Week 15 Best Bet: Dallas -3.5 @ 1.92 Portlandbet

Dallas (-3.5) @ Atlanta (-3.0 @ 1.92 Portlandbet): The Cowboys were decimated by a hot New Orleans Saints last week while Atlanta snuck home 17-6 at Tampa Bay. Dallas' loss was bad but not as bad as it looked. Atlanta's win was nowhere near as positive as it reads with a long fumble return the only play that really separated the two teams. The Falcons offense is really struggling and with the two leading tailbacks Dunn and Norwood doubtful, it hardly looks like it will improve this week. Atlanta have also struggled at home recently, last start going down to the poorly performed Cleveland Browns. Conversely, the Cowboys have been hot since Tony Romo took over as QB, winning 5-of-6 before last week's loss. They are good and with the hammering they would have copped from coach Parcells, the Cowboys should be ready to win and win well. Bet of the week.

New Orleans (-9.5) v Washington (-9.5 @ 1.94 Canbet): The Saints are sizzling and are playing highly effective and highly entertaining football. Drew Brees is being touted as the league MVP, Reggie Bush has started coming into his own and Sean Payton is a moral for coach of the year. With the momentum of being the new "America's Team" and the kick they get at home, they are going to put on a real show this weekend. And Washington have very little to counter it, with a new QB, a confusing system and losses in four of their last five. Expect the Saints to let down.

Cincinatti (+3) @ Indianapolis (+3.0 @ 2.05 Pinnacle Sports): The Bengals have won four on the trot and they hit a team who have lost two of their last three and turned in one of the most dreadful defensive efforts you are ever likely to see against the Jags last week. The Colts were awful. And Rudi Johnson, Bengals RB, can take full advantage of the shocking Colts Defense. Take the points with Cincy.

Week 14 Best Bet - Tennessee +1.5 @ Houston

Baltimore (+3) @ KC (+3.0 @ 1.88 Centrebet): The Ravens are a good road team and travel to a team at the crossroads of their season. Baltimore lost to Cincy last week but lost no real admirers, particualrly on the defensive side of the ball where they have made their mark this season. KC went down to the Browns last week and lost a real opportunity to make a move in the AFC wild card race. Baltimore play well in conference clashes (as oppossed to the KC's poor conference record) and have the aggressive front four to make comback QB Trent Green a little worried. Take the points here.

Tennessee (+1.5) @ Houston (+1.5 @ 1.91 Canbet): Vince Young has finally started to look like the old Texas Vince Young in recent weeks and the result has been three straight wins including a last second victory for the Titans over the dominant Colts. Young and the Titans travel to Houston this week and try to hammer it out to 4 straight wins against the inconsistent Texans. The Texans downed the Raiders last week but that offered little guide and Houston have hardly been a dimineering force at home this year. The Titans as outsiders look a nice bet. Bet of the week.

NY Giants (+3) @ Carolina (+3.0 @ 2.0 Sportingbet): Both teams are a mess and both QB's are struggling but the Giants seem to have more hope and more to offer than the Carolina Panthers, who continue to blow leads and throw games away. The Giants were adequate last week, only getting beaten late by the NFC's strongest team, Dallas. Conversely, the Panthers were awful late when losing to a McNabb-less Philly in the last quarter on the back of some shocking Delhomme throws. The Giants have more of a future this year, more to play for and if they can all just shut their mouths and do their jobs, they should win this and make the playoffs.

Week 12 Best Bet - Broncos +5.5

Denver (Money Line) @ Kansas City (2.11 Pinnacle Sports): First up, apologies for the lack of tips last week. There was no point in giving dud tips that weren't priced up correctly. In this one, the Broncos look a great bet. Despite some defensive injuries and some concerns at QB are well matched against KC. They run the ball well and KC have looked vulnerable against that all year. The Broncos looked good against the hot side in the NFL last week in San Diego while the Chiefs struggled against the lowly Oakland Raiders. Trent Green returned last week and while it will be good in the long term, he may struggle for a few weeks. Broncos are bet of the week.

San Francisco (+5.5) @ St Louis (+5.5 @ 1.93 Pinnacle Sports): The Niners are hot, having won 3 in a row for the first time since 2002. They showed great skill in the first half against Seattle and then stuck it out when the Hawks came hard. Conversely, the Rams have struggled of late, getting shut out against Carolina and losing at the death to Seattle. The Niners have learnt to travel, which will help here and they have the biggest gamebreaker in the game in Frank Gore, who can carve the Rams up like he did earlier in the year.

Week 10

NY Giants (-1) v Chicago (-1@ 1.92 Portlandbet): Simply, to my eye, the Giants are a much better team than the Bears. In a tough week, this is the only standout bet. They are playing hot football right now, winning their games in actual comfort, if not scoreboard comfort. Manning is throwing well, Tiki Barber is as good a runner as there is in the NFL right now, the receeiving corps of Burress, Toomer and Shockey are hot and the defense is really playing some shutdown football. Conversely, the Bears appear to be on the slide. Grossman has looked shaky for a few weeks and it came to a head last week, losing to the awful Miami Dolphins. I'm not sure the Bears are the real deal. Back the Giants.

Week 9: Best Bet - Denver +2.5

Atlanta (-5) @ Detroit (-5.0 @ 1.962 Pinnacle Sports): This one is simple. The Falcons are seemingly pretty good. The Lions are pathetic. Again. Michael Vick has been unbelievable the last month, showing patience and poise nobody knew he had. His running game, combined with this patience, should really mess the Lions ordinary defense apart. The only plus for the Lions is that they hit this post-bye, so they have had two weeks to prepare.

Dallas (-3) @ Washington (-3.0 @ Pinnacle Sports): The Skins just have not looked good this year. Despite their big off season moves, they appear to have gone backwards. Brunell does not seem to be fitting into the system and the defense is spewing easy points. The Cowboys, conversely, seem rejivenated since firing QB Bledsoe for Tony Romo. They decimated the Panthers last weekend, never looking in danger after the first quarter. The Cowboys smashed the Skins earlier this year and a similar result is expected this week. If the Skins lose, Mark Brunell will lose his job. So farewell Marco, as they say...

Denver (+2.5) @ Pittsburgh (+2.5 @ 2.07 Pinnacle Sports): The Steelers were so bad last week, they actually lost to the hapless Oakland Raiders. They were shocking and Big Ben was the worst, firing off four picks. They couldn't beat Arizona the way they played last week. They meet a team who, despite losing last week, showed they are more than just defense. Having got to 5-1 on the back of stiring defense, they got into a shootout against Indy last week with the running platoon of Bell and Bell brilliant as always and Plummer showing he can toss the 'skin. It both teams play like last week, this could be a blowout. If both play to their best, the Broncos would still win. Bet of the week.

Week 8: Best Bet - New England -1

New England (-1) @ Minnesota: The Pats are chugging along as expected, winning football games with greater ease than most of their scores suggest. They have lost only to Denver with their best win being at Cincinatti, where they did a demolition job on Palmer and the Bengals. They have an exciting young tailback, the star QB playing well and a defense which is getting the job done. They would be in the top three of most experts power rankings. They play against a Vikings side still yet to convince. They are better than first thought but are merely managing not to mess up (and beating teams who do) rather than winning games. The Pats are too disciplined for the Vikes and should beat them on MNF. Bet of the week.

Indianapolis (+2.5) @ Denver: Indy are undefeated but they have proven very little. Manning is still king and the offense is still the lineup you want in the clutch, but they have problems with their run defense and their ability to run the ball isn't wonderful either. Denver have lost only once, yet have scored only 7 more points than the abysmal Oakland Raiders. They are winning on defense. Both teams have obvious deficiencies...Indy and their run defense, Denver and their quarterback. Indy, while they will lose soon, won't this week. They match-up well with Denver, having the offense to break down their all-conquering defense and Denver do not have the skills with the ball to hurt Indy too mucj. The Colts to win at altitude.

Pittsburgh (-9) @ Oakland: It doesn't matter if Big Ben plays or whether Chaz Batch stands under centr, the Steelers will mangle the hapless Raiders. The Raiders upset the Cards last week who looked mentally beat from the first snap. They have an infinitley tougher task this week. The Steelers are better all over the park than Oakland and can really put up some scores. This could get messy. While it is usually folly to take big minuses for road teams, it can be taken with confidence in this game.

Week 7: Best Bet - Denver -4.5

Arizona -3 @ Oakland (-3.0 @ 1.952 Pinnacle Sports) : The Cards absolutley butchered a monster lead against the so-called best side in the NFL, the Chicago Bears. They went conservative and really messed it up. But they were still good for three quarters and Matt Leinart showed that he is a superstar. They are a much better side than the pathetic Oakland and should give the Raiders a touch-up. The only worry is the mental comedown of last week.

Denver -4.5 @ Cleveland (-4.5 @ 1.98 Pinnacle Sports): Bet of the week. The Broncos have a great defense, one of the best in NFL history, and the Browns are stinking it up with the pill. Plummer is playing better than is made out and the Broncos run should carve the Browns defense up. Denver will win and this should be the week their offense fires.

Atlanta +2.5 v Pittsburgh (+2.5 @ 1.99 Pinnacle Sports): Atlanta should be faves here. The Steelers will come good but i'm still not convinced Big Ben is right yet. He looked good last week, but against one fo the worst pass-rushes in the NFL. The Falcons have a good pass rush and have been playing reasonably. Their O-Line cost them against the Giants but they have been playing okay. A lot of home 'dogs have been winning this season, so the Falcons look a nice bet.

Week 6: Best Bet - Seattle -3.0

Seattle (-3) @ St Louis (-3.0 @ 1.92 Pinnacle Sports): Seattle are hurting right now. Really hurting. They got smashed so bad by Chicago two weeks back and have been brooding about it since. It was an uncharacterisitc showing by the Hawks, even accounting for the loss of Shaun Alexander. They showed no heart and no patience. Saying that, they were beaten by a class team who some pundits are saying could run the board. They are in desperate pursuit of redemption. Conversely, the Rams have been chugging along, winning close ones. They have beaten nobody (bar Denver in week 1) but they have been winning. Saying that, they lack the class of Seattle and the Hawks will be looking for a blowout this week. The Hawks look the best bet of the week.

San Diego (-10) @ San Francisco (-10.0 @ 2.0 Pinnacle Sports): The Chargers are better than most want to recognise and came back really well against the Steelers last Sunday. Rivers is showing composure and his confidence is increasing rapidly and the duo of LT and Turner in the backfield is working extremely well. They have one of the best pass rushes in the game and they can really shut down a run. If only they weren't coached by an idiot. While the Niners have certainly improved this year, they are not in the class of San Diego. This could get messy.

Week 5: Best Bet - Washington +4.5

Washington (+4.5) @ NY Giants (+4.5 @ 2.02 Pinnacle Sports): At face value, this looks like a very even game with the NY Giants getting a slight edge due to home field. The reality is much different. The Giants have been terrible this year. They had every chance to beat the Colts in week 1 and couldn't do it, due mainly to ill discipline. They then played three quarters of shocking football and somehow stole the game against Philly. They followed that up with a dreadful effort in Seattle. They are rattled by internal strife and have a defense that seems lost. They come up against a team who have seemingly turned it around since dispatching of Houston. They were brilliant last week in beating real contender Jacksonville in a shoot-out. The Giants defense is worse than the Jags so expect the Skins to open up New York. The bet of the week.

Kansas City (-3.5) @ Arizona (-3.5 @ 1.96 Pinnacle Sports): The Cards have no idea at the moment. They are a rabble being led by a fool. This week, rookie QB Matt Leinart starts. He will go against a team who almost went to Denver and won and then came out and blitzed the improving 49ers. That win was under the arm of improving backup Damon Huard, who is looking good. They run well and defend well and even without Trent Green, they should dispose of the Cards.

Week 4: Best Bet - New Orleans +7.5

New Orleans (+7.5) @ Carolina (+7.5 @ 1.91 Eskander): Without doubt, the bet of the week. The Saints won on more than emotion on Monday night. They beat a 2-0 Atlanta team with enthusiasm, skill and sound defense. This Saints team is actually good and the worth of Reggie Bush is measured in the attention he gets when he doesn't have the ball, not when he does. Brees is throwing brilliantly and they are being coached with real vigour. This is the team you can get 7.5 points start with against a team who lost their first two and then struggled to beat a team who were awful in their first two and who had a QB play with a ruptured spleen most of the game. If the Saints are the real deal, and I think they are, they will cover here and may well win. It might be time to get that anti-Delhomme bandwagon fired up again.

Minnesota (+1) @ Buffalo (+1.0 @2.0 Pinnacle Sports): This will be a dour old slugfest won on the defensive side of the ball. Both D's are firing and can make the plays that win games. Saying that, they both appear to cancel each other out. The difference in this appears to be at QB. Brad Johnson is a manager who will guide the Vikings through while JP Losman is a...well, they say he is a QB but it is still a matter of conjecture. The Vikings seem okay, so take the point.

Jacksonville (-3) @ Washington (-3.0 @ 2.12 Pinnacle Sports): The Jags defense should win this for them. The Skins offense was awful until they met a worse Texans defense. The Jags won't be nearly as loose or forgiving. Brunell will take some hits and the Skins aren't going to get it easy. They have looked very good in all three games, suggesting they are actual contenders. If they can just get their offense firing, they will be placed in the top echelon of teams. The Skins, on the other hand, appear like a lost bunch of individuals who cannot work out where to go.

Week 3: Best Bet - Jacksonville +7.0

Carolina (-3.0) @ Tampa Bay (1.971 Pinnacle Sports): I have officially written off the Bucs. I was wrong. It has cost me. Time to move on. Simms has thrown six picks and we are still waiting for a TD. Cadillac Williams is struggling. Gruden is losing his mind. While the Panthers are also winless, they have shown something. They had the game in Minnesota won until their punt returner tried to be a hero and threw a lateral which was fumbled and led to a subsequent TD. The Panthers have their foot on the till and this week should be their time. Saying that, this is a bet against the Bucs rather than a vote of confidence on the Panthers.

Pittsburgh (-1.0) v Cincinatti (-1.5 @ 1.91 Bill Hurley): Pitt were smacked up in Jacksonville and Cincy cruised to victory over divisional rivals Cleveland. Cincy looked good, the Steelers inept. But that is far from the case. The Steelers will be hardened for this and Big Ben got the "comeback" game out of the way. The jitters and worries won't be there on Sunday. They go well against Cincy, are back to their intimidating yard and with more focus on the run this week, will be tough to stop. Giving only one at home is a gift.

Jacksonville (+7.0) @ Indianapolis (+7.0 @ 1.94 Canbet): The Jags were magnificent on Monday, holding out a Pittsburgh side that have plenty of weapons. The Colts will not have as many options. In 2006, the Colts pass. They pass well, but the Jags will know what the Colts will do. With their intense pass rush and the fast secondary they have, they look a great bet getting seven. This should be a low scoring struggle again and if Leftwich keeps his head, the Jags should be able to grind out a close result against the high octane Colts.

Atlanta (-3.0) @ New Orleans (-3.5 @ 1.94 Canbet): The Falcons have come out blasting this season, running teams off the park. Vick and Dunn have just dominated, killing the Panthers in week 1 and the hapless Bucs in week 2. Atlanta are playing to their strengths and that is important. No more trying to get Vick throwing 40 times. They play a Saints team who have beaten two awful sides, looking okay in the process. But they are no world beaters and this line is based more on the emotion of returning to New Orleans rather than football. The Falcons giving three looks the bet of the week.

Week 2: Best Bet - Washington +6.0

Detroit (+8.5) @ Chicago (+8.5 @ 1.95 Sportingbet):

The Lions are no superstars. They are a grinding team with not a lot to smile about. But neither do the Bears and in a game where the predicted total points is 9, it is alwqays preferable to take the plus 8.5. Neither side has much offense. The Lions have Kitna, who can be described as capable. The Bears have Grossman, who had some luck against the Packers- a team I appear to have grossly overated. The Lions showed a little something against the 'Hawks. Enough to suggest they will go okay this week. This game could have no touchdowns. Take the plus.

Tampa Bay (+4.5) @ Atlanta (+5.5 @ 2.0 Pinnacle Sports):

The Bucs get one more chance. They were a messy car wreck last week and have no excuses. And the Falcons rolled the much-hyped Carolina Panthers, in a fine performance. But consistency has never been the hallmark of the Falcons or Vick and Gruden will have pounded the Bucs this week. Simms is not that bad and the Falcons D will cause less of a problem for him than the Ravens. They play good structured football and in what will be a real slugfest, the Bucs have the D to stop Vick.

KC (+10.5) @ Denver (+10.5 @ 1.98 Sportsbet):

Even without Green, the line is too big for a game that will be run, run, run. Way too big. Don't underestimate the abilities of Larry Johnson to keep KC in a game they should not win. The worry is the QB situation. Still, the line is too big.

Washington (+6) @ Dallas (+6.0 @ 1.98 Pinnacle Sports):

The Skins went okay on Monday night and were only beaten by a few silly plays. All the pieces seemed to fit well. Brunell managed the game well and if it wasn't for a silly play by Randle El with 15 seconds to play, they would have had a closer field goal to tie it up. Conversely, the Cowboys were lucky to get as close to the Jags as they did. Bledsoe, to the surprise of nobody, imploded when it mattered. TO played well but already looks disgruntled and a QB controversy is in the wind. The 'Skins look a nice bet at the plus.

Week 1:

Pittsburgh v Miami (1.92 with Pinnacle Sports): The Steelers are a great bet to kick off NFL 2006, even if Big Ben is sitting on the sidelines and his main man Hines Ward is next to him. The reason: The Dolphins ARE OVER-RATED. I am hoarse from yelling it to the stars. The Steelers have a wonderful defense that I seriously doubt Dante Culpepper will be able to tear apart, particularly based on his most recent form where he resembled a flaming car wreck. The Steeler run well, with Willie Parker proving what a good runner he is when he scored the monster TD in the Super Bowl. And Charlie Batch has been good in preseason, by all reports, and has never been that bad at any rate. Back the Steelers and build the bank.

Tampa Bay (-3) v Baltimore (-3.0 @ 2.02 Pinnacle Sports): A great first round match-up for bettors. An underated home team against an over-rated away team. The Gods are smiling. The Bucs are a good, solid side who won't set the world on fire but won't turn in too many stinkers either. Wonderfully consistent, especially at home. And the Ravens are the same old team...but now they have added an old quarterback. McNair still has something to offer but he will take a while to find his feet. Simms will improve and with the Bucs running game, he will not have to deal with suffocating pressure. The Bucs at the minus look a very nice bet.

NY Giants (+3.5) v Indianapolis (+3.5 @ 1.91 Sportingbet): Manning against Manning. The highlight game of the week, without doubt. And the betting, to my mind, is wrong. This is a pick game. To get 3.5 on a home side who defends well and has something to prove, with a stud QB playing against his brother is wonderful. The Colts may come out and blast the Giants but don't bet on it. Some key components have to adjust to a complex offense and this may take a while while the Giants play it simple. Eli is the Manning to be on here. The Colts are not as good without The Edge.

San Diego (-3) @ Oakland (-3.0 @ 2.15 Pinnacle Sports): Bet of the week, without doubt. The Chargers are a very good side and Oakland are stuck in 1992. Nobody is interested in white boy rap these days and nobody is interested in an Art Shell led Raiders. They still don't know who will be throwing for them, they will be ill disciplined and stupid and they have a defense which is envied by nobody. They line up against LT, one of the premier runners in the game. The Chargers still have question marks with Rivers at QB but regardless, they are still the bet of the week.