NFC Update – NFL Odds Makers Lower Spread and Detroit Still Covers

The 2010 Detroit Lions have to be one of the most amazing NFL teams I’ve ever seen in my life.  The football betting odds makers lowered the spread on the Lions’ opponent this past Sunday and the Lions still covered the spread. 

The Lions, usually +6 to +7 point home beneficiaries, were receiving only 4 points from the NFL odds makers in their Sunday overtime loss and, wouldn’t you know it?  The Lions covered the spread, again, to remain atop my NFC Top 5 list.  So, if the Lions remained on top did the Cowboys remain on the bottom?  In the words of Sarah Palin, “You betcha!”

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NFC Top 5 NFL Betting

1. Detroit Lions 2-6 (7-1 ATS) – - The 20 to 23 loss at what ended up being a 5 ½ point spread was once again a victory for the Lions against the wagering spread.  The NFL odds makers are going to really have to be careful with their odds line this Sunday since Drew Stanton might have to play in place of the injured Shaun Hill and Matthew Stafford.

2. St. Louis Rams 4-4 (6-2 ATS) – - The Rams were on a bye week but they’re still better ATS than all but one team in the NFC.  St. Louis has a shot to win the NFC West, not just continue to make money for football handicappers versus the NFL odds.  That’s a big deal and one of the reasons that the Rams might continue to win football games both straight up and ATS. 

3. New York Giants 6-2 (5-3 ATS)  – - The New York Giants are definitely the best team in the NFC.  They might be the best team in the NFL.  The G-Men forgot all about Seattle’s “12th man” and absolutely demolished the ‘Hawks 41 to 7 as 7-point sportsbook faves.  What’s scary about the New York Giants is the fact that they have a deadly running game with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw and three legitimate #1 wide receivers in Steve Smith, Hakeem Knicks and Mario Manningham.  Oh, yeah, the #1 ranked defense is pretty good too.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-3 (5-3 ATS) – - They almost pulled off the straight up victory over the Atlanta Falcons as 10-point dogs. That should squash any ideas that some football handicappers might have had regarding the Bucs being an “easy win” to bet against.  Tampa Bay remains only a game behind the Atlanta Falcons for the lead in the NFC South. 

5. Washington Redskins 4-4 (4-3-1 ATS) – - Is it me or does it sort of feel like that once smart people go to Washington D.C., they turn stupid?  No, not just our politicians.  Steve Spurrier went to D.C. and turned dumb.  Joe Gibbs returned to D.C. and dropped a few I.Q. points.  Now, two-time Super Bowl winning coach Mike Shanahan is handling a QB situation as if his name is Josh McDaniels.  But even with Shanahan’s blundering, the ‘Skins remain on this list because they didn’t get a chance to blow a game versus the NFL odds this past weekend because they were on a bye.

NFC Bottom 5 NFL Betting

1. Dallas Cowboys 1-7  (1-7 ATS) – - Wow.  The defense is actually getting worse.  7 to 45 versus the Packers after a 17 to 35 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.  When does it change from a “you problem” to a “me problem”, Jerry Jones?

2. Carolina Panthers 1-7 (2-6 ATS) – - The Panthers couldn’t get anything going against New Orleans and the Saints’ #3 ranked defense.  The Saints have really turned it on lately by outscoring their opponents 54 to 13 in their last 2 games.  Oh, wait…I’m supposed to be writing about horrible the Panthers are.  It’s tough to take Carolina seriously now that it’s obvious John Fox has something in the works to coach another team next year.  Who will it be?  My money is on the team ahead of the Panthers on this list, or the one right below it.

3. Minnesota Vikings 3-5 (2-6 ATS) – - You gotta love Brad Childress.  He gets rid of Brett’s biggest target, Brett finds a way to win the game for him in the 27 to 24 victory over Arizona as 7-point NFL odds dogs, and Brad Childish still makes fun of old man Favre.  Brad Childish…the only man capable of making the football public feel bad for Brett Favre.

4. San Francisco 49’ers 2-6 (3-5 ATS) – - San Francisco got a victory this past Sunday.  Well, sort of.  They didn’t have to play.  This Sunday, they play a tough team in the St. Louis Rams.  I don’t hold out a lot of hope for the 49’ers for the rest of this season against the spread but I do believe that they’ve got a shot against St. Louis this Sunday versus the spread because they’re getting points and…Oh, wait, the 49’ers are 5 ½ point favorites.  Oh, well.

5. Arizona Cardinals 3-5 (3-5 ATS) – - They’ve won only 1 game out of their last 4.  AZ doesn’t face a stiff challenge after taking on Kansas City on Nov. 21st and I still believe the best they can do is go 4 and 4 ATS in their next 8 games.

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