NFL December Football - Trends to Watch
By:
Marc Lawrence |
Friday, November 29, 2019
HOME TEAMS
Keep an eye on (Good): 5-Teams
Carolina 31-20 ATS - Cincinnati 41-25 ATS - Green Bay 37-22 ATS
New England 36-21 ATS - Seattle 41-21 ATS
The Panthers will be home on the odd numbers Sunday's beginning with Washington (12/1), which is winnable. However, games against Seattle (12/15) and New Orleans (12/29) will be harder.
If Miami can beat the Jets (12/1) at home, so can Cincinnati. The Bengals against New England (12/15) will be more challenging. Cincy closes with Cleveland (12/29) having played them three weeks prior.
Green Bay's cold weather edge will be slightly diminished facing cold weather opponents Chicago (12/15) and Washington (12/8).
New England will have an anticipated showdown with Kansas City (12/8), plus, divisional games with Buffalo (12/21) and Miami (12/29).
The Seahawks slate is anything but simple home and away. At CenturyLink Field they have Minnesota on the first Monday of the month and later Arizona (12/22) and San Francisco (12/29).
Keep an eye on (Bad): Cleveland 15-26 ATS - L.A. Rams 22-34 ATS
Cleveland’s trying to fight back and concludes with the Bengals (12/8) in the first of two and two weeks later versus Baltimore (12/29).
The Rams have a rugged road schedule along with home games against the Seahawks (12/8) and Cardinals (12/29).
AWAY TEAMS
Keep an eye on (Bad): 5-Teams
Dallas 26-39 ATS - Houston 15-24 ATS - Miami 21-33 ATS
Oakland 21-39 ATS - San Francisco 23-39 ATS
If the Cowboys blow it like usual on the road at Chicago (12/5) and at Philadelphia (12/22), they might not reach the playoffs.
Off a trio of home contests, Houston hits the road for Tennessee (12/15) and Tampa Bay (12/21), hoping that does screw up their postseason plans.
In a manner of speaking, everything will be new for Miami away from home. (and chilly)
With trips two trips to New Jersey to take on the New York Jets (12/8) and New York Giants (12/15), followed by two weeks later to face New England.
With all three AFC West teams having made one last visit to Oakland, the Raiders will make stops in K.C. (12/1), Carson (12/22) at a Mile High (12/29).
With how improved San Francisco is, one might imagine they would have the same problems of the past. Then you find that the Niners will be unwelcome guests at Baltimore (12/1), at New Orleans (12/8) and at the Seahawks and now it sure looks harder.
FAVORITES
Good: Seattle - 43-21 ATS
The Seahawks are sensational in this role this month, but how often is hard to say with their schedule. For sure Seattle will be the favorite at home against Arizona (12/22) and now versus Minnesota (12/2). However, at the L.A. Rams (12/8) at Carolina (12/15) and home against San Fran (12/29) will be TBD.
Keep an eye on (Good): - Green Bay 56-29 ATS
The Packers have been impervious to the cold in December and usually are playing their best football. They will be dishing out the digits at the Giants (12/1) and home against Washington (12/8) and Chicago (12/15). The season finale at Detroit is the only unknown.
Bad: Miami - 24-49 ATS
The Dolphins might have cost themselves the No.1 overall pick in season where the front office did all but everything to lose. Though Miami will play the Jets and Giants, both are in New Jersey, setting up Cincinnati (12/22) as the lone possible favorite role.
Keep an eye on (Bad): 3-Teams
Cleveland 6-11 ATS - Dallas 25-38 ATS
N.Y. Jets 18-28 ATS
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