It’s Week 10 of the NFL season and a tricky slate of games for punters. Here’s where SportsJOE’s money is going:
Baltimore Ravens (-10) vs Tennessee Titans
The Ravens (5-4) are coming off consecutive defeats in games against divisional opponents and have fallen from first to last in the ultra competitive AFC North, but have shown the capacity to blow out inferior teams outside of their division. Baltimore raced to big early leads against the Panthers, Buccaneers and Falcons en route to the third best point-differential in the NFL.
Only the winless Oakland Raiders have scored fewer points this season than the 2-6 Titans, and even though they are coming off the bye week, rookie QB Zach Mettenberger will only be making his second pro start so could struggle in the face of pressure from the Ravens front.
Seattle Seahawks vs New York Giants (Over 44.5)
The Seahawks still seem to be getting the credit for last season’s defensive excellence, when the reality is that this year’s unit has been somewhat less difficult to score on, a fact driven home by the aforementioned Oakland Raiders putting up 24 points in Seattle last week. In fact, the defending champions have only been in two games this year to have fallen under this total (one of which finished at 44).
The Giants have been played poorly for most of this season but, aside from a horrendous primetime display against the Eagles in Week 6, have been able to put points on the board and should only improve on offence as rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr, who missed the early part of the season through injury but racked up 156 yards last week, sees his role in the game plan grow.
New York Jets (+4) vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh are riding an offensive wave at the moment, scoring 124 points in their three-game win streak. But those games, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s fantasy-licious 14 touchdowns, have all come at Heinz Field – they have been distinctly less impressive on the road, laying eggs in Cleveland, Tampa Bay and Baltimore.
The Jets are playing better than their 1-8 record may suggest. They covered and maybe should have beaten New England three weeks ago and probably should have covered last week in Kansas City. Michael Vick should continue to improve in his second start since replacing Geno Smith and if head coach Rex Ryan’s defence can get enough of a pass rush to hurry Roethlisberger, the Jets should be be able to keep this close.
If you need any further convincing, this happened:
Just met @justinbieber at Steelers Bible study tonight! pic.twitter.com/AhRkDST77Z
— Arthur Moats (@dabody52) November 9, 2014
Advantage Jets.
New Orleans Saints vs San Francisco 49ers (Jimmy Graham to score first touchdown)
Tight end Jimmy Graham is a match-up nightmare and back to full fitness after dealing with a shoulder injury. The 6ft 7in former college basketball star is quarterback Drew Brees’ favourite target and found the endzone in each of the last two weeks and this week faces a Niners linebacking corps still missing All-Pro duo Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman. Rookie fill-in Chris Borland was stout against the run last week against St Louis, racking up 16 tackles, but at just 5ft 11in, provides a juicy match-up for Graham to exploit.
In addition, the 49ers almost always elect to defer possession when they win the coin toss, giving the Saints every chance of beginning the game with the ball.
