NFL Opening Day Preview
The NFL is open for business after the league owners and the Players Association finally came to terms on a new CBA (collective bargaining agreement). With the labor mess behind us, it is time to turn our attention to the 2011 season starting with Week 1 of the regular season.
The following is a look at the opening lines as provided by BetOnline.com along with an early prediction for all 16 games.
Thursday, Sept. 8
8:30 PM
Week 1 Saints at Packers (-5)
Week 1 Over/Under Line 46.5
The last time these two teams met was in 2008 with the Saints coming away with a 51-29 victory at home in a game that closed as a pick. Take New Orleans to stun the defending champs with a straight-up win on the road.
Sunday, Sept. 11
1:00 PM
Week 1 Steelers at Ravens (-3)
Week 1 Over/Under Line 37
A classic AFC North showdown in a series that has been pretty much evenly split both SU (5-5) and against the spread (5-4-1 Ravens) over the past 10 meetings. Baltimore draws first blood in the division race with a victory that covers the three points.
Week 1 Bengals at Browns (-3)
Week 1 Over/Under Line 37.5
The AFC North undercard should go to Cleveland, but the Bengals have won seven of the last 10 games SU and follow suit with a SU win in this one.
Week 1 Colts at Texans PICK
Week 1 Over/Under Line 47
This is the Texans chance to make an early statement in the AFC South and they get it done as Manning shows signs of rust from offseason neck surgery.
Week 1 Titans at Jaguars (-3)
Week 1 Over/Under Line 40.5
Another division undercard matchup that goes to a Tennessee team that has won six of the last nine meetings SU between the two.
Week 1 Falcons at Bears PICK
Week 1 Over/Under Line 41
The Falcons have won the last two games between the two both SU and ATS and should have little problem making it three in-a-row against a Bears’ team that is set –up for a big step backwards this season.
Week 1 Bills at Chiefs (6.5)
Week 1 Over/Under Line 42
Buffalo is 3-3 SU in its last five games against Kansas City and 5-1 ATS. The Bills hung tight with the Chiefs last season in a 13-10 loss as a seven-point road underdog and do the same again this year.
Week 1 Eagles (-4.5) at Rams
Week 1 Over/Under Line 45
Philadelphia has not played the Rams since 2008, when it won 38-3 as a nine-point home favorite. The score will be much closer this time around as St. Louis manages to throw a scare into the Eagles, but fail to pull off the upset.
Week 1 Lions at Buccaneers (-3)
Week 2 Over/Under Line 40.5
Two up-and-coming teams square-off in a game that both desperately need to win in order to get off to a fast start. The Lions are 1-5 SU against the Bucs, but 6-1 ATS. Take Detroit and the points in a close one that could go either way.
4:15 PM
Week 1 Seahawks at 49ers (-6)
Week 1 Over/Under Line 40.5
The Seahawks have won five out of the last eight meetings both SU and ATS overall, but are 0-2 both SU and ATS in the last two on the road. Make it three in-a-row as San Francisco covers the six points.
Week 1 Giants (-3) at Redskins
Week 1 Over/Under Line 38.5
The Giants are 9-1 SU in the last 10 games against the Redskins and 7-3 ATS. It does not matter who is behind center for Washington as it is not winning this game or covering the spread. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Week 1 Vikings at Chargers (9.5)
Week 1 Over/Under Line 41
These two last met in 2007 with the Vikings winning 35-17 as a seven-point home underdog. It is not winning this time around, but take Minnesota to cover the 9.5 points.
Week 1 Panthers at Cardinals (-3.5)
Week 1 Over/Under Line 37.5
Carolina has beaten Arizona seven times in-a-row in the regular season and is 5-1 ATS in the last six. This time around could be an ugly game for both teams so take the Panthers and the points.
8:20 PM
Week 1 Cowboys at Jets (-4)
Week 1 Over/Under Line 41
Tony Romo’s return to the starting lineup will be the lead story in this matchup, but stick with Rex Ryan’s defense to make it a forgettable night for America’s team and its star quarterback.
Monday, Sept. 12
7:00 PM
Week 1 Patriots (-4) at Dolphins
Week 1 Over/Under Line 45
New England is 6-2 SU in the last eight meetings, but Miami is 4-3 ATS in the last seven. Do not be deterred by giving the four points on the road, as the Dolphins could be in for a long season in 2011.
10:15 PM
Week 1 Raiders at Broncos (-1)
Week 1 Over/Under Line 41.5
The Raiders are 5-2 SU in the last seven games between these two teams and 8-2 ATS in the last 10. Take Oakland to extend its current winning streak to four games against its AFC West foe with the straight-up win.
