Week one of the 2013 regular season went according to plan for the most part and while there will always be upsets it’s important to remember to stick with what you know when it comes to betting the opening week in the NFL. Here is a quick look at four teams with favorable match ups that are worth taking a long look at.
New Orleans Saints (-3) @ Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
The Falcons went from an NFC Championship game appearance in 2012 to the bottom of the NFC South in 2013 and while most experts predict they will bounce back in 2014 we think bettors should err on the side of caution when it comes to Mike Smith’s team. There is no reason to expect improvement on the defensive side of the ball and while Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Roddy White lead an impressive core on offense the line is in shambles once again and should be a major concern. Meanwhile, the Saints upgraded the talent level of a defense that improved dramatically in its first year under coordinator Rob Ryan while Drew Brees returns with a loaded cast of receivers as he takes aim at a fourth-straight 5000-yard passing season. New Orleans opened the 2013 season with a win over the Falcons and they will do it again this year on the road.
Pick: New Orleans Saints -3
Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-7)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
Cleveland qualifies as the most over-hyped team heading in to the season after losing star receiver Josh Gordon and confirming rookie first-round pick Johnny Manziel won’t even start week one. The Steelers could be one of the most improved teams after upgrading the talent level on both sides of the ball and there is a ton of pressure on this coaching staff to win now. Pittsburgh’s pass rush should immediately be better and it will help that the Browns don’t have the receivers to stretch the field vertically. Look out for the Steelers’ offense as well as Ben Roethlisberger enters a contract year with an improved offensive line and a pair of emerging receivers in second-year pro Markus Wheaton and rookie third-round pick speedster Dri Archer.
Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers -7
New England Patriots (-4) @ Miami Dolphins
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
The Dolphins have emerged as a trendy sleeper pick according to some experts that think Ryan Tannehill is primed for a breakthrough year and will put up big numbers in week one. Those same experts probably aren’t accounting for the level that Darrelle Revis and an improved defense is capable of playing at or how dominant the New England offense has the potential to be with tight end Rob Gronkowski back. Look for the Patriots to force the issue early on and try to force Tannehill to lead the comeback against a defense that should be much better this season. Tannehill may very well be ready to take another step forward but Brady is already there and he has a much stronger supporting cast.
Pick: New England Patriots -4
San Francisco 49ers (-3.5) @ Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, 4:25 PM ET
An absolutely awful Cowboys’ defense got even worse when they lost DeMarcus Ware to free agency and Sean Lee to a season-ending injury in camp. Then Orlando Scandrick was handed a four-game suspension and a dire situation got even worse. The 49ers have looked sluggish on both sides of the football this preseason but a season opener under the bright lights at Dallas might be the perfect remedy to get back on track. Tony Romo and a talented cast on offense will be able to keep the Cowboys in this game for a while but eventually Colin Kaepernick and an underrated San Francisco offense will pull away.
Pick: San Francisco 49ers -3.5
