DraftKings gives us the opportunity to predict a team’s record after five games. Taking health, scheduling, and momentum into account, here are our best bets.
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Schedule:
vs Packers (Brazil) | vs Falcons | at Saints | at Bucs | vs Browns
Believe it or not, Vegas expects Philly to sit at 2-3 after five games as their 2-win bet sits at +175. While the game in Brazil against Green Bay could go either way, I am expecting Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley to run all over the NFC South teams and win at least two games during that opening season stretch.
The Browns game will be difficult, but with the Philadelphia defense gaining confidence as a cohesive unit, Deshaun Watson and the Browns should struggle to get momentum in what could become a cold, windy away game for them.
Schedule:
Vs Cardinals | at Dolphins | vs Commanders | vs Chiefs | at Raiders
The Bills have gone 11-4 in games during Weeks 1-5 over the last three seasons. This year, we are predicting a massive downturn for the Bills who start the season off with two opponents that are going to simply outrun and out score them from the 1st quarter-on. The Arizona Cardinals are playing with nothing to lose and with the Bills not having played the Cards since the Hail Murray in 2020, expect this much-worse Buffalo squad to struggle to open the season.
As for the Dolphins and Chiefs games, those can be written-in losses as the two offenses should pound the Bills defensive secondary. Week 5 against the Raiders and Week 3 against the Commanders are games Buffalo should win, but with Josh Allen’s new receiving core and lack of chemistry with them to open the season, this team is going to start their season off the wrong foot.
Schedule:
At Seahawks | vs Steelers | vs Bucs | at Rams | vs Raiders
Outside of that home game in Week 5 against Las Vegas, the Broncos shouldn’t be close to favorites to winning any of their first four games. Facing two NFC West offenses that are going to overpower theirs and a Steelers team with an improved defensive front 7 and secondary, the Broncos offense is going to struggle to get out into any sort of rhythm with this schedule.
Denver’s win total has dwindled from 3 to 2 to 1 during the first five games of the season from ‘21-’23. Even at 1, we're taking the under at +600.
Schedule:
At Saints | vs Chargers | at Raiders | vs Bengals | at Bears
Bryce Young is bound to take a leap in Year 2 after a rookie season to forget. What better way to take a leap than to start your season against the Saints, Chargers, and Raiders? These three squads are trending in the wrong directions and if the Panthers offensive line can somehow contain Maxx Crosby and Khalil Mack for most of the game while Young improves his decision making while scrambling outside the pocket, three wins is not out of the conversation for Carolina.
Remember, when Cam Newton was selected 1st overall to the Panthers leading into the 2011 season, they won just one game in their first six tries. The next season? Newton led them to an improved 7-9 record. While Young might not lead this team into the playoffs, an improved campaign with a better start to the season is on tap for this promising offense.