NFL Week 9's biggest betting mismatches
NFL Week 9's biggest betting mismatches
NFL Week 9's biggest betting mismatches
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (-13, 51.5)
New Orleans rush offense vs. Carolina's rush defense
The Saints? vastly improved rushing game has played a major role in the club's perfect start. New Orleans is fourth in the NFL in rushing offense after ranking 28th in this category a year ago. With three capable runners in the backfield, the Saints have plenty of ground options. The squad's 14 rushing touchdowns lead the league.
The inconsistent Panthers are 24th in the NFL in rushing defense. The loss of defensive tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu to an Achilles injury in the preseason has been a factor in the club's inability to stuff the run up front this season.
Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears (-3, 44.5)
Arizona's rush defense vs. Matt Forte
While the Cardinals did struggle to stop Carolina's rushing attack last week, Arizona is still eighth in the NFL in rushing defense. New defensive coordinator Billy Davis has brought some swagger to the unit in 2009. The improved defense has helped Arizona to a perfect 3-0 record on the road.
The arrival of Jay Cutler figured to open up some better running opportunities for second-year back Matt Forte. The Bears (26th in NFL in rushing offense) are still trying to get Forte on track in 2009. He is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry this season. Forte's combined average per attempt in close defeats to the Packers and Falcons was less than two yards per rush.
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (+3, 44.5)
Baltimore's pass offense vs. Cincinnati's pass defense
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has been able to bring some balance to the Baltimore offense in 2009. The club is 10th in the league in passing offense with Flacco completing 66 percent of his throws.
The Bengals were able to hold Flacco to under 200 yards in Week 5 at Baltimore but Cincinnati is vulnerable through the air with the NFL's 30th-ranked passing defense. The recent loss of sacks leader Antwan Odom (eight sacks) to an Achilles injury has limited the team's ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+10, 43.5)
Green Bay's pass defense vs. Josh Freeman
While the numbers may seem a little hollow to Packers fans based on their two performances against Brett Favre this season, Green Bay will enter Sunday's matchup with the ninth-ranked passing defense in the league. The defense has already feasted on bottom-feeders St. Louis, Detroit and Cleveland this season (won each game by average score of 31-7).
First-round draft choice Josh Freeman will be thrown into the fire for his first NFL start for the league's only remaining winless team. The rookie signal-caller will try to bring some life to the NFL's 23rd-ranked passing offense but top receiver Antonio Bryant is questionable for the contest due to a knee injury.
San Diego Chargers at New York Giants (-4.5, 48)
New York's third-down offense vs. San Diego's third-down defense
The Giants offense is seventh in the NFL in third-down conversion percentage in 2009. The club's strong offensive balance has enabled New York to stay on the field a little longer than most squads in the league.
San Diego is 28th in the league in third-down conversion percentage defense. The number is a little more alarming based on the fact that the Chargers have already played the woeful Raiders offense twice this season. With a cross-country trip to face a good team that has lost three straight games, San Diego's defense could be in for a long day at Giants Stadium.
NFL Week 9's biggest betting mismatches
NFL Week 9's biggest betting mismatches
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (-13, 51.5)
New Orleans rush offense vs. Carolina's rush defense
The Saints? vastly improved rushing game has played a major role in the club's perfect start. New Orleans is fourth in the NFL in rushing offense after ranking 28th in this category a year ago. With three capable runners in the backfield, the Saints have plenty of ground options. The squad's 14 rushing touchdowns lead the league.
The inconsistent Panthers are 24th in the NFL in rushing defense. The loss of defensive tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu to an Achilles injury in the preseason has been a factor in the club's inability to stuff the run up front this season.
Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears (-3, 44.5)
Arizona's rush defense vs. Matt Forte
While the Cardinals did struggle to stop Carolina's rushing attack last week, Arizona is still eighth in the NFL in rushing defense. New defensive coordinator Billy Davis has brought some swagger to the unit in 2009. The improved defense has helped Arizona to a perfect 3-0 record on the road.
The arrival of Jay Cutler figured to open up some better running opportunities for second-year back Matt Forte. The Bears (26th in NFL in rushing offense) are still trying to get Forte on track in 2009. He is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry this season. Forte's combined average per attempt in close defeats to the Packers and Falcons was less than two yards per rush.
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (+3, 44.5)
Baltimore's pass offense vs. Cincinnati's pass defense
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has been able to bring some balance to the Baltimore offense in 2009. The club is 10th in the league in passing offense with Flacco completing 66 percent of his throws.
The Bengals were able to hold Flacco to under 200 yards in Week 5 at Baltimore but Cincinnati is vulnerable through the air with the NFL's 30th-ranked passing defense. The recent loss of sacks leader Antwan Odom (eight sacks) to an Achilles injury has limited the team's ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+10, 43.5)
Green Bay's pass defense vs. Josh Freeman
While the numbers may seem a little hollow to Packers fans based on their two performances against Brett Favre this season, Green Bay will enter Sunday's matchup with the ninth-ranked passing defense in the league. The defense has already feasted on bottom-feeders St. Louis, Detroit and Cleveland this season (won each game by average score of 31-7).
First-round draft choice Josh Freeman will be thrown into the fire for his first NFL start for the league's only remaining winless team. The rookie signal-caller will try to bring some life to the NFL's 23rd-ranked passing offense but top receiver Antonio Bryant is questionable for the contest due to a knee injury.
San Diego Chargers at New York Giants (-4.5, 48)
New York's third-down offense vs. San Diego's third-down defense
The Giants offense is seventh in the NFL in third-down conversion percentage in 2009. The club's strong offensive balance has enabled New York to stay on the field a little longer than most squads in the league.
San Diego is 28th in the league in third-down conversion percentage defense. The number is a little more alarming based on the fact that the Chargers have already played the woeful Raiders offense twice this season. With a cross-country trip to face a good team that has lost three straight games, San Diego's defense could be in for a long day at Giants Stadium.
