Back in May, Cantor Gaming released point spreads for every NFL game this season. The numbers, as usual, were more of an attention-grabber than anything, with only a small amount of money bet and very little line movement over the rest of the offseason.
But last week, the LVH SuperBook released look-ahead lines for this week’s games. Using both those point spreads and comparing them to the numbers currently being offered at the LVH, we can try to come up with an answer to the question, “Which NFL teams made the biggest impressions in Week 2?”
GOING UP
- Miami Dolphins. Maybe they actually can compete with the Patriots for the AFC East title? After two road victories to open the season, the Dolphins open their home slate against the Falcons, where they’ve gone from 1-point underdogs (preseason) to a pick ’em (last week) to 3-point favorites (currently). Keep in mind, over the past five years Miami is 27-15 ATS (64.3%) on the road but just 14-25-2 ATS (35.9%) at home.
- Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals, fresh off a comeback victory over the Lions and looking like a much more competent team compared to last year, have moved from +9 (last week) to +7 (currently) at the Saints in Week 3. It’s rare to see a line move against New Orleans in the Superdome, so perhaps people are buying Carson Palmer and the new-look Cardinals.
- Green Bay Packers. A blowout victory always goes down smooth for Joe Public bettors, especially when it involves a high-powered offense like Green Bay. At Cincinnati this week, the Packers have moved from a pick ’em (preseason) to -1 (last week) to, currently, 2.5-point road favorites.
GOING DOWN
- Cleveland Browns. The offense musters only one touchdown in two games, the starting quarterback gets hurt, and then the star running back gets traded to an AFC contender. So, yeah, things are suddenly looking pretty bleak for the Browns, who not surprisingly have plummeted all the way to 6.5-point underdogs at Minnesota.
- New England Patriots. It’s rare to see New England on a list like this, isn’t it? Until Rob Gronkowski comes back, bettors will probably remain hesitant with the Patriots, who are sputtering on offense and have moved from -9 (last week) at home against the Bucs to, currently, -7.
- Philadelphia Eagles. Welcome to the roller coaster that could be Philly’s 2013 season. After a headline-grabbing debut to the Chip Kelly era, the Eagles gave up 539 total yards in a home loss to the Chargers, and now face another AFC West team—the Chiefs—where they’ve gone from -5 (last week) to -3.
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CHIEFS AT EAGLES
Early line: Philadelphia -3
Look-ahead line: Philadelphia -5
Current line: Philadelphia -3
CHARGERS AT TITANS
Early line: San Diego -2.5
Look-ahead line: Tennessee -3.5
Current line: Tennessee -3
BROWNS AT VIKINGS
Early line: Minnesota -6.5
Look-ahead line: Minnesota -3.5
Current line: Minnesota -6.5
BUCCANEERS AT PATRIOTS
Early line: New England -7.5
Look-ahead line: New England -9
Current line: New England -7
TEXANS AT RAVENS
Early line: Baltimore -3.5
Look-ahead line: Houston -1
Current line: Houston -2.5
RAMS AT COWBOYS
Early line: Dallas -4.5
Look-ahead line: Dallas -4
Current line: Dallas -4
CARDINALS AT SAINTS
Early line: New Orleans -7.5
Look-ahead line: New Orleans -9
Current line: New Orleans -7
LIONS AT REDSKINS
Early line: Washington -2.5
Look-ahead line: Washington -3
Current line: Washington -2.5
PACKERS AT BENGALS
Early line: Pick ’em
Look-ahead line: Green Bay -1
Current line: Green Bay -2.5
GIANTS AT PANTHERS
Early line: New York -1
Look-ahead line: Carolina -3
Current line: Carolina -1
FALCONS AT DOLPHINS
Early line: Atlanta -1
Look-ahead line: Pick ’em
Current line: Miami -3
COLTS AT 49ERS
Early line: San Francisco -7.5
Look-ahead line: San Francisco -9.5
Current line: San Francisco -10
JAGUARS AT SEAHAWKS
Early line: Seattle -14
Look-ahead line: Seattle -16.5
Current line: Seattle -19
BILLS AT JETS
Early line: New York -3.5
Look-ahead line: New York -3
Current line: New York -2.5
BEARS AT STEELERS
Early line: Pittsburgh -2.5
Look-ahead line: Chicago -2.5
Current line: Chicago -2.5
RAIDERS AT BRONCOS
Early line: Denver -13.5
Look-ahead line: Denver -16
Current line: Denver -15