Trendspotting: 3 NFL Betting Trends To Monitor in Week 9 Games

It looks to be a very evenly-matched Week 9 around the NFL because there are only two games with spreads larger than 7.5 points and a handful right around the magic number of three.

Remember when home-field advantage was a thing? Not so far in 2021 as home teams are a combined 59-63 straight up. That's shocking, especially now that stadiums are full of fans again, unlike in 2020. Away favorites have really cashed straight up, winning 66 percent of the time - which means home dogs are at only 34 percent. Underdogs overall are 47-73 SU.

Against the spread, away underdogs have been a great bet as they are cashing 59.7 percent of the time with home dogs at 51 percent. On the total, Unders have hit 55.4 percent of the time, but Overs have hit in 10 of 12 overtime games.

Here's a look at three games for which prevailing trends might play a major role in how bettors approach the matchup:

Browns vs. Bengals Trend: Cincinnati 6-0 ATS and SU in past six as favorite in battle for Ohio

This is a big game in the AFC North on Sunday with every team in the division at .500 or better, but the Bengals are the only unbeaten team inside the division at 2-0. Not only has Cincinnati won six straight in this series as a favorite, those wins have come by an average of 20 points.

Of course, it's also a matchup of former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks who became No. 1 overall picks in Cleveland's Baker Mayfield and Cincinnati's Joe Burrow. The jury is still out on Mayfield's future with the Browns and he’s playing through a major left shoulder (non-throwing) injury. He was simply not the same in last Sunday's 15-10 home loss to Pittsburgh as Mayfield couldn't throw the ball deep downfield. Once again, Odell Beckham Jr. was a non-factor.

More bad news for the Browns: Pro Bowl right tackle Jack Conklin will not play due to a dislocated elbow. Conklin is rated as Pro Football Focus' 17th-best run-blocking offensive lineman this season. The Browns need to run the ball because Mayfield is so limited.

Cincinnati didn't look great last week in a loss to the New York Jets, but that was clearly a trap game after such a big win in Baltimore in Week 7.

Make sure to get this line at -2.5 as a few books have raised it to -3.

Verdict: Bengals -2.5 (-110) ????

SEE ALSO: Packers vs. Chiefs Week 9 Picks

Vikings vs. Ravens Trend: Baltimore 10-3 SU and 9-4 ATS following a bye under John Harbaugh

The best NFL teams rarely lose with an extra week to prepare, just take the Kansas City Chiefs under Andy Reid or the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick for example. Baltimore's John Harbaugh certainly belongs in that group of Super Bowl-winning coaches who thrive after a week of rest.

The bye arguably came at the perfect time for the Ravens because they had been ravaged by injuries and looked worn out in a shocking 41-17 home loss to Cincinnati in Week 7 that snapped a five-game winning streak. A lot of those injured players should return soon.

It's frankly a bit surprising the Vikings are getting less than seven points as they looked terrible Sunday night in a home loss to Dallas that might have all but closed the door on coach Mike Zimmer returning next season. The Minnesota defense allowed Cowboys backup quarterback Cooper Rush to throw for 325 yards and two touchdowns in his first NFL start, while Kirk Cousins did very little against a suspect Dallas defense. To make matters worse, the Vikings lost top pass-rusher Danielle Hunter to a season-ending injury.

Verdict: Ravens -5.5 (-110) ????

Titans vs. Rams Trend: Los Angeles 12-2 ATS in past 14 prime-time games

Coach Sean McVay's team loves the prime-time spotlight, and what makes that record even more impressive is that the Los Angeles Rams won and/or covered most of those games with Jared Goff under center. Now they have a much better quarterback in Matthew Stafford. He rarely got to play in prime time while with the Detroit Lions but is 2-0 SU and ATS this year under the spotlight with wins over Chicago and Seattle.

The Rams' defense also will get a major boost Sunday with the Hollywood debut of future Hall of Fame pass-rusher Von Miller, acquired ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline from the Denver Broncos. He's an eight-time Pro Bowler who will team with another future Hall of Famer, three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, to give L.A. the most fearsome pass-rushing duo in the NFL.

It might be time to fade the Tennessee Titans for the rest of the season considering they lost the most important non-QB offensive player in the league in two-time rushing champion Derrick Henry to a likely season-ending injury. Henry led the NFL in rushing yards, rushing TDs, and carries, and was the clear and obvious focal point of the Tennessee offense.

Verdict: Rams -7.5 (-110) ???

SEE ALSO: Early NFL Week 9 Parlay Picks