Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers Betting Preview/Week 1 Preseason Picks
12 August 2022
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Green Bay 121.803; San Francisco 119.301
Dunkel Line & Total: Green Bay by 2 ½; 30
Vegas Line & Total: San Francisco by 1; 33 ½
Dunkel Pick: Green Bay (+1); Under
NFC powerhouse teams are set to meet up on Friday night in San Francisco as the 49ers host the Green Bay Packers. This is a rematch of a playoff game from January 2022 in which the 49ers went into Green Bay and upset the Packers.
Green Bay has been the best regular-season team in the NFC over the past two seasons, but it hasn’t led to any success in the playoffs. The Packers are big favorites to win the NFC North again in 2022, but that’s no longer the only goal.
San Francisco made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game a season ago, and they should actually be better this time around. The 49ers are playing in a tough NFC West Division, and they will have to be sharp from the season opener on.
The San Francisco Giants are one-point favorites at home against the Green Bay Packers on Friday night.
Packers Playing Without Star
Most NFL teams are going to keep the starters out of action in Week 1 of the preseason, and that’s the case with the Packers as well. The biggest difference is that quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a back-to-back MVP Award winner, and Green Bay is a mess without him.
Backup quarterback Jordan Love is going to have to prove that he is ready for game action, and he will likely see plenty of time in this one. If the Packers can get rolling on offense, then they can be a hard team to beat.
The Green Bay defense made huge strides in 2021, and that unit will now try and continue to stay on a roll.
49ers Want to Run
It really doesn’t matter who is on the field for the 49ers, as they are going to have the same game plan regardless. San Francisco is going to run the football a ton, and a sound running game is usually a big weapon in the preseason.
San Francisco is going to make a change at the quarterback position in 2022 as Trey Lance is set to take over. The 49ers haven’t announced plans for Lance in the preseason, but he will likely see action at some point.
The 49ers' defense dominated the Packers' offense in the postseason matchup, and that unit should be another big strength of the team this season as well.
Packers Get Some Revenge
You aren’t going to see very many big names on the field in this game, but it should still be a game that is played well. Both of these franchises are set up for success, and each head coach is going to want his team to look sharp.
The Packers are going to need to see quarterback Jordan Love get a ton of action in this one, and that is really where the difference is. There is a good chance that these teams will meet up in the postseason, and this game will be a nice preview of that.
Bet the Green Bay Packers +1.0 as they go into San Francisco and get a bit of revenge on the 49ers, even if this is just a preseason matchup.
Below are all of Dunkel's picks for Week 1 of the NFL preseason:
New York Giants at New England Patriots
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: NY Giants 126.147; New England 124.634
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Giants by 1 ½; 39
Vegas Line & Total: New England by 2; 34
Dunkel Pick: NY Giants (+2); Over
Former Super Bowl rivals meet in New England as the Patriots are two-point betting favorites over the New York Giants. The Patriots aren’t going to play regular players in this one, and the Giants have plenty to prove.
The Giants will get the better of the Patriots again, and taking New York (+2) is the best way to bet this game.
Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee 123.103; Baltimore 136.651
Dunkel Line & Total: Baltimore by 13 ½; 31
Vegas Line & Total: Baltimore by 4 ½; 34
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-4 ½); Under
The Ravens are 4.5-point favorites over the Tennessee Titans in Baltimore in Week 1 of the preseason. Both NFL teams will be in the mix to reach the AFC Playoffs in 2022, and this should be a terrific showdown.
The Titans won’t have Derrick Henry carrying the offense in this game, and the Ravens will win big and cover the 4.5-point spread.
Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions
Time: 6:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 111.044; Detroit 116.817
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 6; 43
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta (-1 ½); 33
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+1 ½); Over
The Atlanta Falcons head into Detroit as 1.5-point favorites over the Lions in Preseason Week 1. Both rosters are lacking the talent to be a playoff team in 2022, but each team will have something to prove.
Detroit still has work to do, but the Lions are a better team than the Falcons, and they win this game at home. Take the Lions +1.5 in this matchup.
Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 123.075; Jacksonville 114.008
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 9; 29
Vegas Line & Total: Jacksonville by 1 ½; 33
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+1 ½); Under
The Cleveland Browns have had a messy offseason, and they are underdogs (+1.5) at Jacksonville to begin the preseason. The Jaguars have some terrific young talent on the roster, but those pieces likely won’t suit up in this game.
Cleveland will go to Jacksonville and win the game, and taking them at +1.5 is the way to go.
NY Jets at Philadelphia Eagles
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: NY Jets 115.400; Philadelphia 118.878
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 3 ½; 44
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia by 1 ½; 33
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-1 ½); Over
The Eagles were a playoff team in 2021 and are looking for even bigger things in 2022. The New York Jets come to Philadelphia, where the home team is a slight 1.5-point betting favorite in this matchup.
The Jets are improving, but they aren’t on the same level as the Eagles. Take Philadelphia -1.5 as they cruise to a win at home.
Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona 121.563; Cincinnati 114.092
Dunkel Line & Total: Arizona by 7 ½; 31
Vegas Line & Total: Cincinnati by 1 ½; 33 ½
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+1 ½); Under
Two NFL playoff teams from a year ago clash in Cincinnati as the Bengals host the Arizona Cardinals. This is also a matchup of explosive offenses, and the Bengals are 1.5-point favorites at home.
The Bengals came out of nowhere in 2021 to reach the Super Bowl, but that won’t matter in this preseason matchup. Arizona has more veteran depth, and they win the game, so the Cardinals (+1.5) are the pick.
Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City 119.573; Chicago 124.176
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 5 ½; 47
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 3 ½; 35
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-3 ½); Over
The Chicago Bears (-3.5) begin the Matt Eberflus era by hosting the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday afternoon. Kansas City is once again a Super Bowl betting favorite, and the preseason is of no concern for them.
Chicago could be in for a long year, but the Bears will give their fans something to enjoy on Saturday as they win the game and cover the 3.5-point spread.
Carolina Panthers at Washington Commanders
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 121.636; Washington 120.655
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 1; 35
Vegas Line & Total: Washington by 2 ½; 36 ½
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+2 ½); Under
A pair of struggling teams will meet up in Washington D.C. as the Commanders (-2.5) host the Carolina Panthers. Both NFL teams are expected to struggle at times in 2022, but they can start to work on some issues in this game.
Carolina looks like it could surprise people this season, and the Panthers cover the 2.5-point spread in Washington on Saturday.
Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills
Time: 4:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Indianapolis 120.986; Buffalo 130.015
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 9; 37
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo by 3 ½; 34
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (-3 ½); Over
The AFC is loaded with great teams, and the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills are two of those teams. The Bills are 3.5-point favorites in this game, and it would be a much bigger deal if this was a regular season showdown.
Buffalo is simply loaded with talent, and they will put on a show to cover the 3.5-point spread in this game.
Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 116.271; Pittsburgh 126.249
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 10; 42
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 3; 33 ½
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-3); Over
The Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers are proud NFL franchises, but they both could be in for a long year. Pittsburgh is a three-point favorite in this matchup, and they do appear to be more set at the quarterback position.
Seattle has some serious holes, and they won’t be able to overcome those as the Steelers cover the spread and roll to a win.
Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 117.493; Tampa Bay 122.957
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 5 ½; 29
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 1 ½; 32 ½
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+1 ½); Under
Football fans in Florida will have their eyes on Tampa Bay as the Buccaneers host the Miami Dolphins (-1.5). Miami heads into 2022 with a ton of optimism, but the Buccaneers are still one of the best in the game.
This game doesn’t matter to the Buccaneers, but they still pick up a win and cover the 1.5-point spread.
New Orleans Saints at Houston Texans
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 116.193; Houston 121.180
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 5; 39
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 1 ½; 33
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+1 ½); Over
The Houston Texans are 1.5-point underdogs at home against the New Orleans Saints this weekend. Houston is likely going to be an underdog a lot during the regular season, while the Saints could be in the mix for a playoff spot.
The Texans might not give their fans many wins this season, but they will win this game as an underdog over the Saints.
Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos
Time: 9:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 123.370; Denver 116.269
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 7; 31
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 2 ½; 33 ½
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+2 ½); Under
The new-look Denver Broncos are 2.5-point favorites over the Dallas Cowboys in what should be a battle. Denver has upgraded the offense, but offense is a strength for the Cowboys as well.
Don’t expect to see Russell Wilson under center for the Broncos in this one, and it will be the Cowboys (+2.5) that come out on top.
Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Chargers
Time: 10:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: LA Rams 112.544; LA Chargers 118.797
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Chargers by 6; 28
Vegas Line & Total: LA Chargers by 3; 30 ½
Dunkel Pick: LA Chargers (-3); Under
SoFi Stadium in California could be rocking on Saturday night as the Chargers host the Rams in Los Angeles. The Chargers are three-point favorites in this game, and there is a potential that this will be a Super Bowl preview.
Both teams are going to be loaded in 2022, but it will be the Chargers -3.0 that come out on top in this matchup.
Minnesota Vikings at Las Vegas Raiders
Time: 4:25 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 121.252; Las Vegas 117.739
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 3 ½; 41
Vegas Line & Total: Las Vegas by 2 ½; 34
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+2 ½); Over
The Las Vegas Raiders are already 1-0 in the preseason, and they are 2.5-point favorites hosting the Minnesota Vikings. Having played a game already is a bonus for the Raiders, but the Vikings will be looking to make a move in 2022.
The Raiders still won’t be playing starters, and the Vikings have some positional battles taking place. Bet on the Vikings +2.5 as they close out Week 1 of the preseason with a win.
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