NFL Against the Spread Online Betting Week 12 Picks of the Week

Last weekends run of good luck by the favorites was nice. Looking for it to continue should be done cautiously. At least that is how it appears from this seat.

Just a couple of games that will be getting action from me, particularly since sobering after my 4 day run of flu meds...

The Philadelphia Eagles (9-1) at The N.Y. Giants (5-5)
Against the Spread: Eagles 7-3-0 | Giants 5-5-0
Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
Opening NFL Betting Line: The Eagles -7 -109 37.5u -105
Current High NFL Betting Line: Eagles -7.5 -110
Current Low NFL Betting Line: Eagles -7 -105 to -115
Over/Under 37.5u -110

The Eagles have been solid ATS all season. This is a tough call mainly due to the fact that they may struggle getting good field position with the injuries to PR Reno Mahe and Safety J.R. Reed. They will probably feel the sting from Reed's absence more at the KR spot than as a D-back. RB Brian Westbrook got into the mix last week catching two passes for TD's. More importantly was the fact that he broke the 50yrd rushing mark against a good rushing D in the Redskins. Sounds laughable, but the fact is if he puts 45 or so yards on the ground the Eagles points increase considerably.

Donovan McNabb and crew have put on clinics in the passing game since the upset against the the Steelers and should be in good form this week despite the missing L.J. Smith (TE).

The Giants young gunner Eli Manning didn't do anything spectacular in his debut but he didn't do anything spectacularly wrong either. He got the jitters out of the way early and stayed composed, leading the Giants on two good drives in the second half to make it a game against the Falcons. Running back Tiki Barber will, barring injury, more than likely have his career best rushing year. Jeremy Shockey is tied for third in touchdowns with 5 and in the top ten overall in receiving yards.

So why is N.Y. 5-5 and not 8-2 or 7-3? Injuries that have rendered the O line nearly defenseless against the pass rush. The Giants have great prospects for next year and any fan has got to be pleased about that. This season however they have just too many injuries in too many places to stand up against the top level teams for four quarters. That's what the are going to face Sunday against the Eagles


My Online Betting Action: The Eagles -7.


The San Diego Chargers (7-3) at The Kansas City Chiefs (3-7)
Against the Spread: Chargers 8-1-1 | Chiefs 3-7-0
Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
Opening NFL Betting Line: OTB
Current High NFL Betting Line: Chiefs -3 -100
Current Low NFL Betting Line: Chiefs -3 -110
Over/Under 51.5u to 52.5u -110

The Chargers, or more to the point Tomlinson, Gates and Brees, put on another good show last week against the Oakland Raiders. Were it not for the early season loss to the Broncos, they would be in sole possession of first place in the AFC West with a 7-3 record. As it stands now however, they are going to have to fight and beat 3-7 teams just to have a shot at a Wild Card. Don't think for a second that this isn't exactly what Schottenheimer has been preaching to the players and staff all week. The biggest hurdle for them in this match-up is their lack-luster passing D.


Kansas City's Trent Green is a top tier quarterback and if he had just one more solid receiver would be, in all likelihood, in the top three. But he doesn't. Johnny Morton has great hands and solid route running abilities, but is simply too small and too slow for the deep ball threat. Eddie Kennison, speedy though he may be, falls off routes too often and has a tendency to drop perfectly catchable balls. The two have done a great job over the last four games but it has been against “less than” passing defenses like that of the Chargers. They are going to have to continue those type of numbers to keep in this game.

The fact that the Chiefs have no hopes of seeing post season play means the Vermeil is going to be very careful when it comes to his star running back Priest Holmes. Holmes, still ailing from the knee injury suffered in week 9 against Tampa, probably won't suit up for his third consecutive game. His back-up, Derrick Blaylock, will be starting and although he looked great against the weak rushing D of the Saints, came up short against Patriots and will be playing dinged up.

When all is said and done however, look at San Diego's overall game-play and the fact that they have the best ATS in the NFL. As underdogs once again, you have to like them. Particularly when so much is riding on every win for the Chargers.


My Online Betting Action: The Chargers +3.


The Washington Redskins (3-7) at The Pittsburgh Steelers (9-1)
Against the Spread: Redskins 3-7-0 | Steelers 7-2-1
Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
Opening NFL Betting Line: Steelers -10.5 -105 Over/Under 36u +102
Current High NFL Betting Line: Steelers -12 -110
Current Low NFL Betting Line: Steelers -10.5 -102 to -110
Over/Under 35.5u -110

The Redskins are going through some growing pains. RB Clinton Portis has not been the complete answer on offense that many were hoping for when they dealt Champ Bailey for him. He hasn't had a bad year, just not a great year. Washington has continued to struggle moving the ball, much as they did under Spurrier. The lack of protection up front, whether due to injury or not, has cost them dearly. Even though Gibbs has made some changes and should continue to improve this club, they are still missing some key ingredients needed to make a winning football team.

Where the Redskins do shine is on D. Sitting in the top ranks in defense, Washington has proven to be a formidable foe. At number 2 overall with the 3rd best rushing and 7th best passing defense in the league they are not an easy object to move. They allowed the Eagles to score, but the 28 points is not as bad as it looks. That was do more to the fact that the D was worn out than by any deficiency in their play.

Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger showed his rookie side last week against the stout defense of the Bengals. He ended the day 15-21 and only 84 net in the air. His rebound may be hampered by the loss of his “go to” receiver, Plaxico Burress. Although the Steelers did come away with the W, this was not the Giant Killer that defeated the Patriots and the Eagles. His offense looked downright average, which came as quite a surprise to many. Roethlisberger is young, talented and learning, but he is not a seasoned veteran.

By all accounts it looks as though RB Duce Staley will be playing, but he is not without question. Having been sidelined the last three weeks with a hamstring injury the Bus better have the engine idling. Speaking of which, how many more 30 carry games does RB Jerome Bettis have left in him? The Steelers have counted their blessings with the numbers he has been able to produce starting in Staley's absence, be he's no spring chicken and that body has taken a lot of pounding through the years. The Steelers too, are going to rely on their defense to play up to the #1 ranking they have.

Two ways on this one.

My Online Betting Action: The Redskins +11 & Under 36.