The Saints and Patriots' offensive firepower places them among our top selections for this weekend's games...
New Orleans Saints (-2.5) v Denver Broncos – {ODDS:119696902:20/23}
After losing their first three games of the season, the Saints have bounced back to win four of their last five.
They are unbeaten against the spread since week 3, and their 30.3 points per game is the NFL’s second-highest mark.
The Broncos, meanwhile, have lost three of their last five, and struggled to contain the Oakland Raiders – another offensive juggernaut – last week.
Denver have struggled with turnovers – with eight in their last five games – and the Saints have the opportunistic streak needed to take advantage of those mistakes.
They have nine defensive takeaways in their last five games, including four against the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday.
Dallas Cowboys (+2.5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers – {ODDS:119698253:10/11}
Another week, another win for the Cowboys.
The NFC East favourites beat the Cleveland Browns 35-10 last Sunday for their seventh consecutive victory, and they are undefeated against the spread over that period.
One of the most balanced teams in the league, Dallas currently rank fourth in points per game and have also allowed fewer points than all but three teams.
It is surprising, then, that they are considered underdogs against the Steelers, who have lost each of their last three games against the spread.
Pittsburgh are heavily reliant on receiver Antonio Brown, but Dallas have had no problem shutting down star pass-catchers this year.
They are yet to allow a 100-yard receiving game, and held Odell Beckham Jr, Jordy Nelson, A.J. Green and Alshon Jeffery to fewer than 75 yards each with no touchdowns.
New England Patriots (-7.5) v Seattle Seahawks – {ODDS:119698410:20/21}
The Patriots coming off a bye week are a formidable proposition for opposing teams.
They have only lost three times after a week off in Bill Belichick’s 16 seasons as head coach.
That doesn’t bode well for the Seattle Seahawks, who have had limited rest before the trip to New England after playing the Buffalo Bills on Monday night.
Quarterback Tom Brady has been in stunning form since he returned from suspension in week 5.
The Patriots are averaging 317 passing yards and 34 points per game with the 39-year-old leading their offence this season.
And while the Seahawks have been excellent defensively, the Patriots are one of just two teams to have conceded fewer points per game than them.
New York Giants (-2.5) v Cincinnati Bengals – {ODDS:119698586:10/11}
While the Giants have five wins to the Bengals’ three this season, these teams are relatively evenly matched.
Cincinnati rank 22nd in points per game with 20.9, and Ben McAdoo’s side are just two places below them with 20.1.
The Giants are clearly on an upward trajectory, though, having won three in a row outright and their last four against the spread.
The Bengals have tied with the Redskins and beaten the winless Browns in the past fortnight, meanwhile, but were soundly beaten by the Patriots and Cowboys prior to that.
They have only beaten the handicap twice all season.
Cincinnati’s pass defence will likely struggle against the Giants’ varied offensive attack, considering that they allowed 299 yards combined to three Redskins receivers last week.
