The worst thing about the NFL is the offseason is too damn long – we’re NFL junkies, who aren’t satisfied with a tease here and there related to free agent signings, or the NFL draft. The seven months between the final gun of the Super Bowl and Opening Kickoff weekend is looooooong. We start looking forward to zone blitzes, enthralling Belichick press conferences, TO meltdowns (wait, it will happen this year), Raider victories (hee…hee, just kidding), around mid-March.
But despite training camps still being a couple of months away, we can get our NFL betting fix right now. NFL Week 1 betting lines have been available for some time now at SPORTSBETTING.COM, as well as the regular prop and futures related to the upcoming season but they have now added NFL Game of the Year betting.
You can get the jump on some key matchups today.
Sept. 14, 2008 - Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings
Adrian Peterson broke his collarbone in, what would be, his final season at Oklahoma, which played a role in why a player with his skills slipped to seventh in the 2007 NFL draft.
The Minnesota Vikings grabbed a gem, as they ended up with the NFL Rookie of the Year who rushed for 1,341 yards and 12 TDs in his first campaign.
It will be the up-and-coming Peterson and his Vikings taking on the tried, tested and true Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning in Week 2. The line is set with the Colts listed as a 4.5-point road faves and with Peterson for the Vikes and the Colts’ arsenal, this matchup should live up to the “Games of the Year” status.
The Colts and Minnesota are in different conferences, so they haven’t faced off more than a handful of times. The Vikes hold the ATS advantage cashing in three out of four contests against Indy, however the last time they met was in 2004.
But the Colts have gone 4-1 ATS the last five times against NFC North opposition.
Oct. 12, 2008 – New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers
This could be a chance at redemption for Chargers superstar RB LaDainian Tomlinson.
Last year when these teams met in the postseason, LT injured his knee and spent the remainder of the game on the bench with his helmet on, prompting a wave of criticism and accusations of pouting.
By all accounts, Tomlinson’s knee is feeling a lot better and he is taking part in minicamp so he should be ready to go.
The Patriots are once again favored, this time by a field goal. New England really has had its way with San Diego as it has gone 7-2 SU and 6-3 ATS in their last nine meetings.
Oct 27, 2008 – Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans
Another Colts game on the list but hey, that’s what happens when you’re one of the league’s elite.
This time around, it will be a QB duel with Indy’s Manning against Tennessee’s Vince Young. The Colts are listed as a 5-point road favorite.
Besides a showcase of premier quarterbacks, the game could also affect the balance of power in the AFC South as both teams could be duking it out for top spot in the division and matchups against divisional rivals are crucial, even in Week 8.
Add to the fact that the game will be in primetime on Monday night and you have the makings of a potential classic.
Don’t be so quick to bet on the Colts though as they have dropped the last four straight matchups against the Titans against the spread.
The new football season looms, in the distance, but it is coming into sight. Remember, patience is a virtue and good things come to those who wait.
You can check out all the NFL Game of the Year lines at SPORTSBETTING.COM
Have a great weekend
