Randy Scott is the Sportsbook Manager for betED.com. Each week he details the adjustments his book has made throughout the week on the NFL action. Check out to see which lines have moved the most.
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (+3.5 -120, 47.5)
Opening line: +3.5, 48.5
Where the early action is: 90 percent - Colts
Comments: The undefeated Colts are perfect covering the spread on the road this season at 5-0 ATS. The Texans are a frustrated bunch, no doubt about it and maybe this week they’ll catch a break in the kicking department.
This line could be Colts -3, but the action insists this line should be higher. For now we are dealing Colts -3.5 (+100)
Fact: The Colts can clinch the AFC South title this week with a win over the Texans and a Jacksonville loss to San Francisco.
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals (-13 -115, 39)
Opening line: -14, 39
Where the early action is: 68 percent - Bengals
Comments: Not a lot of Bengals money on this big pointspread. It’s all in teasers bringing the Bengals down to -7 or better. Because of last week’s surprise loss to the Raiders, trust has been broken and the bettors aren’t taking any chances against the Browns - who scored 38 points last week in Detroit.
This line could still drop if the status of Bengals RB – Cedric Benson doesn’t improve from probable.
Fact: Next to the Steelers, the Browns have played more games against the Bengals than any other team in the league. Bengals lead series 37-35.
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings (-11, 47)
Opening line: -10.5, 47
Where the early action is: 85 percent - Vikings
Comments: The Vikings are perfect at home this year going 5-0 SU but have only covered the spread on two occasions.
Brett Favre is having a MVP year with 21 TD passes, and just three interceptions in 310 attempts. Jay Cutler is looking to turn his dreadful season around with a career high 18 picks. This will likely be as high as the spread gets regardless of the incoming lop-sided action.
The bettors have cashed in this year by betting the Vikings in teasers and this week is no different. The book will need a special performance from the Bears to avoid taking a hit on this matchup.
Fact: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson set a then-franchise record on Oct. 14, 2007, at Chicago when he rushed for 224 yards and tied a team mark with three rushing touchdowns in a 34-31 victory.
Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles (-9.5, 41)
Opening line: -9, 40.5
Where the early action is: 60 percent - Redskins
Comments: Not a lot of interest in this game. The bets that are coming in are on the Skins +9. However, the Eagles are popular in teaser bets bringing the line down to -3.5 or lower.
Because of the abundant teaser action, this line will likely stay where it is now.
Fact: The Redskins have won two consecutive games in Philadelphia.
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (+3 +105, 40)
Opening line: -3 -125, 40
Where the early action is: 95 percent - Dolphins
Comments: All Dolphins action this week. Bettors aren’t touching the Bills in this one. Miami’s big underdog win last week (Thursday) in Carolina has bettors jumping on them this week. But it comes at a steep price, -125 attached to the pointspread.
The Bills haven’t done much for the bettors at home only covering once in four games – and that was against Tampa Bay. This line has a very good shot of moving up. A Dolphins cover will definitely hurt the books.
Fact: The Bills lead the AFC in interceptions with 17.
Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans (-2, 45.5)
Opening line: -2, 47
Wise Action: Under 47
Where the early action is: 72 percent - Titans
Comments: Arizona QB Kurt Warner’s playing status wasn’t clear all week. It wasn’t until Saturday the Cardinals announced he will play.
The line opened -2 with Warner originally expected to play, but early in the week his status became unlikely. That triggered some Wise Action to hit the Under 47 and moved the line to Titans -3. Now that he's playing the line dropped back to the opening number -2.
The total hasn’t yet followed as strong; just a half point adjustment up to 45.5 so far. We expect to move the total up by game time.
Fact: On the road; the Cardinals are 5-0 straight up and 4-1 ATS this season allowing an average 14.2 points.
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams (+4 -105, 42.5)
Opening line: -2.5, 42.5
Where the early action is: 95 percent - Seahawks
Comments: Not much attraction to this game except the chance to bet against a very banged up Rams team. Last week the Rams lost their starting QB Marc Bulger with a broken leg. Their top running back - Steven Jackson is listed as probable but did not practice this week.
The last time these two teams played was in Seattle Week 1 – 28-0 Seattle. Since then Seattle has gone 2-7 and are 0-5 ATS on the road. If there is a team Seattle wants to play right now, it has to be the Rams. This line will move up by game time.
Fact: The Rams have lost 11 consecutive games against NFC West divisional rivals.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons (-12, 46)
Opening line: -12, 46
Where the early action is: 70 percent - Falcons
Comments: Big pointspread here for an Atlanta team that hasn’t looked good in over a month. They have one win in their last five games. The Falcons are taking on majority of the action, but it’s mostly in teasers bringing the number down to -6 or lower.
There isn’t much question as to whether they will win this game or not, the real gambling is laying 12 points. Tampa Bay is capable of getting blown out almost every game; the team is last in the league against the run allowing 168.9 yards per game and Atlanta RB Michael Turner is expected to play.
Fact: Atlanta is 4-0 SU and ATS at home this season.
Carolina Panthers at New York Jets (-3 -125, 41.5)
Opening line: -3, 41.5
Where the early action is: split 50-50
Comments: The action is split and it looks like this number will stay on the key number 3 with added juice on the Jets.
At the QB position this season Mark Sanchez has 16 picks and 3 lost fumbles - Jake Delhomme has 14 picks and also has 3 lost fumbles.
If anything moves the total could possibly drop a half point or more. Look up this side bet: “Will there be a special teams or defensive score?” for some valuable plus money action.
Fact: As favorites this season, the Jets have lost outright four times.
Jacksonville Jaguars at San Francisco 49ers (-3 -120, 41.5)
Opening line: -3, 41.5
Where the early action is: 60 percent - Jaguars
Comments: Jacksonville is on a three-game winning streak and this week the Jags are getting 3 points with no vig attached. Even though their wins were against KC, NYJ and Buffalo we think that’s still a very good price here and will look to adjust quickly if the action continues like this.
San Francisco has only one win in its last six games, however, losing to the Packers last week didn’t go without a bright spot. After being down by 20 points in the first half, 49ers QB – Alex Smith threw 3 TDs to come within 6 points of the final score.
Fact: Oct 11 - The last West Coast trip the Jaguars made this season was disastrous; they got shut out by Seattle 41-0
Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers (-13.5, 45)
Opening line: -14, 45
Where the early action is: 61 percent - Chiefs
Comments: Another huge pointspread and the favorite bettors are currently staying away. All the bets coming in are on the Chargers in a teaser moving the number -7.5 or lower.
San Diego is on a five-game winning streak and is looking to pull away from Denver in the AFC West. However, the Chargers will be facing some big distractions on Sunday. They will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary. There will be a 50 All-Time Charger ceremony and everything.
This could be a let down game against a KC team that’s won two straight. We’ll be looking out for that and will quickly adjust the line at first opportunity.
Fact: This is the 99th regular-season meeting - Chiefs lead series 50-47-1.