Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens Sun. Jan. 2^nd 2010 1pm EST

One of the most competitive divisions in the NFL today is without a doubt the AFC North. No matter what the records are of these four teams (Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens) they always seem to give each other a run for their money when they meet in the regular season and the playoffs. Continue Reading…

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints Sun. Jan. 2^nd 2010 1pm EST

The defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints came into Week 16’s matchup with the division-leading Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football with their backs against the wall. If Drew Brees and company wanted to win the NFC South division in Week 17 and clinch a playoff spot, they were going to have to get the best of the red hot Falcons. Continue Reading…

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers Sun. Jan. 2^nd 2010 4:15pm EST

The Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers are two division rivals in the NFC North that really don’t like each other. Most division rivals don’t like each other anyway, but these two storied franchises have a passion for beating one another each and every season. Continue Reading…

New York Giants @ Washington Redskins Sun. Jan. 2^nd 2010 4:15pm EST

The New York Giants are a solid football team this season with a potent offense and a defense that can stop anyone when playing up to their potential, but the last two weeks have been gut wrenching for this storied NFL franchise as Eli Manning and company were helpless in the losses to the division rival Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers. Continue Reading…

Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs Sun. Jan. 2^nd 2010 1pm EST

The Oakland Raiders have been arguably one of the biggest surprise teams in the NFL this season, but even though they are a vastly improved team on both sides of the football this year, they will still be on the outside looking in on the playoffs after losing to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16. Continue Reading…

San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos Sun. Jan. 2^nd 2010 4:15pm EST

Arguably two of the most disappointing teams in the NFL this season have to be the Denver Broncos and the San Diego Chargers. Not only did this two AFC West division rivals have high hopes for this season, but neither one of them will come into this game with anything on the line.

Despite being one of the best teams statistically on both sides of the football this season, the San Diego Chargers just could not stay healthy and as a result were unable to get back into the playoffs. Along with their woes on the injury front, quarterback Philip Rivers was having an MVP caliber season under center as he was playing arguably the best football of his career so far in San Diego.

The Denver Broncos on the other hand have been awful from start to finish as they haven’t played well on either side of the football this season. At times, the Broncos offense had looked promising with quarterback Kyle Orton striking up some chemistry with wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, but the combination wasn’t good enough to lead this team to victory consistently.

Fortunately for Denver, they finally decided to get their rookie quarterback Tim Tebow under center for the final three games and so far the results have been much better than expected. Even though people have doubted this kid ever since the Broncos drafted him in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, Tebow has kept his head up and played brilliantly as of late.

With 300+ passing yards, two total touchdowns (one rushing, one passing) and just one interception in the thrilling win over the Houston Texans last week, the former Heisman trophy winner has really started to pay off and officially become the future of this struggling NFL franchise.

In Week 17, Tebow will get his third consecutive start and even though the Chargers will almost certainly be favored to win this game, I believe the Broncos will pull off another upset with the young kid under center.

Odds and lines for this matchup by leading sports betting sites:

Bookmaker Sportsbook:
Spread: San Diego Chargers -3 & Denver Broncos +3
Moneyline: San Diego Chargers -175 & Denver Broncos +155
Over/Under: San Diego Chargers 110 over & Denver Broncos 110 under (47.5)

BetDSI Sportsbook:
Spread: San Diego Chargers -3 & Denver Broncos +3
Moneyline: San Diego Chargers -175 & Denver Broncos +155
Over/Under: San Diego Chargers 110 over & Denver Broncos 110 under (47.5)

New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons Mon. Dec. 27^th 2010 8:30pm EST

The NFC South division has been amongst the most competitive in the NFL this season and has come down to just one game to decide the division title. This Monday night, the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints will take on the division-leading Atlanta Falcons in what will almost certainly be the game of the week and possibly the game of the year. Continue Reading…

Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns Sun. Dec. 26^th 2010 1pm EST

The Baltimore Ravens are without a doubt one of the best teams in the league this season as they have finally been able to compliment their lockdown defense with a potent offense, but despite playing extremely well throughout the entire regular season, the Ravens are still sitting behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North division.

With a win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 16, the Baltimore Ravens will greatly improve their chances of contending for the AFC North division title and getting back into the playoffs, but they may have their work cut out for them this weekend as they will be taking on one of the best young running backs in the league in Peyton Hillis.

The Browns best threat against the tough defense of the Ravens is without a doubt the hardnosed running of Hillis, but he is listed questionable right now with an undisclosed injury. Even though questionable is never a good playing status to get from arguably your best player, the team is confident he will be on the field this Sunday.

As of right now, the Baltimore Ravens are the favorites to come out on top in this matchup, but only by a small margin as they have been just a -3 point edge.

With that being said, the Browns aren’t being underestimated this week as they have beaten some of the best teams in the league this season like the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints and the New England Patriots, but I am not sure if they can contend with the Baltimore Ravens who are still in the running for the AFC North division title and will be fighting for their playoff lives .

Odds and lines for this matchup by leading online sportsbooks:

BetUS Sportsbook:
Spread: Baltimore Ravens -3 & Cleveland Browns +3
Moneyline: Baltimore Ravens -200 & Cleveland Browns +170
Over/Under: Baltimore Ravens 110 over & Cleveland Browns 110 under (39.5)

DSI Diamond Sportsbook:
Spread: Baltimore Ravens -3 & Cleveland Browns +3
Moneyline: Baltimore Ravens -200 & Cleveland Browns +170
Over/Under: Baltimore Ravens 110 over & Cleveland Browns 110 under (39.5)

New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills Sun. Dec. 26^th 2010 1pm EST

There is no question up to this point in the NFL regular season that the New England Patriots are without a doubt the best team in the league, but even though they already clinched a playoff spot, they still have to come out on top in the AFC East division and will need to get wins over the next two weeks.

Fortunately, the New England Patriots schedule is fairly easy over the next two weeks as they will face the division rival Miami Dolphins in the last game of the regular season and the lowly Buffalo Bills this weekend. Continue Reading…

New York Jets @ Chicago Bears Sun. Dec. 26^th 2010 1pm EST

The New York Jets and the Chicago Bears have arguably two of the best defenses in the league this season, but heading into Week 16’s showdown between these two great defenses, only the Bears have been able to punch their ticket into the playoffs while the Jets fate is still to be determined. Continue Reading…