Week 1 NFL Upset Alert: History Is On Cleveland's Side
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns
Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 1 p.m. ET at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland
Series History
Cleveland has dominated the series history between these teams, especially when they play in Cleveland.
Overall, Cleveland is 8-2 SU in its last ten games against Cincinnati.
Dating to 2018, Cleveland has won all five of its last five home games against the Bengals.
The Browns' last home win against Cincinnati was particularly convincing: they won 32-13.
Pass Protection
While it's easy to be enamored with the Bengals because they have one of the NFL's top quarterbacks, the hard reality is that no quarterback can be effective when lying on his back.
Pass protection has been a consistent problem for Cincinnati.
Last year, they ranked 18th at limiting the rate at which their quarterback gets sacked.
This unit is largely the same.
While they've improved at left tackle with the addition of Orlando Brown, Brown still needs to find chemistry with the other offensive linemen.
Cleveland's Pass Rush
Even if chemistry were not an issue for Brown and company, Cleveland's defensive line has improved significantly, which more than makes up for any improvement in Cincinnati's pass protection.
The Browns' big addition is defensive end Za'Darius Smith.
A Pro Bowler last year who accumulated ten sacks, Smith will play opposite of star Myles Garrett.
Having two strong edge rushers is significant because it prevents the opposing pass protection unit from ganging up on either edge rusher.
Moreover, Dalvin Tomlinson will be effective especially against the run. According to PFF, he was the third-best interior defensive lineman in free agency.
Cleveland's Offense
With three Pro Bowlers -- at left guard, right guard, and right tackle -- Cleveland's offensive line will be stronger than Cincinnati's.
Most importantly, the Browns' pass protectors are now familiar with quarterback Deshaun Watson's playing style, specifically his mobility and his proclivity to extend plays.
Watson has a superb supporting cast: recent All-Pro selection running back Nick Chubb is reliably efficient and productive.
Amari Cooper at wide receiver is a four-time Pro Bowler whose downfield prowess will help Watson exploit Cincinnati's overhauled safety group and the Bengals' cornerback group that misses Eli Apple.
Best Bet: Browns +2.5 at -110 with Bet365 & Browns ML at +120 with Bet365
Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 1 p.m. ET at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans
New Orleans' Key Absences
The Saints will miss two key players.
One is Trai Turner, their Pro Bowl left guard.
Two is star running back Alvin Kamara.
Tennessee's Defensive Line
Turner would have helped the Saints improve in pass protection -- last year, they ranked 17th at limiting the rate at which their quarterback gets sacked.
Whereas New Orleans' offensive line largely consists in inconsistent players whose injuries have hindered them from gaining chemistry with each other, Tennessee's defensive line is reliable, especially at full strength.
Most prominently, Tennessee boasts Denico Autry, who achieved eight sacks in twelve games last year, and Jeffery Simmons, who accrued 7.5 sacks and nine run stuffs in 15 games last year.
Harold Landry, who had twelve sacks in his last healthy season, is also a significant contributor to his team's pass rush.
Comparing Wide Receiver Outlooks
Tennessee's pass rush will help out its secondary, which is spearheaded by Kristian Fulton, whose success against Indianapolis wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., among others, has established him as a very good cornerback in coverage.
Sean Murphy-Bunting, who allowed 22 receptions on 40 targets last season, will complement Fulton, giving the Titans' cornerback group a proven depth that New Orleans' lacks with its uncertain youth.
Tennessee's well-rounded pass rush and deeper cornerback group will help it contain New Orleans' pass attack while, on offense, the Titans boast the top wide receiver on the field in five-time All-Pro selection DeAndre Hopkins.
Running the Ball
Tennessee has the means to remain stout against the run inside the 20 and overall.
Anyways, with Kamara absent, the Titans have a tremendous edge at running back with Derrick Henry, who faces a Saints run defense that, at 24th, ranked 24 spots behind Tennessee's last year.
Whereas New Orleans will have to be one-dimensional and rely on its pass attack against Tennessee's pass rush and improved secondary group, the Titans' offense can be more balanced with Henry and Hopkins moving downfield.
Best Bet: Titans +3 at +100 with Bet365 & Titans ML at +160 with Bet365
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos
Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 4:25 p.m. ET at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver
Series History
Las Vegas is a reliable bet because it has won six in a row against Denver.
Last year, the Raiders won at 2.5-point underdogs in a low-scoring contest in Denver.
They also showed that they can score a lot on the Broncos' well-reputed defense, winning 32-23 at home.
Josh Jacobs
Raiders' running back Josh Jacobs has provided much of the motor behind his team's ongoing success against the Broncos.
In both games against them last year, he exceeded 100 yards.
Broncos' Pass Defense
While Denver's well-reputed defense can't carry its team by stopping Jacobs, its pass rush will be at least as helpless.
Last year, the Broncos ranked 26th in sack rate.
During the offseason, the Broncos lost Baron Browning, who accrued five sacks in 14 games last year, to injury, while adding little to their pass rush.
While the Broncos boast a top-level cornerback in Patrick Surtain, the Raiders have an even stronger talent in wide receiver Davante Adams.
Last year, in two games matched up against Surtain, Adams was targeted 14 times and caught nine passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-winner.
Denver's Offense
With especially Adams and Jacobs being productive for Las Vegas, Denver's outlook is negative because it can't rely on its offense to keep pace.
Last year, the Broncos ranked last with 16.9 points per game.
Quarterback Russell Wilson turned out to be a dud, and he won't be able to receive support from Jerry Jeudy, his top wide receiver, who is injured.
The Broncos' offense still does not have much playmaking ability.
Best Bet: Raiders +3.5 at -110 with Bet365 & Raiders ML at +167 with Bet365
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns
Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 1 p.m. ET at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland
Series History
Cleveland has dominated the series history between these teams, especially when they play in Cleveland.
Overall, Cleveland is 8-2 SU in its last ten games against Cincinnati.
Dating to 2018, Cleveland has won all five of its last five home games against the Bengals.
The Browns' last home win against Cincinnati was particularly convincing: they won 32-13.
Pass Protection
While it's easy to be enamored with the Bengals because they have one of the NFL's top quarterbacks, the hard reality is that no quarterback can be effective when lying on his back.
Pass protection has been a consistent problem for Cincinnati.
Last year, they ranked 18th at limiting the rate at which their quarterback gets sacked.
This unit is largely the same.
While they've improved at left tackle with the addition of Orlando Brown, Brown still needs to find chemistry with the other offensive linemen.
Cleveland's Pass Rush
Even if chemistry were not an issue for Brown and company, Cleveland's defensive line has improved significantly, which more than makes up for any improvement in Cincinnati's pass protection.
The Browns' big addition is defensive end Za'Darius Smith.
A Pro Bowler last year who accumulated ten sacks, Smith will play opposite of star Myles Garrett.
Having two strong edge rushers is significant because it prevents the opposing pass protection unit from ganging up on either edge rusher.
Moreover, Dalvin Tomlinson will be effective especially against the run. According to PFF, he was the third-best interior defensive lineman in free agency.
Cleveland's Offense
With three Pro Bowlers -- at left guard, right guard, and right tackle -- Cleveland's offensive line will be stronger than Cincinnati's.
Most importantly, the Browns' pass protectors are now familiar with quarterback Deshaun Watson's playing style, specifically his mobility and his proclivity to extend plays.
Watson has a superb supporting cast: recent All-Pro selection running back Nick Chubb is reliably efficient and productive.
Amari Cooper at wide receiver is a four-time Pro Bowler whose downfield prowess will help Watson exploit Cincinnati's overhauled safety group and the Bengals' cornerback group that misses Eli Apple.
Best Bet: Browns +2.5 at -110 with Bet365 & Browns ML at +120 with Bet365
Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 1 p.m. ET at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans
New Orleans' Key Absences
The Saints will miss two key players.
One is Trai Turner, their Pro Bowl left guard.
Two is star running back Alvin Kamara.
Tennessee's Defensive Line
Turner would have helped the Saints improve in pass protection -- last year, they ranked 17th at limiting the rate at which their quarterback gets sacked.
Whereas New Orleans' offensive line largely consists in inconsistent players whose injuries have hindered them from gaining chemistry with each other, Tennessee's defensive line is reliable, especially at full strength.
Most prominently, Tennessee boasts Denico Autry, who achieved eight sacks in twelve games last year, and Jeffery Simmons, who accrued 7.5 sacks and nine run stuffs in 15 games last year.
Harold Landry, who had twelve sacks in his last healthy season, is also a significant contributor to his team's pass rush.
Comparing Wide Receiver Outlooks
Tennessee's pass rush will help out its secondary, which is spearheaded by Kristian Fulton, whose success against Indianapolis wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., among others, has established him as a very good cornerback in coverage.
Sean Murphy-Bunting, who allowed 22 receptions on 40 targets last season, will complement Fulton, giving the Titans' cornerback group a proven depth that New Orleans' lacks with its uncertain youth.
Tennessee's well-rounded pass rush and deeper cornerback group will help it contain New Orleans' pass attack while, on offense, the Titans boast the top wide receiver on the field in five-time All-Pro selection DeAndre Hopkins.
Running the Ball
Tennessee has the means to remain stout against the run inside the 20 and overall.
Anyways, with Kamara absent, the Titans have a tremendous edge at running back with Derrick Henry, who faces a Saints run defense that, at 24th, ranked 24 spots behind Tennessee's last year.
Whereas New Orleans will have to be one-dimensional and rely on its pass attack against Tennessee's pass rush and improved secondary group, the Titans' offense can be more balanced with Henry and Hopkins moving downfield.
Best Bet: Titans +3 at +100 with Bet365 & Titans ML at +160 with Bet365
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos
Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 4:25 p.m. ET at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver
Series History
Las Vegas is a reliable bet because it has won six in a row against Denver.
Last year, the Raiders won at 2.5-point underdogs in a low-scoring contest in Denver.
They also showed that they can score a lot on the Broncos' well-reputed defense, winning 32-23 at home.
Josh Jacobs
Raiders' running back Josh Jacobs has provided much of the motor behind his team's ongoing success against the Broncos.
In both games against them last year, he exceeded 100 yards.
Broncos' Pass Defense
While Denver's well-reputed defense can't carry its team by stopping Jacobs, its pass rush will be at least as helpless.
Last year, the Broncos ranked 26th in sack rate.
During the offseason, the Broncos lost Baron Browning, who accrued five sacks in 14 games last year, to injury, while adding little to their pass rush.
While the Broncos boast a top-level cornerback in Patrick Surtain, the Raiders have an even stronger talent in wide receiver Davante Adams.
Last year, in two games matched up against Surtain, Adams was targeted 14 times and caught nine passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-winner.
Denver's Offense
With especially Adams and Jacobs being productive for Las Vegas, Denver's outlook is negative because it can't rely on its offense to keep pace.
Last year, the Broncos ranked last with 16.9 points per game.
Quarterback Russell Wilson turned out to be a dud, and he won't be able to receive support from Jerry Jeudy, his top wide receiver, who is injured.
The Broncos' offense still does not have much playmaking ability.
Best Bet: Raiders +3.5 at -110 with Bet365 & Raiders ML at +167 with Bet365
