SPORTS INSIGHTS
NFL Week 10 – Games to Watch
The NFL Marketwatch column takes a truly unique approach to sports betting. We don’t handicap games – we handicap the sports betting marketplace. We utilize the betting tools and statistics found on SportsInsights.com to pinpoint the week's most profitable betting opportunities.
We anticipate any game involving Cleveland, Washington, St Louis, Tampa Bay, or Detroit to be the most “lopsided-bet” games of the week. Look for handles to increase this week with some marquee match-ups, plus the start of Thursday night games. Visit SportsInsights.com to view LIVE wagering statistics from multiple online sportsbooks on every NFL game.
Denver Broncos vs. Washington Redskins
Long-time readers of our "Games to Watch" know that we often need bad teams to do good things. This game is a great example of this contrarian theme. We have the last-place Redskins taking on the first-place Broncos. The point spread is a relatively low 4.5 points -- so many bettors figure they should give the points and take "first-place" over "last-place." To some bettors, this looks like a "soft line" -- too easy to win.
However, when something looks too easy, it probably isn't. Indeed, the "smart money" has been getting down on Washington since the line opened at Washington +4.5. Even with almost every bet (83% or 5 out of every 6 bets!) coming down on Denver, the line moved from Washington +4.5 down to Washington +3.5. This means that some "big money" is coming down hard on the Washington Redskins. "Reverse line movement" has been one of the best indicators for Sports Marketwatch and SportsInsights.com. A "Smart Money play" triggered on Washington by WSEX (13-6, +6 units). If you shop around, you can still grab a 4.5 at SportsInteraction, one of the better sportsbooks use when "betting against the Public."
Washington Redskins +4.5 -105 (Bet at Sports Interaction +4.5 -105)
Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers
A few of the linesmen we spoke to said that they would be watching this game closely. This is currently one of the heaviest-bet games of the week and more than 3 out of every 4 bets are landing on the Dallas Cowboys. With the Public overwhelmingly on Dallas, the line has been pushed from Dallas -1 to Dallas -3. This kind of line movement means that there is some value on Green Bay. We'll take the Packers and "bet against the Public" -- joining the sportsbooks, long-term winners in the sports betting marketplace.
This is a classic example of buying low and selling high. We like the fact that we are "selling" Dallas after a big road win over Philly -- and "buying" Green Bay after their crushing defeat against the lowly Tampa Bay Bucs. Dallas has won four in a row, while Green Bay has lost two in a row. Take the undervalued Packers over the currently overvalued Cowboys. SportsInsights also had a Smart Money play triggered on Green Bay by Carib Sports (19-8, +9.7 units).
Green Bay Packers +3 (Bet at bodog +3 -115)
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns
Yes, folks, we're putting our hard-earned money on the NFL's worst team: the Cleveland Browns! You sometimes need an iron stomach and nerves of steel to follow our Games to Watch feature. We circled Cleveland for a couple of reasons. First, we like the fact that Cleveland is coming off a much-needed bye week. In addition, this match-up is featured on national television -- on Monday Night Football -- and is a home game for Cleveland. The crowd will be "juiced" -- adding motivation for Cleveland to come out and play some football.
An overwhelming percentage of bets (85%) are taking the heavily-favored Ravens. Even so, there has been a hint of "reverse line movement." This shows that Smart Money has come in on Cleveland -- pushing the line from +11 to +10.5 at several sportsbooks. We'll "bet against the Public" and join the "sharps" in taking a double-digit home underdog.
Cleveland Browns +11 (Bet at betus +11 -110)
So, here’s a wrap-up of SportsInsights.com analysis for this week’s Games to Watch for the NFL.
Games to Watch (15-12, 55.5%)
Washington Redskins +4.5 -110 (Bet at Sports Interaction +4.5 -110)
Green Bay Packers +3 (Bet at bodog +3 -115)
Cleveland Browns +11 (Bet at betus +11 -110)