First bets: Colts, Cowboys, Lions to cowl in Week 9, plus a Rookie of the 12 months decide

Week 9 will get underway with the Baltimore Ravens, presumably with Lamar Jackson (whom coach John Harbaugh is “hopeful” will play), visiting the Miami Dolphins on “Thursday Night time Soccer.”

Within the early Sunday window, the Detroit Lions are heavy favorites over the NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings, and the surging Indianapolis Colts go to Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who’re coming off a loss the Inexperienced Bay Packers.

The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Buffalo Payments match up in maybe the sport of the day in a late afternoon tilt, with the Payments at the moment an underdog at residence.

“Monday Night time Soccer” closes out the week, because the Dallas Cowboys welcome the underdog Arizona Cardinals to Arlington, Texas.

So which video games provide early enchantment?

Matt Bowen, Pamela Maldonado, Ben Solak and Seth Walder appeared on the odds and recognized which of them are price leaping on now earlier than potential shifts later within the week.

Notice: Odds at time of publication, courtesy of ESPN BET Sportsbook.

Indianapolis Colts to cowl -3.5 (+105) at Pittsburgh Steelers

Bowen: Robust to guess on the Steelers proper now given the shortage of crew pace and the poor degree of play we’re seeing on the defensive aspect of the ball from Mike Tomlin’s membership. Pittsburgh has given up 30-plus factors in every of its final two video games, and the Colts’ balanced offensive construction can create matchup points and explosive-play alternatives. I am taking Indy to cowl the unfold right here.
Final week: Bucs -5.5 at Saints (Bucs received, 23-3)

Dallas Cowboys to cowl -2.5 (-120) vs. Arizona Cardinals

Maldonado: The distinction is firepower. Dallas piles up the factors at residence with a number of explosive choices in George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson. The Cowboys protection, whereas leaky, nonetheless creates stress and turnovers to disrupt. Arizona is scrappy, and Kyler Murray can produce when stored clear, however the Cardinals are backside 10 in yards per play; they’re extra regular than explosive. That does not maintain up effectively when Dallas begins hitting chunk performs. Murray in a shootout? I do not see it.
Final week: Giants +6.5 at Eagles (Eagles received, 38-20)

Detroit Lions to cowl -9.5 (Even) vs. Minnesota Vikings

Solak: I am blissful to instantly fade J.J. McCarthy on his return to the beginning lineup, because the second-year passer appeared worse than Carson Wentz in his restricted motion earlier than struggling an ankle damage. He catches a Lions crew off of a bye at Ford Subject, the place Dan Campbell has traditionally been very sturdy in opposition to the unfold (26-11, for a canopy price of 70%). Safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Department are projected to return to motion. Add in Alim McNeill in opposition to that Vikings inside offensive line that has struggled this yr, and this smells like a blowout.

Jaxson Dart to win Offensive Rookie of the 12 months (-105)

Walder: When Justin Herbert beat Justin Jefferson for the Offensive Rookie of the 12 months in 2020, I took it as a lesson: if there is a viable quarterback for this award, guess them. Herbert had an excellent rookie season, rating thirteenth in QBR. However Jefferson recorded 1,400 receiving yards (in a 16-game season!)… and it nonetheless wasn’t sufficient. Emeka Egbuka, Dart’s principal challenger, is having a pleasant season, however he’s on tempo for beneath 1,200 yards whereas Dart at the moment ranks 14th in QBR. Plus, the Giants have performed the toughest schedule within the NFL up to now. Extra wins are coming their means with solely the Twelfth-hardest schedule remaining.