Football Betting

San Diego Chargers vs Oakland PointSpread Preview

San Diego at Oakland (+10, 43) – 10:15 PM ET

Like the Bills, the Raiders meet a division rival against which they’ve had little success in recent years when they take on the Chargers on Monday night.

Oakland hasn’t defeated San Diego since going to the Super Bowl back in January of 2003, making it 12 losses (1-11 ATS) in a row against the Bolts. True to form, the Raiders had an offseason filled with controversy, starting with the selection of wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey with the seventh overall pick in the NFL draft. Heyward-Bey was well down the board according to most analysts, but that didn’t stop Oakland from nabbing the speedster ahead of the likes of Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin.

Just when all seemed settled in the Bay Area, new head coach Tom Cable allegedly assaulted defensive assistant Randy Hanson in training camp, fracturing his jaw. Cable denies the allegation, but the reality is the spotlight is on the Black & Silver once again – for all the wrong reasons.

San Diego is the favorite in the AFC West, but that says as much about the division as it does about the Chargers. The Bolts have a lot to prove after going 8-8 (7-8-1 ATS) last season, even if they finished strong by capturing the division before upsetting Indianapolis in the playoffs. San Diego needs to make strides on the defensive side of the ball after ranking 25th overall last season, and the hope is Shawne Merriman’s return from knee surgery will make the difference.

Look for the Bolts to establish the running game in the early going, even if Philip Rivers is now the key to their offense. LaDainian Tomlinson had a mediocre season by his lofty standards in ’08, forcing many to wonder aloud if the 30-year old is past his prime. San Diego needs a healthy rushing attack if it’s going to get past the AFC’s elite teams – and LT is a big part of that equation.

49ers vs Raiders Pointspread Free Pick

Oakland raised some eyebrows in the NFL handicapping industry with their comprehensive thrashing of Dallas at home last week, but people shouldn’t get too excited just yet. The Raiders head to San Francisco on Saturday, and the 49ers will show why they are being touted as a possible sleeper pick this season.

Raiders vs 49ers odds: 49ers -2.5

• WHAT: NFL preseason betting action
  
• WHEN: Saturday, August 22, 8:15 PM ET
  
• WHERE: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA
  
• PICK: San Francisco

Raiders vs 49ers odds maker breakdown: Offense

The Raiders racked up 456 yards in a 31-10 rout over the Cowboys, while three quarterbacks went 22-of-37 for 280 yards and two touchdowns. JaMarcus Russell was 6-of-9 for 50 yards and looked to be far more confident than last year. The 49ers were efficient in a 17-16 win over Denver, as their trio of pivots went 14-of-18 for 142 yards, and they also rushed for 136 yards. In fact, both teams averaged 4.5 yards or more on the ground, which bodes well as their quarterbacking situations have been spotty at best.

Major Off-Season Additions - NFL Impact

Okay NFL betting fanatics, with the start of the 2009 NFL wagering season drawing closer by the day, this look at which NFL teams helped themselves out the most during the annual free agent signing period, will give NFL betting enthusiasts everywhere the inside knowledge they will need in order to make a multitude of bankroll boosting wagers each and every Sunday of the upcoming 2009 NFL preseason, regular season and postseason.

Several teams on this list helped themselves in a big way with one or more free agent signings while others may have signed a lesser amount of players but ones that will undoubtedly make an impact in their new places of employment.

With NFL preseason camps set to open in just a few weeks, let me get started.

New England Patriots

• RB Fred Taylor
• WR Joey Galloway
• WR Greg Lewis
• TE Chris Baker
• TE Alex Smith
• CB Shawn Springs

Analysis: Say what you like about the New England Patriots, (11-5 SU, 9-7 ATS, 8-7-1 O/U in 2008) but they’ve been maddeningly consistent over the years, posting a stellar 11-5 record even after losing starting quarterback Tom Brady in the first game of the 2008 regular season.

Now, if Brady can come back healthy, New England is set to make another run at a Super Bowl title by making the best offseason free agent signings of any team in the league.

New England added Hall of Fame-bound running back Fred Taylor to help shore up its mediocre rushing attack while also adding veteran wide receivers Joey Galloway and Greg Lewis and tight ends Chris Baker and Alex Smith, not to mention veteran cornerback Shawn Springs.

While many football pundits may think most of these players are on the respective last legs, I say the Pats made some excellent free agent additions that could lead to a Super Bowl title either in 2009 or 2010. The Patriots are +600 to win Super Bowl XLIV in the BetUS Sportsbook.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• TE Kellen Winslow
• RB Derrick Ward
• QB Byron Leftwich

Analysis: The Buccaneers (9-7 SU, 8-8 ATS, 8-8 O/U in 2008) are getting a top-flight tight end in Kellen Winslow and one that could reach Pro Bowl status immediately with his new change of scenery should first-year head coach Raheem Morris figure out how to use the fleet-footed tight end properly.

I also love Tampa Bay’s addition of former New York Giants running back Derrick Ward, a runner I think has 1,200 yards written all over his 2009 season if the Bucs use him early and often.

Finally, I think the addition of veteran quarterback Byron Leftwich could turn out to be a stroke of genius, (although I admit I never would have parted ways with Jeff Garcia) following a positive season as the backup QB for the Super Bowl-champion Pittsburgh Steelers. The Buccaneers are +4000 to win Super Bowl XLIV in the BetUS Sportsbook.

Atlanta Falcons

• Tony Gonzalez

Analysis: The Falcons (11-5 SU, 9-7 ATS, 7-9 O/U in 2008) pulled off a move that I thought was an absolute stroke of genius by adding future Hall of Fame tight end to their explosive offense which features the best young quarterback in the game in my estimation in second-year signal caller Matt Ryan.

Now, Ryan, who is advanced and poised beyond his years, has two reliable wide receivers, one of the game’s most elusive running backs and now, a hall of Fame tight end that led all tight ends in receptions and receiving yards in 2008.

Sounds like the Falcons have a Super Bowl quality offense to me. Now, if Atlanta can improve its uninspiring, but improving defense, this team could be a force for years to come in the NFC. The Falcons are +2500 to win Super Bowl XLIV in the BetUS Sportsbook.

Denver Broncos

• QB Kyle Orton
• QB Chris Simms
• RB Correll Buckhalter
• RB LaMont Jordan
• WR Jabar Gaffney
• S Brian Dawkins

Analysis: The Broncos (8-8 SU, 4-11-1 ATS, 8-7-1 O/U) may have a rookie head coach this season in Josh McDaniel, but the franchise wisely added several veteran players that will make the first-year head coach’s life a lot easier.

Denver got an absolute steal by nabbing on of the top 5 safeties in the game in former Philadelphia Eagle Brian Dawkins. The Broncos also added another former Eagle in running back Correll Buckhalter that should make an immediate difference in his first season in Denver. I also like quarterback Kyle Orton who was traded to replace former starter Jay Cutler who clashed with McDaniel just soon after his arrival in Denver. For those that don’t remember, Chris Sims was once one of the best the up-and-coming young quarterbacks in the game as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before suffering a serious spleen injury two seasons ago. Veteran running back LaMont Jordan should help show Moreno the way as a rookie. The Broncos are +4000 to win Super Bowl XLIV in the BetUS Sportsbook.

Philadelphia Eagles

• Jason Peters
• Ellis Hobbs

Analysis: The Eagles (9-6-1 SU, 10-6 ATS, 7-8-1 O/U in 2008) landed a Pro Bowl left tackle in veteran Jason Peters and added a four-year starter in veteran cornerback Ellis Hobbs, two solid moves that will help Philadelphia immediately in 2009.

However, Philadelphia also parted ways with several key free agents, which puts them in both categories for offseason free agent transactions, positive and negative.

Philadelphia added wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and running back LeSean McCoy through the draft but may have set themselves back by losing Pro Bowl-caliber veteran safety, Brian Dawkins, a player that many believed to be the heart and soul of Philadelphia’s defensive unit. The Eagles are +1600 to win Super Bowl XLIV in the BetUS Sportsbook.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Torry Holt

Analysis: The Jaguars (5-11 SU, 7-9 ATS, 6-9-1 O/U in 2008) beat several idiotic teams (Philadelphia, Miami) in need of a veteran wide receiver to the punch when it comes to Torry Holt, a receiver that I still believe will top the 1,000-yard mark at least for the next two seasons or so. Now, if Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard can bounce back from an absolutely dismal 2008 season in which he was finally named the unquestioned starter, the Jags could be back in the postseason in 2009. The Jaguars are +3200 to win Super Bowl XLIV in the BetUS Sportsbook.

Kansas City Chiefs

• QB Matt Cassel
• WR Bobby Engram
• LB Mike Vrabel
• G Mike Goff

Analysis: The Chiefs (2-14 SU, 8-8 ATS, 8-8 O/U in 2008) have gotten off to an excellent start in their transformation process under knowledgeable first-year GM Scott Pioli. Not only did the Chiefs make a good hire by naming former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley as head coach, but Pioli brought in quarterback Matt Cassel who was a revelation for the New England Patriots last season while also adding dependable but not spectacular veterans Bobby Engram, Mike Vrabel and Mike Goff. While none of these players will immediately turn the lowly Chiefs into instant contenders, they will all help the franchise start to move in the right direction as they start to turn things around. The Chiefs are +6600 to win Super Bowl XLIV in the BetUS Sportsbook.

Oakland Raiders

• QB Jeff Garcia

Analysis: The Raiders (5-11 SU, 7-9 ATS, 6-9-1 O/U in 2008) pulled off one of the best free agent signing of any team in the league by adding veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia, a player I absolutely love despite his physical shortcomings.

I saw Garcia up close and personal when he took an underachieving Philadelphia Eagles team to the postseason after starting quarterback Donovan McNabb went down with a season-ending injury a couple of years back and I can unequivocally say that there may not be another quarterback in the entire league that can inspire an entire team to play above its talent and apparent capabilities they way Jeff Garcia can.

It’s kind of hard to not go all out for your team when you see the smallish Garcia bounce up off the turf time after time following a vicious hit, cheering guys on as if they had just made a Super Bowl-winning play.

The Raiders have a solid defensive unit, a spectacular core of running backs and now a veteran signal caller that knows how to get the job done when it counts most. Unfortunately, the Raiders are still run by out-dated owner Al Davis and have a first-year head coach that may be overmatched after looking overmatched as an interim replacement last season, not to mention a grossly overpaid former No. 1 overall draft pick at quarterback (JaMarcus Russell) that doesn’t have one iota of a clue.

However, knowing the sad-sack Raiders, Garcia may not get on the field to a large extent, no matter how much he can help them win ballgames right now. The Raiders are +10000 to win Super Bowl XLIV in the BetUS Sportsbook.

New England Patriots vs Oakland Raiders Pointspread Free Pick

New England Patriots -7
Over/Under 40

The Oakland Raiders (3-10 SU, 5-8 ATS, 4-8-1 O/U) were trounced the last time out in what has been one of the worst seasons in franchise history.

The New England Patriots (8-5 SU, 6-7 ATS, 6-6-1 O/U) narrowly beat the lowly Seattle Seahawks on Sunday and hope to take another step toward securing a postseason appearance by beating the rundown Raiders.

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The Raiders were routed by the Denver Broncos 34-7 on Thursday, failing to cover the spread as a 9.5-point road underdog in the BetUS Sportsbook.

Second-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell completed nine passes in just 13 attempts for just 68 yards while throwing two costly interceptions that led to direct points for the Broncos.

Backup, Andrew Walter replaced Russell to start the third quarter but was intercepted late in the fourth quarter.

Oakland’s once-vaunted rushing attack was held to just 54 yards with starter, Justin Fargas picking up 50 yards on 12 carries.

Oakland allowed Denver quarterback Jay Cutler to throw three touchdowns in the loss.

"I'm sick of losing, especially like that," Raiders tight end Zach Miller said. "We never really got going on offense and when we did, penalties and interceptions and fumbles killed us. As an offense we were inept again."

The Patriots are coming off a narrow 24-21 comeback win over the Seahawks as they scored 11 points in the fourth quarter and shut out Seattle for the final quarter.

Quarterback Matt Cassel completed 26 of 44 passes for 268 yards with one touchdown and veteran running back Sammy Morris added another touchdown and 36 rushing yards on 11 carries.

"A huge win," Cassel said. "We knew the season was on the line."

"Trust me, if we don't take care of this game there is no tomorrow," veteran linebacker Junior Seau said.

Wide receiver Wes Welker caught 12 passes for 154 yards.

"They blitzed us and they were coming after him and he did a great job of keeping some poise," Welker said of Cassel.

Here is a look at tonight’s key betting trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NFL Free Pick:

• New England is 6-13 ATS in its last 19 games
• New England is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of New England's last 5 games
• New England is 17-7 ATS in its last 24 games on the road
• The total has gone OVER in 6 of New England's last 9 games on the road
• New England is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Oakland
• Oakland is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
• Oakland is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oakland's last 6 games
• Oakland is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games at home
• Oakland is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games at home
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland's last 5 games at home

Analysis: I know the Patriots haven’t been exactly setting the league on fire lately with their often mediocre play, but I’m surprised this line is so low, seeing as how desperate the Patriots are at the moment.

Take the Pats to absolutely crush Oakland.

NFL Free Picks: New England -7 Points

Oakland Raiders vs San Diego Chargers PointSpread Free Pick

NFL Betting Line: San Diego -9.5 (42.5)

The Raiders will pay a visit to an old rival this Thursday when Oakland clashes with the San Diego Chargers on the NFL Network. The Raiders, while being as miserable as always, are getting near-double-digits against a Chargers team that is losing respect from both their NFL betting faithful and the league in general.

What in God’s name has happened to LaDanian Tomlinson? The person who is supposed to be the penultimate rusher is ranked fourteenth with 794 rushing yards on the season and only 6 touchdown. Anybody who banked on him carrying their fantasy football team is kicking themselves right now. We all know that running-backs decay faster than most players, but who knew that LDT would turn in to Shaun Alexander so damn quickly?

While LaDanian tumbles, so do his Chargers. Philip Rivers is marching towards being one of the elite quarterbacks, but without a serious rushing threat, the star-studded offense of the Chargers has tripped over its own ineptitude.. San Diego is 12th in scoring this season with 24.2 points per game, which isn’t how you want to get it done when your defense allows 22.8 per contest.

NFL Betting Trends

• -Oakland is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games
• -Oakland is 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games against San Diego
• -Oakland is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games against San Diego
• -San Diego is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games
• -San Diego is 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games at home
• -total has gone OVER in 7-of-8 when San Diego plays Oakland

Speaking of defense, without Shawn Merrimen pumping life in to this defense, the front-seven of the Chargers has turned flat. The rushing defense allows 107.0 yards against per game, and has failed to cause turnovers at the rampant rate we are used to. This defense notches just 0.2 turnovers per game.

Does that mean that the Oakland rushing attack, matching 123.8 yards per game, can pierce the amour on the road. Not necessarily, but it does mean that they have the chance to control the game a bit more than you’d expect. I wrote earlier in the ENDZONE that Oakland didn’t stand a chance against San Diego. And maybe they don’t. But Oakland hasn’t lost by 10+ points in over their last three games, and that has to stand for something when you’re laying down large on the NFL.

Oakland Raiders (3-9) vs. San Diego Chargers (4-8)

Thursday, December 4th --- Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego --- 8:15pm EST

NFL Betting Line: San Diego -9.5 (42.5)

What I like in this matchup is the ability of an over-zealous Raiders secondary to pinch the hopes of Rivers in the air. Asomugha, who is in my opinion the best corner in the game now, will have his way with Chris Chambers while Antonio Gates, who has underachieved at enormous levels, will be a non-factor yet again.

As always when it’s a division rivalry in the lame-ass AFC West, I like the OVER bet, and I think Oakland gives San Diego more trouble than you might imagine just looking at these two teams. This is a giant line for San Diego to cover, especially when they’re averaging a point differential of 1.3 and haven’t beaten anyone by double digits in over a month.

NFL Free Pick: Oakland +9.5 (OVER)

Oakland Raiders vs San Diego Chargers Point Spread

San Diego -10
Over/Under 43

A couple of old West Coast AFL rivals having down years will try to salvage a little pride when the 3-9 Oakland Raiders visit the 4-8 San Diego Chargers on this week's NFL Network Thursday night broadcast (8:15 pm Eastern).

Oddsmaker.com is listing San Diego as 10-point home favorites for Thursday night's game, with a total of 43. The Chargers are also listed at -500 on the Oddsmaker moneyline, with the Raiders getting +400 as underdogs on the road.

Oakland has again been a disaster of a team this season. But the turning point for the Raiders may have come in Week 3, when at 1-1, Oakland blew a nine-point lead in the last five minutes at Buffalo and lost 24-23 on a field goal at the buzzer. Seven losses over their next nine games followed, including a 20-13 home defeat at the hands of the 1-10 Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday. And they changed head coaches, again, dumping Lane Kiffin and replacing him with Tom Cable, under whom Oakland is now 2-6.

San Diego, meanwhile, a season after getting within one win of the Super Bowl, has had just about everything go wrong this year. The Chargers have lost twice this season on the last play of the game, a couple more times in the waning moments, once on a botched call by a referee, and another time when they couldn't punch in the tying touchdown on a fourth-quarter 4th-and-goal from the Miami 1-yard line.

Last Sunday afternoon, the Chargers got outrushed by Atlanta 141-70 and outgained 348-201 in a 22-16 home loss to the Falcons.

But despite being four games under .500, San Diego has outscored opponents on the season 290-274.

The Bolts have swept the season series from Oakland the last five years in a row. And the Chargers beat the Raiders in their first matchup of this season, 28-18 as nine-point road chalk up in Oakland in Week 4. But the Raiders can count that loss as just another game they pissed away. Oakland led 15-0 at the half, and 15-3 through three quarters, before collapsing. And they blew the cover for their financial backers by allowing San Diego RB LaDainian Tomlinson to break through off-tackle and score from 41 yards out with just over a minute to go in the game, which provided the final 10-point margin.

The totals are 4-8 in Raiders games this season, which are averaging just 36 total points. Meanwhile, Chargers games are averaging a healthy 47 points this season, but the totals are only 5-7.
 

Monday Night Football Point Spread: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders

5Dimes Opening Line: Broncos  -  1   ,  Total  41.5

The Oakland Raiders host the Denver Broncos in the late game on ESPN’s opening Monday Night Football doubleheader as rookie Darren McFadden makes his NFL regular season debut.  The Raiders’ running back is expected to make an immediate impact this season. He will be facing a Denver defense that was terrible against the run last season, allowing 145.9 yards per game.  In the two teams final meeting last season Raiders’ running back
Justin Fargas had 146 yards. 5Dimes reports that early NFL betting has the public taking Broncos on the Road.

Both teams will be looking for improved play out of their quarterbacks this season.  Denver’s Jay Cutler was up and down last season, throwing for 20 touchdowns but also throwing 14 interceptions.  He was diagnosed with Diabetes in the off-season and is now receiving insulin that should help his overall energy level.  Cutler will be missing his favorite receiver in Monday’s game as Brandon Marshall is out due to a one-game suspension.

The Raiders are also hoping for better quarterback play this season.  JaMarcus Russell is the full-time starter this season and he will look to put up solid numbers this season. "You can never be Superman when you have other teammates," Russell said. "So just go out there and do the basics and do what you do each and every day." The Raiders signed former Bronco wide receivers Javon Walker and Ashley Lelie in the off-season to give Russell some deep threats.

Here are the NFL betting stats for Monday’s game.  Denver head coach Mike Shanahan is 20-6 against the Raiders.  The Broncos are 6-15 ATS in their last 21 games on grass. The Broncos are 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games overall. The Broncos are 4-13 ATS in their last 17 vs. the AFC. The Broncos are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 vs. the AFC West. The Broncos are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games. The Broncos are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games in September.

The Raiders are 26-54-1 ATS in their last 81 games overall. The Raiders are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games in September. The Raiders are 8-22 ATS in their last 30 home games. The Raiders are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 Monday games. The Raiders are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings between the two teams. The Underdog is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.

The Over is 6-1 in the Broncos last 7 vs. the AFC West. The Under is 5-1 in the Broncos last 6 Monday games. The Over is 9-2 in the Broncos last 11 vs. the AFC. The Over is 19-7-1 in the Broncos last 27 games overall. The Over is 5-2 in the Broncos last 7 road games.

The Under is 6-1 in the Raiders last 7 Monday games. The Over is 6-1 in the Raiders last 7 games overall. The Under is 13-5 in the Raiders last 18 vs. the AFC West. The Under is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings between the two teams.

NFL Point Spread: Oakland Raiders ( + 10) vs. San Diego Chargers ( - 10)

The Chargers racked the Broncos last Sunday and now, all of a sudden, most NFL betting aficionados believe that they are the team they were supposed to be coming into the season.

I’m not buying it. Not yet. Not when an Oakland Raider team coming off of a bye is getting 10 points.

Yes, the way that San Diego just destroyed the Broncos was impressive. But, they are facing a very different team this Sunday. First, the Raiders have a much better defense than the Broncos do. Second, the Raiders get back Dominick Rhodes, who, when he is healthy and ready, can do damage to almost any defense in the NFL. Third, the Raiders always play their AFC West rivals tough.

It wouldn’t be wise to read too much into the Chargers win over the Broncos last Sunday. Charger fans and those who desperately want to believe that their 14 and 2 record last season wasn’t the product of a soft schedule, would have all of us more sane individuals thinking that the Chargers just needed to get out of their funk.

That makes absolutely no sense. It’s the same logic that would have Saints fans believe that their team is exactly the same from last year and that they have lost due to defensive and offensive errors and that it has nothing to do with the lack of important players on either the defensive or offensive sides of the ball.

The San Diego Chargers problems were masked last week by the Denver Broncos terrible pass defense. Denver is ranked near the bottom when it comes to defending against the pass. Because of that, Philip Rivers, Vincent Jackson, and Antonio Gates looked like Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Brent Jones.

Jackson and Rivers in particular have absolutely no chance of mirroring what they did last in this Sunday’s game versus the Oakland Raiders.

This weekend the San Diego Chargers have to face two shut-down corners in Nnamdi Asomugha and Fabian Washington. LaDanian Tomlinson is going to be shadowed by Raider linebacker Thomas Howard or Kirk Morrison all day. Antonio Gates will have to beat Thomas Howard for most of the game. Howard already has three interceptions this year.

Now, I’m not saying that this is a slam dunk for the Raiders, but 10 points is ridiculous. Every NFL bettor has to think about wagering on this game for the simple fact that no matter how much you may think of San Diego Charger linebackers Shaun Philips and Shawn Merriman, nobody in the NFL can stop the Raiders from running the ball.

Now, they get Dominick Rhodes. That is enough for me.

The BetUS football line is Oakland Raiders on the road + 10 against the spread. Bet the Raiders and watch as the Chargers crumble again.

DS Williamson

NFL Betting - Week 6 Odds, Point Spread and Lines

by DS Williamson

The sixth week of the NFL is upon us and by now the trends have been firmly set.  There are twelve more betting weeks in the NFL season.  It’s never too late to get into the action at BetUS!

Here are this weekend’s best match-ups:

Oakland Raiders (+10) vs. San Diego Chargers (-10) - The Chargers served notice to the rest of the NFL by man-handling the Denver Broncos on the road last Sunday.  They beat the Broncos by almost 40 points.  But, the Raiders get back their top runner Dominick Rhodes from a four-game suspension and are coming off a bye week.  The Raiders play both the run and pass well and the Chargers might have trouble getting up for a game in which many Raider fans make the trip down south from the Black Hole.  Expect the Raiders to put up a nice fight in this one.  The trend in the past couple of years has been that the Raiders cover on the road when the spread is larger than a touchdown.  This year Oakland actually brings a tough team to San Diego.  The BetUS against the spread line is Raiders + 10.  Take them to beat that!

Tennessee Titans (+3) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) – The Bucs came back to earth last weekend by a spanking from the Colts.  The Titans had to play tough to take out Atlanta at home, but they did exactly what they were supposed to do.  The trend favors the Bucs who are the home team and definitely deserve the 3 point NFL against the spread traditional “respect” line.  But, the Bucs don’t have Carnell Williams or Michael Pittman and Jeff Garcia is coming off his worst outing of the year.  I’m not sold on the Bucs as a real team yet as their two best games have come against NFC South also-rans, the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints.  The strongest trend in the NFL the past two years has been betting against an NFC team against a tough AFC team.  Expect that trend to hold in this game and take the Titans and the 3 points.

Washington Redskins (+3) vs. Green Bay Packers (- 3) – The reverse trend for the Green Bay Packers held water all season until they gave up 27 points to the Chicago Bears and got beat on the square at Lambeau Field last week.  Did that game signal a reverse-reverse trend?  Maybe.  In the past two years, the Packers have been a solid play against, no matter whether they are giving points or getting points.  Now, they get to play a Washington Redskins team that showed guts, heart, determination, and the ability to take out one of the top offenses in the NFL when they throttled the Detroit Lions last Sunday.  However, the greatest trend in Washington Redskins’ history is that the Lions are 0 – 20, make that 0 – 21, on the road against the Redskins.  So, there isn’t a lot to go by from last Sunday’s game.  The truth is that when it comes to the quarterbacks Brett Favre is much better than Jason Campbell right now.  That means the Packers cover the – 3 BetUS against the spread.

Carolina Panthers (projected +5) vs. Arizona Cardinals (projected - 5) – This line may change dramatically because Jake Delhomme is out for the season.  So, in fact, is Matte Leinart for the Cardinals. Kurt Warner, former MVP of the NFL, might actually play better for the Cardinals if he is allowed to start.  But, that’s not the only problem for the Panthers. The problem for the Panthers in this game will be if wide receiver Anquan Boldin, for the Arizona Cardinals, makes it back from injury. If he does, expect the Cardinals to light up the scoreboard against a Panther secondary that just isn’t very good.  The Saints had numerous opportunities against the Panther secondary last Sunday, but failed to capitalize. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are not Devery Henderson and David Patten, and the Cardinals will roll no matter what the BetUS line ends up being.  Stay tuned for this one!

New England Patriots (projected – 6) at Dallas Cowboys (projected + 6) – What a game!  Two of the best offensive teams in football square off in Texas Stadium as the Cowboys take on the Patriots. There will be a lot of talk about how the Patriots are due to fall off the wagon, but the truth about this game is that the Patriots’ defense is much more superior to the Cowboy’s defense.  The Cowboys only real chance of winning this is to slow the game down and then to keep the Patriots from getting touches.  That won’t happen as the Patriots bring too many weapons to this dance and finally NFL bettors get a nice line to work with regarding the Patriots.  Heck, because it’s the Cowboys, and they’re home, the BetUS against the spread may go all the way down to the Patriots – 3.  That would be an excellent wager as the Patriots have been beating tough AFC teams while the Cowboys have been beating up on soft NFC and AFC teams.  No way the ‘Boys can stop Randy Moss, Tom Brady, and the rest of the Patriots’ offense.

Trends to Watch For:

Jacksonville is 12 – 1 against the spread when they score 22 to 28 or more points

Indianapolis is 10 – 3 against the spread when both teams score more than 20 points

Pittsburgh is 28 – 8 against the spread vs. good passing teams.

Dallas is 1 – 13 against the spread at home when the total line is greater than 44 points

Seattle is 4 – 12 against the spread after failing to cover the spread in two out of their last three games

The 2007 NFL betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The BetUS Sportsbook has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to Super Bowl XLII and beyond!