There’s still OTAs, training camp and the preseason to be played before we’d recommend placing any single-game bets on the NFL regular season.
However last week, the NFL announced the 272-game regular-season schedule, and since then, oddsmakers have been crunching numbers and creating point spreads for those who wager.
These are the marquee games we’re looking forward to in 2022, along with the ‘early’ spreads.
Week 1: Buffalo Bills at L.A. Rams (Pick ‘em)
The Bills are the betting favorites to win the next Super Bowl, and they open at the winners of the last Super Bowl, the Rams. Right now, the NFL’s season kickoff game is a pick ’em, but don’t be surprised if Buffalo ends up favored.
Week 2: L.A. Chargers at K.C. Chiefs (-3½)
Remember the two games the Chargers and Chiefs played in 2021? L.A. won in Kansas City with a touchdown in the final minute, then the Chiefs exacted revenge in the rematch in Los Angeles. Kansas City scored in the last two minutes of regulation before winning in overtime.
The Chiefs are early choices, but by Week 2, that spread could be less than two points.
NFL Week 3: Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)
Each time we see Aaron Rodgers vs. Tom Brady, it may be the last time we see them oppose each other, and with Brady having signed a contract for his next gig, this sort of feels like the last time. Provided, of course, they don’t meet in the postseason.
Brady has won three of the previous four meetings between the future Hall of Famers, and he’s favored to win this season, too. The Bucs are solid choices to win the NFC title.
Week 4: K.C. Chiefs at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1½)
Sticking with Brady vs. the best quarterbacks in the NFL. So, after hosting Aaron Rodgers, the next week he hosts the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes.
It’s the first meeting between the two since the Bucs won Super Bowl LV, and they’re slight favorites to do it again.
Week 6: Buffalo Bills at K.C. Chiefs (-1)
The Chiefs have the toughest schedule in the NFL, so it’s not surprising they have three games on this list. This is one of the games, specifically because of what happened in the playoffs last year. It’s been circled on everyone’s calendar.
If the quarterback play in this rematch is only half as good as it was in the playoffs, this will be incredible.
NFL Week 8: Green Bay Packers at Buffalo Bills (-3½)
Great quarterbacks of the AFC (Mahomes, Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow and Buffalo’s Josh Allen) are the future of the NFL. However, the recent past of the league, Aaron Rodgers, is still the present, as in the two-time defending MVP.
Rodgers and the Pack at Allen and the Bills. Who’s not awaiting this possible Super Bowl preview?
Week 13: Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens (-1)
Moving to Week 13, figure the Broncos and Ravens to both be battling for spots in the playoffs. We also get the second all-time meeting between Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson.
Jackson was a 30-16 winner in 2019’s first meeting between the two quarterbacks. He’s the early favorite to edge Wilson in this one.
Week 15: New England Patriots at Las Vegas Raiders (-2½)
It’s Bill Belichick taking on his former offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, now the head coach in Las Vegas.
Odds are saying tMcDaniels will get the better of his old boss, and while you might be tempted to go with the more experienced Belichick, he’s just 14-13 against former players or assistants.
NFL Week 17: Buffalo Bills (-1½) at Cincinnati Bengals
Another week, and another week of tuning in to see Josh Allen. Buffalo is the early favorite to beat the defending AFC Champion Bengals in the second-to-last game of the season. It’s a game likely to have playoff implications for two teams who should also be in the mix for division titles.
Allen is also the betting favorite to win the MVP award, while Joe Burrow is only the sixth choice, behind Allen, Mahomes, Brady, Rodgers and Justin Herbert.