NFL Betting: NFL Week 9 Preview
by Bodog Sportsbook | Nov 4 2009
We've reached the middle of the 2009 NFL season - or for some teams, the beginning of the end. The owners of the 1-7 Cleveland Browns (3-5 ATS) and the 2-5 Washington Redskins (1-5-1 ATS) have vented their frustrations in the press; the Browns even gave general manager George Kokinis his walking papers on Monday after less than a year on the job. To paraphrase legendary online football betting guru Abraham Lincoln, a house divided against itself cannot cover.
The Browns have a bye week to stew in their own juices, so we'll start our Week 9 betting preview with the rapidly deteriorating situation in the nation's capital.
Washington at Atlanta (1:00 p.m. ET, FOX)
All the focus on Redskins coach Jim Zorn and his job security has taken away from some real problems on the ground. Left tackle Chris Samuels has been put on injured reserve, robbing QB Jason Campbell (20 sacks in seven games) of his first line of protection. Stephon Heyer shifted over from right tackle to take Samuels' place against the Eagles in Week 7 and, according to Zorn, “stretched a ligament” in his knee. Zorn believes Heyer will be able to play Sunday against the Falcons (4-3 SU, 5-2 ATS).
Washington already lost RG Randy Thomas (torn triceps) back in September, so the cupboard is just about bare. Don't forget that TE Chris Cooley is also expected out until at least Week 12 with a broken foot; Cooley isn't the best blocking tight end in the league, but neither is former USC star Fred Davis as his replacement. Falcons RE John Abraham will be looking to tee off on Campbell after failing to make a dent in the impressive New Orleans offensive line during Monday's 35-27 loss as an 11-point road dog. Make sure to check out the latest
NFL lines for this matchup on Bodog Sports. The under is 5-2 for the Redskins this year.
Miami at New England (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS)
The Patriots looked vulnerable after losing to the mighty Denver Broncos in Week 5, but a pair of easy victories over the faltering Tennessee Titans (+9.5) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+15.5) have pumped the Pats back up to 5-2 SU and 4-3 ATS. QB Tom Brady (15 TDs, four INTs) says he feels better than ever, and after enjoying the bye in Week 8, he appears poised to have a monster second half. New England is ranked first in the league in offensive efficiency.
The Dolphins (3-4 SU and ATS) are no slouches themselves on offense. Chad Henne (four TDs, three INTs) has been inconsistent at QB since replacing the injured Chad Pennington, but the Wildcat offense has found its groove and the Fish are 3-1 SU and ATS in Henne's four starts - all going over the posted total. We had the Pats as early 11-point faves (-105); again, keep mashing that mouse button for the early totals.
San Diego at N.Y. Giants (4:15 p.m., CBS)
The debate over who won out in the big Philip Rivers-Eli Manning trade may never be resolved, but right now, Manning is in a funk with just three TD passes and six INTs in his last three games. The Giants lost all three SU and ATS to fall to 5-3 SU and 4-3-1 ATS on the season. Not that Manning is entirely to blame - he doesn't have much to work with downfield aside from WR Steve Smith (53 catches). WR Mario Manningham (28 catches) missed the Week 8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles with a shoulder injury (possibly a separation) and remains uncertain for Week 9.
Life has been somewhat more pleasant for Rivers recently. He engineered a pair of easy wins over the Kansas City Chiefs (+5.5) and the Oakland Raiders (+16) to lift the Chargers to 4-3 SU and 2-5 ATS. Those happen to be two of the worst run-blocking teams in the league, making RB LaDainian Tomlinson look more like an MVP again, but don't be fooled. Tomlinson had just 3.1 yards per carry against both K.C. and Oakland. The Giants have a vastly superior defensive line, and San Diego's chances of success largely hinge on whether center Nick Hardwick (ankle) will be able to return to action on Sunday. Big Blue is a 4.5-point favorite in this matchup, the first between the two teams since 2005 and the first ever Manning-Rivers encounter.
