Tracking line movement is an effective way of determining which teams are drawing the most support from bettors. Blindly betting on line moves isn’t a recipe for success, since the lines you’re betting on are different than the ones previous bettors were betting on, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to know what other bettors are thinking about particular games.
Here are five NFL games this week that have seen significant movement in the betting odds as of Friday:

Pittsburgh at Minnesota

Open: Minnesota pk
Friday: Steelers -3
Why: This line was moving towards Steelers all week, but shot up to a field goal when the Vikings formally announced QB Christian Ponder was out of the lineup this week and Matt Cassel would get the start.

Seattle at Houston

Open: Seattle -3
Friday: Seattle -1.5
Why: Sharp money came quickly on the Texans after the line opened, making them -125 juice at +3. Money must be still pouring in on the Texans, a quality team underdogged at home against a Seahawks squad that has looked fantastic this season — to the point of becoming a public favourite.

Cincinnati at Cleveland

Open: Cincinnati -5
Friday: Cincinnati -3.5
Why: Though this is a division game, Cincy could let down in this one after big wins over the Packers and Steelers the past two weeks. Cleveland returns home with confidence after upsetting the Vikings last week with third-string QB Brian Hoyer at the helm.

Philadelphia at Denver

Open: Denver -12
Friday: Denver -10.5
Why: Philadelphia has had since last Thursday to prepare for this one, while Denver played Monday night. Sharp bettors don’t seem to believe the Broncos can win every game in blowout fashion.

New England at Atlanta

Open: Falcons pk
Friday: Falcons -2
Why: This is a much bigger game for Atlanta than for the Patriots. Falcons could fall three games behind New Orleans in the division race if they lose this one. Pats are 3-0 and though they’re tied with Miami atop the AFC East, we’re sure they don’t expect the Dolphins to keep pace.