Week 1 NFL picks: Evaluating the Houston offense, Jets/49ers, WR props and more - ESPN

Independent of what happens Thursday nights, I'll drop this new column every Friday morning of the NFL season. I'll preview the upcoming slate of Sunday games with a focus on key matchups and how they affect bets you might take — both totals and sides, as well as props.

I don't really go into any game looking for bets to make. But as I analyze how the Houston Texans attacked the Indianapolis Colts defense last year, I realize a big game for Nico Collins is likely in order. And as I look at Dak Prescott's history against Jim Schwartz defenses, I become more confident in a Week 1 upset for the Dallas Cowboys.

This column is less about «nine best bets for Week 1» and more about «some key players, performances and head-to-heads in Week 1.» However, I still think the bets are pretty good, and we'll be tracking their performance as we go.

All odds current as of publication time and courtesy of ESPN BET.

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Texans-Colts | Cowboys-Browns | Jets-49ers | Quick hits and SGP

This divisional matchup delivered in 2023. In Week 2, Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson ripped off two long touchdown runs in two drives before exiting the game with an injury. Backup Gardner Minshew nursed the 14-point cushion to a 31-20 victory, but Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud shined with 384 yards and two touchdown passes despite heavy pressure.

In the Week 18 rematch, it was Stroud who delivered the early fireworks with a one-play, 75-yard opening touchdown drive; the deep ball to Collins still lives in my memory to this day.

LET IT FLY