The Patriots and Bengals are huge favorites over the Redskins and Browns, respectively, as we look at more early odds heading into Week 9 of the NFL season.
The second half of the NFL season is upon us, and with it comes some intriguing betting matchups in Week 9.
Few people would have expected the Bengals to still be undefeated at the midway point of the season, but they’ve enjoyed a tremendous first half and welcome the Browns to town this week for a Thursday night affair. The Bengals sit as 11.5-point favorites over the Browns; the largest spread in their favor since 2009.
There are only two other divisional affairs on the Week 9 slate. The Buffalo Bills, fresh off a bye week, look to get back on track as they host the Miami Dolphins. The Bills have been installed as three-point favorites, which implies that these two teams would be considered equal on a neutral field.
Meanwhile, in the NFC the Cowboys play host the Eagles in a pivotal Sunday Night Football matchup. The away team is 7-1 against the spread in the last eight games between these two teams according to the OddsShark NFL Database, and oddsmakers are giving Philadelphia some serious respect by listing the Eagles as 2.5-point chalk on the road.
The Vikings return home to take on the Rams, and they’re listed as 2.5-point favorites. The Rams are 0-3 straight up and against the spread in their last three games against the Vikings, including a blowout loss in Week 1 last season.
One of the most attractive games of the week takes place at Heinz Field, where the Steelers are laying five points to the impressive Raiders. The Raiders are 2-10 straight up and against the spread in their last 12 games after winning as an underdog, so they’ll have to avoid the infamous letdown spot here.
Pittsburgh will be without stud running back Le’Veon Bell, so that will surely work in the Raiders’ favor.
Finally, the Patriots are installed as 15-point favorites over the Redskins for this week. This is the biggest underdog that the Redskins have been since 1995, and also the biggest favorite that the Patriots have been since 2011.