2013 International games - results

My original post can be seen here: http://bettingonnfl.blogspot.com/2013_04_01_archive.html


Let's review my original angle of picking teams:

International games:

wk04 PIT vs MIN @Wembley, England
wk08 SF vs JAC @Wembley, England
wk13 ATL vs BUF @Toronto, Canada

The disadvantage: An extra road game vs out of conference opponents

The expected outcome: all 'home' (MIN, JAC, BUF) teams lose

The actual outcome: MIN gets the unexpected WIN

PIT 27 MIN 34
SF 42 JAC 10
ATL 34 BUF 31

Comment: PIT and MIN were 0-3 heading into game, MIN wanted it more. PIT won their next 2 games and turned it on in the 2nd half of the season, while MIN continued to fade away and eventually fired their HC at the end of the season.

Expectations: 2-1 ATS

noted: all games went OVER the total

2013 International games - likely impact

wk04 PIT vs MIN @Wembley, England
wk08 SF vs JAC @Wembley, England
wk13 ATL vs BUF @Toronto, Canada

The disadvantage: An extra road game vs out of conference opponents.


Team Prior Game, Next Game
MIN home vs CLE, going into bye
(CLE, PIT, @BAL, @CIN)

JAC home vs SD, going into bye
(@SEA, @STL, SF, ARI)

BUF coming off bye, road @TB
(CAR, @NO, ATL, @TB)

The likely outcome, a loss by all three home teams [MIN, JAC, BUF], as they all three lose the advantage of a home game in front of their fans.




PIT home vs CHI, going into bye
(CHI, @MIN, DET, @GB)

SF  road @TEN, going into bye
(IND, HOU, @TEN, @JAC)

ATL home vs NO, road @GB

(@MIA, NE, MIA @BUF)

The opponents, no discernable disadvantages:

PIT is in the drivers seat, early season, @home prior week, going into bye week.

SF a little tougher 2nd game on the road, if anything, they may elect to stay in the area (TEN) then fly to England or just fly and practice in England (seems more sensible). SF has already done this in prior seasons, electing to stay on the road, instead of coming home between games and it's proven to be effective with wins while staying on the road (road warriors)

ATL, a little bit of a concern due to lateness in the season, but it will be a dome game, which ATL is much more used to than BUF. ATL will be pinched between a division rival and potential playoff opponent, thus this game could be a let down for ATL, but BUF appears to be in their eternal re-building mode, thus at this time of the season, if they aren't in the playoff hunt, count them out.