NFL Week 12 Odds: 5 best bets against the spread
By Brad Rowland
Dallas Cowboys (PK) over Carolina Panthers
Everyone is freaking out over this point spread, and I can’t blame them.
The Panthers are undefeated through 10 games, and the Cowboys are a woeful 3-7. As a result, the casual fan would certainly believe that Carolina would be a sizable favorite in this spot, and when they opened as a “pick’em” against Dallas, panic ensued. The funny thing is that the line isn’t really moving in favor of the better team.
78% of the action (via Sports Insights) is on the Panthers, and that isn’t a shock. If you have been dialed in to this space throughout the year, though, you likely know that the huge sentiment on behalf of Carolina makes me swing the other way, and Dallas is simply a different team with Tony Romo under center.
Make no mistake, this is a pure system play in every sense of the word, and I don’t blame you if you can’t take Dallas without any cushion to speak of. I’m taking the Cowboys and the sharps are siding with me.
Atlanta Falcons (-1) over Minnesota Vikings
Speaking of point spreads that no one can figure out, here’s another one.
The Falcons are reeling on the heels of three consecutive losses, and even with a 6-4 record, it is hard to erase the memory of the past two games when Atlanta was defeated by Blaine Gabbert and Matt Hasselbeck. Minnesota isn’t quite as popular of a side as they might have been with a win a week ago, but at the same time, the Vikings are 7-3 and a Vegas darling to this point in the campaign.
Naturally, I’m taking the small home favorite.
Everyone is on the Vikings to the tune of 71% (via Sports Insights) and the line is dropping. That is fine with me. Matt Ryan and company are due to actually hold a lead here, and this is a pivotal game for the Falcons more so than Minnesota.
Next: Cardinals-49ers and Ravens-Browns