Make sure to check in with BettingPros throughout the year for top picks and predictions for each and every NFL game. Our writers dive into their favorite picks and predictions for every remaining game on this weekend’s NFL slate. And let’s take a closer look at Chargers vs. Titans.
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NFL Week 1 Odds, Picks & Predictions: Chargers vs. Titans
Brandon Staley as a road favorite vs. Mike Vrabel as a home underdog. The coaching disparity alone could serve as a reason to take the Titans with the points. But there’s more reason to like Tennessee Sunday. Offensively, this is a great matchup for Derrick Henry against Staley’s scheme, which is designed to limit big plays through the air and, as a result, be more generous against the run. Last season, Los Angeles allowed opponents to average 5.4 yards per carry, the worst in the league. Of course, adjustments can be made, especially considering how awful Ryan Tannehill looked in Week 1. But Los Angeles’ personnel can’t change much to stop the run. I’d expect a traditional Henry performance here. Second, I suspect Los Angeles to have a hard time running the ball. Tennessee’s defense was the best in the league against the run last year, and the potential absence of Austin Ekeler means Joshua Kelley will have to shoulder the load. Kelley performed well in Week 1, rushing for a career-high in yardage. But he’s still a downgrade from an explosiveness perspective. Tennessee’s secondary is suspect, but I expect Vrabel to deliver with a gameplan that flusters Justin Herbert, who went 28-of-42 for 313 yards and two picks in their meeting last season. Trusting Tannehill over Herbert is a gross proposition. But so is laying a field goal with the Chargers on the road.
Pick: Titans +2.5 (-110)
-Matt Barbato
What is Betting Against the Spread?
Betting "against the spread" refers to the act of choosing the winning team based on a numeric handicap placed on the team that oddsmakers believe is superior, rather than picking the outright winner. For example, if the Rams face the Bengals, and oddsmakers set the spread at Rams -3.5, you would need Los Angeles to win by 4 or more points in order to cash your Rams bet.
What is an Over/Under Bet?
Over/Under is a wager based on how many points you think will be scored in a specific game. Oddsmakers set the total, and bettors decide whether the final score will be higher or lower than that number. If an Over/Under is set at 44.5 points and you bet Over, you will need the combined score of both teams to be 45 points or higher to win your bet.
What is a Moneyline Bet?
A moneyline bet involves choosing which team you believe will win a specific matchup. The moneyline favorite carries a minus designation, like -130. This means that you need to wager $130 to earn a $100 profit. Conversely, the underdog carries a plus designation, like +110. This means that you win $110 in profit on a $100 bet.
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