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2008-10-03

The early betting board for Sunday’s NFL action boasts eight different games to choose from, highlighted by the NFC East showdown in Philadelphia between the Redskins and Eagles. At last check, three different teams on the early lineup were being backed by over 90% of the betting public at Sportsbook.com, including the Colts, Chargers, and Bears. Be sure to check in before kickoff for the latest numbers. Here’s a look at a few of the key games.

(407) TENNESSEE at (408) BALTIMORE
Tennessee has been one of the NFL’s biggest surprises early, winning four straight to open the campaign, by an average of 14.0 PPG. The latest win was a 30-17 conquest of Minnesota. For HC Jeff Fisher’s team, it is a first-ever 4-0 ATS start. Here the Titans face their second AFC North foe on the road. They are on a run of 12-3 ATS in road games off a home win by 10 points or more, and are 16-6 ATS in games after allowing 17 points or less in three straight contests. The Ravens are back at home after the Monday night game at Pittsburgh. HC John Harbaugh’s team has won its first two home games of his tenure after going just 3-5 in Baltimore last season. These teams have met three times since ‘04, Tennessee owning a 2-1 SU & 3-0 ATS edge in the series.

(413) WASHINGTON at (414) PHILADELPHIA
If there is such a thing, Philadelphia may be the best last place team in the NFL. At 2-2, the Eagles find themselves at the bottom of the NFC East standings at this point. This week they face a big game against rival Washington, who has won its L3 contests, including a week ago in Dallas. Philly has been hampered offensively by the injury to RB Brian Westbrook, but this game could be decided by the defenses, since the UNDER is 20-11 in the L31 head-to-head meetings. The road team has won SU & ATS in four of the L5. Amazingly, this will already be the final road divisional game for Washington, who is 4-1 ATS in its l5 in that role. The Redskins are also 8-0 ATS in their L8 versus excellent rushing defenses - allowing <=70 rushing yards/game.

(419) SEATTLE at (420) NY GIANTS
Some very distinct post-bye week trends will go directly head-to-head with one another when Seattle visits New York this weekend, both teams coming off their open dates. Seattle, 1-2 SU & ATS in ’08, is just 5-13 SU & 4-14 ATS coming out of its bye week since ’92. It has also gone OVER the total on such occasions seven straight times. The Giants meanwhile have also been dreadful off the bye week, having gone just 3-10 SU & 3-9-1 ATS since ’96. However, 15 of their L20 post-bye week games have gone UNDER the total. Obviously, something has to give. The Giants are riding a 7-game overall winning streak and are 8-1 ATS in their L9 games. Seattle is 0-4 SU & ATS in its L4 road games but 4-1-1 ATS in the L6 head-to-head meetings between these teams.