Below, we detail Week 1 historical betting trends, including some very interesting data around divisional matchups. It’s only early September, but Gridiron Gold is already in playoff form. Let’s go! Read on ....

Take a look at Week 0 College Football
This past weekend marks the last Saturday between now and mid-December that we won’t have a major college football game to watch. Mow the lawn. Clean the garage. Change your oil. The games are here.

NFL TOP PERFORMERS WEEK 1

This Week's Top Performers

Kyler Murray* (ARI): 21/32, 289 yds, 4 TD; 1 rush TD

Oddsmakers expect a close game when the Minnesota Vikings (0-0) host the Green Bay Packers (0-0) on Sunday, September 13, 2020 in a matchup between NFC North opponents at U.S. Bank Stadium. Minnesota is favored by 2.5 points. An over/under of 45.5 is set for the game.
Game Info

Game Day: Sunday, September 13, 2020
Game Time: 1:00 PM
TV Channel: FOX
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Stadium: U.S. Bank Stadium

Betting Information
Vikings vs Packers Betting Information Favorite Spread Favorite Spread Odds Underdog Spread Odds Total Over Total Odds Under Total Odds Favorite Moneyline Underdog Moneyline
Vikings -2.5 -110 -110 45.5 -110 -110 -140 120
Vikings Betting Insights

Minnesota went 8-6 against the spread last year.
The Vikings had an ATS record of 5-4 when playing as at least 2.5-point favorites last season.
Minnesota’s games went over the point total in nine out of 14 opportunities last season (64.3%).
The Vikings averaged 5.8 more points last season (25.4) than the Packers allowed (19.6).
When they met or exceeded their scoring average last season, Minnesota was 8-1 and 6-2 against the spread.
When the Green Bay defense allowed 19.6 points or fewer last year, the Packers accumulated an 8-0 overall record and a 5-1 record against the spread.

Packers Betting Insights

Green Bay games went under the point total eight times in 14 opportunities last season.
Green Bay found success against the spread last season, covering in eight out of 14 games.
The Packers record as at least a 2.5-point underdog was a solid 6-5 last season.
The Packers averaged 4.6 more points last season (23.5) than the Vikings allowed (18.9).
In games where Green Bay scored at least 23.5 points last season, they were 6-1 overall and 6-1 against the spread.
Minnesota was 6-1 overall and 4-2 against the spread last season in games where they allowed fewer than 18.9 points.

Total Facts

The Vikings and their opponents combined for 45.5 points — this matchup’s over/under — in eight of 16 outings (50%) last season.
Green Bay played in four games in 2019 (out of 16 total matchups — 25% of chances) where they combined with their opponents to score at least 45.5 points.
The Vikings and the Packers combined to average 3.4 more points per game a season ago than the over/under of 45.5 set for this game.
Opponents of these two teams averaged a combined 38.5 points per game last season, 7.0 less than the point total for this game.
The average over/under the Vikings had set in games last year was 1.1 fewer points than this outing’s point total.
The average over/under in Packers games in 2019 was 2.4 less points than the point total of 45.5 in this outing.

Vikings vs Packers: Last 5 Meetings

Minnesota holds an edge against Green Bay over the past five matchups between these two teams, collecting a 3-2 record in those games. The Packers are 2-0 against the spread in those games against the Vikings. Minnesota outscored Green Bay 95-90 in those five head-to-head matchups.
Vikings vs Packers: Last Five Meetings Date Favorite Home Team Spread Total Favorite Moneyline Underdog Moneyline Total Yards Result
12/23/2019 Vikings Vikings -4 47 -195 +170 383-139 GB 23-10 GB
9/15/2019 Packers Packers -3 43.5 -167 +148 421-335 MIN 21-16 GB
11/25/2018 N/A Vikings N/A N/A N/A N/A 416-254 MIN 24-17 MIN
9/16/2018 N/A Packers N/A N/A N/A N/A 480-351 MIN 29-29 tie
12/23/2017 N/A Packers N/A N/A N/A N/A 239-236 GB 16-0 MIN
Injury Report

Vikings: No Injuries Listed

Packers: No Injuries Listed

NFL Week 1 is here! Check out updated NFL odds and picks for the top overlay and underlay favorites. Also, check out the top dark horse moneyline and top dark horse against the spread picks for the first week in the 2020 season so you can place your bets against their NFL odds!

Week 1 Odds, Picks, Favorites & Dark Horses | 2020 NFL Update

Top NFL Week 1 Odds Favorites to Back

Top Favorite to Back: Kansas City Chiefs -9 ½ versus Houston Texans
9 ½ seems like a ton of points. This season’s Houston Texans squad isn’t close to the one that scored 24 points against the Chiefs in the playoffs last season. Deshaun Watson will be without security blanket, while Houston’s defense is a mess.

Sure, J.J. Watt will play strong like he does every time he steps onto the field. The rest of the front seven won’t protect J.J. from double-teams. If the Texans can’t pressure Mahomes, they won’t stop the Chiefs from scoring points on every drive.

Top Favorite to Stay Away From: Baltimore Ravens -7 ½ versus Cleveland Browns
Nobody knows for sure if Lamar Jackson is one-hundred percent. The 2019 MVP suffered a groin injury. Groin injuries are notorious for taking a long time to heal. Not only that, but the Browns are a much better team this season.

The offense should rock it unless Baker Mayfield simply doesn’t know how to play quarterback in the NFL. The defense could be a top five unit if free agent additions Andrew Sendejo, Karl Joseph, and Sheldon Richardson step it up.

That doesn’t mean Cleveland beats the Ravens. It does mean the Browns should keep this closer than the number.

Top Dark Horse to Back: Arizona Cardinals +255 moneyline vs San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers should be one of the best teams in the NFC. In this game, though, the Niners will find it difficult to stop the Cardinals from scoring at least 28. Arizona’s offense should be on of the top units in the NFL.

On Sep. 8, the Cards signed DeAndre Hopkins to a two-year extension. With a happy Hopkins playing on the opposite side of Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk in the slot, and a backfield that includes Murray, Kenyan Drake, and Chase Edmonds, few teams will stop Arizona from scoring TD after TD.

Expect the offense to hang 28 to 35 onto the 49ers. If that happens, the Desert Birds should be close enough in the fourth quarter to challenge for the straight up win.

Top Dark Horse to Back ATS: New York Giants +6 versus Pittsburgh Steelers
Sure, the G-Men won’t play in front of fans. No worries. The Giants are still a home team giving up 6 points to a squad with a quarterback that hasn’t played in a year. Yes, the Steelers are the better team.

But are they good enough to beat the New York Giants by 7? New York will field an improved offense and improved defense. Don’t be surprised if quarterback Daniel Jones pulls a Carson Wentz in his second season in the NFL. Jones has the tools to make the Giants an 8-8 squad.

When it comes to the Week 1 matchup, Pittsburgh’s defense won’t contain a motivated Saquon Barkley while Jones has a much better offensive line to protect him. The defense is also better than it has been in years. The Giants can make this a field goal game.