The start of the 2021 NFL regular season is just a few weeks away and now is the time to prepare for all the exciting betting action to come at Bovada Sportsbook. There are a number of major storylines heading into 2021 and the sports betting community can’t wait for the opening slate of games.
One thing’s for sure: you don’t have to wait to get those Week 1 Bovada NFL bets in.
With point spreads and betting odds already live for Week 1 at Bovada, you can place your bets now and lock in your odds weeks before the games take place. This preview will help you get started by taking a closer look at some of the more intriguing betting matchups scheduled for Week 1.
Week 1 NFL Game Previews
Dallas Cowboys (+7) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7)
The NFL season starts off with a bang in this marquee matchup, as the defending champion Bucs host the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football. Tampa is returning most of their roster from last year’s Super Bowl run, including 44-year old Tom Brady, and should be fired up playing in front of their home crowd.
The big question heading into this game is the health of Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, who’s dealing with a shoulder injury. With a seven-point spread and dangerous weapons like CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper and Zeke Elliott, America’s team offers plenty of betting value with their current odds if Dak’s arm is ready to go.
Green Bay Packers (-3) at New Orleans Saints (+3)
Following a long and contentious offseason between QB Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, the two sides have come together for what could be his last season playing for Green Bay. Super Bowl hopes are high in Wisconsin following last year’s run to the NFC Championship game and they’ll be hungry for a road win in Week 1.
It’s the start of a new generation for their opponent, as longtime Saints QB Drew Brees retired in the offseason. Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill have been battling it out in camp for the starting job, however injured WR Michael Thomas is now seeking a trade. With so much going on for the Saints, they may be outmatched in this early NFC showdown.
Arizona Cardinals (+3) at Tennessee Titans (-3)
The Titans play host to the Cardinals in one of the most anticipated betting matchups of Week 1. The Cards are looking to correct the mistakes of last season’s disappointing finish and boast one of the best QB-WR tandems in the league with Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins.
Arizona won’t have it easy playing against the Titans; Tennessee is downright scary on offense with RB Derrick Henry playing alongside WRs A.J. Brown and the newly-acquired Julio Jones. The expectations are high for the Titans this season and it all starts with an impressive victory over the Cardinals in Week 1.
Pittsburgh Steelers (+7) at Buffalo Bills (-7)
The Bills play host to the Steelers in a game that could end up having major implications on the AFC playoff picture. Buffalo is coming off a great season that saw them get just one win away from the Super Bowl. Bills QB Josh Allen and WR Stefon Diggs should go back to terrorizing opposing defenses, but face a tough test going up against Pittsburgh’s vaunted stop unit.
Steelers veteran QB Ben Roethlisberger is back in the black and yellow, playing alongside rookie RB Najee Harris and WR’s Diontae Johnson, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chase Claypool. If Pittsburgh can hold their own on offense, they could prove to be a great bet against the spread this season.
Cleveland Browns (+6) at Kansas City Chiefs (-6)
Currently holding the best odds to win the 2021 Super Bowl, the Chiefs open the season as large betting favorites over the Browns. Patrick Mahomes, Taysom Hill and Travis Kelce are back for Kansas City, and a newly bolstered offensive line could make the Chiefs unstoppable.
The Browns have a formidable O-line of their own, allowing Baker Mayfield to connect with the likes of OBJ and Jarvis Landry or drop the ball off to Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Yet it’s the Browns defense with the major upgrade this offseason as Cleveland added DE Jadeveon Clowney to a defensive line that already includes All-Pro Myles Garrett. With this new look up front, you can expect the Browns to put Kansas City’s new O-line to the test in Week 1.
Miami Dolphins (+3) at New England Patriots (-3)
There are quite a few questions surrounding both teams in this AFC East matchup, as the Dolphins and Patriots square off in Week 1. Miami showed major improvement last season and are hoping to see some progression from second-year QB Tua Tagovailoa. Although new addition Will Fuller will miss this contest due to suspension, Tua will still have WRs DeVante Parker and rookie Jaylen Waddle in the mix.
The Patriots are giving QB Cam Newton one more shot, but rookie Mac Jones is breathing down his neck. New England loaded up at tight end in the offseason by adding Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, but with Hunter already injured and a lack of proven receivers on the roster, it may be tough for the Pats to move the ball in this one.
Chicago Bears (+7) at Los Angeles Rams (-7)
Two of the best defenses in the NFL face off in Week 1 with the Rams hosting the Bears at SoFi Stadium, home of this year’s Super Bowl. Both teams will feature new quarterbacks as Andy Dalton and Matthew Stafford make their debuts for the Bears and Rams, respectively. While Dalton is looking to hold off rookie QB Justin Fields, Stafford has his hopes set on playing a home game in this year’s Super Bowl. Both players have the support of an excellent defense, but with so many great weapons on offense don’t be surprised if the Rams cover a big number on the NFL odds Bovada has posted now.
*Odds as of August 20, 2021.
