Betting Recap - Week 14
By Daniel Dobish
VegasInsider.com
National Football League Week 14 Results
Favorites-Underdogs
Straight Up 11-5
Against the Spread 9-7
Home-Away
Straight Up 9-7
Against the Spread 7-9
Totals (O/U)
Over-Under 4-12
The largest underdogs to win straight up: Raiders (+6, ML +220) at Raiders, 15-12, Saints (+6, ML +210) at Buccaneers, 24-17
The largest favorites to cover: Seahawks (-10.5) at Ravens, 35-6, Panthers (-8.5) vs. Falcons, 38-0
Cat's Meow
There are plenty of people who continue to refuse to take the Carolina Panthers seriously despite their unblemished straight up record (13-0). They pounded the skidding Atlanta Falcons by a 38-0 score. The Panthers are now 5-1 ATS over their past six games, and 10-3 ATS for the season. Inside their division the Panthers are 4-0 SU and 2-2 ATS, with both non-covers against the Saints. They have a quick turnaround with a trip to Atlanta in Week 16.
Cash-onville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been a friend to bettors in the past, but that's because they were picking against the once lowly and moribund franchise. But the Jags are showing signs of life with a young nucleus, routing the divisional rival Indianapolis Colts 51-16 to snap the Colts' 16-game AFC South win streak. The Jaguars are 3-2 SU over the past five games, but more importantly they are 5-1-1 ATS over the past seven games with the 'over' hitting in three straight. The Jags are good for 19 or more points in each of their past nine games, while averaging a gaudy 45.0 PPG over the past two. Inside the division the Jags are 2-3 SU and 3-1-1 ATS. They finish in Houston Jan. 3, 2016, and the Texans are the only AFC South team to beat the Jaguars and cover against them.
AFC vs. NFC
The AFC and NFC hooked up for a total of four games in Week 14, with the NFC going 3-1 SU/ATS. The Cleveland Browns were the unlikely flag carrier for the AFC, turning back the visiting San Francisco 49ers 24-10. The red-hot Seattle Seahawks won and covered as double-digit (10 1/2) point favorite on the road, topping the Baltimore Ravens, 35-6. The Philadelphia Eagles did it again, winning inside the AFC East with their 23-20 win against the Buffalo Bills. Philly will be sad to see the AFC East go, as they were 3-1 SU/ATS against them this season.
The 'under' went 3-1 in the four AFC vs. NFC matchups in Week 14, and the 'under' is 26-13-1 (67.4%) in the past 44 over the past 11 weeks. For the season, the 'under' is 33-16-2 (67.3%) in intraconference matchups this season.
Total Recall
In Week 14 the story was the 'under', cashing in 12 of 16 games. In fact, we saw the lowest scoring game of the season, with the Kansas City Chiefs nipping the San Diego Chargers, 10-3. Shootouts never materialized in the games with the highest totals, as the Saints-Buccaneers game had a total of 52, highest on the board, but came in well 'under' at 41, with just 14 points scored in the second half.
The lowest total on the board was in the Lions-Rams game, with a total set at just 41.5 That low number was never threatened in the 21-14 win by St. Louis, as the teams played catch-up with the total after a scoreless first quarter and just seven total points at halftime.
The Vikings-Cardinals saw the under come through Thursday night, as Minnesota's 'under' streak is back on track. The under is now 5-1-1 in the past seven games for the Vikings, and 10-2-1 overall this season. They have a total of 43 points set for next Sunday's home game against the Bears.
The 'under' was 2-1 in three primetime games in Week 14. Officially, the 'over' is still just 15-24-1 (38.4%) through 40 games under the lights. In 2014, the over went 33-17 (66%) in primetime games, and the over was 28-22 (56%) in 2013.
Injury Report
Bengals QB Andy Dalton (thumb) suffered a fractured thumb attempting a tackle following a turnover, and reports indicate he will be sidelined for the rest of the season. That leaves former Alabama QB A.J. McCarron at the helm. TE Tyler Eifert (concussion) is also in the concussion protocol after leaving early.
Bills TE Charles Clay (knee) exited the Week 14 loss in Philadelphia due to a knee injury. His status for Week 15 is uncertain.
Chiefs RB Spencer Ware (ribs) was forced out of the win against the Chargers with a rib injury, and he had an MRI Monday. He is reportedly just sore, so he might be able to return for one or both of the final two regular season games.
Jaguars RB T.J. Yeldon (knee) was forced out of the blowout win against the Colts with a knee injury. It's uncertain if it was more of a precaution due to the game being out of hand, or a more serious issues.
The Panthers lost both TE Greg Olsen (knee) and RB Jonathan Stewart (foot) in their shutout win against the Falcons. Neither injury is believed to be serious, and their absence in the later stages of the game is believed to be due more because of the lopsided nature of the game.
Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount (hip) checked out of the Sunday night game in Houston with a hip injury, and he apepared to be in serious pain.
Texans QB Brian Hoyer (neck) was knocked out of the SNF game against the Patriots, and his status is considered doubtful for the key trip to Indianapolis in Week 15. If he cannot go it would be QB T.J. Yates making another start.
Looking Ahead
The Buccaneers look to rebound in Week 15, while the Rams look to continue to finish up strong. Tampa Bay is 4-1 ATS in their past five against losing teams, and 5-2 ATS in their past seven road games. However, they are 0-4 ATS in their past four games on turf. While the Rams are just 1-4-1 ATS in their past six games, that lone cover came Sunday against the Lions. And the Rams are 0-4 ATS in their past four meetings with the Rams, while the underdog is 7-2-1 ATS in the past 10 in the series.
The Bears have covered five consecutive road games, and they're 7-3 ATS in their past 10 games overall. Chicago is also just 13-29 ATS in their past 42 aginst NFC foes. The Vikings have dropped back-to-back games for the first time all season, and they're looking to get back on track. Minnesota is 9-2 ATS in their past 11 home games against road teams with losing record. The Vikings have covered eight of their past 11 overall at home, and they're 5-2 ATS in their past seven NFC North battles. The 'under' has hit in four straight in this series, and four straight meetings in Minneapolis.
The Texans have question marks at QB going into Week 15. They're 5-2-1 ATS in their past eight AFC South games, but it's a different story with a backup QB. The Colts are 20-6 ATS in their past 26 against teams with a losing record, and 18-7-1 ATS in their past 26 against AFC South clubs. The Texans are 0-4-1 ATS in their past five trips to Indy, and 0-5-1 ATS in their past six meetings. The 'under' is also 7-3 in the past 10 meetings, with the under 6-0 in the past six at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Seahawks host the Browns, and they're more than a two-touchdown favorite. Seattle is 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in their four games as a double-digit favorite this season.