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The marquee matchup of Week 10 in the NFL features two teams that should be of playoff caliber, but only one actually playing that way right now. 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.
Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons (no line)
Defending NFC champion Atlanta won its first three games SU, but hasn’t looked good since then. The Falcons (4-4 SU, 2-6 ATS) are on a 1-4 SU skid, failing to cash in all five of those games. In Week 9, Atlanta had another lackluster offensive effort, unable to score in the middle two quarters of a 20-17 loss at Carolina as a 3-point favorite.
Dallas has won three in a row SU and ATS to get its season back on track. The Cowboys (5-3 SU and ATS) dispatched Kansas City 28-17 Sunday as a 2.5-point home chalk.
Bookmaker.eu is sitting tight on a line for this game, as the Ezekiel Elliott suspended/not suspended chronicles continue this week.
“It feels like the Cowboys are finally catching their stride offensively, and the defense looked like a different, competent unit against Kansas City,” Cooley said. “That said, we have to wait to see what the next chapter is in the Ezekiel Elliott saga, because he certainly is worth something to the line. If he is ultimately suspended, Dallas will be a short underdog at Atlanta.”
New England Patriots at Denver Broncos (+7)
New England is tied for the best record in the AFC and coming off its bye week. The Patriots (6-2 SU, 4-4 ATS) have won four straight (3-1 ATS), including a 21-13 home victory over the Los Angeles Chargers giving 6.5 points in Week 8.
Denver is a hot mess at quarterback, and even its normally reliable defense struggled in Week 9. The Broncos (3-5 SU, 2-5-1 ATS) got trampled at Philadelphia, 51-23 as a 7-point underdog.
“Denver is in one of those situations where one side has given up because the other side isn’t performing,” Cooley said. “The offense is a mess, and there doesn’t seem to be a solution in sight. That said, you have to expect one of the Broncos’ best efforts here on Sunday night. This spread will likely head north, but there will be some value players on the home ‘dog with backs against the wall.”
Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins (+2.5)
Minnesota has a third-string quarterback and a first-place record heading into Week 10. The Vikings (6-2 SU, 5-3 ATS), behind Case Keenum, have won four in a row and five of six, rolling past Cleveland 33-16 as an 11-point favorite in Week 8 before getting a bye this past week.
Washington (4-4 SU, 3-5 ATS) snapped a two-game SU and four-game ATS slide in Week 9. The Redskins got a late touchdown to upset Seattle 17-14 getting 8 points on the road.
“Early sharp action came in on the Redskins, knocking this down to +2 quickly,” Cooley said. “Hats go off to Jay Gruden and his staff for staying competitive amid all of the injuries. It will be interesting to see if that ragtag offensive line can hold up against one of the best defenses in the league.”
New Orleans Saints at Buffalo Bills (+2.5)
New Orleans has to be among the bigger surprises this season. The Saints (6-2 SU and ATS) have won six in a row, covering every time after an 0-2 SU and ATS start. In Week 9, Drew Brees and Co. rolled Tampa Bay 30-10 as a 7-point chalk.
Buffalo (5-3 SU, 5-2-1 ATS) went to MetLife Stadium last Thursday night as a 3-point favorite against the New York Jets. But the Bills left with a 34-21 outright loss.
“Everyone is back on the Saints’ wagon with the win streak continuing, but we’re still just not sold on this team being completely turned around from what it’s been in recent years,” Cooley said. “The Buffalo offense will have a new weapon on display, and it feels like this spread should be closer to a pick ‘em. Early smart money was on the Bills.”
That money quickly moved Buffalo to +2.
