The NFL came up with the idea a few years back of kicking off their new season with a big party and opening night game in the city that won the previous seasons Super Bowl. This year that would have meant the Baltimore Ravens starting the season at home.
A scheduling conflict with Major League Baseball, however, put a kink in the NFL’s plans. After the Baltimore Orioles and MLB executives refused to move an Orioles home game, the NFL was forced for the first time to put the defending champ on the road. 메이저사이트
Making matters worse for the Ravens, is the destination of tomorrow’s NFL kickoff. The Ravens went to Denver last year and defeated the Broncos with an improbable last minute drive, setting the tone for their Super Bowl run. Now, the Ravens return to the scene of the crime.
Denver and all of its fans have had an entire off season to stew over the devastating playoff loss, and now the Broncos will get their chance to return the favor. Denver is favored by 7.5 points over the Ravens in the opener. The total for the game is 48, with Peyton Manning back and adding Wes Welker to his already long list of offensive weapons.
For Baltimore, it will be a new-look champions team. Departed are mainstays Ray Lewis and Ed Reed on the defensive side, and wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Ray Rice returns to lead the Ravens offense.
In other week one match-ups, the defending NFC champion 49ers will square off with Green Bay in San Francisco. The 49ers are favored by 4.5, and odds makers are expecting a shootout with a total of 48.5.
The Sunday night game features divisional rivals Dallas and the New York Giants. The Cowboys are three point favorites at home. The total for the game is 48.5. New York is replacing former starting running back Ahmad Bradshaw with David Wilson. The Cowboys return most of their starting offense from last season.