Good article from William Foote that I thought I would share. Only makes it that much harder to cap, but thought I would pass on the article as it has most of the trends and team rankings in it.
Ginger or Mary Ann? Lager or ale? Fundamental or technical?
The St. Louis Rams and the Cleveland Browns will knock heads for this week's installment of Monday Night Football. St. Louis comes into this game fundamentally sound at an impressive 9-3 SU overall and 7-4-1 ATS. However, the Rams are just 3-3 SU and 2-4 ATS on the road. Technically, not a good scenario.
St. Louis, riding a four-game win streak, can earn a playoff spot with a victory tonight. The offense is clicking on all cylinders right now, as the Rams currently rank fourth in the NFL. Hampered by injuries early on, Marshall Faulk has three consecutive 100-yard rushing games, and St. Louis is mustering 33.7 points per game during that span.
A playoff team from a year ago, Cleveland comes in at just 4-8 both SU and ATS overall. At home, the Browns are 2-4 both SU and ATS.
Cleveland's offense is ranked 29th in the NFL and is scoring just 19 points per game in its last three overall. The Browns were crushed at Seattle in their last outing, falling to 1-5 SU and ATS in their last six games. Their running game is nonexistent, ranking second-last in the NFL behind only the Lions.
Without a doubt, the Browns are a struggling football team. The one area Cleveland does hold an edge is on defense, where the Browns rank 10th in the league, four spots above the Rams.
Despite the lopsided evidence above, there are several handicapping attributes that favor Cleveland. St. Louis is a perfect 0-3 ATS in its last three on the road, none of which were impressive showings. Five weeks ago they were crushed 30-10 at San Francisco. Three weeks ago, St. Louis needed a field goal with 38 seconds left to beat the Bears 23-21. And two weeks ago, St. Louis needed a field goal in overtime to overcome the lowly Cardinals 30-27.
Among other players, Rams quarterback Marc Bulger is simply not the same on the road as he is at home. Bulger actually has just eight touchdown passes versus 12 interceptions away from the Edward Jones Dome.
St. Louis is now 1-6 ATS in its last seven on the road against teams with a losing record, and 1-10 ATS in its last eleven as a road favorite. Moreover, the Rams are an astonishing 3-14 ATS in their past 17 road games overall.
Cleveland has a rabid home crowd and it will be absolutely rocking for this rare Monday Night appearance. In addition, Cleveland is 6-1-1 ATS in its last eight as a home 'dog. And remember, NFL home 'dogs in general are an outstanding 19-6-2 ATS in the past six weeks.
St. Louis leads the league with 33 giveaways, and a December night on the shores of Lake Erie is not exactly the Rams' ideal playing environment.
When all is said and done, St. Louis holds a strong fundamental edge, but an equally strong technical case can be made for Cleveland. Should be interesting.
Ginger or Mary Ann? Lager or ale? Fundamental or technical?
The St. Louis Rams and the Cleveland Browns will knock heads for this week's installment of Monday Night Football. St. Louis comes into this game fundamentally sound at an impressive 9-3 SU overall and 7-4-1 ATS. However, the Rams are just 3-3 SU and 2-4 ATS on the road. Technically, not a good scenario.
St. Louis, riding a four-game win streak, can earn a playoff spot with a victory tonight. The offense is clicking on all cylinders right now, as the Rams currently rank fourth in the NFL. Hampered by injuries early on, Marshall Faulk has three consecutive 100-yard rushing games, and St. Louis is mustering 33.7 points per game during that span.
A playoff team from a year ago, Cleveland comes in at just 4-8 both SU and ATS overall. At home, the Browns are 2-4 both SU and ATS.
Cleveland's offense is ranked 29th in the NFL and is scoring just 19 points per game in its last three overall. The Browns were crushed at Seattle in their last outing, falling to 1-5 SU and ATS in their last six games. Their running game is nonexistent, ranking second-last in the NFL behind only the Lions.
Without a doubt, the Browns are a struggling football team. The one area Cleveland does hold an edge is on defense, where the Browns rank 10th in the league, four spots above the Rams.
Despite the lopsided evidence above, there are several handicapping attributes that favor Cleveland. St. Louis is a perfect 0-3 ATS in its last three on the road, none of which were impressive showings. Five weeks ago they were crushed 30-10 at San Francisco. Three weeks ago, St. Louis needed a field goal with 38 seconds left to beat the Bears 23-21. And two weeks ago, St. Louis needed a field goal in overtime to overcome the lowly Cardinals 30-27.
Among other players, Rams quarterback Marc Bulger is simply not the same on the road as he is at home. Bulger actually has just eight touchdown passes versus 12 interceptions away from the Edward Jones Dome.
St. Louis is now 1-6 ATS in its last seven on the road against teams with a losing record, and 1-10 ATS in its last eleven as a road favorite. Moreover, the Rams are an astonishing 3-14 ATS in their past 17 road games overall.
Cleveland has a rabid home crowd and it will be absolutely rocking for this rare Monday Night appearance. In addition, Cleveland is 6-1-1 ATS in its last eight as a home 'dog. And remember, NFL home 'dogs in general are an outstanding 19-6-2 ATS in the past six weeks.
St. Louis leads the league with 33 giveaways, and a December night on the shores of Lake Erie is not exactly the Rams' ideal playing environment.
When all is said and done, St. Louis holds a strong fundamental edge, but an equally strong technical case can be made for Cleveland. Should be interesting.
