After a bye week to rest and relax, All killer, no filler returns. The NFL season is reaching the half way mark and many teams are separating themselves from the pack.

Sunday, October 29, 2006: Week 8

Atlanta Falcons at Cincinnati Bengals – Paul Brown Stadium (Artificial)

Line: Bengals -3½ (Opening: Bengals -4)

Over/Under: 44½ (Opening: 43)

Key Points: The Falcons will be missing the services of DE John Abraham, who is out with a groin injury.

DT Rod Coleman practiced this week but remains listed as questionable with a toe injury on the Falcons’ injury report.

The Bengals, for their part, have a number of players who will miss the game, most notably along the offensive line. OT Levi Jones and C Rich Braham both have banged up knees and won’t be protecting QB Carson Palmer or opening holes for Rudi Johnson, who coincidentally is listed as probable despite a back injury.

Also missing action will be backup QB Anthony Wright (appendix surgery), WR Kelley Washington (hamstring) and WR Antonio Chatman has been put on IR with a hernia.

Cincy has gone 6-3-1 ATS in their last 10 tilts with teams in the NFC and has taken nine out of 10 outright.

The Falcons have dropped 17 of 29 when listed as ‘dogs by Vegas.

Winneronline Opinion: The Falcons are flying high after last week’s overtime thriller vs. Pittsburgh, but the Bengals might just knock them back down to Earth.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants – Giants Stadium (Artificial)

Line: Giants -9 (Unchanged)

Over/Under: 40½ (Opening 40)

Key Points: The Bucs have won two in a row, but will go into their matchup at the Meadowlands missing, or possibly missing a number of key players.

DE Simeon Rice (questionable, shoulder), DE Ellis Wyms (questionable, ankle), TE Anthony Becht (questionable, foot) are among the players who could be out of the lineup.

CB Brian Kelly will not only miss the game but will be out for the rest of the season with a toe injury.

New York also has some players that are nursing wounds, the most notable include:

WR Sinorice Moss, who is being listed as questionable by some outlets with a quadriceps injury.

CB Sam Madison questionable with an injured hamstring.

You won’t be seeing LB LaVar Arrington for the remainder of 2006 as he was placed on IR with an injury to his Achilles tendon.

WR Plaxico Burress’ heel is still bothering him, but is listed as probable.

After winning two in-a-row or more Tampa Bay has failed to cover in six straight games.

The Giants have taken 10 out of their last 14 when listed as a chalk and paid out at a .667 rate in their last 12.

Winneronline Opinion: The numbers are pointing to the Giants.

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