uBetting advice,
Betting signs point to Ravens having difficulty
Could this week be the Cleveland Browns’ best opportunity to win a game this season?
At first glance you might not think so, but according to our database, NFL home favorites are 19-25 straight up (SU) and 12-32 against the spread (ATS) in games immediately after tackling Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers, as the Baltimore Ravens did last weekend.
And when these post-Tomlin teams are favored by 10 or fewer points against an opponent that’s .500 or below, they practically fall off the map.
The Steelers are 7-18 straight up and 3-22 against the spread when playing down to the level of this type of opposition. Browns fans will have their fingers crossed Thursday.
THURSDAY
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens
Cleveland is 5-1 ATS in its last six Thursday games. ... The Ravens are 1-5 ATS in the last six games in this series.
Key stat: Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh is 3-12-1 ATS as a division home favorite of three or more points, including 1-12-1 ATS with a sub-.400 record.
Who wins: Ravens, 23-20
SUNDAY
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Texans are 1-4 ATS in division games following a bye week. ... Jacksonville is 7-2 SU and ATS after facing the Kansas City Chiefs, including 4-0 SU and ATS at home.
Key stat: Houston is 5-0 SU and ATS away against losing division opponents under Bill O’Brien.
Who wins: Texans, 27-24
Kansas City is 4-9 SU and ATS all time against NFC South opponents, including 1-5 SU and ATS away. ... Behind head coach Ron Rivera, the Panthers are 6-1 ATS at home off consecutive wins when facing an opponent that won its previous game.
Key stat: Carolina is 18-1 SU and 14-4-1 ATS at home, including 7-0 SU and ATS in the last seven games, in all games each season after its bye week since 2013.
Panthers, 31-21
Denver is 7-2-1 ATS away after playing the Oakland Raiders. ... New Orleans is 0-5 ATS after consecutive wins during the third quarter (Game 9-12) of the season since 2012.
Key stat: Denver head coach Gary Kubiak is 5-1 SU and ATS as an underdog vs. NFC South opponents. Broncos, 24-21 The Rams have lost their last four games but won the overall stats in each game. ... The Jets are 5-20 SU and ATS after a loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Key stat: New York is 0-5 ATS after a loss when facing NFC West opponents. Rams, 23-17
The Falcons are 2-6 ATS after a Thursday game. ... The Eagles are 9-3 SU and 10-2 ATS in this series when the Falcons own a .500-orbetter record, including 5-0 SU and ATS in games in which Atlanta is off a SU and ATS win.
Key stat: Atlanta is 1-7 SU and ATS as an underdog after a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Eagles, 28-21
Minnesota is 4-1 SU and ATS in the last five games in this series. ... Over the last two years the 10 teams to play in London are 8-2 SU and 9-0-1 ATS in their first game back in the USA.
Key stat: Minnesota is 8-1 ATS in non-division games after a loss under Mike Zimmer. Vikings, 21-16
The Packers are 1-5-1 ATS against AFC South opponents with a losing record. ... Tennessee is 1-4 SU and ATS in its last five games against NFC North opponents.
Key stat: Tennessee is 1-6 SU and 0-7 ATS at home before facing the Indianapolis Colts.
Packers, 24-20
Chicago head coach John Fox is 17-9 SU and 18-8 ATS in his last 26 away games vs. NFC South opponents, including 3-0 SU and ATS after a bye week. ... Tampa Bay is 2-7 SU and ATS in its last nine games as a home favorite.
Key stat: Chicago is 16-2 SU and 14-4 ATS after a game vs. the Minnesota Vikings, including 7-0 SU and ATS away.
Bears, 27-21
The Dolphins are 3-12 SU and 4-11 ATS after a game against the New York Jets. ... The Chargers are 5-1 SU and 4-1-1 ATS after a game vs. the Titans.
Key stat: San Diego head coach Mike McCoy is 6-0 SU and ATS vs .500-or-less AFC East opponents. Chargers, 28-20
The 49ers are 1-9 ATS away against opponents off a bye week, including 0-6 SU and ATS the last six ... The Cardinals are 7-1 ATS after a game against the Panthers.
Key stat: Arizona head coach Brue Arians is 28-6 SU and 24-8-2 ATS against losing opponents.
Cardinals, 31-17
The Cowboys are 4-0 SU and ATS in their last four games against AFC North opponents. ... The Steelers are 5-10 SU and ATS after a division game when facing NFC East opponents, including 1-7 ATS against an opponent coming off a win.
Key stat: Pittsburgh is 11-1 SU and 12-0 ATS at home after a SU and ATS loss against Baltimore.
Steelers, 27-20
Seattle QB Russell Wilson is 12-3-1 ATS as an underdog, including 8-1-1 ATS after a win. ... New England is 1-5 ATS as a favorite in this series.
Key stat: NFL non-division favorites who scored 36 or more points in their last game before their bye week are 34-5 SU and 24-12-3 ATS.
Who wins: Patriots, 24-23
MONDAY
Cincinnati Bengals at New York Giants
Cincinnati is 19-6-1 as an underdog against NFC East opponents. ... New York is 1-3 SU and ATS in its last four games against AFC North opponents.
Key stat: NFL away teams are 2-10 SU and ATS after a tie, including 0-9 SU and ATS since 1989.
Who wins: Giants, 28-27
Lawrence publishes the weekly Playbook Football Newsletter and the Playbook Football Preview Guide Preview magazine (Playbook.com). You can follow him on Twitter @MarcLawrence or on the Playbook Cube app.