It’s never too early to talk football. NFL Week 1 — the Thursday night opener — is 84 days away, and the Super Bowl-champion Eagles no longer are home ’dogs. Philadelphia now is favored by 4¹/₂ points over Atlanta at William Hill.
Last January, the bookies here in Nevada incorrectly made the Eagles an underdog hosting Atlanta and Minnesota in the NFC Playoffs. Lessons learned.
But maybe you are looking for a home ’dog? Look no further than the Giants catching 3½ in their opener against Jacksonville. And after you win that, you can invite all your rowdy fans over on Monday night for the Jets’ visit to Detroit, where the Lions are a 6¹/₂-point favorite. You’re on your own with that game.
But the second game that first Monday night features the Rams and the Raiders. It will be Jon Gruden’s return to the sideline, and he’s catching three points as an underdog in Oakland.
He may be gone from the booth, but he’s clearly looking for his “Turkey Hole” with Derek Carr. We may be 12 weeks away, but I can’t wait for the season to start.
NFL Week 1 lines
Thursday, Sept. 6
Favorite Current (O/U) Underdog
EAGLES 4¹/₂ (47) Falcons
Sunday, Sept. 9
Jaguars 3¹/₂ (44) GIANTS
Steelers 6¹/₂ (47) BROWNS
VIKINGS 4¹/₂ (47¹/₂) 49ers
COLTS 2 (47) Bengals
RAVENS 4¹/₂ (42) Bills
SAINTS 7 (51) Buccaneers
PATRIOTS 6¹/₂ (51) Texans
Titans 2¹/₂ (46¹/₂) DOLPHINS
CHARGERS 3 (48) Chiefs
BRONCOS 2 (42) Seahawks
PANTHERS 2¹/₂ (44¹/₂) Cowboys
CARDINALS PK (44¹/₂) Redskins
PACKERS 8¹/₂ (48) Bears
Monday, Sept. 10
LIONS 6¹/₂ (44) Jets
Rams 3 (49 ¹/₂) RAIDERS
Home team in CAPS
