Here are the games worth noting and possible Online Betting Action.
Main Picks
The Green Bay Packers (9-6) at The Chicago Bears (5-10)
Against the Spread: Packers 6-9-0 | Bears 5-10-0
Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
Opening NFL Betting Lines: The Bears -3 -105 Over/Under 34u +101
Current High NFL Betting Line: Bears -3 -110 to -120
Current Low NFL Betting Line: Bears -3 -110 to -120
Over/Under 34u to 35.5u +102 to -110
Another tricky one, GB has nothing to gain by winning. Chicago may play to win or play to evaluate.
Despite Green Bay's playoff status being unaffected by the outcome of this game there are a couple other things that give this game some Wagering Value.
The Packers have struggled recently to get off to early leads/starts. In the last four games Green Bay has not scored in the first quarter. This is an area that Mike Sherman wants to change prior to the beginning of the post season. So, unlike other teams that have their position all sewn up, the Packers are looking for a momentum swing before Wild Card Weekend. Since, in all likelihood, they will face off with Minnesota or Carolina they need to get that first quarter monkey off their collective backs. Even if a miracle happens and St. Louis ends up in the Wild Card game, they need to be able to score quickly so they can get a good running passing mix going to keep those offenses off the field.
The Packers are going to be without WR Robert Ferguson for their regular season finale. The good news is that Antonio Chatman did a fine job, stepping up to the plate when they needed him to for those critical 1st down catches. RB Najeh Davenport is listed as questionable, troubled with his shoulder injury. The fact that RB Ahman Green is still nursing his ribs gives them more incentive to get off to a quick lead. If they can accomplish that then they can use him sparingly, replacing him at some stage of the game with Tony Fisher.
There is also the great road record that the Packers have (5-2) that they would like to increase to 6-2, just one game under their best set in '72 (6-1). QB Brett Favre is well within making the 4000 yard and 30 touchdown milestone in the same season for a third time. There are other team and individual single-season Packers records that are within reach. The main point however, is getting the momentum going for the post season. Considering their road record, particularly against the Bears, Chicago seems to be the right place at the right to do just that.
The Bears are on a 3 game losing streak and with the exception of the Detroit loss, have been beaten by pretty wide margins. Going into all the troubles that Chicago has is like beating a dead horse, it's useless and kind of mean spirited.
Lovie Smith does have some bright spots for next season. They have a young and talented defense, that has lots of potential. If they can make a few off season moves and make a few good draft choices, they have something of a foundation to build from offensively. But none of this matters for this game.
My Online Betting Action: The Packers +3
Recent Trends
•GB is 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings.
•GB is 2-5 ATS in their last seven overall.
•Over is 9-2 in GB last 11 overall.
•CHI is 2-6 ATS in their last eight home games.
•Under is 5-0 in CHI last five overall.
•Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
The N.Y. Jets (10-5) at The St. Louis Rams (7-8)
Against the Spread: Jets 8-6-1 | Rams 4-10-1
Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
Opening NFL Betting Lines: The Jets -3 +109 Over/Under 43u +109
Current High NFL Betting Line: Jets -3.5 -101 to -110
Current Low NFL Betting Line: Jets -3 -110 to -125
Over/Under 43u to 43.5u -105 to -110
Both the teams are in a “must win” to see the post season. The Jets are in the drivers seat however, as they can seal their fate either way in this game.
Not going to go into a big description of this game nor all the numbers to substantiate the value in this game.
Both teams need this win, but the Jets know that they can clinch a berth if they win.
St. Louis needs the win as well, but their fate will still be in the hands of others.
The Jets will use both RB's Curtis Martin and LaMont Jordan to keep the Rams offense off the field as much as possible, and they will be pounding against a suspect rush defense. Plus they will get the opportunity to take shots down field against a relatively weak secondary that's not going to have FS Aeneas Williams.
Small wager.
My Online Betting Action: The Jets -3
Recent Trends
•Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
•Under is 5-1 in NYJ last six overall.
•Jets are 4-2 ATS in their last six overall.
•Rams are 2-7 ATS in their last nine overall.
•Under is 4-0 in STL last four overall.
•STL is 6-0 ATS in the last six meetings.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (14-1) at The Buffalo Bills (96)
Against the Spread: Steelers 9-5-1 | Bills 11-4-0
Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
Opening NFL Betting Lines: The Bills -9 -110 Over/Under 34u +102
Current High NFL Betting Line: Bills -10 +105
Current Low NFL Betting Line: Bills -9 -108 to -110
Over/Under 34u -105 to -110
The Steelers gain nothing by a win, as everything is set for them. Bills win and have a shot, but that's a lot to cover against the D of the Steelers.
The Steelers will not be using the following key offensive players:
QB Ben Roethlisberger
RB Duce Staley
RB Jerome Bettis
That speaks Volumes, and relegates this to a pretty short write up.
Buffalo can clinch with a win and they are playing very good ball. They are decently healthy and as long as QB Drew Bledsoe decides to give away this one, a win should not be that unsurmountable a task.
So the real question here is, can they cover the spread?
It's the answer that brings this to the less value mark.
Maybe. That's the answer. The Steelers D is tough and that means that there is going to have to be more than just RB Willis McGahee and the running game to beat Pittsburgh by better than a touchdown. So we are back to looking at Bledsoe. His numbers have improved a bit lately and that is why this gets a small wager.
My Online Betting Action: The Bills -9
Recent Trends
•PIT is 9-0 ATS in the last nine meetings.
•Under is 7-1 in PIT last eight overall.
•Over is 7-0 in PIT last seven games in Jan.
•BUF is 10-2 ATS in their last 12 overall.
•Over is 8-1 in BUF last nine overall.
•Under is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings.
The San Fransisco 49ers (2-13) at The New England Patriots (13-2)
Against the Spread: 49ers 6-9-0 | Patriots 10-3-2
Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
Opening NFL Betting Lines: The Patriots -13.5 -104 Over/Under 37u -106
Current High NFL Betting Line: Patriots -15 +115
Current Low NFL Betting Line: Patriots -13 -110
Over/Under 37u to 40u EVEN to -110
Pat's have nothing to gain with a win. 49ers couldn't beat OSU on a good day. But covering 2 TD's from back-ups...?
This would be a no brainer, class A wager if it weren't for the fact that Tom Brady along with several other starters will probably not see more than a half of playing time. Against the 49ers however, a lot of damage can be done in 30 minutes.
Medium Wager because San Fransisco is so out-matched.
My Online Betting Action: The Patriots -13
Recent Trends
•SF is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings.
•SF is 2-7 ATS in their last nine overall.
•Over is 7-2 in SF last nine overall.
•NE is 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 overall.
•NE is 7-3-2 ATS in their last 12 games in Jan.
•Under is 3-1 in the last four meetings.
The Kansas City Chiefs (7-8) at The San Diego Chargers (11-4)
Against the Spread: Chiefs 6-9-0 | Chargers 12-1-2 Best ATS in the League
Game Time: 4:15 PM ET
Opening NFL Betting Lines: The Chiefs -3 -108 Over/Under 54.5u -101
Current High NFL Betting Line: Chiefs -3.5 -110
Current Low NFL Betting Line: Chiefs -3 -116 to -125
Over/Under 51.5u to 52u -110
Chargers are locked, taking the hard earned AFC West Title. Vermeil wants to end the season on a high note. Betting against a team with the best ATS is a hard call. Over maybe...?
Reason for a wager on this one is simple. The Chargers can score too.
Again no reason for a long description of the match-up.
KC wants to finish on a high note, getting it done is San Diego against the AFC West Title holders is not where you want to get your hopes up too high. That being said, they can score and quickly. Although Schottenheimer may not want the win bad enough to start Brees (although he hasn't ruled it out), he doesn't want to get blown out in their regular season finale in front of their fans.
Small Wager
My Online Betting Action: The Over 51.5
Recent Trends
•Over is 6-3 in the last nine meetings.
•Over is 8-2 in KC last 10 overall.
•Over is 13-4 in KC last 17 vs. AFC West.
•SD is 11-0-1 ATS in their last 12 overall.
•Over is 10-2 in SD last 12 home games.
•SD is 4-2 ATS in the last six meetings.
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