NFL Week 7 Weekend Betting Preview
The books did well last week on the NFL betting board, with favorites going an almost even 8-6 against the number. If that continues, bettors need to make sure they’re handicapping the right games because simply keeping track of sweeping, overarching trends won’t get your wallet padded. With that in mind, here’s three matchups on Sunday that are seeing serious action from pigskin players:
San Diego at Buffalo (-1, 44.5) – 1 PM ET
The Buffalo Bills (4-1, 3-2 ATS) are expected to have two key contributors back in the lineup when they attempt to hold off the surging San Diego Chargers (3-3, 3-2-1 ATS) at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday.
Quarterback Trent Edwards and wide receiver Roscoe Parrish are both probable for the Bills, who are coming off their bye week. Edwards suffered a concussion in Buffalo’s 41-17 loss as 1-point road underdogs to the Arizona Cardinals on October 5, while Parrish missed the last two games after having thumb surgery at the end of September.
Bills bettors need the added firepower to keep up with the Chargers, who lead the league in scoring at 29.7 points per game. San Diego’s offense is rolling despite All-World running back LaDainian Tomlinson’s toe injury, which has limited LT to an average of 3.4 yards per carry over the last two games.
The Chargers are looking for their fourth SU win in five games after ripping the New England Patriots 30-10 last week. QB Philip Rivers was 18-for-27 for 306 yards with three touchdowns for San Diego, which covered as 6-point home faves in the payday.
San Francisco at NY Giants (-10.5, 46) – 1 PM ET
Sometimes an expected loss is a good thing. New York backers are banking on that being the case on Sunday as the Giants (4-1, 3-2 ATS) entertain the San Francisco 49ers (2-4, 2-4 ATS).
The Giants were huge favorites against the Cleveland Browns in last week’s Monday nighter, but oddsmakers don’t actually play the games. New York allowed 18 unanswered points in the second half to fall to Cleveland 35-14 as 9.5-point road faves, as the Giants played over the total for the fourth consecutive contest.
QB Eli Manning went 18-for-28 for 196 yards with a TD pass and three picks in the upset, and is dealing with a bruised chest heading into the weekend. Manning is listed as probable along with linebacker Antonio Pierce, who is dealing with a quadriceps injury. Starting center Shaun O’Hara is questionable with a toe injury, while cornerback Sam Madison could sit out with what Giants brass is calling an undisclosed ailment.
San Fran is hoping to turn around what seemed like a promising season only a few weeks ago. The Niners held a 26-24 lead over the visiting Philadelphia Eagles with 11:38 remaining in their showdown last week, but gave up 16 points the rest of the way to blow their chance at a payday as 4.5-point pups. San Francisco needs to find a way to stop a Giants offense that leads the NFL in yards per game (419.4) and rushing yards per game (181.2) if it is to have any hope of sneaking in through the back door for a cover, let alone a win SU.
Cleveland at Washington (-7.5, 41.5) – 4:15 PM ET
If the Washington Redskins (4-2, 4-2 ATS) are going to cover a touchdown and then some against the Cleveland Browns (2-3, 3-2 ATS), it looks like they’ll have to do it with a banged-up roster.
Here’s the rap sheet after Thursday’s practice, which had both CB Shawn Springs and defensive end Jason Taylor leave the field with calf injuries: Springs and Taylor are expected to play, as is RB Clinton Portis, who is probable with a hip flexor. The real question marks lie in the secondary, with corners Fred Smoot (groin) and Carlos Rogers (calf) considered questionable.
The key is to make sure to get the lowdown on all the injuries for the Redskins, who signed 2005 NFL MVP Shaun Alexander to replace the sidelined Ladell Betts as backup to Portis.
The Browns have injury issues of their own, with tackle Ryan Tucker (concussion) and tight end Kellen Winslow (undetermined illness) both considered questionable. On the other side of the ball, defensive tackle Shaun Smith will miss the game with a hand injury for Cleveland.
