After three consecutive weeks of terrific Thursday night games, the NFL schedule makers may have tossed in their first dud when the Denver Broncos travel to Phoenix to take on the Arizona Cardinals to kick off Week 7. While it might not look that interesting on paper, when the NFL odds were first released back in May, the Broncos were just a 1.5-point favorite.
The rest of the NFL betting week should present a little more interest. While TNF might be skip-able, the Kyle Shanahan vs Sean McVay rematch on Sunday Night Football should be must see TV. The last time the Los Angeles Rams played the San Francisco 49ers, the Rams rested their starters in the final game of the regular season and were dominated by the streaking Niners. It’s something that has stuck with McVay all offseason. While he was clearly “joking,” McVay has vowed nothing like that will ever happen again. The Rams opened as a 1-point favorite.
We have no complaints about our Monday Night Football slate this week. If the Giants do have a bounce-back season under first year head coach Pat Shurmur, this will be a real test not only for them, but for the Atlanta Falcons. New York is a 6-point dog, but when it comes to NFL odds, Eli Manning has a way of consistently screwing up plenty of betting slips.
NFL Week 7 Betting Odds
Thursday Night Football Odds (Oct. 18)
Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals
Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. EST
Broadcast: FOX, NFL Network, Amazon Prime Video
Opening Line: Broncos -1.5, Total 40
I say this game doesn’t seem to have the appeal of the previous weeks’ TNF matchups, but that could all change by kickoff. The Broncos could very well be on their way to a playoff season if quarterback Case Keenum performs like he did in Minnesota last season. As much as people want to write about Josh Rosen and Arizona, he can’t beat out Sam Bradford in camp or take over in the regular season based on performance. Bradford will have to get hurt for Rosen to see the field. And, since it’s Bradford, that could happen at any moment.
I like the Cardinals more than most this season and think they’ll hang around all year, at least threatening for a playoff spot. Denver is on the road and while this should be a -1.5 line right now, it might push to -3 by game time. If you like to get your NFL betting done early, I’d go ahead and look at this one if you like the Broncos.
Sunday, Oct. 21
Tennessee Titans at Los Angeles Chargers
Kickoff: 9:30 a.m. EST
Broadcast: FOX
Opening Line: Chargers -6.5, Total 45
New England Patriots at Chicago Bears
Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcast: CBS
Opening Line: Patriots -2.5
Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts
Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcast: CBS
Opening Line: Colts -6.5
Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs
Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcast: CBS
Opening Line: Chiefs -6
Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins
Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcast: FOX
Opening Line: OFF
Minnesota Vikings at New York Jets
Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcast: FOX
Opening Line: Vikings -3
Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles
Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcast: FOX
Opening Line: Eagles -3.5
Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcast: FOX
Opening Line: Buccaneers -3
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcast: CBS
Opening Line: Jaguars -4.5
New Orleans at Baltimore Ravens
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m. EST
Broadcast: FOX
Opening Line: Ravens -2.5
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins
Kickoff: 4:25 p.m. EST
Broadcast: CBS
Opening Line: Redskins -2
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers
Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. EST
Broadcast: NBC
Opening Line: Rams -10.5
Monday Night Football Odds (Oct. 22)
New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. EST
Broadcast: ESPN
Opening Line: Falcons -5.5