Week ten NFL Betting Preview Including Our Picks
It's week 10 of the NFL season. It's time now to start thinking about playoff possibilities as there are only seven weeks to go in the regular season after this week. Let's look at the AFC first.
The division leaders are the New England Patriots in the AFC East at 5-3, The Baltimore Ravens in the North at 6-2, The Houston Texans in the South at 7-1 and the Denver Broncos in the West at 5-3. The two AFC Wild Cards would be the Indianapolis Colts at 6-3 and the Pittsburgh Steelers at 5-3.
Still in the hunt, well everybody but the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Teams who better start winning pronto are they'll be done soon include the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, and Oakland Raiders. The Miami Dolphins, and San Diego Chargers are not in desperation mode just yet, but their margin for error is small.
In the NFC, the division leaders are the New York Giants in the NFC East at 6-3, the Chicago Bears in the North at 7-1, The Atlanta Falcons in the South at 8-0, and the San Francisco 49ers in the West at 6-2.
The two NFC Wild Cards as of now would be the Green Bay Packers at 6-3 and the Seattle Seahawks at 5-4. The Minnesota Vikings are also 5-4 but lost to the Seahawks in their head to head game a week ago. Right on the heels of those teams are the Detroit Lions at 4-4, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 4-4 and the Arizona Cardinals at 4-5. The rest of the NFC had better get it in gear. The Carolina Panthers are done at 2-6.
So here are some of this week's key games:
San Diego Chargers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is a game between to 4-4 clubs. A win would vault either of them into the thick of playoff contention. A loss would be damaging for either team. The Bucs are a team that seems to be on the verge of being really good. They've been in every game this year, their most lopsided loss was by seven points. Rookie running back Doug Martin is having a great season. He may end up getting Rookie of the Year from Robert Griffin III. Last week against Oakland he ran for nearly 3000 yards and had four touchdowns. Pinnacle has Tampa Bay -3 1.926 or 1.610. The Chargers are +3 2.000 or 2.480. Over/under is 47. We like the Bucs -3 in this one. We are going to go with the under in this one too.
Houston Texans at Chicago Bears
This isn't a game with playoff implications as far as getting in. But it does as far as seeding. Both these teams will be around for the postseason and what you may be watching here is a Super Bowl preview. Both of these teams have dominating defenses and good enough offenses. Both have lost for the only time this year to the Green Bay Packers. Watch J.J. Watt for the Texans in this one. He is a superstar in the making. Also watch for Charles Tillman of the Bears. He is a take away waiting to happen, but if his wife goes into labor before the game, he won't be there. That could make a big difference.
The Texans are +1 2.020 or 2.100. The Bears are -1 1.909 or 1.826. We are going to go with the Texans at 2.100. Over/under is 41. We like the over just because it's so low. The Bears defense scores a touchdown a week so that will add some to it.
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
This should be a good one between two old foes in the "black and blue" division. The loser will be in bad shape in this tough division where a .500 record means you finish last. The Lions would be hurting more than the Vikings with a loss as they would fall to 4-5.
Calvin Johnson, the Lions superstar wide receiver, has not been healthy lately which really hurts the Lions offensively. The Vikings have been overachievers this year, but have been slipping as of late
The Lions are -1 1.806. The Vikings are +1 2.150. Over/under in this one is 46. We are going to go with the Vikings at home and the over. Look for Adrian Peterson or Percy Harvin to make a big play, maybe even both of them will make a big play.
The Vikings are due for a good game.
Here are some other games to keep an eye on:
New York Jets at Seattle Seahawks
The Jets are +6 1.943 or 3.310. The Seahawks are -6 1.980 or 1.385. The Seahawks are outstanding at home. We like Seattle -6.
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots
The Patriots are -11 1.935 or 1.182. The Bills are +11 1.990 or 5.610. The Pats crushed them last time 52-28. That likely happens again. New England -11.
Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers
The Broncos are red hot as Peyton Manning is getting healthy and more comfortable with his new team. The Broncos are -4 1.962 or 1.500. The Panthers are +4 1962 or 2800. We like the Broncos -4.
