Cowboys, Browns Highlight Week One

Despite their playoff flameout last year the Dallas Cowboys will likely remain a popular choice for those doing NFL betting this season. However, to pay off for their supporters in Week 1 the ‘Boys are going to have to head up to Ohio and cover a 5.5-point spread.

Tony Romo and company went 13-3 in the regular season in 2007, but they had to watch as the division-rival New York Giants went on to win the Super Bowl. With a beefed-up defense (including recently reinstated cornerback Adam Jones) the Cowboys will be looking to win the NFC East again, but advance through the postseason this time.

And the oddsmakers think Dallas is still one of the teams to beat, as they are road favored on Sunday against a Cleveland Browns team that won 10 games in 2007 (barely missing the postseason in the AFC). Not helping Cleveland’s standing with the linemakers – all the injuries to their key offensive players heading into this campaign.

Still, both quarterback Derek Anderson (concussion) and wide receiver Braylon Edwards (foot) have managed to practice fully this week, and are headed for a ‘probable’ listing on Friday’s official injury report. Running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring) started the week with just limited practices, and he is more of a risk to miss the opener.

The Browns are the biggest home underdog on Sunday, but several other teams aren’t getting a lot of love in their own stadiums as well. The Falcons are 3-point home underdogs at the Georgia Dome against the Lions, with Tennessee getting 3 points at home against Jacksonville, and Miami sitting as 3-point underdogs against the visiting Jets. It’s also Cincinnati at Baltimore (+1.5), as well as Arizona at San Francisco (+2.5).

The only game from that group of five that involves playoff teams from last year is Jacksonville at Tennessee; the Jaguars and Titans both made the postseason last year as Wild Card teams in the AFC. Jacksonville won 11 games last season, Tennessee 10.

All of the other Sunday contests involve home favorites, although the Bills were favored by just a single point over the Seahawks at Ralph Wilson Stadium at press time; that line could swing the other way before kickoff. Seattle is coming off a 10-6 campaign in which they won the NFC West division title. Buffalo went 7-9 during the 2007 season.

The biggest favorites on Sunday? That’d be the Patriots, who are giving 16 points to the visiting Chiefs at Gillette Stadium. New England’s first official injury report of the week had Tom Brady as having participated in a full practice session despite his sore foot. Bettors will likely shy away from that big spread until they get more info on that injury.

The Colts are favored by 9.5 points against Chicago at brand new Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, while the Chargers are giving 9 points to the Panthers at Qualcomm Stadium. Both the Colts (Peyton Manning) and the Chargers (Antonio Gates) had injury concerns last week, but heading into their openers both of those key players are probable to play.