NFL Week 1 Betting Trends: Jaguars Lead Early List of Most Popular Season-Opening Bets

Did you know that the 2021 NFL Hall of Fame Game is just three weeks away?

I know, the start of the NFL preseason is sneaking up on me as well.

With the subtle reminder that the start of the NFL season is just around the corner, I decided to take a quick peek at Week 1 odds to see if anything had changed since opening back in May.

From an odds movement standpoint, not much jumped.

Meanwhile, the games, and more specifically the teams, attracting the majority of bets is quite interesting.

When it comes to the percentage of spread wagers, it's three teams that will have new starting quarterbacks leading the list of most popular NFL Week 1 bets.

Here's a quick look at which teams are already piling up the ticket counts for Week 1.

NFL Week 1 Betting Trends

Jaguars vs. Texans

The Jags are between 2.5- and 3-point road favorites (with varying juice, of course) against the Texans, and early bettors cannot get enough of Jacksonville in this matchup.

With Urban Meyer, Trevor Lawrence and Tim Tebow (lol) now in Jacksonville, there is not only optimism that the Jaguars can be much more competitive this year, but it's also an opportunity to fade a Houston team that will likely start Tyrod Taylor under center in Week 1.

Eighty-eight percent of bettors are happily laying the points with Jacksonville in this matchup, and I don't expect this one-sided action to let up anytime soon.

Bears vs. Rams

"Matthew Stafford + Sean McVay? Yes, please!" – 80% of NFL bettors.

It doesn't take much to understand why bettors are so bullish on the Rams in Week 1, even as 7-point favorites.

Jets vs. Panthers

When Sam Darnold takes on his former team in Week 1, 78% of bettors expect the new-look Panthers to win by more than four points against the Jets.

With that said, don't be surprised to see this number move based on preseason performances, especially if Jets first-round rookie Zach Wilson looks the part of an NFL starter or if Darnold's turnover woes continue in Carolina.

Check out our NFL public betting page to see betting percentages for every Week 1 matchup.