The San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos square off in a Week 2 preseason contest this evening, and I came across some interesting information. Yesterday, I mentioned that the line in this game had the 49ers as 5.5-point underdogs. Looking at updated odds, the line has increased to 6.5 points. Earlier today, a spokesperson from the Mirage in Las Vegas said that this game is a big one for the sportsbooks.
From @TheMirageLV Jeff Stoneback on #NFLPreseason today: Broncos-49ers "would be biggest decision of the day. Nobody wants piece of 49ers."
— Patrick Everson (@Covers_Vegas) August 20, 2016
Basically, Stoneback is saying everyone who is betting on this game is betting on the Broncos. Scores & Odds opened the line at Broncos -3.5, and it has increased three points this week.
Preseason lines usually don’t move much higher than a field goal, so to get up near a touchdown is certainly something. It tells us that nobody has faith in the 49ers reserves to do much against the Broncos. They also might think the Broncos starters, with more reps than last week and getting Von Miller back, might put a number on the 49ers starters.
Wins and losses don’t matter, but it’d be amusing if the 49ers kept this thing close and the sportsbooks took one on the chin. I’m staying away from this entirely. The offense showed some signs last week, but with an abysmal looking passing game and facing the Broncos defense, I’m in wait-and-see mode.