2014 NFL - Week 1 Preview and Betting Picks
Before You Bet’s leading US sports picker Johnny Houston will be providing weekly NFL preview and free pick articles. In Week 1 (Friday, Sep. 5th – Tuesday, Sep 9th) of the 2014 NFL season, Houston has five betting play as he takes a look at the season opener, a couple of big games over the weekend and two big Monday Night Football blockbusters. You can also find a full 2014 NFL season preview here on the site.
Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks (Friday at 10:30am AEST)
The season opener is arguably the best game in week one. Last year’s Super Bowl winners the Seattle Seahawks host MVP favourite Aaron Rogers and the Green Bay Packers. CenturyLink Field is known as the Seahawks ‘12th Man’ and rightfully so as the Seahawks’ home victories came by an average of 18.6 points last year. However, the Super Bowl champs have lost a few key defenders. The new defensive rule changes also favour quarterbacks just like Aaron Rogers. This game comes down to the wire.
**Watch this game live on 7Mate (73) and ESPN Australia**
Oakland Raiders at New York Jets (Monday at 3:00am AEST)
The Oakland Raiders will travel to MetLife Stadium to take on the New York Jets. The line opened at -5.0 and there was some surprisingly early money for the Raiders, but the line is now starting to move the other way. This might be due to rookie Derek Carr who becomes the first Raiders quarterback to start the first game of his rookie season. I smell problems for the Raiders. Rex Ryan and the Jets roll in this game.
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos (Monday at 10:30am AEST)
Two of the best teams in the AFC will face off in the high altitude of Denver. Peyton Manning will try and back up his record-breaking 2013 season and it all starts Sunday night against his former team the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts’ quarter back Andrew Luck looks like he’ll be something else in years to come but it’s the Colts defence that worries me. They will be without pass-rusher Robert Mathis who just happened to sack Manning twice last season. He will be greatly missed on defence. If the Broncos’ Aqib Talib can cover T.Y Hilton then the Broncos can cover the chalk.
New York Giants at Detroit Lions (Tuesday at 9:10am AEST)
The bookies don’t like the New York Giants chances against the Detroit Lions in the Monday Night Football opener and either do we. Eli Manning looked atrocious in pre-season and so did his receivers. The Lions’ defence should have no problem attacking the O line of the Giants which means big problems for the out-of-form Eli. Detroit’s defence may even cover this line, let alone ‘Megatron’ (Calvin Johnson) and the offense.
San Diego Chargers at Arizona Cardinals (Tuesday at 12:20pm AEST)
The final game we take a look at is the “duel in the desert”. San Diego Chargers visit the Arizona Cardinals and at first look it seemed like such an easy game to handicap which is always a concern. When we take a closer look there seems to be coin-flip matchups all over the place. Although in most cases I’m giving the slight edge to the Chargers, with exception to Larry Fitzgerald at wide receiver. I’ll take the points in a game that looks very evenly matched.
2014 NFL Week Best Betting Picks
Green Bay Packers at the line (+6.0) - $1.92 at Luxbet *
New York Jets at the line (-5.5) - $1.92 at Luxbet **
Denver Broncos at the line (-7.5) - $1.93 at Luxbet*
Detroit Lions at the line (-5.5) - $1.91 at Luxbet ***
San Diego Chargers at the line (+3.5) - $1.80 at Luxbet *
*The stars represent the confidence level – three stars is high confidence, two is a medium level of confidence and one is a low level. These could be considered as the “units” of the betting play for those who follow sports betting bankroll management.
