Here are some facts and insights that might help you pick an NFL winner this week.
ARIZONA CARDINALS-The Cards have been an underdog in each of their games this season and this week is no exception as they host Baltimore, a 5 1/2-point favorite in Tempe. Arizona is 1-4 straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) this season and has scored an average of 10 points in each of its last two games. Running back Emmitt Smith is now out with a broken shoulder, which only makes matters worse on the offensive side of the ball. The only mystery about the Cardinals is how in the world did they ever beat Green Bay for their only win?
ATLANTA FALCONS- Atlanta takes a 4-game SU and ATS losing streak into St. Louis this weekend. The 1-4 Falcons won their opening game at Dallas and ran out of gas. They have played 4-1 to the over this season.
BALTIMORE RAVENS- The Ravens come off a bye week as they head into Arizona as 5 1/2-point favorites. They are 2-2 SU and ATS and in their last game lost to still undefeated Kansas City, 17-10, beaten late on one of those famous 90-yard returns by kick returner Dante Hall.
BUFFALO BILLS-The Bills head into their road game with the New York Giants coming off an unimpressive 22-16 overtime win over Cincinnati. Buffalo opened the season 2-0 SU and ATS but is 1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS in its last three games. The Bills have played 4-1 to the under this season.
CAROLINA PANTHERS- The surprising Panthers arrive in Indianapolis for their showdown with the Colts 4-0 SU and 2-2 ATS. Like Tampa Bay before them, they have been winning on defense, giving up an average of just 12.0 points per game. They are a 5-point underdog and have to hope the Colts are exhausted and drained after that stunning comeback 38-35 overtime win at Tampa Bay Monday night. Running back Stephen Davis leads the NFC in rushing and has helped Carolina control the pace of its games. One has to wonder what will happen if the Colts strike quickly and make the Panthers play catch-up.
CHICAGO BEARS- Chicago heads into New Orleans off a 24-21 upset win of the Oakland Raiders, its first of the season. The Bears are 3-1 SU and ATS and have played to the over in three of their four games. They are 6-point underdogs in New Orleans.
CINCINNATI BENGALS-The Bengals are off this week but please make a note that all five of their games this season have gone under the total. If you got back to last year, they are 8-0 to the under in their last eight games. They host Baltimore next week.
DALLAS COWBOYS- Even with the guiding hand of coach Bill Parcells now calling the shots the success of the 3-1 SU/ATS Cowboys is a bit surprising. But Parcells proves coaches do make a difference. Those 3 wins have come at the hands of teams that are 3-10. Dallas hosts Philadelphia this week, with the game listed as a pick'em.
DENVER BRONCOS- The quarterback situation in Denver will be touch-and-go this week as the Broncos prepare for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Quarterback Jake Plummer is suffering from a severe and painful shoulder injury. He is listed as questionable but my money says that 18-year veteran Steve Beuerlein will get the call. But does it really make a difference when you've got a running back named Clinton Portis? This game was briefly on the board, with Denver listed as a 7-point favorite, but was then taken down when Plummer's suspect status became known. Denver comes into this game 4-1 SU and ATS and suffered its first loss at Kansas City last week, 24-23, another team killed by a 90-yard return by Mr. Hall.
DETROIT LIONS- The Lions suffered a severe blow this week when rookie wide receiver Charles Rogers broke his collarbone in practice Tuesday. Rogers was the team's leading receiver with 22 catches for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Detroit is off this week, which will give the Lions a few extra days to make some adjustments.
GREEN BAY PACKERS- The Packers, which are 18-3 SU at home over the past two and one-half seasons, host 5-0 Kansas City this week and are 1 1/2-point favorites.
HOUSTON TEXANS- The Texans come off a bye week to play at Tennessee, where they are 10-point underdogs. Houston is a surprising 2-2 SU and ATS this season, having beaten Miami and Jacksonville while losing to New Orleans and Kansas City. All four of their games have gone over the total.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS- The undefeated Colts (5-0 SU and ATS) host unbeaten Carolina this week and are solid 5-point favorites to go to 6-0. Indianapolis comes into this game off a draining 38-35 overtime win in Tampa Bay, scoring three touchdowns in the last 3:31 of that game to take it to the extra period. One has to wonder how much that win took out of them and how much gas is left in the tank for this one. The fact they are off next week, and can then rest, may give them the psychological push they need
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JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS- The Jaguars, who got their first win last week, a 27-21 victory at the hands of 0-5 San Diego, host Miami this week and find themselves modest 3-point underdogs at home. Rookie Byron Leftwich, who completed 19-of-28 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions, again gets the start. The return of wide receiver Jimmy Smith, who caught eight Leftwich passes for 137 yards (an average of 17.1 per catch), has dramatically stepped up the chances of Jacksonville to win. This is a much better team with Smith back, and bettors need to be aware of that.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS- The Chiefs lay their 5-0 record on the line as a 1 1/2-point underdog at Green Bay this week. On the road this season, KC is 2-0 SU and ATS, having won at Houston, 42-14, and at Baltimore, 17-10. The come into this game off a tough, draining 24-23 win over Denver. One has to watch and try to determine how much that took out of the Chiefs and whether they have a full tank of gas for Lambeau, which is a tough place for visiting teams to win.
MIAMI DOLPHINS-The Dolphins, who are 3-0 SU and ATS since opening the season with a 21-20 loss to Houston, are doing it with defense. In their last three games, they have given up just 27 points, or an average of 9.0 per game. They are 3-point favorites at Jacksonville Sunday.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS-The Vikes are 5-0 SU and ATS as they head into this bye week to get ready for next week's home showdown with Denver. This is a team that is doing everything right.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS-The Saints are the biggest under-achievers in the NFL. They go into this Sunday's home game with Chicago 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS and play every game as if they over dosed on Valium. There is something wrong here and I don't have the answer for a team that just goes through the motions in its games, lacking any visible intent to win.
NEW YORK JETS- The Jets are coming off a bye and find themselves 3-point home underdogs to the Buffalo Bills Sunday. The Jets are 0-4 SU and 0-3-1 ATS and have seen three of their four games go under the total.
OAKLAND RAIDERS- I take no pride in saying I was right when I said before the regular season that Oakland was too old, and done. I figured they would beat the bad teams on their schedule and lose to the good ones. And then came last Sunday's 24-21 loss at Chicago. The Raiders are 2-3 SU and 0-5 ATS this season and things are only going to get worse. They are 3-point underdogs at Cleveland this week and are candidates to get blown out. Remember you read it here first.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS- The Steelers head for Denver with a 2-3 SU and ATS record and may well be off to a 2-4 start after they leave the Mile High City. The Steelers problems are too many to list, but suffice it to say the offense has averaged 13 points in its last two games while giving up an average of 31.5 points. Both those games were played in Pittsburgh, which suggests it might be a long season in Steel Town.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS- Charger fans get a break his week as their 0-5 team gets a bye before heading to Cleveland next week. San Diego is one of the biggest disappointments of the NFL season, even though three of those losses came at the hands of Kansas City, Denver and Baltimore. The offense is not getting it done and the defense seems lost.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS- The 49ers arrive in Seattle 2-3 SU and 1-3-1 ATS and seem to be at a point in the season they can go either way. If they lose this one-and they are 3 1/2-point underdogs to do that this Sunday night-they will be 2-4 when they host Tampa Bay next week.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS- The Bucs have to still be reeling from that stunning 38-35 upset at the hands of Indianapolis Monday night. Being the first NFL team to blow a 3-touchdown lead with less than four minutes to play has to have a lingering effect. Tampa is at Washington and no line has yet been offered on the game. Washington quarterback Patrick Ramsey has a sprained shoulder and is probable. The news is not so good for Tampa. The Bucs have lost fullback and money runner Mike Alstott (shoulder contusion) for the season and will most likely be without cornerback Brian Kelly who torn his left pectoral muscle against the Colts. Wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson also is questionable for the Bucs with a sprained foot
ARIZONA CARDINALS-The Cards have been an underdog in each of their games this season and this week is no exception as they host Baltimore, a 5 1/2-point favorite in Tempe. Arizona is 1-4 straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) this season and has scored an average of 10 points in each of its last two games. Running back Emmitt Smith is now out with a broken shoulder, which only makes matters worse on the offensive side of the ball. The only mystery about the Cardinals is how in the world did they ever beat Green Bay for their only win?
ATLANTA FALCONS- Atlanta takes a 4-game SU and ATS losing streak into St. Louis this weekend. The 1-4 Falcons won their opening game at Dallas and ran out of gas. They have played 4-1 to the over this season.
BALTIMORE RAVENS- The Ravens come off a bye week as they head into Arizona as 5 1/2-point favorites. They are 2-2 SU and ATS and in their last game lost to still undefeated Kansas City, 17-10, beaten late on one of those famous 90-yard returns by kick returner Dante Hall.
BUFFALO BILLS-The Bills head into their road game with the New York Giants coming off an unimpressive 22-16 overtime win over Cincinnati. Buffalo opened the season 2-0 SU and ATS but is 1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS in its last three games. The Bills have played 4-1 to the under this season.
CAROLINA PANTHERS- The surprising Panthers arrive in Indianapolis for their showdown with the Colts 4-0 SU and 2-2 ATS. Like Tampa Bay before them, they have been winning on defense, giving up an average of just 12.0 points per game. They are a 5-point underdog and have to hope the Colts are exhausted and drained after that stunning comeback 38-35 overtime win at Tampa Bay Monday night. Running back Stephen Davis leads the NFC in rushing and has helped Carolina control the pace of its games. One has to wonder what will happen if the Colts strike quickly and make the Panthers play catch-up.
CHICAGO BEARS- Chicago heads into New Orleans off a 24-21 upset win of the Oakland Raiders, its first of the season. The Bears are 3-1 SU and ATS and have played to the over in three of their four games. They are 6-point underdogs in New Orleans.
CINCINNATI BENGALS-The Bengals are off this week but please make a note that all five of their games this season have gone under the total. If you got back to last year, they are 8-0 to the under in their last eight games. They host Baltimore next week.
DALLAS COWBOYS- Even with the guiding hand of coach Bill Parcells now calling the shots the success of the 3-1 SU/ATS Cowboys is a bit surprising. But Parcells proves coaches do make a difference. Those 3 wins have come at the hands of teams that are 3-10. Dallas hosts Philadelphia this week, with the game listed as a pick'em.
DENVER BRONCOS- The quarterback situation in Denver will be touch-and-go this week as the Broncos prepare for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Quarterback Jake Plummer is suffering from a severe and painful shoulder injury. He is listed as questionable but my money says that 18-year veteran Steve Beuerlein will get the call. But does it really make a difference when you've got a running back named Clinton Portis? This game was briefly on the board, with Denver listed as a 7-point favorite, but was then taken down when Plummer's suspect status became known. Denver comes into this game 4-1 SU and ATS and suffered its first loss at Kansas City last week, 24-23, another team killed by a 90-yard return by Mr. Hall.
DETROIT LIONS- The Lions suffered a severe blow this week when rookie wide receiver Charles Rogers broke his collarbone in practice Tuesday. Rogers was the team's leading receiver with 22 catches for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Detroit is off this week, which will give the Lions a few extra days to make some adjustments.
GREEN BAY PACKERS- The Packers, which are 18-3 SU at home over the past two and one-half seasons, host 5-0 Kansas City this week and are 1 1/2-point favorites.
HOUSTON TEXANS- The Texans come off a bye week to play at Tennessee, where they are 10-point underdogs. Houston is a surprising 2-2 SU and ATS this season, having beaten Miami and Jacksonville while losing to New Orleans and Kansas City. All four of their games have gone over the total.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS- The undefeated Colts (5-0 SU and ATS) host unbeaten Carolina this week and are solid 5-point favorites to go to 6-0. Indianapolis comes into this game off a draining 38-35 overtime win in Tampa Bay, scoring three touchdowns in the last 3:31 of that game to take it to the extra period. One has to wonder how much that win took out of them and how much gas is left in the tank for this one. The fact they are off next week, and can then rest, may give them the psychological push they need
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JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS- The Jaguars, who got their first win last week, a 27-21 victory at the hands of 0-5 San Diego, host Miami this week and find themselves modest 3-point underdogs at home. Rookie Byron Leftwich, who completed 19-of-28 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions, again gets the start. The return of wide receiver Jimmy Smith, who caught eight Leftwich passes for 137 yards (an average of 17.1 per catch), has dramatically stepped up the chances of Jacksonville to win. This is a much better team with Smith back, and bettors need to be aware of that.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS- The Chiefs lay their 5-0 record on the line as a 1 1/2-point underdog at Green Bay this week. On the road this season, KC is 2-0 SU and ATS, having won at Houston, 42-14, and at Baltimore, 17-10. The come into this game off a tough, draining 24-23 win over Denver. One has to watch and try to determine how much that took out of the Chiefs and whether they have a full tank of gas for Lambeau, which is a tough place for visiting teams to win.
MIAMI DOLPHINS-The Dolphins, who are 3-0 SU and ATS since opening the season with a 21-20 loss to Houston, are doing it with defense. In their last three games, they have given up just 27 points, or an average of 9.0 per game. They are 3-point favorites at Jacksonville Sunday.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS-The Vikes are 5-0 SU and ATS as they head into this bye week to get ready for next week's home showdown with Denver. This is a team that is doing everything right.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS-The Saints are the biggest under-achievers in the NFL. They go into this Sunday's home game with Chicago 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS and play every game as if they over dosed on Valium. There is something wrong here and I don't have the answer for a team that just goes through the motions in its games, lacking any visible intent to win.
NEW YORK JETS- The Jets are coming off a bye and find themselves 3-point home underdogs to the Buffalo Bills Sunday. The Jets are 0-4 SU and 0-3-1 ATS and have seen three of their four games go under the total.
OAKLAND RAIDERS- I take no pride in saying I was right when I said before the regular season that Oakland was too old, and done. I figured they would beat the bad teams on their schedule and lose to the good ones. And then came last Sunday's 24-21 loss at Chicago. The Raiders are 2-3 SU and 0-5 ATS this season and things are only going to get worse. They are 3-point underdogs at Cleveland this week and are candidates to get blown out. Remember you read it here first.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS- The Steelers head for Denver with a 2-3 SU and ATS record and may well be off to a 2-4 start after they leave the Mile High City. The Steelers problems are too many to list, but suffice it to say the offense has averaged 13 points in its last two games while giving up an average of 31.5 points. Both those games were played in Pittsburgh, which suggests it might be a long season in Steel Town.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS- Charger fans get a break his week as their 0-5 team gets a bye before heading to Cleveland next week. San Diego is one of the biggest disappointments of the NFL season, even though three of those losses came at the hands of Kansas City, Denver and Baltimore. The offense is not getting it done and the defense seems lost.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS- The 49ers arrive in Seattle 2-3 SU and 1-3-1 ATS and seem to be at a point in the season they can go either way. If they lose this one-and they are 3 1/2-point underdogs to do that this Sunday night-they will be 2-4 when they host Tampa Bay next week.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS- The Bucs have to still be reeling from that stunning 38-35 upset at the hands of Indianapolis Monday night. Being the first NFL team to blow a 3-touchdown lead with less than four minutes to play has to have a lingering effect. Tampa is at Washington and no line has yet been offered on the game. Washington quarterback Patrick Ramsey has a sprained shoulder and is probable. The news is not so good for Tampa. The Bucs have lost fullback and money runner Mike Alstott (shoulder contusion) for the season and will most likely be without cornerback Brian Kelly who torn his left pectoral muscle against the Colts. Wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson also is questionable for the Bucs with a sprained foot
