Playing for pride is not a phrase any NFL team wants to be hearing in mid-October. Certainly not a team that has made the playoffs in six of the last seven seasons. Alas, it applies to the Baltimore Ravens.
The proud Ravens, Super Bowl champs of 2012, have never been more than seven-point regular season underdogs during the eight years John Harbaugh has been coach. Until now.
Baltimore is at Arizona for the Monday night game. The Cardinals opened minus 7 1/2. It's justified, too, considering the 1-5 Ravens could be winless if then Pittsburgh kicker Josh Scobee hadn't missed two field goals during Baltimore's 23-20 overtime victory against the the Michael Vick-led Steelers.
other notable week 7 nfl betting lines
There are a couple of other out of the ordinary Sportsbook point spreads for Week 7.
It's different to see a minus sign attached to Washington. The Redskins are minus 3 1/2 hosting Tampa Bay. It's the first time Washington is favored in 12 games. The Redskins are 3-7 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 home contests. The Buccaneers have covered in six of their last nine road matchups.
Minnesota is road chalk versus Detroit. It's the first time since 2009 when Brett Favre was their quarterback that the Vikings are favored at Detroit. During the past five years the Lions have been home favorites against the Vikings of 8, 4, 3 1/2, 10 and 4 points. Detroit won four of those five games, but managed to go just 2-3 ATS.
Early money is coming on Minnesota, too. The Vikings opened two and were bet up to 2 1/2 and even three at some books on Monday. Minnesota has been one of the hottest spread teams covering 12 of their past 15 games.
early money coming in on the seahawks
Seattle has drawn early play, too, bet up from 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 for its Thursday night road matchup versus San Francisco.
The Seahawks have yet to win on the road losing to St. Louis, Green Bay and Cincinnati. They are 7-0-1 ATS, though, in their last eight games versus the 49ers. During this span, the Seahawks have held San Francisco to an average of 11.8 points per game.
