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We’re heading into Week 9 of the NFL season, and the whole Ezekiel Elliott situation is still not resolved, which is forcing oddsmakers to tap the brakes a bit. Covers takes a look at opening lines on a quartet of next weekend’s contests, with insights from Scott Cooley, odds consultant for offshore sportsbook Bookmaker.eu.
Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys (no line)
Dallas still had Elliott’s services Sunday, and he delivered in a big way on the highway. The star running back racked up 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns, helping the Cowboys (4-3 SU and ATS) top Washington 33-19 as a 3-point favorite. Elliott’s Week 9 status is uncertain at this point.
Kansas City still has some Week 8 work to do, hosting the Denver Broncos on Monday night. The Chiefs (5-2 SU and ATS) got out of the box 5-0 SU and ATS, then lost at home to Pittsburgh and at Oakland.
“The Elliott situation will keep this game a bit muddled until we get clarity on his availability,” Cooley said. “As well, we’ll want to wait and see how the Chiefs fare Monday night. If nothing changes and these teams come into this great matchup as is, then Dallas will be a short favorite.”
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers (-1.5)
Atlanta still doesn’t look like the team that reached the Super Bowl last year, but at least Matt Ryan and Co. put a three-game SU and ATS skid in the rearview mirror. The Falcons (5-3 SU, 2-5 ATS) held off the New York Jets 25-20 on Sunday, though they again failed to cash as a 6.5-point chalk.
Carolina has been up-and-down all season, as well, but ended a two-game hiccup in Week 8. The Panthers (5-3 SU, 4-4 ATS) dropped Tampa Bay 17-3 as a 1.5-point road underdog.
“No one knows which Carolina club will show up for this one. The Panthers are one of the most mercurial teams in the league,” Cooley said. “Atlanta pulled out a quality win this week, but certainly something is amiss with the team. My best guess is that we’ll see some Falcons money, especially from the public, which I think we’d be happy with.”
Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles (no line)
Philadelphia might well be the league’s No. 1 team, certainly by looking at the standings. The Eagles (7-1 SU, 6-2 ATS) have won six and a row and cashed five straight, plowing past San Francisco 33-10 laying 13 points at home Sunday.
As noted above, Denver still has to take a stern Week 8 test on Monday night in Kansas City. The Broncos (3-3 SU and ATS) are 1-3 SU and ATS in their last four outings, losing the last two in embarrassing fashion. Denver was a 13.5-point home favorite against the New York Giants and lost outright 23-10, then got bageled at San Diego 21-0 giving 1 point.
“Two teams quickly trending in opposite directions,” Cooley said. “The Eagles look like the NFC’s best team, and we’ll see if Denver can save some face Monday night and get back on track a bit. If nothing outrageous happens to the Broncos on Monday, we’ll open them around touchdown ‘dogs at Philly.”
Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks (-7)
It took nearly half the season, but Seattle finally caught up to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West. The Seahawks (5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS) won a wild one Sunday against Houston, getting a Jimmy Graham touchdown catch in the waning seconds to claim a 41-38 home victory as a 6-point chalk.
Washington is competitive every single week, yet finds itself with a 3-4 SU and 2-5 ATS record. The Redskins were within 26-19 Sunday against visiting Dallas, but Kirk Cousins threw a last-minute pick-six, cementing a 33-19 loss as a 3-point pup.
“Unfortunately, the injury bug just keeps biting for Washington,” Cooley said, alluding primarily to the Redskins’ battered offensive line. “But Jay Gruden is a great offensive mind, and he was able to keep his team in the game with half an O-line against Dallas. The public doesn’t back off Seattle, even if the Seahawks aren’t at their best, so we wanted to be generous with this number, especially considering the state the Redskins are in.”
