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Longtime Las Vegas oddsmaker Peter Korner sizes up this week’s NFL schedule and picks out some of the lines making him go “hmmm...” in Week 3, including a rare situation in which the Browns are actually laying chalk on the road in their Sunday matchup against the hapless Colts and it may not be enough.
Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts (+1, 40.5)
Cleveland visits Indianapolis this week in a pairing of 0-2 teams both looking for positive signs.
If there's one thing to notice about each team thus far, Cleveland has been playing with a bit more fire, but certainly has played superior teams as compared to Indianapolis. Why this line stands at a mere -1 is questionable. Expect this line to move into the -2, -2.5 range before this one gets underway.
In a game that will be starving for points (Under 40.5 anyone?), the Browns should dominate this game at the line, as the Colts are certainly not striking fear into anyone’s defensive scheme. Cleveland is supposed to be improving from last season and this is a game they should win. With such a low spread, that’s all you’re asking them to do.
The Colts have looked awful so far against the lowly Rams and gave their second game away with some late horrendous play. It’s not the kind of play that inspires a team to improve the following week. The Colts aren’t looking at this game as a “must-win” game. They know they’re in for a long season, but improvements may be their only catalyst. I see this game as a “must-win” for Cleveland who has some expectations riding along in this one.
If you like the Browns, get this early in the week. If you somehow see a glimmer of hope with the Colts, wait until Sunday for your best number.
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets (-6, 41)
Miami visits the New York on a Sunday home opener for the Jets which may prove to be cringeworthy to watch.
The Dolphins did not have the luxury of having one game in their pockets when they faced the Chargers last week and yet, pulled out the win in Los Angeles shaking off some rust in the meantime. The Jets fell apart defensively against the Raiders in giving up a whopping 45 points and dropping to 0-2 for the season to start.
Usually there’s a good reason for a visiting team to be favored by six points on the road. Either the away team is exceptionally good or the home team is exceptionally not-so-good. I think the latter may be applied here.
Though the standing six is a high price tag to lay at first look, you might just be wondering who will exactly take the Jets even at this level? It's hard to see where New York money is going to come in hard and heavy at post. The most likely scenario will be a slow, steady stream of Dolphin cash which should drive this up to the -6 or -6.5 level before this gets underway. Jump on Miami early as you can and wait if you’re a true believer in New York.
Oakland Raiders at Washington (-3, 54)
On Sunday night, Oakland will be playing at Washington.
If you like the Raiders, we’re blessed to have this spread toeing the key three at his point. This, we know, will translate into a number that won’t move for a while. This line was created with perception over true value. Oddsmakers know the threshold of the betting public and the classic marquee matchup on a Sunday night with the home team as the underdog is a strong draw to casual bettors every time.
Why make the line higher when you can get the same handle right at -3?
The Raiders are playing like they did last year before the Carr injury. Now that’s he’s returned, so has the Oakland swagger. Though this is billed as a high scoring game, most of this should be on the Raiders scoreboard. The key three becomes less a factor the higher the total, when touchdowns reign more than field goals. Oakland has scored 71 points already in two games.
Eventually, this number will probably stay on the -3 with a money line to lay for a while. But you can bet that bookmakers will be very heavy on Oakland when this kicks off. This line deserves to be in the -4 range so there’s value in the favorite here.
