Three games with serious implications in the standings are hogging all the action on the NFL betting board heading into this weekend.<\/p>\n
In Tennessee, the Titans look to hold off the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL\u2019s best defense for first place in the AFC, while two games involving NFC South squads highlight action in the senior conference. \u00a0 <\/p>\n
Fighting for a playoff spot, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the San Diego Chargers who by some stroke of God have not yet been eliminated from the playoffs.<\/p>\n
The Bucs continue to battle for a postseason berth with the Atlanta Falcons, who beat Tampa Bay last week and will deal with the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.<\/p>\n
If you don\u2019t think public perception and square betting action makes a difference on the line, look no further than Sunday\u2019s matchup between the Steelers (11-3, 8-6 ATS) and the Titans (12-2, 11-3 ATS).<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh was a 3-point road underdog heading into last week\u2019s 13-9 win over the Baltimore Ravens, who are certainly one of the AFC\u2019s best teams. Reason would have it the Steelers would face similar odds rolling into Nashville to take on the Titans, who have the NFL\u2019s best record and have been the league\u2019s best bet against the spread.<\/p>\n
Not so much. Pittsburgh is a 2-point favorite at LP Field, in part because squares still haven\u2019t caught up to Tennessee and because of the Steelers\u2019 status as a public team. Nearly 65% of wagers on the spread have come in on Pittsburgh through Thursday evening, meaning bettors aren\u2019t fazed that the Titans have won six of their last seven home games against the Steelers.<\/p>\n
To be fair to public bettors and to oddsmakers, Tennessee is without defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (groin) and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (knee) for the contest, two players together who are worth at least one point on the line.<\/p>\n
The Buccaneers (9-5, 8-6 ATS) and their backers are banking on the team\u2019s perfect record at home when Tampa Bay hosts the Chargers (6-8, 5-8-1 ATS).<\/p>\n
The Bucs have yet to lose at Raymond James Stadium this season, and they have to be happy to be back home after consecutive losses to division rivals Atlanta and Carolina. The losses did serious damage to Tampa Bay\u2019s playoff chances, although the Buccaneers are still tied for the fifth in the NFC standings with the Falcons and the Dallas Cowboys.<\/p>\n
San Diego has an interesting trend of its own on the go, as the Bolts are an impressive 12-0 SU in December games since 2006. The dogged Chargers won\u2019t even have to do that to cash for bettors on Sunday, even though a win would keep San Diego in the hunt for the postseason.<\/p>\n