We continue our NFL betting news and notes for Week 7 with the late games and Monday nighter.
Browns (1-5) vs Saints (4-2)
With Pierre Thomas still battling his ankle injury and Reggie Bush still out with a broken leg, it looks like Christopher Ivory will start again for the Saints in a tasty betting matchup after topping 150 rushing yards last week against Tampa. Cleveland wideout Josh Cribbs will return from a concussion this week but James Harrison’s other victim, Mohamed Massaquoi, won’t. Neither Jake Delhomme nor Seneca Wallace appears ready to return from injury so it appears Colt McCoy will start at quarterback for Cleveland again after a respectable debut versus Pittsburgh last week.
Rams (3-3) vs Buccaneers (3-2)
Maybe Sam Bradford will be fine without Mark Clayton after all? He hooked up with Danario Alexander, who made his NFL debut last week, for 72 yards and a score. Scouts love the 6’6” receiver out of Missouri, who once drew comparisons to Calvin Johnson. Will Josh Freeman be in trouble this week against a Rams pass rush that sacked Phil Rivers seven times last week? The Bucs will be without center Jeff Faine (quad).
Cardinals (3-2) vs Seahawks (3-2)
Is Marshawn Lynch already Seattle’s new bellcow back? He carried the ball 17 times for 44 yards and a score in his debut last week and his role could expand. Arizona hopes its offense will be rejuvenated, too. It looks like receivers Steve Breaston and Early Doucet will both return from injury to help rookie QB Max Hall this week.
Patriots (4-1) vs Chargers (2-4)
This is almost a must-win for San Diego but are the Chargers a safe sportsbook play? Phil Rivers won’t have Malcolm Floyd (hamstring) and Antonio Gates’ toe injury could keep him out, too. The Patriots’ offense may not die without Randy Moss after all; Tom Brady connected with old buddy Deion Branch nine times for 98 yards last week.
Raiders (2-4) vs Broncos (2-4)
Could Sunday finally be Knowshon Moreno’s coming out party for Denver? He returned from a hamstring injury last week and rushed 12 times for 48 yards – not great but worlds better than what Laurence Maroney and Correll Buckhalter did in his absence. With Bruce Gradkowski (shoulder) and Jason Campbell (knee) both out, it looks like Kyle Boller could start at quarterback for the Raiders. Gulp. Darren McFadden will be a game-time decision in this one as well.
Vikings (2-3) vs Packers (3-3)
The Packer infirmary is a revolving door as they prepare for a crucial Sunday-night tilt with Minnesota, which will get tons of online betting action. Jermichael Finley, Nick Barnett and Morgan Burnett are finished but Clay Matthews looks like he’ll return this week and terrorize Brett Favre. Atari Bigby and Al Harris may both return to the Packer secondary as well after not playing since last season. Favre was limited in Vikings practice this week because of his elbow tendinitis but will play through the pain this week.
Giants (4-2) vs Cowboys (1-4)
Justin Tuck will play and make Tony Romo lose sleep this week but the same can’t be said for Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwankua; he remains sidelined with a neck injury. Cowboys guard Kyle Kosier wore a walking boot for his strained Achilles this week and may not play Monday night. Felix Jones should get the lion’s share of the carries again for Dallas, though the Cowboys will have to be careful not to ride him too hard after he vomited and required an I.V. in last week’s loss to Minnesota.