By SPORTSBETTING.COM

 

 

Peyton Manning and the Colts launched the NFL season on Thursday night with a fireworks display, hanging 41 points on the New Orleans Saints. It was close for a half, but Indy cranked it up in the second and the Saints didn’t have an answer, as the Colts easily covered the six point spread.

 

The “Over” was a popular wager on that opening game, with the number moving from 51 up to 52 and beyond before kick-off. Those who got in early might have scored a push, as the game landed on 51, no thanks to New Orleans, who managed a meager 10 points. But most bettors came up just short, watching the final gun go off still needing another couple of points for a winner. 

 

Bettors who took a loss on the total, or side, in the opener have a couple of days to catch their breath, put in a little more research and fire away at Sunday’s full card, as well as the Monday night double-header.

 

Looking at the weekend action, players who are getting their wagers in early at SPORTSBETTING.COM are singling out a four-pack of road favorites to back on kick-off Sunday.

 

 - The Jay Cutler-led Broncos head east to Buffalo as a 3-point (-120) favorite. Bettors clearly either like what they see in Denver, or feel the Bills have too many holes, as they have been heavy on the Bronco side in this one, with 80% of the wagers pegging the visitor.

 

 - The Steelers are another road favorite who’ve captured the bettors’ attention, as they’ve been tagged a 4.5-point (-105) favorite in their matchup with Cleveland. Just like the Broncos-Bills matchup, 80% of the action has come in on Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers.

 

Perhaps the fact the Steelers are 7-0 ATS in their last seven meetings with the Browns is a factor.

 

 - A lot of eyes will be focused on Green Bay this Sunday, as Donovan McNabb is looking to make a statement (“I’m back”) and Brett Favre wants to say something as well (“I can still play”). The early consensus from the betting public is that McNabb’s game will resonate louder. They are a 3-point favorite at hallowed Lambeau Field, and the money keeps pouring in on them, at a rate of 90% over Packer money.

 

The recent trends do support the bettors, as Philly has covered the spread in their last three visits to Green Bay, and boast a 7-1 mark against the spread the last eight times they’ve faced Favre and the Packers.

 

 - Rounding out the four-pack of road favorites is the always popular Patriots. After all the re-tooling on offense (adding Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, Wes Welker), the betting public expects big things from this perennial contender. They are currently receiving 75% of the action being wagered on their tilt with divisional rival New York (Jets). Laying the 6.5 points doesn’t seem to be a worry for bettors.

 

This is another matchup that has solid numbers backing up where the money is flowing, as the Patriots have scored a perfect 8-0 mark against the spread in their previous eight trips to play the Jets.

 

 - On Monday night, there has been balanced action on the Raven-Bengal matchup, but the bettors are loading up on San Francisco tickets in their meeting with the Cardinals as a 3-point home favorite.

 

Enjoy all the action opening weekend.

 

With the NFL regular season finally in full swing, be sure to check out all the lines, free contests and special promos at www.SPORTSBETTING.COM