Betting Money Flowing in on Falcons, Saints
NFL Week 9 Line Movement: Kansas City Down to -2 in Germany
The NFL Week 9 slate features some heavyweight matchups, none bigger than the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs squaring off in Germany. Kansas City opened as a 5.5-point favorite but is down to -2 (-110) following a loss last Sunday to Denver.
That said, Kansas City isn’t the only big mover on the board. What other odds have noticeably shifted? Here’s a closer look at the NFL Week 9 line movement.
Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs 
Day/Time:
Opening Total: Chiefs -5.5
Current Total: Chiefs -2
Kansas City — the designated home team for this showdown in Frankfurt, Germany — is down to a 2-point favorite. It’s coming off an uninspiring 24-9 loss to Denver, in which quarterback Patrick Mahomes was dealing with flu-like symptoms.
Mahomes reappeared on the NFL injury report this week, this time because of an issue with his left non-throwing hand. The hand was reportedly stepped on last game. Mahomes fully participated in Wednesday’s practice despite the injury, easing concerns about his availability moving forward. However, it could cause the reigning NFL MVP some discomfort.
As is evident on the NFL Week 9 line movement, that’s enough to give bettors some pause.
Minnesota Vikings vs Atlanta Falcons 
Day/Time:
Opening Total: Falcons -0.5
Current Total: Falcons -4
Minnesota has turned around its season, evening its record at 4-4 following an 0-3 start. While Minnesota’s back in the NFC wild card hunt after climbing the NFL Week 8 power rankings, its ceiling is rather limited. Kirk Cousins is done for the year with an Achilles tear.
Josh Dobbs — acquired at Tuesday’s trade deadline for a low-level pick swap — won’t be ready to start this week, meaning rookie Jaren Hall will instead get the nod at quarterback. The fifth rounder out of BYU debuted briefly in Sunday’s 24-10 over Green Bay, completing 3 of 4 attempts for 23 yards.
Notably, Taylor Heinicke will be taking over at quarterback for Atlanta following Desmond Ridder’s benching.
Chicago Bears vs New Orleans Saints 
Day/Time: Opening Total: Saints -4.5
Current Total: Saints -8.5
After an encouraging debut, Tyson Bagent, an undrafted rookie out of Division II Shepard University, fell back to Earth in Sunday’s 30-13 primetime loss to the Chargers. Bagent completed 25 of 37 passes for 232 yards and ran for a score. But he was also intercepted twice, as Chicago dropped to 2-6. Now he opposes the Saints’ fifth-ranked defense.
The Saints are the biggest favorite on the board for Week 9, showing bettors have little faith in Bagent delivering another surprise.
Los Angeles Rams vs Green Bay Packers 
Day/Time:
Opening Total: Rams -0.5
Current Total: Rams +3
The Rams have gone from a half-point favorite to 3-point underdogs (EV) in the wake of Matthew Stafford’s injury. If Stafford — who sprained his right thumb in Sunday’s 43-20 loss to Dallas — can’t go, it’ll be Brett Rypien at quarterback.
That uncertainty is enough to sway the NFL betting line. Keep an eye on any additional NFL Week 9 line movement.
New York Giants at Las Vegas Raiders 
Day/Time:
Opening Total: 39.5 Points
Current Total: 37.5 Points
The Raiders are averaging only 15.8 points per game, third-fewest in the NFL ahead of the Patriots (14.8) and Giants (11.9). With improvement seemingly nowhere in sight, the Raiders fired head coach Josh McDaniels and benched quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in favor of rookie Aidan O’Connell. this week. A fourth-round pick out of Purdue, O’Connell started in a Week 4 loss to the Chargers (238 yards, 1 INT).
The Giants, meanwhile, are expected to have Daniel Jones back from a neck injury. Despite missing the last three games, Jones has been sacked the second-most times of any quarterback (28).
It’s no wonder this is close to the lowest total of Week 9. Both offenses are dismal.
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