The biggest Week 6 NFL spread on the board at Caesars Sportsbook for much of this week had been the Los Angeles Rams at -10.5 at the New York Giants because it seemed unlikely that Giants quarterback Daniel Jones would play because he in the concussion protocol. However, now Jones is tracking toward suiting up – although he will be down two key skill position guys – and that spread has dropped to 9.5. There also is an interesting betting percentage split on the Over/Under 48.5 points.
It was quite memorable, for the wrong reasons, watching Jones stumble around clearly woozy after a big hit near the goal-line in last week's loss at Dallas. Jones had to be carted off and didn't practice Wednesday but did on a limited basis Thursday. That means Jones is in Step 4 (non-contact practice) of the five-step NFL concussion protocol, and would need clearance from an independent neurologist Friday to start against the Rams.
This spread might have reached 14 points had Jones been ruled out early in the week and Mike Glennon had to start. The journeyman has a 6-21 record as a starter in the league, the worst by any QB since 2000 with at least 25 starts. Jones is sixth on that list at 9-22, just behind all-time bust JaMarcus Russell (7-18).
Also leaving injured against the Cowboys were top running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) and receiver Kenny Golladay (knee). Barkley isn't playing Sunday – Devontae Booker was a popular Fantasy pickup this week – and Golladay probably isn't. Rookie wideout Kadarius Toney had a breakout game vs. the Cowboys but tweaked an ankle. He's expected to play. So are fellow wideouts Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard after both missed the past two.
The Giants are 0-2 SU & ATS at home this year and 6-19-1 ATS at home since 2018, the worst in the NFL in that span. As home dog: 4-15-1 ATS.
Los Angeles is pretty healthy as it hasn't played since winning at Seattle in Week 5, although starting cornerback Darious Williams has been placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury and will miss at least three games. Williams has 29 tackles and two pass deflections in five starts and QBs tend to pick on him instead of Jalen Ramsey for obvious reasons.
As for the total of 48.5 points, 98 percent of all money wagered at Caesars Sportsbook is on the Over yet 64 percent of tickets on the Under. That's pretty unusual to have such a split. But here's a big reason why: In Nevada, a $110,000 was placed on Over 48 points for a potential payout of $210,000 and then another $66,000 on Over 48.5 for a total potential payout of $126,000.
There's no ambiguity on the spread, with 94 percent of tickets and money on the Rams, although Jones' improving chances of playing should drive those numbers down some.
Who wins every NFL game? And which teams will sink your bankroll? Join SportsLine now to get NFL picks every week, all from the model that simulates every game 10,000 times and is up almost $8,000.
