As we near the middle of the NFL season, there are quite a few surprises around the league. Let’s take a look at some of the intriguing match ups for the week.
Seattle Seahawks versus Detroit Lions
Both teams enter play at 3-3, however Seattle is four games back in the NFC West. They hold a +8 to +7 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator. Detroit has won their last two and are “ice cold up” versus “ice cold down” for Seattle. Detroit is the eighth most unstable team according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. Detroit is a 3-point home favorite and should win and cover in a game decided by less than a touchdown.
Baltimore Ravens versus Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are coming off an improbable win over the Eagles, while the Ravens lost by a point after a missed extra point that would have tied the game. The Ravens still enter as 2-point road favorites and have a +25 to +17 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. Baltimore has a +75 point differential, third best in the NFL. Carolina is 3-0 at home, so something has to give. In a close contest, the Ravens defense will likely be too strong for Carolina and should edge the Panthers by a field goal.
Indianapolis Colts versus Oakland Raiders
It’s hard to get off to a worse start for Jon Gruden as coach of the Raiders, entering at 1-5. Now the trade number one receiver Amari Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys. The Raiders and Colts are the two worst teams in the league according to the Power Ranking Indicator. The Colts are “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator, while the Raiders are “ice cold down”. Oakland is the most stable team in the league, meaning they are performing as their favorite/underdog status indicates more consistently than any team in the league. The Colts are 3-point road favorites and should have enough to drop the Raiders to 1-6.
Green Bay Packers versus Los Angeles Rams
The 3-2-1 Packers take on the hottest team in the league. The Rams are 7-0, +31 on the Power Ranking Indicator, “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator and have a +107 point differential. The Packers are +11 and “average down” and are 0-2 on the road. Los Angeles is a 9-point home favorite, which actually shows the Packers much respect, given that the Rams are winning by an average of 15 points per game. Green Bay still has a lot of talent with Aaron Rodgers at the helm, but the Rams are too strong and will win and could cover.
New York Jets versus Chicago Bears
Chicago comes in after a 38-31 defeat to the Patriots and are 3-3 for the season. The Jets fell to the Vikings and sit at 3-4. Chicago is a 7-point favorite and hold a +19 to +15 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. The Jets are among the most stable teams in the league, which means they are likely to lose as the road underdog. Chicago continues to be tough at home, winners of two of three this season. The Bears should win, but don’t be surprised if the Jets cover in this one.
San Francisco 49ers versus Arizona Cardinals
The dregs of the NFC match up in this one. Both teams are 1-6 and going nowhere. The Cardinals have a +4 to +3 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator, although both teams are “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator. The 49ers have lost five straight and three straight to the Cardinals. San Francisco is also 0-4 on the road this season. In this “pick em” game, go with the Cardinals in a sleeper.
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