NFL SpreadSHREDDER, Week 9: Why the New England Patriots Will Be Upset

[SpreadSHREDDER Week 8 Record: 3-1]

[Overall Record: 14-10-1]

The SpreadSHREDDER had a strong 3-1 week last week as we bounced back from a pair of sub-par outputs.  Had we not got all greedy with that bonus pick (that we make no apologies for), the SpreadSHREDDER could have enjoyed its second unbeaten week of the season.

But that's what Week 9 is for, right?

CLEVELAND (+5) OVER NEW ENGLAND {Bodog.com}

The pesky Cleveland Browns will be coming off of a bye week to host the New England Patriots, meaning former Belichick coaching assistant and current Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini will have two weeks to prepare for a team he knows very well. 

While the value of the home underdog has been proven as an outright myth over the long haul, home dogs are hot at the moment, cashing at over 60 percent against the spread this season.

The Browns' strong running game, led by Peyton Hillis, will keep them on the field and give them the advantage in time of possession battle.

New England, coming off of a pair of big games against Minnesota and San Diego, finds itself in a sandwich game against the Browns as in the next two weeks the Patriots will play a big TV game against the Pittsburgh Steelers followed by their annual showdown with the Indianapolis Colts.

Expect a scrappy Browns team, with locker room knowledge of New England's tendencies, to play the Patriots tough, as Mangini's bid to keep his job continues to gain momentum.  CLEVELAND, 21-14.

PHILADELPHIA (-3) OVER INDIANAPOLIS {Sportsbook.com}

Following an emotional divisional win on national television against the Houston Texans in a revenge game, the Colts must now travel to Philadelphia on a short week to play a non-conference game against an Eagles team coming off of its bye week.

It's worth mentioning that the Eagles have never lost a game coming off their bye week under head coach Andy Reid.  Philadelphia's offense will get a significant boost with the return of Michael Vick, and capable back LeSean  McCoy should help the Eagles running game dominate one of the worst run defenses in the NFL.

The Colts continue to battle injuries at key positions, and with two weeks to prepare, rest assured Andy Reid has come up with a masterful gameplan as to how to exploit these major holes.

The Philadelphia Eagles, in need of a win with the New York Giants beginning to pull away, should soundly beat a banged up, fatigued Colts team.   PHILADELPHIA, 28-17.

MIAMI (+5) OVER BALTIMORE {Bodog.com}

The Miami Dolphins are undefeated on the road this season and now face yet another situation where they are an underdog against a talented Ravens team.

The Dolphins have shown coping ability against teams of similar caliber of the Ravens as they have covered against the Packers and the Steelers.

The Ravens defense, always blindly hailed as one of the elite defenses in the NFL, is old, and it's struggling.  Miami has been so good on the road this season because of their running game, which controls games while killing crowds, coupled with the fact that their offense is top five in the league when it comes to third down conversions.

A somewhat overrated Ravens defense will give the Dolphins ample opportunities to remain unbeaten on the road as they continue to swim under the radar as a potential Super Bowl contender.  MIAMI, 23-20

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