NFL Lines 2014, Week 7

Thursday Night Recap

Of course they Jets covered, of course they did.

Sunday’s Games

Interesting note for this week’s games: only three home dogs are listed. Would you rather put your money on Jacksonville, St. Louis or Oakland covering?

Atlanta +6.5 at Baltimore

The Ravens are the better team, no doubt, but Atlanta should be able to keep it closer than this.

Minnesota +6 at Buffalo

It’s hard to imagine the Bills giving more than a field goal to anyone this season. The under (43) might be the most attractive aspect of this game.

Cincinnati at Indianapolis -3

The Bengals have looked terrible since returning from their bye week, and now it looks like they will be without WR AJ Green. That’s not the formula you want to bring against the red-hot Colts on the road.

Tennessee + 5 at Washington

This is a bit of a puzzling line. Yes, you have the Titans (a terrible team) on the road, and without their starting RB (Shonn Greene). But Washington is also an awful team, and QB Kirk Cousins can’t seem to keep from self-destructing.

Miami at Chicago -3

I think there’s a danger in the Bears looking past the Dolphins, even though Miami has played teams tough this year. But Miami just shouldn’t be able to match up with all of the offensive weapons the Bears have.

Cleveland -4 at Jacksonville

Just as there should be no excuse for the Bears losing at home to Miami, Cleveland has to be able to win this game at Jacksonville. And if they want to be seen as a team that will compete to win the AFC North, they have to make it a convincing win, and not like the come-from-behind, last-second victory against the Titans.

Seattle -6.5 at St. Louis.

The Seahawks have hardly looked like Super Bowl champions the last few weeks, but was Percy Harvin’s presence and problems in the locker room really all that was holding them back? The Rams aren’t nearly the offensive threat the Cowboys posed last week for Seattle, and this game is an opportunity for them to right the ship and keep pace with a resurgent San Francisco squad.

Carolina +6 at Green Bay

Carolina is still dealing with a number of injuries, but the Packers just can’t seem to put together a great game. The Panthers always seem to keep it close.

New Orleans at Detroit -1.5

Here’s another confusing line. Yes, Megatron probably won’t play for the Lions, but their defense (No. 1 in the league against the pass) should be able to contain the struggling Saints, who have their own star player problems in Jimmy Graham.

Kansas City at San Diego -3

I don’t think I like the idea of taking Andy Reid on the road.

NY Giants at Dallas -4

Will Dallas be in for a letdown after last week’s huge win over Seattle? Will the Giants return to the form we saw from them in the three games prior to last week’s beatdown at the hands of the Eagles? Without Rashad Jennings and Victor Cruz, I don’t see the Giants getting it done.

Arizona -3 at Oakland

Arizona’s secondary can’t cover anyone, but they get to play against David Carr this week. I think the Cardinals will continue to play well with Carson Palmer back.

San Francisco +6.5 at Denver

The 49ers could win this game; six and half points just seems like too many.

Houston +3 at Pittsburgh

Houston has 12 players listed as Probable on this week’s injury report, but I still like their chances against a foundering Steelers team.

Best Bets

This week, I like Cleveland, Indianapolis, and San Diego.