Broncos, Niners, Seahawks, Saints All Open as Double Digit Favorites
Good morning TSZ Community. It's Monday again, and as we approach the midpoint of the season, teams and lines are starting to make a little more sense - I think. As always, we borrow the following lines and comments from our good friends/complete strangers at Linemakers.sportingnews.com. If you haven't checked them out, they're pretty cool with games stats and what-not, too. Thank you, Linemakers.
Panthers (-6.5) at Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have failed to cover in four consecutive games. Meanwhile, the Panthers have won and covered in two straight games. Carolina opened as a seven-point favorite, but there's been some play on the underdog.
49ers (-16.5) vs. Jaguars (London)
This game opened at San Francisco -15.5 — and it has gone up a point. The Jaguars have lost all six games by double-digits and have covered just once. The 49ers, by contrast, are on four-game straight-up and against the spread winning streaks. This is the second and final NFL game to be played in London in 2013.
Browns at Chiefs (-7)
The Browns are 0-4 straight-up and against the number in Brandon Weeden's starts. The unbeaten Chiefs are 5-2 against the spread but failed to cover in a 17-16 win vs. Houston on Sunday.
Dolphins at Patriots (-6.5)
Neither club has covered against a divisional opponent this season, with New England 0-3 vs. the spread against the AFC East and Miami 0-1 vs. the number. The Patriots' division lead is down to one game after a 30-27 loss at the Jets on Sunday. The Dolphins, meanwhile, have faltered after a fast start. They are in the midst of three-game straight-up and against the spread losing streaks.
Bills at Saints (-12.5)
New Orleans has won and covered in all three games at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Buffalo (+6) upset host Miami on Sunday for its first straight-up and point spread win on the road in 2013. The Bills' defense was sharp in the second half, allowing just 84 yards. Now, Buffalo must build upon that against powerful New Orleans.
Cowboys at Lions (-3)
The Cowboys' defense came up big in their Week 7 victory at Philadelphia, holding the Eagles without a touchdown. But can Dallas muster another strong effort against a formidable opponent? Detroit converted 13-of-19 third downs against a very good Cincinnati defense in Week 7. Also, Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson hauled in nine passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns.
Giants at Eagles (no line)
The game is currently off the board with the statuses of Eagles quarterbacks Michael Vick (hamstring) and Nick Foles (head) unclear for Week 8. Rookie quarterback Matt Barkley threw three interceptions in relief of Foles in Sunday's loss to Dallas.
Steelers (-3 EVEN) at Raiders
These teams met a season ago, with the Raiders upsetting the Steelers in Oakland. The Raiders, who had their bye in Week 7, are 4-2 against the number in 2013. The Steelers have won and covered in two straight after starting 0-4 straight-up and against the spread. The SuperBook has adjusted the vigorish on this game, which suggests there may have been some play on the underdog.
Jets at Bengals (-6.5)
The Bengals are looking to add to perfect straight-up and spread marks at Paul Brown Stadium in their fourth home game of the season. The Jets upset nemesis New England on Sunday but must quickly refocus as they prepare for a tough opponent. Of note: the Jets are 3-0 straight-up and against the spread vs. the Bengals in Rex Ryan's tenure.
Falcons at Cardinals (-2.5)
The Cardinals looked overmatched in a Thursday-night loss to Seattle. Can they rebound against banged-up Atlanta? The Falcons are 0-2 against the number on the road this season, but they were able to win and cover at home against hapless Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Redskins at Broncos (-13.5)
The Broncos return home after a pressure- and emotion-packed game in Indianapolis. Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III has rushed for a combined 161 yards in the first two games back from the bye. The question is can Washington's defense offer some resistance against Denver?
David Steele: Peyton Manning takes back seat | Patriots choke
Packers (-6) at Vikings
Can the Vikings rally behind new starting quarterback Josh Freeman? And how many more injuries can the Packers take? The Packers lost tight end Jermichael Finley to a neck injury in Sunday's win vs. Cleveland, another potential blow to the passing game. That said, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrived even with a thinned out pass-catching corps. Also, Green Bay's defense has thrived during the club's three-game winning streak, too.
Seahawks (-10.5) at Rams
This line has gone up a half-point since it was posted Sunday evening. Rams quarterback Sam Bradford departed Sunday's loss to Carolina with a knee injury, which means Kellen Clemens could get the call against Seattle — and perhaps for an extended stretch thereafter. The Seahawks got back to their covering ways at Arizona on Thursday night, easily handling their division rival.
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