Rating: 5 Unit NFL Game of the Year

Battle of two young mastermind coaches in Shanahan and McVay. McVay definitely has the edge with a healthy QB. Hopefully, Garoppolo gets back to 100% next year, because this could be the rivalry that it was back in the '80s & '90s. Third straight road game for the Rams, having slipped by the Seahawks & Broncos (33-31 & 23-20). No question that L.A. is the NFL's premier ball-mover, behind Goff (1,928 passing yards) & Gurley (career-high 208 rushing yards last week), but Rams allowing 27.3 ppg in their last 3 outings. Niner "D" is just about at that level, so we'll take the better "O" here.

Rating: 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

Quick revenge shot for Falcons, who were taken apart, 38-0, just 2 weeks ago, along with a 424-230 yard deficit. At least Atlanta save some face, by snapping 0-6 SU and 0-9 ATS slides (1st cover since Oct 4) in 23-17 win over Jags. Still -79 points ATS last 10 games, and 0-5 ATS in division play. Panther magic continues, although blowing 35-28 lead in 3rd was a bit scary. Cam simply superb: 5 touchdown passes in 3-of-5 tilts (19 in those 3). Now 18 straight regular season wins. Falcs 1-15 ATS as underdogs of greater than 3 points off 2 road games

Rating: 3 Unit NFL Play of the Day

- It has all fallen apart for the Ravens, who got off to that horrid 0-3 and 1-6 start. At least they've been competitive at home, with first 5 games decided by 4 points or less SU. That is until the last 2 weeks, namely 35-6 and 34-14 losses to smoking Seahawks and Chiefs. First time in their 20-year history, that the Ravens have dropped 5 home games. And it hardly gets any easier, as Pittsburgh not only finished last weeks game with Denver on a 24-0 run, but has topped 29 points in its last 6 games. Ben is now at 337 passing yards per game. No stopping the Steelers now.

Rating: 3 Unit NFL Play of the Day

Seven straight wins for the Cards, who were saved when vet Freeney forced Minny fumble in final 0:05. No question that Arizona plays its best ball on the road (32-19 points per game edge), and not about to go into late swoon after last years disastrous finish (without Palmer, who is now at 4,003 yards and 31 touchdowns with only 9 interceptions). Eagles 6-2 SU when Bradford starts and finishes, but no Philly touchdowns in final 40:38 versus Buffalo. Kelly is 2-10 ATS off 2 wins, and 1-8 ATS versus the NFC West. And Eagles are 0-9 ATS off 2 SU/ATS wins versus non-division.

Rating: 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

The perfect Panthers stand at 12-0 SU this year, and 16-0 SU in regular season play, behind 2nd best defense in the league, and Newton's leadership (5 touchdowns with 1 interception last week and now 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this year). Missed spread last week via pair of botched PATs and 2-point runback off failed 2-point try (497-334 yard edge) versus Saints. For Falcons, it all continues. Five straight losses (last 1:39 at Tampa), and now at 6-6 SU, after 5-0 start, and a horrid 0-8 ATS run (-58 points).

Rating: 5 Unit NFL Game of the Month

Talk about opposite directions! The Saints are in off their 1st no-TD showing in 155 games, with Brees TDless for first time in 46 games. New Orleans on 0-3-1 ATS slide (-61½ points), and 6-12-1 ATS since '14. Panthers, of course, are perfect: 11-0 SU, 9-2 ATS TY, & 11-3 since last year, with their only misses by 3½, 3½, 2½ points. Have topped 26 points in their last 9 games, are +16 turn overs. That defebse is superb, while Cam and mates should feast on Saints horrid stop unit (NFL's worst). And Carolina 11-3 ATS as series visitor

Rating: 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

Talk about streaky. Chiefs came from 9-1 ATS run, to 3-9, to current 5-0 (+89 pts). Five straight wins, with 761 rushing yards, and a 14/0 turnover advantage. They have a 62-16 point edge in their 2 division road games so far, with vastly improved Raiders victim #3. The dog is 7-3 ATS in Oakland games, with the only misses by a mere 1½, 4, & 2 points. Carr's touchdown pass in final 1:21 versus Titans snapped 3-game Oakland slide, but note the Raiders losing their last home game by 19 points ATS. Chiefs 9-3 ATS as series guests

Rating: 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

Current Falcon futility continues. Opened at 4-0 (+42 points ATS), but just the reverse since, going 2-4 SU and 0-6 versus the points (-43½ pts). And Ryan, who has been remarkably steady, was responsible for 3 of Atlanta's 4 second half turnovers in blowing a pair of 14-point leads versus the Colts. The Vikings had their confidence shaken a bit with 30-13 loss to the Packers, but are still +44½ points ATS in their last 9 games. Minny is 7-1 ATS off a division game, and a superb 19-4 ATS versus non-division opponents. I'll grab this dog

Rating: 3 Unit NFL Play of the Day

Now that's what I call a statement. Tampa Bay QB Winston tied a rookie record with 5 touchdown passes in 45-17 rout of a decent Philly squad, with Martin contributing 235 rushing yards just for good measure. Indianapolis is going it without Luck, with Hasselbeck leading a 17-0 windup versus the Falcons. So a field goal favorite here. Well, the underdog has covered ALL TEN Colt games this season, and Tampa is 13-0 ATS as a road underdog off reaching 28+ points. Underdog call here!

Rating: 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

Redskins in middle of Patriot, Saint, Panther, Giant run, so it doesn't get any easier for 3-5 outfit, which ranks 25th on offense. That 210-yard deficit at New England was fully expected in light of the unrelenting machine that the Pats represent. But note a 748-172 Redskin rushing yard deficit over their last 4 games. Ripe for the plucking. Saints in off OT loss, despite another 387 passing yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interceptions from Drew who now has 898 passing yards with 10 touchdowns and 2 interceptions the past 2 weeks. They have amassed 66 first downs in those 2 games.  Blowouts have become a near norm for the Redskins. They’ve lost 10 games by 17 or more points during the last two and one-half seasons. Historically November is a brutal month for Washington. The Redskins have dropped 20 of their last 27 games during the month, including going 0-4 last November.

Rating: 3 Unit Play of the Day

Peyton Manning returns to his former home once again. What a defense the Broncos displayed in rout of splendid Packers, with a 500-140 yd edge, neutralizing Rodgers, in the process. Now at 7-0 for the 1st time since '98, when they upset the Packers in the SuperBowl. Catching Colts off their Monday Nighter with Carolina is a definite plus, as is the revenge motive for last years 24-13 home playoff loss to Inddianapolit. the Underdog is 7-0 ATS in Colt games this year and Andrew is 2-0 versus Peyton. But Denver is 6-0 ATS off a SU underdog win, while Indy is 1-10 ATS at home versus a non-division opponent who is off a SU and ATS win.

Rating: 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

A week ago, I gave a couple of solid reasons for backing the Browns over the Rams, such as Cleveland with an 11-3 ATS record as an underdog, as well as 10-1 ATS off a loss. Well, four lost fumbles put those stats into the trash bin. Still, the dog is 12-3-1 ATS in Cleveland games, and the Browns are 9-0 ATS as non-division home dogs. And try 6-0 ATS off scoring less than 14 points. But the Cards have a 34-22 points per game edge away this year, and are 7-0 ATS versus an opponent off a double digit SU loss. All things considered, Card call.

Rating: 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

Well, what do you know? He's human after all. The initial interception (pick-six) for Brady in win over Indy (not by enough: Colt touchown in final 1:19), so he is now only 14 touchdowns with 1 interception for the season (71%). The Jets just continue to do it, now standing at 4-1, both SU & ATS, with the SU winner covering New York games by 17½, 20, 9, 11½, & 7½ points. So why not another? Home team is 29-8 ATS in Pat games, and New England is at 36.4 points per game in their last 8 games. Jets +39½ points ATS on road this year, but Pats are 8-0 ATS at home versus opponents who are off 2 wins

Rating: 4 Unit Game of the Month

- Eagles finally came alive in the 39-17 throttling of the Saints, who are in search of  anything that will come to their aid. No, those 34 first downs, 186 rushing yards, and 519 total yards (Bradford: 333 passing yards, and now has 8 touchdowns with 6 interceptions) aren't to be dismissed, but consider the opponent. That snapped a 9-0 ATS dog run in Philly games. And the pup is 8-2-1 ATS in the Giants' last 11 games, as well. Three straight wins for New York,  but no cover versus the Niners, despite 30 first downs and 525 yards. Eli a superb 41-of-54 with 3 touchdowns and only 1 interception in that one, and is a respectable 10 touchdowns wih 2 interceptions for the season, which hasn't been the case, recently.

Rating 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

After facing the likes of Tyrod Taylor, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Marcus Mariota, Blake Bortles and Ryan Mallet, the Colts step way up in quarterbacks drawing Tom Brady and the NFL’s top offense. New England is averaging 37.2 points per game while leading the NFL in total yards and passing yards. Indianapolis is 21-7-1 ATS in its last 29 home games. That record is trumped by New England’s dominance of the Colts during the Chuck Pagano era. The Patriots are 4-0 SU and ATS versus the Colts in the last three years – and that’s against Andrew Luck. The  Patriots have buried the Colts during this span winning 59-24, 43-22, 42-20 and 45-7. That comes out to average victory of 29 points.

Rating: 3 Unit NFL Play of the Day

The Cardinals defeated the Lions with Drew Stanton at quarterback last season, 14-6. Arizona is much more potent this season with a healthy Carson Palmer averaging 37 points per contest. Arizona had covered its past eight games with Palmer as a starter until last Sunday’s loss to the Rams when the Cardinals had to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns during many trips inside the Red Zone. Matthew Stafford entered Week 4 having thrown the most interceptions in the NFC. A short week after playing the physical Seahawks on Monday doesn’t leave the Lions in a great spot either physically or mentally.

Rating: 3 Unit NFL Play of the Day

The Bills have a 307-120 rushing yard edge this year, while the Dolphins have a 284-116 rushing yard deficit. And Miami is a 3 point favorite? As per usual, Buffalo couldn't stay with the Patriots, despite an overly hyped crowd, as a quick 7-0 lead melted into a 37-13 deficit. But Taylor was 23-of-30 (76.7%) for 242 yards, but he had 3 touchdowns with 3 interceptions and now has 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions for the season. Tannehill comes in with 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions while completing 67% so far, but that rushing yard edge for Buffalo cannot overlooked. The Bills won, 29-10, here a year ago.

Rating: 3 Unit SNF Smoker

Rodgers has a tremendously balanced offense with Eddie Lacy and Randall Cobb. Picking up veteran James Jones, a wide receiver Rodgers is comfortable with, was a huge plus. Seattle’s defense isn’t as dominant on the road and currently is minus holdout star safety Kam Chancellor. Seattle is far from intimidating away from CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks are 2-9 SU and ATS during their last 11 September road games. Marshawn Lynch hasn’t been as effective on the road and he’s running behind a mediocre-at-best offensive line that when the shuffling finally stopped starts two players who went undrafted and one who was taken in the seventh round of the draft. This has Green Bay’s written all over it.

Rating: 3 Unit NFC Game of the Day

The Cowboys have a veteran, productive, high-percentage in passer in Tony Romo as an underdog against the Sam Bradford-led Eagles, who are all about “potential.” Bradford, a 58.2% career completion percentage person, has played all of one real game for Philly. It wasn’t pretty, and although there is potential to improve, potential at -5 is a tightrope walk. The Eagles could not run DeMarco Murray much on Monday Night because of the scoreboard situation. The situation was that they were trailing by 17 points at halftime. A lot of people assume that when they start 0-0 here, Murray will make the Cowboys suffer for letting him go to Philadelphia in free agency. But he’s no lock to run as well as he did behind the Eagles line as he did behind the Dallas line. Different blocking schemes. And the Cowboys know how to make him fumble.

Rating: 3 Unit NFL Play of the Day

Last year, when the Seahawks played on this field, the Rams (+6½) pulled the 28-26 upset, thanks, in part, to a successful faked punt late in the game. So you know that Seattle who is 47-20-1 ATS lately will be more than prepared. Still one of the best teams in the NFL, especially with that impregnable defense. The addition of TE Graham from New Orleans gives QB Wilson another key option. Rams swapped Bradford for Foles, but their offensive line is still a problem, with the use of rookies needed, so that will take some time. St Louis lost its last home game by 16½ points ATS, and now face determined Seahawks team.

Rating: 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

There are teams currenty playing up to their potential but nobody is on the level of the Seahawks. They are not only on 5-0 SU run (4-0-1 ATS), but total domination, holding those 5 opponents to 6.6 points per game along with a franchise record of 596 yards in annihilation of one of the better defenses in the league ('Zona). Wilson: 339 passing yards (17 yards per pass); Lynch: 113 rushing yards (11.3 yards per rush). The Rams are -27½ points ATS last 2 weeks, and will pay the price for earlier 28-26 upset.

Rating: 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

Seattle looks to be near full speed now. They need two wins for the division title, and possibly home field throughout the playoffs. Their defense is near its apex, allowing just 27 points in their last 4 games. That's 6.75 points per game versus Arizona, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. They have given up just 9 and 14 first downs in the last 2 weeks. The Cardinals are still atop the NFC West, but are averaging only 13 poins per game in their last 5 games, are going it without Stanton, and have managed just 2 touchdowns in their last 19 quarters.

Rating: 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

The Seahawks are again the at the top of the NFL. They have had 379-164 and 440-139 yard edges at San Francisco and Philadelphia (17, 11 pt covers). They are coming off holding the former 416 yards per game Eagles to only 139 yards. The Niners are sinking fast, with a 145-103 point deficit in their last 7 games (5 of last 6 SU wins by just 5, 5, 3, 6, & 4 points). Seattle is 7-1 ATS hosting an avenging division opponent.

Rating: 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

Home/road dichotomy worm sure has turned in Bengal contests, with the road team on 4-1 SU and ATS run. Three straight wins for Cincinnati, so 1½ up on Ravens, Browns, and these Steelers. Dalton had 1 touchdown with 3 interceptions at Tampa, but Bengals survived, due to inopportune Buc penalties. The underdog is on an 8-1 ATS run in Cincinnati games, and the Bengals lost their last home game by 27 points ATS. The Steelers, with and underdog 5-0 spread run in their last five games, by 63½ points. Ben has 3,705 passing yards thus far, and the Steelers had a 538-393 yard edge over the Saints.

Rating: 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

The Cardinals got their comeuppance in 19-3 loss at Seattle, posting only 12 first downs, 64 rushing yards, and only 204 total yards. But, they are still 2 games up in the NFC West, & and have won 16 of their last 20 games, while covering a profitable 15-4-1. They did sack Wilson 7 times in that loss, and Stanton was off a 305 passing yard effort, before just 149 versus the Seahawks. The Falcons can move it, behind Matty who has 19 touchdowns with 9 interceptions, but rank dead last on defense.

Rating: 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

This is one that the Colts just do not let get away, with 37-3, 30-10, & 44-17 wins, in their last 3 games with the Jaguars. You know they are extra focused following last week's annihilating loss to the Pats, in this building. A 244-19 rushing yard deficit in that one, as well. Despite last week, Indy is on a 30-17-2 ATS run, and has topped 32 points in 5 of its last 8 games. The Jags, of course, will be bent on revenge for earlier 44-17 pasting,but have topped 17 points in just 2 of their last 12 games. To cap it off, Pagano is 12-1 ATS off a loss.

Rating: 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

The Saints haven't lost two in a row at home since 2009 after losing in overtime to the 49ers in the Superdome this past Sunday, snapping a 10-game home win streak. New Orleans is 19-2-1 ATS under Sean Payton at home. The Bengals haven't been the same since coming out of their bye in Week 5. They are 2-4 SU, 1-4-1 ATS since then. Three of those four losses have been by three touchdowns or more.Drew Brees has a 37-to-8 touchdown-to interception ratio at home since the start of last year. Mark Ingram has rushed for 392 yards in the last four games while tight end Jimmy Graham has hauled in 22 passes and scored four touchdowns in the last three games since recovering from a shoulder injury. The Saints have covered 80 percent as home favorites during the past 31 instances.

Rating: 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

Arizona comes in to this one with another 4-game run, both SU & ATS. The cards are currently on runs of 14-3 SU (2 of those 3 loses by a mere 4 & 3 pints) & 13-3-1 ATS. They're averaging 25.9 points per game in their last 17 games, with Palmer a solid 11 touchdown passes with only 2 interceptions on the season. This is the third straight road game for the Rams, who are 4-4 ATS, but who have allowed 34, 34, 34, 31, & 34 points in their 5 losses, and have yet to put back-to-back covers. Arizona is 7-1 ATS in division play, versus a team below .500 off a SU win. Arizona's 3rd-ranked defense should handle the Rams easily.

Rating: 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

The Chargers come into this one off 2 straight losses, after a 5-game SU run (4-1 ATS). However, they are +52½ points ATS in their last 7 games, with Rivers throwing for 20 touchdowns with only 5 interceptions for the season. The Dolphins come in on a 2-game run, for the first time all year. But those two wins have come versus the fast falling Bears and horrible Jacksonville. The Chargers are 7-1 ATS on the road, off a DD SU loss.

Rating: 3 Unit NFL Play of the Day

Carolina averaged 34 points per game 2 games prior to last week's 38-17 blowout at GreenBay (38-3 in 4th). But still a game up on New Orleans. Shock has set in for Seattle, with losing 2 straight, although they nearly came all the way back from a 21-3 deficit versus the Rams. In that game Wilson became the 1st QB in NFL history with a 300-yard passing and 100-yard rushing game. Seattle HC Carroll is 7-1 ATS off 2 straight losses, and the Seahawks are 9-0 ATS as favorites off a pair of SU losses.

Rating: 3 Unit NLF Play of the Week

Five straight wins for Chargers, with a 147-73 point edge. They trailed Oakland, 28-21, in 4th, before 31-28 win. Rivers had 3 touchdowns with 0 interceptions and now has 15 touchdown with only 2 interceptions for the year. He has 5 straight games with a 120 passing rating. Kansas City has a nice 92-51 point edge of its own in their last 3 contests and took San Diego into overtmie here last year.

Rating: 3 Unit NFL Play of the Day

sThe home team is owns the win when Cincinnati takes the field, standing at 18-4-1 ATS. This is a Patriot/Colt sandwich for the Bengals, but Cincinnati is not about to be caught. The Panthers lost their last road game by 24½ points, and have a 75-29 point deficit versus the AFC North this year.

Rating: 3 Unit NFL Play of the Day

Jacksonville has lost all 4 games by at least 17 points, and now have a 152-58 point deficit, as well as -58 points ATS. Pittsburgh let one get away last week, after leading Tampa, 27-24 in the 4th, losing in the final 0:07, on a 15-yard pass. The Steelers did cover their last road game by 21 points. Pittsburgh took Carolina, 37-19, in last road trip.

Rating: 3 Unit NFL Play of the Week

The Packers are catching the Bears off their Monday Night game is a plus, as is the fact that Chicago stands a horrible 2-10 ATS versus a divisional opponent the past 2 year. The Packers won 33-28 here last year, to win their division, while the Bears are 1-6 ATS in the series including 0-4 at home.  HC Trestman is 1-7 ATS at home.

Rating: 4 Unit NFL Game of the Week

The last times these two teams met, the potent Broncos lost 43-8 in the Super Bowl. But, so far this season the Broncos nave no covers even though they are 2 SU.  Manning is having a decent year with 6 touchdowns and no interceptions, but has only 269 and 242 passing yards in the first two games. The Broncos are 30-5 SU their L35 games and 21-12 ATS. However, Seattle is off an embarrassing showing last week where they ran just 38 plays and had only 14 first downs. The Seahawks come into this one on a perfect 9-0 ATS run versus .600+ opponents,are 9-1 ATS versus non-division opponents looking for revenge, are 7-1 as a home favorite versus the AFC, and are on a 38-13 ATS run. To top off all of this Peyton Manning is just 5-24 SU and 11-18 ATS in his NFL career as a dog of 4 or more points, including 0-16 SU and 2-14 ATS when facing a sub .666 opponent. Just too much for the Broncos to handle

Rating: 3 Unit NFL Play of the Week

The Seahawks demolished the Packers last week 36-16 and it shows that Seattle is hardly sitting its success last week. They had a 207-80 rushing yard edge while Wilson threw for 2 touchdowns with 0 interceptions. Seattle now has a 310-87 point edge in its last 11 games and are 9-1-1 ATS. They are also on a 24-4 SU run and a 38-12 ATS run. Diego in off a Monday Nighter so don't have less rest and the clincher is the visitor is 16-8-1 ATS in Charger games.