NFL Week 16 December 23-25, 2006
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New England Patriots (10-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6)
Sunday, 1:00 pm Eastern
CBS
Opening Line: Jaguars - 3
The New England Patriots look to wrap up the AFC East as they take on the Jaguars in Jacksonville on Sunday. New England can clinch its fourth straight division title with either a win or a tie on Sunday or a New York Jets loss or tie on Monday. Reports from SBG Global tell us that the betting public is starting to come in on the Patriots which will probably drop the line soon.
The Jaguars are in a group of four teams with an 8-6 record fighting for the two wild card spots with four other teams at 7-7. Most people believe the Jags must win Sunday against the Patriots and next Sunday at Kansas City for them to make the playoffs. "We're promised two more weeks. If we get enough done in the next two weeks, then we will have earned it," coach Jack Del Rio said. "We're not going to walk out of here with our heads hanging."
The Patriots come into the game banged up at running back. Kevin Faulk had one rushing and one receiving touchdown last week, but was limping after the game. Running back Laurence Maroney missed his second straight game with torn rib cartilage. Tight end Ben Watson and nose tackle Vince Wilfork also missed the Houston game and punter Ken Walter was put on injured reserve Tuesday with a knee injury.
Jacksonville won every category last week against Tennessee except turnovers and the final score. Quarterback David Garrard threw three interceptions and fumbled the ball once. The Titans sacked Garrard four times, returned the fumble and two of the interceptions for touchdowns.
"He did some things that were very exciting," Del Rio said. "He made some special plays, then he had some real crucial, critical mistake-type plays that we can't have." Jacksonville ran the ball for 202 yards even though they lost Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew to injuries. Both will probably be back this week although Taylor’s injury was more serious.
Jacksonville is a 3 point favorite with a total of 37 at http://www.sbgglobal.com/welcome/10131.html.
New England has won all three regular-season meetings between these teams and two of three matchups in the playoffs. The Patriots are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games. They are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 games in December. They are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 games as a road underdog. The Patriots are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings between the two teams.
The Jaguars are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a loss. They are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 home games. They are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games in December. The Home team is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
The Under is 4-0 in the Patriots last 4 road games. The Over is 8-2 in the Patriots last 10 games as an underdog. The Under is 9-4 in the Patriots last 13 games on Grass. The Under is 5-1 in the Jaguars last 6 vs. a team with a winning record. The Over is 5-2 in the Jaguars last 7 games in December.
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Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) at Denver Broncos (8-6)
Sunday, 4:15 pm Eastern
CBS
Opening Line: Broncos - 3
The Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos will play almost a playoff elimination game this week in Denver. The Bengals and Broncos are among four AFC teams at 8-6 trying for the two wild-card spots. They could each clinch a playoff berth this week with a win and help from two other teams or they could make the playoffs by winning their final two games. With so much on the line, SBG Global sources say that early money is on the visiting Bengals.
The Bengals laid an egg last week at Indianapolis and now must travel to play in one of the most difficult NFL spots, Denver. "We had a bad one," Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson said, "but that doesn't change the fact that we've been very successful the past month. We've got the ability, and the opportunity is still before us. It all depends on how we regroup."
Johnson earned his fourth consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl as a starter, and Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer will join him in Hawaii. Palmer was rotten against the Colts but he leads the AFC in yards per attempt (8.09) and ranks second in touchdowns (24), passing yards (3,575) and completions (283).
Denver enters Sunday's matchup with some momentum, though, after snapping a season-high four-game skid with a 37-20 victory over Arizona on Sunday. Rookie quarterback Jay Cutler went 21-for-31 for 261 yards, two TDs and one interception last week to earn his first career win. He will be facing the NFL's worst pass defense, as Cincinnati is allowing 241.6 yards per game.
The Bengals have lost their last seven trips to Denver, getting outscored 186-109 in that span. The Broncos won the last meeting in Denver 38-20 on Sept. 21, 1997.
Denver is a 3 point favorite with a total of 44.5 at SBG Global.
The Bengals are 14-4-1 ATS in their last 19 road games and they are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games as a road underdog. They struggle against good teams though going 2-7-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
The Broncos are 0-5 ATS vs. a team with a winning record and they are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games. The Broncos are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. the AFC. The Home team is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
The Under is 5-0 in the Bengals last 5 games overall. The Under is 4-1 in the Bengals last 5 road games. The Over is 9-4 in the Bengals last 13 games as an underdog. The Over is 4-1 in the Broncos last 5 games as a favorite. The Over is 7-3 in the Broncos last 10 games in December.
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San Diego Chargers (12-2) at Seattle Seahawks (8-6)
Sunday, 4:15 pm Eastern
CBS
Opening Line: Chargers – 4.5
LaDainian Tomlinson looks to help the San Diego Chargers stretch their winning streak to nine games as they take on the Seahawks on Sunday. Tomlinson has set single-season league records with 31 touchdowns and 186 points this season. He's also set an NFL record with eight consecutive games with at least two touchdowns. SBG Global reports that even though LT is listed as questionable, the betting public is laying the points with the Chargers.
The Seahawks have their own star running back but he has done very little this season after his franchise record 1,880 yards last year. He's only gone over 100 yards just once in five games since returning from injury. "I think that everybody on this team and everybody in this city always knew that our offense could carry us to the Super Bowl and last year we did it," Alexander said. "Right now, we're not."
San Diego has already clinched the AFC West. They can secure a first-round bye with a victory or a loss by Indianapolis. The Chargers can gain home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win and a loss by Baltimore. Seattle will win the NFC West with a victory or a loss by San Francisco. San Diego leads the NFL with 54 sacks. Shawne Merriman and linebacker Shaun Phillips, who has 11 ½ sacks, can become the first pair of Chargers players to record 12 sacks apiece since Lee Williams and Leslie O'Neal in 1989.
San Diego is a 4 point favorite with a total of 46.5 at SBG Global.
The Chargers are 4-0 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. They are
Chargers are 16-5-2 ATS in their last 23 road games. They are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as a road favorite. The Road team is 5-0-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings between the two teams.
The Seahawks are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 home games. They are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 games as an underdog. The Underdog is 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
The Over is 5-0 in the Chargers last 5 road games. The Over is 8-2 in the Chargers last 10 games overall. The Under is 6-2 in the Chargers last 8 games in December. The Over is 7-2 in the Seahawks last 9 games in December and it is 16-5 in their last 21 games as a home underdog. The Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings between the two teams.
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Philadelphia Eagles (8-6) at Dallas Cowboys (9-5)
Monday, 5:00 pm Eastern
NBC
Opening Line: Cowboys - 7
The key game in the NFC will be played on Christmas Day as the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Dallas Cowboys. If the Eagles win this game and their final game they would take the NFC East. The Cowboys only need to win this game against the Eagles to clinch the division. Dallas has already clinched a playoff spot. SBG Global reports that even with the Over being 6-0 in the Eagles last 6 games as an underdog, the betting public is putting most money on the Under.
"We haven't done anything yet," coach Andy Reid said. "We've put ourselves in a position to do something." Jeff Garcia has led Philadelphia to a 3-1 record since McNabb has been out. He has a 108.0 passer rating since becoming the starter, throwing eight touchdown passes and one interception. "When you lose a guy that is a potential MVP of the league, it's hard to fill those shoes," Reid said. "Jeff has done a great job, but I think that everybody around Jeff has also picked their game up, on the offensive side and on the defensive side and guys on special teams and coaches." The Eagles Brian Westbrook didn’t make the Pro Bowl despite being fifth in the NFL with 1,756 yards from scrimmage. The Cowboys held Westbrook to a season-low 33 rushing yards in the first meeting, but their defense has been struggling. Dallas has given up an average of 30 points and 436 total yards over the past three weeks.
Dallas quarterback Tony Romo was named to the Pro Bowl despite not making his first start until Dallas' seventh game. He's completed more than 66 percent of his passes for 2,440 yards with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 10 games this season. "I'm still just doing the same things that I tried doing before I started playing, as far as preparation and time," Romo said. "It's neat that we're able to play so well right now. Hopefully we can win these last two games and get in the playoffs and make a run. That's what you play the game for."
Dallas is a 7 point favorite with a total of 46.5 at SBG Global.
The Eagles are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 vs. the NFC but they are 5-11-1 ATS in their last 17 road games. The Eagles are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 meetings in Dallas. The Underdog is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings between the two teams.
The Cowboys are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite but they are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. the NFC East.
The Over is 6-0 in the Eagles last 6 games as an underdog. The Over is 5-0-1 in Eagles last 6 road games. The Over is 6-1-1 in the Eagles last 8 vs. NFC East. The Over is 5-0-1 in the Cowboys last 6 games in December.
The Over is 11-4-3 in the Cowboys last 18 games overall. The Over is 7-3-1 in the last 11 meetings.
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New York Jets (8-6) at Miami Dolphins (6-8)
Monday, 8:30 pm Eastern
ESPN
Opening Line: Dolphins - 2
The New York Jets have won three of their last four games, including a 26-13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings last week to keep their post season hopes alive and they try and put themselves in very good position with a win at Miami Monday night. SBG Global reports that heavy early betting has dropped the line a ½ point and may drop down to Dolphins -1 before kickoff.
Chad Pennington threw for a career-high 339 yards to lead the Jets last week past the Vikings. He completed 74.4 percent of his passes for his third 300-yard game of the season. Pennington threw for 175 yards and two TDs in a 20-17 win over the Dolphins on Oct. 15, improving to 5-1 as a starter against them. New York has won its last three Monday night appearances and is 5-2 on the road this season.
The Dolphins are holding teams to 278.7 yards per game - the third-best mark in the NFL - and 17.4 points per game. The Dolphins are trying to recover from a 21-0 shutout loss to the Buffalo Bills last week. "It's disappointing, but we're not discouraged about what need to do and what we have to do," Dolphins coach Nick Saban said Monday. "Everybody is going to get pretty much evaluated on how they manage the circumstance that we're in."
Miami is a 2.5 point favorite with a total of 36.5 at SBG Global.
The Jets are 8-2 ATS vs. a team with a losing record. They are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as a road underdog. The Jets are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 meetings in Miami.
The Dolphins are 5-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record but they are 8-21 ATS in their last 29 home games and 4-14 ATS in their last 18 games as a favorite. They are a putrid 6-21 ATS in their last 27 vs. AFC East. They are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 night games.
The Over is 7-1 in the Jets last 8 vs. the AFC East. The Under is 4-1 in the Jets last 5 games as an underdog. The Over is 4-1 in the Jets last 5 night games. The Over is 11-3 in the Jets last 14 games on Grass. The Under is 4-1 in the Dolphins last 5 vs. the AFC East. The Over is 11-3 in the Dolphins last 14 Monday games. The Under is 6-2 in the Dolphins last 8 games as a favorite.
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