The New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs are among those favored by top offshore sportsbooks to win their 2020 NFL regular season Week 1 games. The season is scheduled to begin on September 10 with the defending Super Bowl LIV champion Kansas City hosting Houston in a rematch of the previous season’s AFC Divisional Round.
NFL Week 1 Schedule
Thursday, Sept. 10
Teams
Time
Texans at Chiefs
8:20 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 13
Teams
Time
Seahawks at Falcons
1 p.m.
Browns at Ravens
1 p.m.
Jets at Bills
1 p.m.
Raiders at Panthers
1 p.m.
Bears at Lions
1 p.m.
Colts at Jaguars
1 p.m.
Packers at Vikings
1 p.m.
Dolphins at Patriots
1 p.m.
Eagles at Redskins
1 p.m.
Chargers at Bengals
4:05 p.m.
Buccaneers at Saints
4:25 p.m.
Cardinals at 49ers
4:25 p.m.
Cowboys at Rams
8:20 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 14
Teams
Time
Steelers at Giants
7:15 p.m.
Titans at Broncos
10:10 p.m.
Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Team
SP/RL
TOTAL
ML
Texans
+10 (-115)
54 (-112)
–
Chiefs
-10 (-105)
54 (-108)
–
In that aforementioned AFC divisional round game, the Chiefs rallied from a 24-point deficit in the second quarter. And scored an NFL playoff record seven consecutive touchdowns as well as a field goal in their next eight drives. Kansas ended up routing Houston 51-31. There isn’t so much at stake this time around, except the Texans’ pride. Kansas should win, but it’ll be closer and Houston will cover.
Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots
Team
SP/RL
TOTAL
ML
Dolphins
+6½ (-115)
44 (-110)
–
Patriots
-6½ (-105)
44 (-110)
–
This will be the beginning of a new era at Foxboro. Barring any unforeseen event, Jarrett Stidham will start under center. At the same time, Tua Tagovailoa is not expected to take the helm immediately. The Pats’ strong suit last season was defense, and according to The Score, “Led by new faces at key positions and depth at all three levels, the Dolphins’ defense can improve considerably in 2020.” It will be a close game, but New England should be able to muster up the necessary seven points.
Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens
Team
SP/RL
TOTAL
ML
Browns
+9 (-119)
48 (-110)
–
Ravens
-9 (-101)
48 (-110)
–
The best online sportsbooks are possibly being a tad too optimistic about the Browns. Even if Myles Garrett is going to be back from suspension. And even if Grant Delpit is as good as advertised. The Ravens are just too damned good and the Browns too unreliable for this to be anything other than a bloodbath. Prove me wrong, Cleveland.
New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills
Team
SP/RL
TOTAL
ML
Jets
+6 (-110)
40 (-110)
–
Bills
-6 (-110)
40 (-110)
–
Rookie offensive tackle Mekhi Becton is the biggest addition to a Jets offensive line that will hopefully afford Sam Darnold the protection he so sorely needs. The Bills have a great defense that should be even better this season with new defensive ends AJ Epenesa and Mario Addison. Moreover, Buffalo’s awful offense should get a boost out of newly acquired wide receiver Stefon Diggs and rookie running back Zack Moss. The Bills are on the rise and I wouldn’t trust the Jets to be an early obstacle.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Carolina Panthers
Team
SP/RL
TOTAL
ML
Raiders
-1 (-119)
47 (-110)
–
Panthers
+1 (-101)
47 (-110)
–
Teddy Bridgewater is a definite improvement over Cam Newton as far as top offshore sportsbooks are concerned. T-BH20 parlayed his stint with the Vikings into a starting gig, and I for one believe he is not going to disappoint. On the other hand, Carolina’s secondary may very well be the weakest in the NFL, and no match for Derek Carr. Unless of course rookies Brown and Gross-Matos prove to be game-changers. Additionally, former Bear Nick Kwiatkoski can help neutralize Christian McCaffrey. Bettors are advised to fade the Panthers.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons
Team
SP/RL
TOTAL
ML
Seahawks
PK (-110)
49½ (-110)
–
Falcons
PK (-110)
49½ (-110)
–
The Falcons only hope is that Todd Gurley helps Atlanta’s offense translate yards into points. Otherwise, it doesn’t matter how weak Seattle’s defense is, and it’s as weak as its offense is strong, if the Falcons don’t convert.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Redskins
Team
SP/RL
TOTAL
ML
Eagles
-6½ (-110)
45 (-110)
–
Redskins
-10 (-105)
45 (-110)
–
Assuming Carson Wentz doesn’t get injured during the game, Philly should win and cover.
Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions
Team
SP/RL
TOTAL
ML
Bears
+2½ (-119)
43½ (-110)
–
Lions
-2½ (-101)
43½ (-110)
–
Nick Foles plus the Bears’ topnotch defense equal a win and cover for Chicago.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Team
SP/RL
TOTAL
ML
Colts
-6½ (-119)
46 (-110)
–
Jaguars
+6½ (-101)
46 (-110)
–
Top offshore sportsbooks expect great things from the marriage between Indy and Philip Rivers. For starters, expect them to cover the spread against the Jags.
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
Team
SP/RL
TOTAL
ML
Packers
+3½ (-110)
46½ (-110)
–
Vikings
-3½ (-110)
46½ (-110)
–
The Packers are setting up Aaron Rodgers, and by extension, themselves to fail. As Honest Abe said, a house divided cannot stand, and Green Bay will fall to Minnesota.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Team
SP/RL
TOTAL
ML
Chargers
-3 (-109)
44½ (-110)
–
Bengals
+3 (-111)
44½ (-110)
–
The Bengals are getting the sort of hype that surrounded the Browns only a couple of seasons ago. And we all know how that turned out. Cincy does have a lot of potential – long-term potential. Who knows, maybe they come out swinging, but that’s speculation. In the meantime, it’s best to err on the side of caution.
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers
Team
SP/RL
TOTAL
ML
Cardinals
+8 (-110)
46½ (-108)
–
49ers
-8 (-110)
46½ (-112)
–
The Cards are coming up in the world, but the Niners don’t fudge around. This one is a foregone conclusion.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints
Team
SP/RL
TOTAL
ML
Buccaneers
+4 (-110)
49½ (-110)
–
Saints
-4 (-110)
49½ (-110)
–
Sadly, Tom Brady and the Gronk will find themselves outmatched by Breesus and ‘Philip’ Michael Thomas. Take the Saints.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams
Team
SP/RL
TOTAL
ML
Cowboys
-2½ (-115)
48½ (-119)
–
Rams
+2½ (-105)
48½ (-101)
–
The Cowboys and Dak Prescott still have not finalized a long term deal, and probably will not do so in the immediate future. They will most likely come to terms eventually, though, and if that’s the case, take Dallas and the points.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Giants
Team
SP/RL
TOTAL
ML
Steelers
-4 (-101)
47 (-110)
–
Giants
-10 (-105)
47 (-110)
–
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is “extremely confident” Ben Roethlisberger will be ready come Week 1. Big Ben can make a big difference. Or at least a three-point difference.
Tennessee Titans vs. Denver Broncos
Team
SP/RL
TOTAL
ML
Titans
+2 (-115)
41½ (-110)
–
Broncos
-2 (-105)
41½ (-110)
–
The Broncos shut the Titans out 16-0 last season, but that was before Tennessee made the switch from Mariota to Tannehill. A move that almost single-handedly took them to the AFC championship game. If the Titans’ momentum carries through to this year, then it’s upset time for Denver.
