Dawg Pound Daily bettor’s guide to the NFL: Week 10

Nov 1, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer (7) calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

I have this “Biggest Bargain” thing down pat and parlayed with another perfect teaser weekend, I’m feeling pretty good about this NFL season – except for one annoying problem:

It’s getting harder by the day to keep rooting for the Cleveland Browns.

But since this column is for entertainment (and not real wagering) purposes only, let’s take a moment to celebrate.

I followed up my Week 8 “Bargain of the Year” Denver Broncos pick in their outright win over the favored Green Bay Packers by reversing field against Peyton Manning and Co. last week, correctly taking the home underdog Indianapolis Colts in my “Bargain of the Week” pick.

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Also, I was a perfect 4-0 for the second consecutive week in my teaser picks (where you get an extra six points) as the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants won handily, and the Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Rams both covered the teaser spread in overtime losses.

My two straight play losses were the New England Patriots easily covering a two-touchdown spread versus the Washington Redskins, and when Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams fell inches short of a touchdown, forcing Pittsburgh (-4.5) to settle for a chip-shot field goal to beat the Oakland Raiders, 38-35.

This week, let’s start with the “Bargain Bet of the Month,” a stronger play than a weekly bargain, but still weaker than a yearly one:

• We’ve all seen this prime time made for TV movie before. The on-a-roll Cincinnati Bengals host a mediocre team, quarterbacked by some St. Ignatius grad who was one of those 25 faceless guys who’ve been under center for the Browns since 1999. Houston Texans (+10.5) and don’t be shocked if Houston ends the Bengals unbeaten season.
• New England won’t cover at some point this season, so why not against their Super Bowl Kryptonite the Eli Manning-led New York Giants (+7.5)?
• St. Louis shouldn’t be giving more than a TD to anyone. Chicago Bears (+ 7.5).
• The Packers continue their mid-season slump and the dysfunctional Detroit Lions (+11.5).
• I like Derek Carr – a lot – especially against a Minnesota Vikings team that barely survived overtime last week. Oakland Raiders (-3).
• The Carolina Panthers, like the Bengals and maybe even the Patriots, may kiss their perfect seasons goodbye this week. Take a flyer on the Tennessee Titans (+5.5).

I might be getting greedy, but all these teaser plays look enticing: Buffalo Bills to hang with the New York Jets, Dallas likewise in Tampa Bay, Washington at home vs. the defense-less New Orleans Saints.

Finally, three guaranteed teaser wins: the Seattle Seahawks to stay within a field goal at home against the Arizona Cardinals, the Baltimore Ravens will beat the Jacksonville Jaguars and, of course, Pittsburgh will find a way to win. If not, the Browns will find a way to lose, maybe on a Travis Coons miss in his Heinz Field debut.

Season Record: Straight 16-18-2; Teaser 24-8.