NFL: Sunday Late Afternoon NFL Kickoffs (4:05 PM ET, FOX & CBS)

Of the four late afternoon games in the NFL, only one is between teams that figure to be playoff contenders.

2008-10-24

Of the four late afternoon games in the NFL, only one is between teams that figure to be playoff contenders. That game features New York making its first trip to Pittsburgh in over 16 years. Of course, for those of us betting, all the games are important. With that thought in mind, here’s is a look at three the four games to choose from with kickoffs in the 4 o’clock hour.

(217) CLEVELAND at (218) JACKSONVILLE, 4:05 PM
Jacksonville and Cleveland each began the season with playoff aspirations. However, inconsistency has plagued both in the early, making their head-to-head meeting important for both teams. The Browns are 2-4 after the tough loss at Washington, and they continue to struggle offensively. Take away the 35-point, 454 yard outburst vs. New York and Cleveland has scored just 12.4 PPG in its L8. The Jaguars are 0-4 ATS as a favorite, 2-0 ATS as an underdog. Unfortunately, and not surprisingly, they are the chalk here, laying 6-points. As former divisional rivals, these franchises have met just once since ’02, that game coming in ’05, a 20-14 Jacksonville road win, part of a 5-0 SU & ATS stretch by the visiting team in the head-to-head series.

(219) NY GIANTS at (220) PITTSBURGH, 4:15 PM
Sunday’s showcase matchup pits powers of the NFC & AFC together, as the defending Super Bowl Champion Giants travel to Pittsburgh. Both teams are 5-1 after six games, but New York will be looking for its first ATS win over the AFC North in three tries this season, having struggled to beat Cincinnati and being throttled at Cleveland. The Steelers look to extend an incredible 9-0 SU & 7-2 ATS run vs. the NFC at home. Their average winning margin in those games is 15.3 PPG, and only one team has surpassed the 21-point mark. Amazingly, this will be the first time since prior to ‘92 that New York has traveled to Pittsburgh for a regular season game. It is also the first time the Giants will play as a dog in ’08. They are on a 10-2 ATS run in that role overall.

(221) SEATTLE at (222) SAN FRANCISCO, 4:15 PM
Another road game for Seattle. That isn’t good news for Mike Holmgren’s club. So far in three away games, the Seahawks have mustered up just 26 points, while yielding 98. Even struggling San Francisco, losers of four straight games both SU & ATS, has to be looking optimistically at this contest. Not to be outdone, Seattle has lost three straight itself. Another trait both teams share of late is their recent struggles in the month of October. HC Mike Nolan’s team is just 3-11 ATS in their L14, while Holmgren’s crew is 8-28 ATS in this crucial football month. This is the second meeting between these NFC West rivals of ’08. The 49ers escaped Seattle with a 33-30 win in September, as the road team is now 3-1 SU & ATS in the L4 of the series.

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