Post-Bye Week Struggles
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The bye weeks always seemed like a good time to rest and recuperate, but this season the open date is putting teams at a disadvantage for their next game. Through two weeks, 12 teams coming off the bye own a 3-9 straight-up and 4-7-1 record against the spread. Six more clubs (Giants, Bills, Bengals, 49ers, Patriots, and Eagles) play with rest this week, but how will the bye affect them? Let's take a look at how this trend is profitable this season.
Week 6
Redskins (+3) at Eagles - LOSS
Washington entered this game at 3-1 against a desperate Philadelphia squad. The Redskins fell behind 20-3 at the half prior to losing, 20-13, while dropping their second divisional game of the season. Mike Shanahan's team has lost four consecutive games off the bye dating back to 2008.
Rams (+14) at Packers - LOSS
St. Louis' offense has been dreadful all season long, but a week off to prepare for the defending Super Bowl Champions meant nothing. The Packers jumped out to a 24-0 lead as Green Bay cruised to a 24-3 victory. After losing at Dallas on Sunday, the Rams are 0-6 SU/ATS, the only team in the league that has lost every game against the spread.
Ravens (-7) vs. Texans - WIN
Baltimore improved to a perfect 4-0 ATS following the bye week under John Harbaugh after pulling away late from Houston, 29-14. The Ravens scored 13 points in the final quarter to cash as a touchdown favorite, while moving to 3-0 SU/ATS at home this season.
Browns (+6½) at Raiders - LOSS
Cleveland felt on top of the world following a 2-1 start, but after an embarrassing home setback to the Titans, the Browns needed to regroup. Pat Shurmur's club fell behind, 24-7 at Oakland before scoring 10 late points to lose 24-17. The Browns played on the road after the bye for just the second time since 2005, as Cleveland picked up a 27-20 victory at St. Louis in its 10-6 season of 2007 following the open date.
Cowboys (+6½) at Patriots - WIN
Dallas had an excellent opportunity to win this game outright, but a late rally led by Tom Brady helped New England grab a 20-16 victory. The Cowboys managed their second cover in a road loss this season (Jets in Week 1), while improving to 6-1 ATS following the bye week since 2004.
Dolphins (+7) at Jets - LOSS
Miami has been a train-wreck all season long at 0-6, but this loss stung pretty bad as the Dolphins converted just two field goals in a 24-6 defeat to their rivals. The Fins won the previous two road meetings against the Jets, while losing their fourth straight road game dating back to last season.
Week 7
Titans (-3) vs. Texans - LOSS
Tennessee entered Sunday's action leading the AFC South race, but the Titans were quickly humbled by the reeling Texans. Houston jumped out to a 20-0 halftime en route to a 41-7 romp in Nashville to move above the .500 mark. Tennessee is 0-2 ATS in two opportunities as a home favorite, while dropping its second straight game after a 3-1 start.
Broncos (-1) at Dolphins - WIN
Miami was coasting to a 15-0 triumph over Denver, but Tim Tebow's heroics led the Broncos to an improbable 18-15 overtime victory. Denver improved to 2-1 ATS away from the Mile High city, while John Fox has won his fourth straight game off the bye dating back to his days as coach of Carolina.
Chargers (-1) at Jets - LOSS
Many people questioned San Diego's 4-1 start after beating Minnesota, Kansas City, Miami, and Denver (combined 4-17 entering Week 7). The Chargers headed cross-country and jumped out to a 21-10 advantage, but the Jets rallied back to stun San Diego, 27-21 as short home 'dogs.
Seahawks (+3) at Browns - PUSH
In probably the most unwatchable game of the season, Seattle managed a 'push' in a 6-3 defeat at Cleveland. The Seahawks had a punt-return for a touchdown called back due to a push in the back, while failing to score a touchdown with first goal at the eight. This was Seattle's third game played in the Eastern Time Zone this season, as the Hawks play three of their final four road contests in the Central Time Zone.
Chiefs (+3½) at Raiders - WIN
This line moved all the way up to six mid-week, but when the news came out that newly-acquired Carson Palmer wouldn't start and kicker Sebastian Janikowski was injured, the number dropped by nearly a field goal. Kansas City looked strong off the bye with a 28-0 whipping of Oakland, winning for the seventh time in eight tries at the Black Hole.
Cardinals (+4) vs. Steelers - LOSS
This rematch of Super Bowl XLIII turned into a blowout as Pittsburgh took care of Arizona, 32-20. The Cardinals fell to 3-6 in their previous nine home games since last November, while dropping to 2-3 ATS since 2007 after the bye week.
Week 8
Giants (-10) vs. Dolphins
Bills (-5½) vs. Redskins
Bengals (-2½) at Seahawks
49ers (-9½) vs. Browns
Patriots (-2½) at Steelers
# Eagles (-3½) vs. Cowboys
Favorites are 2-2 SU/ATS
Underdogs are 1-7 SU and 2-5-1 ATS