NFL Odds Week 9: Spreads Simply Not Worth the Risk This Weekend

As the best of the best in the NFL odds world know, some lines are better left untested.

Why take a risky gamble on two close teams when the Jacksonville Jaguars exist?

Seriously, though, half of the NFL is miserable this year. That makes for some easy money when the bad take on the good, but for anything in between, it's advisable to give the spread a wide berth.

Here are a few games not worth the headache this weekend.

Odds courtesy of Vegas Insider.

Away Team	Home Team	Line	Prediction (ATS)
Cincinnati Bengals	Miami Dolphins	CIN - 3	CIN
Atlanta Falcons	Carolina Panthers	CAR -7.5	ATL
Minnesota Vikings	Dallas Cowboys	DAL -10.5	DAL
New Orleans Saints	New York Jets	NO -6	NO
Tennessee Titans	St. Louis Rams	TEN -3	TEN
Kansas City Chiefs	Buffalo Bills	KC -3	KC
San Diego Chargers	Washington Redskins	SD -1	SD
Philadelphia Eagles	Oakland Raiders	OAK -2.5	OAK
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Seattle Seahawks	SEA -16.5	SEA
Baltimore Ravens	Cleveland Browns	BAL -2.5	CLE
Pittsburgh Steelers	New England Patriots	NE -6.5	PIT
Indianapolis Colts	Houston Texans	IND -2.5	IND
Chicago Bears	Green Bay Packers	GB -11	GB

Carolina Panthers (-7.5) over Atlanta Falcons

Yes, the Atlanta Falcons are a bad team—especially when so many injuries plague the roster. It's not that Carolina won't win, but to expect a victory by more than a touchdown from Cam Newton and Co. is asking for problems from a betting perspective.

It's simply hard to trust Carolina at this point. The team has prevailed by more than a touchdown four times this year, but that's hard to fall in love with considering the wins came over Minnesota (1-6), St. Louis (3-5), Tampa Bay (0-7) and the New York Giants (2-6).

Meanwhile, Atlanta has lost five games, but four of five have come by seven or fewer points.

Add in the fact that this is a divisional matchup and it's not unreasonable to think Matt Ryan, who is completing over 67 percent of his passes with over 2,200 yards and 14 scores, will find a way to keep the game close—and maybe win it.

Steer clear.

New England Patriots (-6.5) over Pittsburgh Steelers

This is going to be a highly competitive game as usual between these two AFC foes, but for the wrong reasons this time.

Simply put, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots aren't very good. Neither are Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Despite their 6-2 record, this year hasn't been a case of classic Patriots domination. New England has won four of those games by seven or fewer points, with major margins of victory coming over mediocre teams such as Tampa Bay and Miami.

Now bettors are supposed to believe that Brady, who has thrown just nine touchdowns and cracked the 300-yard mark once, will win by almost a touchdown against the NFL's No. 2 pass defense that allows just 181 yards per game?

Please.

Indianapolis Colts (-2.5) over Houston Texans

Something is off here.

Yes, Houston is bad at 2-5, but the team showed signs of life two weeks ago against undefeated Kansas City. Quarterback Case Keenum made his first start, throwing for 271 yards and a score and ultimately losing by one point.

Now Houston is coming off a bye, Keenum has had extra time to prep for Indianapolis—not to mention adapt to the league overall—and the Texans are at home for an always-unpredictable AFC South divisional matchup.

On the flip side is Indianapolis, the team that has likely burnt bettors the most this season.

The Colts have come up big against favorites such as San Francisco, Seattle and Denver, but failed against seemingly inferior opponents in Miami and San Diego.

A team with the horrific habit of playing up or down to competition on the road in a divisional matchup is not a team to place money on in any scenario. This is a trap game of epic proportions and bettors would be wise to not allow Indianapolis to waste more of their hard-earned dough.

Follow B/R's Chris Roling on Twitter for more news and analysis @Chris_Roling