It is a little early in the week for someone like me to be making all of my selections, so you can't hold me to all of these, but I thought it might be useful to take a look at some of the things I was considering for this week's NFL action.

When you look at the BUFFALO BILLS you see a team that came within one point of defeating the New England Patriots in the season opener, and even though the Pats, and in particular Tom Brady, have gotten their act together a bit since then, I also think it's quite possible to say that the Bills are in a better place now than they were with Dick Jauron.

Maybe it's that the whole staff knows they aren't going to be around next year, which could be a unifying factor, but since Fewell took over, the team has given up only 51 points in four games, and three of those games were against teams that are still in the playoff race. I was disappointed in New England's performance last week. I thought they might come out fired up and blow Carolina out, and they didn't. getting seven points at home in the BetUS football betting odds, the Bills might be worth a look.

I don't know if I am making some incorrect assumptions about the SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS, but this team that had gone to the other extreme in terms of its departure from the run-based attack in favor something wide-open managed to break some big runs against a flat Arizona club on Monday night, getting 189 yards from its infantry.

Maybe they're getting better balance, although five interceptions of Kurt Warner undoubtedly helped them. On a short week and traveling cross-country, a lot of people are probably writing them off against the Philadelphia Eagles, and indeed they are nine-point underdogs at BetUS, but this team is now 8-0-1 ATS in their last nine as an underdog and has lost five road games by a total of 19 points. The Eagles just had a very satisfying win over the Giants. Hangover?

The good news is that the OAKLAND RAIDERS are NOT starting JaMarcus Russell at quarterback against the Denver Broncos. The bad news is that Charlie Frye will get the assignment under center, and he hasn't played at all this season. Give recently-signed J.P. Losman a couple of weeks learning the plays and he may seize the starting nod without looking back.

As it is, the Raider players have to be overjoyed that they don't have to line up with Russell, whose sense of entitlement may yet drive him completely out of the league. For a while now, Oakland has alternated between strong performances and duds. They beat Philadelphia, then were shut out by the Jets, then were competitive against San Diego, followed by a loss to Kansas City.

After that it was a win over the Bengals, then a loss to Dallas on Thanksgiving, a win over Pittsburgh, and a three-touchdown home loss to Washington. It may be their turn to put forth an effort this week, and they're getting 14 points at BetUS against the Broncos.

Finally, the CAROLINA PANTHERS are nine-point underdogs at home against the Minnesota Vikings, who are switching playing surfaces. The Panthers may not be able to dominate Minnesota in the running game, but with the Vikings giving up 4.1 yards per carry, perhaps Carolina can do enough to keep the Viking pass rush honest. Matt Moore does not have great stats, but interestingly enough, he is 5-0 ATS in the pro NFL football betting odds for his career when he's starting. Well, that might be something to consider.

This information is provided in partnership with BetUs Sportsbook

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