NFL Odds: Week 2 Line Movements & Last-Minute News

by Alan Matthews - 9/16/2016

Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill

I don't even know what to say at this point about the "Factory of Sadness" that is the Cleveland Browns. When my NFL Opening Line Report story posted on Monday, it was known that Robert Griffin III had hurt his non-throwing shoulder in the Browns' Week 1 blowout loss in Philadelphia. Griffin and the team acted like it was nothing.

But this being the brittle RGIII, of course it was a broken bone in that shoulder and he was placed on injured reserve Monday. Griffin will miss at least eight games, although I think we have seen the last of him as a starting QB in the NFL Griffin was the 25th starting quarterback for the franchise since its return to the NFL and he'll be the fourth to start just one game.

We can't count new starter Josh McCown as No .26 because he started most of the team's games last season and played pretty well at times. The Browns are now looking smart for not trading him during training camp when the Cowboys came calling after the Kellen Moore injury. If McCown suffers a major injury, go ahead and pencil in the Browns for a 0-16 record because third-round rookie Cody Kessler is "not close to being ready to play," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. I don't believe half of what ESPN reports, but Schefter is the best in the business when it comes to the NFL. Kessler appeared in all four preseason games, completing 19 of 28 passes for 92 yards and a score. He also accidentally ran out of the back of the end zone on a scramble for a safety.

Cleveland has its home opener on Sunday and, depending on your sportsbook, is either a 6.5 or 7-point underdog. That line was as low as 4 right after Sunday's games at those books that post immediate next-week spreads. McCown started both games vs. the Ravens last year and the teams split, each club winning on the road on the game's final play.

Here are some line moves or potential game-changing injury notes for Week 2.

Seahawks at Rams (+6.5, 38.5): A few books opened this at Seattle -3.5 when it wasn't clear if Russell Wilson was going to be able to play off his sprained ankle suffered in the Week 1 win over Miami. Wilson has been practicing, so he should be good to go. In an ideal world for Seattle coach Pete Carroll, his team leads 35-0 or something at halftime and he can get Wilson out of there and get undrafted rookie Trevone Boykin some regular-season snaps since he's one potential play from starting in Week 3. This total is easily the lowest on the board, and that's no shock if you saw the Rams' Wing-T offense on Monday night in San Francisco. Actually, I'm being kind: the Wing-T was revolutionary in its day, and whatever offense the Rams played Monday was far from revolutionary. I don't know how Jeff Fisher can start QB Case Keenum with a straight face in the Rams' official return to Los Angeles. But it will be Keenum. Reports are that No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff will be the backup this week after being inactive Week 1.

Colts at Broncos (-6, 46.5): Interesting note here -- it's the first Colts-Broncos game without Peyton Manning involved since Week 5, 1993, when John Elway was Denver's starting quarterback. Nearly a must win for Indy off last week's crushing home loss to Detroit after Andrew Luck led big rally to take a late lead. The Colts will be one of at least 19 teams at 1-1 or 0-2 by Monday night. Since realignment in 2002, 100 of the 168 playoff teams (59.5 percent) began the year at either 1-1 or 0-2, including six teams last season. Luck's final game of last season was Week 9 when he led the Colts to a 27-24 home win over the then-unbeaten Broncos. Luck played the final few minutes of that one with not just a shoulder injury but a lacerated kidney. Both team's top receivers, Denver's Demaryius Thomas and Indy's T.Y. Hilton, are a bit banged up but expected to play. Indy will be without three members of its secondary again, however. Play Trevor Siemian in your fantasy league this week! (not really)

Dolphins at Patriots (-6.5, 42): This line has risen a point. It will be interesting to see how the New England faithful greet Jimmy Garoppolo in his first home start. He was solid in the Week 1 win in Arizona despite not having Rob Gronkowski or two starting offensive linemen. Gronk has been practicing, so it appears he will go, albeit at less than 100 percent (hamstring). Incidentally, Bovada offers a Week 2 special asking if the Patriots will be 4-0 when Tom Brady returns from his suspension. To my surprise, "no" is a -250 favorite with "yes" at +170. Obviously New England is favored here, it will be next Thursday against Houston (I'll be previewing that one here at Doc's) and will be Week 4 also at home against Buffalo. I only give the Texans a legitimate shot, so I'd take that yes prop. Miami knocked New England from the AFC's top seed with a 20-10 Week 17 home win last year, which proved hugely costly for the Pats. Brady really struggled that day, so maybe it's a good thing Garoppolo is in there? The Dolphins defense was stout Week 1 in Seattle, but the offense did nothing. Since Gillette Stadium opened in 2002, the Patriots are 13-1 in home openers. The Patriots have played Miami in the home opener six previous times and have a 4-2 record.

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