What is line movement? During the NFL season, bookmakers usually post a spread with a total as early as possible to begin taking bets. For Week 14, these lines were posted as early as Sunday night and have since been adjusted. They are adjusted in the following hours and days due to transactions, injuries, weather reports, large bets on one side -- any number of things.
The Los Angeles Rams are 2.5-point road favorites against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Rams opened at one-point favorites and have since risen to that current number, which bodes well for them. Also, the total in this game has dropped.
The game opened at a high total of 51.0 points but has plunged three points to 48.0 at Pinnacle per Sports Insights.
Last year, I wrote about how line movement affects defensive performances, and when the total fell three points or more in 2015, the defenses involved averaged 8.92 fantasy points per game.
The Los Angeles Rams D/ST is priced at $4,400 on FanDuel and rank 21st among defenses. The Eagles' offense is scary good, so there is definitely risk involved. However, at their cheap price and with line movement on their side, the Rams are worth starting. They may be unsafe for cash games but are worth a gamble in tournaments.