NFL Betting Preview: 'Capping special teams

Devin Hester remains one of the Bears’ biggest scoring threats.

There is no chance to beat the bookie on a consistent basis in the National Football League unless one is willing to spend oodles of time doing homework.

Successful football handicappers use every tool at their disposal, digging deep before putting their cash on the line. The casual fan can dazzle with his footwork, quoting the stats of star running backs and quarterbacks and the latest sack totals and interception rates. But they often overlook special teams, which can often be the difference between cashing a ticket and tearing one up.

The Chicago Bears were a betting bust last season, dropping 10 of 16 spread decisions. But their special teams helped the Bears stay in games regardless of Jay Cutler’s interceptions and a crumbling defense.

Chicago won’t be Monsters of the Midway in 2010, but should improve their spread success, in large part because Devin Hester will get more return opportunities, possibly on both kicks and punts.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were one of the worst NFL bets on the board in 2009 in defense of their Super Bowl crown (5-10-1 ATS). It certainly didn’t help the Steelers cause to allow four kickoff returns for touchdowns.

Coach Mike Tomlin took steps to improve the coverage unit by signing Will Allen and Arnaz Battle, both of whom are proven special team’s performers. Now all he has to worry about is how to win without Ben Roethlisberger.

San Diego is once again a sexy pick to finish near the top of the pack in the AFC. However, the Chargers are never going to be more than postseason bridesmaids without improvement from kicker Nate Kaeding.

The most accurate kicker in NFL regular-season history (87.2 percent), Kaeding is just 8-for-15 in eight playoff games.

Cleveland Browns bettors made money last season (10-6 ATS) in large part because of the presence of Josh Cribbs, who just might be the best return man in football.

The Houston Texans have their sights set on making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They narrowly missed in 2009, finishing 9-7 SU and 7-8-1 ATS.

A large share of the blame falls on kicker Kris Brown, who missed 11 field goals, including two that would have forced overtime in losses to the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans.

The Texans inked Neil Rackers to a two-million contract to compete with Brown. Rackers converted 16 of 17 field goals for the Arizona Cardinals in 2009.

There is no coach in the NFL who cares more about special teams than New England’s Bill Belichick.

Pro Bowler Stephen Gostkowski (83.9 percent) gives the Patriots a huge advantage. But the player who could help return the Pats to special team’s glory is fifth-round punter Zoltan Mesko, who can boom kicks.

Outspoken New York Jets coach Rex Ryan saved money but took a big risk by not bringing back reliable Jay Feely and instead signing Nick Folk, who was cut by Dallas in December.

Folk was tremendous in 2007 and ’08 but slumped last season, hitting only 18 of 28 field goal attempts.