Sunday, October 5

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NFL

Indianapolis (1-2 SU and ATS) at Houston (0-3, 1-2 ATS)

The Colts, already three games behind in the win column in their division, travel to Reliant Stadium for an AFC South matchup against the Texans, who are finally playing their first home game following the destruction of Hurricane Ike.

Indianapolis, which had its bye last week, got beat by Jacksonville 23-21 Sept. 21 as a four-point home favorite, losing on Josh Scobee's last-second, 51-yard field goal. QB Peyton Manning (15 of 29, 216 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) had a very subpar day, with one of his picks going 61 yards the other way for a Jags TD. Indy also had a huge time-of-possession deficit (41:35-18:25) and gave up 236 rushing yards.

Houston took that same Jacksonville team to overtime last week before falling 30-27 as a 6-point road underdog, the first time the Texans have cashed this year. QB Matt Schaub was solid, going 29 of 40 for 307 yards and three TDs, with no turnovers. In fact, the contest was extremely even, Houston outgaining Jacksonville 386-375 and neither team committing a turnover.

Indianapolis has gone 9-1 SU (5-5 ATS) in the last 10 in this rivalry (all as a favorite), including winning both games last year, though Houston got the cash at home in a 30-24 loss catching 6 points. The home team is on a 4-0 ATS run, and the Texans are 4-1 ATS in the last five series clashes at Reliant.

The Colts are 5-2 ATS in their last seven roadies, but they are mired in pointspread slides of 1-4 overall, 2-9 in division play, 1-4 after a SU loss and 3-7 against losing teams. The Texans are on a 9-4 ATS run as a home dog in division play, and they've cashed in four straight at home, but they are on ATS slides of 2-5 in division play and 4-9 against the AFC.

The last six meetings in this rivalry have gone over the total, and the over is on further runs of 5-0 for Houston overall,16-5 for Houston inside the division and 5-2 for Indy against AFC foes.

ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER

Tennessee (4-0 SU and ATS) at Baltimore (2-1, 3-0 ATS)

The Titans aim to stay among the slim ranks of the unbeaten when they travel to M&T Bank Stadium to take on the Ravens, with two of the league's top defenses on display.

Tennessee topped Minnesota 30-17 as a three-point home chalk to remain perfect on the season both SU and ATS. It was the most points the Titans have allowed this season, but the defense more than made up for it by forcing four turnovers three fumble recoveries and an INT and recording four sacks. Meanwhile, QB Kerry Collins (18 of 35, 199 yards) had a turnover-free day.

Baltimore forced Pittsburgh to overtime before falling 23-20 Monday night, but covered as a six-point road pup. QB Joe Flacco (16 of 31, 192 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs) had a fairly clean game, but his lone mistake a fumble was returned for a TD that gave Pittsburgh the lead.

Tennessee has cashed in the last three meetings in this rivalry (2-1 SU), including a 27-26 home loss two years ago as a seven-point dog. In fact, the underdog is on 13-3 ATS when these former division rivals square off.

The Titans are on a 4-8 ATS decline as a road chalk, but the pointspread trends turn positive from there, including 4-0 after a SU win, 4-1 against AFC foes and 12-5 on the highway. The Ravens have cashed in four of their last five at M&T, but they are riding a 3-10 ATS freefall coming off a SU loss, and they are 0-4 ATS in their last four Sunday games coming off a Monday night appearance.

The under for Tennessee is on streaks of 5-2 overall, 4-1 on the road and 5-1 against the AFC, and in this rivalry, the total has gone low in four of the last five meetings overall and five of the last seven in Baltimore. However, the Ravens are on "over" sprees of 8-2 overall and 5-1 at home.

ATS ADVANTAGE: TENNESSEE

San Diego (2-2 SU and ATS) at Miami (1-2 SU and ATS)

The Chargers, getting back on track after an 0-2 start, make the cross-country trek to South Beach to take on the Dolphins.

San Diego erased a 15-0 halftime deficit en route to a 28-18 victory over Oakland, winning and cashing as a nine-point favorite for the second straight week. QB Philip Rivers (14 of 25, 180 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs) was sacked four times, but he got it together in the second half, aided by RB LaDainian Tomlinson, who finished with 106 yards and two TDs, including a late 41-yard jaunt to secure the spread-cover.

Miami took last week off after its shocking 38-13 road rout of New England on Sept. 21 as a 12-point road underdog. QB Chad Pennington was almost flawless in that victory, going 17 of 20 for 226 yards to lead an offense that had no turnovers against the defending AFC champs. However, RB Ronnie Brown (17 carries, 113 yards) stole the show, running for four TDs and passing for another as the Fish racked up an astounding 461-215 advantage in total yards.

Miami has won and cashed in the last four meetings against San Diego, but the two teams haven't met since 2005, when the Dolphins scored a 23-21 road upset catching 12 points. The road team is on a 5-1 ATS streak in this rivalry.

The Chargers are on an 0-4 ATS slide as a non-division road favorite, but otherwise they are on a bevy of positive pointspread streaks, including 6-0-1 on the road, 9-1 after a SU win, 9-1 after a spread-cover and 23-9-1 against losing teams. The Dolphins, meanwhile, are in a 2-9 ATS freefall at home and carry further negative ATS streaks of 7-21-1 after a spread-cover and 9-19 after a SU win.

The over for San Diego is on runs of 4-0 this season, 13-3-2 on the road and 4-1 against AFC foes, and the total has gone high in six of Miami's last eight outings.

ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER

Kansas City (1-3, 2-2 ATS) at Carolina (3-1, 2-1-1 ATS)

The Chiefs, finally free of their 12-game losing skid that dated to last season, travel to Charlotte for a non-conference clash with the Panthers.

Kansas City rode RB Larry Johnson to a 33-19 upset of Denver as a heavy 9-point home underdog for its first win since last October. Johnson rolled up 198 yards and two TDs on 28 carries, complementing a mistake-free game from QB Damon Huard (21 of 28, 160 yards, 1 TD), and the Chiefs defense forced four turnovers.

Carolina dumped Atlanta 24-9 as a seven-point home chalk last Sunday. The Panthers outgained the Falcons by a healthy 401-268 margin, paced by a solid effort from QB Jake Delhomme (20 of 29, 294 yards, 2 TDs) in a turnover-free game for both teams. WR Muhsin Muhammad had eight catches for 147 yards and a TD.

These teams have met just twice this decade, with Carolina going 2-0 ATS (1-1 SU), most recently winning 28-17 as a seven-point road dog in 2004.

Despite the Chiefs' breakthrough last week and a 7-2 ATS mark in their last nine roadies, they still carry negative ATS streaks of 6-10-1 against the NFC, 2-5 against winning teams and 2-5-1 after a spread-cover. The Panthers are on positive pointspread streaks of 4-0-1 at home and 5-1-1 overall.

The under is 9-4 in Kansas City's last 13 road games, and for Carolina, the under is on stretches of 5-2 overall, 20-8-1 at home and 6-1 after a SU win.

ATS ADVANTAGE: CAROLINA and UNDER

Washington (3-1 SU and ATS) at Philadelphia (2-2, 3-1 ATS)

The surging Redskins head out on the road to face an NFC East rival for the second straight week, this time battling the Eagles, who are in need of a win to keep pace in the league's strongest division.

Washington shocked Dallas 26-24 catching 10 points on the road, winning and cashing for the third straight week after losing its season opener at the Giants. QB Jason Campbell (20 of 31, 231 yards, 2 TDs) still has not committed a turnover this season, and RB Clinton Portis (21 carries, 121 yards) helped the Redskins post a whopping 16-minute advantage in time of possession against the Cowboys.

Philadelphia struggled to put the ball in the end zone in a 24-20 loss at Chicago laying three points on Sunday night. QB Donovan McNabb (25 of 41, 262 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) led just two field-goal drives in the second half, along with a late-fourth-quarter drive that was stuffed on three straight attempts from inside the Bears' 2-yard line.

Washington is 4-2-1 ATS (3-4 SU) in the last six meetings in this rivalry, and the road team won and covered in both clashes last year.

The Redskins are on ATS runs of 7-2 overall and 4-1 inside the division, but they are 5-9-1 ATS in their last 15 road contests. The Eagles sport positive ATS streaks of 5-2 overall, 6-1 after a non-cover, 4-1 against the NFC, 7-2 after a SU loss and 10-4 against winning teams.

The under is 6-2-1 in the last nine clashes in this rivalry, and the under is also 9-4 in Washington's last 13 games when coming off an ATS win and 4-0 in Philly's last four at home.

ATS ADVANTAGE: PHILADELPHIA and UNDER

Chicago (2-2, 2-1-1 ATS) at Detroit (0-3 SU and ATS)

The Lions, who finally rid themselves of team president Matt Millen during their bye week, hopes the move inspires them to their first victory of 2008 when they host the rival Bears at Ford Field.

Detroit got drummed 31-13 by San Francisco two weeks ago as a five-point road pup and fired Millen shortly thereafter, having lost 10 of their last 11 games SU and ATS dating to midseason last year. QB Jon Kitna (15 of 30, 146 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) had another subpar effort, and his TD-to-INT ratio is now 5-5. The Lions were outgained 370-240 in San Francisco and had nearly 12 minutes less in time of possession.

Chicago earned a 24-20 victory over Philadelphia as a three-point home dog Sunday night. QB Kyle Orton (18 of 34, 199 yards) had three TD passes, but he also had all four of the Bears' turnovers on two INTs and two lost fumbles. He was bailed out by a defense that allowed just two field goals in the second half and made a late goal-line stand to clinch the win, stopping the Eagles on three straight plays from inside the 2-yard line.

Detroit has cashed in three straight games in this series, sweeping last year's season series before the Lions' current slump began. The underdog is 7-1 ATS in the last eight head-to-head clashes.

The Lions are on a 4-0 ATS run coming off a bye week, but they are on pointspread skids of 6-12-1 overall, 4-10 getting points and 3-6-1 in home divisional games. The Bears, meanwhile, are on positive ATS streaks of 5-1-1 overall, 6-2 on the highway and 4-1-1 against the NFC.

The over for Chicago is on tears of 21-6-1 against NFC foes, 12-4 against losing teams and 7-3-1 inside the division, and for Detroit, the over is on runs of 8-1 overall, 4-0 in NFC North tilts and 4-0 at home. Finally, the total has gone high in four of the last six meetings between these rivals.

ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER

Atlanta (2-2 SU and ATS) at Green Bay (2-2 SU and ATS)

The Packers return home looking to halt a two-game skid when they face the Falcons at Lambeau Field.

Green Bay rallied to take a 21-20 fourth-quarter lead against Tampa Bay in Week 4, then gave up the last 10 points of the game in a 30-21 loss as a one-point road dog. QB Aaron Rodgers (14 of 27, 165 yards) had a terrible day, offsetting two TD passes with his first three INTs of the year, and the Pack finished with a pathetic 181 total yards and a nearly 14-minute deficit in time of possession.

Atlanta lost to Carolina 24-9 getting seven points on the road and is now 2-0 SU and ATS at home this season but 0-2 SU and ATS on the road and both road losses came by identical 24-9 final scores as a seven-point pup. Rookie QB Matt Ryan was unleashed a bit against the Panthers, throwing 41 passes, but he completed just 21 for 158 yards, with no TDs or INTs. The Falcons allowed 401 yards, while gaining just 268.

These two teams last met in the regular season in 2005, with Green Bay posting a 33-25 road win as a nine-point pup. The road team is on a 4-0 ATS run in this rivalry, all in the underdog role.

Despite back-to-back SU and ATS defeats, the Packers are still on a plethora of positive pointspread streaks, including 16-6-1 overall, 7-2-1 as a home chalk, 7-1-2 after a non-cover, 5-1-1 after a SU loss and 16-7-2 against the NFC. Meanwhile, the Falcons have failed to cover in four of their last five on the highway.

For Green Bay, the over is on runs of 20-8 overall, 6-1 at home and 14-3 in conference games, and the over for Atlanta is 9-2 in its last 11 overall and 7-2 in its last nine against NFC foes.

ATS ADVANTAGE: GREEN BAY and OVER

Seattle (1-2 SU and ATS) at N.Y. Giants (3-0, 2-1 ATS)

The defending Super Bowl champion Giants aim to remain unbeaten when they return from their bye to face the Seahawks in East Rutherford, N.J.

New York barely held off Cincinnati two weeks ago, winning 26-23 in overtime as an overwhelming 13-point home favorite. QB Eli Manning (26 of 43, 289 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs) was steady in a clean turnover-free game by both teams.

Seattle was also off last week after rolling over St. Louis 37-13 as a nine-point home chalk two Sundays ago. QB Matt Hasselbeck (12 of 20, 172 yards, 1 TD) let the running game carry him, as the Seahawks rushed for 245 yards, paced by Julius Jones' 140 yards and a TD on 22 carries. Seattle posted a 407-240 total yardage edge and a 10-minute advantage in time of possession.

Seattle is 4-1-1 ATS in the last six meetings with New York, most recently earning a 42-30 home win giving 3 points in 2006.

The Giants are just 1-5-1 ATS coming off the bye the past seven years, but they are on several positive ATS runs, including 16-5 overall, 5-0 against the NFC and 6-1 after a SU win. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have a definite aversion to cross-country trips, though, with a 4-13 ATS mark in their last 17 contests in the Eastern time zone, including a season-opening loss at Buffalo. They carry further ATS slides of 0-4 in roadies, 7-13 as a road pup, 2-6 on the road against winning teams and 2-8 coming off the bye.

The over for New York is 6-2 in its last eight home contests, but the under is on runs of 11-3 after a bye and 6-2 against the NFC. For Seattle, the over is on tears of 6-0 overall, 5-0 against NFC foes, 8-1 after the bye week and 4-1 on the road.

ATS ADVANTAGE: N.Y. GIANTS

Tampa Bay (3-1 SU and ATS) at Denver (3-1, 2-2 ATS)

The Buccaneers aim to run their winning streak to four when they travel to Invesco Field at Mile High for a non-conference clash with the Broncos.

Tampa Bay overcame three second-half INTs from QB Brian Griese with the last returned for a TD to beat Green Bay 30-21 as a one-point home chalk in Week 4. Griese's miscues turned a 20-7 lead into a 21-20 deficit, but he led a field-goal drive to put the Bucs back up, and RB Earnest Graham (20 carries, 111 yards) made his last two carries count a 47-yarder, followed by a 1-yarder for a TD. It ended up being a close game despite Tampa's 327-181 yardage edge and a nearly 13-minute bulge in time of possession.

Denver was dealt its first loss in surprising fashion, falling 33-19 to Kansas City as a 9-point road favorite as the Chiefs snapped a 12-game losing streak. QB Jay Cutler (29 of 49, 361 yards, 1 TD) had a monster game, but he was playing from behind most of the day and also had a lost fumble to go with two picks as the Broncos lost the turnover battle 4-1. The suspect Denver defense also let RB Larry Johnson rumble for 198 yards and two TDs on 28 carries.

These two teams haven't met since 2004, when Denver earned a 16-13 road, pushing as a three-point favorite.

The Bucs have failed to cash in nine of their last 10 road games against the AFC. And the Broncos are on a bevy of ATS slides, including 7-20-1 overall, 4-11-1 at Mile High, 2-9 at home against the NFC and 2-8 as a non-division home favorite.

The over has cashed in Denver's first four games this season and is on further streaks for the Broncos of 20-5 overall, 12-2 at home and 7-2-1 against winning teams. Likewise, the over for Tampa is on stretches of 8-2 overall and 7-3 in roadies including the last six in a row.

ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER

New England (2-1, 1-2 ATS) at San Francisco (2-2 SU and ATS)

The Patriots, coming off one of their most stunning losses short of last season's Super Bowl upset, look to right the ship when they return from their bye by making a West Coast trip to Monster Park to take on the 49ers.

New England got punched in the mouth by Miami two weeks ago in a 38-13 loss as a 12-point home chalk. The Pats gained just 215 total yards one yard less than the Dolphins had on the ground alone, as Miami finished with a whopping 461 total yards. New England also failed to force any turnovers, while committing two.

San Francisco had its two-game SU and ATS winning streak snapped in last week's 31-17 loss at New Orleans as a four-point dog. The Niners had a fair offensive day, with 312 total yards, but they got plowed over by the Saints' high-octane offense, which finished with 467 yards, paced by QB Drew Brees' 363 passing yards and three TDs.

New England and San Francisco have met just three times in the past 10 years, with the Pats going 3-0 SU and ATS. Most recently, New England earned a 21-7 home win in 2005 laying 13 points.

The Patriots have cashed just once in their last nine games, yet they still carry positive ATS trends into this game of 10-3-1 against the NFC, 8-3 coming off the bye, 14-4-1 after a SU loss and 14-5 on the highway. The 49ers are on a 4-1 ATS run hosting the AFC, but they are on ATS skids of 3-7 after a SU loss and 1-4 against winning teams.

The under is 4-1 in New England's last five overall, 5-2-1 in San Francisco's last eight overall and 5-1 in its last six at Monster Park.

ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE

Buffalo (4-0, 3-1 ATS) at Arizona (2-2 SU and ATS)

The surprising Bills, one of just two unbeaten teams left in the AFC, jet to the desert Southwest for a non-conference matchup against the Cardinals.

Buffalo beat St. Louis 31-14 laying 9 points last week, moving to 2-0 SU and ATS as a visitor this season. The Bills were sluggish on offense, trailing 14-6 at the half, but in the second half, they outscored the Rams 25-0. Buffalo finished with 103 fewer total yards than St. Louis (380-277), but won the turnover battle, 2-1.

Arizona went to New York last week and got rolled by the Jets 56-35 as a one-point road pup, giving up six Brett Favre TD passes. The Cardinals actually outgained the Jets 468-373, but that was entirely negated by seven turnovers. QB Kurt Warner had ridiculous numbers (40 of 57, 472 yards, 2 TDs), but he lost three of his four fumbles, threw three INTs and was sacked five times, losing 46 yards in the process.

These squads last met in 2004, with Buffalo taking a 38-14 home win giving 4 points.

The Bills sport positive ATS streaks of 4-1 overall, 4-1 on the road, 13-4-1 after a SU win and 11-4-1 after a pointspread victory, and they've also gone 16-9 ATS in their last 25 as an underdog. The Cardinals are on ATS stretches of 10-3 as a non-division home favorite, 6-2 against winning teams and 10-4 after a SU loss.

The under has been the play in four of Buffalo's last five road games, but the over is 21-9 for the Bills after a SU win, and for Arizona, the over is on streaks of 19-7 overall, 5-1 at home and 9-3 against winning teams.

ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER

Cincinnati (0-4, 1-3 ATS) at Dallas (3-1, 2-2 ATS)

The Cowboys aim to put their first loss of the season behind them when they invite the winless Bengals to Texas Stadium.

Dallas was knocked off by division rival Washington 26-24 as a healthy 10-point home favorite and has now failed to cover in both of its home games this year. QB Tony Romo (28 of 47, 300 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT) had a big day, but he got little support from the running game (44 yards), and Dallas never led after a Washington TD tied it at 7 early in the second quarter. Additionally, the Cowboys lost the time-of-possession battle by a whopping 16 minutes.

Cincinnati's woes continued in a 20-12 home loss to Cleveland as a one-point chalk. QB Carson Palmer (elbow) was a late scratch for the game, forcing the Bengals to start the untested Ryan Fitzpatrick (21 of 35, 156 yards), who offset his one TD pass with three INTs and a lost fumble among Cincy's five turnovers. The Bengals actually led 6-3 before getting outscored 17-6 in the fourth quarter.

Dallas and Cincinnati last met in 2004, with the Bengals rolling to a 26-3 home win in a pick em game.

The Cowboys are 12-4-1 ATS coming off a SU loss and 9-3-1 ATS after facing Washington, but they've failed to cash in four straight at Texas Stadium and are 2-7 ATS in their last nine starts overall. The Bengals, meanwhile, are in a 3-6 ATS rut overall but are 6-3 ATS in their last nine as a road underdog (1-0 this year).

For Dallas, the under is on runs of 7-0 after an ATS loss and 6-2 overall, and the under for Cincinnati is on streaks of 8-2 overall (3-1 this year), 6-1 after a SU loss and 6-1 after a pointspread setback.

ATS ADVANTAGE: DALLAS and UNDER

Pittsburgh (3-1, 2-2 ATS) at Jacksonville (2-2, 1-3 ATS)

The Steelers make their second straight prime-time appearance when they head south to nothern Florida to take on the Jaguars at Alltel Stadium in a rematch of last year's exciting wild-card playoff battle.

Pittsburgh fended off Baltimore 23-20 in overtime, failing to cash as a six-point home chalk Monday night for its third consecutive non-cover. Neither offense was particularly proficient, with the Steelers getting slightly outgained 243-237 as Pittsburgh's ailing backfield ran for just 69 yards. QB Ben Roethlisberger was a serviceable 14 of 24 for 191 yards with one TD and one INT.

Jacksonville also went to overtime last week, edging Houston 30-27 giving 6 points at home. QB David Garrard was a typically efficient 23 of 32 for 236 yards and a TD in a very evenly played contest, as neither team committed a turnover and the Jags lost the total-yardage battle by a scant 11 yards, 386-375. For the second straight week, Josh Scobee kicked a game-winning field goal.

Jacksonville went to Pittsburgh last January and slugged out a 31-29 win as a 2-point road favorite to knock the Steelers out of the playoffs. The Jaguars have won four straight against the Steelers and are on a 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings. Finally, the home team is on a 15-5 ATS tear in this rivalry, but the underdog has gotten the money in the last six.

The Steelers are 5-12-1 ATS in their last 18 games on the highway (1-5 ATS) and are on further ATS slides of 4-9 overall, 1-4 after a SU win and 3-8 against the AFC. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have cashed just twice in their last seven outings, but they carry a 6-2 ATS mark in their last eight against winning teams.

The over for Pittsburgh is on stretches of 6-2 overall and 5-1 against the AFC, and for Jacksonville, the over is on streaks of 19-7-2 overall, 4-1-2 at home and 9-2-2 against the AFC. However, the under is 6-1 in the last seven Steelers-Jags clashes in Jacksonville.

ATS ADVANTAGE: JACKSONVILLE

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