The NFL is back baby! Who cares if its only preseason? America’s favorite sport is here and that means it’s time to bet on third-stringers and players that will be cut in two weeks’ time. The opening game on the first full docket of action will pit the Houston Texans against the Carolina Panthers. Houston is antsy to get a look at new quarterback Deshaun Watson and see how JJ Watt looks in game action after missing all of last season. Meanwhile, Carolina is happy to just be back on the field after a very disappointing 2016 campaign.
This matchup in Week 1 of the preseason will take place on Wednesday, August 9, 2017,
at 7:30 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium on NFL Network.
Week 1 NFL Preseason Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Houston Texans +3
Carolina Panthers -3
Over/Under 36.5
Odds Analysis
Bill O’Brien was 2-2 in each of his first two preseasons as an NFL head coach, before ripping off four wins and covers in the 2016 NFL Preseason. The Texans beat every opponent by at least a touchdown and that’s enough to cover in the meaningless run-up to the season where most games have the home team as a three- to four-point favorite.
Ron Rivera is slightly above average in the preseason in six years as a coach. Rivera is 13-11 ATS and split his four games against the number last season. Carolina played each of its preseason games close and teaser bettors would have went 4-0 with Carolina and an extra six points in each game.
Player to Watch
It has to be Deshaun Watson. The Texans pushed their chips in the middle of the table for the second straight season and went all-in on a quarterback. However, this time there is no mulligan and O’Brien and company know that if Watson doesn’t pan out, it’s likely their jobs.
The stories coming out about Tom Savage playing well in training camp are window dressing. Sure, Savage may be putting together some good performances in camp, but no one legitimately expects him to lead this team to the promised land.
Watson is the complete package on paper. He led the Clemson Tigers to the national championship last season and was a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist. Watson has the arm to make every throw, the legs to scramble and make plays happen, and is a quick learner. The one knock on him was his propensity to throw interceptions during his last season at Clemson, but that was largely due to a running game that could be very ineffective.
We probably won’t see a ton of Watson in this game, but will likely get a quarter or so of work.
Matchup to Watch
Keep an eye on how Carolina’s offensive line handles Houston’s two amazing defensive ends. The Panthers have two big question marks at the tackle positions and this will be a good stress test to see where they are at. Carolina had a below average offensive line last year and have two new starters at the tackle slots.
Michael Oher was released two weeks ago after a failed physical and he was expected to be one of the starters for Carolina. Oher has been dealing with concussion problems and the team felt like it couldn’t guarantee his safety because of them. It’s disappointing news for the former first-round pick and leaves the right tackle spot in murky waters.
Oher’s replacement will likely be either Daryl Williams or rookie Taylor Moton. Williams played in 13 games last season, but didn’t play all that well and Moton is a second-round draft pick out of Western Michigan. These two will battle for the starting spot.
At left tackle, Carolina rolled the dice by signing Matt Kalil to a big contract in free agency. He will be paired with his brother Ryan, the center for the Panthers, for the first time in his pro career and will be counted upon to anchor the line. He has had some ups and downs over the last few seasons though.
Free ATS Pick
One of the most profitable angles in sports betting is teasing underdogs in preseason. Blowouts don’t happen often and most games are within one score. With that in mind, either grab the Texans or put them in a teaser in this game.
Week 1 NFL Preseason Odds: Texans 21, Panthers 17
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