NFL Week 12 Forceast: Playoff Spots At Stake

Every one is awaiting to see which teams will make the NFL Playoffs. Below are the few games being played this Sunday. Be sure to give your views and opinions on this.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons

Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons meet at the Georgia Dome. Both teams have lost two straight games.

Josh Freeman threw for 126 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions for Tampa Bay and Antonio Bryant had three receptions for 40 yards.

Matt Ryan threw for 268 yards with two touchdowns for Atlanta and Jason Snelling rushed for 76 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.

Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills

Miami has won two straight games and Buffalo has lost three straight games. The Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills will both be shooting for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Ricky Williams scored a pair of rushing touchdowns and caught another as the Dolphins defeated the Panthers 24-17 in Week 11.

Chad Henne threw for 172 yards with a TD in that win. Ryan Fitzpatrick passed for 297 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions for Buffalo, while Terrell Owens caught nine passes for 197 yards with a TD.

Next matchup for these teams would be, Miami home to New England 6 and Buffalo home to New York Jets.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans meet at Reliant Stadium. Indianapolis has won 10 straight games and Houston has lost two straight.

The Colts defeated Baltimore 17-15 as a 1.5-point favorite in Week 11. Matt Schaub was 25-of-39 for 305 yards with two TD passes for Houston in its 20-17 loss to Tennessee in Week 11.

Peyton Manning passed for 299 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions for the Colts and Joseph Addai rushed for 74 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.

Next matchup for these teams would be, Indianapolis home to Tennessee and Houston at Jacksonville.

Carolina Panthers vs. New York Jets

The Carolina Panthers and the New York Jets will both be shooting for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Giants Stadium.

New York has lost three straight games. Steve Smith caught seven passes for 87 yards and a touchdown.

The Panthers were upset 24-17 by the Dolphins in Week 11 as a 3.5-point favorite. The 41 points went UNDER the night’s posted total of 42.

Next matchup for these teams would be, Carolina home to Tampa Bay and NY Jets at Buffalo.

Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles

On Sunday, the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles will meet at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Eagles defeated Chicago 24-20 as a 3.5-point favorite in Week 11. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (47).

Jason Campbell threw for 256 yards with an interception for Washington and Rock Cartwell caught seven passes for 73 yards.

Donovan McNabb passed for 244 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for Philadelphia and DeSean Jackson caught eight passes for 107 yards with a touchdown in the win.

Next matchup for these teams would be, Washington home to New Orleans and Philadelphia at Atlanta.

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NFL Week 12 Picks: Thanksgiving Day 2009

Thanksgiving Day 2009 looks like all the ingredients are in place for a great day of watching football between Packers vs. Lions. Totals are back with a pair of plays for Thursday, trying to extend the five-game winning streak of NFL power rating Over/Under picks.

Sometimes betting the games on a day like this can feel like a Monday Night Football that just won’t end.

By that I mean, you might not like the card, but the recreational gambler in you cannot let the day slip by without getting at least a bet or two in that will help add to the festivities.

The Thanksgiving lineup is criticized nearly every season in the forums and on sports talk radio shows, and it usually begins with a stab at whoever is in charge of booking the Lions a guaranteed reservation each year.

I’m not really sure who decides on the schedule, but it is what it is.

If betting on double-digit divisional favorites or mismatched inter-conference lines is not your forte, the option is always there to pass on the game altogether.

But no matter how far apart the spread is for side betting at your online sportsbook, there is one solution that gives you action on the game without picking a single team to win: Bet the total instead!

We’ve run the numbers for this year’s Turkey Day football marathon and come up with two Over/Under plays to consider for anyone looking to get in on the action.

NFL Week 12 Picks – Thanksgiving Day

1. Oakland at Dallas “Over” 40: This inter-conference game fits into a unique profile where the play is dependent on the size of the total. The past 10 games have produced five overs and five unders, but all five unders were in games with posted total of 42 or more.

The average posted total in those five games was 47 and anything rated at 41.5 or less in the past year-and-a-half has gone “Over” the number.

2. New York Giants at Denver “Under” 42.5: Since 2007 these inter-conference standalone games being played in prime time are a perfect 6-0 when betting the “Under.”

No matter what plays you make, or for whatever amounts they are for, try to take a moment today and think of what Thanksgiving Day means to you and your family.

Win or lose, we still have to appreciate what makes this day special for every sports fan in America.

Enjoy the games and good luck.

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Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans: Monday Night Football Picks

Monday Night Football match-up between the Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans—the Titans are one of the hottest teams in the AFC, and the Texans are proving every week that they are one of the most volatile teams in all of the NFL.

Monday night, the Titans head to Reliant Stadium in Houston to take on the Texans, going to be a very important AFC battle.

At 5-4, the Texans are right in the middle of the AFC playoff, while after a 0-6 start, the Titans have won three straight and have to win out to get into the post season.

No doubt, the Texans have put together some impressive numbers in the below chart. I believe that the Titans have fixed a lot of the problems they had early in the season, but no one really knows if that is true or not until they take the field tonight.

This week, a lot of talk has been about Nick Harper . Harper has been bad and I have to believe he will continue to be. Titans need to strip Steve Slaton early and get him off the field. I would feel much better with Ryan Moats, Ankle Brown, and Fumble Foster carrying the ball.

With Vince Young under center Tennessee has turned their season around, but it has been the running of Chris Johnson that has made the difference. Houston quarterback Matt Schaub has thrown for more than 2,600 yards and 17 touchdowns through the Texans first nine games. Schaub’s 17 TD’s has him third in the AFC behind only Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.

Titans being better on defense than they were early in the season, I still think the Texans are going to get their points. That starts with Vince Young.  He has played better in his three starts, but he faces his greatest test tonight not because the Texans defense is that much better than what he has faced but because of the tough spot any turnovers could put the team in. 

The good news is that Vince Young has always played his best on the national stage.  In fact, he is playing in front of the hometown crowd and I think we will see big things from Vince tonight.

The Texans have actually been very good against the run the past month, and they weren’t that bad against Chris Johnson the first time minus the two big TD runs, but those still count and that is the greatness of Chris Johnson. He can make a good game by a defense look bad on one or two runs.  Here’s to hoping tonight is another night like that.

The Titans need to get out on top from the start. Their offense with Vince Young at the helm is better suited to hold a lead rather that play from behind. Houston and the passing game has proven that they are in any game at any time.

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NFL Week 11 Predictions: Washington Redskins Vs Dallas Cowboys

Right now in the NFC East, the Washington Redskins are playing the best football of any team. The NFL Statistics prediction is between the Washington Redskins (3-6) at Dallas Cowboys (6-3)

The Redskins travel to Dallas Sunday to take on the Cowboys. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. ET. It is the first game the Redskins will play at Cowboys Stadium, opened this year. It has a surface called Real Grass Matrix.

If you measure the outcome of each team’s last game, then you can go with Redskins. This is the game for Burgundy and Gold to prove that they are better than Dallas Cowboys.

Based on their last outing, the Cowboys their season is indeed in danger. Against the Packers, the Cowboys running backs only carried the ball 11 times.

Let’s go a week back. The Dallas backs carried only 19 times in the win over the Eagles. But in the NFC East, this is the only team in first place with a 6-3 record.

Flozell Adams, 34, is showing the wear of 12 seasons in the NFL. Dallas must find some one to replace Marc Colombo (out with a broken left leg and torn ligaments in his ankle), who is likely out for the rest of the season. I think Doug Free is likely to get this first start instead of Colombo, who had started 57 consecutive games.

For the first time, Andre Gurode and Albert Haynesworth of the Redskins will meet on the field. What the Cowboys do possess offensively is the ability to make the big play, something that has troubled an otherwise-solid Redskins defense this season.

In 2009, Miles Austin has been the rocking star of the Cowboys, leading the team with seven touchdown catches and an average of 20 yards per catch. Once again with 49, tight end Jason Witten leads the team in receptions.

In the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys are ranking at 16th defensively, which may be misleading as they actually gives up fewer points on average than the Redskins who rank fifth.

Last but not least, on the ground, in terms of controlling the game, both the Cowboys and Redskins are good. In the second stage of the loss in Atlanta, the Redskins proved a willingness to pound the ball. They did the same throughout the win over the Broncos. During their four-game winning streak, the Cowboys were most effective when they committed to the run.

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NFL Week 11: Running Back Injuries

NFL bettors need to be cognizant of the below NFL Week 11 injuries in order to make the best NFL picks for this upcoming weekend.

There are a lot of injuries to be reported for this weekend.  Here, my main focus is on the running backs, who are either doubtful or out for certain.

Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami Dolphins

Brown was hurt in last Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay.

On Wednesday, he was placed on season-ending IR with a foot injury. With a 4.4 yards per carry average, Brown rushed for 648 yards and was the key player in the Fins’ Wildcat package.

On Thursday, Ricky Williams will start against the Panthers, meaning Miami will not use the Wildcat often. In order to keep establishment, they’ll use rookie Pat White more often.

DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers

Against Miami, Williams is marked as doubtful for Thursday’s game and did not practice on Wednesday. Nevertheless, Williams played in Week 10 after being marked as doubtful and missing practice on Friday. Now, backup Jonathan Stewart is also marked as doubtful.

Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

During Sunday’s loss to the Chargers, in which he had only three carries for five yards, Westbrook suffered his second concussion in three weeks. Not only he is out this week against the Bears, but also the season. This Sunday, the Eagles will start rookie LeSean McCoy.

In the Windy City, the Bears beat the Eagles 24-20 last year, a game Westbrook also missed.

Cedric Benson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Benson left Sunday’s win over the Steelers with a hip flexor injury and has yet to practice this week.

On Sunday, he had just 22 yards on seven carries. He thinks he will be able to play this Sunday against Oakland, but at best, he might be a game-time decision. If he can not go, then rookie Bernard Scott, who rushed for 33 yards on 13 carries against Pittsburgh, would get his first start.

Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons

In Sunday’s loss to Carolina, Turner suffered a high ankle sprain and has yet to practice this week. At the Giants, he is a near lock to sit out. This will be a substantial loss for Atlanta, as Turner had averaged 9.1 yards per carry over his past 47 carries.

Julius Jones, RB, Seattle Seahawks

For Sunday’s game at Minnesota, Jones is ruled out after injuring a lung. In his place, Justin Forsett will start. Forsett had a big game against the Cardinals in place of Jones, rushing for 123 yards on 17 carries and catching five passes for 26 yards.

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NFL Week 11 Picks: Steelers Vs Chiefs

The NFL Week 11 Picks for the Steelers-Chiefs game has been geared up. In last week’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Steelers were unable to pull out a win, and now they will be looking to regain their composure against the Chiefs.

During the Bengals game, Troy Polamalu was injured once again, and it appears he will be out for the game against Kansas City. However, the Steelers may not need Polamalu as the Chiefs defense is likely to be ineffective at stopping Ben Roethlisberger.

Online sports betting sites are looking to wager on the Steelers, as they are the -10(-110) point favorite against the Kansas City Chiefs, who are have +10(-110) point NFL betting odds.

In the AFC West, the Kansas City Chiefs are tied for third place with the Oakland Raiders, and neither of them have had good NFL betting odds this season. For those betting on the Steelers and hoping that they cover the spread, this is great news, as it looks like this trend will continue on.

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NFL Power Rating Picks: Week 10

It’s time and here are NFL Power Rating Picks—Week 10 , each week when the engine that cranks the power rating machine turns out a play, the point-spread and home field advantage have both been accounted for.

For a play to qualify it needs to have a certain number attached to it but with power ratings, systems and trends there will often be a temptation among bettors to bend the numbers just enough to make a NFL game fit.

You look down the team’s schedule and see that everything fits except for one small detail; perhaps they only allowed 20 points in one of the four games.

While bending the parameters may justify a bet that you are probably going to make anyway, it’s best to use strict judgment with systems, power ratings, etc, and know that the numbers are factual, rather than fictional. It can only lead to a better bottom line when the dust settles on Sunday night.

Following are NFL Power Rating Picks for Week 10:

Side plays were a bust last week but our play on the Monday Night Football game to stay “Under” was a winner and the overall record for the season, including early week and late-plays moved to 24-19 (56 percent). This week we have six plays to consider, including four bets on the Over/Under.

1. Buffalo at Tennessee “Over” 41 : Titans started this season 0-6 SU, took a bye and then came back with a dominant home effort versus Jacksonville. A win at San Francisco has provided some momentum but with a defense ranked last in points allowed, expect both teams to put up some numbers before this game is final.

2. Philadelphia at San Diego “Over” 47 : Philly is 5-0 O/U as an underdog of plus two points or less since October 2003 and four of those overs were in road games. The two most-recent road games were both non-Conference (BAL, KC). RB Westbrook is expected to start. These teams fit into the same power rating profile as the Bills and Titans.

3. Dallas at Green Bay “Under” 48 : The Packers proved unpredictable when they fell to the Buccaneers in Week Nine, but this week, back at home, should get a better effort from the defense. The Cowboys have won three-straight ATS and with a divisional game on-deck (WSH), play-calling should be conservative—a la Wade Phillips.

4. New England, plus three : It’s not surprising that the ratings pointed towards a play on the Patriots considering how high they score on power ranking boards across the nation.Tom Brady getting points is never a bad option.

5. New England at Indianapolis “Over” 48 : Indy’s defense has allowed just one team to score more than 17 points this season (MIA, Wk Two). If there were ever a time for a second, it’s now.

This is the Colts’ third SNF game of the season and fourth prime-time game. Indianapolis is 3-0 SU/ATS through the first three night games and 1-2 O/U but the Colts offense has averaged just a hair less than 30 ppg. It’s the first of the four marquee game Indy gets to play at home.

6. Baltimore -10.5 : The Browns have ratcheted themselves down considerably this year and part of that lies in the hands of management. The rest is on the field and against a Ravens team under the gun to produce wins. It’s hard to see Cleveland keeping pace—no matter who starts at QB.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 10: Broncos Taking Late Action

Tonight’s pivotal matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) and Denver Broncos is just the second Monday Night Football game of the 2009 season between non-divisional opponents.

In the first such contest, the home team Dallas Cowboys had little trouble disposing of the winless Carolina Panthers, 27-7 in Week Three.

Aside from tonight’s game being between two non-divisional Conference foes, there are very few similarities to compare with that Panthers-Cowboys matchup, including the popular vote amongst bettors.

Late money seems to be moving the betting line at online sportsbooks away from the Super Bowl champs and onto the home town Broncos. Searching across the Web for line tracking services that post betting odds reveals that taking Denver plus the points comes with a price. And some of the more exotic sportsbooks are even posting lines of Pittsburgh -2.5!

A pitiful 2-10 ATS mark for favorites on NFL Sunday betting is likely the biggest reason for the sudden change of heart with bettors. Capped by Philadelphia’s awful clock management, poor use of timeouts and pitiful play-calling in general, which led to a home upset loss against Dallas, betting favorites on Sunday led many to the poorhouse.

Normally when favorite bettors get beaten badly on Sunday, though, the course of action includes reloading the online betting account, putting an absurd amount of money down on the Monday Night favorite and watching history repeat itself. Pittsburgh has won four in a row, haven’t they?

Denver (6-1 SU) is coming off its worst performance of the season but it does set this game up for a system play that has paid bettors at an amazing 91-percent rate since 1970. It was provided Monday by Greg Dempson on BRTV.

Play ON a Monday night home team off a non shutout road loss last week when they allowed 30 or more points and lost straight-up by 21 or more points. (No bye in-between)

Record since 1970: 20-2 ATS (91-percent)

As a home dog against the likes of Dallas or New England, Denver received very little attention. Two upset wins and a perfect 3-0 SU/ATS home record later, they are a very likable home pup. Overall the Broncos have a 4-1 ATS record in five games as an underdog this season against teams with a combined 26-13 SU record.

When online sportsbooks posted the line seven days ago, bettors were still digesting the first blemish on Denver’s record. Line movement was insignificant through the first six days of betting but anyone making picks on the Broncos in the final countdown to kickoff is now paying a price of inflated juice on the line.

Perhaps Denver’s perfect 3-0 ATS all-time mark as a Monday Night Football home underdog has something to do with it. Or could it be that NFL bettors are just starting to believe?

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Week 8 NFL Picks: Lay the Wood with the Packers

Home dogs did not stand a chance last week as San Diego, Indianapolis, and the New York Jets tromped all over their hosts for a combined margin of 104 points (34.7 avg).

In the NFC it was much of the same with Green Bay winning by 28 points over Cleveland and the New Orleans Saints putting up another 40-burger in Miami. New England cleaned up Tampa Bay in a neutral site game at Wembley.

The 46-34 final between the Saints and Dolphins makes it seem like a relatively close game but consider that the score was 24-3 Miami after 29 minutes and Sean Payton’s outfit just appears that much more powerful.

Starting with a QB Drew Brees rushing TD in the final seconds of the first half, these NFL Picks clearly tell that New Orleans went on a 43-3 run lasting 28 minutes to cement the win and become the first NFL team in history to score 45-plus points in four of its first six games.

New Orleans is home to the Atlanta Falcons in this week’s Monday Night Football matchup and early betting has already pushed the line up to double-digits in favor of the Saints.

Speaking of Atlanta, the Falcons were one of two losers in our Bet Republic picks of the week last Sunday, neglecting to game plan for new Cowboys standout WR Miles Austin. We missed with the Sunday night total as well, but hit with the Packers and Steelers along with the “Under” in the Patriots-Bucs matchup.

Bet Republic picks were 3-2 overall and this week we’ve highlighted three sides and one Over/Under play.

DENVER AT BALTIMORE
Line: Ravens -3.5
Over/Under: 41.5

Both teams are off a bye week and the Broncos are travelling to the east coast for an early body clock game. With Cincinnati and Pittsburgh resting this week there is an opportunity for the Ravens to pick up some ground in the tough AFC North, but it won’t come easy against a Denver team that is 6-0 for the first time since 1998.

The Broncos have also covered the spread in all six games.

Kyle Orton is getting it done for Denver but the defense has been the real story and this matchup could signify a changing of the guard from a Raven D considered the class of the conference for the past decade. We don’t see Baltimore handing over the belt without a fight.
BetRepublic’s Pick: Take the “Under”

CLEVELAND AT CHICAGO
Line: Bears -13
Over/Under: 40

A subpar effort vs. Green Bay has sunk the Browns to 30th in scoring and Cleveland has now given up 23-plus points in six-of-seven contests. Chicago completed its only two-game road trip of the season by getting blown out in Cincinnati.

Chicago is 2-0 SU/ATS at home and has won five straight at Soldier Field going back to 2008. This is a lot of points but the Bears are highly motivated after back-to-back losses and have the weapons to rip this Browns team apart. The Browns are last in total defense and their best weapon is Joshua Cribbs, which Chicago can match pound for pound.
BetRepublic’s Pick: Take the Bears

HOUSTON AT BUFFALO
Line: Texans -3.5
Over/Under: 41.5

Two teams yet to take their bye meet at Ralph Wilson Stadium, both going for a third straight win. Houston has put up impressive numbers but could enter this contest without the services of No. 1 WR Andre Johnson.

The Texans are 15-44 SU all-time away from home but are favored against a Bills offense ranked 24th in scoring. Buffalo also ranks low at defending the run but had little trouble stopping the Panthers run-game last week. The highlight for the Bills this year has been a ball-hawking secondary (13 INTs) led by rookie FS Jarius Byrd who has five interceptions in the past three games.

With QB Ryan Fitzpatrick under center, look for a good run-pass mix from Buffalo that produces enough points to keep the game close. The Texans have a road game at Indy on-deck, making this a look-ahead spot for them. We side with the home team.
BetRepublic’s Pick: Take the Bills

MINNESOTA AT GREEN BAY
Line: Packers -3
Over/Under: 47

Brett Favre was nearly perfect when these teams met in Week 4, throwing three TDs, no picks and avoiding the sack, but with home field advantage the Packers will try to even the series.

Green Bay needs to bring more pressure and with a healthy secondary we can expect better coverage while the front seven closes the pocket. Adrian Peterson (ankle) demands attention but he wasn’t nearly as explosive last week at Pittsburgh and a 12th ranked Packer run-D held AP to just 55 yards in the first meeting.

Keeping Jared Allen upright is a priority for the O-line as Minnesota leads the league in sacks with 25 (eight vs. Green Bay). This game could come down to a turnover and the Packers have the edge in that department on both offense and defense. Expect a different result at Lambeau than what we saw in Round 1.
BetRepublic’s Pick: Take the Packers

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