We’re three months away from the start of the 2021 regular season in the NFL. By far, the biggest question has to do with the status of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has held out of the team’s minicamp and received his first fine for missing team activities. Rodgers has requested a trade, but the Packers have so far refused to grant that request. The regular season opens with a visit by the Dallas Cowboys to Tampa Bay to take on the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers, and it will be interesting to see if Dallas’ young defense, led by new coordinator Dan Quinn, can hang with the high-powered Tampa Bay offense — and if Dallas’ O-line can protect Dak Prescott, back from a fractured ankle, from the same Buccaneers’ pass rush that turned last year’s Super Bowl into a house of horrors for Patrick Mahomes.
We have the latest NFL betting odds and point totals for each Week 1 matchup, along with a quick insight into each game.
NFL News: Full Betting Guide for Week 1
Thursday, September 9
Dallas Cowboys (+6.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (O/U 52), 8:20 pm ET, NBC
Super Bowl hangover has been a thing in the past, for both winners and losers, but you can’t really say that Tom Brady’s teams have ever fallen prey to it. Dallas comes in with an offense that looks terrific on paper and a defense that is young and untested. Buccaneers to win and cover.
Sunday, September 12
Philadelphia Eagles (+3.5) at Atlanta Falcons (O/U 46.5), 1:00 pm ET, FOX
Jalen Hurts vs Matt Ryan — and a Matt Ryan without Julio Jones, who is now in Tennessee. The Eagles come in with a new head coach as well. Both teams have a lot of questions, so I’m going with the home team. Falcons to win and cover.
Pittsburgh Steelers (+6) at Buffalo Bills (O/U 50.5), 1:00 pm ET, CBS
The Bills have retooled their defense since losing to Kansas City in the AFC Championship, while the Steelers haven’t done anything to get younger. Bills to win and cover.
Minnesota Vikings (-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (O/U 48), 1:00 pm ET, FOX
Joe Burrow returns for the Bengals, who made some additions on their offensive line to protect him a bit better this season. The Vikings finished the season a somewhat high note but still missed the playoffs. Bengals to cover.
San Francisco 49ers (-7.5) at Detroit Lions (O/U 46), 1:00 pm ET, FOX
This is a big point spread for a road favorite, but the Lions have a lot of holes in their roster, and they have Jared Goff now, instead of Matthew Stafford. Is he an upgrade? Will the 49ers be enthusiastic about Jimmy G at quarterback? This game feels like a bit of a slog. Lions to cover.
Arizona Cardinals (+2.5) at Tennessee Titans (O/U 51), 1:00 pm ET, CBS
The Titans should be ready to roll after that early postseason exit last season, but the Cardinals have a lot to prove as well. I see this coming down to the last drive, so I’m going with the value. Cardinals to cover.
Seattle Seahawks (+2.5) at Indianapolis Colts (O/U 52), 1:00 pm ET, FOX
Will the Seahawks be able to mount enough of a rush to fluster Carson Wentz? I believe so, but will the Seahawks be able to move the ball against that Colt defense? Colts to win and cover.
L.A. Chargers (-1) at Washington Football Team (O/U 44.5), 1:00 pm ET, CBS
Justin Herbert will get all the pressure he can handle from the Football Team, while Ryan Fitzpatrick gets his best shot at a postseason run that he’s had in a long time. Washington to cover.
N.Y. Jets (+4) at Carolina Panthers (O/U 43), 1:00 pm ET, CBS
Sam Darnold hosts his old team in this opener, so he should have plenty of motivation, and the Panthers are slightly ahead of the Jets on the rebuild curve. Panthers to win and cover.
Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5) at Houston Texans (O/U 45.5), 1:00 pm ET, CBS
Houston remains in disarray as they try to figure out what will happen in the post-Deshaun Watson era, and they open against a Jacksonville team that will feature Urban Meyer and Trevor Lawrence. This could get ugly for the home team. Jaguars to win and cover.
Cleveland Browns (+6) at Kansas City Chiefs (O/U 53), 4:25 pm ET, CBS
This is a rematch of the AFC divisional playoff game, where Chad Henne came on in relief of Patrick Mahomes and led the Chiefs to an exciting win. The Cleveland Browns have retooled on defense — but so have the Chiefs. Is this the Chiefs’ chance to make a statement that they are not ready to give up the top spot in the AFC — or will the Browns take advantage of the opportunity? Browns to cover.
Miami Dolphins (+2) at New England Patriots (O/U 45.5), 4:25 pm ET, CBS
Tua vs Mac Jones? Tua vs Cam Newton? The most important matchup might be between Tua and Bill Belichick, as the masterful coach will put together the right defensive scheme to challenge the second-year quarterback. Patriots to win and cover.
Green Bay Packers (+2.5) at New Orleans Saints (O/U 51), 4:25 pm ET, FOX
We don’t know whether the Saints will start Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill at quarterback, and we don’t know whether Aaron Rodgers will be a Packer at all. So for now I’m staying far away from this game.
Denver Broncos (-1) at N.Y. Giants (O/U 42.5), 4:25 pm ET, FOX
If Aaron Rodgers is a Bronco, you have to like Denver in this one. If he’s not, it will be interesting to see if Daniel Jones’ speed is back 100%. Giants to cover.
Chicago Bears (+7) at L.A. Rams (O/U 45), 8:20 pm ET, NBC
The Bears have Justin Fields or Andy Dalton to start at quarterback, while the Rams have added Matthew Stafford — and they still have a stout defense. Rams to win and cover.
Monday, September 13
Baltimore Ravens (-4.5) at Las Vegas Raiders (O/U 51), 8:15 pm ET, ESPN/ABC
Baltimore has a lot to prove this question — but so do the Raiders. What can Derek Carr do against the Baltimore defense, though? Ravens to win and cover.
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