The Patriots' star quarterback is primed for an easy afternoon against the Browns, whose search for a win should continue...
New England Patriots (-10.5) @ Cleveland Browns – {ODDS:112436685:10/11}
The Deflategate saga is over, the Patriots are playing the NFL’s only winless team and, most importantly, Tom Brady is back.
New England’s starting quarterback has completed his four-game suspension and is primed for a huge day against the Browns – the league’s sixth-worst defensive team.
The Patriots won all three of their games against the spread last season when favoured by more than 10 points, and their fourth-ranked defence should stymie Cleveland’s solid but unremarkable quarterback, Cody Kessler.
Cleveland have kept games tight for the most part this season, and yet they have only covered the spread in one of the first four weeks.
And while they have been outscored 34-11 in fourth quarters this season, those struggles will probably not matter against a side that is simply too good in all areas.
Chicago Bears (+4.5) @ Indianapolis Colts – {ODDS:112438319:10/11}
Indianapolis are the first team to ever turn down a bye the week after a game in London, opting instead to take it later in the season.
That should hurt them against the Bears, who will be well-rested having played at home last Sunday.
The Colts are favourites because of their advantage at the quarterback position, but until they start putting Andrew Luck in a position to succeed they will not win games regularly.
Luck has been beaten up by opposing teams all season, with Indianapolis’ porous offensive line conceding more sacks than any other side.
The Bears, meanwhile, have been stingy against the pass this year, with just seven teams allowing fewer yards through the air.
Offensively they have failed to score more than 17 points in a game so far, but should eclipse that mark given that the Colts have conceded the third-most points in the league.
Minnesota Vikings (-7) v Houston Texans – {ODDS:112435413:21/20}
Minnesota are undefeated this season, and are also yet to lose a game against the spread.
Despite the absence of injured running back Adrian Peterson, they have been perhaps the NFL’s best team thanks to their dominant defence and the solid play of quarterback Sam Bradford.
Texans passer Brock Osweiler, meanwhile, has been inconsistent in his first year as a full-time starter, throwing six interceptions and just five touchdowns.
The 25-year-old will likely struggle against a Minnesota team that has recorded six interceptions – the second-most in the league.
Only three sides have scored fewer points than the Texans this season, while the Vikings have the NFL’s second-best defence, allowing just 12.5 points per game.
Washington Redskins (+4) @ Baltimore Ravens – {ODDS:112437492:10/11}
NFC underdogs have won 20 games and lost just nine against the spread this season, and that trend should continue when Washington visit M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday.
The Redskins started the season with a one-sided defeat to the Steelers.
Since then, though, they have lost a close game to the impressive Cowboys and beaten both the Giants and Browns.
They covered the handicap in each of those wins, while the Ravens have failed to cover the spread as favourites in each of their last three games.
Their three victories have all come against sides that are unlikely to make the playoffs, and they are yet to win by more than six points this season.
A £10 bet on this four-fold accumulator returns £135.80*.
*Odds and amounts correct at the time of publication, but subject to change. See site for latest.
