The 2021 NFL season is finally upon us and along with a fresh schedule arrives many of those familiar feelings football fans know all too well.
The triumphs and tragedies of winning or losing a bet on a last-second field goal, basking in the glory of nailing a longshot underdog, biting your nails in the fourth quarter when you’ve got the under, kicking back and relaxing after hitting an early over, or sweating out the final leg of a parlay.
That’s right. The life of an NFL gambler can be both exhilarating and stressful.
As gambling information and graphics become regular features during professional sports broadcasts, and with single-game sports betting now legal in Canada, a wider audience will be introduced to a popular aspect of football fandom this season.
With that in mind, throughout the 2021 campaign a panel of Sportsnet NFL contributors will preview each week’s slate of games from a gambling perspective by predicting one FAVOURITE, one UNDERDOG, one OVER and one UNDER, while including their personal lock of the week.
Staff writer/host Donnovan Bennett, staff writers Emily Sadler and Mike Johnston, plus fantasy writers Andy McNamara and Matt Marchese will track their records throughout the season as they attempt to beat the odds.
Here are the Week 1 picks…
Donnovan Bennett, staff writer/host
2021 record: 0-0-0
🏈 Jaguars at Texans OVER 44.5
🏈 Jets at Panthers UNDER 45
🏈 Dolphins (+3) at Patriots
🔒 Buccaneers (-8) vs. Cowboys
Tampa Bay is the first reigning champion in more than 40 years to return all 22 starters and are looking to become the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls since the 2003-04 Patriots. The Bucs get a layup to start their campaign. Tom Brady is 5-0 in his career against the Cowboys. The best defensive line in the league going up against a Cowboys team without their best offensive lineman in Zach Martin because he tested positive for COVID-19 means this game could get ugly early.
Emily Sadler, staff writer
2021 record: 0-0-0
🏈 Cardinals at Titans OVER 52
🏈 Jaguars at Texans UNDER 44.5
🏈 Browns (+6) at Chiefs
🔒 Seahawks (-2.5) at Colts
Cleveland kept themselves within a touchdown of Kansas City back in January with a berth in the AFC Championship on the line, and the team has only gotten better since. I see this rematch being another close one — and maybe an early preview of another AFC post-season matchup to come? As for my lock, Indianapolis’ long list of injury questions, combined with some expected hiccups as Carson Wentz settles into his new starting role, makes Seattle a strong bet here.
Mike Johnston, staff writer
2021 record: 0-0-0
🏈 Vikings at Bengals OVER 47.5
🏈 Bears at Rams UNDER 46.5
🏈 Washington (+1) vs. Chargers
🔒 Broncos (-3) at Giants
The Broncos weren’t road favourites at all last season, but I’m buying into the hype surrounding a burgeoning roster led by old-school coach Vic Fangio and a top-end defence. Even with Saquon Barkley back on the field for the Giants, this Broncos D is going to be tough to score on and will force Daniel Jones into costly mistakes. Really excited to see rookie CB Patrick Surtain II get to work. Wouldn’t be surprised if the LAC-WAS line flipped closer to kickoff so I’m happy getting the Football Team as a slight home dog as well.
Andy McNamara, analyst/fantasy sports writer
2021 record: 0-0-0
🏈 Bills (-6.5) vs. Steelers
🏈 Browns (+6) at Chiefs
🏈 Bears at Rams UNDER 46.5
🔒 Cowboys at Buccaneers OVER 51.5
Tampa Bay scored the third-most points-per-game in 2020 at 30.8 even though the offence didn’t fully click until the last quarter of the season. Compare that to the Cowboys who posted an average of 32.8-points over five games before Dak Prescott’s nasty leg injury. That 51.5 number is screaming for bettors to take the over. Both defences are middle of the pack at best, and there’s no reason to think the NFL’s 2021 kickoff main event won’t deliver an offensive spectacle.
Matt Marchese, radio host/producer/fantasy football writer
2021 record: 0-0-0
🏈 Ravens (-4.5) at Raiders
🏈 Cowboys (+8) at Buccaneers
🏈 Browns at Chiefs UNDER 54.5
🔒 Packers at Saints OVER 50 (neutral site game in Jacksonville)
There may be nothing more fun than two gunslingers who feel like they need to prove something going head to head and that’s what we get to see between Aaron Rodgers and Jameis Winston in Week 1. Nine of the last 10 matchups between Green Bay and New Orleans have hit the over and in the one game that didn’t, it didn’t miss by a lot. These two teams will have high-octane offences this season and it all starts with their matchup this weekend.
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you decide to wager on a sports game, remember to always gamble responsibly and within your means.
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