The division has enjoyed a combined 65-50-5 record against the spread (ATS) versus other divisions the last three seasons, attesting to the overall strength of the NFC East. The division draws the AFC South this year so NFL betting fans might be expecting this recent trend to continue. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2009 regular season records and pointspread results in parentheses:
DALLAS COWBOYS (11-5 SU, 9-7 ATS, 6-10 O/U): The Cowboys should be good on the field and could be profitable at the windows, as well. Not only has Dallas been a dynamite wagering play at home but the Cowboys also are solid in several other areas, such as coming off a week's rest (six straight ATS) or the week before playing the Giants (16-3 ATS). Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 10/1; NFC Championship 5/1; NFC East 6/5; Make the Playoffs 4/7; Over/Under regular season wins 10.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2009)
SU:100-92
ATS: 94-92-6
HF:39-29-6
HD:14-8
AF:15-22
AD:26-33
Sportsbook Buster: Over the last 12 years, the Cowboys are 53-37-6 ATS at home.
Sports Betting Angle: Dallas has covered 10 of its last 14 games against Green Bay.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-5 SU, 9-7 ATS, 10-6 O/U): The Eagles haven't had a losing record versus the spread since 2005 and, overall, have been the strongest play among NFC East teams. Philadelphia's success on the road is well documented but the birds also have covered seven straight the week after playing the Redskins and 9-1 ATS in the game following an off week. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 18/1; NFC Championship 9/1; NFC East 5/2; Make the Playoffs 5/4; Over/Under regular season wins 8 1/2.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2009)
SU: 111-80-1
ATS: 107-80-5
HF:34-33-1
HD:14-11-3
AF:27-17
AD:33-19-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Eagles are 60-36-1 on the road the past 12 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Philadelphia has covered 10 of its last 11 and six straight at home against Minnesota.
NEW YORK GIANTS (8-8 SU, 6-10 ATS, 12-4 O/U): After going 22-10 ATS in the previous two years, the Giants slipped to 6-10 versus the number last season, the type of inconsistency that drives NFL betting fans nuts. Reliable plays remain the Giants prior to playing the Eagles (6-1 ATS) and after playing the Redskins (8-1 ATS). Also take note: Since 2005, the "over" is 44-33-3 in New York games. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 20/1; NFC Championship 10/1; NFC East 3/1; Make the Playoffs 5/4; Over/Under regular season wins 8 1/2.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2009)
SU:103-89
ATS: 97-93-2
HF:32-40-1
HD:11-12
AF:25-13
AD:29-28-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Giants are a solid 23-13 the last 12 seasons as a road favorite.
Sports Betting Angle: New York is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 meetings with division rival Dallas.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS (4-12 SU, 7-8-1 ATS, 9-7 O/U): Not only are the Redskins the only team in the division with a losing SU record over the past 12 years but Washington also is the NFC East's only team with a losing record ATS. However, the 'Skins have covered eight of their last nine games prior to playing the Giants and have beaten the spread five of the last six times they were a non-division home underdog. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 40/1; NFC Championship 20/1; NFC East 6/1; Make the Playoffs 11/5; Over/Under regular season wins 7 1/2.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2009)
SU:86-106
ATS: 86-96-10
HF:24-33-4
HD:15-20
AF:10-17-2
AD:37-26-4
Sportsbook Buster: The Redskins are just 10-17-2 as road favorites the past 12 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Washington has covered seven of its last 10 games against Dallas.
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 fifth of an eight-part NFL preview series.
Next: Betting the NFC North
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
