Where the action is: Sunday's biggest Week 14 NFL line moves
By ANDREW AVERY
It's Week 14 in the NFL schedule, which means we're hitting the final quarter of the regular season. There are handful of teams that are already eliminated from the postseason, but several are still left to jockey for division crowns and wildcard spots.
We talk with John Lester, about the action on some of Sunday's matchups and where those odds could end up come kickoff:
New York Giants at Tennessee Titans - Open: Pick, Move: -1, Move: +1
It's been an embarrassing season for both of these franchises who could very well find themselves in the bottom of their respective divisions depending on some of Sunday's outcomes. The Giants are mired in an ugly seven-game losing skid (1-6 against the spread), while the Titans have dropped their previous six games (1-5 ATS).
"We opened at a PK and this one has crossed over both sides," said Lester. "Initially it went to Titans -1 and most of our sharp money is on Tennessee. The public is pretty split. I could see this closing with Giants as short chalk."
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars - Open: +3.5, Move: +4, Move: +6
The Texans head in eager to make a push for a wild-card spot at the very least. They are currently two games back of the Indianapolis Colts and one game back of a wild-card position. Meanwhile, it's been another long season in Jacksonville, but the Jags are coming in off a 25-24 victory over the aforementioned Giants.
"We moved it from +3.5 to +4.5 within the first 24 hours and have been forced to steadily increase as the week’s drawn on," said Lester. "Everyone is on the Texans as they realize Jacksonville’s "upset" last week was a little bit of fool’s gold. I expect some buyback on Jags if it gets any higher."
Kansas City Chiefs at Arizona Cardinals - Open: Pick, Move: -2, Move: +1
Glendale will be the site as a pair of slumping teams meet up at the University of Phoenix Stadium in late-afternoon action. Both of these teams have dropped their last two games SU and ATS and are rapidly losing a hold of playoff positioning. Sunday will not end well for one of these floundering franchises.
"We’ve had some big swings here, opened at PK, got as high as Cards -2 and now we’re dealing Cards +1," states Lester. "The wiseguys haven’t been too interested in this one. I think it closes where we opened, and my opinion is that the home team gets it done."
San Francisco 49ers at Oakland Raiders - Open: +7, Move: +8.5
The Battle of the Bay will have a new chapter written as the two Northern California teams meet for the first time since 2010. The Niners have won three-straight meetings (2-1 ATS) since 2002 and will be playing for their playoff lives Sunday, but will be dealing with some off the field news involving their head coach.
"There is plenty of drama for this one amid the Harbaugh coaching speculation," Lester points out. "We’ve been fairly one-sided with Niners action after opening at +7. I think this could creep up to +9 by kickoff."
New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers - Open: +3, +3.5
Something will have to give in Sunday's marquee matchup as Patriots quarterback Tom Brady owns a 5-0 SU record (4-1 ATS) versus Philip Rivers in his career, but the latter owns an incredible 30-6 SU record in the month of December. The Chargers have been hot and cold this season, but followed up a three-game losing streak with a three-game winning streak. They haven't been kind to bettors of late, however, as they've covered the spread just once in their last seven games.
"Majority backing the road chalk, and we moved from +3 on the open to +3.5 very quickly after taking a smart bet on New England," Lester said. "This could reach +4, but at that number I would expect some players to side with San Diego. Everyone is grabbing the over for this primetime affair."
By ANDREW AVERY
It's Week 14 in the NFL schedule, which means we're hitting the final quarter of the regular season. There are handful of teams that are already eliminated from the postseason, but several are still left to jockey for division crowns and wildcard spots.
We talk with John Lester, about the action on some of Sunday's matchups and where those odds could end up come kickoff:
New York Giants at Tennessee Titans - Open: Pick, Move: -1, Move: +1
It's been an embarrassing season for both of these franchises who could very well find themselves in the bottom of their respective divisions depending on some of Sunday's outcomes. The Giants are mired in an ugly seven-game losing skid (1-6 against the spread), while the Titans have dropped their previous six games (1-5 ATS).
"We opened at a PK and this one has crossed over both sides," said Lester. "Initially it went to Titans -1 and most of our sharp money is on Tennessee. The public is pretty split. I could see this closing with Giants as short chalk."
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars - Open: +3.5, Move: +4, Move: +6
The Texans head in eager to make a push for a wild-card spot at the very least. They are currently two games back of the Indianapolis Colts and one game back of a wild-card position. Meanwhile, it's been another long season in Jacksonville, but the Jags are coming in off a 25-24 victory over the aforementioned Giants.
"We moved it from +3.5 to +4.5 within the first 24 hours and have been forced to steadily increase as the week’s drawn on," said Lester. "Everyone is on the Texans as they realize Jacksonville’s "upset" last week was a little bit of fool’s gold. I expect some buyback on Jags if it gets any higher."
Kansas City Chiefs at Arizona Cardinals - Open: Pick, Move: -2, Move: +1
Glendale will be the site as a pair of slumping teams meet up at the University of Phoenix Stadium in late-afternoon action. Both of these teams have dropped their last two games SU and ATS and are rapidly losing a hold of playoff positioning. Sunday will not end well for one of these floundering franchises.
"We’ve had some big swings here, opened at PK, got as high as Cards -2 and now we’re dealing Cards +1," states Lester. "The wiseguys haven’t been too interested in this one. I think it closes where we opened, and my opinion is that the home team gets it done."
San Francisco 49ers at Oakland Raiders - Open: +7, Move: +8.5
The Battle of the Bay will have a new chapter written as the two Northern California teams meet for the first time since 2010. The Niners have won three-straight meetings (2-1 ATS) since 2002 and will be playing for their playoff lives Sunday, but will be dealing with some off the field news involving their head coach.
"There is plenty of drama for this one amid the Harbaugh coaching speculation," Lester points out. "We’ve been fairly one-sided with Niners action after opening at +7. I think this could creep up to +9 by kickoff."
New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers - Open: +3, +3.5
Something will have to give in Sunday's marquee matchup as Patriots quarterback Tom Brady owns a 5-0 SU record (4-1 ATS) versus Philip Rivers in his career, but the latter owns an incredible 30-6 SU record in the month of December. The Chargers have been hot and cold this season, but followed up a three-game losing streak with a three-game winning streak. They haven't been kind to bettors of late, however, as they've covered the spread just once in their last seven games.
"Majority backing the road chalk, and we moved from +3 on the open to +3.5 very quickly after taking a smart bet on New England," Lester said. "This could reach +4, but at that number I would expect some players to side with San Diego. Everyone is grabbing the over for this primetime affair."
ver” in most recent game vs. Bears. “Under” and slight to Bucs, based on “totals” and team trends.
