Heading into Week Ten of the NFL please note these stats (all are ATS – against the spread, unless otherwise noted) are definitely items to consider as you look at the deep NFL card. However, this does not mean these are “plays” in the true sense of the word. That said, the hope is that the ATS information below helps you as you “traverse” this week’s NFL card! As always, best of luck in all your sports gaming from Scott Rickenbach.

1) The Atlanta Falcons are 2-6 in their last eight games against New Orleans. This is nothing new either as the Falcons have been struggling in recent match-ups against all division opponents. Within the NFC South, the Falcons have now lost five straight games against the spread. As for the Saints, they are on a very impressive ATS run in divisional action. New Orleans has lost the money just five times in their last 27 games within the NFC South. The Saints also are coming off of their bye week The Falcons defense has regressed some (you can’t give real “weight” to the shutout of the Raiders last week) and their passing offense is weak. That could be bad news this week because they may not be able to keep up with a Saints offense that is ranked #1 in the NFL.

2) The Baltimore Ravens are just 1-6 when on the road against a team from outside the AFC North. In other words, put Baltimore on the road and take away the divisional element and the Ravens tend to fall flat. That’s bad news this week because they’re facing a Houston Texans team that excels in the role they’re in. The Texans are at home against an opponent from outside of the AFC South. Houston has grabbed the cash six of the last nine times they’ve been in this role. Interesting match-up with the Texans having one of the top ranked offenses in the league while the Ravens have one of the top ranked defenses in the league. The key here could be the “hunger factor” as Houston is coming off of a tough loss at Minnesota – they outgained the Vikings – while Baltimore is coming off of a satisfying road win over the Browns – a divisional foe!

3) The Green Bay Packers are 6-1 their last seven road games in the NFC North. After taking the undefeated Tennessee Titans to overtime before coming up short last week, there is little doubt that the Packers will be hungry for this big divisional match-up. As for the Vikings, even though they defeated the Texans last week they were outgained in the game. Three Houston turnovers helped the Vikings to get the win and cover but this will be a much tougher match-up for Minnesota. Green Bay has covered three of their four road games this season and the Vikings struggle throwing the ball and certainly struggle defending the pass as well. Houston threw for 327 yards against Minnesota last week!

4) The Oakland Raiders are 1-10 in their last 11 versus the NFC. What a mess this franchise is and they also have covered just four times in their last fifteen games at home versus a foe from outside the AFC West. The Raiders are sometimes able to play at a higher level against a hated division foe but other visiting teams have had their way in Oakland. It’s also evident by the stat above that the Raiders don’t get overly excited about seeing a team from the other conference either! This spells trouble against Carolina team that is on an amazing ATS run. The Panthers have only lost the money three times in their last 13 games overall. Carolina has also feasted on poor teams as they are 10-5-1 in their last 16 games against teams with a sub-.500 record. The Raiders, at 2-6 this season, easily fall into that category! Also note that the Panthers are off of their bye week and, historically, they have been a good money maker on the road and could be worth a look here.

5) Buffalo is 6-1 as a dog on the road in AFC East play. This week they’re at New England and the Patriots have only covered three times in their last ten games as a home favorite in divisional play. The Patriots are in a tough spot here after an intense Sunday night game at Indianapolis where they came up three points short. The Bills are off of a home loss to the Jets and in a match-up of two teams hungry to bounce back off of a loss, the points look inviting here and could be worth a look. The Patriots are 5-3 on the season but their five wins have come against teams that are a combined 14-26 on the season!

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