2017 NFL Season: Week 1 Betting Recap

2017 NFL Season: Week 1 Betting Recap

Week 1 is in the books. Let’s take a look at how it played out for bettors.

• Favorites and dogs split the overall slate, each going 7-7-1 against the spread. Underdogs getting more than 5 points, however, went 4-2 ATS.
• The under is off to a 10-5 start on the young season. It went 6-1 in divisional matchups, and 4-4 in non-division games.
• Visitors went 8-7 on the moneyline, winning 3.1 units.
• Contrarian bettors had a great start to 2017, as teams getting less than 40% of bets went 7-3 against the spread.
• The Bears were the least popular pick in Week 1, getting just 19% of bets. They ended up covering their 6.5 point spread by a half point.

Most Lopsided #NFL Games Today

81% on #Falcons -6.5 at CHI
79% on #Panthers -4.5 at SF
76% on #Texans -5 vs JAXhttps://t.co/IFVOea3DEi pic.twitter.com/TTVOvPXZy3

— Sports Insights (@SportsInsights) September 10, 2017

• Last night’s late game provided the most exciting game for spread bettors, specifically for those backing the Chargers. LA closed at +3, but were available at +3.5 earlier in the week. Their 4th quarter rally reminded us why we love and hate betting, with a tipped field goal attempt concluding a 24-21 Broncos win, a push for anyone who took the closing line. Hopefully you were able to nab that extra half point for LA.
• Thursday’s season opener in Foxborough gave us the biggest moneyline upset of Week 1, with the Chiefs spoiling New England’s banner-raising night. KC closed at +380 to win outright. The only bigger underdog was Cleveland (+385) against Pittsburgh.
• The Chiefs win also ended the Patriots 19-0 conversation, but don’t worry, now we can talk 18-1. Following the loss, BetOnline listed New England at +1200 to win out the rest of the year (including the Super Bowl), which is in the same range as the Pats’ previous 19-0 odds.
• As we all expected, Alex Smith leads the league in both passing yards and touchdowns. He was listed at +15000 to lead the NFL in yards prior to the season, and if you wanted to take him as the TD leader, that would’ve meant taking the field at +1600.
• Mike Gillislee (3 TDs on Thursday) has a two-touchdown lead in the rushing TD race. He was +1200 the lead the league prior to the season at BetOnline.
• Jared Goff led the Rams to the biggest blowout win of the opening week, a 46-9 victory over the Colts. LA was listed at +2000 to win the NFC West prior to the season, but they’ve improved to +600 following the win.
• There were a few key injuries this past week. The Chiefs lost S Eric Berry (Achilles) for the rest of the season, the Cardinals will be without RB David Johnson (wrist) for the foreseeable future, and the Jaguars’ leading receiver the past two years, Allen Robinson, is done for the year with a torn ACL. Andrew Luck, who missed Week 1 with a shoulder injury, has already been ruled out for Week 2 vs. Arizona.

On David Johnson's injured wrist – a team source says will determine whether he'll miss a "few weeks" or "half the season or more"

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) September 10, 2017

• Things to consider for Week 2: The Patriots are 33-11 ATS following a loss since 2005. In the same spot, Seattle is 25-14 ATS under Pete Carroll. Home dogs off a Week 1 loss are 30-14 ATS in Week 2 since ’05.

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