With the first month of the 2018 NFL season in the history
books it's on to October where certain teams shine while others struggle - at
least in the pointspread wars. Here is a composite of possible 'Play On'
and 'Play Against' teams throughout the month of Halloween.
HOME TEAMS
Good: Pittsburgh 37-17 ATS
For whatever reason, this is the month the
Steelers start to put it together as a team. There are a few more questions
about this group this season as we head into October and we will find out
against Atlanta (10/7) and Cleveland (10/28).
Keep an eye on (Good): Cleveland 20-13 ATS
The Browns have been getting points for years,
even at home and made themselves a good bet. Will the same be true against
rival Baltimore (10/7) and the L.A. Chargers (10/14) this season?
Keep an eye on (Bad): 4-Teams
Cincinnati 20-30 ATS - Jacksonville 14-25 ATS
Seattle 17-28 ATS - Tampa Bay 21-35 ATS
Cincinnati is in the most unique situation
since they are the only team in this group with more than one home game. The
Bengals could conceivably fail in all three contests versus Miami (10/7),
Pittsburgh (10/14) and Tampa Bay (10/28), but chances are they get at least one
cover.
Jacksonville should be in a pretty good spot
with only Houston at home on the 21st. The same is true of the Buccaneers who
host Cleveland (10/21).
Seattle has arguably the toughest task taking
on division rival the L.A. Rams (10/7)
AWAY TEAMS
Keep an eye on (Good): 4-Teams
Atlanta 30-20 ATS - Carolina 28-18 ATS
New England 32-20 ATS - N.Y. Giants 30-18 ATS
Atlanta has just one roadie and it's a nasty
one, at Pittsburgh (10/7).
Carolina has back-to-back away contests this
month, but at least the travel will not be bad, venturing to Washington first
on the 14th and a week later in Philadelphia.
New England's 0-2 SU & ATS away from home
to start 2018, but if they don't go 2-0 at Chicago (10/21) and at Buffalo
(10/29), then you know something is wrong in Patriots land.
The G-Men will have a physical affair at
Carolina on the first Sunday of the month and 15 days later they will be in Atlanta.
Keep an eye on (Bad): 3-Teams
Arizona 16-29 ATS - Seattle 18-29 ATS - Tampa
Bay 18-29 ATS
Only one true road contest for the Seahawks
who will be trying to change their fortune in the Motor City on the 28th.
Off a bye week, the Bucs have toughie at the
Falcons (10/14), who as mentioned cover spreads at home. If Ryan Fitzpatrick
is still starting, he'll face one of his many former teams in Cincinnati
(10/28).
Arizona might catch a break with no Jimmy G.
in Frisco (10/7) but it will be no such luck when they travel to land of 10,000
lakes really starting to get cold.
FAVORITES
Keep an eye on (Good): L.A. Rams 22-12 ATS
The Rams have a cumbersome three-game road
trip to start the month, but are thought to be favored and have likely wagering
success at Seattle, at Denver and at Santa Clara, perhaps covering twice. They
will be a favorite against Green Bay on the last Sunday of October.
Bad: Cincinnati 13-26 ATS
The Bengals are iffy to be favored even at
home against the Steelers (10/14) but will be handing out points to the
Dolphins (10/14) and the Bucs (10/28) in the Queen City and history shows that
is a scary proposition.
Keep an eye on (Bad): 4-Teams
Detroit 14-25 ATS - Jacksonville 11-21 ATS
Seattle 17-30 ATS - Tampa Bay 16-29 ATS
Detroit will be favored vs. Seattle (10/28)
and chances are in the same role when Aaron Rodgers visits on the first Sunday
of the month.
The Jaguars will be handing out points to the
Texans at home on the 21st. But we will take a wait see approach at Dallas
(10/21) and with a trip to London a week later against the Eagles.
Tampa Bay will have one favorite role, against
the Browns on 21st.
With the Seahawks not the same team,
not even a trip to London to face the Raiders guarantees Seattle will be a
favorite this month.
UNDERDOGS
Good: Philadelphia 24-10 ATS
This is nothing more than a maybe, doing
battle at Jacksonville across the pond.
Keep an eye on (Good): 3-Teams
Carolina 31-16 ATS - Chicago 33-20 ATS
N.Y. Giants 24-15 ATS
The Panthers will be a pooch when they are in
the City of Brotherly Love (10/21) and depending what oddsmakers think, they
could receive digits against the Redskins (10/14).
With the Bears defense, they could be a
dangerous dog at Miami (10/14) off a bye and at home the following week versus
the Brady Bunch.
Eli Manning and friends will be handed points
against Cam's crew in Charlotte (10/7) and on short notice in Jersey vs. Philly
(10/11). They will have 11 days to prepare to face Matt Ryan in Atlanta.
Bad: Pittsburgh 14-30 ATS
Potential bad spot for Steelers when they
visit Cincinnati in the middle of the month (10/14).
DIVISION
Keep an eye on (Good): 2-Teams
N.Y. Giants 25-16 ATS - Pittsburgh 26-14 ATS
Big Blue has two NFC East battles, but both
are on short rest. On the 11th versus the Eagles and the Redskins on the 28th.
For Coach Tomlin's troops, see the Bengals
just below and they have the Brownies in the Steel City on the 28th.
Bad: Cincinnati 13-30 ATS
We have mentioned Cincy facing Pittsburgh
several times. We just did not share this Bengals record.
Keep an eye on (Bad): Seattle 18-27 ATS
Pete Carroll's crew is in several negative
spots this month and they get piled on playing the Rams (10/7).
For more on Marc Lawrence click here.