Last week, we implored you to take the points.
This week, we're doing more of the same, albeit with an important caveat: take points on the road.
Road dogs are cleaning up this season. Heading into that disaster of a Monday Night Football game, road underdogs were covering at a scintillating 64 percent clip through the season's first five weeks. That's the highest rate in first five weeks of the season since 1983, according to ESPN. During Week 5 alone, road dogs went 8-6-1 against the spread. It's further proof that the soundest strategy to pad your pocket is to discipline yourself to dig for undervalued dogs and take as many points as you can get.
There are seven road dogs getting at least three points or more this week. So there's no excuse not to take a few and mix into parlays—if you're into that sort of thing. And away we go with our Scintillating Selections (™)...
Season records:
Cap: 9-5-1
Chopz: 7-7-1
Week 6
Cap
Eagles +3 at Vikings
The Vikings, as road favorites, handed me my lone loss of Week 5 when they crushed the Giants. Against a much better NFC East squad than the G-Men, the Vikings are giving three at home. And when the better team is facing a suspect quarterback and getting points, I'm not passing them up. I don't love that Philly is getting over 70 percent of the bets placed on them mid-way through the week, but I'm going to ignore that and focus on Carson Wentz and company getting a field goal against Kirk Cousins and crew. Plus, the Vikings are just 1-6-1 against the spread in their last eight following an ATS win.
Texans +5 at Chiefs
This one opened at 8.5 and I wish I could still get that many points, but I'll take the five because the Chiefs are banged up and the Texans can run the ball just like the Colts did on their way to an outright upset of K.C. last weekend. Ride the hot hand in this one: Houston is 11-3-1 ATS in its last 14 regular season games while, more impressively, Deshaun Watson is 8-1 ATS as a road dog in his career.
Steelers +7 at Chargers
Dignity Health Sports Park—the soccer stadium where the San Diego Chargers of Los Angeles currently play their home games—will be FILLED with Steelers fans on Sunday night. The Chargers, currently sitting at 2-3, feel like they're on the brink of being a certified disaster as they deal with a bevy of injuries. Mason Rudolph's status is still up in the air which obviously isn't ideal if you're backing Pittsburgh. Some would say betting on a squad that could be starting a third-stringer is downright idiotic. I don't necessarily disagree, but if the books are giving a Steelers team that has played tough in close games a touchdown against a team that ain't all that, take the seven and hope for the best.
Chopz
Browns +1.5 vs. Seahawks
I know what you're thinking, but no, I'm not jumping off the Browns bandwagon. They've bounced back well this season and are a tempting home underdog. I'm not going to say put the rent money on it, but I'm not not saying it, folks.
Jets +7.5 vs. Cowboys
I don't think the Jets will win this game, but that's a lot of points at home with Sam Darnold back. The Jets are desperate for a win and the Cowboys haven't been playing that well lately. I think the Jets keep this one a lot closer than expected.
Bengals +11.5 at Ravens
This just feels like too many points for a Ravens team that has been struggling and isn't great on defense, especially against the run. I think the Bengals keep it within a TD on Sunday.
