Arizona eked out a winning record against the spread last season but over the past five years this is the worst performing pointspread division in the league, a trend NFL betting aficionados will be watching closely again this season. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2008 regular season records and pointspread results in parentheses:
ARIZONA CARDINALS (9-7 SU, 9-7 ATS, 11-5 O/U): Motivation could be the key as the defending NFC champions seek another Super Bowl appearance, operating out of the NFL’s worst division. Veteran QB Kurt Warner, throwing to stellar wideouts Larry Johnson and Anquan Boldin, leads an attack that ranked 4th in the NFL last year. No. 1 draft choice Beanie Wells is the heir-apparent at RB. The defense is average, at best, keeping the pressure on the offense to perform. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 20/1; NFC Championship 10/1; NFC West 6/5; Over/Under regular season wins 9.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2008)
SU:67-109
ATS: 76-97-3
HF:18-21
HD:23-26
AF:5-5-1
AD:31-45-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Cardinals are 52-28 as an "over" bet the last five seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Arizona has covered four in a row at San Francisco, where the Cardinals play, Dec. 14.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (4-12 SU, 7-8-1 ATS, 7-7-2 O/U): The Seahawks, who saw their string of four straight division titles snapped last season, are looking for a return to prominence under new Head Coach Jim Mora. Given the weakness of the division, that’s possible, especially if recently acquired WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh helps QB Matt Hasselbeck get the passing game back on track and top draft pick LB Aaron Curry bolsters the inconsistent defense. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 40/1; NFC Championship 20/1; NFC West 5/2; Over/Under regular season wins 7.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2008)
SU:92-84
ATS: 81-89-6
HF:34-32-1
HD:10-10-1
AF:12-19
AD:25-28-4
Sportsbook Buster: The Seahawks have been a risky proposition as a road favorite, posting just a 21-19 record ATS the last 11 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Seattle has beaten the spread in four straight games with St. Louis.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (7-9 SU, 7-8-1 ATS, 8-7-1 O/U): No-nonsense Head Coach Mike Singletary wants to run the football, which makes sense given the Niners’ lack of efficiency at quarterback. Top draft choice WR Michael Crabtree, who was threatening a holdout as late as mid-August, would give the attack some panache. San Francisco has talent on defense but is looking to exert more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 35/1; NFC Championship 18/1; NFC West 5/2; Over/Under regular season wins 7.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2008)
SU:76-100
ATS: 74-95-7
HF:25-24-4
HD:16-19-0
AF:10-12-1
AD:23-40-2
Sportsbook Buster: Since 1998, the 49ers are just 23-40-2 ATS in the role of road underdogs.
Sports Betting Angle: San Francisco has covered nine of its last 12 encounters with Chicago, including six straight at home.
ST. LOUIS RAMS (2-14 SU, 6-10 ATS, 7-8-1 O/U): The Rams are 5-27 SU over the past two seasons and have cleaned house, bringing in a new GM and new head coach. But the problem is that St. Louis just doesn’t have enough good players to be competitive. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 80/1; NFC Championship 40/1; NFC West 11/2; Over/Under regular season wins 5.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2008)
SU:88-88
ATS: 79-95-2
HF:29-30-1
HD:14-14
AF:21-23-1
AD:15-28
Sportsbook Buster: The Rams are just 15-28 as away underdogs over the past 11 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: St. Louis has covered five of its last six games, including four in a row at home, against Minnesota, which it hosts, Oct. 7.
Legend:
SU= Straight Up
ATS = Against the Spread
HF= Home Favorite
HD= Home Underdog
AF= Away Favorite
AD= Away Underdog
O/U = Over/Under
This is the last of an eight-part NFL preview series.
