Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

NFL Week 9: Dougherty's 'Beat the Line' bets

By Jack Dougherty | Last updated Oct 28, 2024 4:05 PM ET

Coming off a 3-0 week against the spread in our "Beat the Line" series, we're looking to keep the good times rolling as we look ahead to Week 9. Here are the three NFL bets we're firing on early with hopes of generating closing line value by kickoff.

Season record: 11-9-1 ATS, 11-7-3 CLV

Houston Texans @ New York Jets

The Texans lost Stefon Diggs to a knee injury in Week 8, meaning C.J. Stroud will be without his top two weapons on Thursday night. Houston's wide receiving corps will be made up of Tank Dell, Xavier Hutchinson, Robert Woods and John Metchie. The Jets will be able to deploy Sauce Gardner on Dell and force the backups to beat them down the field.

As for the Jets, they've been able to score more than 20 points against only the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans this season. Aaron Rodgers and Co. have been unimpressive against every good defense they've played, and the Texans are one of the best teams at pressuring the quarterback. This total should drop before game time. The bet to make: Under 42.5 (-110 BetMGM)

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Philadelphia Eagles

There are some influential people out there who love the Jaguars, and they've been proven right over the last few weeks. Jacksonville took late money against the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers. The spread moved multiple points in Jacksonville's favor both times, and it covered every number in both games.

The Jaguars have been playing much better recently, especially on the offensive side of the ball. They averaged 6.2 yards per play against the Pats and 7.0 yards per play against the Packers, putting up 62 combined points in those games. This spread is so high because Jacksonville lost all three wide receivers to injury in Week 8, but star rookie Brian Thomas Jr. has a chance to play against the Eagles. If he's ruled in, this spread will close below seven. The bet to make: Jaguars +7 (-105 FanDuel)

Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks

This total is simply too low. The Los Angeles Rams got Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back from their injuries, and they promptly put up 30 points and 5.8 yards per play against Brian Flores and the Minnesota Vikings. Nacua wasn't even close to 100 percent in that game, and he still went for over 100 yards.

Sean McVay finally has a dynamic group of weapons at his disposal for the first time all season, and he has a mini-bye week to draw up a game plan against the struggling Seahawks defense. If DK Metcalf returns for Seattle, this offense could also put up a big number against one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Grab this before it hits the key number of 49. The bet to make: Over 48.5 (-108 DraftKings)

Jack Dougherty

Jack Dougherty has been writing professionally since 2015, contributing to publications such as GoPSUSports. com, Centre Daily Times, Associated Press, and Sportscasting. com

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