Week 6 NFL picks against the spread for the Sun’s handicapping contest

By Case Keefer (contact)

Friday, Oct. 12, 2012 | 2 a.m.

The only group of people who loathe turnovers as much as football coaches are football bettors.

Late fumbles and interceptions have contributed as many bad beats as the most experienced dealer at the World Series of Poker. A tendency to give away possessions is the hardest part of backing a team like the Dallas Cowboys.

“America’s Team” — or perhaps more appropriately Las Vegas’ team based on how much support the Cowboys get in sports books — is better than its 1-3 against the spread and 2-2 straight-up record by most statistical measures. But Dallas is averaging 2.75 turnovers per game, the third highest mark in the NFL behind the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.

Dallas travels to Baltimore, a team with a plus 6 turnover margin as opposed to the Cowboys’ minus 7, as a 3.5-point underdog Sunday off of a bye week.

All three sports writers in the Sun’s NFL handicapping contest, which requires six picks per week from William Hill sports books odds, weighed in on the game.

Two gave the points with the Ravens, undoubtedly remembering Tony Romo’s five-interception game in Monday Night Football two weeks ago, while one took the Cowboys.

It’s the third time this season one game has attracted picks from all three contestants. Both previous instances ended with the team drawing one vote covering the spread.

In addition to the Ravens, two of the three also picked the New York Giants as 6.5-point underdogs at San Francisco Sunday. Sides that more than one of the writers have supported this year have gone an alarming 2-7-1 against the spread.

Find all the picks for week 6 of the contest below. Games are listed in order of kickoff time.

 

Case Keefer

Record: 16-14 (2-4 last week)

Chiefs +4 at Buccaneers

Dolphins -3.5 vs. Rams

Cowboys +3.5 at Ravens

Colts vs. Jets over 43

Giants vs. 49ers under 45.5

Broncos +1.5 at Chargers

 

Ray Brewer

Record: 12-17-1 (1-5 last week)

Ravens -3.5 vs. Cowboys

Bengals vs. Browns over 44

Patriots -3.5 at Seahawks

Giants +6.5 at 49ers

Packers vs. Texans over 47.5

Chargers -1.5 vs. Broncos

 

Taylor Bern

Record: 11-18-1 (4-2 last week)

Rams +3.5 at Dolphins

Ravens -3.5 vs. Cowboys

Buccaneers -4 vs. Chiefs

Bengals -2 at Browns

Vikings +2.5 at Redskins

Giants +6.5 at 49ers

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.