BetOnline.com Week One Team by Team Preview:
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 10th
Tennessee Titans @ Pittsburgh Steelers – 8:30 PM ET
Spread: Steelers -4.5
One of the best NFL week 1 match-ups is the Thursday night opener with the Steelers hosting the Titans. This should be a smash mouth football game, but you have to give the edge to the Steelers. Not only are they at home where they’ll be honoring their championship, NFL betting handicappers know they have the better quarterback and defense.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13TH
Miami Dolphins @ Atlanta Falcons – 1:00 PM ET
Spread: Falcons -4
The two biggest surprise teams of last year meet up in Atlanta. The Dolphins are an outdoor team who will have to play indoors on the turf and they don’t typically travel well. Their revamped defense will get an early test from Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Baltimore Ravens – 1:00 PM ET
Spread: Ravens -9
The Kansas City Chiefs are going to be in tough to get new head coach Todd Haley a win in his first start. We’ll get our first look at Matt Cassel outside of the New England Patriots environment as well, and all signs point to it being a rough start. The Ravens’ strong defense won’t let the Chiefs get much going all day.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Carolina Panthers – 1:00 PM ET
Spread: Panthers -1.5
This might be the FOX National broadcast because of all of the NFL week 1matchups, as this one has the most playoff implications – at least for Week 1. The Eagles could be NFC contenders and so should the Panthers, given that both teams had double-digit wins last year. Look for the Eagles defense to focus on shutting down the Panthers’ running game and forcing them to put the game in the hands of Jake Delhomme. That doesn’t always turn out so well (see: 2008 NFC playoffs).
Denver Broncos @ Cincinnati Bengals – 1:00 PM ET
Spread: Bengals –3
The Cincinnati Bengals could be a real sleeper now that Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson are healthy. More importantly, they get a cupcake match-up in their NFL week 1 match-ups to get their confidence snowballing. The Broncos have had a tumultuous off season and they already look like a team in disarray. Look for the Bengals to get an important first win.
Minnesota Vikings @ Cleveland Browns – 1:00 PM ET
Spread: Vikings -3
Eric Mangini gets to match up with Brett Favre in Week 1, which is probably the last quarterback he’d want to face. Nonetheless, the real problem for the Browns will be Adrian Peterson, who should run wild. With the Browns defense being a work in progress, there won’t be answers for the Vikings running game.
New York Jets @ Houston Texans – 1:00 PM ET
Spread: Texans -4
The Houston Texans have sleeper potential, especially when you take a close look at their offense. With Matt Schaub, Steve Slaton, Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels, this team will score points galore. How will the Jets match them?
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts – 1:00 PM ET
Spread: Colts -7
The Colts and Jaguars have played some close contests since they moved to the AFC South and this NFL week 1odds matchup won’t be any different. Look for the Jaguars to do what they typically do: run the ball down the Colts’ throat and try to hold possession of the ball. But as long as Peyton Manning is healthy and running the show for the Colts, they won’t be losing this season opener.
Detroit Lions @ New Orleans Saints – 1:00 PM ET
Spread: Saints -11.5
This is the most lop-sided of the NFL week 1 odds matchups. The Detroit Lions are clearly rebuilding, and while they have some cute pieces on offense, they don’t have enough weapons to win a shootout. The Saints should score about 30 points in this game – at least – which will overwhelm the young Lions.
Dallas Cowboys @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1:00 PM ET
Spread: Cowboys -3
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are another team in disarray, which could pave an easy win for the Cowboys. On paper, this is a complete mismatch, especially since the Buccaneers don’t have Monte Kiffin patrolling the sidelines anymore. Look for the Cowboys to get a comfortable win in Week 1.
San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals – 4:15 PM ET
Spread: Cardinals -7
The sportsbook odds makers have set the NFC Champs as a touchdown-favorite over the 49ers. But of all the underdogs in the NFL week 1 odds, the 49ers offer pretty good value. They usually play the Cardinals tight, so the seven points is quite enticing.
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants – 4:15 PM ET
Spread: Giants -6
The Redskins will put their offseason spending spree on display against the New York Giants - who all of a sudden have a weak offense, giving Washington a good chance to win. The key for the Redskins will be establishing the run with Clinton Portis. Expect a low-scoring game as both teams have strong running games and feeble passing attacks.
St. Louis Rams @ Seattle Seahawks – 4:15 PM ET
Spread: Seahawks -7
The Seattle Seahawks should get their season off to a good start as the porous Rams come to town. With a healthy Matt Hasselbeck, the Seahawks are going to be among the NFC contenders. Meanwhile, the Rams are among the biggest bums in the NFL.
Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers – 7:20 PM ET
Spread: Packers -3
The first Sunday nighter of the year on the NFL week 1 matchups will feature an intense rivalry. But for the Chicago Bears, they actually catch a bit of a break because travelling to Lambeau Field in September is much easier than a trip in December. The Bears are the better-rounded team, especially now that Jay Cutler is on the roster. Look for them to score a good amount of points against the Packers horrible defense.
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 14TH
Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots– 7:00 PM ET
Spread: Patriots -10
With Terrell Owens on the roster, the Buffalo Bills might be able to score enough points now to matchup with the New England Patriots, but the problem is that their defense and coaching still don’t match up. A young Trent Edwards travelling to Gillette Stadium while Bill Belichick has all of the offseason to prepare for the visit? Good luck to you, Buffalo.
San Diego Chargers @ Oakland Raiders – 10:15 PM ET
Spread: Chargers -8
The San Diego Chargers are a big favorite over the feeble Raiders in the final game of the NFL week 1 matchups. The Chargers are anxious to show that they are finally healthy, which means they might use the Raiders as a piñata. On the other hand, the Chargers have started slow during the Norv Turner era, so don’t be surprised if this game stays within the spread.
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