We’ve finally made it to Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. Fans and bettors alike can rejoice in buzzing anticipation for Week 1’s action-packed slate. With freshly revamped rosters and long off-seasons in the rearview, it’s crucial to identify betting trends that could give you an edge against the oddsmakers.

In this article, we’ll dive into the most compelling trends and statistics to guide your Week 1 wagers, helping you navigate early-season uncertainties and capitalize on both emerging and historical patterns. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or a curious newcomer, these insights will set you up for success as the gridiron action returns.

Evan Engram Over 44.5 Receiving Yards (-115)

Engram hit this mark in 12/17 regular season games last year while leading the Jaguars in both receptions (114) and targets (143). Jacksonville completely revamped their receivers room this offseason, letting WR Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones (and their 200 collective targets) depart in free agency. While WR Christian Kirk and rookie addition Brian Thomas Jr. will absorb a portion of those looks, Engram should still command the lion’s share of targets in this Jaguars offense.

The Dolphins’ defense ranked the 7th worst in the league against TEs in 2023, allowing 904 receiving yards on 91 catches to opposing TEs. Expect QB Trevor Lawrence to feed his favorite target from a season ago early and often. Engram should clear this prop with ease.

Gus Edwards Anytime TD Scorer (+200)

Only two running backs had more rushing TDs than Edwards’ 13 scores a season ago – Christian McCaffery (14) and Raheem Mostert (18). While Edwards has changed teams from the Ravens to the Chargers, his red zone usage under new HC Jim Harbaugh should remain the same.

Edwards was highly efficient in the red zone last year, scoring on a whopping 33% of touches inside the 20 yard line. The Raiders rush defense ranked in the bottom 10 of the league in 2023, and allowed the sixth highest red zone TD scoring percentage. Not to mention, the Raiders will be thin along the defensive line after placing starting DE Malcolm Koonce on injured reserve late this week.

With Edwards’ odds to score at +200, there is far too much value here to ignore. Expect Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh to exploit a weak Raiders rush defense and feed Edwards in any and all goal line opportunities.

Rachaad White Over 84.5 Rush + Rec Yards (-120)

Rachaad White established himself as the poor man’s Christian McCaffery in 2023, compiling 1,471 total yards from scrimmage on 272 carries and 64 receptions. There has been no indication that the third year back will slow down this year – especially not in Week 1 against a Washington defense that struggled to defend running backs in 2023.

The Commanders allowed the fourth most receiving yards (717) to running backs in 2023 on top of ranking 27th in overall rush defense, allowing 126.8 rush yards per game. White went over 84.5 rushing and receiving yards in 10/17 games last year, while the Commanders allowed a staggering 102.7 rushing yards alone per game to running backs. White is one of the league’s few unquestioned three-down backs, and should get every opportunity to showcase that in Week 1.

SEA Seahawks -6 (-110) vs. DEN Broncos

Broncos QB Bo Nix has been the talk of the town during the preseason, with HC Sean Payton heralding his rookie signal caller for making Broncos history after becoming the first Broncos rookie to be voted a team captain in 57 years. Unluckily for Nix though, rookie QBs happen to be on the wrong side of history when it comes to first career starts, especially when they come on the road. It’s been six years since the last rookie QB covered or won straight up on the road – dating back to Sam Darnold’s first career start in 2018.

Seattle is one of the toughest environments to play in the league, and new HC Mike McDonald has a penchant for confusing opposing quarterbacks. In addition, Seattle should be able to take advantage of a Broncos defense that ranked 30th in defensive DVOA last season. New Seahawks OC Ryan Grubb helped catapult Washington’s offense into elite territory by pushing the ball downfield during their 2023 CFP run. Don’t expect him to hold back in his NFL debut.

Lots of people seem to be sleeping on the Seahawks this year after the departure of former HC Pete Carrol. Look for Seattle to win big in a statement victory for the new coaching regime against a rookie signal caller.

PIT Steelers vs. ATL Falcons: Under 42.5 (-120)

In perhaps the most appealing points total on the Week 1 slate, both the Steelers and the Falcons have equally ambiguous quarterback unknowns to start the 2024 season. Kirk Cousins is less than a year removed from a torn Achilles in his first season with a massively overhyped Falcons offense, while the Steelers will elect to start either a banged up Russell Wilson or a mistake-prone Justin Fields.

Pittsburgh has a perennially strong defense that should clog up running lanes and pressure Cousins and Atlanta’s offensive line as often as possible. In turn, expect Atlanta to exploit the Steelers rush attack, as the Steelers will be missing starting LT Troy Fautanu and LG Isaac Seumalo.

Mike Tomlin road unders have gone 80-56-1 (59%) during his career, making him the most profitable coach in that category during that time span. Furthermore, that percentage rises up to 67% in games that took place during the first 10 weeks of the season.

Expect a stalemate as Atlanta dares Pittsburgh to beat them through the air and Pittsburgh to bait Atlanta to grind it out on the ground.

Plays Summary:

Evan Engram o44.5 Receiving Yards (-120)

Gus Edwards Anytime TD (+200)

Rachaad White o84.5 Rush + Rec Yards (-120)

Seahawks -6 (-110)

PIT/ATL u42.5 (-120)