Chris Jordan's ATS Report

By Chris Jordan, WagerWars.com

Special to BleacherReport.com

NFL Midseason ATS Report

We’re eight weeks into the season and the NFL has taken an awfully different complexion than everyone expected back in August. Just look at the top of the standings in terms of betting numbers, and you’re going to find that four of the six teams leading the charge are surprises.

Tennessee is 7-0 both SU and ATS after Monday night’s 31-21 win over Indianapolis. And gauging how the Titans have performed defensively, they could go into an AFC South showdown in Jacksonville on Nov. 16 both 9-0 SU and ATS with games against Green Bay and Chicago on deck.

Arizona and Baltimore are both 4-3 SU, but they’ve covered five of their first seven contests. After suffering a tough 27-23 road loss to Carolina, the Cardinals have a good shot at winning and covering three straight, beginning this weekend in St. Louis. Then it’s a home game with San Francisco and a road clash in Seattle. On the other hand, the Ravens have three tough road games to start November, as they’ll visit Cleveland, Houston and the Giants over the next three weeks.

Their clash with the Browns should be interesting, especially since Cleveland is also 5-2 at the window, despite a 3-4 mark on the field. The Browns come in off an upset win at Jacksonville, their third win in four games after a 0-3 start to the campaign.

NFC East powers Philadelphia and New York also check in with 5-2 spread runs, and are on a collision course for their Nov. 9 meeting in Philly.

Less than impressive teams at the betting window include Denver (1-5-1), San Francisco (2-6) and Cincinnati (2-6).

In terms of the totals …

There are several teams that appear to be clear-cut ‘overs’ when making your wagers on the totals.

Houston has gone over the posted number in six of its first seven games, and much of that is because of an improved offense that has put up a minimum of 27 points in its last five games.

Arizona, Green Bay, Seattle and Denver are next in line, at 5-2 over on the season. Like the Texans, the first two on the list are soaring past the number because of offensive units that are putting up stellar numbers. The Cardinals have failed to reach 23 just one time this season, and have reached the 30-point plateau in four of their games. Despite the Brett Favre-relocation project, the Packer’s offense has gotten its share of points. Problem is, their defense has helped the totals over in three straight games, as Green Bay’s stop unit allowed 27, 30 and 27 in consecutive games

With the Seahawks and Broncos, it’s all about the defense, which has been a failure for both teams this season. Seattle has held just two teams – NFC West rivals St. Louis and San Francisco – to less than 20 points, while four of its seven foes have posted a minimum of 27. Meanwhile, the Broncos have watched five of their opponents score at least 24 points – four of which have posted a minimum of 32.

NBA STRING MUSIC

The road team has covered four of the last five meetings between the Nets and Wizards.

The underdog is on a 4-0 spread run in the Heat-Knicks series.

The Jazz are on a 9-2 ATS run against the Nuggets – 5-1 in Salt Lake.

The Lakers have covered four straight against their intra-city rival.

The underdog has bagged the cash seven of the last nine times the Suns and Spurs have taken the court.

The Hawks have covered seven of its last 10 in Orlando.

NHL ICE PICKS

The Maple Leafs have lost four straight to New Jersey.

The Wild are mired in a 0-8 skid in Dallas.

The Stars have won nine of 11 overall versus Minnesota.

The home team is on a 20-8-1 run when the Ducks and Wings shave ice together.

Anaheim has won five of its last seven meetings with the Wings.

Chris Jordan hosts a weekly football preview show, Wager Wars, in three different webisodes on RawVegas.tv. The shows highlight College Football, Pro Football and the Monday Night Football game. Chris provides free plays on the shows, and also on his homepage daily at www.WagerWars.com