New Jersey sports bettors don’t care that the NFC East race has become the Dallas Cowboys versus themselves.
The rest of the pack, which includes the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Washington Football Team, line it up for gamblers in NFL Week 7 action.
All three will be underdogs in these matchups:
The 2-4 Eagles visit the 4-2 Las Vegas Raiders.
The 1-5 New York Giants host the 3-3 Carolina Panthers in a game that can be dubbed “For Gamblers Only.”
Washington, 2-4, invades the 5-1 Green Bay Packers.
Here’s the first lock of the week. The Cowboys are absolutely, positively not going to win because they are not going to play.
The Cowboys are the first NFC East team to hit the bye week.
Will the NFC East lay a goose egg this week?
Other teams not playing this week include the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
NFC East by the numbers
Here are the current NFC East team records on the moneyline, spread, and over-under (using DraftKings Sportsbook figures at kickoff).
Dallas:
- 5-1 vs moneyline
- 6-0 vs the spread
- 5-1 on the over
Philadelphia:
- 2-4 on the moneyline
- 3-3 vs spread
- 2-4 on the over
New York:
- 1-5 on the moneyline
- 2 -4 vs spread
- 3-2-1 on the over
Washington:
- 2-4 on the moneyline
- 1-5 vs the spread
- 4-2 on the over
Eagles vs. Raiders odds at NJ sportsbooks
Eagles’ trip to Vegas generating extra sports betting buzz
Something about this week seems like a vacation. The Eagles game against the Raiders, in a gambling mecca, projects an emotional high.
Vegas sports a new stadium, an exceptional buzz, and the cross-country trip has been circled by Garden State gamblers for months.
(Anyone having difficulty betting on their apps in Nevada can always go right to the brick-and-mortar sportsbooks).
Can the Eagles become the life of this party?
That depends on whether they can bring the last quarter of the Tampa Bay game with them. The Eagles’ 28-22 loss in Week 6 involved three quarters of sleep-walking and sudden spark with two Jalen Hurts rushing touchdowns and a Miles Sanders sighting.
Yes, the fleet-footed Eagles running back cut loose for a 23-yard gain and brought the Linc crowd out of its slumber as the Eagles covered +7 against the defending Super Bowl champions. Look for that to carry over.
Tight end Zach Ertz has become an Arizona Cardinal, which unfolded just he was clicking with Hurts. Ertz tallied a TD against the Bucs.
For the Eagles, Hurts has five rushing touchdowns. But can anybody else do anything?
How about Quez Watkins?
We have been mentioning him for several weeks and he is slowly becoming an integral part of the Eagles offense. He had a team-high five targets last week and could be a threat against a very average defense. Eagles bettors will have an eye on him.
DeVonta Smith also figures to get his share of downfield passes
Las Vegas Raiders betting considerations
Here is one of the NFL’s strangest teams. They compiled a 3-0 start followed by two losses in which they barely showed up, and then notched a spirited Week 6 road triumph against the Denver Broncos.
For this week, consider Oh Henry. As in playmaker Henry Ruggs. The 2020 first-round draft pick is a speed burner. He had 97 yards Sunday and his 48-yard touchdown catch broke new ground. It’s the first time this year the Raiders have scored the first touchdown in a game.
Under new offensive coordinator Greg Olson, that may be a habit. Ruggs is a legitimate first TD scoring prop.
Josh Jacobs is a threat out of the backfield and he did score in Week 6.
Bryan Edwards had a long reception of 51 yards.
Darren Waller is as good as they get in the tight-end spot.
Giants vs. Panthers odds at NJ sportsbooks
Giants host Panthers as Sam Darnold returns to MetLife Stadium
Watch the path of this betting line. Based on Sunday’s outing, Carolina bettors will believe the original posting of -2.5 was a gift. It will be interesting to see where the NJ sports betting odds move from there.
This could feel like a home game for Carolina quarterback Sam Darnold, who was a Jet at this time last year, playing at MetLife Stadium.
Darnold’s group has lost three straight after being 3-0, including a setback to the Eagles.
He nearly engineered an insane rally Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Darnold took Carolina from its own 4-yard-line to a game-tying touchdown and two-point conversions, hitting two fourth-and-long passes on the drive. It forced overtime, but Carolina lost without ever touching the ball.
If injured Christian McCaffrey returns for Carolina, that’s trouble for Big Blue. If he doesn’t, Chuba Hubbard steps up.
As for Giants backers, the less said bout the 38-11 Week 6 debacle against the Los Angeles Rams the better. Four turnovers, 28 second-quarter points allowed, one of the ugliest setbacks in recent years.
One bizarre note. There was a “Scorigami.” The exact score of 38-11 had never been recorded in NFL history.
All it meant for over-under bettors was a push.
Turnover props, the possibility of Carolina scoring on defense, and receiver D.J. Moore hitting paydirt are strong betting considerations.
Washington vs. Packers odds at NJ sportsbooks
Washington’s defense must now try to contain Aaron Rodgers
The once-vaunted Washington defense, teased as the “Swiss cheese unit” on the latest episode of WhyEaglesWhy. Fittingly, the Football Team heads to Wisconsin, the land of cheese.
Washington has given up more than 30 points in four successive weeks, including a hail mary.
Bettors will take a good look at the over, along with receiver Davante Adams and Rodgers scoring tosses.
Quick hits beyond NFC East
The Jets travel to New England, which may be ready to bust out. The Patriots looked like a strong caliber team in their ability to rally and almost beat the Cowboys in Week 6.
If that Patriots team shows up, the Jets will have a long day. The initial line of New England -6.5 might be jumped on by the bettors.
Nick Chubb’s injury is an important consideration for the Thursday night game, with the Cleveland Browns hosting the Denver Broncos. Chubb was ruled out of Week 6 with a calf injury and the Browns looked like a shell of themselves in being stomped by the Arizona Cardinals 37-14. His status for Thursday is uncertain.
Chubb’s power and Kareem Hunt’s speed give Cleveland the best 1-2 punch in the league, provided both are healthy. Chubb was missed.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke