Betting NFL Football – The Game Plans
Betting NFL Football – The Game Plans
For serious football bettors who like betting NFL football, here is breakdown of what to look for from key contests for Week 9 and what these teams will be attempting to accomplish to win the contest.
(401) ATLANTA at (402) CAROLINA FOX
SUNDAY NOV. 3 / 1:00 E
Falcons Game Plan: At the beginning the season, the thought would have been when these team met the records would have reserved from where they are now. But Atlanta overestimated what they had with personnel and injuries to linebackers and wide receivers wiped out the guts of the team. Atlanta cannot throw the ball 61 times like last week in Arizona and expect to win. Did you know the Falcons have rushed under 20 times in five of the seven games? They have to find a semblance of balance with the running game. On defense, they have to take away the run versus a strong offensive line and keep Cam Newton in the pocket.
Panthers Game Plan: After some wondered if Newton show be benched after losing to Arizona, something clicked with the former Auburn quarterback and he and his team have gotten dialed in winning and covering three straight. The Falcons defense should be ripe for the picking for Carolina as they have not shown the ability to be very good against the run or pass. The Falcons are 32nd in rushing at 62.4 yards per game and in Carolina’s four victories; they have conceded an average of 61.5 rushing yards. Do this again and Matt Ryan will be running for his life.
Key sports betting number: Carolina is 13-4 ATS after playing their last game on the road the last three seasons.
(405) NEW ORLEANS at (406) N.Y. JETS FOX
SUNDAY NOV.3 / 1:00 E
Saints Game Plan: The New Orleans running game only ranks 25th, thus going against the Jets league-leading run defense, coach Sean Payton will have to get creative with screens and quick tosses for an extended running game. It will be tantamount the Saints offensive line gets Muhammad Wilkerson blocked in some manner, because he’s been a beast. Defensively, the Saints have 24 sacks and Gang Green has surrendered 29. Getting after rookie quarterback Geno Smith could pay dividends by stopping their offense or possibly creating turnovers.
Jets Game Plan: New York was in a bad scheduling spot last week and Cincinnati made them pay. The only chance the Jets have is playing keep away, running the ball 35 or more times to keep Drew Brees on the bench and not committing turnovers. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg should emphasize high-percentage play-action passes for Smith. On defense, the Flyboys have to account for TE Jimmy Graham, have an ever-present eye on Darren Sproles and knock Brees around to have chance to force New Orleans to kick field goals instead of scoring touchdowns.
Key sports betting number: New Orleans is 15-5 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points the last 3 seasons.
(409) KANSAS CITY at (410) BUFFALO CBS
SUNDAY NOV. 3 / 1:00 E
Chiefs Game Plan: A first read of the spread in this AFC confrontation might seem a little off with 8-0 Kansas City and favored by only a field goal at Buffalo. However, the Chiefs offense has been less dynamic under Alex Smith with fewer and fewer big plays. What Kansas City want to do is the same thing they have been doing all season, build a lead in the second half, turn it over to their ferocious defense, which gives the offense great field position and score points late to win.
Bills Game Plan: Realistically, QB Thad Lewis gives the Buffalo the best chance to pull off the upset, but if his sore ribs do not allow him to play, Jeff Tuel or Matt Flynn will start, which means a different offense, particularly in the passing game. Even before, it was a given the Bills had to run the ball if they were to have a chance. Defensively, the Bills will have to find a way to cope with Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles, who’s having a great year. He’s a dual threat as a runner and receiver, and the Bills have not been good at limiting big plays or stopping teams on third down. They have allowed 22 runs of at least 10 yards, and 27 passes of at least 20 yards, and their third-down rate is 38.8.
Key sports betting number: Buffalo is 8-0 ATS off a road loss the last two seasons.
(419) PITTSBURGH at (420) NEW ENGLAND FOX
SUNDAY, NOV. 3 / 4:25 E
Steelers Game Plan: Pittsburgh has been slow starters all season so whether they come out throwing against New England’s depleted defense or running, they need to put points on the board quickly instead of playing from behind time and again. No matter what Tom Brady has for players around him, how you get him off his game is pressure in the A-gaps coming right at him. The once formidable Steelers defense has produced only 10 sacks in seven games and only five turnovers.
Patriots Game Plan: While Pittsburgh is -9 in turnover differential, New England is +7 and has forced at least one turnover in 35 straight games. This is a huge factor when you consider the Patriots are a six-point favorite. Brady can pick apart the Steelers with short quick throws either to the outside or to Rob Gronkowski over the middle. The Pittsburgh offensive line continues to play poorly and though the Pats are lessened, they have still been rushing the passer effectively and Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked 16 times in the last four games.
Key sports betting number: New England is 12-2 ATS off a division game the last three seasons.
(421) INDIANAPOLIS at (422) HOUSTON NBC
SUNDAY, NOV. 3 / 8:30 E
Colts Game Plan: The Indianapolis running game might lack the burst for large gains; however, they have been very good at plodding along. The Colts are ninth in the NFL in rushing yards per game (129.3) and seventh in rushing yards per play (4.55). This keeps them on down and distance numbers and allows Andrew Luck to pass needing more modest yards and sets up shots down the field to T.Y. Hilton. All season, Houston has been turnover-prone and the Indianapolis defense has to place them in the position to continue to be charitable. A steady pass rush could disrupt the Texans inexperienced signal caller.
Texans Game Plan: Though Matt Schaub is healthy enough to play, head coach Gary Kubiak is giving Case Keenum his second straight start. Keenum was very good in looking down field and has a lively arm, but he has to do a much better job in check-down throws, which gave him at least three sacks in his initial start. With Arian Foster and Ben Tate both dinged, the offensive line has to step up as blockers and manufacture holes for whoever is running the ball. The Houston defense has to do a better job in assignment football, staying in their lanes to plug gaps to stop the run and not let Luck escape out of the pocket and run for first downs.
Key sports betting number: Houston is 8-3 ATS at home against Indianapolis.
