As we get further and further into the season, I hope to share
interesting matchups that you may want to consider as your Survival
pick. Why? Because the games that have the large betting spreads
you have probably used earlier in the year, and the other ones
that you might choose, are risky between rivals. In that light,
enjoy these picks.
#3: LA Chargers over Pittsburgh
(8-2: buf, TB, AZ, GB, MN, PIT, LAR, KC, no, DAL)
Justin Herbert and company are in the thick of the AFC West race
and host Ben Roethlisberger and company in a game which may mean
the difference for the Wild Card spot in head-to-head tiebreaker
scenarios.
These teams are evenly matched on both sides of the ball, but
the Chargers score five points more on average and are healthy
in comparison to the Steelers and playing at home. The Steelers
injury report includes Roethlisberger, JuJu Smith-Schuster, T.J. Watt, and Chase Claypool. Need I say more?
Unlike last week for the Steelers, the weather won’t be
a factor in SoCal. Take the Chargers if you dare, as this is one
of the more interesting matchups with a favorable line for the
home team.
Steelers-O / Chargers-D Comparison
PIT Off
Rk
Stat
Rk
LAC Def
331.1
24
TOT YDS
17
361.1
236.4
17
PASS YDS
4
206.0
94.7
26
RUSH YDS
32
155.1
19.7
26
PTS SCORED
25
25.3
11
12
T OVERS / T AWAYS
17
11
Steelers-D / Chargers-O Comparison
PIT Def
Rk
Stat
Rk
LAC Off
348.9
12
TOT YDS
10
370.2
225.9
1
PASS YDS
7
270.0
123.0
25
RUSH YDS
21
100.2
20.6
8
PTS SCORED
15
24.3
7
28
T OVERS / T AWAYS
5
9
#2: Cleveland over Detroit
(7-3: TB, GB, DEN, no, NE, LAR, bal, cin, MIA, BUF)
Of all the games this week that could be your safest bet, the
Browns sure seem like the one to take. Yes Baker
Mayfield was injured again last week and is not a sure thing
to start/play this week, but the running attack (Chubb, Hunt and
Johnson) more than offset the potential loss of the signal caller.
This offense, because of its front line, have become a steady
force for any of the running backs that play.
Meanwhile, Detroit management has shown that they know how to
get rid of any and all good players. Matthew
Stafford is sorely missed as well as Kenny
Golladay. T.J.
Hockenson was shut out in receptions last week. How does their
best receiving option get 1 target?
Until Detroit has a new GM, and maybe new coaches, bet against
the Lie Downs.
#1: Tennessee over Houston
(9-1: SF, CLE, CAR, BUF, TB, KC, AZ, LAR, dal, IND)
Three years ago, this was the battle for the AFC South lead. Oh
how the mighty have fallen from that fateful playoff game when
the Texans were up by 21 points over the Kansas City Chiefs. It
seems like everything has gone south for Houston since the second
half of that game.
Meanwhile, the Titans have found a leader in Ryan
Tannehill after being discarded by the Miami Dolphins. Yes,
they have lost NFL MVP Derrick
Henry to injury, but their defense, ranked 15th overall, should
have no trouble handling the 32nd ranked offense of Houston. Tyrod
Taylor is definitely an upgrade over Davis
Mills, and Brandin
Cooks should have a good stat day. But Adrian
Peterson, even in his limited role, should be able to help
this Playoff bound Titans team win at home over their division
rival.