NFL Week 1 Odds: Chiefs Most-Backed to Cover Week 1
88% of wagers placed on the spread market of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans have gone in favor of the Chiefs, the highest percentage across all 16 Week 1 NFL games.
Despite having the second highest spread to cover that week (The Titans are -11 against Jacksonville), there is clearly a huge amount of faith from sports bettors that Andy Reid’s team will get the job done.
The next best-backed team to cover their spread is the 49ers – who need to cover 8 at Arizona – with 81% of bets backing San Francisco compared to 19% for the Cardinals.
By comparison, the closest Week 1 game in terms of betting breakdown is the Las Vegas Raiders at the Carolina Panthers. The line is 1.5 in favor of Carolina, with 48% of bets backing them compared to 52% for Vegas’ newest occupants.
However, the Super Bowl betting breakdown isn’t quite as glowing for Kansas City; despite being the favorites with odds of +650, they are not the most popular pick with bettors.
Baltimore currently holds that accolade, with 18.8% of wagers on the ‘Super Bowl Winner’ market backing the Ravens. The Buccaneers come in second with 16.67%, with the Chiefs next at 12.27%.
Oddschecker spokesperson Pete Watt: “We may still be three months – or perhaps even longer – away from the start of the season but there has still been plenty of activity in the betting markets”
“It isn’t a huge surprise to see the current Super Bowl champions near the top of the list despite having a double-digit spread to cover, especially if gunslinger Patrick Mahomes carries on from where he left off last year.