Combined, Denver, Kansas City and Oakland have amassed just two winning seasons against the spread (ATS) over the past five seasons, a dismal statistic that NFL betting wonks will try to turn to their advantage in 2011. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2010 regular season records and pointspread results in parentheses:
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (9-7 SU, 9-7 ATS, 8-8 O/U)
Head Coach: Norv Turner, fifth year, 44-26 SU, 39-29-2 ATS.
Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 10/1; AFC Championship 5/1; AFC West 1/2; Over/Under regular season wins 9 1/2.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2010)
SU:107-101
ATS: 107-92-9
HF:41-27-3
HD:17-16
AF:19-24
AD:30-25-6
Sportsbook Buster: The Chargers are a solid 41-27-3 as home favorites the past 13 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: San Diego has covered eight of its last nine games against AFC West rival Denver.
Bets and Pieces: The Chargers have covered eight straight the week after playing Denver.
Odds and Ends: San Diego has covered eight of its last nine games the week before playing Oakland.
Worth a Wager: The Chargers are 18-11-1 ATS within the AFC West over the last five seasons.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (9-7 SU, 9-7 ATS, 7-9 O/U)
Head Coach: Todd Haley, third year, 14-19 SU, 16-17 ATS
Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 40/1; AFC Championship 20/1; AFC West 4/1; Over/Under regular season wins 7 1/2.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2010)
SU:95-113
ATS: 103-99-6
HF:33-30-3
HD:18-17-3
AF:13-20
AD:39-32
Sportsbook Buster: The Chiefs have covered nine of their last 12 home games versus the Chargers.
Sports Betting Angle: Kansas City has covered seven of its last eight visits to Oakland.
Bets and Pieces: The Chiefs are 11-2 as non-division favorites of seven or more points.
Odds and Ends: KC has covered five straight games versus Detroit.
Worth a Wager: The Chiefs have covered four consecutive meetings with the NY Jets.
OAKLAND RAIDERS (8-8 SU, 8-8 ATS, 10-6 O/U)
Head Coach: HueJackson, first year, 0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS.
Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 50/1; AFC Championship 25/1; AFC West 5/1; Over/Under regular season wins 6 1/2.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2010)
SU: 86-122
ATS: 90-113-5
HF:24-34-2
HD:16-27-1
AF:9-12-1
AD:41-40-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Raiders are just 40-61-3 ATS at home the last 13 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Oakland is 10-2 ATS within the division the last two years.
Bets and Pieces: The visiting team in the Chiefs series has covered nine of the last 10 meetings.
Odds and Ends: Oakland has covered four in a row versus San Diego.
Worth a Wager: The Raiders are 1-9 ATS their last 10 the week after playing San Diego.
DENVER BRONCOS (4-12 SU, 5-11 ATS, 9-6-1, O/U)
Head Coach: John Fox, first year, 0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS.
Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 100/1; AFC Championship 50/1; AFC West 14/1; Over/Under regular season wins 5 1/2.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2010)
SU:117-111
ATS: 94-106-8
HF:35-49-4
HD:9-6-1
AF:23-26-2
AD:27-25-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Broncos are only 35-49-4 as home favorites since 1998.
Sports Betting Angle: Denver has covered eight of its last 11 games against the NY Jets.
Bets and Pieces: The Broncos are 8-15-1 ATS within the division the last four seasons
Odds and Ends: Denver has failed to cover six of its last seven games the week after playing Kansas City.
Worth a Wager: The Broncos have covered three straight at home versus New England.
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 fourth of an eight-part NFL 2011 preview series.
Next: Analyzing the NFC East
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
