NFL Odds Week 1: 5 Spreads Worth Betting on

The best way to greatly increase your earnings when betting on the game of football is to go against the grain, and come out victorious.

There are several point spreads for Week 1 that are debatable and have a chance of being taken advantage of for those who would rather not put all their hopes into winning the lottery with those cool scratch cards.

Some point spreads are exaggerated, and some give the game to the wrong team entirely.

Here are five spreads worth betting on to kick off the 2011 NFL season.

Good luck, and stay away from that Blackjack table at the casino.

Note: All point spreads from OddsMaker.com.

5. 49ers (-5.5) vs. Seahawks

The San Francisco 49ers not only had a poor offseason, they looked bad in the preseason, as well.

As in, bad enough to be the worst team in the NFC West this year.

They are still going with the same, sad, old Alex Smith story. Just in case he doesn't work out (again), they have three rookies backing him up.

They did improve their secondary with cornerback Carlos Rogers and safety Donte Whitner, but they also lost defensive stalwart Aubrayo Franklin on the interior D-line, and productive linebackers Takeo Spikes and Manny Lawson.

The truth of the matter is, they aren't going anywhere without a better quarterback.

I understand that they are playing at home, but I don't even know if they'll win. If they do, they won't win by more than three points.

4. Texans (-8.5) vs. Colts

There's no doubt that the status of Peyton Manning, who has been declared "out" for Week 1, influenced these odds, but I still don't believe the Houston Texans will win by more than a touchdown against an experienced and talented squad in the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts have always been about the philosophy of people stepping into vacant shoes, and the receiving corps is so good that I find it hard to believe they won't put up some points. Don't forget about their pass rush, too.

So in that respect, I'd pick the Colts, because I don't believe the Texans will win by more than seven points.

3. Chargers (-9) vs. Vikings

The San Diego Chargers have greatly revamped their team this offseason after a disappointing 2010, there's no doubt about that. They've added former San Francisco 49ers linebackers Takeo Spikes and Travis LaBoy. Rookie defensive tackle Corey Liuget moved to defensive end in their 3-4 defensive scheme and could become a very special player.

However, I find it hard to believe they'll win by over a touchdown with Adrian Peterson and new quarterback Donovan McNabb on the other side. McNabb had a down year last season, and I do believe he's declining, but the Vikings' quarterback situation last season was just awful and they still won six games. I expect McNabb to be decent this season and I think that will add up to a more respectable season.

The Vikings will still lose in this one, but not by more than seven points.

2. Broncos (-3) vs. Raiders

The Denver Broncos have a better quarterback situation than people think with Kyle Orton at the helm. He threw 20 touchdowns to nine interceptions last season, and rookie outside linebacker Von Miller figures to be a beast in the NFL. However, I still think the Oakland Raiders are a better team, even with their losses last season.

They still have a solid running game with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, a capable quarterback in Jason Campbell and a decent (albeit Nnamdi Asomugha-less) defense.

The Broncos threw for a good chunk of yards last season, but there is nothing to suggest their running game will improve, which ranked 27th in the NFL last season. They also aren't very good against the pass and the addition of Miller isn't going to greatly help their rush defense, which ranked second-to-last in 2010.

The Raiders should be able to run all over the Broncos in Week 1.

1. Buccaneers (-1) vs. Lions

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers come into their Week 1 matchup with the Detroit Lions having done virtually nothing to help their squad.

While they had a resurgent season in 2010, they lost solid inside linebacker Barrett Ruud, and failed to find a receiver opposite star wideout Mike WIlliams.

But while the Buccaneers have set themselves up for disappointment in 2011 the Lions are the exact opposite. They are one of the most hyped teams in the NFL, and deservedly so.

Not only did the Lions win their last four games in 2010 on the back of an improving defense, they also return promising young quarterback Matthew Stafford from injury while having signed linebacker Stephen Tulloch and cornerback Eric Wright.

There's so much to like about the Lions in 2011, and the Buccaneers have done a good job of going backwards since their impressive 2010 season.

I'm taking the Lions in this one.