Posted on
12/6/2007 11:11:03 AM
NFL Betting Opinion 2007 - The Furious Seven, Week 14
By Tim Furious
1. New England Patriots (12-0)
Two back-to-back losses against the Eagles and Ravens has everyone scratching their heads across the betting community. Are these guys running out of gas? It sure looks like it. Any time you get pinned to the ground by the Ravens should be a red flag. The Patriots are still the favorite to win the Superbowl, but that undefeated season looks might vulnerable at this point. A test against a real NFL football team is on the schedule this weekend and we will all get to see how legit Brady and the Bunch are against Pittsburgh.
Next game: Pittsburgh vs. New England (-13)
2. Dallas Cowboys (11-1)
To say that the Cowboys were lucky that Favre hurt himself is kind of missing the point. Brett Favre fell victim to his own gun slinging ways as Wade Philips and his staff devised a way to shut him down early. For all the flack I have given the Dallas secondary, they are making up for it by playing smarter and smarter. Still, Aaron Rogers came in to throw for 201 yards and a score.
Tony Romo was making Romosexuals out of everyone as he dialed in 309 yards for 4 touchdowns and decisively led his men to victory. It will be Church vs. State as God’s unofficial team takes on America’s Team. Dallas is already a double-digit favorite on the road, and will be going up against a twenty-eighth ranked Detroit defense that will be decimated in this matchup. The Cowboys are officially the team to beat in the NFC.
Next game: Dallas Cowboys (-11) vs. Detroit Lions
3. Indianapolis Colts (10-2)
Despite injury after injury after injury, the Colts still keep coming. After decisively handing the Jaguars a loss on Sunday, the Colts can essentially lock in to cruise control for the rest of the season. They have been mildly unpredictable to the betting investor, going 7-5 ATS and are playing conservative ball in light of Marvin Harrison riding the injury reserve all season.
The scary thing about the Colts is that we have never seen them at full-strength once this season. And they’re still only a two-loss team. A slew of defensive players are injured, including Raheem Brock and Tank Johnson, and the aforementioned Harrison has yet to see action this season. When the Colts lock up the division for good in a couple weeks, expect them to throw it in to neutral and let this team heal up 100%.
Even with the rash of injuries, the Colts are stampeding away with the third best offense in the league averaging 28.1 points per game. Their defense is also third in the league with only 16.4 points per against.
Next game: Indianapolis (-9.5) vs. Baltimore
4. Green Bay Packers (10-2)
Favre went 5-of-14 and notched two picks before bowing out of the game against Dallas with an elbow injury. Of greater concern is the defense, which got absolutely turned inside out by Terrell Owens and Jason Witten, who combined for 13 receptions and 223 yards and a score. The Pack have a chance to strut their stuff against a Raiders team, and must prove that their rushing defense can stop Justin Fargas before we hand them anymore NFC title considerations.
Next game: Oakland Raiders vs. Green Bay (-10.5)
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)
The Steel Town Boys continue to jerk the Bengals around by the neck, winning last week’s match 24-10. Roethlisberger came out of the gates slow and erratic, but steadied his play and rose to the occasion, connecting with Hines Ward for two scores in the victory. Again they have proven they play up to the level, or down to the level, of their opponents.
Which could be a good thing considering their hosts this weekend. New England takes their twelve game winning streak back home and try to defend it against Pittsburgh, who has usually given the Pats plenty of trouble. The Steelers are double-digit road dogs, despite having the best defense in the league (12.9 points per game). Can Willie Parker unleash his furious speed against New England, taking pressure of Big Ben? The Steelers may have caught the Patriots at the right time and we’ll have much more on the game later this week in the locker room.
Next game: Pittsburgh vs. New England (13)
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
Punish your players with size and steady quarterback play and you will win football games. That is becoming the mantra of the Jaguars, who have a superlative cakewalk at home against the Panthers this coming weekend. The Jaguars are an impressive 8-4 ATS this season and are 2-1 SU and ATS against the Panthers all-time.
Next game: Carolina vs. Jacksonville (-10.5)
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-4)
What do a bottle of fine merlot, David Hasslehoff and the Tampa Bay Bucs all have in common? They all get better with age. Veterans Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard have both crested the dreaded three-zero, but are producing like fiends. Galloway burned the house down early with seven catches for a whopping 159 yards.
With the stunning comeback victory against New Orleans, the Bucs and their second-ranked defense have all-but clinched the NFC South. With their remaining games featuring the likes of Atlanta, Carolina, Houston and San Francisco, the Bucs could see home field advantage during wildcard weekend. Did you bet on them to make the playoffs like I told you to at the kick-start off the season? Probably not. It’s never too late to hope on the bandwagon if you feel like the saucy Bucs can challenge either Dallas or Green Bay for the NFC title.
Next game: Tampa Bay (-3) vs. Houston
8. San Diego Chargers (7-5)
The eighth spot was tough to fill out because the Browns, Seahawks and Titans are all deserving. But it has to go to a team that is essentially raging towards an AFC West title. The arrival of Chris Chambers has completely changed the way defenses line up against this team. They are averaging 24.0 points over their last five games since being decimated by Adrian Peterson.
The Chargers are that team. They’re incredibly difficult to predict, volatile on defense and maturing into an explosive offense. Yep, they’re peaking at the perfect time. Taking down the Titans would do wonders for their confidence as they continue to gel under the watch of Norv Turner. This team could be a massive playoff upset special and that savvy betting investor will keep an eye on these 7-5 ATS Chargers during the home stretch. You’ve been warned.
Next game: San Diego vs. Tennessee
> > Check Week 14 Odds Here
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