NFL Week 14 ATS Hit List: Is the NFC East Worth It?
This season, it's the NFC Least.
Chances are fair that it'll become the third division in league history to have a winner with a losing record.
The Dallas Cowboys at 6-7 and Philadelphia Eagles at 5-7 will take the East title however they can get it, but they're currently favored to join this pair of so-called champions in the process:
- The 2010 Seattle Seahawks took the NFC West with a 7-9 record, and
- The 2014 Carolina Panthers won the NFC South with a 7-8-1 record.
Bottom line, they made the playoffs.
So we're saying there's a chance for Dallas and Philadelphia, as the Seahawks proved in 2010.
The division sucks SU, but when it comes to the ATS standings, it's a sportsbook's delight. 50-50 results make them money:
Some fans and some media may be clamoring for a playoff re-seeding this season, but that's crazy. You can't change rules in the middle of a competition.
It's a fact of math that, in general, when you play an NFC East team, you're playing with the usual amount of fire you'd expect with any other club in the ATS wars.
We've only got one Least team on our list this week, and it's no surprise we're betting against it.
Before you decide to agree with us on any or all of these picks, check the current lines to be certain you know the lay of the land. Gotta cover every eventuality, you know ...
Baltimore Ravens -6 at Buffalo Bills
On Thanksgiving, Buffalo entered Dallas as a +6 underdog. They left Dallas 26-15 winners. The Bills rushed for 124 yards from 34 carries. Josh Allen threw for 231 yards and a TD. Now, they hope to repeat the offensive output this weekend.
Baltimore presents matchup problems, though. The Ravens average 207.8 rushing yards per game. Dudes force their opponents to play fast. That puts Buffalo at a disadvantage. Ravens cover.
Result: Ravens 24 Bills 17 ... Ravens cover
Washington Redskins at Green Bay Packers -14
In Week 13, the 'Skins won their second straight. Dudes upset Carolina, 29-21, as a +10 road dog.
The Packers got back on the winning track in Week 13 by dominating the New York Giants, 31-13. Green Bay is 4-2 ATS at home and 8-4 ATS overall. Washington has played well but they won’t sneak up on the Packers. Lay the points.
Result: Green Bay 20 Washington 15 ... Redskins cover
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings -12
Often, NFC North games come down to the final couple of minutes, but that won’t happen in this one.
Minnesota rushed for 166 yards against the Lions in the first game. The Vikings face quarterback David Blough this time. The Lions are at a severe disadvantage, as Minnesota’s defense should feast on that dude. Expect a blowout.
Result: Vikings 20 Lions 7 ... Vikings cover
Tennessee Titans -3 at Oakland Raiders
These two have gone in opposite directions. Since beating Cincinnati, 17-10, Oakland is 0-2 SU. They’re 0-3 ATS. The Raiders have scored a combined 12 points in their last 2 games.
Tennessee has scored a combined 73 points in their last 2 games. The Titans blasted Jacksonville, 42-20, in Week 12 and pummeled Indianapolis, 31-17, last week. The computer likes Oakland here, but home dog or no, I just can't see it. Tennessee should keep it going with an easy win and cover against the awful Raiders.
Result: Tennessee 42 Oakland 21 ... Titans cover
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Sportbet Columnist: Josh Bailey ... Today: 3-1
Aspiring to become the Mark Twain of sportswriting, Josh has been labelled as the up-&-coming sportswriter of the year by absolutely nobody and the new heavy hitter in sports handicapping by his mother.