Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
The five best NFL player prop bets to make for the upcoming week.
For this week’s picks we’re going with a pair of tight ends to surpass their numbers, a pair of running backs not hitting their projected numbers, and the revenge play of the year from the league’s most dynamic wide receiver.
Note: Odds are provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
A snapshot look at the NFL betting lines and odds for Week 9 sports betting and DFS action.
A good way to start your weekly homework for DFS (daily fantasy sports) play is to analyze the early Vegas odds around Week 9.
These guys have a long history of making money off of setting the right game spread and points scored. So it can be an early indicator of teams to target due to high-scoring potential, and teams to avoid for the opposite reason.
Note: Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
OFF = No odds currently listed.
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The five smartest wagers to take to the pay window for Week 9.
As we the turn the page into November, teams are losing more key players to injury, and some are already looking ahead to 2024. This week, we have two disappointing teams not scoring many points, two of the best quarterbacks driving their high Over/Under number past the total, two division leaders pushing their number Over, the worst team in the league starting a new losing streak, and a revenge play in Germany.
Note: Odds are provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
The five smartest wagers to take to the pay window for Week 9.
It would appear we’ve reached an annual rite of passage that isn’t discussed in the NFL – tanking season.
At the moment, those obviously on board are the Washington Commanders and the Las Vegas Raiders. Washington traded away its two best pass rushers at the trade deadline, and the Raiders fired head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler. Almost immediately after, they announced the benching of starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo.
ThIs is what is quietly referred to as tanking in a league that claims teams don’t tank. Both teams have seen the handwriting on the wall for 2023 and are looking to improve their draft prospects for 2024. Teams will follow in the coming weeks, but for now we have two in full-on tank mode, and their betting lines will start reflecting such.
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The Steelers are small favorites (2.5 points at -105 Titans, -115 Steelers). Will Levis had a big first career start last week, but going into Pittsburgh on a short week is going to be a problem. Mike Tomlin will have defenses dialed up Levis hasn’t seen on tape, which is why it typically takes times for young QBs to excel consistently. Take the Steelers and lay 2.5 points (-115).
The Chiefs are coming off their worst game of the season and are very small favorites in Germany (1.5 points). If this “home game” for the Chiefs was at Arrowhead, I’d go with the Chiefs. On a neutral field, you have to like Miami’s chances, because the Chiefs don’t have the elite weapons to get into a shootout. Take the Dolphins on the moneyline (+105).
The Vikings have won three straight, but the loss of Kirk Cousins has Minnesota as big underdogs (4.5 points at -105 Vikings, -115 Falcons). The Vikings will be starting rookie QB Jaren Hall, but the Falcons have QB issues of their own to deal with and don’t have the credibility to be a favorite of that size. Take the Vikings plus 4.5 points (-105).
There aren’t many points expected in this one (37.5 points at -110 for both teams). The Cardinals have struggled to score points, and they traded their starter on Tuesday. Reports say Kyler Murray will not be starting, which will make scoring points extremely difficult for the Cardinals against a strong Browns defense. Take Under 37.5 points (-110).
The Rams are 3-5 but have played the Seahawks, 49ers, Bengals, Eagles, Steelers and Cowboys. The Packers have lost four straight and have losses to the Falcons, Raiders, Broncos and Vikings. Yet, Green Bay is favored (3 points at +100 Rams, -120 Packers). The Rams have the ability to win outright, and the Packers have shown nothing in a month, but you must keep tabs on Matthew Stafford‘s availability after he suffered a sprained throwing-hand thumb last week. Take the Rams plus 3 points (+100).
The Commanders traded away their top two pass rushers and their offense is struggling. The Patriots offense has been quiet all season. The Over/Under is low (40.5 points at -110 for both), but not low enough for these two offenses. Take Under 40.5 points (-110).
The Saints have been one of the most inconsistent teams in the league this season but remain huge favorites (8.5 points at -110 for both teams). That big number is more an indictment of how bad the Bears play, which should play to the Saints’ favor. Take the Saints and lay 8.5 points (-110).
Seattle has won five of its last six games, and the Ravens have won four of the last five. Both offenses are capable of putting up big points when they’re clicking. The Over/Under is reasonable (43 points at -110 for both). Both teams have enough big-play potential that shortens the field, and they should combine for enough points to hit this number. Take the Over (-110).
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The Texans are improving, especially on defense, which is why they are a 2.5-point favorite. The Buccaneers have lost three straight but have more talent on both sides of the ball than the Texans and will stop their losing skid Sunday. Take the Buccaneers on the moneyline (+125).
The Colts’ rushing offense is back, but they remain a minimal road favorite (2.5 points at +100 Colts, -120 Panthers). Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss are a dynamic one-two punch, and the Panthers are allowing 4.7 yards a carry. If the Colts hit that mark Sunday, they are capable of rushing 40 times. Take the Colts and lay 2.5 points (-100).
The Raiders are small favorites (1.5 points at -110 for both teams) despite firing their head coach and general manager Tuesday night. The Giants have scored just 52 points in their last five games. Often when a coach is a fired inseason and assistant takes over, it motivates a down-and-out team. Announcing the benching of Garoppolo changed my pick on this one. Take the Giants on the moneyline (+100).
This game will be a litmus test for both teams. The expectation is that the offenses are going to dominate given the O/U number (46 points at -110 for Over and Under). All it’s going to take is one team getting a lead to bring this game uptempo and they’re capable of zooming past this number. Take Over 46 points (-110).
The Bengals have dug themselves out of their early-season hole, and the Bills have been hit-and-miss. One thing both teams can do is score a lot of points. The Over/Under is high (49.5 points at -110 for both Over and Under), but all it takes is one of these potent offenses to hit on all cylinders to keep the points coming. Take Over 49.5 points (-110).
The Jets have won three straight games, but the Chargers are favored (3 points at -120 Chargers, +100 Jets). The Chargers could be much better than 3-4, but they make critical mistakes that cost them games. This could be a playoff elimination game when the season is over and playoff spots are determined. The Chargers are better than their record shows and will be in the national spotlight to prove it. Take the Chargers and lay 3 points (-110).
Use our staff’s weekly pick’em against the spread and straight up for the win.
NFL picks are provided for straight up (moneyline) and against the spread (ATS) NFL pick pools.
Each week’s spread picks are graded by the line as of when the person entered their picks. This will create situations in which a movement of the line can result in two participants having the correct pick but with different teams chosen during an individual game.
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Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
DMD – David Dorey, SG – Steve Gallo, HS – Harley Schultz, CC – Cletis Cutts, CJB – Cory Bonini, HCG – HC Green, KH – Kevin Hickey
The five best NFL player prop bets to make for the upcoming week.
We’re at the half-pole of the season, and this is the beginning of the time when teams start to realize – good or bad – what direction their season is heading.
There are plenty of good matchups, despite six teams being on bye weeks, and we’ve decided to pick one quarterback we think is being pumped out too high and a pair of running backs and receivers who will make their offenses look good.
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook
Five wagers anyone should be comfortable making ahead of Week 9 action.
We hit the first big week of the byes with six teams resting up for the stretch run. Of the games remaining from which to choose, we go with a time-honored tradition of taking the bets those making the odds want us (sort of) to take.
This week, we take the two smallest Over/Under numbers, the Over in both, and three road favorites that would have to lay more than twice as many points if they were playing at home.
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook
Wagers to make from across the NFL’s Week 9.
The NFL trade deadline has changed the landscape as new players of some repute are getting fast-tracked on a sub-package of an offense it will take them a month to fully learn.
Will the big faces in new places make a difference? Probably not in a big way this week, but, by next week, plans will be in place to expand that player’s role in an offense or defense to start cashing in on the trade deadline investment.
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook
This is a tough bet to make because the Eagles are such gigantic favorites (13.5 points at -115 Eagles, -105 Texans). Houston is brutal, but have only been beaten by enough to meet this number once. That said, the Eagles are bullies, and the Texans are schoolyard fodder. Take the Eagles and lay 13.5 points (-115).
This has the stink of a classic “trap game.” The Chargers are capable of being trucked (see their losses to Jacksonville and Seattle). With their roster, I’m shocked the Falcons aren’t in line for the first pick in the 2023 draft – yet they’re alone in first place in the NFC South. The Chargers are tight road favorites (3.5 points at -103 Chargers, -117 Falcons). They’re daring you to bet on the Chargers. I’m getting my Kool-Aid glass out again. Take the Chargers and lay 3.5 points (-103).
I’m not a fan of either team, where backup quarterbacks are king. It’s not exactly a classic Brady-Manning matchup this time around, but I’m a sucker for an Over/Under too low (39 points at -112 Over, -108 Under). With two young QBs looking to prove themselves, all you need is one tragic mistake for a defensive TD or a short field to hit this pee-wee number. Take the Over (-112).
The Bills laid down and beat Aaron Rodgers by 10. I hate massive spreads, and this one is big (12.5 points at -108 Bills, -112 Jets). I just can’t find a bet among the three offered to go away from Buffalo. I guess that makes me an associate of the Bills Mafia. Take the Bills and lay 12.5 points (-108).
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The Panthers’ fire sale for the future is in its infancy. The Bengals were humbled Monday night. Two teams with shockingly different expectations for 2022, the Bengals are strong road favorites (7.5 points at -117 Panthers, -103 Bengals). This line is daring you to take the Bengals. I don’t believe it will drop below seven points. It shouldn’t. Enjoy the low number for what should be a relatively achievable number. Take the Bengals and lay 7.5 points (-103).
The Vikings are 6-1 and the masters of one-score games (five straight and all wins). The Commanders have won three straight but remain home underdogs (3.5 points at -103 Vikings, -117 Commanders). Minnesota has allowed teams to hang with them, but put them away in the end. That trend continues. Take the Vikings and lay 3.5 points (-103).
The Dolphins were buyers at the trade deadline. The Bears were sellers who gutted the defense with the move of Roquan Smith. Miami is a solid road favorite (4.5 points at -110 for both teams). The additions both teams made likely won’t make a big impact. Smith being gone much more than likely will. Take the Dolphins and lay 4.5 points (-110).
Both teams have won just two games, and they’ve already dug holes deep enough to torpedo their current seasons. The Jaguars have talent on defense, but the Raiders have the better roster. The Raiders are modest road favorites (2 points at -112 Raiders, -108 Jaguars). Unless that Jags can stop Josh Jacobs, I’m willing to give away less than a field goal. Take the Raiders and lay 2 points (-112).
The Packers are reeling and could implode with a loss here. Detroit’s defense is so awful that the Packers can likely slide as a mild road favorite (3.5 points at -112 Packers, -108 Lions). With the Dallas, Tennessee and Philadelphia coming up on Green Bay’s schedule after this one, this is the must-win the Packers need to remain afloat. Take the Packers and lay 3.5 points (-112).
The Seahawks are alone atop the NFC West that they were universally projected to finish last. I’m still not buying. The Cardinals are an embarrassingly low home favorite (2 points at -110 for both teams). The Cardinals at home is hard to lay off. Take the Cardinals and lay 2 points (-110).
When you’ve been shocked by the ineptitude of the presumptive top two candidates to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, you have one out on making a pick – the Over/Under (42.5 points -112 Over, -108 Under). Both defenses are capable of shutting the other down. Both offenses have the yet-to-be-consistent ability to put up point. This O/U number is simply too low. Take the Over (-112).
I hate this point spread (12.5 points for -110 Titans and Chiefs). If Derrick Henry can control the pace of play, this number is way to high. If the Titans fall behind by double digits in the first half, they won’t have an answer. I see the latter happening. Take the Chiefs and lay 12.5 points (-110)
If not for implosion, the Ravens should be 7-1, at worst. They’re legit. The Saints are a different team at home, which is why the Ravens are mild favorites (3 points at -101 Ravens, -120 Saints). The Saints defense isn’t ready for what Lamar Jackson brings to aggressive attacking fronts. Take the Ravens and lay 3 points (-101).
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