NFL Odds Released for Week One, Patriots Super Bowl Favorites

Posted on: April 20, 2018, 01:00h. 

Last updated on: April 20, 2018, 07:32h.

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NFL odds in Las Vegas and online were released for week one just hours after the league unveiled the 2018 regular season schedule.

NFL odds Super Bowl prediction
It’s only April, but NFL odds on September’s week one are already out. That has many fans excited. (Image: Benny Sieu/USA TODAY Sports)

The champion Philadelphia Eagles kick off their title defense by hosting the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL season opener on Thursday night, September 6. The Westgate SuperBook has the Birds a 3.5-point favorite over the Dirty Birds, with the over/under at 47.5 points.

Eagles vs. Falcons is a rematch of last year’s NFL divisional playoff nail biter that Philly won 15-10.

Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz isn’t expected to play in week one. Nick Foles, the Super Bowl LII MVP who led Philadelphia throughout the playoffs on their way to the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory, will instead be under center.

“Even though Foles played great in the Super Bowl, Wentz is still the guy there,” SuperBook manager John Murray told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Murray added that should Wentz be starting against Atlanta, the spread would be longer in Philly’s favor at around five or six points.

Opening Matchups

According to the SuperBook, the closest week one games will come from Cincinnati playing in Indianapolis, and Washington playing at Arizona. Both spreads are just one point in favor of the home team. All four teams hope to bounce back after disappointing years.

The NFL odds predict the biggest blowout will come from the final game on Sunday, September 9, when Chicago plays at Green Bay. The Packers lost three straight to finish last year’s regular season, and look to get back to their typical playoff form with a healthy Aaron Rodgers.

The Pack are favored by nine points over the Bears, which went 5-11 in 2017. The Chicago-Green Bay game features the oldest and most historic rivalry in the league’s most historic venue, Lambeau Field.

The New England Patriots, Super Bowl LII losers, open at home against the Houston Texans. Brady and Belichick are favored by seven.

Minnesota, which was easily handled 38-7 by Philly in the NFC Championship, begin anew at home against the San Francisco 49ers. They’re favored by 4.5. And after narrowly losing to the Patriots in the AFC Championship, Jacksonville begins 2018 on the road against the New York Giants where they’re favored by four points.

Super Bowl Odds

Despite Philadelphia winning Super Bowl 52 without its star quarterback, sports bettors still feel New England is the team to beat in 2018. Online sportsbook Bovada has the Patriots 6/1 to win the big game.

Westgate has New England even shorter at 5/1. They’re followed by the Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers (8/1), Los Angeles Rams (10/1), and Vikings and Packers (12/1).

The odds will change as ticket slips are printed. The lines could also alter should the NFL Draft significantly shakeup the roster of a title contender.

USC quarterback is the consensus favorite for the #1 pick. Oddsmakers have him around 2/5 to go first. But some believe Penn State running back Saquon Barkley is the better selection. The standout is at 11/5 for the top spot.