RGIII shares his NFC East predictions ahead of the 2024 NFL season
Robert Griffin III shares his predictions and expectations for the NFC East.
Sport in Seriousness
The 2024 NFL season begins this week with many questions across the league. Six teams have new coaches than they did at the end of 2023; seven more have new offensive coordinators. Three rookie quarterbacks start in Week 1.
The first week of the season could hold some surprises. Some teams could come out strong with a win or a win against the spread to start the new season. Here are four games that could go against the spread this week, with odds from BetMGM’s latest NFL odds.
Tips for the first week of the NFL: Will the Jets or the 49ers win on Monday night?
NFL Week 1 Tips Against the Spread
Green Bay Packers (+2) vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Green Bay Packers offense finished last season on a high and was one of the best units in the league despite fielding the youngest group at the NFL’s best positions. On defense, Green Bay brought in new coordinator Jeff Hafley in the offseason and signed top free agent safety Xavier McKinney.
Philadelphia finished last season with a 32-9 loss to Tampa Bay in the NFC wild-card round. They brought in new offensive (Kellen Moore) and defensive (Vic Fangio) coordinators for the 2024 season. They are one of the most talented teams in the league, but it could take some time for the offense to get going under Moore.
On neutral ground, there is no home-court advantage for Philadelphia in the NFL’s first Brazil game. If the Packers pick up where they left off last season and their defense improves early, they should be the favorites.
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Arizona Cardinals (+6.5) against Buffalo Bills
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is fit to start the season for the first time since 2022 and has a Pro Bowl-level wide receiver on the roster for the first time since 2020. Arizona’s offense should improve from last season with the addition of Marvin Harrison Jr. and an emerging talent at the tight end position in Trey McBride.
Even with new faces in the wide receiver room, Buffalo should score a lot of points. But the Bills start the season without linebacker Matt Milano and could also score a lot of points. That could lead to a shootout, and even if Arizona doesn’t win, they could compete well enough to beat the spread.
Tennessee Titans (+4) vs. Chicago Bears
The Titans have had one of the busiest offseasons in the league. They brought in a new coach in Brian Callahan, signed left tackle JC Latham, and added wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd and running back Tony Pollard. The offense alone should be in a much better position than last season. Their defense finished the 2023 season ranked 16th in points allowed and is unlikely to see a major decline.
Chicago has one of the best rookie quarterback prospects in years in Caleb Williams. The Bears have the talent to run a good offense in his first season, but may not be at their peak on Sunday. That leaves room for the Titans to impress in Week 1. A field goal could make the difference in this game.
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Los Angeles Rams (+3.5) against Detroit Lions
These two teams met in a thrilling NFC divisional playoff game last season that ended with a 24-23 victory for the Lions, and this year’s Sunday Night Football opener could be repeated in Detroit.
Los Angeles strengthened its offensive line in the offseason and has the talent to score big on that side of the ball. The same goes for the Lions, who return most of the starters from last year’s No. 5 scoring offense. Both teams invested in their defense before the season. The Rams selected defensive linemen in the first two rounds of the draft and the Lions drafted cornerback Terrion Arnold in the first round and also traded for cornerback Carlton Davis.
These moves and the restored infrastructure will help both teams get off to a good start to the season. It should be a close affair again and this lead seems to be large for two NFC playoff contenders.
