Monday Betting Preview: Expect a shootout at the Superdome
Football fans will enjoy the rare privilege of two Monday night games to close out Week 12.
First, the Buffalo Bills will host the New York Jets in Detroit, followed by the New Orleans Saints taking on the Baltimore Ravens in the regularly scheduled matchup.
Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets
Spread: Bills -2.5
Total: 42
Line movement:
| Team | Opening Line | Current Line | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jets | +3 | +2.5 | 24% |
| Bills | -3 | -2.5 | 76% |
| Team | Opening Total | Current Total | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jets | 41.5 ov | 42 ov | 60% |
| Bills | 41.5 un | 42 un | 40% |
Analysis: The Bills are coming off a disappointing loss in Miami that all but sunk their playoff chances, while the Jets picked up their biggest win of the season prior to their bye.
The Jets now have two wins on the season - a close victory over a terrible Oakland Raiders team, and a one-score win over a Pittsburgh Steelers team that they caught in a flat spot. Now they need to find the motivation to get up on the other side of their bye week in what's been a lost season (the Jets are 1-4 off the bye during Rex Ryan's tenure).
The Jets' biggest problem has been their injury-depleted secondary's inability to stop opposing passing attacks, and that's just how the Bills will look to beat them.
Buffalo has been letting Kyle Orton sling the pigskin north of 40 times per game. In the first meeting between these teams back on Oct. 26, four of Orton's 10 completions went for touchdowns.
The citizens of Buffalo need a win here. The Bills get them one.
Prediction: Bills 27, Jets 17
The Play: Bills -2.5
The Trend: The Jets are 2-7-1 ATS this season.
The Tweet:
@AdamSchefter . . . Meanwhile, Jim Schwartz's locker is the smallest stall in the smallest bathroom.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) November 24, 2014
Baltimore Ravens at New Orleans Saints
Spread: Saints -3
Total: 50.5
Line movement:
| Team | Opening Line | Current Line | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ravens | +3 | +3 | 32% |
| Saints | -3 | -3 | 68% |
| Team | Opening Total | Current Total | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ravens | 49.5 ov | 50.5 ov | 82% |
| Saints | 49.5 un | 50.5 un | 18% |
Analysis: The Ravens are a definite live dog in this one against a Saints team whose home-field advantage has lost some of its luster following back-to-back home losses.
Drew Brees and the Saints will surely come out extra motivated to try and salvage the closing leg of what's been a disastrous three-game home stand, and that's going to mean a long day for a Ravens defense that hasn't traveled well.
While the Ravens' offense has been overshadowed by its division rival from Pittsburgh, Baltimore has eclipsed the 20-point mark in eight of its last nine games, and is tied with New Orleans for the eighth-best scoring offense in the league.
While weather is beginning to play a factor in games around the league, that won't be an issue in the cozy confines of the Superdome on Monday night.
Expect a shootout to break out in a game between teams that are desperate for a win.
Prediction: Ravens 34, Saints 31
The Play: Over 50.5
The Trend: The over is 9-3 in Monday night games this season.
The Tweet:
Not only is it gameday but it's @TheJimmyGraham's 28th birthday! #Saints pic.twitter.com/1E7TyqkQZ8
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 24, 2014
More NFL Betting Resources
Week 13 Staff Picks (Wednesday)
Thanksgiving Day Betting Preview (Thursday)
Week 13 Betting Preview (Friday)
Game Day Betting Preview (Sunday)
Odds courtesy Scoresandodds.com. Statistics courtesy Pregame.com. Trends courtesy Covers.