A Look At The Lines For Week 1
Sportspic.com
The NFL rules the sports betting landscape and when the schedule came out on Tuesday night, BetOnline was the first to get the lines out for the opening week of the regular season. Here is a look at the odds so far, but of course, everything is subject to change as teams are still making moves to bolster their squads.
Cowboys - Giants
Two NFC East teams kick off the season in the Big Apple (technically, New Jersey), and the Super Bowl champion Giants are favored by 3.5 points at home against the Cowboys, who collapsed down the stretch to hand the Giants the division title and the postseason spot that led them to the championship.
Redskins - Saints
There is a good chance that Heisman-winning quarterback Robert Griffin III will be making his debut for the Redskins, who moved up to No.2 in the draft, and they are listed as 6-point underdogs on the road in New Orleans, who have their own problems with “Bountygate” and the Drew Brees contract saga.
Rams - Lions
The Rams have a new head coach in Jeff Fisher, and they’ll also be underdogs by 7.5 points on the road in Detroit, where the Lions are looking to build on an impressive campaign, but they have to avoid the penalties that doomed them in 2011.
Patriots - Titans
The Patriots are trying to bounce back from their Super Bowl loss to the Giants, and they’re 5-point favorites on the road in Tennessee, who are being coached by someone other than Fisher for the first time since 1994, but they’re in good hands with Mike Munchak.
Dolphins - Texans
The Dolphins missed out on every single quarterback that was available via free agency, and they’re 6-point underdogs in Houston, who took advantage of Indianapolis’ struggles to win the AFC South last season.
Bills - Jets
The Jets are 5-point NFL Betting Favorites at home against the Bills in an AFC East tilt, but most of the focus will be on New York’s quarterback situation as Mark Sanchez will be spelled by Tim Tebow at some point.
Falcons - Chiefs
Atlanta is a 1-point favorite on the road in Kansas City, and the Falcons have a chance to pounce in the NFC South as the Saints have a world of trouble on their hands and that could benefit Atlanta, who was trounced in the playoffs by the Giants.
Jaguars - Vikings
The running backs will be the story of this game, in which the Vikings are 3.5-point favorites at home. Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson is attempting a comeback from a torn ACL, while Jacksonville may not have Maurice Jones-Drew, who could hold out because of a contract dispute.
Eagles - Browns
Philadelphia was an NFL betting disappointment last season, but improved as the campaign went on. They’ll be 6-point favorites in Cleveland against the lowly Browns.
Colts - Bears
Chances are good that you’ll see Stanford’s Andrew Luck under center for the Colts, who are 8.5-point underdogs on the road in Chicago, which is a stiff test for any quarterback, much less a rookie.
Panthers - Buccaneers
Carolina is being tipped for a big season thanks to quarterback Cam Newton, and they’re 1.5-point favorites on the road in Tampa Bay, who took a huge step backwards last season.
Seahawks - Cardinals
A pair of NFC West rivals will meet in Arizona, where the Cardinals are favored by a point at home, while the Seahawks should be trotting out former Green Bay backup Matt Flynn as their starting quarterback.
49ers - Packers
NFL betting players should have a strong interest in a matchup they could see again in the NFC final, and the Packers are favored by five points at home against San Francisco, who fell to the Giants in last year’s conference final.
Steelers - Broncos
Peyton Manning makes his Denver debut on primetime against the Steelers, who were upset by the Tebow-led Broncos in last year’s playoffs and the ratings for this game could be through the roof.
Bengals - Ravens
Baltimore kicks off Monday night action as a 6-point favorite at home against Cincinnati, who is out to prove that last year’s trip to the postseason wasn’t a fluke.
Chargers - Raiders
Finally, the Chargers head to Oakland as a 2-point favorite on the road against a team with a new head coach in Dennis Allen and San Diego need to get off to a good start to earn some credit among online betting sharps.