FrontPageBets GM/Content Director Mike Szvetitz gives his picks for Week 1 of the NFL season.
The 2022 NFL season kicks off Thursday night with perhaps the best game of the entire Week 1 schedule: the Buffalo Bills vs. the Los Angeles Rams.
Of course, this could have been the Super Bowl 56 matchup everyone wanted, and thought they were going to see last February (if not for an overtime coin flip). It could also be a preview of Super Bowl 57, as both the Bills and the Rams have legitimate chances to represent their respective conferences in the Big Game.
The Bills enter Thursday night’s opener as the odds-on favorite to win not only the AFC, but the Super Bowl. But the Rams, the defending champions, will have something to say about that, as they enter the 2022 season with the core of their title team intact.
There should be fireworks aplenty as Buffalo and LA open the season, as FrontPageBets takes a deeper look at the matchup and wagers to watch.
Bills outlook
As quarterback Josh Allen goes, so will the Bills. The fifth-year pro out of Wyoming has been the undisputed leader – and playmaker – for Buffalo, coming into his own last season where he threw for 4,407 yards during the regular season last year to go along with 36 touchdowns. Then in the playoffs he set an NFL record for passer rating at 149.0, throwing nine touchdowns and only 12 incompletions.
The hype and the pressure are all on Allen’s shoulders entering 2022. But he’s got an offense that can help shoulder the load, including talent at wide receiver and a solid running game. And, according to this Buffalo News story, the leadership to handle it.
It will be put to the test in the season opener, as the Rams will be not only playing at home, but also raising their Super Bowl 56 championship banner.
Read The Buffalo News for more on the Bills.
In this week's FPBcast, Gerry Ahern and Mike Szvetitz wrap up the top FBS games and pick their best NFL games of the week.
Rams outlook
In what will certainly feel like a playoff game, the Rams enter Thursday night as the underdog.
But Matthew Stafford has seemingly been the underdog his entire pro career. Although he stepped out of that shadow last season to lead LA to the title, he’s still overlooked when it comes to the upper echelon of quarterbacks in the league.
Take note, however, Stafford can hang. And he’s surrounded by talent all over the field, and not just on offense. The Rams defense also might be one of the best units in the league.
But is Stafford healthy? His throwing elbow and some lingering pain has been a question all training camp. Stafford and LA head coach Sean McVay say he’s fine. Against Buffalo to kick off the season in a must-watch game, we’ll find out soon enough if that’s the case.
FrontPageBets takes a look at the odds-on favorites to throw the most regular-season TD passes in the NFL.
Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings and subject to change)
- When: Thursday, 8:20 p.m., NBC
- Spread: Bills -2.5 (-110); Rams +2.5 (-110)
- Money line: Bills -140; Rams +120
- Over/Under: 52.5 (-110)
Rams RB Cam Akers +1000 to score game's first TD
The Bills are due for a coin toss victory. And because of that, they'll defer to the second half, giving LA the ball first, opening the door for the Rams' offense to strike first.
Los Angeles running back Cam Akers sits at +1000 to score the first touchdown of the game. And if the Rams can get into the red zone first, Akers can get the job done and find the end zone for the first TD of 2022.
Stafford -115 to throw over 268.5 yards
With the Bills being favored and their offense ready to pick up where it left off last season, the Rams could be playing catchup late in the game, meaning Stafford will be slinging it around in the second half.
Allen +650 to score Bills' first TD
The Buffalo quarterback rushed for 763 yards and six touchdowns last season, including one of 34 yards. Never one to shy away from tucking and running, Allen is always a threat to score with his legs.
The pick
Bills take care of business and open the season with a road win, 24-21.
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Mike Szvetitz is the General Manager and Content Director for FrontPageBets.com. Szvetitz is a 22-year veteran reporter and editor, including serving 17 years as a sports editor in Florida, Alabama and Virginia, covering everything from preps to pros. His "View From The Lazy Boy" column won multiple state and national awards. He can be reached at mszvetitz@timesdispatch.com.
