Who made the biggest impressions? Five NFL teams going 'up' or 'down' heading into Week 2

Back in May, Cantor Gaming released point spreads for every NFL game this season. The numbers were more of an attention-grabber than anything, with only a small amount of money bet and very little line movement over the rest of the offseason.

But now, using those point spreads and comparing them to the Week 2 numbers currently being offered at BetOnline, we can come up with a rough answer* to the question, “Which NFL teams made the biggest impressions in Week 1?”

*We say “rough answer” because it’s an inexact science—i.e., the changes in point spreads aren’t entirely related to Week 1 performance. Some of it, but not very much, is related to roster changes in the offseason and preseason performance.

Thirteen of the 16 Week 2 games have shifted by at least a full point, and five of those moved by a field goal or more.

GOING UP

Minnesota Vikings | The Vikings were projected to be 2.5-point underdogs at Indianapolis in Week 2, but now they’re 1-point road favorites. Much of that, if not all of it, probably has to do with how great Adrian Peterson looked in a Week 1 victory over Jacksonville coming off ACL surgery. Peterson’s recovery time was freakishly fast, and Minnesota is a different team with him fully healthy.
Dallas Cowboys | The victory on the road against the Giants turned a lot of heads, and now Dallas is a field-goal favorite at Seattle, one of the toughest venues in all of the NFL. Four months ago, the Seahawks were 1.5-point favorites, giving this matchup a 4.5-point swing. Since 2007, Seattle covers the spread 63 percent of the time at home and only 34 percent on the road, the biggest home-road disparity in the NFL. Seatlle looked bad at Arizona, but we’d be hesitant laying the field goal here with America’s Team.
Washington Redskins | This is all RG3. Robert Griffin III was by far the most impressive rookie quarterback in Week 1, throwing for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns in an upset at New Orleans. Meanwhile, the other four rookies went a combined 0-4 and tosses 11 interceptions. The Redskins went from a pick ‘em at St. Louis in Week 2 to currently 3-point favorites.

GOING DOWN

Miami Dolphins | Public perception couldn’t really be much lower for the Dolphins, who were simply outclassed in a 30-10 loss at Houston. Miami went from a 3.5-point favorite to 1.5-point underdog at home against Oakland, which hasn’t even played a game yet. With rookie Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, it could be rough sledding early for the Dolphins.
Detroit Lions | The Lions have gone from +3.5 to currently +6.5 at San Francisco on Sunday Night Football, but that’s probably a combination of the Lions underwhelming and 49ers overwhelming in Week 1. It took a last-minute touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford for Detroit to fend off the lowly Rams at home, 27-23, but they still won despite Stafford’s three interceptions, two of which came inside the red zone (the other was a pick-six). Meanwhile, the Niners won in impressive fashion at Green Bay, resulting in this 3-point swing.

* * *

BEARS AT PACKERS

Early line: Green Bay -7.5
Current line: Green Bay -5

BUCCANEERS AT GIANTS

Early line: New York -9
Current line: New York -7.5

CARDINALS AT PATRIOTS

Early line: New England -13
Current line: New England -14

VIKINGS AT COLTS

Early line: Indianapolis -2.5
Current line: Minnesota -1

SAINTS AT PANTHERS

Early line: New Orleans -2.5
Current line: New Orleans -2.5

CHIEFS AT BILLS

Early line: Buffalo -2.5
Current line: Buffalo -3.5

RAVENS AT EAGLES

Early line: Philadelphia -3.5
Current line: Philadelphia -2

RAIDERS AT DOLPHINS

Early line: Miami -3.5
Current line: Oakland -1.5

BROWNS AT BENGALS

Early line: Cincinnati -7
Current line: Cincinnati -9.5

TEXANS AT JAGUARS

Early line: Houston -5.5
Current line: Houston -7.5

COWBOYS AT SEAHAWKS

Early line: Seattle -1.5
Current line: Dallas -3

REDSKINS AT RAMS

Early line: Pick ‘em
Current line: Washington -3

TITANS AT CHARGERS

Early line: San Diego -6
Current line: San Diego -5.5

JETS AT STEELERS

Early line: Pittsburgh -4.5
Current line: Pittsburgh -6

LIONS AT 49ERS

Early line: San Francisco -3.5
Current line: San Francisco -6.5

BRONCOS AT FALCONS

Early line: Atlanta -2.5
Current line: Atlanta -3

Who made the biggest impressions? Five NFL teams going ‘up’ or ‘down’ heading into Week 2