The Colts have won at least 12 games every year since 2003 but it's the Titans, who are 37-28-1 against the spread (ATS) overall and 16-8 versus the number within the division the last four seasons, who have been best wagering friends to NFL betting enthusiasts. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2009 regular season records and pointspread results in parentheses:
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (14-2 SU, 10-6 ATS, 9-7 O/U): Led by quarterback Peyton Manning and a dynamic offense, the Colts have dominated the division for nearly a decade, although the team's record versus the number within the AFC South is just 10-14 over the last four seasons. Indianapolis has covered six straight games as a Monday night favorite of better than two points, a condition which surely will be in effect when Houston comes to Indiana, Nov. 1. The Colts also have failed to beat the spread six straight years as a favorite in their final home game of the year. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 8/1; AFC Championship 4/1; AFC South 2/3; Make the Playoffs 2/5; Over/Under regular season wins 11.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2009)
SU: 131-61
ATS: 98-89-5
HF:42-45-1
HD:5-3
AF:32-23-3
AD:18-19-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Colts are 11-2 ATS the week before playing the Jaguars.
Sports Betting Angle: Indianapolis has covered eight of its last 10 games versus Kansas City.
TENNESSEE TITANS (8-8 SU, 6-9-1 ATS, 9-7 O/U): The Titans lost their first six games ATS last season but rallied to go 6-3-1 down the stretch. The team will have more offensive capability to cover with Vince Young replacing Kerry Collins at quarterback and could have a bounce-back year ATS. Bettors beware: Tennessee has failed to cover seven straight games after playing on Monday night. The Titans have one MNF appearance this season, versus the Jaguars, Oct. 18. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 33/1; AFC Championship 16/1; AFC South 7/2; Make the Playoffs 11/8; Over/Under regular season wins 8 1/2.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2009)
SU: 112-80
ATS: 99-90-3
HF:31-35-2
HD:16-12
AF:19-16-1
AD:33-27
Sportsbook Buster: The SU winner in the Jaguars series is 28-2 ATS the last 30 meetings.
Sports Betting Angle: Tennessee has covered six of its last seven games against Washington.
HOUSTON TEXANS (9-7 SU, 7-8-1 ATS, 6-10 O/U): The Texans had their first winning season in franchise history but have been a viable pointspread team for most of their existence. Houston has been a solid play (12-2 ATS) in the second of back-to-back road games, something that will happen twice this season, Nov. 21 versus the NY Jets and Dec. 26 at Denver. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 33/1; AFC Championship 16/1; AFC South 7/2; Make the Playoffs 5/4; Over/Under regular season wins 8.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 2002-2009)
SU:49-79
ATS: 63-63-2
HF:12-15-1
HD:21-14-1
AF:1-4
AD:29-30
Sportsbook Buster: The Texans have been a solid in the role of home underdog, posting a 21-14-1 record over the last eight seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Houston has covered four of its last five meetings with Oakland.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (7-9 SU, 5-11 ATS, 8-8 O/U): After winning just 12 games in the last two seasons, most pundits think the Jaguars will finish at the bottom of the division in 2010. As far as NFL betting fans are concerned, Jacksonville can't get much lower, compiling a 9-23 record ATS the past two seasons. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 66/1; AFC Championship 33/1; AFC South 12/1; Make the Playoffs 9/2; Over/Under regular season wins 7.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2009)
SU:100-92
ATS: 93-94-5
HF:32-35-2
HD:15-11-1
AF:14-22-1
AD:31-26-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Jaguars have covered 14 of their last 17 games the week before playing the Titans.
Sports Betting Angle: Jacksonville has covered five of its last six visits to Indianapolis.
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 third of an eight-part NFL preview series.
Next: Betting the AFC West
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
