Essential Week 9 betting tidbits and odds for NFL Sunday
Can Joey Bosa and the Chargers D terrorize Marcus Mariota and the Titans? San Diego is currentl4 4-pt home chalk.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-1, 44)
* Landry Jones struggled in a 27-16 loss to the Patriots, finishing 29 of 47 for 281 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Roethlisberger threw for at least three scoring passes in four of his first five starts and had nine TDs and zero picks in back-to-back wins over Kansas City and the New York Jets before he was hurt in a loss at Miami. Whoever starts at quarterback has the luxury of throwing to elite wideout Antonio Brown, who has 48 catches for 592 yards and five scores. Running back Le'Veon Bell has been outstanding since returning from his three-game suspension, leading the league with 147.2 yards from scrimmage per game.
* Quarterback Joe Flacco has struggled during the four-game skid with two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions, and has only five scoring passes versus six picks on the season. "He’s still a guy that’s capable of hurting you in a lot of ways," Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said. "His deep ball is exceptional. His short game, he’s getting it out as quick as he ever has. His pinpoint accuracy in small spaces in the short game is exceptional.” Wideout Steve Smith returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday for the first time since injuring his ankle on Oct. 9. Baltimore managed 11 yards rushing in a Week 7 loss at the Jets.
LINE HISTORY: The Ravens opened his AFC North tilt as 2.5 favorites and that number has dropped to 1 with rumours Roethlisberger could return. The total opened at 43 and been driven up a full point to 44. Check out the complete line history here.
TRENDS:
• Steelers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a double-digit loss at home.
• Steelers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.
• Ravens are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. AFC North.
• Under is 8-1-1 in Steelers last 10 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
• Under is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland (7.5, 48.5)
* Prescott is one victory shy from becoming the third rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win seven straight starts (Ben Roethlisberger, 13 in a row in 2004; Kyle Orton, eight consecutive in 2005). A healthy dose of Dez Bryant helped Prescott's cause last week, as the explosive star had 113 receiving yards and a touchdown versus the Eagles in his first game since sustaining a tibial plateau fracture in his right leg on Sept. 25. Fellow wideout Cole Beasley was kept out of the end zone after scoring three touchdowns in his previous two contests.
* Terrelle Pryor is expected to have some help on the outside in the form of fellow wide receiver Corey Coleman, who will be "full speed ahead" for Sunday's game after sustaining a broken bone in his left hand during practice on Sept. 21. "We all know he is very explosive from the line of scrimmage and also when he gets the ball in his hands," Pryor said of the rookie, who had 104 yards and two touchdowns in his last game in Week 2. Pryor (hamstring), who is expected to play versus Dallas despite being limited in Thursday's practice, had six catches for 101 yards in last Sunday's 31-28 loss to the New York Jets
LINE HISTORY: The Cowboys opened the week as 7.5-point road favorites and were faded down to +7.0 mid-week before rising back to 7.5 Saturday morning. The total opened 46.5 and has risen two full points resting at 48.5. Check out the complete line history here.
TRENDS
* Cowboys are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
* Cowboys are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
* Under is 8-1 in Cowboys last 9 games on grass.
* Under is 7-1 in Browns last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs (-7.5, 44)
* Jacksonville’s offense has yet to top 400 total yards in a game and ranks 23rd in scoring and 26th in total offense, in large part because of one of the league’s least-productive ground attacks. Third-year quarterback Blake Bortles has put up decent numbers but also has thrown nine interceptions and hopes to see improvement after spending time tweaking his mechanics with private coach Adam Dedeaux. The defense is a major concern for the Jaguars, who gave up 494 total yards – 214 on the ground – against the Titans and have not forced a turnover in their last three games.
* Foles performed well when pressed into action last week, passing for 223 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-14 win at Indianapolis, but he could have a tougher time if the Chiefs can’t establish the run. With Jamaal Charles back on injured reserve following another knee surgery and Ware unlikely to play, Charcandrick West is set to carry the load. The offense might not need to do much if the defense performs the way it did last week, holding the Colts to 277 total yards – the second time in the last three games the Chiefs have held the opposition under 300 yards.
LINE HISTORY: The Chiefs opened the game as 7.5-point home favorites and has remained there all week. The total opened at 45 and dropped one point to 44. Check out the complete line history here.
TRENDS
* Jaguars are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in November.
* Chiefs are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in November.
* Over is 9-1-1 in Jaguars last 11 games in Week 9.
* Under is 4-0 in Chiefs last 4 vs. a team with a losing record.
* Favorite is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
N.Y. Jets at Miami Dolphins (-3.5, 43.5)
* Ryan Fitzpatrick tossed four touchdown passes in a 38-20 victory over Miami on Nov. 29, with former Dolphins wideout Brandon Marshall reeling in nine receptions for 131 yards and two scores. Fellow wide receiver Quincy Enunwa (team-leading 36 catches, three touchdowns) found the end zone for the second straight week at the Browns on Sunday and had a season-best 93 yards receiving - highlighted by a 57-yard catch. Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson has four sacks in the past three meetings and defensive tackle Leonard Williams (team-high six sacks) had a sack and a forced fumble in the last encounter.
* Cornerback Byron Maxwell dismissed allegations by Marshall that the veteran holds "every single play." "I might be doing something right now, huh?" Maxwell said of getting under the skin of the veteran receiver. "I'm going to play my game. ... I mean, it's fun, I guess. But I'm not worried about anything. I'm still focused on the game and what I gotta do to win. I'm cool." Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been anything but cool this season, but the 28-year-old looks to distribute the ball to Jarvis Landry (NFL sixth-best 46 receptions), Kenny Stills and DeVante Parker in a bid to exploit a Jets' secondary that has yielded an NFL-worst 289.1 yards per contest.
LINE HISTORY: Miami opened the week as 3-point home favorites and was quickly bet up to 4 before settling at 3.5. The total opened at 44 and dropped half point to 43.5. Check out the complete line history here.
TRENDS
* Jets are 5-0-2 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
* Jets are 4-1-2 ATS in their last 7 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.
* Under is 7-1 in Jets last 8 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
* Under is 6-1-1 in Dolphins last 8 games in Week 9.
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-6, 42)
* Detroit's defense absorbed a blow as pass-rushing outside linebacker Armonty Bryant received a three-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Bryant sat out the first four games of the season for a similar violation and was subsequently waived by Cleveland before he was picked up by Detroit. Bryant was productive in his brief stint with the Lions, recording three sacks in four games after collecting 5.5 in 14 games with the Browns last season. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has nine touchdowns and zero interceptions over the past four games and owns a career-best 103.4 passer rating.
* Bereft of a running game, quarterback Sam Bradford has been under siege in the losses at Philadelphia and Chicago, getting sacked a total of 11 times. There is the hope that things will change with the promotion of Shurmur, who was the offensive coordinator for both the Eagles and Rams when Bradford played for each team. "I think it helps," Shurmur said Thursday. "Anytime you have a relationship with someone, you can communicate smoother and quicker, so I think that certainly helps." Minnesota is ranked 31st in rushing at a paltry 71.9 yards per game, but its defense is permitting a league-low 14.9 points.
LINE HISTORY: The Vikings opened as 6-point home favorites and rose to 6.5 before dropping to 5.5 and settled back at 6. The total opened at 41 and was bet up a full point to 42. Check out the complete line history here.
TRENDS
* Lions are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
* Lions are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games on fieldturf.
* Vikings are 11-0 ATS in their last 11 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
* Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Philadelphia Eagles at N.Y. Giants (-2.5, 43)
* Veteran Darren Sproles amassed 103 yards from scrimmage (86 rushing, 17 receiving) last week with fellow running back Ryan Mathews seeing his carries dwindle after a costly fumble in the previous contest. The 33-year-old Sproles looks to ignite Philadelphia's mediocre rushing attack (17th) against New York, against which he has recorded four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving) in his last five games. The Eagles significantly are better at rushing the passer, as defensive end Brandon Graham and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox each have four of the team's 22 sacks this season.
* Victor Cruz doesn't have fond memories of the last time he faced Philadelphia, as the 29-year-old wideout tore his patellar tendon in his right knee in 2014. "Obviously, in the back of my mind, I think about it," Cruz told reporters this week about the injury. "It's different circumstances, different year (and different stadium), but I'd be lying if I didn't say it's on my mind at some point." The Giants' ground attack could use a jolt as Rashad Jennings has been limited to a total of 67 yards rushing in his last three games, although he erupted for 170 yards and a touchdown in his last encounter with the Eagles.
LINE HISTORY: The Giants opened this NFC East battle as 3-point home favourites and has dropped half point on Monday and has remained at 2.5 ever since. The total opened at 44 and has been bet down a point to the current number of 43. Check out the complete line history here.
TRENDS
* Giants are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Over is 8-0 in Eagles last 8 road games.
* Over is 4-0 in Giants last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in New York.
Carolina Panthers at Los Angeles Rams (+3, 44)
* Carolina has moved the ball with ease, especially when Cam Newton has been healthy, but has been set back by a league-worst 17 turnovers. The return of Jonathan Stewart has helped the offense, as the veteran has rushed for multiple touchdowns in consecutive games after going for 95 yards and two scores against Arizona. The Panthers have been stout against the run, but the revamped secondary has turned in a couple of dreadful performances, albeit against much stronger passing attacks than it will see Sunday.
* Los Angeles possesses one of the most punchless offenses in the league, which has prompted questions about whether No. 1 draft pick Jared Goff soon will get a chance under center. Journeyman Case Keenum has thrown 10 interceptions and just eight touchdown passes, and the lack of a dangerous passing game has made things tough for running back Todd Gurley, who averages a paltry three yards per carry. The defense has kept the Rams in games and held the Giants to 232 total yards last time out but has forced just one turnover during the three-game skid after recording nine takeaways in the first four contests.
LINE HISTORY: The Rams opened up as 2.5-point home dogs, but has been bet up quickly to 3 and remained there all week. Since opening at 45.5, the total has been bet down a point to the current number of 44. Check out the complete line history here.
TRENDS
* Panthers are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
* Panthers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in November.
* Over is 7-1 in Panthers last 8 vs. a team with a losing record.
* Panthers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers (+3.5, 53)
* Brees in on pace for his fifth 5,000-yard season and leads the NFL, averaging 338 yards passing per game while throwing 18 touchdowns against just five interceptions. His numbers, however, are vastly different on the road as the 16-year veteran out of Purdue has six touchdowns and three picks in three road games. Emerging wide receiver Michael Thomas has 16 receptions in the past two games and with 500 yards receiving is one of three wideouts on the team (Brandon Cooks 530 yards, Willie Snead 439 yards) on pace to reach 1,000 yards on the season.
* Since replacing Blaine Gabbert under center, Colin Kaepernick has completed 46 percent of his passes (29-of-63) for 330 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception while rushing 17 times for 150 yards (8.8 yards per carry) but the Niners have scored just 33 points in his two starts. Hyde has been inconsistent on the season, averaging 3.9 yards a carry, but his presence takes some of the onus off a passing unit that is last in the league with an average of 161.4 yards a game. "I think Colin's ability in the run game has given us a little bit of an added bonus," coach Chip Kelly said. "It forces you to say, 'Hey, if I'm a defensive coordinator, do I want to play man and now not have our back turned to the offense and then have the quarterback be able to take off?'"
LINE HISTORY: The Saints opened this NFC matchup favoured by 3-points and were faded as high as 4.5, but have settled back down at 4. The total opened at 51 and has been bet up two full points to the current number of 53. Check out the complete line history here.
TRENDS:
* Saints are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
* Saints are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games.
* Over is 7-0 in Saints last 7 vs. a team with a losing record.
* Over is 7-0 in 49ers last 7 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers (-7.5, 54.5)
* Protection problems were an issue last season as well, as Luck was limited to seven games with a lacerated kidney, but he could be getting ready to play behind another patchwork offensive line with guard Joe Reitz in the concussion protocol. Indianapolis' issues extend to the other side of the ball as well, and the pass defense ranks 31st in the league with an average of 288 yards allowed. The secondary figures to be at less than full strength again on Sunday, with safety Mike Adams (groin) and cornerback Vontae Davis (concussion) sitting out Wednesday's practice.
* Green Bay, which can match injury lists with any team in the league, was without three key members of the secondary (Sam Shields, Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins) while getting burned by Matt Ryan and Atlanta's passing attack last week. The Packers expect to get healthier - at least on the outside - this week on offense, with wide receivers Randall Cobb (hamstring) and Ty Montgomery (illness) returning to practice this week after sitting out against the Falcons. Green Bay also is thin at running back as Rodgers (60 yards on six carries) led the team in rushing last week.
LINE HISTORY: The Packers opened the week favoured by 7-points at home and that number has risen to 7.5. The total started at 53 and has been bet up to the current number of 54.5. Check out the complete line history here.
TRENDS:
* Packers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up loss.
* Packers are 4-0 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
* Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
* Home team is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers (-4, 47)
* Mariota's performance against the Jaguars earned him a spot in an exclusive group, as he joined Fran Tarkenton, Dan Marino and Drew Bledsoe as the only quarterbacks in league history to throw at least two TD passes in four straight games before the age of 23 - accomplishing the feat three days prior to his birthday. Murray also played his way into the NFL record book last week, becoming the sixth player ever - and first since Tampa Bay's Doug Martin in 2012 - to rush for at least 750 yards and record eight overall touchdowns in his first eight contests with a team. The 28-year-old, who was a full participant in practice on Thursday after being limited a day earlier due to an injured toe, is on pace to gain over 1,500 yards for the second time in his six-year career.
* Antonio Gates, who ranks second on the all-time list among tight ends in touchdowns, raised his career total to 107 - four behind leader Tony Gonzalez - in last week's loss to Denver and has caught a scoring pass in five of his last six meetings with Tennessee. Melvin Gordon, who enters Week 9 with a league-leading 10 touchdowns (eight rushing), has gained 276 yards from scrimmage and recorded three scores over his last two contests. Bosa is second on the team in sacks to Melvin Ingram (five) while Casey Hayward leads the club with four interceptions - the most by a Charger in a season since 2011.
LINE HISTORY: The Chargers opened as 4-point home favorites and were faded all the way up to 5.5, but has returned back to 4. The total opened at 48 and has been bet down to 47 on Monday and remained there ever since. Check out the complete line history here.
TRENDS
* Chargers are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
* Chargers are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up loss.
* Over is 5-0 in Titans last 5 games overall.
* Favorite is 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
