WAYNE ROOT
MILL--NY Giants -
No Limit--Oakland -
Perfect Play--Baltimore +
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Inner Circle---LA Rams
Home Underdog Mis-Match
Carolina is 0-3 on the road and playing the Rams coming in off a bye week. The Rams defense is decent but spent that extra week tightening up their defense in the red zone. The Rams have allowed 11 passing touchdowns this season. Last year they were second best. The Rams' defensive front, led by defensive tackle Aaron Donald, only allows opponents 3.9 yards an attempt. If the Rams' front seven defenders can stop Stewart early, Los Angeles can make the Panthers' offense one-dimensional. Neither team can really move the ball. Even though the Panthers won in Week 8, Cam Newton still struggled, going 14 of 27 with no touchdowns. Aaron Donald is one of the best in the game at providing pressure, so I think Newton struggles again and the Rams feed off home energy and and force a few turnovers against a team that has a minus-7 turnover differential (T-28th) to win the game. With a gun-shy Cam Newton worrying about every hit he takes, Los Angeles has to keep him off balance so he questions the wisdom of trying to run the ball. Coming off of their bye and the most healthy they've been in about 5 weeks, the Rams will likely have all their starters. Look for Gurley to get a lot of touches here early on as the Rams try to get him going. This should open up their passing game. The Rams defense keeps them in this game throughout the contest.
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Pinnacle---NFC Division Game of Month
SAN FRANCISCO +
On paper, this should be another huge week for one of the best passers in NFL history in Drew Brees. But the game is not played on paper. The 49ers' pass defense has actually been solid this season. They have allowed only 222 yards a game through the air, which is ranked seventh best in the league. If one looks closely, it now appears that San Francisco may be able to stop Brees better than the Saints can stop the 49ers. The Saints' defense, especially the secondary, has been decimated with injuries this season. This is a major reason for the pass defense to be ranked 29th in the NFL in passing yards against per game at 286.7. Getting a major offensive weapon back for the game against the Saints could help the 49ers offense. Running back Carlos Hyde will be facing a Saints rushing defense that is giving up 4.3 yards per carry and has allowed 12 rushing touchdowns. If there were any time for the 49ers to show up to save some face for this season, it might be most likely to happen right after the bye, when the team has had the chance to rest up and game plan. Add to that the fact that Drew Brees does not play as well outdoors on the road and that New Orleans is coming off a big, emotional win against the Seahawks, it could be that the Saints are set up for a letdown. It feels like a trap game. You have Brees outdoors against a well-rested 49ers squad playing at home and desperate for a win. There is a reason that this line is only four points. Vegas knows it is a dangerous game for New Orleans. Jump on it and take San Francisco, and the points. The Saints’ defense will have to be ready for the pace Chip Kelly plays at. They’re coming off of a physical game against the Seahawks, but have to be ready for plenty of tempo this week on the road.