The NFL preseason wraps up this week with the benchwarmers from all 32 NFL teams playing on Thursday, Aug. 29.
Sure, you can bet on these NFL games at NJ sportsbooks.
But for anyone planning to bet on the NFL this season, this final week of the preseason is the perfect time to lock in your bets for Week 1 of the regular season.
And, to make things even better, DraftKings Sportsbook is now offering separate no-vig point spreads for NFL Week 1. To find them, simply look for the “No-Vig NFL” tab.
NFL Week 1 odds
With the preseason just about over, teams will have locked in most of the roster. You’ll have a solid idea of who’s ready to start Week 1.
Plus, you’ll know who’s still holding out and who will start the season on injured reserve. That means New Jersey sportsbooks have the same information and will have already adjusted the Week 1 lines accordingly.
Now is the time to study those lines, do your homework, and focus in on games where obvious winners present themselves.
Here’s a look at the over/under and point spread lines for all 16 Week 1 NFL games at the top NJ sports betting apps (odds updated as of Sept. 3):
| NFL Week 1 | DraftKings | FanDuel | Fox Bet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Chicago |
46.5 -3 |
46.5 -3 |
46.5 -3 |
| Atlanta Minnesota |
48 -4 |
47 -4 |
48 -4.5 |
| Baltimore Miami |
-7 37.5 |
-7.5 38 |
-7 37.5 |
| Buffalo NY Jets |
40.5 -3 |
40.5 -3 |
41 -3 |
| Kansas City Jacksonville |
-3.5 52 |
-3.5 52.5 |
-3.5 51.5 |
| LA Rams Carolina |
-2.5 50 |
-3 50.5 |
-2.5 50 |
| Tennessee Cleveland |
45.5 -5.5 |
45.5 -5.5 |
45.5 -5.5 |
| Washington Philadelphia |
45.5 -9.5 |
46 -10 |
45 -9.5 |
| Cincinnati Seattle |
43.5 -8.5 |
44 -10 |
44 -8.5 |
| Indianapolis LA Chargers |
44.5 -6.5 |
43.5 -6.5 |
44.5 -6.5 |
| Detroit Arizona |
-2.5 48 |
-2.5 47 |
-3 47 |
| NY Giants Dallas |
45.5 -7 |
46 -7 |
45.5 -7 |
| SF 49ers Tampa Bay |
50 pk |
49.5 -1 |
50 -1 |
| Pittsburgh New England |
50.5 -5.5 |
50.5 -5.5 |
50.5 -5.5 |
| Houston New Orleans |
53.5 -7 |
53.5 -7 |
52.5 -6.5 |
| Denver Oakland |
43 pk |
43 -1 |
43 -0.5 |
The three games involving local teams are among the week’s most interesting.
Giants @ Cowboys
First off, it appears the Dallas Cowboys will be a touchdown favorite over the Giants in Dallas. This despite the fact Dallas’ franchise running back Ezekiel Elliott is still holding out.
This is a division game as well, which usually means a tighter contest. The Giants don’t look like Super Bowl contenders this year, but seven points seem like a lot for a Week 1 game with the Cowboys’ star RB missing.
Bills @ Jets
Next up you’ve got the Jets giving up the standard three points at home versus the Buffalo Bills. This is another division game that may be too close to call.
That said, the Jets added running back Le’Veon Bell. Plus, Bills quarterback Josh Allen came into his own at the end of last season. In fact, both teams look to be a little more potent on offense than they have been in years.
Therefore, the over 39.5 (available at FanDuel and BetStars) might be your best bet.
Redskins @ Eagles
Finally, the Washington Redskins will visit the Eagles in a game with one of the largest week one spreads.
The Eagles are clearly the more talented team on both sides of the ball. But it is Week 1, so there’s no guarantee they’ll be firing on all cylinders right out of the gate.
Giving away 8 to 8.5 points may seem like a lot. It’s really just a matter of how bad you think the Redskins might be.
Five NFL betting tips to get you started
You’re going to want to start the NFL betting season profitably and you’ll have a better shot at that if you:
- Shop for better lines: The line is essentially the price you’re getting on a bet and prices are different at different sportsbooks. Smart consumers shop around for everything. Lines should be no different. Finding a better price on a bet can give you the chance to win more or lose less. That’s money in your pocket.
- Look for line movement: Lines move as a game approaches for a variety of reasons, including key injuries and holdouts and bad weather reports. When a big bet or increased action moves a line artificially, you can take advantage. You’ll get more points, give away less, or get a better price on a bet, even when the matchup on the field doesn’t warrant it.
- Do your homework: There’s no substitute for good research. Read everything you can about the NFL teams you’re thinking about betting on and you’ll be making informed picks instead of uneducated guesses.
- Be selective: Just because there are 16 games on the schedule doesn’t mean you have to bet on all of them. Stick to a few picks that look like locks. Avoid the allure of the massive payday a 16-game parlay offers. These bets are almost impossible to win (unless you’re this guy with a six-team parlay).
- Manage your bankroll: Think of betting on the NFL like investing. Never put all your eggs in one basket. That means always making sure you have enough cash in reserve to keep you betting through a losing streak. A winning streak will come around. Your goal is to still be in the game when it does.
The NFL starts playing for keeps on Sept. 5 bringing about the first of many opportunities to try to turn a profit betting on America’s most popular sport.