2011 NFL Predictions: Against the Spread Betting Situation for All 32 Teams

The 2011 National Football League regular season is less than a month away, and professional sports handicappers are busy circling games on each team's schedule as possible betting opportunities starting in September.

Sports handicapping, in my eyes, is really looking at things from a situational aspect and analyzing each team that takes part in that particular contest.

The best example of a situational play from the first week of the preseason was the Cleveland Browns' 27-17 home win over the Green Bay Packers as 2.5-point favorites last Saturday. 

Cleveland is entering the first year under a new head coach, while Green Bay was busy celebrating last year's Super Bowl win with President Barack Obama at the White House the day before.

Let's take a closer look at the top against-the-spread situation each NFL team will find itself in over the course of the year.

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals posted a disappointing 5-11 SU (straight-up) and matching 5-11 ATS (against the spread) record last season. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt led the team to a 22-15-1 ATS mark the previous two seasons.

Quarterback Kevin Kolb has been brought in to resurrect a once-proud offense that ranked 31st in the league in passing a year ago.

A Week 9 divisional showdown with the St. Louis Rams at home will likely be a betting opportunity, as the Cardinals are 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings. Whisenhunt is also a tremendous 13-6 ATS at home when playing off a loss, which will likely happen the previous week in Baltimore.

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons finished with the top record in the NFC a year ago and have been dynamite under fourth-year head coach Mike Smith against the Las Vegas number, posting a 31-19 ATS mark in his first three years.

Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan have been an ATM machine off a loss, coming into this season with a 13-2 ATS mark in that situation. 

The Falcons could definitely trip up in the opening three weeks, facing the likes of Chicago (road), Philadelphia (home) and Tampa Bay (road).

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens have posted three consecutive winning seasons ATS, including a 9-8-1 mark in each of the last two years.

Head coach John Harbaugh has made a living on beating teams' losing opponents, tallying a 17-5 ATS record in that situation.

A Week 2 contest in Tennessee may offer an opportunity to play this angle, as the Titans are currently without star running back Chris Johnson and will have a tough time winning at Jacksonville to open the season.

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills don't have much appeal outside of Ralph Wilson Stadium, but professional handicappers love backing this type of team due to public perception.

Lines-makers will likely make this squad a road favorite just once this year, when matching up with the Cincinnati Bengals Oct. 2.

Buffalo will be looking forward to this contest due to its 4-0 ATS mark on the road in this series. The Bills have laid point just three times since 2008 and gone 2-1 ATS in that situation.

Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers were fortunate to win two games last year and were a losing proposition for bettors, dropping 12 of 16 games ATS.

After an opening week contest in Arizona, the new-look Panthers will play their home-opener against the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers.

Professionals are hoping the lines-maker makes the Packers a road favorite of more than seven points since the Panthers are 9-1 ATS as home underdogs in that situation.

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are coming off a disappointing loss in the NFC Championship game to division rival Green Bay, and they may land in a potential betting spot against them in Week 3.

It's definitely not out of the question that the Bears could start the season with two consecutive losses, hosting Atlanta before traveling to New Orleans.

Don't miss out on playing the 0-2 Bears if this comes true the following week since the Bears are 11-2 ATS as home underdogs off back-to-back losses. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals may be in for a long year without the services of quarterback Carson Palmer or wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, but it wasn't much better in 2010 with a 4-12 SU record and 7-9 ATS mark.

Rookie signal-caller Andy Dalton is likely to gain the opening week start and will want to start circling games that come before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Cincinnati is 11-2 ATS before playing its division rival and 2-9 ATS afterwards. Don't miss out on playing the Bengals versus the Titans on Nov. 6 and against them on Dec. 11 when traveling to Houston.

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns begin life under first-year head coach Pat Shurmur and will fall into a great situational spot after enjoying a Week 5 bye.

Cleveland is a perfect 5-0 ATS against the Oakland Raiders in the last five meetings, including covering three-straight games in the Bay Area. 

If that's not enough to get the money out of your wallet, the Browns are 6-1 ATS on the road against AFC West opponents.

Fire away!

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have been one of the biggest underachievers in the NFL the last couple years, but nothing gets the franchise going like Thanksgiving Day.

Last year's festivities featured a thrilling 30-27 loss against the New Orleans Saints, but the Cowboys were America's Team again in Las Vegas, covering the number as 4.5-point home underdogs.

Dallas will likely get to celebrate this year, posting a 10-0 ATS mark on the holiday when playing against an opponent with a losing record. Miami is scheduled to fly into the Lone Star State and will likely fit the profile for a Cowboys Stadium feast.

Denver Broncos

Fans shouldn't expect miracles in the Mile High City this year under first-year head coach John Fox. The Denver Broncos are certainly in rebuilding mode after a 4-12 SU record and 5-11 ATS mark in 2010.

Not many teams would welcome the New England Patriots with open arms, but the Broncos have managed to cover four of the last five meetings, including three in a row at Invesco Field.

New England may also treat this game as an afterthought since it serves as the last road game of the season before divisional contests against Miami and Buffalo.

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions captured the attention of professional bettors throughout the 2010 season, posting a solid 12-4 ATS mark despite finishing the year with a 6-10 SU record.

Luckily for them, the team will not be overvalued in the season-opener due to playing another ATS darling of a year ago.

Don't miss out on backing the Lions against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1, as they've covered four of the last five meetings.

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers have been an oddity in the world of sports betting the last couple years, as teams with a large fanbase don't normally translate into good ones to wager on.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has led this squad to a 24-12-1 ATS mark over the last two years, including wins versus the number in six of eight road underdog opportunities.

One of those opportunities may present itself in San Diego on Nov. 6, as the Packers are 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings and have covered their last five games after the bye week.

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans just picked up a huge preseason opening week win over the New York Jets at Reliant Stadium in front of a nationally-televised audience on Monday Night Football.

Head coach Gary Kubiak has not been friendly to backers over the years, posting a 36-42-2 ATS mark in his five seasons.

With a challenging first four weeks lined up on the schedule, Houston may need a big home win over the Oakland Raiders on Oct. 9 to turn around the season. The Texans are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings, including a 31-24 win as 3.5-point road favorites in Oakland last year.

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts have not skipped a beat under third-year head coach Jim Caldwell, coming in with a 26-10 SU record since he took over for the departed Tony Dungy. 

Most teams would shy away from the challenge of facing the Baltimore Ravens' defense in any week, but not when you have future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning.

The Colts are 7-0 ATS in the last seven meetings and may be coming off a loss against the New England Patriots the previous week. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been downright mediocre over the last two years, posting a 15-17 SU record over that span while tallying a 14-18 ATS mark.

Head coach Jack Del Rio will want to tally a victory as soon as possible this season, and a betting opportunity may come with it. 

The Jaguars are 10-2 ATS in the first game of the season and will be hosting the Tennessee Titans. Del Rio led the team to a 3-1 ATS record as a home favorite a year ago.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs have offered little to bettors during the Todd Haley era in terms of preseason action, posting a 0-9 ATS mark in those contests.

Situations are obviously dramatically different once the regular season rolls around, as the team was 9-8 ATS during meaningful games in 2010.

Don't miss out on the team's 8-1 ATS record in the second of back-to-back road games when playing the New York Jets Dec. 11.  Kansas City will also benefit from covering the number in the last four meetings.

Miami Dolphins

Professional bettors have made a living off backing the Miami Dolphins as a road underdog over the past three years; the team has rewarded them with a 15-4 ATS record in that situation.

That situation becomes even better when head coach Tony Sparano gets his legs under him, covering 12 of the last 14 games as a road underdog after Game 4.

Don't miss out on the first opportunity to play this angle in Week 6 against the New York Jets, especially with the Dolphins picking up spread wins in the last three road meetings.

Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings say goodbye to the Brett Favre era and bring in another veteran quarterback to lead the team in 2011. 

Former Washington Redskins signal-caller Donovan McNabb enters and will try to deliver the team back to the playoffs. 

Fans are still reeling from the franchise's loss to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game two years ago, despite gaining revenge with a 14-9 season-opening road win against them last year.

Minnesota will look to gain even more revenge in hosting the matchup this year and has covered five straight meetings.

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots are one of the best money-making teams in the NFL, including a 10-6-1 ATS mark in 2010.

Quarterback Tom Brady has been thinking about last year's playoff loss to the New York Jets and will get a chance to exact revenge in Week 5. 

New England will likely reward backers due to an 8-1 ATS mark when playing a winning opponent in October in a revenge situation.

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are now two years removed from their Super Bowl win over the Indianapolis Colts, and bettors certainly noticed a drop-off with the team's 6-10-1 ATS mark in 2010.

Head coach Sean Payton is expecting a bounce-back campaign and has compiled a 53-33 SU record his first five years in the Bayou.

Considering that quarterback Drew Brees has been an underdog just four times in the last two years, bettors should not miss out on the opening week contest against the Green Bay Packers. New Orleans has also managed to cover three of the last four meetings.

New York Giants

The New York Giants have missed the playoffs in two straight years since winning the Super Bowl at the end of the 2008-2009 season. 

Professional bettors have noticed a dramatic difference due to the team's 13-19 ATS mark over that span.

New York opens up on the road against lowly Washington before hosting the St. Louis Rams in Week 2.  The Giants are 5-0 ATS in the series and have covered 10 of the last 12 games against NFC West opponents.

New York Jets

The New York Jets have lost the AFC Championship game in consecutive years, and bettors have benefited with their 22-16 ATS record over that period.

Professional bettors love betting teams that possess a great defense, and head coach Rex Ryan has delivered just that in the Big Apple. During his two years on the sidelines, the stop unit has held opponents to under 300 yards of offense in each season.

New York has enjoyed great success against the San Diego Chargers in recent years, including a 5-1 ATS mark in the last six meetings. Ryan's squad may meet an unfocused opponent due to this being the second of three straight road games sandwiched in between Denver and Kansas City.

Oakland Raiders

Finding situations to bet the Oakland Raiders is one of the toughest things to do in sports handicapping.  It's definitely obvious with the team's 8-8 ATS record in consecutive years.

First-year head coach Hue Jackson isn't going to simplify the process, but it may be smart to look at a divisional matchup due to familiarity. 

Look no further than Oakland's opening week contest in the Mile High City, as the Silver and Black have covered the last five meetings on the road against the Broncos.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles open up with one of the toughest schedules in the NFL, traveling on the road in back-to-back weeks to face the St. Louis Rams and Atlanta Falcons.

It's not out of the question that the squad could be entering a divisional matchup against the New York Giants with an 0-2 record.

Head coach Andy Reid has had no problems getting his team up for this rivalry, covering six straight meetings entering the 2011 campaign.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers provided handicappers with a nice profit last year by tallying a 12-7 ATS record.  Much of that success came at Heinz Field as a favorite, covering six of nine opportunities.

Head coach Mike Tomlin is one of the best sideline motivators and will have his squad ready to perform at its highest level in hosting the New England Patriots Oct. 30.

Professional bettors will be ready to pounce on the team's 27-3 ATS mark when playing with revenge, which is the case in this contest. Pittsburgh was smacked 39-26 at home last year by Tom Brady and co.

St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams gained a lot of respect around the league in finishing last year with a 7-9 SU record, and most of that success was a result of drafting quarterback Sam Bradford.

Playing at the Edward Jones Dome resulted in a profit for bettors last year, as the Rams came away with a 5-3 ATS mark at the venue. 

Don't miss a chance to back the team on Dec. 18 when the Cincinnati Bengals come to town, which will likely result in a fifth-straight ATS victory.

San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers missed the 2010 playoffs despite being one of the best statistical teams in the NFL.

Head coach Norv Turner has led the franchise to a 44-26 SU record and a 39-29-2 ATS mark in his first four seasons.

San Diego has tallied an impressive 14-2 ATS mark versus AFC South opponents, and bettors need to be ready when the squad travels to Jacksonville Dec. 5.

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers will be led by first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh, who led the Stanford Cardinal to a 12-1 SU record and an 8-4-1 ATS mark a year ago.

He will have a hard time replicating that success without Andrew Luck under center in the professional ranks on Sundays.

Fans should expect a rocky season, but San Francisco could come out of the gates and supply professional bettors with a massive opportunity in the opening contest. The 49ers are 4-1 ATS versus the Seahawks when hosting.

Seattle Seahawks

What can Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll do for an encore after reaching the playoffs his first season in the Pacific Northwest? 

Bettors were left wanting more due to the team's 8-10 ATS record, including spread losses in six of eight opportunities as road underdogs.

Seattle could open up 0-2 on the year with road games against San Francisco and Pittsburgh, which should have bettors on alert in Week 3 when hosting Arizona. The Seahawks are 8-0 ATS when favored off back-to-back losses.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris has turned things around quickly in his two seasons on the sidelines, including a 10-6 SU record in 2010.

Bettors gave him a round of applause when playing as road underdogs during the season since the team covered the number in all seven instances.

Don't even think about missing an opportunity to back the Buccaneers in New Orleans Nov. 6, as they've covered seven of eight meetings in the Louisiana Superdome. Tampa Bay will also be coming off its bye week, which has led to a 5-0 ATS mark the last five years.

Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans have said goodbye to the Jeff Fisher era and stayed within the franchise in hiring former offensive line coach Mike Munchak. 

Professional bettors will often wait for data to come in on new coaches before making a move, but many suggest looking at a familiar situation for the team as a whole.

Tennessee has been a home underdog just twice over the last two years, but will land in that role against the Indianapolis Colts Oct. 30. The Titans are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings and have covered four of the last five in Nashville.

Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins suffered through a disappointing season under head coach Mike Shanahan, but bettors were happy with the team's 8-5-3 ATS record.

Shanahan lined his squad up as favorites in just one contest a year ago, dropping a 30-16 road game in St. Louis.

Bettors will likely take a wait-and-see approach in the opening two weeks before unloading in Week 3 against Dallas. America's Team will likely be overvalued, and Washington is 4-0 ATS in its last four trips to the Lone Star State.