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NFL Week 1 Odds Analysis

NFL odds, especially opening odds, for the first week are always interesting because it takes teams and oddsmakers a few weeks to settle into the game. So let’s jump in and take a peek at the NFL’s first week betting spreads and totals.

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Houston at Kansas City -10½, 56½

The Texans went 10-6 to claim the AFC South crown a year ago, but they also came up well short in their humbling home playoff loss against Tennessee, and to make matter worse, they gave away Pro Bowl wide receiver Deandre Hopkins for basically nothing. Oh…did I forget to mention that Houston was blown out of the water in its stunning 51-31 road playoff loss against Kansas City – after jumping out to a 24-0 lead against Patrick Mahomes and company?

Sunday, September 13

Seattle at Atlanta +1, 48½

Russell Wilson and the Seahawks will need to be on guard against Matt Ryan and the Falcons in this affair. While Seattle went 11-5 and reached the playoffs a year ago and Atlanta struggled in going just 7-9 last season, the once, Dirty Birds finished the 2019 campaign by winning four straight and six of their last eight games overall.

NY Jets at Buffalo -5½, 40

The Bills are coming off a solid 10-6 season that saw them reach the playoffs. Buffalo kicked off its 2019 campaign with a narrow 17-16 road win over the Jets, but New York got some revenge by handing the Bills a humbling 13-6 loss at home in their regular-season finale.

Chicago at Detroit -1, 44½

Detroit will have franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford back under center after he missed the vast majority of last season. Chicago will almost certainly turn the reins of their franchise over to veteran Nick Foles in 2020 while looking to extend their winning ways over their division rivals following last season’s sweep.

Green Bay at Minnesota -3, 47

The Packers are coming off a fantastic 13-3 season that saw them reach the NFC Championship before bowing out to San Francisco. Minnesota went 10-6 last season before stunning New Orleans in the wild card round and then falling to Frisco. The Vikes will be out for revenge in this one after getting swept by the Pack a year ago.

Miami at New England -6, 43½

No Tom Brady means every other team in the AFC East will have a shot to exact some revenge against New England in 2020. Oh wait, the Fins smacked the Patriots senseless in their stunning 27-24 Week 17 road win in Foxborough!

Philadelphia at Washington +6, 45

Philly went 9-7 to win the NFC East last season while Washington is coming off a dismal 3-13 campaign that saw them part ways with former head coach Jay Gruden. The revamped Skins made a great hire in naming former Panthers head coach Ron Rivera their new leading man – and Philly blew their draft like no other team in the league if you ask me.

Las Vegas at Carolina -1, 46½

Jon Gruden and the Raiders are getting a bunch of publicity for their roster-altering moves in free agency and the recently completed NFL draft, but I love Carolina’s hire of Matt Rhule and the subsequent moves the Panthers have made since that time.

Indianapolis at Jacksonville +8, 46½

For Indy, it’s Philip Rivers to the rescue as the Colts turn to the longtime former Chargers franchise signal-caller to get them back in the playoffs. Jacksonville had one of the very best drafts of any team in the league, but the Jags are still quite far away from being a winning team again.

Cleveland at Baltimore -8½, 48½

Can former Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski get Baker Mayfield on track while succeeding in Cleveland where many others have failed? Will it even matter as the Browns take on a far more dangerous Lamar Jackson and a far more complete Baltimore squad?

LA Chargers at Cincinnati +3½, 46½

Justin Herbert won’t see any action in this affair unless Tyrod Taylor gets injured. What I’m most looking forward to is seeing No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow try to avoid Nick Bosa and the rest of the Chargers stout defense.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans -4½, 50

What a way to kick off Week 1! It’s Tom Brady and the revamped Buccaneers on the road against Drew Brees and the high-scoring New Orleans Saints. It won’t get much better than this NFL betting enthusiasts.

Arizona at San Francisco -7½, 45

The Cardinals went 5-10-1 in Year 1 of the Kyler Murray/Kliff Kingsbury era, but it was the most positive five-win season you’ll ever see as Arizona competed hard in every single contest in 2019. San Francisco narrowly won by a field goal in Arizona last season, but now the Cards have a superstar wide receiver and arguably the best defensive player in this year’s draft in former Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons.

Dallas at LA Rams 2½

One known for their high-scoring ways, the rams took a significant step backward last season. Dallas, on the other hand, is no loaded with talent at the skill positions on offense.

Monday, September, 14

Pittsburgh at NY Giants +3½, 48

The G-Men are at home in their opener following their four-win season in 2019, but Big Ben is back under center for Pittsburgh, making the Steelers the easy favorites in Week 1 despite being on the road.

Tennessee at Denver -2, 42

Broncos quarterback Drew Lock will be tested right off the bat against Tennessee’s sting defense and the Broncos’ own defense will have their hands full trying to stop the runaway locomotive that goes by the name of Derrick Henry!