NFL Week 1 betting report: Majority of wagers backing Vikings, Broncos
Sunday marks the opening weekend of the 2018 NFL regular season. And with 13 games on tap, Will Bernanke, lead analyst at CG Analytics in Las Vegas, reveals how bettors have been approaching three key matchups leading up to the big day:
San Francisco @ MinnesotaTime: 1:00 E.T.
Open: MIN -4 (point spread) / 47.5 (game total)
Current: MIN -6/45.5
The 49ers surged late last season under quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who carried the team to five straight wins once he took over the starting job. But on Sunday, he'll have his hands full against an elite Minnesota defense.
"Eighty-eight percent of all point-spread money is on the Vikings," said Bernanke, who added that Minnesota had garnered 60 percent of the moneyline betting as of Friday, while 92 percent of all money was on the under.
Houston @ New EnglandTime: 1:00 E.T.
Open: NE -6/50
Current: NE -6/50
The two AFC clubs met in a shootout last year, as the Patriots edged the Texans and rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson, 36-33. Watson is now set for his first game back after missing the second half of last season with a knee injury.
Per Bernanke, New England has attracted 71 percent of the money on the spread while the Texans have received 57 percent of the moneyline.
Seattle @ DenverTime: 4:25 E.T.
Open: DEN -2/42
Current: DEN -3/42
In a rematch of Super Bowl XLVIII, the Seahawks figure to look a whole lot different this time around with a fractured defense and an offensive line that could struggle to protect quarterback Russell Wilson. And speaking of quarterbacks, the Broncos may have finally found one after going through a carousel in recent years, signing Case Keenum to a deal this past offseason.
"Ninety-one percent of all point-spread dollars are on Denver," said Bernanke, who said the Broncos were also getting flooded with 82 percent of the moneyline.
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