Six teams have byes in Week 10 of the 2014 NFL season, but there are still plenty of interesting games on the schedule. The betting odds at Las Vegas casinos have three teams favored by more than a touchdown, including the biggest road favorite of the season.
The underdogs did slightly better than the underdogs in Week 9, covering six of 11 betting lines. Below are picks against the spread for every game in Week 10.
Cleveland Browns (+6) at Cincinnati Bengals
The Browns have won two games in a row, but those victories were close against two of the league’s worst teams. Prior to their current winning streak, Cleveland handed the Jaguars their only win of the season. The Bengals have had their ups and downs, but they haven’t lost at home since 2012, and a top running game should help them beat the 31st-ranked run defense.
Prediction ATS: Cincinnati
Dallas Cowboys (-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars
Tony Romo made the trip to London, and it looks like the quarterback will play on Sunday. Dallas might not be the NFL’s best team like their first seven games might have indicated, but they shouldn’t have a problem beating Jacksonville by a touchdown. Seven of Jacksonville’s losses have come by at least eight points, and they’ve only covered the spread twice.
Prediction ATS: Dallas
Miami Dolphins (+3) at Detroit Lions
Calvin Johnson says he’s almost 100 percent, but it’s unknown how he’ll perform after sitting out for a month. Matthew Stafford could struggle against the No.2 pass defense in the league, and the Lions will find it difficult to lean on their running game, considering it ranks last in yards per carry. The Dolphins are one of the NFL’s hottest teams, and they have a chance to upset a Detroit team that’s been fortunate to win their last two games.
Prediction ATS: Miami
Kansas City Chiefs (-2) at Buffalo Bills
The Bills could have a very tough time moving the ball against the Chiefs. Kansas City sports the league’s No. 2 scoring defense and No. 1 pass defense, and though he’s been efficient, Kyle Orton can’t be relied upon to make plays. Sammy Watkins is expected to play with an injured groin, which could also limit Buffalo’s passing attack. The Chiefs have covered six of their last seven games as road favorites, according to Odds Shark, giving them a good chance to get the win in Week 10.
Prediction ATS: Kansas City
San Francisco 49ers (+4.5) at New Orleans Saints
The Saints are finally looking like one of the best teams in the NFC, winning three of four games, with their only loss coming in a one-point defeat on the road. Sean Peyton and Drew Brees still haven’t been beaten at home since the 2010 season, and the 49ers don’t appear to be the team that’s going to break the streak. New Orleans is good at stopping the run, which is San Francisco’s strength, and a poor 49ers offensive line might have trouble against an improving defensive front for the Saints.
Prediction ATS: New Orleans
Tennessee Titans (+9.5) at Baltimore Ravens
It’s hard to read too much into Baltimore’s recent loss to Pittsburgh, considering Ben Roethlisberger and Co. have scored nearly 100 points in two weeks. The Ravens remain a contender in the AFC, suffering close losses to good teams and blowing out inferior competition. Four of their five wins have come by at least 20 points, and the Titans have four losses by at least two touchdowns.
Prediction ATS: Baltimore
Pittsburgh Steelers (-5) at New York Jets
Picking against the Jets seems to be the easiest bet in football. They’ve only covered one betting line in 2014, and 13 of their last 14 losses have been by a touchdown or more. Ben Roethlisberger has thrown for 14 scores and no interceptions in his last three games, while the Jets have surrendered the highest passer rating of any defense. Week 10 should be another blowout loss for New York.
Prediction ATS: Pittsburgh
Atlanta Falcons (-1.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay will be looking for revenge, after being embarrassed by Atlanta in a 42-point, Week 3 loss. The Buccaneers have just one win on the season, but the Falcons haven’t won since they defeated Tampa Bay. Doug Martin’s injury has actually benefited the Bucs, since backup Bobby Rainey has been the much better option this year. Atlanta has failed to cover the spread in their last seven divisional road games, and the Bucs could get the win after coming awfully close in three out of four weeks.
Prediction ATS: Tampa Bay
Denver Broncos (+11.5) at Oakland Raiders
The Raiders aren’t likely to get their first win against Peyton Manning and the Broncos, but they could keep the game close. They’ve had opportunities to win, losing each of their last four games by 11 points or less. Denver could win easily, but laying so many points on the road isn’t a smart play.
Prediction ATS: Oakland
St. Louis Rams (+7) at Arizona Cardinals
The Rams were able to upset the 49ers by sacking Colin Kaepernick eight times, but that won’t be the case against the Cardinals. Arizona’s three quarterbacks have only been sacked a combined 13 times this season. The Cardinals are no offensive juggernaut, but they’ve been consistent, scoring at least 20 points in their last seven games. St. Louis has been held under 14 points three times, and Austin Davis could have trouble against an underrated pass defense.
Prediction ATS: Arizona
New York Giants (+9) at Seattle Seahawks
Neither team has covered a point spread since Week 5, but the Seahawks are playing much better than the Giants. Without Victor Cruz and Rashad Jennings, Eli Manning has limited offensive weapons, and New York will have a lot of trouble moving the ball in Seattle. The return of Kam Chancellor will improve a Seattle pass defense that already ranks sixth in the NFL. The Seahawks shut out the Giants last year, and they could produce a similar result in 2014.
Prediction ATS: Seattle
Chicago Bears (+7) at Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers has dominated Jay Cutler in their careers, as the Bears quarterback is just 1-9 against Green Bay. Sunday should be no different, when Rodgers faces a defense that’s allowed a passer rating of 101.2, including a 151.2 rating to the Packers signal caller in Week 4. Mike McCarthy always has his team prepared coming off a bye, and Green Bay’s streak of not losing against the spread off of eight straight bye weeks should continue.
Prediction ATS: Green Bay
Carolina Panthers (+6) at Philadelphia Eagles
Even without Nick Foles, the Eagles shouldn’t have much trouble with the Panthers. Carolina has just one victory since Week 2, and Cam Newton has played so poorly that it will be difficult for him to take advantage of a subpar pass defense. Mark Sanchez was effective in relief of Foles in Week 9, throwing two touchdowns, and he should be better after a full week of practice as the starter. The Panthers are winless on the road and four of their losses have come by at least 18 points, making Philadelphia the smart bet.
Prediction ATS: Philadelphia
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