Battle Royal at Soldier Field as Chicago host Houston, plus other Week Ten Tips

Richard O’Hagan
08 November 2012

Houston's JJ Watt has been one of the stars of the season

Join

Twitter

Facebook

View the Betslip

We're midway through the 2012/13 NFL season and there's a cracking fixture to mark the moment as Houston go to Chicago in what could be a dress rehearsal of the Superbowl.

"There's a real possibility that Chicago could win this game without scoring an offensive touchdown."

It has been the most momentous week in the NFL for four years. Not since 2008 has the quadrennial 'Who's the Best Liar?' contest that is the Presidential Election coincided with the middle week of an NFL season, and it has left us with much to ponder between now and January.

If you thought that Obama v Romney was going to be close, then check out Sunday's late game. If there has been a more mouthwatering matchup than 7-1 Houston visiting 7-1 Chicago this season then it occurred on a cookery programme. This promises to be a battle of the defenses, with the three front runners for Defensive Player of the Year all in action. That, of course, means a low scoring game, so the smart move is to back under the 38.5 points for the whole game at 2.245/4 with a 1 to 6 point victory for either side.

Indeed, there's a real possibility that Chicago could win this game without scoring an offensive touchdown. Their defense has scored at least one in all eight of their games this season, an NFL record, and Texans' quarterback Matt Schaub can be turnover prone in the big games, which will have Chicago cornerbacks Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings licking their lips.

Their rival for that Player of the Year award, Houston defensive end JJ Watt, will similarly anticipate lots of easy shots at Bears' QB Jay Cutler. Chicago's feeble left tackle J'Marcus Webb even managed to give up a comedic safety in their thrashing of Tennessee at the weekend and will be in a whole lot more trouble against Watt, Conor Barwin, Brooks Reed et al. However, turning that pressure into points on a cold November day at Soldier Field might be too much of an ask for Houston's offense, so back the Bears if they trade above 2.01/1 at any time before kickoff.

The other big question of the week is just how long Atlanta can keep their unbeaten run going for. So far they have met every challenge head on, but this Sunday brings a formidable test as they take on a resurgent New Orleans in their Superdome. The Saints were superb in overcoming the strife-riven Eagles on Monday night and a second home game in a row might be the way that they get their own much-disrupted season back firmly on track towards the playoffs. Go with New Orleans to pull off a surprising victory, at 2.186/5

Monday night sees a very different game, as Kansas City visit Pittsburgh. The Steelers finally began to live up to their own hype last week, going to New York and scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns to not only beat the Giants in their own backyard but also overcome some officiating howlers that cost them at least seven points earlier in the game.

Against them is a Chiefs team boasting a solitary victory this season, and that has conceded twice as many points as they have scored. Coach Romeo Crennel stepped down as defensive co-ordinator this week, but that is not going to alter the fact that they seemingly cannot score and cannot defend either. It should be an easy win for the Steelers and one which enhances their chances of making the playoffs behind divisional leaders Baltimore, so ignore the Moneyline and instead go over the 42.5 points for the game, at 2.0621/20