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Week 10 AFC Matchups
November 11, 2010
Four teams in the AFC own six victories as they are on the fast track to the playoffs. Two of them hook up in the Sunday night showdown in Pittsburgh when the Steelers host the Patriots. The Ravens lost in the final minute at Atlanta on Thursday, while the Jets head to Cleveland on Sunday. Is there an opportunity for any other AFC teams to make waves in the playoff picture with eight games to go? We'll take a look at the five AFC contests beginning with the surprising team based in Northern Ohio.
Jets (-3, 37 ½) at Browns - 1:00 PM EST
Cleveland began the season as a lost cause inside a difficult AFC North, but the Browns are starting to make headlines the last few weeks with blowout wins over the Saints and Patriots. The Browns try to run their winning streak to three when the Jets come to town, as New York escaped Detroit with an overtime victory.
The Jets needed a late rally to force overtime, but failed to cover as five-point road favorites. New York has finished 'over' the total in all six victories, while going 'under' in both losses to the Packers and Ravens. The Jets are making their first trip to Cleveland since 2006, when Eric Mangini coached in New York, as the Browns' head man faces his old team for the first time since getting fired in 2008.
The Browns have turned into a solid 'over' play since consecutive 'unders' to start the season. Cleveland has cashed five of six 'overs,' while going 4-2 ATS the last six games as an underdog. Since Colt McCoy has taken under center for the Browns, Cleveland is 2-1 SU/ATS, as the former Texas Longhorn has led this team to 64 points the last two weeks.
Bengals at Colts (-7, 47) - 1:00 PM EST
Cincinnati was dealt another devastating loss on Monday night by falling short in a 27-21 setback to Pittsburgh. The Bengals are in the cellar of the AFC North at 2-6 as things don't get easier this week with a trip to Indianapolis. The Colts are still dinged up offensively with a myriad of injuries, but Indianapolis starts the day tied atop the AFC South at 5-3.
The Bengals were an outstanding play as an underdog when they won the division last season, covering seven of nine games. This season has been a different story as the Bengals own a 1-3 SU/ATS mark when receiving points. Four of five games in Cincinnati's current five-game skid have finished 'over' the total, while the defense has allowed at least 22 points in each of these losses.
To think the Colts will automatically bounce back after losing at Philadelphia last week isn't strong reasoning. Since 2006, Indianapolis is just 4-9 ATS coming off a SU defeat, but two of those wins have come this season against the Giants and Chiefs. The Colts have alternated 'overs' and 'unders' each of the last seven games, fresh off an 'over' of 46 ½ against the Eagles last Sunday.
Titans (-2, 43) at Dolphins - 1:00 PM EST
Both teams have shaken things up recently with former Marshall teammates getting thrown into this week's storyline. Randy Moss will make his Titans' debut after he was picked up off waivers during the bye week, hoping to bolster a beat-up Tennessee receiving corpse. Moss' quarterback with the Thundering Herd, Chad Pennington, has been thrust into the starting role this week for the Dolphins as he replaces the ineffective Chad Henne.
The Titans look to rebound after losing late at San Diego two weeks ago, 33-25 as six-point road 'dogs. Tennessee's offense has been impressive even with the revolving door of Vince Young and Kerry Collins at quarterback as this team has put up 25 points or more in six of eight games. The Titans find ways to cover as road favorites by compiling an 8-4 ATS mark since 2007 when laying points on the highway.
Pennington hasn't played since a season-ending shoulder injury in the third game of 2009. He takes over for Henne, as the ex-Michigan quarterback has thrown 10 interceptions, while the Dolphins have reached the end zone just three times in the last three weeks. Pennington led the NFL in completion percentage (67%) in his marvelous 2008 season in which the Dolphins finished 11-5 and captured the AFC East title. Miami is 0-3 SU at home, while owning a 2-9 ATS ledger at Sun Life Stadium against non-division opponents under Tony Sparano.
Texans at Jaguars (-1 ½, 50)- 1:00 PM EST
A pair of 4-4 teams that are basically in a must-win situation lock horns in Jacksonville. Houston has dropped four of six games since a 2-0 start as the Texans try to avenge a sweep by the Jaguars last season. Jacksonville is fresh off the bye week after its annihilation of Dallas two weeks ago, 35-17 as 6 ½-point underdogs.
The Jags have shown signs of life offensively by tallying at least 31 points in three of four victories, which is good news against a Texans' defense allowing 28.3 ppg this season (tied for 29th alongside Jacksonville). The 'over' has translated nicely for Jacksonville by hitting in six of eight games, while Houston is 5-3 to the 'over.'
Jacksonville grabbed both meetings last season as an underdog, as the Jags are 3-0 the last three home matchups with the Texans. Houston is just 1-5 ATS the previous six games, while going 2-8 ATS under Gary Kubiak in the first of consecutive road games (Texans battle the Jets next week).
Chiefs at Broncos - 4:05 PM EST
Kansas City leads the AFC West halfway through the season at 5-3, but the Chiefs should be sitting at 6-2 after blowing numerous opportunities in last week's overtime loss at Oakland. Denver returns to play in the United States following a deflating defeat in London to San Francisco as the Broncos try to improve on a dreadful 2-6 record.
The Broncos fell short in a 24-20 home loss to the Jets in mid-October, which seemed like Denver could hang with some of the big dogs in the AFC. Things fell apart at the seams the next week when the Broncos were beat down by the Raiders, 59-14. Following the London loss to the Niners, Denver looks to improve on a 5-14-1 ATS ledger at Invesco Field since 2008. Josh McDaniels' Broncos began last season at 6-0 SU/ATS, but are just 4-14 SU and 5-13 ATS the past 18 games.
The Chiefs' top-ranked rushing offense was limited to 104 yards in the Oakland loss, 75 yards below their season average. This can be a good week for Kansas City to bounce back against a Denver run defense that is allowing 154.6 yards/game, which ranks 31st in the NFL. Todd Haley's squad has won only one of four road games, but the Chiefs have been right there in all three defeats at Indianapolis, Houston, and Oakland.
November 11, 2010
Four teams in the AFC own six victories as they are on the fast track to the playoffs. Two of them hook up in the Sunday night showdown in Pittsburgh when the Steelers host the Patriots. The Ravens lost in the final minute at Atlanta on Thursday, while the Jets head to Cleveland on Sunday. Is there an opportunity for any other AFC teams to make waves in the playoff picture with eight games to go? We'll take a look at the five AFC contests beginning with the surprising team based in Northern Ohio.
Jets (-3, 37 ½) at Browns - 1:00 PM EST
Cleveland began the season as a lost cause inside a difficult AFC North, but the Browns are starting to make headlines the last few weeks with blowout wins over the Saints and Patriots. The Browns try to run their winning streak to three when the Jets come to town, as New York escaped Detroit with an overtime victory.
The Jets needed a late rally to force overtime, but failed to cover as five-point road favorites. New York has finished 'over' the total in all six victories, while going 'under' in both losses to the Packers and Ravens. The Jets are making their first trip to Cleveland since 2006, when Eric Mangini coached in New York, as the Browns' head man faces his old team for the first time since getting fired in 2008.
The Browns have turned into a solid 'over' play since consecutive 'unders' to start the season. Cleveland has cashed five of six 'overs,' while going 4-2 ATS the last six games as an underdog. Since Colt McCoy has taken under center for the Browns, Cleveland is 2-1 SU/ATS, as the former Texas Longhorn has led this team to 64 points the last two weeks.
Bengals at Colts (-7, 47) - 1:00 PM EST
Cincinnati was dealt another devastating loss on Monday night by falling short in a 27-21 setback to Pittsburgh. The Bengals are in the cellar of the AFC North at 2-6 as things don't get easier this week with a trip to Indianapolis. The Colts are still dinged up offensively with a myriad of injuries, but Indianapolis starts the day tied atop the AFC South at 5-3.
The Bengals were an outstanding play as an underdog when they won the division last season, covering seven of nine games. This season has been a different story as the Bengals own a 1-3 SU/ATS mark when receiving points. Four of five games in Cincinnati's current five-game skid have finished 'over' the total, while the defense has allowed at least 22 points in each of these losses.
To think the Colts will automatically bounce back after losing at Philadelphia last week isn't strong reasoning. Since 2006, Indianapolis is just 4-9 ATS coming off a SU defeat, but two of those wins have come this season against the Giants and Chiefs. The Colts have alternated 'overs' and 'unders' each of the last seven games, fresh off an 'over' of 46 ½ against the Eagles last Sunday.
Titans (-2, 43) at Dolphins - 1:00 PM EST
Both teams have shaken things up recently with former Marshall teammates getting thrown into this week's storyline. Randy Moss will make his Titans' debut after he was picked up off waivers during the bye week, hoping to bolster a beat-up Tennessee receiving corpse. Moss' quarterback with the Thundering Herd, Chad Pennington, has been thrust into the starting role this week for the Dolphins as he replaces the ineffective Chad Henne.
The Titans look to rebound after losing late at San Diego two weeks ago, 33-25 as six-point road 'dogs. Tennessee's offense has been impressive even with the revolving door of Vince Young and Kerry Collins at quarterback as this team has put up 25 points or more in six of eight games. The Titans find ways to cover as road favorites by compiling an 8-4 ATS mark since 2007 when laying points on the highway.
Pennington hasn't played since a season-ending shoulder injury in the third game of 2009. He takes over for Henne, as the ex-Michigan quarterback has thrown 10 interceptions, while the Dolphins have reached the end zone just three times in the last three weeks. Pennington led the NFL in completion percentage (67%) in his marvelous 2008 season in which the Dolphins finished 11-5 and captured the AFC East title. Miami is 0-3 SU at home, while owning a 2-9 ATS ledger at Sun Life Stadium against non-division opponents under Tony Sparano.
Texans at Jaguars (-1 ½, 50)- 1:00 PM EST
A pair of 4-4 teams that are basically in a must-win situation lock horns in Jacksonville. Houston has dropped four of six games since a 2-0 start as the Texans try to avenge a sweep by the Jaguars last season. Jacksonville is fresh off the bye week after its annihilation of Dallas two weeks ago, 35-17 as 6 ½-point underdogs.
The Jags have shown signs of life offensively by tallying at least 31 points in three of four victories, which is good news against a Texans' defense allowing 28.3 ppg this season (tied for 29th alongside Jacksonville). The 'over' has translated nicely for Jacksonville by hitting in six of eight games, while Houston is 5-3 to the 'over.'
Jacksonville grabbed both meetings last season as an underdog, as the Jags are 3-0 the last three home matchups with the Texans. Houston is just 1-5 ATS the previous six games, while going 2-8 ATS under Gary Kubiak in the first of consecutive road games (Texans battle the Jets next week).
Chiefs at Broncos - 4:05 PM EST
Kansas City leads the AFC West halfway through the season at 5-3, but the Chiefs should be sitting at 6-2 after blowing numerous opportunities in last week's overtime loss at Oakland. Denver returns to play in the United States following a deflating defeat in London to San Francisco as the Broncos try to improve on a dreadful 2-6 record.
The Broncos fell short in a 24-20 home loss to the Jets in mid-October, which seemed like Denver could hang with some of the big dogs in the AFC. Things fell apart at the seams the next week when the Broncos were beat down by the Raiders, 59-14. Following the London loss to the Niners, Denver looks to improve on a 5-14-1 ATS ledger at Invesco Field since 2008. Josh McDaniels' Broncos began last season at 6-0 SU/ATS, but are just 4-14 SU and 5-13 ATS the past 18 games.
The Chiefs' top-ranked rushing offense was limited to 104 yards in the Oakland loss, 75 yards below their season average. This can be a good week for Kansas City to bounce back against a Denver run defense that is allowing 154.6 yards/game, which ranks 31st in the NFL. Todd Haley's squad has won only one of four road games, but the Chiefs have been right there in all three defeats at Indianapolis, Houston, and Oakland.
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