NFL Schedule 2017: Cowboys, Patriots, Packers Among Early Week 1 Betting Favorites

Tom Brady New England Patriots — New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI in Houston on Feb. 5, 2017. Reuters

The 2017 NFL regular-season schedule was released Thursday, including the opening week slate. Of the 16 games set for Week 1, a few feature two playoff teams from last year and potential Super Bowl LII contenders.

The first game of the entire season is a matchup of the AFC’s top two teams from the 2016 regular season. The New England Patriots will host the Kansas City Chiefs, and the defending champions are one of the biggest Week 1 favorites, according to the early betting odds.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are the biggest favorites in Week 1, even though they open the season on the road. They’ll visit the Cleveland Browns, who haven’t had a winning season since 2007.

Seven divisional matchups are on the Week 1 schedule, including two primetime games. The Dallas Cowboys are significant favorites over the New York Giants on “Sunday Night Football,” and the Los Angeles Chargers visit the Denver Broncos in one of the two games on “Monday Night Football.”

The best game on the schedule might be the contest between the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers. Both teams have made the postseason in each of the last five seasons.

Below is the complete Week 1 schedule for the 2017 NFL season, as well as early point spreads and over/unders, via BetOnline.

Thursday, Sept. 7

Kansas City Chiefs (+7) at New England Patriots, 50

Sunday, Sept. 10

New York Jets (+5.5) at Buffalo Bills, 41.5

Atlanta Falcons (-6) at Chicago Bears, 51

Baltimore Ravens (+1.5) at Cincinnati Bengals, 43.5

Pittsburgh Steelers (-8.5) at Cleveland Browns, 47

Arizona Cardinals (+3) at Detroit Lions, 49

Jacksonville Jaguars (+4) at Houston Texans, 42.5

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2.5) at Miami Dolphins, 47.5

Oakland Raiders (+1) at Tennessee Titans, 52.5