The NFC East reached some level of respectability after last week’s games with both Dallas and Philadelphia evening their mark at 3-3 on the year. This sets up a showdown this Sunday between the two division leaders. Both New York and Washington continued their downward spiral with losses, and they now have a combined record of just 1-10 this year. As far as my NFC East Pick of the Week, I improved to 5-1 with last Sunday’s four-unit play on the Cowboys over the Redskins in a 31-16 win that easily covered the 5.5-point spread.

Each week of the season I will briefly preview all the games in the NFC East and highlight my top pick of the week with the use of Doc’s Sports Unit Betting System. I will be tracking the results as the season progresses with the goal of making at least $1,000 profit with my picks by the end of the year. Since we are already well above that goal, let’s go for $2,000 in profit! All lines quoted have been provided by 5Dimes.

Chicago Bears vs. Washington Redskins (Sunday, Oct. 20, 1 p.m.)

Chicago finds itself tied with Detroit atop the NFC North at 4-2 straight up on the year. It has failed to cover in four of its last five games, and the total has gone “over” five of its first six games. This is easy to see behind a Bears’ offense that is ranked third in the NFL in scoring (28.7 points) and a defense that is 26th in the league in points allowed (26.8).

While Robert Griffin III showed some signs of returning to form in last week’s loss to Dallas, the Redskins’ defense continues to give up both yards and points in bunches. This unit is ranked near the bottom of the NFL in both categories and is equally as bad at stopping the pass and the run. Washington is 1-4 both SU and ATS, and the total has stayed “under” in its last three games. This game is currently listed as a “pick’em,” with the total set at 50.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, Oct. 20, 1 p.m.)

The Cowboys followed up a solid 48-point offensive performance in a Week 5 loss to Denver with last week’s 31-point effort against Washington. This offense is now ranked second in the league in scoring with an average of 30.5 points a game. Tony Romo remains at the center of all this production with 1,693 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. Dallas has gone a profitable   5-1 ATS overall, but it has lost its only two road games SU.

Philadelphia will once again go with Nick Foles as its starting quarterback for the injured Michael Vick. This is not necessarily good news for Cowboys’ fans considering that Foles has thrown for 542 yards and five touchdowns in just six quarters of play. The Eagles are another team that can put points on the board, with an average of 27.7 points a game. Philadelphia has been opened as a 2.5-point home favorite for this division showdown with the total set at 55.

NFC East Pick of the Week

Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants (Monday, Oct. 21, 8:30 p.m.)

Minnesota’s 10-6 mark last season is becoming a distant memory after winning just one of its first five games SU. It is 2-3 ATS this season, with the total going over in all five games. The Vikings are averaging 25 points a game, but their defense has dramatically regressed from last season. This unit is ranked near the bottom of the league in several major categories and is giving up an average of 31.6 points a game.

If you take away all of the turnovers that New York has committed this season, there is a good chance it would be leading the NFC East as opposed to searching for its first victory against six previous defeats. The Giants have a ridiculous turnover ratio of -16, with the next worst team coming in at -3. Sooner or later they are going to clean up their act and start playing to their capabilities. This Monday night at home against a very beatable Vikings’ team is as good a place to start as any with a victory that covers the 3.5-point spread. The total for this game has been set at 46.5

4-Unit Play Take New York (-3.5) over Minnesota

YTD Record 5-1 (+1370)

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