NFL Week 10 underdog plays: Bengals, Dolphins, Panthers
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Underdogs enjoyed a successful Week 9, with seven of 14 covering and six winning outright.
That continued a profitable 2019 season for 'dogs, which moved to 69-50-1 against the spread. Here are a few more that should add to the cause in Week 10.
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
Line: Ravens -10
November is a really big month for the Ravens, who are playing important games against the Patriots (last week), Texans, Rams, and 49ers. But sandwiched in the middle is a trip to face the 0-8 Bengals. Divisional road games are always tricky, especially when your focus is compromised.
That makes this a prime letdown spot for the Ravens. After beating the defending Super Bowl champs, Baltimore could find it difficult to get emotionally invested for a matchup against a winless opponent in a stadium with the second-lowest attendance figure in the NFL.
Following their bye, the Bengals and first-year coach Zac Taylor are benching Andy Dalton and turning to rookie quarterback Ryan Finley in search of their first win. At 24 years old, with five years of college experience under his belt, Finley is not nearly as raw as most rookies. A change at quarterback can motivate a team, and in this case, Cincinnati should also be more rested and focused than its opponent.
Pick: Bengals +10
Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts
Line: Colts -11
Whether it's Brian Hoyer or Jacoby Brissett under center for the Colts on Sunday, they're going to run the ball, and run it often. Indianapolis has rushed on just under 47% of its plays this year, which is the fourth-highest rate in the league. That should be the bare minimum in Week 10, as Indy will either go with a backup QB or with Brissett playing at less than 100%.
Under coach Frank Reich, the Colts are just 1-4 ATS as home favorites of more than a field goal. They win games with smart, balanced football, but that's not conducive to covering big spreads. They should control this matchup from start to finish, but with a lot of long, clock-sapping drives. Expect the Dolphins to hang around just enough to stay within the number.
Pick: Dolphins +11
Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers
Line: Packers -5.5
The Chargers drew up the blueprint for attacking this Packers defense last week. Running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler were fed early and often, combining for 202 total yards and two touchdowns as Los Angeles milked the clock and bullied its way down the field. The Packers had just 24 minutes of possession as Aaron Rodgers often watched from the sideline.
Enter Christian McCaffrey, who leads all NFL running backs in total yards per game, touchdowns, and plays of 20-plus yards. He's also third among backs in receptions and now gets to face a Packers defense that has allowed 53 receptions to running backs this season (just three back of the league-leading Titans) while giving up 4.7 yards per carry.
Green Bay should find success on the ground, too, as the Panthers have been gashed for 133.4 rushing yards per game this season. Meanwhile, Carolina excels in the secondary, which should result in a healthy dose of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams - not Rodgers. With both of these teams likely to stick to the run, the Panthers should keep it close.
Pick: Panthers +5.5
Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.