NFL point spread
May 18th NFL news ... Welcome to NFL point spread, the sports betting informational site for those that bet on the NFL.
Welcome to pointspreadnfl.net, the sports betting informational site for those that bet on the NFL.
In order to score a profit on professional football, you need to be in tune with all of the key statistics, trends and news. By checking out the site during the football season, you will have access to all of that key information as well as all of the spreads, information on line movements and in depth analysis.
Latest NFL News
Batch, Fitzpatrick and Gradkowski continue to cover the spread
2010-09-29
This past weekend three veteran quarterbacks got their first starts of the season. Each of these three signal callers had previously made starts for their current teams and all fared reasonably well in those games combing for a 9-7 record. More importantly, they compiled a 10-5-1 ATS record in those starts.
Sportsbook.com bettors that had faith in these three vets profited this past Sunday as all three QB’s helped their teams cover the spread. All three quarterbacks are expected to start again in week four, providing further opportunity to cash in on this angle.
Making his first start for Pittsburgh since 2007, Charlie Batch improved to 4-1 both ATS and SU in five starts as a Steeler. Batch did more than just manage the game for the Steelers, throwing three first half TD passes en route to a dominating 38-13 win over previously unbeaten Tampa Bay. This week, Sportsbook.com has Pittsburgh (3-0 ATS, 3-0 SU) as a 1.5 point favorite at home against division rival Baltimore (1-2 ATS, 2-1 SU). The Steelers have beaten the Ravens in Pittsburgh each of the last four seasons and is 2-1-1 ATS in those games.
An interesting betting trend points out that Pittsburgh is a solid 42-23 ATS (+16.7 Units) in October games since 1992. The average score was PITTSBURGH 22.6, OPPONENT 15.8 - (Rating = 1*).
After going 5-2-1 ATS and 4-4 SU in eight starts for Buffalo a year ago, Ryan Fitzpatrick kept things close for the Bills in New England last weekend as the Bills beat the spread for the first time this season in a 38-30 loss. Fitzpatrick completed 20 of 28 pass attempts for 247 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT. Despite the two costly picks, the front office must have been encouraged as they released opening day starter Trent Edwards on Monday. Fitzpatrick and the Bills return home to face the New York Jets after two weeks on the road. Buffalo played well in its home opener, allowing just one TD in a 15-10 loss to Miami. The Bills are a 5-point home underdog to the Jets.
Play On - Home underdogs or pick (Buffalo) - after failing to cover the spread in 2 out of their last 3 games, a terrible team (<=25%) playing a team with a winning record. (104-52 since 1983.) (66.7%, +46.8 units. Rating = 3*).
Getting his first start of the season, Bruce Gradkowski appeared to have led Oakland to a straight up win as a 5.5-point underdog in Arizona. However, Sebastian Janikowski’s 32-yard FG attempt sailed wide left on the final play of the Raiders’ 24-23 loss to the Cardinals. Gradkowski’s numbers were okay, 17-34, 255, 1 TD and a pick, but he once again showed that the Raiders are more competitive over the last two seasons with him under center. Oakland was a .500 team ATS with or without Gradkowski a year ago, but was 2-2 SU in Gradkowski’s four starts compared to 3-9 SU when he did not start. Oakland is getting a field goal at home against Houston this Sunday. Home underdogs have performed well so far this season, going 13-7-1 ATS, while winning 11 of the 21 contests outright.
Whether it’s due to injury (in Batch’s case) or ineffectiveness by the previous starter (in the case of Fitzpatrick and Gradkowski), veteran QBs who know their team’s systems continue to be solid plays. Bet on them now at Sportsbook.com.
The Raiders barring injuries and consistency, have no excuse but to turn it around in 2010
2010-06-18
Injuries are apart of the game and not every player can be on point all the time. But enough is enough, the Raiders HAVE to turn it around in 2010 or some heads will roll in their organization.
Head Coach Tom Cable is a hard working, blue-collar, and focused coach who before the 2010 season was in way over his head. But now the Raiders have the pieces in place to make a run at least at between 8-8 and 9-7 records. Playoffs? That is going too far. Cable's job hinges on if Jason Campbell has the season he is capable of and the Raiders receivers and running backs play to and above their potential, and the NFL betting community agrees.
The Raiders have a defense good enough to keep them in games, although the youth and lack of long term starting experience on that unit is something to be pondered about. Talent and athleticism has never been a problem for Raiders defenses in the past 2000s decade, it has been consistency, injuries, and underachievement.
The defensive line and the secondary are the positions where its members are most proven and experienced. The projected starters for the defensive line are defensive ends Lamarr Houston (rookie-2nd round draft pick) and Richard Seymour, as well as defensive tackles Tommy Kelly and Desmond Bryant. Two of those players [Seymour and Kelly] started together in 2009 for the Raiders and right now they are by far the most proven players and the best of the lot of the starter on D-Line. Plus the Raiders have alternates/backups all over the place on this unit who can provide pass rush, depth, and relief among other things for the starters.
As for the linebackers there is just too much youth and unproven players there to expect too much out of them. Rookie first round pick Rolando McClain takes over for the traded Kirk Morrison at inside linebacker. McClain has a heck of a road to cover to replace Morrison, but eventually McClain will be better than Morrison. Trevor Scott is a converted defensive end who was not a full-time starter in 2009 and the recent Kamerion Wimbley in some respects was considered a bust in Cleveland. Wimbley has so much talent as a pass rusher but is up to him and coaches Mike Haluchak (linebackers) and John Marshall (defensive coordinator) to coax that talent out of him.
The Raiders have one of the better secondaries in the AFC, but free safety Michael Huff's game has to catch up with the rest of the secondary for the unit to be at its best.
The wide receivers in 2010 have got to take pressure off of Pro Bowl tight end Zach Miller. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Louis Murphy, Chaz Schilens, and Johnnie Lee Higgins have to pick up where they left off from 2009 and start seriously thinking about approaching between 800 through 1,000 yard seasons (especially Murphy and Heyward-Bey). That foursome MUST step up and be held accountable for new quarterback Jason Campbell to succeed. Heyward-Bey has the dilemma of not only proving that he was worthy of being picked eight in the 2009 NFL Draft, but that the Raiders made the right choice in selecting him over the more talented and Michael Crabtree who went to the 49ers a little latter in the first round of that draft. All those in NFL betting know that the Raiders are famous for poor draft picks.
Bottom line is if the Raiders' receivers and running backs don't stay healthy and consistent in 2010, the Raiders are in trouble no matter how good their defense plays. Darren McFadden, Michael Bush, and Justin Fargas (and maybe even on the downside of his career, and fellow running back Michael Bennett) have to stay in the lineup and use the talent they were born with. EVERY single position on the Raiders has to work in 2010 for them to do anything in 2010. If there ever was a team in the NFL in 2010 who needs consistency from every position on its team to make to at least 7-9 or 8-8, its the Oakland Raisers.
NFL betting is not keen on the Raiders in 2010, what do you think? Place your NFL bet now at www.sportsbook.com where everybody bets.
NFL: BALTIMORE at GREEN BAY (8:35 PM ET, ESPN)
2009-12-04
Green Bay and Baltimore share wildcard aspirations in their respective conferences. The teams will go head-to-head at Lambeau Field on Monday night to wrap up the Week 13 slate. The NFL’s top ranked defense will be on display in the contest, and for those of you not familiar with the NFL of 2009, it is Green Bay owning that designation, not the Ravens. That’s why the Packers are in the role of favorites for this contest, laying 3-points at Sportsbook.com.
The Packers are 7-4 and facing a 2-game road trip following this one, placing a premium on gaining a victory here. They are just 2-5 SU (4-3 ATS) on Monday night under Mike McCarthy though. Green Bay will have had what accounts for almost a bye week before this one, 11 days since winning at Detroit on Thanksgiving. The Ravens own a 3-2 SU & 4-1 ATS mark vs. non-conference foes under John Harbaugh and face their next three games against NFC North opponents. They are 7-6 after beating Pittsburgh, 2-3 on the road. Home teams have swept the L3 meetings between these teams, both SU & ATS.
The Packers have come a long way since a loss to previously winless Tampa Bay in Week 8 dropped them to .500. Their convincing 34-12 victory at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day was their third in a row and improved their chances in a wild-card race sure to come down to the wire as usual.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers tied a career-high with three touchdown passes and cornerback Charles Woodson had two of four interceptions of Detroit rookie signal-caller Matthew Stafford, returning one for a game-sealing touchdown, to lead Green Bay to its ninth straight win over the Lions.
Rodgers comes into Monday night’s game at Lambeau Field against Baltimore in a serious groove with 881 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions since the defeat to the Buccaneers. It should also be noted he’s been sacked only three times in the last two games working behind a much-maligned offensive line that gave up 41 sacks through nine contests. He’s thrown an interception in only three games all year, and his 22-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 104.9 rating are among the best in the NFL.
For the Ravens, this is their third prime-time game in four weeks. The last time they played on Monday their defense pitched a shutout at lowly Cleveland but the offense struggled to put points on the board. One of their two touchdowns in the 16-point victory was a pick six by Dawan Landry. Last Sunday night’s win over Pittsburgh put them a game over .500, but they’ve produced just 58 points over the past month.
This week could ultimately determine if Baltimore returns to the playoffs following an appearance in the AFC Championship Game last season. After the Packers only one of its last four opponents has a winning record (Steelers) and the other three (Lions, Bears and Raiders) are floundering.
The Ravens need to get back to stretching defenses, and with pass-rushing linebacker Aaron Kampman and cornerback Al Harris missing from Green Bay’s lineup it’ll be up to offensive coordinator Cam Cameron to turn second-year quarterback Joe Flacco loose. Flacco completed only two touchdown passes in five November games and also had three sub-200-yard efforts. Derrick Mason (52 catches, five touchdowns) can expect to work against Woodson, who ranks tied for second in the league with seven interceptions.
PREDICTION: The Packers would feel great about their playoff chances if they get this one, but to do so they’ll have to protect Rodgers from the teeth of a defense capable of turning a game in the Ravens’ favor at any time. BALTIMORE 20, GREEN BAY 19
Saturday Night’s All right for NFL Football
2009-08-31
It is a large slate of action in Week 3 of the NFL preseason and every game has meaning to the players trying to make the team and coaches trying to be ready for the regular season. Here is a look at each contest with key wagering information. Get the latest lines for each game on the LIVE ODDS page.
San Diego at Atlanta
This is will be the CBS game starting at 8:00 Eastern, with running back Michael Turner going against his old teammates from San Diego. Atlanta would be 2-0 if the backups had not surrendered lead late at Detroit in 27-26 loss. Quarterback Matt Ryan looks like we will avoid a sophomore slump, playing extremely well in limited action. The Falcons are 2.5-point favorites at Bookmaker.com with total of 42 and are 21-8 ATS after playing their last game on the road.
It’s been a different preseason for San Diego, as LaDainian Tomlinson has actually done something besides stand on the sidelines like in years past. L.T. isn’t being overworked mind you with eight carries and a couple of pass catches, however that is way more activity than he’s seen in recent years as he looks to rebound from injury. Even with last week’s 17-6 upset win in Arizona as 1.5-point underdogs, coach Norn Turner teams are 3-6 ATS as dogs or Pick.
Indianapolis at Detroit
Indianapolis may have rotten reputation as preseason team (6-18, 9-14-1 ATS), but Detroit is even less thought of as a team of any kind. In this NFL Network matinee, the Lions have gone from 1.5-point favorites to three-point underdogs. This is the dress rehearsal week for the regular season and the Colts are 6-1 ATS and Detroit is 2-10 SU and ATS in the next to last exhibition game.
New Orleans at Oakland
Another afternoon affair means another flip of the favorites, this time on the Left Coast. The always controversial Oakland Raiders have covered a pair of contests in sporting .500 record, however the wagering public isn’t sold this team that opened as Pick and fell to +2.5-points, is equipped to handle New Orleans who has won both contests by average of 17 points. The Saints are 23-10 ATS in August road games and 16-5 ATS in the visiting uniforms with six or less days rest.
Tennessee at Cleveland
Coach Eric Mangini will take one more look at Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn and decide who will be his starting quarterback in Cleveland, at least for game one. The Browns blew-up Detroit last week 27-10, but are 1-9 ATS after a win by 10 or more points. Tennessee played bored last Friday at Dallas, having played one more preseason contest thanks to Hall of Fame encounter. The Titans are two-point dogs, nonetheless are 11-1 ATS vs. opponent off a win and cover.
Buffalo at Pittsburgh
Buffalo is 1-2 and 1-1-1 ATS and this week have to solve turnover issues that are plaguing them, with 11 miscues already. Trent Edwards could use Terrell Owens, who is expected to miss another game with sprained toe. The Bills are six-point underdogs with total of 36, yet if they can score 15-21 points, they are 12-2 ATS on the road. Ben Roethlisberger was held out last week, but is presumed ready for action. Pittsburgh is 10-15 ATS in third preseason game and is 1-3 and 0-4 ATS since 2005.
Baltimore at Carolina
Carolina has yet to scratch in the win column in 2009, mostly due to run defense surrendering 140 yards a game. They’ll try and shore this area up this week, but it will be without linebacker Jon Beason, who strained his MCL, and who will be held out at least until regular season starts. Baltimore has been efficient 2-0 (1-1 ATS), looking like playoff contender again. Watch the total here (36) with Panthers on 6-0 OVER run and Ravens 14-4 UNDER off one or more straight Overs.
San Francisco at Dallas
For football fans, this encounter is a quick trip down memory lane of classic matchups these teams played in the 1980’s and 90’s. This won’t be the case today, with Dallas a 6.5-point favorite and total of 38. The 49ers named Shaun Hill as starting quarterback, but he and former No.1 pick Alex Smith might both be on the sidelines with injury. Say hello to Damon Huard and rookie Nate Davis for San Francisco who has two wins without a cover. The Cowboys played with purpose last in routing Tennessee 30-10, however is dastardly 1-9 ATS at home if opponent is off two SU wins.
Seattle at Kansas City
These former AFC division partners will meet again in Kansas City. Matt Hasselbeck looks all the way back from injured back of a year ago. Hasselbeck has the fastball back in repertoire and better accuracy on sideline routes. The Seahawks may be catching 2.5-points, however are 8-0 ATS in last eight August tries and 9-1 ATS since 2007. Kansas City has played like a team installing new offensive and defensive systems and is just the opposite of Seattle, posting 1-9 ATS mark the last three years.
N.Y. Jets vs N.Y. Giants
The Giants are the designated home team, which means they get the bigger locker room in bragging rights matchup. The G-Men have been hit hard on the defensive side of the ball with injuries, yet most Giants fans are more concerned if Eli Manning will mesh with wide receiver group quickly. The New York football Giants are 9-21 ATS in the last two weeks of the preseason. Rookie Mark Sanchez has enjoyed the bright lights of New York thus far, but now productivity will be his savior as Jets QB. Sanchez appeared a trifle overwhelmed by Baltimore’s defense last week and has to remain composed. Gang Green is 13-3-1 ATS in this Big Apple battle, on the receiving end of three points.
NFL: Cleveland at Philadelphia (8:35 PM ET, ESPN)
2008-12-15
Perhaps it was the Thanksgiving meal, but whatever the case, the holiday has rallied the Eagles, who have come up with two huge wins over NFC divisional leaders since to climb back into the playoff hunt. Now to see if they can carry the momentum into a game they should win handily, on MNF at home vs. 4-9 Cleveland. The Eagles are backed by nearly 80% of public bettors at Sportsbook.com, despite a hefty chalk line.
Philly is a 14-point favorite and comes in with a 4-6 ATS mark as double-digit chalk under HC Andy Reid. They are 12-6 ATS on Monday night in his tenure. The Browns are 6-1 as a road dog of more than a TD under Romeo Crennel and 16-8 ATS coming off an ATS loss. The biggest hurdle Philly may have to overcome here is look ahead, as it closes the season with games at Washington then vs. Dallas, and at 7-5-1, may need to win out to reach the postseason.
Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson loves to dial up blitzes from every angle, and rusty Browns’ QB Ken Dorsey will find himself unprepared for the rush of Eagles. Jamal Lewis is averaging a mere 3.53 yards per carry, and the world should be happy Braylon Edwards is trying to catch footballs and not babies from a burning building. He’s dropped nearly half of the attempts thrown his way and has just 45 receptions.
The explosion has been missing from the Cleveland offense (21 points in the last three games), save for Brady Quinn’s first two NFL starts, and expecting it to return in Philadelphia with a third-string quarterback is a longshot.
Donovan McNabb’s bounced back since his benching in Baltimore, throwing for 451 yards and five touchdowns in two games, but more importantly not a single interception. The real trigger to the offense, however, isn’t McNabb but Brian Westbrook, and he has 333 total yards and six scores of his own since the debacle in Baltimore.
The Browns defense, led by D’Qwell Jackson’s 130 tackles, has limited the high-powered Texans, Colts and Titans to just 54 combined points and lost to them all. The defeats are more of a direct reflection of the offense’s struggles under Derek Anderson and Dorsey, than any shortcoming on defense.
PREDICTION: Looking to play the money line? Then the Eagles are one of the few no-brainers in Week 15. If Philadelphia is going to cover the hefty price, it’ll be due to Dorsey’s inexperience, not the Browns’ defense. PHILADELPHIA 23, CLEVELAND 7
NFL: Minnesota at New Orleans (8:30 PM ET, ESPN)
2008-10-03
Already struggling at 1-3, Minnesota continues a difficult stretch of games with a Monday night contest in New Orleans. The Saints are a 3-point opening line favorite, but come in on a long-standing run of just 16-35 ATS at home versus teams with a losing record. Even still, 88% of the early money was on the Saints as of Friday.
The favored team in this head-to-head series is on a run of 5-1 SU & ATS in the head-to-head series between these teams. The OVER is 7-1 in the L8 games. This is the middle game of a 3-game homestand for New Orleans, who is 2-0 SU & ATS at the Superdome after going just 5-12 ATS in two prior years under Sean Payton at home. The game could come down to Minnesota’s ability to run the ball. The Vikings average over 140 YPG on the ground, while New Orleans allows 122.5 YPG and 5.2 YPR.
Throw Adrian Peterson and Reggie Bush onto the same field, and who knows what types of highlight reel plays are possible. The Vikings slumped to 1-3 after losing a 30-17 decision at Tennessee last week behind 199 yards passing from Kerry Collins. Unfortunately for Minnesota head coach Brad Childress, the Titans are far from a
chuck-and-duck offense, yet Collins nearly turned Justin Gage into a 100-yard receiver (five catches, 92 yards).
The return of Deuce McAllister didn't impact much of the Saints' gameplan, because Drew Brees still attempted 35 throws last week and is on pace for 592. He already ranks third in attempts in a season, putting up 652 passes a year ago. What it means for the Vikings is their linebackers and secondary should pack the track shoes for the turf at the Louisiana Superdome. Though the defensive backs haven't been hammered by the long pass-a Brees specialty, as he's completed 15 for at least 20 yards-opposing quarterbacks
have a completion percentage of 61.8. Even without top targets, Marques Colston and tight end Jeremy Shockey, Brees easily handled the San Francisco defense, throwing three touchdowns, all in the first half of the 31-17 win. Lance Moore filled in for David Patten and grabbed seven balls for 101 yards and two scores.
Gus Frerotte has no chance to match the firepower across the field, because the Vikings current wide receiver crew puts them in the position of bringing a knife to a gun fight. Unlike New Orleans, which can win in a variety of ways, Minnesota's only shot to win each week is on Peterson's shoulders. Hampered by a hamstring injury the last two games, Peterson has just 35 carries for 157 yards.
The New Orleans defense is slowly starting to jell after an offseason overhaul. Linebacker Jonathan Vilma followed up a 16-tackle performance with seven more against San Francisco, and the Saints run defense continues to improve. After allowing Tampa Bay and Washington to combine for 295 yards on 51 carries, the Broncos and Niners managed just 197 on 42 attempts. Throw in the ever-increasing sack contributions across the board (six last week), and New Orleans has a strong defense brewing.
PREDICTION
The move to Frerotte has done nothing for the Vikings other than put window dressing on what's rapidly becoming a bad campaign. At 1-3, the playoffs are fast becoming a pipe dream in Minnesota. The Saints have little trouble knocking off a reeling franchise. MINNESOTA 24, NEW ORLEANS 20
NFL - Denver at San Diego (8:00 PM ET – ESPN)
2007-12-21
At this point, there aren’t a whole lot of teams looking to match up with San Diego in the final two weeks or the playoffs, as the Chargers are hitting their stride, having won four straight games outright and ATS. On Monday, Christmas Eve, they’ll look for five in a row when they host Denver, a team that’s fallen out of playoff contention with losses in three of its L4.
The hosts are a 9-point favorite and boast a record of 6-1 SU & ATS at home in ’07, outscoring teams by a 28.1-15.4 margin. They will also be looking to extend a three game SU & ATS winning streak vs. the Broncos in which they’ve scored 41.3 PPG. HC Mike Shanahan’s team wraps up a road schedule which has seen them go 2-5 SU & 1-6 ATS. The SU winner of this AFC West battle is 19-1-3 ATS.
The Broncos will kiss 2007 goodbye and hope for a better tomorrow, but few would relish the role of spoiler like Mike Shanahan. The offense could find a prime opportunity to excel under the watch of up-and-coming QB Jay Cutler against a defense struggling with injury, but it is the Denver defense that may stand between the Broncos and victory. Stopping RB LaDainain Tomlinson has will be goal #1, a potential downfall for one of the league’s worst rushing defenses.
The Chargers took way too long to figure out the RB needed the football more often than not, and now, despite earning a berth into the playoffs, the stage is set for further disappointment. The defense need LB Shawne Merriman to make the pass rush work, a facet that enhances nearly every other aspect of the defense. The offense has yet to provide a respectable passing game despite the presence of TE Antonio Gates, and continued struggles of QB Philip Rivers only worsens the situation.
Keys to the Game
Denver is out for a taste of revenge after being pulverized 41-3 at home in Week 5. Since that embarrassment, the Denver offense started scoring points to match yardage production as Cutler became more comfortable with his receivers. Division games normally bring out the best in the revenge-minded underdog and the Broncos will want to turn around 2-9 ATS mark versus AFC West foes. The San Diego running game has come around as Tomlinson has made his typical late-season push. With two division tilts left, San Diego will want to keep momentum building and are 22-9 ATS when they rush for 125 to 150 yards.
Trends
~ Denver is 21-31-2 ATS on MNF over the last 24 years and San Diego is 15-10 ATS in same timeframe.
~ The SU winner of this AFC West battle is 19-1-3 ATS.
StatFox Edge – Broncos cover
Friday – Cleveland at Sacramento
2007-11-09
A little know law David Stern put in to the NBA by-laws has really affected Cleveland. Teams that are swept in NBA finals have only get two home games the first month of the season as punishment for not helping TV revenue. The LeBron’s opened only as 6-point favorites at Sacramento in part because the Kings owners, the Maloof Brothers, signed a 7’0 Siberian hottie they found sitting poolside at their Las Vegas hotel, The Palms. Word is she’s got game.
Cleveland has at least covered the last two road games, but without unsigned vital big man Anderson Varejao in the mix, the aging frontcourt other then LeBron is meager. Ron Artest is the serving seven game suspension, which means this is Kings starting lineup - PG Francisco Garcia, SG Kevin Martin, SF John Salmons, PF Mikki Moore, C Brad Miller – this is totally honest.
Look for the Kings to fall to 1-1 at home as the King’s team is 9-1 ATS after a close loss by three points or less. Cavs crown Sac-Town and cover.