Who knew what and when?
The Ravens ruled out Lamar Jackson (hamstring) for today’s game vs. the Bears, moving the line from Baltimore -7 to -1.5 within three hours of Saturday’s X post.
The background: The Ravens on Friday announced that Jackson was designated as “full participant” in practice, which moved the line from -6.5 to -7. In fact, Jackson took scout team reps and therefore should have been classified as a “limited participant.” On Saturday, Jackson was retroactively downgraded from full to limited on Friday’s injury report and ruled out. Tyler Huntley will start.
Let’s just say this is not an ideal scenario when the NBA is in the spotlight this week for alleged improprieties using inside information about players’ status.
Perhaps recognizing this, the Ravens felt it necessary to issue a clarification four hours after the first announcement. Meantime, the line settled at Baltimore -2 by Saturday night.
The NFL said it will look into the matter.
In other QB news . . .
Falcons: Kirk Cousins is likely to start vs. the Dolphins because Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is questionable. The line moved Saturday from Falcons -7.5 to -7 at Circa Sports.
Jets: Justin Fields was named the starter vs. the Bengals (-6) after Tyrod Taylor (knee) was ruled out.
Programming reminder: Mitch Moss and Pauly Howard kick off our live programming at 9 a.m. ET with the VSiN Pro Football Tailgate Show, Their guests include Warren Sharp, Dr. David Chao and John Hansen.
No doubt Dr. Chao will share his thoughts on the Ravens’ situation.
VSiN’s NFL Best Bets
Everything we have done on NFL Week 8 is here, including these Best Bets columns:
I checked our Opta AI player prop projections for the biggest differences between the DraftKings line and the AI projection. I also show here how the lines and projections moved since Friday.
Joe Flacco, Bengals: Under 241.5 passing yards (Opta AI -59.62) / On Friday: Under 239.5 (-57.62)
Derrick Henry, Ravens: Under 87.5 rushing yards at DK (-25.97) /. On Friday: Under 89.5 (-33.83)
Christian Watson, Packers: Over 20.5 receiving yards at DK (+36.22) / On Friday: Over 19.5 (+36.37)
Zach uses our prop tools to come up with some plays for your consideration.
Other NFL Week 8 resources
>DraftKings/Circa Betting Splits
>Fantasy Points WR/CB Matchup Tool
VSiN Pro subscribers have access to the plays from hosts and guests on our NFL picks page.
Contest Corner: Colts top Survivor
As they are every week, the consensus picks for the three Circa contests were revealed Saturday night on The Football Contest Show (9-10 ET):
>Circa Survivor: The Colts (-15.5 vs. the Titans) were the top pick with 1,452 entries (34.5 percent) with the Falcons (-7 vs. the Dolphins) second with 1,387 (32.9 percent). With four no-picks, there are 4,210 live entries, including 16 already advancing on the Chargers’ TNF victory.
>Circa Grandissimo: With 15 entries remaining in the high-stakes survivor contest worth $6.9M to the winner, the Colts were the top pick with 9.
>Circa Million: The Bears +6.5 vs. the Ravens was the top choice with 1,769 entries as contestants capitalized on the news that Jackson will miss the game.
Check out our contest hub for complete consensus picks and individual selections.
Quick Hits
NBA: Look for Best Bets from Zach Cohen and Steve Makinen‘s Analytics Report around mid-morning on our NBA page. Our new Opta AI NBA player props projections are here.
NHL: VSiN hockey analyst Jonathan Davis will post his Best Bets around mid-day.
Horse Racing: VSiN’s “Mr. Ed” Sehonhas picks for today’s card at Keeneland.
Special 1/ST BET offer: Deposit and bet $200 on the Breeders’ Cup at 1/ST BET with promo code VSINBC and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a VIP Vegas Experience at Circa — including a two-night stay, a $250 food and beverage credit, your own cabana at Stadium Swim, and a behind-the-scenes visit to the VSiN studio. Plus, when you deposit and bet just $100, you’ll score a one-year VSiN Pro subscription. Sign up today.
Soccer: VSiN soccer analyst Nigel Seeley has his Best Bets for today’s EPL menu.
NASCAR: Steve Makinen has posted his final simulation for today’s race at Martinsville and shared his picks:
Top 5: Byron, Larson, Blaney, Elliott, Wallace
Top underdogs to consider: Gibbs, Wallace, Chastian, Cindric, Keselowski
Favorites to struggle: Hamlin, Reddick, Logano, Beuscher
>Adam Burke‘s race preview with more analysis from Steve.
College Basketball: The 194-page VSiN College Basketball Betting Guide is available for download.
