Even though the opening NFL Betting Lines for the 2018-19 season came out back in May, it’s still startling to see some of the numbers the NFL Odds people came up with for Week 10. We’ll dive in here, there’s no doubt about it, beginning with a solid Thursday Night Football game with what looks to me like a license to print money line of Steelers -6.5.
All of the prime time games for the week opened with massive spreads for your NFL betting pleasure. Sunday night’s NFC East tilt between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles is the lowest of the bunch at Eagles -5.5.
Monday night’s game might be the craziest by the time this week kicks off with the San Francisco 49ers enjoying a -6.5 advantage over the New York Giants.
NFL Week 10 Betting Odds
Thursday Night Football Odds (Nov. 8)
Carolina Panthers at Pittsburgh Steelers
Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. EST
Broadcast: FOX, NFL Network, Amazon Prime
Opening Line: Steelers -5
There’s no reason for the Steelers not to be favored here in this Thursday night game. What one might question is if Pittsburgh is a solid -6.5 favorite over a Carolina Panthers team that went 11-5 last season and looks, in every way, like it will once again contend for an AFC South title and double-digit win total. This is a potential Super Bowl LIII match up. And those don’t usually look like touchdown-plus spreads.
Both these teams are breaking in new offensive coordinators this season, with Randy Fichtner replacing Todd Haley in Pittsburgh and Norv Turner sliding in for Mike Shula in Carolina. Many times with a line like this, it’s best to jump in early before the books realize they’ve made a mistake. I’m going to reserve judgment for now, but this game looks more like a Steelers -3 or lower to me.
Sunday, Nov. 11, Early Games
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears
Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcast: FOX
Opening Line: Bears -6.4
New Orleans Saints at Cincinnati Bengals
Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcast: FOX
Opening Line: Saints -4.5
Atlanta Falcons at Cleveland Browns
Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcast: FOX
Opening Line: Falcons -4
Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers
Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcast: CBS
Opening Line: Packers -9
New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans
Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcast: CBS
Opening Line: Patriots -6.5
It’s a potential playoff preview in Nashville when new Titans head coach Mike Vrabel faces his old Sith master in Bill Belichick. Tennessee is exactly the kind of physical team that could give New England all sorts of trouble. At this point, offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur should have this attack running and, my guess is, Marcus Mariota will be in the MVP conversation right along with Tom Brady, Carson Wentz and Todd Gurley.
If this line moves, it probably won’t go down more than half a point, but that wouldn’t stop me from looking hard at the Titans here as well as the over once the totals are out.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcast: CBS
Opening Line: Colts -3.5
As of this writing, Andrew Luck is healthy and a full participant in Colts practice. That means there’s no way this line holds up at Jags -4 by kickoff. Barring any kind of catastrophic setback, this could be a pick em by gameday and probably should be. If you like the Colts, and I certainly do, then go ahead and grab it as soon as you can.
Arizona Cardinals at Kansas City Chiefs
Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcast: FOX
Opening Line: Chiefs -17
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets
Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcast: CBS
Opening Line: Jets -8
Washington Redskins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcast: FOX
Opening Line: Buccaneers -1.5
Sunday, Nov. 11, Late Games
Los Angeles Chargers at Oakland Raiders
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m. EST
Broadcast: FOX
Opening Line: Chargers -9.5
Seattle Seahawks at Los Angles Rams
Kickoff: 4:24 p.m. EST
Broadcast: CBS
Opening Line: Rams -10
Sunday Night Football (Nov. 11)
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. EST
Broadcast: NBC
Opening Line: Eagles -5.5
On paper, when you’re looking at the defending Super Bowl champions, a -5.5 line may not seem that nuts, but do you know who the last team to beat the Eagles was before these odds came out? Why, it was the Dallas Cowboys who won a defense-heavy 6-0 game over the Eagles on New Year’s Eve before the playoffs.
In fact, this series could not be more even, going back to before the Doug Pederson era. Since Pederson was hired the Eagles and Cowboys are 2-2. Since the 2010 season, Philadelphia is 7-9 against Dallas.
On the plus side for this spread, it would have been covered by the winner in every game going back to a 24-22 Eagles win back on Dec. 29, 2013. Each of the other victories in the series was by six points or more.
Monday Night Football (Nov. 12)
New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN
Opening Line: 49ers -2.5
I’m not down on the 49ers, regardless of how these looks at each week’s NFL odds may make it seem. I’m not ready to overload the bandwagon just yet on a team that has only seen its starting quarterback played a few games prior to 2018’s opening day and still has plenty of holes on offense and defense. The Giants, even after trading away Jason Pierre-Paul in the offseason, have a significantly better roster.
Still, there’s plenty to be excited about with Jimmy Garoppolo and what he showed in his handful of games running Kyle Shanahan’s offense. I’ve said all offseason that the 49ers could very well contend for a Wild Card spot in the NFC. It’s just that I think the same thing about the Giants and by Nov. 12, new head coach Pat Shurmur should have all the wrinkles ironed out in their offense with a healthy Odell Beckham Jr. and potential rookie of the year Saquon Barkley. I don’t think this line is at Niners -6.5 at kickoff. If you like the Giants, go ahead and grab it while it’s there.