NFL Regular Season Kicks Off Thursday Night in Denver

In a rematch of last year’s thrilling AFC divisional playoff game between these two teams, the Denver Broncos host the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday in the first game of the 2013 NFL regular season.

Usually the defending Super Bowl champions start the regular season on Thursday night at home, but with the Baltimore Orioles playing at home this week, the Ravens start the season on the road. Despite owning a 7-3 SU and 8-2 ATS record in their last 10 games against the Broncos (including last season’s 38-35 win in the postseason), the Ravens are a 9-point road underdog at Bovada. Peyton Manning and the Broncos finished the 2012 regular season on an 11-0 SU and 9-2 ATS run before being upset by Baltimore in the playoffs.

Early control of the NFC South will be on the line Sunday when the Atlanta Falcons visit the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans has owned this rivalry in recent years with a 7-2 SU record over the last nine meetings between these two teams and a 4-1 ATS record over the last five. New Orleans is coming off a disappointing 7-9 SU and 8-8 ATS campaign, but is expected to be much better this season with Sean Payton back on the sideline and a new defensive coordinator. The Saints are a 3-point favorite at Bovada at home this Sunday.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Michigan Wolverines both looked sharp in blowout wins in Week 1, and will look to carry that momentum into this week’s meeting at the Big House in Michigan. This will be the 41st meeting between the two storied programs. Michigan has had the better of this series in recent seasons with a 5-2 SU and ATS record over its last seven games against Notre Dame.

The Cincinnati Reds will try to gain ground in the NL Central division race this week when they host the St. Louis Cardinals for a four-game series starting this Monday. Mat Latos takes the mound for the Reds on Monday and is a -120 favorite at Bovada over Adam Wainwright (+100) and the Cardinals.