As always at this time of year, keep a sharp eye on the weather conditions for some of the east coast and Great Lakes teams. There are huge advantages in betting under on the totals before the moves happen by just following the national weather reports. Most of those moves occur Saturday evening and sometimes as late as Sunday morning when everyone can see the visual of conditions from the pre-game NFL shows.
NFL Network did a great job for all viewers two hours before game time on Thursday showing how difficult it would be to pass the ball under the cold windy conditions and the game went way under the opener of 36 with a final score of 13-6.
Lions +13.5 @ Baltimore: The Ravens welcome the Lions this week. When news came about Matt Stafford not playing, the line moved a full point to 13.5. Duante Culpepper will get his chance to finally play after being upset about his Thanksgiving day game snub. Rain is expected on Sunday and it seems like a lot of points for a struggling Ravens team to be giving anyone. The Steelers were also in a must win position for playoff hopes and failed against a much worse team.
Panthers +13.5 @ Patriots: The Patriots opened 12.5-point home favorites to the Panthers and it has been bet up to 13.5 amid Tom Brady not practicing most of the week and four Patriots players being sent home due to being late for a team meeting. One of the players sent home, LB Adalius Thomas, even popped off to the media -- a no-no is Belichick-land -- about his treatment failing to realize that his team is struggling and lackadaisical attitudes are the first to be attacked in an attempt to rebound.
The Patriots have struggled defensively and the Panthers running attack should be able to move the ball in a game that is expecting rain. This definitely isn’t the Patriots squad we all remember and time is running out. Tough spot for the Patriots this week.
Chargers +3.5 @ Dallas: A team with immense pressure on them this week due to playoff implications is the Dallas Cowboys who welcome the cool and collective Chargers. The Dallas game is intriguing just because the two teams couldn’t be more opposite in December where the Cowboys have failed miserably during Tony Romo’s reign and the Chargers have put it all together under Phillip Rivers command. Look for a close game with lots of value taking the points.
Giants PK vs Eagles: The game of the day! A revived Giants team fighting for their playoff lives against the always strong Eagles at the Meadowlands where rain is expected. At the end of the day, there is a possibility of having a three-way tie for first place in the NFC East with the Cowboys being the odd man out and three games to go.
Broncos +7 @ Indianapolis: History shows the Broncos have always fared poorly against the Colts, but that was always against a Mike Shanahan-led team. Josh McDaniels has a brought a new change to the scheme this season, including bringing in Mike Nolan's 3-4 defense which has taken them to new hieghts in 2009. The Broncos had always lost at san Diego in the past, but won a big Monday Night game there. No matter how good or bad the Chiefs have been, Denver never did well in Kansas city and thrashed them at Arrowhead last week.
The Colts have been waiting for someone to step up and match them, almost hoping for a loss to rid themselves of the pressure heading into the playoffs. They've basically got home field wrapped up and they will take Denver lightly.
After a four game losing streak, Denver has bounced back impressively in the last two by pounding the ball with their very good running attack led by Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter. Look for much of the same and also for McDaniels to lead the way.He had always game-planned the Colts well while with the Patriots.
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