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Opening Line Report – Week 9

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
8 minute read
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We're halfway through the National Football League regular season, and it seems like only yesterday that we were just starting out. All of a sudden there is a chill in the air, the leaves have changed colors in the northern tier and the calendar is about to flip to November. We're also seeing divisional teams start to play each other for the second time this season.

In Week 9, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens will meet in Charm City, and the Steelers are seeking revenge after a 26-14 setback on their home field earlier in the season on a Sunday night. The New York Jets and Miami Dolphins are meetings under the same circumstances, as the Dolphins picked up a win in New Jersey earlier this season.

This week's most anticipated games will be later Sunday afternoon and on Sunday evening. The Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints meet in a possible playoff preview down on the Bayou, while the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots hook up in a battle of two potential first-ballot Hall of Fame signal callers in Foxboro.    

(Consensus Odds as of Tuesday)

Thursday, Nov. 1

Oakland Raiders at San Francisco 49ers (-3, 46.5)

There has been very little movement so far on this game. The game did open at 3 1/2 at a few shops like Jerry
s Nugget, Stations and Stratosphere, but they're in line with most every other shop at a flat three as of Tuesday morning. The Raiders have a lot of uncertainty on offense, the 49ers folded late on the road against the Cardinals, and personnel could change at the 4:00 p.m. ET trade deadline on Tuesday, too, which might impact the line slightly.

Sunday, Nov. 4

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-5.5, 50.5)

Speaking of the trade deadline, the Lions might be sellers of WR Golden Tate, although reports say they'd need to be bowled over. The Vikings might be looking to add personnel, so we'll see what happens there.

Most shops opened this game on the 5 1/2 line, although if you really love the Vikings you need to run, not walk, to Treasure Island, as they opened the Vikings at just -4 1/2. There movement on the line has been from an open of 51 down slightly to 50 1/2 across the board, althoug the Wynn still offered the game at 51 at last check. 

Kansas City Chiefs (-8.5, 51.5) at Cleveland Browns

Oh those crazy Cleveland Browns. They should be super prepared for the Kansas City Chiefs with an interim head coach and a new offensive coordinator, right? Oct. 29 was Black Monday in 'The Land', as head coach Hue Jackson and dueling offensive coordinator Todd Haley were each shown the door in favor of Gregg Williams, who will stick as the defensive coordinator, too. Freddie Kitchens moves into an OC role for now.

Jerry's Nugget opened this game at -8, it slid to -7 1/2 at one point, and is now back up to -8. The Strat opened at -7 1/2 and it was quickly bet up to -8 1/2. It wouldn't be surprising in the least to see this game peak at double digits before all is said and done. global, [...] is holding steady at -9 if you love the Browns and want more points, while [...] sits at -8. This will be one of the more interesting game lines to watch all week. 

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-3, 47)

All shops offered this up at -3 with the lone exception being TI, which opened the game at -2 1/2. That was quickly bet up to 3, getting in line with everyone else. While the Steelers are 1-6-1 ATS in the past eight in this series, the road team is 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings, and the underdog is 6-1-1 ATS in the past eight. Total bettors might start jumping on the 47, too, perhaps driving that down. Last time they met, the teams combined for just 40 points, and the under is 4-0 in the past four meetings in Charm City.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers (-7, 54)

The Buccaneers made a switch at QB, going from Jameis Winston to Ryan Fitzpatrick, but Vegas isn't buying Fitz-magic. The line opened at -6 1/2 at most shops and quickly went to a flat 7. Southpoint and Strat opened the game at -6, and you can still get it at less than a touchdown. 

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-3, 45)

This line hasn't moved one iota, opening at -3 and staying at -3 throughout the day on Monday. There was some movement on the line, going from 46 to 45 1/2 at Caesars/Harrah's, but Round 2 of this AFC East rivalry hasn't generated a lot of interest as of yet. 

Atlanta Falcons at Washington Redskins (-1.5, 47.5)

This line has had a lot of movement during the early going. Caesar's opened at Washington -1 1/2, it slipped to a pick 'em, and now the Redskins are back listed at -1. Most everyone is offering at -1 1/2, and even the Strat, which had the 'Skins at -2 1/2 is down a full point to where everyone else is at the moment. The same holds true with Westgate Superbook, which is down a full point from -2 1/2 to -1 1/2, which the total went down slightly from 48 to 47 1/2, too. 
Chicago Bears at Buffalo Bills (OFF)
 
The books are still dealing with the dumpster fire that is Buffalo's offense. Derek Anderson left the game late with an arm injury, Josh Allen remains sidelined and Nathan Peterman could be thrust into action. There is also the uncertainty of whether Khalil Mack can play for Chicago in the city he played his college ball. Stay tuned.

Houston Texans at Denver Broncos (-2.5, 46)

The Texans are on a roll, winners of five in a row to get to the top of the AFC South. So they're underdogs to the skidding Broncos. Hmm. This game could see personnel changes on offense for the Broncos, as WR Demaryius Thomas can reportedly be had. Watch that closely. Westgate opened this one as a pick 'em and the bread came flowing in on the home team, as now Denver is favored by -2 1/2.

Los Angeles Chargers at Seattle Seahawks (-1.5, 48)

It seems the Seahawks have been flying under the radar and now they're starting to fly high. A big road win in Detroit, 28-14, has them on a roll, although well behind the first-place Rams. Bettors seem to like the Bolts, though, especially coming off a bye. Mirage-MGM opened the game at -1 1/2, and it's down to Seattle -1.  Westgate opened at -2 1/2, and it fell all the way to a pick 'em in a matter of a few hours, but going back up to -1 1/2. This is another line to watch with plenty of movement.

Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints (-1, 60)

Back on Oct. 29, 2000, the then St. Louis Rams traveled to San Francisco with a line that closed at 61 1/2. That was the highest-ever during the regular season. NFL lines rarely go over 60. Vegas is expecting quite a bit of fireworks under the dome on Sunday afternoon, eh?

The under is 4-1 in the past five for the Saints on field turf, including last week in Minnesota. However, the over is 18-7-1 in the past 26 at home for the Saints, and the over is 4-1 in the past five meetings in NOLA between these two sides.

Going back to that 2000 game, the total amount of points scored that afternoon was 58, slightly under the close.

Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots (-6.5, 57.5)

The line has been holding steady at Patriots -6 1/2 across the board, not that many bettors could feel terribly confident with the offense they saw in Buffalo on Monday night. New England was atrocious, and their leading rusher was WR Cordarrelle Patterson. Changes could be made, though, as again...trade deadline. The Pats are also known to have a plan up their sleeve.

Monday, Nov. 5

Tennessee Titans at Dallas Cowboys (-6.5, 41)

The Titans will be the first team to try and slow down WR Amari Cooper in a Cowboys uniform. Both teams come off a bye, and they have the luxury of an extra day of rest, too, with the game being played on Monday.

CG Technology had Dallas listed at -4 1/2 to open, quickly moving to -6. The Strat also opened at -4 1/2, and quickly rose to -6 1/2 in less than 24 hours. Westgate went all the way from -4 to -6 1/2 in about 19 hours. Early bettors are feeling the Cowboys in their Jerry World on Monday night. Meanwhile, the total has tumbled from 42 1/2 to 41 at [...] global.



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