NFL Trends and Indexes - Week 3 (Thursday, September 19 - Monday, September 23)

[Udog]

NFL betting: Where the action is in Week 3

We talk to sportsbooks about the betting patterns, sharp and public money, and where they see the lines ending up come kickoff Sunday.

Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings - Open: -3.5, Move: -5, Move: -7

The anemic Cleveland Browns offense will play their first game since trading RB Trent Richardson. The Browns only had 112 rushing yards before the trade and now bettors are all over the Vikings.

"On Monday morning we got sharp action on the Vikes so we moved to -5," says Mike Perry of Sportsbook.ag. "Then, after the Browns announced they traded Trent Richardson, moved game to current number of 7."

According to Perry, 90 percent of cash is on the Vikings.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots - Open: 44, Move: 43.5

Tom Brady and the Pats could very well be the most maligned 2-0 football team in recent memory. The Pats squeaked by both the Bills and Jets and haven't put too many points up on the board in the process. That said, the sharps and betting public have differing views on the total.

"There is a sharp versus public split on the total," an oddsmaker with BetDSI tells Covers. "Sharps are backing the over 43.5 and public money betting the under any number."

Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals - Open: +1, Move: +3

Aaron Rodgers carved up the Washington Redskins one week ago and sharps like the Packers to come out in Week 3 with a good showing in Cincy.

"Sharp action on the Packers on Monday afternoon caused us to move to present number of three," says Perry. "Eighty-six percent of the money is on the Packers."

San Diego Chargers at Tennessee Titans - Open: 43.5

One thing sharps and the betting public can agree on is that there will be points on the board in Tennessee with the Chargers in town. The Bolts have started the season posting a 2-0 O/U record after their opening two games.

"Both sharp and public factions agree on the total Over in this match up," says an oddsmaker with BetDSI. "Sharps came in at the over 43.5 and the public is piling on creating a 5-to-1 bet and volume count here."

Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals - Open: 48.5, Move: 50.5

The Bengals running game could be hitting its stride as both Gio Bernard and BenJarvus Green-Ellis had very strong performances against Pittsburgh in Week 2. The Packers have appeared in two high-scoring affairs and are 2-0 O/U to start the season.

"Heavy majority of betting public is in love with the Over here," says Perry. "With 89 percent of cash on the Over, it has gone from 48.5 to 50.5."

Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins - Open: -3, Move: -1

The Redskins haven't gotten off to the best start and the 1,023 yards conceded on defense is second last only to Philadelphia's 1,315. Lions QB Matthew Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson could be in for some big stats Sunday afternoon.

"Despite fact that Reggie Bush is dinged up, wiseguys like the Lions here, moving the line from +3 to +1," said Perry.

Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins - Open: Pick, Move: Dolphins -2

Miami has opened 2-0 SU to start the campaign and has appeased backers by starting out 2-0 ATS. They have an NFC heavyweight coming to town as the Dirty Birds will take their deadly aerial attack to south Florida.

"Dolphin fans should be more vocal than usual, as their squad is undefeated for their home opener," Perry says. "Game opened a pick 'em and now the Dolphins are -2."

[Udog]

NFL

Sunday, September 22

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Sunday's NFL Week 3 betting cheat sheet
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Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens (+1, 45)

Star receiver Andre Johnson suffered a concussion in the game against the Titans but is expected to be cleared to play. Johnson is tied for the NFL lead with 20 receptions and Houston appears to have found a sensational complement in first-round pick DeAndre Hopkins (12 receptions, 183 yards).

Baltimore has a key player ailing in running back Ray Rice, who injured his left hip flexor in the contest against Cleveland and hasn’t participated in practices. “He’s not going to need the practice to play in the game,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said.

LINE: Houston opened -2.5 and moved to -1.5. Total moved from 44.5 to 45.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Houston (-5.0) - Baltimore (-1.0) + home field (-3.0) = Ravens +1
WEATHER: Temperatures mid 70s, partly cloudy, winds NNW 11 mph.
TRENDS:

* Road team is 5-2 ATS in their last seven meetings.Road team is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
* Texans are 0-4 ATS in their last four road games.
* Ravens are 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall.


New York Giants at Carolina Panthers (+1, 46.5)

New York's 10 turnovers - seven of which have been Eli Manning interceptions - are a major cause for concern and have put the defense in a tough spot. The offense has been effective at moving the ball, mostly through the air, and ranks fifth in the league in total yards, but the ground game has to come along and the Giants need to hang onto the ball.

The Panthers find themselves in an 0-2 hole after losing their first two games by a combined six points, including a 24-23 defeat against Buffalo last week. The Panthers have been balanced on offense but they've been far from explosive, ranking 27th in the league with 280.5 total yards per game.

LINE: Carolina opened -1 and moved to +1. Total moved from 45.5 to 47.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: New York (-1.0) + Carolina (+3.0) + home field (-3.0) = Panthers +1
WEATHER: Temps mid 70s, 22 percent chance of early showers, winds 5 north 5 mph.
TRENDS:

* Giants are 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
* Road team is 5-2 ATS in their last seven meetings.


Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins (Pick, 48.5)

Detroit is 2-0 against Washington under coach Jim Schwartz, with both victories coming at home. Calvin Johnson had 101 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-25 triumph over the Redskins in their last meeting on Oct. 31, 2010.

Facing a large deficit, the Redskins have been offensive juggernauts in the fourth quarter, outscoring Philadelphia and Green Bay by a combined 26-0 over the final 15 minutes.

LINE: Open pick bounced between -1 and +1. Total moved from 48 to 49.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Detroit (+1.0) - Washington (+2.5) + home field (-3.0) = Redskins -1.5
WEATHER: Temps mid 70s, partly cloudy skies, winds NNW 12 mph.
TRENDS:

* Under is 6-1-2 in the last nine meetings.
* Home team is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
* Lions are 0-4 ATS in their last four meetings in Washington.


San Diego Chargers at Tennessee Titans (-3, 43.5)

Philip Rivers leads a rejuvenated offense that is averaging more than 30 points per game. The only problem: San Diego has allowed as many points as it has scored, thanks to a defense that has surrendered the most passing yards in the league through two weeks.

The Tennessee Titans' defense has helped compensate for a sluggish offense through the first two games of the season. Titans RB Chris Johnson comes into the week ranked sixth in rushing yards (166) but second in attempts (50), averaging just 3.3 yards per carry.

LINE: Opened Tennessee -1 and moved to -3. Total steady at 43.5.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: San Diego (+2.0) - Tennessee (+3.0) + home field (-3.0) = Titans -2
WEATHER: Temps mid 70s, clear skies, winds NNE 7 mph.
TRENDS:

* Chargers are 8-0 ATS in their last eight meetings.
* Over is 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings.
* Favorite is 5-1 ATS in their last six meetings.


Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints (-9, 49)

Carson Palmer has injected some life into Arizona's passing game, but the ground game hasn't been as effective and running back Rashard Mendenhall (toe) is questionable. Palmer should have tight end Rob Housler back in the lineup after missing the first two games with a sore ankle, and the Cardinals have eased receiver Larry Fitzgerald along in practice in hopes he can play through a hamstring injury.

While the Saints' offense has struggled to find the end zone, coordinator Rob Ryan's revamped defense has limited its first two opponents to 320 yards and 15.5 points per game. The overhauled defense did a solid job against Atlanta in Week 1 but was dominant in a 16-14 win versus Tampa Bay, allowing 273 total yards - the Saints' lowest total since Week 15 of the 2011 season.

LINE: Arizona opened -9.5 and moved to -7. Total moved from 48.5 to 49.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Arizona (+3.5) + New Orleans (-3.0) + home field (-3.0) = Saints -9.5
WEATHER: N/A
TRENDS:

* Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Home team is 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings.
* Cardinals are 2-5 ATS in their last four meetings.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots (-8.5, 43.5)

Quarterback Josh Freeman is under siege after consecutive subpar outings - he was only 9-for-22 for 125 yards with one touchdown and one interception against the Saints - to spark speculation that he could lose his starting job to rookie Mike Glennon. The Buccaneers have dangerous weapons in second-year running back Doug Martin (209 yards rushing) and wideout Vincent Jackson (231 yards receiving), and the defense has been stout in allowing an average of 17 points.

With wideout Danny Amendola (groin) and running back Shane Vereen (wrist) set to miss a second straight game and tight end Rob Gronkowski still rehabbing from multiple offseason surgeries, Tom Brady has been forced to lean on Julian Edelman (20 receptions) and untested rookies in the receiving corps. Starting running back Steven Ridley has rushed for only 86 yards in two games while the defense has forced six turnovers to tie for second in the league.

LINE: Open New England -7 and moved to -8.5. Total moved from 45 to 43.5.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Tampa Bay (+4.0) + New England (-4.5) + home field (-3.0) = Patriots -11.5
WEATHER: Temps low 70s, 83 percent chance of rain, winds WSW 7 mph.
TRENDS:

* Buccaneers are 7-2 ATS in their last nine road games.
* Patriots are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games overall.
* Over is 7-3 in Patriots' last 10 home games.


Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals (+2.5, 49)

While Aaron Rodgers' Week 2 performance was typical, the Packers got a surprising 132-yard effort on the ground from running back James Starks, who replaced Eddie Lacy after the rookie left the game with a concussion. The Packers were forced to juggle their secondary last week after three DBs suffered hamstring injuries. All are questionable for Sunday.

Cincinnati has won the past two meetings against Green Bay and sacked Rodgers six times in its most recent game (2009) but it will be without veteran defensive end Robert Geathers who joined three Bengal linebackers on injured reserve. While questions still abound on Andy Dalton's deep passing ability, he has thrown for 280 and 282 yards in his first two starts and unveiled a new weapon in athletic rookie tight end Tyler Eifert on Monday.

LINE: Cincinnati opened +1 and moved to +2.5. Total moved from 46.5 to 49.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Green Bay (-6.0) - Cincinnati (-1.5) + home field (-3.0) = Bengals +1.5
WEATHER: Temps high 60s, clear skies, winds NNE 6 mph.
TRENDS:

* Packers are 1-4 ATS in their last five road games.
* Bengals are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games in Week 3.
* Over is 5-1 in Packers last six games overall.


St. Louis Rams at Dallas Cowboys (-3.5, 47)

St. Louis is attempting to start 2-1 for the first time since 2006. The Rams will look for more consistency out of high-priced free agent signing Jared Cook, who caught seven passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1 but managed only one grab last weekend.

The last time the Cowboys faced the Rams, DeMarco Murray rushed for a franchise-record 253 yards on Oct. 23, 2011. However, Murray only managed 25 yards on 12 attempts in last week's loss to the Chiefs, a game in which Dallas was unable to force any turnovers after creating six miscues against the New York Giants in Week 1.

LINE: Dallas steady at -3.5. Total moved from 46.5 to 47.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: St. Louis (+2.5) + Dallas (-2.5) + home field (-3.0) = Cowboys -3
WEATHER: N/A
TRENDS:

* Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
* Rams are 6-1 ATS in their last seven road games.
* Cowboys are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 home games.


Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings (-6.5, 40.5)

Cleveland was already struggling to produce offense with just 16 points in two games and trading RB Trent Richardson, who recorded 950 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns as a rookie, gives an offense starting a third-string quarterback even fewer options. Brian Hoyer starts in place of Brandon Weeden, who injured his thumb in last week's loss to Baltimore.

Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder, who was 16-of-30 against Chicago, is reportedly on the hot seat and could lose snaps to backup Matt Cassel unless his play improves. Ponder is 88-for-127 passing with five touchdowns and two interceptions in his last four games against AFC opponents.

LINE: Minnesota opened -4 and moved to -6.5. Total moved from 41 to 40.5.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Cleveland (+5.0) - Minnesota (+2.5) + home field (-3.0) = Vikings -5.5
WEATHER: N/A
TRENDS:

* Browns are 0-5 ATS in their last five games overall.
* Vikings are 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven home games.
* Under is 5-1 in Browns last six road games.


Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins (-1, 44.5)

After being held to 17 points in the opener, Atlanta's offense rebounded against St. Louis but was still too one-dimensional. The Falcons had only 36 rushing yards and have to rely on backups Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling to improve upon that. The defense has given up big chunks of yards but has limited the damage on the scoreboard, although the rash of injuries on that side of the ball leave numerous questions going into Sunday.

Second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill appears to be maturing, as he recorded his second career 300-yard passing game in a 24-20 win against the Colts, leaning on receiver Mike Wallace (nine catches, 115 yards, TD) and tight end Charles Clay (five catches, 109 yards). The Dolphins still need more out of running backs Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas, neither of whom is averaging more than three yards per carry.

LINE: Miami opened -1, moved to -2.5 before settling back at -1. The total opened at 44 and moved to 44.5.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Falcons (-4.0) - Dolphins (-1.0) + home field (-3.0) = Pick
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-90s with a 20 percent chance of rain.
TRENDS:

* The favorite is 3-0-1 ATS in their last four meetings.
* The Under is 5-1 in Dolphins last six home games.
* The Falcons are 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall.

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets (-1, 38.5)

EJ Manuel has completed 68.2 percent of his passes and thrown for 446 yards with three TDs and one interception in his first two games. Wide receiver Stevie Johnson, who caught the winning scoring pass last week, has been his favorite target with 11 catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns while the two-pronged running attack of C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson have combined to give Buffalo the league's fourth-best rushing attack at 142.5 yards per game.

Geno Smith guided New York to a last-second game-winning field goal in the season opener against Tampa Bay and had his team in position for a huge upset at New England before tossing three fourth-quarter interceptions. He is completing only 53.4 percent of his attempts and his 55.2 passer rating is next-to-last in the league. The tandem of Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell rushed for 100 yards versus the Patriots after combining for only 44 yards in the season opener, but the key to the game could hinge on New York's defense, which is tied for fourth in the league in allowing 59.5 yards on the ground.

LINE: The Jets opened as 1-point faves. The total opened at 39 and is now 38.5.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Bills (+5.0) - Jets (+5.0) + home field (-3.0) = Jets -3.0
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the high-60s with partly cloudy skies.
TRENDS:

* The Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings in New York.
* Road team is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 meetings.
* Bills are 4-1 ATS in their last five vs. AFC East.

Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers (-10, 46.5)

The move to snag Trent Richardson solidifies Indianapolis' commitment to the power-run game - a tactic first broached when the Colts acquired Ahmad Bradshaw in the offseason. Now, with a player head coach Chuck Pagano describes as a "rolling ball of butcher knives," Indianapolis believes it is poised to make a run at the AFC championship - and Richardson is a believer. "Playing against these guys twice, just seeing how they are around each other when they're on the sideline, it's been a big change," Richardson told reporters. "They're happy to come to work, and they're ready to go."

Teams are daring 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to beat them through the air - and while that strategy backfired on Green Bay in Kaepernick's Week 1 explosion against the Green Bay Packers (412 passing yards, three TDs), the Seahawks proved to be far better at it. Running back Frank Gore has struggled the most, compiling just 60 yards on 30 carries against the Packers and Seahawks.

LINE: The 49ers opened as a 10-point fave. The total opened at 45.5 and has moved to 46.5.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Colts (+1.5) + 49ers (-7.5) + home field (-3.0) = 49ers -12.0
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-60s with wind blowing across the field at 9 mph.
TRENDS:

* Road team is 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings.
* Over is 7-0 in 49ers last seven home games.
* The Colts are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games following a S.U. loss.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Seattle Seahawks (-19, 40.5)

Chad Henne will again start at quarterback and has yet to be intercepted while completing 63.6 percent of his passes. Running back Maurice Jones-Drew (72 yards, 2.9 average) injured his left foot in the loss to Oakland and is questionable, which means Jordan Todman (nine yards on six carries) is in line for more playing time. Middle linebacker Paul Posluszny has a team-high 19 tackles for a defense allowing 316 yards per game. However, the unit has forced only one turnover and recorded just four sacks.

Seattle has a league-best seven takeaways (four fumbles, three interceptions) and is allowing a league-low 113 passing yards per game. Sherman has seven interceptions in his last seven home games and the pass defense figures to get even better if starting cornerback Brandon Browner (hamstring) is available for the first time this season. Quarterback Russell Wilson (462 yards, two touchdowns) is off to a pedestrian start and running back Marshawn Lynch (141 rushing yards) is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry.

LINE: Seattle opened as a 20-point fave and is currently -19. The total opened at 41 and is 40.5.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Jaguars (+9.0) + Seahawks (-8.0) + home field (-3.0) = Seahawks -20
WEATHER: There is a 92 percent chance of rain. Wind will blow from the south at 14 mph toward the north end zone.
TRENDS:

* Jaguars are 0-4 ATS in their last four road games.
* Seahawks are 20-6 ATS in their last 26 games on fieldturf.
* Under is 8-0 in Seahawks last eight games in September.

Chicago Bears at Pittsburgh Steelers (+1, 40.5)

Chicago is 20-7-1 in the all-time series, which includes a franchise-record 13-game winning streak from 1934-49. Devin Hester has shown no signs of slowing down, as he registered a team-record 249 yards on kick returns in Sunday's triumph over Minnesota. Running back Matt Forte is one of two players in the NFL with over 5,000 yards rushing and 2,000 receiving since joining the league in 2008.

Injuries have played a large role in Pittsburgh's struggles, with running back Le'Veon Bell (foot) and tight end Heath Miller (knee) missing each of the first two games and center Maurkice Pouncey (knee), running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (knee) and linebacker Larry Foote (bicep) suffering season-ending injuries in the opener. The Steelers have won five of their last six home meetings with the Bears dating back to 1967. Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery is two receptions shy of 400 for his career.

LINE: The Steelers opened +1. The total opened at 39.5 and has moved up to 40.5.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Bears (-2.0) + Steelers (+2.5) + home field (-3.0) = Steelers +1.5
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the mid-50s with partly cloudy skies.
TRENDS:

* Over is 4-0 in Bears last four games overall.
* Steelers are 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall.
* Bears are 0-4 ATS in their last four games following a S.U. win.


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[Udog]

NFL

Sunday, September 22

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Essential betting tidbits for Week 3 of the NFL
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- The road team is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings between the Texans and Ravens. Texans are 1-point road faves.

- The Texans have started the season 0-2 ATS. The last time they started 0-2 ATS was the 2008 season. They covered in Week 3 and finished the season 8-8 SU and ATS.

- New York Giants QB Eli Manning leads the NFL with seven interceptions through his first two games; three more than next closest.

- Panthers QB Cam Newton has faced the Giants just once. His 40.6 QB rating is the lowest against any opponent he's faced. The Panthers are 1-point home dogs.

- The Washington Redskins defense is dead last in the NFL allowing 511.5 yards per game and third-last in the NFL allowing 71 points. Skins host the Lions with a total of 48.5.

- The Lions are 0-4 ATS in the previous four meetings in Washington. Matchup is currently listed as a pick.

- The San Diego Chargers have won nine-straight games SU against the Tennessee Titans are are 8-1 ATS in that stretch. Chargers are 2.5-point road dogs Sunday.

- The Titans own the league's least effective passing game. Tennessee is last in the NFL with just 246 passing yards.

- The home team is 4-0 ATS in the previous four meetings between the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints. The Saints are 9-point home faves.

- The Cardinals have lost eight straight road games overall and are 4-3-1 ATS over that stretch.

- Pats QB Tom Brady is 2-0 in his career versus Tampa Bay. Brady is 43-of-63 for 566 yards and has six TD passes and two INTs in those games. His 114.9 QB rating versus the Bucs is higher than any other opponent.

- Meanwhile, Bucs QB Josh Freeman's rating of 63.0 is fourth lowest in the league. Only Brandon Weeden (62.0), Geno Smith (55.2) and Blaine Gabbert (30.8) have worse ratings. The Bucs are 8.5-point road dogs Sunday.

- The Green Bay Packers secondary could be without CB Tramon Williams, S Morgan Burnett and CB Casey Hayward against Cincinnati. The Pack already own the league's third-worst passing defense yielding 359 yards per game.

- The Bengals are 0-5 O/U in their last five games at Paul Brown Stadium. The total for the matchup with Green Bay is currently 49.5.

- Not a marquee matchup of rushing offenses when the Cowboys host the Rams Sunday. St. Louis ranks 25th in the league, while Dallas ranks 26th.

- The Cowboys are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 home games but are 1-0 ATS at home so far in 2013. Dallas is a 3.5-point home fave with the Rams in town.

- Vikes QB Christian Ponder saves his best for AFC opposition. Ponder is 88-for-127 passing with five touchdowns and two interceptions in his last four games against the AFC. Vikes are 6.5-point faves as they host the Browns.

- Brian Hoyer will get the start for the Browns as Brandon Weeden nurses a thumb injury. Hoyer made two appearances last season with the Cardinals and both were losses.

- The Dolphins are 2-0 SU and have not been 3-0 since the 2002 season. Miami is a 1-point home against the visiting Atlanta Falcons.

- The Falcons will be without RB Steven Jackson who has a thigh injury. Duties will fall to Jacquizz Rodgers who has 17 yards on 11 carries (1.5 avg) and Jason Snelling who has 19 yards on two carries.

- The New York Jets are 14-2 O/U in their last 16 games in Week 3. Total with the Bills in town is currently 38.5.

- Bills QB EJ Manuel is the first rookie quarterback to post a passer rating of 89 or better in each of his first two NFL games.

- Despite just joining the team, the Colts say Trent Richardson will get plenty of carries against the 49ers. Indy is already fifth in the league averaging 5.0 yards per carry.

- The 49ers are 5-0 SU and ATS in their last five regular season matchups versus AFC opposition. Niners are 10-point home faves against the visiting Colts.

- The last time the Seattle Seahawks faced the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars (2009), Seattle was victorious 41-0. The Seahawks are 19-point home faves as they welcome the Jags to CenturyLink Field.

- Jacksonville has scored 11 points through its first two games. Seattle's top-ranked defense has allowed just 10.

- The Bears are 2-0 to start the campaign. The last time they began 3-0 (2010) they played in the NFC championship game.

- The Steelers are 0-4 O/U in their last four games and 3-14 O/U in their last 17 home games. Total is 40.5 as they face the visiting Bears.


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[Udog]

NFL

Sunday, September 22

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NFL betting weather report: Sunday's forecasts
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Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens (+1, 44.5)

Temperatures at A&T Bank Stadium will be in the low-70s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow out of the northwest at 11 mph at kickoff but will taper off slightly throughout the afternoon.


New York Giants at Carolina Panthers (+1, 47)

The forecast at Bank of America Stadium calls for partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-70s. Wind will blow diagonally across the field out of the north at 6 mph, tapering slightly.


Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals (+2.5, 49.5)

Fans at Paul Brown Stadium will be treated to sunny skies with temperatures in the mid-60s. Wind will be steady at 6 mph throughout the afternoon.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots (-8.5, 43.5)

It could be a wet one at Gillette Stadium, with an 80 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms in the forecast. Temperatures will be in the low-70s with wind blowing across the field from west to east at 11 mph.


San Diego Chargers at Tennessee Titans (-2.5, 43.5)

Temperatures at LP Field will steadily climb into the mid-70s with sunny skies. Wind will blow diagonally across the field out of the northeast at 8 mph.


Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins (PICK, 48.5)

Partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the low-70s will greet fans at FedEx Field. It will be a blustery day, with winds out of the northwest at 13 mph and holding steady throughout the game.


Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins (-1, 44.5)

Temperatures at Sun Life Stadium will start in the high-80s and fall gradually throughout the afternoon. There will be a 30 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms with wind blowing across the width of the field out of the south at 6 mph.


Buffalo Bills at New York Jets (-1, 38.5)

Skies will be partly cloudy at MetLife Stadium with temperatures in the low-70s at kickoff but expected to quickly fall into the mid-60s. Wind will blow diagonally across the field out of the northwest at 11 mph.


Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers (-10, 46.5)

Temperatures at Candlestick Park will be in the low-60s throughout the afternoon with sunny skies becoming partly cloudy by the early evening. Wind will blow across the width of the field out of the west at 6 mph, but will pick up later in the day.


Jacksonville Jaguars at Seattle Seahawks (-19, 40.5)

Showers are in the forecast at CenturyLink Field with temperatures expected to be in the low-60s. Wind will blow diagonally out of the southwest at 11 mph.


Chicago Bears at Pittsburgh Steelers (+1, 40.5)

Fans at Heinz Field will face temperatures in the mid-50s at kickoff but steadily falling throughout the evening. Skies will be partly cloudy while the wind will blow diagonally from the northwest at 5 mph.


** Odds and weather forecast as of 5:50 p.m. ET Saturday.


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[Udog]

NFL

Sunday, September 22

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Tale of the Tape: Chicago Bears at Pittsburgh Steelers
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Two of the NFL's most storied franchises do battle on Sunday Night Football, as the Marc Trestman-led Chicago Bears visit Heinz Field to face the struggling Pittsburgh Steelers. Chicago is coming off impressive victories over the Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings, and enter hostile territory as a one-point favorite against the winless Steelers.

We break down this Week 3 matchup with our betting tale of the tape:

Offense

Trestman has quickly put his stamp on the Bears, building upon his reputation as a creative offensive mind by heavily involving running back Matt Forte in the passing game. Forte, who had just 44 receptions a season ago, already has 14 through the first two weeks - and on only 16 targets. Chicago finds itself near the middle of the pack in rushing and passing yards, but is in the top five in third-down conversions (13-for-26) and has made the most of its scoring chances, racking up five touchdowns in seven red zone trips.

The Steelers have been terrible on offense. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, clearly missing Miami-bound deep threat Mike Wallace and injured tight end Heath Miller, has thrown for a pedestrian 442 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Pittsburgh has been even worse on the ground, compiling just 75 rushing yards on 31 carries for a dreadful 2.4 yards-per-carry average. While Miller's return should bolster the passing game, the continued absence of rookie rusher Le'Veon Bell should mean more struggles in the rushing game.

Edge: Chicago


Defense

The Bears' defense is no longer the vaunted unit of days gone by, but has done just enough to prevail in each of the first two weeks. Chicago was gashed through the air in the opener against Cincinnati but held the Bengals to just 63 rushing yards en route to a 24-21 win. Minnesota doubled that total in Week 2, but was limited to 227 yards through the air as the Bears prevailed 31-30. One area of concern is the difficulty the Bears are having at getting to opposing quarterbacks; Chicago has just two sacks through two games, ahead of only Minnesota, Arizona and Pittsburgh.

Speaking of the Steelers, their defense has been mostly solid through two games. They're ninth in the league in passing yards allowed (198.5 per game) and, while they've allowed the ninth-most rushing yards, they've come on 76 carries - second only to Philadelphia, which has played one more game. In other words, teams are trying to run all over the Steelers - and it isn't really working, as opposing clubs are averaging just 3.1 yards per carry. Pittsburgh has yet to yield a run longer than 14 yards.

Edge: Pittsburgh


Special Teams

Chicago has boasted one of the most potent kick-return units in the league through two games, returning seven kickoffs for 294 yards - good for an average of 42 per attempt. The punt-return game is a different story, as the Bears have managed just one return yard on two attempts. They have also been generous to opponents on kickoff attempts, surrendering Cordarelle Patterson's 105-yard return to open last weekend's narrow win over the Vikings. Chicago has punted just once this season.

The Steelers find themselves near the middle of the pack in kickoff return yardage, averaging 22 yards on six attempts. They've had a 40-yard punt return but their other two attempts have netted a total of minus-two yards. Pittsburgh has only had to defend two of its own kickoffs - and has done a marvelous job in doing so, allowing just 17 total yards. The Steelers have had to punt 10 times - tied with Baltimore for the second-most in the league - but has limited opponents to 85 return yards.

Edge: Chicago


Notable Quotables

"They're not playing their front to rush the passer and defend the run on the way to the quarterback. They're rushing the passer to stop the run - and they're doing it with internal blitzes and people coming from different levels, which makes it harder to one-on-one block."
-- Bears head coach Marc Trestman

"When you hand it off 14 times in the first half for a three-yard average, I don't care what you call it, it has to be better. Those guys know it, our guys up front know it, our receivers know it. To have an efficient run game, we need to do a better job across the board."
-- Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley


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[Udog]

NFL

Sunday, September 22

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Bears at Steelers: What bettors need to know
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Chicago Bears at Pittsburgh Steelers (+1, 41)

After two straight home victories, the Chicago Bears look to remain undefeated as they take to the road to face the struggling Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. Chicago is fortunate to enter Week 3 as one of the league's eight remaining unbeaten teams, as it defeated the Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings by a combined four points. The Bears haven't begun a season with three consecutive victories since 2010, when they went on to play in the NFC championship game.

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, is attempting to avoid its first 0-3 start since 2000. The Steelers have been ineffective offensively, rushing for only 75 yards while scoring a total of 19 points over their first two contests. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has yet to take charge of a game, completing only 58.6 percent of his passes and throwing two touchdowns and two interceptions while being sacked seven times.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC.

LINE: The Steelers opened +1. The total opened at 39.5 and is currently 41.

WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the mid-50s with partly cloudy skies.

ABOUT THE BEARS (2-0): Chicago is 20-7-1 in the all-time series, which includes a franchise-record 13-game winning streak from 1934-49. Devin Hester has shown no signs of slowing down, as he registered a team-record 249 yards on kick returns in Sunday's triumph over Minnesota. Running back Matt Forte is one of two players in the NFL with over 5,000 yards rushing and 2,000 receiving since joining the league in 2008.

ABOUT THE STEELERS (0-2): Injuries have played a large role in Pittsburgh's struggles, with running back Le'Veon Bell (foot) and tight end Heath Miller (knee) missing each of the first two games and center Maurkice Pouncey (knee), running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (knee) and linebacker Larry Foote (bicep) suffering season-ending injuries in the opener. The Steelers have won five of their last six home meetings with the Bears dating back to 1967. Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery is two receptions shy of 400 for his career.

TRENDS:

* Bears are 0-4 ATS in their last four games following a S.U. win.
* Steelers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six home games.
* Over is 4-0 in Bears last four games overall.
* Under is 14-3 in Steelers last 17 home games.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Only Jacksonville (11) and Cleveland (16) have scored fewer points than Pittsburgh.

2. The Bears snapped their three-game losing streak against the Steelers in their last meeting, posting a 17-14 triumph at home on Sept. 20, 2009.

3. Chicago QB Jay Cutler has been sacked just once thus far after hitting the ground nine times over the first two games last season.


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[Udog]

NFL

Monday, September 23

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Raiders at Broncos: What bettors need to know
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Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos (-14.5, 48.5)

The Denver Broncos have experienced little adversity in posting a pair of dominating wins to open the season, but that is about to change as they prepare to host the Oakland Raiders on Monday night. Peyton Manning is off to a sizzling start but he could be looking over his shoulder after the Broncos lost starting left tackle Ryan Clady to a season-ending Lisfranc foot injury. Denver has won 13 consecutive regular-season games, the longest winning streak in the NFL.

Oakland has split its first two games behind dual-threat quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who was expected to be the team's backup before beating out Matt Flynn for the starting job in the preseason. Pryor conceded he has to make sure not to be preoccupied with the fact that Manning, the league's only four-time Most Valuable Player, is on the opposing sideline. “Peyton’s great and I can’t let that get into mind,” Pryor said. “I have to play my game and focus on my team."

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: Denver opened as a 14-point fave and is now -14.5. The total opened 49.5 and dropped to 48.5.

WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the mid-60s with clear skies.

ABOUT THE RAIDERS (1-1): Oakland's strategy to combat Manning and Denver's high-powered offense will likely be to play keep-away and rely on a running attack that averaged a league-best 198.5 yards in the first two games. Pryor has been an integral part of that success, setting a franchise record with 112 yards on the ground in a season-opening loss at Indianapolis while running back Darren McFadden rumbled for 129 yards in last week's 19-9 victory over Jacksonville. Oakland's defense ranks fourth in the league with an average of 261 yards allowed and will look to exploit Clady's absence with a unit that has collected nine sacks.

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (2-0): Manning's passer rating is off the charts at a league-leading 131.0 after throwing for 769 yards with nine touchdowns and zero interceptions through two games. He has weapons all over the field in the wide receiver troika of Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker and Eric Decker to go with emerging tight end Julius Thomas, and former first-round draft pick Knowshon Moreno fortified the running game with a 93-yard, two-touchdown effort in last week's 41-23 win at the New York Giants. A defense that is missing suspended linebacker Von Miller could get a boost with the expected return of Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey.

TRENDS:

* Broncos are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games overall.
* Raiders are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 Monday games.
* Raiders are 6-1 ATS in their last seven meetings in Denver.
* Over is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Manning, who is 6-0 vs. the AFC West since joining the Broncos, is the only QB in league history with nine TDs versus zero picks in the opening two games.

2. Oakland is 11-2 when McFadden rushes for 100 yards.

3. The Broncos have outscored the opposition 66-24 in the second half.


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[Udog]

NFL

Monday, September 23

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Tale of the Tape: Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos
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Peyton Manning looks to build on a sensational start to the season as he and the Denver Broncos welcome the Oakland Raiders to town in Monday Night Football action. Manning's nine-touchdown, zero-interception performance led the Broncos to back-to-back one-sided victories over the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants. Oakland opened with a narrow loss to Indianapolis before bouncing back to win against Jacksonville.

We break down this Week 3 matchup with our betting tale of the tape:

Offense

There was no more potent offensive attack in football after the opening two weeks of the season than the Manning-led Broncos. Despite not having the same arm strength he had as a younger quarterback, Manning is as efficient as ever, completing 67 percent of his passes while racking up more than 750 yards. The Broncos' third-ranked pass attack has taken a lot of emphasis away from the running game, which has been mediocre at the best of times (21st in average rushing yards entering Sunday). Knowshown Moreno scored twice last week, but the Denver rushing committee has been largely inconsistent.

The Raiders are the polar opposite of their Monday opponent, struggling with the passing game but boasting one of the more robust rush attacks in football. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor is finding things difficult without an established No. 1 receiver, having to rely on unheralded Rod Streater (eight catches, 112 yards) to lead the way. Pryor has no such concerns when he scrambles, leading all QBs with 162 rushing yards. He and Darren McFadden (177 yards, TD) form the strongest 1-2 running punch in the league so far, but should meet plenty of resistance against a stout Denver rush defense.

Edge: Denver


Defense

Baltimore and New York could do next to nothing on the ground against Denver, averaging fewer than 41 yards per game with a two yards-per-carry average. The Broncos haven't allowed a run of more than 14 yards to date - and with an offense that is averaging 45 points per game, that means plenty of garbage-time passing opportunities for the opposition. This may explain why Denver has surrendered a whopping 688 yards through the air so far - its 111 pass attempts against is third only to Philadelphia and Kansas City, who have each played an extra game.

The Oakland defense has been one of the league's biggest early-season surprises. Though it helps to have played a game against the anemic Jaguars' offense, the Raiders have looked solid defensively while holding their opponents to an average of 180.5 passing yards (fifth-best in the NFL), 80.5 rushing yards (ninth) and 13 points. The Jacksonville game was particularly encouraging, as the Jaguars managed just 34 rushing yards on 19 carries and were held out of the end zone until the game was well out of reach with 2:53 remaining.

Edge: Oakland


Special Teams

After two full weeks and the early Week 3 game, the Broncos remain the only NFL team with a punt-return touchdown - courtesy Trindon Holliday, whose 81-yard return TD punctuated Denver's 41-23 win over the Giants in Week 2. While Holliday's impressive return inflates the Denver punt-return totals, the Broncos would still rank in the top three in yardage even without it. Denver sits in the middle of the pack in kickoff-return defense (24.2 yards allowed per kick) and has had a punt returned just three times, allowing an average return of 8.7 yards (12th-highest).

The Raiders haven't had many punt returns, but aside from a 30-yard jaunt, they haven't fared well - averaging just two yards on their other four attempts. Oakland ranks 12th in kickoff return yardage at 24.3 per attempt, but has only had three through the opening two weeks. The Raiders are one of only 11 teams to hold opponents to less than 20 yards per kickoff return (19.8), and have had just two punts returned at an average of 14 yards per attempt. Oakland is one of only three teams without an opponent fair catch.

Edge: Denver


Notable Quotables

"It's hard to fool that guy. He's seen a lot. He does a great job in preparation. It'll be hard to fool him. It's going to come down to execution. We're going to have to execute our jobs." -- Oakland head coach Dennis Allen on Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning

"They'll give you a lot of looks. They've got good guys doing it. I think they've improved on the back end, and I think they've improved playing team defense." -- Broncos head coach John Fox on the Oakland pass rush


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