OAK -5.5 (now at 5)
Yes, Jets are hot, almost as hot as the Raiders who finished the season winning 7 of their last 8, and really put together their 'D'. They were a 6 point fave to jets at home several weeks ago (push) and that number has been lessened even though they've had the extra week. I think thats primarily due to the jets having finished strong at NE and vs. GB and having completely dismantled the poor poor Colts last weekend. Jets could have won that monday nighter but with the extra week here, the raiders make this one look a little easier.
TB -4.5 (now at -5.5).
A lot has been said around here that I agree with. I've been fading the 49ers for weeks, and left that ship for some reason last weekend. I really don't think SF is too strong a team. They couldn't beat PHI or GB and put a lot of that record (and those stats) together against SEA, ZONA, and STL. Giants 'D' has a lot of holes, but not TB's. SF is going to look like they're playing 11 on 12 this weekend.
PHI -7.5 (+100)
ATL's offense can look pretty poor against good defenses. Vick's ability to scramble hardly makes up for the lack of a good game plan. They were slowed by the bucs twice, the ravens, and the browns. They looked astounding against teams like NO, GB, and MINN, not exactly the defensive stalwarts of the league. I actually think ATL's "D" has maybe been underrated this year, so they could help keep it close, but we're looking at a 10 point win here. Don't forget, this is a Falcons team that limped into the playoffs and played a very poor GB "D" last weekend. They won't be running circles around the eagles.
TENN -4
Their 8 point victory against PITT in Week 11 was no fluke, neither were their late season wins against the Giants, the Pats, or the Colts. Their "D" is playing well and McNair has really been hitting. This number does not reflect the strength of PITT who has been a mediocre team this year, coming out of a pretty weak division. They haven't beat many good teams and have shown an ability to get beat by a LOT. Should be a 4.5 or 5. I wouldn't put them in your teasers. Here's a complete list of the good teams the Steelers have beat this year: Tampa Bay. Their losses have been by 13, 16, 18, 3, 8. When they lose, they don't cover. They don't cover this weekend.
We all know the "bye" teams perform well SU and ATS on this weekend. I always need a good reason to go against them. (e.g. last year, I really liked the ravens against the Steelers. It was their third meeting, Baltimore's "D" had been looking good, and I thought we'd see a close one. So much for that, right?) Anyway, you're just looking at 4 really good teams playing some mediocre teams (atl, pitt, sf) and anything under a TD in those looks good to me. The OAK-NYJ game is a great matchup and OAK has been known to drop the big playoff game or two. I think they roll here this weekend, though, and you can add in a large motivational factor coming from last year's loss at NE.
OAK 1.1 -> 1
TENN 1.1 -> 1
PHI 1 -> 1
TB 1.1 -> 1
Good luck.
Yes, Jets are hot, almost as hot as the Raiders who finished the season winning 7 of their last 8, and really put together their 'D'. They were a 6 point fave to jets at home several weeks ago (push) and that number has been lessened even though they've had the extra week. I think thats primarily due to the jets having finished strong at NE and vs. GB and having completely dismantled the poor poor Colts last weekend. Jets could have won that monday nighter but with the extra week here, the raiders make this one look a little easier.
TB -4.5 (now at -5.5).
A lot has been said around here that I agree with. I've been fading the 49ers for weeks, and left that ship for some reason last weekend. I really don't think SF is too strong a team. They couldn't beat PHI or GB and put a lot of that record (and those stats) together against SEA, ZONA, and STL. Giants 'D' has a lot of holes, but not TB's. SF is going to look like they're playing 11 on 12 this weekend.
PHI -7.5 (+100)
ATL's offense can look pretty poor against good defenses. Vick's ability to scramble hardly makes up for the lack of a good game plan. They were slowed by the bucs twice, the ravens, and the browns. They looked astounding against teams like NO, GB, and MINN, not exactly the defensive stalwarts of the league. I actually think ATL's "D" has maybe been underrated this year, so they could help keep it close, but we're looking at a 10 point win here. Don't forget, this is a Falcons team that limped into the playoffs and played a very poor GB "D" last weekend. They won't be running circles around the eagles.
TENN -4
Their 8 point victory against PITT in Week 11 was no fluke, neither were their late season wins against the Giants, the Pats, or the Colts. Their "D" is playing well and McNair has really been hitting. This number does not reflect the strength of PITT who has been a mediocre team this year, coming out of a pretty weak division. They haven't beat many good teams and have shown an ability to get beat by a LOT. Should be a 4.5 or 5. I wouldn't put them in your teasers. Here's a complete list of the good teams the Steelers have beat this year: Tampa Bay. Their losses have been by 13, 16, 18, 3, 8. When they lose, they don't cover. They don't cover this weekend.
We all know the "bye" teams perform well SU and ATS on this weekend. I always need a good reason to go against them. (e.g. last year, I really liked the ravens against the Steelers. It was their third meeting, Baltimore's "D" had been looking good, and I thought we'd see a close one. So much for that, right?) Anyway, you're just looking at 4 really good teams playing some mediocre teams (atl, pitt, sf) and anything under a TD in those looks good to me. The OAK-NYJ game is a great matchup and OAK has been known to drop the big playoff game or two. I think they roll here this weekend, though, and you can add in a large motivational factor coming from last year's loss at NE.
OAK 1.1 -> 1
TENN 1.1 -> 1
PHI 1 -> 1
TB 1.1 -> 1
Good luck.
