NFL Week 6 early odds: Cowboys, Falcons both open as huge road underdogs

Pulling off an impressive win might help you in the standings, but it doesn't do anything to help you with the oddsmakers in Las Vegas, something that Cowboys and Falcons fans will probably notice if they decide to bet on their teams this week.

Despite the fact that Dallas and Atlanta pulled off two of the biggest wins in Week 5, both teams opened up as big road underdogs for Week 6.

The Cowboys, who are coming off a 28-14 trouncing of the Bengals, opened as a 5.5 point underdog to Green Bay. As for the Falcons, they opened up as a 6-point underdog to the Seahawks, even though they went into Denver and pulled off a 23-16 win.

The win in Denver made the Falcons just the third team ever to beat the prior year's Super Bowl participants in consecutive weeks. Atlanta beat Carolina in Week 4.

That being said, the Falcons-Seahawks line actually makes some sense when you look at how good Seattle has been against the spread at home over the past few years. Since Russell Wilson's rookie year in 2012, the Seahawks are an NFL-best 33-5 ATS at home, including the postseason.

As for the Cowboys, there's a chance that their offense could run into a brick wall in Green Bay. If Ezekiel Elliott's going to run the Cowboys to a victory, he's going to have to do it against the NFL's top ranked run defense in Green Bay. It's also probably worth mentioning that the Cowboys are 0-5 straight-up against the Packers dating back to 2009.

That fact isn't stopping people from betting on Dallas, though. The Cowboys money is already pouring in, with the line in the game moving a full point toward Dallas since opening on Sunday.

Let's take a look at the lines for all 15 games being played in Week 6.

NFL Week 6 early odds

( via VegasInsider.com)

Broncos at Chargers (Opening line: Broncos, -2 points)

Current line: Broncos, (-2.5 points). If you're betting against the Chargers at this point, you're obviously betting on the fact that they're going to find a new way to lose this week. In their four losses, the Chargers have blown a 21-point lead in the second half of a 33-27 loss, lost two fumbles in the final 62 seconds of a 26-22 loss, blown a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter of a 35-34 loss and botched a field goal snap with two minutes left in Sunday's 34-31 loss to the Raiders.

The Chargers have also lost 10 straight division games and are an NFL-worst 1-4 ATS as a home underdog since 2014. The one reason you might want to think about taking San Diego is because Trevor Siemian's (shoulder) playing status is still up in the air. If Siemian can't go, then rookie quarterback Paxton Lynch will make his second straight start.

Bengals at Patriots (Opening line: Patriots, --6.5 points)

Current line: Patriots (-8 points). There's one big reason that this game has already moved 1.5 points in favor of the Patriots and that reason is Tom Brady. This game will mark Brady's first game at home since he returned from his suspension, and that should worry the Bengals because Brady is basically unbeatable at home against AFC teams. Since 2007, the Patriots quarterback is 25-0 straight-up at home against non-divisional AFC teams. The Patriots also do a good job of covering the spread: Since 2013, New England is 20-9-2 ATS at home, the best record of any team in the AFC. The Bengals haven't won in at New England since 1986. If you're looking for a reason to take Cincy, they went 4-1 ATS as a road underdog in 2015.

Ravens at Giants (Opening line: Giants, -3 points)

Current line: Giants, (-3 points). The Giants offense has been in a rut for the past few weeks, and it's hard to see things getting any better with a game against the Ravens coming up. Through the first five weeks of the season, Baltimore had the top ranked defense in the NFL. Both teams are coming off a loss, which isn't usually good news for the Giants. Since Ben McAdoo joined the coaching staff in 2014, the Giants are 6-13-1 ATS after a loss, which is the second worst record in the NFC over that timespan.

Panthers at Saints (Opening line: Panthers, -2 points)

Current line: Panthers, (-3 points). The big question in this game revolves around whether Cam Newton will play or not. Although the Panthers quarterback won't be playing on Monday night (concussion) against Tampa, there's a good chance he'll be ready for the Saints, which is good news for the Panthers because he's 6-2 straight-up against New Orleans since 2012. Betting against Drew Brees might not be the best idea though: In 2015, the Saints went an NFL-best 5-1 ATS against divisional opponents.

Steelers at Dolphins (Opening line: Steelers, -7 points)

Current line: Steelers, (-7.5 points). Ever since the return of Le'Veon Bell in Week 4, the Steelers offense has basically been unstoppable, scoring 43 and 31 points in consecutive wins. The Dolphins haven't been able to stop anyone, a point that became clear in Week 5 when they gave up 30 points to the Titans. The Dolphins are 1-4 ATS in 2016, which is tied for the worst record in the NFL. Another fact that probably won't make you feel good about taking Miami: The Steelers are 4-1 ATS in 2016, tied for the second best record in the NFL.

Jaguars at Bears (Opening line: Bears, -2 points)

Current line: Bears, -2.5 points. If Jay Cutler (thumb) plays in this game, that might actually move the line slightly in favor of the Jaguars because of how well Brian Hoyer''s been playing in Cutler's absence. It's unlikely that Bears coach John Fox will pull Hoyer after he helped lead the Bears to 522 yards of offense in Week 5, the team's highest total since 1989. If you're thinking about betting on the Bears, just keep in mind that they're 0-3 ATS as home favorites since the beginning of 2015. The Bears are also just 1-4 ATS overall in 2016.

49ers at Bills (Opening line: Bills, -7 points)

Current line: Bills, (-7.5 points). This will be a fascinating line to keep an eye on this week and that's mainly because we have no idea who the 49ers starting quarterback will be. Chip Kelly's not tipping his hand, which means that Blaine Gabbert, Colin Kaepernick or even Christian Ponder could be under center in Buffalo. Of course, it might not matter who the starter is. Since 2015, the 49ers are 1-5 straight-up in games that kick off at 1 p.m. ET. They're also just 2-6 ATS against AFC teams since 2014.

Rams at Lions (Opening line: Lions 2.5 points).

Current line: Lions, (3.5 points). After the Lions handed the Eagles their first loss of the year, this line quickly took a one-point jump in Detroit's favor. Matthew Stafford's coming off of one of the most efficient games of his career (19 of 25, 180 yards, three touchdowns), which might be a small reason why bettors like the Lions. It also might have to do with the fact that Rams entire defensive line is banged up. Aaron Donald is the only regular starter who played in Week 5. Michael Brockers, William Hayes and Robert Quinn were all inactive against the Bills. It's probably also worth mentioning that the Rams are an NFL-worst 10-16-1 ATS on the road since 2013.

Browns at Titans (Opening line: Titans, -6 points)

Current line: Titans, (-6.5 points). You know you're season's going nowhere when you open up as a six-point underdog to the Titans. The Titans haven't been this big of a favorite in a game since 2013 when they were an 11.5-point favorite against the Jags. This line could actually get bigger as the week goes on, and that's because the Browns could be down to their fourth-string quarterback. The Browns lost Cody Kessler (rib/chest) to injury in Week 5, and if he can't play, that means Charlie Whitehurst will be starting in Tennessee. If you've lost track, the Browns have already lost RG3 and Josh McCown to injuries this year.

Eagles at Redskins (Opening line: Pick'em)

Current line: Eagles, (-2 points). This line is looking eerily like the Eagles' Week 5 line. After Philly opened up as a two-point underdog on Oct. 2 against Detroit, the line was quickly bet four points in the Eagles' direction and they were a two-point favorite by late Sunday night last week. Of course, betting the Eagles as a two-point favorite didn't pay out in Week 5. Anyway, Philly's loss to the Lions wasn't just their first straight-up loss of the year, it was also their first loss ATS. If you're thinking about taking the Redskins, they've won three in a row straight-up against the Eagles.

Chiefs at Raiders (Opening line: Raiders, -2 points)

Current line: Raiders, (-1.5 points). If there's one betting stat that's reached mythological proportions in the NFL, it's Andy Reid's record coming off of a bye. During his 17 years as a head coach, Reid has an almost unbelievable 15-2 record straight-up coming off of a bye. That total includes a win last season, when Reid's Chiefs beat the Broncos as a 4.5 point underdog. Besides the bye week, Reid has also showed some mastery over the Raiders: He's 5-1 straight-up against Oakland since becoming the Chiefs coach in 2013. You want another reason not to take the Raiders: Since 2013, Oakland is just 4-13 ATS after a win.

Falcons at Seahawks (Opening line: Seahawks, -6 points)

Current line: Seahawks (-6 points). Despite the fact that the Falcons just just took down both Super Bowl 50 participants in consecutive weeks, they're still not getting a lot of respect in Vegas. This number hasn't budged an inch since opening. In the past two weeks the Falcons were an underdog to both Carolina and Denver, and then ended up winning both games straight-up. Atlanta and its unstoppable offense are 4-1 ATS this year, which is tied for the second best record in the NFL. Of course, the reason the early money wasn't poured on Atlanta is because the Seahawks have the best home-field advantage in football. As mentioned above, the Seahawks are an NFL-best 33-5 ATS at home since 2012 (including the postseason). In that same timespan, the Seahawks are also 39-12 ATS in non-divisional games, which also ranks No. 1 in the NFL. This will be the Falcons first game in Seattle since a 30-28 win in 2011.

Cowboys at Packers (Opening line: Packers, -5.5 points)

Current line: Packers, (-4.5 points). Although this game is going to give us Aaron Rodgers vs. the Cowboys defense, that's not the matchup that will likely determine what's going to happen in Green Bay on Sunday. That honor belongs to the Packers rush defense vs. Ezekiel Elliott. Going into Week 5, the Packers had the top rush defense, and if they're going to win, they're going to have to figure out a way to stop Elliott, the NFL's leading rusher with 546 yards. The Cowboys are 0-5 straight-up against the Packers since 2009. On the other hand, Dallas is one of the best teams in the NFL this year ATS, with a 4-1 record.

Colts at Texans (Opening line: Texans, 3.5 points)

Current line: Texans, (-3 points). You're only going to want to bet on Houston if you trust Brock Osweiler, and at this point, I'm not sure how anyone can. On the other end, you have Andrew Luck, who you can kind of trust. During Luck's five-year career, the Texans have struggled against the Colts, going just 2-6 straight-up since 2012. Luck has also been dominating ATS against divisional opponents, going 20-5 over his past 25 games against the AFC South. That run includes a 4-1-1 record ATS against the Texans in their past six meetings.

Jets at Cardinals (Opening line: Cardinals, -6.5 points).

Current line: Cardinals, (-6.5 points). This is the game you're going to want to stay away from until you know who for sure who's going to be the quarterback for Arizona. Without Carson Palmer in Week 5, the Cardinals passing offense looked horrible, but it didn't matter because they were playing the overmatched 49ers. If Palmer's out this week and Drew Stanton has to start, it will matter. There's also a small chance that the Jets could make a quarterback change. Geno Smith has been sending out cryptic tweets lately.