NFL preseason Week 1 kicks off with narrow point spreads across the board, featuring tight lines where no game carries a spread higher than 3.5 points, according to Sports Betting Dime.
Analyzing Preseason Point Spreads and Betting Margins
Sportsbooks have posted tight numbers for the opening week of exhibition action. Three matchups share the largest spread on the board at 3.5 points: the Indianapolis Colts visiting the Baltimore Ravens, the Cleveland Browns playing away against the Carolina Panthers, and the Denver Broncos traveling to face the San Francisco 49ers, as reported by Sports Betting Dime.
The Baltimore Ravens spent years as preseason darlings by winning 23 games from 2016 to 2022. However, John Harbaugh’s squad enters this matchup holding just a 2-4 record over the preceding two seasons, positioning them as 3.5-point home underdogs against Indianapolis, per Sports Betting Dime.
Tracking Team Totals and Scoring Expectations
Game totals show a slightly wider range than point spreads, stretching from a low of 32.5 points up to 37.5 points, according to Sports Betting Dime. The lowest total on the docket belongs to the matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions in the Motor City, sitting strictly at 32.5 points with -110 odds each way.
Detroit looks to bounce back after an ugly 34-7 loss in the Hall of Fame Game against the Los Angeles Chargers. In that outing, quarterbacks Kyle Allen and Hendon Hooker combined for just 104 passing yards and zero touchdowns across 20 pass attempts, throwing three interceptions to Chargers defensive backs, as detailed by Sports Betting Dime. While the Lions rested top draft picks like first-round defensive tackle Tyleik Williams in the Hall of Fame Game, they are expected to field a more competitive lineup in Week 1, though starting quarterback Jared Goff is slated to sit.
Pro Tip: Managing Preseason Volatility
Quarterback Battles and Roster Depth
The Cleveland Browns list Joe Flacco as their current QB1 on the depth chart, followed by Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders filling out spots two through four, according to Sports Betting Dime.
Full schedules and updated lines remain available across major operators, including FanDuel Sportsbook, which lists all 16 fixtures for the opening week of exhibition play.
Did You Know?
Frequently Asked Questions
When does NFL preseason Week 1 take place?
Preseason Week 1 runs from Thursday, August 7th, through Sunday, August 10th, featuring all 32 teams in action, as noted by Sports Betting Dime.
What is the largest point spread for preseason Week 1?
The largest point spread is 3.5 points, appearing in three separate games: Colts at Ravens, Browns at Panthers, and Broncos at 49ers, per Sports Betting Dime.
Which game has the lowest total for Week 1?
The Falcons vs. Lions matchup in Detroit holds the lowest total on the board at 32.5 points, according to Sports Betting Dime.
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