Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Football:

Week 10 NFL picks against the spread for the Sun’s handicapping contest

Teams with two of the three best records in the league clash on Sunday Night Football

J.J. Watt

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is introduced before an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Houston.

Sun's NFL betting game of Week 10

Which side would you take in this week’s Sunday Night Football game?
Texans +1 — 53.7%
Bears -1 — 46.3%

This poll is closed, see Full Results »

Note: This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

The Sun’s handicapping contest failed to take advantage of bettors’ most successful NFL weekend in years.

While the public cashed outrageous wagers like a 15-team parlay, the three members of the Sun’s sports staff went a combined 8-10 against the spread on Week 9’s slate of action.

Only one of the competitors is clinging to a record above .500 as the NFL officially enters the second half of its regular season.

The standings could shake up based on the result of Week 10’s Sunday Night Football, which is billed as a possible Super Bowl preview, as the Houston Texans travel to play the Chicago Bears.

Bettors backing Chicago and Houston have found positive results, as the teams are a combined 11-5 against the spread. The teams are 7-1 straight-up, tied for the second-best record in the league behind the Atlanta Falcons.

William Hill sports books, which provides the numbers for the Sun’s contest, lists the Bears as 1-point favorites with an over/under of 41.5.

Defense is the reason the Bears and Texans are in position to earn first-round byes and contend for home-field advantage. They both rank in the top five by just about any defensive measure.

Football Outsiders’ power ratings have the Chicago defense as No. 1 in the league with Houston in second. Perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate Brian Urlacher, now 34 years old, continues to lead the Bears' defense.

The Texans are bolstered by the runaway early favorite to win that award this year: defensive end J.J. Watt, who leads the league with 10.5 sacks and several tipped passes at the line of scrimmage.

Three of the 18 selections in the Sun’s contest this weekend involve the Houston-at-Chicago game.

Look below for all of this week’s picks. The games are listed in order of kickoff time.

 

Case Keefer

Record: 27-26-1 (2-4 last week)

Saints +2.5 vs. Falcons

Buccaneers -3 vs. Chargers

Jets +6.5 at Seahawks

Bears -1 vs. Texans

Texans vs. Bears under 41.5

Chiefs vs. Steelers over 42

 

Ray Brewer

Record: 24-29-1 (2-4 last week)

Vikings +2.5 vs. Lions

Giants -4 at Bengals

Saints +2.5 vs. Falcons

Chargers vs. Buccaneers over 47.5

Cowboys vs. Eagles over 44.5

Jets +6.5 at Seahawks

 

Taylor Bern

Record: 23-29-2 (4-2 last week)

Panthers +4 vs. Broncos

Dolphins -6 vs. Titans

Patriots -11 vs. Bills

Lions -2.5 at Vikings

49ers -11.5 vs. Rams

Texans +1 at Bears

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

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