INDIANAPOLIS (-3) at BUFFALO: It’s tough to make a case for Buffalo (4-6 SU&ATS) here especially with running back Travis Henry and primo wideout Eric Moulds sidelined. The Bills have scored a total of 21 points in their last three games and quarterback Drew Bledsoe has been running for his life. Indianapolis (8-2 SU, 7-3 ATS) won’t be at full strength either with Marvin Harrison iffy with a sore hamstring and Marcus Pollard out. Buffalo has managed to average 20 PPG at home this season but it has come up short in three of four ATS while the Colts have clicked in four of five on the road. Indy has come up short in three of its last four as favorites. Trends clash in the total department. The Colts have topped the number in seven straight, overall, and in 17 of their last 22 on the highway, including four straight in 2003. The punchless Bills have taken the low road in eight straight and nine of 10 for the season, including five straight at home. Seven of the last 10 series tests in Buffalo have dipped ‘under’.
JACKSONVILLE at JETS: The two most prolific passers in Marshall University history meet for the first time in the NFL. Byron Leftwich of the Jaguars broke all of Jet Chad Pennington’s passing records for the Thundering Herd. Leftwich didn’t have much luck against the tenacious Titan ‘D’ last week, but he could put a few points on the board versus a Jet stop unit that has allowed 117 points in the last four games. New York (3-7 SU, 4-6 ATS) has come up short in three of four at home this season, though it has cashed in nine of its last 13 as favorites. Jacksonville (2-8 SU, 4-6) has lost six straight on the road and they have failed to cash five of six on the highway in November. The Jets have topped the number in four straight and the Jags have followed suit in five of seven. New York has dribbled ‘under’ in three of four at the Meadowlands in 2003 and in 10 of its last dozen as home favorites.
SEAHAWKS at BALTIMORE (-1): Despite two straight losses the Ravens are still tied for the AFC-North lead with surprising Cincinnati. Baltimore (5-5 SU, 6-4 ATS) coach Brian Billick is still trying to figure out how to put points on the board with Dallas reject Anthony Wright at the controls instead of rookie Kyle Boller. Ray Lewis and the rest of the raving maniacs on the Ravens defensive unit kept things close last week but six points isn’t enough to win a lot of games in the NFL, or anywhere else. Seattle (7-3 SU, 4-6 ATS), tied with the 49ers atop the NFC-West, may be the worst 7-3 team in the league. They have lost three of four on the road this season with the only win coming at Arizona and failed to get the money in their last three. Baltimore is 3-1 ATS at home and it has cashed seven of 10 as favorites. The Seahawks have allowed 89 points in their last three road ventures so maybe the Ravens can put enough points on the board to support a defense that has only allowed a little more than 13 PPG at home.
NEW ORLEANS at PHILADELPHIA (-5 ½): The Eagles are ripe for a letdown after winning and cashing five straight and this looks like a perfect spot. New Orleans (5-5 SU&ATS) came back from the dead last week and beat the Falcons for its fourth win in five games. The Saints aren’t going to catch the Panthers in the NFC-South but a win at Philadelphia (7-3 SU, 6-4 ATS) keeps them in the thick of the wild card chase. It wouldn’t be a big surprise if the Eagles were looking ahead to a showdown with Carolina next week when the best record in the conference could be on the table. Deuce McAllister has rushed for 100 yards in seven straight games and should have a big afternoon against a banged up Philly defense that is beginning to show the strain. The Eagles have given up an average of 151.5 rushing yards in their last four games. New Orleans has ‘covered’ three straight on the road this year and they are 14-5 ATS away from home off a division victory.
PITTSBURGH at CLEVELAND (-3): Any of the four teams in the AFC-North can still come out on top, even Pittsburgh (3-7 SU, 4-6). The Steelers defense gave a sterling impression of Swiss cheese Monday night en route to a 40-14 loss at the hands of the 49ers. This week they get a chance for revenge after losing at home to Cleveland (4-6 SU&ATS) 33-13 in early October. Pittsburgh has ‘covered’ five straight when facing a team they lost to in the first meetings of the season. The Steelers used to be worth a look any time they were underdogs but this season they are 1-3 as short-enders after cashing at a 12-3-2 clip previously. Kelly Holcomb shredded the Cardinals for 392 yards through the air last week and he was at the controls in the playoffs last season when the Browns threw a scare into the Steelers before losing, 36-33. Cleveland has snuck ‘under’ in eight of its last 10 as home favorites of three points or less but topped the total in eight straight off a home win.
SAN FRANCISCO at GREEN BAY: San Francisco (5-5 SU, 5-3-2 ATS) coach Dennis Erickson is still undecided who he’s going to start at quarterback this week in a crucial game versus Green Bay (5-5 SU&ATS). Jeff Garcia is on the mend but his replacement Tim Rattay has piloted the 49ers to two straight impressive victories go get them back in the wild card scramble. Erickson has been adamant that Garcia will be the starter once he is 100 percent healthy. A loss by either team here would put a crimp in their playoff plans but San Francisco probably needs the game more. The Packers can still win the NFC- North crown after creeping to within one game of the fading Vikings but the 49ers trail Seattle and St. Louis by two lengths and will probably have to earn a playoff ticket via the wild card route. Green Bay has made toast of San Francisco in nine of the last 10 SU and in seven of nine ATS. They knocked the 49ers out of the playoffs three straight years from 1995-97 and did it again in 2001. The last time San Francisco beat the Packers was in the post-season in ’98. The 49ers are 3-1-1 as dogs this season but only 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 away from home. Green Bay has taken the high road in nine of its last 13 versus NFC-West competition. The 49ers had been on the low side in seven straight until eclipsing the total Monday night. They have stayed below the number in three of four on the road.
DETROIT at MINNESOTA (-10 ½): The Vikings couldn’t have handpicked a better opponent as they try to put a stop to a four-game freefall. Minnesota (6-4 SU&ATS) returns to the Metrodome to host Detroit (3-7 SU, 3-6-1 ATS) after pitiful performances at San Diego and Oakland. The Vikings have won seven of their last eight versus the Lions, romping at Ford Field earlier this season, 23-13. Detroit has thrived when in revenge mode, however, getting the money at a18-4-1 clip ATS when facing a team they lost to SU&ATS the first time. The Lions have folded their tents in 21 straight on the road, the third longest streak in NFL history. Two more road defeats puts them in a tie with the Houston Oilers atop the futility list. In their five road defeats this year Detroit has come up short by an average of 11.6 PPG. Minnesota is trying to avoid dropping five straight for the first time since ’97 and it hasn’t failed to cash five in a row since ’99. Four of the last five series skirmishes have stormed ‘over’. The Vikings have jumped the number in six straight, overall, and three straight at The Metrodome. The Lions have tipped ‘under’ in 11 of 14 on the highway when the number was 45 ½ or more. They have taken the high road in seven of their last eight before playing on Thanksgiving Day.
CAROLINA at DALLAS (-3): The Cowboys can tie Carolina (8-2 SU, 5-5 SU) for the best record in the NFC with a victory. Dallas (7-3 SU, 6-4 SU) has had trouble putting points on the board the last four weeks, averaging 7.5 PPG. The Panthers have barked consistently as underdogs, getting the money in 11 of 16, including four straight in 2003. They have also cashed eight of their last 12 away from home. Surprisingly enough Carolina has jumped ‘over’ ion five of its last six. They have strayed ‘under’ in six straight on the road when the total was 35 or less and in five of their last six versus NFC-East competition. Dallas has tiptoed ‘under’ in its last four trips to the post.
NEW ENGLAND (-5 ½) at HOUSTON: The Patriots have a chance to win and cash seven in a row for the first time since ’94. New England (8-2 SU& ATS) has opened up a two-game lead over Miami in the NFC-East and it only trails the Chiefs by one length for the best record in the AFC. Coach Bill Belichick has to keep the Pats focused, coming off an emotional win over the Cowboys last week and with Indianapolis on tap next. Houston (4-6 SU, 5-5 ATS) will once again try to get over the hump and win two straight for the first time in franchise history. The Texans have already equaled last year’s win total and they are 2-2 SU at home. New England is 3-1 ATS on the road and 4-0 as favorites but they are only 3-11 on the highway when forced to give up 3 ½ to 9 ½ points. Houston has come up short in seven straight ATS off an upset win as underdogs.
CHICAGO at DENVER (-10): Jake Plummer returned at the controls last week and Denver (6-4 SU, 5-5 ATS) is 5-1 ATS when he barks the signals. Chicago (3-7 SU, 6-4 ATS) has lost 10 straight on the road and on the surface don’t appear to pose much of a threat to the Broncos. But digging deeper, the Bears have ‘covered’ five straight this year and cashed 12 of their last 13 on the road versus AFC-West competition. They have faltered in nine of their last 13 on the road, getting the green in four of their last five as underdogs. Denver has come up short in six of its last seven at home against teams from the NFC-North and in seven straight ATS off a home win versus a division rival. Chicago has dipped below the limit in four of five on the road in 2003.
ST. LOUIS (-8) at ARIZONA: The Cardinals could be a tasty home dog despite two straight pitiful performances on the road. Road favorites grabbed the headlines early this year in the NFL but home pups have bitten back lately, getting the money at a 7-0-1 clip the past two weeks. And St. Louis has traditionally been one of the shakiest road favorites on the planet, biting its backers in Chicago last week, coming up short for the ninth time in 10 tries away from home. Arizona has been pesky at home, getting the money in three of four and whipping three playoff contenders SU. The Rams also have underachieved on grass, gagging in 11 of 14 ATS. The only negative for the Cardinals is the fact that they are 3-11 ATS off a loss by 14 points or more. St. Louis had little trouble with Arizona at home earlier this season, romping 37-13 for their third straight series win since the Cards joined the NFC-West. Last season Arizona lost at home to the Rams. 27-14. The Cards have taken the low road in 12 of 16 against division foes and 12 of 15 versus conference foes at home. They have also slipped ‘under’ in four of five at Sun Devil Stadium this season and in seven straight revenging a loss.
TENNESSEE (-7) at ATLANTA: The Titans are playing on the road for the first time since whipping Jacksonville, 30-17, on Oct. 26. Tennessee (8-2 SU, 6-4 ATS) has won five straight but their four-game ‘cover’ run ended last week versus Jacksonville. They had scored at least 30 points in six straight games until the offense took last week off and scored only 10. Atlanta (2-8 SU, 3-7 ATS) came close to notching back-to-back wins, leading most of the way until the Saints mounted a comeback and won, 23-20. The Falcons are 0-5 ATS at home this season and they have stumbled in six of their last nine as dogs and sevens straight when getting points at home. Tennessee has jumped ‘over’ in eight of its last 10 versus NFC competition. Atlanta has been on the high side at a 4-0-1 clip at home but it has trickled ‘under’ in 18 of 24 at home in November.
OAKLAND at KANSAS CITY (-11 ½): The Raiders have been one of the best teams in the league at revenging a loss, cashing in 10 of their last 11 tries. Kansas City (9-1 SU, 8-2 ATS) held off Oakland (3-7 SU, 1-9 ATS) in the first meeting this season, 17-10, only its second win in the last eight showdowns. The Chiefs have ‘covered’ in 16 of the last 22 battles in this heated rivalry that dates back to the old AFL and ‘covered’ eight of 10 at home. Eight of the last 11 series tussles in Missouri have dashed ‘under’. Oakland has stayed ‘under’ in four of five on the road this season and in six straight on the highway when the total was between 45 ½ and 49. The Raiders have also buckled ‘under’ in 10 of 11 as road dogs.
CINCINNATI (-3) at SAN DIEGO: The Bengals attempt to win three straight for the first time since ’99 and for only the third time in the last seven seasons. Cincinnati (5-5 SU, 7-3 ATS) begins its toughest stretch of the season with three straight games on the road., where it has lost three of four this season and 45 of its last 56. San Diego (2-8 SU, 3-7 ATS) snapped a three-game home losing streak with a 42-28 upset win over the Vikings on Nov. 9. The Chargers have whipped the Bengals the last two seasons, romping in the Queen City last year, 34-6, and prevailing at home in 2001, 28-14. Cincinnati is 3-1 ATS on the road while San Diego has slipped in three of four at home. The Bengals are a dismal 3-14 ATS off a division game. They have been on the low side in eight of their last 10 on the highway when the number was between 42 ½ and 49.
WASHINGTON at MIAMI (-6 ½): It’s tough laying points with a Miami (6-4 SU, 5-5 ATS) that has scored only 33 points in three weeks and failed to cash in four of its last five. Washington (4-6 SU, 5-5 ATS) has been a strong play as road dogs of 3 ½ to seven, getting the money in 20 of 27. The Dolphins have crumbled in five of their last six at home ATS against NFC-East foes. They have dropped four of five ATS at home in 2003 and three of four as favorites. Points could be at a premium as Miami has knuckled ‘under’ in eight of its last nine, 30 of 45 versus the NFC, 11 of 13 at home against the NFC-East and 16 of 22 as home chalk.
GIANTS at TAMPA BAY: The Giants used to be one of the best bets in the league when their backs were against the wall but it doesn’t look like they have any fight left after getting humbled in Philadelphia. New York (4-6 SU&ATS) coach Jim Fassell has been on the hot seat before but the temperature has never been this high. Defending champ Tampa Bay (4-6 SU& ATS) realizes that every game is life and death if it is going to have a chance to defend the crown. The Buccs do catch a break with the schedule as they face five straight teams with losing records before closing out the season at Tennessee. Tampa Bay is only 1-4 ATS at home this season and 3-6 ATS as favorites. They look to duck losing four straight for the first time since 2000. New York has flopped in eight of nine SU&ATS as dogs of five points or more when playing on Monday night. These two teams haven’t met since ’99 when the Giants prevailed, 17-13. Tampa Bay has gone ‘under’ in 21 of 28 at home versus NFC-East foes and New York has followed suit in 34 of 52 on the road during the second half of the season.
JACKSONVILLE at JETS: The two most prolific passers in Marshall University history meet for the first time in the NFL. Byron Leftwich of the Jaguars broke all of Jet Chad Pennington’s passing records for the Thundering Herd. Leftwich didn’t have much luck against the tenacious Titan ‘D’ last week, but he could put a few points on the board versus a Jet stop unit that has allowed 117 points in the last four games. New York (3-7 SU, 4-6 ATS) has come up short in three of four at home this season, though it has cashed in nine of its last 13 as favorites. Jacksonville (2-8 SU, 4-6) has lost six straight on the road and they have failed to cash five of six on the highway in November. The Jets have topped the number in four straight and the Jags have followed suit in five of seven. New York has dribbled ‘under’ in three of four at the Meadowlands in 2003 and in 10 of its last dozen as home favorites.
SEAHAWKS at BALTIMORE (-1): Despite two straight losses the Ravens are still tied for the AFC-North lead with surprising Cincinnati. Baltimore (5-5 SU, 6-4 ATS) coach Brian Billick is still trying to figure out how to put points on the board with Dallas reject Anthony Wright at the controls instead of rookie Kyle Boller. Ray Lewis and the rest of the raving maniacs on the Ravens defensive unit kept things close last week but six points isn’t enough to win a lot of games in the NFL, or anywhere else. Seattle (7-3 SU, 4-6 ATS), tied with the 49ers atop the NFC-West, may be the worst 7-3 team in the league. They have lost three of four on the road this season with the only win coming at Arizona and failed to get the money in their last three. Baltimore is 3-1 ATS at home and it has cashed seven of 10 as favorites. The Seahawks have allowed 89 points in their last three road ventures so maybe the Ravens can put enough points on the board to support a defense that has only allowed a little more than 13 PPG at home.
NEW ORLEANS at PHILADELPHIA (-5 ½): The Eagles are ripe for a letdown after winning and cashing five straight and this looks like a perfect spot. New Orleans (5-5 SU&ATS) came back from the dead last week and beat the Falcons for its fourth win in five games. The Saints aren’t going to catch the Panthers in the NFC-South but a win at Philadelphia (7-3 SU, 6-4 ATS) keeps them in the thick of the wild card chase. It wouldn’t be a big surprise if the Eagles were looking ahead to a showdown with Carolina next week when the best record in the conference could be on the table. Deuce McAllister has rushed for 100 yards in seven straight games and should have a big afternoon against a banged up Philly defense that is beginning to show the strain. The Eagles have given up an average of 151.5 rushing yards in their last four games. New Orleans has ‘covered’ three straight on the road this year and they are 14-5 ATS away from home off a division victory.
PITTSBURGH at CLEVELAND (-3): Any of the four teams in the AFC-North can still come out on top, even Pittsburgh (3-7 SU, 4-6). The Steelers defense gave a sterling impression of Swiss cheese Monday night en route to a 40-14 loss at the hands of the 49ers. This week they get a chance for revenge after losing at home to Cleveland (4-6 SU&ATS) 33-13 in early October. Pittsburgh has ‘covered’ five straight when facing a team they lost to in the first meetings of the season. The Steelers used to be worth a look any time they were underdogs but this season they are 1-3 as short-enders after cashing at a 12-3-2 clip previously. Kelly Holcomb shredded the Cardinals for 392 yards through the air last week and he was at the controls in the playoffs last season when the Browns threw a scare into the Steelers before losing, 36-33. Cleveland has snuck ‘under’ in eight of its last 10 as home favorites of three points or less but topped the total in eight straight off a home win.
SAN FRANCISCO at GREEN BAY: San Francisco (5-5 SU, 5-3-2 ATS) coach Dennis Erickson is still undecided who he’s going to start at quarterback this week in a crucial game versus Green Bay (5-5 SU&ATS). Jeff Garcia is on the mend but his replacement Tim Rattay has piloted the 49ers to two straight impressive victories go get them back in the wild card scramble. Erickson has been adamant that Garcia will be the starter once he is 100 percent healthy. A loss by either team here would put a crimp in their playoff plans but San Francisco probably needs the game more. The Packers can still win the NFC- North crown after creeping to within one game of the fading Vikings but the 49ers trail Seattle and St. Louis by two lengths and will probably have to earn a playoff ticket via the wild card route. Green Bay has made toast of San Francisco in nine of the last 10 SU and in seven of nine ATS. They knocked the 49ers out of the playoffs three straight years from 1995-97 and did it again in 2001. The last time San Francisco beat the Packers was in the post-season in ’98. The 49ers are 3-1-1 as dogs this season but only 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 away from home. Green Bay has taken the high road in nine of its last 13 versus NFC-West competition. The 49ers had been on the low side in seven straight until eclipsing the total Monday night. They have stayed below the number in three of four on the road.
DETROIT at MINNESOTA (-10 ½): The Vikings couldn’t have handpicked a better opponent as they try to put a stop to a four-game freefall. Minnesota (6-4 SU&ATS) returns to the Metrodome to host Detroit (3-7 SU, 3-6-1 ATS) after pitiful performances at San Diego and Oakland. The Vikings have won seven of their last eight versus the Lions, romping at Ford Field earlier this season, 23-13. Detroit has thrived when in revenge mode, however, getting the money at a18-4-1 clip ATS when facing a team they lost to SU&ATS the first time. The Lions have folded their tents in 21 straight on the road, the third longest streak in NFL history. Two more road defeats puts them in a tie with the Houston Oilers atop the futility list. In their five road defeats this year Detroit has come up short by an average of 11.6 PPG. Minnesota is trying to avoid dropping five straight for the first time since ’97 and it hasn’t failed to cash five in a row since ’99. Four of the last five series skirmishes have stormed ‘over’. The Vikings have jumped the number in six straight, overall, and three straight at The Metrodome. The Lions have tipped ‘under’ in 11 of 14 on the highway when the number was 45 ½ or more. They have taken the high road in seven of their last eight before playing on Thanksgiving Day.
CAROLINA at DALLAS (-3): The Cowboys can tie Carolina (8-2 SU, 5-5 SU) for the best record in the NFC with a victory. Dallas (7-3 SU, 6-4 SU) has had trouble putting points on the board the last four weeks, averaging 7.5 PPG. The Panthers have barked consistently as underdogs, getting the money in 11 of 16, including four straight in 2003. They have also cashed eight of their last 12 away from home. Surprisingly enough Carolina has jumped ‘over’ ion five of its last six. They have strayed ‘under’ in six straight on the road when the total was 35 or less and in five of their last six versus NFC-East competition. Dallas has tiptoed ‘under’ in its last four trips to the post.
NEW ENGLAND (-5 ½) at HOUSTON: The Patriots have a chance to win and cash seven in a row for the first time since ’94. New England (8-2 SU& ATS) has opened up a two-game lead over Miami in the NFC-East and it only trails the Chiefs by one length for the best record in the AFC. Coach Bill Belichick has to keep the Pats focused, coming off an emotional win over the Cowboys last week and with Indianapolis on tap next. Houston (4-6 SU, 5-5 ATS) will once again try to get over the hump and win two straight for the first time in franchise history. The Texans have already equaled last year’s win total and they are 2-2 SU at home. New England is 3-1 ATS on the road and 4-0 as favorites but they are only 3-11 on the highway when forced to give up 3 ½ to 9 ½ points. Houston has come up short in seven straight ATS off an upset win as underdogs.
CHICAGO at DENVER (-10): Jake Plummer returned at the controls last week and Denver (6-4 SU, 5-5 ATS) is 5-1 ATS when he barks the signals. Chicago (3-7 SU, 6-4 ATS) has lost 10 straight on the road and on the surface don’t appear to pose much of a threat to the Broncos. But digging deeper, the Bears have ‘covered’ five straight this year and cashed 12 of their last 13 on the road versus AFC-West competition. They have faltered in nine of their last 13 on the road, getting the green in four of their last five as underdogs. Denver has come up short in six of its last seven at home against teams from the NFC-North and in seven straight ATS off a home win versus a division rival. Chicago has dipped below the limit in four of five on the road in 2003.
ST. LOUIS (-8) at ARIZONA: The Cardinals could be a tasty home dog despite two straight pitiful performances on the road. Road favorites grabbed the headlines early this year in the NFL but home pups have bitten back lately, getting the money at a 7-0-1 clip the past two weeks. And St. Louis has traditionally been one of the shakiest road favorites on the planet, biting its backers in Chicago last week, coming up short for the ninth time in 10 tries away from home. Arizona has been pesky at home, getting the money in three of four and whipping three playoff contenders SU. The Rams also have underachieved on grass, gagging in 11 of 14 ATS. The only negative for the Cardinals is the fact that they are 3-11 ATS off a loss by 14 points or more. St. Louis had little trouble with Arizona at home earlier this season, romping 37-13 for their third straight series win since the Cards joined the NFC-West. Last season Arizona lost at home to the Rams. 27-14. The Cards have taken the low road in 12 of 16 against division foes and 12 of 15 versus conference foes at home. They have also slipped ‘under’ in four of five at Sun Devil Stadium this season and in seven straight revenging a loss.
TENNESSEE (-7) at ATLANTA: The Titans are playing on the road for the first time since whipping Jacksonville, 30-17, on Oct. 26. Tennessee (8-2 SU, 6-4 ATS) has won five straight but their four-game ‘cover’ run ended last week versus Jacksonville. They had scored at least 30 points in six straight games until the offense took last week off and scored only 10. Atlanta (2-8 SU, 3-7 ATS) came close to notching back-to-back wins, leading most of the way until the Saints mounted a comeback and won, 23-20. The Falcons are 0-5 ATS at home this season and they have stumbled in six of their last nine as dogs and sevens straight when getting points at home. Tennessee has jumped ‘over’ in eight of its last 10 versus NFC competition. Atlanta has been on the high side at a 4-0-1 clip at home but it has trickled ‘under’ in 18 of 24 at home in November.
OAKLAND at KANSAS CITY (-11 ½): The Raiders have been one of the best teams in the league at revenging a loss, cashing in 10 of their last 11 tries. Kansas City (9-1 SU, 8-2 ATS) held off Oakland (3-7 SU, 1-9 ATS) in the first meeting this season, 17-10, only its second win in the last eight showdowns. The Chiefs have ‘covered’ in 16 of the last 22 battles in this heated rivalry that dates back to the old AFL and ‘covered’ eight of 10 at home. Eight of the last 11 series tussles in Missouri have dashed ‘under’. Oakland has stayed ‘under’ in four of five on the road this season and in six straight on the highway when the total was between 45 ½ and 49. The Raiders have also buckled ‘under’ in 10 of 11 as road dogs.
CINCINNATI (-3) at SAN DIEGO: The Bengals attempt to win three straight for the first time since ’99 and for only the third time in the last seven seasons. Cincinnati (5-5 SU, 7-3 ATS) begins its toughest stretch of the season with three straight games on the road., where it has lost three of four this season and 45 of its last 56. San Diego (2-8 SU, 3-7 ATS) snapped a three-game home losing streak with a 42-28 upset win over the Vikings on Nov. 9. The Chargers have whipped the Bengals the last two seasons, romping in the Queen City last year, 34-6, and prevailing at home in 2001, 28-14. Cincinnati is 3-1 ATS on the road while San Diego has slipped in three of four at home. The Bengals are a dismal 3-14 ATS off a division game. They have been on the low side in eight of their last 10 on the highway when the number was between 42 ½ and 49.
WASHINGTON at MIAMI (-6 ½): It’s tough laying points with a Miami (6-4 SU, 5-5 ATS) that has scored only 33 points in three weeks and failed to cash in four of its last five. Washington (4-6 SU, 5-5 ATS) has been a strong play as road dogs of 3 ½ to seven, getting the money in 20 of 27. The Dolphins have crumbled in five of their last six at home ATS against NFC-East foes. They have dropped four of five ATS at home in 2003 and three of four as favorites. Points could be at a premium as Miami has knuckled ‘under’ in eight of its last nine, 30 of 45 versus the NFC, 11 of 13 at home against the NFC-East and 16 of 22 as home chalk.
GIANTS at TAMPA BAY: The Giants used to be one of the best bets in the league when their backs were against the wall but it doesn’t look like they have any fight left after getting humbled in Philadelphia. New York (4-6 SU&ATS) coach Jim Fassell has been on the hot seat before but the temperature has never been this high. Defending champ Tampa Bay (4-6 SU& ATS) realizes that every game is life and death if it is going to have a chance to defend the crown. The Buccs do catch a break with the schedule as they face five straight teams with losing records before closing out the season at Tennessee. Tampa Bay is only 1-4 ATS at home this season and 3-6 ATS as favorites. They look to duck losing four straight for the first time since 2000. New York has flopped in eight of nine SU&ATS as dogs of five points or more when playing on Monday night. These two teams haven’t met since ’99 when the Giants prevailed, 17-13. Tampa Bay has gone ‘under’ in 21 of 28 at home versus NFC-East foes and New York has followed suit in 34 of 52 on the road during the second half of the season.
