Week 11 NFL and College Television Coverage and Odds
The Patriots come off their bye week with a big AFC game Sunday night at Indianapolis. Cincinnati at New Orleans is the best early game on CBS; their only late game is Oakland at San Diego. This week FOX has the doubleheader, with Seattle at Kansas City or the Niners at the Giants as their top early games. Philadelphia at Green Bay was originally scheduled to be an early game, but that has been pushed back to the late afternoon to become primary late game in front of an almost-national audience. While that move is not unexpected, it also unfortunately relegates another great matchup between teams with the two best records in the NFC - Detroit at Arizona - as a game that will be unavailable in most homes. With those two games on at the same time it may well be worth a trip to my local sports bar with the Sunday Ticket that has those games on side-by-side; that will make for a great warmup to the Pats-Colts game Sunday night on NBC.
Thursday night the Bills are at Miami on the NFL Network. Both teams lost Sunday, and both need a win to stay in serious contention for a wildcard playoff spot. The week wraps up Monday night with Pittsburgh at Tennessee. The Steelers have struggled against inferior opponents - they've lost to one-win Tampa Bay and the two-win Jets, and barely beat Jacksonville - and currently trail Cincinnati for the final playoff slot.
Here is a preliminary look at what games will be broadcast where. As always, keep in mind that this is based on decisions made at FOX and CBS national headquarters. Individual local television stations have the option of requesting a change in which game they broadcast, and those requests are rarely denied.
Buffalo Bills (5-4) at Miami Dolphins (5-4) ★★★
Thursday night game on NFLN
Announcing crew: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
Dolphins favored by 5, with a point total of 42
The line was 4 on Sunday and went up to as high as 6 after Buffalo's home loss; right now it ranges from 5 to 5½ depending on where you shop. The over/under was at 42½ and has dropped to 41½ at some venues.
As of Tuesday afternoon 75% of the money was on the Dolphins, with 59% on the over.
The money line is Buffalo +200 and Miami -240, with 78% of the early bets going with the Dolphins.
Broadcast in all US television markets
Houston Texans (4-5) at Cleveland Browns (6-3) ★★
Early game on CBS
Announcing crew: Andrew Catalon, Steve Beuerlein, Steve Tasker
Browns favored by 3, with a point total of 42½
The line has fluctuated between 3 and 3½ since Sunday, while the over under is as low as 41½ at some locations.
As of Tuesday afternoon 72% of the money was on the Browns, and 77% on the over.
The early money line is Houston +155 and Cleveland -175.
Broadcast in 24 markets, including most of Ohio, Arkansas and Texas.
Minnesota Vikings (4-5) at Chicago Bears (3-6) ★★★
Early game on CBS (yes, cross-flexed to CBS)
Announcing crew: Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon, Stacey Dales
Bears favored by 3, with a point total of 47
Chicago was favored by 5 points before they were annihilated at Green Bay Sunday night, and the over/under ranges from 46 to 47½ at various locations.
Two thirds of the early money was placed on the Bears, with a whopping 92% on the under.
The early money line has Chicago -180 and Minnesota +160.
Broadcast in 38 markets, including Indiana (except Indianapolis), Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota
Seattle Seahawks (6-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-3) ★★★★
Early game on FOX
Announcing crew: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa
Chiefs favored by 1½, with a point total of 43
In some venues Seattle was favored by as much as 2½ early in the week, but that has moved after early money went with the Chiefs after KC's victory at Buffalo. The over/under has remained steady at 42½ or 43.
Most of the initial money went with Seattle, but by Tuesday afternoon it had evened out to a 58-42 split in favor of the Seahawks; the under held a slim 53-47% margin.
The money line is Seattle +100 and Kansas City -120.
Broadcast in 31 markets, including Missouri (except St. Louis), Tulsa, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
Atlanta Falcons (3-6) at Carolina Panthers (3-5-1) ★★
Early game on FOX
Announcing crew: Thom Brennaman, David Diehl, Laura Okmin
Panthers favored by 2½, with a point total of 47½
This game opened with Carolina as 2-point favorites, and it is now up to 3 in some locations.
Most of the early money came on Carolina's side, but that has steadily dropped to a 50-50 split as of Tuesday afternoon.
The money line is at Atlanta +105 and Carolina -125.
Broadcast in 28 markets, including Bowling Green KY, eastern Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Alabama and northern Louisiana.
Cincinnati Bengals (5-3-1) at New Orleans Saints (4-5) ★★★★
Early game on CBS
Announcing crew: Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Evan Washburn
Saints favored by 6½, with a point total of 50½
Early on the line was 5½, but the early money has been on New Orleans' side, pushing that up a point. The over/under has moved up two points after opening at 48½ - perhaps due in part to the public no longer believing in the Bengals defense.
Over 70% of the early wagers have been in favor of the Saints, with virtually all of the point total money on the side of over.
The money line has Cincinnati at +235 and New Orleans -275.
Broadcast in 48 markets, including Pennsylvania (except Philadelphia), Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina (except Charlotte), South Carolina, Georgia, Panama City, Tallahassee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Tampa Bay (1-8) at Washington (3-6) ★
Early game on FOX
Announcing crew: Dick Stockton, Kirk Morrison, Kristina Pink
Skins favored by 7, with a point total of 45
The line opened at 6½, but has edged up slightly after the Bucs lost at home to Atlanta. The over under has been steady at 45-45½.
There has been about a 50-50 split on the line thus far, but well over 90% of the early money has gone for the over.
The money line is Tampa Bay +245 and Washington -275.
Broadcast in 15 markets, including DC, Maryland, Virginia, central Florida, Eau Claire and LaCrosse.
Denver Broncos (7-2) at St. Louis Rams (3-6) ★★
Early game on CBS
Announcing crew: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Jenny Dell
Broncos favored by 9½, with a point total of 50½
One venue opened at 8 points, but right now it's 9½ at most places, with a couple of venues at 10. The over/under is ranging from 50½ to 51½.
More than 80% are taking the Rams plus the points thus far, while two thirds are betting on the over.
The money line opened at Denver -470 and Rams +400, but Broncos money has moved that to Den -485 and StL +385.
Broadcast in most of the US, including New England, New York (except NYC), Philadelphia, Virginia, Tennessee, Indianapolis, Florida (except Tampa and the panhandle), Missouri (except Kansas), Dallas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Alaska and Hawaii.
San Francisco 49ers (5-4) at New York Giants (3-6) ★★★
Early game on FOX
Announcing crew: Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Pam Oliver
Niners favored by 4½, with a point total of 43½
Sunday afternoon San Fran was only a 2½ point favorite, but that has climbed up to 4½ after beating the Saints in New Orleans, while the Giants did not look good at Seattle. The over/under has dropped a point and a half after opening at 45.
More than 85% of the early money is in favor of the Giants plus the points, while 65% are taking the over.
The money line is San Francisco -200 and the Giants +178.
Broadcast in New England and most of rest of the country.
Oakland Raiders (0-9) at San Diego Chargers (5-4) ★★
Late game on CBS
Announcing crew: Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots, Scott Kaplan
Chargers favored by 10, with a point total of 44½
Even though San Diego has not won a game since October 12, the line has moved from 8 points to 10; that's because the Raiders have now lost 15 games in a row. The over/under has been steady at 44½ or 45, depending on where you shop.
70% of the early money favors the Chargers to cover as well as under 44½.
The money line opened with San Diego -550 and Oakland +425.
Broadcast in 23 markets, including New York City, Washington DC, Charlotte, Tampa, Kansas City, Reno, California, Oregon and Washington.
Detroit Lions (7-2) at Arizona Cardinals (8-1) ★★★★
Late game on FOX
Announcing crew: Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale
Cardinals favored by 1½, with a point total of 41½
Arizona opened as 3 point favorites, but that has quickly dropped to as low as 1 point in some locations. The over/under has inched down as well, from 43 to as low as 41.
72% are taking the Lions and the points as of Tuesday afternoon, with 53% going with the under.
The money line has Arizona at -125 and Detroit +110.
Broadcast in 30 markets, including Michigan, Toledo, South Bend, Arizona, western Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and northern California.
Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) at Green Bay Packers (6-3) ★★★★
Late game on FOX
Announcing crew:
Packers favored by 6, with a point total of 54
This one has already bounced between 4½ and 7 points - and that's before the Eagles-Panthers game on Monday night. The over/under dropped from 54 to 53, but has now moved back up to 54.
Two thirds of the money is falling on Green Bay's side, with 75% on the over.
The money line has Green Bay -250 and Philly +210.
Broadcast everywhere except in those markets showing the Lions-Cardinals game.
New England Patriots (7-2) at Indianapolis Colts (6-3) ★★★★★
Sunday night game on NBC
Announcing crew: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya
Colts favored by 2½, with a point total of 57½
The line has remained steady thus far at 2½ points, while the over/under moved up from 55 to 58 points Monday.
63% of the early bettors are backing the Patriots, with 89% taking the over.
The money line is hovering around Indy -140 and New England +125.
Broadcast in all markets
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) at Tennessee Titans (2-7) ★★
Monday night game on ESPN
Announcing crew: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters
Steelers favored by 5, with a point total of 47.
Despite Pittsburgh's loss to the Jets, this line shot up from 3½ to 5½ points in many locations Monday; the over/under has fluctuated between 46 and 47½.
98% of the early money is on the side of Tennessee at home plus the points, with 94% taking the under.
The money line opened at Pittsburgh -230 and Tennessee +200; that too has shifted, to Steelers -245 and Titans +195.
Broadcast in all markets
Bye week: Dallas (7-3), Washington (3-6), NY Jets (2-8) and Jacksonville (1-9)
Here is a look at this week's college football games; all times are eastern time zone:
Wed Nov 12
8:00 -- Ball State at UMass
8:00 -- Kent State at Bowling Green (ESPN2)
Thur Nov 13
7:00 -- East Carolina at Cincinnati (ESPN2)
8:00 -- Southern Miss at UTSA (CBS Sports Network)
9:00 -- California at UCLA (ESPN)
Fri Nov 14
8:00 -- Tulsa at Central Florida (ESPN2)
Sat Nov 15
Noon -- #14 Ohio State at Minnesota (ABC)
Noon -- #21 Clemson at #24 Georgia Tech (ESPN)
Noon -- Virginia Tech at #22 Duke (espnU)
Noon -- Temple at Penn State (ESPN2)
Noon -- Army at Western Kentucky (CBS Sports Network)
Noon -- Iowa at Illinois (Big 10 Network)
Noon -- South Carolina at Florida (SEC Network)
12:30 - Pittsburgh at North Carolina (espn3)
1:00 -- Miami (OH) at Central Michigan (espn3)
2:00 -- Nevada at Air Force
2:00 -- Eastern Michigan at Western Michigan (ESPN3)
2:30 -- Rice at Marshall
3:00 -- #6 Texas Christian at Kansas (Fox Sports 1)
3:00 -- Wake Forest at North Carolina State (espn3)
3:00 -- Appalachian State at Arkansas State (espn3)
3:30 -- #1 Mississippi State at #5 Alabama (CBS)
3:30 -- Northwestern at #10 Notre Dame (NBC)
3:30 -- #13 Nebraska at #25 Wisconsin (ABC)
3:30 -- #15 Oklahoma at Texas Tech (ESPN)
3:30 -- Washington at #19 Arizona (FOX)
3:30 -- Georgia Southern at Navy (CBS Sports Network)
3:30 -- Memphis at Tulane (espnU)
3:30 -- Indiana at Rutgers (Big 10 Network)
4:00 -- New Mexico at Utah State
4:00 -- Kentucky at Tennessee (SEC Network)
4:30 -- Hawaii at San Jose State
5:00 -- Troy at Idaho (espn3)
6:00 -- #17 Utah at Stanford (Pac-12 Network)
7:00 -- Louisiana-Lafayette at Louisiana-Monroe (espn3)
7:00 -- UNLV at Brigham Young (espnU)
7:15 -- #3 Auburn at #20 Georgia (ESPN)
7:30 -- Missouri at Texas A&M (SEC Network)
7:30 -- Texas at Oklahoma State (FOX)
8:00 -- #2 Florida State at Miami (ABC)
8:00 -- #8 Michigan State at Maryland (Big 10 Network)
8:00 -- #16 Louisiana State at Arkansas (ESPN2)
8:00 -- South Florida at Southern Methodist (CBS Sports Network)
10:00 - North Texas at Texas-El Paso (Fox Sports 1)
10:15 - San Diego State at Boise State (espnU)
10:45 - #9 Arizona State at Oregon State (ESPN)
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2014 NFL Calendar and Key Dates for the New England Patriots
