Patriots QB Tom Brady
(USA Today Sports Images)

The NFL season will be upon us soon and the Westgate LV SuperBook is already thinking football by releasing odds for its Games of the Year. Bettors can wager on select NFL games if they prefer, locking in on the Westgate’s early numbers.

While it’s always fun to break down NFL games and analysis the betting lines in May, gamblers aren’t rushing to the window to wager on these matchups yet. Jay Kornegay, president and general manager of the Westgate, said betting on NFL Games of the Year tends to come in waves but so far, the action is light.

“The action comes in spurts,” said Kornegay. “Sometimes sharps will take some shots but most of the interest comes from recreational players. No games stand out at this time.”

Here is a look at some of the most interesting games for the 2019 NFL season, along with the early betting lines posted at the Westgate.

Week 2

New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams (-2.5)

Do you think Saints fans have this one circled? New Orleans won’t have to wait long to get revenge for last year’s missed pass interference call in the NFC Championship Game that kept the Rams alive. The two teams meet again in Week 2 and you can bet plenty of Saints fans will be making the pilgrimage to Los Angeles for this one. The Rams open as a 2.5-point favorite and that number looks pretty tight, barring one of the two teams surprisingly getting blown out in Week 1.

Cleveland Browns (-2.5) at New York Jets

Last year when these two teams met, Baker Mayfield replaced the injured Tyrod Taylor and led Cleveland to a come-from-behind victory. It was the night the Baker Mayfield era began in Cleveland. Sam Darnold played arguably the worst game of his rookie season versus the Browns, while Mayfield shined. The two quarterbacks meet again this year in New York with the Browns a slight road favorite. Like it or not, Mayfield and Darnold will always be compared to each other. Round two between the two quarterbacks should be another good one.

Read More

Week 3

Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5)

This is a big early game in the AFC. The Chiefs are one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl at 10/1, while the Ravens are a distant 33/1. That could all change if Baltimore pulls the upset in Week 3. The Ravens still have one of the NFL’s top defense and the team added a lot of weapons for second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Chiefs are likely to be without receiver Tyreek Hill, who has been suspended indefinitely. This number looks a little high and I expect it to be closer to -5 by kickoff.

Week 4

Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints (-6.5)

The Cowboys smothered Drew Brees and the Saints’ offense last November, holding New Orleans to a season-low 10 points in Dallas. Can the Cowboys’ defense do it again this year on the road? Oddsmakers don’t think so, making the Saints close to a touchdown favorite. If Dallas can pull the upset, they’ll move into the discussion as a serious Super Bowl favorite in the NFC.

Week 5

Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5)

Not many people are talking about the Colts being in the same class with the Chiefs and Patriots but that could change by Week 5. Indianapolis made big strides last year under Frank Reich and should be even better in 2019. Andrew Luck and and an improving defense makes the Colts a dangerous dog in Kansas City, in a rematch of the Divisional Round game dominated by KC. This number may look a little low to some but if the Colts upset the Chargers in Week 1, they have a good shot to enter this game unbeaten.

Week 8

Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots (-6)

There’s a lot of buzz surrounding the Browns this year. We’ll find out if the Cleveland hype machine is warranted when they face the kings of the AFC on the road. It’s the type of game made for Baker Mayfield. Now all he has to do is outduel Tom Brady in Foxboro. These are two of the three favorites, along with the Chiefs, to reach the Super Bowl out of the AFC this season. If Mayfield and the Browns upset the Patriots on the road, Cleveland’s bandwagon will be overflowing with believers.

Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5)

The total for this game will likely be just under 100. Aaron Rodgers vs. Patrick Mahomes. If that doesn’t get you excited, you have no soul. Which team’s revamped defense will be able to step up and make a few spots? Or one stop. Green Bay is an interesting team with all the changes its made since last year and Rodgers is always dangerous catching points.

Week 11

New England Patriots at Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5)

A rematch of the Super Bowl LI thriller where Nick Foles and the Eagles upset the Patriots. Foles is gone and now it’s Carson Wentz’s team once again. The Eagles will be coming off their bye week for this one after a matchup with the Bears. Both teams are expected to compete for another Super Bowl title, so seeing the Eagles as a small home favorite isn’t surprising.

Week 12

Dallas Cowboys at New England Patriots (-6.5)

Let’s call this the “Ratings Bowl.” Two of the most popular and hated teams in the NFL meet in what is sure to produce playoff-like ratings for FOX. The last time these two teams met in Foxboro, Jason Garrett played it Garrett-like late in the game with a 5-point lead and punted the ball back to Tom Brady. It didn’t end well for him and the ‘Boys. This game will likely be the most-watched regular season game of 2019. The Cowboys’ stout defense will give Brady one of his toughest tests of the year but by Week 12, the Patriots are usually rolling.

Week 14

Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots (-3)

A rematch of last season’s classic AFC Championship Game that the Patriots won on the road in overtime. Kansas City will get another crack at them on Dec. 8 at a time when both should be positioning for playoffs seeding. We know the Patriots will be in top form but could the Chiefs take a step back if Hill doesn’t return? If you like England, grab -3 now. That line isn’t likely to get any lower unless Brady is injured by Week 14.

Week 15

Indianapolis Colts at New Orleans Saints (-4)

Could this be a Super Bowl preview? The Saints and Colts are two of the most well-balanced teams in the NFL. By Week 15, this could be a matchup between two of the favorites to win it all. The Saints will be favored at home but the Colts are listed as dogs in Week 1 vs. the Chargers and two Games of the Year against the Chiefs and Saints. If you’re a big believer in the Colts like me, it’s not a bad idea to take them now getting points before oddsmaker adjust the lines.

Week 16

Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears (-1.5)

Perhaps the most intriguing matchup of the season is when Mahomes and the high-flying Chiefs offense travels to Chicago to take on the Bears and Khalil Mack. Chicago is expected to again have one of the NFL’s top defenses and as the Rams found out last year, it’s not easy rolling up points on Chicago at home late in the season. Can the Bears’ do the same thing this year and shutdown the Chiefs? It will be a can’t-miss chess match.