Learn the best matchups and latest COVID news for NFL betting October
Bookies will get info on upcoming spreads, rescheduled matchups and important oddsmaker info when it comes to NFL betting in October.
Going into the last week of September, it seemed like the NFL dodged the COVID-19 bullet. Tests were coming back negative, and games were entertaining. But then one drop of ink has muddied the waters.
It began with a positive test for a Tennessee Titans staff member and progressively snowballed to at least 10-plus players and personnel. The Titans Week 4 game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers moved to Week 7 as a result.
Now, more COVID news has happened as New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton tested positive before an epic bout against the Kansas City Chiefs. That game is moving to Monday, October 5th.
So, where does the NFL go from here? We anticipate the show will go on. It’s doubtful the NFL started the 2020 season with any intention not to complete it. We expect business-as-usual for the rest of October.
Here are some key games, teams, and potential point spreads for what we expect to be a dramatic month of football.
NFL Betting October Schedule:
NFL Week 5
Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans, October 11th at 1 p.m. ET
All eyes are on the Titans as their COVID-19 outbreak gave them a Week 4 bye. If all their players recover and the spread subsides, the Titans will be 100% healthy. But that’s a loaded question, as recent news suggests their top defensive player, second-year defensive tackle Jefferey Simmons, was put on the list as well on Saturday, October 3rd.
With the Bills on the road again for the second-straight week, bookies offering free betting software should expect the odds to favor the Titans by up to three points. That said, if Simmons or any significant starters are sitting out due to COVID, odds could quickly become a PICK or favor Buffalo.
NFL Week 6
Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills, October 15th at 8:20 p.m. ET
Unless the Chiefs have a COVID outbreak after their game against the Patriots, we expect Buffalo to open as home dogs.
Despite Bills QB Josh Allen’s elite play, Buffalo’s defense hasn’t lived up to expectations. In Week 2, they gave up 27 points to the rebuilding Dolphins and 32 points to the Los Angeles Rams. It doesn’t help that after back-to-back games on the road, Buffalo gets just four days to prepare for the reigning Super Bowl champs.
Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers October 18th at 4:25 p.m. ET
Thus far, the most consistent wager in the NFC has been the Green Bay Packers. They’re 3-0 against the spread and 3-0 versus the total. For the Packers, posting 30-plus points has been the norm. And while you can look to a rejuvenated Aaron Rodgers as the key, their run game is the second-best in the NFL.
The Bucs, meanwhile, have been a mixed bag. They’re just 18th in passing, 29th in rushing, and their two wins were against injury-riddled Denver and Carolina.
By Week 6, expect the shine on the GOAT to show some rust. The odds could go as high as 3-points in Green Bay’s favor despite being on the road. Though a line that big on the road can dissuade bettors, bookies should expect them to still put their money on the Pack.
NFL Week 7
Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans October 25th at 1 p.m. ET
(Rescheduled)
If Tennessee regains momentum after their COVID outbreak, we could be looking at an old-school, hard-nosed matchup at the end of October in the NFL betting.
Tennessee has struggled against the spread in 2020. The Titans hang with any team by pounding defenses with Derrick Henry. In the pass-first era, the Titans rush Henry to set up QB Ryan Tannehill and their passing attack. On defense, they’ve struggled to stop the pass, but have displayed huge pass-rush potential with Simmons and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
As for Pittsburgh, the Steelers defense has been so good fans are looking for a new nickname that rivals the old-school “Steel Curtain.” The Steelers D ranks first in sacks, first against the run, and rank seventh versus opposing quarterbacks.
The Titans are at home. But considering their ATS performance this year, COVID hiccups, and inconsistencies on defense, bookies should expect Tennessee to be, at best, a PICK. Sharp bettors could put money on the Titans, though. If you want to know what a sharp bettor is, check out our what is a bookie section.
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals October 25th at 4 p.m. ET
With the San Francisco 49ers riddled with injuries, the Seahawks have a chance to cement their status as the new kings of the NFC West versus their toughest competition, Arizona.
Bettors will likely lean Seahawks. They boast the clear leader in the MVP race, QB Russell Wilson, and have been runner-up for the division three years straight. But this wager is trickier than bettors and bookies expect.
The Cardinals have been on the rise with 2019 rookie-of-the-year Kyler Murray and superstar wideout DeAndre Hopkins. The unsung hero is a defense that ranks 8th in passing yards against, 5th in sacks, and 11th in rushing. Most impressive is that Arizona is 4-1-1 ATS versus Seattle since 2017.
For that reason, the spread in this matchup could be closer than a mainstream bettor understands. That, in turn, could leave bookies exposed if players think they’ve been gifted amazing odds on Seattle. In these situations, pay per head sportsbooks should move the juice as necessary but not the number. ATS history dictates this will be a closer contest than expected.
Plenty of NFL Betting to Offer in October
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