The NFL season is finally here!
Can New England get off on the right foot tonight in an attempt to repeat as Super Bowl champions?
Who cares. What we all really want to know is this: Will they cover the -9 at home to Kansas City?
RELATED: Know Your Line: College Football Odds for Week 2, 2017
Each week I'm going to give you all the NFL odds along with predictions. When I'm right, I'll make sure to mention that continuously in the following week's article.
And when I'm wrong? Oh hey, look at that bird over there!
Let's get started now with NFL odds for week 1 of the 2017 season.
[divider]
New England -9 versus Kansas City
The Patriots were an insane 13-3 against the spread (ATS) last season, and as I heard Danny Sheridan tell Dan Patrick a few weeks ago, it's time for New England to return to the mean.
I wouldn't be surprised if the betting public moves this line as high as -10 before kickoff, so take the Chiefs and all those points.
[divider]
Buffalo -8.5 versus New York Jets
How can you not bet every single week against a team that is a 1,000-1 long shot to win the Super Bowl?
Take Buffalo and bet against the Jets all season long.
[divider]
Atlanta -7 at Chicago
I really don't like this game.
Will Atlanta suffer the same Super Bowl hangover as conference-mate Carolina did the year before? How many bad throws does Mike Glennon have to make on Sunday before rookie Mitch Trubisky gets his first look?
I wouldn't touch this game, but if pressed I suppose I'd take the Falcons and hope for the best.
[divider]
Houston -6 versus Jacksonville
I like Houston to win this one for its battered but resilient city. I also like Houston to win this one because Blake Bortles will be lining up behind center for the Jaguars.
Here's hoping the Texans can have their own "New Orleans Saints post-catastrophe" moment to give the city the respite it so dearly deserves.
[divider]
Philadelphia -1.5 at Washington
This was a pick'em just 24 hours ago, and I think all the offseason turmoil in Washington is going to lead to a very rough 5-11 season.
I'm jumping all over the Eagles on this one.
[divider]
Arizona -2 at Detroit
Do you have a coin? Do you know how to flip it?
Heads is the Cardinals. Tails is the Lions.
Let your quarter be your guide.
[divider]
Tennessee Titans -2.5 versus Oakland
This line opened at Oakland -1, but has shifted dramatically to the Titans.
The Raiders were a fantastic 10-6 ATS last year, including the first game of the season when it won outright against New Orleans with a gutsy two-point conversion. Oakland followed that up with a road win at these very Titans two weeks later.
Until they prove me otherwise, I'm sticking with the silver and black.
Scenes from Sin City: Raiders bettors bellow @TheMirageLV sportsbook after 2-point conversion vs Saints. @Covers pic.twitter.com/EaJCwcT7MD
— Patrick Everson (@Covers_Vegas) September 11, 2016
[divider]
Cincinnati -3 versus Baltimore
This line hasn't budged all summer, and I wouldn't be surprised one bit if the Bengals win on a late field goal. Defintely leave this game off your parlay if a tie equals a loss.
I do hope CBS uses this matchup to show you this hilarious clip of Chad Johnson and Ray Lewis from back in the day.
[divider]
Pittsburgh -9 at Cleveland
Similar to the Jets, I'm going to go against the Browns until they prove me wrong.
Also, this news out of Cleveland isn't going to help their chances against the Steelers.
[divider]
Los Angeles Rams -4 versus Indianapolis
These odds flip-flopped dramatically with the news that Andrew Luck is out.
So what do you like better: A Rams offense that was stuck in reverse last season or Colts starting quarterback Scott Tolzien and his career 937 yards passing, 2 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions over three seasons?
[divider]
Green Bay -3 versus Seattle
Green Bay at home. Always.
[divider]
Carolina -6 at San Francisco
Do you like the underachieving Panthers from 2016 or the dumpster fire that was the 49ers last year?
This might sway you: San Francisco was second worse in the league with a 4-11-1 record ATS.
[divider]
Dallas -4 versus New York Giants
Similar to the New England game, this line keeps going up in Dallas' favor. But this is a heated rivalry between division foes who know each other well.
Take the Giants and the points.
[divider]
Minnesota -3.5 versus New Orleans
Revenge of A.P. as the Saints win outright.
[divider]
Denver -3.5 versus Los Angeles Chargers
Phillip Rivers will throw a pair of interceptions to give Denver a late cover, and then rally his troops to a meaningless touchdown that will give you the cover via a three-point loss.