It's a Trap: Which Week 10 NFL Lines are Most Deceiving?

Raise your hand if you lost money on the Buffalo Bills last week. Yeah, me too.

The Bills failed to cover the 14.5-point spread over the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, losing straight up, 9-6. The score looked like a high-scoring baseball game, but it was an absolute nightmare for bettors. 

In Week 10, the Arizona Cardinals were 5.5-point underdogs to the San Francisco 49ers at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, and the Kyler Murray-less Cardinals not only covered the spread, but won straight up as well, 31-17. Backup quarterback Colt McCoy appeared to have some Texas Longhorn flashbacks in the win, completing 22 of 26 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown in the win, duping 49ers backers. 

Here are three games with potentially deceiving lines, odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Philadelphia Eagles (+2.5) vs. Denver Broncos

The Eagles have finally started running the football, but this week they will face the solid rushing defense of the Broncos. 

Denver shipped Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams, but it didn’t hurt their rushing defense too badly; the Broncos held Ezekiel Elliott to just 51 yards in Week 9. If Denver can thwart Elliott, then I believe they can halt Jordan Howard and Boston Scott as well.

The Eagles are 2-3 against the spread when they are 4-point underdogs or less. Philadelphia’s weak defense will struggle to get off the field and I don’t see them covering the spread this week.

Cleveland Browns vs. New England Patriots (-2)

The Cleveland Browns looked rejuvenated last week. It would appear that Odell Beckham leaving was an addition by subtraction.

The Browns’ defense has performed better than the Patriots’ defense this season, statistically speaking, and Cleveland should be able to contain New England’s young offense in Week 10. 

Remember when D’Ernest Johnson surprised everyone in Week 7, rushing for 146 yards and a touchdowns on 22 carries, when Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt were out? Well, Chubb and Hunt are out again, and Johnson will put on a similar performance in Week 10. 

The Browns can win straight up in Foxborough. 

Carolina Panthers (+10) vs. Arizona Cardinals

The Panthers are 4-5 against the spread this season, and that’s with Sam Darnold under center. It would appear that P.J. Walker will get the start at quarterback this week, and the last time he stepped in for an extended period he went 3 of 14 passing.

The Cardinals are already a much better team, and this inferior Carolina team is going to start a below average backup quarterback.

Arizona should win this game easily. I wouldn’t be surprised if they won by 20 points.