2015 NFL Week 1 Point Spreads
I know the draft just happened but books have already released odds for the first week of NFL Betting action. It is either crazy for smart but here is a quick look at the lines and storylines in case you are wanting to get down early.
NFL Handicapping Insight
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Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots (-6)
The defending champs get the opening night slot. Their offense should be as slick as ever but the defense will have a couple of things to prove. Pittsburgh looks like it will be missing its top threat in Le’Veon Bell so the home team looks solid.
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Green Bay Packers (-4) @ Chicago Bears
The Bears are trying to reload and any hope of having a meaningful season means beating the Packers at least once. The Packers will be among NFC favourites and will have a chance to prove they are still hungry for another title. Take the Packers.
Kansas city Chiefs @ Houston Texans (-1)
A couple of tweener teams connecting here. Whichever gets the win gets ahead in the AFC. The Texans have better overall talent and definitely deserve to be favoured at home. This is a good value right now. It should probably be closer to a field goal. Take the Texans.
Cleveland Browns @ New York Jets (-2)
The Jets are far from perfect but this looks like a steal. With their new regime they have loaded up on defense and now they are just looking for a QB not to screw it up. Maybe that QB will be Bryce Petty. The Browns may be getting better but it is going to be a slow burn. Take the Jets.
Indianapolis Colts (-2.5) @ Buffalo Bills
The Bills are going to be one of the more intriguing teams of the season. They definitely have the look of a team on the rise but this is a tough matchup in week one. I think Rex can get them pumped to steal the game. I expect this number to be a lot different that week so take the Bills right now.
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Miami Dolphins (-2) @ Washington Redskins
Washington may not be as messy this season as they were a year ago but are they much better. I didn’t like the way they went with their top pick and they have lots of question marks. I am not a fan of the Dolphins either but they are way more certain of what they have and how to use it. Miami is the play.
Carolina Panthers (-4) @ Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags might be a sleeper team this season and we will find out quickly. If they are improved on both sides of the ball they could definitely get this win at home. I like the value of this home underdog a lot. They will be more like a six win team instead three this season and this is a swing game.
Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) @ St. Louis Rams
This is a huge game for the Rams, who are trying to change the pecking order in the NFC West. I still like the Seahawks a lot but I am hoping there is enough buzz on STL that this one gets yanked down to an even three. This will be the first time we see a more explosive Seattle offense. Take the Seahawks.
New Orleans Saints @ Arizona Cardinals (-3)
The Cardinals had a what if season last year. There was success for sure but injuries were really the story. This year they are hoping to advance a little further and have added some weapons which might open up the offense. They need a good start and it will be on the defense in week 1. Not sure which way I am leaning in this one at the moment.
Detroit Lions @ San Diego Chargers (-2)
These teams are not the same but I think they have a lot in common in that they could either be contenders or finish 7-9. San Diego gets the advantage of being at home but if Matt Stafford is sharp early the Lions could definitely get this one. I’ll take a shot with Detroit.
Tennessee Titans @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5)
Picking QBs with the first and second picks in the draft these teams will be linked together for a long time. The Bucs are small faves at home in week one. That is probably less about whether Winston is better than Mariota and more about the surrounding cast. Take the home team.
Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) @ Oakland Raiders
The Bengals should once again be a contender in the AFC North while the Raiders are just looking to not be a joke anymore. They aren’t going to bust through this season but maybe show a little that better times are on the way. Take the home team but only because of that half point.
Baltimore Ravens @ Denver Broncos (-4)
It is hard to know which way the Broncos are trending. They are still good but perhaps their window has closed. It will still be tough to beat them at home and Manning is always sharp early in the season. Take the Broncos even though that 4 says play against.
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys (-5.5)
Rivalries are renewed in this one but you have to like the Cowboys to emerge. This is one of the biggest lines of the opening week and for good reason. The Giants will need at least a month to prove they have answered the questions of a year ago. Take Dallas.
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Philadelphia Eagles (-1) @ Atlanta Falcons
It appears that Chip Kelly didn’t quite get all the pieces he was after this offseason so it will be interesting to see what this team really is in the fall. This looks like a buying opportunity on Atlanta. If their defense is better they will be a lot more respectable. They could easily be the favourite in the September so grab them now.
Minnesota Vikings @ San Francisco 49ers (-3.5)
It is really hard to say what the 49ers are going to be as they have lost so much in so many ways over the last 12 months. I am surprised they are being such a strong benefit of the doubt. If Adrian Peterson is back in the fold the Vikings become an even hotter play. I can buy them now and take a shot.
Check out our Updated NFL Weekly Odds.
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