Just about at the midpoint of the NFL season, we might have reached the scariest slate of games yet.
With a bunch of “who knows?” matchups and some head-scratching point spreads, you’d be tempted to pick games with a coin flip in Week 7. But that would only give you a 50-50 chance, and NESN.com’s super-picking trio of Mike Cole, Ricky Doyle and Ben Watanabe give you better odds than that.
Tom Brady’s Emails, NESN.com’s entrant into the Westgate SuperContest as part of Team OddsShark, posted another winning record with its five locks in Week 6. TBE is now tied for fifth, 4 1/2 points back, in the Team OddsShark standings.
Who are we eyeing this week? Read on.
New York Jets (+9) vs. New England Patriots, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Mass.
Both these teams are killing it against the spread, but a deeper look at their head-to-head data suggests good things for the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets. New York is 4-1 against the spread in its last five games in Foxboro, and with a line this wide, look for the Patriots to win straight-up but fail to cover.
Minnesota Vikings (-2.5) vs. Detroit Lions, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Ford Field, Detroit
Minnesota’s been running roughshod over the spread lately, going 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games and 5-2 ATS in its last seven on the road. The Vikes also decisively take care of the Lions, with 8-2 and 4-2 ATS records against the Lions overall and in Detroit, respectively.
Atlanta Falcons (-4.5) vs. Tennessee Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m.
LP Field, Nashville, Tenn.
Don’t be scared off by the Falcons’ Thursday night loss to New Orleans. They’re still 4-2 ATS this season and 4-1 ATS in their last five road games. And the Titans are still bad; they’ve dropped nine of their last 11 against the spread and 14 of their last 17 at home.
Indianapolis Colts (-4.5) vs. New Orleans Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
The Colts have been a dangerous pick, since they seem to decide about five minutes before kickoff whether they’ll show up for the game week-to-week. It’s hard to overlook their 11-4-1 record against the spread in their last 16 home games, though, or just how bad New Orleans’ defense is.
Carolina Panthers (-3) vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:30 p.m.
Bank of America Stadium
How about them Panthers? In addition to boasting a 5-0 record in the overall standings, they’re 4-1 ATS and the total has gone over in five of their last seven games. Needless to say, Las Vegas needs to stop underestimating the Cats.
Thumbnail photo via Brace Hemmelgarn/USA TODAY Sports Images
