2024 NFL Preseason Week 1: Matchups and Odds Analysis (2024)

The first full weekend of preseason games is here, as teams have just three games to get ready for the start of the regular season.

Some coaches simply don’t care about the preseason. They can see more out a player in one day of practice than they can in all three preseason games. Other coaches take the preseason a bit more serious and expect decent efforts from their players.

The 2024 NFL preseason Week 1 odds have seen several big moves, as teams release their plans for the game.

Panthers vs Patriots

Day/Time: Thursday, Aug. 8, 7:00 p.m. ET
Odds: New England -6.5 (-115)
Total: 33.5

The line is pretty hefty on this one, as two of the worst teams from last season meet. It’s hard to lay nearly a touchdown with New England even in a preseason game. The total is low here, perhaps a little too much so. The over could be worth a look.

Lions vs Giants

Day/Time: Thursday, Aug. 8, 7:00 p.m. ET
Odds: New York -3.5
Total: 34.5

The Lions may be No. 4 in the odds to win the Super Bowl 2024, but they find themselves 3.5-point underdogs here. New York might not be a bad preseason wager this year, with all three quarterbacks having game experience. Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito could battle for the backup spot in preseason. The Giants make sense.

Texans vs Steelers

Day/Time: Friday, Aug. 9, 7:00 p.m. ET
Odds: Pick
Total: 37.5

The Steelers opened as 2.5-point favorites and the NFL Week 1 preseason odds now have this one rated a pick ’em game. Russell Wilson will be on the sidelines here, giving Justin Fields a chance to stake a claim for the starting job.

CJ Stroud should see his first action for the Texans. The line move doesn’t make a whole lot of sense and would give the nod to the Steelers here.

Falcons vs Dolphins

Day/Time: Friday, Aug. 9, 7:00 p.m. ET
Odds: Atlanta -2.5
Total: 38.5

The Falcons enter the game as 2.5-point favorites here, which is primarily due to Miami not having a great QB depth chart. Mike White and Skylar Thompson are listed as the No. 2 and No. 3 QBs. Michael Penix should see a fair amount of action for the Falcons. The under looks to be the way to go in this one.

Eagles vs Ravens

Day/Time: Friday, Aug. 9, 7:30 p.m. ET
Odds: Pick
Total: 34.5

The 2024 NFL preseason Week 1 odds opened Baltimore -3 and is now down to pick ’em, as the Eagles have been bet pretty good. Everybody knows how well John Harbaugh has done in the preseason, but Baltimore was 1-2 last season. The Eagles do have the better QB rotation, making this one a tough game to play.

Commanders vs Jets

Day/Time: Saturday, Aug. 10, Noon ET
Odds: Washington -2.5 (-115)
Total: 34.5

The Commanders are small favorites in this one, as Jayden Daniels should see some time on the field. Aaron Rodgers hasn’t played in the preseason since 2018 and if he sees the field, it won’t be for long this preseason. Still, the Jets could be the right side here and will take New York at home.

Bears vs Bills

Day/Time: Saturday, Aug. 10, 1:00 p.m. ET
Odds: Chicago -1
Total: 38

Buffalo opened as 1-point favorites and now the Bears are favored by 1. Caleb Williams will see his first action for Chicago, so that may have something to do with the line move. The Bears do have the advantage of playing in the Hall of Fame game. The Bills are more concerned with the NFL Week 1 odds and starting the regular season.

Raiders vs Vikings

Day/Time: Saturday, Aug. 10, 4:00 p.m. ET
Odds: Las Vegas -3.5
Total: 39

There were big moves here on the side and the total. The Vikings opened -1.5 with a total of 36, only to see the Raiders shoot up to 3.5-point favorites. The total climbed to 39 on news that both Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew will play, as the Raiders have to decide on a starting quarterback.

JJ McCarthy is expected to make his debut for the Vikings. Sam Darnold is penciled in as the opening day starter, but McCarthy could sneak in there. Have to side with Las Vegas in this one.

Packers vs Browns

Day/Time: Saturday, Aug. 10, 4:25 p.m. ET
Odds: Cleveland -2.5
Total: 39.5-over (-115)

The Browns are favored by 2.5 points against the Packers. Cleveland is one of the NFL teams that has a solid QB rotation for the preseason. It wouldn’t be a shock to see the Browns go at least 2-1 against the spread in this year’s exhibition games. You have to side with the Browns here.

49ers vs Titans

Day/Time: Saturday, Aug. 10, 7:00 p.m. ET
Odds: Tennessee -4.5
Total: 38.5

You know it’s the preseason when the Titans are favored by 4.5 over the 49ers. San Francisco will be looking to settle its backup quarterback competition between Joshua Dobbs and Brandon Allen.

Both could see a fair amount of time. The Titans have decent QB depth. It’s a tough one to play, but you can make a case for the under.

Chiefs vs Jaguars

Day/Time: Saturday, Aug. 10, 7:00 p.m. ET
Odds: Jacksonville -2.5
Total: 39

The 2024 NFL preseason Week 1 odds have the Jaguars -2.5 in a game where Patrick Mahomes probably won’t see the field. Trevor Lawrence will start for the Jaguars, but probably get a quick hook after a series or two. This is another game where the under is probably the way to go if you have to bet it.

Buccaneers vs Bengals

Day/Time: Saturday, Aug. 10, 7:00 p.m. ET
Odds: Cincinnati -4.5
Total: 38.5

The Bengals are 4.5-point favorites here and Joe Burrow will see the field, but probably not for long. Tampa Bay’s starters may not see much action this preseason. The team has joint practices/scrimmages lined up with Jacksonville and Miami the next two weeks and will see their starters then. Another lean to the under in a game with a high total.

Seahawks vs Chargers

Day/Time: Saturday, Aug. 10, 7:05 p.m. ET
Odds: Seattle -1.5
Total: 35

The Seahawks are 1.5-point road favorites here and it makes sense. Sam Howell should see some time for Seattle after being Washington’s starting QB last season.

The Chargers have some some young quarterbacks in their rotation and the coaches will probably try to look at everybody. A tough game to try and make a call in either way.

Saints vs Cardinals

Day/Time: Saturday, Aug. 10, 8:00 p.m. ET
Odds: New Orleans -1.5
Total: 36.5

New Orleans is a slight road favorite here and it’s looking like Kyler Murray won’t see the field at all during the preseason. You can’t blame the Arizona coaching staff. New Orleans probably won’t play its starters too much. The total is a bit low, but there’s a case to be made for taking the under here.

Broncos vs Colts

Day/Time: Sunday, Aug. 11, 1:00 p.m. ET
Odds: Indianapolis -2
Total: 38

The 2024 NFL preseason Week 1 odds see the Colts as slight 2-point favorites over Denver. Anthony Richardson will likely see a bit of time this preseason, but maybe not here.

Joe Flacco doesn’t need much preseason action, so we should see plenty of Sam Ehlinger, Kedon Slovis and Jason Bean for the Colts. Denver will likely get Bo Nix some playing time and backups Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson have experience. Will lean to the Broncos in this one.

Cowboys vs Rams

Day/Time: Sunday, Aug. 11, 4:30 p.m. ET
Odds: Dallas -4.5 (-105)
Total: 35.5

Opening week closes out with the Cowboys visiting the Rams. Dak Prescott shouldn’t see any time on the field this preseason, but Cooper Rush and Trey Lance make-up a decent rotation. Don’t expect to see Matthew Stafford playing for the Rams, either.

It makes sense the Cowboys are road favorites due to their QB rotation, but would be inclined to play the over 35.5 in this one.

For NFL betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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