Bettors at one online sportsbook evidently are not worried about a rash of injuries that have the Atlanta Falcons shorthanded for their game at the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Kevin Bradley, the Sportsbook sportsbook manager, told OddsShark.com that the public was all over the underdog Falcons, one of three games receiving “completely one-sided” action heading into the weekend.
The host Dolphins were 1-point favorites at most shops as of Friday, but could be found at minus-3 at Sportsbook with adjusted juice (+125).
The Falcons will be without at least four starters, including running back Steven Jackson. Top linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, defensive end Kroy Biermann, and fullback Bradie Ewing also will miss the game. Starting cornerback Asante Sameule and starting offensive tackle Sam Baker missed practice time this week as well and are considered questionable.
The Dolphins have their own injury concerns, most notably the health of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who hurt his shoulder in Miami’s win over Indianapolis. Tannehill is expected to play, though.
The Dolphins are 1-11 against the spread in September home games and have not covered the spread in any of their seven meetings with the Falcons since 1983.
Sportsbook also is rooting for a pair of home underdogs in the Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers.
The Bengals, fresh off their Monday night win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, are 3-point home underdogs to the Green Bay Packers. The Bengals are 12-8 against the spread in their last 20 games as home dogs and have won straight-up in five of their last nine as underdogs.
The Packers, though, have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games as the favorites.
The winless Panthers are 1-point underdogs against the winless Giants, who have not been able to take care of the ball. Giants QB Eli Manning has thrown seven interceptions in the first two games.
Carolina actually opened as a 2.5-point favorite, but the lopsided action has forced most books to adjust accordingly. The Panthers, who are off next week, are 1-7 in their last eight games before a bye week.
