The final quarter of the NFL's season got underway on Thursday night with the Cardinals and Vikings, but that was only the tip of the iceberg of what should be one of the more competitive weeks of play the NFL has had to date. Check out some of the big line movements we've had for the weekend games.
Note: All current NFL odds listed as of Thursday morning. Check up-to-the-minute odds at BookMaker.eu.
Bengals vs. Steelers, Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET
Opening NFL Odds: Over/Under 47
Current NFL Odds: Over/Under 50
A three-point line move is a big one, but it shouldn't be all that surprising considering the fact that both of these teams can really move the ball up and down the field. The first meeting was an oddball one from the standpoint that there were only a total of 26 points scored, 10 of which were in the final quarter. This time around though, the oddsmakers suspect there will be more points for sure, and the betting public has been onboard with that idea. Don't forget that Pittsburgh has scored at least 30 points in every game since that first duel with the Bengals a month and a half ago.
Lions vs. Rams, Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET
Opening NFL Odds: St. Louis -1.5
Current NFL Odds: Detroit -2.5
Even though Jeff Fisher believes that Case Keenum gives his Rams the best chance to win games, Vegas completely disagrees. St. Louis has moved from a short home favorite to a short home underdog with the news that Keenum is going to be starting over Nick Foles. However, there's a large sentiment that the Rams are really going in the wrong direction right now behind a ravaged offensive line and a defense which has been falling apart in recent weeks as well. Detroit though, hasn't been on the field since the Hail Mary which ended any chance it had of getting into the playoffs, so motivation could be a real factor here as well.
Falcons vs. Panthers, Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET
Opening NFL Odds: Carolina -7
Current NFL Odds: Carolina -9
This doesn't quite tell the whole story, as the Panthers were at -7 and -120 vig when this line opened, so the move isn't a huge one. That said, it's still sizeable for sure. Carolina has had a problem with the Dan Quinn defense in the past, and these two teams haven't met yet this season. The Panthers are rolling, but if they put up a defensive game like they did last week in New Orleans and Quinn has the magic touch for stopping the league's top MVP candidate in Newton, this could end up being an upset in waiting.
Giants vs. Dolphins, Monday 8:30 p.m. ET
Opening NFL Odds: Pick 'Em
Current NFL Odds: New York -1.5
This isn't a huge move either, but it's certainly notable knowing what the stigma is around the NFC East right now. This division stinks. Someone is going to win it with seven (or even six?) wins. The Giants only have five wins this year (and are in the driver's seat to win the division, mind you), but of those five, none are against teams with winning records. The Dolphins aren't one of those teams either, but they do have some competitive games against good teams in the bunch. The real issue here is motivation. New York obviously still has a division to go win in a conference which is still wide open to go out and win. The Dolphins are technically still in the playoff picture, but it would take winning out and several major miracles and epic collapses to get them in.
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