Editor's Note: Scott Rickenbach is back this week with a sull slate of winners in the NFL. Click to win!
Heading into Week Eight of the NFL please note these stats (all are ATS – against the spread, unless otherwise noted) are definitely items to consider as you look at the deep NFL card. However, this does not mean these are “plays” in the true sense of the word. That said, the hope is that the ATS information below helps you as you “traverse” this week’s NFL card! As always, best of luck in all your sports gaming from Scott Rickenbach
1) The Philadelphia Eagles are 7-2 when coming off of their bye week. This week they will be home against the Falcons and, although Atlanta is off of a bye also, the Falcons are just 2-6 when facing a non-division opponent who is coming off of their bye week. Making matters worse for Atlanta this week is they’ll be facing an Eagles team that, except for RB Brian Westbrook’s broken ribs (and he is expected to play some), is as healthy as they’ve been all season. QB Donovan McNabb will have his full slate of wide receivers available to throw too. Mentally, the Eagles have also been rejuvenated by gaining some ground in the NFC East over the last two weeks.
Especially firing up the Eagles is seeing the Cowboys struggle as Dallas looks like it could be on its way out of the race without Tony Romo.
2) The Baltimore Ravens are 15-6 when favored at home against a non-divisional opponent. The points may seem a little big here against the Raiders this week but helping to encourage you to lay the wood is the fact that Oakland is coming off of an OT win at home they may not leave them with much in the tank this week. This is especially true when they have to travel cross country for this game.
Speaking of that, Oakland is just 6-12 in their last 18 games played in the Eastern Time zone. Additionally, the Raiders are only 8-16 in their last 24 games as a road dog facing a non-divisional opponent!
The Ravens offense got rolling a bit at Miami last week and that could be a key this week in insuring that they cover the large number. They certainly seem to be catching the Raiders in a favorable spot for Baltimore.
3) The Kansas City Chiefs are on a 4-11 ATS run. It may seem “scary” to lay the big points with the Jets off of an overtime loss on the West Coast at Oakland last week. However, even with a coast to coast trip, the Jets are happy to be back home and they have covered five of their last six as a home favorite against a non-divisional foe.
Also, the Jets have fared well as a big favorite as they have covered six of their last eight when favored by six points or more.
Statistically, Kansas City is easily one of the worst teams in the league while the Jets are better than many realize. New York could be worth the big points here!
4) The Washington Redskins are 5-2 in their last seven as an away favorite. They had the game covered at Cleveland until a late score by the Browns stole the cash! This week the Redskins will take advantage of a very weak Lions team. History is also on the Redskins side here. Detroit has covered just 9 of their last 29 games when facing a conference foe. Also, the Lions current ATS run is hard to digest too! Detroit has covered just 4 of their last 14 games! Looking for improvement from the Lions? It’s unlikely to come this week as Detroit is facing a Washington team that outgained the Browns by over a hundred yards last week and should have had the cover. As for Detroit, they were statistically dominated and they were fortunate to get the cover at Houston as they snuck in the back door against the Texans!
5) The Buffalo Bills are 8-2 in their last ten games against divisional opponents. So, if you’re looking for the Dolphins to bounce back from last week’s home loss don’t be so sure! Miami has covered just twice in their last fifteen home games against divisional opponents. When you factor that in with the Bills success against divisional foes you can see why the “tight line” on this game is quite inviting for Buffalo. The Bills bring some momentum into this contest with last week’s domination of San Diego while Miami still could be reeling a bit after last week’s home loss that came by a touchdown margin.
