Betting NFL Football – The Game Plans
Betting NFL Football – The Game Plans
With just three weeks left in the regular season, it is about winning for all the playoff contenders. For those making NFL picks and studying the betting odds, here is what you can expect each team to do to win and hopefully this puts money in your pocket.
(311) NEW ORLEANS at (312) ST. LOUIS FOX
SUNDAY DEC. 15 / 4:24 E
Saints Game Plan: New Orleans had to focus more on the pass last week because of Carolina’s defense. This week, look for more balance from Sean Payton offense
against a Rams defense that ranks 13th against the run and 22nd against the pass. Defensively, the New Orleans intent will be stopping Zac Stacy and St. Louis rushing game (162 YPG L6W) and making Kellen Clemens beat them throwing.
Rams Game Plan: St. Louis has to keep Drew Brees off the field and have a steady run game which produces points as the perfect anecdote. Brees has been sacked 26 times this season and the Rams are seventh in the league (38 sacks) at dragging down opposing quarterbacks, thus pressuring him is imperative. Also, the defense has to get off the field in third down with New Orleans having the third-best conversion rate (45.7%) in that situation.
Key sports betting number: These teams are 11-3 OVER in St. Louis the last 20 years.
(313) SEATTLE at (314) N.Y. GIANTS FOX
SUNDAY DEC. 15 / 1:00 E
Seahawks Game Plan: With Eli Manning having 20 interceptions, Seattle will want to bring a ton of pressure off the edges and have their speedy defensive ends create mayhem against so-so tackles for the Giants. The Seahawks corners will continue to play man coverage and look to snag a pick or two. Though New York’s run defense has improved as the season wore on, Pete Carroll will want to establish the run with Marshawn Lynch and take shots down the field later like he has all season.
Giants Game Plan: New York did not bother to show up in San Diego and was drilled, leaving open the door as to what to expect from them mentally this week. Defensive tackle Justin Tuck said this week, “Seattle can embarrass you” which was his warning to teammates. Manning will have to make quick and thoughtful decisions to his receivers and utilize short throws to backs and tight ends to move the ball. The Giants run defense is allowing just 3.8 yards a carry and better buckle the chin strap for this week.
Key sports betting number: Seattle is 7-0 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points since last season.
(321) NEW ENGLAND at (322) MIAMI CBS
SUNDAY DEC. 15 / 1:00 E
Patriots Game Plan: For a team with a 10-3 record, New England is anything but impressive on either side of the ball. Tom Brady and offense has not played well in three games in the first half and has to move on again without Rob Gronkowski. Best guess is the running game will have to deliver more and Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola become the focal point of the passing attack. The Pats are 5-2 SU the last seven games, but the defense has been surrender 393.1 yards a game and with dangerous receivers like Mike Wallace and tight end Charles Clay, New England has their work cut out for them.
Dolphins Game Plan: For Miami, this division matchup is as much mental as physical. The Dolphins have lost seven straight to New England and eight of nine and will have no better opportunity to end this streak than this week. The Dolphins running game has over 300 total yards the last two weeks. The offensive line has gained confidence, the running backs are running with more authority and even the pass blocking has improved. Ryan Tannehill is playing significantly better since the coaches have put the game more in his hands. The defense simply has to play hard all four quarters.
Key sports betting number: Miami is 12-29 ATS after a two-game road trip.
(331) CINCINNATI at (332) PITTSBURGH NBC
SUNDAY, DEC. 8 / 8:30 E
Bengals Game Plan: In the earlier matchup, Cincinnati was able to control the contest by running the ball (34 attempts) and making Pittsburgh one dimensional by stuffing the run (16 rush attempts). The Steelers will undoubtedly look to take the run away from the Bengals and they can offset this with screens and passes to the tight ends. Defensively, Cincy still to limits the Steelers on the ground and contain Antonio Brown from generating big plays.
Steelers Game Plan: Pittsburgh has the 31st-ranked run offense in the NFL, the 7th-best pass offense and they managed just 44 yards rushing in their first meeting against Cincinnati. At this point of the season you are who you are and probably will have to rely on Ben Roethlisberger. On defense, the Steelers did not stop the run or the pass in their first meeting, and have to harass Andy Dalton and win first and second down.
Key sports betting number: Pittsburgh is 13-4 ATS at home after covering the spread in four out of their last five games.
(333) BALTIMORE at (334) DETROIT ESPN
MONDAY, DEC. 16/ 8:40 E
Ravens Game Plan: Baltimore will do everything they can to pressure Matthew Stafford into errant throws – which is very possible lately – while trying to limit Calvin Johnson as much as possible from hurting them down the field. On offense, the Ravens will try and establish the ground game with Ray Rice and have Joe Flacco take shots against a vulnerable Lions secondary.
Lions Game Plan:For Detroit, running up the A-gaps would be silly against Baltimore’s run defense, thus, working the edges with Reggie Bush and throwing outside the numbers to Megatron and their other receivers is the way to attack the Ravens. The Lions defensive front has to come to play and prove last week was an aberration against Philadelphia. The secondary will have to be mindful of Flacco going deep, especially down the right side.
Key sports betting number: Detroit is 2-10 ATS after a playing a game where 50 total points or more were scored the last two seasons.
