Brad Diamond
Panthers vs. Bengals
Play: Over 43½
We know the Bengals are banged up at the wide receiver position, but that should help create additional turnovers. If you checked out the Carolina game last week you know they have been prospering in the TO category. Both teams are 4-0 OVER the total in the month of October, and again we look at the TO issue, believing the trend adds to their probability of going HIGH.
Doug Upstone
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings
Play: Detroit Lions +2½
Play Against home teams like Minnesota when the line is +3 to -3, a slow starting team being outscored by five or more points a game in the first half, after scoring 14 points or less in last game. The indicators are not good for the Vikings when the oddsmakers price them at home in this range, pointing to offensive ineffectiveness. Since 2010, teams like Minnesota are 8-28 ATS in this situation.
Hollywood Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers
It may be tempting to take the Browns on their home field in the rematch of their 30-27 loss in Pittsburgh in Week One of the season but it may be the Steelers that received the wake-up call after blowing their big halftime lead in that one. Cleveland is the favorite back at home -- but it is the underdog that has covered the point spread in 5 of the last 7 meetings between these two teams. The Browns are also just 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games at home. Pittsburgh has covered the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games on the road. Furthermore, do you want to bet against Big Ben Roethlisberger as an underdog against this Browns team against which he owns a near perfect 18-1 record. The former Miami (OH) star loves showing up Cleveland. Take the points with the Steelers.
Bryan Power
Chicago vs. Atlanta
Pick: Over
The Over has cashed in both Atlanta home games this season and four straight games for Chicago as well. Neither side here is particularly strong defensively. The Falcons allow a whopping 4.37 yards per rush attempt. The Bears are ravaged by injuries on that side of the ball and figure to have a tough day going up against Matt Ryan in the Georgia Dome. They have given up 69 points the last two weeks. I recommend a play on the Over here.
On offense, it does appear Chicago will have a healthy Brandon Marshall in the lineup. Him being injured the past few weeks has clearly hurt the Bears' offense. The team has yet to score more than 24 points in a game this season, but did have 21 at halftime last week vs. a Carolina team that has a better defense than what they'll see here. As for Atlanta's offense, they should have no problem moving the ball on a depleted Bears defense, which allowed the Jets offense to get in the red zone six different times a few weeks ago.
Speaking of the red zone, both of these offenses have scored touchdowns on over 70 percent of their opportunities inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Don't discount the impact of special teams in this one, as Atlanta return man Devin Hester goes against his former team. You know he will be trying harder than ever to "take one to the house." The Bears allowed a punt return TD last week.
OC Dooley
Patriots / Bills Over 44
Later in this NFL campaign weather conditions in Buffalo will turn nasty with snow-and-wind prevelant but for today the local forecast is EXCELLENT and once again I am taking advantage. It was exactly one week ago when the defense of Buffalo played with special EMOTION for their coordinator Jim Schawartz who was visiting Detroit for the first time since being unceremoniously fired by the Lions as their head coach. Many reading this analysis most likely saw last Sunday’s highlight where Schwartz was literally carried off the field by some of his personnel. Even though today’s game is against a hated rival odds are that an excellent Buffalo defense will NOT bring to the field the same type of energy. The big nes regarding this game is the fact that New England superstar quarterback Tom Brady rolled his ankle in a Friday practice session and is not 100% healthy. In addition this is the third conecutive week that the Patriots have made personnel changes up front on the offensive line. But this has just kept today’s spot in check and it is worth noting that after winning twice outright in a 3-game span New England long term has gone an eye opening 11-1 OVER the total in the ensuing contest