Week 8 NFL Biggest Spread Moves

A smart bettor knows to monitor line movements as the week goes along. Often when the bet is made is nearly as important as who the bet is on. Here are Week 8’s biggest spread moves and the likely reasons for said moves.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (-6.5) @ ATLANTA FALCONS
OPENING: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (-3.5) @ ATLANTA FALCONS

This line came out on October 16 when we all thought Matt Ryan would be starting. He still might, but his status is still in doubt. If Ryan sits, Matt Schaub will get the start. Schaub has only started two games since leaving Houston at the end of 2013. The line got up to Seahawks -7  before settling to where it is now.

There’s also the notion that the Falcons are in the early stages of tanking under a lame-duck head coach. Mohamed Sanu was shipped to New England earlier this week and there has been speculation that Dan Quinn won’t make it through Atlanta’s bye week, which begins after this game. The Falcons are 1-6 ATS this season and the Seahawks are 3-0 ATS on the road.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (+12.5) VS. LOS ANGLES RAMS
OPENING: CINCINNATI BENGALS (+10) VS. LOS ANGELES RAMS

The Bengals haven’t been able to pick up a win on US soil, but maybe they’ll have more luck in London. Not that there’s any particular reason to believe in them. A.J. Green and Cordy Glenn still haven’t played this season and the earliest we’ll see them is after the Week 9 bye. The Rams are clearly the better team.

However, it wouldn’t shock us to see more money coming in on the Bengals as kickoff approaches. The Rams haven’t been favored by double digits this season. Their previous high was nine points when they lost to the Bucs by 15.

The Bengals were 9.5-point underdogs (in Seattle) and 10.5-point underdogs (in Baltimore) and covered both times. As bad as the Bengals are, they tend to keep things close.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (+14) @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS
OPENING: MIAMI DOLPHINS (+16.5) @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Two straight covers seem to have removed the Dolphins from the no-bet zone. No one really cared about the Washington game but covering against Buffalo was impressive. At the very least impressive enough for bettors to think Mason Rudolph’s Steelers shouldn’t be favored by more than two touchdowns. 

In Pittsburgh’s defense, they have covered all four games started by someone other than Ben Roethlisberger. They could easily return the Dolphins to toxic status.

NEW YORK JETS (+6.5) @ JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
OPENING: NEW YORK JETS (+4.5) @JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

This is likely due to the fallout of Sam Darnold’s performance on Monday night. “Seeing ghosts” has been everywhere this week, and for good reason. Darnold’s performance was among the worst of any quarterback this season. The Jaguars picked Andy Dalton off three times last week.

ARIZONA CARDINALS (+10.5) @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
OPENING: ARIZONA CARDINALS (+8.5) @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Drew Brees is sending us into a paradox. Though the Saints have covered every game without him, it’s likely the news of his possible return that has more money coming in on the Saints. There’s also the possible return of Alvin Kamara and David Johnson’s uncertain status after barely seeing the field in Week 7.

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