As June approaches, the anticipation for the NFL season builds up. West Virginia sportsbooks have already set the betting lines for all the Week 1 matchups with the release of the 2021 schedule.
The upcoming season commences with the Dallas Cowboys visiting the defending Super Bowl champions, the Tampa Bay Bucs. This highly anticipated game is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 9, where the Bucs will begin as 6.5-point favorites on their home turf.
While the season is still a few months away, it might be a good idea to place your bets now. The odds are likely to change before September, so seize the opportunity to bet on favorable lines.
Naturally, there is an element of increased risk as well. Given the significant prevalence of injuries in football, it is important to avoid investing excessively in a single game that will take place in the future.
Take a glance at the initial NFL odds available at online sportsbooks in West Virginia and identify which opening week matchups should pique your interest.
NFL Week 1 betting at WV sportsbooks
Bucs vs. Cowboys odds
For football enthusiasts, the initial Thursday of a fresh year holds unparalleled excitement. Even if the league were to arrange a lackluster match, it’s undeniable that everyone would tune in.
The 2021 kickoff was fortunate enough to feature two of the most thrilling teams pitted against each other in the NFL.
The Bucs, led by Tom Brady, have managed to keep all 22 starters from their victorious roster in February. Despite Brady’s age, Tampa seems well-positioned to defend their most recent championship.
DraftKings Sportsbook WV states that the Bucs have a spread of -6.5, while the total score for the game is set at 51.5.
The Bucs’ moneyline is available at -315, while the Cowboys’ odds stand at +245, providing options for bettors.
This tilt shares the third-highest total for Week 1.
Despite the Cowboys’ questionable defense, their offense is expected to once again lead the league. This is mainly due to the return of QB Dak Prescott, who suffered a season-ending injury last year.
Given the abundant media coverage and popularity among sportsbooks, it is doubtful that the spread will increase further for Dallas. However, if you manage to secure an adjusted line offering the Cowboys at +7 or higher, you can feel reasonably confident.
In the past two openers, the home team had mixed results. In 2019, the Bears lost to the Packers, while last year, Kansas City emerged victorious against Houston.
Pittsburgh Steelers Week 1 betting
In the Mountain State, football enthusiasts will need to exercise patience until Sunday for their dose of local NFL action. The Pittsburgh Steelers, a beloved team in the area, are set to kick off their season against the Buffalo Bills during the early slate, keeping fans eagerly awaiting the game.
After experiencing a roller-coaster season, the Steelers began with a remarkable 11-0 start, only to conclude the year in the most unfortunate manner.
Pittsburgh’s performance took a downturn towards the end of the regular season, suffering defeats in four out of its last five games. This decline became evident when it was unexpectedly defeated by Cleveland in the Wild Card, resulting in their elimination.
Once again, this season is clouded with uncertainty as the struggling offense retains the majority of its components. The primary concern revolves around the aging quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, and whether he can still effectively fulfill his duties.
Despite the absence of a potential future option at the position, Pittsburgh chose not to pick a quarterback in this year’s draft.
Roethlisberger’s probable destination is the Hall of Fame, but his last season concluded with a concerning record of eight interceptions thrown in the team’s final five games.
Starting off their 2021 season, the Steelers face a challenging away game against Buffalo. Last year, the Bills put up an impressive record of 13-3 and clinched their first division championship in quite some time.
Buffalo emerged victorious with a score of 26-15 when the two sides clashed in December.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook WV, the Steelers are currently listed as underdogs by 6.5 points in their Week 1 game. The Bills’ moneyline is set at -255, whereas the Steelers’ moneyline stands at +210.
FanDuel expects another high-scoring game as it has set the total points for this one at 50.5.
The Steelers could greatly benefit from a win in their opener against the quality Bills team, even though it will require a significant effort. It has the potential to positively impact their upcoming season.
Notable NFL Week 1 odds
Additionally, the first week of the upcoming NFL season offers numerous intriguing matchups.
At 4:25 p.m. EST, the Browns and the Chiefs will reunite in a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s divisional playoff.
Both teams are aiming for a successful postseason and are eager to kick off the season with a strong start.
At William Hill Sportsbook WV, the point spread for the Kansas City team is -6, and their moneyline stands at -260. Bettors have the option to either bet on the Browns receiving the points or to bet on them winning outright, with odds of +220.
Another thrilling game in the late-afternoon time slot unfolds as New Orleans and Green Bay go head-to-head in an epic battle.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Aaron Rodgers’ next team, the Packers continue to possess a strong roster. Should their valuable MVP quarterback lead the team once again, there is no doubt that this squad deserves to be considered as contenders for the Super Bowl.
After the retirement of Drew Brees, the Saints are transitioning to Jameis Winston as their next quarterback, leaving behind their Hall of Fame signal caller.
Just like Green Bay, New Orleans possesses a talented roster and has the potential to create an impact in the NFC.
In Week 1, William Hill designates the Saints as the favored team for their home game. They are giving a -2.5 point spread, while their moneyline is set at -150. On the other hand, Green Bay is the underdog with a +2.5 point spread and a moneyline odds of +130.
Make sure to visit WV sportsbooks to find betting lines for all the remaining NFL games. These odds will encompass a range of game, team, and player props as the season kick-off nears.
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