5 NFL lookahead lines to bet right now
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It may be a while before sports are back in full force, but that doesn't mean there aren't games to bet on right now. This week, lookahead lines were posted for over 40 NFL contests, even with the schedule still to be announced.
A rapidly evolving free-agency period means many of these lines are subject to change, but it also leaves plenty of value for those who seize the moment. An unannounced schedule means we'll avoid divisional games for this list, just in case any of these fall in Week 17.
New England Patriots at Houston Texans (-0.5)
With Tom Brady finally ending speculation by announcing his departure, we can acknowledge that next season's Patriots are in trouble. Without Brady, their already bare offense is looking bleak. On defense, they've lost key linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins Sr., and the defensive line was subpar for much of last year.
That leaves a lot of pressure on the secondary to carry the weight, which it failed to do in a matchup with Houston last season. Now-former Texan DeAndre Hopkins was held scoreless in that game, but Deshaun Watson still threw for three touchdowns in a statement win. There's clear value here on the hosts.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants (-1.5)
Even if Brady doesn't sign, Tampa Bay remains the most attractive spot for other quarterbacks looking for a new home thanks to a stellar receiving corps and pass-happy coaching staff. The defense was above average a year ago by advanced metrics, and the Bucs have loads of cap space to add to that side of the ball.
The Giants probably shouldn't be favored in any game until they solve their turnover woes and shoddy secondary, but especially not against a potentially Brady-led squad. Hit this number hoping for Brady, but know the value's on your side even with someone else under center.
Denver Broncos at New York Jets (-1.5)
The Broncos are significantly better than the Jets right now, and they've got enough cap space to make sizable gains this offseason, too. Denver's run game is strong enough to ease strong-armed Drew Lock into the job, while its defense was already nasty with injured star Bradley Chubb on the sidelines.
The same confidence can't be projected onto New York, which is still coached by Adam Gase and has major questions along the offensive line. All the Sam Darnold optimism in the world can't fix a talented but inconsistent defense, either.
Philadelphia Eagles (-2) at Arizona Cardinals
Anyone who regularly bet the Cardinals last year knows how profitable they were as underdogs, boasting the best mark against the spread (10-5) among teams with more than five games in that spot. Now they've added megastar DeAndre Hopkins into the mix, but they're still home 'dogs? Sign me up.
The Eagles' injury troubles at receiver masked the fact that they just weren't very good at any point last year. If everyone stays healthy - a big "if" with this roster - maybe we see a Super Bowl run, but fade them for now against a surging Arizona squad.
New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks (-7)
Seattle was among the most overrated squads last year based on record, as its 9-3 mark in one-score games suggests. Russell Wilson and Co. rarely pulled away in games, which leaves plenty of value on the Giants as big road underdogs.
Of the Seahawks' 18 games last year, 10 were decided by seven points or fewer, including five of their seven contests against teams with losing records. Seattle went 0-2-1 ATS as a touchdown favorite or better and will likely let New York hang around in this one, too.
C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.