Can New England Cover A 7-Point Spread In The Opener?

Antonio Brown and the Steelers' strong passing game could create headaches for the New England defence. (Photo credit: bmward_2000 / Foter / CC BY-NC)


After being dragged through the tabloid mud over the past six months with the Deflategate saga and allegations of other cheating, the Patriots seem like the obvious point spread pick in the NFL season opener Thursday.

Not so fast, says a Sports Interaction NFL betting lines analyst.

“There’s a depleted defensive secondary and the most pass-happy Steeler offence in Pittsburgh history,” he said. “People talking about New England taking ‘revenge’ on the league over Deflategate seem to be forgetting that what you want to do and what your depth of talent allows you to do aren’t always the same. It’ll be a hell of a game, though. I’m fairly sure of that.”

New England was a 3-point favourite on the NFL betting lines as recently as last week, but steamed up to 7-point favourites when Tom Brady’s suspension was overturned. The line has stayed at -7 at Sports Interaction ever since.

The over/under has been set at 52.

Packers a popular pick

Sports Interaction has taken the most money this week on the Packers, who opened -5.5 and moved to -6.5 for their game at Chicago.

If you want to bet on Green Bay at Sports Interaction, you better do it quickly. If you think the Bears can keep things close, you might want to wait.

“I would not be surprised at all to see it hit -7,” said the Sports Interaction NFL betting lines analyst. “Everybody knows Green Bay shot themselves in the foot at Seattle in the playoffs and that the Bears aren’t going to be very good this year. That said, Green Bay has been a slow starter in recent years and Jordy Nelson is out for the year. If the Bears hit -7, I’d take it.”

The Sports Interaction NFL betting lines analyst also weighed in on a couple of other popular picks for Week 1 NFL betting.

“We’re seeing a lot of money on two road teams, Miami -3.5 at Washington and Philly -3 at Atlanta,” he said. “I can see the logic behind the first one, but not the second. I like the Falcons there.”