Mid-Week Movement: Vegas Sees Huge Shift for Lions, Washington Football Team
By Ben Heisler
![Despite their 0-2 start, there's been a major swing in the opening line for the Detroit Lions when they host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Despite their 0-2 start, there's been a major swing in the opening line for the Detroit Lions when they host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/NFL-Detroit-Lions-at-Green-Bay-Packers-b5e1f98398d1d307277d74dc1bb26b17.jpg)
As Week 3 in the NFL approaches, sharp bettors are trending heavily towards... (cleans glasses)... the Detroit Lions and Washington Football Team?
Indeed that's the case!
When you look at the Week 3 NFL line moves and notice sharp money on Detroit and the WFT... pic.twitter.com/Mv1poopRDf
— BetSided (@BetSided) September 22, 2021
After opening right around double-digit underdogs, sharp money has come in on the Lions when they host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, as well as the Washington Football Team who travels to Buffalo to face the Bills.
As soon as odds came out following the Lions Week 2 loss to the Packers, Baltimore opened as a nine-point favorite on the road. Despite public bettors jumping on Baltimore after their thrilling Sunday night victory over the Chiefs, the pros immediately got this line moved down to -8, with the number even hitting -7.5 odds briefly at WynnBET.
The Lions backdoor covered in Week 1 in their 41-33 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at Ford Field, scoring 23 points in the second half to cover the 8.5-points. Detroit looked like it was positioned to go to 2-0 against-the-spread in Week 2 as they went to halftime with a 17-14 lead over the Green Bay Packers as 11-point underdogs, but gave up 21 unanswered points in the second half to fall 35-17.
Lamar Jackson just authored a signature performance, but some inside the league still doubt #Ravens should make him one of highest-paid QBs.
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) September 22, 2021
“I’d hate to be in Eric DeCosta’s position and have to pay him,” an NFC personnel director tells me. @FanSided https://t.co/5ZEC4KHsFl pic.twitter.com/LlRktORWDN
Meanwhile, Washington opened up the week against Buffalo as 9.5-point favorites on the road. The Football Team is currently 0-2-0 ATS this year, losing at home to the Los Angeles Chargers 16-20 as 1.5-point favorites, and failing to cover in their 30-29 game-winning field goal over the New York Giants in Week 2.
Buffalo, after losing outright at home in Week 1 to the Pittsburgh Steelers as 6-point favorites, shut out the MIami Dolphins 35-0 on the road in Week 2. Miami starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left the game with fractured ribs and is out for Week 3 at Las Vegas against the Raiders.
In addition to these major line moves, our Iain MacMillan is keeping his eye on these three matchups where the oddsmakers may be trying to pull a fast one on the public.
Are you following the sharp money on the Lions and Washington? Think the number moved too much?
Get in on the action at WynnBET where your first bet is risk-free up to $1,000!