Logical Approach-NFL
NFL SELECTION OF THE WEEK: CAROLINA - 3 ½ over Washington - Washington struggled more than they should have in rallying to defeat Tampa Bay last week and now take to the road to face a rested 0-3 Carolina. Their two wins have come against winless Tampa and St Louis and now they face another winless team. Carolina is rested following their Bye and should be better prepared after having the extra time to address their concerns and deficiencies. Both teams have QB issues with Washington's Campbell struggling every bit as much as Carolina's Delhomme. The Panther do have the better coach, a better balanced running game and the potentially stronger passing game. They have also faced an overall tougher schedule. The Redskins have put up the better defensive stats but the talent on both teams is even. Carolina's Bye has also allowed for injuries to heal which makes them the healthier team. Washington RB Portis has been banged up in the early going and his productivity has been slowed as a result. Carolina gets their first win, 23-10.
Other Featured NFL Selections :
BALTIMORE - 8 ½ over Cincinnati - Cincinnati is clearly an improved team, especially on defense, although they have allowed more rushing yards in each successive game this season. Baltimore is steamed after losing in New England last week despite playing very well on both sides of the football. QB Flacco continues to impress in leading the offense while the defense continues to be superb. And although the Ravens have also allowed more rushing yards each game its been on a totally different level than the Bengals. Baltimore allowed 29 rushing yards to Kansas City in their opener and just 85 last week to the Pats. They lead the NFL in allowing just 60 ypg on the ground, just 2.6 per rush. Baltimore's well balanced offense ranks # 5 rushing and # 6 passing. Off a loss, with the Divisional lead at stake and playing at home in the first of their two games this season suggests the intangibles support the more experienced host. Baltimore wins 27-14.
New England - 3 ½ over DENVER - It may be time to start believing in the 4-0 Broncos after they finally defeated a Playoff quality team with last week's win over Dallas. They again step up in class to face a New England team that is not as dominant as they were two seasons ago but are still an elite team. The intrigue surrounding this game involves Denver head coach McDaniels who served 7 seasons on New England's staff including the last 3 as offensive coordinator. Denver QB Orten has fared well leading his new team. Patriots' QB Brady is getting closer to peak form with each game after missing virtually all of 2008 due to injury. Denver's defense has been outstanding but that plays into the strength of Patriot coach Belichick and his ability to prepare. This game could have home field implications for the Playoffs. And history suggests the teacher generally has the edge over the pupil in first time matchups. Expect a well played game with minimal mistakes and with the more talented and experienced team getting a solid win. New England wins 27-17.
TENNESSEE + 3 ½ over Indianapolis - After starting last season 10-0, Tennessee has dropped 8 of their last 11 games including all 4 this season. The first three were all competitive losses before last week's one sided home loss to Jacksonville. Their season is all but shot as only San Diego, in 1992, made the Playoffs after starting 0-4. Indianapolis is 4-0 with outstanding play on both sides of the football. These teams have split their season series each of the past three seasons and most have been extremely tightly contested. The on field results suggest the Colts here but long standing handicapping principles clearly point to the Titans who have burned their backers badly each of the past two weeks. And if the Colts are such an obvious play, why is this line so short? Despite the 0-4 record the Titans have some impressive stats to rely upon, including gaining 5.5 yards per rush (# 2) while defensively allowing just 2.8 per rush (# 2). Following last week's shockingly embarrassing loss, expect their best effort yet. Tennessee pulls the upset, winning 24-21.
NFL SELECTION OF THE WEEK: CAROLINA - 3 ½ over Washington - Washington struggled more than they should have in rallying to defeat Tampa Bay last week and now take to the road to face a rested 0-3 Carolina. Their two wins have come against winless Tampa and St Louis and now they face another winless team. Carolina is rested following their Bye and should be better prepared after having the extra time to address their concerns and deficiencies. Both teams have QB issues with Washington's Campbell struggling every bit as much as Carolina's Delhomme. The Panther do have the better coach, a better balanced running game and the potentially stronger passing game. They have also faced an overall tougher schedule. The Redskins have put up the better defensive stats but the talent on both teams is even. Carolina's Bye has also allowed for injuries to heal which makes them the healthier team. Washington RB Portis has been banged up in the early going and his productivity has been slowed as a result. Carolina gets their first win, 23-10.
Other Featured NFL Selections :
BALTIMORE - 8 ½ over Cincinnati - Cincinnati is clearly an improved team, especially on defense, although they have allowed more rushing yards in each successive game this season. Baltimore is steamed after losing in New England last week despite playing very well on both sides of the football. QB Flacco continues to impress in leading the offense while the defense continues to be superb. And although the Ravens have also allowed more rushing yards each game its been on a totally different level than the Bengals. Baltimore allowed 29 rushing yards to Kansas City in their opener and just 85 last week to the Pats. They lead the NFL in allowing just 60 ypg on the ground, just 2.6 per rush. Baltimore's well balanced offense ranks # 5 rushing and # 6 passing. Off a loss, with the Divisional lead at stake and playing at home in the first of their two games this season suggests the intangibles support the more experienced host. Baltimore wins 27-14.
New England - 3 ½ over DENVER - It may be time to start believing in the 4-0 Broncos after they finally defeated a Playoff quality team with last week's win over Dallas. They again step up in class to face a New England team that is not as dominant as they were two seasons ago but are still an elite team. The intrigue surrounding this game involves Denver head coach McDaniels who served 7 seasons on New England's staff including the last 3 as offensive coordinator. Denver QB Orten has fared well leading his new team. Patriots' QB Brady is getting closer to peak form with each game after missing virtually all of 2008 due to injury. Denver's defense has been outstanding but that plays into the strength of Patriot coach Belichick and his ability to prepare. This game could have home field implications for the Playoffs. And history suggests the teacher generally has the edge over the pupil in first time matchups. Expect a well played game with minimal mistakes and with the more talented and experienced team getting a solid win. New England wins 27-17.
TENNESSEE + 3 ½ over Indianapolis - After starting last season 10-0, Tennessee has dropped 8 of their last 11 games including all 4 this season. The first three were all competitive losses before last week's one sided home loss to Jacksonville. Their season is all but shot as only San Diego, in 1992, made the Playoffs after starting 0-4. Indianapolis is 4-0 with outstanding play on both sides of the football. These teams have split their season series each of the past three seasons and most have been extremely tightly contested. The on field results suggest the Colts here but long standing handicapping principles clearly point to the Titans who have burned their backers badly each of the past two weeks. And if the Colts are such an obvious play, why is this line so short? Despite the 0-4 record the Titans have some impressive stats to rely upon, including gaining 5.5 yards per rush (# 2) while defensively allowing just 2.8 per rush (# 2). Following last week's shockingly embarrassing loss, expect their best effort yet. Tennessee pulls the upset, winning 24-21.
