
With less than five months remaining before the NFL season kicks off, oddsmakers are betting two games in week 1 will be too close to call.
The NFL released its regular season schedule last week and oddsmakers were quick to put a line on each week 1 game. One of the marquee matchups of week 1 features New England traveling to Arizona as a pick ’em, along with Cincinnati going on the road to square off against the New York Jets.
The Patriots are the overwhelming favorite to win the Super Bowl this season, but oddsmakers aren’t trusting New England to go on the road in week 1 and be a favorite against the Cardinals, a team that was one step away from the Super Bowl. But while oddsmakers don’t trust the road team in this one, I’m banking on the Patriots to win.
Arizona has plenty of talent, but it was exposed in the NFC title game. Carson Palmer is another year older and that offense didn’t get better in the offseason. I’m looking for the Cardinals to have a hangover from the beat down in the NFC Championship game last season, making them a prime candidate to achieve the under in the wins department.
I’m also not betting against a motivated Tom Brady and New England Patriots team. New England was inches away from the Super Bowl last season, and I have to imagine that will be eating at a team that has been the class of the NFL for more than a decade.
In the other pick ’em game, oddsmakers are banking on the Jets to continue their solid play from 2015. New York has a solid coach and good defense, but I don’t see that offense matching its output from 2015. That was a special year for a team absent of many quality offensive weapons.
I’m not buying it, though. I’m finally sold on the Bengals and I anticipate them to win another double-digit amount of games this season.
There’s not many surprises with the opening lines, except possibly the Carolina at Denver game on opening night. The Broncos are listed as three-point favorites. I’m not wasting any time on backing the Broncos, thanks to a new quarterback and a defense that can’t possibly be as good as last season.
The Panthers also will be extra motivated, especially Cam Newton who will attempt to erase a bad Super Bowl performance.