NFL Office Pool Picks Week 1 - ATS Predictions for Every Game!
After a grueling 207 football-free days, the NFL is finally back. Not only that, but the return of the NFL also brings back the office pool. The office pool is a season-long box pool that requires you to make a selection for every game against the spread, with the goal of having the most correct by the end of the season. Anyone can select one or two games correctly, but finishing on top of your office pool standings is a reward reserved for the truly elite NFL bettors. By following this column, which will be out every single week of the NFL season, you can maximize your chances of winning your upcoming office pool. Last season, we finished 136-128-8 on the year and will be looking to improve on that in the 2024-25 NFL season.
Doc’s Sports offers NFL expert picks for every game on our NFL predictions page.
Week 1 Picks Against the Spread
Baltimore Ravens (+3) Over Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have won back-to-back Super Bowls and are looking to become the first NFL team to make it three straight. However, a motivated Baltimore Ravens team will come to Arrowhead Stadium and pull off the upset. The Ravens have the better defense, and the Chiefs will struggle to move the ball on offense outside of a few mesmerizing Patrick Mahomes plays. The Chiefs will show up for the highlight reel, but it will be the Raven’s advantage in the run game that gives them the slight nod here. Ravens 20, Chiefs 17
Green Bay Packers (+2.5) Over Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles were one of the most disappointing teams in the second half of last season, falling from 10-1 to 11-6 before getting bounced in the Wild Card. Meanwhile, the Packers have continued to build on their success from last season, bringing in RB Josh Jacobs and S Xavier McKinney. On a neutral field, the Packers will be able to keep this one close, if not win outright. Packers 24, Eagles 23
Buffalo Bills (-6) Over Arizona Cardinals
The Bills deserve to be much bigger home favorites in this one, and covering the 6-point spread is one of the most confident picks of the week. Buffalo has a very tough schedule this year, and they cannot afford to come anywhere close to dropping a game against the lowly Cardinals. Bills Mafia will be loud for the season opener, with Josh Allen leading them to an easy victory. Bills 35, Cardinals 13
New Orleans Saints (-4) Over Carolina Panthers
The Saints have one of the best defensive units in the league, and they will be able to shut down Bryce Young and the Panthers here. Young will look better than the 2-15 season he had with the Panthers last year, but a trip to New Orleans is not an easy start to his sophomore season. The Saints will get pressure on Young early and often, and their solid coverage down the field will lead to multiple turnovers in their favor. Saints 17, Panthers 10
Houston Texans (-2.5) Over Indianapolis Colts
The Texans have set themselves up to be serious AFC contenders, and an opening week victory is exactly what their young team needs to re-ignite that belief. CJ Stroud now has a trio of weapons to choose from, with Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell, and Nico Collins all capable wideouts. The Colts have strong players in the lines, but they lack the game changers that Houston has all over the field. A road favorite in a divisional game is never fun. However, with a short line, the Texans will cover the spread. Texans 35, Colts 28
Jacksonville Jaguars (+3.5) Over Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins offense will always be at center stage when they step on the field, but it will once again be their defense that costs them a victory. Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill can do their best. However, when the Dolphins can’t slow down Trevor Lawrence and the Jags, Jacksonville will find success. The Dolphins offense will be able to bail them out on the moneyline, but the Jaguars will still get the cover in Miami. Dolphins 27, Jaguars 24
Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) Over New York Giants
Both the Vikings and Giants have limited aspirations this season, as a playoff berth feels out of reach for both teams. Minnesota lost their quarterback in the offseason, then had draft pick JJ McCarthy injured in the preseason. They are left with Sam Darnold as their starter. Across the field, Daniel Jones is under center for his 6th season with the Giants. Neither team has a very good offense, defense, or coaching staff, but someone will still walk away with the win here. Minnesota has proven they can win one-score games in the past, giving them the slight edge in what will be a punt filled game. Vikings 20, Giants 15
New England Patriots (+8.5) Over Cincinnati Bengals
The Patriots are a dumpster fire this season, but this spread is a little thick for an opening week matchup. The Bengals will look to rebound from their poor season last year after Joe Burrow got injured. And while they will win this one, a double digit victory is too much to ask. Jacoby Brissett is a solid quarterback, who will be able to move the ball on offense for New England. There is no guarantee that Burrow will not have some rust to shake off in this one, and there are too many question marks to justify a spread this wide. The Bengals probably win, but the Patriots get the cover. Bengals 24, Patriots 21
Atlanta Falcons (-3) Over Pittsburgh Steelers
Kirk Cousins has looked phenomenal in a Falcons uniform in the offseason, and he will start off his Falcons career with a victory in front of the home crowd. The Steelers have been able to stay competitive, extending their .500 or better streak to 17 seasons, but they will find themselves in the hole early here. Justin Fields and Russell Wilson both have huge flaws in their game, and a rejuvenated Falcons defense will dominate this game. A short spread for the better team, who also has home field advantage is enough to lean the Falcons direction here. Falcons 29, Steelers 20
Tennessee Titans (+4.5) Over Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears are being given a little too much respect here. Williams is expected to drag the Bears out of the basement, but a 4.5 point spread is too many points for the season opener. The Titans brought in Tyler Boyd and Tony Pollard on offense and have more proven talents compared to Chicago. The Bears will be the better team by the end of the season, but in week one, the edge goes to the Titans. The 4.5 free points on the spread are just icing on the cake. Titans 24, Bears 17
Seattle Seahawks (-6) Over Denver Broncos
Denver is a mess, and a trip to Seattle will see them start off their season with a heavy defeat. Seattle is looking to push for a playoff spot this season, and a loss against the Broncos would severely damage those aspirations. Geno Smith may not be winning the MVP award anytime soon, but he rarely makes mistakes, and that will be enough against the Broncos. Denver’s offense is truly woeful. And as long as Seattle doesn’t repeatedly turn the ball over, they will win and cover at home. Seahawks 24, Broncos 10
Los Angeles Chargers (-3) Over Las Vegas Raiders
The Chargers have been building up expectations before constantly falling short over the last few seasons. Justin Herbert has dealt with injuries but has still done his job under center. It has been the supporting cast that has let down Herbert and the Chargers, but they look as ready as ever to put together a solid season. The Raiders have a strong defensive line that will disrupt Herbert. However, with the aging Gardner Minshew leading their offense, it’s hard to see them pulling out the win. The Chargers will make this game closer than it should be, but they will find a way to win. Chargers 17, Raiders 13
Dallas Cowboys (+2.5) Over Cleveland Browns
The Cowboys are surprising underdogs in week one and will be able to pull off the upset against the Browns. CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott have formed one of the best tandems in the league, and a lack of a true WR1 in Cleveland will see them drop their home opener. The Cowboys defense has the potential to truly dominate, and a weakened Browns offensive line will have their hands full this weekend. A timid Deshaun Watson will hold onto the ball for a fraction too long, and the Cowboys will get in his face. Cowboys 27, Browns 21
Washington Commanders (+3.5) Over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Commanders finally have a quarterback, and Jayden Daniels will run riot over the Buccaneers on Sunday. Tampa Bay’s core is on the wrong side of 30, and they may need a game or two to get up to speed before they hit their stride. The Commanders are eager to move past the Dan Snyder era, and a week one victory would do just that. Daniels gives the Commanders a real chance to win now, and they will come out on top of a back-and-forth game in Tampa Bay. Commanders 28, Buccaneers 26
Los Angeles Rams (+3.5) Over Detroit Lions
The Rams and Lions have a 51-point total attached to their game, which should tell you all you need to know about these two offenses. Matthew Stafford has a trio of receiving options and will be able to spread the ball across the field in Detroit. Meanwhile, the Lions have re-signed Amon-Ra St.Brown to a long term deal, and he will look to make an instant impact on offense. Both of these teams can score in bunches, but it is the Rams experience on defense that has me leaning their way on Sunday Night Football. Rams 30, Lions 27
San Francisco 49ers (-4) Over New York Jets
It is rare to see the 49ers as such short favorites at home in the NFL, and this short line leaves us no choice for our Monday Night Football pick. The Jets may be able to make waves in the AFC this season, but there are a lot of ‘what ifs’ around this team. The 49ers have chewed and spit out teams with tons of potential before, as their well-rounded squad doesn’t give up an inch without making their opponents work for it. The 49ers remind the league they are still one of the top dogs until proven otherwise. 49ers 28, Jets 21
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