Much like the
game itself, we like to break the NFL season down into quarters from September
thru December. Listed below are the Good, Bad and Ugly team trends for this
month broken down into Home, Away, Favorite, Dog, and Division results. Enjoy...
HOME TEAMS
Keep an eye on (Good): 4-Teams
Baltimore 32-17 ATS - Detroit 31-20 ATS
Seattle 30-20 ATS - San Francisco 28-18 ATS
The Ravens will have two opportunities to
improve their record. The first on Sept.15 looks solid against Arizona, but the
more fascinating contest is two weeks later against Cleveland (9/22).
Detroit was a mess in the preseason and will attempt to put that behind
them. That won't be easy against two AFC West powers in the Los Angeles
Chargers (9/15) and Kansas City (9/29).
The "12th
Man" will be in full throat for the home opener versus
Cincinnati (9/8) and two Sunday's later when New Orleans (9/22) visits the
Northwest before it turns rainy.
With two road games and a bye, just one homer for the 49ers and
it's a tough one in facing Pittsburgh (9/22).
Keep an eye on (Bad): 2-Teams
N. Y. Jets 20-30 ATS
Washington 20-33 ATS
The New York Jets start the season with an
AFC East battle with Buffalo in New Jersey. Eight days later is a prime time
ESPN game against the Browns (9/16) with Sam Darnold facing Baker Mayfield!
The tough times are likely to continue for Washington at
home, with Dallas (9/15) and Chicago (9/23) in back to back encounters.
AWAY TEAMS
Keep an eye on (Good): 2-Teams
Dallas 33-20 ATS
Kansas City 36-19 ATS
The Cowboys travel to do battle with the hated
Redskins (9/15) in the first road excursion of the year and 14 days later head
to the bayou to take on the big bad Saints (9/29).
Kansas City will be tested with three roadies this month. However,
it's not a whos-who of football giants, having to play at Jacksonville (9/8),
at Oakland (9/15) and at Detroit (9/29). Still, a 2-1 ATS record keeps the line
moving for the Chiefs.
Keep an eye on (Bad): 3-Teams
Chicago 20-30 ATS - L.A. Rams 17-32 ATS
Pittsburgh 18-32 ATS
After hosting Green Bay in the NFL's first
contest of the year, Chicago has 10 days to prepare for a trip
to Denver (9/15) and eight more days before colliding with Washington (/23).
Being the better team in both instances, the Bears can eliminate their name
from this list.
The L.A. Rams are not the
sorry bunch that left St. Louis and they are probable favorites at Carolina
(9/8) and Cleveland (9/22).
For years, Pittsburgh has
been a slow starter. That could continue, especially away from home with games
at New England (9/8) and a trip to Santa Clara to face the 49ers (9/22).
FAVORITES
Keep an eye on (Good): Seattle 32-21 ATS
Pete Carroll's crew is favored in their first contest of the
season vs. the Bengals (9/8). The Seahawks will also hand out
points in the desert on the last Sunday of the month in Arizona. Though
possible, Seattle might catch a couple of points when Drew Brees (9/22) pays a
call.
Bad: Arizona 11-22 ATS
Just as well, the Cardinals don't figure to be
favored this month.
Keep an eye on (Bad): 2-Teams
Chicago 16-24 ATS
L.A. Rams 16-30 ATS
Both the Bears and Rams earned these lousy records as poor
teams. That is not the case today. Chicago will hand out
points in their four September assignments, seeking improvement. While
the Rams will be the oddsmakers' choice three times, with a
tilt in Cleveland (9/22) the only one up in the air.
UNDERDOGS
Good: Dallas 27-13 ATS
For as long as one can recall, the Cowboys have relished the
role of the underdog. The one time Dallas will catch points is
in New Orleans on the 29th.
Keep an eye on (Good): 3-Teams
Minnesota 27-18 ATS - Denver 17-11 ATS
Kansas City 31-18 ATS
Minnesota could be a tiny underdog at Green Bay (9/15) in their
initial away outing, but that is not for certain. The trip to the Windy City on
the 29th should have the Vikes at about +3.
These are not your John Elway or Peyton Manning Broncos. Denver has
lots of holes and will be an underdog in their first three assignments before
hosting Jacksonville.
Though Kansas City has a trio of away contests,
they don't figure to receive points. Stay tuned.
Keep an eye on (Bad): Pittsburgh 12-21 ATS
The Steelers opened as six-point underdogs at
New England to kick start 2019. The confrontation two weeks later vs. the
Niners depends in part how both clubs start.
DIVISION
Keep an eye on (Good): Kansas City 25-13 ATS
Kansas City has one AFC West conflict and it's in Oak-Town on Sept.
15, where they are 18-9 SU and ATS.
Keep an eye on (Bad): Oakland 12-22 ATS
After facing Denver on Monday night at home on Sept.9, the Raiders only
have six days to prepare for the Chiefs (see above). Oakland better handle the
Broncos first.
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