NFL Week 1 Predictions: Road Warriors Guaranteed to Beat Vegas Odds

If you love the NFL, odds are good that you love gambling and betting on games. That is part of what makes the sport so appealing to a massive audience, though it does not need to be something that hinders your enjoyment of the game. 

As we approach Week 1, the odds have been set for all 16 games, and the only thing left to do is play them. It is strange to think that the games are the boring part—figuring out what to do before they start is where all the action is. 

Even though home teams will always be given the benefit of the doubt by the oddsmakers, it would be foolish to underestimate what going on the road can do for a team. The Giants won two straight road games in the postseason to make it to Super Bowl XLVI.

So with the odds locked in, here are the road teams ready to make a statement right out of the gate. 

Odds courtesy of Vegas Insider

Buffalo Bills (+6) at New York Jets

These are two teams moving in completely opposite directions, yet the Jets are still getting all the love from the people who set the lines. 

Despite all the talk of chaos with the Jets' quarterback situation and instability on the offensive side of the ball, they are expected to easily take care of business against the Bills. 

However, people are underestimating just how much better the Bills will be this season. They made a significant upgrade to their defensive line in the form of Mario Williams, and drafted cornerback Stephon Gilmore to shore up the defensive backfield. 

If Ryan Fitzpatrick just doesn't turn the ball over, it will be hard to see a scenario where the Bills lose. 

Bills 27, Jets 23

Washington Redskins (+11) at New Orleans Saints

Let me start by saying that I don't see the Redskins winning the game. The Saints are clearly the superior team and should start the season 1-0. 

That said, the Saints aren't a good enough defensive team to make this game turn into a blowout. Buying into rookie hype is a dangerous proposition, because you are almost always going to get burned, but Robert Griffin III is an incredible athlete who can do so many things. 

The Redskins are an underrated defensive team. They finished in the top half of the league last year in pass yards allowed, and with a better quarterback, they should feel less pressure to force stops every time an opponent touches the ball. 

Drew Brees is going to get his yards, but the Redskins will keep the game much closer than you think. 

Saints 30, Redskins 24

Cincinnati Bengals (+7) at Baltimore Ravens

Despite their playoff berth last season, the Bengals seem to be getting overlooked coming into this year. Part of that comes from playing in a division that features the Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. Part of it comes from not being particularly sexy to watch. 

Even though they aren't a glamorous team, the Bengals did so many of the little things required to win games.

Granted, the Ravens did beat the Bengals by at least seven points in the two games they played last year, but what happened in 2011 has no bearing on today. 

Andy Dalton is going to take at least two steps forward this season after a stellar rookie season. A.J. Green is going to become the superstar receiver everyone expects him to be.

Their defense, which finished in the top 10 in both rushing and passing yards allowed, should be better with the addition of Dre Kirkpatrick, who is not expected to play this week, and defensive tackle Devon Still. 

Ravens 24, Bengals 21

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