NFL Week 10 Odds: 5 best bets against the spread
By Brad Rowland
Seattle Seahawks (-3) over Arizona Cardinals
This is my first (and only) play of the week that isn’t a straight avoidance of the public side. Seattle and Arizona are receiving relatively equal backing in the handicapping universe this week, and it is easy to explain why. On performance, the Cardinals have been the better team this season by a comfortable margin, and while not everyone has caught up to that, the difference in records for these two teams (Arizona is 6-2, Seattle is 4-4) is enough to balance the scales.
Still, the Seahawks are a different team at home, and this time, they have the benefit of a bye week to prepare. Yes, the Cardinals are also coming off a bye, but things have gone pretty well in Arizona, whereas Seattle desperately needed this time to recover and adjust their game plan. This is a “feel” pick more than anything else, so if you like the system and don’t trust me, I get it. I’m taking the Seahawks and laying the field goal.
Houston Texans (+10.5) over Cincinnati Bengals
Two of my favorite handicapping activities are fading the public (of course) and taking double-digit underdogs (duh). Two games this week combine those leans, and this is one of them.
Houston looked to be borderline competent in a 20-6 win over Tennessee two weeks ago, and after a bye week, the Texans are a side that I want to “buy” on moving forward. That will be put to the test in a big way this week in a road game in prime time but, well, “Prime Time Andy Dalton!” is involved and everyone loves the Bengals right now. 70% of the tickets are on Cincinnati, but the line has already fallen from an opener of 12, and I can’t imagine the sharp guys not having the Texans in this spot.
There is value on the Texans, even if you’ll be holding for your breath for three consecutive hours.