Bye weeks are a thing of the past in NFL Betting starting now that the NFL is in its bye week. Every sports handicapper must keep up on the current state of affairs in the league and make their wagers accordingly. There are high points for some teams in the league in terms of respect, while there are others who simply cannot compete against the current 2-headed monster in the NFC East.
Some of the teams that are missing from the bye week picture are the Jets, Texans, Chargers, and Patriots. depo 50 bonus 30 This tells us that if there is a small chance that these teams could perform to a certain degree on the season, then it is best to hold off on making any bets until the full information is available. You will see that the closer the teams are, the more they are a gamble. The Jets, Texans, and Chargers all have tough schedules that are forcing them into early December, while the Eagles are in the middle of a bye week, which could very well be a repeat of last season.
Now that we have taken a look at the teams that are missing from the bye week picture, it is time to turn our focus to the teams that are making the playoffs. As of this writing ( November 22), the Broncos are in the playoffs, for the first time in quite a while. Last season, the Broncos were in the playoffs for a record 27th consecutive year. It would be crazy to think that in back-to-back years, the Broncos won’t make the playoffs.
The AFC West division is a four-way race between (at this writing) the Chiefs (11-5), Oakland (9-6), Denver (11-5) and San Diego (7-9). The Chiefs are the current leader by a half-game in the division with the Raiders, while the smallest majority of teams in the league are the 9-6ers. These teams have seen one another come out of the gate in the first two weeks of the season. Facts are that these teams have not played each other in a long time, with the Chiefs winning the head-to-head contest last season (17-13).
One detail in particular that should be noted is that the Broncos have not played the Chargers (or any other opponent) since their October 30 game. Statistically, San Diego is 11-2 against Denver this season, with the gatherings being the former’s seventh consecutive road game. Naturally, it didn’t turn into seven consecutive road games, as the San Diego defense allowed 34 points to the Broncos. When these teams play in normal fashion, the suites are sold out.
Then there is the case of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are the NFL’s only team in divisional history to have allowed 100 points in a game. It happened on Week 6 in Jacksonville when the Jags stayed close to a 100-point beating of the Titans, 28-27. That game total was the highest-scoring game in Jaxson Stadium history.
Interestingly, the Broncos allow the fewest points in the league (19.5 ppg) and the Chiefs allow the fewest yards per game (280.8 ypg). Both of those teams play a tough defensive game and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Broncos center stage for a wild ride in the AFC. While the Chiefs are 8-2 in their last 10 at home, the Broncos are a strong 6-1 at home during the same span. Denver was plain ugly in Week 1’s home game, losing 20-3 to the Ravens.
Baltimore’s defense of the Super Bowl is one of the season’s most impressive in recent years. The Ravens are allowing just Events/points to opponents this season, the fewest points allowed per game since the 1999 vizimum season. The Ravens are also 10-5 against the spread in their last 12 versus the AFC. Despite the strong offensive performance this week in Philly, the AFC remains as lousy as ever in 2006. The Texans stumbled, while the Colts and Patriots surge.
So what’s wrong with the AFC? Easily. Is it really a team of burners? No. It’s really the league’s turn to struggle. Take a look at these two teams’ records this year: Baltimore on the road at 1-7 straight up (and 4-4 ATS), Denver on the road at 2-5 straight up (and 3-4 ATS).
Calling the Chiefs a “down on your luck” team is being generous, as their offense just scored the shootout winner against the Rams. However, the Chiefs defense is certainly “upset” this week, as league MVP Peyton Manning will not be playing for the Colts, as he’s presently serving a suspension.
Meanwhile, the “best running game in football” will be coming to town this Sunday to play the 49ers.