NFL & CFB Handicapping Stats & Betting Tips

November 21, 2008 by DaveB

Football Stats Check – November 21st

You’ve probably heard by now that last week’s 11-10 win by the Steelers over the Jaguars was one for the history books – the first ever NFL game to end in that score. But according to the folks at Football Reference, there have been seven other “first-ever” scores this season, most recently the Jets beating the Rams 47-3 in Week 10.

What’s in store for this weekend’s football slate? These 10 stats and factoids will help point the way.

For current NFL lines, visit Bodog’s online sportsbook.

N.Y. Giants at Arizona: The Giants (9-1 SU, 8-2 ATS) have clinched back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1993-94. Those were their first two seasons with Dan Reeves as coach. They’ve gone through seven starting QBs since then, including this week’s starter for Arizona, Kurt Warner.

Army at Rutgers: The under is 4-1 in Rutgers’ last five matchups against independent FBS teams. All five games were against either Army or Navy, two proponents of the triple-option rushing offense. Rutgers has dropped from 41.4 carries per game to 32.7 this year without RB Ray Rice; the under is still 5-4.

Chicago at St. Louis: The 2-8 Rams have the worst point differential in the NFL at –173 on the season. That’s worse than 3-7 Houston (–51), 3-7 San Francisco (–45) and 2-8 Seattle (–67) put together.

West Virginia at Louisville: The Mountaineers have given up 31.2 yards per kick-off return, easily the worst in the FBS. West Virginia is No. 12 in punt return yardage allowed at 4.31 yards per attempt, but on just 16 punts compared to 35 kick-offs.

San Francisco at Dallas: The new Cowboys stadium will feature a retractable roof that can imitate the “hole in the roof” at Texas Stadium, their current venue. There’s a 20-percent chance of rain for Sunday’s matchup with the Niners.

Get all your college football lines from Bodog.

Texas Tech at Oklahoma: Graham Harrell already has 4,077 passing yards this year, and Sam Bradford (3,406) is on pace to break 4,000. The Big 12 has produced the most passing yards of all the conferences – Missouri’s Chase Daniel (3,592 yards) is also in the hunt for 4,000.

Philadelphia at Baltimore: The 5-4-1 Eagles are the only last-place team in any of the eight divisions with a winning record. Philadelphia’s four losses (including one to each NFC East rival) were by a combined 19 points.

UL Monroe at Florida International: FIU freshman WR T.Y. Hilton is second in the nation in all-purpose yards with 198.7 per game. Hilton is the leading receiver for the Golden Panthers with 27 catches for 777 yards (28.8 yards per catch), and he returns kicks and punts. Hilton is also expected to play college basketball.

New England at Miami: Patriots QB Matt Cassel (87.0) has a higher passer rating than Tom Brady (86.5) in his rookie year back in 2001. New England won the Super Bowl that season with Brady as MVP. He did it again in 2003 with an 85.9 rating.

Florida State at Maryland: FSU safety Myron Rolle is applying to be a Rhodes Scholar. Rolle has an interview Saturday in Birmingham, Ala. and will take a private plane to College Park to face the Terrapins. He’s expected to be late – with the team’s blessing.