In view of the COVID-19 shutdown, fans and gamblers are starving for sports. The best evidence of that is the recent massive golf, UFC, and NASCAR TV ratings. Compared to those sports NFL betting is the 800-pound gorilla. In good times or bad nothing moves the needle-like pro football. Week one of the 2020 NFL season reflects that. Specifically, the Thursday and early Sunday games are marquee matchups. And with a multitude of storylines and betting angles. Let’s examine the highlights!
Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs
| Date and Time: | Thursday, September 10, 2020, 8:20 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri |
| Texans vs. Chiefs TV Coverage: | NBC |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texans | +10 (-105) | 54½ (-116) | – |  |
| Chiefs | -10 (-115) | 54½ (-105) | – | |
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Of course, the Chiefs are defending Super Bowl champions. This is a rematch of last January’s AFC divisional playoffs. Kansas City rallied from a 24-0 deficit to post 51-31 sports betting payout. It was the most memorable and ferocious comeback in NFL playoff history. Following that debacle Houston coach and general manager Bill O’Brien blew up his roster. Gamblers and fans have doubts about O’Brien, his leadership, and the Texans 2020 prospects.
Kansas City is co-favorites with Baltimore to win the AFC championship. Namely Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the most impactful player in the game. Mahomes led the Chiefs to three postseason comeback wins capped off with the Super Bowl. First-round draft pick Clyde Edwards Helaire is the running back KC needs to take some burden off Mahomes and the defense.
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
| Date and Time: | Sunday, September 13, 2020, 1 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Packers vs. Vikings TV Coverage: | FOX |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packers | +3½ (-110) | 46½ (-110) | – | |
| Vikings | -3½ (-110) | 46½ (-110) | – | |
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Last year the Packers rebounded well under rookie head coach Matt LaFleur. However, in the NFC championship game they were outclassed and exposed to San Francisco. In the 2020 NFL Draft, Green Bay stunned everyone by taking quarterback Jordan Love in the first round. The account of veteran QB Aaron Rodgers pining for a better supporting cast on Twitter. All of which raises NFL betting concerns about the Pack for 2020.
In like manner were the Vikings mauled in the NFC divisional round at San Francisco. But optimism is much higher for the Purple Gang. Minnesota had one of the top-ranked classes at the 2020 NFL Draft. And quarterback Kirk Cousins came on strong after a slow start.
Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots
| Date and Time: | Sunday, September 13, 2020, 1 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts |
| Dolphins vs. Patriots TV Coverage: | CBS |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphins | +6½ (-115) | 43½ (-105) | – | |
| Patriots | -6½ (-105) | 43½ (-115) | – | |
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Encompassing the Dolphins vs. Patriots matchup is a new era for both clubs. Tua Tagovailoa is destined to be Miami’s quarterback at some point in 2020. Tagovailoa was the Dolphins top draft pick after he wowed NFL scouts. Meanwhile the Tom Brady era is over in New England. New starting quarterback Jarrett Stidham faces plenty of skepticism. And yet he holds the ultimate trump card in head coach Bill Belichick. The Hoodie has long dreamed of coaching without Brady to prove he can win without the GOAT. Now he gets his chance.
Free Week One NFL Picks: Texans, Packers, Dolphins