Week 1 NFL Odds

Football is officially back, baby and it’s time to break down the Week 1 NFL Odds!

Rob Dauster is here to break down the season-opener between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans. BetRivers.com has a wide variety of NFL odds, futures and player props as well as weekly lines throughout the entire 2020 NFL season.

We kick things off tonight with the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs facing off with the Houston Texans in a battle of quarterbacks who absolutely got paid this offseason. There will be nearly $1 billion worth of quarterbacks on the field on Thursday night. Think about that.

Week 1 NFL Odds: KANSAS CITY vs. HOUSTON

  • LINE: Kansas City (-9.5)
  • TOTAL: 54
  • IMPLIED SCORE: Kansas City 31.75, Houston 22.25

On Tuesday, we discussed how appealing the Chiefs (-9.5) were sitting in a prime position to be involved in a teaser, and while I still like them, it makes a little less sense now that the line has jumped from (-8.5) to (-9.5). I would still lean toward the Chiefs at that number, but it is less appealing to tease — you can’t get through both 3 and 7 anymore. We’re still several hours from kickoff, but 61 percent of all spread bets are backing the Chiefs.

But what is more appealing to me here is the total. We all know that the Chiefs are going to score.

A lot.

It’s what they do.

But traditionally they have been a better defensive team at home than on the road because of the fact that Arrowhead Stadium is absolutely bonkers. There won’t be the kind of home-field advantage in Kansas City on Thursday night that we are used to seeing, which means that Deshaun Watson — who, per sources, is awesome — won’t have to deal with all of that noise.

Even with Brandin Cooks banged up, and even without Deandre Hopkins, I expect the Texans to score some points. Right now, at Bet Rivers, you can get the Chiefs moneyline parlayed with the over at (+128). That’s appealing.

MORE: Week 1 Sunday NFL Lines

Week 1 NFL Odds: PROP ME UP! 

Patrick Mahomes over 2.5 touchdowns (+102): He’s the best quarterback in the NFL in a game where his team total implies four touchdowns are scored, and we can double our money if he throws for three tuddies? Let’s go!

David Johnson under 50.5 yards (-110): DFJ has always been a better receiver than a pure runner, and playing in an environment where the Texans are likely going to be chasing the game, I don’t think he’ll get a ton of work on the ground.

David Johnson over 2.5 catches (-148) and 23.5 yards (-124): I do, however, expect him to get some work in the passing game, especially with Brandin Cooks questionable and likely limited for this game.