Best Bets
1. Baltimore Ravens (-3) vs. Denver Broncos
All right, the Broncos have been an amazing story through six games, surprising everyone with their undefeated start, but reality sets in on Sunday when they head to Baltimore. The Ravens, also coming off a bye week, will get back to playing smash mouth football, and look for a solid defense effort from Ray Lewis and Co. Our best bet of Week Eight will win by at least seven.
Next In Line
2. Chicago Bears (-13.5) vs. Cleveland Browns
The Browns have scored just 29 points in four road games in 2009 and are coming off a three-point effort vs. the Packers. The Bears on the other hand, were destroyed by the Bengals in Week Eight, and can’t take the field fast enough to move past that embarrassing showing. They’ll also have DT Tommy Harris back in the lineup and this will shore up their shoddy run defense from a week ago. Look for a big win by the Bears on Sunday.
3. San Diego Chargers (-16.5) vs. Oakland Raiders
When the Raiders aren’t upsetting a team like the Eagles, they’re getting battered by everyone else. The only reason the spread is 16.5 is because the sports books want equal wagering; otherwise, it’d be at least three TDs, which is what San Diego will by on Sunday. Look for another spirited effort from the Bolts defense which should limit the Raiders to under 10 points.
4. Miami Dolphins (+3.5) vs. New York Jets
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Others We Like
Indianapolis Colts (-13.5) vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Colts offense is firing on all cylinders and should be fine even if Reggie Wayne is forced to miss the game. Defensively, S Bob Sanders is back in the fold, which makes a huge difference to this unit, and with a week to prepare for Alex Smith and Co., we expect a dominating effort on Sunday. Expect a 34-14 type outcome.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+3) vs. Tennessee Titans
It’s a bit surprising to see the Jaguars as underdogs to the 0-6 Titans, especially with Vince Young set to play, but three points usually means that the sports books see this game as being even. We don’t. Look for the Jags offense, led by MJD and Mike Sims-Walker, to be the difference in this contest, and for Jacksonville to pull out the close win on Sunday.
New Orleans Saints (-10) vs. Atlanta Falcons
Had the Falcons not suffered so many injuries to its defense, we’d be leaning towards them and the points; but as it stands now, the Saints have too much firepower for the Falcons defense to contend with. And for as talented a QB as Matt Ryan is, Atlanta isn’t built to win shootouts. Expect the Saints big on Monday Night.
Money Line
Miami Dolphins (+160) vs. New York Jets
There’s more on the line for the Dolphins this week after they blew a 21-point 1st half lead to the Saints in South Beach last Sunday. If they don’t win, they’ll fall to 2-5 and their season is effectively over.
Offensively, look for Miami to continue to pound the rock with Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown and utilize the Wild Cat formation. While the Jets claim they’ll be better prepared to stop it this time, they’ll be without their key defensive run stuffer (DT Kris Jenkins) who was lost for the season vs. the Bills. We think the Dolphins will continue to have success on the ground and this will open up for the short passing game for Henne.
Defensively, Miami will put the game – and ball – in Sanchez’s hands in order for New York to win. And don’t let the Raiders game deceive you; he won’t be able to carry this team on his back. Miami, and it’s No. 3 rushing defense, will stifle Thomas Jones all day, and this will put Sanchez into unfavorable passing situations which the Dolphins will take advantage of.
While weather could play a role in this game, the outcome will still remain the same: Dolphins 21- Jets 17.
2009 Record Against The Point Spread
Overall 63%
Best Bets 3-4
Next In Line 15-6
Others We Like 12-9
Money Line 5-2
