NFL odds Week 5: Opening lines, sharp money & line movement

NFL Week 4 is in the rearview mirror, NFL Week 5 odds are on the betting board, and a few games are already getting action. Among the noteworthy matchups, the Philadelphia Eagles cross the state to face the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Las Vegas Raiders meet the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Multiple oddsmakers provided insights on NFL Week 5 opening lines and early line movement, sharp money and public betting. Covers will update this report with NFL sharp picks vs. public bets and line movement throughout the week.

NFL Week 5 odds

These are the current NFL Week 5 odds, as of October 4. Click on each matchup in the table below to get updated in-depth information on the opening lines, sharp money, public betting, and odds movement as we get closer to kickoff.

Odds courtesy of The SuperBook

Teams on bye: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers

Buccaneers at Bears odds

Opening line

Bears +5.5, Over/Under 44.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 7:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Less than an hour before kickoff, BetMGM Nevada is at its low point of Bucs -3.5, after opening -5.5. "Sharp money started coming in Wednesday on the Bears," BetMGM Nevada's Jeff Stoneback said. "We do need the Buccaneers for the first time this year. Tickets are 3/1 on the Bucs, the public is on Tampa Bay, but it's Pros vs. Joes. Money is 60/40 on the Bears." Stoneback noted the total opened at 44 and went to 45, then back to 44.5, and that there's really no decision on the total. And while a Bucs cover is the best outcome, the book would be fine with a Bears cover or outright win, as it would break up Tampa Bay parlays.

UPDATE 6 P.M. ET THURSDAY: The SuperBook at Westgate opened the Bucs -5.5 and quickly went to -6, but the line has declined since then. It's currently sitting at Tampa Bay -3 (-120), thanks to sharp play on Chicago. "We're getting a lot of parlays on the Bucs, but the line is dropping," SuperBook manager and oddsmaker Eric Osterman said.

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: The Bears opened as 5.5-point underdogs at BetMGM, but have since moved in to +3 for the Thursday night game. "Despite a below-average performance against the Colts last Sunday, sharp gamblers are keen that the Bears will cover tonight," BetMGM sportsbook manager Matt Cosgriff said.The Bucs are getting 67 percent of point-spread tickets at BetMGM, but money is much closer to two-way action, with 52 percent going to Tampa Bay.

UPDATE 4:45 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Tampa Bay opened -5.5 at DraftKings and is down to -3.5, despite taking a heavy majority of tickets and money on the spread, at 87 percent and 91 percent, respectively. 

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This game was already on the move Sunday night at The SuperBook, with bettors on the road favorite.

"We opened the Bucs -5.5 and moved quickly up to -6 off of bets. The Bears did not impress anyone with their performance today," Murray said, alluding to Chicago's 19-11 home loss to Indianapolis. "This line has jumped up considerably from the look-ahead number (last week) of 3. Look for the books to need Chicago big on Thursday."

Panthers at Falcons odds

Opening line

Falcons -3.5, Over/Under 54.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 12:30 P.M. ET SUNDAY: BetMGM Nevada saw sharp play on both sides of this game, bringing the Panthers from +3 to +1, then raising the Falcons over the last 12 hours or so back to -2.5. However, this morning's news that Atlanta wideout Julio Jones is out dropped the Falcons back to -1.5. All that said: "Money is 8/1 on Atlanta and tickets are 2/1," BetMGM's Jeff Stoneback said.

UPDATE 10:30 A.M. ET SUNDAY: Nick Bogdanovich, director of trading for William Hill US, said there's a small need on the Panthers today. The Falcons opened -3.5 and dropped to -1.5, but are back to -2.5 this morning.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY: PointsBet USA moved from Falcons -3 to -1 by midweek, but was back up to Falcons -2.5 Saturday night in what's become a Pros vs. Joes game, with sharp play on the Panthers and the public on Atlanta. 

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Atlanta is down from the opener of -3 to -1.5 at DraftKings, with nearly even ticket count, but 65 percent of spread money on road underdog Carolina. 

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This line saw no movement Sunday night at the SuperBook. Atlanta still has Week 4 work to do, as a 7-point underdog at Green Bay in the Monday night game.

Raiders at Chiefs odds

Opening line

Chiefs -12, Over/Under 57

Why the line moved

UPDATE 12:30 P.M. ET SUNDAY: PointsBet USA opened Kansas City -12 and crept to -13.5 at one point, but this line dropped to -10.t this morning. However: "There's more action on the K.C. side, with 67 percent of spread bets and 61 percent of spread handle," PointsBet's Patrick Eichner said.

UPDATE 10:30 A.M. ET SUNDAY: The Chiefs have gone from a high point of -13.5 all the way down to -10.5 this morning at William Hill US. But that's not the need today. "We'll need the Raiders pretty big," Bogdanovich said, noting heavy parlay and teaser play on Kansas City.

UPDATE 9 A.M. SUNDAY: The Chiefs went from -11.5 to -13, but are now back to -11.5 in a game getting two-way action at FanDuel. The Chiefs are taking 55 percent of tickets and 56 percent of money.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET THURSDAY: This game is back up at The SuperBook, with manager/oddsmaker Eric Osterman setting the line at Chiefs -12.5, and it went to -12 within an hour Thursday afternoon. Still, the book fully expects a big need on the Raiders come Sunday.

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: The Chiefs stretched to -13.5 at The SuperBook by Tuesday evening, but the game came off the board this morning due to a positive COVID test for defensive tackle Maurice Hurst.

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There was no line movement Sunday night, but Murray expects the public to line up behind the big chalk by next Sunday.

"The Raiders are banged up on D, and that’s scary when you have to face Patrick Mahomes & Co.," Murray said. "Look for the public to hammer Kansas City, especially if the Chiefs win big again on Monday night."

The Chiefs are 10.5-point home favorites against the Patriots, in a game postponed a day after New England QB Cam Newton had a positive COVID-19 test. Newton will miss at least two games.

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Broncos at Patriots odds

Opening line

Off, Over/Under Off

Why the line moved

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET SUNDAY: On Sunday morning, the NFL announced this game was further postponed. Initially, the game was moved to Monday due to COVID issues with the Patriots; now, Monday is a no-go, and the reschedule date is not yet set, though reports suggest it might be next Sunday. Check back for updates.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET THURSDAY: With Patriots QB Cam Newton testing positive for COVID last week and cornerback Stephon Gilmore's positive test Tuesday, the NFL on Thursday announced this game is being moved to Monday night. However, this game remains off the board at The SuperBook. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. ET, with the regularly scheduled Vikings-Seahawks game to follow at 8:20 p.m. ET.

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The SuperBook kept this game off the board Sunday night, waiting for more clarity on New England's COVID-19 situation. QB Cam Newton will likely be out of the lineup, having tested positive Friday.

Rams at Washington odds

Opening line

Rams -10, Over/Under 46

Why the line moved

UPDATE 12:45 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Los Angeles opened -8.5 at PointsBet USA, but only stayed there for a few hours, quickly going to -7.5 and then -7. Still, PointsBet's Eichner said the Rams are seeing 57 percent of bets and 61 percent of money on the spread.

UPDATE 10:30 A.M. ET SUNDAY: Although the Rams have gone from -9 to -7 at William Hill US, again, the favorite is not going to be the need. "We'll need Washington big. It's the same thing as Raiders-Chiefs," Bogdanovich said, noting heavy parlay/moneyline parlay/teaser play on the Rams.

UPDATE 10 A.M. ET SUNDAY: "Definitely public vs. Pros," BetMGM Nevada's Scott Shelton said. The Rams moved from -9 to -7, with sharp play on Washington, but Los Angeles is very much a public play, with ticket count running 5/1 and money 3/1 on the Rams. Plus, L.A. is in all the parlays and teasers, so the book will need Washington today.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET THURSDAY: The Rams are down to -7 at The SuperBook, in the wake of Washington making a quarterback change. "The Washington Football Team is perceived to be a better ball-control team with Kyle Allen as QB, in place of Dwayne Haskins," Osterman said. "We took sharp money on the Football Team at +10 and +9.5."

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: DraftKings opened the Rams -9 and dropped to -7.5 by Tuesday, where the line remains now. That move comes despite Los Angeles grabbing 74 percent of bets and 71 percent of money on the spread.

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The Rams went off as 13.5-point home favorites against the New York Giants on Sunday, but needed a mid-fourth-quarter touchdown just to get a little breathing room in a 17-9 victory. Early Week 5 NFL bettors weren't impressed, with the first move to Rams -9 on Sunday night at The SuperBook.

Jaguars at Texans odds

Opening line

Texans -6.5, Over/Under 54

Why the line moved

UPDATE 12:45 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Houston spent most of the week at -6, but was briefly as low as -5 and -5.5 at PointsBet USA. The Texans are taking 56 percent of tickets/66 percent of handle.

UPDATE 11 A.M. ET SUNDAY: The Texans dropped from -7 to -5.5 at FanDuel by Friday, where the number remains this morning. Still, Houston is attracting 64 percent of tickets and 72 percent of money on the spread. The total is at 54.5, and bettors are leaning toward the Under, with 63 percent of bets and 60 percent of money.

UPDATE 4:45 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: DraftKings opened Houston -6.5 and moved to -6 Monday, where the line remained late Wednesday afternoon. The Texas are getting 60 percent of bets and 63 percent of money on the spread.

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This line had no movement Sunday night at The SuperBook.

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Bills at Titans odds

Opening line

Off, Over/Under Off

Why the line moved

UPDATE 6 P.M. ET TUESDAY: PointsBet USA's Patrick Eichner said the Bills opened -3 and quickly went to -3.5, but it's now back to -3. Still, Buffalo is taking the bulk of the action, at 83 percent of tickets and 67 percent of money on the spread. Bettors lean toward the Under, which is getting 59 percent of tickets/58 percent of money, with the total dropping from 53 to 51.5, then ticking up to 52. Among prop bets, the always-popular play of who scores the first touchdown is seeing the Bills' Josh Allen (+1,000) draw the most tickets at 21 percent, followed by Bills wideout Stefon Diggs (+950). Titans running back Derrick Henry is the 5/1 favorite and is taking the third-most tickets. 

UPDATE 4:30 P.M. ET TUESDAY: "We're seeing a reverse-line move in the Bills and Titans game," SuperBook manager/oddsmaker Eric Osterman said. "We are seeing more public money on the Bills, but the line is moving down. We were at Bills -3.5 (even) this morning, and now we are at Bills -3 (-120). We do have some sharp money on the Titans, but not anything really big yet."

UPDATE 2 P.M.. ET TUESDAY: At BetMGM's main hub in New Jersey, the line hasn't moved off Bills -3.5. However, the price on Titans +3.5 is up to -115. The ticket count overwhelmingly favors the Bills, with 83 percent of bets on Buffalo, but the money is very much two-way, with a 55/45 split in favor of the Bills. The total dropped from 53 to 51.5, with the Under attracting 68 percent of tickets and 54 percent of money.

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET MONDAY: Now that it appears this game will actually be played Tuesday night, FanDuel Sportsbook has the visiting Bills at -3.5. But point-spread betting splits are wildly far apart, with 84 percent of tickets on Buffalo and 68 percent of money on Tennessee. And the total of 53.5 is seeing 59 percent of tickets/78 percent of money go to the Under.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET THURSDAY: This game remains off the board due to the Titans' COVID issues, but the NFL on Thursday announced that it moved the matchup to 7 p.m. ET Tuesday.

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The SuperBook kept this game off the board Sunday night, awaiting more clarity on the Titans' COVID-19 situation. Tennessee's Week 4 home game against Pittsburgh was postponed after several players and staff tested positive.

Cardinals at Jets odds

Opening line

+7.5, Over/Under 47.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 12:45 P.M. ET SUNDAY: The Jets are seemingly an absolute stay-away at BetMGM Nevada. Late Saturday night, there were literally just three straight bets on New York. Earlier today, it was up to eight and it finally cracked double figures in the last hour. Ticket count and money are 10/1 on the Cardinals, but it's a lightly bet game, so it's not among the bigger decisions in the early kicks.

UPDATE 4:45 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Earlier today, the Jets announced that Joe Flacco would start in place of the injured Sam Darnold (shoulder). The SuperBook responded by moving New York from +7 to +7.5, but that lasted only a few minutes before the line went back to +7.

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This is another game that didn't go up Sunday night at The SuperBook, while oddsmakers awaited clarity on the status of Jets QB Sam Darnold (shoulder).

Eagles at Steelers odds

Opening line

Steelers -8.5, Over/Under 45

Why the line moved

UPDATE 10:45 A.M. ET SUNDAY: Pittsburgh opened -7.5 at William Hill US, then spent all week at -7, but there's plenty of support for the Steelers. "That's a big one for us. We need the Eagles," Bogdanovich said. "Everything is on the Steelers – straight bets, parlays, teasers."

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: The Steelers opened -7 Monday morning at DraftKings and moved to -7.5 Wednesday evening, with ticket count running 2/1 and money about 4/1 on Pittsburgh. And midweek, it appears the total is getting some sharp play in dropping from 47.5 to 43.5, then up to 44.5. Seventy-one percent of tickets are on the Over, but 63 percent of money is on the Under.

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This line was up briefly Sunday evening before The SuperBook, per standard operating procedure, took it down when the Eagles kicked off against the 49ers. There was no early movement, but Murray expects good business this week.

"The Steelers will get a ton of moneyline parlay and teaser handle," Murray said Sunday evening. "But we have seen sharp money showing against the Steelers a couple times this season, and the Eagles are showing some life tonight, so that number may come down."

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Bengals at Ravens odds

Opening line

Ravens -12, Over/Under 52

Why the line moved

UPDATE 12:45 P.M. ET SUNDAY: This line dropped from Ravens -13.5 to -11.5 at PointsBet USA, and the betting splits back up that move: the Bengals are taking 64 percent of tickets and 68 percent of money.

UPDATE 7 P.M. ET FRIDAY: With Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson practicing today and a go for Sunday, The SuperBook just put this game back up on the board, at Ravens -12.5 and with a total of 50.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET THURSDAY: MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson (knee) missed his second straight practice, a contributing factor to this line dropping from Ravens -13.5 to -13, then coming off the board at The SuperBook. "We initially moved the line up because of Ravens money coming in, and it started to creep back down once the Jackson injury news came out," Osterman said. "The line is now off of the board because Jackson may not play."
 

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Baltimore opened -13.5 at DraftKings and is down to -12.5 today, with at least some interest showing for Cincinnati. The Bengals are getting 53 percent of point-spread tickets, while the Ravens are getting 62 percent of point-spread money.

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Cincinnati rookie QB Joe Burrow got his first win last Sunday, 33-25 over visiting Jacksonville, but bettors are already behind Baltimore at The SuperBook. The Ravens moved from -12 to -13 Sunday night.

Dolphins at 49ers odds

Opening line

49ers -9.5, Over/Under TBA

Why the line moved

UPDATE 3:55 P.M. ET SUNDAY: The 49ers moved from -9 to -7.5 at PointsBet USA, but the need will be on the visiting Dolphins. San Francisco is landing 67 percent of bets/74 percent of money, and is surely on plenty of teaser plays, as well.

UPDATE 10 A.M. ET SUNDAY: The 49ers opened -10 at BetMGM Nevada, and the book took sharp play Saturday on the Dolphins at +9 and +8, where the line remains now. "Ticket count almost dead even, a little bit more money on 49ers. But there's a lot of Niners money in teasers and parlays," BetMGM's Scott Shelton said.

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The SuperBook opened San Francisco -9.5 Sunday evening, but again, per standard operating procedure, the line came down once the 49ers kicked off against the Eagles. The game will go back up Monday morning.

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Giants at Cowboys odds

Opening line

Cowboys -8.5, Over/Under 54

Why the line moved

UPDATE 3:55 P.M. ET SUNDAY: PointsBet USA opened Dallas -9.5 and is down to -7.5. However, the Cowboys are taking 61 percent of tickets and 58 percent of money on the spread, and as with everywhere else, Dallas is likely seeing a lot of parlay/moneyline parlay and teaser action.

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Dallas dropped from -9.5 to -7.5 at William Hill US, with 1.5 points of that coming today. However, director of trading Nick Bogdanovich said that's not indicative of the need. "We need the Giants pretty big," Bogdanovich said, noting heavy parlay/moneyline parlay/teaser play on the Cowboys.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Dallas went from -8.5 to -9.5 Monday and stuck there through Thursday afternoon at The SuperBook, when the line dipped back to the opener. That said: "The Giants have been seeing money against them all season, and the Cowboys desperately need a good showing," Osterman said. "Cowboys money coming in big from the public."

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Dallas moved from -9 to -10, then back to +9.5 at DraftKings by Wednesday afternoon, with the Cowboys drawing 61 percent of tickets/77 percent of dollars. The total of 54 has some interesting splits, with 56 percent of tickets on the Under, but 73 percent of money on the Over, 

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The Giants are 0-4 and the Cowboys 1-3, in a division in which all four teams have losing records. Dallas is still the cream of that subpar crop, though, so The SuperBook made the Cowboys 8.5-point home favorites, and the line moved to -9 Sunday night.

Colts at Browns odds

Opening line

Pick, Over/Under 47.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 3:55 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Several books saw this line jump the fence, PointsBet USA among them. The Colts opened -2.5, and by Saturday, the game flipped to Browns -1 and has stayed there since. Cleveland is attracting 67 percent of tickets and 72 percent of money on the spread.

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET SUNDAY: This matchup opened a pick 'em at William Hill US and quickly went to Colts -2.5, but it's steadily moved toward Cleveland throughout the week and has now jumped the fence to Browns -1. "We definitely need the Colts," Bogdanovich said. "There's a ton of money on the Browns."

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET THURSDAY: The SuperBook opened at pick and quickly went to Colts -2.5, but spent the last two days at -1.5. "There has been a lot of traction from the media and the public about the Browns after their last game," Osterman said, alluding to Cleveland's big win at Dallas. "We don't have much money on either side, but the market has moved in the Browns' favor."

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: The key move came early in the week, on the news that Cleveland running back Nick Chubb (MCL) will likely miss several weeks. DraftKings opened the Colts -1 on the road and went straight to Indy -2.5 Monday morning, then to -3 Tuesday. However, it's now back to Colts -2, with the Browns actually taking 52 percent of bets/60 percent of money. 

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With Indianapolis and Cleveland both notching wins Sunday to improve to 3-1 SU, The SuperBook opted to make this game a pick 'em and see where bettors take it. There was no movement Sunday night.

Vikings at Seahawks odds

Opening line

Seahawks -7.5, Over/Under 58

Why the line moved

UPDATE 8:15 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Just before kickoff, Seattle is down to -6.5 from the -7.5 opener, but ticket count and mone are both running 4/1 on the Seahawks. And the Over is also seeing 4/1 tickets and money, despite the total going from 57.5 to 53.5.

UPDATE 6:45 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Seattle opened -7.5 at BetMGM Nevada and is down to -6.5, a move primarily due to early-week sharp money on Minnesota. However: "Obviously, we need the Vikings," BetMGM's Jeff Stoneback said. "Ticket count is 4/1 Seahawks, money is 3/1." Plus, any parlays and teasers that survived today will almost certainly include the Seahawks tonight..

UPDATE 4:45 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Seattle ticked down a half-point on Monday at DraftKings, from -7.5 to -7, but the line has been stable since, with the Seahawks taking 73 percent of tickets and 76 percent of money on the spread.

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Seattle is among six unbeaten teams, but is one of only two – along with Buffalo – to stand 4-0, with the rest at 3-0. Minnesota finally cracked the win column with Sunday's victory at Houston, but The SuperBook still opened the Seahawks as more than a touchdown favorite. There was no line movement Sunday night.

Chargers at Saints odds

Opening line

Saints -8, Over/Under 52

Why the line moved

UPDATE 7:45 P.M. ET MONDAY: The Saints opened -7.5 and stretched to -9 by Saturday at BetMGM Nevada, but the number is now down to Saints -7. "Ticket count is very close, only a couple more tickets on the Saints, and money is 3/2 on the Chargers," BetMGM Nevada's Jeff Stoneback said, noting sharp play on Los Angeles brought the line down. "We need the Saints for straight bets, but if the Chargers cover, we'll win a lot on the parlays. The public is parlaying the Saints. We're not in a bad position at all." The total is Pros vs. Joes, as well, with sharp money driving the number from 52 to 49.5. But the public Over money is greater, so per usual, the book needs the Under in a stand-alone game.

UPDATE 5:45 P.M. ET MONDAY: "The New Orleans Saints are 7-point favorites against the Los Angeles Chargers, in what should be a closer game than the market suggests," BetMGM sportsbook manager Matt Cosgriff said. "However, the public has taken the opposite view, as the money for Drew Brees & Co. to cover the spread is strong and constant.” That said, BetMGM opened the Saints 7.5 and is now at -7. The total opened at 52 and is down to 49.5, but tickets are still running 4/1 and money 2/1 to the Over.

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET MONDAY: DraftKings opened the Saints -8 and briefly reached -9 Saturday, but the line has dialed back substantially since then and is currenlty -6.5. Ticket count is almost dead-even two-way, with 51 percent of bets actually on the underdog Chargers, but 61 percent of the money is on New Orleans. The total dipped from 52 to 49.5 by today, but the betting splits don't reflect that move: 82 percent of tickets/81 percent of money are on the Over tonight.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET SUNDAY: The Saints opened -7.5 and stretched to -9 by Saturday morning at PointsBet USA, but by Sunday evening, the number dialed down to -7. "We are currently seeing slightly more action come in on the Chargers, with Los Angeles drawing 52 percent of bets and 56 percent of handle," PointsBet USA's Patrick Eichner said Sunday night. "As of now, the book will be rooting for the favored Saints. We will also being rooting for the Under, as almost 90 percent of bets and handle are on the Over." Although the book needs the Under, this total is down to 50, from an opener of 52.

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The Chargers are on the road and getting more than a touchdown against an NFC South foe for a second straight week, after losing 38-31 at Tampa Bay on Sunday.

"Good win for the Saints today on the road in Detroit," Murray said of New Orleans' 35-29 victory, after trailing 14-0 early. "The Chargers competed hard with the Bucs, but fell a little short. We can call some of their coaching decisions 'questionable' and move on. Look for the Saints to close out every live moneyline parlay and teaser from Sunday."

Where can I bet on the NFL?

Whether it’s in Las Vegas or online, every sportsbook under the sun offers Week 4 NFL point spreads, plus a cornucopia of other NFL odds. Check out the NFL football odds at the best sportsbooks available where you live. **video

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