american-football | Thursday, September 8, 2022 11:39 AM (Revised at: Sunday, September 11, 2022 2:05 PM)

NFL Week 1 Best Bets: Back The Bengals And Dolphins to Begin The Season With Wins

Sam Cox

NFL Week 1 Best Bets: Sunday, September 11th

This weekend brings us the first NFL Sunday of the 2022 season. As ever, the offseason was packed with drama, including some blockbuster trades and surprise draft selections.

After weeks of speculation about win totals and potential award winners, attention can finally turn to competitive action on the field. We have picked out the two best bets from Sunday’s games below.

In this article:

Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Preview
Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Best Bet
Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots Preview
Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots Best Bet

Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Preview

Sun, Sep 11. 18:00 (UK time)

There will be no Super Bowl-losing hangover for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Joe Burrow has been given superior protection with the Bengals making several moves to bolster their offensive line, which should make life easier for the star quarterback. The Bengals’ defence took a step forward in 2021, and they prioritised that area further in the summer, which should improve on their 21st-ranked pass defence.

Pittsburgh is in a curious situation with Mitchell Trubisky set to start ahead of Kenny Pickett. Either should be better than Ben Roethlisberger was, particularly with an improved offensive line, yet the Steelers’ offence is still subpar, and could struggle to keep pace with these Bengals.

The Steelers scored over 21 points just twice from Week 11 onwards in 2021. Their chances in this game are dependent on their pass rush overcoming Cincinnati’s improved pass protection, but that is a big ask, and even if they can pressure Burrow, we know he can make plays on the move.

Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Best Bet

Cincinnati won both of their matchups with Pittsburgh in emphatic fashion last season (24-10 and 41-10). Trubisky should be able to score more than 10, but that isn’t enough to keep up with this Bengals offence. Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins is an elite trio with decent supporting players – we like the Bengals to win this by at least a touchdown.

Selection: Cincinnati Bengals -6.5
Best Odds: 1.95 (Boyle Sports)
Stakes: 8/10

Odds as of 9:00 am September 8, 2022. Odds may now differ.

More Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Tips

Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots Preview

Sun, Sep 11. 18:00 (UK time)

The Patriots had what can generously be described as an underwhelming offseason after their 2021-22 campaign ended with a whimper. Up at 9-4 prior to their bye week, New England lost three of its final four regular season game before a drubbing at the hands of Buffalo in the playoffs.

Curious decisions in the draft followed, including selecting Cole Strange in the first round. The Pats are short on top-end talent, which contributes to Bill Belichick’s team being underdogs for their season opener against the Miami Dolphins.

There’s a lot of scepticism about Tua Tagovailoa as a franchise quarterback, but Miami showed faith in the 2020 fifth overall pick this offseason. Tyreek Hill was the standout addition, though the Dolphins upgraded the talent across the roster.

These teams trended in opposite directions in the second half of last season, with Miami closing out on an 8-1 run. That run included a 33-18 win over the Patriots, after New England won by a single point in Week 1.

Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots Best Bet

The Dolphins have real upside under Mike McDaniel, while there is little to be excited about with the Patriots. Even with doubts about Tagovailoa, there is value backing Miami to win at home after they won their last six at Hard Rock Stadium last term.