|
|
. |
. |
 |
Week 10 NFL Previews
By Chris Cluff
Posted: 11:00 am PDT 2006-11-11 |
Courtesy Of Wager
Web Sportsbook |
|
Browns (2-6) at Falcons
(5-3), 1 p.m. ET
WagerWeb.com line: N/A (due to Browns' QB situation)
Storyline: After two stellar games in which he had thrown seven touchdown passes,
Michael Vick came back down to earth last week, when he threw two crucial interceptions in
a 30-14 loss to Detroit. Vick and the Falcons will try to get back on track against
Cleveland, which has one of the better pass defenses in the league (181.6 passing yards
per game) but one of the worst run defenses (142.9). Vick has 576 rushing yards this
season and is on pace to break Bobby Douglass' NFL record of 968 yards, set with Chicago
in 1972. The Falcons' pass defense is ranked 31st, but Cleveland QB Charlie
Frye suffered a back injury in San Diego and also has a bad thumb on his passing hand.
Best Bet: The Falcons, averaging a league-best 205 rushing yards per game, will run
all over the Browns. Atlanta, 24-13.
Chargers (6-2) at Bengals (4-4), 1 p.m. ET
WagerWeb.com line: Chargers -1 (48)
Storyline: Red-hot LaDainian Tomlinson leads the Chargers to Cincinnati for a big
intraconference game. This is a key road test for San Diego, which has lost both of its
games outside of California and which plays in Denver next week. Tomlinson has rushed for
355 yards in the last two games and leads the NFL with 14 touchdowns and 1,151 yards from
scrimmage. The Chargers surely will run him some more against a Cincinnati defense that is
24th against the run (129.2 yards per game). The Bengals, particularly star WR
Chad Johnson, are frustrated after four losses in five games, including a 26-20 defeat in
Baltimore last week that dropped them two games behind the Ravens in the NFC North.
Best Bet: The Chargers' defense is banged up, which could help the Bengals'
offense. But Tomlinson will make up for it. San Diego, 27-20.
49ers (3-5) at Lions (2-6), 1 p.m. ET
WagerWeb.com line: Lions -6 (46)
Storyline: Both teams are coming off big upsets last week -- the 49ers beating
Minnesota and the Lions taking care of Atlanta. Now Detroit seeks its first back-to-back
wins since 2004 -- a string of 38 games. The offense has gotten better by the week;
against Atlanta, Jon Kitna threw for 321 yards, Kevin Jones ran for 110 and two touchdowns
and Roy Williams caught six passes for 138 yards and a score. The 49ers have had trouble
on both sides of the ball, although a simplified defense shut down the Vikings last week.
Best Bet: Kitna and company are on a roll, and the 49ers are 0-3 on the road,
surrendering 38.7 points per game. Detroit, 24-10.
Bills (3-5) at Colts (8-0), 1 p.m. ET
WagerWeb.com line: Colts -12 (45)
Storyline: After a big win in New England last week, the Colts are the only
undefeated team in the league. And while they have not been as dominant as they were in
their 13-0 start last season, their defense played much better against the Patriots,
forcing five turnovers. One of the league's worst rushing defenses will not have to face
Buffalo RB Willis McGahee, who suffered three broken ribs in the Bills' 24-10 win over
Green Bay last week. But Anthony Thomas filled in well, rushing for 95 yards on 20 totes.
Thomas will be key to a ball-control attack as Buffalo tries to keep Peyton Manning and
the Colts' second-ranked offense off the field.
Best Bet: The Bills have not won in Indianapolis since 1998, and their defense will
not be able to contain the Colts. Indianapolis, 35-13.
Texans (2-6) at Jaguars (5-3), 1 p.m. ET
WagerWeb.com line: Jaguars -10.5 (37.5)
Storyline: Three weeks ago, the Jags suffered an embarrassing 27-7 defeat in
Houston. Byron Leftwich was playing on a bum ankle in that game, and he has not started
since. David Garrard, who has led the Jags to wins over Philadelphia and Tennessee, will
make his third straight start and attempt to improve to 7-1 as a starter the past two
seasons. The Texans have not won since beating Jacksonville the first time, and their
defense is allowing 349.5 yards per game.
Best Bet: The Texans have lost 12 straight road games, the longest active skid in
the league, but they are improving and should play the Jags tough -- just not tough
enough. Jacksonville, 24-20.
Chiefs (5-3) at Dolphins (2-6) 1 p.m. ET
WagerWeb.com line: Chiefs -1 (40)
Storyline: The suddenly high-scoring Chiefs take their potent offense to Miami,
where the Dolphins are feeling confident after handing the Chicago Bears their first loss
last week. Behind Damon Huard and Larry Johnson, the Chiefs are averaging 32 points per
game in the past three -- all wins. In place of Trent Green (concussion), Huard has gone
5-2 with 11 touchdown passes and one interception, and he returns to Miami, where he began
his career in 1997. Johnson, meanwhile, has rushed for 459 yards and six touchdowns in the
Chiefs' three-game winning streak. Ronnie Brown has been almost as hot for the Dolphins.
He ran for a career-high 157 yards in Miami's shocking 31-13 win over the Bears last week.
That win broke a four-game losing streak, and Miami is hoping to start the kind of
turnaround it had in 2005, when it won its final six after a 3-7 start.
Best Bet: The Chiefs beat the Dolphins 30-20 last season in Miami, and this Kansas
City team is better. Kansas City, 31-17.
Packers (3-5) at Vikings (4-4), 1 p.m. ET
WagerWeb.com line: Vikings -5.5 (39.5)
Storyline: Both of these teams have hit hard times offensively. The Vikings, who
failed to score more than 19 points in any of their first four games, have scored just 10
in the past two games. Last week was especially embarrassing, as they lost 9-3 to a San
Francisco team that was next to last among NFL defenses. Turnovers -- seven in the two
losses -- have been the main culprit. The Packers had won two straight before a 24-10
setback in Buffalo last week in which Brett Favre reverted to his turnover-prone
ways with two interceptions and two fumbles. Green Bay is 0-4 this season when he throws
an interception. This game also features kicker Ryan Longwell against the Packers, for
whom he played from 1997 to 2005.
Best Bet: The Vikings' defense leads the NFL against the run (69 yards per game)
and is second in the NFC in points allowed (16.9). Minnesota, 17-10.
Jets (4-4) at Patriots (6-2), 1 p.m. ET
WagerWeb.com line: Patriots -10.5 (37.5)Storyline: First-year Jets coach
Eric Mangini returns to Gillette Stadium, where he helped coach the Patriots' defense for
six years under coach Bill Belichick. In their first meeting this season, the Patriots won
24-17. The Patriots are coming off a 27-20 loss to Indianapolis in which QB Tom Brady
threw four interceptions and safety Rodney Harrison suffered a shoulder injury that will
sideline him indefinitely. The Jets lost to Cleveland 20-13 last week and could have
trouble this week as well because their run defense is 30th in the league and
they have had trouble rushing the passer.
Best Bet: The Patriots have won seven straight against the Jets, and Brady will be
poised to bounce back from a poor outing. New England, 27-13.
Redskins (3-5) at Eagles (4-4), 1 p.m. ET
WagerWeb.com line: Eagles -7 (42)
Storyline: Coming off their bye, the Eagles are trying to snap out of a tough funk
in which they have lost three straight by a total of 12 points. The Redskins, meanwhile,
broke their own three-game slide with a 22-19 win over Dallas last week. Washington, which
has one of the worst passing games in the league, might again be without top WR Santana
Moss (hamstring). This game will feature the return of safety Troy Vincent to
Philadelphia, where he starred for eight seasons. Vincent, who signed with Washington last
month, was the hero against Dallas when he blocked a winning field-goal attempt that
enabled Washington to kick its own winning field goal on the next play.
Best Bet: The Redskins swept the season series last year, but the Eagles are much
better and should improve to 8-0 after bye weeks under coach Andy Reid. Philadelphia,
30-16.
Ravens (6-2) at Titans (2-6), 1 p.m. ET
WagerWeb.com line: Ravens -7 (38)
Storyline: Steve McNair, who spent 11 seasons with the Titans/Oilers, returns to
Tennessee with revenge on his mind. In one of the ugliest divorces between player and team
in recent league history, McNair ended up with the Ravens, and this promises to be an
emotional game. McNair has helped the Ravens open a two-game lead in the AFC North, and
the offense has been even better since coach Brian Billick relieved offensive coordinator
Jim Fassel; Baltimore has scored five touchdowns in the last two games after just 10 in
the first six contests. McNair was replaced in Tennessee by rookie Vince Young, who has
displayed the typical first-year faults. He threw three interceptions in a 37-7 loss to
Jacksonville last week. This week, he faces a banged-up Baltimore defense that could be
without safety Ed Reed and/or LB Ray Lewis, who both were hurt last week.
Best Bet: The Titans beat the Ravens last season, but McNair is with the Ravens
now. Baltimore, 27-6.
Broncos (6-2) at Raiders (2-6), 4:05 p.m. ET
WagerWeb.com line: Broncos -9 (33.5)
Storyline: The Broncos' offense is heating up, while the Raiders' remains ice cold.
Denver has scored 31 points in each of its last two games, although one was a 34-31 loss
to Indianapolis. Jake Plummer and Javon Walker appear to have gotten in sync, which is
especially important because Rod Smith is questionable after suffering a separated
shoulder in a 31-20 win over Pittsburgh last week. The Broncos might also be without RB
Tatum Bell (toe) again, and seven defenders were injured against Pittsburgh and are either
out (Sam Brandon) or questionable for this game. It might not matter against an Oakland
offense that gave up nine sacks in a 16-0 loss to Seattle on Monday. It was the second
shutout this season for the Raiders, who are averaging league lows of 227.9 yards and 11.5
points and have given up a league-high 44 sacks.
Best Bet: Even with the injuries, the Broncos should be able to shut down Oakland
four weeks after winning the first game, 13-3. Denver, 24-10.
Saints (6-2) at Steelers (2-6), 4:15 p.m. ET
WagerWeb.com line: Steelers -5 (45.5)
Storyline: The Saints have won three of the last four, and Drew Brees is a big
reason. He has thrown three touchdown passes in each of the past three games, picking up
for a sagging running game that ranks 27th in the league largely because both
Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush have been hobbled by leg injuries. Joe Horn, the Saints'
No. 1 receiver, missed last week with a groin injury and is questionable for this game.
But Brees still has rookie standout Marques Colston, who caught 11 passes for 123 yards
and a touchdown in a 31-14 win over Tampa Bay last week. The Steelers turned the ball over
six times in a loss to Denver last week, and the defending champs appear unlikely to make
the playoffs after their third straight loss and sixth in seven games.
Best Bet: The Steelers' defense should be able to focus on Brees, and QB Ben
Roethlisberger has a good chance to bounce back from his seven interceptions over the past
two games because the Saints don't force many turnovers. Pittsburgh, 23-20.
Cowboys (4-4) at Cardinals (1-7), 4:15 p.m. ET
WagerWeb.com line: Cowboys -6.5 (43)
Storyline: The Cowboys are coming off a disheartening game in which victory turned to
defeat on the final play. Terrell Owens cost his team twice -- with an unsportsmanlike
penalty and with a dropped 74-yard touchdown pass -- and took the blame for the
22-19 loss to Washington, which knocked the Cowboys two games behind the New York Giants
in the NFC East. On the bright side, Tony Romo has played very well in his first two
starts. On the other side, the Cardinals had a week to figure out how to end a seven-game
losing streak. The key will be getting rookie QB Matt Leinart back on track after two
terrible games in which he was sacked seven times and threw three interceptions. He should
get some help with the return of Pro Bowl WR Larry Fitzgerald, who missed the past three
games with a hamstring injury.
Best Bet: The Cardinals can't run the ball, which means Leinart won't be able
to throw it very well, either, against a Dallas defense that ranks fifth in the NFL. Dallas,
31-13.
Rams (4-4) at Seahawks (5-3), 4:15 p.m. ET
WagerWeb.com line: Seahawks -3 (43.5)
Storyline: This is the Rams' chance to keep pace with the short-handed Seahawks in the
NFC West. The Rams have run a tough gauntlet recently, losing three straight -- to the
Seahawks, San Diego and Kansas City. The 30-28 loss to the Seahawks came on the last play
as Josh Brown nailed a 54-yard field goal. The Seahawks have lost just once in their past
14 games at home, but they are still without QB Matt Hasselbeck, who has already missed
two games with a sprained knee, and RB Shaun Alexander, who has missed five with a cracked
foot. Both are expected back next week. Seneca Wallace has played capably in Hasselbeck's
stead, and Maurice Morris finally broke out with a 100-yard game against Oakland on
Monday. Those two will have to be at their best if they are to keep up with a St. Louis
offense that is fourth in the league (367 yards per game). The Rams' 27th-ranked
defense should accommodate the Seahawks' backups to some degree.
Best Bet: No Hasselbeck, no win this time for Seattle. St. Louis, 31-21.
Bears (7-1) at Giants (6-2), 8:15 p.m. ET, NBC
WagerWeb.com line: Giants -1 (37.5)
Storyline: The Giants will be a little short-handed in this key NFC battle. They
will be without as many as six defensive starters, including DEs Michael Strahan and Osi
Umenyiora. And QB Eli Manning won't have WR Amani Toomer, who is out for the season with
an ACL injury. Also, WR Plaxico Burress missed the Giants' win over Houston last week and
is questionable with back spasms. The Bears have their own injury troubles. Deep threat
Bernard Berrian (ribs) is not expected to play, and LB Brian Urlacher is questionable but
should play with a sprained big toe. On top of that, the Bears need QB Rex Grossman to
play better after turning the ball over 10 times in the past three games. Grossman threw
three interceptions and fumbled once in a shocking upset loss against Miami last week in
Chicago that ruined the Bears' perfect season.
Best Bet: The Giants will have a tough time extending their winning streak to six
games. Chicago, 20-13.
Buccaneers (2-6) at Panthers (4-4), 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
WagerWeb.com line: Panthers -9.5 (37)
Storyline: Carolina is eager to get back on track after being sent to its bye with a
35-14 loss to Dallas. Carolina has led in the fourth quarter in seven of its eight games,
but it has lost three of those. A lot of the blame goes to the defense, which has
underachieved and is ranked in the bottom third of the league. One offensive player who
should be very motivated is WR Keyshawn Johnson, who was traded away from Tampa Bay two
years ago after he and coach Jon Gruden clashed and he was deactivated by the Bucs.
Johnson caught two touchdown passes in Carolina's 26-24 win in Tampa Bay in
September. The Bucs have problems across the board, from the rushing game to the rookie
quarterback to the aging and underachieving defense.
Best Bet: The Panthers have won six of the last seven in the series. Carolina,
28-1
LAST WEEK: 8-6
SEASON: 80-48
|
NFL Football Betting Line,
Upcoming Game Previews & More |
Online NFL Football Betting Sites
|
|
SportsGnome.com's NFL Football Betting News |
|
|
|
|
|
