What If?

[MidwestHawker]

It's all about getting the money to both sides not about the actual odds of winning so pretty irrelevant.

This isn't really true. Yes the bookmakers are hoping to get close to 50/50 money so that they get a guaranteed profit, but the win percentages across the league reflect a very direct correlation with point spreads. The spreads get governed by the betting market, the biggest money comes in from the professional gamblers, and that market is obviously a lot more objective than any individual fanbase is.

 

[MidwestHawker]

To answer the initial question: I won't be shocked at all. I think we win the game more often than not, but I personally hate that we drew this game as an opener. Panthers are tough and statistically were far superior to their record last year. Their late-season blowout of Atlanta wasn't that shocking for that reason.

It's a difficult first five game stretch to start the year (aside from the cupcake in week three), and I'll be happy to come out of it with a 3-2 record.