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NFL line watch: Don't wait to fade Manziel-less Browns
Each week during the pro football season, Covers Expert Art Aronson of AAA Sports looks at the NFL odds and tells you which spread to bet now, which one to bet later, and which total to watch as the week plays out.
And even though Week 1 lines have been out for a while, there is still value in timing your wagers for the opening slate of NFL games.
Spread to bet now
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (-6)
Bettors are on the Steelers by a 2/1 margin and with good reason: The Browns are a typical mess. It’s hard to see how Cleveland plans to move the chains this year, at least until Johnny Manziel replaces Brian Hoyer sometime in late September or early October.
With no dominant team in the AFC North, the Steelers have to be taking a “Why not us?” approach and a division win is a decent way to start. Cleveland has had issues at every turn and even though AFC North battles often turn in to field goal games, this one shouldn’t. This one might go to 6.5 or 7 by the end of the week, so get the cash down now.
Spread to wait on
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1.5)
Things are a bit murky in the NFC South, where Cam Newton is the BMOC but could get off to a slow start after offseason surgery (ankle) and injured ribs.
But wouldn’t you still rather have a wheelchair-bound Newton than run-of-the-mill veteran Josh McCown, who was born in the 1970s and is a place-holder at QB for the Bucs until they can find a legit quarterback?
The addition of Logan Mankins helps the offensive, but there are just too many questions on both teams here to jump quickly. The Bucs were as big as field-goal underdog for this game way back in the spring, but have since moved to as big as 1.5-point faves.
Total to watch
Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears (48)
Both teams have a vested interest in keeping the score down in this one. The Bills can ill afford to get into any shootouts, especially on the road. Their lack of offense in the preseason shows that there’s still much work to do.
The Bears know that Jay Cutler is never too long a cab ride away from a four-interception game. There’s also the uncertainty of exactly how the referees will call contact on WRs this season. It all adds up to an Under play - there is talk that officials will keeps flags in their pockets to avoid the types of play stoppages that occurred in the exhibitions - especially with a hefty number like 48.
Each week during the pro football season, Covers Expert Art Aronson of AAA Sports looks at the NFL odds and tells you which spread to bet now, which one to bet later, and which total to watch as the week plays out.
And even though Week 1 lines have been out for a while, there is still value in timing your wagers for the opening slate of NFL games.
Spread to bet now
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (-6)
Bettors are on the Steelers by a 2/1 margin and with good reason: The Browns are a typical mess. It’s hard to see how Cleveland plans to move the chains this year, at least until Johnny Manziel replaces Brian Hoyer sometime in late September or early October.
With no dominant team in the AFC North, the Steelers have to be taking a “Why not us?” approach and a division win is a decent way to start. Cleveland has had issues at every turn and even though AFC North battles often turn in to field goal games, this one shouldn’t. This one might go to 6.5 or 7 by the end of the week, so get the cash down now.
Spread to wait on
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1.5)
Things are a bit murky in the NFC South, where Cam Newton is the BMOC but could get off to a slow start after offseason surgery (ankle) and injured ribs.
But wouldn’t you still rather have a wheelchair-bound Newton than run-of-the-mill veteran Josh McCown, who was born in the 1970s and is a place-holder at QB for the Bucs until they can find a legit quarterback?
The addition of Logan Mankins helps the offensive, but there are just too many questions on both teams here to jump quickly. The Bucs were as big as field-goal underdog for this game way back in the spring, but have since moved to as big as 1.5-point faves.
Total to watch
Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears (48)
Both teams have a vested interest in keeping the score down in this one. The Bills can ill afford to get into any shootouts, especially on the road. Their lack of offense in the preseason shows that there’s still much work to do.
The Bears know that Jay Cutler is never too long a cab ride away from a four-interception game. There’s also the uncertainty of exactly how the referees will call contact on WRs this season. It all adds up to an Under play - there is talk that officials will keeps flags in their pockets to avoid the types of play stoppages that occurred in the exhibitions - especially with a hefty number like 48.
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