He will need to stay healthy for the team, as they will have the toughest stretch compared with the rest of the AFC South’s schedule, with two of the three remaining undefeated teams in the league in the Patriots and the Carolina Panthers still on their schedule.
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Carolina’s last eight opponents have a. 456 winning percentage, lowest of the remaining three undefeated teams, but are given the lowest chance to go undefeated with just 2.1 percent, according to Massey-Peabody Analytics. This would put the Jets at 5-6, while the Patriots would be 11-0.
Next week, the Panthers draw the Titans, the Patriots face the Giants, and the Bengals face the Texans on Monday night. The Dolphins are fourth in the division at 3-5 after losing to the Bills last week.
Elsewhere, the Vikings are a legitimate dark horse in the NFC race, while the NY Jets are the same in the AFC. The Bengals are going off at -10.5 at home after being bet down from their opening line as a 13-point home favorite. This week’s game against New England will reveal much about the character of this team. “The Pats are just too hot and the public is pounding them like it’s 2007 all over again”. It is time for this team to kick it into high gear. This is probably because the Panthers still have to play their division rival Atlanta Falcons (6-3) twice, and the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, during which Tony Romo will be back in play.
With the point spread moving to seven points, the Rams are the smart choice. “Both teams had the week off, so all personnel should be fully rested or healed”, Avello said.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Detroit Lions, at 1-7 owners of the league’s worst record, are in pole position for the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft. Lester agreed that the contest is a yardstick game. Usually it’s Seattle’s defense that gets that one stop to put the game away, but the script is flipped as the Cardinals defense gets the final stop and secures the win for Arizona. If Seattle can win, it’s right back in the thick of things as far as the division title. Instead we use nERD, which is our calculation of how good a team really is, based on expected point differential against a league average team. Buffalo is 0-3 against winning teams, having lost each game by at least eight points. 500 with a 33-17 victory over Miami as a 4-point favorite.
Speaking of Denver and Carolina, the Broncos no longer sit among the ranks of the undefeated. “It’s Homecoming for Rex, and I don’t expect to hear any boos from the Gang Green faithful”, Lester said. “We immediately took action on the Bills and moved to -3”. “This is the start of three straight road games for the Bills, and none are cakewalks”. Minnesota Vikings at Oakland Raiders (N/A) Minnesota is arguably one of the bigger surprises this season, finding itself tied atop the NFC North with Green Bay heading into week 10. San Francisco 49ers (nERD: -8.92, Record: 3-6, Last Week: 31) 29. St. Louis has difficulty scoring with Nick Foles at quarterback, but their defense will provide scoring opportunities, especially with Robert Quinn and T.J. McDonald back at practice. Oakland has also looked better this season, though the record doesn’t reflect it as much. This will leave the Patriots at 11-0 through 12 weeks, with an 8-0 conference record and a 4-0 divisional record.
Week 8 is in the books, and the NFL’s playoff picture is getting clearer and clearer. Lester noted a few bettors were prepared for the improvement of both teams.
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The Panthers are leading the NFC South with an 8-0 record and they are in ahead of the Falcons, who are 6-3 this season. Teddy is a pocket passer, but he does have mobility when needed. QB Derek Carr looks like the real deal. JJ Watt has two sacks in this one, but that just isn’t enough to slow down the Bengals.
