After fine wins last weekend, the Titans and Patriots are among the teams poised to beat the spread once again...
{ODDS:113690252:10/11} – Tennessee Titans (-7) v Cleveland Browns
The Titans won comfortably in Miami last weekend after losing each of their previous two games by a single touchdown.
The Browns, meanwhile, have scored the fourth-fewest points per game of any team this season and conceded the second-most.
It should be clear on Sunday that these teams are on opposite trajectories, given that the Browns have lost seven games in a row and 14 of their last 15 dating back to last season.
They have allowed 94 points in their last three games combined.
Tennessee’s rushing attack, led by resurgent running back DeMarco Murray, is likely to be the difference. Only the Dallas Cowboys have gained more yards on the ground.
{ODDS:113688921:4/7} – New England Patriots (-6.5) v Cincinnati Bengals
Tom Brady was as impressive as ever in his first game back from a four-week suspension, torching the Browns for 406 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-13 win.
Victory is again likely as the Bengals – another AFC North team – travel to Foxboro, even though the Patriots lost their last game at home in week four.
New England have not lost two home games in a single season since 2012, and the last time they lost consecutive games at Gillette Stadium was eight years ago.
Cincinnati are a good offensive team, capable of scoring enough points late in the game to prevent a double-digit defeat.
A nine-point handicap seems too high, but the Patriots should still win comfortably, so take the alternative line of New England -6.5.
{ODDS:113690609:20/23} – Kansas City Chiefs (-1) @ Oakland Raiders
The Chiefs were crushed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in their last game. Crucially, though, that was two weeks ago, before their week-five bye.
Coach Andy Reid is an expert at getting his teams ready to play after a long rest, having won 15 of his 17 post-bye games as a head coach.
That run should continue against the Raiders, who have scored plenty of points this season but are remarkably sloppy for a four-win team.
They have conceded more yards and committed more penalties than any other side, and that will be exposed against a well-coached side like Kansas City.
{ODDS:113690951:10/11} – Dallas Cowboys (+4) @ Green Bay Packers
It’s time to accept that the Cowboys are one of the best teams in the NFL.
Even without starting quarterback Tony Romo, who was injured before the season started, they rank eighth in both points per game and points against.
Last week they opened up a 28-0 lead over the Cincinatti Bengals – a playoff team from a year ago – and won by two touchdowns for their fourth victory of the season.
This weekend’s game against the Packers – who are yet to win a game by more than seven points this year – will be closer than many expect.
Green Bay have lost their last three games against the spread, and were beaten at home in week two by the Minnesota Vikings – a team whose strengths are very similar to those of the Cowboys.
