Bucs and Panthers Need Big Wins Still

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3) over ATLANTA HAWKS

Home teams in NFC South Matchups have done notoriously well this year, but the Bucs are about to break that trend. Atlanta turned a huge victory over the Chargers in to a heartbreaking loss to the crap happy Saints and now face a dangerous Bucs team that loves to come out punching.

The danger for the Bucs is going down big in the first half. But if the Tampa defense has proven anything, it’s that it can rally after a blowout. After losing to New Orleans in Week 1, they came back and throttled the Falcons 24-9. When they were stunned in Denver in Week 5, they whopped the Panthers 27.3. Coming off an embarrassing loss to Brad Johnson and the Cowboys, they rallied past the Chiefs in Week 9. The Bucs may be down in the NFC South race, but that’s when they’re at their most dangerous.

Going 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games in Atlanta should also spring some confidence in your betting two-step. The Bucs are a safer bet than this line says. Besides, rookie quarterbacks and the Tampa Cover-2 are never a safe mix. Well, for the quarterback at least.

Denver Broncos +7 over CAROLINA PANTHERS

I’m definitely not saying the Broncos are going to lose this game, but the more I study it, the more concerned I am about Carolina’s passing defense. They allowed Antonio Bryant, of all people, to rip them for 200 yards. Well now, Brandon Marshall and a legitimate deep-ball quarterback, Jay Cutler, are paying them a visit. The Panthers may be 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 home game, but this matchup has to make them sweat. Combine that with the fact that Denver is 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games on the road and I’m taking Denver to cover. This game is way too risky for the letdown Panthers to be a safe bet on the moneyline too.

AFC South

Green Bay Packers -2.5 over JACKSONVILLE MUTINY

The story that Fred Taylor through the team and the coaching staff under the Jerome Bettis, hasn’t been glorified enough. This Jacksonville team absolutely sucks. With a 4-9 SU record coupled with a 3-10 ATS record along the way. The difference here is that the Green Bay Packers are way too good to be this bad. Expect Green Bay to turn the page by thriving in the warm weather and unleashing Aaron Rodgers against an injury riddled Jacksonville secondary that gets blown up while trying to tie their Velcro shoes.

INDINAPOLIS COLTS -16.5 over Detroit Lions

Quietly, the Colts have become the Colts that we are used to. Scoring relentlessly, defending intensely and punching defenses square in the jugular are all trademarks of this Colts team. The Colts have been a rough play all season, but the fact remains that they are beginning to peak, and that means more craptastic days for the Detroit Suckfestapalooza.

The Lions got smoked by Tennessee when they ran the ball down their throats. Well guess what happens when Peyton Manning and his passing game show that they’re finer tuned than a Sony HDTV? That’s right – blowout. By the way, apparently, we’re not allowed to mention Peyton Manning without plugging his products too. Don’t forget to buy your Peyton Manning tube socks, because you’ll need something to keep your toes toasty as they chatter in the chilling fright of oncoming defensive ends! Oh wait, the only sack Detroit’s aware of is the one that their fans put on their heads…never mind.

Tennessee Titans -3 over HOUSTON TEXANS

The Titans are still giving you reasons to bet on them, even though this is one game I would pull from any parlays you’re intending to use it in. Houston has quietly become a spread buster, going 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games. They do not match up well against Tennessee at all, which is why this should be an easy bet on the Titans. But keep this as a lone, straight bet because they last thing you want is Sage Rosenfels blowing up any if-bets or parlays you’ve decided to lump together. Staggeringly, these Texans are better than we thought. Just not better than the Texans straight up.