In Week 1, every NFL team had a plan and much of which revolved around the quarterback. But 2023 has been a strange animal, and players not expected to be starters have become them at an alarming rate.
Nine weeks into the 2023 season, the list of starting quarterbacks includes Joshua Dobbs, Clayton Tune, Taylor Heinicke, Andy Dalton, Tyson Bagent, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, PJ Walker, Brett Rypien, Brian Hoyer, Aidan O’Connell, Jaren Hall, Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito. This list doesn’t include four highly touted rookies, who have started part of all of the season, or Jordan Love, who was handed the starting job after the Green Bay Packers traded Aaron Rodgers.
We’re only halfway through the season and the carnage at QB has been pronounced.
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Carolina Panthers (+145) at Chicago Bears (-175)
These teams have combined for just three wins, which is why the Bears are small home favorites (2.5 points at -115 Panthers, -105 Bears). Carolina has been competitive at home but has been crushed on the road, losing by 14, 10, 18 and 21 points. It won’t be a blowout, but the Bears should have enough to cover vs. an injury-ravaged defense. Take the Bears and lay 2.5 points (-105).
Indianapolis Colts (-120) at New England Patriots (+100)
The Patriots have been awful, because they average allowing their opponent to have the ball for seven more minutes a game. The Colts are a slight road favorite (1.5 points at -110 for both teams). The Patriots have been brutal and nondescript on both sides of the ball, and I’m giving up on them. Take the Colts and lay 1.5 points (-110).
Houston Texans (+240) at Cincinnati Bengals (-300)
The Bengals are on a roll after winning four straight games, including beating playoff favorites Seattle, San Francisco and Buffalo. None of those games went past this Over/Under (47.5 points at -110 for both Over and Under). Houston has showed a lot of improvement, but the only way this games hits the over will require a shootout, which is unlikely. Take Under 47.5 points (-110).
New Orleans Saints (-145) at Minnesota Vikings (+120)
The Vikings have won four straight but remain home underdogs (2.5 points at -110 for both teams). The Saints have been erratic, but have won their last two games and their last three wins have been by 34, 11 and 7 points. The Vikings are improved on defense, but the Saints have the weapons to do damage. Take the Saints and lay 2.5 points (-110).
Green Bay Packers (+145) at Pittsburgh Steelers (-175)
The Packers broke a four-game losing streak last week, but they’re still brutal and have been outscored 91-36 in the first half this season. The Steelers are a small favorite (3 points at +100 Packers, -120 Steelers). The Steelers have been outgained by almost 100 yards a game but find ways to win and will do it again against a rebuilding Packers team. Take the Steelers and lay 3 points (-120).
Tennessee Titans (-105) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-115)
The Buccaneers are the smallest of favorites (1 point at -115 Titans, -105 Buccaneers). The Buccaneers have lost four straight, but all of them have been close games they could have won. The key here is that Tennessee is 0-4 on the road and hasn’t scored more than 16 points in any of them. That should play in the Bucs’ favor. Take the Buccaneers and lay 1 point (-105).
San Francisco 49ers (-160) at Jacksonville Jaguars (+135)
Despite three straight losses, the 49ers are road favorites (3 points at -110 for the 49ers and Jaguars). San Francisco has scored 17 points in each of its last three games. The Jaguars have won five straight games and, while the 49ers have the deeper roster, the Jaguars don’t deserve to be a home underdog at 6-2. Take the Jaguars plus 3 points (-110).
Cleveland Browns (+200) at Baltimore Ravens (-250)
The Ravens have been hammering opponents, which explains being a big home favorite (6 points at -110 for both teams). Baltimore is hitting on all cylinders, outscoring its opponents 106-33 in the last three games. In their first meeting, the Ravens won 28-3 and a blowout win is possible in this one, too. Take the Ravens and lay 6 points (-110).
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Atlanta Falcons (-120) at Arizona Cardinals (+100)
Kyler Murray is back, so the Over/Under is higher than expected (44 points at -110 for both Over and Under). The Cardinals are 1-8 and have scored just 53 points in their last four games. In four road games this season, the Falcons have scored just 52 points. Too many things add up to this being a low-scoring contest. Take Under 44 points (-110).
Detroit Lions (-155) at Los Angeles Chargers (+130)
The Chargers have won two straight to get back to .500, but the Lions are road favorites (3 points at -110 for both). Both teams are capable of putting up big points, but the Lions are coming off their bye week and are looking to cement their position as one of the top NFC teams. Take the Lions and lay 3 points (-110).
New York Giants (+800) at Dallas Cowboys (-1400)
The Giants are massive 16.5-point underdogs, but the Over/Under is the bet here (38.5 points at -110 for both). In their last seven games, the Giants have scored just 70 points and were shut out 40-0 in their first meeting with the Cowboys. Dallas should roll in this one and keep the Giants’ score extremely low. Take Under 38.5 points (-110).
Washington Commanders (+220) at Seattle Seahawks (-275)
The Over/Under here is a little high (45.5 points at -110 for both), but Washington has scored 20 or more points in seven of nine games, and the Seahawks have scored 20 or more in five of their last seven. But Seattle has hit under this number in each of the last five games, and Washington has hit under this point threshold in three of the last four. Take Under 45.5 points (-110).
New York Jets (-120) at Las Vegas Raiders (+100)
The Over/Under is the lowest of the week (36 points at -110 for both). This comes despite the Raiders hitting over this number in each of their last four games, while the Jets have been under in their last three games (including two wins). It may take a defensive/special teams TD to go Over, but this point is just too low. Take Over 36 points (-110).
Denver Broncos (+290) at Buffalo Bills (-375)
Denver has won two straight games, and Buffalo has been erratic, losing three of its last five games. But, the Bills remain a big favorite (7.5 points at -110 for both). The Bills are 4-1 at home and don’t struggle there as they do on the road. Look for the Bills to play up-tempo and get back to what they do best. Take the Bills and lay 7.5 points (-110).