Week 9 Seattle Seahawks vs Dallas Cowboys NFL Free Pick – Odds – Handicapping Preview
The Seattle Seahawks head to Dallas on Sunday to take on a Cowboys team that was beaten and humiliated last week.
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Articles by Cappers Picks related to online NFL betting, and handicapping nfl football matchups by vegas experts.
Green Bay Packers vs San Diego Chargers
The Green Bay Packers have sliced through the competition this season. Their last win against Minnesota was the closest any team has come (6 points) although that is a misleading statistic as the Vikings had to score 10 straight in the fourth quarter to close the gap.
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NFL Week 9 Power Rankings
Power Ratings
Each week during the heart of the NFL season, and once or twice during the NFL Preseason, we’ll gather the troops around the roundtable and hash out the NFL Power rankings. We check out the stats, looks at the records, and, most importantly, we take a close, close look at the heart of each team.
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Online NFL Football Betting? – Week 9 Picks
NFL Betting – Week 9 Picks
For the second week in a row, the Baltimore Ravens burned me! Favored by 13 points, they managed to squeak out a measly three point victory. It’s a good thing that we have Week 9 to right the ship!
2011 Week 9 NFL Gambling Lines: Top 3 Matchups and Predictions
As we reach the halfway point of the NFL regular season, the odds makers continue to keep their lines razor sharp. For the second week in-a-row, six favorites and six underdogs each covered with one game ending as a ‘push’.
NFL Game Previews – Tampa Bay vs New Orleans
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints square-off this Sunday afternoon at the Superdome in a huge NFC South showdown with the lead in the division on the line. Kick-off is slated for 1 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast nationally on FOX.
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NFL Week 8 Game Capsules
NFL Betting – Week 8 Roundup
Week 8 in the NFL. The Weisguy takes over for Matt and offers up these recaps for your NFL viewing pleasure.
MNF – San Diego vs. Kansas City Week 8 Gambling Preview
There may not be anything more annoying this NFL season than the radio ads that they relentlessly run to hype the fact that the San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs are set to meet this Monday Night Football on Halloween night.
Gambling Matchup Week 8 – Detroit Lions vs. Denver Broncos
The Tim Tebow era officially began in Denver last week, and they rode his fourth quarter performance to their second victory of the season. Meanwhile, the Lions couldn’t come back from their first half deficit against the Falcons, and fell for the second consecutive game.
Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans
LP Field – Nashville, Tennessee
Sunday October 30 – 1:00Moneyline: Tennessee -445, Indianapolis +355
Spread (ATS): Tennessee -10
Over/Under: 43.5
Odds courtesy of 5Dimes
Indianapolis
The Indianapolis Colts are one of three winless teams in the NFL; and if recent performance was the only indicator they are the worst one. The only hope for this team is the old adage that you are never as bad as your worst game, which was a 62-7 hammering by New Orleans last weekend. This team has to still be reeling a bit but the Titans are definitely feeling a little wobbly too.
Everything went wrong last week for the Colts – EVERYTHING. This week will pose a challenge too but the defense should be able to catch their breath against a Tennessee team that was pretty awful last week. The key will be keeping their running game in check. As bad as they have been this team has been close to winning on multiple occasions. They need somebody, anybody to step up and make a play at winning time.
When Peyton Manning was at the helm the Colts had little trouble with Tennessee, winning 5 in a row against their division rivals. Perhaps some of that familiarity will be helpful on Sunday. At +10 I think there is some value on Indy but you have to be comfortable betting with a team that might be the worst in football this season. That is a fair amount of faith. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Tennessee
Tennessee’s performance last week against Houston was surprising. Not that they lost the game but that they were never really in it. This team is sitting at 3-3 but it is hard to gauge their level. Are they the team that hammered Baltimore in week 2 or the team that got throttled last week? One question that is easy to answer is whether investing in Chris Johnson was smart. Nope.
After holding out for big bucks, and getting them, running back Chris Johnson has been a complete bust this year. Tennessee is not blessed with a lot of weapons and now that star receiver Kenny Britt is out for the season they need Johnson more than ever. He has had only one game all season long where he has averaged more than 4 yards per carry. If he can’t get it done against Indy than his and the team’s problem become even bigger.
If Tennessee wants to stay in the playoff race they have to win on Sunday. If they want to avoid the embarrassment of losing to a horrible team they have to win on Sunday. You wouldn’t think it given the opponent but there is actually some pressure on them in this spot. I think they are going to wilt but not collapse. They will win but it will be closer than it should be.
ATS Pick: Indianapolis +10
Over/Under Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Tennessee 27 – Indianapolis 24
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) vs. Houston Texans (4-3)
Time/Date: 4:15 PM EST, October 30, 2011
Venue: Reliant Stadium
Broadcast: CBS
Jaguars vs. Texans Gambling Odds from JustBet
Spread: Texans -9.5
Moneyline: Texans (-425) Jaguars (+345)
Over/Under: 41
Jacksonville shined bright in the spotlight of Monday Night Football last week. The Jaguars pulled off a shocking 12-7 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Now, they’ll have to travel west to Houston and take on an impressive Texans team on short rest. Houston has high hopes for this season, and this is precisely the type of game they cannot afford to lose if they are going to get into the playoffs.
The Jaguars have turned to rookie Blaine Gabbert as their starting quarterback. The reviews on Gabbert’s performance in his first few games in the NFL have been mixed. Gabbert has only thrown two interceptions, but he also has completed just 48% of his passes. Maurice Jones-Drew had issues with fumbling last week, but he has had a very solid start to the season. MJD is averaging 4.6 yards per carry, which is particularly impressive considering the opponent is constantly loading the box against Jacksonville’s offense. Gabbert doesn’t have a very good group of receivers. Jacksonville really needs to find a play maker to stretch the defense on the outside.
Jacksonville’s defense played an amazing game last Monday night. Now, they’ll have to face a very tough Texans offense. The Jaguars don’t have too many stars on defense, but they do have a lot of players who play their position wisely. This is a unit that has no clear cut strengths or weaknesses. The play of Tyson Alualu has been a nice surprise in the middle of the defensive line. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Houston is committed to shedding the image of a team that chokes away its playoff chances. Every year the experts believe this team is going to get over the top, but they find a way to miss the playoffs. The team is much more well-rounded this year than they have ever been before. The signing of Johnathan Joseph has really helped their secondary. Houston had the worst secondary in football at this time last year, but this year they rank eighth in the NFL against the pass. Brian Cushing is the team’s main play maker in the middle of the defense, and J.J. Watt has provided another good pass-rusher on the outside.
Matt Schaub has been a solid quarterback for the last few years, and he is off to another good start this year. Schaub has thrown 12 touchdowns compared to just five interceptions. He has a quarterback rating of 96.8. Andre Johnson may well be the best receiver in the NFL, but he has missed the last two games. He is listed as a game-time decision in this one. Arian Foster is healthy again, and he is doing damage both in the running and passing game. Foster is averaging 4.1 yards per carry, and he also has 21 receptions already this year.
Jacksonville’s defense is solid, but I can’t see their offense putting up too many points in this one. Houston should load up the box and make Gabbert beat them through the air. This should stay low scoring.
Free NFL Pick: Jaguars/Texans under 41
New Orleans Saints vs St. Louis Rams NFL Lines
Venue/ Stadium: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, MO
Time/Date: 1 PM EST Sunday, October 30, 2011
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: Saints -800 / Rams +620
Spread (ATS): Saints -13.5
Over/Under: 48
New Orleans Saints vs. St. Louis Rams Preview
The Saints (5-2) are big betting favorites facing the Rams (0-6) in St. Louis and it is really not hard to see why, as not only are the Rams struggling, but the Saints scored more points in last week’s game (62) than St. Louis has scored all season (56). NFL lines have the Saints as 13.5-point away favorites in this NFC match up with a total of 48.
In their last games the Saints crushed the Indianapolis Colts 62-7 and the Rams were killed by the Dallas Cowboys 34-7.
Not only do the Rams have issues, big ones, on both sides of the ball, but also QB Sam Bradford is questionable for this Sunday’s game and did not practice on Thursday because of a high ankle sprain.
The Rams may need Bradford to play to have any chance to win, as while backup AJ Feely did pass for 217 yards in the loss to Dallas he was picked off and he also had a fumble. Whoever starts under center will have to deal with a Saints pass defense that ranks a respectable 16th in the league. The Rams have one of the weakest WR corps in the league and their passing offense only ranks 23rd in passing yards per game.
The Rams only rank 26th in the league in rushing yards per game and if Bradford cannot go they will have to rely on RB’s Steven Jackson and Cadillac Williams, who only has 5 carries in the last 2 games, to shoulder the offensive load. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Can the Rams’ defense keep Drew Brees and a Saints’ offense that is the highest scoring team in the league from lighting up the scoreboard? I would say no, as Brees not only has many targets and a legit running game, but the Rams rank 2nd to last in the league in scoring defense giving up an average of almost 29 ppg.
While the pass defense has been decent for the Rams, ranking 13th in the league, their rushing defense ranks dead last. That is not good facing a Saints’ team that has a trio of solid RB’s in Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, and Darren Sproles and rushed for 236 yards against the Colts in last week’s blowout win.
Betting Trends
This season the Rams are 0-6 ATS and have an Over/Under record of 2-3-1 and the Saints are 4-3 ATS and have an Over/Under record of 4-3.
The Saints are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games and has an Over record of 5-1 in their last 6 games facing a team with a losing record.
The Rams are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games, 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog, and has an Under record of 3-1-1 in their last 5 games.
Jason’s Pick: Really, a pick? Yeah, take the Saints to easily win this game and cover and take the Over, as New Orleans may score 48 points themselves.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers NFL Lines
Venue/ Stadium: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Time/Date: 1 PM EST Sunday, October 30, 2011
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: Vikings +155 / Panthers -175
Spread (ATS): Panthers -3
Over/Under: 47
Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers Preview
Cam Newton had another great game last week and the Panthers (2-5) finally put it all together and won, which snapped their 3-game winning streak. Christian Ponder got his first start of his career last week against the packers and after a fast start the Vikings (1-6) still lost, but his play gives Minnesota fans hope. NFL lines have the Panthers as 3.5-point home favorites in this NFC match up with a total of 47.
Last week the Vikings lost to the Packers 33-27 while the Panthers beat my beloved Redskins 33-20.
Newton has sparked a Carolina offense and the Panthers have already scored 2 more TD than they did all of last season. In the win over Washington Newton was 18/23 for 256 yards with 1 TD and he also rushed for a season high 59 yards with a TD. The Vikings have the league’s 29th ranked pass defense and they must try to contain Newton and his main target of Steve Smith (39 rec 818 yards 3 TD), who leads the NFL in receiving yards.
One thing the Vikings have going for them is that they lead the league in sacks (21), but Newton is a running QB that can avoid pressure. Still, getting to Newton is key for the Vikings’ defense this Sunday. Newton has the 2nd most INT (9) in the league, but the Vikes only have 6 picks all season. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Jared Allen leads the league in sacks and if he can add to his total the Vikes have a much better chance to win.
The Panthers are also running the ball well ranking 8th in the league in rushing yards per game behind RB’s DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, but they will be facing a Minnesota run defense that ranks 4th in the league.
Ponder was 13/32 for 219 yards with 2 TD and 2 INT last week and he and WR’s Michael Jenkins and Percy Harvin will be going up against a Carolina pass defense that ranks 12th in the league.
One player that is key in this game is Vikings’ RB Adrian Peterson. He had his best game of the season last week rushing for 175 yards with 1 TD and will be facing a struggling Panthers’ run defense that ranks 29th in the league. He and the Minnesota defense will have to get off to a good start, as if they get down early their rookie QB will have to air it out more often for the Vikings to win.
Betting Trends
This season the Vikings are 3-3-1 ATS and have an Over/Under record of 4-3 and the Panthers are 5-2 ATS and have an Over/Under record of 5-2.
The Vikings are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 road games, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games facing a team with a losing record, and has an Under record of 6-1 in their last 7 road games.
The Panthers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games, 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as a home favorite, and has an Under record of 8-1 in their last 9 games as a favorite.
Jason’s Pick: This one is a tough one to call, as I think Newton and Peterson will both have good games. However, the Panthers are at home and I think that gives them the edge, as Carolina will win and cover the 3.5-point spread. With the defensive issues both teams have I would take the Over in this game.
New England Patriots (5-1) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)
Time/Date: 4:15 PM EST, October 30, 2011
Venue: Heinz Field
Broadcast: CBS
Patriots vs. Steelers Gambling Odds from 5Dimes
Spread: Patriots -2.5
Moneyline: Patriots (-140) Steelers (+120)
Over/Under: 52
It’s a matchup of the top two teams in the AFC this Sunday in Pittsburgh. The Steelers and the Patriots have both won three straight games. New England has had two weeks to prepare for this one, but it will be a difficult environment for the Patriots at Heinz Field. This could easily be a preview of the AFC Championship Game. This is the best game on the schedule this weekend.
Tom Brady has a 6-1 career record against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last year the Patriots went into Heinz Field and won 39-26. Brady leads the AFC with 2,163 passing yards this year. He has an impressive quarterback rating of 104.5. Wes Welker has been an absolute beast in the slot receiver spot for the Patriots this year. Welker has 785 receiving yards in just six games. Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez give the Patriots the best tight end tandem in all of football. They have combined for eight touchdown catches. The Patriots running game has been better than most expected, which has definitely kept opposing defenses honest. New England is first in the NFL in total offense.
The Patriots front seven has done a nice job against the run this year. Vince Wilfork clogs up the middle nicely, and the linebackers are quick to the football. The issue for New England has been their terrible pass coverage. It is never a good sign when your leading tacklers are in the secondary. New England’s top three tacklers are all in the secondary. The Patriots are dead last in the NFL in pass defense. Expect Pittsburgh to test the secondary this weekend. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Pittsburgh’s passing offense has gotten off to a much better start this year since it has had Ben Roethlisberger available since day one. Roethlisberger has a solid quarterback rating of 95.3, and he has already thrown 12 touchdown passes. He benefits from an impressive group of pass catchers. Mike Wallace has turned into one of the best deep threats in the NFL. Hines Ward, Heath Miller, and Antonio Brown all have at least 23 catches so far this year. Rashard Mendenhall had a breakout year last season, and he is having another solid season in 2011. The offensive line is the weak spot for this offense. If they can improve, this offense will be much more dangerous.
Dick Lebeau’s defense is once again one of the best in the NFL. Casey Hampton has missed the last three games, but he should be back to clog up the middle of the defense. James Harrison is out with an injury, but this group of linebackers is still great. Troy Polamalu is arguably the best defensive play maker in the NFL. The Patriots have had a lot of success in the past against the Steelers defense, so it will be interesting to see what kind of changes Pittsburgh makes this weekend.
The Patriots are 46-22-3 ATS in their last 71 road games. I like Brady’s track record against the Steelers defense, and I like that they have had two weeks to prepare for this one.
Free NFL Pick: Patriots -2.5
Arizona Cardinals (1-5) vs. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
Time/Date: 1:00 PM EST, October 30, 2011
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium
Broadcast: FOX
Cardinals vs. Ravens Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
Spread: Ravens -12.5
Moneyline: Ravens (-800) Cardinals (+600)
Over/Under: 43.5
The Arizona Cardinals started the season with a win, but they have lost five straight since then. Baltimore is 4-2, but they are coming off an embarrassing loss at Jacksonville in front of a national television audience. The Ravens are heavily favored to get back on track in this one. Can Arizona make a game of this one or will it be a Ravens rout?
Kevin Kolb was brought in over the offseason to be the starter at quarterback for Arizona. Kolb has struggled with inconsistency thus far in 2011. He has seven touchdowns and seven interceptions, and he is only completing 57.8% of his passes. Larry Fitzgerald is one of the league’s best wide receivers, but Kolb and Fitzgerald have yet to get the level of chemistry needed. Beanie Wells is having a breakout season at the running back, but he is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game due to a knee injury. The team no longer has Tim Hightower, and Alphonso Smith will likely get most of the carries this week.
Arizona’s defense has been disappointing this season. Patrick Peterson is an extremely talented rookie cornerback, but this secondary has really struggled against good quarterbacks. It certainly doesn’t help that the front seven has struggled to get pressure on the quarterback without bringing a blitz. Can this unit improve their play and keep the Cardinals in this game?
Baltimore’s defense is currently ranked number one in the NFL in total defense. While Ray Lewis might get the most attention, I believe Haloti Ngata and Terrance Cody in the middle of the defensive line are the anchors of this defense. It is really difficult to find a weakness on this defense now that they have improved depth in the secondary. This team has speed at the linebacker spots, and they certainly have strength and size on the line. Baltimore’s defense is first in the NFL in third down defense. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Opponents are converting on just 29.9% of their third down conversion attempts. This is a dominant defense that should keep the Ravens in just about every game they play this year.
The Baltimore offense has plenty of talent, but they can be extremely confusing at times. The Ravens ran Ray Rice just eight times this past Monday, while Joe Flacco threw 38 passes. Rice is clearly one of the best runners in the NFL, and he definitely needs to touch the ball more often. This talented Baltimore offense finished with less than 175 yards of total offense against a lowly Jacksonville team. The knock on Joe Flacco has been that he isn’t consistent enough at the quarterback spot. Flacco is completing only 52% of his passes in 2011. Ray Rice and Anquan Boldin are both having better seasons than last year, but they need to get the ball a little more often.
Arizona’s offense will really miss Beanie Wells, and this Baltimore defense is extremely good. I’m not sure the Cardinals score much at all here.
Free NFL Pick: Cardinals/Ravens under 43.5
Categories
NFL Week 8 – Cincinnati vs. Seattle
Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) at Seattle Seahawks (2-4)
When: 4:15 PM ET, Sunday, October 30, 2011
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
Broadcast: FOX
Bengals vs. Seahawks Betting Lines from betonline.com
Spread: Bengals -3
Moneyline: Bengals -155: Seahawks +135
Over/Under: 38 points
The Seattle Seahawks, fresh off one of the worst offensive performances of any team all season long welcome the upstart Cincinnati Bengals to town this weekend. Seattle was absolutely dreadful in a 6-3 loss to Cleveland last week but could get Tavaris Jackson and Marshawn Lynch back in the fold. Cincinnati, coming off their bye will be playing without Cedric Benson who will sit the game out due to suspension.
Cincinnati has rightfully taken their place as a “team of the future”. They have won three straight games and have one of the most exciting young offensive corps. in the NFL. Offensively they are much farther along than most could have predicted and defensively, they are near the top of the league in nearly all defensive statistical categories. Cincinnati is no joke as they have been in the past and they find themselves in the thick of the AFC North division race. It is hard to believe but Cincinnati has a lot to play for this weekend.
Offensively, the Bengals will be without their workhorse running back Cedric Benson. It’s a good thing for Bernard Scott whose running style lends itself well to the Bengals game plan. He will surely be OK. But the onus will definitely be on Andy Dalton, a rookie that has flown under the radar because of some guy named Cam Newton. He has passed for 1311 yards, seven touchdown and five interceptions on the season and is coming off a game in which he threw for 164 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. AJ Green is the real deal at Wide Receiver and Jermaine Gresham is one of the brightest Tight End prospects in the game. Cincinnati appears set on offense and should be a great challenge for Seattle’s banged up 20th ranked pass defense. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Defense is another unexpected strength of the Bengals. They are 5th against the pass, 5th against the run and are they allow the 4th least points per game in the NFL. Seattle had a difficult time with Cleveland last week – Cincinnati is better!
The Seattle Seahawks better hope to get Tavaris Jackson (game-time decision) and Marshawn Lynch (questionable – back) back in the fold this week. This is a team that only gained 137 total yards last week in Cleveland. Seattle is a much better team at home than they are on the road – CenturyLink Field is one of the toughest places in the NFL to play.
Seattle’s offense has been largely dreadful this season but the game before their bye against the Giants gave Hawks fans some reason for optimism. Then injuries, the bye and their game in Cleveland happened and undid all of the positives.
The Hawks have some work to do on offense if they want to be competitive on Sunday and for the rest of the season. Seattle currently owns the worst scoring offense, the 28th ranked passing game and the 30th ranked rushing offense in the league. Injuries took all of the wind out of Seattle’s sails – health is critical this week against Cincinnati.
Seattle’s 11th ranked run defense will not have to face Cedric Benson this week but still faces a tough test in Bernard Scott. If the run defense is able to do its part, the battered 20th ranked pass defense may be presses into action which may not be the best thing for the Hawks – they lost another starting DB in last week’s game. Seattle’s defense has been OK overall and was responsible for 5 sacks, one interception, on forced fumble and two blocked field goals last week.
Betting Prediction: The Cincinnati Bengals are 6-13 SU in their last 19 games but are 4-2 SU in their last six. They are 3-12 SU in their last 15 games on the road and are 2-4 SU in their last six trips to Seattle. Cincinnati is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games as road favorite. Seattle is 2-5 SU in their last seven games but is 4-2 SU in their last six games at home. They are 1-3-1 ATS in their last five home games versus Cincinnati but are an impressive 4-0 ATS as a home underdog.
Health is the biggest question mark for the Seahawks heading into Week 8. If Tavaris Jackson and Marshawn Lynch are unable to go, this game could get ugly. Even if the two starters return, Cincinnati will be a handful offensively and defensively. This aint the Bengals of a few years ago – they are young, talented and complete on both sides of the ball. Cincinnati is one game out of first in their division for a reason – they are good.
Pick: Cincinnati Bengals -3
