NFL Line Movement – Updated Week 7 Odds, Spreads, and Betting Lines
- Week 7 of the NFL season got underway with Thursday’s Denver Broncos-Cleveland Browns game
- Which betting line has moved the most since opening? What’s the smallest spread of the week?
- All of the wagering information on every NFL game is listed below
October is the time of year for homecoming games. In NFL line movement this week, the pros are giving it the old college try – with a couple of twists.
Former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is welcoming his old team to his new home. Stafford’s 5-1 Los Angeles Rams are massive 16.5-point favorites over the 0-6 Lions.
Former New York Jets QB Sam Darnold is coming back to MetLife Stadium, but not to see the Jets. Darnold will be leading the Carolina Panthers against the NFL’s other New York team that calls New Jersey home, the New York Giants.
Which games are looking to be the biggest movers and shakers in NFL Week 7 line movement?
Let’s look at that. First, though, check out the how the NFL odds are moving for Week 7.
NFL Week 7 Odds
| Matchup | Opening Spread | Current Spread | Opening Total | Current Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos vs Browns | CLE -5.5 | CLE -2.5 | 43.5 | 42.5 |
| Bengals vs Ravens | BAL -6.5 | BAL -6.5 | 48.5 | 46.5 |
| Panthers vs Giants | CAR -3 | CAR -3 | 44.5 | 43.5 |
| Washington vs Packers | GB -8.5 | GB -7.5 | 49.5 | 48.5 |
| Chiefs vs Titans | KC -4.5 | KC -4.5 | 56.5 | 57.5 |
| Falcons vs Dolphins | ATL -1.5 | ATL -2.5 | 47.5 | 47 |
| Jets vs Patriots | NE -7 | NE -7 | 43.5 | 42.5 |
| Lions vs Rams | LAR -14.5 | LAR -16.5 | 49.5 | 50.5 |
| Eagles vs Raiders | LVR -2.5 | LVR -3 | 48.5 | 48.5 |
| Bears vs Buccaneers | TB -11.5 | TB -12.5 | 48.5 | 47 |
| Texans vs Cardinals | ARI -16.5 | ARI -17.5 | 48 | 47.5 |
| Colts vs 49ers | SF -5.5 | SF -4.5 | 44.5 | 44.5 |
| Saints vs Seahawks | NO -3 | NO -4.5 | 43.5 | 42.5 |
Odds as of October 21st at FanDuel.
Taking Lions To The Matt
This game has been circled on calendars in Detroit since the Stafford-Jared Goff trade went down and the NFL schedule was released. Goff and Stafford were both first overall picks in their draft year.
Goff took the Rams to the Super Bowl, although they lost. Stafford has never won an NFL playoff game, yet the Rams felt he was the better option to get them to the promised than Goff.
Matthew Stafford ahead of facing the Lions: "I'm extremely happy to be here."
"As far as comparing it to Detroit, I'm not gonna do it," he said. "I loved my time in Detroit. I loved all of my experiences – some of them were tough, but they helped mold me." pic.twitter.com/hGwbGe817Y
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) October 21, 2021
Thus far, it’s advantage Rams. Goff is still looking for his first win as a Lion. In fact, he’s 0-10 going back to last season. Stafford’s only loss as a Ram was to the 6-0 Arizona Cardinals, the NFL’s lone remaining unbeaten team.
The Rams are 16.5-point favorites over the Lions, the NFL’s lone remaining winless. This game opened at Rams -14.5 and is displaying the biggest spread movement of any NFL line this week.
It’s also the third time in six games that the Lions are double-digit point underdogs.
Burrow-ing Downward
From a distance, this one’s a bit of a head scratcher. Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals put a 34-spot on the Lions last week. Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens also counted 34 points against the Los Angeles Chargers.
We're having fun. @JoeyB 🎯 @Real10jayy__ for 53 yards.
Watch on FOX pic.twitter.com/RdvyJOz1yi
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 17, 2021
Yet this game shows the most significant movement in the total of any in Week 7, and it’s in a downward spiral. The over/under on this game opened at 48.5 points. The week’s passage has witnessed it shortening to 46.5.
Well, here’s why this is happening. Even at 46.5 points, four of the last five Bengals-Ravens have gone under that total. Eight of their last 11 meetings also ended up finishing under the total of 46.5.
Bottoming Out
No one is questioning the Atlanta Falcons are the worst NFL team in Georgia. They’re the only NFL team in the state, after all.
Suddenly, though, there’s a legitimate debate as to whether the 1-5 Miami Dolphins are the worst NFL team in Florida. The Dolphins have lost five in a row.
Highly recommend the fish and chips.@net_acr | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/iFEpr6xhNO
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 17, 2021
Last week, they lost to the 1-5 Jacksonville Jaguars, ending the Jags’ 20-game losing skid. Atlanta won in England. Miami won in New England but lost in Olde England.
Both of Atlanta’s wins this season are against the NFL’s New York City teams – the Giants and the Jets. The Falcons are the 2.5-point road chalk in South Beach. That’s the smallest spread in the Week 7 NFL betting lines.
It’s Bigger In Texas
Everything is bigger in Texas, including point spreads. Well, at least they are when the Houston Texans are the Texas team under discussion.
The perfect Cardinals are facing the 1-5 Texans this week and are being listed as 17.5-point favorites. That’s the largest spread of the week, but it’s old hat for Houston.
The biggest point spread in NFL history was 28 points. That came in Week 6 of 2013 when the Broncos played the Jaguars (final score 35-19). This week the 1-5 Texans travel to Arizona to play the 6-0 Cardinals. Let's see how close Vegas comes to ringing that bell once again.
— ChrisHumpherys (@SportsChump) October 18, 2021
Already this season, the Texans were 13.5-point underdogs against the Cleveland Browns, 18.5-point dogs when facing the Buffalo Bills and 11.5 underdogs opposing the Indianapolis Colts.
Houston is 1-2 against the spread this season as a double-digit point underdog.
Little Numbers
Hard to believe that a game featuring Jameis Winston and Geno Smith as the starting QBs would grab a share of the smallest total of Week 7. Who are we kidding? No it isn’t.
#Steelers Devin Bush recovers a fumble after T.J. Watt strips Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith of the ball in overtime setting up the game winning field goal by Chris Boswell. pic.twitter.com/VyLkA61bI2
— Charles Palla (@ChazPalla) October 18, 2021
The total for the New Orleans Saints-Seattle Seahawks game is set at 42.5 points. So is the over/under on the New England Patriots-Jets games. That one is pitting rookie QBs Mac Jones and Zach Wilson against each other.
KC Is The Sum-Shine Brand
If you’re looking for a simple formula to determine which game has the largest total in the weekly NFL line, here it is:
Who’s playing the Kansas City Chiefs?
Whole offense got in on the dance.#BudLightCelly | @BudLight pic.twitter.com/OPMvflLPM2
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 3, 2021
KC’s game with the Tennessee Titans is showing a total of 57.5 points. It’s the seventh straight week in which the total on the Chiefs’ game is at least 53.5 points.
The Chiefs have the bye for Week 12. You’re on your own to figure out the highest total that week.
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
