XANDAMERE’S SHOWDOWN SLANT ::
Week 10 starts off with what is currently the highest total game of the week as the Cardinals visit the Seahawks for a 57.5 total game as of Tuesday afternoon. The Seahawks are favored by a field goal, which is how Vegas generally assigns the home-field advantage, so basically, these teams are being viewed as a tossup. When these teams met in Week 7, we got one of the best shootouts of the season, with the Cardinals winning on a late field goal 37-34. Even if we assume “two teams meeting for the . . .

Game Overview ::

By Hilow >>

Both teams rank in the top half of the league in pace of play, offensive plays run from scrimmage per game, pass play rate and defensive completion percentage allowed while ranking bottom half of the league in turnover differential and offensive drive success rate; there are going to be a lot of offensive plays run from scrimmage in this gameHighly concentrated offenses on both sidesA lot to “like,” not a ton to “love”

How Cincinnati Will Try To Win ::

It appears more and more likely that starting running back Joe Mixon misses his fourth . . .

Game Overview ::

By JM >>

Sean Payton might not even realize this...but this is a dream setup for him: a chance to call a game with absolute creativity (and to potentially blitz DFS players as a result)The Falcons are much better through the air than on the ground, but they have been run-leaning on early downs since Raheem Morris took overThe Saints set up well to control this game; and Payton will likely do everything he can to limit Jameis' turnovers and play from in frontOf course, there are plenty of potential tributaries in which this . . .

Game Overview ::

By Hilow >>

Steelers should be able to win in any way they chose, the question is if their inflated pass play rates continue hereThere is a definite pressure on an undefeated team this late in the season to remain undefeated, likely explaining the poor starts from the Steelers in their last two games in soft matchupsMore guesswork involved from this game than any other on the slate, particularly interesting when it involves the team with the highest implied team total

How Pittsburgh Will Try To Win ::

This is one of the top questions on the slate . . .

Game Overview ::

By Hilow >>

Game sets up very well for the Patriots to be able to control the game how they’d like toNew England carries almost four minutes more average time of possession than HoustonSplash play potential should be there for Houston, but expect stalled drives and poor average field position to be the norm hereHouston wide receivers carry a high variance floor/ceiling range of outcomes with likely intermediate-deep passing being the norm for the Texans

How New England Will Try To Win ::

We’d think New England’s weekly game plans would look a . . .

Game Overview ::

By JM >>

Cleveland wants to run, run, run; and unlike the past three seasons, teams have not been shy about running vs PhillyPhilly's offense is lost right now; this isn't a matchup that cuts their legs out from under them, but it's also not a matchup that provides a significant boostCleveland should control this game, leaving us with relatively few elite DFS options

How Cleveland Will Try To Win ::

Cleveland has not cared about matchups this season, running the ball on early downs with the score within seven points at the third highest . . .

Game Overview ::

By JM >>

The Panthers play slow and put together long drives, and the Lions are unlikely to prevent them from doing thisThe Panthers also force short-area action on defense and require opponents to put together long drivesThese elements should create a game environment that allows scoring, but that limits shootout potentialWith injury news at play, there is plenty still up in the air in this one

How Carolina Will Try To Win ::

As of this writeup (Wednesday night), here’s what we know ::

1) Christian McCaffrey is not going to play this week.
2 . . .

Game Overview ::

By JM >>

The Titans have a good offense and a brutal matchupThe Ravens have had a poor offense, but this matchup provides a soft landing spotThe Vegas-implied team total for the Ravens is aggressive, all things consideredThere are pieces to consider here, but this game (unsurprisingly) is not a gold mine

How Tennessee Will Try To Win ::

Let’s define these teams a little bit.

The Titans like to win on the ground — notching the sixth highest rush play rate on the season, and the fifth highest rush play rate on early downs with the . . .

Game Overview ::

By JM >>

These two teams are similar to one another in a handful of areas……but they are also very different in a handful of othersPlay volume should be limited in this one, and this game is likely to stay closeOwnership shouldn’t surge in this spot, but there are some angles to consider

How Indianapolis Will Try To Win ::

Throughout the 2019 NFL season (carrying into the NFL offseason, and into the 2020 NFL season), predictive analytics have been telling us that the Packers are not as good as their record — and yet, their record . . .

Game Overview ::

By JM >>

“How Minnesota will try to win” is about as obvious as anything we’ve seen in the NFLDallas has been shifting to a more run-based approach as well since losing DakThe Vikings should gradually pull away in this one, and Dalvin is the one piece that really stands out in this spot……but given the way this slate is shaping up, there may be another piece or two to consider

How Minnesota Will Try To Win ::

Every week, when I read through the NFL Edge, I wish a few of the game writeups . . .

XANDAMERE’S SHOWDOWN SLANT ::
Oh, how I wish this game was on the main slate. But, that’s the fun of Showdowns. We don’t have to miss great games just because they aren’t on the slate. Sunday night football has the Chiefs visiting the Raiders for a lovely 57 total game with Kansas City favored by eight points. This one looks like a doozy (if it was on the main slate, it would be the highest total game by a whopping 5.5 points at the time I’m writing this). Remember when these teams met last time . . .

XANDAMERE’S SHOWDOWN SLANT ::
It’s the end of Week 11 and we’re about two-thirds of the way through the NFL season already (sadly). This week wraps up with the Rams visiting the Bucs, with Tampa favored by 4.5 points in a 48 total game. Both teams boast strong defenses with Tampa being first overall in DVOA and the Rams eighth.
The Los Angeles running game is hard to be interested in here unless you’re just trying to be contrarian. The backfield is back to being a three-way split as Cam Akers has worked his . . .