NFL Handicapping Articles

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts Predictions and NFL Betting Odds
by Robert Ferringo - 1/6/2011

Time to put up or shut up. At the outset of this NFL season the New York Jets, and an obliging media, crowned Gang Green as one of the prohibitive Super Bowl favorites. The early result has been a backed-into Wild Card slot and an opening round shot at the defending conference champions.

NFL Playoffs: Best Teams Against the Spread
by T.O. Whenham - 1/6/2011

I don’t know about you, but when the playoffs start I become obsessed with looking at all of the teams in every way possible. It’s almost a sickness -- or at least a way to pretend to be productive while killing time until the big games finally get under way. Today’s useful way to pass time is to look at the performance against the NFL point spread of the 12 playoff teams to see what can be learned:

NFL Week 1 Lines - Looking Back Can Help Early Handicapping for Next Season
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 12/31/2010

In its NFL preview issue, Sports Illustrated nailed five of the six AFC playoff teams, incredibly enough. But one of those playoff teams, the New England Patriots, was predicted to go 10-6 and land a Wild Card berth. In the NFC, it was another story for the magazine. They left the NFC East champion Eagles, NFC North champion Bears and NFC South champion Falcons out of the playoffs.

NFL Playoff Scenarios for Week 17
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 12/29/2010

Nine of 12 playoff berths are clinched and so are four of the eight divisions, but heading into the final week of the regular season there is still very much up for grabs in terms of the NFL playoff picture. We will lay out some NFL Playoff scenarios to paint a clear picture for you.

NFL Picks: Vikings vs. Eagles Betting Odds and Predictions
by T.O. Whenham - 12/23/2010

To say the Vikings are a disaster would be a massive understatement. Adrian Peterson is banged up. Brett Favre is hurt. Tarvaris Jackson is on the IR. They have an interim coach that is not making a good argument for having the interim tag removed. Favre hasn’t officially been ruled out of this game, and his massive ego could easily lead him to play. However, what we have learned in recent weeks is that even if he does start he’s not at all likely to finish.

NFL Wild Card Predictions Which Teams Will Make Playoffs
by T.O. Whenham - 12/21/2010

We are into the nitty gritty of the NFL season. There are just two weeks left, and there is a lot left to be decided in the playoff picture. There are a few things we do know for sure - Chicago is a division champ, and New England, Atlanta and Philadelphia likely will be as well. There is still a lot to be figured out, though. Here are five NFL Wild Card predictions for the teams that will make the postseason and what will happen in the Wild Card round of the playoffs:

NFL Picks: Top Quarterback Yardage Betting Prop for Week 15
by Alan Matthews - 12/15/2010

Here’s something I wish I had started earlier in the NFL season, but will keep it in mind for 2011. Sportsbook.com offers props on the top quarterback, running back and wide receiver yardage performances each week. So for Week 15 let’s take a look at the quarterback odds and your best value bet.

Is Michael Vick a Legitimate NFL MVP Contender?
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 12/9/2010

Michael Vick has transformed himself from an imprisoned felon to a trendy pick to win NFL Most Valuable Player. He certainly has been valuable to the Philadelphia Eagles, who are 8-4 and atop the NFC East. The Eagles turned to Vick when starter Kevin Kolb went down with an injury and they turned to him again when Kolb was struggling.

Week 14 NFL Picks and Odds
by T.O. Whenham - 12/7/2010

It was a strong week for these NFL picks last week - the Falcons mounted a late comeback to win and cover, and the Rams didn’t need any late heroics to put away the lousy Cardinals. Here’s hoping that the momentum carries over to these Week 14 NFL picks and odds:

NFL Totals Betting: The Year of the ‘Over’
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 12/7/2010

Nearly every rule change made in the past three seasons has benefited the offense. The increased fines levied against multiple defenders and the scrutiny on those defenders throughout the league has even benefited the offense. Defenders are weary of more fines and potential suspensions. Harrison, Pittsburgh’s top linebacker, has already racked up $125,000 in fines.

Week 13 NFL Picks and Odds
by T.O. Whenham - 12/2/2010

It was yet another split weekend. The good news is that St. Louis had a great game - they not only covered the spread as underdogs, but won outright to pay off on the moneyline. The bad news was that the Bills continued to be impressively tough, and they kept it very close against Pittsburgh so the Steelers couldn’t cover. Actually, Pittsburgh was lucky not to lose outright - the winning TD was in a Buffalo receiver’s hand and absolutely should have been a catch.

Week 12 NFL Picks and Odds
by T.O. Whenham - 11/24/2010

As seems to be the unfortunate trend lately, the picks last week were a split affair. The Bills were brilliant in beating up on a pathetic Bengals team, but the Browns couldn’t quite handle the Jaguars. Hopefully, these Week 12 NFL picks and odds will be one step more successful than last week. It’s a nice week of action, so I am optimistic:

NFL Futures Odds: AFC West NFL Picks
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 11/23/2010

The Kansas City Chiefs (6-4) are in first place in the AFC West. By rule of tiebreaker the Oakland Raiders (5-5) are second in the division. The Chiefs and Raiders both own wins over the Chargers. Yet it’s third-place San Diego (5-5) that is the favorite to win the division, according to NFL futures odds, and it’s easy to see why.

Week 11 NFL Picks and Odds
by T.O. Whenham - 11/18/2010

Our fortunes were split with our picks last week. The good news was that the Rams played a good game as I hoped they would. Though they didn’t win, they kept it close and covered an over-inflated spread. The bad news was that Tennessee forgot to show up in Miami and were blown out despite facing three different quarterbacks. With a bit of luck these Week 11 NFL picks and odds will be one step more successful than last week.

Sports Betting Trends: Midseason Coaching Changes
by T.O. Whenham - 11/17/2010

The Dallas Cowboys have, in striking detail, shown us the incredible impact a midseason coaching change can have on a team. Under Wade Phillips the Cowboys were lousy all year, and played their worst game of the season just prior to his demise. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett was handed the keys on Monday, and by Sunday he had his squad looking like a real NFL team for the first time all season.

NFL Picks: Ravens vs. Falcons Odds and Betting Predictions
by T.O. Whenham - 11/11/2010

The stakes are high here - the winner of this ‘battle of the birds’ is guaranteed to be at least tied for the best record in the league by the end of the weekend’s games. Since they play in opposite leagues there is always a chance that this could be a Super Bowl preview.

Week 10 NFL Picks and Odds
by T.O. Whenham - 11/10/2010

Last week was, by the very narrowest of possible margins, a very successful week for us. Oakland won their game in overtime against Kansas City by just a field goal after coming back late to force the extra period. I had Oakland -2.5. I also had Indianapolis +3, and they lost by two points. There wasn’t a touch of breathing room. Hopefully these Week 10 NFL picks and odds won’t be quite as stressful and tightly contested.

NFL Betting Midseason Awards
by T.O. Whenham - 11/9/2010

We are past the halfway point of the NFL season - all but four teams have played eight games, and those four have played nine. It’s a good time, then, to take stock of what we have seen so far, and which teams have been surprising, exciting, or disappointing from a betting perspective. Here, then, are the 2010 Halfway NFL Betting Awards:

NFL Predictions: Steelers vs. Saints Odds and Betting Picks
by T.O. Whenham - 10/31/2010

At some point during this weekend the Saints should have a chat with the Steelers. Both times the Steelers have won the Super Bowl recently they have missed the playoffs the next year. New Orleans is obviously a long way from missing the playoffs, but if they don’t get their act together soon then they will be in danger of doing just that. Maybe Pittsburgh could tell them what to do - or more likely what not to do.

Monday Night Football Predictions: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 10/25/2010

The 1-4 Dallas Cowboys are at home on Monday Night Football and playing for their coaches’ job, their own jobs and to keep their playoff hopes alive when they meet the 4-2 New York Giants Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET as favorites. Yes the 1-4 Cowboys, losers of their last two and winless at home are favored against the Giants who have won three in a row.