NFL Week 1 odds: Case to bet every underdog
Can some underdogs win and/or cover on Sunday? We look at the NFL Week 1 odds and make the case for each.
Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-8)
The Cowboys only have to keep the score within a touchdown, and the offense is excellent. Don’t run out a little garbage time scoring for Dak Prescott and Co.
Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans (-3)
Kyler Murray and the Cardinals’ offense is good enough to score 30 in any given game, especially against a rebuilt Tennessee defense. Look for a shootout.
Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5) at Houston Texans
Urban Meyer and a brutal offensive line. If Houston ever plays well this year, this is it.
Los Angeles Chargers (-1) at Washington Football Team
The Football Team has a great defense, terrific coach and gets a west coast team in an early slot. Good reasons to bet Washington to go 1-0.
Minnesota Vikings (-3) at Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are getting a Vikings team with some injuries, and with head coach Zac Taylor in his third year, the scheme is embedded at this juncture.
New York Jets at Carolina Panthers (-5.5)
Zach Wilson could be a dynamo, and Corey Davis looked amazing on the outside in the preseason. Can Carolina stop a good offense?
Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons (-3)
Jalen Hurts showed flashes as a rookie, and the Falcons had one of the league’s worst defenses in 2020. Has Atlanta fixed that issue to stop Philadelphia?
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills (-6.5)
The Steelers have an excellent defense, and this is a huge spread. The Bills likely win at home, but Pittsburgh can score enough to cover.
Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers (-7.5)
The 49ers have a quarterback controversy and the Lions have been forgotten all year. Could be an emotional game for Detroit.
Seattle Seahawks (-2.5) at Indianapolis Colts
Can Carson Wentz find himself in Indy? If so, the Colts have a terrific defense which could keep the Seahawks in check.
Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs (-6)
The Browns might have the best roster in football, and while the Chiefs are elite, they have some new faces defensively. Are they ready?
Denver Broncos (-3) at New York Giants
Big Blue is at home, and the defense should be one of the better units in football. Also, Denver’s quarterbacks are a complete mess.
Green Bay Packers (-4.5) at New Orleans Saints
The Saints have a terrific defense and Alvin Kamara on the offensive side. Expect a heavy dose of the latter and a pass rush on Aaron Rodgers.
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (-3)
The Dolphins have more talent than New England, and Tua Tagovailoa has a chip the size of New England on his shoulder.
Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams (-7.5)
Andy Dalton has something to prove, Matthew Stafford falters under the pressure of expectations and the Bears defense gets a score.
Baltimore Ravens (-4.5) at Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders finally have fans in their new stadium, and the Ravens are ravaged by injuries. Shootout in Vegas?
