Looking for value for the upcoming NFL season over the summer is not an easy task for handicappers, but the Las Vegas Hilton SuperBook has given us a betting menu to ponder while we’re on our summer break.

There are many lingering questions for teams heading into training camps and the pre-season and we all know the injury bug can bite any team at anytime. Selecting games that will be played in November and December can be both risky and rewarding.

Let’s take a look at games posted for the NFL’s second half starting with Week 9 though the end of the season.

Week 9:

November 5^th could bring us one of the best games of the year when the Indianapolis Colts head to Foxboro to take on the New England Patriots. This line opened last year with the 8-0 Colts favored by three at New England. Bettors reacted with Colts money pushing the closing number to -4 ½. The books got beat with Indianapolis finally handing the Pats a rare home beating 40-21 in a game that was never close after the first quarter. This year’s battle has a line of pick ‘em for NBC’s Sunday night telecast.

Week 10:

The Denver Broncos will visit their hated rival the Oakland Raiders with Art Shell back at the reins for the silver and black. We know that Denver has made a splash in the off season after losing the AFC championship game to Pittsburgh. Mike Shanahan traded for WR Javon Walker (off a major knee injury) and moved up in the draft to nab a top QB prospect, Jay Cutler out of Vanderbilt. Will the Raiders be better off with Aaron Brooks at the QB controls? I don’t think so. I like the Broncos on the road minus four.

Week 11:

Peyton Manning will lead the Colts into Texas to take on the Dallas Cowboys on November 19^th in what could be a preview of Super Bowl XLI. Mike Vanderjagt was run out of Indy after missing the biggest kick of his life, but he’ll get a chance to beat his former team as a member of the Cowboys. The Big Tuna’s head almost exploded a number of times last season when it came to the their kicking game. A fair question for this game is: Will T.O. keep his mouth shut this far into the season? The Colts come in listed as the 2 ½ point road chalk.

Week 12:

Thanksgiving Day gives us a triple header to feast on with Miami -1 ½ at Detroit, Tampa Bay +4 ½ at Dallas and Denver +2 ½ at Kansas City in the night cap.

Looking for value? The Bucs plus the points on the road looks tempting as they had big wins at Atlanta and Carolina last season. QB Chris Simms now has one full year under his belt as a starter and should be able to keep this game close with the Cadillac running behind him.  

Week 15:

An explosive Monday night matchup happens on December 18^th as the Cincinnati Bengals visit the Indianapolis Colts. If you like offense, last season’s game was one of the best of the year with a total of 943 total yards in the Colts 45-37 road victory. This matchup could bring more of the same on the carpet as both teams will bring their air attack. The Bengals did add free-agent defensive tackle Sam Adams. The Colts are a touchdown favorite with an anticipated total in the 50’s.

Week 16:

The Minnesota Vikings head to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers in a game that could decide the NFC North. Both teams have new coaches and should have their systems solidly in place by this late in the season. Brett Favre coming off his worse season (4-12) as a starter gets one more shot at another title or at least a playoff game. The Vikings won both games by a field goal last season but the Packers are the one-point home favorite in this divisional game.

Week 17:

The Washington Redskins are three-point favorites hosting the New York Giants to close out the regular season. This is another crucial divisional game that could determine the NFC East or a wild card spot. The Skins’ ran rough shot over the Giants last year in FedEx field by a score of 35-20. I’d give the nod to the improved Redskins at home.