NFL Schedule Release: 3 Potential Betting Angles to Circle

With the NFL schedule release comes the potential to analyze slates and circle potential opportunities.

Predictions this far in advance can prove somewhat tricky. Between injuries, personnel changes, and new team data, a lot can change in how we perceive some of these matchups.

Below, I’ve outlined three potential betting angles based on situational spots. Rather than predictions, I’m treating these as situational opportunities depending on outcomes.

All are based on NFL odds from BetMGM.

3 Potential NFL Betting Angles from NFL Schedule Release

NFC South: New Orleans Saints May Follow Panthers Script

Last year, the Panthers started 0-2 before going on to win the division title. In Week 1, Carolina fell 26-10 to the Jaguars, who we later learned were quite good.

This year, the same could prove true about Kellen Moore’s Saints team.

I made the case for New Orleans in my NFC South prediction. It’s entirely possible they start the season 0-2 with trips to Detroit and Baltimore.

Incredibly, New Orleans plays three games against teams with at least a 10-win season total. Two come in the first two weeks!

Lackluster performances in those two games could lead to some skepticism about New Orleans. However, it’s not those games I’m using to measure this team.

The Saints face only one divisional game in the first nine weeks of the season. Moore’s team closes the season with four divisional games over the last five contests.

That timeframe includes two straight divisional games in Weeks 17 and 18. Last year, Carolina won the division in spite of a 3-3 divisional record.

Given the way the schedule breaks, I’m circling the Saints as a reevaluation candidate after Week 2.

Ravens vs Chargers: Week 10 MNF

Jesse Minter hosts his former boss in Week 10, with Baltimore owning a massive advantage.

The Ravens play Jacksonville on a short week in Week 9. Baltimore then gets extended rest to play the Chargers on November 16 with nine days between games.

Los Angeles will enter the game with a rest disadvantage. Los Angeles hosts the Texans on November 8, then plays on the 16th.

If that weren’t enough, we saw the Chargers defense struggle to defend the run when they last faced Derrick Henry.

Two seasons ago, Baltimore rushed for 212 yards as a team in a 30-23 win over the Chargers. Henry amassed 140 yards on 24 carries.

I begin the season skeptical about LA’s defense, especially after Minter’s departure. In a perfect world, this matchup could prove advantageous for Baltimore.

Chiefs vs Cardinals & Patriots: Weeks 11 & 15

These games provide an instance where the order of games matters. After Arizona, the Chiefs head out for three straight road games against the Bills, Rams and Bengals.

The three straight road games aren’t as bad as one might think. After a short week for Buffalo, the Chiefs have a week to prepare for Los Angeles and 10 days to prepare for Cincinnati.

But the spot is worth pointing out because Kansas City, as a sizable ATS favorite, could get caught looking ahead against the lowly Cardinals.

Potentially more concerning is how the Chiefs come out of that three-game road trip. They return to Kansas City to face the Patriots, who play on TNF in Week 14.

That gives New England a rest advantage over Kansas City. If the odds price Kansas City as big favorites in both games, ATS consideration should be given to the underdogs.