LAS VEGAS - The early move to Denver was just half-a-point. But it was significant nevertheless.
Oddsmakers at Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Denver minus 3 1/2 against Kansas City at home this week. We're talking about a very key number here, since three and four are the two most important football betting numbers.
Which way would the early money go? The Chiefs had won their last two games by a combined score of 98-10, while the Broncos had dropped four of their last five. Despite this, the Broncos were bet up to minus four.
Denver's home field mystique still holds.
"Kansas City is playing as well as anybody, and Denver has really been struggling," said LVSC odds manager Cesar Robaina. "But there still is a lot of respect for the Broncos at home. It's weird how that works."
The Broncos have won 80 percent of their home games under Mike Shanahan. The Broncos also defeated the Chiefs by three in overtime on Oct. 20, out-gaining them by more than 200 yards.
Keep in mind the Chiefs' last two wins were at home against Arizona and St. Louis, who have a combined mark of 10-17. In their last road game, the Chiefs lost by seven to Seattle.
There has been line movement on Tampa Bay at Detroit. LVSC's opening send-out was Tampa Bay minus seven. By Monday morning the line had shot up to 8 1/2 and even minus 9 at the Hilton properties.
"I could see laying seven or 7 1/2, but getting up into that nine range seems odd to me," Robaina said.
The Lions have not lost by more than eight points at home. They have also beaten New Orleans at home, a team that has defeated the Buccaneers twice.
"I think the Lions have looked a tad bit better on offense, and they have been competitive at home," Robaina said.
The Buccaneers also could have a letdown after defeating Atlanta last week in a division showdown.
"There's no real reason to put the boot to these guys," Robaina said. "Yeah Tampa would like to win to keep home field advantage alive, but that doesn't mean it has to win by 10."
Robaina also believes the early money could be wrong on Green Bay-San Francisco. LVSC sent out the 49ers minus four. The line is at minus three.
"I think San Francisco has to be over three in this game," Robaina said. "The Packers are hurting in too many areas. Granted (Terry) Glenn and (Ahman) Green could be back, but you can run on the Packers.
"They're not the same team on the road."
The Packers are the only undefeated team at home, going 7-0. However, they are 3-3 on the road.
Favorites carried the day on Sunday, going 9-6 against the spread. Underdogs are still way ahead on the season at 119-84-2 (58 percent) going into Monday's game.
The 'under,' which went 5-10 on Sunday, is 103-101-1 heading into Monday?s action.
Oddsmakers at Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Denver minus 3 1/2 against Kansas City at home this week. We're talking about a very key number here, since three and four are the two most important football betting numbers.
Which way would the early money go? The Chiefs had won their last two games by a combined score of 98-10, while the Broncos had dropped four of their last five. Despite this, the Broncos were bet up to minus four.
Denver's home field mystique still holds.
"Kansas City is playing as well as anybody, and Denver has really been struggling," said LVSC odds manager Cesar Robaina. "But there still is a lot of respect for the Broncos at home. It's weird how that works."
The Broncos have won 80 percent of their home games under Mike Shanahan. The Broncos also defeated the Chiefs by three in overtime on Oct. 20, out-gaining them by more than 200 yards.
Keep in mind the Chiefs' last two wins were at home against Arizona and St. Louis, who have a combined mark of 10-17. In their last road game, the Chiefs lost by seven to Seattle.
There has been line movement on Tampa Bay at Detroit. LVSC's opening send-out was Tampa Bay minus seven. By Monday morning the line had shot up to 8 1/2 and even minus 9 at the Hilton properties.
"I could see laying seven or 7 1/2, but getting up into that nine range seems odd to me," Robaina said.
The Lions have not lost by more than eight points at home. They have also beaten New Orleans at home, a team that has defeated the Buccaneers twice.
"I think the Lions have looked a tad bit better on offense, and they have been competitive at home," Robaina said.
The Buccaneers also could have a letdown after defeating Atlanta last week in a division showdown.
"There's no real reason to put the boot to these guys," Robaina said. "Yeah Tampa would like to win to keep home field advantage alive, but that doesn't mean it has to win by 10."
Robaina also believes the early money could be wrong on Green Bay-San Francisco. LVSC sent out the 49ers minus four. The line is at minus three.
"I think San Francisco has to be over three in this game," Robaina said. "The Packers are hurting in too many areas. Granted (Terry) Glenn and (Ahman) Green could be back, but you can run on the Packers.
"They're not the same team on the road."
The Packers are the only undefeated team at home, going 7-0. However, they are 3-3 on the road.
Favorites carried the day on Sunday, going 9-6 against the spread. Underdogs are still way ahead on the season at 119-84-2 (58 percent) going into Monday's game.
The 'under,' which went 5-10 on Sunday, is 103-101-1 heading into Monday?s action.
can tell you that this game is being treated as a playoff game, and should be..... (loser will be outside looking in) .....:shrug: