NFL Power Poll Week 15
by: Alex Smart Sports
1: Tennessee Titans (11-2 ATS, 12-1 SU) (LW: 2) The Titans return to the top spot in this week’s power poll with a resounding 28-9 victory over Cleveland last week. Both RBs LenDale White and Chris Johnson rushed for over 100 yards for the second straight week, and another strong rushing attack will be necessary for the Titans to get the best of a streaking Texans club this Sunday.
Next Up: Away @ Texans (-3.5)
2: New York Giants (10-3 ATS, 11-2 SU) (LW: 1) Was this just an off week for the G-Men, or is there real reason to be concerned in East Rutherford? The Eagles pounded the Giants 20-14 last weekend. They failed to lock up the NFC East crown because of it, but when the Cowboys lost to the Steelers, the title was awarded. They’ll take on those Cowboys in “Big D” this weekend.
Next Up: Away @ Cowboys (+3)
3: Baltimore Ravens (10-3 ATS, 9-4 SU) (LW: 3) The Ravens are keeping the pressure on the Steelers in the AFC North. They beat Washington 24-10 on SNF and now get their chance to pull even with the rival Steelers for the divisional lead this week. They’ve already covered the Steelers this year in Pittsburgh, losing a 23-20 game in overtime as six-point underdogs.
Next Up: Home vs. Steelers (-1)
4: New Orleans Saints (9-4 ATS, 7-6 SU) (LW: 5) The season is still alive for the Saints after beating Atlanta 29-25 in Week 14, but there’s still plenty of work to do. They’re just 1-5 SU on the road this season, but in order to keep their playoff hopes alive, they’ll need to pick up victories away from the Superdome for the next two weeks. New Orleans will put its four-game cover streak on the line in Chicago Thursday night.
Next Up: Away @ Bears (+3)
5: Philadelphia Eagles (8-5 ATS, 7-5-1 SU) (LW: 8) Philadelphia salvaged its season as well on Sunday, surprising the Giants with a 20-14 upset in the Meadowlands. Since getting their doors blown off by the Ravens, the Eagles are 2-0 SU and ATS, and have outscored the Cardinals and Giants by a combined score of 68-34. Expect those numbers to improve this week against Cleveland.
Next Up: Home vs. Browns (-14)
6: Carolina Panthers (7-5-1 ATS, 10-3 SU) (LW: 7) Carolina took control of the NFC South on MNF by beating the Bucs 38-23, notching its sixth win in its L/7 tries. The Panthers are already 3-0 SU and ATS this year against the AFC West, and will look for the divisional sweep on Sunday when the Broncos come to town for the home finale
Next Up: Home vs. Broncos (-7.5)
7: Arizona Cardinals (8-5 ATS, 8-5 SU) (LW: 9) What type of odds could sports bettors have gotten at the beginning of the season that the Arizona Cardinals would be the first team to clinch a playoff birth in the NFC? The Cards won the NFC West by beating the Rams 34-10, earning a playoff spot just minutes before the Giants clinched theirs. They’ll be hoping to earn the #3 seed in the NFC playoffs, and will need a win against the Vikes next week to have the inside track for that position.
Next Up: Home vs. Vikings (-3)
8: Atlanta Falcons (8-5 ATS, 8-5 SU) (LW: 4) It was touch and go the entire way, but the Falcons came up on the short end of a 29-25 decision against the Saints. The loss put a huge damper on Atlanta’s playoff hopes, but a win against Tampa Bay next week will go a long way towards keeping the Falcons alive. They already got dumped 24-9 earlier this year at Raymond James Stadium.
Next Up: Home vs. Buccaneers (-3)
9: New York Jets (7-6 ATS, 8-5 SU) (LW: 6) For the second straight week, the Jets had a chance to keep some distance between themselves and the Dolphins and Patriots, and for the second straight week, they failed miserably. They lost 24-14 to the Niners and better regroup quickly with the Bills coming to town, or that first place tie atop the AFC East won’t last long.
Next Up: Home vs. Bills (-7)
10: Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6 ATS, 10-3 SU) (LW: 12) Facing a 10-point deficit in the 4th quarter, the Steelers buckled down and rallied to pick up a huge 20-13 victory over the Cowboys. The Steelers have now covered three straight games, but have a massive showdown in Baltimore next week that will either wrap up the AFC North for the black and gold, or send them closer to a Wild Card spot.
Next Up: Away @ Ravens (+1)
11: Kansas City Chiefs (7-6 ATS, 2-11 SU) (LW: 16) Kansas City just keeps finding ways to stay in games. On Sunday, the Chiefs snapped defeat from the jaws of victory once again, losing to the Broncos 24-17 after leading for a good chunk of the game. They’re 4-1 ATS this year against the AFC West, and will wrap up their divisional games this week against San Diego.
Next Up: Home vs. Chargers (+4.5)
12: Indianapolis Colts (6-6-1 ATS, 9-4 SU) (LW: 17) Does anyone realize that the Colts have won six straight games? Sports bettors can pretty much pencil in a seventh straight victory this week, as the winless and hapless Lions pay Lucas Oil Stadium a visit.
Next Up: Home vs. Lions (-16.5)
13: Green Bay Packers (7-6 ATS, 5-8 SU) (LW: 11) The only thing left for the Packers to do in ’08 is wonder what went wrong. After losing 24-21 to Houston, their third straight SU and ATS defeat, Green Bay is basically mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. They’re 4-2 ATS so far on the road this year, and will play their next two games away from Lambeau Field.
Next Up: Away @ Jaguars (-1)
14: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6 ATS, 8-5 SU) (LW: 10) Monday night provided a very un-Buc-like performance from Tampa Bay, as it got pounded by Carolina 38-23. Now is no time to fret, as the Bucs have to hit the road yet again this week in Atlanta to try to avoid a clean sweep by its divisional rivals away from Raymond James Stadium.
Next Up: Away @ Falcons (+3)
15: Chicago Bears (6-6-1 ATS, 7-6 SU) (LW: 21) Though time is running out on the Bears, they’re keeping their name in the mix for a Wild Card spot by racking up wins down the stretch. A 23-10 win against the Jags ended a two game ATS losing streak at home. Thursday night will essentially be an elimination game, as the Bears host New Orleans.
Next Up: Home vs. Saints (-3)
16: Miami Dolphins (6-7 ATS, 8-5 SU) (LW: 20) The four-game coverless streak is over for the Fins following their 16-3 victory in Toronto against the Bills. Miami forced a three-way tie for first place in the AFC East, and it arguably has the easiest schedule left amongst the three teams, beginning with a tricky test in its home finale against San Francisco.
Next Up: Home vs. 49ers (-6.5)
17: Cleveland Browns (6-6-1 ATS, 4-9 SU) (LW: 13) The Browns were given two touchdowns against the Titans, but it wasn’t enough. Cleveland lost to Tennessee 28-9 in QB Ken Dorsey’s debut as the Browns’ starter. The loss snapped its four-game ATS winning streak on the road, and they’ll look to restart that trend this week in the City of Brotherly Love on Monday night.
Next Up: Away @ Eagles (+14)
18: San Francisco 49ers (6-7 ATS, 5-8 SU) (LW: 22) Could interim HC Mike Singletary be earning himself a job? Since the team’s bye week, the Niners are 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS, and have been competitive in all five games, including Sunday’s 24-14 victory over the Jets. They aren’t making the playoffs this year, but could spoil the party for the Dolphins next week in Miami.
Next Up: Away @ Dolphins (+6.5)
19: Houston Texans (6-7 ATS, 6-7 SU) (LW: 23) Imagine if QB Matt Schaub had been under center all season in Houston? After missing four games, Schaub came back and threw for 414 yards, leading the Texans to a 24-21 win in Green Bay. The Texans have covered four straight spreads now, and could make for a tricky test for a Titans team looking to lock up home field advantage in the playoffs.
Next Up: Home vs. Titans (+3.5)
20: Dallas Cowboys (6-7 ATS, 8-5 SU) (LW: 14) The Cowboys suffered a crippling 20-13 loss in Pittsburgh after leading 13-3 in the 4th. The Boys have covered three straight at Texas Stadium, and will hope to march one step closer towards a Wild Card spot in a tough game against the G-Men this weekend.
Next Up: Home vs. Giants (-3)
21: New England Patriots (6-7 ATS, 8-5 SU) (LW: 15) New England saved its season in dramatic fashion over the weekend. The Pats outscored Seattle 11-0 in the 4th quarter to preserve the 24-21 road victory. The win forced a three-way tie in the AFC East with the Jets and Fins. They’ll stay on the West Coast this week, where the Pats are just 1-2 ATS.
Next Up: Away @ Raiders (-7)
22: San Diego Chargers (5-7-1 ATS, 5-8 SU) (LW: 25) The Chargers finally got back into the win column for the first time in a month by beating Oakland 34-7 on Thursday night. They have a long week to prepare for Kansas City, a team they almost lost to once this season.
Next Up: Away @ Chiefs (-4.5)
23: Washington Redskins (5-7-1 ATS, 7-6 SU) (LW: 18) The window of opportunity for a playoff push has slammed shut for HC Jim Zorn and the Skins, who are just 0-4-1 ATS and 1-4 SU in their L/5 after losing 24-10 on SNF in Baltimore. If there is any remaining hope for a playoff bid, a win in Cincinnati is a must.
Next Up: Away @ Bengals (-6.5)
24: Minnesota Vikings (5-8 ATS, 8-5 SU) (LW: 19) Minnesota picked up its third straight win to keep a game up on the Bears for first place in the NFC North when it took out the lowly Lions 20-16. A game next week in Arizona will go a long way in deciding whether the Vikes will be the three seed in the NFC, or battling for its playoff life.
Next Up: Away @ Cardinals (+3)
25: Buffalo Bills (5-8 ATS, 6-7 SU) (LW: 24) They say there’s no place like home for the holidays, and the Bills will surely be doing just that this season after losing 16-3 to the Fins in Toronto. Buffalo bettors are now just 1-6 ATS in their L/7 overall, and can only be thankful that the season is almost over.
Next Up: Away @ Jets (+7)
26: Seattle Seahawks (5-7-1 ATS, 2-11 SU) (LW: 29) The Seahags found a way to swipe another loss by losing 24-21 in spite of leading New England for a good chunk of the game. It was the first cover for the Seahawks since November 9th, but the good news is that the Rams are next on the schedule, and their only two wins this season came against divisional rivals.
Next Up: Away @ Rams (-3)
27: Detroit Lions (5-8 ATS, 0-13 SU) (LW: 30) The 2008 Detroit Lions are three steps from becoming arguably the biggest laughing stock in the history of the NFL. On Sunday, maybe the best chance for a victory slipped away, losing to the Vikings 20-16. They stayed in front of the 10.5-point spread, ending a two-game ATS skid.
Next Up: Away @ Colts (+16.5)
28: Oakland Raiders (5-8 ATS, 3-10 SU) (LW: 26) When the Raiders lose, they find ways to lose in style. In three wins this year, Oakland scored 70 points. In ten losses, it scored just 109. They added to that misery by losing 34-7 in San Diego last Thursday, and things could get even uglier with the Patriots coming to town this week.
Next Up: Home vs. Patriots (+7)
29: Denver Broncos (4-8-1 ATS, 8-5 SU) (LW: 27) The Broncos have basically been assured of the AFC West title and the #4 seed in the AFC playoffs with three weeks to go. They looked like a team that packed it in on Sunday, even though they beat KC 24-17. A similar effort next week will probably keep the champagne on ice for a bit longer.
Next Up: Away @ Panthers (+7.5)
30: St. Louis Rams (4-9 ATS, 2-11 SU) (LW: 28) Maybe the whole Jim Haslett thing won’t work out after all… Since picking up two victories to start the Haslett era, the Rams have lost seven straight games and have only scored a total of 73 points in the process. That’s not good for a defense that’s surrendering an average of almost 31 points per game during that stretch. There’s no truth to the rumor that the world may come to a halt before Sunday’s game against Seattle.
Next Up: Home vs. Seahawks (+3)
31: Cincinnati Bengals (4-9 ATS, 1-11-1 SU) (LW: 31) The only thing between the Bengals and the #1 pick in the draft is the fact that the Lions can’t seem to get out of their own way and notch a victory. Since their bye week, the Bengals have only scored 29 total points, and they haven’t scored a touchdown in 11 quarters of action.
Next Up: Home vs. Redskins (+6.5)
32: Jacksonville Jaguars (3-10 ATS, 4-9 SU) (LW: 32) Another week, another disappointment for the Jaguars. They were bounced by the Bears 23-10 last week and have now dropped four straight games both SU and ATS. The Jags have only scored 20 or more points once since October 12th, and that was against the Lions.
Next Up: Home vs. Packers (+1)