Week 9 will get underway with the Baltimore Ravens, presumably with Lamar Jackson (whom coach John Harbaugh is “hopeful” will play), visiting the Miami Dolphins on “Thursday Evening Soccer.”
Within the early Sunday window, the Detroit Lions are heavy favorites over the NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings, and the surging Indianapolis Colts go to Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who're coming off a loss the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Buffalo Payments match up in maybe the sport of the day in a late afternoon tilt, with the Payments at present an underdog at dwelling.
“Monday Evening Soccer” closes out the week, because the Dallas Cowboys welcome the underdog Arizona Cardinals to Arlington, Texas.
So which video games provide early attraction?
Matt Bowen, Pamela Maldonado, Ben Solak and Seth Walder regarded on the odds and recognized which of them are value leaping on now earlier than potential shifts later within the week.
Be aware: Odds at time of publication, courtesy of ESPN BET Sportsbook.
Indianapolis Colts to cowl -3.5 (+105) at Pittsburgh Steelers
Bowen: Powerful to wager on the Steelers proper now given the shortage of workforce velocity and the poor degree of play we're seeing on the defensive aspect of the ball from Mike Tomlin's membership. Pittsburgh has given up 30-plus factors in every of its final two video games, and the Colts' balanced offensive construction can create matchup points and explosive-play alternatives. I am taking Indy to cowl the unfold right here.
Final week: Bucs -5.5 at Saints (Bucs gained, 23-3)
Dallas Cowboys to cowl -2.5 (-120) vs. Arizona Cardinals
Maldonado: The distinction is firepower. Dallas piles up the factors at dwelling with a number of explosive choices in George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson. The Cowboys protection, whereas leaky, nonetheless creates strain and turnovers to disrupt. Arizona is scrappy, and Kyler Murray can produce when saved clear, however the Cardinals are backside 10 in yards per play; they're extra regular than explosive. That does not maintain up properly when Dallas begins hitting chunk performs. Murray in a shootout? I do not see it.
Final week: Giants +6.5 at Eagles (Eagles gained, 38-20)
Detroit Lions to cowl -9.5 (Even) vs. Minnesota Vikings
Solak: I am comfortable to instantly fade J.J. McCarthy on his return to the beginning lineup, because the second-year passer regarded worse than Carson Wentz in his restricted motion earlier than struggling an ankle harm. He catches a Lions workforce off of a bye at Ford Discipline, the place Dan Campbell has traditionally been very sturdy in opposition to the unfold (26-11, for a canopy price of 70%). Safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Department are projected to return to motion. Add in Alim McNeill in opposition to that Vikings inside offensive line that has struggled this 12 months, and this smells like a blowout.
Jaxson Dart to win Offensive Rookie of the Yr (-105)
Walder: When Justin Herbert beat Justin Jefferson for the Offensive Rookie of the Yr in 2020, I took it as a lesson: if there is a viable quarterback for this award, wager them. Herbert had rookie season, rating thirteenth in QBR. However Jefferson recorded 1,400 receiving yards (in a 16-game season!)… and it nonetheless wasn't sufficient. Emeka Egbuka, Dart's most important challenger, is having a pleasant season, however he's on tempo for below 1,200 yards whereas Dart at present ranks 14th in QBR. Plus, the Giants have performed the toughest schedule within the NFL up to now. Extra wins are coming their manner with solely the Twelfth-hardest schedule remaining.
