NFC Top 3 Matchups – Week 8
The 2010 NFL season is seven weeks old and we are still wondering which teams if any will emerge as a legitimate contender to represent the NFC in this year’s Super Bowl. The New York Giants took a step in that direction by raising their record to 5-2 with a 41-35 win over Dallas on Monday night, but we all remember how they collapsed down the stretch after a fast start last year. The defending Super Bowl Champion Saints fell to 4-3 after losing to Cleveland 30-17. Dallas and Minnesota, two other preseason favorites to win it all, are a combined 3-9.
Here is a look at my top three matchups in the NFC for Week 8 of the NFL season. All odds are provided by BetUS.com.
Washington @ Detroit (-2 ½) Over/Under: 44
While Head Coach Mike Shanahan has finally brought some much needed organization and discipline to this franchise and QB Donovan McNabb has provided the veteran leadership that has got this group of players to come together as a team, there are still some major areas of concern with Washington, especially with a defense that is ranked 31st in the league.
Detroit is primed to turn things around as it comes off a bye with Matthew Stafford finally ready to return at quarterback after injuring his shoulder on opening day. The Lions have played every game tough since he went down, but only have one victory against five defeats to show for it.
Head-to-head, the home team in this matchup is 7-2 ATS in the last nine games and the Lions are 5-1 ATS in their last six games against the NFC. The total has stayed ‘under’ in six of the last eight games between these two teams. Detroit appears to be headed for a breakout game and having Stafford back will be a huge plus against a Redskins defense that is ranked 31st against the pass.
Carolina @ St. Louis (-3) Over/Under: 37
Last week, Carolina’s quarterback carousel brought Matt Moore back as the starter and he delivered by leading the Panthers to their first win of the season; a 23-20 victory over San Francisco. The bad news is they may be without RB DeAngelo Williams for this game after he injured his foot against the 49ers.
St. Louis (3-4) is hoping that All-Pro RB Stephen Jackson, who underwent surgery to repair a break in his ring finger, will be ready to go by Sunday. He has 617 rushing yards on 149 carries in the Rams first seven games this season.
The Panthers are 5-0 ATS in the last five games between these two teams and 6-2 ATS in the last eight games played in St. Louis. The total has stayed ‘under’ in four of Carolina’s last five games overall and in eight of the Rams last 10. Bank on the Panthers continued success in this series as they grind out a second straight win.
Tampa Bay @ Arizona (-3) Over/Under: 40
Tampa Bay finds itself in unchartered waters as it is 4-2 and just a half game behind Atlanta for first place in the NFC South. This team appears to be getting it done with the use of some smoke and mirrors as the Buccaneers’ offense is ranked 23rd in the league and their defense is ranked 22nd. They do have a +6 turnover ratio which has also helped.
Arizona is even worse than Tampa when it comes to statistics. The Cardinals offense is ranked dead last in the league and their defense is ranked 27th, yet somehow this team is 3-3. Even their turnover ratio stinks at -7.
The Buccaneers are 4-0 ATS in their last four games as a road underdog, while the Cardinals are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games as a favorite. The total has stayed ‘under’ in Tampa’s last nine games against the NFC. Go with the lesser of two evils in this game by taking Tampa and the three points.
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