It’s not often a Super Bowl champion opens the next season as an underdog in the very first game. But it’s not often the champ is playing the team favored to win the next Super Bowl as the Buffalo Bills are in 2022.
That’s what the Los Angeles Rams are up against as they ready for the Bills on Thursday night. A 2.5-point spread isn’t exactly writing them off, but they have to come into the game fired up knowing people expect them to lose fresh off a championship.
Will it matter once the opening kickoff is in the air, though? Here are a few of my favorite bets for Thursday’s action.
Spread and Moneyline
Prince’s Pick: Rams +2.5 (-110) & Rams ML (+114)
There are concerns about Matthew Stafford’s throwing arm coming into the season, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the quarterback had an offseason procedure and his elbow feels better now than it did at this time last season. So if the elbow does give him issues, my guess is it’ll be later in the year, not in the opener. I think the Rams come out firing on all cylinders, ready to defend their title.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford underwent an off-season elbow procedure to deal with the pain he experienced last season and to help prepare for this season, per sources. Despite the questions about his elbow, Stafford is now said to feel better today than he did at this time last year.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2022
Buffalo is my pick to win the Super Bowl this season. I think the Bills can be the best team in the NFL, but I also believe they grow into that over the course of the year. Opening the season on the road against the champs hasn’t worked out for teams the past two years against the Chiefs and Bucs, and I don’t think it goes Buffalo’s way either.
Over/Under
Prince’s Pick: Over 51.5
Last season’s opener went to 60 points. The year before that went to 54. Those aren’t necessarily indicative of what happens on Thursday, especially since I believe Buffalo’s defense will be special this season (and the Rams aren’t slouches either). But these are unique offenses playing Thursday, and if there’s one area Buffalo may be weak early on, it’s on the outside. Stafford has the playmakers to exploit that, and Josh Allen should be able to make some things happen for the Bills too. I think we get a final score around 27-26.
Anytime TD Scorer
Prince’s Pick: Allen Robinson (+155)
I’d be surprise if the Bills don’t go into this game with a plan to not let Cooper Kupp beat them. It doesn’t mean they’ll succeed, but for their efforts, Robinson should have some opportunities to make his presence felt in his LA debut.
Passing Prop
Prince’s Pick: Josh Allen over 276.5 yards (-125)
The Rams defense was good at stopping the run last season, and it could be even better with Bobby Wagner in tow. I think Buffalo struggles to find lanes, and Allen has to move the team through the air.
Rushing Props
Prince’s Pick: Cam Akers over 12.5 attempts (-110)
Akers missed most of the 2021 regular season rehabbing an Achilles injury. But in his return, he carried the ball at least 13 times in every single postseason game. He’ll get a similar workload in this one.
Receiving Props
Prince’s Pick: Gabriel Davis over 59.5 yards (-115)
If Jalen Ramsey is tasked with stopping Stefon Diggs, that leaves Davis to pick up the receiving slack for Buffalo. He’s more than capable, and this number isn’t very high.
