Winner's Edge Angles, Trends & Picks Heading Into Wk 12

[Lukester]

ATS Consensus Picks
--------------------

The table below shows what percentage of users picked each of the possible selections in each for this Week. As of Wednesday evening, sample near 10,000 Cdn participants of a Sports TV Network contest:


Green Bay at Detroit:
--------------------
Green Bay -10.5 64.8%
Detroit 35.2%

Oakland at Dallas:
-----------------
Dallas -13.5 53.7%
Oakland 46.3%

New York G. at Denver:
----------------------
New York G. -6.5 55.5%
Denver 44.5%

Indianapolis at Houston:
-----------------------
Indianapolis -3.5 75.3%
Houston 24.7%

Cleveland at Cincinnati:
----------------------
Cincinnati -14.5 58.1%
Cleveland 41.9%

Miami at Buffalo:
----------------
Miami -3.5 70.5%
Buffalo 29.4%

Tampa Bay at Atlanta:
---------------------
Atlanta -12.5 62.1%
Tampa Bay 37.9%

Chicago at Minnesota:
---------------------
Minnesota -10.5 73.0%
Chicago 27.1%

Arizona at Tennessee:
---------------------
Tennessee -0.5 56.4%
Arizona 43.6%

Seattle at St. Louis:
-------------------
Seattle -3.5 62.3%
St. Louis 37.7%

Washington at Philadelphia:
--------------------------
Philadelphia -9.5 63.7%
Washington 36.3%

Carolina at New York J:
----------------------
Carolina 57.1%
New York J. -3.5 42.9%

Jacksonville at San Francisco:
----------------------------
San Francisco -3.5 52.8%
Jacksonville 47.2%

Kansas City at San Diego:
------------------------
San Diego -13.5 65.0%
Kansas City 35.0%

Pittsburgh at Baltimore:
----------------------
Baltimore -2.5 60.3%
Pittsburgh 39.7%

New England at New Orleans:
----------------------------
New Orleans -2.5 51.6%
New England 48.4%

[Lukester]

TNF Prime Time:
---------------

O/U = 0/3
SU Home Teams: 2-1
Favs: 1-2


SNF Prime Time:
---------------

O/U = 3/7
Home Teams SU: 4-6
Favs: 5-5


MNF Prime Time:
---------------

O/U = 8/4
SU Home Teams: 5-7
Favs: 5-7

[Lukester]

And this is the last update regarding pre- & post- Bye Week Games. Very few edges this season. Not going to see a 50-50 season on this too often. Once in a Blue Moon:


------------------------------------
Before the Bye teams are 13-19 SU
Before the Bye teams are 14-18 ATS

After the Bye teams are 16-16 SU
After the Bye teams are 15-16-1 ATS
------------------------------------



On Bye Week 4: AZ, ATL, CAR, PHI:
---------------------------------

Wk 3 SU: AZ (L), ATL (L), CAR (L), PHI (W)

Wk 3 ATS: AZ (L), ATL (L), CAR (L), PHI (W)

Wk 5 SU: AZ (W), ATL (W), CAR (W), PHI (W)

Wk 5 ATS: AZ (W), ATL (W), CAR (L), PHI (W)


On Bye Week 5: CHI, GB, NO, SD:
-------------------------------

Wk 4 SU: CHI (W), GB (L), NO (W), SD (L)

Wk 4 ATS: CHI (W), GB (L), NO (W), SD (L)

Wk 6 SU: CHI (L), GB (W), NO (W), SD (L)

Wk 6 ATS: CHI (L), GB (W), NO (W), SD (L)


On Bye Week 6: DAL, IND, MIA, SF:
---------------------------------

Wk 5 SU: DAL (W), IND (W), MIA (W), SF (L)

Wk 5 ATS: DAL (L), IND (W), MIA (W), SF (L)

Wk 7 SU: DAL (W), IND (W), MIA (L), SF (L)

Wk 7 ATS: DAL (W), IND (W), MIA (L), SF (P)


On Bye Week 7: BAL, DEN, DET, JAX, SEA, TN:
-------------------------------------------

Wk 6 SU: BAL (L), DEN (W), DET (L), JAX (W), SEA (L), TN (L)

Wk 6 ATS: BAL (W), DEN (W), DET (L), JAX (L), SEA (L), TN (L)

Wk 8 SU: BAL (W), DEN (L), DET (L), JAX (L), SEA (L), TN (W)

Wk 8 ATS: BAL (W), DEN (L), DET (L), JAX (L), SEA (L), TN (W)


On Bye Week 8: CIN, KC, NE, PIT, TB, WGN:
-----------------------------------------

Wk 7 SU: CIN (W), KC (L), NE (W), PIT (W), TB (L), WGN (L)

Wk 7 ATS: CIN (W), KC (L), NE (W), PIT (W), TB (L), WGN (L)

Wk 9 SU: CIN (W), KC (L), NE (W), PIT (W), TB (W), WGN (L)

Wk 9 ATS: CIN (W), KC (W), NE (L), PIT (W), TB (W), WGN (L)


On Bye Week 9: BUF, CLE, MN, NYJ, OAK, STL:
-------------------------------------------

Wk 8 SU: BUF (L), CLE (L), MN (W), NYJ (L), OAK (L), STL (W)

Wk 8 ATS: BUF (L), CLE (L), MN (W), NYJ (L), OAK (W), STL (W)

Wk 10 SU: BUF (L), CLE (L), MN (W), NYJ (L), OAK (L), STL (L)

Wk 10 ATS: BUF (L), CLE (L), MN (W), NYJ (L), OAK (L), STL (W)


On Bye Week 10: HOU, NYG:
-------------------------

Wk 9 SU: HOU (L), NYG (L)

Wk 9 ATS: HOU (W), NYG (L)

Wk 11 SU: HOU (L), NYG (W)

Wk 11 ATS: HOU (L), NYG (L)

[Lukester]

NFL BETTING TRENDS - WEEK 12:
--------------------------------



Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions:
---------------------------------
Line: Packers -10.5

- Green Bay is 6-1 ATS in their last seven matchups with Detroit and 3-0 ATS in their last three visits.
- The Packers are 15-7 ATS in their last 22 divisional encounters.
- Green Bay is 2-13 ATS following back-to-back SU wins vs. a .333 or less opponent.
- The Packers have produced 19 overs, 8 unders and 1 push in their last 28 road games.
- Detroit is 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 games hosting divisional opponents.
- The Lions are 5-10 ATS in their last 15 games as a home underdog.
- Detroit is 3-7 ATS in the second of back-to-back home games.
- The Lions are 1-7 ATS before back-to-back road games.


Oakland Raiders at Dallas Cowboys:
---------------------------------
Line: Cowboys -13.5

- Oakland is 3-12 ATS in their last 15 encounters with NFC opponents.
- The Raiders have produced 4 overs and 8 unders in their last 12 road games.
- Oakland has produced 6 overs and 2 unders in their last eight games following a SU win of 3+ points.
- The Raiders have produced 7 overs, 14 unders and 1 push in their last 22 games.
- Dallas is 1-6 ATS after allowing 10 points or less in their previous game.
- The Cowboys are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games as a double-digit favorite.
- Dallas is 16-3 ATS as a home favorite in November vs. a less than .500 opponent.
- The Cowboys are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games.


New York Giants at Denver Broncos:
----------------------------------
Line: Giants -7

- New York is 26-9 ATS in their last 35 road games.
- The Giants are 7-0 ATS on the road vs. a .500 or better opponent coming off a double-digit SU loss.
- New York is 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games as a road favorite.
- The Giants are 6-1 ATS after scoring 30+ points in their last game.
- Denver is 8-21-1 ATS in their last 30 home games.
- The Broncos are 1-5 ATS in their last six games as underdogs of 7+ points.
- Denver has produced 3 overs and 10 unders in their last 13 home games.
- The Broncos are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games following a double-digit SU loss.


Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans:
-----------------------------------
Line: Colts -3.5

- Indianapolis is 1-5 ATS in their last six matchups with Houston and 1-5 ATS in their last six visits.
- The Colts are 8-16 ATS in their last 24 divisional encounters.
- Indianapolis is 10-5-1 ATS in their last 16 games as a road favorite.
- The Colts have produced 6 overs and 1 under in their last seven games before a matchup with the Titans.
- Houston is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 divisional matchups.
- The Texans are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as a home underdog.
- Houston has produced 18 overs and 7 unders in their last 25 divisional encounters.
- The Texans are 8-2 ATS in November vs. an opponent coming off back-to-back SU wins.


Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals:
-------------------------------------
Line: Bengals -14

- Cleveland is 8-2-1 ATS in the second of back-to-back road games.
- The Browns are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games as double-digit underdogs.
- Cleveland is 4-1-1 ATS in their last six games before back-to-back home games.
- The Browns have produced 5 overs, 10 unders and 1 push in their last 16 games.
- Cincinnati is 3-15 ATS when hosting a divisional opponent that is coming off a SU loss.
- The Bengals are 5-1 ATS following a SU loss as a favorite.
- Cincinnati has produced 4 overs, 11 unders and 1 push in their last 16 home games.
- The Bengals are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games.


Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings:
----------------------------------
Line: Vikings -10.5

- Chicago is 5-10 ATS in their last 15 divisional encounters.
- The Bears are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 road games.
- Chicago is 8-0 ATS following a SU/ATS loss vs. an opponent coming off a double-digit SU win.
- The Bears have produced 4 overs, 9 unders and 1 push in their last 14 road games.
- Minnesota is 6-3-1 ATS this season.
- The Vikings are 2-8 ATS after allowing 10 points or less in their previous game.
- Minnesota is 2-10-1 ATS if they are .500 or better in November hosting a divisional opponent.
- The Vikings are 3-6-1 ATS in their last 10 games following a double-digit SU win.


Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles:
-----------------------------------------
Line: Eagles -9

- Washington is 1-7-1 ATS after scoring 10 points or less in their previous game.
- The Redskins are 5-13-2 ATS in their last 20 games.
- Washington is 8-1 ATS if they are less than .500 underdogs in November vs. an opponent coming off a SU non-divisional win.
- The Redskins have produced 5 overs, 16 unders and 1 push in their last 22 games.
- Philadelphia is 12-6 ATS in their last 18 games.
- The Eagles are 2-7 ATS at home following back-to-back road games.
- Philadelphia has produced 0 overs and 10 unders as favorites of 7+ points following a SU road win.
- The Eagles have produced 7 overs and 3 unders this season.


Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills:
----------------------------
Line: Dolphins -3

- Miami is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 matchups with Buffalo and 0-4 ATS in their last four visits.
- The Dolphins are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 divisional contests.
- Miami is 4-13 ATS after a non-divisional matchup in November vs. a divisional opponent.
- The Dolphins have produced 2 overs and 8 unders in their last 10 road games.
- Buffalo is 3-6 ATS in their last nine divisional encounters.
- The Bills are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 home games.
- Buffalo is 15-1 ATS at home in November vs. an opponent coming off a SU/ATS win.
- The Bills are 5-0 ATS in the first of back-to-back home games.


Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans:
-------------------------------------
Line: Titans -1.5

- Arizona is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 road games.
- The Cardinals are 1-6 ATS following a matchup with the Rams.
- Arizona has produced 41 overs and 18 unders in their last 59 road games.
- The Cardinals are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 encounters with NFC opponents.
- Tennessee is 16-2 ATS at home following a SU win vs. a non-division opponent coming off an ATS loss.
- The Titans are 5-1 ATS following a SU divisional underdog win.
- Tennessee is 9-2 ATS vs. an NFC opponent coming off back-to-back SU wins.
- The Titans have produced 10 overs and 5 unders in their last 15 home games.


Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams:
-----------------------------------
Line: Seahawks -3

- Seattle is 5-0 ATS in their last five matchups with St. Louis and 3-1 ATS in their last four visits.
- The Seahawks are 12-2 ATS following back-to-back SU losses.
- Seattle is 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games as a road favorite.
- The Seahawks are 3-7 ATS in 2009.
- St. Louis is 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games as a home underdog.
- The Rams are 9-21 ATS in their last 30 divisional contests.
- St. Louis has produced 3 overs, 9 unders and 1 push in their last 13 divisional matchups.
- The Rams are 4-1 ATS in the second of back-to-back home games.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons:
----------------------------------------
Line: Falcons -11.5

- Tampa Bay is 4-0 ATS in their last four matchups with Atlanta and 7-2 ATS in their last nine visits.
- The Buccaneers are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games.
- Tampa Bay is 1-5 ATS after a home game vs. New Orleans.
- The Buccaneers have produced 12 overs and 4 unders in their last 16 road games.
- Atlanta is 10-3 ATS in their last 13 home games.
- The Falcons are 9-2 ATS as a divisional favorite of 7+ points.
- Atlanta has produced 11 overs and 5 unders in their last 16 home games.
- The Falcons are 6-12 ATS in their last 18 divisional contests.


Carolina Panthers at New York Jets:
----------------------------------
Line: Jets -3

- Carolina is 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games as a road underdog.
- The Panthers are 6-1 ATS in November following a SU loss as a favorite.
- Carolina has produced 8 overs and 1 under in their last nine road games.
- The Panthers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games.
- New York is 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games.
- The Jets are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 games as a home favorite.
- New York is 7-1 ATS at home following a double-digit SU loss vs. a non-divisional opponent.
- The Jets have produced 10 overs and 0 unders in their last 10 games as favorites before back-to-back road games.


Jacksonville Jaguars at San Francisco 49ers:
------------------------------------------
Line: 49ers -3

- Jacksonville is 1-7 ATS on the road in November following a SU win vs. an opponent coming off a SU loss.
- The Jaguars has produced 4 overs and 9 unders in their last 13 road games.
- Jacksonville is 1-5 ATS in their last six non-AFC encounters.
- The Jaguars are 7-1 ATS before back-to-back home games.
- San Francisco is 11-4-3 ATS in their last 18 games.
- The 49ers are 1-5 ATS before a matchup with the Seahawks.
- San Francisco is 4-1-1 ATS in their last six non-NFC matchups.
- The 49ers are 4-11 ATS following a SU loss on the road.

Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers:
----------------------------------------
Line: Chargers -13.5

- Kansas City is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 divisional contests.
- The Chiefs are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as double-digit underdogs.
- Kansas City is 1-5 ATS before a matchup with Denver.
- The Chiefs are 1-9 ATS following back-to-back SU wins in November vs. an opponent coming off a SU win.
- San Diego is 12-6-1 ATS in their last 19 divisional encounters.
- The Chargers are 9-1 ATS following a matchup with the Broncos.
- San Diego is 7-1 ATS at home following back-to-back SU wins.
- The Chargers are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games as a double-digit favorite.


Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens:
--------------------------------------
Line: NL

- Pittsburgh is 1-4 ATS in their last five visits to Baltimore.
- The Steelers are 2-6 ATS in the second of back-to-back road games.
- Pittsburgh has produced 2 overs and 12 unders in their last 14 road games following a SU loss as a favorite.
- The Steelers are 1-9 ATS in November vs. a .500 or better opponent coming off a home game.
- Baltimore is 10-4 ATS in their last 14 home games.
- The Ravens are 0-5 ATS at home following a SU loss vs. an opponent coming off a SU loss as a favorite.
- Baltimore has produced 4 overs and 9 unders in their last 13 home games.
- The Ravens are 12-1 ATS at home if they are .500 or better in November following a non-divisional encounter.


New England Patriots at New Orleans Saints:
------------------------------------------
Line: Saints -3

- New England is 1-6 ATS in their last seven matchups with New Orleans.
- The Patriots are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as a road underdog on Monday night.
- New England is 8-1 ATS vs. .666 or better NFC opponents.
- The Patriots have produced 8 overs and 1 under in their last nine games as a non-divisional underdog.
- New Orleans is 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 games.
- The Saints are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games as a home favorite on Monday night.
- New Orleans has produced 13 overs, 3 unders and 1 push in their last 17 home games.
- The Saints are 2-6 ATS on Monday night vs. an opponent coming off a SU/ATS win.

[Lukester]

Week 12 by TSN's Chris Schultz. Chris is 96-65-2 ATS so far this season in the NFL:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Seattle (-3.0)
@
St. Louis
Schultz Picks: Seattle

Marc Bulger is out, Kyle Boller is in at quarterback for the Rams. Sometimes when you have a new quarterback, it does allow for a better performance from the entire offence. But Boller has never been able to dominate, even with the great defences that he had in Baltimore, so logic tells me that he will be more functional than spectacular. This game revolves around Steven Jackson, both in terms of the Rams trying to get their second win of the season, but also for Seattle. If the Seahawks have a good performance on run defence, then the pressure transfers to Boller, and the Seahawks have a real shot to pick up their fourth win of the season. Last week against the Lions, Jackson had 24 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown. Jackson may be the best running back on a poor team in the entire league. I'll take the Seahawks.


Tampa Bay
@
Atlanta (-12.5)
Schultz Picks: Atlanta

The Falcons really need this one – they are currently 5-5, and a sixth loss means you would pretty well have to go undefeated to qualify for the playoffs in the last games. The great news is the Falcons are still in competition for the playoffs. They are not going to catch New Orleans who are presently 10-0, and Arizona is likely to win the West with their 7-3 record right now. Minnesota should win the North, but the NFC East is wide open. Atlanta is in a race with Green Bay, Philadelphia, the New York Giants and Dallas for the Wild Card road game. Two of the aforementioned teams will get in, two will not. This week, the Falcons are playing a Tampa Bay team that was brought down to earth last week against the Saints, in their 38-7 loss. Quarterback Josh Freeman is going to have good moments and some tough ones as his good performance against Miami and Green Bay was, and his not so good showing against New Orleans. Atlanta is a more efficient team at home and Matt Ryan is a better quarterback under the dome. I think the Falcons will cover.


Miami (-3.5)
@
Buffalo
Schultz Picks: Miami

I was not surprised that the Bills played the Jaguars tough last week on the road in Jacksonville. A new head coach always seems to ignite desire in players for various reasons, but the Bills are still a 3-7 teams that has beaten only Tampa Bay, Cleveland, and the Jets in New York when Mark Sanchez threw five interceptions. Before their competitive game against the Jaguars, the Bills were dominated by Carolina, Houston and Tennessee. The Dolphins have become a very tough team. They beat you up as much as they beat you. In their last game, Miami beat the Panthers 24-17 last Thursday night, which gives them plenty of time to prepare and get that tough guy attitude back. At 32-years old, Ricky Williams is playing more like a 22-year old. He has already proven to be a solid replacement for Ronnie Brown, and that was on a two-day practice week. I'll pick the Dolphins to cover.


Cleveland
@
Cincinnati (-14.0)
Schultz Picks: Cincinnati

The worst thing that happened to Cleveland going into this game is that the Bengals lost to Oakland last week and are back home for this game. The Bengals have a great opportunity to win the AFC North and obtain a home playoff game. I think any form of complacency is gone in Cincinnati now that Pittsburgh is only one game behind them – even though the Bengals have defeated the Steelers twice already this season. The Bengals should be able to move the ball in this game. Cedric Benson is their top running back, and don't forget about Larry Johnson, who recently joined the team from Kansas City. If that wasn't enough, don't forget Bernard Scott, who ran for 119 yards against the Raiders last week. What was a weakness in the Bengals is now a strength thanks to all of that depth. Only the St. Louis Rams (113) have scored fewer points than the Browns total of 115. Logic says coming off a loss, the Bengals will have a much better game in all facets. I think the Bengals will cover.


Carolina
@
NY Jets (-3.0)
Schultz Picks: NY Jets

When the season started, the Jets were optimistic that maybe, just maybe, Mark Sanchez would be like Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco – a star quarterback out of nowhere, making all the right throws at all the right times. Well, that's not going to happen, at least not this year anyway. I wonder if Sanchez has hit the rookie wall, in that, this 11th game will be a college football season worth of experience. Flacco hit the wall last year, and I could see it in his body language. Ryan didn't come close to the wall. The rookie wall is when you are sick and tired to the extremes of football. It has been shoved down your throat day after day, week after week, month after month. As a player you can get tired because of it, especially if you're not used to it. Wall or not, I'll take the Jets to cover.


Washington
@
Philadelphia (-9.5)
Schultz Picks: Philadelphia

The Redskins have played a couple of good games recently. First was the win over Denver at home, followed by the loss to the Cowboys, in a game that they took deep into the fourth quarter. The question has to be asked: how much have the Redskins really improved? It's a legitimate question, and I would say it's probably a significant amount, but I still don't think it's enough to beat the Eagles at home. The Eagles do implode every now and then, but considering this is a divisional game, I'm betting that they rise to the challenge. The 24-20 win over the Bears is a bit misleading though. If Jay Cutler had a better day in terms of accuracy, the Bears could have won that Sunday night game. The Eagles have great blitz speed on defence and great speed at the receiver positions. Because this is a divisional game, I think Washington covers but the Eagles win the football game.


Indianapolis (-3.5)
@
Houston
Schultz Picks: Houston

The Texans have to have this game because all of a sudden, the Jaguars are 6-4 and are second in the AFC South. The Texans are a better team now than at any other point in their franchise's history, but they have to make the critical play at the critical time. That is what separates the good from the great in the final analysis. The Texans did compete in their last meeting with the Colts back on Nov. 8. The Colts have won their last four games by a combined 10 points. Why are the Colts 10-0 so far this season? The main reason is that they have allowed only 157 points in 10 games, which means that they are giving up less than 16 points a game, which is the lowest total points allowed in the NFL. Houston is coming off a disappointing Monday night loss to Tennessee, but this is a divisional game and trying to go from 10-0 to 11-0 is really tough. I think the Colts will win, but the Texans will cover the spread.


Kansas City
@
San Diego (-13.5)
Schultz Picks: Kansas City

The Chiefs are coming off their best win in maybe five years, a 27-24 victory over Pittsburgh. It is significant because the Steelers are not only a defending Super Bowl champion, but also an excellent road team. Will a win like this elevate the Chiefs to be competitive in the AFC West? Probably not, but it does enhance confidence and in a way confirms that the team is on the right course as it relates to head coach Todd Haley's plan. It will be very tough to have a second upset game over the Chargers, considering San Diego has beaten Oakland, the New York Giants, Philadelphia and Denver. Back on Oct. 25, the Chiefs handled the Chargers easily and it is a divisional game. I'll take the Chiefs.


Jacksonville
@
San Francisco (-3.5)
Schultz Picks: Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Jaguars are on a roll and are sitting at 6-4. They have a legitimate shot at the playoffs in that they are presently tied with the Steelers and Broncos and are a game up on the Dolphins who are 5-5. They do have a brutal schedule left, facing Houston, Miami, Indianapolis and at New England with their last game against Cleveland. This week, the Jaguars are playing a 49ers team that is starting to fade. San Francisco could not beat Chicago or Green Bay, and they did have opportunities. If Ryan Grant in Green Bay can run for 129 yards last week, Maurice Jones-Drew should be able to do the same. I'll take the Jaguars.


Arizona
@
Tennessee (-2.5)
Schultz Picks: Tennessee

I like the Titans, and there is a definite rejuvenation and confidence within that team. I also like the Titans because Kurt Warner may not play due to a concussion. If Warner can't go, it will be Matt Leinart taking his place. Leinart has potential and is the future, while Warner is proven and is the present. For the Titans, after going 0-6, they are now 4-6 having beaten Jacksonville, San Francisco, Buffalo and Houston. They have the basis of a dynamic offence in quarterback Vince Young, running back Chris Johnson and receiver Kenny Britt, who at 6'3'' has all the physical skills to truly excel. While the Cardinals are 5-0 on the road this season, I still think the Titans will win.


Chicago
@
Minnesota (-10.5)
Schultz Picks: Minnesota

This is a tough environment for the Bears to play in, and will be a tough defence for Jay Cutler to be able to play mistake-free against. I think one of the biggest questions in the NFL right now is what has happened to Cutler. His ability to find the open receiver isn't the issue, but his ability to get the football to the receiver is. The Vikings have only one loss this year – against the Steelers in a game that Favre threw two interceptions that resulted in 14 points for Pittsburgh. They could easily be 10-0 right now without those mistakes. Only the Saints have scored more points this season and the Vikings have defeated the Lions and Seahawks in the last two weeks by large scores. They should be able to beat the Bears too, also by a dominant score. I'll take the Vikings.


Pittsburgh
@
Baltimore (-2.0)
Schultz Picks: Pittsburgh

Like any good team, the Steelers should bounce back effectively from their 27-24 overtime loss to the Chiefs last week. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger should be ready to go this week. Lost in last week's loss is the fact that Big Ben was an amazing 32–for–42 for 398 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions. He will be tested to the extreme at Baltimore. The Ravens are 5-5 and a sixth loss would be devastating. They must play better red-zone offence, as five field goals and an interception is why they lost to the Colts. The Steelers have lost two in a row earlier in the season (Week 2 at Chicago and Week 3 at Cincinnati), but I can't see that happening again. Troy Polamalu is still out for Pittsburgh, while Terrell Suggs is out for Baltimore, so in a way those losses balance each other out. I'll take the Steelers.


New England
@
New Orleans (-3.0)
Schultz Picks: New England

In evaluating this one, I don't know if it's so much who is the better team as much as it is who is playing their best right now. In that case, I think it is the Patriots. The Saints are undefeated and the reason is that they can score points better than any other team in the NFL – scoring 369 points going into this week – which is easily first in the league. The Patriots have only lost three games this season – at the Jets, at the Broncos and at the Colts. They have the second best defence in the league in terms of points allowed (164), which is second only to the Colts who have allowed 157 points. Tom Brady will easily be the best quarterback that the Saints defence has faced this year, and Wes Welker, who had 15 catches and 198 yards last week, has no comparative player in the league. The Saints are at their best at home and Drew Brees is super smart in his down field decisions, but I think the Patriots will cover.

[Lukester]

Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles
Line: Eagles -9.5


Washington lost a nailbiter 7-6 to Dallas last week. Philadelphia reversed a trend of losing close games by eking out a 24-20 victory at Chicago. The Redskins have big injury issues at RB with Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts both out with injuries. That leaves Rock Cartwright to tote the mail and that will be a challenge for the youngster. QB Jason Campbell is more effective when the ground game is moving the chains but don't sell Cartwright short. He has had success in limited action in the past. Philadelphia is dealing with injuries themselves at LB and this should help Washington in the running game. Campbell can't commit TOs in this contest as the Redskins aren't built to come from behind. The Eagles are dealing with injuries at running back themselves as Brian Westbrook will miss this game. Rookie RB LeSean McCoy has been decent but lacks Westbrook's breakaway ability and his threat as a receiver. Washington's pass defense ranks 1st in the NFL and they will give QB Donovan McNabb a lot of trouble if he has to pass to move the offense. We feel the Redskins can stop the run and force McNabb into the teeth of the defense: the secondary. Look for rookie DE-OLB Brian Orakpo to be a force in the backfield on passing downs. Philadelphia won the first meeting 27-17 thanks to four Washington TOs. The Redskins can't duplicate that performance this week or they will be in trouble early. However, their defense has played well all season and we think they can keep this game close. They have been on the field too much but still keep playing hard and they have kept the Redskins in most games this year. We feel this number is too high for a Philly team that has really struggled to win close games (2-8-1 SU in last 11 games decided by 4 points or less). If Campbell can make a few plays, the 'Skins can keep this game close.

NFL GAME PICK: Take the Redskins **Best Bet**

These guy's NFL Record: Best Bets 5-4, Regular Picks 15-8



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Additional Pro Football Picks
Other games selections that we like this week are listed below.

•Houston +3
•Carolina +3
•Buffalo +3.5

(I don't like any of their regular picks).