2007 NFL Betting - Analyzing The AFC North

BALTIMORE ravens (13-3 SU, 10-6 ATS): The Ravens abandoned their "good defense, no offense" tag once Head Coach Brain Billick began calling the dramas six games into the season. The tax return of shaky but dependable Steve McNair at QB, the drafting of highly regarded guard Ben Grubbs and the ascent of Willis McGahee at rubidium should maintain the onslaught humming. The always daunting defence lost a he-man in pound Adalius Seth Thomas but don't anticipate defensive coordinator Rex Ryan to be any less aggressive. It's not a stretch to see the Ravens at 7-0 before their pass week. Then come ups a cruel second-half slate that includes the Chargers, Patriots and Colts, back-to-back-to-back. By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2006)
SU: 81-63
ATS: 79-69-6
HF: 34-15-2
HD: 8-9-3
AF: 10-16
AD: 23-17
Sportsbook Buster: The Ravens are just 2-9 astatines versus the Dolphins, who they play in Miami, Dec. 16
Sports Betting Angle: Baltimore have got been one of the most dependable place favourites in the NFL the last nine seasons, amassing a 34-15-2 record (.693) ATS.

CINCINNATI Bengals (8-8 SU, 8-7-1 ATS): There's no inquiry that in QB Rachel Carson Palmer, WR Chad Samuel Samuel Johnson and rubidium Rudi Johnson, the Bengals have the offense explosiveness to vie with anyone. But can Cincinnati Head Coach Marvin Jerry Lee Lewis finally build a defence worthy of that high powered discourtesy and, just as importantly, can the Bengals stay out of problem with the law? The Bengals had nine participants arrested in a nine-month period last year, which, clearly is no manner to construct a winning football game team. Cincinnati have the endowment to be 10-6 but could just as easily complete 6-10. By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2006)
SU: 54-90
ATS: 60-80-4
HF: 11-18-2
HD: 15-24
AF: 9-3
AD: 24-34-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Bengals are 7-1-1 astatines their last nine games versus the Patriots, who they face, Oct. 1. Sports Betting Angle: Cincinnati have been a bad stake at home, forging just a 26-42-2 record (.382) astatines in Alice Paul Brown Stadium, the last nine seasons.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (8-8 SU, 8-8 ATS): Microphone Tomlin conveys his "Tampa 2" defence from Gopher State to Pittsburgh, ending the 15-year reign of Bill Cowher as Steelers caput coach. The tax return of defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will ease the passage and Pittsburgh will keep its 3-4 alignment, though aid is needed at line backer to ease the load on safety Troy Polamalu. After agony a motor rhythm accident before the start of last season, QB Ben Roethlisberger is at full wellness and a tax return to his Superintendent Bowl winning word form of 2005 is eagerly anticipated. Like Cincinnati, Pittsburgh could complete anywhere from 10-6 to 6-10, depending on how the squad performs. By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2006)
SU: 85-58-1
ATS: 73-67-4
HF: 29-33-1
HD: 6-3
AF: 17-14-2
AD: 21-17-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Steelers are 11-2 astatines at place on Monday night, where they play Baltimore, Nov. Five and Miami, Nov. 26. Sports Betting Angle: Pittsburgh have covered six consecutive games astatines at Cincinnati, where the squads meet, Oct. 28.

CLEVELAND browns (4-12 SU, 7-8-1 ATS): Winless in division drama a twelvemonth ago, it's difficult to do a lawsuit for a alteration of cellar abode for the Browns this season. There's uncertainty at signal caller where Charlie Frye, Derek Sherwood Anderson and cub Mathew B. Brady Quinn (if he ever signs) are vying for the starting occupation but the running play attack, led by recent reaching Jamal Lewis, operating behind guard Eric Steinbach and No. One bill of exchange pick, undertake Joe Thomas, should be improved. The Browns were 27th in entire defence last twelvemonth and the drama of that unit, alone, probably won't be good adequate to maintain Cleveland from finishing in the AFC North basement again. By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1999-2006)
SU: 40-88
ATS: 58-68-2
HF: 10-11
HD: 18-22-1
AF: 2-0
AD: 28-33-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Browns have got lost seven consecutive astatines to the Steelers, who they play at place Sept. Nine and on the route Nov. 11. Sports Betting Angle: Cleveland is 0-6 astatines when facing a division enemy at place the game after playing a non-conference opponent.

Legend:
SU = Straight Up
astatines = Against the Spread
hafnium = Home Favorite
HD = Home Underdog
AF = Away Favorite
ad = Away Underdog

Second of an eight-part NFL betting prevue series
Next: Analyzing the AFC South