Another NFL season is here, Season #106. The league was formed in 1920, and it called itself the American Professional Football Association. There were 14 teams and Jim Thorpe was elected President. There were no official standings or playoffs that year, but the league awarded the championship to the Akron Pros, who finished with a record of 8-0-3. Two years later, the name was changed to the National Football League.
Once again, the season begins with the Super Bowl champs playing at home on Thursday Night Football; this year the Eagles host division rival Dallas. On Friday, the runner-up Chiefs are also playing a division rival, against the Chargers in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Other divisional games on opening weekend include Cincy at Cleveland, Giants at Washington, Niners at Seattle, Lions at Packers, and Vikes at Chicago on Monday Night. But the game of the week is undoubtedly the Sunday night matchup, as two Super Bowl hopefuls meet when Baltimore travels to Buffalo.
Here are the lines, taken from ESPNBet on Monday the 1st at 5:15 pm Central Time.
Hah, I was just going to comment that I was surprised the line wasn’t bigger in favor of the Vikings. I’m also a little surprised the Pack is favored over the Lions, but I guess they’re well-matched (as far as we know), and Lambeau is a decent advantage.
I’d think Steelers-Jets will be a big game, even if the majority of people are hate-watching.
Baltimore Ravens +700
Buffalo Bills +750
Philadelphia Eagles +750
Kansas City Chiefs +800
Detroit Lions +1100
Green Bay Packers +1300
San Francisco 49ers +1700
Washington Commanders +2000
Los Angeles Rams +2000
Cincinnati Bengals +2000
Minnesota Vikings +2200
Houston Texans +2500
Denver Broncos +2700
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +2700
Los Angeles Chargers +3000
Chicago Bears +3500
Arizona Cardinals +4000
Pittsburgh Steelers +5500
Jacksonville Jaguars +6000
Dallas Cowboys +6000
Atlanta Falcons +6500
Seattle Seahawks +7000
New England Patriots +7500
Indianapolis Colts +8000
Miami Dolphins +8000
Las Vegas Raiders +12500
Carolina Panthers +12500
New York Giants +15000
Tennessee Titans +20000
New York Jets +25000
Cleveland Browns +30000
New Orleans Saints +40000
I don’t bet and wouldn’t on the first week ever. The phrase, “everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face”, comes to mind. – Mike Tyson
The latest and greatest Head Coach/Coordinator/QB has feet of clay. Your stud who’s going to tear up the league goes down with a torn up knee in the first quarter. Your offensive line imitates turnstiles. The WRs used KY jelly instead of stickum. Stuff happens.
Week 1 is Twilight Zone. It’s the week that’s most likely to have upsets. Teams that will be great later suck and vice versa. Newer players haven’t quite acclimated to teams. It’s a wild time.
The Jags and Panthers face each other on Sunday. Both teams came into the league 30 years ago, playing their first games on September 3, 1995. The Jags lost to the Oilers 10-3, while the Panthers lost to the Falcons 23-20 in overtime.
Phil/Dal is probably the worst game of the week by point spread, so it’s stupid of the NFL to open up with that one. I get that every primetime game has to be the NFC East but a 38 to 13 blow out is an awful way to drum up excitement for your season.
