The Buffalo Bills (2-1) and Detroit Lions (2-1) are the first of the last games. The home Lions started off as 5 point favorites. The public is favoring the Bills at slightly under 60%, which explains why the line has dropped to 4 ½ points. Buffalo is coming off a sound beating of Cincinnati last week, while Detroit took care of the Browns at home.
The New England Patriots (2-1) and New York Giants (1-2) are a rematch of the Super Bowl from a couple years ago. The Giants opened as 3 point favorites, and even though the public is over 60% in favor of New England, the line has stayed at 3 points. The Patriots lost a shootout to Sam Bradford and the St. Louis Rams last week. The Giants couldn’t hang with Baltimore Ravens, losing 24-10.
The Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) travel to Indianapolis to take on the winless Colts (0-3). Cincy opened as 6 ½ point favorites, and while most books have remained at 6 ½ a few have moved up to 7 points despite the public playing the Colts at about a 63% clip. Last week Cincy lost at Buffalo and Indianapolis was throttled by the Green Bay Packers, 59-24.
The New York Jets (1-2) play the Philadelphia Eagles (2-1). The home Eagles began as 2 ½ point favorites but the line has seen some movement. Now sportsbooks list the Eagles as 1 or 1 ½ point favorite with a couple putting the game as a pick. The public is indecisive with wagering roughly 50/50. The Jets offense has been worrisome as they lost to the Redskins at home last week. The Eagles snuck out of Kansas City with a 20-17 win on a late touchdown toss from rookie Mike Kafka.
The Atlanta Falcons (2-1) match-up with the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2). Jacksonville opened as 1 ½ point favorites but the game has some reverse action. With almost 60 % of the public backing the Falcons the line has jumped to 3 points at most sites. Both teams won on the road last week; Atlanta defeated Miami 16-6, and Jacksonville topped Tampa Bay 20-15.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) host the Carolina Panthers (1-2). The Steelers started as 5 ½ point favorites but with the public playing the Steelers about 55% the line has moved anywhere from 6 to 7 points. The Steelers lost a sloppy Sunday night game in Denver, while Carolina picked up its first win of the season against Tennessee at home.
The New Orleans Saints (2-1) travel to Tennessee to do battle with the Titans (1-2). The Titans opened as 7 point favorites with most books currently listing the game at 7 ½ points with a couple going as high as 9 points. The public is all over the Saints at almost 75%, which points to some reverse action. New Orleans beat San Diego last week and Tennessee lost to Carolina.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Houston Texans. The home Texans started as 3 point favorites, though books are currently listing the game anywhere between 1 ½ and 3 points. The public is clobbering the Texans at over 75%, so here again the bettor can see some reverse action. The Bucs lost at home to Jacksonville last week, while Houston thumped Dallas.
The Green Bay Packers (2-1) and Kansas City Chiefs (0-3) are also seeing reverse line action. The home Chiefs opened as 6 ½ point favorites, and with the public playing the Pack at about 77% the line has dropped to 5 ½ or 6 points. The Packers put up 59 points last week in their win over Indianapolis. The Chiefs lost a home heartbreaker to the Eagles, 20-17.
The Chicago Bears (0-3) head to Cleveland to battle the Browns (1-2). The Bears opened as 2 point favorites and now sportsbooks are putting the line anywhere between 1 and 2 points. The public doesn’t appear to have a clear-cut read here, leveling off about 50/50. The Bears dropped a home game to Arizona last week, while Cleveland lost in Detroit.
The Dallas Cowboys (2-2) host the Miami Dolphins (2-1) in another game that features significant reverse action. The public is playing the Cowboys over 60%, but the opening line of Dallas favored by 2 ½ points has swung to a pick or Miami favored by as many as 2 points. Miami’s 9 game preseason winning streak was snapped last week at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons. Dallas took a beating in Houston, losing 23-7.
The Baltimore Ravens (3-0) head to St. Louis to play the Rams (2-1). The Rams opened as 3 point favorites and the line has held steady at most sites, though a couple have moved to 2 ½ points. The public is hitting the Ravens hard, playing the road ‘dogs at just under 70%. Baltimore beat the Giants at home last week and the Rams outlasted the Patriots in New England, 36-35.
The Denver Broncos (1-2) travel to Minnesota to play the Vikings (2-1). The Vikes started as 4 ½ point favorites and the line has stayed there, although a couple books have moved down to 4 points. The public is slightly favoring the Vikes at about 54%. Denver picked up its first win of the preseason Sunday night against the visiting Steelers. The Vikings took care of Seattle at home.
The San Diego Chargers (1-2) travel north to San Francisco to take on the 49ers (3-0). The Niners opened as 3 point favorites, and with the public playing them at 55% the line has moved up to 3 ½ at some sites, though most have kept the line at 3 points. The Chargers lost in New Orleans last week, while the 49ers scored a late touchdown to beat the Raiders, 28-24.
The last game with legitimate reverse action is between the Washington Redskins (2-1) and Arizona Cardinals (2-1). The Cards opened as 3 ½ point favorites, and even with the public playing the ‘Skins at about 60% the line has jumped up to 5 ½ or 6 points, depending on the sportsbook. Last week Washington beat the Jets on the road, while Arizona won in Chicago.
Finally, the Oakland Raiders (2-1) host the Seattle Seahawks (1-2). The Raiders began as 3 ½ point favorites, and while the line has remained there for many books a few are now checking in at 3 points. The public is slightly favoring the Raiders at around 55%. Last week Seattle lost in Minnesota, while Oakland lost a tough game to their cross-town rival, the San Francisco 49ers.
