NFL

Best NFL underdog picks and predictions for Week 1

Jess Root

Sportsbook Wire

The 2022 NFL season kicks off this weekend with a Thursday night game, 14 Sunday games and 1 on Monday night. That means plenty of options for some betting action.

Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook's NFL odds and lines, and tab the best NFL Week 1 underdog bets to cash in on among SportbookWire's NFL expert picks and predictions.

Week 1 brings the most uncertainty with betting lines because we haven't seen teams play with a full lineup or with complete game plans. Especially this 1st weekend, we can find some nice underdog values. As we start the season, here are my 3 favorite underdog bets of the week.

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NFL underdog predictions: Week 1

All games Sunday and ET unless noted

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Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 8:31 a.m. ET.

Arizona Cardinals +5.5 (-105) vs. Kansas City Chiefs- 4:25 (CBS)

The line for this game has grown since the start of the week. Kansas City is healthy, while the Cardinals could start the season missing some starters.

Arizona has uncertainty at cornerback and with the pass rush, which means the Chiefs should be able to move the ball.

The Chiefs, though, will look different offensively this year because they no longer have WR Tyreek Hill.

While the Cardinals will struggle to stop Kansas City's offense, their offense will be hard for Kansas City to stop as well. QB Kyler Murray had 5 total touchdowns in Week 1 last year and, even with the absence of WR DeAndre Hopkins, they have lots of offensive weapons. Kansas City lost 2 starters in the secondary and has questions of their own with their pass-rushing presence.

Neither Murray nor Patrick Mahomes has ever lost in Week 1.

This game should be a shootout and it will likely come down to who has the ball last.

Take the CARDINALS +5.5 to start the season.

Also see:All Week 1 odds and lines

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Chicago Bears +260 vs. San Francisco 49ers - 1 p.m. (FOX)

The 49ers made it to the NFC Championship Game last season and were a dropped interception away from making it to the Super Bowl.

But entering 2022, they have moved on from QB Jimmy Garoppolo as their starting QB, turning things over to 2021 No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance.

I am not yet a believer in Lance, despite the talent on the Niners roster. He has a higher ceiling than Garoppolo, but is more prone to bad decisions and mistakes.

Looking at the Bears, who have a new head coach and offensive system to help 2nd-year QB Justin Fields, who looked good in the preseason.

As a general rule, I like teams in their home opener to cover the spread more often than not. There is extra energy from the home crowd and, in this case, the 49ers don't know exactly what to expect from a new Bears offense.

I believe the Niners will struggle more than people expect with Lance as the starter and that begins in Chicago.

Take the BEARS (+260) straight up for the win and a huge payout.

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Minnesota Vikings (-101) vs. Green Bay Packers - 4:25 p.m. (FOX)

The Vikings have a new coaching staff, which means they don't have much on film for the Packers to prepare for.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is 16-10 in his career against the Vikings, but lost in Minnesota last season. The Packers also started last year on the road and were absolutely annihilated Week 1 by the Saints 38-3.

The Packers will ultimately win the division and the Vikings will compete for the postseason, but in this opener in Minnesota, take the VIKINGS (-101) to win outright.

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