NFL Week 1 Odds and Betting Lines: Wilson Returns to Seattle as Favorite

10:30 A.M. ET, THURSDAY, SEPT. 8: Gameday is here! Most books are dealing Bills -2.5 but some shops are down to -2 and even one Canadian-facing book is dealing Buffalo -1.5 as of Thursday morning. 

Our Covers Consensus shows 59% of picks on the visiting Bills while sportsbooks like BetMGM are reporting 62% of bets and 68% of handle riding on Buffalo. This is a notable swing from the near 90% of handle that was showing on the Bills at the end of August. PointsBet books are also heavy on Bills action heading toward kickoff, with 71% of ticket count and 77% of handle on Josh Allen & Co. 

This total has been bouncing between 51.5 and 53 points the past week and most books are dealing 52 points as of Thursday morning. PointsBet showing 61% of bets on the Over as well as 66% of the money banking on a high-scoring finish tonight.

4:30 P.M. ET, TUESDAY, SEPT. 6: With the Rams clearing the air on Matthew Stafford’s elbow issues over the summer, bettors are coming back on the defending champs with books like DraftKings moving to Los Angeles +2 vs. Buffalo in the season opener. The total for this game has been bouncing between 53 and 51.5 points across the industry, with play on the Over early in the week getting bought back with action on the Under shrinking the number.

12:30 P.M. ET, MONDAY, AUG. 29: A seismic move, in terms of the NFL’s pecking order, sees the defending Super Bowl champion Rams slide from -1 to +2.5 vs. Buffalo at home in the Thursday opener. According to BetMGM books, it’s been one-sided play on the visiting Bills all summer long, with 90% of handle and 74% of bets backing Buffalo. This total has climbed half a point, from 52 points to 52.5, with 55% of bets and 52% of the money taking the Over.

8:00 A.M. ET, SUNDAY, SEPT. 11: Most sportsbooks are still dealing New Orleans as a 5.5-point road favorite as of Sunday morning, but some shops like PointsBet are down to NOLA -5. Heading into the weekend, books like BetMGM were reporting one-sided handle (85%) and ticket count (78%) on the Saints. The total is out there from 42.5 to as high as 43 points.

4:10 P.M. ET, THURSDAY, SEPT. 8: Plays on the Over 42 from respected professional bettors have pushed this total to 43 at many sportsbooks Thursday afternoon. Books were already heavy with money on the Over, with spots like DraftKings reporting 77% of money banking on a high-scoring finish.

The Saints have garnered plenty of praise this offseason and we’ve seen this NFC South spread jump a full two points from NOLA -3.5 to -5.5. Atlanta is expected to be among the worst teams in the league, which is a big reason why DraftKings is reporting 92% of handle sitting on the Saints along with 76% of the bet count.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 10: The pointspread for Sunday's "Baker Bowl" continues to be all over the place as of Saturday morning as books continue to take sharp money on different sides. As of Friday evening the spread was a consensus pick 'em, but Saturday morning books starting taking differing positions with some moving to Panthers -1 and others moving to Browns -1. Stay tuned and shop around.

4:10 P.M. ET, THURSDAY, SEPT. 8: More movement for the whackiest line of Week 1. Books were steady at Carolina -1.5 before respected money from pros grabbed Cleveland and the points and dropped this spread to pick’em at many operators. Some online shops have gone as far as Browns -1 while a few Panthers -1 lines are hanging around as of Thursday afternoon.

2:00 P.M. ET, WEDNESDAY, SEPT 7: Game week play is coming in on Cleveland after that mighty offseason market move from Browns -4.5 to +2.5 due to the Deshaun Watson drama/Baker Mayfield trade. Books have dipped to Carolina -2 and even -1.5 as of Wednesday. The total also dropped as low as 40 points at some shops on Tuesday but buyback on the Over has the number at 42 points.

This game has been one of the wildest offseason markets I can remember. Deshaun Watson’s suspension loomed over this Week 1 line, with Cleveland opening around -4.5 as bookies padded against his potential suspension. As cases stacked up against the Browns’ new QB, that spread slimmed to -3 and eventually dropped to -2.5 at some books. 

When the Panthers traded with Cleveland for QB Baker Mayfield, this market shifted to Browns +1 and eventually pick’em. Once Watson’s suspension was written in stone, Carolina jumped to as high as a -2.5 favorite.

As it stands heading into Week 1, BetMGM books are reporting 91% of money wagered on the Panthers, who have also drawn 87% of the bet count. The total has also dropped two points from 43.5 to 41.5.

8:00 A.M. ET, SUNDAY, SEPT. 11: Most shops have settled down to San Francisco -6.5 with TE George Kittle not expected to play due to a groin injury, however, a few Bears +7 lines are still available at places like WynnBET. This total is down as low as 40 points across the industry. The forecast in Chicago is calling for rain during this 1 p.m. ET with wind gusts picking up in the second half, reaching 25 mph.

SATURDAY, SEPT 10: As of Saturday morning, the 49ers remain seven-point favorites over the host Chicago Bears. The big movement in this matchup throughout the week has been the total. The current forecast for Soldier Field for game day is showing a 95% chance of rain with winds from 15-20 miles per hour. The total entered the week at 41 or 41.5 and is currently down to 40 (-110) at DraftKings. There are still some books holding at 40.5, but you can expect those numbers to disappear as Sunday approaches.

MONDAY, SEPT 5: This spread stayed relatively still after opening at San Francisco -6.5 but has recently jumped to as high as -7.5 with action on the 49ers in August. According to DraftKings sportsbooks, 64% of bets are on San Francisco while 58% of the money is riding on the Niners and new No. 1 Trey Lance.

8:00 A.M. ET, SUNDAY, SEPT. 11: Action over the weekend has bumped the Bengals from -6.5 to -7 at some sportsbooks while a few shops are still holding on to Cincinnati -6.5. Heading into the weekend, operators reported a slight lean to the home team in ticket count and handle. Our Covers Consensus shows 56% of picks on the Bengals as of Sunday morning. This total is on the board at 44.5 points, drawing two-way action on the Over/Under.

This AFC North rivalry opened with the Bengals as low as -6 and that spread jumped to as high as -7.5 at some books but has settled at a touchdown across the market. BetMGM sportsbooks have taken 56% of the handle on the reigning AFC champs but have drawn more bets on the Steelers (55% of bet count). The total has stayed at 44.5 points despite 63% of the money backing the Under as we get closer to Week 1.

8:00 A.M. ET, SUNDAY, SEPT. 11: Action on Philadelphia started showing up Friday, driving this line from Eagles -3.5 to as high as -5.5 as of Sunday morning. Detroit has injuries across the offensive line and those cluster ailments as well as a positive perception of this Philly team over the offseason is very much driving this adjustment through the dead numbers. FanDuel is still dealing Eagles -4.5 but some operators are at -5.5 (-115), which could indicate a potential move to -6.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 10: The pointspread for this game went on the move Friday afternoon following the final injury report of the week for the Lions. With apparent issues at the offensive line position, the spread moved from Eagles -4 to -4.5 on Friday and bettors continued to push that number Saturday morning - currently sitting at -5 at DraftKings and most other books.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 9: The Lions' offensive line is in absolute shambles. Halapoulivaati Vaitai is on IR and Frank Ragnow and Tommy Kraemer both missed most of the practice week and are on the wrong side of Questionable for Sunday. Bettors reacted to Friday's injury report by continuing to bet on Philadelphia, pushing the pointspread from Eagles -4 to -4.5 at DraftKings.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 6: This is a battle of offseason darlings in the betting markets. The Eagles’ futures attracted a ton of action while the Lions featured in HBO’s Hard Knocks, giving them a more public presence heading into the 2022 season. Philadelphia hit the board as a 4-point road favorite, climbed to -4.5 at some shops, dropped to -3.5, and is now sitting at -4. DraftKings has taken 69% of bets and 70% of handle on the Eagles.

4:30 P.M. ET, TUESDAY, SEPT. 6: Houston was as high as +8.5 last week but is drawing play as we close in on Week 1, sinking to +7 at some shops. The Texans are drawing just 37% picks vs. Indianapolis, according to our Covers Consensus. The Colts are still wait-and-see with the Week 1 status of star LB Shaq Leonard this week.

Hype is high for the Colts with Matt Ryan under center in 2022. That’s pushed this spread from an opener of Indianapolis -7.5 to as high as -8.5 at sportsbooks, with the Colts bringing between 57 and 69% of bets. However, while the bet count leans to Indy, the handle has drawn as much as 79% of the money on the Texans in Week 1.

8:15 A.M. ET, SUNDAY, SEPT. 11: The Dolphins were a popular pick heading into Week 1 and drew action from professional groups early last week, which drove this line from Miami -2.5 to as high as -4 at some books. As of Sunday morning, the industry standard is a soft -3.5 on the Fins. The weather in Miami is supposed to feel like 100 degrees with high humidity Sunday afternoon. This total is at 46 points.

4:30 P.M. ET, TUESDAY, SEPT. 6: Dolphins -2.5 has been a popular pick with many and that has not only bumped Miami to -3 over the weekend but now has books dealing Fins -3.5 across the industry after respected pro groups bet Miami earlier this week. Our Covers Consensus shows 67% of picks on Miami and books are heavy on handle riding on the Dolphins in this AFC East rivalry.

The AFC East sorts out its food chain in Week 1 with Miami hosting New England. The Dolphins opened as field goal favorites, with a new head coach in Mike McDaniel and a new weapon in Tyreek Hill, but that spread slimmed to -2.5 with some books coming back to -3 in August.

DraftKings books are reporting 60% of bets and 64% of the handle riding on the host Fins. This total has climbed from 44 points to 45.5 despite relative two-way action on the Over/Under.

8:15 A.M. ET, SUNDAY, SEPT. 11: While this line moved most on Zach Wilson’s injury in the preseason, ailments are stacking up for the Ravens as well in Week 1. This spread climbed as high as Baltimore -7.5 at one point but has slowly slimmed and, as of Sunday morning, sits at -6.5 at most sportsbooks. The total dropped to 44 points before the weekend and currently holds there.

2:00 P.M. ET, WEDNESDAY, SEPT 7: The Jets gave Gang Green fans hope with the news that QB Zach Wilson could potentially be back from knee surgery in Week 1 over the weekend, but those good vibes were shot down Wednesday when the team announced veteran backup Joe Flacco will be the Week 1 starter.

How much did that impact the odds for New York’s opener vs. Baltimore? We saw the Ravens -7 increase in price from -105 to -115 while FanDuel make the jump from Baltimore -7 to -7.5, with the total seeing a half-point deduction from 45 to 44.5 at some shops.

The Jets opened as 4.5-point underdogs hosting the Ravens in Week 1. That number shifted to -5.5, and once New York QB Zach Wilson went down with a knee injury that will keep him out of this season opener (and maybe more games), the spread jumped to as high as Baltimore -7.

BetMGM shops are seeing 93% of the money wagered on this spread riding on the Ravens while 85% of the bet count is also backing Baltimore. The total opened at 45 points and has only slimmed to 44.5 with veteran Joe Flacco stepping in under center for the Jets. The Under has drawn 80% of the early money on the total with 60% of tickets taking the Under.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 10: After some professional releases earlier in the week dropped the spread for this matchup from Commanders -3.5 to -2.5, some books bumped that number back to -3 on Saturday morning. DraftKings and others are among the books to make the move to the key number. If you're planning to bet the favorites and you're still seeing -2.5, grab it now.

4:30 P.M. ET, TUESDAY, SEPT. 6: Jacksonville is a popular underdog pick vs. Washington in Week 1, with that appeal slimming the Jaguars from +4 to +3.5 over the summer. Most recently, releases from respected pro groups on Jaguars +3.5 dropped the spread through the field goal with books adjusting to Jacksonville +2.5 as of Tuesday. The Jags drew plenty of money at books like BetMGM but our Covers Consensus shows just 37% of picks backing the road team in Week 1.

4:30 P.M. ET, TUESDAY, SEPT. 6: Kansas City has continued to move since books tacked on a half-point hook on the field goal at Chiefs -3.5 visiting Arizona in Week 1. It jumped to -4.5 last week and moved aggressively through the dead number to -6 on Tuesday. Covers Consensus reports Kansas City drawing 66% of picks and bookies have taken a ton of bet count and handle on KC. 

TUESDAY, JULY 29: Kansas City crept from -3 to -3.5 in late August and jumped a full point to -4.5 at most markets in the afternoon on Aug. 31. Our Covers Consensus shows 67% of picks on the Chiefs and sportsbook operators are heavy on KC in terms of both bet count and money wagered on the spread. The total has also climbed a tick from 53 to 53.5 points.

The Chiefs opened as field goal favorites at Arizona in Week 1 with Cardinals top WR DeAndre Hopkins suspended for the first six games. This spread stayed steady until late August when action tacked on an extra half-point hook on the visitor to Kansas City -3.5. BetMGM books have taken 76% of bets and 89% of money on the Chiefs while the total has jumped from 53 to 54 points with steady two-way play on the Over/Under.

2:30 P.M. ET, WEDNESDAY, SEPT 7: Some international shops like bet365 are down to Los Angeles -3 (-120) with money showing up on the Raiders ahead of this revenge game – carrying over the bad blood from a wild Week 18 finale last winter. Books based out of Las Vegas are seeing bias play on the hometown team, which has skewed their splits while other operators outside of Nevada are reporting a fairly two-way ticket count and over 60% of the handle on the host Bolts.

The Vikings added another weapon to their dangerous offense, trading with Philadelphia for WR Jalen Reagor on Aug. 31. That move bumped Minnesota from as far as +2.5 to +1 in its home opener against the rival Packers in Week 1, while other books are dealing +1.5 and +2 after getting buyback on Green Bay at the lower spread.

This NFC North grudge match opened with Green Bay as low as -1.5 and climbed to -2.5 before interest in the Vikings slimmed this spread to Packers -2. Sportsbook operators are reporting contrasting action, with BetMGM higher on Minnesota in terms of bet count and handle (57%/70%) and places like DraftKings heavier on Green Bay (68%/55%). This total opened at 49 points, jumped to 50, but has since slimmed to 48 points. The Under has drawn 71% of bets and 64% of the money among BetMGM bettors.

8:45 A.M. ET, SUNDAY, SEPT. 11: Sunday morning money is on the Giants, dropping the line from New York +5.5 to as low as +4.5 at some sportsbook operators. However, a number of operators are still holding at Titans -5.5 – which came down from an opener of -6.5 in the spring. Many books are high on Tennessee ticket count but took more money on Giants over the offseason as many sharps had a high opinion on the G-Men.

A non-conference clash in Week 1 sees one of the more significant moves, with the Titans opening as 6.5-point home chalk and sinking below that key number to -5.5. DraftKings books are reporting 69% of bets on Tennessee but New York has drawn 56% of the money wagered on the spread. At BetMGM, the G-Men are not only bringing in 60% of the bets but 71% of the handle.

8:45 A.M. ET, SUNDAY, SEPT. 11: As of Sunday morning, most books are dealing Tampa Bay as a 2.5-point road favorite for the Sunday night showdown in Dallas. This game will be huge for sportsbook operators, as it features two popular teams but also will have plenty of existing parlays and teasers tied into it. The total for this SNF contest is bouncing between 50 and 50.5 points after early money sided with the Under over the past three weeks.

4:30 P.M. ET, TUESDAY, SEPT. 6: This spread continues to dance around, with Dallas climbing from +1.5 to +2.5 at home Tuesday – coming back to the original opening number for this Sunday Night Football showdown with Tampa Bay. The total on this game has also seen significant adjustment, dropping from 52 to as low as 49.5 before buyback this week bumped it back to 51 points.

The Sunday night showcase in Week 1 has been one of the biggest line moves of the opening slate of games, with Tampa Bay hitting the board at -2.5 and quickly slimming to -1.5 this summer. With Tom Brady missing time at training camp, bettors continued to fade the Bucs down to -1.

According to BetMGM books, Dallas has drawn 51% of bets and 56% of the money on the spread. The total has dropped from 52 to 50 points recently, with injuries to both teams’ offensive lines. There is 87% of tickets and 86% of money backing the Under on Sunday Night Football in Week 1.

9:00 A.M. ET, SUNDAY, SEPT. 11: This spread opened as low as Broncos -4.5 back in the spring and spiked to -7 at some sportsbooks this past week, with operators heavy on Denver action. According to Covers Consensus, 73% of picks are on the visitor in the Monday night Week 1 finale and books were reporting heavy one-sided play on Denver (90% of bets, 89% of handle at BetMGM) heading into the weekend. As of Sunday morning, the Broncos are on the board between -6.5 and -7.

The schedule makers give us a Week 1 treat, not waiting long for Russell Wilson’s return to Seattle. The Broncos opened as low as -3.5 in the spring but with QB questions for the Seahawks, this spread has puffed up as high as Denver -6.5 and could cross over to a touchdown if that action continues.

BetMGM sportsbooks have already taken 92% of bets and 95% of the money on the visiting Broncos for the first Monday Night Football of the 2022 season.