After a long Sunday of NFL games, oddsmakers quickly look ahead to the next slate of games. They determine the next week’s lines based on how a team has performed this season and taking into account how they have played recently. The best part about this is that lines constantly change throughout the week. They go up and down based on where the money is going, and getting a bet in early can be a sage decision. For example, if the Cowboys are +3 point underdogs to start the week against Arizona, they might become the favorite by game time. It’s essential in sports betting to get the best of a number.
Each week, we discuss early lines in the NFL and where you should go to find potential value in these matchups. Let’s take a look:
Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons
Early Line: ATL -3, DET +3
Total: 56.5
The look ahead for this game before play on Sunday was Atlanta -1. They destroyed the Minnesota Vikings, taking them apart and picking off Kirk Cousins three times en route to a 40-23 victory in Minnesota. The Lions, meanwhile, took care of business in Jacksonville by defeating the Jaguars 34-16. It wasn’t an exciting game, but they still won by multiple scores.
The market reacted to this by giving Atlanta a boost, as they were clearly impressed with the Falcon’s victory and might be thinking they could go on a run after firing their head coach and general manager. We feel just the opposite. Neither one of these teams are any good, but the market is really starting to overvalue Atlanta again as they so often do. Granted, Dan Quinn won’t be there to lose as a favorite this time, but the value here lies in Detroit getting the points. At a field goal, you are getting good value here in a game that really could go either way.
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
Early Line: PHI -4, NYG +4
Total: 44.5
The Eagles on the look-ahead were -7.5 coming into Sunday’s action. Now, it’s -4 after the Eagles hung with the Ravens, who many believe to be the best team in the NFL. So this number cuts through the 7 after the Giants just barely beat the Washington Football Team? This line doesn’t make much sense to us. We aren’t entirely sold on Philadelphia putting it together after a horrendous start, but when we saw what they did in the second half against Baltimore, it makes us wonder why this line would move down. Carson Wentz has been running for his life and getting pummeled by opposing defenses, but he keeps showing up and putting up points lately. The Giants can’t score, so we can’t take them as an underdog here. Lay the points now with Philly under a TD, or don’t play the game at all.
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
Early Line: CLE -3.5, CIN +3.5
Total: 51
This game moved a point and a half and didn’t go through any key numbers. The look-ahead had the Browns -5 at the Bengals, and now they are just over an FG as favorites. The Browns got demolished by the Pittsburgh Steelers 38-7 in week 6, with Baker Mayfield throwing two picks, including a pick-6. The Bengals went out to a 21-0 lead against the Indianapolis Colts and blew it, losing 31-27. One of the biggest factors in this game will be the Browns injury report, as several players were either sick or injured going into their contest against Pittsburgh. The Browns defeated Cincy 35-30 earlier this season in Cleveland, so if the injury report is clear, we will lean towards the Browns to bounce back in this spot.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Los Angeles Chargers
Early Line: LAC -7, JAX +7
Total: 49
The Chargers will be coming off a bye week facing a Jacksonville squad that has lost five straight contests and allowed 30+ points in each of them. The Jaguars have made their case as the worst football team, which makes their week 1 victory over Indianapolis that much more puzzling. The look-ahead was Chargers -6, and it’s already up to -7. This is a game that you grab Los Angeles right now, as we can see them getting to double-digit favorites by next Sunday. Justin Herbert has been outstanding for LA, which many didn’t predict, and he has plenty of weapons to annihilate Jacksonville with. You always have to fear the rare Gardner Minshew game where he lights someone up for over 30 points, but we don’t think it will be this one. This is a great number to grab with LA.
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
Early Line: NO -7.5, CAR +7.5
Total: 51
The look-ahead here was Saints -7, now up to -7.5 after Teddy Bridgewater had his worst game of the year against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. New Orleans will be coming off a bye week, taking on a division opponent at home. Wide Receiver Michael Thomas is expected back after an injury, and a fight with a teammate kept him out for the last several weeks. This should make the Saints offense more dynamic and gives Drew Brees his favorite target back. The Panthers are one of the worst defenses in the NFL against the run, so expect Alvin Kamara to have a field day against the Carolina defense. We can see blowout potential with this one, so grab New Orleans here early.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans
Early Line: PIT -1.5, TEN +1.5
Total: 52.5
In what should be the game of the week, 5-0 Pittsburgh travels to Nissan Stadium to take on the 5-0 Titans. Somebody will leave here with their first loss of the season. This game is essentially a pick’em. One interesting thing to look at here is Titans Running Back Derrick Henry against the Steelers vaunted rush defense. Henry has been running rampant, having 212 yards and 2 TDs on the ground last time out against the Houston Texans. The Steelers will be a whole new challenge for Henry, as Pittsburgh has the number one rushing defense in football. The Titan’s defense still seems suspect to us, but every time we have doubted them, they have eaten our cash. This game will be close, so that we would take the points with Tennessee.
Green Bay Packers at Houston Texans
Early Line: GB -3.5, HOU +3.5
Total: 56
Look-ahead for this game was Packers -3, now up to -3.5. The Texans have a hard time stopping anybody, especially on the ground. Aaron Jones should obliterate the Houston run defense that just got smoked by Henry for 212 yards. Let us not forget that just last week, Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was an MVP favorite. One bad performance against Tampa Bay really isn’t indicative of his season so far. We expect Rodgers to come back and have a great performance against a 1-5 Houston squad. Take A-Rod and the Pack while the line is still this low.
Make sure to check out our daily betting articles throughout the week.
