It was disappointing outcome for the Rams this week as St. Louis came very close to scoring an upset win over huge favorites, the Seahawks. Nevertheless, the Rams succeeded in covering their 11.5-point spread as underdogs by surrendering a 14-9 defeat to Seattle.
Only the Raiders and the Giants scored upsets over the Steelers and Eagles. Dallas came close, but Matthew Stafford and the rest of the Lions had other things in mind, pulling off an 80 yard drive in the final minute to beat the ‘Boys in a thriller.
The Seahawks-Rams game capped another whirlwind of a week in the NFL, which saw 11 favorites crush their respective opponents.
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Just when it looked like they had their third straight win in the bag against Detroit, the Cowboys blew their lead down the stretch on a Matthew Stafford sneak touchdown, leading to Dallas’ 30-31 loss.
If there’s any silver lining for Dallas fans following the game, it’s that the Cowboys continued their streak against the spread. Dallas is 4-0 ATS in their last four games and 7-1 ATS overall this season. They’re up against the Vikings next week at home.
Look for a big Cowboys’ rebound against Minnesota, who have lost three straight games SU and ATS.
2. Buffalo Bills (+3.5)
Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills (November 3 | 1:00 PM ET)
In wins or in losses, the Bills like to keep it all close at home. Buffalo is 4-0 ATS in their last four at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Now they aim to go toe-to-toe with the only undefeated team left in the NFL – the visiting Chiefs under Andy Reid. The Bills have shown that they can compete with quality opponents when they almost handed New England a shocker in their Week 1 loss (23-21) and beat Carolina (24-23) in the following week. Buffalo split its next two home games, winning against the Ravens (23-20) and losing in OT via a field goal versus Cincinnati (27-24).
3. Tennessee Titans (-3)
Tennessee Titans at St. Louis Rams (November 3 | 1:00 PM ET)
Jake Locker returned to NFL action after a stint on the injury list, but changed for the Titans as far as winning is concerned. They lost against the defending NFC champion 49ers, 31-17, in their last game.
Maybe coming off a bye week will bring back the magic that made Tennessee start 3-1 SU and 3-0-1 ATS early this season.
The Titans are 3-0 ATS in their last three games away from home. Tennessee is 3-1-1 ATS in games Locker has played and his presence could have a tremendous impact in their next game against a beleaguered Rams.
Back-to-back losses to Green Bay and rival Pittsburgh have sent the Ravens careening into a sub.500 win-loss record.
Perhaps a game against a fellow struggling team like Cleveland can bring back the spark to Baltimore. After all, the Ravens seem to have made a habit of reducing the Browns to a pulp. Baltimore is 5-0 SU and ATS in their last five games against the Browns.
The Ravens last beat Cleveland in Week 2, 14-6, when their defense sacked Browns’ QB Brandon Weeden five times. Weeden won’t start in this game, though. Cleveland’s third string Jason Campbell will be the Ravens’ potential ragdoll.
5. Green Bay Packers (-10.5)
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (November 4 | 8:40 PM ET)
Many thought a first place spot in the NFC North wasn’t a realistic goal for the Packers when they lost two of their first three games this season.
Don’t look now, but Aaron Rodgers has Green Bay enjoying a four-game winning streak, putting the team at the top of the division with a 5-2 SU record.
The Packers started picking up steam in their Week 5 date with Detroit, blowing out the Lions at home, 22-9. That game served as the bookmark for the beginning of an on-going pair of winning streaks. Green Bay is 4-0 SU and ATS in their last four games, the last one being a 44-21 victory over the Vikings as 7.5-point road favorites.
In their next game, they welcome old rivals Chicago, a team they’ve beaten in their last six meetings. Green Bay is also 5-0 ATS in their last five against the Bears.
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Visit the sportsbook for odds and lines for NFL Week 9 action. Don’t forget to catch the remaining MLB World Series games and the wave of NBA games as the new basketball season begins.
