NFL Preseason Week 1 Best Bets for Saturday's Games

We've got players in uniforms, fans in the stands, and betting markets available on FanDuel Sportsbook. It's starting to smell like football again.

The vast majority of Week 1 of the 2024 NFL Preseason concludes on Saturday, which will feature nine games throughout the day. Some of the most intriguing QB battles, camp storylines, and most credentialed coaches will hit the sidelines among them.

As always, this is a reminder that, in betting markets, you don't want to get carried away with NFL preseason action -- especially in Week 1 with so many starters not playing major snaps. The outcomes of these games -- also known as what your wager is decided by -- are irrelevant to coaches. Execution within the game is the focus.

We've got a long season ahead of us with more units to deploy in the future, but these are my favorite betting angles from Saturday's contests.

All NFL preseason odds via FanDuel Sportsbook. Lines may change after this article is published.

Saturday's Best NFL Preseason Week 1 Bets

Las Vegas Raiders at Minnesota Vikings

Vikings Moneyline (+135)

There's certainly intrigue to this preseason opener for the Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings when neither team is fully certain who will be their starting quarterback in Week 1.

The Raiders are expected to try out both Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew for "about a quarter", which should be less than or equal to the time we see Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy for the Vikes. The latter's quarterback competition is noteworthy when some of the reason Minnesota is a home 'dog is likely because they've lost 10 straight preseason games -- all of which came in the Kirk Cousins era. There are eyeballs on how this offense functions with each guy under center.

Not expecting much of Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins in Week 1, there are holes on this Raiders defense in the depth department. That's not overly surprising for a team with just its two most recent of the franchise's last 14 first-round picks on the roster. Plus, it's not often you see internal skepticism from a head coach in August, but Antonio Pierce hasn't loved his offense's performance in camp thus far.

Minnesota's QB room extends into a pair of players with decent experience in real action last season, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall, while the Raiders likely count on Anthony Brown -- who has yet to take an official snap in the NFL -- late.

At home and with season ticket holders to please, I'll take the Vikings to find a way.

Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns

Over 39.5 Points (-105)

No QB room in the NFL might go four deep as strong as the Cleveland Browns' room. I'll back them to score plenty of points in Saturday's contest with the Green Bay Packers contributing where they can.

Green Bay seems to punt road games in the Matt LaFleur era in the preseason, losing seven of their last eight contests outright. While LaFleur announced we'll see most of Green Bay's starters, it's likely not for extensive work. A couple of Jordan Love series wouldn't hurt to keep this total afloat, but expect rookie Michael Pratt to handle a majority of the Packers' second half.

Meanwhile, the Browns appear positioned to put out NFL bodies on offense for a while. Jameis Winston is Deshaun Watson's primary backup, and Tyler Huntley and Dorian Thompson-Robinson's 13 combined career starts are fighting for the No. 3 job. It's almost as if there's something about Watson that concerns Cleveland he might not be on the field?

Regardless, the fact this isn't a intra-conference rivalry means we could see the playbook open up for both teams. The Browns posted 21.5 points per game in the preseason last year and have topped 20 points in four of their last six exhibition contests. One of the exceptions was the always-awkward Hall of Fame Game in 2023.

At the same time, this is a defense that -- similarly to the Raiders with Crosby -- relies a lot on Myles Garrett's ability to wreck a game. Without him for most of the game, I'm not sure at all if I'm getting a defensive product anywhere close to numberFire's top schedule-adjusted defense a season ago.

Therefore, with respect to LaFleur's offense when two of the Packers' last three road preseason games have smashed a 40-point total, I'll target the over here on the strength of the Browns' experienced signal-callers and the Packers' deep room of young weapons.

San Francisco 49ers at Tennessee Titans

Titans -5.5 (-110)

You'll have plenty of chances to back the San Francisco 49ers this season, but with two completely different agendas in this one, expect the Tennessee Titans to come out ahead.

San Francisco's major changes are...basically non-existent. Their superstar running back, Brock Purdy at quarterback, their weapons are entirely returning despite Brandon Aiyuk's current wishes, and the defense returns most key personnel under new defensive coordinator Nick Sorenson, who was an internal promotion. Christian McCaffrey won't play a snap in the preseason due to a calf injury. It's giving back-to-back NFC Championship appearances from their side.

For the home team, there's a boatload of new. This will be head coach Brian Callahan's first game at the helm. Sophomore quarterback Will Levis and third-year man Malik Willis have left plenty to prove from their NFL sample, and we've got new weapons across the board -- even though Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley might not be long for Week 1 of preseason.

Tennessee has won three of its last four preseason home games. For all his regular season success, Kyle Shanahan has just an 11-10 record in the preseason and has dropped two of his last three road contests. Preseason lines are rarely this large, but the number is a result of a quality spot to back one team that can take much more away from this exhibition contest.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.