Ah, yes, there is no place like home, especially if you are an NFL team. Having home field advantage is always welcomed, but this time of year where there are playoff implications, it can be crucial.
Last week the home team was 8-6, and this week they are favored in nine of the 12 remaining games this Sunday and Monday.
We picked five games where we like the home team, and think that, not only will they win, but they will cover as well.
Below are our picks for NFL Week 11.
1. Dallas +3 at Atlanta
This is probably a good game to stay away from, but we have a feeling that the home team is going to prevail, despite Atlanta having to lay three points.
Dallas hasn’t won two games in a row all season. They won convincingly as a road underdog to Philadelphia, 27-20, last week.
To ask any team in the NFL to win back-to-back road games is a tough task, but could be insurmountable for Dallas.
Take Atlanta and give away the points.
2. Philadelphia +8 at New Orleans
The Saints are in the midst of an eight-game winning streak, and are looking like a legitimate Super Bowl contender. They already knocked off NFC championship favorite Los Angeles Rams, and could conceivably finish the year with one loss.
The defending Super Bowl champs, Philadelphia, have sputtered this season, showing how difficult it is to repeat. The Eagles getting eight points on the road don’t seem like enough.
Take New Orleans and give away the points.
3. Minnesota +2.5 at Chicago
This game opened at 3 and has dropped to 2.5 as the sharps believe in Minnesota’s chances to win on the road. It also doesn’t give bettors and feeling of comfort that Chicago hasn’t really beaten any top tier teams.
Can the Bears change that this Sunday? The Vikings are not an elite team, but they are a division rival, and could give Chicago problems at Soldier Field. We believe, though, that the defense will keep the Vikings in check.
Take Chicago and give away the points.
4. Tennessee +1.5 at Indianapolis
Indianapolis is a team of streaks, and right now they are on a three-game winning streak, after losing four straight. Can the Colts keep winning against
Tennessee?
It will only take 1.5 points to find out. Indianapolis seems to be serious about fighting for a playoff spot.
Take Indianapolis and give away the points.
5. Kansas City +3.5 at Los Angeles Rams
Both sides are breathing a sigh of relief that they don’t have to travel to Mexico City and play on a chewed up field, that had ACL tear written all over it. This move, though, benefits the Rams, who were 2.5-point favorites south of the border, but went to 3.5 once the game was moved.
Could this be a Super Bowl preview? The Monday night game will tell us a lot about both teams.
Take Los Angeles and the points.