NFL Week 1 Predictions: Best Over/Under Picks, Betting Totals For Season Openers

Coming off the highest-scoring season in NFL history, there are plenty of high betting totals on opening weekend. Half of the 16 games feature an over/under north of 48, and four of those contests have a total in the 50s.

Here are the five best over/under bets for Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season. Betting odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills Under 48.5

The Bills beat the Steelers 26-15 in 2020, and six of Buffalo’s points were the result of an interception returned for a touchdown. Pittsburgh held Josh Allen to a 77.5 passer rating, and now the Steelers have had all offseason to prepare for the Bills’ quarterback. It’ll be hard for Allen and Buffalo’s offense to replicate last year’s success. Pittsburgh’s desire to run the ball often could slow the game down and produce another relatively low-scoring game.

Denver Broncos vs. New York Giants Under 41.5

New York and Denver averaged a combined 37.7 points per game in 2020. Between the Broncos’ mild upgrade from Drew Lock to Teddy Bridgewater and the Giants’ continuous offensive line woes, their offenses might not be significantly better. The defenses, on the other hand, could be among the NFL’s best. The Giants ranked ninth in both scoring defense and opponents’ yards per play last season. The Broncos have a pair of Pro-Bowl-caliber pass rushers and arguably the league’s top secondary.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans Over 52.5

Each team might end up scoring 30 points in this one. The Titans averaged more than 30 points per game with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback in both 2019 and 2020. There’s not much reason to believe the mediocre Tennessee defense will be much better. If Kyler Murray takes another leap this season, the Cardinals are going to score a ton of points.

Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints Over 49.5

The Packers beat the Saints 37-30 a season ago, even though Davante Adams and Michael Thomas didn’t play. New Orleans’ offense will be less potent without Drew Brees, though that doesn’t necessarily mean fewer high-scoring games. Jameis Winston threw seven pick-sixes the last time he was a full-time starter. Winston could throw a few interceptions that give Aaron Rodgers short fields to work with.

Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams Under 46.5

These teams have faced off in each of the last three seasons, and all of the matchups have been low-scoring. None of the games have featured more than 34 total points. Chicago has scored just 17 total points in back-to-back losses in Los Angeles. Matthew Stafford should improve the Rams’ offense, but the Bears could quickly learn that it’s going to be a major struggle with Andy Dalton under center.