The opening week of the NFL season is in the books and for the most part, went off without a hitch. As we settle into the Thursday – Sunday – Monday routine of a normal season, lets take a look at some of the top performers and news that will impact betting lines for Week 2.
Favorites Cruise
The three teams with the best Super Bowl LV odds all started 1-0. The Chiefs (+500) kicked off the season with a 34-20 Thursday Night win over Houston as Patrick Mahomes threw three touchdown passes. They head to Los Angeles this week, favored by 8.5 points against the Chargers.
Reigning MVP Lamar Jackson torched the Cleveland Browns for three touchdowns, and 275 yards as the Ravens (+550) routed their AFC North rivals 38-7. Baltimore heads to Houston this week for an enticing game against the Texans and are favored by 6.5.
While Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got all the off-season headlines, the New Orleans Saints (+1000) showed the NFC South still goes through the bayou. Drew Brees threw two TD passes, and the Saints picked off Brady twice in a 34-23 win. The Saints head west to open the new Raiders stadium in Las Vegas and are favored by 5.5 points on Monday night.
Look at That Offense
The two highest-scoring teams in Week 1 are among the NFC contenders as the Green Bay Packers (+2600) won in Minnesota 43-34 and the Seattle Seahawks (+1700) won in Atlanta 38-25.
Aaron Rodgers looked rejuvenated, and he torched the rival Vikings for 364 yards and four touchdowns while not getting sacked. The Packers home opener is this Sunday against the 0-1 Detroit Lions, and the Green and Gold are favored by 5.5 points.
The Seahawks also got a four-touchdown performance from a QB as Russell Wilson threw for 322 yards in the win over Atlanta. Seattle returns home -4 this weekend in a Sunday night tilt against the New England Patriots.
Familiar Faces
Speaking of the Patriots (+2200), Cam Newton enjoyed an excellent debut with his new team as he completed 15-of-19 passes for 155 yards and ran for 75 yards and two scores in a 21-17 win over Miami. The Patriots head to Seattle as an underdog win Week 2, but Bill Belichick is always formidable on National TV.
Ben Roethlisberger is back, and the Pittsburgh Steelers (+2200) defense looked fantastic in a 26-16 Monday night win at the New York Giants. Big Ben threw for three touchdowns, and the defense held the Giants to 29 yards rushing in the win. Pittsburgh returns home -6 against Denver this Sunday.
Injuries
Colts RB Marlon Mack (Achillies), Cowboys TE Blake Jarwin (ACL), and Packers OG Lane Taylor (knee) all appeared to suffer season-ending injuries in the opening games. The Cowboys also lost LB Leighton Vander Esch to a fractured collarbone, and Browns TE David Njoku (knee) is headed for IR as well.
Keep an eye on some players who will be questionable for Week 2, including Jets RB Le’Veon Bell (hamstring), 49ers TE George Kittle (knee), Saints WR Michael Thomas (ankle), Eagles RB Miles Sanders (hamstring), and Dolphins WR Davante Parker (knee).
