NFL Week 1 Betting Action Report: Expect a Lot of Sharp Action on the Jets
The NFL Week 1 odds have been percolating for a couple of weeks, but with a few of these matchups, no percolation time was necessary. The Thursday night regular-season opener, the Baltimore Ravens vs. the Kansas City Chiefs, is a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship Game and will be a major betting attraction.
The Ravens and Chiefs face off in the season opener.
“For the opening game of the season, the NFL does a really good job of choosing the matchup. This one will certainly be one of the top-bet games of the regular season,” said Joey Feazel, Caesars Sports head of football trading.
Feazel took a few minutes to dive into the Ravens-Chiefs clash and a few other notable games on the NFL Week 1 odds board.
Ravens vs. Chiefs
In the AFC title game on Jan. 28, the Chiefs went to Baltimore as 4.5-point underdogs. Kansas City proceeded to grind out a 17-10 victory. The Chiefs went on to beat San Francisco 25-22 in overtime to win the Super Bowl.
For the Sept. 5 rematch kicking off the 2024-25 season, Kansas City is a home favorite getting some early attention.
“That’s been one of the more popular games. We opened at Chiefs -2.5, and we got a sharper bet on the Chiefs’ side. So we now sit at -3,” Feazel said. “Obviously, the Ravens want revenge from the AFC Championship Game.”
Derrick Henry signed a free-agent deal with the Ravens.
Baltimore hopes to get a boost to the run game and take pressure off quarterback Lamar Jackson with the addition of running back Derrick Henry, who signed a free-agent deal with the Ravens after eight years with Tennessee.
Packers vs. Eagles
The NFL didn’t wait long to schedule the first neutral-site game of the 2024 season. Green Bay and Philadelphia meet in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in a rare Friday game, in primetime on Sept. 6.
The Packers and Eagles face off in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The Eagles are 1.5-point favorites for the matchup at Corinthians Arena, home to Brazilian soccer team SC Corinthians. Feazel is particularly intrigued by soccer’s ties to the Packers-Eagles clash.
“The best part is that they’re playing in SC Corinthians’ soccer stadium, and [SC Corinthians’] rival is green,” Feazel said, alluding to Palmeiras. “So there’s never green in that stadium. And both the Packers and Eagles are green.”
Rams vs. Lions
The Sunday night game on the NFL Week 1 oddsboard is another playoff rematch from last season. Los Angeles and Detroit met on Super Wild Card Weekend, with the Lions squeaking out a 24-23 home victory.
Jared Goff and the Lions face off against the Rams.
Detroit went on to beat visiting Tampa 31-23 in the divisional round. Then the Lions traveled to San Francisco for the NFC Championship Game and had the 49ers on the ropes, leading 24-7 at halftime.
Jets vs. 49ers
The finale on the NFL Week 1 oddsboard is plenty compelling, too.
Aaron Rodgers and the Jets travel to face the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers.
Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets travel to face the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers.
“Hopefully, we don’t get any déjà vu with injuries,” Feazel said. “We opened this at 49ers -6, it got bet down to -5, and the market has since corrected to 49ers -5.5. I expect a lot of sharp action on the Jets, and I expect this line to close at -4.5.”
Feazel has high expectations for wagering on the Jets-Niners clash.
“This will be a really well-bet game,” Feazel said. “You’ve got the return of Aaron Rodgers. A lot of Jets fans are tired of big hype, then the team not delivering. They’re hopeful for Rodgers to be healthy. These are two of the most talented teams in the NFL. It’s a great way to start off the year.”
