NFL Week 1 Slate: Best Betting Matchups
Football fans and bettors get their first real look at the new-look Buffalo Bills on Sunday when they open the season at home versus the Indianapolis Colts.
The Bills made a few changes on and off the field in the offseason. Rex Ryan takes over at head coach while the offense made a few interesting moves bringing in running back LeSean McCoy and receiver Percy Harvin.
Sammy Watkins is still around giving the Bills plenty of playmakers but their success could depend on quarterback Tyrod Taylor who will begin the season as the starter.
The Colts also retooled their offense, which was already great and ranked third in the league last season. In his third season QB Andrew Luck broke out and led the NFL with 40 touchdown passes. He’ll have a new toy to play with as Andre Johnson joins T.Y. Hilton in the receiving corps and the running game should get a boost from veteran Frank Gore.
Indianapolis is 7-1 SU in their last eight versus the Bills, with a 5-2-1 record ATS. The Colts are a 3-point road favorite at online sportsbook Bovada and in their last eight as a road favorite they’re 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS.
Peyton Manning begins what could be his final NFL season at home in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens. Manning put up big numbers again last season, but Denver may rely more on C.J. Anderson and the run game this season. When Manning does air it out, he has one of the deadliest combos in the league in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.
Joe Flacco and the Ravens have something old and something new catching passes this year. Veteran Steve Smith still has something left in the tank, while rookie Breshard Perriman will try to live up to his draft position. The Broncos are a 5-point favorite at Bovada as they try to extend an eight-game home winning streak during which they are only 4-4 ATS.
This week’s Sunday nighter pits old rivals against one another as Dallas hosts the Giants as a 6-point favorite.
Tony Romo and the Cowboys have won four in a row against New York with a 3-1 mark ATS. Bettors will get to see if the Dallas running game thrives or dies without the departed DeMarco Murray, while Odell Beckman will continue to be the main target for Eli Manning with Victor Cruz questionable due to a calf injury.