After three weeks of games there are only three teams in the NFC without a loss; the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, and Minnesota Vikings and three teams that remain winless; the Panthers, Buccaneers, and Rams. The biggest surprise in this group is Carolina as their fall from grace has been swift and hard already putting them self three games out of the lead. The Giants appear to be the strongest team in the conference all though they have yet to be really tested. That will not change this week as they travel to Kansas City to play the winless Chiefs. New Orleans as looked equally solid and will get a chance to prove they are the best when they host the 3-0 New York Jets this week. The undefeated teams have also been very kind to bettors as they have gone a combined 7-2 ATS with the Saints being a perfect 3-0.
There are only four head to head match ups of NFC teams as the byes begin this week with the Eagles, Panthers, Falcons, and Cardinals sitting this one out.
Moving onto week four in the key match ups we will be reviewing are; Detroit @ Chicago, St. Louis @ San Francisco, and Green Bay @ Minnesota.
Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears (-10.5) Current Over/Under 39
The Lions no longer have the longest losing streak in the NFL ending it at 19 with a win in Washington. This week they travel to Chicago to try and make it two in a row. They still have a lot of problems on both side of the ball, but will play with a much better attitude now that the monkey is off their back. They rank 27th overall in both total offense and defense, but the real problem has been mistakes and turnovers. If they can play a mistake free they may have a chance against Chicago. The Bears on the other hand have been able to capitalize on other team’s mistakes to win two out of three. Two missed field goals by Seattle last week helped seal the win as well as two missed field goals by Pittsburgh the week before. They have not looked all that great on offense, but QB Jay Cutler has managed the game well and will have to do the same against the Lions. I see Detroit keeping this divisional rivalry close covering the 10.5. Neither teams’ offense scares anyone so stay with the under as well.
St.Louis Rams @ San Francisco 49ers (-10) Current Over/Under 37.5
The 49ers lost a heartbreaker last week in Minnesota on a Brett Favre to Greg Lewis 32 yard touchdown pass with only: 02 left. This will be a good test to see if the 49ers can bounce back from the disappointment. Fortunately for them, the hapless Rams are coming to town which should point to an easy win. The Rams’ offense is ranked last in points per game and 28th in total offense. To make matters worse, their defense is ranked 26th in points allowed and 29th in total yards given up. While the 49ers will be without the All Pro RB Frank Gore who injured his ankle in last week’s game, they should still be able to move the ball against St. Louis. Look for a low scoring game with the 49ers’ defense setting the tone. The Rams will not win, but should be able to keep this one within 10.
Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings (-3.5) Current Over/Under 46
As the whole Brett Favre saga unfolded throughout the off season, this was one of the games everyone circled in case he did return. Well he is back and last week’s dramatic come from behind win should only help fuel the fire for this game. The Vikings come in 3-0 ranked 4th in points scored but 16th in points allowed. The Packers are very similar in that they are ranked 6th in points scored and 18th in points allowed. While the Vikings will still try and move the ball on the ground with RB Adrian Peterson, look for Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers to take to the air to try and win this game. The Vikings best chance to stopping Rodgers is to keep constant pressure, forcing some bad throws that could lead to some turnovers. On top of the emotion of Favre playing against his old team, this should be a good solid battle between the two best teams in the NFC North. Take the Packers in an upset as Rodgers steals the show as well as push the game total over.
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