Cam Newton and the Panthers are coming off a bye week. (Photo credit: PDA.PHOTO / Foter / CC BY-ND)
One big factor in NFL betting is recognizing good and bad spots for teams each week.
Good spots are when teams are likely to be more focused or motivated than normal. Bad spots are when teams are a bit distracted from the previous week, looking ahead to next week or likely to play with less intensity than usual.
Here are the two best spots and two worst spots we see this Sunday in Week 13 of NFL betting:
Good spots
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh has had a bye week to address some issues, particularly a defence that has allowed 20-plus points in an un-Steelers-like six straight games.
That’s good news against Drew Brees and the Saints, although New Orleans hasn’t exactly been lighting up scoreboards the way they’re used to.
Carolina Panthers
Even with just 3 wins in 11 games, the Panthers are right in the thick of the race for the NFC South title. That should be enough to motivate them for a visit to the Vikings, who were all revved up for a visit from the division rival Packers last week.
Even better for Carolina, they’re coming off a bye, which gave Cam Newton some much-needed healing time. And let’s not forget, the Panthers routed the Vikings 35-10 last season in Minnesota, when Carolina went on to win 10 of its next 11 games and win the division.
Bad spots
Arizona Cardinals
The Cards lost a big showdown game last week in Seattle and host the Chiefs next week. So forgive them if they don’t get too excited for a trip to Atlanta, even if the Falcons are “in contention” for top spot in the NFC South.
Arizona might be helped by the fact that it not only lost last week, it was dominated by the Seahawks. But we could totally understand if the Cardinals weren’t too focused in film sessions this week.
Miami Dolphins
The Fish looked like they were on their way to a 7-4 record and solid positioning in the AFC playoff race, leading Denver by 11 points in the fourth quarter last Sunday. But the Broncos exploded for 22 points in the final frame to hand Miami a very tough loss.
This week, the Dolphins face the lowly Jets. Yes, it’s a hated division rival and yes, it’s a Monday night game. Still, we wonder if Miami might still be a bit down after last week’s loss — or looking ahead to next Sunday’s clash with Baltimore — and not quite ready for a New York team that should be motivated to atone for an embarrassing loss to the Bills.