NFL Week 1 Underdogs to Consider
Scott Morris | September 10, 2016
The NFL regular season has a full Week 1 schedule of games on Sunday and two more on Monday. Here are a few of the underdogs that could have value this weekend
Underdogs to consider this week include San Diego +7, Miami +10.5, and New England +6.
Miami is the biggest dog the NFL board has this week but have the toughest game in front of them facing a Seattle team that is expected to reach the Super Bowl by many NFL pundits.
New England is +200 on many sportbooks in its showdown out west versus Arizona. Even with the starting quarterback job being given to Jimmy Garoppolo in Tom Brady’s absence, New England, due to head coach Bill Belichick must be respected.
However, Arizona is no slouch. The Cardinals are one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl and the defense will give Garoppolo so many looks it will be tough for the inexperienced quarterback to mount any type of offense against them.
New England could shock the majority of football pundits with a straight up win, but odds are big that will not happen.
The best option of the dogs on the list this week is San Diego. The Chargers are currently +240 on many sportbooks and getting 6.5 points against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kansas City could be without Jamaal Charles its top rusher and leading receiver out of the backfield. Many have picked the Chiefs to dominant the AFC West this season, but the team will not be as strong or good as most expect. The spread is far too high between two AFC West rivals, especially this early in the season. The Chargers look like a strong dog that is ready to break its leash and cover.
Philip Rivers the Chargers quarterback knows how important his arm is to the success of the Chargers this season. Keenan Allen a wide out for the Chargers is ready to have his breakout season, while Melvin Gordon will improve upon his rookie season as the Chargers top rusher.
Rivers and San Diego have lost four straight games to the Chiefs. Last year at Arrowhead the game ended 10-3 in favor of the Chiefs with the Chargers covering as 11.5-point dogs.
Not only should the Chargers cover this week, but they could even steal a straight up win in the process.
