The 2022 NFL schedule arrived and gave the Buffalo Bills a nice treat in Week 1.
The team’s first game of the year will be the top one of the weekend: the entire league’s first matchup on Thursday–which comes against the defending champion Los Angeles Rams.
Ahead of the game, it’s looking like a bit of a coin toss in terms of the favorite. Buffalo is considered the underdog, but in some sportsbooks such as Tipico, Los Angeles is favored by half a point. It’s essentially a pick ’em.
Once the Week 1 slate was dropped, the football analytics folks at Pro Football Focus decided to make their Week 1 picks.
While the Bills are that very slight, essentially non-existent underdog, PFF made their selection for the NFL opener. The choice was Buffalo:
BUFFALO BILLS (SPREAD +1) AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (TOTAL 52)
This should be a great matchup between two teams firmly “all in” for the 2022 season. After the Bills’ two disappointing losses to the Chiefs in the playoffs the past two seasons, the markets like Buffalo (+650) as the league’s favorites to win the Super Bowl. We at PFF also like them — making them a league-high 5.7 points better than the average team on a neutral field. The Rams are 4.0 points better, which seems to point to some value on the Bills as they try to make a run at their first Super Bowl title.
As an essential coin toss, the Bills against the Rams will be a tough game to call. However, Buffalo should like their team’s chances.
While L.A. is the defending champs, the Bills took one of their top-title pieces in pass rusher Von Miller. He signed with Buffalo during free agency.
Plus, while the Bills are the road team, a Los Angeles crowd is rarely known as the most impactful type. Add on the fact that it’s the first game of the season and the cross-country travel won’t be as impactful on the body because of that?
The Bills will have a good look against this talented Rams team.
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