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Normally when an NFL starting quarterback is questionable, oddsmakers are reluctant to post a pointspread on Monday.

But that didn’t stop linesmakers from putting up lines on the Vikings-Chiefs, Dolphins-Jets and Cardinals-Ravens matchups.

Then again, when the quarterbacks in question are Tarvaris Jackson, Chad Pennington and an over-the-hill Steve McNair, it doesn’t really make a difference, especially in the case of the Vikings’ Jackson.

Despite the uncertain status of Jackson who suffered a groin injury near the end of Sunday’s game against the Lions, it doesn’t matter. The Vikings play at Kansas City. Oddsmakers opened the Chiefs -2. Minnesota’s backup quarterback is Brooks Bollinger.

“There’s such little respect for Jackson that he’s treated like an entry with Bollinger,” said Las Vegas Sports Consultants senior linesmaker Dan O’Brien.

The LVSC oddsmakers opened Baltimore -8 1/2 hosting Arizona. O’Brien said McNair is worth 1 to 1 ½ points on the line, compared to his backup, Kyle Boller. Regardless of who plays, and McNair was talking on Monday like he’ll be able, O’Brien didn’t want to set the number above eight.

“They (the Ravens) play ball control no matter who the quarterback is,” O’Brien said. “I think anything above eight is too high. The Cardinals defense is much improved.”

Pennington also is worth 1 to 1 ½ points on the line compared to his backup Kellen Clemens, according to O’Brien. Nonetheless, bookmakers opened the Jets -3 hosting Miami without being sure who the starting quarterback will be. The LVSC oddsmakers believe public perception is high on Clemens.

“Clemens gets quite a bit of respect for being an unproven backup,” O’Brien said.

Based on their easy Week 2 victories, Pittsburgh and New England have high spreads. The Steelers are -9 hosting San Francisco (2-0). The line may get higher, too. People might be losing perspective hopping aboard the Steelers bandwagon so early. Pittsburgh has only played Cleveland and Buffalo.

“A lot of people seem to think the Steelers are back to where they were when they won the Super Bowl,” O’Brien said. “Being a 9 to 9 ½-point favorite is a function of that. I think ‘Frisco is a pretty live dog.”

There is reason to be enamored with the Patriots and oddsmakers know it. O’Brien and crew sent out to their Nevada hotels a recommended opener of New England -17 at home against Buffalo.

“It was 14, but we added 3 for cheating,” O’Brien said, tongue in cheek.

On a more serious note, O’Brien said about the largest pointspread so far this season: “It’s really a question of how much New England wants to score. The Bills’ many injuries are taking a toll on them.”

Tampa Bay opened -3 hosting St. Louis. Enough early money came in Monday to push the Buccaneers to -3 ½. The Rams losing their best tackle, Orlando Pace, and guard, Richie Incognito, have been factors in the team’s 0-2 start.

“Those injuries really have impacted Steven Jackson,” O’Brien said. “He looks like he could really struggle behind that (makeshift) line.”

In perhaps the worst matchup on Sunday’s card, the Raiders are 3-point home favorites against the Browns. The total is 40. Considering the Browns scored 51 points last week against Cincinnati, is this over/under too short?

No says O’Brien.

“Not against the Raiders defense and with the Raiders offense.”

Courtesy of Stephen Nover, A Covers Experts Sports Handicapper – Featured on Touthouse.com
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