2024 NFL Betting Odds: Biggest Opening Line Moves of Week 1

The 2024 NFL season is unofficially underway after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football. But that was just the tip of the iceberg as we embark on another exciting campaign.

We’re breaking down all the action, highlighting the biggest opening betting line adjustments from week to week.

Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants

Week 1 Opening Line: Vikings +1 | Giants -1
Week 1 Current Line: Vikings -1.5 | Giants +1.5

This Week 1 betting line is a true indictment of how terrible the New York Giants are. After opening as short -1 home favorites for their season-opener against the Minnesota Vikings, the Giants have been bought down to +1.5 underdogs. This movement came after J.J. McCarthy’s injury, implying that bettors favor backup quarterback and first-round bust Sam Darnold and the Vikings’ defense over Daniel Jones at home. 

Without a standout player on either side of the ball, this line foreshadows what’s to come for New York. If they can’t hold as favorites at home against the lowly Minnesota Vikings, there likely won’t be a time in the 2024 NFL season in which they kick off as chalk.

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Dallas Cowboys vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 1 Opening Line: Cowboys -1.5 | Browns +1.5
Week 1 Current Line: Cowboys +2.5 | Browns -2.5

Another line that has crossed the favorite/underdog line, the Dallas Cowboys now enter their non-conference matchup against the Cleveland Browns as +2.5 underdogs. Surely, CeeDee Lamb’s training camp holdout was a factor in the swift odds movement, but bettors aren’t expecting the standout wide receiver to be in game shape when the Cowboys season kicks off on Sunday.

Sportsbooks hung a bogus line, and bettors were quick to take advantage. This line could get steamed even higher before kick-off, leaving some gamblers with a juicy middle opportunity in Week 1.

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Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Week 1 Opening Line: Over/Under 43.5
Week 1 Current Line: Over/ Under 40.5

The market insight for the AFC West showdown between the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers suggests that the offense will be in short supply in Week 1. Short but not short enough, the 43.5 opening total was bought down to 40.5 as we head into the weekend. 

Jim Harbaugh’s defense-first mentality and possession-driven offense do nothing for high-scoring games. Similarly, we saw the Raiders embrace a more tactical approach under Antonio Pierce, a strategy that will serve them well with Gardner Minshew operating the offense. 

The defense will be at the forefront of this divisional matchup, and bettors don’t anticipate many scoring opportunities.

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Tennessee Titans vs. Chicago Bears

Week 1 Opening Line: Titans +5 | Bears -5
Week 1 Current Line: Titans +3.5 | Bears -3.5

A less prominent move, but one that is sitting on a key benchmark, the Chicago Bears have seen a 1.5-point drop in their line against the visiting Tennessee Titans. Now favored by -3.5 in their season-opener, the betting market has settled on Chicago as short home favorites.

Will Levis at moments of brilliance last year but failed to generate wins against top defensive teams. And that’s precisely what he’ll face against a rebuilt Bears defense. Chicago’s secondary looks better than it has in years, leaving no margin for error for Levis. 

Believers in the Bears should waste no time getting on this line. Little value remains if it shifts back to -4 or higher, but as it stands, this remains a very achievable line for Chicago.

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