Week 12's online NFL betting festivities kicked off on Thursday, when the Bungles stumbled into the Steel City, which was the uprising to the biggest question of the week: Which is more pathetic? A) Cincinnati's performance versus Pittsburgh. B) Detroit blowing a 17-0 first quarter lead to remain winless. C) Donavon McNabb's unawareness that an NFL game couldn't result in a tie. Or D) Push.
Answer: D) Push! That's a lock! And, who said there's no such thing as a lock in the world of sports betting?
Thursday, Pittsburgh (8-3 SU, 5-6 ATS) limited lowly Cincinnati (1-9-1 SU, 4-7 ATS) to six first downs in a 27-10 fifth straight win over the Bengals, its longest streak since an eight-game run in the early 1990s. With wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco deactivated for violating team rules, arriving late then falling asleep twice during a meeting before coach Marvin Lewis told him to leave, the Bengals were outgained 364-208. I'd say the kissing between Ocho Cinco and Lewis is over. The home cover moved the Steelers to just 2-4 ATS at Heinz Field this season, as owners of a 3-2 ATS mark on the road where they'll be on Sunday versus New England. Pittsburgh will be going for its fourth consecutive away payday. Like the Steelers, the Pats are only 2-4 ATS at home. It figures to be a competitive and hard fought defensive war as Pittsburgh brings its No. 1 ranked (14.5 ppg) defense to the table to battle New England's eighth-best (20.2 ppg) 'D'.
Other than mentioning Detroit (0-11 SU, 4-7 ATS) in the question of the week, what else can be said about them? Ok, here's something to discuss: The Lions' chances of becoming the NFL’s first 0-16 team, which appears better than good based on viewing their remaining schedule. After Sunday's 38-20 home loss to Tampa Bay (8-3 SU, 7-4 ATS), who improved to 5-1 ATS in their last six November games with its third straight win to join Carolina
atop the NFC South, Detroit has a short week to prepare for its traditional
Thanksgiving appearance that will be against Tennessee on this year's Turkey Day. In the final month of the season, the Lions host Minnesota and New Orleans and visit Indianapolis and Green Bay. All teams .500 or better with a combined winning percentage of .633.
It's hard to imagine the Lions claiming its first win against Tennessee (10-1 SU, 9-2 ATS), who'll be looking to atone its first defeat of the season handed to them by the visiting Jets (8-3 SU, 7-4 ATS) in a 34-13 rout. For those already thinking turkey and pigskins, Detroit has failed to cover all its home games, meanwhile, the Titans have cashed in all five away from home. The Lions are 35-32-1 SU on Thanksgiving and Tennessee is 4-2.
Brett Favre threw two touchdown passes, Leon Washington ran for two scores and the Jets made it clear they are legit AFC contenders, ending the perfect start by the NFL’s last undefeated team. The Jets easy cover improved them to 7-1 ATS in the last eight November contests and to a solid ATS road record of 7-2 in the last nine played away from the Meadowlands. They have won five straight for the first time since October 2004, going 4-1 ATS during the winning streak, and seven of their last eight SU and 6-2 ATS. The win also pulls the Jets within two of the Titans with five games to play in the race for home-field advantage throughout postseason.
Still baffled by McNabb's ignorance in regards to not knowing the NFL's overtime rules, it's time to put it to rest and let the McNabb era end peacefully. Baltimore (7-4 SU, 8-3 ATS) earned a 36-7 victory over Philadelpha (5-5-1 SU, 6-5 ATS), with McNabb going 8-of-18 for 59 yards, threw two picks and turned the ball over for the second time in as many games before getting benched and replaced by Kevin Kolb, despite the Eagles losing by just three points at the time. Kolb was 10-of-23 for 73 yards and two interceptions, but you can't expect much more from a rookie QB facing Ray Lewis and company. McNabb's struggles obviously didn't give Philly a chance at a road cover, however, the Eagles are still a solid 9-3 ATS in their last 12 played away from home. Meanwhile, the Ravens move to 5-1 ATS at home. McNabb will be the starter on Thursday night when the Eagles host Arizona.
Dallas (7-4 SU, 5-6 ATS) downed San Francisco (3-8 SU, 4-7 ATS) 35-22, but early on it appeared the BetUS NFL odds double-digit underdog 49ers had a shot to pull the upset, as they led 6-0 in the first quarter, and improve on their 3-8 ATS road record. But Dallas and Tony Romo had little troubles putting that possibility to bed. Romo finished 23-of-39 for 341 yards and three touchdowns. Terrell Owens caught seven passes for 213 yards and a score. That should improve TO's depression and make him happy for the remainder of the week. NFL betting fans in Dallas should also be happy with the Cowboys recovering lost funds, improving to 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games overall. Like the Lions, Dallas will be making its traditional Thanksgiving appearance. This year they welcome Seattle to the football betting feast. On Turkey Day, Dallas is 26-14-1 SU and the Seahawks are 1-1.
Buffalo (6-5 SU, 5-6 ATS) got back on track, at least for Week 12, with a 54-31 win over hosting Kansas City (1-10 SU, 5-6 ATS). That's right 54 points! Produced from a struggling Trent Edwards that supposedly had lost all his confidence, Marshawn Lynch, who had a single 100-yard rushing performance all year, Lee Evans, who had no catches last week and an offensive line that couldn't block. Well, maybe it's not that big of a deal. After all, they were playing the Chiefs. The 54 points Kansas City allowed represents the largest point total ever scored against them. Edwards finished 24-of-32 for 273 yards and two touchdowns versus Kansas City's pathetic defense, which is much to blame on their 2-9 ATS home mark. The Bills' win breaks a four-game SU and ATS losing streak.
Matt Cassel finished 30-of-43 for 415 yards and three TD passes caught by Randy Moss and New England (7-4 SU, 6-5 ATS) outgunned Miami (6-5 SU, 5-6 ATS) 48-28. The Pats, who remain a game behind the AFC East-leading Jets, avenged an upset loss to Miami in September while improving to 17-6 ATS in their last 23 road games. New England hasn’t been swept in a season series by a division opponent since 2000. For the Dolphins, the loss snapped a four-game winning streak and hurt their chances of an improbable playoff berth after going 1-15 last year. Miami drops to 12-32-1 ATS in their last 44 games played at home.
Chicago (6-5 SU, 5-5-1 ATS) thumped St. Louis (2-9 SU, 3-8 ATS) 27-3 while dominating the Rams in ever faucet of the game. Bears' Matt Forte ran wild, gaining 132 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 20 carries. With Forte running affectively, Kyle Orton was able to throw for 139 yards and a touchdown in the balanced attack. Devin Hester and Desmond Clark led the receiving corps with five receptions, gaining 57 and 40 yards, respectively. Chicago improved to 2-4 ATS in their last six games overall. In en route to the St. Louis loss, the Rams have now been outscored 99-10 in the first half the last three weeks, which is part of the reason they are 3-11 ATS in their last 14.
In the biggest shocker of Week 12, Oakland (3-8 SU, 5-6 ATS) blew out their arch rival Denver (6-5 SU, 3-7-1 ATS) 31-10. Jay Cutler was horrendous, going 16-of-37 for 204 yards and a pick. He also lost a fumble. Denver falls to 9-25-1 ATS in their last 35 games overall. Raiders' rookie Darren McFadden ran for two 1-yard touchdowns and the Raiders, who hadn’t scored an offensive touchdown in 15 quarters, scored three TDs in an 18-play span to snap a four-game losing streak.
Thunder and Lightning stormed Atlanta (7-4 SU, 7-4 ATS) to an impressive 45-28 win over Carolina (8-3 SU, 5-5-1 ATS) in a game they couldn’t afford to lose in the NFC South. Since a Week 9 bye, the Panthers have played bad and look far from a team tied for first in the NFC South. Jake Delhomme is undoubtedly the worst quarterback among any of the NFL's divisional leaders. In Week 10, Delhomme was 7-for-27 and threw for only 72 yards with four picks, to become just the second quarterback since the merger in 1970 to complete fewer than 30 percent of his passes and throw four interceptions in a victory that came against Oakland. The following week, he was just 10-of-19 with a mere 98 yards and one TD, but was bailed out by Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, who rushed for a team-record 264 yards and a whopping 8.3 yards per carry to preserve a win over Detroit. Carolina's sour play caught up with them at Atlanta, dropping the Panthers to 1-7 ATS in their last eight November games. Falcons' Matt Ryan finished 17-of-27 for 259 yards, pushing Atlanta to 6-1 ATS in their last seven played at home.
New York's (10-1 SU, 9-2 ATS) victory 37-29 win over Arizona (7-4 SU, 7-4 ATS) was impressive. Arizona had been undefeated at home going into this contest, and the Giants were without Brandon Jacobs or Plaxico Burress, who lasted only one series. As this score indicates, neither defense had much luck stopping the opposing offense. Kurt Warner had a good game, finishing 32-of-52 for 351 yards and a score. Tim Hightower had the team's other two touchdowns, though he managed only 21 rushing yards on 11 carries. The Cardinals drop to 4-2 ATS in their last six played in the desert. Eli Manning went 26-of-33 with 240 yards and 3 TDs, improving the Giants to 22-6 ATS in their last 28 games overall and 20-6 ATS on the road.
Indianapolis (7-4 SU, 5-6 ATS) needs to continue winning, which they did 23-20 against stumbling San Diego (4-7 SU, 4-6-1 ATS) as hosts to cap off a great Sunday of online NFL wagering action. One of the most clutch kickers in league's history, Adam Vinatieri made a 51-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Colts to their fourth straight win to remain in wild-card contention. The victory moved the Colts to 2-4 ATS in its last six overall. Peyton Manning went 32-of-44 with 255 yards and two touchdown passes against the two-time defending AFC West champion Chargers, who have lost four of five and remain two games behind division leader Denver. San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson ran for 84 yards on 21 carries, giving him 11,420 yards and moving him past John Riggins for 14th place on the career list.
Week 12 concluded with a 51-29 New Orleans' (6-5 SU, 7-4 ATS) rout over Green Bay (5-6 SU, 7-4 ATS) in a MNF shootout. It was the fifth straight time the total went over when these two meet. The Saints spent 43 days away from the Louisiana Superdome for a trip to London, a bye and three road games, then returned home to put on one of the most electrifying shows in franchise history. Drew Brees threw for four scores, Deuce McAllister set a Saints record with his 54th career touchdown and New Orleans rolled to a 5-1 ATS home record.
If you bet on NFL, BetUS invites you to join us for a full week of an online football wagering holiday feast. Week 13's NFL action begins on Thursday during a week devoted thanks and giving, as we wish you and your loved ones the best of holidays!