January 20th, 2011
by
Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in
NFL Football 1 Comment »Play The NFL Trends Below At Our Sponsor & Get Exclusive Bonuses
(Exclusive Bonus Offer – Must Use This Link or Above Links) Making Superbowl picks are our specialty here at Bankroll Sports, and in order to give you a helping hand on the upcoming duels in the AFC and NFC Championship Games, we’re breaking down some of the most notable Super Bowl trends for the duels left in the second season!
Sunday, January 23rd, 3:00 ET: Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears
NFL Trends of Note
The Packers are…
-5-1 ATS in their L/6 games on grass
-4-1 ATS in their L/5 on the road against teams with winning home records
-5-2 ATS in their L/7 as favorites
-5-2 ATS in their L/7 road games
-7-3 ATS in their L/10 against teams from the NFC
-11-5-1 ATS in their L/17 following an ATS victory
-1-5 ATS in their L/6 playoff games as a favorite
-9-3 ATS in their L/12 visits to Soldier Field
The Bears are…
-4-0 ATS in their L/4 games in January
-6-1 ATS in their L/7 against teams with a winning record
-4-1 ATS in their L/5 against the NFC North
-2-9 ATS in their L/11 as underdogs of between 3.5 and 10 points
-5-2 ATS in their L/7 following an SU victory
-4-1 ATS in their L/5 home games against teams with a winning road record
-6-1 ATS in their L/7 played on grass
The over is…
-4-1 in Green Bay’s L/5 playoff games
-5-2 in Green Bay’s L/7 road playoff games
-16-7 in Green Bay’s L/23 games as favorites of between 3.5 and 10 points
-4-0 in Chicago’s L/4 home games
-9-1 in Chicago’s L/10 games played in January
-5-1 in Chicago’s L/6 playoff games
-4-1 in Chicago’s L/5 home games against teams with a winning road record
The under is…
-5-0 in Green Bay’s L/5 games as road favorites
-6-2 in Green Bay’s L/8 against the NFC North
-5-2 in Green Bay’s L/7 road games against teams with winning home records
-8-2 in Green Bay’s L/10 road games
-18-7-1 in Chicago’s L/26 games as underdogs of between 3.5 and 10 points
-61-30-2 in Chicago’s L/93 games as underdogs overall
-6-0 in the L/6 meetings between Green Bay and Chicago
-5-1 in the L/6 meetings of Green Bay and Chicago at Soldier Field
Series History
You aren’t going to find two teams that really hate each other more than this, as these two teams have a history that is very, very deep. The Bears did pick up the victory against the NFL odds in both meetings this year with the Packers, but those were the first two covers in this series for the men from the Windy City since December 2007, a stretch of four straight for the Pack. Since 2004, these two teams have been relatively split, as Chicago is 8-6 SU and 7-6-1 ATS. However, the previous six meetings all belonged to Green Bay both SU and ATS. The Packers just love coming to Soldier Field. Since 1994, they are 14-4 SU and 13-5 ATS. The only time that these two met in the month of January here in the Windy City was in 2005, a 31-14 win for the visiting Packers.
Sunday, January 23rd, 6:30 ET: New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers
NFL Trends of Note
The Jets are…
-4-0 ATS in their L/4 against the AFC
-6-1 ATS in their L/7 played in January
-4-1 ATS in their L/5 playoff games
-12-4 ATS in their L/16 played on the road
-8-3 ATS in their L/11 as underdogs
-10-4 ATS in their L/14 as underdogs of between 3.5 and 10 points
-14-6 ATS in their L/20 as road underdogs
-9-4 ATS in their L/13 against teams with a winning record
-4-1 ATS in their L/5 meetings with the Steelers
The Steelers are…
-9-0 ATS in their L/9 played in January
-5-0 ATS in their L/5 home playoff games
-8-1 ATS in their L/9 playoff games overall
-5-1 ATS in their L/6 overall
-5-1 ATS in their L/6 playoff games as favorites
-4-1 ATS in their L/5 home games
-4-1 ATS in their L/5 as home favorites
-4-1 ATS in their L/5 as favorites of between 3.5 and 10 points in the playoffs
-22-9 ATS in their L/31 home games as favorites of between 3.5 and 10 points
The over is…
-4-0 in New York’s L/4 games as a road underdog of 3.5 to 10 points
-5-0 in New York’s L/5 games on grass
-10-1 in New York’s L/11 road games
-7-1 in New York’s L/8 games as an underdog
-8-2 in New York’s L/10 games in January
-8-2 in New York’s L/10 games following an ATS victory
-9-3 in New York’s L/12 games following an SU win
-19-7-1 in New York’s L/27 games against the AFC
-5-2 in New York’s L/7 playoff games
-5-0 in Pittsburgh’s L/5 AFC Championship Games
-4-0 in Pittsburgh’s L/4 playoff games as favorites
-10-1 in Pittsburgh’s L/11 home playoff games
-19-2 in Pittsburgh’s L/21 games played in January
-14-2 in Pittsburgh’s L/16 playoff games
-20-7-1 in Pittsburgh’s L/28 home games against teams with a winning road record
-51-25-3 in Pittsburgh’s L/79 games as a home favorite
The under is…
-5-2 in the L/7 meetings in this series
Series History
Dating back to 1981, there are only 15 meetings between the Jets and the Steelers, and this is bound to be yet another epic clash. The only playoff meeting in the bunch came in 2005, when New York had every chance in the world to pull off the upset as 9.5 point underdogs, but kick after kick kept either coming up short or sailing wide to give the Steelers a chance. Eventually, they came up with a 20-17 triumph in OT. The Jets did win the one meeting this year between these teams, and it came here at Heinz Field. The 22-17 win was the victory that really started this great run of games for the Jets, who are now in their second straight AFC Championship Game. New York has covered three straight in this series, but the Steelers are 11-4 ATS since 1981.
Tags: AFC Championship picks, AFC Championship Trends, Football Picks, NFC Championship Picks, NFC Championship trends, NFL, NFL betting, NFL Picks, NFL trends, pro football, pro football betting, pro football picks, pro football trends, Trends
Posted in NFL Football | 1 Comment »
January 2nd, 2011
by
Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in
NFL Football 6 Comments »Exclusive 100% Sportsbook Bonus Links From Bankroll Sports
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) – Philly’s chances of moving up in the playoff picture was shot on Tuesday night when it was shocked by the Minnesota Vikings at home. Now, the No. 3 seed awaits the NFC East champs regardless of what happens in the finale against the Dallas Cowboys. Remaining Schedule: vs. DAL
New York Giants (9-6) – The Giants put themselves in a world of hurt right now in the push in the NFC. A win is a must next week against the Washington Redskins, and anything less won’t get the job done. Then from there, the G-Men need either a loss by the Packers against the Chicago Bears, or they need the New Orleans Saints to lose both this week against the Atlanta Falcons and next week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Remaining Schedule: @ WAS
Washington Redskins (6-9) – The Redskins upset the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, but they know that they can deliver an even bigger blow to the New York Giants next week with an upset at home. Aside from the ability to feel good about ending an arch rival’s season though, there’s nothing else to play for in our nation’s capitol. Remaining Schedule: vs. NYG
Dallas Cowboys (5-10) – Gaffes both offensively and on special teams really cost the Cowboys a ‘W’ at the lowly Arizona Cardinals. We’re probably going to get our first look at QB Stephen McGee as a starter next week unless QB Tony Romo decides to suit up, as QB Jon Kitna is out of the lineup. Remaining Schedule: vs. PHI
NFC North
Chicago Bears (11-4) – It’s not often that you see the Bears rooting for the Minnesota Vikings, but with their hated rivals’ victory on a rare Tuesday Night Football duel, they clinched a first round bye in the playoffs. Chicago really doesn’t have anywhere to go from here unless a bunch of things happen. It needs a win and losses by both the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints to become the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Remaining Schedule: @ GB
Green Bay Packers (9-6) – It’s win and in for the Packers this week, as they know that a ‘W’ against the Chicago Bears puts them in the playoffs once and for all. They can also get in with a loss, but only if both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants lose in Week 17 as well. There’s nowhere to go but to be the No. 6 seed in the playoffs, meaning a win parlayed with a victory by the Philadelphia Eagles sets up a rematch in the Windy City between these same two teams next week in the first round of the playoffs. Remaining Schedule: vs. CHI
Minnesota Vikings (6-9) – Give the Vikes some big time credit for taking down the Philadelphia Eagles on the road on Tuesday with third string QB Joe Webb doing the bulk of the damage offensively. The ‘W’ might have saved the job for Head Coach Leslie Frazier, who really wants to have the interim tag removed from his title for next year. Remaining Schedule: @ DET
Detroit Lions (5-10) – Give it up for the Lions, who have now won back to back road games for the first time in eons. Their fans should come out in droves this week to support them for the finale against the Minnesota Vikings, which could be the game that ensures that they do not finish in last place in the NFC North. Remaining Schedule: vs. MIN
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NFC South
Atlanta Falcons (12-3) – Atlanta didn’t do itself any favorites on Monday Night Football by losing to the New Orleans Saints, as now, it needs to win this final game of the season against the Carolina Panthers to ensure the No. 1 seed in the playoffs in the NFC. A loss makes things more interesting. If that happens and the Saints win on Sunday, the Falcons are suddenly going on the road as a Wild Card. If the Saints also lose and the Bears win, they’ll be the No. 2 seed, and if all three teams lose, they’ll hang on as the top seed in the conference. Remaining Schedule: vs. CAR
New Orleans Saints (11-4) – The Saints took a situation that could have been very, very sticky and turned it into one with nothing to lose on Sunday. They beat the Atlanta Falcons and kept their hopes alive for an NFC South title, and if it were acquired, they would be the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC. It’ll take a win by over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and an Atlanta loss to the lowly Carolina Panthers to happen though, and anything less leaves it on the road as the No. 5 seed, where it will take on the NFC West champs in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Remaining Schedule: vs. TB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6) – The Bucs pretty much know that they are coming out of the No. 6 seed in the playoffs if they get in, as their only chance of being the No. 5 seed would be a win in Week 17 over the New Orleans Saints and losses in Week 17 by both the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants. With the unlikeliness of that happening, Tampa Bay is sitting at home tonight and cheering for the Atlanta Falcons. That would put the Bucs in a position where a win would put them within a win and loss by either the Packers or Giants from getting into the playoffs. A loss in Week 17 eliminates Tampa Bay one way or the other. Remaining Schedule: @ NO
Carolina Panthers (2-13) – It’s official… And with the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select… Remaining Schedule: @ ATL
NFC West
St. Louis Rams (7-8) – Once St. Louis won its duel against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, it knew that the showdown next week against the Seattle Seahawks was for all the marbles in the division. A win leaves the Rams as the No. 4 seed in the playoffs and hosting a game in the first round. A loss eliminates them from the postseason. Remaining Schedule: @ SEA
Seattle Seahawks (6-9) – Seahawks fans have to be wondering what in the heck Head Coach Pete Carroll was doing when he played QB Matt Hasselbeck last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The game was 100% meaningless to the Seahawks once the St. Louis Rams beat the San Francisco 49ers, as we knew that the game up at Qwest Field on Sunday Night Football was going to be the one that determined the winner of the NFC West regardless. Just like the Rams, a win earns the No. 4 seed, while a loss knocks Seattle out of the playoffs. Remaining Schedule: vs. STL
San Francisco 49ers (5-10) – It should really come as no surprise to anyone that the Niners canned Head Coach Mike Singletary just hours after they were eliminated from the playoffs mathematically. Remaining Schedule: vs. ARI
Arizona Cardinals (5-10) – Can you imagine just how bad the NFC West is if the Cardinals end up finishing second in the division? That could be a reality with a win on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. Remaining Schedule: @ SF
AFC East
New England Patriots (13-2) – The road to the Super Bowl goes through Foxboro officially, as the Pats locked up the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs with a win on Sunday at the Buffalo Bills. If we see QB Tom Brady and the regulars on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, it will only be as a cameo appearance for the hometown crowd to applaud their heroes, as this one is totally meaningless. Remaining Schedule: vs. MIA
New York Jets (10-5) – The Jets essentially hit the backdoor in the playoffs, earning a spot in the second season in spite of the fact that they lost on Sunday to the Chicago Bears. They know that they’ll be the No. 6 seed if the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers both win in Week 17 regardless of what happens at home against the Buffalo Bills, but if the Pittsburgh Steelers lose and the Jets win, they’ll move up to the No. 5 seed. To show how little Head Coach Rex Ryan cares about that, he’s already announced that he is sitting QB Mark Sanchez on Sunday. Remaining Schedule: vs. BUF
Miami Dolphins (7-8) – Is it just us, or are the Dolphins praying that QB Jake Locker falls to them this year in the NFL Draft? The offense has been disgraceful all season long, and two picks by QB Chad Henne in a span of just a few minutes took a ten point lead and turned it into a seven point defeat against the lowly Detroit Lions. Remaining Schedule: @ NE
Buffalo Bills (4-11) – The Bills never really stood a chance on Sunday in the home finale against the New England Patriots, and they can’t even really spoil anything against the New York Jets this weekend either. Remaining Schedule: @ NYJ
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) – Step 1 for Pittsburgh is complete, but there is still one more matter to take care of. The Steelers need to beat the Cleveland Browns on Sunday to win the AFC South. A loss by the Baltimore Ravens would also get the job done, though there is clearly no desire to backdoor into a first round bye like that. A loss and wins by the Ravens and the New York Jets would leave Pittsburgh as the No. 6 seed. A loss and a loss by the Jets leaves it at No. 5.Remaining Schedule: @ CLE
Baltimore Ravens (11-4) – Baltimore is going everything that it can to become the No. 2 seed in the AFC, as it needs to just keep on winning and hope that the Pittsburgh Steelers trip in Week 17. A win and a loss by the New York Jets guarantees no worse than the No. 5 seed in the playoffs, while a win and a Pittsburgh loss wins the division. The Ravens are already in the dance for certain, though. Remaining Schedule: vs. CIN
Cleveland Browns (5-10) – The Browns never stood a shot against the Baltimore Ravens, and now they are stuck taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Remaining Schedule: vs. PIT
Cincinnati Bengals (4-11) – The Bengals upset the San Diego Chargers to end their season on Sunday, and they can ensure that the Baltimore Ravens are going on the road with an upset at M&T Bank Stadium in Week 17. Remaining Schedule: @ BAL
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts (9-6) – It’s win and in at this point for the Colts, but they have a lifeline now as well after extending their lead in the AFC South to one with one to play. A win and a loss by the Kansas City Chiefs wins the No. 3 seed, while a win or a loss by the Jacksonville Jaguars and a win by the Chiefs leaves Indy at No. 4. Remaining Schedule: vs. TEN
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7) – The Jags know that they need to win on Sunday, something that they probably had to do one way or the other to win the AFC South. Sunday’s loss against the Washington Redskins really didn’t hurt them any. The only road to the second season is a win parlayed with a loss by the Indianapolis Colts, and if that were to happen, Jacksonville would be the No. 4 seed in the playoffs. Remaining Schedule: @ HOU
Tennessee Titans (6-9) – The Titans were officially knocked out of the playoffs in Week 16 with a bad loss at the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, all they can do is play the role of spoiler against the Indianapolis Colts, who are likely to win the AFC South again this year. Remaining Schedule: @ IND
Houston Texans (5-10) – The newest way the Texans blew a game came this week when they were beaten by a rookie quarterback for his first career win after holding a 17 point lead at halftime and a 13 point edge going into the fourth quarter. Is there a reason that Head Coach Gary Kubiak hasn’t been fired yet? Remaining Schedule: vs. JAX
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs (10-5) – Kansas City could really care less whether it ends up being the No. 3 or the No. 4 seed, but a win on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders would clinch the No. 3 seed. A loss and a win by the Indianapolis Colts would knock the Chiefs down to No. 4. Regardless though, KC can call itself the champion of the AFC West, something that was looked at as an impossibility at the outset of the season. Remaining Schedule: vs. OAK
San Diego Chargers (8-7) – In typical Chargers fashion, they were defeated by the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday to knock them out of the playoffs once and for all. It probably wouldn’t have mattered, as KC was probably unlikely to lose a game down the stretch, but this really eliminated any chance and might have put Head Coach Norv Turner on a very, very hot seat as we go into next year. Remaining Schedule: @ DEN
Oakland Raiders (7-8) – Oakland knew that its season was over before getting started in Week 16, as it was bounced from the second season when the Kansas City Chiefs won earlier that day. Still, the chance to finish .500 by beating the division champs on the road in the regular season finale is too good of a chance to pass up for a team that is clearly on the rise. Remaining Schedule: @ KC
Denver Broncos (4-11) – Denver really messed up its chances of having the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft by beating the Houston Texans on Sunday, but QB Tim Tebow was all smiles after posting a huge comeback from down 17 at the half and 13 through three quarters to notch his first ever win. Remaining Schedule: vs. SD
Tags: 2010, AFC, Football Picks, NFC, NFL Picks, NFL playoff picture, NFL playoff preview, NFL playoff scenarios, NFL Playoffs, NFL trends, Playoff Picture, Playoff Preview, playoff scenarios, pro football picks, pro football trends
Posted in NFL Football | 6 Comments »
November 27th, 2010
by
Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in
NFL Football Comments Off on 2010 NFL Trends: Week 11 Cheat SheetPlay The NFL Trends Below At Our Sponsor & Get Exclusive Bonuses
(Exclusive Bonus Offer – Must Use This Link or Above Links) Week 11 of the NFL season is right around the corner! The handicapping experts of Bankroll Sports have key releases for you this weekend. Props and free picks will be available to you on our sports blog as well. However, to kick off this NFL betting week, we’re going to take a look at the most important NFL trends and matchup histories for the Week 11 NFL matchups.
Thursday, November 18th, 8:20 ET: Chicago Bears @ Miami Dolphins
NFL Trends of Note
The Bears are 4-1 ATS in their L/5 as underdogs
The Fins are 10-4 ATS over the L/14 seasons in Week 11
Miami is just 6-25 ATS in its L/31 as a home favorite
Series History
Miami has come out and dominated this series in the 2000s, going 2-0 SU and ATS and winning both the game in the Windy City and the one in South Beach by exactly 18 points. The last win for Chicago in this series happened to also be its last win in Miami, a 36-33 OT win as 8.5 point underdogs in 1997. Since 1985, the Dolphins are 4-3 SU and ATS against the Bears.
Sunday, November 21st, 1:00 ET: Washington Redskins @ Tennessee Titans
NFL Trends of Note
The Redskins are 7-2-4 ATS in their L/13 played on grass
Washington is 5-2-1 ATS in its L/8 road games
The Titans have covered six of the seven meetings in this series since 1985
Series History
The Titans/Oilers franchise has really been dominant in this series, as they have won four of the seven meetings against the Redskins since the mid 1980s. Tennessee has actually only lost to Washington once as the road team, that coming in the most recent meeting in ’02. Aside from that though, this has been a series of all one way traffic. Four straight clashes have exceeded the ‘total’, and all four games have featured at least 42 points.
Sunday, November 21st, 1:00 PM ET: Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings
NFL Trends of Note
Green Bay is 7-1-1 ATS in its L/9 against teams with losing records
The Pack are 12-5-1 ATS in their L/18 overall
Minnesota is 7-2-1 ATS in its L/10 played at Mall of America Field
Series History
If you like high scoring games that feature a ton of upsets, this is the rivalry for you. The ‘dog is 17-6 ATS in the L/23 duels in this series. The Packers had won four straight ATS and went 3-1 SU from the start of the 2007 season through the end of the ’08 campaign, but in 2009, this was a series that belonged to QB Brett Favre and the Vikes. Ironically, Favre’s team covered six in a row and this series and he went 7-1 SU from ’06 through the first meeting of this year. That’s when the Packers finally beat their old mates for the first time 28-24 at Lambeau Field.
Sunday, November 21st, 1:00 PM ET: Baltimore Ravens @ Carolina Panthers
NFL Trends of Note
The Ravens are winless ATS in their L/4 meetings against teams with losing records
Carolina has covered four straight ATS as double digit underdogs
The Panthers are only one for their L/5 ATS in games played in Week 11
Series History
Carolina had better enjoy its dominance in this series, because odds have it, that domination is over with on Sunday afternoon. The Ravens have never beaten the Panthers in franchise history, as the men in blue and black have gone 3-0 SU and ATS in as many meetings. The most recent affair was in 2006, a 23-21 win for the visiting Panthers. This is only the second time that Baltimore has traveled to Charlotte. In the only other meeting, the Ravens were beaten 10-7 in 2002.
Sunday, November 21st, 1:00 PM ET: Oakland Raiders @ Pittsburgh Steelers
NFL Trends of Note
The Steelers are 1-9-2 ATS in their L/12 seasons in Week 11
Oakland is 8-2 ATS in its L/10 played in Week 11
The Steelers are 2-5-1 ATS in their L/8 home games
Series History
Strangely enough, this is a series that has gone the way of the silver and black more often than not. Oakland came back from a double digit deficit to win 27-24 here at Heinz Field as 14.5 point underdogs, and it has now won back to back games in this series. The Raiders are just 4-5 SU but 5-4 ATS in nine games against the Steelers since 1990. This will mark the sixth time in the L/7 meetings that these teams have collided in the Steel City.
Sunday, November 21st, 1:00 PM ET: Cleveland Browns @ Jacksonville Jaguars
NFL Trends of Note
The Browns are 12-4 ATS in their L/16 against AFC opponents
Cleveland is 11-5 ATS in its L/16 overall
The road team has gone 7-2 SU in the L/9 in this series
Series History
It’s strange to think that these two teams actually shared a division until the 2002 season. They met in the last game of last season, with Cleveland claiming a 23-17 victory in the Dawg Pound in a relatively meaningless game. It was the second straight win for the Browns both SU and ATS against the Jags. Jacksonville actually hasn’t beaten the Browns at home since 2000, going 0-3 SU and ATS in that stretch since that point. Of course that last win made up for all of those losses, as the Jaguars triumphed 48-0.
Sunday, November 21st, 1:00 PM ET: Houston Texans @ New York Jets
NFL Trends of Note
The Texans are 7-3 ATS in their L/10 as road underdogs
New York has covered six of its L/8 overall
The Jets are 5-1 ATS in the games following their L/6 SU victories
Series History
The Texans and Jets have met four times in Houston’s history with two meetings coming in the Meadowlands and two coming at Reliant Stadium. Wherever the game is being played, the result has been exactly the same. New York is coming away with a comfortable victory, and the Texans aren’t scoring a heck of a lot of points. Houston has only averaged 9.8 points per game against the Jets, and it has an 0-4 record both SU and ATS to show for it. All four games have sailed ‘under’ the total.
Sunday, November 21st, 1:00 PM ET: Arizona Cardinals @ Kansas City Chiefs
NFL Trends of Note
The Cards are just 2-6 ATS in their L/8 on the road
KC is 7-3 ATS in its L/10 played on grass
Arizona has never won a game at Arrowhead Stadium
Series History
That’s right, you read that properly. The Cardinals, dating all the way back to 1986, have never won here at Arrowhead. In fairness, they have only had two tries, but they have been outscored by an aggregate score of 83-24 in those two outings as well. These two are split right now the middle since the mid 1980s, as they are both 3-3 ATS. Kansas City holds a slight 4-2 SU edge, and as we have already stated, it is 2-0 ATS at home since the ’80s as well against the Redbirds.
Sunday, November 21st, 1:00 PM ET: Detroit Lions @ Dallas Cowboys
NFL Trends of Note
The Lions are 5-2 ATS in their L/7 as underdogs
Detroit is just 7-20-1 ATS in its L/28 played in the month of November
Dallas is the only team in the NFL yet to cover a game at home this season
Series History
These two teams have quite the history with one another, but ironically, the two Thanksgiving Day showcase teams haven’t met since 2007 and haven’t met on the eve of Thanksgiving week since 2005. The Lions have covered the L/2, losing 28-27 at home as 10.5 point pups in 2007 and winning 39-31 in Big D as 13 point dogs in 2006. Needless to say, both games flew past their ‘totals’. Dallas covered four straight from 2002 through 2005. The Lions even have a playoff victory to their credit against the Cowboys, a 15-10 win in 2002.
Sunday, November 21st, 1:00 PM ET: Buffalo Bills @ Cincinnati Bengals
NFL Trends of Note
The Bills are 11-4 ATS in their L/15 road games
Cincinnati is 1-7 ATS in its L/8 at home
The Bengals are 1-7 ATS in their L/8 against teams with a losing record
Series History
Things don’t look good for the Bengals based upon those NFL trends, and they don’t look all that special in this specific series history either. Cincinnati actually hasn’t beaten the Bills outright since the 1989 playoffs. Buffalo is 9-0 SU and 8-1 ATS since that point. The Bengals have looked like the Bungals at home against Buffalo, losing 37-27 as 13.5 point favorites in 2005, 33-17 in 2004, and 33-20 in 1998, the only three meetings since that playoff encounter. Six of the L/8 have gone past the number as well, as Buffalo has scored at least 22 in nine straight in this series.
Sunday, November 21st, 4:05 PM ET: Seattle Seahawks @ New Orleans Saints
NFL Trends of Note
The Seahawks are just 3-11 ATS in their L/14 road games
Seattle is 2-8 ATS in its L/10 against teams with winning records
The Saints are 5-13 ATS in their L/18 games played in conference
Series History
Since 1985, these teams have only met on the gridiron eight times, and they are fairly evenly split in doing so. The Saints are 4-4 SU but only 3-5 ATS. Each team has two outright wins at home and two on the road. The ‘totals’ are split as well, with four games going ‘over’ and four going ‘under’. You have to go back to 1997 to find the last win for the Saints in this series at home, but there has only been one game here at the Superdome since that point. New Orleans marched to a 28-17 win in October 2007 in the most recent duel of these NFC squads at Qwest Field.
Sunday, November 21st, 4:05 PM ET: Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ San Francisco 49ers
NFL Trends of Note
The Bucs are 7-19 ATS in their L/26 games played on grass
San Fran is 10-3-2 ATS in its L/15 against teams with a winning record
Tampa Bay actually hasn’t won a game in the Bay SU since 1980
Series History
In fairness though, the home team has won seven straight in this series both SU and ATS, and the last time a road team won, the Niners were favored by 16 point in the Big Sombrero in 1993. The Bucs came close the last two meetings in San Fran, losing 21-19 and 15-10, but the bad news for them is that the Niners were significant dogs in both games, including in ’05 as 10.5 point choices of the oddsmakers. The ’07 ‘over’ marked the first time a game in this series went past the number since 1994, ending a five game ‘under’ streak.
Sunday, November 21st, 4:05 PM ET: Atlanta Falcons @ St. Louis Rams
NFL Trends of Note
The Falcons are just 2-2 SU and ATS on the road this season
St. Louis is 4-1 SU and ATS at home on the year
The Falcons are 1-7 ATS in their L/8 played on turf
Series History
This is a very interesting clash between teams that used to share a division. The Rams have covered eight of the L/11 duels, but the home team has won six straight SU. If you’re looking for high scoring games, this is the series for you! The winning team has scored at least 28 points in the L/10 meetings dating back to 1999 and has scored at least 35 points in six of the ten. Needless to say, seven of the ten went past the number. 2008’s 31-27 win for the Falcons at the Georgia Dome marked the first time that this series ended with a game closer than a dozen points since the 1990s. That was also the last time the Falcons won a game here in the Edward Jones Dome.
Sunday, November 21st, 4:15 PM ET: Indianapolis Colts @ New England Patriots
NFL Trends of Note
The Colts are 9-1-2 ATS in their L/12 against teams with a winning record
Indy is 12-4-2 ATS in its L/18 games on the road
The underdog is 11-3-2 ATS in the L/16 meetings of these arch rivals
Series History
The big question around water coolers this weekend is who the better quarterback is in NFL history, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady… At least based upon recent history, the answer is Manning. His Colts have won four of the L/5 SU and have gone 4-1-1 ATS in the L/6. If you take the aggregate score in the five games of these teams from 2006 to 2009 including the ’07 playoff win that famously sent Indy to the Super Bowl for the first time since moving from Baltimore, the score is incredibly tight. All five games were separated by seven points or less, and Indy holds a slender edge of 138-127.
Sunday, November 21st, 8:20 PM ET: New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles
NFL Trends of Note
The Giants are 6-1-1 ATS in their L/8 following a double digit home loss
New York is 12-3-1 ATS in its L/16 as road underdogs of a field goal or less
The underdog is 10-1 ATS in the L/11 in this series
Series History
The one exception was the last meeting of last season, when the Eagles flew up to the Meadowlands and came away with a thrilling 45-38 ‘W’. Philly has won four straight in this series, including the only 23-11 game in NFL history in Jersey in the ’09 postseason. The Giants had won back to back games in Philly in ’07 and ’08 before getting romped here in the City of Brotherly Love 40-17 last year.
Monday, November 22nd, 8:30 PM ET: Denver Broncos @ San Diego Chargers
NFL Trends of Note
The Broncos are 7-2 ATS in their L/9 against teams following their bye week
San Diego is 5-1 ATS over the L/6 years in Week 11
The Bolts are 20-6 ATS in their L/26 games as home favorites ranging between 3.5 and 10.5 points
Series History
The Broncos are just 1-6-1 ATS in the L/7 clashes against their AFC West foes, but the one exception was last year’s duel at Qualcomm Stadium, a 34-23 win on Monday Night Football which propelled them to their 6-0 start and gave them a three game lead in the division… we all know what happened from that point forward… San Diego added salt to the wound by winning 32-3 at Mile High last year. San Diego has averaged scoring 36.5 points per game in the L/8 meetings, a number that, if it hits the board on Monday, will certainly leave the Broncos with absolutely no chance of survival.
Tags: Football Picks, NFL, NFL betting, NFL Picks, NFL trends, pro football, pro football betting, pro football picks, pro football trends, Trends, Week 11 picks, Week 11 trends, Week Eleven picks, Week Eleven trends
Posted in NFL Football | Comments Off on 2010 NFL Trends: Week 11 Cheat Sheet
November 11th, 2010
by
Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in
NFL Football Comments Off on 2010 NFL Trends: Week 10 Cheat SheetPlay The NFL Trends Below At Our Sponsor & Get Exclusive Bonuses
(Exclusive Bonus Offer – Must Use This Link or Above Links) Week 10 of the NFL season is right around the corner! The handicapping experts of Bankroll Sports have key releases for you this weekend. Props and free picks will be available to you on our sports blog as well. However, to kick off this NFL betting week, we’re going to take a look at the most important NFL trends and matchup histories for the Week 10 NFL matchups.
Thursday, November 11th, 8:20 ET: Baltimore Ravens @ Atlanta Falcons
NFL Trends of Note
The Falcons are 9-4-1 ATS in their L/14 games played in Week 10 of the season
Baltimore is 18-6-2 ATS in its L/26 as road pups of a field goal or less
The Ravens are just 1-4-1 ATS in their L/6 following an SU win of at least two TDs
Series History
There’s a ton of preseason history between these two intra-conference foes, but not a heck of a lot of regular season experience. The two have only met eight times since 1981, and it’s all bad news for the Falcons. Atlanta is just 2-6 SU and is 0-8 ATS, but both of those wins have come here at the Georgia Dome.
Sunday, November 14th, 1:00 ET: Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
NFL Trends of Note
The Jags are 7-1 ATS in their L/8 years in Week 10
Jacksonville is just 8-27 ATS in its L/35 played on grass
Houston is 11-5 ATS in the L/8 years in this series
Series History
The Texans might have gotten swept by their divisional rivals last season, but recent history suggests that Houston is going to be running away with these games. The Texans have had Jacksonville’s number in the past no matter how good the Jags have been, but really not until last year, were these teams considered to really be on a relatively even playing field.
Sunday, November 14th, 1:00 PM ET: Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears
NFL Trends of Note
The Vikes are 5-2-1 ATS in their L/8 against the NFC North
Chicago is 2-7 ATS in its L/9 played at home
The Bears are 3-9 ATS in their L/12 played on grass
Series History
If you’re a fan of high scoring games, this might be the series for you! The winning team has scored at least 34 in the L/4 games in this rivalry, while the loser has scored at least 30 in three of the L/6. The home team has won five in a row, including last year at the end of the regular season when the Bears upset the Vikes 36-30 in OT to help spoil any chances that Minnesota had to capture the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC playoffs.
Sunday, November 14th, 1:00 PM ET: Tennessee Titans @ Miami Dolphins
NFL Trends of Note
Tennessee is 2-6 ATS in its L/8 against AFC foes
The Dolphins are 1-6-1 ATS in their L/8 played in Week 10
The home team has covered three straight in this series
Series History
These two teams have a very even history with one another in spite of the fact that they don’t really see each other all that often. Tennessee captured a 27-24 OT win last year at home against the Fins, but the two are split right down the middle at 5-5 ATS since 1992. The Dolphins hold a 7-3 SU edge, but all three of Tennessee’s wins have come since 2003.
Sunday, November 14th, 1:00 PM ET: Cincinnati Bengals @ Indianapolis Colts
NFL Trends of Note
The Bengals are 3-13 ATS in their L/16 overall
The Colts are 6-2 ATS in their L/8 against teams with a losing record
Indy is 10-4-1 ATS in its L/15 against teams from the AFC
Series History
The last time the Bengals came here to Indianapolis in a game that counted, it wasn’t exactly the prettiest thing in the world. Cincy was crushed 35-3. You have to go back well into the 2000s before you find the last Cincinnati win over the Colts in this series, and many of the scores have been incredibly lopsided. Think that Peyton Manning likes playing against these guys? He’s thrown for almost 1,000 yards and ten TDs in his last three duels against the Bengals.
Sunday, November 14th, 1:00 PM ET: Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFL Trends of Note
The Panthers are 2-6 ATS in their L/8 overall
Carolina is 8-3 ATS in its L/11 against teams with winning records
The Bucs are 3-14 ATS in their L/17 home games
Series History
The Bucs have never really had much luck against the Panthers, as they only snapped a three game losing streak both SU and ATS earlier this year at Bank of America Stadium. Tampa Bay doesn’t have a win against the Panthers at home since ’08 and hasn’t won two straight in this series in a number of years. With QB Matt Moore out of the lineup, this is likely to be the first time that QB Jimmy Clausen sees Tampa Bay as a starter in his career.
Sunday, November 14th, 1:00 PM ET: New York Jets @ Cleveland Browns
NFL Trends of Note
New York is 8-2 ATS in its L/10 road games
The Browns are 9-2 ATS in their L/11 against the AFC
Cleveland is 11-4 ATS in its L/15 overall
Series History
There have only been four meetings between the Browns and Jets all-time, and three of the four meetings went the way of Cleveland. The Browns scored wins of 24-18, 20-13, and 24-21 in 2007, 2007, and 2002 respectively, while New York’s only win in this series was a 10-7 decision here at Cleveland Browns Stadium in 2004.
Sunday, November 14th, 1:00 PM ET: Detroit Lions @ Buffalo Bills
NFL Trends of Note
The Lions have the best record in the NFL this year at 7-1 ATS
Buffalo is 5-15-1 ATS in its L/21 played at Ralph Wilson Stadium
The Bills are 27-11-1 ATS in their L/39 against teams with a losing record
Series History
Dating back into the 1990s, there are only five regular season meetings between the Bills and Lions. The home team has won all four clashes since 1994, but all five of the games have been separated by 14 points or less. The Bills are only 2-3 SU and 1-4 ATS in this series since 1991, but Detroit hasn’t won a game here at Ralph Wilson Stadium since that ’91 campaign.
Sunday, November 14th, 4:05 PM ET: Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos
NFL Trends of Note
The Chiefs are 7-2 ATS in their L/9 played on grass
Kansas City is 7-3 ATS in its L/10 road games
The Broncos have the worst ATS record in the AFC at 2-6 ATS
Series History
Think there’s a little bit of history here? There’s a heavy serving of payback that the Broncos would love to get on Sunday, as last season here at Mile High, KC knocked off Denver 44-24 to keep it out of the playoffs. The road team dropped 44 points in both games last season. The Chiefs are 6-3 ATS in the L/9 meetings, but Denver holds a 5-4 SU edge in that time span.
Sunday, November 14th, 4:15 PM ET: Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
NFL Trends of Note
The Cowboys are 13-5 ATS in their L/18 played in the month of November
The Giants are 10-4 ATS in their L/14 played on field turf
New York is winless ATS in its L/5 home games against teams with a losing road record
Series History
This rivalry took a whole new turn just a few weeks ago when the G-Men knocked out QB Tony Romo for what probably will amount to be the rest of the season. New York won that day 41-35, improving it to 5-1 SU and ATS in this saga since the 2008 playoffs that sparked the magical run to the Super Bowl title for QB Eli Manning and the Giants. The ‘over’ is 7-2-1 ATS in the L/10 in this series.
Sunday, November 14th, 4:15 PM ET: Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals
NFL Trends of Note
The Seahawks are 1-8 ATS in their L/9 played on grass
Arizona is 2-6 ATS in its L/8 when favored
The Seahawks are 17-35-1 ATS in their L/53 road games
Series History
This hasn’t been a particularly pretty series of late for the Seahawks, though they did claim a 22-10 win over the Redbirds back on October 24th at Qwest Field. They haven’t won here in the desert since 2005 and were just 1-6 ATS in the L/7 meetings before this year. Though nine of the L/13 have gone past the ‘total’ in this series, these teams have never both ranked this poorly offensively. Seattle and Arizona rank No. 30 and No. 31 overall in total offense in the NFL.
Sunday, November 14th, 4:15 PM ET: St. Louis Rams @ San Francisco 49ers
NFL Trends of Note
The Rams have the second best ATS record in football at 6-2 ATS
San Fran is 5-2-1 ATS in its L/8 home games
St. Louis is just 8-20-2 ATS in the L/30 meetings in this series
Series History
Needless to say, the Rams have to buck the NFL odds if they want to stay in first place in the NFC West. This is the first time in which St. Louis has been favored in a game in this series since ’07. The Niners are 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS over the L/2 seasons, including having whacked the Rams by margins of 28-6 and 35-0 last year.
Sunday, November 14th, 8:20 PM ET: New England Patriots @ Pittsburgh Steelers
NFL Trends of Note
Pittsburgh is 2-5-1 ATS in its L/8 against teams with a winning record
The Steelers are 5-2-1 ATS in their L/8 played on natural grass
New England is 7-2 ATS in the L/9 in this series
Series History
New England has just found out what makes Pittsburgh tick and has exploited it for years. Really, ever since QB Tom Brady has come into control of this offense, the Pats have been dominant in this series, even while playing in one of the hardest venues in the NFL to be as a visitor, Heinz Field. A three game winning streak both SU and ATS stopped two years ago when the Steelers won 33-10, but that was with QB Matt Cassel under center for New England.
Monday, November 15th, 8:30 PM ET: Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins
NFL Trends of Note
The Eagles are 3-8 ATS in their L/11 overall
Washington is 7-1-4 ATS in its L/12 played on grass
The ‘Skins are just 5-12-1 ATS in their L/18 home games
Series History
This series has been all about home teams and underdogs of late, as they are both 6-1-1 ATS in their L/8 meetings, including this year when the Skins knocked off the Eagles 17-12 in the City of Brotherly Love. Dating back to the end of the ’06 season, Washington owns a 5-2-1 ATS edge in this rivalry and will be looking to improve upon that with QB Donovan McNabb looking to exact some revenge against his old team.
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Posted in NFL Football | Comments Off on 2010 NFL Trends: Week 10 Cheat Sheet
November 11th, 2010
by
Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in
NFL Football Comments Off on NFL Team Report Cards through Week 9Exclusive 100% Sportsbook Bonus Links From Bankroll Sports
100% Signup Bonuses: Bet US – Just Bet – Sport BetThe 2010 NFL betting season is at its halfway point, as virtually every team in the NFL has played exactly eight games, while only a handful that are on bye this weekend have played nine. Here at Bankroll Sports, we are grading how the teams have done in the first half of the season, as well as providing the most up to date Super Bowl Odds for each team as we head closer to the start of the second half of the campaign.
Atlanta Falcons (6-2 SU, 4-4 ATS , 9 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
QB Matt Ryan has been fantastic this year, and though both RB Michael Turner and WR Roddy White are headed to seasons of over 1,000 yards at their respective trades, there is a still a big elephant in the room… The Falcons still have no secondary to speak of whatsoever, and until this unit shapes up, Atlanta really isn’t going to compete for a Super Bowl title. Still, due to the fact that the men in black and red are in first place in a suddenly tough division, we have to give them a fairly solid grade. Final Grade: B+
Arizona Cardinals (3-5 SU, 3-5 ATS , 400 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
About the only nice thing to say this year about the Cardinals is that they have played relatively well at home, and have a victory over the defending Super Bowl champs, the New Orleans Saints. The defense has been scoring touchdowns, but has given up a whopping 225 points so far this year, second to worst in the conference. Is it going to be QB Max Hall or QB Derek Anderson calling the shots for the rest of the year? We tend to believe that it doesn’t matter. Final Grade: C
Baltimore Ravens (6-2 SU, 5-3 ATS , 7.5 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
One of Baltimore’s two losses this year was inexcusable, a bad defeat at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals. Aside from that though, there has really been very little to complain about. The Ravens have survived their toughest stretches of the schedule, and they are in first place in the AFC North tied with the best record in the AFC North. We know that these guys are slacking from what they’re capable of, and we’re bringing down their final grade for it. Final Grade: B
Buffalo Bills (0-8 SU, 3-4-1 ATS , 500 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
At the beginning of the season, we said that the Bills had the worst team in the NFL. Though they are 0-8 and the only winless team in the league, they’re not the worst squad that it has to offer, either. Buffalo has been playing hard in recent weeks and very well could be a three win teams right now. It’s unfortunately how things have worked about. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick gets an A for effort, but the rest of this team… not so much… Final Grade: D
Carolina Panthers (1-7 SU, 2-6 ATS , 500 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
Is there a team that is just waiting to play out the rest of the season like the Panthers are? We already know that HC John Fox is a lame duck just waiting to either get fired or not get his contract renewed at the end of the season, and he doesn’t seem to care who is playing quarterback either. QB Tony Pike might be getting his chance soon. Only scoring 88 points in eight games is a huge no-no in the NFL, and unlike Buffalo, which shows some promise, the Panthers have shown us absolutely nothing. Final Grade: F
Chicago Bears (5-3 SU, 3-4-1 ATS , 50 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
We aren’t totally dismissing the Bears as potential Super Bowl contenders this year, but we just aren’t crazy about teams with quarterbacks that are INT prone and running backs that average less than four yards per carry. We’re looking at you, QB Jay Cutler and RB Matt Forte… HC Lovie Smith had better hope that his men start to play more consistent ball offensively, because the defense isn’t holding out for this long. Final Grade: C
Cincinnati Bengals (2-6 SU, 2-6 ATS , 400 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
The Bengals have had chance after chance to get back in the race in the AFC North this year, and you know that the two men you can’t blame are QB Carson Palmer and WR Terrell Owens. These two have made for a fantastic duo, and TO’s emergence has really gotten everyone in the “Jungle” to forget about what happened to the suddenly having disappeared, WR Chad Ochocinco. This team is second to last in the NFL in sacks this year as well. Final Grade: D+
Cleveland Browns (3-5 SU, 4-4 ATS , 250 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
Was the trade of the season when the Browns shipped QB Brady Quinn off to the Denver Broncos in exchange for RB Peyton Hillis? All of a sudden, Hillis looks like a Pro Bowler, while Quinn is just nowhere to be found. This is a spunky little Cleveland team that has the ability to sneak up on some teams. Will the Browns make the playoffs? Of course not. But are they worth of a strong grade for their first half of the season? You betcha. Final Grade: B
Dallas Cowboys (1-7 SU, 1-7 ATS , 500 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
And then there are the Cowboys, who would get an O for outrageous if we could give them that type of a grade. Nothing has gone right this year. The running game has floundered, the passing game is missing QB Tony Romo, and the defense has been giving up huge game after huge game. It’s not just that this team stinks either. The fact that there is no heart on the field is we are emphatically giving Dallas the worst grade of the 32 teams in the NFL. Final Grade: F
Denver Broncos (2-6 SU, 2-6 ATS , 400 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
There aren’t many teams in the NFL that we are giving worse grades to than the Broncos. They just haven’t seemed to be able to put together too many complete games this season, and the end result has been a dreadful 2-6 record. That now leaves Denver at just 4-14 in its L/18 games overall. QB Kyle Orton might be one of the top passers in the league and WR Brandon Lloyd might be leading the world in receiving, but this team is a wreck. Final Grade: D+
Detroit Lions (2-6 SU, 7-1 ATS , 300 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
No team has fought as hard this year as the Lions have, and it is showing on the cover sheet this year. Detroit has stuck inside the NFL betting lines a season best seven times already in the first half of the season. The sin is that QB Matt Stafford just can’t find a way to stay healthy, which is brutally costing both he and his team. Detroit is showing signs of improvement though, and we have to give it a halfway decent grade from what we expected at the outset of the season. Final Grade: C-
Green Bay Packers (6-3 SU, 5-4 ATS , 8 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
The Packers have had all sorts of injury worries for the first half of the season, as they have lost TE Jermichael Finley and RB Ryan Grant for the season. However, in spite of the fact that there is no running game to speak of, QB Aaron Rodgers keeps finding a way to hold everything together. Parlay that with the probable Defensive Player of the Year, LB Clay Matthews, and his band of green clad men, and the Packers have had a great first half of the season. Final Grade: B
Houston Texans (4-4 SU, 3-5 ATS , 65 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
The Texans came out of the chute on fire this year, knocking off the Indianapolis Colts for just the second time in franchise history. However, since that point, this is a club that has largely looked like a .500 team once again. Another year of 8-8 seems to be on the way, and this average club deserves a very average grade for the way it has played in the first half of the campaign. Final Grade: C
Indianapolis Colts (5-3 SU, 5-2-1 ATS , 10 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
There are no teams that have been riddled with as many injuries this season as the Colts. Just on offense on the year, RB Joseph Addai, RB Mike Hart, RB Donald Brown, WR Austin Collie, WR Pierre Garcon, WR Anthony Gonzalez, and TE Dallas Clark have all missed time. Though QB Peyton Manning continues making this team run, we have to wonder just how much he has left in the tank, especially without all that much talent around him. Final Grade: C+
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4 SU, 4-4 ATS , 250 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
Record wise, it looks like HC Jack Del Rio and company have done a decent job, particularly in the AFC South, and especially considering the fact that fourth string QB Todd Bouman had to start a game for the Jags. Jacksonville is in hot water though, and its defense has allowed 226 points on the year. This just isn’t deserving of a great grade. Final Grade: C+
Kansas City Chiefs (5-3 SU, 5-3 ATS , 40 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
We have no choice but to issue the Chiefs a pretty darn good grade this year for their body of work in the first part of the season because they are on pace for ten wins and would win the AFC West if the season ended today. KC has the best running game in the league, but it is the defense that has really surprised us. We don’t think the Chiefs are hanging on, but for now, they’re still a nice story. Final Grade: B
Miami Dolphins (4-4 SU, 5-3 ATS , 80 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
The Dolphins have won four games this year on the road, but how can we say much else good about a team that hasn’t won a home game this season and has benched its starting quarterback in relief of journeyman backup QB Chad Pennington? It feels like HC Tony Sparano is pushing the panic button, and that means that he isn’t giving his team a great grade for the first half of the season either. Final Grade: B-
Minnesota Vikings (3-5 SU, 2-6 ATS , 40 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
The Love Boat is sinking and sinking in a hurry in Minnesota. A 3-5 record on the field is bad enough, but to parlay that with the fact that seemingly everyone on the team wants both QB Brett Favre and HC Brad Childress gone, this isn’t going to be one of the prettiest grades in the bunch. Final Grade: D-
New England Patriots (6-2 SU, 4-3-1 ATS , 10 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
Considering the fact that WR Randy Moss was traded for a third round draft pick, and just four weeks later only had one team claim him on waivers, we know that this season has set up well for the future of the Pats. We know that six wins and the best record in the NFL is solid as well. However, there’s something about this defense that is just rubbing us the wrong way, and we have to knock New England down a letter grade for it. Final Grade: B+
New Orleans Saints (6-3 SU, 4-5 ATS , 12 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
The Saints might ultimately have the best team in the NFC this year, but they just haven’t played like it. Part of the problem has been the absence of both RB Reggie Bush and RB Pierre Thomas. Unfortunately though, this is a case where you have to play with the guys that you have on the field, and we only think that New Orleans has been slight above average from our expectations this year. Final Grade: B
New York Giants (6-2 SU, 5-3 ATS , 7.5 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
The Giants looked like a disaster at the start of the season, but my, have they turned it around! New York has won five straight games and looks like the best club in the NFC East and in the entire conference. We know that there are still some problems with both discipline and consistency on defense, but we also know that we wouldn’t want to run up against this defensive line either. Final Grade: A-
New York Jets (6-2 SU, 5-3 ATS , 8 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
The Jets have had themselves some fantastic games this year, and a few duds sprinkled in as well. The defense has been a tad disappointing, but the offense has shined with QB Mark Sanchez proving that he can legitimately be a star in this league. There’s still some work to be done for HC Rex Ryan’s club, but New York is clearly heading in the right direction. Final Grade: B+
Oakland Raiders (5-4 SU, 6-3 ATS , 50 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
Many thought that this was the season in which the Raiders were really going to bust out, and they were right. Oakland has won three straight games and is just a half game back in the AFC West. QB Jason Campbell was benched early, but he most certainly came on wickedly strong in the last month or so since getting his starting job back. This team has overachieved like none other in the NFL this year. Final Grade: A
Philadelphia Eagles (5-3 SU, 3-5 ATS , 18 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
Thumbs are going way up to QB Michael Vick this year, who personally gets an A+ for his performance in the first half of the season. A big, fat F gets slapped onto the forehead of HC Andy Reid though, as he really screwed up by seemingly committing the team to QB Kevin Kolb. The Iggles are in decent shape, but not grade shape at 5-3, and we will grade them accordingly. Final Grade: B
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2 SU, 5-3 ATS , 7.5 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
Say what you want about HC Mike Tomlin, but in our eyes this year, he is the Coach of the Year. Any time you lose your starting quarterback for four games and then turn around and get your backup hurt in the preseason and your third stringer knocked out in the second game of the year and you still find ways to win games, you’re doing something special. With SS Troy Polamalu healthy and ready to go for the second half, Pittsburgh is getting a great grade. Final Grade: A
San Diego Chargers (4-5 SU, 4-5 ATS , 14 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
The Chargers would have been a dead set F with a ton of exclamation points before this recent two game winning streak that has seemed to jumpstart the season. This is what San Diego has done in seasons past after slow starts, and that might be what is happening again. We still aren’t issuing a good grade as of yet even though QB Philip Rivers is on pace to break the single season passing record. Final Grade: C-
San Francisco 49ers (2-6 SU, 3-5 ATS , 80 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
This trendy Super Bowl pick has really been a bit of a bust this year. QB Alex Smith is hurt and was likely to get benched anyway, and backup QB David Carr was surpassed two weeks ago in England in favor of QB Troy Smith, who now has as many wins as the other two do for the Niners during the rest of the season. Still, the fact that San Fran ranks dead last in the NFC West overall, this is going to be an awful grade. Final Grade: D-
Seattle Seahawks (4-4 SU, 4-4 ATS , 150 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
The Seaturkies really aren’t in that great of shape, but they aren’t in that great of a division either. HC Pete Carroll should be commended for having his boys competing for a playoff spot, though when push has really come to shove against teams that are fellow playoff contenders, things aren’t going all that well. Final Grade: B-
St. Louis Rams (4-4 SU, 6-2 ATS , 100 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
The Rams are the only .500 teams in the book that we are issuing an ‘A’ to. QB Sam Bradford has come into town and not only brought a great arm, but a great, winning mentality as well. Suddenly, St. Louis can’t be beaten at home, and the winning mojo is starting to get contagious. To think that these guys can go from 1-15 to the postseason in just one season’s time is remarkable. Final Grade: A
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-3 SU, 5-3 ATS , 150 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
No one is believing that the Bucs are Super Bowl contenders this year, but at 5-3, they have clearly done more than their fair share of work in the first half of the season. Tampa Bay knows that the schedule is getting tougher from here, though. For now, this has been an awesome squad, and we think that it is embarrassing that it is 150 to 1 to win the Super Bowl. Final Grade: A-
Tennessee Titans (5-3 SU, 5-3 ATS , 18 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
The Titans aren’t quite getting the same type of year as they did last year from RB Chris Johnson, but in fairness, the team didn’t come out of the blocks at 0-6 either. HC Jeff Fisher has the Titans playing well on defense, particularly on the line, where they have one of the best units in the NFL. However, something is just rubbing us slightly the wrong way about this Tennessee team… Final Grade: B
Washington Redskins (4-4 SU, 4-3-1 ATS , 100 to 1 to win Super Bowl XLV @ BetUS Sportsbook)
For our money, this is the worst 4-4 team in the NFL. There just isn’t that much of a running game with RB Clinton Portis out of the fold, and the passing attack was probably made significantly worse than Bonehead of the Season, HC Mike Shanahan elected to bench QB Donovan McNabb for a two minute drill two weeks ago in the team’s most recent game. Whoops. QB Rex Grossman fumbled on the first snap, and the ball was promptly returned for a TD. McNabb hasn’t been so sharp either, as he hasn’t had a multi-TD game through the air this season. This has been a very, very iffy team. Final Grade: C-