Trend-Spotting - Week 8

  Posted 10/23 by Chris Smith, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

All data used in this article begins week one of the 2003 season unless otherwise specified. All team information found within has been pulled from my own boxscore database. If you are interested in using this database for your own sports gaming / fantasy football / football pool research, or if you notice any inaccuracies or have any feedback (which is always encouraged) please contact me at smith@footballguys.com.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys

• Since 2003, the Buccaneers have played the Cowboys two times, winning once (back in 2003). In those games the Buccaneers:
  • Scored 10 points in a 38 to 10 loss in Dallas back in 2005
  • Scored 16 points in a 16 to 0 win in Tampa back in 2003

Buccaneers

• Have a 14-18 road record against conference opponents. In those games the Buccaneers have:
  • Averaged 17.8 PF and 18.2 PA
  • Averaged 218 passing yards and 99 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 187 passing yards and 118 rushing yards
• 1-1 on the road against conference opponents this season
  • Won 27 to 24 against Chicago with 407 PY & 47 RY (gave up 247 PY & 158 RY)
  • Lost 24 to 20 against the Saints with 206 PY & 146 RY (gave up 337 PY & 101 RY)
• Are 4-4 on the road against the conference since last season
• Have covered the spread in five games this season

Cowboys

• Have a 20-12 home record against NFC opponents. In those games the Cowboys have:
  • Averaged 23.2 PF and 20.3 PA
  • Averaged 238 passing yards and 111 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 195 passing yards and 98 rushing yards
• 1-1 at home against conference opponents this season
  • Won 41 to 37 against the Eagles with 312 PY & 68 RY (gave up 259 PY & 78 RY)
  • Lost 26 to 24 to the Redskins with 300 PY and 44 RY (gave up 220 PY & 161 RY)
• Have a 6-2 record at home against conference over past eight games
• Have only covered the spread in two games this season

Washington Redskins vs. Detroit Lions

• Since 2003, the Redskins have played the Lions twice, winning both. In those games the Redskins:
  • Averaged 25.5 PF and 6.5 PA
  • Averaged 161 passing yards and 137 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 167 passing yards and 66 rushing yards

Redskins

• Have a 15-18 road record against conference opponents. In those games the Redskins have:
  • Averaged 18.2 PF and 20.2 PA
  • Averaged 181 passing yards and 119 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 210 passing yards and 112 rushing yards
• 2-1 on road against conference opponents this season
  • Game 1: lost 16-7 to Giants with 129 PY & 84 RY (gave up 200 PY & 154 RY)
  • Game 4: won 26 to 24 vs. Cowboys with 220 PY & 161 RY (gave up 300 PY & 44 RY)
  • Gave 5: won 23 to 17 vs. Eagles with 185 PY & 203 RY (gave up 196 PY & 58 RY)
• Are 5-4 on the road against conference opponents since last season
• 7-4 record in road games in which they were favored
• Have only been 7+ point road favorites twice and won both games

Lions

• Have a 12-20 home record against conference opponents. In those games the Lions have:
  • Averaged 19.4 PF and 22.8 PA
  • Averaged 214 passing yards and 88 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 237 passing yards and 106 rushing yards
• 0-2 at home against conference opponents this season
  • Game 2: lost 48 - 25 to the Packers with 262 PY & 49 RY (gave up 324 PY & 123 RY)
  • Game 4: lost 34 - 7 to the Bears with 131 PY & 54 RY (gave up 328 PY & 97 RY)
• 3-5 record at home against conference opponents over past eight games
• 6-18 record as home underdog

Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins

• The Bills have defeated the Dolphins in four straight games: In those games, the Bills:
  • Averaged 22 points scored and 8.3 points against
  • Did not pass for 200 yards in any one game (averaged only 139 PY/game)
  • Only gave up 159 passing yards per game
  • Rushed for 100 yards in three of the four games
  • Gave up 100+ yards in two of the four games
• Since 2003, the Bills have played the Dolphins 10 times, winning 7. In those games the Bills:
  • Averaged 20.3 PF and 15.3 PA
  • Averaged 155 passing yards and 104 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 179 passing yards and 111 rushing yards
• Bills have won 3 of the 5 games in Miami and have held the Dolphins to just 16 points scored in Miami in the past two games

Bills

• Have a 5-10 road record against divisional opponents. In those games the Bills have:
  • Averaged 15.6 PF and 21.3 PA
  • Averaged 156 passing yards and 98 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 199 passing yards and 126 rushing yards
• Are 4-2 on the road against the division since 2006 (yet to play one this season)
  • Have given up fewer than 20 points in five of those six games)
  • Both losses to the Patriots
• Are 14-16 overall against the division
  • have rushed for 100+ yards in sixteen games
  • have passed for 200+ yards in just nine games
• 2-2 record as road favorite within division

Dolphins

• Have a 6-10 home record against divisional opponents. In those games the Dolphins have:
  • Averaged 18.1 PF and 21.9 PA
  • Averaged 217 passing yards and 102 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 195 passing yards and 100 rushing yards
• Have lost five consecutive divisional home games (including Jets game in week one this season)
• 10-22 overall against the division
  • have rushed for 100+ yards in seventeen games
  • have passed for 200+ yards in fifteen games
• 2-6 record as home underdog

St. Louis Rams vs. New England Patriots

• Patriots won only meeting between these teams 40 to 22 (back in 2004)

Rams

• Have a 4-6 road record against AFC opponents. In those games the Rams have:
  • Averaged 20.8 PF and 26 PA
  • Averaged 237 passing yards and 99 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 191 passing yards and 133 rushing yards
• Lost both games on the road against the AFC last season by a combined score of 41 to 13 (against Bengals and Ravens)
• 0-4 record against non-conference opponent when underdog by 7+ points

Patriots

• Have a perfect 10-0 home record against NFC opponents. In those games Patriots have:
  • Averaged 26 PF and 12 PA
  • Averaged 244 passing yards and 109 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 245 passing yards and 85 rushing yards

San Diego Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints

(NOTE: Really this is a road game for both teams as it is being played in London

• The Chargers won the only meeting 43 to 17 (back in 2004)

Chargers

• Have a 5-5 road record against NFC opponents. In those games the Chargers have:
  • Averaged 20.7 PF and 19.3 PA
  • Averaged 222 passing yards and 101 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 209 passing yards and 118 rushing yards
• Lost both games on the road against the NFC last season by a combined score of 66 to 41 (against Packers and Vikings)
  

Saints

• Have a 5-6 home record against AFC opponents. In those games the Saints have:
  • Averaged 22.2 PF and 24.6 PA
  • Averaged 283 passing yards and 99 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 212 passing yards and 127 rushing yards
• Crushed the Raiders in New Orleans this season (34 to 3)

Kansas City Chiefs vs. New York Jets

• Since 2003, the Chiefs have played the Jets twice, with each team winning once. In those games the Chiefs:
  • Averaged 18.5 PF and 10 PA
  • Averaged 178 passing yards and had a 198 yard rushing performance (53 RY in the other contest)
  • The Jets had one 300-yard passing game and a 199-yard rushing performance in the other

Chiefs

• Have a 13-18 road record against conference opponents. In those games the Chiefs have:
  • Averaged 19.7 PF and 21.9 PA
  • Averaged 216 passing yards and 116 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 213 passing yards and 138 rushing yards
• Lost their only road game against a conference opponent this season (17-10 to Patriots)
• Have lost four straight conference road games
• Have a terrible 1-7 record in road games in which they were a 7+ point underdog
  • Went 5-3 against the spread however

Jets

• Have an 18-14 home record against conference opponents. In those games the Jets have:
  • Averaged 20 PF and 18.3 PA
  • Averaged 183 passing yards and 115 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 191 passing yards and 111 rushing yards
• 1-1 conference home record this season (defeated Bengals, lost to Patriots)
• 4-4 conference home record in past eight games
• Jets are a perfect 5-0 in home games they are favored by 7+ points
  • HOT - also covered the spread in all five of those games

Atlanta Falcons vs. Philadelphia Eagles

• Since 2003, the Falcons have played the Eagles three times, winning once. In those games the Falcons:
  • Averaged 15.7 PF and 19 PA
  • Averaged 162 passing yards and 163 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 301 passing yards and 74 rushing yards

Falcons

• Have a 13-20 road record against conference opponents. In those games the Falcons have:
  • Averaged 16.5 PF and 21.4 PA
  • Averaged 148 passing yards and 144 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 225 passing yards and 125 rushing yards
• Are 1-2 in conference road games this season
  • Gm 2: lost 24 - 9 to Buccaneers with 129 PY & 105 RY (gave up 147 PY & 164 RY)
  • Gm 4: lost 24 - 9 to Panthers with 150 PY & 118 RY (gave up 294 PY & 107 RY)
  • Gm 5: won 27 - 24 against Packers with 194 PY & 176 RY (gave up 304 PY & 104 RY)
• Were just 1-5 in conference road games last season
• 3-12 road record when underdog by 7+ points

Eagles

• Have a 19-13 home record against conference opponents. In those games the Eagles have:
  • Averaged 25.5 PF and 18.6 PA
  • Averaged 250 passing yards and 117 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 213 passing yards and 112 rushing yards
• Are 1-1 in conference home games this season
  • Gm 1: won 38 - 3 against Rams with 414 PY & 108 RY (gave up 130 PY & 36 RY)
  • Gm 5: lost 23 - 17 to Redskins with 196 PY & 58 RY (gave up 185 PY & 203 RY)
• Were 1-5 in conference home games last season
• 12-3 record as home favorite by 7+ points

Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens

• Since 2003, the Raiders have played the Ravens twice, with each team winning once. In those games the Raiders:
  • Averaged 13 PF and 20 PA
  • Averaged 155 passing yards and 59 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 148 passing yards and 144 rushing yards

Raiders

• Have a 5-27 road record against conference opponents. In those games the Raiders have:
  • Averaged 15.8 PF and 25.1 PA
  • Averaged 166 passing yards and 105 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 188 passing yards and 146 rushing yards
• Are 1-1 in conference road games this season
  • Gm 2: won 23 - 8 against Chiefs with 55 PY & 300 RY (gave up 135 PY & 55 RY)
  • Gm 3: lost 24-23 to the Bills with 149 PY & 98 RY (gave up 262 PY & 116 RY)
• Were 2-4 in conference road games last season
  

Ravens

• Have a 23-10 home record against conference opponents. In those games Ravens have:
  • Averaged 21.1 PF and 15.7 PA
  • Averaged 158 passing yards and 139 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 184 passing yards and 84 rushing yards
• 2-1 record in conference home games this season
  • Gm 1: won 17 - 10 against Bengals with 129 PY & 229 RY (gave up 89 PY & 65 RY)
  • Gm 3: won 28 - 10 against Browns with 122 PY & 151 RY (gave up 96 PY & 73 RY)
  • Gm 4: lost 13 - 10 to the Titans with 150 PY & 132 RY (gave up 163 PY & 47 RY)
• Only 2-4 in conference home games last season
• Perfect 11-0 record at home when favored by 7+ points

Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers

• Since 2003, Cardinals have played the Panthers four times, but have yet to win a game. In those games the Cardinals:
  • Averaged 14.3 PF and 26 PA
  • Averaged 254 passing yards and 106 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 207 passing yards and 123 rushing yards

Cardinals

• Have a 6-26 road record against conference opponents. In those games the Cardinals have:
  • Averaged 17.5 PF and 27.6 PA
  • Averaged 218 passing yards and 76 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 214 passing yards and 134 rushing yards
• Are 1-1 in conference road games this season
  • Gm 1: won 23 - 13 against 49ers with 176 PY & 109 RY (gave up 183 PY & 108 RY)
  • Gm 3: lost 24 - 17 to Redskins with 197 PY & 116 RY (gave up 187 PY & 136 RY)
• Were 1-5 in conference road games last season
  

Panthers

• Have a 19-14 home record against conference opponents. In those games the Panthers have:
  • Averaged 19.3 PF and 17.5 PA
  • Averaged 207 passing yards and 111 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 189 passing yards and 111 rushing yards
• 4-0 at home this season
  • Scored 20 + points in all four games
  • Gave up fewer than 10 points in three of the four games
  • Rushed for at least 107 yards in each game
  • Gave up 150 or fewer passing yards in three of the four games

Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

• Jacksonville won the only meeting, 20 to 14 back in 2005

Browns

• Have an 8-24 road record against conference opponents. In those games the Browns have:
  • Averaged 17.9 PF and 24.3 PA
  • Averaged 179 passing yards and 96 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 184 passing yards and 154 rushing yards
• Are 1-1 in conference road games this season
  • Gm 3: Lost 28 - 10 to Ravens with 96 PY & 73 RY (gave up 122 PY & 151 RY)
  • Gm 4: Won 20 - 12 against Bengals with 127 PY & 134 RY (gave up 142 PY & 69 RY)
• Were 2-4 against conference foes last season
• 5-15 record as road underdog by 7+ points

Jaguars

• Have an 18-15 home record against conference opponents. In those games the Jaguars have:
  • Averaged 22.2 PF and 17.2 PA
  • Averaged 198 passing yards and 128 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 206 passing yards and 105 rushing yards
• Are 1-2 in conference home games this season
  • Gm 2: Lost 20 - 16 to the Bills with 145 PY & 98 RY (gave up 210 PY & 75 RY)
  • Gm 4: Won 30 - 27 against Texans with 236 PY & 139 RY (gave up 307 PY & 79 RY)
  • Gm 5: Lost 26 - 21 to the Steelers with 175 PY & 38 RY (gave up 286 PY & 129 RY)
• Were 4-2 in conference home games last season
• 10-3 home record when favored by 7+ points

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans

• Since 2003, the Bengals have played the Texans twice, winning 16-10 and 34-27. In those games the Bengals:
  • Averaged 228 passing yards and 169 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 128 passing yards and 133 rushing yards

Bengals

• Have a 13-19 road record against conference opponents. In those games the Bengals have:
  • Averaged 22.5 PF and 24.3 PA
  • Averaged 224 passing yards and 99 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 220 passing yards and 134 rushing yards
• Are 0-2 in conference road games this season
  • Gm 1: Lost 17 - 10 to the Ravens with 89 PY & 65 RY (gave up 129 PY & 229 RY)
  • Gm 6: Lost 26 - 14 to the Jets with 128 PY & 43 RY (gave up 166 PY & 86 RY)
• Were 2-4 in conference road games last season
• 0-9 road record when a 7+ point underdog

Texans

• Have a 14-18 home record against conference opponents. In those games the Texans have:
  • Averaged 22.1 PF and 23.4 PA
  • Averaged 183 passing yards and 117 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 231 passing yards and 126 rushing yards
• Are 1-1 in two conference home games this season
  • Gm 4: Lost 31 - 27 to Indianapolis with 235 PY & 156 RY (gave up 235 PY & 79 RY)
  • Gm 5: Won 29 - 28 against Miami with 371 PY & 114 RY (gave up 274 PY & 96 RY)
• Were 4-2 in conference home games last season
• Have been a home favorite by 7+ points just three times and have one just one of those three games

New York Giants at Pittsburgh Steelers

• The Steelers won 33 - 30 in the only meeting since 2004

Giants

• Have a 3-7 road record against non-conference opponents. In those games the Giants have:
  • Averaged 20.9 PF and 27.7 PA
  • Averaged 211 passing yards and 132 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 214 passing yards and 132 rushing yards
• In only non-conference game this season, lost 35 - 14
  

Steelers

• Have a 9-1 home record against NFC opponents. In those games the Steelers have:
  • Averaged 26.4 PF and 13.8 PA
  • Averaged 165 passing yards and 159 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 207 passing yards and 81 rushing yards

Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers

• The 49ers upset the Seahawks 33 - 30 earlier this season. In that game, the 49ers
  • Had 272 passing yards and 93 rushing yards
  • Gave up 182 passing yards and 169 rushing yards
  • Seahawks had 3 turnovers while 49ers had 1
• The Seahawks are 8-3 in past 11 against 49ers but just 2-3 over last five games
• Seahawks are 4-1 in San Francisco

Seahawks

• Have a 9-6 road record against divisional opponents. In those games the Seahawks have:
  • Averaged 25.6 PF and 20.9 PA
  • Averaged 234 passing yards and 125 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 228 passing yards and 112 rushing yards
  • Have scored at least 20 points in twelve of the fifteen games
• 6-16 record when a road underdog

49ers

• Have a 7-9 home record against divisional opponents. In those games the 49ers have:
  • Averaged 21.1 PF and 21.3 PA
  • Averaged 209 passing yards and 101 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 227 passing yards and 106 rushing yards
  • Have given up more than 28 points just once over this span
• Lost their only divisional home game this season to the Cardinals (23 to 13)
  • 49ers had 183 PY and 108 RY
  • Cardinals had 176 PY and 109 RY
• 9-5 record as home favorite

MNF - Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans

• These two teams played twice last season with the Colts and the Titans both winning once. In those games:
  • Colts averaged 16 points while Titans averaged 18 points
  • Colts averaged 224 passing yards and 64 rushing yards
  • Titans had 215 passing yards and 120 rushing yards
• Since 2003, the Colts have played the Titans ten times, winning eight. In those games the Colts:
  • Averaged 27.3 PF and 15.7 PA
  • Averaged 247 passing yards and 111 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 195 passing yards and 125 rushing yards

Colts

• Have a 12-4 road record against divisional opponents. In those games the Colts have:
  • Averaged 25.9 PF and 21.1 PA
  • Averaged 265 passing yards and 110 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 174 passing yards and 145 rushing yards
  • Have given up 100+ rushing yards in six of the last seven divisional road games
• Colts have won four straight divisional road games
  
• Have a 5-3 road record when underdog
• Have only been a divisional road underdog once (and won)
• Colts have an unblemished 7-0 record on Monday Night Football (since 2003)

Titans

• Have a 9-8 home record against divisional opponents. In those games the Titans have:
  • Averaged 20.4 PF and 19.7 PA
  • Averaged 193 passing yards and 115 rushing yards
  • Surrendered 217 passing yards and 117 rushing yards
• Have won both divisional home games this season
  • Gm 1: Won 17 - 10 against Jacksonville with 172 PY & 137 RY (gave up 156 PY & 33 RY)
  • Gm 3: Won 31 - 12 against Texans with 189 PY & 154 RY (gave up 171 PY & 146 RY)
• Have forced 10 turnovers in three home games this season
• Are only giving up 13 PPG at home this season
• 18-8 record as home favorite
• Last played on Monday Night in Tennessee back in 2004, losing to the Chiefs 49 to 38
• Titans are 2-3 overall on Monday Night Football since 2003