NFL Week 1 predictions, odds and betting tips: Time for Jags to come good

Free NFL tips, best bets and analysis for Week One of the 2022 NFL season.

Best bets

Jacksonville Jaguars
6pm Sunday
1pt 23-20 general

Atlanta Falcons +6.5
6pm Sunday
1pt 4-5 Boyles

Dameon Pierce over 46.5 rushing yards
6pm Sunday
2pts 5-6 Hills

Justin Herbert over 283.5 passing yards
9.25pm Sunday
2pt 10-11 bet365

Jacksonville Jaguars at Washington Commanders

Jacksonville have been the NFL’s worst team for the last two years but a talented roster should finally start showing signs of improvement under new head coach Doug Pederson.

Pederson led the Philadelphia Eagles to Super Bowl glory in 2017 and is far more qualified to get the best out of the Jags’ blue chip talent than his predecessors.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, a star in college football, is expected to take a big leap forward this year, while the Jags added Travon Walker with the number one overall pick in this year's draft to a defence that contains some heavy hitters up front.

That same defence gave new Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz fits in Week 18 last season when Wentz was an Indianapolis Colt, sacking him six times.

Wentz cost the Colts a playoff place with that showing and could hinder a Commanders team with a minimal home advantage due to an apathetic fanbase.

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons

Since 2014, home underdogs in week one divisional matchups have covered the spread in 75 per cent of games, making the Falcons worth a dart at home to their NFC South rivals the Saints.

The Falcons are undergoing a rebuild but have enough talent to remain competitive in the majority of games. Tight end Kyle Pitts and running back Cordarrelle Patterson stand out on offence , while the secondary is the strength of the defence.

The Saints are playoff contenders, make no mistake, but may take some time to get up to speed under new head coach Dennis Allen and with quarterback Jameis Winston only just back from a knee injury.

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans

Fantasy football players have cottoned on to how important rookie running back Dameon Pierce will be for the Houston Texans this season but the layers may be a little slower on the uptake.

Fourth-round pick Pierce established himself as the top running back on the Texans’ books in pre-season and is set for a heavy workload from the off.

Houston’s rushing attack improved as the 2021 season went on and was averaging 113 yards per game in the final three weeks. Pierce is a significant upgrade on their rushing options of a year ago and should surpass his modest total.

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert is the bookmaker's favourite to have the most regular-season passing yards and the Chargers quarterback can make a fast start to his bid for personal glory against the Raiders.

Facing the Bolts’ AFC West divisional rivals seems to bring the best out of Herbert, who has averaged 311 yards and 2.5 touchdowns per game against the Raiders in his career.

The Chargers improved Herbert’s protection this off-season by upgrading the offensive line and should be fired up to face the team that ended their playoff hopes last season.

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