Having just passed the midway point of the season and with the trade window now closed, we have a better idea of where teams lie. With a few teams all but mathematically out of playoff contention, we expect more tanking in the upcoming weeks. Ahead of Week 10, we’ll look at some games and discuss the betting offers available on BetKing.
**New England Patriots (2-7) vs. Indianapolis Colts (4-5)** During the Tom Brady era, the New England Patriots established an unparalleled dynasty in NFL history, effortlessly reaching multiple Super Bowls and securing six championships compared to zero before Brady’s tenure. However, the current state of the Patriots starkly contrasts with their former glory. The team, now a mere shadow of its two-decade greatness, has the worst record in the AFC conference. In their defeat to the Commanders, Jonathan Kraft, the team president, was caught on camera expressing his disappointment, mouthing the words, “they’re just not good enough.” Adding to their woes, newly acquired Cornerback JC Jackson was left behind as the team travelled to Germany to face the Colts. Jackson and Jack Jones had previously violated curfew before their last game, resulting in both players being benched. It appears JC Jackson is struggling to accept the consequences, adding to the growing list of concerns for the Patriots. With a dismal 2-7 record, the prospect of making the playoffs seems mathematically possible but highly unrealistic. So, it may be in the team’s best interest to strategically lose as many games as possible by the end of the season to secure a higher draft pick. The Colts are 4-5 on the season and are the betting favorites for this matchup. Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew will continue as the starter for the rest of the season, with rookie Anthony Richardson on injured reserve. Minshew has been better than expected, effectively steering the offense even in the face of adversity. Impressively, the Colts have scored over 20 points eight times out of their nine games. In contrast, the Patriots have done this just once all season. Considering these factors, our bet prediction leans towards the Colts securing a victory with a margin of over 1.5 points. We have high odds for this for our online sports betting community on BetKing. Betting Tip:
**Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2) vs. San Francisco 49ers (5-3)** Following a much-needed bye-week, the 49ers have had the opportunity to regroup, clear their minds, and get healthier. The season began on a high note with a 5-0 record, sparking expectations of a Super Bowl run. However, the team surprised the football world with an unexpected three-game losing streak. Quarterback Brock Purdy, typically reliable with the ball, encountered a rough patch, throwing 5 interceptions during that stretch and appeared below his usual form. Purdy suffered a concussion during this challenging period, which might explain some struggles. On a positive note, the upcoming game sees the return of Deebo Samuel, adding firepower to the offense. Christian McCaffrey, who recently tied the NFL record with 17 consecutive games scoring a touchdown, has had a week of rest and will aim for the outright record. Also, since their last appearance, the 49ers have strengthened their roster by acquiring Chase Young from the Commanders, further fortifying a defense already ranked in the top 3. With some time to acclimate to his new team, expectations are high for Young’s contributions to the defensive unit. As the 49ers prepare to resume play, the hope is that these adjustments and reinforcements will propel them back to their earlier winning form. The Jaguars, too, are emerging from a bye-week, having entered their break on a high note with an impressive five-game winning streak. However, the key factor behind this success has been their often overlooked defense. Despite their impressive record, the Jaguars rank 25th in third-down success rate and have scored only 10 touchdowns out of 21 red-zone trips. This statistic highlights that the offense performs adequately to get a lead, while the defense shoulders the bulk of the responsibility in maintaining it. With these in mind, this game appears set to be a low-scoring affair, particularly as both teams have had ample time to rest and prepare during their bye-weeks. The Jaguars’ reliance on their stout defense suggests a strategic approach focused on controlling the game’s tempo and limiting scoring opportunities for their opponents. Betting Tip:
**Cincinnati Bengals (5-3) vs. Houston Texans (4-4)** Points. Lots of points. Anticipate a high-scoring showdown on Sunday when these two teams collide. Since fully recovering and regaining mobility in the pocket, Joe Burrow has helped to turn the Bengals’ season around. From a 1-3 start, they have surged to a 5-3 record, securing victories in each of their last four games. Notably, in these recent wins, the Bengals’ defense has been formidable, holding opponents to 20 or fewer points. Impressively, two of these victories came against highly regarded teams, the 49ers and the Buffalo Bills. The Texans go into the weekend on the heels of a remarkable 39-37 comeback victory against the Buccaneers, orchestrated by their standout rookie quarterback, CJ Stroud. Stroud made history with a rookie record of 470 passing yards and an impressive 5 touchdown throws. Widely regarded as the standout quarterback of his rookie class, Stroud is drawing comparisons to the likes of Cam Newton, showcasing a level of talent that hasn’t been seen in a rookie quarterback since Newton’s debut. Currently, Stroud holds the third-highest passing yards per game in the league at 283.8, a stark contrast to his predecessor Danny Mills, who ranked 27th in passing yards last season before Stroud took over the role. We expect the Bengals to secure a victory in this matchup, given their superior skills and greater experience and we have the best odds for this among all betting sites. However, regardless of the expected outcome, we can look forward to an entertaining contest between the two teams. Betting Tip:
**Dallas Cowboys (5-3) vs. New York Giants (2-7)** On paper, this should be an easy win for the Cowboys. The Giants’ season went from bad to worse when QB, Daniel Jones tore his ACL in the 30-6 loss to the Raiders last weekend. Backup QB, Tyrod Taylor was already on Injured Reserve and, so the Giants were down to their 3rd string QB, Tommy DeVito. DeVito will be the first rookie free agent to start at QB for the Giants in the common draft era, not counting a strike-replacement game in 1987. With a 2-7 record and no realistic chance of making the playoff, it would be in the Giants’ best interest to tank in order to get a top draft pick. However, the dynamics of a divisional rivalry game introduce an element of pride and competitiveness that could make this matchup more unpredictable and engaging. The Cowboys are entering this game off the back of a disappointing 28-23 loss to the Eagles and will be looking to get back on the win column. Despite Dak Prescott’s impressive performance with 3 touchdowns, their hopes for a comeback were dashed by a crucial fumble on the last drive. However, as they prepare for the upcoming game against the Giants, the Cowboys are likely feeling optimistic. In Week 1, they delivered a commanding performance at MetLife Stadium, handing the Giants a 40-0 defeat. Remarkably, all three units of the Cowboys—offense, defense, and special teams—contributed touchdowns to that memorable victory. The defense, in particular, showcased dominance by sacking Daniel Jones seven times and intercepting him twice. While replicating that level of dominance might be a tall order, the Cowboys should win a game against a 3rd string QB in their own home. Betting Tip:
**Arizona Cardinals (1-8) vs. Atlanta Falcons (4-5)** Kyler Murray is making a long-awaited return to action for the Cardinals after an 11-month spell on the sideline due to an ACL tear suffered against the Patriots in December. During his absence, the Cardinals struggled, securing just one win in 13 games. Last week’s 27-0 loss to the Cleveland Browns marked their sixth consecutive defeat, with the team managing only 58 total yards. You read that right. 58. The Cardinals’ offense is expected to receive a significant boost with Murray’s return, providing a ray of hope for fans. Unlike some teams with poor records aiming to secure top draft picks, the Cardinals possess a franchise quarterback in Murray. So, the urgency for a top draft pick is not as pronounced for them. In the event they get one, it’s plausible they might consider trading it for other assets. Given these considerations, the expectation is that the Cardinals, with Murray back in control, won’t simply concede to defeat. The Falcons have lost 5 of their last 7 games, including the last two in a row to backup QBs. Despite naming second-year QB Desmond Ridder as the starter, the team’s fortune hasn’t seen a significant turnaround. Luckily for them, a poor NFC South division means they’re very much in the playoff picture. While the Falcons are slim favorites for the upcoming game, our bet of the day leans towards Kyler Murray leading the Cardinals to a home victory upon his return. This prediction is grounded in the anticipation that Murray, after an 11-month absence, will showcase the skills that have been missed since December, offering Cardinals fans a reminder of his impact on the team. Betting Tip:
**Buffalo Bills (5-4) vs. Denver Broncos (3-5)** The Bills are as unpredictable as the traffic situation on a Sunday evening in Lagos. Despite being initially touted as Super Bowl contenders, they’ve encountered a rough patch, prompting veteran Running Back, Latavius Murray to call an offensive players-only meeting. This gathering aimed to remind teammates of the considerable talent within Buffalo’s roster and marks the second team meeting this season. The team’s recent performance reflects their inconsistency, with the last five games producing more punts (14) than touchdowns (13), a stark contrast to the earlier part of the season where they scored 16 TDs and punted just seven times in the first four games. Over the past six games, the Bills have won three and lost three, showcasing a peculiar pattern of alternating wins and losses. While it might be tempting to predict a win based on this trend, the situation seems more complex than a simple win-loss pattern. The Broncos’ upcoming visit to the Bills could pose a challenge for the home team. Since the demoralizing 70-20 loss to the Dolphins in Week 3, Sean Payton’s squad has shown significant improvement, securing victories in three of their next five games. Notably, they clinched a 24-9 win against the Chiefs last weekend, breaking a 16-game losing streak to the Super Bowl champions dating back to 2015. Quarterback Wilson has been a key contributor to the Broncos’ resurgence, throwing 16 touchdowns (already matching his total from last season), and limiting interceptions to just four. While the outcome of the game remains uncertain, the safer bet appears to be leaning towards a low-scoring matchup, a trend that has characterized the Broncos’ recent performances. Betting Tip:
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