Wagering tips,
In battles of 2-0 squads, take Patriots, Eagles
According to BuffaloNews.com, since league expansion in 2002, only 10.3% of teams (12 of 116) that have started 0-2 have gone on to make the playoffs, including the Houston Texans and the Seattle Seahawks in 2015. The challenge flag has been tossed for eight teams this week. That being said, let’s take a look at some of the most recent trends on this week’s NFL schedule. Mike Mularkey is 2-14 SU and 3-13 ATS in his last 16 home games as a head coach in the NFL.
Key stat: Tennessee is 1-14 SU and ATS in its last 15 games as an underdog against AFC West foes.
Who wins: Raiders 23-17 Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians has defeated 18 of 24 AFC opponents, while going 15-1 SU and 10-4-2 ATS against those foes who own a sub-.600 win percentage (6-0-1 ATS away). ... With the firing of Greg Roman, the NFL’s highest-paid offensive coordinator, Buffalo’s Rex Ryan will be operating with his fifth different offensive coordinator in his seven years as an NFL head coach.
Key stat: The Cardinals are 9-0 ATS in road openers since 2007, including 3-0 under Arians.
Cardinals 27-20
The Ravens are 8-22 ATS against AFC South opponents since 2004, including 5-15 ATS when coming off wins. ... The Jaguars are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four games vs. AFC North opponents.
Key stat: Baltimore is 0-5 SU and ATS in its last five games at AFC South sites.
Jaguars 24-20
The Browns are 4-2 SU and 5-1 ATS in this series since re-entering the league in 1999. ... The Dolphins are 0-11 ATS coming off a game against the the Patriots when facing a losing team.
Key stat: Cleveland is 7-3 SU and 8-2 ATS in its expansion history against sub-.500 AFC East opponents. Dolphins 20-17
The Redskins are 0-7 SU in Game 3 of the season in the past seven years. ... The Giants are 5-1 SU and ATS the last six games in this series.
Key stat: New coaches (Ben McAdoo of the Giants) coming off back-to-back, season-opening wins are 18-4-1 ATS in Game 3 since 2000. Giants 27-20
Lions coach Jim Caldwell is 18-14 SU and 19-12-1 ATS away in his NFL career. ... Packers coach Mike McCarthy is 45-17-1 SU and 41-22 ATS in division games in his NFL career.
Key stat: The Lions are 1-24 SU and 6-17-2 ATS at Lambeau Field since 1992.
Packers 27-20
Minnesota is 5-1 ATS in its last six games after facing Green Bay. ... The Panthers have lost eight of their last 12 games against NFC North opponents.
Key stat: The Vikings are 18-4 ATS in in games outside the NFC North under head coach Mike Zimmer, including 16-1 ATS against an opponent owning at least one victory on the season.
Vikings 21-20
The 49ers are 1-7 SU and 0-7-1 ATS the last eight games in this series... The Seahawks are 13-3 SU and 11-4-1 ATS in their second home game of the season.
Key stat: Seattle is 6-0 SU and ATS in the second of back-to-back division games since 2013 with an average winning score of 29-7.
Seahawks 27-10
The Rams are 1-8 SU and ATS in Game 3 the past nine seasons but 4-0 SU and ATS the last four games in this series. ... The Buccaneers are on a 6-0 turnover deficit this season.
Key stat: Teams are 9-30-3 ATS the following game after facing the Seahawks under head coach Pete Carroll and when playing an opponent coming off a loss.
Who wins: Buccaneers 31-16 Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh is 3-8 ATS as a favorite against NFC East opponents. ... The Eagles are 3-0 SU and ATS as a host in this series since 1991.
Key stat: The Steelers are 1-6 ATS when facing a .500-or greater opponent after playing the Bengals. Eagles 24-23
The Jets are 0-6 SU and 1-5 ATS in games after facing Buffalo. ... The Chiefs are 5-1 ATS the last six games in this series.
Key stat: Jets head coach Todd Bowles is 5-0-1 ATS as an underdog in his NFL career.
Chiefs 20-17
The Chargers are 24-6 SU and 26-3-1 ATS against the AFC South in franchise history. ... The Colts have started 2-8 SU in the first two games under head coach Chuck Pagano, including 0-6 the last three years.
Key stat: San Diego is 11-3 SU and 13-1 ATS all-time as a visitor in this series. Colts 21-20
Chicago is 8-1 ATS coming off a Monday game and when facing a .500-or-greater opponent. ... The Cowboys are 12-1 SU in Game 3 of the season over the past 13 years. (They lost last year to the Falcons.)
Key stat: Dallas’ Jason Garrett is 8-24 ATS as a home favorite in his head coaching career, including 5-20 ATS the last 25 games and 2-12 ATS when coming off a division game.
Who wins: Bears 23-20
MONDAY
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
The Falcons are 27-10 ATS as visitors in this series since 1978, but 2-10 SU and ATS on Monday nights in division games. ... New Orleans is 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS in its last five Monday night games vs. Atlanta.
Key stat: Saints coach Sean Payton is 29-8 SU and 25-11-1 ATS home in his NFL career when facing opponents coming off wins, including 16-3 SU and 15-3-1 ATS the last 19.
Who wins: Saints 28-24
Lawrence publishes the weekly Playbook Football Newsletter and the Playbook Football Preview Guide magazine (Playbook.com). You can follow him on Twitter @MarcLawrence or on the Playbook Cube app.