Technically, the summer season lasts until September 22, but in reality, most people acknowledge the fall when one thing comes back: The National Football League (NFL).
And guess what? The NFL season kicks off really early in 2024: the two-time defending Super Bowl champion (and current season favorites with most New Jersey sportsbooks), Kansas City Chiefs will host one of the other teams many people are backing to win not just the AFC, but also Super Bowl LIX, the Baltimore Ravens, on Thursday, Sept. 5 at GEHA Field/Arrowhead Stadium.
A Star-Studded Opening Game
The game has two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, who have combined to win four of the last six regular season MVP awards. Patrick Mahomes, who now has three Super Bowl titles (and three Super Bowl MVP awards, to go along with his two regular season awards), and Lamar Jackson, the reigning MVP.
It is just about as good an opening game as people could have hoped for when the schedule came out. It will be closely followed by Friday night, Sept. 6, with the NFL’s first game in Brazil, as the Philadelphia Eagles take on Green Bay in a massive NFC showdown.
Betting Tips for Garden State Bettors
For Garden State bettors, there are many ways to bet on this contest. Here are a few NFL bets that stand out ahead of the kickoff on Thursday:
- Lamar Jackson over 225 yards, odds of +100
The Ravens will need to score points to win, which likely means Jackson will be throwing downfield. - Patrick Mahomes over 275 yards, odds of +120
Mahomes will want to showcase his new-look receiving corps. Plus, this game is crucial for home-field advantage. - Patrick Mahomes pass+rush yards over 280.5, odds -130
This bet includes his rushing yards as well. - Isaiah Pacheco over 60 rushing yards, odds -125
One of the better value plays available. - Travis Kelce to score a TD, odds +115
Kelce is a reliable target in the red zone, making this a potentially lucrative play. - Chiefs over 27.5 team points, +170
If you believe the Chiefs will score and slow down the Ravens, this could be a smart bet. - Chiefs race to 20 points, odds -105
Given the Chiefs’ offensive prowess, this bet has good value.
Predictions and Favorite NFL Bets
Who wins the game? As you can see from all the red picks, we believe Kansas City will start their title defense with a strong offensive showing.
Selected Promos for NFL Bets
bet365 Sportsbook
BetMGM New Jersey
BetRivers Sportsbook
Borgata Sportsbook
Top Betting Offers from New Jersey Sportsbooks for NFL September Bets
Before placing your NFL bets, check out these attractive offers from New Jersey sportsbooks:
- Bet365 Sportsbook
Bet365 NJ has two standout offers. One gives you $150 in bonus bets with a first wager of just $5. The other is a bet-matching offer of up to $1,000 if your first bet loses. If you bet $500 and win, you keep your winnings. If you lose, you receive $500 in bonus bets.
Use this link to get the Bet365 offer ahead of the new season, and use the following bet365 code: USB365. - Bet MGM
Place your first bet on any sport, and if it doesn’t win, you’ll receive a refund of up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets. A great reason to download the app ahead of the NFL season.
Use this link to get the BetMGM offer ahead of the new season, and use the betMGM bonus code: NJDOTBET. - FanDuel
Online sportsbook FanDuel is one of the most popular betting apps in New Jersey. Wager at least $5, and if your team wins, FanDuel will give you $150 in bonus bets.
Use this link to get the FanDuel offer ahead of the new season.
Make sure to use these tips and special NFL betting offers to get the most out of the NFL season kickoff!
