With Week 1 of the 2022-23 NFL season now just 6 days away from kickoff, let’s examine a few betting lines that stand out among the full docket of opening games.
The USA’s best NFL betting sites have posted the following line for the opening game of the season next Thursday night at 8:20 PM between the reigning Super Bowl champion LA Rams and Buffalo Bills.
Buffalo Bills (-2.5) @ Los Angeles Rams (+2.5)
- Moneyline Odds: Bills -135, Rams +115
- Over-Under: 53.0
The Bills are favored on the road by -2.5 heading into LA with mostly the same lineup as last season, a team that made it to the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs.
Buffalo also enters the season at the top of the odds for betting on Super Bowl 57.
The Rams were only 5-3 at home during the 2021-22 regular season, but won three in a row when they got to the playoffs. We’re not sure if that streak continues against the Bills, but the Rams have a great shot at covering.
New England Patriots (+3.0) @ Miami Dolphins (-3.0)
- Moneyline Odds: NE +135, Miami -160
- Over-Under: 47.0
AFC East rivalries begin anew when the Patriots visit the Dolphins in Hard Rock Stadium this Sunday. Miami has loaded up with offensive talent under first-year head coach Mike McDaniel, surrounding third-year QB Tua Tagovailoa with wide receiver Tyreek Hill and running back Raheem Mostert.
This infusion of new players and leadership has resulted in Miami being favored by 3 against a New England Patriots team that made the playoffs last year.
New England quietly signed former Dolphins WR DeVante Parker in the offseason, and head coach Bill Belichick has a knack for getting the most out of players that never reached their peak potential.
All things considered, New England has a good shot of covering the NFL point spread and outright winning the game.
Kansas City Chiefs (-4.5) @ Arizona Cardinals (+4.5)
- Moneyline Odds: KC -200, Arizona +170
- Over-Under: 53.5
The Sunday afternoon NFL lineup yielded the above matchup of two teams that are looking to improve upon last season’s finish. Both teams are loaded with talent, but as we’ve already mentioned, Kansas City is now without the services of Tyreek Hill, QB Patrick Mahomes’ favorite target.
KC could go through some growing pains on the road in Arizona while the Cardinals are sporting a healthy lineup that has spent considerable time together. We like the Cardinals to cover at home.
Denver Broncos (-6.5) @ Seattle Seahawks (+6.5)
- Moneyline Odds: Broncos -250, Seahawks +210
- Over-Under: 42.0
This first edition of Monday Night Football for the 2022-23 NFL season is mostly intriguing because it is Russell Wilson’s first game with the Denver Broncos after being traded in the offseason from the Seattle Seahawks.
We’re leaning toward the Broncos covering because Seattle is entering the game with Geno Smith under center. While Smith showed flashes of decency last year in relief of Wilson, his inability to play mistake-free football has kept him from being a routine starter in the NFL.
The above NFL betting lines are taking action right now at Bovada Sportsbook and will convert to in-game odds once each game begins if you cannot make a pregame wager for any reason.