Fed an August diet of preseason games where motivation was questionable and betting lines and limits reflected a queasiness of confidence, you can't blame gridiron gamblers or the bet takers at
The Greek Sportsbook if they're starved for some real NFL betting when the regular season starts this month.
Of course, you can't order without a betting menu and you can't (or shouldn't) bet the games without at least a brief analysis of the teams.
Here are thumbnail sketches of the NC North and NFC South teams. Numbers in parentheses indicate last year's straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS) and over/under (O/U) records:
NFC NORTH
CHICAGO BEARS (11-5 SU, 9-5-2 ATS, 4-11-1 O/U): The Bears gave up the fewest points in the NFL last year and dominated their NFC North rivals by a wide margin, trends which should continue in 2006. The offense failed to score as many as 21 points in 13 games last year so, once again, the defense will have to carry the Bears. Chicago has an easy schedule. Bets and Pieces: Over the past eight seasons, the Bears are 21-13 as a home underdog.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (9-7 SU, 9-7 ATS, 4-11-1 O/U): Despite a winning record, the Vikings were outscored (344-306) and outgained (by 35 YPG) last season. Translation: They were fortunate to win the close ones. New HC Ray Childress, who is installing the West Coast offense, may not be as lucky. Bets and Pieces: Since 1998, Minnesota is 7-3 as a home underdog.
DETROIT LIONS (5-11 SU, 8-7-1 ATS, 7-9 O/U): Mike Martz, who did wonders with Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger, takes over as offensive coordinator for first year HC Rod Marinelli but even if the Detroit offense improves (and that's a big "if") the Lions defense still looks too weak for the team to make substantial progress. Bets and Pieces: The Lions are a decent 22-15-1 as a home underdog since 1998.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (4-12 SU, 5-9-2 ATS, 6-9-1 O/U): The Packers lost six games by less than a touchdown last year so the leap from ridicule to resurrection is not as far as you might think. Thanks to a healthy offensive cast and the easiest schedule in the NFL, QB Brett Favre may be able to summon one more memorable season. Bets and Pieces: The pack is 3-9-1 ATS in its last 13 home games.
NFC SOUTH
CAROLINA PANTHERS (11-5 SU, 9-6-1 ATS, 9-7 O/U): The Panthers are a team with few weaknesses so a return to the playoffs, where they won two straight road games before losing at Seattle, is likely. The defense is superb and the offense, headed by WR Steve Smith, should be good enough. But a tougher schedule, No. 29 to No. 8, leaves little margin for error. Bets and Pieces: Carolina is just 9-15 as a home favorite during HC John Fox's four-year reign but 13-5-1 as an away underdog.
ATLANTA FALCONS (8-8 SU, 7-8-1 ATS, 9-7 O/U): Having led the League in rushing last year but failed to make the playoffs after collapsing from 6-2 to 8-8, the Falcons set out to shore up their leaky defense. The addition of DE John Abraham, FS Chris Crocker and SS Lawyer Milloy should help in that regard. The schedule, with games at Cincinnati, Baltimore and Washington, as well as home encounters versus Pittsburgh, Dallas and the NY Giants, is challenging. Bets and Pieces: Since 1998, Atlanta is just 7-15 as a home underdog.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (11-5 SU, 7-7-2 ATS, 6-10 O/U): Like in their Super Bowl year in 2002, Tampa Bay had the NFL's top ranked defense in 2005. The problem was an inexperienced offense that if expected to improve now that Chris Simms has earned the QB job. The problem is a schedule that goes from No. 30 to the second toughest in the League this season. Bets and Pieces: The Buccaneers are a solid 36-24-3 ATS at home, over the past eight seasons.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-13 SU, 5-10-1 ATS, 7-9 O/U): Hurricane Katrina washed away every home game for the Saints so throw out last season and look ahead to a campaign with a new HC, Sean Payton, new QB, for Charger Drew Brees, and top RB prospect in Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush. The Saints will be better but the schedule is so treacherous that you might not even notice. Bets and Pieces: The Saints are a sorrowful 21-35-3 ATS at home, the last eight seasons.
Last of four parts
