Eagles’ home woes might not be enough to beat spread against Redskins
Even with a hot Nick Foles at quarterback, a game at the Linc doesn’t guarantee anything more than a win by a field goal.
Washington (+4.5) over EAGLES
Sure, the Birds are sitting at the top of the NFC Least with the Cowboys, the weakest division in the NFL, but let's not get too excited just yet. Why? Home Cooking! Something about the Linc — the food, the weight room, the parking lot, the cheerleaders ... well maybe not the cheerleaders — does not agree with the Green Machine. The well-documented 0-10 record at home is pathetic. It's even uglier against the spread, with an 0-11-1 mark since the start of the 2012 season. Will they ever win one? Of course, and probably Sunday, but it ain't gonna be a cakewalk. Nick Foles has been wonderful the last 2 weeks, with a berserk 155.3 rating in the period. Both games, of course, were on the road. At home, Foles is 0-4 as a starter and the Eagles have lost all six career home games he's played in, in which he's thrown three touchdowns and three interceptions, with a passer rating of 73.8. Gonna tread lightly here and call the Birds by a late FG.
Chiefs (+8.5) over BRONCOS
To all the whiners and negative Nellys out there: Shut It! With the Coach of the Year — yeah, Vic already has given Andy Reid the hardware — throwing a perfect 9-0 record at the rest of the NFL, people are still saying, well, they have not played a good team yet. OK, that's basically true. But 9-0 is still 9-0. So, let's see what happens in Denver. As everyone knows, Peyton Manning missed practice on Wednesday to rest a sore ankle, and he never misses practice, unless it's a problem. The Broncos' PR machine said he is fine, but we know he is hurting. What if, heaven forbid, Manning goes down. Whaddya got for me then? Brock Osweiler? Zac Dysert. Really? And the final piece of this puzzle is Andy's ridiculous record following the bye week, which, even after a loss last season, still stands at a proud, moneymaking, off-the-charts 13-1! And please don't forget KC's 4-0 run against the spread on the road. That makes this my Best Bet!
SAINTS (-3) over 49ers
Don't wanna sound like a broken record, but let's update some of what I wrote last week about New Orleans. That is, that the Saints have won 14 in a row inside the Superdome under Sean Payton, straight up and against the spread. They were easy money against the Cowboys last week, and will be against San Francisco. You cannot stop Drew Brees in the Dome, you can only hope to contain him. Actually, you can't even contain him. Not with an average of 39+ ppg when Payton is calling the plays.
TEXANS (-7) over Raiders
Totally win one for the Kubber. Gary Kubiak returns to the sideline after collapsing at halftime of the game against the Colts. And his guys are jacked up. Houston's defense is still formidable, and it should be a fun afternoon against Oakland's QB Terrelle Pryor and his sprained knee ligament. Then take a peek at the Silver & Black's record away from home, which is mostly black, with only one win in the last 12 outings. Houston gets out the hammer.
Vikings (+13) over SEAHAWKS
Here's what Seattle coach Pete Carroll said about the philosophy regarding this week's game: "It's 2 weeks that we could buy. We have that in mind. We're going to take the information and evaluate each guy and figure out what it means, knowing that we're OK. We're OK where we are, so we're not pressed into making a decision hastily." Translation: When we get up big, we're gonna rest guys and let Minny in the back door for a cover.
Patriots (+2.5) over PANTHERS
Look at Carolina's last six wins (Giants, Vikings, Rams, Buccaneers, Falcons, 49ers) and there isn't an offense in the bunch. Now, the Panthers entertain Mr. Offense, Tom Brady, and a New England team that has not lost as an underdog (6-0) since 2009.
Chargers (-1.5) over DOLPHINS
Miami still has two starting offensive linemen on the shelf, and after watching the Dolphins lose to the winless Buccaneers, ya gotta believe that without Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin, we are looking at another L for the 'Fins.
Falcons (-1) over BUCCANEERS
Tampa finally has its first win of the season. Is there anything left to play for? The answer: Nah!
Jets (+1.5) over BILLS
Buffalo as a favorite doesn't make any sense, but we'll take what we can get, and a point-and-a-half is plenty.
STEELERS (+2.5) over Lions
Big Ben is gonna shut up all his critics and all the noise with a third straight win at home.
BEARS (-3) over Ravens
Now that Chicago knows who the QB will be (da Josh McCown), it should be a strong outing for da Bears.
BENGALS (-6) over Browns
After two road losses, Cincy will get back on track at home, where the record sits at 4-0.
JAGUARS (+7.5) over Cardinals
Not so sure about Arizona as a road favorite, so we'll tickle Jacksonville at home and look for another cover.
GIANTS (-4.5) over Packers
Eli and the Big Blue are on a 3-0 run, and will have an easy time pushing it to 4-0 with Scott Tolzien at QB for the Pack.