Handicapping NFL odds movement can be difficult for Week 1.
Because NFL Week 1 odds have been available since May, simply comparing opening to current lines can be very misleading.
For example, the Browns opened as 4.5-point favorites over the Panthers for Week 1, a line that's now essentially a pick'em.
Of course, there has been plenty of news surrounding both teams, including Deshaun Watson's suspension and the acquisition of Baker Mayfield, which clearly had an effect on NFL odds for this matchup.
So it's inaccurate to try and draw any conclusions based on the 4.5-point line move by itself.
However, late odds movement that can't be tied to specific pieces of player news is significant because they are more likely to be based on money from respected bettors.
Using the combination of the Action Network's PRO betting tools and NFL odds histories, let's dig into Sunday's two sharpest Week 1 picks.
NFL Picks for Week 1
*NFL odds as of Sunday morning
Raiders vs. Chargers Pick
4:25 p.m. ET | CBS
Raiders vs. Chargers is a textbook example of big bets from respected players moving NFL odds.
For example, Las Vegas opened as a 4-point underdog against Los Angeles in this matchup and 51% of the spread tickets have come in on the Raiders, suggesting relatively balanced betting.
