Indeed, it is good that the NFL preseason has been reduced to three games. Regardless, the first week of preseason football is the most challenging handicap. That is because of the inability of fans and gamblers to have reliable lineup information. Teams will often play rookies and or inexperienced second or third-string players and free agents. Thus, the NFL betting odds lineups have no resemblance to what will be seen in the regular season. For established championship-caliber teams such as the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, the main goal of the preseason is to escape without serious injuries to key players.
2024-25 NFL Super Bowl Championship Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | +600 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +850 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +950 |
| Buffalo Bills | +900 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +1000 |
| New York Jets | +1400 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +1400 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +1800 |
| Detroit Lions | +2200 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +2500 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +2500 |
| Miami Dolphins | +2500 |
| Cleveland Browns | +2800 |
| Denver Broncos | +3500 |
| New Orleans Saints | +3500 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +4000 |
| Green Bay Packers | +4000 |
| New York Giants | +4400 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +4500 |
| All Other Teams | +5000 or higher |
2023 NFL Week 1 Preseason Schedule
Thursday, August 8
- Carolina at New England, 7:00
- Detroit at N.Y. Giants, 7:00
Friday, August 9
- Atlanta at Miami, 7:00
- Houston at Pittsburgh, 7:00
- Philadelphia at Baltimore, 7:30
Saturday, August 10
- Washington at N.Y. Jets, noon
- Chicago at Buffalo, 1:00
- Las Vegas at Minnesota, 4:00
- Green Bay at Cleveland, 4:25
- Tampa Bay at Cincinnati, 7:00
- Kansas City at Jacksonville, 7:00
- San Francsico at Tennessee, 7:00
- Seattle at L.A. Chargers, 7:05
- New Orleans at Arizona, 8:00
Sunday, August 11
- Denver at Indianapolis, 1:00
- Dallas at L.A. Rams, 4:30
Week 1 Preseason Overview
The established NFL powers will focus on finding role players and filling out the bottom of the roster. On the other hand, perennial losers or teams with new quarterbacks will invest more in the preseason. The Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, and Atlanta Falcons will use the preseason to evaluate their QBs. In turn, many sharps love preseason thanks to in-game live offshore betting. Wise Guys will track the lineups on a play-by-play basis, looking for an advantage to leap into action with immediately.
First night action for Week 1 NFL preseason features a matchup of two struggling teams with new head coaches and unsettled QB situations. On Thursday, August 8, the New England Patriots will host the Carolina Panthers.
The Bill Belichick era has ended in New England. The Hoodie was fired more for his terrible Pro football betting odds performance regarding the procurement of talent after Tom Brady departed. Following in his place, Jerod Mayo was promoted from Belichick’s staff to become the new headman. Mayo is filling some historically large shoes.
Another era ended last year at New England. Mac Jones, New England’s first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and a Pro Bowler as a rookie was sent packing. Jones took the Pats to the playoffs as a rookie. But once offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels left to become head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, Jones lacked mentoring. Jones will try and rebuild his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In turn, he is expected to back up Trevor Lawrence.
Namely, Drake Maye was drafted third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Patriots out of North Carolina. Although Maye is second on the depth chart behind Jacoby Brissett, Maye will be given every opportunity to win the starting QB job.