| look at this first game, New England at Buffalo. | | | | starting QB. Sometimes these types of things |
| The analysis of this game was 100% correct. | | | | can't be accounted for. Here's the complete |
| When you read the analysis, notice how the | | | | analysis: |
| important stats were accurate, and how the | | | | Minnesota is on the road and has been struggling |
| overall perception of the game was correct: | | | | on offense, scoring only 2 TD's in their last 16 |
| New England - 5 1/2 at Buffalo | | | | quarters. They're going to continue to struggle in |
| I know everybody's first reaction is to go for the | | | | Seattle against the Seahawks under-appreciated |
| home dogs, especially in a game like this that | | | | defense. The Seahawks are always tough at |
| looks like a revenge game. But when you look a | | | | home, even back in the days when they were a |
| little closer at the Bills, you will see how bad they | | | | bad team. Now that they're a Super Bowl |
| really are. | | | | contender, they're that much tougher. |
| In their last two games the Bills have been | | | | Here's some interesting numbers... The Vikings are |
| outgained 745-387 in total yards, and in their last | | | | only 7-16 ATS as a non-division road dog, and are |
| 16 games, they've managed to score over 17 | | | | on an 0-9 run ATS on the road against the NFC |
| points just 4 times. New England is on a 7-1 ATS | | | | West. The Vikes are also on a 3-7 run ATS when |
| run as road favorite, and 16-6 ATS run as a | | | | getting 7 points or less. What's worse is that |
| division favorite. Further, the Patriots are on a | | | | they're only 2-8 SU in these same games. In this |
| 18-4 run ATS coming off games giving up 10 | | | | day and age of parity in the NFL, how can the |
| points or less. New England is also on a 12-6-2 | | | | Vikings consistently lose so many games that are |
| ATS run against the Bills. NE is also on a 7-3 ATS | | | | supposed to be close match-ups? Because they're |
| run in their last ten games when favored by less | | | | over-rated. The public perception of how good |
| than 6 points. This tells me that the public has | | | | the Vikes are comes a lot from their solid home |
| been underestimating the methodical, star-less | | | | field advantage, which won't mean a thing when |
| Pats. | | | | they're playing 2000 miles away in Seattle. |
| If that's not enough stats for you, take a look at | | | | Here's another interesting stat... in Seattle's last 12 |
| this nugget of information... NE is 16-2 ATS in their | | | | games, the home team is 10-1-1 ATS. Here again |
| 2nd games of the season against Buffalo. Why? | | | | the public's perceptions are influenced by how well |
| Because NE is a much better team and the Bills | | | | Seattle plays at home. |
| might be able to surprise them the firt time | | | | Finally, let's forget all the numbers for a second. |
| around. By the 2nd game, Buffalo has no more | | | | Nobody playing in the game is going to care what |
| tricks up their sleeve, and they're usually already | | | | they did ATS or SU. They're going to be focused |
| out of contention. | | | | on the guy across from the ball. Seattle is a FAR |
| Bottom line, NE is looking like they're determined | | | | better team than the Vikes. Let's not |
| to get back to the Super Bowl. They'll dominate | | | | over-complicate this. Barring unforseen turn-overs, |
| the line of scrimmage, and control the tempo of | | | | 82-yard punt returns, and phantom penalties (like |
| the game. Look for the Pats to come out on top | | | | in the Super Bowl) the smart money, |
| in this one, 31-17 | | | | high-percentage play is Seattle, -6 1/2. |
| Minnesota at Seattle -6 1/2 | | | | What to learn from this? Keep in mind that sports |
| The second game was Minnesota at Seattle. The | | | | betting is always about the law of averages. |
| analysis of this game was 100% wrong! What | | | | Winning is caused by only playing the high |
| happened here was that Minnesota reversed the | | | | percentage games and not taking uneducated |
| way they were playing, and Seattle lost their | | | | risks. |