- The Seahawks are ready to arrange the pace on the ground against the 49 people: Thanks to Rookie guard Gray Zabel, Seattle has a new attitude in the Run game, whereby this places a top-three Pff Run-Blocking figure (74.1) for the season.
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After a long out of season, the NFL season of 2025 is finally on the door. Week 1 has various heavy matchups, including countless division games and a long-awaited play-off rematch. With so many games on the horizon, it pays to know which underdogs are being undervalued to start the year.
These are the underdogs to target in week 1.
Note of the editors: Odds from Draftkings Sportsbook
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons (+2.5) (ml: +114)
The push of the Buccaneers in 2024, in combination with the collapse of the Falcons, gave them their fourth consecutive NFC South title. But what seems to be lost when you look at the lines for this matchup is that the Falcons have treated twice as favorites against Tampa Bay twice in the 2024 season. In fact, the Falcons have played some of their most inspired ball against the Buccaneers in the past three seasons, with a 5-1 record against the spread.
Although these teams ended with different processes last season, their gratings look quite different at 2025. It is clear that the Falcons are undervalued in the comparison. The biggest difference is in the middle, where Atlanta is ready for 25-year-old Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. To start, a passer-by with a huge advantage that ended with the sixth highest pff figure (87.9) in the position about his small monster as a starter last season. With a strong supporting cast around him in Bijan Robinson and Drake London, Penix steps into a situation in which he can thrive early.
Yet it is the pass Rush of the Falcons Die last season was in 30th place in Pff Passrush Grade (59.0)-who has the greatest chance of swinging this division struggle. First round Rookies Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. Are ready to play a major role, with the latter putting together an explosive preseason, a 22.5% pass-rush win rate and eight edition.
That could be a problem for Tampa Bay, which will probably be in the NFL last season without Tristan Wirfs, the Highly Graded Pass Blocker (93.7) in the NFL. Although Wirfs is activated from the puppy list, it is still to be seen how quickly he can return to the field. Early indications paint his availability in week 1 as doubtful. That states what a favorable matchup should be for the Falcons at home.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (+2.5) (ml: +114)
The NFC West Divisional Schedule starts with a bang when the 49 people go to Seattle to adopt the New Look Seahawks. Last season may end without both teams that confirm a play -off berth, but that will do nothing to dampen the bad blood between them after they split their matchups in 2024.
Unfortunately for the 49 people, the season opener is in favor of the Underdogs of Home. The problem arises from serious injury problems for San Francisco, especially with recipient. Planned with Brandon Aiyuk to start the year on the PUP list, Jauan Jennings who handles an injury during the camp in the midst of a new contract and a new face Demarcus Robinson with a suspension of three games, this attack will be light on the receiver position.
To make matters worse for the 49ers, who finished only 28th last season in Team Pff Run-Defense Grade (54.6), Seattle looks a lot improved on the floor. Thanks to Rookie guard Gray Zabel, the Seahawks have a new attitude in the Run game, which leads to a top-three pff run-blocking number (74.1) this preseason.
Problems with tackling the defense of the 49 people during the preseason (33.6 PFF Tackling Grade) because they registered the second most missed tackles in August. This will cause problems against Kenneth Walker III, who has the second highest percentage of missed tackles per attempt (0.27) since he entered the competition in 2022.
If San Francisco were to fall behind early because of the strong run game of Seattle, it would probably be difficult to move the land with limited weapons in the receiving game.
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