NFL Week 1 Opening Line Report: Patriots big favorites in Thursday nighter
With the release of the 2015 NFL schedule Tuesday night, oddsmakers had some work to do in setting their lines for those bettors ready to look into the future, and the linemakers didn't disappoint.
Oddsmakers are expecting some fireworks in Week 1 - five games open with totals set at 50 or more points.
The New England Patriots are giving away six points on their home turf against the Le'Veon Bell-less Pittsburgh Steelers. The Thursday opener has historically been very favorable to the defending champs.
The Kansas City Chiefs continue to get no respect in betting circles as they'll open their schedule on the road as 1.5-point underdogs against the Houston Texans.
The last time the Seattle Seahawks visited the Edward Jones Dome they came away losers. They'll make what may be their final trip there as 3.5-point favorites.
It was an underwhelming finish to the 2014 season for the Denver Broncos, but bettors have short memories. Denver is a 4-point favorite at home against the Baltimore Ravens.
No team has been disrespected more in betting circles this offseason than the San Francisco 49ers - the under on San Francisco's win total has been bet more heavily than any other NFL futures play - but they're expected to get off on the right foot, installed as 3.5-point favorites against the Minnesota Vikings in the late Monday game.
Here's a peek at all of the opening lines for Week 1 of the NFL season.
Thursday, Sept. 10
Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots (-6), total: 53
Sunday, Sept. 13
Green Bay Packers (-4) at Chicago Bears, total: 50
Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans (-1.5), total: 43
Cleveland Browns at New York Jets (-1), total: 41
Indianapolis Colts (-3) at Buffalo Bills, total: 48
Miami Dolphins (-2.5) at Washington Redskins, total: 44.5
Carolina Panthers (-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars, total: 43.5
Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) at St. Louis Rams, total: 44
New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals (-2.5), total: 48
Detroit Lions at San Diego Chargers (-2), total: 46.5
Tennessee Titans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3), total: 42.5
Cincinnati Bengals (-3) at Oakland Raiders, total: 44.5
Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos (-4), total: 53
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (-5.5), total: 50
Monday, Sept. 14
Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5) at Atlanta Falcons, total: 53.5
Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers (-3.5), total 42
Odds courtesy: Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook