NFL Against the Spread Online Betting Week 8 - Picks of the Week
The saga continues....
Against the Spread for the rest of the early games.
The Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) at The Houston Texans (3-3)
Against the Spread: Jaguars 5-2-0 | Texans 3-3-0
Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
Opening NFL Betting Line: Texans -1 -103 Over/Under 43u -100
Current High NFL Betting Line: Texans -1.5 -105 to -110
Current Low NFL Betting Line: Texans -0 -110
Over/Under 42.5 -110
The Jaguars played another heart stopper last week, relying on young gunner Byron Leftwich and this time rookie kicker Josh Scobee to get the job finished with just 38 ticks left on the clock. How many times can they keep doing that? Beating the Colts put them atop the AFC South but these final minute wins need to turn into final minute leads that don't have them scrambling around like headless chickens. Don't take that wrong way they do a great job of running the two minute offense. Jacksonville has won all five times within the last minute, that's a pretty hefty responsibility to lay on your offense week in and week out. A worry was taken off the table Friday as running back Fred Taylor was upgraded from questionable to probable with a quad injury. The Jaguars need him in the backfield, since LaBrandon Toefield and Greg Jones are his back-ups, neither of which has done much on the carries they have had. Wide-outs Jimmy Smith and Troy Edwards are having stand-up seasons and should see continued success against the “less than” passing D of the Texans.
The Houston Texans have been my “surprise that no one thought about” team of the season. The Texans are young, fast and learning. They have come up with three wins that they were underdogs in. The Vikings failed to cover the spread against them, after Houston forced the game into overtime as QB David Carr hooked up with receiver Andre Johnson for the score. Wide receiver Jabar Gaffney has been a pleasant surprise as well as Derick Armstrong. Running backs Domanick Davis and Jonathan Wells have combined nearly 800 yards, and have been a big part of this offense. This Houston team is going to be a force to reckon with in the coming seasons I think.
This is a very close match-up both statistically and talent wise. The Jaguars have the slight advantage in Fred Taylor, but the injury that is going to bother him, start or not, could play a crucial role. Carr and crew at home get a lot of motivation from their fans and I think that it's going to be what pushes this game. So assuming the above:
My Online Betting Action: Texans -1
The N.Y. Giants (4-2) at The Minnesota Vikings (5-1)
Against the Spread: Giants 4-2-0 | Vikings 4-2-0
Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
Opening NFL Betting Line: Vikings -7 -106 Over/Under 49u -100
Current High NFL Betting Line: Vikings -7.5 -115
Current Low NFL Betting Line: Vikings -6.5 -105 to -110
Over/Under 48 to 48.5 -110
The Giants dropped a shocker to the Lions, at least a shocker to the Giants. I don't think that the Lions felt the same. I keep hearing/reading words about how the N.Y. Giants are the surprise team of their division, conference and even league. The only thing that rings true from that statement is that they lost that game. Yes the have had adversity to overcome with injuries at key positions across the board. But so have a lot of teams. The lack of energy that the defense played with cost them that game, and will cost them this game if they don't kick it up a couple notches. Quarterback Kurt Warner has been a surprise but he has not got enough weapons, and is not getting the help up front that he needs. He's been sacked over 20 times and has had the ball forced out of his hands over a half dozen. Wide receiver Amani Toomer is a huge question mark with a hamstring injury and the loss of Tim Carter does not help that situation any. That means someone else, David Tyree or maybe rookie Jamaar Taylor, is going to have to add a little life to the passing game if the Giants hope to stay in this one. Running back Tiki Barber who had been another big surprise, coming off two consecutive 100+ yard games and no fumbles, was brought back down to earth, being held to 70 yards on 20 some carries and a fumble. Whether he returns to the RB that he was becoming this year or returns to the RB that he has been in the past is going to be a big part of this game.
Defensively they are going to have to play bigger than their 14th ranking. Luckily for them they will be the toughest defense that the Vikings have had to face this year.
Just a few quick notes on the Minnesota Vikings. Randy Moss will most likely play but is going to be a little off due to his hamy problem. But it's still Randy Moss, so he will see double coverage all day. New York is still going to have their hands full with Nate Burleson, Marcus Robinson, Kelly Campbell and to a lesser degree Jermaine Wiggins lined up in the tight end position. Plus running back Mewelde Moore is getting the motor running and may get a little support from returning RB Moe Williams. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper's near perfect QB rating (does it get any better than 124.0?) and pass completion percentage of 73% has got to scare even the toughest passing D, and the Giants don't have that.
My Online Betting Action: Vikings -6.5
The Atlanta Falcons (5-2) at The Denver Broncos (5-2)
Against the Spread: Falcons 2-5-0 | Broncos 2-3-2
Game Time: 4:05 PM ET
Opening NFL Betting Line: Broncos -7 -110 Over/Under 39 -110
Current High NFL Betting Line: Broncos -7.5 -110
Current Low NFL Betting Line: Broncos -6.5 -110
Over/Under 39 -110
Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons get my vote as the underachievers of the year award. Actually, I should re-phrase that; Michael Vick gets my vote for underachieving quarterback of the year. If it wasn't for his feet, he would be a complete non-factor in any of their 5 wins. It has been their schedule and the defense against the rush that has enabled them to be 5-2 and have the lead in the NFC South. More than anything though, is the schedule. Kansas City exploited every weakness that Atlanta has last week and blew them out 56-10. No big speel on this game, no need. Broncos are the superior team and should handle the Falcons without much difficulty.
Ah, the Denver Broncos... You think they got an ear full this week after losing to the lowly Bengals? Running back Reuben Droughns did rush for over 100 yards but coughed the ball up and failed numerous times to convert on third down. Quarterback Jake Plummer got picked twice and his famous offensive line allowed 3 sacks. About the only things that could be said good about the game were the performances of safety John Lynch and corner Champ Bailey. Lynch always plays tough, and Champ is Champ, but he struggled to keep pace with the speedy wide-out Chad Johnson. Head coach Mike Shanahan may be a slimy S.O.B. but he knows how to get into his players heads. I really feel sorry for Atlanta, as they are going to be the outlet for what Shanahan has done to these guys this week.
My Online Betting Action: Broncos -6.5
The Carolina Panthers (1-5) at The Seattle Seahawks (3-3)
Against the Spread: Panthers 2-4-0 | Seahawks 3-3-0
Game Time: 4:05 PM ET
Opening NFL Betting Line: Seahawks -7.5 -100 Over/Under 39.5u +102
Current High NFL Betting Line: Seahawks -8.5 -100
Current Low NFL Betting Line: Seahawks -8 -105 to -110
Over/Under 39 to 39.5 -110
I started writing about the Panthers, but everything I wrote just lead to another area were the team was bad. I don't want to sit here and write a list of problems that everyone knows is there. What's the point? So I'll just make it short and to the point. They're Sunk! I'm sorry Panther fans, but your teams shipped has gone out with the tide. I would like to write something good and/or promising about them but there isn't anything there. Ok I'll throw you a bone, WR Keary Colbert, feel better? I know that it's not lack of heart or desire or drive that is doing this to Carolina. But the losses at running back and wide receiver have really put the capper on this season.
Head coach Mike Holmgren was visibly shaken in the post game interview after the loss to the Arizona Cardinals. His words bemoaned the problems that the Seahawks have got to find a way of dealing with if they hope to see post-season play. A win last week would have put them in sole ownership of the NFC West. Instead St. Louis holds that spot and the Seahawks sit number two at a disappointing 3-3. It's disappointing because they have what could be one of the elite quarterbacks in Matt Hasselbeck, a proven commodity at running back with Shaun Alexander and top tier receivers Darrell Jackson and Koren Robinson. They are the least penalized team in the NFL, a marked improvement from last season. They have a solid defense and one of the best give away take away ratios in the NFL with 10 interceptions and 8 forced fumbles (+10, second best in the NFL). It is these things that make it such a disappointing year so far.
Could there be any truth to the uniform thing? Maybe they got a little over excited about having Jerry Rice on their squad?
In any case, Seahawks get a chance to redeem themselves and know that with the Rams on bye they can at least tie up the division with a win. They have the perfect team to rebound on in the Panthers and I'm sure they are eager to put some monster numbers on the board to help folks forget about last week.
My Online Betting Action: Seahawks -7.5
The New England Patriots (6-0) at The Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1)
Against the Spread: Patriots 4-0-2 | Steelers 4-2-0
Game Time: 4:15 PM ET
Opening NFL Betting Line: Patriots -3 -109 Over/Under 43.5u -105
Current High NFL Betting Line: Patriots -3.5 -110
Current Low NFL Betting Line Patriots -3 100 to -110
Over/Under 42 to 42.5 -105 to –110
The Steelers are playing remarkably well in spite of some early concerns about the quarterback position. Ben Roethlisberger has a 100.1 passer rating and a completion percentage of 69%. Receivers Plaxico Burress and Hines Ward have been great targets for him. Running back Duce Staley has been a more than welcome addition and even though he tweaked his knee a bit will be playing Sunday. Fellow back Jerome Bettis refuses to throw in the towel and is being rewarded for his efforts by getting the situational play that has been giving them key third down conversions and short and goal scores. They have injuries like everyone else, but are playing solidly on both offense and defense. Coach Bill Cowhers blitz package showed real life against Dallas a couple weeks ago, so expecting to see more of that this week.
The New England Patriots are still in a class by themselves in the NFL. They are not as talented overall as some teams but are without question one of the most well run organizations around today. I know I have said it before but it warrants repeating, Bill Belichick is the best “thinking” coach of today. Running back Corey Dillon has found a welcome place to plant his cleats, on target to rush for better than 1200 yards. And although quarterback Tom Brady struggled a bit last week he was still over 200 yards passing. But that defense, do they ever come up big when called on. And not just now and then but consistently.
Last week was the worst that I have seen the Pats' play, and if that's their worst then 3 points is not enough.
So despite what the numbers say, and how good the Steelers Iron Curtain may be, the Patriots go 7-0 and cover (not another darned push)
My Online Betting Action: Patriots -3.5
The Oakland Raiders (2-5) at The San Diego Chargers (4-3)
Against the Spread: Raiders 2-5-0 | Chargers 5-1-1
Game Time: 4:15 PM ET
Opening NFL Betting Line: Chargers -5.5 -110 Over/Under 45.5u -112
Current High NFL Betting Line: Chargers -7 –105
Current Low NFL Betting Line: Chargers -6 -110
Over/Under 46 -110
I don't like this game so I'm not going to waste your time with much about it. San Diego has been a good bet all year because they have been dogs, but not playing like it. The Raiders, however, have the potential to be an upset in the making against the Chargers. I think the Chargers get the win, and they really should cover, but these in state rivalries have a way of working out exactly how you don't expect.
My Online Betting Action: none
Expected outcome: Chargers
