At the onset of the release of the NFL schedule is a highly appealing week one schedule. And there could not be a better way open the 2019 season than with the league’s oldest rivalry. Soldier Field in Chicago will be the venue for the Bears and Packers. Of course, NBC will televise the NFC North matchup on Thursday, September 5 at 8 p.m. ET. But that is just the start of a great opening weekend lineup with the NFL betting odds. Lines have been released on every week one game. Let the action begin!
Packers at Bears
First, the Bears have opened as a four-point favorite over the Packers. Among the factors to consider is the new Green Bay coach. Matt LaFleur will be making his regular season debut for the Green and Gold. Last season the Pack finished 6-9-1 and was 7-9 in 2017. Chairman Mark Murphy decided that the program became stale and fired coach Mike McCarthy. Following the gassing of McCarthy came stories of the petulance of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. All of which adds to the intrigue of Green Bay’s 2019 season. Meanwhile the Bears are coming off an NFC Central Division title.
Titans at Browns
On the whole no team is a trendier preseason pick with the NFL betting odds than the Browns. Cleveland did finish strong with five wins in their last seven games. Freddie Kitchens did well enough as interim coach to get the full-time gig. But now comes the pressure of high expectations. Additionally, the Browns will not be catching opponents napping as they did in 2018. By contrast Tennessee is coming off a lackluster 2018 campaign in which they failed to make the playoffs. Cleveland is favored by five points for this one.
Steelers at Patriots
Extending the excitement for week one is the sportsbook matchup of Pittsburgh at New England. Naturally the Super Bowl champion Patriots opened as six-point chalks. Pittsburgh has had only three head coaches since 1969. Concurrently Mike Tomlin has been at the helm since 2007 and has a Super Bow title. But the Men of Steel won that Super Bowl in 2008. Of great concern is that they last made a Super Bowl in the 2010 season. Last year they missed the post season altogether. The Rooney Family have been the most patient owners possible. But the fans are another story.
Texans at Saints
New Orleans will host the early Monday night game against Houston. On this occasion they are a seven-point chalk. And this will be the Saints first game since their controversial loss to the Rams in the NFC Championship Game. Recall that a blown pass interference call cost them a trip to the Super Bowl.
Broncos at Raiders
Now the operative word for the Denver Oakland Monday night matchup is “newness.” Both teams have vastly new rosters and leadership structures. Oakland opened as a 2.5-point favorite with the NFL Betting Odds. Denver is hoping that new quarterback Joe Flacco can find his old Super Bowl magic. Meanwhile Jon Gruden’s return to Oakland was a colossal flop. Gruden was 4-12 in his Raider return. As a result, he got owner Mark Davis to hire Mike Mayock as puppet general manager. Mayock is best known as a know it all blowhard TV analyst.