Week 6 NFL picks against the spread for the Sun's handicapping contest
Philadelphia Eagles Nick Foles (9) stiff arms New York Giants Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct.
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For others, not so much. Las Vegas oddsmakers, for instance, see virtually no difference in the Philadelphia Eagles depending on who takes the snaps: Michael Vick or Nick Foles.
Before Vick had any health concerns and was the presumed starter, the LVH Superbook posted the Eagles as 1 point favorites over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a week ago in its Week 6 early lines. After Vick injured his hamstring Sunday to give way to Foles, the Superbook reopened the point spread at an identical Philadelphia minus 1.
Betting action has since driven up the number to 1.5 in favor of the Eagles. local time from Raymond James Stadium.
A matchup between two slumping teams Tampa Bay is winless through four games while only covering the spread once, and Philadelphia is 2 3 both straight up and versus the number at this point of the season would typically not be worth discussion.
But because of a mixture of the NFC East's all encompassing futility and the Eagles' betting popularity, this is an exception.
Of the 15 NFL teams with losing records just past the quarter pole of the season, the Eagles are one of two that have seen their odds to win their division improve. The Superbook has Philadelphia at 2 to 1 to win the NFC East after it went off at 5 to 1 before the start of the season.
The Dallas Cowboys, the other 2 3 franchise with better odds than where they started, are Derrick Rose 4XL Jersey a minus 110 favorite in what's quickly turned out to be the NFL's closest equivalent to college football's Championship Subdivision.
Even though it's nothing to take pride in, the Eagles control their own destiny in the NFC (L)east.
If Foles plays at the level he did last week, he won't be the reason they fall from the top. In relief of Vick, Foles threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns on 16 for 25 passing.
A relatively close 16 7 lead over the New York Giants turned into a commanding 36 21 victory for Philadelphia as a 1 point underdog.
Foles had a similar completion rate, 65 percent, in six starts a year ago but went just 1 5 straight up and 2 4 against the spread after Vick went down with a concussion late in the season.
The offense made modest improvements overall, however, moving from 26th in Football Outsiders' DVOA ratings under Vick to 25th behind Foles.
There's less room for improvement in 2013, as Philadelphia ranks fifth in offense through five games, according to DVOA. It's a shame these two Sunday opponents couldn't combine rosters, keeping the Eagles offense and the Buccaneers defense.
The Tampadelphia Buccagles officialbullsauthentic.com/WOMENS-JOAKIM-NOAH-JERSEY.html would make for a genuine Super Bowl contender.
Much like hiring coach Chip Kelly paid dividends for the Philadelphia offense, Tampa Bay's offseason acquisitions have bolstered an already solid defense. DVOA has Tampa Bay's defense third in the league with cornerback Darrelle Revis and safety Dashon Goldson, both first year Buccaneers, contributing to a near shutdown secondary.
High draft picks from the past two years in safety Mark Barron, linebacker Lavonte David and cornerback Johnathan Bank also have excelled. The problem is with one of their peers, 2013 third round pick Mike Glennon, who recently took over at quarterback for the deposed Josh Freeman.