Expert NFL Betting Picks: Weekly NFC East Predictions Week 6
by Dave Schwab - 10/8/2014
A half a point in my top game for the NFC East cost me a perfect 5-0 start last week when the Giants beat Atlanta 30-20. The total stayed "under" the 50.5-point closing line. This week New York faces Philadelphia on Sunday night, and I remain confident that my pick in this showdown is sure to get me back to my winning ways.
Every week of this year's NFL regular season I will briefly preview all the games in the NFC Eastusing BetOnline's betting odds as well as release my NFC East "pick of the week" with the use of Doc's Sports Unit Betting System. I will be tracking my results from week-to-week as the season progresses with the ultimate goal of generating a solid profit with my picks. Right now my yearly return on a $100 wager using the recommended unit play stands at $1,000.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, Oct. 12, 4:25 p.m.)
Don't look now but 4-1 Dallas could find itself alone in first place in the NFC East with a win on Sunday depending on how Sunday night's game shakes out. It would be hard to believe that this would be the case after an ugly, mistake-prone loss to San Francisco in the Cowboys' opener. Since then they have won their last four games by an average margin of 10.3 points.
Seattle remains on track for a return trip to the Super Bowl as the clear favorite on BetOnline's NFL futures odds. It is off to a 3-1 start, including home victories over Green Bay and Denver that has raised its straight up record at home to 17-1 in its last 18 regular-season games. This is a good team no matter where it plays, but it is an almost unstoppable team at CenturyLink Field.
The Seahawks have been listed as 9.5-point home favorites for Sunday afternoon's NFC clash, and the total has been set at 47.
Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, Oct. 12, 4:25 p.m.)
The Redskins are hoping to have Robert Griffin III back in the lineup by Week 8, but right now it probably does not matter who is under center for Washington after a disappointing 1-4 SU (2-3 ATS) start that has it firmly in control of last place in the NFC East. All the excitement surrounding his back up, Kirk Cousins, has faded, and there are some serious concerns with a Redskins defense that is ranked 10th in the league in average yards allowed (340) but 26th in average points allowed (27.2).
This will be a huge test for Arizona after its impressive three-game winning streak to start the season came to an abrupt end last Sunday in a 41-20 loss to Denver as an eight-point road underdog. The Cardinals have had to turn to Drew Stanton at quarterback for an injured Carson Palmer, and even he is questionable for Sunday's matchup with a concussion. However, it will be the play of their defense that determines the outcome of this game. While the Broncos exposed this unit a bit last week, Arizona is still ranked 13th in the NFL in points allowed (21.5) and fifth against the run.
The betting odds for this game are currently "off" the board due to the Cardinals' situation at quarterback, but look for them to open as three- to four-point favorites at home regardless of who is under center.
NFC East 'Pick of the Week'
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, Oct. 12, 8:30 p.m.)
Much like the Cowboys, New York has been able to overcome a slow start with ugly losses to Detroit and Arizona to string together a three-game winning streak both SU and ATS in which it outscored its opponents 105-51. Eli Manning has returned to form with 1,174 passing yards and 11 touchdowns while completing 66.3 percent of his throws. Running back Rashad Jennings has been another huge part of this turnaround with 396 yards on the ground, but it will be up to Andre Williams to fill the void after Jennings went down with a knee injury.
The Eagles are off to a 4-1 start both SU and ATS, but it could be a case of smoke and mirrors when you break down the stats on both sides of the ball. The bottom line is that head coach Chip Kelly's main philosophy is to put as many points as possible on the board, and through five weeks his team is at the top of the list in the NFL in scoring with 31.2 points per game. The problem is that the Eagles are ranked 25th in the league in points allowed (26.4). It's a tough call to say which of these bitter rivals comes out on top this Sunday night, but it is a profitable call to take the "over" 50 on a 4-Unit play this NFC East clash.
4-Unit Play: Take New York at Philadelphia OVER 50
YTD: 4-1 (+$1000)
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Read more articles by Dave Schwab
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