By Ryan O’Donoghue – Wannamakeabet Staff Writer
This Sunday will be the first NFL games of the year in December. Fans across the world have their hands hovering over the panic button, terrified for the end of football and the subsequent end of excuses to not bring your aging mother in-law out to brunch. Take a deep breath- we will get through this- and make some money doing it!
Favorite team to COVER their spread
Pittsburgh to COVER -5 at Cincinnati
The only thing that has been less stable than Roethlisberger’s will to play football this year is the Cincinnati offense. The Bungals have won three home games, two coming against the Colts and Browns. Sure, Hundley and the Packers somehow hung 28 on the Steelers last week (Vegas is adamant that this had nothing to do with the fact that the casinos were having the losing-ist NFL Sunday ever that day…), but the Pittsburgh defense this year has been just as reliable as the offense.
OVER of the week
Carolina at New Orleans OVER 48
The New Orleans offense has been a machine this year and the way that Drew Brees plays quarterback at the Superdome should be written into the New Testament. A stiff Carolina defense comes to town, but Superman Newton has the Panther’s offense averaging 33 points/game over their last three. This is a battle of two great all-around football teams, but the great offenses will prevail.
Nobody Bets the UNDER
New England at Buffalo UNDER 48.5
This is going to be an unpopular one. Let’s be honest with ourselves, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Patriots put up 49 points alone. That said, running quarterbacks fair decently well in the time-of-possession battle against Belichick (considering decently is the best possible outcome against him). Forecast is for nasty weather in Buffalo, and the Patriots need to sure up their pass protection.
Easy Money(line)
Detroit (+115) at Baltimore
You all know the drill; money line is about value relative to odds. Even though Baltimore is favored, they have lost two out of their three games to the NFC North this year, and their one win was against Hundley’s Packers. Detroit last played on Thanksgiving while Baltimore is coming off of a Monday night-er. The way Flacco is playing this year versus Stafford? Give me the underdogs.
Safety Parlay to Consider
Rams ML (-310)
Seattle COVER +7.5 (-160)
N.Y. Giants/Oakland OVER 40 (-150)
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