Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) walks off the field after losing in the 2024 NFC wild card game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys, Texans road favorites Week 1

More than three months before Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season, the Cowboys and Texans are among the early-line favorites on the first Sunday of the regular season.

Dallas is a two-point favorite at Cleveland and the Texans are giving a point at Indianapolis.

Circa Sports published its Week 1 lines on Friday afternoon with the Cincinnati Bengals leading the way as the largest favorite — nine points over the New England Patriots. The Buffalo Bills (-7.5) are the only other team giving more than five points in the opener.

The first game of the regular season, Super Bowl ring night at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, has the Chiefs set at 2.5-point favorites over the Baltimore Ravens.

A rematch of the NFC divisional playoffs in Detroit between the Lions and Rams features the highest projected point total at 50.5.

The full lineup for Week 1 with odds and point totals (over-under) from Circa Sports:

Thursday, Sept. 5
Baltimore at Kansas City (-2.5, 47.5)

Friday, Sept. 6 (Brazil)
Green Bay vs Philadelphia (-1, 48.5)

Sunday, Sept. 8
Jacksonville at Miami (-3, 49)
Pittsburgh at Atlanta (-2.5, 43)
Minnesota at NYG (-1.5, 41)
Carolina at New Orleans (-5, 40)
New England at Cincinnati (-9, 42.5)
Tennessee at Chicago (-4.5, 43.5)
Arizona at Buffalo (-7.5, 48)
Houston (-1, 48) at Indianapolis
Las Vegas at LA Chargers (-3.5, 43)
Washington at Tampa Bay (-4, 41.5)
Denver at Seattle (-5, 41)
Dallas (-2, 44) at Cleveland
LA Rams at Detroit (-3.5, 50.5)

Monday, Sept. 9
NY Jets at San Francisco (-5, 44.5)

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) walks between plays during the fourth quarter of a Week 1 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene-USA TODAY Sports

Week 2 lines: Bengals TD faves at Big D; Falcons, Titans biggest dogs

Joe Burrow turned the ball over five times and Cincinnati sits alone in last place in the AFC North at 0-1. But the Bengals are favored by 7 at AT&T Stadium, where they face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday as part of the Week 2 slate.

Burrow had four picks and the Bengals lost in overtime to the Pittsburgh Steelers. That was hours before the Dallas Cowboys lost quarterback Dak Prescott and dropped their opener to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Lines available before the Week 1 slate for Week 2 games had the Bengals as a 1-point favorite.

The biggest moneyline odds for a straight-up win by an underdog belong to the Atlanta Falcons at +430. The Falcons are 10-point underdogs to the Rams at SoFi Stadium.

A $25 win bet on the Falcons would cash at $132.50.

Here’s a look at the other available Week 2 lines courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook:

–Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET
Chiefs -3.5 vs. Chargers
Total points: 54
Underdog moneyline: +150

–Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Giants -2.5 vs. Panthers
Total points: 42.5
Underdog moneyline: +118

Saints +3.0 vs. Buccaneers
Total points: 45.5
Underdog moneyline: +135

Ravens -3.5 vs. Dolphins
Total points: 43.5
Underdog moneyline: +158

Browns -6.5 vs. Jets
Total points: 40.5
Underdog moneyline: +215

Lions -2.0 vs Commanders
Total points: 48.5
Underdog moneyline: +110
Worth noting: The Lions are -2.5 at DraftKings.

Patriots -1.0 vs. Steelers
Total points: 41.5
Underdog moneyline: -105
Worth noting: The Patriots are -1.5 at DraftKings.

Jaguars +4.0 vs. Colts
Total points: 46.5
Underdog moneyline: +170

–Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
49ers -8.0 vs Seahawks
Total points: 42.5
Underdog moneyline: +335
Worth noting: The 49ers are -9 at DraftKings.

Rams -10 vs. Falcons
Total points: 47.5
Underdog moneyline: +430

–Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Cowboys +7.0 vs Bengals
Total points: 44.5
Underdog moneyline: +240

Broncos -10 vs. Texans
Total points: 43.5
Underdog moneyline: +360

–Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
Packers -10 vs. Bears
Total points: 43.0
Underdog moneyline: -360

–Monday, 7:15 p.m. ET
Bills -10 vs. Titans
Total points: 49.5
Underdog moneyline: +400

–Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET
Eagles -2.0 vs. Vikings
Total points: 51.5
Underdog moneyline: +105

(Odds as of Monday, Sept. 12 at 12 p.m. ET, subject to change)

–Field Level Media

Jun 14, 2022; Costa Mesa, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during minicamp at the Hoag Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Public backing Chargers QB Justin Herbert for 2022 MVP

Most sportsbooks have installed Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen as the favorite to take home MVP honors during the 2022 NFL season. But the betting public is enamored with a different passer, as the Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert has been the heaviest bet so far.

BetRivers.com and PlaySugarHouse.com report that Herbert (+900) has taken on the most bets (19.9 percent handle, 12.6 percent tickets) and that he is backed almost twice as much as Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals (+1200), who ranks second (9.9 percent money, 6.7 percent tickets).

Allen (+700) is the third-most backed player for the award (8.7 percent money, 8.5 percent tickets).

DraftKings, who also listed Allen as the favorite at +700, has Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady listed with the second-best odds at +800 and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes third at +900.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the man who won the award in 2021 — the fourth time he had won MVP — is listed at +1000.

But those three — Brady, Mahomes and Rodgers — trail players such as Jalen Hurts (+3300) and Justin Fields (+10000) in the early betting. Hurts is getting 6.9 percent of the money and Fields is getting 5.3 percent of the tickets.

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry and Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, the top non-quarterbacks listed, are both +5000 with DraftKings.

Taylor, last season’s leading rusher, has the highest percentage of bets with BetRivers.com and PlaySugarHouse.com among non-quarterbacks (2.5 percent). Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (+5000) has seen 2.3 percent of the money, the most among non-quarterbacks.

–Field Level Media

Quarterback Josh Allen will lead the Bills against the Rams on Sept. 8.

 Syndication Democrat And Chronicle

NFL Week 1 lines: No big favorites

Three teams are 6.5-point favorites in opening lines for the 2022 NFL regular season released by sportsbooks with the 18-week game schedule finalized.

The NFL released a full schedule for the regular season on Thursday night, including the opening game of the season in Los Angeles between the Rams and Buffalo Bills. The Super Bowl champion Rams are a 1-point favorite at SoFi Stadium.

The AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals are 6.5-point favorites over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 and no team is a bigger favorite on the early lines.

San Francisco is a 6.5-point favorite at Chicago and the Tennessee Titans are 6.5-point favorites over the New York Giants.

The primetime games in Week 1 include Russell Wilson returning to Seattle with the Denver Broncos. Wilson’s new crew is a 4-point favorite over the Seahawks on “Monday Night Football.”

Dallas is a home underdog on “Sunday Night Football.” The Cowboys are +2.5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

–Field Level Media

Oct 3, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Week 5 NFL betting lines

We’ve got to give the NFL’s schedule-makers some credit. Last Sunday night it was Tom Brady’s return to New England in prime time. This week it’ll be a rematch of last year’s AFC title game as Buffalo travels to Kansas City.

The Chiefs overcame an early nine-point deficit to win that one 38-24, before losing to Brady and Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl. The Bills will look to prove they’re the team to beat this season.

Sunday’s Games

N.Y. Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons (-3, 45.5 O/U)

If the NFL is looking to grow the game overseas, this matchup of 1-3 teams in London isn’t the way to go — unless Tottenham star Harry Kane kicks for both teams. The Jets are coming off their first win of the season, beating Tennessee in OT as rookie QB Zach Wilson threw for 297 yards and two TDs and the defense had seven sacks. Falcons QB Matt Ryan threw for four TDs in a narrow loss to Washington but will be without leading receiver Calvin Ridley (personal reasons).

Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers (-1, 39.5)

The Broncos (3-1) suffered their first loss last week, 23-7 to Baltimore, as QB Teddy Bridgewater was knocked out with a concussion. Bridgewater has been remarkably effective, the league’s lone quarterback with more than 50 passing attempts and nary an interception. If he can’t clear the protocol, Drew Lock will start. The Steelers (1-3) have lost three in a row and have struggled to protect the aging Ben Roethlisberger. Denver linebacker Von Miller could have a field day.

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-10, 49)

The Lions (0-4) are one of only two winless teams in the league and have lost their past seven meetings with their NFC North rivals. Their offensive line has been decimated by injuries, with Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow (turf toe) going on the IR this week. The Vikings (1-3) have been outscored by 11 points in their three losses. RB Dalvin Cook has vowed to play through an ankle injury that limited him to 34 yards on nine carries in a 14-7 loss to Cleveland last week.

Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals (+3, 51)

Would it surprise you to learn second-year Bengals signal-caller Joe Burrow has thrown for more yards, has more TD passes and a better passer rating this season than Aaron Rodgers, the reigning NFL MVP? It’s true. The Packers (3-1) have won three in a row since their no-show in the season opener. The Bengals (3-1) have had a couple of extra days to prepare after beating Jacksonville 24-21 in a Thursday night game as Burrow threw for a season-high 348 yards. Bengals RB Joe Mixon is nursing an ankle injury.

Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-10, 47.5)

After an emotional victory at New England, in which he became the NFL’s all-time leading passer (80,560 yards), could QB Tom Brady suffer a letdown? Unlikely, as the reigning Super Bowl champion Bucs (3-1) play host to the Dolphins (1-3) and backup Jacoby Brissett. In 35 career starts against the Fins, Brady has accounted for 70 TDs (67 passing, three rushing). The last time the Dolphins won at Tampa Bay, in 1988, Don Shula was the coach and Dan Marino was the QB.

New England Patriots at Houston Texans (+9, 39.5)

The Patriots’ Mac Jones has been the best QB of the rookie class thus far, topping the newcomers in completions and passing yards. He nearly pulled off an upset of Tom Brady and defending champion Tampa Bay last week, if not for Nick Folk’s late FG attempt hitting the upright in a 19-17 defeat. Both teams are 1-3, but the Texans are headed in reverse. They lost 40-0 at Buffalo last week as rookie Davis Mills, making his second start for the injured Tyrod Taylor (strained hamstring), was 11 of 21 for just 87 yards and four picks.

New Orleans Saints at Washington Football Team (+2, 43.5)

This is an odd-numbered week — Week 5 — so maybe the Saints show up? After crushing Green Bay 38-3 in the opener, New Orleans (2-2) has been wildly inconsistent. The Saints played at home for the first time last week because of Hurricane Ida and lost 27-21 in overtime to the previously winless New York Giants. Washington (1-3) was supposed to have a great defense, but it’s allowing 30.5 ppg. Taylor Heinicke passed for 290 yards and three TDs in a 34-30 win over Atlanta last weekend.

Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina Panthers (-3, 45)

The Eagles (1-3) played Kansas City tough last week, as Jalen Hurts threw for a career-high 387 yards in a 42-30 loss at home. Hurts has a 101.1 QB rating and leads Philadelphia in rushing. The Panthers (3-1) suffered their first loss last weekend, 36-28 at Dallas. Newcomer Sam Darnold has shown why he was once a first-round pick and is the first QB in league history with five rushing TDs through the first four weeks of a season. RB Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) is doubtful.

Tennessee at Jacksonville (+4.5, 48.5)

The Titans (2-2) rival New Orleans for the most unpredictable team, despite having the league’s leading rusher in Derrick Henry. They lost 27-24 in overtime to the previously winless Jets last weekend. The Titans listed 23 players on their injury report this week, including WRs Julio Jones and A.J. Brown with hamstring problems. The Jaguars (0-4) have lost 19 in a row and coach Urban Meyer had to apologize for his off-the-field conduct. Jacksonville has forced just one turnover while committing nine.

Chicago at Las Vegas (-5.5, 45.5)

Rookie Justin Fields, still looking for his first TD pass, has been named the starter for the Bears (2-2). RB David Montgomery (sprained knee) is going to miss the next 4-5 weeks, so the Raiders (3-1) will be free to tee off on Fields behind a suspect Chicago O-line that has allowed sacks on a league-worst 13.7 percent of passing plays. Bears LB Khalil Mack gets to go up against his former team. The Raiders’ Derek Carr led the NFL through four weeks with 1,399 passing yards. Vegas averages 406.5 yards per game; da Bears, 237.0, worst in the league.

Cleveland at L.A. Chargers (-2.5, 46.5)

The Browns (3-1) allowed a TD on Minnesota’s first drive last week, then shut out the Vikes the rest of the way in a 14-7 win. Myles Garrett, with a league-high six sacks, leads a D allowing 16.8 points and 250.3 yards per game. With QB Baker Mayfield nursing an injury to his non-throwing shoulder, Cleveland needs to keep the score down. That won’t be easy against the Chargers (3-1). QB Justin Herbert continues to impress and Austin Ekeler rushed for a career-high 117 yards last week in a 28-14 win over Las Vegas.

N.Y. Giants at Dallas (-7, 52)

The Giants (1-3) won 27-21 in OT at New Orleans last week as Daniel Jones threw for a career-high 402 yards. Three QBs lead their teams in rushing: Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts, and … Jones. The Cowboys (3-1) are clicking on offense. Dak Prescott threw four TD passes last weekend in a 36-28 victory against previously undefeated Carolina and Ezekiel Elliott rushed for a season-high 143 yards and a score. Dallas has a plus-7 turnover differential, as CB Trevon Diggs became the first Cowboy since 1970 with picks in the first four games of a season.

San Francisco at Arizona (-5, 50)

The 49ers (2-2) have been hamstrung by injuries in both backfields and now QB Jimmy Garappolo (calf) is ruled out. Rookie Trey Lance came off the bench at halftime last week and threw for 157 yards in a 28-21 loss to Seattle. The Cardinals (4-0) are the last remaining unbeaten team in the league. QB Kyler Murray ranks fourth in passing yards and is must-see TV. Chase Edmonds rushed for 120 yards in a 37-20 win over the host Los Angeles Rams last weekend in a showdown for first in the NFC West.

Buffalo at Kansas City (-2.5, 56.5)

After a stunning loss to Pittsburgh in their season opener, the Bills (3-1) are back on track. They’ve shut out two of their past three opponents, are allowing just 11.0 points and 216.8 yards per game and have forced 11 turnovers (all league-bests). QB Josh Allen continues to shine and RBs Devin Singletary and Zack Moss combined to rush for 140 yards in a 40-0 win over hapless Houston last week. For the Chiefs (2-2), Patrick Mahomes threw for five TDs in a 42-30 win at Philadelphia. The K.C. defense has given up the second-most points (31.3) and yards (437.8) per game in the league.

Monday’s Game

Indianapolis at Baltimore (-6.5, 46.5)

The Colts (1-3) finally got their first win in the Carson Wentz Era, defeating host Miami 27-17 last week as Jonathan Taylor rushed for a season-high 103 yards and scored his first TD. The Ravens (3-1) are 16-2 at night under coach John Harbaugh. QB Lamar Jackson had his second regular-season 300-yard passing day ever in a 23-7 win last week at Denver. Jackson has 10 TDs (eight passing, two rushing) vs. zero INTs in four career starts on “Monday Night Football.” LB Justin Houston, who had 19 sacks over the previous two seasons with the Colts, will set his sights on Wentz.

–Field Level Media

Jul 27, 2021; Hollywood, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Chip Kelly speaks with the media during the Pac-12 football Media Day at the W Hollywood. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

CFB Week 0 lines: Fresno State, UCLA lines climbing

UCLA opened as an 11.5-point favorite but the Bruins are currently sitting at minus-17 over Hawaii in their opener.

There are five total college football games involving major conference teams on Aug. 28, which has formally been dubbed “Week 0.”

The Bruins are the second-biggest favorite of the opening weekend in college football with Fresno State (-27.5) the biggest heavy. Visiting UConn opened at +26.5 points but could fall to a four-touchdown dog by kickoff.

A win bet on Fresno State — also known as the moneyline — has -10000 odds, or an implied probability of 99.01 percent. Spelled out further, a bettor would need to wager $100 on the moneyline to win $1.

UCLA and Hawaii hold the distinction for the highest over-under of Week 0 at 70.

Week 1 of college football season gets underway Sept. 1 with UAB facing Jacksonville State, the appetizer for a smorgasbord on tap for Labor Day weekend. Multiple games are scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, which features four top-20 matchups, none more anticipated than No. 5 Georgia against No. 3 Clemson in the primetime game on ABC.

The Tigers are 3.5-point favorites and have a -160 moneyline in the neutral site game in Charlotte, N.C.

No. 19 Penn State and No. 12 Wisconsin play at noon ET, and No. 1 Alabama faces No. 14 Miami at 3:30 p.m. ET, the same kickoff slot for Indiana (No. 17) at Iowa (No. 18). Alabama, the national championship favorite at +260 entering the season, is favored by 18.5 points over the Hurricanes.

The lone Power 5 matchup of Week 0 is a Big Ten game in Champaign, Ill., where the Fighting Illini opened as 9.5-point home underdogs. That line is closing almost by the day with Nebraska sitting as 7-point favorites as of Wednesday at noon ET.

That conference game kicks off the five-game slate at noon CT with a national TV audience on FOX. Illinois is a popular pick to surprise in former Wisconsin and Arkansas coach Bret Bielema’s debut season.

Illinois’ moneyline is +220 after opening at +280.

In the only other game on the board for the late August weekend, UTEP holds firm as 9.5-point favorites at New Mexico State in a line that hasn’t moved since the morning odds were first released.

There is no line set for Southern Utah at San Jose State, which is the final game of Aug. 28 (10 p.m. ET).

All lines mentioned above are courtesy of PointsBetUSA.

–Field Level Media

Week 5 College Football Picks: Middle Tennessee, Army, Indiana And More

The post Week 5 College Football Picks: Middle Tennessee, Army, Indiana And More appeared first on SportsHandle.

Each week we’ll be providing our top college football picks.

This week we look at Georgia Tech as a big favorite and why it’s not too late to cash in on woeful Rutgers.

Middle Tennessee +3 over Florida Atlantic

I really like the Blue Raiders in this spot. Middle Tennessee comes into the game 1-2 but their two losses are to SEC teams (Georgia and Vanderbilt). The Blue Raiders had a week off to prepare for this game, while FAU is coming off a 56-36 loss to UCF last Friday night.

Middle Tennessee had taken nine straight in this series before FAU won at home, 38-20, last year. However, the Blue Raiders were without starting quarterback Brent Stockstill (shoulder), who is completing 69 percent of his passes, despite the tough early season schedule. Stockstill should have his way against an FAU pass defense that ranks 97th in the country.

Head coach Rick Stockstill is 22-7 SU at home since 2013. The line hasn’t moved off three but I’ll gladly take a field goal at home and call for the outright win by the Blue Raiders.

 

Read more Week 5 College Football Picks: Middle Tennessee, Army, Indiana And More on SportsHandle.