NFL odds: Week 7 gambles
The NFL season is deep enough that we have a good idea about each team. Some are still trying to find their true identities, but for the most part, we understand what we’re looking at.
This week, there are some lines that stick out more than others. For example, the Denver Broncos laying a point on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers is a good bet. Los Angeles might only be 2-4, but it is at home after saving its season with a pair of wins against the Giants and Raiders on the road. The Chargers are also getting the Broncos without wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who is out with an ankle injury.
Without Sanders, it seems Trevor Siemian will have some major issues moving the ball. Denver doesn’t have one of the better offenses to begin with, and without Sanders, the Chargers could win this game with 20 points, if not fewer.
Another interesting line involves the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers. Dallas is laying six points on the road, which would suggest its a good team. The Cowboys are currently 2-3 and playing like a team going nowhere fast. Meanwhile, the 49ers are a rancid 0-6, but have lost only one game by more than a field goal. In other words, San Francisco isn’t a good team, but it’s also a team that keeps games close. Expect more of the same — in all regards — on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
In Pittsburgh, the line feels high with the Cincinnati Bengals getting five points against the Steelers. Pittsburgh is the better team and typically plays well at home, but there has to be something said for Cincinnati being a winner of two straight, and coming off a bye. On the other side, Ben Roethlisberger has thrown six interceptions over the past two weeks. Roethlisberger only threw one last weekend in a win over the Kansas City Chiefs, but was lucky to not have thrown another in the latter stages. He’s not right.
Finally, the Tennessee Titans have been disappointing to this juncture with a 3-3 record, but they are going to get healthy in a big way this week against the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland is the most laughable franchise in the league, going back to DeShone Kizer at quarterback after benching him for Kevin Hogan only two weeks ago.
Tennessee is favored by 5.5 points on the road and will cover easily. Cleveland is both horrid and dysfunctional, something Browns fans are sadly all to familiar with. The Titans will run the ball at will, Marcus Mariota will have a solid day, and Kizer is likely to throw a couple picks. Bet Tennessee.
