When it comes to the NFL regular season, there is no such thing as a guarantee other than at the end of the day the result does one way or the other change the outlook in the standings. The New Orleans Saints were the closest thing to a guaranteed winner last Sunday when they played the winless St. Louis Rams and lost 31-21, and will now have to defend their home turf against the division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers as eight-point favorites. While the Saints look to bounce back, the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears are both on the right track with each team coming off consecutive wins, so something has to give when they meet under the Monday Night Lights at the Lincoln.Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints (-8)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
One week after absolutely blowing away the Indianapolis Colts 62-7, the Saints were baffled by a St. Louis team that looked as though they would need a miracle just to keep it close in a game where they were outmatched in pretty much every area. Somehow, New Orleans managed to allow backup quarterback AJ Feeley to throw for 175 yards and a touchdown, while failing to slow down running back Stephen Jackson as he rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns as the obvious big threat on the opposing offense. While Tampa Bay was downright awful in a tough loss to the Bears overseas last week, they did beat the Saints in their first meeting of the season and have plenty more weapons than the Rams did. New Orleans should be able to bounce back and put a terrible performance behind them, but they will have trouble covering a big sports betting number against a talented Buccaneers’ team that is also looking to bounce back.
NFL Betting Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers +8
Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (-8)
Monday, 8:35 PM ET
It is no secret what Andy Reid has done with the Eagles coming out of their bye week over the pay per head years, which makes it even less of a surprise that Philadelphia dominated the division rival Dallas Cowboys so thoroughly last week. Now comes the even tougher test of preparing for that primetime spotlight once again, with a visit from a Bears’ team that has played pretty well in registering consecutive wins. Neither team can afford a loss right now as they look to re-enter the list of contenders in the NFC, but something has got to give. Philadelphia is still just 1-2 at home and should be the more desperate team to get back to .500. Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler has struggled with turnovers over the past couple of seasons in big NFL picks contests, but even though they won’t win, it’s hard to imagine the Bears not at least keeping it close in an important road game.
NFL Betting Pick: Chicago Bears + 8
