During an NFL season, momentum carries over from week to week, but what about from year to year? The Chicago Bears finished 2023 with a 5-2 record against the spread (71.4%) after covering just 32.6% of their previous 44 games since 2021. They face the Titans, who were just 4-9 against the spread on their Week 1 NFL schedule to close out the 2023 season. The Bears have a new quarterback, Caleb Williams, and the Titans have a new coach, Brian Callahan. Chicago is favored by 3.5 points in the Week 1 NFL line, and the only rookie quarterback who was a bigger favorite than Williams in Week 1 was Terry Bradshaw (-5, 1970). So, will how 2023 finished be a factor when evaluating Sunday’s NFL odds? Before making any Week 1 NFL picks, you should see the NFL spread, over/under and money line projections from SportsLine AI.
Built by SportsLine’s data science team using cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning technology, AI predictions and AI ratings are generated for each game. AI predictions are determined by statistically learning from historical data for each team and quantitatively rating the strength of the opponent’s defense by assigning it a numerical value out of 100, called a Matchup Score.
Once a prediction is formulated, an AI rating is generated using the prediction, match score and market odds. For example, if a team has a weak defense, the prediction differs from the line and the odds are in your favour, you may see an A rating on an over bet.
Plus, SportsLine AI is SportsLine’s first fully automated prediction model, which is continually updated with the latest available data to help you find the biggest discrepancies in lines. Last season, SportsLine’s AI PickBot hit 1,674 4.5- and 5-star prop picks, a difference that anyone who’s used the tool can attest to.
In Week 1, AI PickBot evaluated the NFL odds and provided NFL predictions for all 16 games. Here you can see only the AI predictions for Week 1 NFL schedule.
Top NFL AI picks for Week 1
After analyzing all of the Week 1 games, AI PickBot projects the Broncos to cover as 6-point underdogs against the Seahawks in a game that earned them an A-rated pick. Seattle was one of just two NFL teams to fail to cover against a non-conference opponent last season, falling short ATS in all five games against AFC opponents. But the Seahawks’ woes as favorites don’t just end with last year. Since the start of the 2021 season, Seattle is just 8-14-2 against the spread as a favorite (36.4%), and only four teams have a worse record in that span.
Denver has turned things around, finishing the season 7-4 after going from 1-5 in 2023. Their defense has been the catalyst, allowing 19.4 points per game and helping the Broncos finish in the top 10 in turnover differential. The extra possessions will allow Sean Payton’s offense to exploit a Seahawks defense that has allowed the most yards per game (366.5) and ranked 25th in points allowed over the past two seasons. Because of these factors, AI PickBot predicts this game will be much closer than the six-point margin would suggest, projecting Seattle to win by just 1.52 points. See more Week 1 football predictions and football picks at SportsLine.
How to make your Week 1 NFL picks
Additionally, AI PickBot generated eight A-rated picks for Week 1. Before you place any NFL bets for Week 1, you should check out AI PickBot’s analysis, which you can find exclusively at SportsLine.
Who will win and cover each NFL game in Week 1, and which A-rated picks should you bet on? Visit SportsLine now for the top NFL picks against the spread, over-under and money line, all powered by the all-new SportsLine AI PickBot, which hit the mark on 1,674 top-rated picks last season.