The NEW YORK GIANTS are hot right now. WASHINGTON, well, they kind of are. Barring their capitulation late on at home to the Jets two weeks ago, they’re playing well. Vegas is asking the Giants to cover by a touchdown (6.5 points, if I’m going to be precise), which, on paper, looks attractive.
However, they’ve only won by seven points at home just twice this season and one of those games was the 36-25 shocker against the Seahawks. They’re coming off an emotional game in Dallas last week, which may affect them, but they know that the Cowboys, their fiercest rival this season, are facing the hapless Buccaneers so they absolutely cannot afford to slip up here. The Redskins are again missing Fred Davis and Trent Williams through suspension, but that had little effect against the Patriots last week, which was a huge surprise. I think that will catch up with them over their remaining three games and it could begin this week. I want to like the Giants to cover, but they’re unreliable when being asked to do so. A small wager on the ‘Skins for me.
GREEN BAY are going to be 14-0 after this week. KANSAS CITY don’t have a chance against them, even if, as expected, Kyle Orton replaces Tyler Palko as the starting quarterback. Last week’s 37-10 reversal to the Jets in New York was startling considering their fine recent efforts against Pittsburgh and Chicago and coach Todd Haley was fired almost immediately afterwards. You’ll have to ask Aaron Rodgers and co. to win by two touchdowns in order to cover the spread, something that should easily happen. However, with a new coach can come extra effort and I wouldn’t rule it out this week. The Packers are going to lead by fourteen at some stage in the game, but will they keep their foot on the pedal? I’m quite tempted by the Chiefs, but as has already been said this season by somebody far more well read than me, betting against Rodgers is like burning your money. I don’t like burning money so will invest it instead this week on the Pack to cover.
MIAMI travelling to BUFFALO is clearly too close to call. Consensus in Vegas is Buffalo + 1.5. However, the Dolphins + 1 also seems to be available. Matt Moore is questionable for the Dolphins, as is Jake Long, his protector at left tackle. If both don’t play, it’s a huge loss and is probably why the line fluctuates a little. My opinion is that Moore will play and I do hope so as I’ve really enjoyed watching the Dolphins recently. The Bills have been in freefall for weeks, but will want to avenge the 35-8 pummelling they received in Miami four weeks ago. Will revenge be a motivator? It should be, but I have no faith in Buffalo and, aside from last week’s loss to the Eagles, the Fish have proved themselves by far the better team of these two recently and that’s where my stake goes, especially with a point start.
A fascinating contest awaits us in HOUSTON when CAROLINA visit the Texans. Cam Newton will face his toughest test yet when seeing the home defense across the line of scrimmage. He’s proved his running ability this season, but the Texans’ run defense takes no prisoners and they’re going to be on a high after last week’s quite fantastic win in Cincinnati. They’re pulling out victories without important players and they shouldn’t lose this week either. Can they cover the six point spread though? This is almost too close to call and purely because of that I’m taking any points offer so over to you Cam.
It’s never an easy thing when tipping CINCINNATI, but this week does appear to be a rather good thing when they travel to ST. LOUIS to take on a Rams team fresh from a beating in Seattle on Monday Night Football. Yes, the Bengals fell short at home to the Texans last Sunday, but Houston is a fine football team. The Rams are anything but. Cincy simply must win this game to remain in the wildcard hunt so motivation will be high whereas it means absolutely nothing to St. Louis. Amazingly, this line opened up as small as 3.5, but has since rocketed to 6.5. If Vegas are asking the Bengals to win by a touchdown over a sorry Rams unit in order for us to collect, I’m going to bite their hand off, thank you very much.
What’s happened in OAKLAND? After taking the division lead in the AFC West, helped by good wins over the Chargers, Vikings and Bears, they’ve completely lost their edge it seems and succumbed to heavy defeats in Miami and Green Bay the past two weeks. They’ll be happy to be drinking the water from their own kitchen this week, but face a DETROIT team bang in the mix for a wildcard spot in the NFC. The Lions have experienced mixed fortunes of late, not to mention incurring the wrath of many around the league with their perceived ‘dirty’ play. That’s probably a little harsh although we do now know that Ndamukong Suh is a dirty player, a label that’s followed him around since his college playing days. Why are the Lions favoured by a point? Clearly the Raiders recent lack of form has played a part, but are they good value on the road against a team with their own playoff aspirations? I’m not sure…they’ve lost their last two road games by a combined score of 68-30, not good form to back with your hard earned. Much like the Cowboys/Bucs game, I’d advise to leave this one well alone, but if I had to put a few pence down, I’d take the Raiders and the point on offer.
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