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2021 NFL schedule, odds for Week 1: Buccaneers, Chiefs open as heavy favorites

By Cody Williams

Feb 7, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) taunts Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) taunts Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Now that the 2021 NFL schedule has been released, we also have the initial betting odds for Week 1 that tell us how bookmakers are seeing things early.

While the NFL schedule release is always exciting for fans as they finally get to see when their favorite team’s games will be played and how that shakes out for them, it’s also a big time for other avenues. Specifically, the betting markets really start to heat up when the schedule releases as they can not only start really honing in with win total bets but, also, start looking at Week 1.

Thus, with the 2021 NFL schedule release on Wednesday night, we have the Week 1 slate set and, with some marquee games on the slate, there is a lot to unpack.

So let’s take a look at the odds and point spreads for every Week 1 game in the 2021 NFL season, odds courtesy of WynnBET, and see what stands out among the initial lines.

Odds and lines for Week 1 of the 2021 NFL schedule

  • Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6.5)
  • Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans (-2.5)
  • Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5) at Houston Texans
  • Los Angeles Chargers at Washington Football team (EVEN)
  • Minnesota Vikings (-3) at Cincinnati Bengals
  • Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons (-4)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills (-6.5)
  • San Francisco 49ers (-7.5) at Detroit Lions
  • Seattle Seahawks at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5)
  • New York Jets at Carolina Panthers (-4)
  • Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5)
  • Denver Broncos at New York Giants (EVEN)
  • Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (-2.5)
  • Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints (-1.5)
  • Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams (-7.5)
  • Baltimore Ravens (-5) at Las Vegas Raiders

Two things that stand out are how heavy favorites the two teams that played in the Super Bowl last year, the Buccaneers and Chiefs, are against quality opponents. Yes, the Rams and Bills are big favorites as well but that seems to be in line with the downside of the Bears and Steelers early on. To see the Cowboys and Browns, two possible playoff teams, being heavy underdogs is a bit jarring.

Beyond that, the Packers-Saints line is obviously wonky right now given the uncertainty with Aaron Rodgers for right now. Frankly, anything with Green Bay is a stay-away until there is some sort of clarity. But it’s also intriguing that the Colts and Patriots are favored over the Seahawks and Dolphins, respectively.

Next. 20 NFL bold predictions after the 2021 draft. dark

With more free agency signings and trades to be made and with training camps and preseason games still looming, these odds and lines are sure to move. But it’s always curious to see the initial offerings just to see where oddsmakers stand on these teams entering a new season.

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