Week 1 NFL picks: Seahawks, Panthers expected to cover in key matchups

New York Post betting writer Dylan Svoboda projects the Seattle Seahawks (+2.5) to hold serve against the San Francisco 49ers and the Carolina Panthers (+3) to cover on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars in his NFL Week 1 picks.

Svoboda cited turmoil around the 49ers' receiving corps and questions about personnel as reasons to back the Seahawks in Seattle. Two days before the rivalry game, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan had not settled on a lineup at wide receiver after a contract standoff with veteran Jauan Jennings that only recently concluded and reports that Jennings may be dealing with a calf issue. San Francisco has also expressed interest in free agent Kendrick Bourne but had not reached a deal as of late week. Despite being listed as slight road favorites, the 49ers enter the game amid scattered uncertainty while the Seahawks — who finished four games ahead of San Francisco in the 2024 standings — return home with Sam Darnold under center.

In his pick for Jacksonville at Carolina, Svoboda pointed to the improvement shown by Panthers quarterback Bryce Young after he reclaimed the starting role in Week 8 of last season. Young went 4-6 the rest of the year, averaging 210.4 passing yards per game and throwing 15 touchdown passes against six interceptions over that 10-game stretch. The rookie finished 2024 on a strong run, tossing seven touchdowns with no interceptions in the final three games.

The Jaguars made an offensive coaching change in the offseason, bringing in Liam Coen to overhaul the scheme around Trevor Lawrence. Svoboda said it is unrealistic to expect an immediate transformation from a coordinator change and that Carolina's momentum behind Young made taking the points a reasonable bet.

Svoboda's Week 1 card listed a 2024 season record of 10-18 for his published picks. He is in his second season contributing to The Post's Bettor's Guide and covers a range of sports including the NFL. The picks are framed as part of the New York Post's preseason betting coverage and reflect the lines released ahead of Week 1 kickoff.

Odds and player statuses can change between publication and kickoff, and bettors should account for late injury reports and line movement. Svoboda's selections reflect the lines available at the time of his analysis and his assessment of team health, coaching continuity and quarterback play heading into the season opener.