The first Sunday of the 2015 NFL season is almost upon us. The only thing that can be guaranteed is that not every game will unfold the way most people think. That’s what makes the NFL so fun and interesting.
Based on odds from Sports Book Review, here are four games that are ripe for upsets in Week 1.
Cleveland Browns (+2.5) at New York Jets
The Browns could have a scary defense this year. Rookie nose tackle Danny Shelton, the 12th overall pick in the draft, looks like the real deal. He made Phil Taylor expendable and could shore up a run defense that was last in the league in 2014. The Browns ranked eighth against the pass last year and were second in the NFL as a team with 21 interceptions. The offense? That’s another story, but the Browns might not need a ton of points to beat the Jets.
Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars (+2.5)
There’s usually at least one team that comes out of nowhere every year in the parity-driven NFL. The Jaguars could be that team this year. Quarterback Blake Bortles and wide receiver Allen Robinson both could make a big second-year leap. It will be interesting to see what Bortles can accomplish if he’s not sacked 55 times. The Jaguars took measures to improve their pass protection. The Panthers, meanwhile, could be offensively challenged without Kelvin Benjamin.
Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills (+2.5)
Bills coach Rex Ryan has called upon Bills fans to be noisy and make life difficult for Andrew Luck when the Colts have the ball. The Bills defense might be able to do that without 12th-man help. The Bills led the NFL with 54 sacks last year and Mario Williams (14.5 sacks) and Jerry Hughes (10 sacks) both return. Marcell Dareus (10 sacks) is suspended for Week 1. The Colts are 33-15 in the regular season since they drafted Andrew Luck, but just 6-5 in September.
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams (+4.5)
The Rams beat the Seahawks at St. Louis last year, and they can do it again this season. Not everyone is jumping for joy over Nick Foles, but he should be an upgrade over Austin Davis and Shaun Hill. The Seahawks gave up Pro Bowl center Max Unger to get Jimmy Graham from the Saints, and their offensive line has been in flux all summer. Their center, Drew Novak, is a converted defensive lineman who has never played center in an NFL game. That line will be put to the test against Pro Bowlers Robert Quinn (40 sacks over the past three seasons) and Aaron Donald (nine sacks as a rookie).