The playoffs loom for teams in the NFL and with that in mind, who better to have a look at some betting tips than the in-form @marcasbrennan. Marcas went three for six last week, continuing a strong run of form.
Houston Texans +3.5 & New England Patriots -8.5 double @ 5/2
The Houston Texans look a terrific bet on the handicap and that extra 0.5 is huge because should they lose to Buffalo, I have no doubt it will be by a field goal or less. They are the form team right now, having won their last four games and this is down to the tenacity of their play on defence. JJ Watt is in scintillating form and the best defensive player in the business is set to have a monster game on Sunday. I fancy the Texans to win but the handicap is a much safer bet. Also I'm expecting a backlash from the Patriots tonight in Foxborough after their first loss this season against the Broncos. Yes, Brady is missing some key players on offence but that is irrelevant as they always find a way to move the ball, irrespective of personal. The Eagles are a shambles at the moment and I'm expecting them to score less than 14 points in this matchup.
Matt Forte over 47.5 rushing yards @ 5/6
There is no doubt this low line is due to two reasons. The emergence of Jeremy Langford as a legitimate rusher and Forte's dismal performance last week against the Packers. However, now is the time to pounce and this is the nap of the week with Forte set to remind everyone just how good of a running back he is. Yes he will have to split carries but that could still mean 15 rushes against a terrible San Francisco run defence who have given up the 8th most amount of rushing yards in the league. Last week was just his first game back from injury and there is no doubting this line should be at 60. Meanwhile let's not forget he is in the final year of his contract so he is playing for a new contract, be it in Chicago or somewhere else. A veteran rusher with a point to prove is as lethal as a woman scorned.
Eric Decker over 67.5 receiving yards @ 5/6
Decker has come up trumps for this column in the past and he is certain to give you a run for your money on Sunday night when he faces a feeble Giants pass defence. In his last six matches he has surpassed 60 receiving yards with only two games falling below the above mark. This should be a high scoring match and I fully expect the game to be forced into hands of Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Brandon Marshall will draw plenty of attention which will leave plenty of one on one match ups against a defence that has given up 53 completions over 20 yards, second highest in the league.
Julio Jones over 93.5 receiving yards @ 5/6
Regular readers of this column will remember a number of weeks back when I explained how Julio Jones gives the Tampa Bay Buccaneers corner men nightmares. Here's a little reminder.
In the two games played against Tampa Bay in 2014 the wide receiver accounted for 17 receptions and over 275 yards. Matt Ryan's play of late has been disappointing but Jones is still catching a high number of passes. Playing at home against a team he generally terrorises makes the above selection a no-brainer.
Jones went on to catch 12 balls for a 162 yards that night. Like I said five weeks ago- a no brainer.
Jeremy Maclin over 67.5 receiving yards @ 5/6
Maclin was on fire last week and tore the Buffalo defence to shreds with 160 yards off 9 catches. Although it will be a feisty divisional match this week in Oakland, the Raiders back end is extremely week and have given up 46 plays of over 20 yards, which is the second most in the league. Calvin Johnson, Steve Smith, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders have all enjoyed good statistical outings against the Raiders and there is no doubt Maclin has the speed and deep threat to trouble the Raiders secondary just like those top shelf receivers.
DeAndre Hopkins over 78.5 receiving yards @ 5/6
We got our fingers burnt last week when Hopkins had his worst statistical outing of the year against the Saints. However, we're not just ready to abandon ship just yet and the result of that poor performance has been the lowering of his mark to 76 yards, a line well within his reach. The Bills have some good playmakers on defence but they will be up against a motivated wide receiver who knows that Jeremy Maclin took them for a 160 yards last week.
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