Weekend NFL

A tight 13-10 win for the Falcons sees us in profit again as the NFL continues to be our strongest betting sport this year

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (8-5), 6pm Sky Sports

I love this match. Two teams with serious designs on winning the whole shebang. Bucs are defense-based while Atlanta have stunned all this year with a superb rookie season by QB Matt Ryan. They have the tools – do they have the mental strength?

Key: Bucs’ rush defense went from 9th to 18th during last week’s hammering by the Carolina Panthers. Falcon’s rushing is awesome so can Tampa stop the ground of the Falcons? If not the Falcons will continue their home dominance (10-0) in divisional match-ups this season.

My fear here is the Tampa offense. Atlanta will score but will they turn the ball over to a strong defense?

Falcons are 7/11 which is a good straight-up bet. I want to keep Falcons onside but am going to trade this hoping to see both sides compete. If Tampa start well I am trading. If not I am chasing Atlanta for straight up.

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) @ Baltimore Ravens (9-4)

Another superb matchup and it is ominous for all that the Steelers defense is really starting to strangle opponents on the ground and in the air.

This is the problem for the Ravens. If they cannot move the ball on the deck they will offer up opportunities for the best interception unit in the league and that is ignoring the fact the QB Joe Flacco will be lucky if he doesn’t get sacked at least twice.

I am a trader of this match from the very start. And I am laying Ravens at 4/6 and am trusting the Steeler’s defense to work its’ magic. I expect this to be a close match. Ravens are ranked second in defense so plenty of price swings for me.

New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys

Small interest here as I want to back the away team against a Dallas outfit that is showing signs of unravelling. The owner has publicly lambasted Marion Barber, Tony Romo is out of sorts again and Terrell Owens’ temper is starting to tick and we all know how bad that can be for his team when he explodes.

Giants at 7/5 is a small straight bet for those sleeping and a good starting trade point for those able to stay up and watch.