NFL Trends To Watch - September
By Marc Lawrence
VegasInsider.com
HOME TEAMS
Keep an eye on (Good): Baltimore is 29-17 ATS at home and they will face division partner Cleveland in Week 2. The question is will they have Joe Flacco or not at quarterback.
San Francisco has done a good job in covering spread at home in the early going and is 27-16 ATS and will have Carolina in the season opener and the L.A. Rams in Week 3. Can they go 2-0 against the number? The 49ers will be in a less advantageous spot when they travel to Seattle on 17th, as the Seahawks are 29-19 ATS.
Detroit is also in this mix at 29-18 ATS, but they have two real challenges in the Motor City against Arizona (9/10) and Atlanta (9/24).
Keep an eye on (Bad): If Washington is going to compete in the NFC East, they will need a fast start. If might not be easy since they are abysmal 18-31 ATS in September and welcome Philadelphia in the lid-lifter and Oakland two weeks later.
Cincinnati has the potential to be a surprise club in 2017 and will have to take care of business the first two contests at home against Baltimore and Houston. Backing them comes with trepidation because of their 17-27 ATS record.
With an expected win total of 4 set for the New York Jets by the oddsmakers, having a 19-29 ATS record at home this month is not going to inspire confidence when Miami visits on the 24th.
AWAY TEAMS
Keep an eye on (Good): Dallas is a superb road warrior in the early season at 32-17 ATS and they will see if they are up to the test being at Denver in Week 2 and eight days later in the Arizona desert on Monday night.
Talk about your tough assignments, how about Kansas City at New England to start the 2017 season! At least the Chiefs are inspiring 32-19 ATS the first month of the season. They will get another chance at the Chargers new home in Week 3.
Keep an eye on (Bad): The Rams flat out stink in September on the road at 16-31 ATS. Fortunately they have only one contest away from L.A. and that is in Frisco on a Thursday evening (9/21).
FAVORITES
Keep an eye on (Good): The Seahawks will be large favorites at home in Week 2 against the 49ers and might be small favorites at Tennessee the following Sunday. Either way, they are 31-19 ATS.
Houston is a solid 13-7 ATS in this role, but they figure to only have one opportunity to cash, in their first encounter at home against Jacksonville.
Bad: The L.A. Rams are pathetic 12-28 ATS and are not expected to worsen that record.
Keep an eye on (Bad): Off a dismal season, Carolina better be ready from the get-go as they are presumed to be favored in initial three contests and are unsightly 11-21 ATS.
UNDERDOGS
Good: As mentioned, the Cowboys has a pair of roadies in September and if they are listed as underdogs, be ready to fire on them with amazing 27-11 ATS record!
Keep an eye on (Good): The Chiefs have cooked something up for foes when catching points at 28-18 ATS and will be in that roll against the Patriots (9/7) and possibly in Los Angeles 17 days later versus the Chargers. Fellow division partner Denver is 16-10 ATS as an underdog could well be against Dallas (thus something has to give) and maybe at Buffalo a week later.
Finally, Minnesota is 27-17 ATS as dogs and they will be at Pittsburgh (9/17).
Keep an eye on (Bad): While the Texans have been a quality September favorite, they have not been nearly as strong when receiving points with 11-18 ATS mark. Look for Houston to be underdogs at Cincinnati (9/14) and at New England (9/24)
DIVISION
Keep an eye on (Good): The Chiefs have taken care of business in AFC West action 23-13 ATS record and in the City of Angels in Week 3 to face the Chargers.
Keep an eye on (Bad): The Bengals are dismal 14-21 ATS to begin divisional play and their first game of the season is playing Baltimore at home.