At a combined 65 games under .500 and without a single team with a winning record against the number, this is the worst performing pointspread division in the league, a trend NFL betting aficionados will be watching closely again this season. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2009 regular season records and pointspread results in parentheses:
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (8-8 SU, 9-4-3 ATS, 8-7-1 O/U): The Niners posted their best pointspread record in over a decade last year but oddsmakers aren't likely to underestimate San Francisco this season. The 49ers have failed to cover six of their last seven games as road favorites and are just 1-4-1 ATS in their last six seasons after their open date. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 28/1; NFC Championship 14/1; NFC West 11/10; Make the Playoffs 2/3; Over/Under regular season wins 8 1/2.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2009)
SU:84-108
ATS: 83-99-10
HF:29-26-5
HD:17-19-0
AF:11-13-1
AD:26-41-5
Sportsbook Buster: Since 1998, the 49ers are just 26-41-5 ATS in the role of road underdogs.
Sports Betting Angle: San Francisco has covered nine of its last 11 encounters with St. Louis, including four of its last five at home.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (10-6 SU, 8-7-1 ATS, 5-11 O/U): The Cardinals actually have a winning record (34-29-1) ATS the past four seasons and can be played in certain situations, such as coming off a straight up win to face a division opponent (7-1 ATS) or the week after playing the Niners (8-2 ATS). But Arizona also is 1-9 as a non-divisional favorite of seven or more points. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 40/1; NFC Championship 20/1; NFC West 9/4; Make the Playoffs 7/4; Over/Under regular season wins 7 1/2.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2009)
SU:77-115
ATS: 85-104-4
HF:21-25
HD:24-26
AF:5-8-1
AD:35-45-3
Sportsbook Buster: The Cardinals are 13 games under .500 on the road the last 12 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Arizona has covered four in a row versus both San Diego and Seattle.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (5-11 SU, 6-10 ATS, 7-9 O/U): Seahawks bettors suffered through their second double-digit loss season in the past five years in 2009 but there are spots where Seattle can be a profitable play. For example, the Seahawks have covered seven straight games the week before playing the Cardinals and have beaten the number in 12 of their last 14 home chances versus non-conference opponents. The team also has dropped nine of its last 10 the week after its open date. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 50/1; NFC Championship 25/1; NFC West 3/1; Make the Playoffs 9/4; Over/Under regular season wins 7 1/2.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2009)
SU:97-95
ATS: 87-99-6
HF:37-34-1
HD:12-11-1
AF:13-19
AD:25-35-4
Sportsbook Buster: The Seahawks have been a risky proposition on the road, posting just a 38-54-4 record ATS the last 12 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Seattle has beaten the spread in six straight games with St. Louis.
ST. LOUIS RAMS (1-15 SU, 7-9 ATS, 7-9 O/U): Rams backers have enjoyed only one winning pointspread season in the team's last six and this year could be dismal as well. St. Louis is 1-11 as division home underdogs of four or more points and 2-10 ATS within the division overall the last two seasons. The Rams also have lost straight pointspread decisions the week after playing the Cardinals. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 200/1; NFC Championship 100/1; NFC West 20/1; Make the Playoffs 6/1; Over/Under regular season wins 5.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2009)
SU:89-103
ATS: 86-104-2
HF:29-30-1
HD:17-19
AF:21-23-1
AD:19-32
Sportsbook Buster: The Rams are just 19-32 as away underdogs over the past 12 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: St. Louis has covered eight of its last 11 games versus Atlanta.
Legend:
SU= Straight Up
ATS = Against the Spread
HF= Home Favorite
HD= Home Underdog
AF= Away Favorite
AD= Away Underdog
O/U = Over/Under
This is the last of an eight-part NFL preview series.
This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering college football betting and sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com
