NFL opening line report: The Falcons face another very tough test in Week 6
In back-to-back weeks, Atlanta has beaten both participants in last year’s Super Bowl. Coming off their win over Carolina, the Falcons were in control throughout at Denver, winning 23-16.
Week 6 of the NFL season kicks off with the defending Super Bowl champions looking to rebound from their first loss since last December. We talk about the opening lines with Peter Childs, risk management supervisor for offshore site Sportsbook.ag.
Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers (+3)
Denver had to start rookie quarterback Paxton Lynch on Sunday against Atlanta, and it was rough sledding. Lynch was sacked six times and threw an interception, and the Broncos (4-1 SU and ATS) lost 23-16 as 3.5-point home favorites.
San Diego (1-4 SU, 2-3 ATS) had its chances to beat Oakland or at least force overtime, but had a late field goal blocked in a 34-31 road loss as a 3.5-point underdog.
“We had a tough time with this number,” Childs said. “The Chargers are just beat up and arguably the most injured of any team in the NFL. They looked flat-out gassed in the second half against Oakland and now have to play on a short week.”
Childs said the opening number for this Thursday night game comes with an asterisk, not knowing whether Lynch is starting or Trevor Siemian can return from a shoulder injury.
“The Broncos have serious questions at quarterback, and without definitive word as to who will start, Lynch or Siemian, we have placed half-limits on this prime-time matchup until we get word,” Childs said. “Before Sunday’s game, Lynch wasn’t much of a downgrade from Siemian. After what we saw against the Falcons, we were absolutely wrong. He’s a big-time downgrade, in my opinion.
“If it’s Siemian who starts, we’ll go to Broncos -4. If it’s Lynch, then the Broncos go down to 2.5-point road favorite.”
Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots (-9)
Tom Brady returned in Week 5, and it was like he never left. Brady threw for 406 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-13 rout of Cleveland as New England (4-1 SU and ATS) covered the 10-point spread. Cincinnati went off as a 2.5-point chalk at Dallas, but lost 28-14 to fall to 2-3 SU and ATS.
“I’m not sure we can open this line high enough,” Childs said. “The Patriots looked like world beaters with Brady back in charge, and the Bengals looked pathetic against the Cowboys. But as good as the Pats looked, it was against arguably the worst team in the NFL and one of the worst defenses in the NFL.
“The Bengals are in a must-win. They simply can’t afford another loss, and you have to think they bring a desperate effort. We know the public is going to bet the Patriots, so as much as we believe the number should be around 7 or 7.5, we hung 9 and will charge a bit of a tax for Pats backers.”
Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers (OFF)
Dallas continued rolling behind its rookies, quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott. Prescott threw for 227 yards and a TD, and Elliott racked up 134 yards and two TDs on just 15 carries – including a 60-yard score – as the Cowboys beat Cincinnati 28-14 catching 2.5 points at home.
Green Bay (3-1 SU, 2-1-1 ATS) topped the New York Giants 23-16, pushing as a 7-point home fave. But because that was the Sunday night game, Childs said Sportsbook.ag was holding off on posting the line for Cowboys-Packers.
Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks (-7)
In back-to-back weeks, Atlanta has beaten both participants in last year’s Super Bowl. Coming off their big home win over Carolina, the Falcons (4-1 SU and ATS) were in control throughout at Denver on Sunday, winning 23-16 as a 3.5-point ‘dog.
However, Seattle will have an extra week of preparation for this contest, since it had a bye in Week 5. The Seahawks (3-1 SU and ATS) topped the New York Jets 27-17 laying 1 point on the road in Week 4.
“This is a very difficult spot for the Falcons, off their win against the Broncos,” Childs said. “Atlanta has to travel on back-to-back weeks and play a rested Seahawks team. While the Falcons looked impressive on the road, it was against a rookie quarterback who looked overwhelmed in his debut as a starter.
“We opened the Seahawks a solid 7-point favorite and immediately took sharp money on the Falcons. We got off 7 and went down to Seattle -6.5, which is our current number. We’ve had good two-way action at 6.5, and I believe we’ll be at this number for a while.”
In back-to-back weeks, Atlanta has beaten both participants in last year’s Super Bowl. Coming off their win over Carolina, the Falcons were in control throughout at Denver, winning 23-16.
Week 6 of the NFL season kicks off with the defending Super Bowl champions looking to rebound from their first loss since last December. We talk about the opening lines with Peter Childs, risk management supervisor for offshore site Sportsbook.ag.
Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers (+3)
Denver had to start rookie quarterback Paxton Lynch on Sunday against Atlanta, and it was rough sledding. Lynch was sacked six times and threw an interception, and the Broncos (4-1 SU and ATS) lost 23-16 as 3.5-point home favorites.
San Diego (1-4 SU, 2-3 ATS) had its chances to beat Oakland or at least force overtime, but had a late field goal blocked in a 34-31 road loss as a 3.5-point underdog.
“We had a tough time with this number,” Childs said. “The Chargers are just beat up and arguably the most injured of any team in the NFL. They looked flat-out gassed in the second half against Oakland and now have to play on a short week.”
Childs said the opening number for this Thursday night game comes with an asterisk, not knowing whether Lynch is starting or Trevor Siemian can return from a shoulder injury.
“The Broncos have serious questions at quarterback, and without definitive word as to who will start, Lynch or Siemian, we have placed half-limits on this prime-time matchup until we get word,” Childs said. “Before Sunday’s game, Lynch wasn’t much of a downgrade from Siemian. After what we saw against the Falcons, we were absolutely wrong. He’s a big-time downgrade, in my opinion.
“If it’s Siemian who starts, we’ll go to Broncos -4. If it’s Lynch, then the Broncos go down to 2.5-point road favorite.”
Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots (-9)
Tom Brady returned in Week 5, and it was like he never left. Brady threw for 406 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-13 rout of Cleveland as New England (4-1 SU and ATS) covered the 10-point spread. Cincinnati went off as a 2.5-point chalk at Dallas, but lost 28-14 to fall to 2-3 SU and ATS.
“I’m not sure we can open this line high enough,” Childs said. “The Patriots looked like world beaters with Brady back in charge, and the Bengals looked pathetic against the Cowboys. But as good as the Pats looked, it was against arguably the worst team in the NFL and one of the worst defenses in the NFL.
“The Bengals are in a must-win. They simply can’t afford another loss, and you have to think they bring a desperate effort. We know the public is going to bet the Patriots, so as much as we believe the number should be around 7 or 7.5, we hung 9 and will charge a bit of a tax for Pats backers.”
Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers (OFF)
Dallas continued rolling behind its rookies, quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott. Prescott threw for 227 yards and a TD, and Elliott racked up 134 yards and two TDs on just 15 carries – including a 60-yard score – as the Cowboys beat Cincinnati 28-14 catching 2.5 points at home.
Green Bay (3-1 SU, 2-1-1 ATS) topped the New York Giants 23-16, pushing as a 7-point home fave. But because that was the Sunday night game, Childs said Sportsbook.ag was holding off on posting the line for Cowboys-Packers.
Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks (-7)
In back-to-back weeks, Atlanta has beaten both participants in last year’s Super Bowl. Coming off their big home win over Carolina, the Falcons (4-1 SU and ATS) were in control throughout at Denver on Sunday, winning 23-16 as a 3.5-point ‘dog.
However, Seattle will have an extra week of preparation for this contest, since it had a bye in Week 5. The Seahawks (3-1 SU and ATS) topped the New York Jets 27-17 laying 1 point on the road in Week 4.
“This is a very difficult spot for the Falcons, off their win against the Broncos,” Childs said. “Atlanta has to travel on back-to-back weeks and play a rested Seahawks team. While the Falcons looked impressive on the road, it was against a rookie quarterback who looked overwhelmed in his debut as a starter.
“We opened the Seahawks a solid 7-point favorite and immediately took sharp money on the Falcons. We got off 7 and went down to Seattle -6.5, which is our current number. We’ve had good two-way action at 6.5, and I believe we’ll be at this number for a while.”
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