NFL Betting Recap - Week 1
By Daniel Dobish
VegasInsider.com
Favorites-Underdogs
Straight Up 9-5
Against the Spread 5-7-2
Home-Away
Straight Up 6-8
Against the Spread 4-8-2
Totals (O/U)
Over-Under 8-6
The largest underdog to win straight up
Patriots (+9, +330 ML) at Cardinals, 23-21
The largest favorites to cover
Texans (-5.5) vs. Bears, 23-14
Eagles (-3.5) vs. Browns, 29-10
Packers (-3.5) at Jaguars, 27-23
Giant Road Win
The New York Giants opened the Ben McAdoo Era with a road victory over the rival Dallas Cowboys, 20-19. Moneyline bettors can send a thank you note to Cowboys WR Terrance Williams, who made the unfortunate decision to stay in bounds with no timeouts remaining and the clock winding down. Dallas did not have enough time to run another play as a result, as fans of Big Blue and bettors everywhere celebrated the veteran's ill-advised decision. New York improved to 5-3 SU/6-2 ATS in their past eight regular season trips to Dallas. The Giants host the New Orleans Saints in Week 2, opening as a five-point favorite.
Winning Some Bucs
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers held on for an NFC South Division road victory against the Atlanta Falcons by 31-24 count, as Jameis Winston tossed four touchdowns to lead them. In the Winston Era the Bucs are 3-0 SU/ATS against the Falcons, including 2-0 SU/ATS in the Georgia Dome. The Bucs head to the desert to face an angry Arizona Cardinals team which fell at home to the New England Patriots.
Total Recall
The 'over' cashed in eight of 14 games heading into Monday night's doubleheader. In games featuring two AFC teams, the 'over' went 2-1. In games featuring two NFC teams, the 'over/under' split 1-1, while AFC vs. NFC games ended up 5-4 in favor of the 'over'.
Two games featured lines with total of 50 or more points, and each of those games still saw the 'over' connect. The Detroit Lions-Indianapolis Colts (51) game had the highest total, and saw the highest total output with 74 total points. The Oakland Raiders-New Orleans Saints (50) game was also a shootout, featuring a total of 69 points.
The two games with the lowest totals on the board also had 'over' results. The Minnesota Vikings-Tennessee Titans contest (40) was the lowest total on the Week 1 board, but managed to inch over. It actually a bad beat , as the Vikings defense posted two touchdowns to pick up the anemic offense. The offenses in this game accounted for just 27 total points, while the Vikings D was good for 14. The opening game Thursday between the Carolina Panthers-Denver Broncos (40.5) also just went 'over' by the narrowest of margins.
The 'over/under' went 1-1 in the first two primetime games in Week 1. Officially, the 'over/under' is 1-1 (50.0%) through 2 games under the lights. In 2015, the over finished 20-28-1 (41.7%) in 49 primetime games. In 2014, the over went 33-17 (66%) in primetime games, and the over was 28-22 (56%) in 2013.
Injury Report
Browns QB Robert Griffin III (shoulder) and WR Terrelle Pryor (shoulder) each suffered shoulder injuries in their loss at Philadelphia. RG3 will be re-evaluated Monday, while Pryor was icing his shoulder and reportedly suffered just a bruise.
Chargers WR Keenan Allen (knee) suffered what is feared to be a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the Week 1 game at Kansas City and he is likely to miss the remainder of the season.
Dolphins DE Mario Williams (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol after being shaken up in the Week 1 loss at Seattle.
Saints CB Delvin Breaux (leg) fractured his fibula in the loss against Oakland. It's bad news for an already depleted and inexperienced Saints secondary which was picked apart in their 35-34 Week 1 loss.
Seahawks QB Russell Wilson (ankle) injured his ankle in the Week 1 win against Miami, although he was able to finish the game. Still, he reported being sore after the game and will be re-evaluated Monday.
Looking Ahead
The Bills host the Jets on Thursday night. Buffalo has won and covered five straight meetings against the Jets, and they have won and covered in four straight home games against Gang Green, last losing at home to New York back on Nov. 6, 2011. Buffalo opened as a field goal favorite against their AFC East rivals.
The Browns will host the Ravens in their home opener in Week 2. Cleveland is a dismal 2-14 SU in their past 16 meetings against Baltimore, including 1-7 SU/1-6-1 ATS in their past eight home meetings with Baltimore since Sept. 30, 2007. Cleveland lost and failed to cover in their Week 1 loss at Philadelphia, while Baltimore won and covered in their opener against Buffalo.
The Patriots host the Dolphins in Week 2, looking to drop their rivals two games back after just two games played. New England has won seven straight meetings in Foxboro dating back to Sept. 21, 2008, and they have covered four straight home meetings against the Dolphins, and five of the past six. Miami opened with a 12-10 road loss at Seattle, but they were able to cover as double-digit underdogs. The Patriots won on the road against the Cardinals despite entering as nine-point underdogs, cashing as +330 ML 'dogs.
Pittsburgh welcomes Cincinnati to 'Steelers Country' in Week 2, and normally that doesn't end well for the Bengals. The Steelers are 5-3 SU/ATS in their past eight home meetings against the Bengals, and they're 12-5 SU and 11-5-1 ATS in the past 17 meetings overall between the regular season and playoffs. Pittsburgh is also 12-1 SU and 9-4 ATS in its past 13 home openers since the start of the 2003 regular season.
The Vikings will christen their new stadium next Sunday night againt the rival Packers, hoping their new building has a lot more luck than their previous homes. Minnesota has dropped three straight home meetings against the Packers, and they're 1-5 SU and 3-3 ATS in their past six home games againt Green Bay. In the past 12 meetings with the Packers, Minnesota is just 2-10 SU and 5-7 ATS.