Week 1 of the 2019 NFL season brings two games on Monday Night Football. Hereof, it’s a nice opportunity for the bettors to take a two-game teaser. The New Orleans Saints are listed as 7-point home favorites against the Houston Texans, while the Denver Broncos visit the Oakland Raiders as slight 2.5-point favorites.
The clash at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum should be a proper thriller. The Raiders lost Antonio Brown just two days before their first game of the season. Still, it could motivate the Raiders to show their best game against the divisional rivals.
The Raiders are 2-1 straight up and 3-0 ATS in their last three meetings with the Broncos. Likewise, the Raiders covered the spread in three straight home encounters with Denver. Three of their last four losses to the Broncos came by six or fewer points.
Jon Gruden’s boys went 4-3 ATS in the last seven outings of the previous season. Also, they covered the spread in the previous three showings at home. Considering their preseason displays, the Raiders’ defense should be much better this term than last year when they were the worst in the league.
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On the other side, the Broncos are just 5-13 ATS in their last 18 outings on the road. Also, the Broncos are 3-10-1 ATS in their previous 14 showings as favorites. Although they have a respectable defense and Joe Flacco under center, I doubt Broncos’ chances to thrash off the Raiders in Oakland.
Therefore, I suggest you tease the Raiders and take them as 9.5-point underdogs. This should be a close game decided by few points, and with a 7-point teaser, you’ll cover a single-digit margin.
Now, let’s see how to tease the clash at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. The Saints are 15-3 straight up and 8-10 ATS in their last 18 games at home. On the other side, Houston is 6-10 straight up and 7-7-2 ATS in their previous 16 showings on the road.
If you tease the Saints, you will need them to stay unbeaten. Considering the betting trends, this wager seems reasonable. Not only the Saints won 15 of their last 18 home contests but they also won 14 of the previous 17 games overall. Likewise, the Saints are 2-0 SU in two home meetings with the Texans.
The Saints went 13-3 this past regular season despite some injury problems. They reached the NFC Championship Game and lost to the Rams thanks to referee’s mistake. The Saints’ offense was the third-best in the league and should improve this season.
They have so many offensive weapons. Alvin Kamara is a huge dual threat. Michael Thomas is coming off a wonderful 2018 season when he posted 1405 yards and nine touchdowns. Tight end Jared Cook will be a great reinforcement, so Drew Brees can rely on a brilliant receiving corps.
Furthermore, the Saints have a balanced offense. Their offensive line can do a great job for running backs. Also, QB Taysom Hill can step in and carry the ball, so the Texans will be in huge problem.
On the other hand, Houston’s defense was one of the best in the league in 2018. They were third in the NFL in rushing yards allowed. However, they surrendered 28 passing touchdowns (18th) and could easily struggle against Drew Brees.
The Texans’ offense could make some damage, for sure. They were 11th in the league in points scored per game last season (25.1). Deshaun Watson is a talented QB, while DeAndre Hopkins is one of the best wide receivers in the league.
Howsoever, I don’t think they can keep the pace with the Saints’ offense. I expect the hosts to win the game and cover while teasing the Saints seems like a sure shot.
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