FanDuel Sportsbook]
The odds are moving toward Jacksonville with good reason. The Commanders are favored, but the Jaguars might prove to be just as good as their Week 1 opponent, if not better. Washington has the NFL's worst home-field advantage. In four straight seasons, Washington has finished below .500 at home with a better record on the road.
Jacksonville can't help but improve from last year's disastrous 3-14 campaign. Doug Pederson is a far better NFL head coach than Urban Meyer. Trevor Lawrence could take a Year 2 leap now that he's surrounded with better receivers and coaches. There shouldn't be nearly as much optimism for Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz, who put up solid numbers last season in large part because of the Colts' outstanding rushing attack.
Las Vegas Raiders (+154) at Los Angeles Chargers [FanDuel Sportsbook]
Everyone seems to be picking the Chargers to finish ahead of the Raiders in the AFC West, but it was Las Vegas, not Los Angeles who made the playoffs last season. The Raiders defeated the Chargers in Week 18 to clinch a wild-card spot. Las Vegas has a strong chance to upset Los Angeles again, making the Raiders a value bet at +154.
Since their last meeting, Las Vegas traded for Davante Adams. L.A. improved its defense with offseason additions. But the most important of those, cornerback J.C. Jackson, won't play in Week 1. The Chargers' home-field advantage isn't worth much, considering they haven't won more than five games at home in a single season since leaving San Diego and with a strong contingent of Raider fans expected at SoFi Stadium.
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