NFL Lines Week 1: Underdogs That Will Cover the Spread on Opening Weekend

There's only one Week 1 matchup in the NFL in which no team is favored to win. That game will pit the Miami Dolphins against the Cleveland Browns in a battle of two AFC teams looking to make some noise in 2013.

But the other 15 matchups scheduled for opening weekend will feature an underdog going up against a favorite.

And while there's a method behind Vegas' madness, the oddsmakers aren't always right.

Below we'll examine the lines for Week 1 and take a closer look at three underdogs that are poised to cover the spread.

*Spread info according to Covers.com. 

Cincinnati Bengals Over Chicago Bears (-3)

The Cincinnati Bengals will open the 2013 season on the road at Chicago on Sunday afternoon in a game that the Bears are favored to win.

But while both teams won 10 games a season ago, this is a Bengals squad that made the postseason in 2012 thanks to several inspired performances away from home en route to finishing 6-2 on the road. No team won more road games than Cincinnati last season, and only four others finished with the same amount as the Bengals. 

Marvin Lewis' team won four straight away games to end the regular season, allowing just 10.5 points per game over that span. 

Also keep in mind that the Bengals will bring a top-10 defense to the Windy City. Cincinnati ranked sixth in fewest yards per game allowed and eighth in fewest points allowed in 2012.

Minnesota Vikings Over Detroit Lions (-5)

One year after sweeping two matchups against the Detroit Lions, the Minnesota Vikings will head to the Motor City as underdogs in Week 1.

This is surprising considering that the Vikings made the postseason at 10-6 last season while the Lions dropped eight straight to finish 4-12 on the year. 

The fact that Minnesota only won three games on the road all of last year certainly has a lot to do with the Vikings being the underdog in this matchup. But it should be noted that Detroit was even worse at Ford Field in 2012, going just 2-6 and losing five straight at home after starting 2-1. 

Therefore, Detroit's home-field advantage can't be considered a huge factor in this game.

And while the Lions will struggle to keep Adrian Peterson under wraps, the Vikings will likely have a much easier time containing superstar wide receiver Calvin Johnson, whom they can double-team throughout in an effort to force Detroit to beat them in other ways.

New York Giants Over Dallas Cowboys (-3.5)

It's no secret that the New York Giants struggled away from MetLife Stadium in 2012, winning just three of eight road games. But Dallas, the favorite in Sunday night's primetime matchup, was just as disappointing at home, going 4-4.

Plus, the Cowboys dropped their one matchup with the Giants in Arlington last season, turning the ball over six times and falling into a 23-point hole early on.

Neither NFC East contender played well defensively a season ago, but offensively, New York was a much more balanced team. While Dallas ranked third in passing yards, it also ranked second-to-last in rushing yards. 

If New York can limit Tony Romo on Sunday night, there's no reason why the Giants can't avenge last year's season-opening defeat to the Cowboys, returning the favor on the road. 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.