| NFL Week 1 trends |
The NFL regular season kicks off Thursday night, Sept. 8 when New England begins defense of its Super Bowl crown at home versus Oakland. Since it's never too early to start handicapping pro football, I've taken the opportunity to ferret out some significant trends and angles for Week 1.
RAIDERS at PATRIOTS
Oakland has come up short in 15 of its last 22 as underdogs. Conversely, New England has cashed 15 of its last 19 at Foxboro.
BRONCOS at DOLPHINS
Miami has fallen flat in 13 of its last 16 against the spread at home.
BENGALS at BROWNS
Cincinnati has won and cashed three of its last four at Cleveland. The Browns have dropped 16 of their last 25 as underdogs. The Bengals have been on the low side in seven straight as road favorites against division opposition.
TEXANS at BILLS
Buffalo finished 2005 on a high note in the total department, jumping 'over' in seven straight games and in nine of its last 10.
TITANS at STEELERS
Tennessee has dipped 'under' in seven of its last eight road openers. However, Pittsburgh has zipped 'over' in 15 of its last 24 at Heinz Field.
BEARS at SKINS
Washington has floundered in 20 of its last 29 as favorites and in 13 of 20 as home chalk. The Redskins finished on the low side in 12 of 16 last season, dipping 'under' in seven of their last nine. They have also stayed 'under' in eight of 10 against once-a-year opponents.
SAINTS at PANTHERS
New Orleans has cashed 10 of 14 as road dogs and 11 of 15 on road grass. The Saints have also clicked in seven straight as underdogs on road grass versus division foes. Carolina has slipped in 11 of its last 15 as home favorites. The Panthers have lost two of their last three versus the Saints (0-3 ATS). The 'under' is 6-0 when Carolina was favored at home versus a division rival. They have also been on the low side in eight of their last nine season openers.
BUCCS at VIKINGS
Tampa Bay has flunked 12 of its last 16 road tests ATS and has dropped six of its last seven as road dogs. Minnesota has been no bargain when favored, failing in 24 of 36. The Vikings have won four straight and cashed at a 3-0-1 clip versus the Bucs at the Metrodome.
SEAHAWKS at JAGUARS
Jacksonville has cashed its last six season openers. The Jaguars have also won six straight at home versus NFC competition (5-1 ATS). Seattle has eclipsed the total in 11 of its last 16 on grass. Jacksonville has headed in the opposite direction in seven of eight at home versus teams from the NFC-West.
JETS at CHIEFS
Kansas City disappointed its supporters in eight of 10 games last season as a favorite. The New York Jets have topped the total in six of their last eight season openers. The Chiefs have been on the high side in 16 of their last 25 at home. However, it's worth noting the Jets have slipped 'under' in 16 of 26 on road grass.
CARDS at GIANTS
Arizona has cashed three straight at the Meadowlands and six of its last seven versus the New York Giants, overall. The last four series confrontations in New Jersey have been on the low side.
RAMS at 49ERS
St. Louis failed to cash 18 of its last 25 on grass. The club has posted a 3-12 mark as a road favorite.
PACKERS at LIONS
Detroit had cashed seven straight at home versus Green Bay until coming up short last season. The Lions are 8-19 as favorites and just 8-14 ATS as home chalk. The Packers have 'covered' 10 of their last 15 as road dogs, but they have come up short in 19 of their last 28 on artificial turf. Detroit has dipped 'under' in nine of its last dozen versus division foes. Four of the last five series skirmishes with the Packers at Ford Field have been on the high side.
COWBOYS at CHARGERS
San Diego has 'covered' nine of its last 12 versus NFC foes while Dallas has fallen flat in five of seven versus the AFC against the number. The Cowboys have ducked 'under' in six of their last seven away tests versus the AFC.
COLTS at RAVENS
Indianapolis has zipped 'over' in 56 of 81 versus teams it faces once a year. The Colts have also been on the high side in 16 of 24 outside their division. Baltimore is just 2-4 in its last six chances as home dogs.
EAGLES at FALCONS
Philadelphia has prospered on Monday's, getting the cheese in eight of its last 10. Atlanta hasn't had as much luck, slipping in eight straight at home ATS under the Monday night-lights. The Eagles have gone 'under' in 10 of 13 Monday tests and in eight of their last 11 on road artificial turf. The Falcons have taken the low road in 21 of their last 33 at home.