The 2010 season has been unpredictable. The underdogs have covered more than they have lost this season. The Colts and Titans start off the week on Thursday and the rest of the schedule is pretty loaded. It should be an interesting week. There are a lot of road favorites this week, which could mean a tricky week. Here are my betting picks against the spread for Week 14 of the 2010 NFL season.
Indianapolis Colts (-3.5) at Tennessee Titans (+3.5) – My pick is Indianapolis
The Colts haven’t looked very good the last two weeks, mostly because of Peyton Manning. They are banged up and he’s trying to do too much. The Titans are coming into this game with a divided locker room and getting nothing from their passing game. Manning loves playing back in Tennessee, expect a bounce back and they will cover.
Oakland Raiders (+4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (-4) – My pick is Oakland
The Raiders are one of the most difficult team to forecast their performance. They are up and down, but they played one of their best games last week against San Diego. I know that a team from the West Coast traveling East doesn’t do well, but the Raiders have hit their stride with Jason Campbell at QB. The Jaguars have looked good the last few weeks, but this game will be close, I’ll take the points.
Cincinnati Bengals (+8.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (-8.5) – My pick is Pittsburgh
The Bengals are bad and you know the Steelers will handle their business against a division opponent. Big Ben is banged up, but Carson Palmer is bad. I expect them to cover and for the Steelers defense to score some points.
Cleveland Browns (+1) at Buffalo Bills (-1) – My pick is Cleveland
Both of these teams have been playing over their heads the last six games. Cleveland have been winning big games as an underdog and Buffalo has been taking legit playoff teams to overtime. Peyton Hillis will have a big game and expect Cleveland to cover and win outright.
New York Giants (-2.5) at Minnesota Vikings (+2.5) – My pick is Minnesota
The Giants ran all over Washington last week, but Tom Coughlin has a way of losing games in December. Leslie Frazier has the Vikings playing like a team that should be playing for the division, but it’s too late for that. I expect the Vikings to win this game outright and take care of business at home.
Green Bay Packers (-7) at Detroit Lions (+7) – My pick is Green Bay
The Packers, even with all the injuries, seem to have learned to play with replacements and have looked very good. The Lions look to be playing Drew Stanton again at quarterback and the Green Bay defense could make him look like a novice. The Packers will cover on the road.
Atlanta Falcons (-7.5) at Carolina Panthers (+7.5) – My pick is Atlanta
Matt Ryan is awesome at home, but he has struggled on the road. Roddy White is a little banged up, but the Carolina defense is bad. The Panthers have a quarterback carousel going on and the Falcons have a stout defense. Atlanta will end up getting a lead early and force the Panthers to pass, which could turn ugly.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2) at Washington Redskins (+2) – My pick is Tampa Bay
The Bucs were dealt a big blow by putting starting DB Aquib Talib and starting OL Jeff Faine on injured-reserve. They shouldn’t need them when they face the Redskins, who have their own problems. Tampa still aren’t getting much respect with the line and they should cover with a two-point spread. Josh Freeman has turned into a pretty quarterback and has a knack for winning close games.
St. Louis Rams (+9.5) at New Orleans Saints (-9.5) – My pick is New Orleans
The Rams are currently leading the NFC West, I repeat the Rams are currently leading the NFC West. That should give them respect, but the division is bad and the Saints are defending Super Bowl champs. The Saints are finding their way back to their winning formula and Drew Brees has been finding receivers downfield. This will be close, but the Saints will cover.
Seattle Seahawks (+5) at San Francisco 49ers (-6) – My pick is San Francisco
This is going to be an ugly game to watch. Seattle and San Francisco have laid stinkers this season. This is a hard game to call, but with Seattle playing poor on the road, you have to give San Francisco the nod in this contest, no matter who is at quarterback.
New England Patriots (-3) at Chicago Bears (+3) – My pick is New England
I can’t explain who the Bears are winning games this season. I can explain how the Patriots have been winning their games. New England is a balanced offense and their secondary are playing much better than earlier this season. If the Patriots can get pressure on Jay Cutler, this game could turn ugly. The Patriots will cover this game on the road.
Miami Dolphins (+5.5) at New York Jets (-5.5) – My pick is NY Jets
45-3 is all I have to say. The Jets won’t let that happen again and not at home. The Dolphins looked bad last game and Chad Henne could be playing his way off the team. The Jets will bounce back and the Dolphins will be the perfect opponent to right the ship.
Denver Broncos (-5.5) at Arizona Cardinals (+5.5) – My pick is Denver
Josh McDaniels is out and the consensus is that he wasn’t liked by many of his players. Now that he is gone, expect the Broncos to respond and beat a very bad Cardinals team and cover.
Phildelphia Eagles (-3.5) at Dallas Cowboys (+3.5) – My pick is Dallas
I watched every minute of the Cowboys game last week and they made the Colts look, well, like the Cardinals. Jason Garrett has the Cowboys playing well and their defense has kept up. Michael Vick has been amazing this year, but the Eagles defense appear to have holes in it. Garrett will watch tape all week and should make this game closer, I’ll take the points.
Baltimore Ravens (-3) at Houston Texans (+3) – My pick is Baltimore
Joe Flacco gave away the game against the Steelers last week. He faces one of the league’s worst ranked pass defenses this week, so it will be his time to redeem himself. Andre Johnson and Arian Foster will have trouble against the Ravens defense, so they will not be able to keep up. The Ravens will cover against the Texans.
These picks are for entertainment purposes.
