In looking at some of the Vegas lines this week, both of the NFC
East games (DAL @ NYG, WAS @ PHI) seem to be blowouts. But it’s
difficult to rely on any team fifteen weeks into a survival pool
contest. The Cowboys, while showing that they might still be the
team we saw in the first six weeks of the season, in a game against
their division rival on the road is no sure bet. And to think
that the Eagles are more than a touchdown favorite over a very
good Washington defense that was smoked last week by Dallas, means
that someone was smoking something when that line was set. Avoid
both and look below for better options.
#3: San Francisco over Atlanta
(11-3: buf, TB, AZ, GB, MN, PIT, LAR, KC, no, DAL, LAC, ind, PHL,
SEA)
30 years ago, this NFC West matchup actually had some fire to
it. This year, their might be fireworks, but more from the 49ers
than the Falcons. Yes both teams are in the playoff hunt, but
one is a viable playoff team and the other, a poser.
San Francisco is better in almost every stat category. Combine
that with the fact that their team is starting to get healthy
at the right time of the year, and it makes the 49ers a tough
team to beat. Yes, the Falcons are 5-2 on the road this season,
but the speed of San Francisco’s lineman should prevent
the spread offense of the Falcons to do what they did against
Carolina last week. If you choose this game based upon their defenses,
the Niners are in the top quartile and the Falcons, bottom quartile.
#2: Arizona over Detroit
(11-3: TB, GB, DEN, no, NE, LAR, bal, cin, MIA, BUF, CLE, DAL,
IND, LAC)
Until the Lions can muster a consistent offense and prove that
they can keep their skill players on the field, it is best to
pick against them and anyone playing Houston.
This week, the Cardinals have the pleasure of hosting the Lions
and should get back to their winning ways after last week’s
loss to the Rams. The Cardinals are superior across the board
as highlighted by the chart below, and easily should win this
game. If you haven’t used Arizona yet, this is one that
you can lock in. If you have, can I interest you in a Dolphins
game that normally scares the living daylights out of me?
Cardinals-O / Lions-D Comparison
ARI Off
Rk
Stat
Rk
DET Def
374.8
9
TOT YDS
28
379.2
252.2
10
PASS YDS
17
244.0
122.5
12
RUSH YDS
28
135.2
28.2
4
PTS SCORED
29
27.2
13
4
T OVERS / T AWAYS
22
14
Cardinals-D / Lions-O Comparison
ARI Def
Rk
Stat
Rk
DET Off
321.6
5
TOT YDS
26
311.3
209.8
5
PASS YDS
27
200.8
111.8
16
RUSH YDS
17
110.5
19.5
4
PTS SCORED
30
16,4
23
6
T OVERS / T AWAYS
19
18
#1: Miami over NY Jets
(12-2: SF, CLE, CAR, BUF, TB, KC, AZ, LAR, dal, IND, ten, BAL,
MN, GB)
Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins host their division rival
NY Jets in a game that has big playoff meaning for the home team.
At 6-7 and riding a five-game winning streak, the Dolphins have
put themselves in position to earn one of the last AFC wild card
spots.
It has been the running game of Myles Gaskin that has been a pleasant
surprise. Should he clear COVID protocols, he should have a big
day against the Jets defense. Keep your eye on which running back
is able to play in this game. If Gaskin can’t go, one of
Phillip Lindsay, Salvon Ahmed or Malcolm Brown will carry the
rock while Tua slings the ball to DeVante Parker and Co. If this
team gels, they could be a force in the AFC East for years to
come.
Meanwhile, the Jets have been an enigma. One week playing inspired
football and winning unwinnable games, to just not finishing plays.
Yes, this is that dreaded division matchup that you should avoid
when wanting to win your pool. But this late in the season, sometimes
you have to go with the hot hand. As such, take the team that
is on the winning streak and ride them until you die.