Thoughts and stuff for Sunday's card..
Detroit vs. Atlanta over the pond - Atlanta looks terrible, Detroit's defense has been stellar and these London games are generally low scoring. All of that and a 3.5 and 46.5 dangling and most will likely play Detroit and the under. They'll wake up on Sunday morning to a Christmas present of football on TV and break out the strawberries and cream ready to watch the Wimbledon final, er the Lions beat the Falcons 24-10. I'm opposite both public perception and I might be heavy on the over.
Strong lean: over 46.5 (will hold out for a drop)
Mild lean: Atlanta + and ML
Minnesota @ Tampa Bay - I'm not really sure. Strong lean to not being involved in this game in any way, shape or form.
Chicago @ New England - Surprised to see this number so high. A few weeks ago, most were claiming the end of the NE dynasty, yet here they are laying 6 against a playoff caliber Bears team. The line makes sense based on record and based on performance of the two over the last three weeks. But this line is too steep, the dynasty is not over yet, but it's certainly crippled a bit.
Lean: Chicago
Saint Louis @ Kansas City - The Rams are all kinds of banged up and KC is off a great win vs. San Diego. Can they carry over that performance? Should we expect a let down? It's hard to say what KC team will show up, but I'm not going to guess.
Seattle @ Carolina - where have these defenses gone? Both near the bottom this season after being near the top last year. The media will focus on the great battle of young QBs between Wilson and Newton, but I'll see their over zealous hype and raise them that defense finally shows up.
Lean: Under 45
Buffalo @ New York - I like the Jets, I think Harvin makes a splash and the defense/special teams put points on the board.
Leans: New York and over 40.5
Miami @ Jacksonville - Again, I don't know. Miami should win and win handily, but which team shows up. The Jags got off the donut last week, but they shouldn't be within this number unless the Dolphins let them.
Houston @ Tennessee - The Zach Metenberger era has begun. In fairness, Whitehurst wasn't all that bad, but I like the switch. The Titans need some energy and I think they get an upgrade on that with the QB switch. Houston is better offensively and defensively, but short week, laying points vs. a division foe on the road is not something I can endorse.
Lean: Tennessee + and ML
Baltimore @ Cincinnati - I'll be playing the Bengals in some capacity, either a 1Q, first half or full game bet. Cincy has fallen off a bit and the Ravens appear to be making a strong case for Super Bowl contender. The Bengals are quite filthy at home, but this line has me on edge a bit, which is why I may play the quarter or half line instead.
Lean: Cincinnati
Philadelphia @ Arizona
Indianapolis @ Pittsburgh
Cleveland @ Oakland
Lean : Underdog + and ML for all of the above. Also, a lean to the under in Indy-Pittsburgh
Green Bay-New Orleans - Great, great spot to back the Saints on Sunday night. Tough to mess with discount double check, but this sets up nicely for a NO win.
Strong lean: New Orleans ML
Washington @ Dallas - I can't lay this many, but not sure I can back Washington.