NFL Week 1 betting odds, picks, tips: Will 49ers handle early road test? - ESPN

Football is back and Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season offers a whole slate of interesting props and betting lines.

What is worth looking at from a betting perspective? And what are the best plays to help you make smart wagering decisions?

Betting analysts Tyler Fulghum, Anita Marks, Erin Dolan, Eric Moody and Seth Walderoffer their insights into the games with tips and picks.

Note: Lines are from Caesars Sportsbook unless otherwise indicated.

Dolan: I typically focus on underdogs for Week 1. A trend that stands out to me is divisional home underdogs winning outright 88% of the time since 2012. There are four games on the slate this week where we see this. I think underdogs are typically a good play Week 1 when teams know how they have historically matched up against each other. Week 1 and Week 2 are difficult to handicap, so ease into the season.

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Moody: When it comes to Week 1, I'm a firm believer in research and analysis. Analyze preseason performance, but take it with a grain of salt. Roster additions, departures, injuries, offseason developments and historical trends carry a lot of weight. Monitoring line movements in Week 1 is really important. Because bankroll management is so critical, you should also consider making smaller bets or avoiding riskier bets until more statistical information is available. The goal is to set a solid research foundation that you can build on as the season goes