NFL Week 11 Odds: 5 best bets against the spread
By Brad Rowland
Baltimore Ravens (-2.5) over St. Louis Rams
This is just a weird game. The Ravens are nearly a field goal favorite despite a 2-7 record, and while everyone loved the Rams a few weeks ago, the wheels have fallen off in St. Louis. To make matters more interesting, Jeff Fisher’s team will deploy the great Case Keenum at quarterback in this game, and while that explains why Baltimore is favored, the public hasn’t caught on to this point.
More than half of the action is on St. Louis as a road underdog, but the sharps seem to be pounding Baltimore, as the line has already grown by a full point during the week. The Ravens are better than their record, and while I still respect the Rams from the standpoint of their running game and defense, Baltimore is the right side with Case Keenum involved.
Houston Texans (+3) over New York Jets
Sometimes, we just blindly fade the public, and this is an example.
More than 80% (!) of the action is on the Jets as a three-point road favorite, and while I would agree that New York is the better team, that scares me to death if I am backing Todd Bowles’ team. Houston is playing much better on the defensive side of the ball (just ask Andy Dalton and the Bengals), and while T.J. Yates at quarterback is scary, he can play a game manager role in this spot.
You might want to wait until later in the week to try to coax an extra half-point out of your favorite bookmaker, but we’re going against the world with the Texans, and I feel great about it.
Next: Broncos-Bears and 49ers-Seahawks