How quickly is this NFL season moving? Well, we're already more than halfway done with the regular season, as it's already Week 9. My two best bets this week involve this trend: Since 2002, road favorites coming off a bye are 34-10 against the spread playing versus teams on standard rest.

Titans (-2.5) over RAMS

The St. Louis Rams shocked the entire NFL by competing with the Seahawks last Monday night, although they ultimately lost in heartbreaking fashion. Regardless, they still have Kellen Clemens as their quarterback, and the Tennessee Titans have a very good defense that will cause the Rams to struggle in this game. 

Also don't forget, the Titans are coming off a bye week while the Rams have a short week since they played in that Monday night contest. Rams running back Zac Stacy looked great last game, gaining 134 rushing yards on 26 carries. The Titans have a strong pass rush, but their run defense isn't nearly as good. Since the Rams' offense is so one-dimensional however, the Titans will be able to focus in on Stacy and force Clemens to throw.

Everyone is raving about the Rams defensive line right now, as they are coming off a seven-sack game against Russell Wilson. The Titans have a very good offensive line though, and quarterback Jake Locker is mobile and can evade the pressure. The weakness of the Rams' defense is the secondary, as they are 28th in the NFL in yards per attempt at 8.4. The Titans have enough weapons in the passing game to put up points on the board, and cause Clemens to throw more. 

People are down on the Titans because they lost three straight going into their bye. Remember though, those games came against the Chiefs, Seahawks and 49ers, and Jake Locker wasn't healthy in any of them. Also I think the Titans will want to get revenge on their former head coach Jeff Fisher, who is now on the sidelines for the Rams. The Titans are the better team getting less than a field goal against a quarterback who has no business starting in the NFL. Take that and run. 

Ravens (-2.5) over BROWNS

This game also has the same formula: a road favorite coming off of a bye against a quarterback who should not be starting in the NFL. Granted, Jason Campbell actually looked decent against the Chiefs this week, but he's still Jason Campbell and a fun quarterback to bet against.

The Cleveland Browns have a good team outside of their quarterback and running back situations. Unfortunately in today's NFL, that really can make all the difference. The Baltimore Ravens have Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco and stud running back Ray Rice, who really needed the week of rest because of a persistent leg injury.  The Browns run defense has only allowed 3.5 yards per carry, but Rice is still very effective as a receiver out of the backfield.

Flacco's top wide receiver, Torrey Smith will be lined up against elite cornerback Joe Haden. Smith did very well against Haden in Week 2 this season, catching seven passes for 85 yards. The Ravens also did not have Jacoby Jones in that first matchup, and Jones provides a versatile option in the passing game. 

John Harbaugh, one of the top coaches in football, has also been given two weeks to prepare for this AFC North rival. Harbaugh is 5-0 against the spread in his career coming off a bye, and the Ravens have won their past 11 games against the Browns. The Ravens aren't as good a team as they were last year, but any time they are favored by less than a field goal against a backup quarterback, they are still a smart bet. 

Other Picks:

DOLPHINS (+3) over Bengals

PANTHERS (-7.5) over Falcons

JETS (+7) over Saints

BILLS (+3.5) over Chiefs

COWBOYS (-9.5) over Vikings

REDSKINS (+1) over Chargers

RAIDERS (-1) over Eagles

Buccaneers (+17) over SEAHAWKS

Steelers (+7) over PATRIOTS

Colts (-1) over TEXANS

PACKERS (-10.5) over Bears

LAST WEEK 9-4 || SEASON 58-45-1 || BEST BETS 9-7

 

 

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