Oddsmakers may use formulas, simulations, or other statistics-based programs to help them create these numbers, in addition to personal observations.
Many factors go into creating an opening line. The first numbers bettors see each week come from a professional group of oddsmakers that convene to give each game an opening number. Even football bettors who have bet for several years may have little knowledge of line movement or the origins of weekly NFL odds. There is no simple answer to who makes the point spread, totals and moneylines for each week of NFL action.
