Betting NFL Football – The Game Plans
Betting NFL Football – The Game Plans
For serious football bettors who like betting NFL football, here is breakdown of what to look for from key contests for Week 7 and what these teams will be attempting to accomplish to win the contest.
(397) NEW ENGLAND at (398) N.Y. JETS CBS
SUNDAY OCT. 20 / 1:00 E
Patriots Game Plan: After Pittsburgh provided the best way to slow the Jets pass rush by using screens to backs and wide receivers, expect New England to use short and intermediate passing game to move the ball. New York is second in run defense, so it would be a waste of time for New England to run the ball without a dynamic running game anyway. Though the defense continues to lose starters, keeping the pressure on Geno Smith is the best way for the Pats control the game against Jets, who are 30th in the NFL with a minus-11 turnover ratio.
Jets Game Plan: With Gang Green turnover-prone, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg has little choice but to dial up a run-heavy game plan with running backs Bilal Powell and Chris Ivory. With certain level of success, this might allow Smith to ease into throwing ball and scramble for first downs to help his team. Defensively, the Jets need to win first and second down frequently, forcing Tom Brady to have to throw further down the field, which enhances the Rex Ryan’s blitz packages to attack the Patriots quarterback.
Key sports betting number: New England is 12-2 ATS on the road against the Jets.
(403) CINCINNATI at (404) DETROIT FOX
SUNDAY OCT. 20 / 1:00 E
Bengals Game Plan: Because Detroit has an aggressive defensive line which prefers to get up field to bring pressure, the Bengals could go to the short passing game or run a steady diet of draws, which was successful last week. Detroit is ranked 29th against the run and is prone to allowing long runs to the outside, so this could be a chance for Giovani Bernard to have a good day rushing. Defensively, Cincinnati has to double or at least shade Calvin Johnson all the time (depending on how healthy he is), yet be very aware of the Lions tight ends, which Mathew Stafford likes to use.
Lions Game Plan: The Cincinnati offense stretches the boundaries of any defense with its vast array of weapons. Starting with pass-catcher A.J. Green, two quality tight ends and a big-play running back in rookie Giovani Bernard, the Detroit defense will have guard the entire field. The best way to limit Cincy is making QB Andy Dalton uncomfortable, as his accuracy tends to really dip when the offense is not in rhythm. Because the Bengals front four can really rush the passer, the Lions will have to be creative to get the ball to Reggie Bush and their tight ends if Mega-Tron is still not 100 percent.
Key sports betting number: Detroit is 0-6 ATS after a win by 10 or more points the last three seasons.
(409) DALLAS at (410) PHILADELPHIA FOX
SUNDAY OCT. 20 / 1:00 E
Cowboys Game Plan: With Dallas averaging nearly 265 yards passing a game, they need to take advantage of an Eagles defense that ranks 31st in pass defense. With receiver Dez Bryant, the emerging Terrance Williams and old reliable Jason Witten, Tony Romo is well-fortified to score points against Philadelphia. Defensively, the Cowboys will focus on stopping the run and locking up man to man on the receivers, however, their defense is nearly as horrible as the Eagles, ranked 30th to their 32nd ranking. With no DeMarcus Ware to pass rush, the task becomes more arduous.
Eagles Game Plan: The Philadelphia defense must get pressure on Romo Sunday to have a chance of winning. The Eagles have only 13 sacks this season, and will need to blitz from different sectors to confuse Romo, who will chuck it and make rotten decisions on occasion. Because of how ineffective the Dallas defense has also been, with the variety of ways Chip Kelly’s offense can attack the Cowboys, there is little reason for them not to have success running and throwing. What needs to happen for the Eagles is scoring touchdowns to keep the pressure on and not commit turnovers which rob them of opportunities.
Key sports betting number: Philadelphia is 0-9 ATS in home games the last two seasons.
(419) BALTIMORE at (420) PITTSBURGH NBC
SUNDAY, OCT. 20 / 4:25 E
Ravens Game Plan: The Baltimore defensive front seven will be out to attack Ben Roethlisberger, who regained a measure of confidence last week. The Ravens have 22 sacks and the Pittsburgh offensive line is ordinary at best, thus a frontal assault will be in the works. QB Joe Flacco will throw on an aging Steelers secondary which has been vulnerable, particularly on third down in big moments of games.
Steelers Game Plan: With the Pittsburgh O-Line not as good as first thought and the running game – still under repair – coach Mike Tomlin has gone with Big Ben taking three-step drops to ger rid of the ball quickly. This worked last week and it is the best way to frustrate a defense which prefers to rush the passer with abandon. The Steelers defense will try and take away Flacco throwing to his right with press coverage and induce him to toss the pigskin to his left, something he’s not nearly as efficient at.
Key sports betting number: Pittsburgh is 12-3 UNDER as a home favorite the last three years. seasons.
(421) DENVER at (422) INDIANAPOLIS NBC
SUNDAY, OCT. 20 / 8:30 E
Broncos Game Plan: This has to be a weird contest for Peyton Manning. While not one to let emotions get in the way of his job, this is new territory for him. Manning has a plethora of ball snatchers and the Colts defense is thinned by injury. Denver has to be pumped up about this opportunity. The Broncos defense is No.1 against the run and is a focus of coach John Fox, but it’s pass defense is over 15 yards a game worse the 2011 Packers, who set the record as the worst pass defense in NFL history. The return of linebacker Von Miller has to help the secondary.
Colts Game Plan: Indianapolis was sluggish in the loss to San Diego and has to quickly rejuvenate themselves. The offense line has to afford Trent Richardson and other running backs more lanes to run through which will make Andrew Luck throwing play-action passes more effective. Defensively, the Colts have to continually break the tempo of the Denver offense and take over the tempo of the game, much the way San Diego did to them. Indy should presume they will allow yards and should welcome kicker Matt Prater lining up for field goals.
Key sports betting number: Indianapolis is 6-0 ATS at home when the total is 45.5 points or higher since last season.
