Only one team remains undefeated after seven weeks of NFL action: the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas Town Chiefs. This hour begins with the Minnesota Vikings traveling to Inglewood to take on the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night.
Sunday’s lineup features plenty of naughty matchups, including the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers battling for control of the NFC South and the Chicago Bears visiting the Washington Commanders. On Sunday night, the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers look to pick up a win and then suffer losses in their final games. On Monday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers, led by a resurgent Russell Wilson, will take on the New York Giants.
Our team takes an early look at the Moment 8 odds to determine the value before the lines continue after an hour:
Joe Fortenbaugh’s first bet: Arizona Cardinals (+3.5) at Miami Dolphins
Breaking news: Saints-Broncos UNDER 37.5. Sequence closed at 37.5. The Broncos won 33-10.
This game is being counted as if Tua Tagovailoa starts Sunday against the Cardinals, and we’re not 100% sure that’s the case. Even assuming the fifth-year quarterback makes his return, he’s commanding an offense built on timing and precision…which may be an offense he hasn’t been affiliated with for six weeks. The rust problem is serious here. Now let’s imagine the backup: Tua No Going back, we get +3.5 against a Tim Boyle-led attack that has averaged just 10 points per sport since Tagovailoa was lost to a concussion. Since “3” is the most important number when it comes to a football bet, I feel comfortable jumping to +3.5 now.
Ben Solak’s first bet: Philadelphia Eagles-Cincinnati Bengals for 46.5 numbers
The Eagles and Bengals have shared their last two warring sides (both teams have played the Browns and Giants) and that has led both teams to look much more competent defensively than they probably are. I think the Eagles can compete with Cincinnati, which still lacks the personnel with a solid run defense; I think the Bengals can throw to the Eagles, who are playing with some rookies in their secondary. I’ll do it right here.
Seth Walder’s First Bet: Buffalo Spends to Win AFC East (-700)
Do you understand what? The price is the price, even at -700. FPI makes Costes the 94% early favorite to win this section, or a flat -1613. They are by far the best team in the section and are at least 2.5 games ahead of every alternate team. The Costes are the fourth-best team in football, according to FPI, with arguably the league’s MVP so far at quarterback. Meanwhile, the Patriots are working for the worst team in football, the Dolphins are useless without Tua Tagovailoa, and the Jets can’t pull off their combo role, even with Davante Adams. Buffalo is a powerhouse that is already clearly within the government and nothing about its festival can shake the sick crew.
Andre Snellings’ first bet: Denver Broncos (-7.5) vs. Carolina Panthers
Breaking news: Commanders (-7.5) vs. Panthers. Sequence closed at -10.5. The commanders won 40-7.
I’m officially in “give the points against the Panthers” form until any major changes occur. The Panthers are practically comically sinful this season, on a scale that tensions don’t seem able to sustain. On the road in their Moment 3 victory over the Raiders, the Panthers lost all six in their alternate games via a reasonable 24.5 points per game! It’s even worse on the road, where their reasonable loss is for 32 problems and they have negative losses for less than 26 problems. Meanwhile, the Broncos have won four in their last five games, three of which by at least 16 points. The Broncos arguably have the best defense in the league, allowing the third-fewest yards and the third-fewest problems by sport. The Panthers arguably have the worst offense in the league, scoring the fifth-fewest points and fifth-fewest yards in the sport. This is unlike any other crushing loss for the Panthers.
Anita Marks: Green Bay Packers (-4.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars
Breaking news: Vikings (-2) vs. Lions. Sequence closed at -1.5. Lions won 31-29
The Packers arrive with momentum and then with an excessive victory against the Houston Texans. Jordan Love is 4-1 ATS in his five-year road games and has the arm to put aside the Jaguars’ abysmal secondary. Jacksonville returns home and then spends two weeks in London and must readjust. The Jags are 4-9 ATS in their 13-year games and Trevor Lawrence can’t back down but turn the ball over.
Pam Maldonado’s first bet: Military (+12.5) vs. Notre Dame
Breaking news: Texas (-3.5) vs. Georgia. Sequence closed at -4.5. Georgia won 30-15.
Here’s something you don’t expect to be told on a Monday morning: the rank of Deny Midshipmen. 1 in EPA (anticipated problems added) consistent with games in passing offense. Known for its triple-option run scheme, Military has developed a surprisingly efficient passing game with quarterback Blake Horvath at the helm, pushing them to Deny. 7 in good fortune offensive price. They are persistently moving the chains and hanging themselves in scoring positions. And let’s not leave it out, it wasn’t long ago that the Fighting Irish lost straight up to Northern Illinois, giving up 10.4 yards passing and 190 yards rushing. This might be the most productive offense Notre Dame has faced this season.
