2010 Week 1 Odds: Lions vs. Bears, Panthers vs. Giants

2010 Week 1 odds for the Lions vs. Bears and Panthers vs. Giants were available at BetUS.com (see website here). 

In past years, the Lions were a +12 ½ and +9 ½ underdog, respectively, coming into Chicago.  This time around they have a line of +6 ½, which goes to show how much the oddsmakers believe this team has either improved or perhaps how the Bears are slowly becoming more unraveled. 

With the Carolina Panthers vs. New York Giants we are looking at anything from a Giants -6 to -7 depending on the sportsbooks.  BetUS.com had the Giants at -6.

The betting action on Detroit vs. Chicago was relatively even in regard to the spread, though nearly 75 percent of moneyline gamblers were on the Lions to win outright and pay out $23 for every $10 bet.  The OVER 45.5 had over 85 percent of the total betting action. 

Panthers vs. Giants action was a little more leaning towards New York 60/40 with the spread.  New York was getting 75 percent of the money line action, which would require around a $27 bet to win $10 (that $27 is refunded should New York win outright).  The UNDER 41 had around 70 percent of the totals betting action. 

The Panthers have covered in 3 of its last 4 games against the Giants dating back to 2006.  There will be a revenge factor here since Carolina clobbered New York by a score of 41-9 the last game they played at the very end of last year. 

"We know what happened to us last year when they came in here and we played in the game that meant so much to us," running back Brandon Jacobs said. "We ended up stubbing our toes. We get another opportunity in the same type of situation so guys in the locker room are ready, and just waiting for it to get here."

Some ominous trends against the Giants include being 2-7 ATS in their last 9 vs. NFC, 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games overall and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games.  The Panthers, meanwhile, are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 vs. NFC.

Though the Carolina defense lost six players, including sacks leader Julius Peppers to Chicago, they did managed to amass 19 sacks in four games during the preseason.

As for the Lions vs. Bears matchup, Chicago has won the last four in this series including two exclamation wins in 2009.

The Lions are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NFC North and 1-5-2 ATS in their last 8 road games while the Bears are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 vs. NFC.

Ean Lamb, Gambling911.com