The NFL season is on the horizon, and we're ranking the top 5 games of the 2024 NFL schedule with the latest odds.
Building the NFL's 272-game schedule is no easy chore. Thankfully, NFL fans and bettors are blessed with a number of scintillating contests as rivalries are renewed, siblings do battle, and legendary quarterbacks return to the field.
5. Houston Texans vs. Dallas Cowboys (Week 11)
"Texas forever six." The Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys will do battle in a rousing contest from Jerry World on Monday Night Football in Week 11.
Dallas have won four of the past five games and covered the spread in three of them. The Cowboys came out on top in the last battle of Texas in December 2022, but a whole lot has changed since then.
Sophomore sensation C.J. Stroud gives Houston a chance in every football game, and the Texans will continue to ascend in 2024. With off-season additions Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon in tow, Houston will field one of the NFL's most dangerous offenses. While Danielle Hunter gives the Texans a formidable defensive front.
When the Cowboys finally convince CeeDee Lamb to end his holdout, they'll quickly realize he is the only game-changing offensive piece on their roster. Dak Prescott's contract remains a sticking point, as does that of all-world pass-rusher Micah Parsons. There's a whole lot going on down in Dallas, and their lack of a running game could be their downfall this season.
The drama, the flair, and the Texas rivalry makes this MNF showdown must-see tv.
Early Lines:
- Spread: Cowboys -3
- Point total: 49
- Moneyline: Dallas -135, Houston +130
4. New York Jets vs. San Francisco 49ers (Week 1)
Aaron Rodgers returns to the field in his home state versus a San Francisco 49ers team who’s given him massive problems throughout his career. Rodgers has thrown for 2,637 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just 4 interceptions in his last 10 games against San Francisco. Unfortunately for the four-time MVP, he’s won just four of those 10 matchups and is 3-5-1 ATS in those contests.
On top of that, the 49ers have won three of the past four games versus the Jets dating back to 2008.
There’s also the Kyle Shanahan-Robert Saleh connection to link these franchises as Shanahan battles his former defensive coordinator. Don't miss this Week 1 Monday Night Football showdown.
Early Lines:
- Spread: 49ers -5.5
- Point total: 44.5
- Moneyline: San Francisco -230, New York Jets +190
3. Baltimore Ravens vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Week 12)
The Harbaugh bowl returns to the NFL in Week 12.
Can Jim get his revenge against his brother John? The Ravens head coach holds a 3-0 all-time record against his brother, and will aim to hold all the bragging rights around the family dinner table in 2024. Baltimore have won four of their past five against the Los Angeles Chargers, and covered the spread in three of those contests.
While Jim's hardnosed, never-say-die attitude will undoubtedly have the Chargers ready to go to war this season, the Ravens are absolutely loaded. This should be a fantastic family affair between two of the best coaches (and quarterbacks) in the NFL. A former NFL signal-caller himself, Jim will need to play quarterback whisperer and get the very best out of Justin Herbert this season for L.A. to compete in a loaded AFC.
Early Lines:
- Spread: Ravens -3
- Point total: 47
- Moneyline: Baltimore -155, Los Angeles Chargers +130
2. Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills (Week 11)
A premier AFC clash sees the Kansas City Chiefs meet up with the Buffalo Bills in Week 11.
What's left to write about perhaps the NFL's greatest modern rivalry? These teams have split the last six matchups 3-3 both SU and ATS.
While the Bills have won two of the past three matchups, Kansas City has won each of the past three playoff meetings. Including the most memorable victory in the famous 2022 Divisional Round.
MAHOMES HAD 13 SECONDS! #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/68g4cJ0sqW
— NFL (@NFL) January 24, 2022
Patrick Mahomes heroics pulled victory from the jaws of defeat after Josh Allen and the Bills surely believed they had won the game. But, Kansas City has struggled against Buffalo in the regular season. The Chiefs will aim to end their three-game regular season losing streak to Buffalo in November.
On the flip side, Allen and the Bills will need to adjust after losing their top two pass-catchers this off-season. While rookie Keon Coleman has potential, and Dalton Kincaid will be a much bigger part of the gameplan in 2024, losing both Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs hurts. Buffalo also lost leaders and starting safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde.
The Bills have a lot to figure out on both sides of the football this season. Thankfully, they'll have 10 weeks to warm up before their marquee matchup with Kansas City. Be sure to check out our computer picks in the leadup for more help handicapping this fascinating showdown.
Date | Winner | Loser | Score |
---|---|---|---|
1/21/2024 | Chiefs | Bills | 27-24 |
12/10/2023 | Bills | Chiefs | 20-17 |
10/16/2022 | Bills | Chiefs | 24-20 |
1/23/2022 | Chiefs | Bills | 42-36 |
10/10/2021 | Bills | Chiefs | 38-20 |
1/24/2021 | Chiefs | Bills | 38-24 |
Early Lines:
- Spread: Bills -1
- Point Total: 48.5 Points
- Moneyline: Bills -110, Chiefs -110
1. Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers (Week 7)
A Super Bowl LVIII rematch highlights Week 7 NFL action as the Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers will be licking their wounds after losing their second Super Bowl in four seasons to the Chiefs in February.
Unfortunately for the Niners, the Chiefs have been their kryptonite this century. Incredibly, Kansas City has won eight of the past 11 matchups against San Francisco while going 9-2 ATS. Patrick Mahomes is a perfect 4-0 both SU and ATS against Kyle Shanahan's squad.
Slowing down a reborn Chiefs offense will be no easy task. General Manager Brett Veach made it a point to add speed to the wide receiver position this off-season and burners Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy do just that. Kansas City's acquisitions point to Andy Reid aiming to increase Mahomes' depth of target in 2024. Might Reid look to resurrect their downfield passing attack this season? That's a scary proposition for the NFL. Plus, their mammoth offensive line and the hard-charging force of Isiah Pacheco make the Chiefs' rushing attack a powerful weapon. It could be a long year for those who believe this dynasty is over.
Mahomes and the Chiefs look like a bargain as underdogs on the early Week 7 lines.
Early Lines:
- Spread: 49ers -1.5
- Point total: 47.5
- Moneyline: San Francisco -118, Kansas City +106
How To Bet On Early NFL Lines:
It’s never too early to bet on these anticipated NFL matchups, with early lines already out many top NFL betting sites.
Find a point spread to wager on and lock in a bet you’ll be happy to cash in a few months. A spread in football is a figure made by odds specialists that reflects the expected margin of victory or defeat for NFL teams.
The “favorite” team would need to cover the set number of points (denoted by a minus sign) and the “underdog” has to win outright or not lose the game by more than the set number. Typically, the point spread for an NFL game would look like this:
Dallas Cowboys -7
Green Bay Packers +7
This means that the Cowboys are favored to beat the Packers by seven points or more.