The excitement continues to build with the first full week of NFL preseason football on tap. Many have been waiting for this portion of the schedule to finally arrive and are genuinely thrilled to know that this means and what lies ahead. Five games will dot the schedule for the opening of week one, including the Super Bowl Champions opening in the Motor City to face the Lions and a nationally televised cable contest with New Orleans at Arizona. Also, the team that the Giants conquered, New England, tees it up for the first time at home. Here is pertinent betting information on all five contests.

New York Giants at Detroit

For fans of the New York Giants, basking in the glow of unsuspected Super Bowl XXII win, the season doesn’t need to start any time soon. Those that had the Giants on the money line in that contest should have a nice bankroll to start the season if they saved it. The Giants have concerns, as former defensive starters Michael Strahan, Gibril Wilson, Reggie Torbor and Kawika Mitchell all have either retired or moved on to different teams. Finding suitable replacements is head coach Tom Coughlin’s job, who are listed as three-point underdogs. The G-Men are 5-2 ATS as preseason road underdogs the last five years.

Detroit will be trying to balance up offense with Jim Colletto now the offensive coordinator, replacing Mike Martz. This should save wear and tear on starting quarterback Jon Kitna, but diminish the skills of receivers of Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson. Watch the competition at running back, with rookie Kevin Smith vying for playing time with veterans Tatum Bell and Brian Calhoun. The Lions have failed to cover the spread the last six times they have been favorites.

New Orleans at Arizona

On ESPN at 8 Eastern, the Saints head to the sweltering desert to take on the Cardinals. New Orleans has brought in a few high profile names like Jeremy Shockey and linebacker Jonathan Vilma, to help fill the voids from a disappointing 7-9 campaign. Saints backers are anxious to get first look at rookie defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. Bookmaker.com has New Orleans as 2.5-point dogs with total of 35.5. The Saints are 1-6 ATS in week one contests; however are 16-4 ATS in a road game where the total is between 35.5 and 38 points.

The redo of the Matt Leinart begins in earnest, trying to win over teammates, coaches and fans, proving he is the man to lead Arizona to the playoffs in his third season. Coming off broken collarbone and embarrassing internet photos, this is likely make or break season for Leinart as a starting quarterback in Phoenix. The Cards are 17-10 ATS as favorites, yet 1-4 against the number as recent home faves.

Baltimore at New England

Presumably, Bill Belichick will stay to the conclusion, after last year’s hugely disappointing loss to the Giants in the Super Bowl, spoiling perfect season for the Patriots. New England has suffered significant losses in the secondary and has to rebuild parts of the defense to maintain exceptional run. The Patriots are 21-11 ATS as favorites, including covering last five encounters in opening preseason contest.

A new era begins in Baltimore, with John Harbaugh as the third head coach in franchise history, replacing the jettisoned Brian Billick. Harbaugh’s first major decision is finding out if Kyle Boller is the right person to run new Ravens offense and find suitable replacement for Hall-of-Famer to be Jonathon Ogdon at left tackle. Defensively, though aging, still has cast of productive players. Baltimore is a 3.5-point underdog, with total of 34 and is 8-4 Under when the total is 35 or less.

New York Jets at Cleveland

The Jets tasted success in 2006 and look to go well beyond that after last season’s debacle; while Cleveland seeks to avoid what shot down New York and build back Cleveland football. The addition of Brett Favre adds excitement to the Flyboys, however for Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens, not a red letter day. Pennington will likely be cut as salary cap move. Jets officials and coaches are extremely comfortable the additions they made in the off-season will benefit the club and bringing in Broadway Brett gives them the feeling they can compete with the group from Boston. The Jets are catching three points and are 29-17 ATS when positioned as in the underdog role.

While doubters still wonder about just how good signal caller Derek Anderson really is, the offense has playmakers and defense has been upgraded, especially in the line with Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams coming over from the NFC Central Division. The defense was 27th against the rush and needs to play better to make post-season. Brady Quinn will attempt to show he should be directing this Cleveland club, receiving a good chunk of time in this ballgame. The Browns start 2008 preseason 11-5 ATS, the last four years.

Kansas City at Chicago

The Chicago Bears, 18 months removed from playing in Super Bowl, have fewer answers than Jeopardy on offense, to start August portion of schedule. Who will be the starting quarterback in the Windy City? With Cedric Benson reportedly being Captain Morgan of the high seas, he’s out, with suitable replacement to be determined in the backfield. Where is the quality at wide receiver? Da Bears are three point pick and supporters are well aware of 1-5 ATS record as home favorite.

Kansas City is heading down the path of being one of the youngest teams in the NFL this campaign. As compared to Green Bay and Indianapolis, who have had very youthful rosters the last couple of seasons, the Chiefs lack veteran leadership at key positions and are 2-10 ATS as a road underdog of three points or less.