While it's not the "flashiest" game on the Week 9 slate, the Baltimore Ravens vs. New Orleans Saints could be the most competitive with two teams need to keep pace in the win columns of their respective divisions.
Just when you thought everything was starting to make sense, the NFL trade deadline hits and shakes up the landscape of the league.
The Detroit Lions dealt Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson to the division rival Minnesota Vikings. Linebacker Bradley Chubb’s arrival to the Miami Dolphins from the Denver Broncos bolsters their defense. And Calvin Ridley is now a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars -- or at least will be eventually.
Some of the rich got richer.
They have a chance to show off their new weapons for the first time this week.
FrontPageBets looks at three of the best bets we found for Week 9.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Washington Commanders
The pick: Vikings -3.5 (-110 DraftKings, -110 FanDuel, -110 BetMGM)
Minnesota has flown under the radar to a 6-1 record and the top spot in the NFC North.
The Vikings have rifled off five consecutive wins and are averaging 28.6 points during that streak. Adding Hockenson to an offense that already features Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook almost seems unfair, and Washington just simply doesn’t have the firepower to keep up with that kind of artillery.
Give credit where credit is due -- the Commanders are playing good football. They’ve won three straight, but have done so against three teams featuring offenses that rank 30th, 26th and 23rd in terms of scoring.
Trust Minnesota’s offense here, and if the defense bends but doesn’t break, you should be looking at a nice start to your Sunday slate.
The pick: Over 42.5 points (-110 DraftKings, -110 FanDuel, -110 BetMGM)
Entering the season, the Rams and Buccaneers were two viable options for teams that could potentially meet in the NFC Championship Game. But now it seems like the only place these two teams might be meeting come January is a golf course.
Halloween may have already passed, but the rate at which the under is hitting in games that feature either of these teams is still just as scary.
Los Angeles hasn’t seen the over in four of its last five games overall in addition to witnessing the under cash in 19 of its last 27 road games against a team with a losing record. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay’s total has gone under six times in its last eight games. On top of that, the under is 13-3 in the Bucs’ last 16 games against NFC foes.
Both teams are due for an explosive offensive performance, though. Right? We believe it could come here. Based off all the trends, it’s safe to assume the majority of tickets are going to be sporting the under with confidence, making it the perfect time to fade the public.
Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions
The pick: Over 23.5 first-half points (-115 Caesars, -110 DraftKings on over 24 total)
One tonic remains sure to fix what ails Aaron Rodgers and the Packers disjointed offense: Detroit’s No. 29-ranked defense.
The Lions are familiar with being tamed by Rodgers. Rodgers owns sparking career numbers in this matchup: 56 TDs (four rushing), eight interceptions and a 108.8 rating in 24 career starts. Those aren’t all from the Rodgers of yesteryear. He’s chasing his seventh game in a row against the Lions with two or more TD passes.
But given Rodgers’ vocal critique of his pass-catchers, we’ll pass on the prop -- -230 odds on over 1.5 TD passes isn’t worth the investment – and plan on big points early. The first quarter over of 9.5 is tempting and hit in each of the past four meetings. The first half line is even better with both teams scoring big, and getting hit with points, in the second quarter.
Detroit can score, averaging 24.7 per game. But the Lions allow 32.1 per game. It’s all a win for over bettors.
The Lions have allowed 74 points in the second quarter alone this season and scored 49. The Packers have scored -- and surrendered -- more points in the second quarter this season than any other quarter (62 points scored, 52 allowed).
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