NFL Week 13: Five stats you need to know
By SCOTT RICKENBACH
Heading into Week 13 of the season these stats are definitely items to consider
as you look at the deep NFL card.
San Francisco 49ers at Buffalo Bills
Buffalo is 6-2 ATS when facing an opponent from the NFC.
You might think that would be a let-up or let-down spot but as evidenced
by this stat, the Bills generally have no problem putting away non-conference
opposition.
The Bills are hosting the 49ers on Sunday and, like many
teams from the West Coast, San Francisco struggles when playing in the Eastern
Time zone. The Niners cashed in just eight times in their last 33 games
in the East.
San Francisco can’t seem to get motivated on the road
unless it's playing a team from the NFC West. The 49ers have failed to cover
eight straight times when on the road against non-divisional opposition.
Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers
Carolina is 2-5 ATS as a small underdog (+3.5 or less).
Overall, the Panthers have a reputation as a good road team. However, they
are about a field-goal underdog at Green Bay this week and the Packers have
lost the money just five times in their last 17 games as a favorite.
Carolina has covered just twice in its five road games
and these stats favor another ATS loss for the Panthers this week.
Atlanta Falcons at San Diego Chargers
San Diego is 8-3 ATS as a home favorite. This week it's
laying a fairly sizable number to the Falcons. To ease your mind about laying
the points, note that Atlanta is just 2-5 ATS as a road dog.
The Falcons, who don’t travel well, go all the way to
the west coast and face a Chargers team who is fired up after losing at
home to the Colts on Sunday Night Football. Indeed, laying the points may
very well be the way to go in this matchup.
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay is on a 10-3 ATS run at home. The Bucs are laying
a handful of points but the Saints are just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 divisional
games.
New Orleans is coming off a big win over the Packers on
Monday Night Football. It's on a short week and facing a Buccaneers team
that has performed very well in this role in the past. The Bucs have dropped
the cash just once in their last eight games as home favorite in a divisional
matchup.
Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots
New England is on a 2-9 ATS slump at home. This won’t
be helped by the fact that it must deal with the No.1 defense in the league
this week. The Patriots are coming off of a big divisional win at Miami
and they threw all over the Dolphins. But Miami is quickly dropping in the
rankings and is becoming one of the worst teams against the pass.
Miami threw for 330 yards against New England last week.
Pittsburgh also brings some momentum into this game after dominating the
Bengals last week. The Steelers offense was able to develop a nice rhythm
in that game. This tight line could very well be justified as the road team
looks inviting.
