NFL betting is often about digging deep
to find statistics that go beyond the
numbers we all look at on a weekly
basis.Take a look at the career of
Titans quarterback Vince Young: Of all
the quarterbacks drafted since 2000,
only three (Tom Brady, Ben
Roethlisberger, and Philip Rivers) have
a better SU winning percentage than
Young. Young is 22-11 as a starter since
coming into the league in 2006.
Young’s success makes as much sense
as Bill O’Reilly after two cups of
coffee, but you can’t argue with the
numbers. Young doesn’t have a golden arm
and isn’t particularly accurate, but he
has a knack for making plays at the
right time.
Young is certainly getting it done
since taking over under center for
Tennessee four weeks ago.
Arizona at Tennessee (-3, 47)
– 4:15 PM ET
The Titans (4-6, 5-5 ATS) have won
four in a row both SU and against the
number heading into their matchup with
the Cardinals (7-3, 6-4 ATS) on Sunday
at LP Field.
Tennessee looked finished after
beginning the season with six straight
losses (1-5 ATS), but its fortunes
changed when Young was handed the
starting role. Running back Chris
Johnson is also a huge part of the
Titans’ resurgence, averaging 161.5
rushing yards per game during the
streak.
The good times could be coming to an
end for Tennessee backers on Sunday.
Arizona has won six of its last seven
(5-2 ATS), and is an impressive 5-0 (4-1
ATS) on the road this season. The Titans
also have the AFC’s worst pass defense
(271.7 YPG), so that doesn’t bode well
against Kurt Warner and the Cards.
Warner is expected to start after
leaving Arizona’s 21-13 win at St. Louis
(+9.5) with concussion-like symptoms
last week.
Jacksonville at San Francisco
(-3, 41.5) – 4:15 PM ET
For all the talk of the Titans
lately, it’s the Jaguars (6-4, 4-6 ATS)
that have a better chance of slipping
into the AFC playoffs rolling into
Sunday’s tilt with the 49ers (4-6, 6-2-2
ATS) at Candlestick Park.
Maybe that’s because Jacksonville has
been bleeding money during its recent
run. The Jags have won four of their
last five, but are only 1-5 against the
NFL point spread in their last six
contests.
San Francisco has the opposite
problem. The Niners have dropped five of
their last six to put themselves up
against the wall in the NFC playoff
picture, but have gone 2-2-2 ATS to
remain one of the most profitable plays
in the league. Even if it loses on
Sunday, expect San Francisco to keep it
close: The Niners’ last four losses are
by a combined 20 points.
Chicago at Minnesota (-10.5,
47) – 4:15 PM ET
At least the 49ers have remained a
worthwhile wager during their recent
skid. The same can’t be said of the free
falling Bears (4-6, 4-6 ATS), who are in
tough on Sunday at the Metrodome against
the Vikings (9-1, 6-3-1 ATS).
Chicago came into the season with
high expectations after acquiring Jay
Cutler, but the Pro Bowl quarterback
leads the league with 18 interceptions.
It’s not all Cutler’s fault: The Bears’
offensive line has been atrocious this
season, failing to adequately protect
Cutler and provide holes for running
back Matt Forte.
