Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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12-08-14 | Atlanta Falcons +13 v. Green Bay Packers | Top | 37-43 | Win | 100 | 173 h 26 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Atlanta Falcons as my 10* Super Play Monday. The Falcons are finding their form just in time for a postseason push, and ride that momentum to Lambeau Field for a Monday Night Football showdown with the Green Bay Packers. |
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12-07-14 | New England Patriots v. San Diego Chargers +3.5 | Top | 23-14 | Loss | -105 | 143 h 55 m | Show |
I’m playing on the San Diego Chargers as my 10* Best Bet Sunday. The Bolts host the New England Patriots Sunday night, hoping to catch Tom Brady & Co. in a tough spot. New England, off a loss to Green Bay, travels across the country for this primetime game. |
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12-07-14 | Seattle Seahawks v. Philadelphia Eagles | Top | 24-14 | Loss | -120 | 139 h 1 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Philadelphia Eagles as my 10* Personal Favorite Sunday. The Eagles are coming off a huge divisional win on Thanksgiving and host the defending Super Bowl champs, crossing the country for a showdown between a high-powered offense and a hard-nosed defense in Week 14.
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12-07-14 | Houston Texans v. Jacksonville Jaguars +5 | Top | 27-13 | Loss | -110 | 135 h 12 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Jacksonville Jaguars as my 10* Divisional Best of the Best Sunday. Jacksonville is in a rare spot, bringing momentum into Sunday’s action after defeating the Giants last week. The Jaguars try to keep it rolling against the Houston Texans, who have split wins and losses in their last six games. |
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12-01-14 | Miami Dolphins v. NY Jets +7 | Top | 16-13 | Win | 100 | 59 h 2 m | Show |
I’m playing on the New York Jets as my 10* Best Bet Monday. The Jets are back home in the Meadowlands after a bad loss to Buffalo last Monday, hosting a Miami Dolphins team playing its third road game in the past four weeks for another Monday Night primetime matchup. |
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11-30-14 | New England Patriots v. Green Bay Packers -3 | Top | 21-26 | Win | 100 | 122 h 29 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Green Bay Packers as my 10* Personal Favorite Sunday. We get a possible Super Bowl preview when the Packers host the New England Patriots at Lambeau Field in Week 13. The Cheeseheads are dominant at home and will look to flex their muscle for the Green Bay faithful Sunday. |
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11-30-14 | Arizona Cardinals v. Atlanta Falcons +2.5 | Top | 18-29 | Win | 102 | 120 h 3 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Atlanta Falcons as my 10* Best Bet Sunday. The Falcons are home to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13 trying to stay atop the NFC South. Arizona finds itself outgunned on the road against a desperate team. The Falcons won back-to-back games before being upended by the Cleveland Browns last weekend. Atlanta is first in the division despite a lousy record but has the offensive explosiveness to compete each week. The Falcons have a dominant passing game, ranked seventh in the NFL with 269.5 yards through the air per outing. Atlanta will be tested against a blitz-happy Arizona defense, which thrives on pressuring the passer. However, the Falcons offensive line does a good job keeping quarterback Matt Ryan clean. Atlanta has allowed just 23 totals sacks all season and Ryan has only thrown nine interceptions. If the Falcons can weather the storm on offense, they will be able to outgun a Cardinals attack that has mustered only 17 points in the past two weeks. With backup QB Drew Stanton under center and some missing pieces in the passing game, Arizona has totaled just 455 yards passing with two touchdowns and three interceptions in the last two contests. The Falcons defense is at the bottom of the barrel in terms of yards allowed but this stop unit has also made big plays, with 12 interceptions on the year. Atlanta had three picks against the Browns last Sunday and two against the Panthers the week before. A Falcons offense with plenty of pop and a defense that can take advantage of the Cardinals' QB troubles is why I’m playing on Atlanta as a 10* Best Bet. |
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11-27-14 | Seattle Seahawks v. San Francisco 49ers | Top | 19-3 | Loss | -120 | 83 h 24 m | Show |
I’m playing on the San Francisco 49ers as my 10* Game of the Week Thursday. The Niners are hitting their stride at the right time and welcome the rival Seattle Seahawks to Levis Stadium for what is the biggest game of the year for San Francisco and its new digs on Thanksgiving Day. |
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11-24-14 | Baltimore Ravens v. New Orleans Saints -3 | Top | 34-27 | Loss | -130 | 172 h 44 m | Show |
I’m playing on the New Orleans Saints as my 10* Monday Main Event. The Saints have dropped back-to-back games inside the Superdome – an almost unheard of feat in recent seasons. New Orleans is out to stay in the division hunt in the log-jammed NFC South and host a Ravens team struggling away from Baltimore. This Monday Night Football showdown is setting up nicely for the Saints, who play their best football at home on the primetime stage. New Orleans is 5-1 ATS in its last six Monday nighters and has outscored opponents 160-70 in its last four home Monday night games – an average difference of 22.5 points per game. Baltimore has lost two straight road games – at Pittsburgh and Cincinnati – and is 1-3 SU away from home in its last four outside of Maryland. The Ravens defense is allowing 379.4 yards per road game – compared to just 292 yards against at home – with those gains translating into 25.6 points against – compared to only 10.6 at home. On offense, Ravens QB Joe Flacco has faded in the second half of the schedule. He’s completed under 60 percent of his passes and has a touchdown-to-interception count of 5-5 in the last four games. Flacco has been flustered by blitz packages and will see plenty of bodies coming after him with Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan unleashing his dogs Monday night. A desperate Saints squad that shines on the MNF stage and a rough road record for the Ravens is why I’m playing on New Orleans as my 10* Monday Main Event. |
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11-24-14 | NY Jets +3 v. Buffalo Bills | Top | 3-38 | Loss | -120 | 57 h 7 m | Show |
I’m playing on the New York Jets as a 10* Monday. It’s been a rough week for the Buffalo Bills, who lose their home-field edge thanks to a massive snow storm that pushed this AFC East showdown from Sunday to Monday in Detroit. The weather issues in Western New York took the focus off football for the Bills, who were left up in the air about practice and game schedule until the middle of the week. Instead of having a decisive home-field advantage with the winter weather in Week 12, Buffalo is on a neutral field when it faces the Jets, who have had two weeks to prepare for this game after enjoying a bye in Week 11. New York’s ground game will love the fast track inside Ford Field, giving solid footing to a rushing game that ranks fourth in the NFL – averaging 140.8 yards per game. New York rumbled for 150 yards in their stunning win over Pittsburgh two weeks ago, handing the ball off 36 times. The Bills gave up 125 yards on 24 carries in their loss to Miami – an average of 5.2 yards per run. Buffalo was able to put up big passing numbers against the Jets defense in Week 8, with Kyle Orton connecting for four touchdowns. New York is eager to get a second shot at Orton, who has regressed in recent outings. He’s completed just over 58 percent of his passes and has only one touchdown in his last two games – both of them losses. Buffalo’s bad week and the Jets rushing game enjoying a clean neutral site is why I’m playing on the New York Jets as a 10* Monday. |
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11-23-14 | Dallas Cowboys v. NY Giants +3 | Top | 31-28 | Push | 0 | 119 h 28 m | Show |
I’m playing on the New York Giants as my 10* Best Bet Sunday. New York is coming off a miserable showing against San Francisco, but despite Eli Manning’s five interceptions the G-Men actually had a chance to win the game in the dying minutes of the fourth quarter. The Giants stay home for this Sunday Night showdown with the Dallas Cowboys, and would love to throw a wrench in Big D’s playoff plans. New York gave Dallas a good fight in their first meeting, never letting the Cowboys feel comfortable in that Week 7 clash in Arlington. The Giants have a decisive home edge versus Dallas Sunday night, with rain in the forecast making for some slick field conditions and temperatures dipping into the low 40s. The Cowboys have shown in the past that they’re not used to playing in the elements. The Giants also catch the Cowboys looking ahead to next Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles. That matinee meeting will go a long way in deciding the division. Dallas has a short week to prepare for that matchup, so focus could be split between Sunday night and what lies ahead on Turkey Day. New York’s defense did a good job limiting San Francisco’s passing game in Week 11. Colin Kaepernick completed just 15 of 29 passes for 193 yards, and the Niners converted on third down just six of 14 times. The Giants are in the top half of the league in third down defense, allowing opponents to convert on just 39.53 percent of third down tries. That should stump the Dallas offense, which is among the best in the NFL at keep the chains moving, boasting a third down conversion percentage of 50.77. A tough road spot for the Cowboys and a Giants defense looking to build off a underrated performance is why I’m playing on New York as my 10* Best Bet Sunday. |
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11-23-14 | Arizona Cardinals v. Seattle Seahawks -6.5 | Top | 3-19 | Win | 100 | 98 h 51 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Seattle Seahawks as my 10* Best of the Best Sunday. The defending Super Bowl champs don’t have time to lick their wounds after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday. That’s a good thing for Seattle backers, as this team is chomping at the bit to get back on the field and prove they’re still top dog in the NFC against the conference-leading Arizona Cardinals. |
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11-20-14 | Kansas City Chiefs v. Oakland Raiders +8 | Top | 20-24 | Win | 100 | 69 h 46 m | Show |
10* Analysis to come before 7AM on game day |
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11-16-14 | New England Patriots v. Indianapolis Colts -2.5 | Top | 42-20 | Loss | -120 | 128 h 12 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Indianapolis Colts as a 10* Sunday Night Football Main Event. Indianapolis can get some revenge on the New England Patriots at home in this marquee matchup Sunday night and also stake its claim as the team to beat in the AFC. The Colts bowed out of the playoff last season, losing 43-22 to the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in the AFC Divisional Round this past January. Indianapolis hasn’t forgotten that loss and will be looking at Sunday as a true test of where it stands in the conference picture. Andrew Luck hasn’t had much success against the Patriots in the past, especially when it comes to limiting his turnovers. However, both head-to-head meetings came in New England. This time around, Luck is peaking and playing inside the comfortable domed confines of Lucas Oil Stadium. Both of these offense are going to try and chew up as much time off the clock in order to freeze out the other. And while both have the potential to dominate time of possession, the Colts have a much better running game than the Patriots do at this point. Ahmad Bradshaw is a threat to run or catch for gains and Trent Richardson can punishing opposing tacklers with his smash-mouth style of running. A revenge-fueled Colts side dominating the football with plenty of weapons is why I’m playing on Indianapolis as a 10* Sunday Night Football Main Event. |
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11-16-14 | Denver Broncos v. St. Louis Rams +10 | Top | 7-22 | Win | 100 | 121 h 55 m | Show |
I’m playing the St. Louis Rams as my 9* Breakfast Club Sunday. The Rams have shown a tendency to play up to their competition, hanging with the NFL’s elite in those tough games. St. Louis faces just that in Week 11, playing a Denver Broncos club taking to the road for the third straight week. The Rams had the Arizona Cardinals on their heels last week, jumping out to a 14-10 lead before succumbing to the Cardinals defense and losing a lopsided game. However, that fight is nothing new for St. Louis, which has taken wins over NFC powers San Francisco and the defending champion Seattle Seahawks in recent weeks. The Broncos come to St. Louis weary from the road. This will be their third straight away game, after losing at New England on Sunday night three weeks ago and rolling Oakland in the Bay Area last Sunday. Denver hasn’t been that sharp away from Mile High, suffering their two losses on the road. The Broncos are putting up 28.2 points per road game – nearly a touchdown less than at home – and QB Peyton Manning is completing 64.5 percent of his passes in enemy territory, compared to 71.2 percent inside Sports Authority Field. Five of his seven total interceptions have come on the road as well. He’ll go up against a Rams pass rush that has unleashed hell in the last four games after a very slow start to the year. St. Louis has 16 sacks in that span, including an eight-sack effort in the win over the 49ers three weeks ago. Pro Bowl DE Robert Quinn was held without a sack through the first five games but has erupted for six sacks in the last four contests. A hard-nosed Rams team ramping up the pass rush versus a road-weary Broncos side is why I’m playing on St. Louis as my 9* Breakfast Club Sunday. |
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11-16-14 | San Francisco 49ers v. NY Giants +4.5 | Top | 16-10 | Loss | -110 | 121 h 46 m | Show |
I’m playing on the New York Giants as my 10* Best Bet Sunday. The Giants are back home hosting a San Francisco 49ers team bound for a letdown after pulling off a come-from-behind overtime victory in New Orleans last week. On top of that, the Niners have to cross the country for this early 1 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday. The 49ers needed some magic and help from the officials in their much-needed win over the Saints. San Francisco’s offense sputtered again late in the game, managing only three points in the second half versus New Orleans. On the year, the Niners are averaging only 6.2 points in the final two quarters – last in the NFL – including just 2.9 points per fourth quarter. This will be San Francisco’s second straight road game, a situation that cost them a head-turning loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 7. The Niners not only deal with that schedule spot but also an early start time on the East Coast. This 1 p.m. ET kickoff is at 10 a.m. back in the Bay Area against a Giants team that has won five of the last six encounters with San Francisco, including the last two meetings in East Rutherford. New York has its back against a wall after a loss in Seattle last week. The Giants have dropped four straight games but three of those have come away from MetLife Stadium. The G-Men are happy to be home, where they average more than five points more per game and QB Eli Manning has passed for 793 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last three home stands. A sputtering Niners offense making a cross-country trip to face a home-happy Giants squad is why I’m playing on New York as my 10* Best Bet Sunday. |
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11-16-14 | Minnesota Vikings v. Chicago Bears -3 | Top | 13-21 | Win | 100 | 121 h 44 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Chicago Bears as my 10* Personal Favorite Sunday. Chicago is coming off an embarrassing loss to the Packers on Sunday Night Football and desperately needs a win. Enter the Minnesota Vikings, who have struggled in recent trips to Soldier Field. The Bears have been backed into a corner after Sunday’s beatdown at the hands of the rival Packers. They’ve lost three straight and five of their last six going back to Week 4. This Chicago team was supposed to compete for the NFC title and its running out of time to make a run at the wild card. The Bears’ biggest problem has been their slow starts, digging an early hole that they’re unable to claw out of. After Sunday’s loss, in which Chicago allowed 42 first-half points to the Packers, the Bears have been outscored 94-7 through the first two quarters during their current three-game slide. Luckily, for Chicago, the Vikings have been ice cold in the opening quarters, averaging just 8.1 points per first half this season. Minnesota has been slow out of the blocks even in their last two games – both wins – scoring a combined 10 points in the first halves of those outings. Overall, the Vikings offense ranks 26th in the NFL - 18.7 points per game. Minnesota has lost five in a row in the Windy City, going back to 2009, and has managed to cover in only one of those trips. Mother Nature could be playing into those woes for the Vikings, with the forecast calling for cold and a chance of snow in Chicago Sunday. A desperate Bears team at home taking on a slow-starting Vikings side is why I’m playing on Chicago as my 10* Personal Favorite |
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11-10-14 | Carolina Panthers +6 v. Philadelphia Eagles | Top | 21-45 | Loss | -103 | 176 h 37 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Carolina Panthers as my 10* MNF Main Event Monday. The Panthers are hungry for a win after going without a victory since early October. They clash with a Philadelphia Eagles team putting a backup QB under center against one of the NFL’s toughest defenses. Mark Sanchez is the man in the City of Brotherly Love, whether Eagles faithful like it or not. An injury to starter Nick Foles has the former Jets QB in the spotlight. Sanchez looked brilliant at moments in relief of Foles last weekend but was picked off twice in the win over Houston. This Chip Kelly offense is all about timing, something Sanchez and his first-team targets haven’t worked on much. Add to that poor chemistry and Carolina team that will bring pressure to put Sanchez on his heels. The Panthers have gone up against three top teams – Green Bay, Seattle and New Orleans – the last three weeks, facing three Super Bowl winning quarterbacks in three straight losses. Carolina actually did a good job against New Orleans QB Drew Brees and takes a major step down versus Sanchez. The Panthers have the patience and ground game to slow down the Eagles’ up-tempo attack. This rushing attack has been limited in recent games with Carolina playing from behind and forced to abandon the run at times. However, the Panthers combo of RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart is finally healthy and, along with Cam Newton’s ability to scramble, should allow them to chew up the turf – and clock – icing Philadelphia’s offense on the sideline. The Eagles’ QB issues and a Panthers team hungry for a win is why I’m playing on Carolina as my 10* MNF Main Event Monday. |
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11-09-14 | Kansas City Chiefs v. Buffalo Bills +1.5 | Top | 17-13 | Loss | -104 | 143 h 16 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Buffalo Bills as my 10* Breakfast Club Sunday. Buffalo is coming off the bye week and hosts a streaking Kansas City Chiefs team that could get caught looking ahead to next week’s date with the defending Super Bowl champs. The Bills took back-to-back wins into the bye and roll into this game at 5-3 SU, smack in the middle of the postseason wild card hunt in the AFC. Buffalo QB Kyle Orton, who took over as the starter four games ago, has had the extra week to work with his receivers and that should add some punch to this offense, which is trying to overcome injuries to the rushing corps. Kansas City has had its own issues on offense. The Chiefs are putting up just 22.8 points per game on the road with the passing game struggling to move the chains. Away from Arrowhead, Alex Smith is managing an average of only 196 passing yards and meets a Buffalo defense among the most underrated in the league. The Bills, under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, have done a tremendous job limiting opponents’ chances. Buffalo is giving up just 326 yards per game – eighth in the league – and has forced rival offenses to settle for field goal attempts on 45 percent of their trips inside the red zone at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills have been especially stingy against the run, budging for only 3.6 yards per carry – seventh lowest in the NFL – and can put the breaks on Kansas City’s ground game. That defense could crack an unfocused Kansas City team in the mouth, with the Chiefs riding high on their current three-game streak and looking ahead to Week 11’s showdown with the Seattle Seahawks back in Arrowhead. An underrated Bills stop unit and an improving passing game is why I’m playing on Buffalo as my 10* Breakfast Club Sunday. |
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11-09-14 | Pittsburgh Steelers v. NY Jets +6 | Top | 13-20 | Win | 100 | 69 h 0 m | Show |
Jets. 10* best bet. Analysis before game day |
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11-09-14 | Miami Dolphins v. Detroit Lions -2.5 | Top | 16-20 | Win | 100 | 68 h 13 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Detroit Lions as my 10* Personal Favorite Sunday. Detroit took a three-game winning streak into the bye week and takes on a Miami Dolphins team that isn’t as good as its own three-game winning run would lead bettors to believe. The Lions offense is usually the squad getting the headlines but the stop unit is the talk of the town in the Motor City. Detroit ranks No. 1 in yards allowed, giving up only 290 yards per game, and has a dominating front four that is pressuring opposing passers for 23 sacks on the season. Miami has struggled with protection at times and this Lions pass rush can disrupt a Dolphins offense that is finding it form. Not to be outdone, Detroit offense returns its top weapon in WR Calvin Johnson, who has sat out the previous three games with an ankle injury. Johnson is the lifeblood of this offense, which has struggled without him drawing defenders to his side of the field. Detroit has averaged just over 19 points since he went down. The Lions are also getting dynamic RB Reggie Bush back on the field, another weapons the Miami defense must account for. The Dolphins come into Week 10 on a three-game tear but have taken those wins over some teams in tough situations. Miami took advantage of a reeling Bears squad with locker room issues, then beat up on the toothless Jaguars, before hosting a Chargers team that traveled cross country for an early kickoff last Sunday. The Lions defense and its ability to pressure the passer and an offense getting its top target back is why I’m playing on Detroit as my 10* Personal Favorite Sunday. |
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11-02-14 | Baltimore Ravens v. Pittsburgh Steelers +1 | Top | 23-43 | Win | 100 | 95 h 37 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Pittsburgh Steelers as my 10* Main Event Sunday night. The Steelers have revenge on their minds versus the Baltimore Ravens and come into Week 9 playing some of the best football in the league, with perhaps the hottest quarterback under center. Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger put up a game for the ages in a 51-34 victory over the Colts last weekend, throwing for six touchdowns and 522 yards. Big Ben is not likely to repeat that output but he’s had the hot hand, with 1,288 yards passing and 10 touchdowns to one interception in the last four games in which the Steelers are 3-1 SU and ATS. Pittsburgh was embarrassed by Baltimore in Week 2, losing 26-6 and getting shutout of the end zone. The Steelers have covered in three of their last five head-to-head meetings with the Ravens, with a push in that span, and oddsmakers aren’t giving them much credit despite holding the home edge at Heinz Field. Baltimore has some holes in its defense, most notably starting corner Jimmy Smith. The Ravens have done a good job against the run this season but are allowing 256 yards passing per game – 22nd in the NFL. Pittsburgh has plenty of weapons to choose from and Roethlisberger will exploit any weaknesses he finds in the pass defense. With Pittsburgh red hot and stoked by revenge against the Ravens, I’m playing on Pittsburgh as my 10* Main Event Sunday night. |
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11-02-14 | Oakland Raiders v. Seattle Seahawks -15 | Top | 24-30 | Loss | -108 | 91 h 58 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Seattle Seahawks as my 10* Personal Favorite Sunday. The defending Super Bowl champs have put in three shaky performances – going 2-1 SU and 0-3 ATS – but have a chance to redeem themselves in front of the infamous 12th Man against the winless Oakland Raiders and rookie QB Derek Carr Sunday. Enough is enough for the Seahawks, who look nothing like the team that dominated Denver in the Super Bowl last February. Seattle’s defense has been nowhere near as imposing, giving up an average of 126 rushing yards against in that three-game span. This divisional spat with the Raiders, who rank dead last in rushing yards (69.6 per game), is a great kick starter to get the Seahawks stop unit back on track. Another hiccup in the Seattle system is the offense, which stalled out for only 13 points in a close win over Carolina last week. Running back Marshawn Lynch has been the center of ridicule, managing just under 59 yards per game in that three-game stretch. Beast Mode will look to shut those doubters up with a big day on the ground against a Oakland defense getting bullied for 130.1 rushing yards per outing – 26th in the NFL. Even the Mother Nature is setting up for a big day from the Seahawks. The forecast for Seattle is calling for soggy weather and temperatures dipping into the 40s – a perfect day for football by CenturyLink Field standards. With Seattle anxious to impress and the Raiders and their rookie passer walking into hostile territory, I’m playing on Seattle as my 10* Personal Favorite Sunday. |
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11-02-14 | Denver Broncos v. New England Patriots +3.5 | Top | 21-43 | Win | 100 | 91 h 48 m | Show |
I’m playing on the New England Patriots as my 10* Rivalry Best of the Best Sunday. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady open another chapter in their longstanding rivalry in Week 9. The Patriots have the home-field edge and history on their side Sunday afternoon. Manning and Brady have been going at it for a while. This will be the 16th meeting between the two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks, with Brady and the Patriots holding a 10-5 SU and 7-6-2 ATS edge. However, historical records don’t hold much water compared to current form, and no team looks hotter than New England heading into Week 9. After many wrote off the Pats in the early going, New England has reeled off four straight victories since losing in embarrassing fashion at Kansas City on Monday Night Football. But despite that roll, oddsmakers are still discounting New England and setting it as a rare home underdog this Sunday. Since his time with the Pats, Brady is 7-1 ATS as a home pup. The Patriots have outscored opponents 158-87 in that four-game span. And while the offense steals a lot of the headlines – especially in this type of matchup – New England’s defense has been one of the best stop units in the league. The Patriots have the second-best pass defense in the NFL, allowing only 210.9 yards against per game, and boast eight interceptions and 10 forced fumbles. This unit checked Manning to just 150 yards passing, two touchdowns and an interception in last year’s remarkable comeback in Foxborough. An undervalued Patriots team with a defense stepping up for this big game is why I’m playing New England as my 10* Rivalry Best Game Of The Year. |
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11-02-14 | NY Jets +10.5 v. Kansas City Chiefs | Top | 10-24 | Loss | -135 | 139 h 33 m | Show |
I’m playing on the New York Jets as my 10* AFC Best of the Best Sunday. The Jets are being discounted by the oddsmakers in this road trip to face the Kansas City Chiefs, but have shown a toughness away from home this season. New York is hoping the injection of veteran QB Michael Vick will help spark the offense in Week 9 after struggling to gain ground with second-year passer Geno Smith under center. Smith often tried too hard to be the “pass first” QB, giving up many opportunities to run the ball instead. The Jets won’t have that problem with Vick, who can still chew up big yardage with his legs. The threat of Vick breaking off big gains on the ground will keep the Chiefs defense on its toes, and will likely leave them to designate a linebacker to spy on the QB if Vick can do some damage with the run. That should open up some shorter underneath passes to new playmaker Percy Harvin, who can tack on yards after the catch, as well as budding TE Jace Amaro, who is currently second on the team in receiving yards. Kansas City has done a good job stymieing the passing game this year – ranked tops in the NFL – but have been pushed around by opposing run games. On top of Vick’s ability to scramble, New York is getting great production from RB Chris Ivory. He’s found the end zone five times already and dominated the Patriots on Thursday night two weeks ago, running for 107 yards and picking up 5.1 yards per carry. The Chiefs allowed 171 yards to San Francisco three games ago, but haven’t faced a dominant rushing attack since. The Jets come into Week 9 with the fourth-most potent ground game, at 139.9 yards an outing. New York can control the pace of the game and keep this contest much closer than books expect. A relentless Jets ground game and a Chiefs defense that’s been bulldozed at times this season is why I’m playing on the New York Jets as my 10* |
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11-02-14 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers +7 v. Cleveland Browns | Top | 17-22 | Win | 100 | 88 h 43 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as my 10* Breakfast Club Sunday. Tampa Bay isn’t getting much respect on the road in Ohio, despite taking on a Cleveland Browns team that has lost its offensive pace and has benefited from a light schedule. The Buccaneers have dropped some tight games in recent weeks, suffering two overtime losses including a 19-13 defeat in the added frame against Minnesota last weekend. Tampa Bay could easily be 3-1 in its last four and this spread would look a lot different. The Bucs butt heads with a Browns team that has watched the power from its running game go out the window. After marching through opponents to open the season, Cleveland has managed to rush for just 108 yards on 55 carries in its last two outings – an average of just 1.96 yards per run. The power outage on the ground has everything to do with the loss to star center Alex Mack, who is out with a broken leg. Adding to Cleveland’s offensive woes is a concussion to standout TE Jordan Cameron, who is out indefinitely after suffering yet another concussion against Oakland last week. Cameron was QB Brian Hoyer’s safety net and without him and a legit run game to keep the defense honest, Hoyer could find himself under a ton of pressure from a Bucs defense that is still out to prove itself. A hungry Tampa Bay team and a Cleveland offense limping into Week 9 is why I’m playing on Tampa Bay as my 10* Breakfast Club Sunday. |
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10-27-14 | Washington Redskins +10 v. Dallas Cowboys | Top | 20-17 | Win | 100 | 107 h 10 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Washington Redskins as my 10* Best Bet Monday. The Redskins have a chance to catch the Dallas Cowboys in a perfect letdown spot on Monday Night Football and won’t roll over for their hated divisional rival, presenting some great value against the spread. Washington has played Dallas hard in past meetings, covering the spread in seven of their last eight games. The Cowboys come into Week 8 fat and cocky off two massive wins. Dallas stunned Seattle in CenturyLink Field two weeks ago then followed that with a one-sided win against the Giants last Sunday. With an important NFC tilt against the Cardinals on tap, Washington can also catch the Cowboys looking ahead. The Redskins snapped a four-game skid with a win over Tennessee last Sunday. Washington is handing the ball to third-string QB Colt McCoy this Monday, with head coach Jay Gruden putting his full confidence in the former Texas star. McCoy looked great in relief of Kirk Cousins last week, completing 11 of 12 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. Washington has dangerous weapons around McCoy in WRs Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, who was a thorn in the side of the Cowboys during his tenure with the Eagles. Washington’s defense continues to stay under the radar, despite limiting opponents to just 321.9 yards per game – sixth lowest in the NFL. The Redskins have an aggressive defensive line that will make life tough on Cowboys QB Tony Romo, who is still limited by his nagging back injury. If they can plug the running lanes and keep RB DeMarco Murray from finding daylight, it could be a long night for the Dallas offensive line. A unfocused Dallas team and an undervalued Washington side is why I’m playing on Washington as my 10* Best Bet Monday. |
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10-26-14 | Green Bay Packers v. New Orleans Saints -1 | Top | 23-44 | Win | 100 | 156 h 55 m | Show |
I’m playing on the New Orleans Saints as my 10* Main Event Sunday. New Orleans is back home in the Superdome with a chance to make a statement in the NFC and springboard itself back into the Super Bowl conversation against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football The Saints are kicking themselves after letting the Lions steal a win in Week 7, giving up two late touchdowns to Detroit and losing 24-23 on the road. New Orleans has its back against the wall, sitting at just 2-4 SU and ATS on the season, needing a big game on the NFL’s big stage Sunday night. This team is a different animal at home, and has been for a long time. The Saints have covered in 36 of their previous 53 home games – 68 percent – and are a perfect 6-0 SU at home on Sunday night under head coach Sean Payton, who took over the clipboard in 2006. These two teams have produced some lofty scores in recent history, but the Saints could opt to exploit the Packers’ biggest weakness – the run defense – Sunday night. Green Bay is allowing 147.7 yards on the ground per game, which ranks second worst in the NFL. New Orleans lost RB Pierre Thomas last week but returns Mark Ingram and has a dangerous weapon in Khiry Robinson, who has shown his explosiveness this season. New Orleans defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will likely follow his brother Rex’s gameplan versus Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers. Rex Ryan’s Jets sacked Rodgers four times and limited the former MVP to a 59.5 completion percentage. Look for an aggressive pass rush from New Orleans, which was able to get three sacks on Detroit QB Matt Stafford and pick off two passes last Sunday. A desperate Saints squad right at home on Sunday night is why I’m playing on New Orleans as my 10* Main Event Sunday. |
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10-26-14 | Baltimore Ravens v. Cincinnati Bengals | Top | 24-27 | Win | 100 | 76 h 11 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Cincinnati Bengals as my 10* Breakfast Club Sunday. The Bengals are ripe for a rebound after a dismal showing against the Colts in Week 7 and can’t afford a loss to AFC North rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday afternoon. Cincinnati is happy to be back home in Paul Brown Stadium, where it averages 31.3 points per game – compared to just 13.3 on the road. The Bengals actually play their next three games at home, allowing the team to relax and focus on football heading into this important Week 8 matchup. Cincinnati is a moneymaker in Cleveland, covering the spread in 13 of their last 16 home stands. The Bengals were able to edge the Ravens on the road in Week 1, getting a tremendous game from its defense which limited Baltimore to 16 points and forced two turnovers. Cincinnati will have LB Vontaze Burfict on the field after he suffered a neck injury last week. Burfict was a dominating force in the opener against Baltimore before leaving the game with a concussion – a dramatic turning point in that Week 1 contest. Baltimore has picked up back-to-back wins against lesser opponents, misleading the odds for this divisional grudge match. The Ravens rolled over the hapless Buccaneers 48-17 in Week 6 and then handled the Falcons with ease, winning 29-7 last Sunday. Those one-sided victories came against defenses ranked 32nd and 30th respectively. And while the Bengals defense currently sits between those clubs at 31st, this stop unit has shown its teeth. Cincinnati ranks fifth in the NFL in turnover ratio, registering 10 takeaways while turning the ball over just five times. A home-happy Bengals team and an overrated Ravens side is why I’m playing Cincinnati as my 10* Breakfast Club Sunday. |
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10-26-14 | Minnesota Vikings v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -2.5 | Top | 19-13 | Loss | -110 | 76 h 51 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as my 10* Personal Favorite Sunday. The Buccaneers are off the bye and at home to one of the few NFL teams on par with them in the NFL power ratings, the Minnesota Vikings, who are bound for a letdown after a heartbreaking loss in Week 7. Tampa Bay enjoyed a bye this past week, with head coach Lovie Smith tinkering with a defense that is allowing a league-worst 34 points per game. The Bucs have run some tough road in recent weeks, facing myriad of elite passers in Joe Flacco, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger and Matt Ryan – three of which have quarterbacked Super Bowl winners. Tampa Bay gets a break with rookie Teddy Bridgewater under center for the Vikings. Bridgewater has only one touchdown pass to five interceptions, and doesn’t present the deep threat the Bucs have feared in recent games. Minnesota has been miserable at protecting its franchise future, allowing opponents to sack its quarterback 19 times in the past three games. The Vikings face a familiar foe in former head coach and current Bucs defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier Sunday. Frazier, who was fired from Minnesota last December, has first-hand knowledge of the Vikings personnel and will look to exploit that inside info in Week 8. Minnesota comes into Week 8 already on its heels. The Vikings lost 17-16 to Buffalo Sunday on a last-second touchdown, handing the team its third straight loss. That deflating result, plus the fact Minnesota has scored 10 or fewer points in four of its seven games sets up perfect for a Tampa Bay team in need of a break. An opportunistic Bucs team and the Vikings’ offensive woes is why I’m playing on Tampa Bay as my 10* Personal Favorite Sunday. |
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10-19-14 | San Francisco 49ers v. Denver Broncos -6.5 | Top | 17-42 | Win | 100 | 120 h 27 m | Show |
I’m playing on the BRONCOS. Denver appears to have hit its stride after struggling prior to the bye week, winning handily over the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets. Its reward: a home date with a San Francisco 49ers unit that fell asleep at the switch early on before rallying to beat St. Louis. Led by Peyton Manning and his usual cast of characters, the Denver offense has rolled to 72 points over the past two games - and probably could have scored a lot more than that if it really wanted to. Aside from a rough three-quarter stretch in Seattle - where more than a few teams have had trouble over the years - Manning and the Broncos have looked an awful lot like they did last season. Expect the Broncos to pick on the 49ers’ secondary, particularly since they will likely struggle to do much on the ground. San Francisco fell behind 14-0 early against the Rams and was fortunate to pull away, taking advantage of several St. Louis miscues. The 49ers shouldn’t expect a repeat from a Broncos side that is allowing the fourth-fewest yards per game in the NFL (318.2). Add in a decimated 49ers defensive line that will be likely be without Patrick Willis, and the Broncos are primed for a big win in prime time. 10* - SNF Game Of The Year |
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10-19-14 | Arizona Cardinals v. Oakland Raiders +3.5 | Top | 24-13 | Loss | -115 | 140 h 46 m | Show |
I’m playing on the RAIDERS. Oakland is still looking for its first outright win, but looked good in last week’s narrow loss to San Diego and remains home for a date with an Arizona Cardinals team that has struggled mightily to contain opposing pass attacks all season long. I’m not expecting much rushing in this one; the Cardinals rank 30th in yards-per-game average (85.6) and third in fewest yards allowed (75.8) while the Raiders are averaging just 72 yards per contest on the ground. But rookie Raiders quarterback Derek Carr erupted for 282 yards and four scores against a Chargers defense that came in as one of the stingiest against the pass - and now he gets to feast on a Cards secondary allowing a league-high 309 yards per contest through the air. Oakland is also resilient, going 7-3-1 ATS in its last 11 games after allowing 350 or more yards in its previous outing. With the Cardinals expecting to start either Carson Palmer, who chucked 13 interceptions in eight road games last season, or unproven Drew Stanton, who has completed fewer than 49 percent of his passes, I don’t have faith that the offense will score enough to make up for what could be a rough day on the Arizona D. 10* - Non-Conference Game Of The Year |
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10-19-14 | Kansas City Chiefs v. San Diego Chargers -3.5 | Top | 23-20 | Loss | -107 | 19 h 30 m | Show |
I’m playing on the CHARGERS. Philip Rivers and Co. have been one of the most impressive home teams so far this season, outscoring the opposition 94-35. And while the visiting Kansas City Chiefs have looked decent in their three road outings so far in 2014, I don’t how they can match Rivers on offense - or stop him on defense. Rivers has led the Chargers to five wins in a row, with the offense putting up 30 or more points four times in that stretch. And while that run includes victories over Jacksonville, the New York Jets and Oakland - three teams that aren’t exactly Super Bowl contenders - it kicked off with triumphs over Seattle and Buffalo. Rivers has dissected every defense he has encountered since Week 2, and the Chiefs - despite ranking seventh in opposing passing yards per game (214.4) - shouldn’t mount much resistance. Kansas City’s running game needs to be respected - Jamaal Charles is a phenomenal talent, and his backup (Knile Davis) did terrific work in his absence. But Alex Smith and the passing game has been largely underwhelming yet again, ranked second-last in yards per game (197.4) with just eight touchdowns through five games. As good as Charles is, he can’t do it himself against a Chargers team that should challenge the 30-point plateau. San Diego comes in 7-1 ATS in its last eight games; expect that trend to continue this week. 10* Personal Favorite |
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10-19-14 | Cleveland Browns v. Jacksonville Jaguars +6 | Top | 6-24 | Win | 100 | 123 h 22 m | Show |
I’m playing on the JAGUARS. Jacksonville nearly pulled out its first win of the season in Tennessee last weekend, and now returns home to face a Cleveland Browns team that is giving up more than 400 yards per game. I’ll happily take the points here, even with the Jags’ offense still struggling to find its legs. The switch from Chad Henne to Blake Bortles hasn’t yet resulted in more points on the scoreboard, but it has allowed Jacksonville to sustain longer drives and keep the beleaguered defense fresh. The Jaguars averaged just over 24 minutes of possession time in its first three games, and close to 29 minutes in three contests since. That has had a major impact on a defensive unit that has limited opponents to 33 combined points in back-to-back losses. The Jaguars are also committed to running the ball more - and that could cause a problem for a Browns defense surrendering the most rushing yards per game in the NFL (149.6). And these aren’t elite rushing games the Browns are facing - they allow 149 yards on the ground against Tennessee, 160 versus Baltimore and 174 to New Orleans. Jacksonville hasn’t run the ball well all season - but I believe they’ll do so with plenty of success this Sunday. 10* - Best Bet |
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10-12-14 | NY Giants v. Philadelphia Eagles -2.5 | Top | 0-27 | Win | 100 | 164 h 10 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Philadelphia Eagles as my 10* Divisional Best Of Best Sunday. Philadelphia can make a statement in the NFC East with a win over the New York Giants, who have won three in a row since dropping their first two contests. The Eagles are scoring on both sides of the ball in recent weeks, finding the end zone on blocked punts and punt returns while also scoring off an interception return. Philadelphia is getting excellent play from its special teams, especially a return unit that is giving the offense tremendous starting field position. The offense has needed that help in recent games. Chip Kelly’s high-octane attack has sputtered a bit, with QB Nick Foles making some costly mistakes. However, Kelly cracked down on Foles and has tinkered with his passer leading into this Sunday night game, confident he can find his form again. The Giants defense has been able to capitalize on some friendly defensive matchups recently. New York faced Houston without RB Arian Foster, caught Washington backup Kirk Cousins in a bad place, and hosted an Atlanta team that can’t score on the road this past weekend. In the first two games of the season, the G-Men coughed up 60 combined points and will be exposed again in Philadelphia. New York is also prone to mistakes on the offensive end, especially QB Eli Manning. While he’s been solid during the team’s winning streak, Manning threw four picks to start the season and totaled 27 interceptions last season – three of which came against the Eagles. This Philadelphia defense can turn those errors into points very quickly. A Philadelphia team capable of scoring points on offense, defense and special teams, as well as a mistake-prone Giants side is why I’m playing on the Philadelphia Eagles as my 10* Divisional GAME OF THE MONTH Sunday. |
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10-12-14 | San Diego Chargers v. Oakland Raiders +8 | Top | 31-28 | Win | 100 | 160 h 8 m | Show |
I’m playing on the Oakland Raiders as my 10* Best Bet Sunday. The Silver and Black are under new leadership for the time being, with Dennis Allen getting the ax and fiery Tony Sporano taking over on an interim basis. The team has responded in a positive light and are a live underdog against the San Diego Chargers in Week 6. Sporano got things started with a bang in the Bay Area, prompting his players to bury a football representing the team’s slow start to the season. By the looks of things, and reports out of practice, there’s new life in the Raiders coming into Sunday. The drills were smoother and quicker, the team seemed more focused and an importance on fundamental football has play looking sharper. On the other side of the field, the Chargers are scrambling to fill holes on their depth chart thanks to a rash of injuries. The rushing corps was already depleted with the losses of Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead, but now that fellow RB Donald Brown is dealing with a concussion the Bolts are scrambling to find capable bodies to run the football – even going as far as giving veteran Ronnie Brown another go-around. On top of the banged-up running game, San Diego is down to its fourth-string center after Doug Legursky was placed on IR this week. The Chargers are forced to slide rookie guard Chris Watt to center for this Sunday’s game, throwing a major wrench in the Bolts offense. The Raiders defense, which is expected to pick up the pace with Sporano making the calls, will test that weakness in the Bolts’ offensive line. Without a running game to keep Oakland honest, expect plenty of blitz packages from the Raiders as they try to rush QB Philip Rivers in the pocket. Points may be hard to come by, even for this Chargers attack that has seemed so potent at times. A revitalized Oakland side and a Chargers teams frantically trying to fill holes is why I’m playing on the Oakland Raiders as my 10* Best Bet. |
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10-05-14 | Cincinnati Bengals v. New England Patriots +1.5 | Top | 17-43 | Win | 100 | 105 h 43 m | Show |
I am playing on NEW ENGLAND. The betting public could barely wait for oddsmakers to release this line before they started throwing money down on the Bengals for this Sunday night matchup. I believe they’re throwing money down the drain and here’s why. Let’s keep in mind that the Patriots are 2-2 this season, not 0-4 like the recent dooms day media coverage would suggest. That’s still good enough for a three-way tie for tops in the AFC East. The Pats are at home this week where they’ve won 10 straight games and gone 7-3 against the spread in those efforts. They’ve also won and covered in their last four home games against winnings teams, which shouldn’t surprise anyone that Tom Brady and Bill Belichick tend to rise to the occasion. This line is skewed by the fact the Pats are coming off one of their worst losses in the Brady-Belichick era but I always caution bettors not to overreact to one game. I’m focusing instead on the fact the Pats own the fourth-best total defense in the league and the best passing defense. That will be enough to keep New England close and allow Brady and the offense to snap out of their passing funk. The Pats can only go up on offense and there’s no better spot for them to quiet the apocalyptic criticism than at home in a Sunday Nighter. 10* Main Event |
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10-05-14 | Kansas City Chiefs v. San Francisco 49ers -6 | Top | 17-22 | Loss | -104 | 101 h 5 m | Show |
I am playing on SAN FRANCISCO. I believe the 49ers will stop the Chiefs’ momentum and send them spiraling back to earth after Sunday’s game. Kansas City was able to handle the Patriots last week on home soil by bullying them at the line of scrimmage. I don’t see that happening this week on hostile ground in San Francisco. The Niners have one of the best front seven units in the NFL and the their O-line is coming off its best game of the season after running back Frank Gore dashed for 118 yards against the Eagles. San Fran owns the second best overall defense in the NFL and they have a knack for turning the ball over with five interceptions and four fumble recoveries. They’ll also be very comfortable playing against their former QB Alex Smith on the other side of the field. On offense, the Niners present a challenge the Chiefs haven’t truly faced yet this year – a legit dual threat QB. Colin Kaepernick leads the NFL with 187 rushing yards and though he doesn’t rack up a ton of mileage through the air, he is efficient with a 66.9 completion percentage. The Niners offense also knows how to move the chains when it needs to, ranking fifth in the NFL in 3rd down conversion rate. 10* Personal Favorite |
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10-05-14 | Chicago Bears v. Carolina Panthers -2.5 | Top | 24-31 | Win | 100 | 98 h 25 m | Show |
I’m playing on CAROLINA. Panthers QB Cam Newton faces one of his favorite teams to throw against on Sunday, which is just what Carolina needs to snap out of its two-game losing streak. Newton has passed for over 300 yards each of the last two times he faced the Bears and don’t be surprised if he does it a third straight time. The Bears secondary ranks a disappointing 20th in the league in passing yards allowed and they have struggled to consistently bring a pass rush. (They rank just 20th in the league in rushing yards allowed.) On offense, the Bears were thankful to see running back Matt Forte explode for 122 yards rushing last week while QB Jay Cutler struggles to establish some rhythm through the air. The problem with that for the Bears is they have a banged up offensive line that suffered another blow in practice this week when starting left tackle Jermon Bushrod hurt his knee and had to leave the field. Carolina is an undervalued squad that has been the victim of a nasty schedule to start the season. I see them handling the Bears on Sunday in front of the home crowd. 10* Breakfast Club |
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09-28-14 | New Orleans Saints -3 v. Dallas Cowboys | Top | 17-38 | Loss | -113 | 104 h 18 m | Show |
I'm playing on NEW ORLEANS. After losing two straight heartbreakers, the Saints got a long overdue win last week at home. They beat Minnesota 20-9 as 9.5-point favorites within the friendly confines of the Superdome. But having to hit the road for a third time in four weeks has tempered enthusiasm here, meaning we can get away with laying a pretty short number against a still suspect Cowboys team. Dallas had a huge come from behind victory Sunday, beating the Rams 34-31. They trailed early 21-0 and for the first time we saw the Cowboys defense play poorly. They gave up 448 yards and allowed St. Louis to convert 8 of 13 on third down. Not a good sign when getting set to face Drew Brees. These teams played last year and the results were ugly if you were a Cowboys fan. The game was in New Orleans and the Saints won 49-17 with Brees connecting on 34 of his 41 pass attempts. It was his third straight game throwing for at least 350 yards against this Dallas defense. The offense set a NFL record, gaining 40 first downs. The Saints are clearly not the same team on the road. They are 0-2 this year and lost four straight regular season road games. But that lack of success has not applied to Dallas. Brees is 3-0 all-time on the road vs. the Cowboys. I'd say that Brees should look to pick on Cowboys' cornerback Mo Claiborne in this one, but the defender's role is going to be greatly reduced here after an awful game vs. St. Louis and storming out of practice earlier this week. But if Claiborne is the starter, that gives you an idea on just how bad the reserves are. Ultimately, the Saints are going to win some road games. This one is not outdoors, which works to the benefit of their offense. The defense obviously made a ton of strides last week vs. Minnesota. Dallas is just 6-11 ATS its last 17 home games including 1-4 ATS last five. 10* main event. |
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09-28-14 | Philadelphia Eagles v. San Francisco 49ers -5 | Top | 21-26 | Push | 0 | 101 h 33 m | Show |
I'm playing on SAN FRANCISCO. The 49ers are a team that really needs to win this week. They're 1-2 and have faded badly in the second half of back to back losses to Chicago and Arizona. Really, had it not been for a turnover-fueled first half lead against Dallas, things could actually be worse. Despite this, I had expected bettors to leap on San Francisco this week in a must-win spot as they host Philadelphia. The sharp money did initially, but since then the line has held as the majority of tickets have actually come in on the underdog. A contrarian by nature, I often find myself on the opposite side of the public. That is the case here. Obviously what the public sees here is a 3-0 team getting points. But the Eagles are not your ordinary 3-0 team. In all three games they have had to come from behind. They've trailed in all three games by 10 or more points at one point. Prior to this, no team had ever started a season 3-0 when trailing by double digits in each game. An early hole here wouldn't be as easy for Philadelphia to climb out of. On paper, the 49ers are a team designed to protect leads. That has been their signature the past three seasons under Jim Harbaugh. But strangely, it's been a different story this year. In the first halves of games, San Francisco has outscored opponents 59-16. In the second half, they are looking at a 52-3 deficit. That's stunning, but not irreversible. I would say the next time we see them get out to a big lead (here?), they will close out in familiar form. One key trend is that San Francisco has yet to lose three straight games under Harbaugh. Last year in Week 4, they were off two straight losses and routed St. Louis 35-11. That's the only time they'd lost two straight under Harbaugh. Philadelphia's isn't without its own issues, on both sides of the football. They've allowed 61 points the last two games and if you take out the second half vs. Jacksonville, they have given up an average of 10 points per quarter. They haven't sacked the quarterback in the last two games. The offensive line, which was so good last season, is dealing with multiple injuries. 10* personal favorite. |
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09-25-14 | NY Giants +3.5 v. Washington Redskins | Top | 45-14 | Win | 100 | 73 h 54 m | Show |
I'm playing on the GIANTS. While the Giants won last week to improve their record to 1-2, the Redskins lost (but covered) and now find themselves in the same place in the NFC East standings. I see the value as being on the dog in this one. Eli Manning is finally starting to look like Eli Manning again. He comes off his best game of the season, completing 21 of 28 passes against Houston for 234 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Most importantly, he didn't throw an interception. Manning was also supplemented with a nice running game, courtesy of Rashad Jennings going for 176 yards. While the Giants ended up winning by a final score of only 30-17, it wasn't even that close. They outgained Houston 262 to 83 in the 1st half. Again, perhaps the most important thing is that they won the turnover battle for the 1st time in a game this season. Everyone has been quick to jump on the Kirk Cousins bandwagon in Washington. But while the backup quarterback has put up some impressive stats so far, all he has to show for it is a win over the winless Jaguars. He has faced two bad defenses thus far as well. The home team has dominated Thursday night football so far, but under coach Tom Coughlin, New York is 3-1 ATS on TNF. Coughlin is also 11-8-1 ATS and 14-6 straight up vs. the Redskins in his time on the Giants sidelines. The Giants swept the Redskins last season. Both games came late in the year. While Washington was a bad team in 2013, I would be remiss if I didn't point out that Cousins started the second of the two games. He played very poorly, completing just 19 of 49 passes while also throwing two interceptions. Also important is pointing out that the underdog is on a 6-1 ATS run in this NFC East rivalry. 10* best bet. |
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09-22-14 | Chicago Bears v. NY Jets -2.5 | Top | 27-19 | Loss | -110 | 27 h 17 m | Show |
I'm playing on the NY JETS. Last week saw the Jets blow a 21-3 lead at Green Bay, losing 31-24, but covering as underdogs. The Bears were outright winners in San Francisco, but their game went the opposite way of the Jets as they fell behind early only to mount a successful comeback. I'm not sold that is all is right with Chicago now. I'll be going with the Jets. Thanks to a +4 turnover margin, the Bears were able to come from behind and beat San Francisco 28-20. Assuming the Jets can take better care of the football than the 49ers did, Chicago still has a lot to prove in my book. This is a team that lost outright in Week 1, at home, to Buffalo. They were down 20-7 going into the fourth quarter last Sunday. So they're one big quarter away from being 0-2 and really they hadn't looked very good at all before that big fourth quarter in San Francisco. Winning back to back primetime games is not easy to do. Especially when you are the road team in both games. That's the situation for Chicago and I'm just not confident in them in this spot given a 2-6 ATS record off a win under Marc Trestman. Overall, the Bears are a bankroll busting 5-12-1 ATS the last two seasons. The Bears' run defense looks no better this year. They've given up an average of 5.3 yards per carry in two games, allowing 320 yards on the ground. The Jets have run the ball very well in their two games, including 212 yards in the win vs. Oakland. They had 146 more last week against the Packers. They also have a mobile QB in Geno Smith. Not only do the Jets have the league's best rushing offense, but they also have the league's best rushing defense. They've allowed an average of just 52.5 yards per game so far. The Jets were 6-2 SU last year off a loss. They had the same record at home. I'll lay a short number in this situation. 10* main event. |
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09-21-14 | Kansas City Chiefs v. Miami Dolphins -4 | Top | 34-15 | Loss | -110 | 139 h 32 m | Show |
I'm playing on MIAMI. Neither of these teams played well last week. Actually, I take that back. Kansas City played better than expected in covering the spread in a 24-17 loss to the Broncos. But the bottom line is that the Chiefs have opened 0-2, and this has the look of a difficult season for them. I'll lay the points with the Dolphins here. Miami at least has a win to its credit, beating New England in Week 1. That was here at home. They didn't fare nearly as well last week up in Buffalo, but that's a place where they traditionally struggle. Back at home, I'd expect them to bounce back. Both teams may be without their starting running back for this game (check statuses). It is confirmed that Miami will not have Knowshon Moreno available for the next four weeks after he dislocated his elbow against the Bills. Kansas City is still unsure of the status of Jamaal Charles, but remember he wasn't very effective in an opening week loss to Tennessee. Another key injury the Chiefs are dealing with is the ankle of starting safety Eric Berry. Overall, seven Kansas City starters are either injured or suspended right now. I have to wonder how KC will respond after suffering such a tough loss in Denver last week. History says not well as the team is 3-7 ATS off its last 10 straight up losses while also going 1-4 ATS off its last five ATS wins. Miami has done well at home recently, covering five of six. They are also 5-2 ATS in September the last two years. Chiefs QB Alex Smith has not played well and comes into this game as the league's lowest rated passer. If the Dolphins offensive line can protect Ryan Tannehill the same way they did vs. New England, then they should leave with the cash. 10* personal favorite. |
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09-21-14 | Oakland Raiders +16 v. New England Patriots | Top | 9-16 | Win | 100 | 154 h 21 m | Show |
I'm playing on OAKLAND. Those who find value in taking large underdogs will have that theory put to the test this week as the Raiders visit New England. This line was quickly bet up and it has reached a point where I personally feel the value is on Oakland. Don't get me wrong; the Raiders have struggled. Most would consider them to be the worst team in the league. That's why they're getting so many points. But I am of the opinion that this is simply too many points to lay in an NFL game, especially one taking place so early in the season. There's always the issue of motivation for the favorite. New England is a team that's earned a reputation for putting up a lot of points. But even though they scored 30 last week on Minnesota, I don't believe this Patriots offense is as good as previous editions. They failed to gain even 300 yards against the Vikings and one of their three touchdowns came after a blocked field goal. Tom Brady seems to be in a bit of a decline. He threw for just 149 yards last week after completing only 51.8 percent of his passes in the first game. The Patriots have also hurt themselves. They've had a league-high 263 yards go against them due to penalties. Bad starts have been another issue. They have fallen behind 7-0 in both games thus far. Against Miami, they went three and out, then had a punt blocked. Versus Minnesota, they gave up a seven-play, 80 yard opening drive. With the spread being this high, falling behind at all would make it very difficult to cover. New England has not been a good bet as a double digit fave recently. They are just 6-14 ATS laying 10 or more points dating back to the 2008 season including 1-6 ATS the last seven times. 10* best bet. |
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09-21-14 | Houston Texans v. NY Giants +2.5 | Top | 17-30 | Win | 100 | 154 h 14 m | Show |
I'm playing the GIANTS. For a second straight week, Houston is a road favorite. They easily covered last week, but that was against Oakland. The Giants come in desperately needing a win, having opened 0-2, both straight up and against the spread. As a home underdog, I think they are a tremendous value in Week 3. Let's not forget the Texans also opened 2-0 last year. They would go on to lose their final 14 games in what was a disastrous season. No one, including me, is saying that will happen again in 2014. But, the level of competition hasn't been too significant to this point either. So far, Houston has beaten both the Redskins and the Raiders, two teams that combined for just seven wins a year ago. The Giants have played a couple of decent teams in Detroit and Arizona. While we all saw them struggle in the first game (Monday night game), they actually played a lot better last week vs. the Cardinals. With the team down 22-14, running back Rashad Jennings had a costly fumble inside the Arizona 20-yard line. That was only after a Ted Ginn punt return for a TD and the Giants fumbling the ensuing kickoff away, setting up a Cardinals' field goal. One positive development for New York against Arizona was the play of QB Eli Manning. After a rough preseason, Manning appeared to have a grasp of the new offense for the first time. He completed 26 of 39 pass attempts for 277 yards and two touchdowns. One of his two interceptions came on a desperation heave at the end of the game. The other was on a tipped ball. Last week's win and cover by the Texans broke an 8-game ATS losing streak when looking to follow up a SU win. Surprisingly, despite two relatively comfortable wins, Houston has been outgained in both games this year. Turnovers, which killed them last year, have swung in their favor and that's a big reason for them being unbeaten right now. But I look for the Giants to get the breaks in this one. 10* best bet. |
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09-15-14 | Philadelphia Eagles +3 v. Indianapolis Colts | Top | 30-27 | Win | 100 | 26 h 52 m | Show |
I'm playing on PHILADELPHIA. With the Colts losing last week, many are going to be pointing towards Andrew Luck's 9-0-1 ATS record off a SU loss the last two years. But I don't necessarily share that same faith in this year's Colts. Especially now that they're laying points to a Philadelphia team that can score in bunches. I'm taking the Eagles. Neither of these teams got off to good starts in Week 1. Indianapolis obviously lost, falling to Denver 32-24. But because they were able to come back from a 24-0 deficit to cover, I think the public is putting too much faith in them. Philadelphia was trailing by a similar margin last week vs. Jacksonville, but still covered a double digit spread against Jacksonville. That's more impresssive to me. I expect Indy to struggle all season defensively. They were already going to be without Robert Mathis for four games (suspended), but now he's lost for the year after injuring himself while working out. Mathis led the NFL in sacks (19.5) last year. That's a big loss. They also allowed 102 yards rushing against the Broncos. Last year, Philadelphia led the NFL in rushing. The Colts have also become too one-dimensional on offense. They can't run the ball and the Trent Richardson trade looks worse with each passing game. Andrew Luck just doesn't have enough help this year. The team will be weaker at linebacker in this game with Jerrell Freeman (33 straight starts) not playing because of a hamstring injury. His replacement, Josh McNary, missed a good deal of training camp. Even with two backups playing last week (will be the same this week), Philadelphia's offensive line didn't allow a sack in the second half against Jacksonville. That's impressive. Though Indy has proven itself to be a great bounce back team, I just don't trust this defense enough to call for them to even win the game. 10* main event. |
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09-14-14 | St. Louis Rams +7 v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Top | 19-17 | Win | 100 | 92 h 57 m | Show |
I'm playing on ST. LOUIS. Both of these teams are off ugly home losses to start the year. Already coming into the game with problems at QB, St. Louis scored only six points in an ugly loss to Minnesota at home that saw them have to call upon third-string QB Austin Davis (remember that Sam Bradford is out for the year). Tampa Bay hardly did any better. They scored only 14 points in a home loss to Carolina. Josh McCown did not look like the same quarterback we saw for a nice stretch last year in Chicago, including tossing a horrible interception right after fumbling the ball on the same play. Because Tampa Bay was expected to improve this year and St. Louis was expected to basically be the same or worse, the public has gotten down early on the Bucs in this game, pushing the line higher than it should be. Tampa might win this one, but I can't see them covering. Not after last week's performance. This is the kind of matchup where I'd probably take the dog regardless. Because the game is in Tampa, it's obviously going to be the Rams catching points. But with a very good front four, I believe they're uniquely suited to stopping a Bucs offense that looked pretty lost last week. When the advanced line for this game was posted at the Westgate (formerly Las Vegas Hilton) prior to the Week 1 kickoffs, it had Tampa Bay laying only 2.5 points. While the Rams certainly didn't perform up to expectations last week, neither did the Buccaneers, so in this instance I feel the line move, especially as significant as it is, is unwarranted. TB was held scoreless for three quarters last week and quite frankly McCown looked horrible. He threw for only 183 yards on 35 attempts, which works out to 5.2 YPA. That's an ugly number. McCown's job this week is made more difficult by the fact that Logan Mankins is out. Acquired in a trade with New England right before the regular season, Mankins was supposed to be the difference maker for a Bucs offensive line that otherwise had plenty of question marks. Even with Chris Long being injured, the Rams' front four remains talented enough (they still have Robert Quinn), to make it long day for the Bucs up front. 10* best bet. |
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09-14-14 | Jacksonville Jaguars v. Washington Redskins -5.5 | Top | 10-41 | Win | 100 | 137 h 54 m | Show |
I'm playing on WASHINGTON. Is it too early to start talking about a "must win" for 1st year Redskins coach Jay Gruden? Starting 0-2 against the AFC South is I'm sure not the way he envisioned his tenure beginning, so a win over Jacksonville is something I'd certainly call a "must." Washington opened the season by losing 17-6 at Houston (Remember, I took the Texans). While Robert Griffin III and the offense continue to not impress, the one positive takeaway I had for the team was a defense that held Texans stud running back Arian Foster to an average of just 3.8 yards per carry. The Redskins did finish the game with the edge in total yards, 372-316. Jacksonville meanwhile was a painful beat for their backers as an early 17-0 lead turned into a 34-17 loss and those who took them plus the double digits went from feeling they had a potential outright winner on their hands to a losing ticket altogether. I can see how given all the buzz underdogs created in Week 1 (went 11-5 ATS overall) that those same people might want to come back with the Jaguars again this week. But I'd tell those folks to beware. This is still not a very good team and their shortcoming became apparent as they fell apart down the stretch last week. The offense didn't really do anything after taking that 17-0 lead. Toby Gerhart was given a pretty sweet deal to be the lead running back here, but gaining only 42 yards on 18 carries is not a positive sign. Chad Henne is still the quarterback, by the way. Defensively, this team lacks a serious pass rush. That's got to be music to the ears of RG3 after facing Houston last week. At the end of the day, Gruden can't lose his 1st home game or he risks losing the fanbase. Look for Washington to win this one by at least a touchdown. 10* personal favorite. |
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09-11-14 | Pittsburgh Steelers v. Baltimore Ravens -2.5 | Top | 6-26 | Win | 100 | 72 h 19 m | Show |
I'm playing on BALTIMORE. Obviously, this game is going to take a back seat to the Ray Rice storyline. But I feel in a must-win spot, the Ravens are somewhat being undervalued here. They nearly came back to beat Cincinnati last week while Pittsburgh almost blew it against Cleveland. I can't see Baltimore, traditionally a very strong home team, opening its season with two straight division losses at M&T Bank Stadium. There were some trends last week that really supported a play on the Ravens. Before losing outright to the Bengals to open the season, the team was 9-0 straight up and 8-1 against the spread as a home favorite of three points or less under John Harbaugh. Week 1 marked their first home loss in the first four weeks of the season since Harbaugh's been the coach here. Just last year, they were 6-2 SU at home. The fact that they lost last week doesn't make those trends any less true; there's just a loss in there now. Incredibly, the past five meetings between these teams have all been decided by three points or less. That makes a case for the dog in this situation, especially since the Ravens only won 22-20 over the Steelers Thanksgiving night at home last year. (PIttsburgh left with the cash as three-point underdogs after missing a potential game-tying 2-pt conversion.) But the Steelers were also on the verge of not covering that game obviously, before the late TD. They were on the wrong end of a backdoor cover last week, blowing a 27-3 lead at home to the Browns and needing a last second field goal just to pull out the straight up win. With the Ray Rice situation hopefully behind them, perhaps Baltimore pulls together in this one? It's a game they have to have and in the past we've seen teams pull together amidst similar distractions. Perhaps Joe Flacco's numbers would have looked a lot better last week had his receivers not dropped six passes. Also, the Ravens defense did allow just one touchdown, the late bomb to AJ Green. Pittsburgh's defense looked a lot worse against a Cleveland offense that few have an affinity for. 10* main event. |
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09-08-14 | San Diego Chargers +3.5 v. Arizona Cardinals | Top | 17-18 | Win | 100 | 182 h 44 m | Show |
I'm playing on SAN DIEGO. Getting the "hook" (half point) here is obviously pretty nice. But I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't end up needing it at all as I think the Chargers have an excellent shot at taking this game outright. Arizona is coming off a 10-win season. But few are predicting a repeat finish this season playing in the tough NFC West. The Cardinals defense carried them last year, but three of their starting players from the front seven are gone (Dansby, Dockett, Washington). That's going to spell trouble against a Chargers offense that by most measures only ranked behind Denver in terms of being the best in the league in 2013. San Diego's defense was its Achilles heel last year, but that group actually improved as the season went along, thanks to a pass rush. They brought in some new cornerbacks in the offseason, one in the draft (Verrett) and one in free agency (Flowers), and I like those moves. But when discussing the Chargers, you have to talk QB Philip Rivers. He completed almost 70% of his passes last season, a number which the coaching staff predicted before the season and was laughed at for. The new coaching staff did wonders for him and he ended up with almost 4500 yards passing and 32 touchdown passes. Even if tight end Antonio Gates can't go tonight, Rivers won't be lacking for weapons. Receiver Keenan Allen had great rookie year and the Chargers have another TE in waiting in LaDarius Green. I am far more worried about Arizona's injury situation. Running back Andre Ellington was supposed to have a breakout year, but has been limited in practice and will be a gametime decision. Also, what if punter Dave Zastudil can't go? The team doesn't have another punter on the roster! The Cardinals are 0-4 ATS their last four appearances on Monday Night Football. 10* best bet. |
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09-07-14 | Washington Redskins v. Houston Texans -2.5 | Top | 6-17 | Win | 100 | 148 h 27 m | Show |
I'm playing on HOUSTON. Two teams looking to rebound from very disappointing campaigns meet in the first week of the season. With Houston at home and available below the key number of three, I've decided to lay the points. In fact, according to record these teams should have drafted 1-2 back in April. But because of the Robert Griffin III trade, the Redskins lost their right to the #2 overall choice. Houston being able to add Jadeveon Clowney while Washington really added no one of consequence is an obvious and automatic advantage in the Texans favor. We have two rookie head coaches making their debuts in this one as well. Both have been head coaches before; Houston's Bill O'Brien in college and Washington's Jay Gruden in the Arena League. Both were also offensive coordinators previously in the NFL. Opening at home, I give the slight edge to O'Brien. With Clowney joining JJ Watt, I give the Texans a significant edge defensively in this matchup. Linebacker Brian Cushing also returns from an injury-riddled campaign. While Houston has questions at quarterback (Ryan Fitzpatrick?), who knows if RG3 will ever be able to stay healthy for Washington? After the disastrous end to the Mike Shanahan era in D.C, things can probably only get better, but Griffin is back to square one. Trends aren't necessarily as useful when you have new head coaches. But for what it's worth, the Redskins did fail to cover five of their last six road games last year. There is the fact that Houston lost its last 14 games last season. So O'Brien and the new coaching staff will be desperate for a win. They'll get it and the cover. 10* personal favorite. |
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02-02-14 | Seattle Seahawks v. Denver Broncos -2.5 | Top | 43-8 | Loss | -110 | 293 h 24 m | Show |
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01-19-14 | San Francisco 49ers v. Seattle Seahawks -3 | Top | 17-23 | Win | 100 | 138 h 28 m | Show |
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01-19-14 | New England Patriots v. Denver Broncos -4 | Top | 16-26 | Win | 100 | 135 h 6 m | Show |
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01-12-14 | San Diego Chargers v. Denver Broncos -9.5 | Top | 17-24 | Loss | -105 | 152 h 44 m | Show |
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01-05-14 | San Diego Chargers v. Cincinnati Bengals -6.5 | Top | 27-10 | Loss | -115 | 145 h 53 m | Show |
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01-04-14 | New Orleans Saints +3 v. Philadelphia Eagles | Top | 26-24 | Win | 100 | 10 h 10 m | Show |
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12-29-13 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers v. New Orleans Saints -12.5 | Top | 17-42 | Win | 100 | 126 h 53 m | Show |
I'm playing on NEW ORLEANS. I won with the Bucs when these teams met earlier in the season, at Tampa. I don't doubt that the Bucs will fight hard again here. However, in this case I don't think "fighting hard" will be enough.
While the Bucs were able to go toe-to-toe with the Saints at Tampa, that figures to be a much tougher task. Its no secret that the Saints have struggled on the road while dominating at home. The Saints' last game here was a 31-13 win over Carolina. Including that victory, the Saints are 7-0 here, outscoring teams by an average of 32.9 to 15.4. Meanwhile, the Bucs have averaged a mere 15.7 points, while winning just one of their seven road games. The Saints average 439.7 yards of offense per game here, 6.7 per play. Conversely, the Bucs average just 266.4 yards per game on the road, only 4.8 per play. Over their last three games, the Bucs are averaging a paltry 199.7 yards, just 3.8 per play. Those kind of stats just won't cut it here, not against a Saints team which will be desperate and which should keep its foot on the gas the entire way. Last year's game here resulted in a 41-0 win for the Saints. I expect this one to also turn ugly. 10* |
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12-29-13 | Kansas City Chiefs +9.5 v. San Diego Chargers | Top | 24-27 | Win | 100 | 9 h 49 m | Show |
I'm playing on KC. Its true that the Chiefs are locked into the #5 seed. That's going to keep a lot of people off them which in turn has caused the line to be very high. I believe that generous line is providing us with excellent value.
The Chargers should know whether or not the game matters by the time it starts. They need Miami and Baltimore to both lose, or tie. Either way, I expect both teams to be motivated. Reid has publicly discussed resting some starters. Regardless of who is in there, I expect the Chiefs to go all out to win the game. In my opinion, they can't afford to "back in" to the playoffs and not be playing well. I backed the Chargers when these teams met at KC on 11/24. I felt the line was too high. San Diego won outright, 41-38. I believe the fact that the Chargers beat them should provide further motivation for the Chiefs to return the favor here. The Chiefs have been money (6-1 ATS) on the road, outscoring teams by a 31.6 to 16.6 margin. While anything could happen, I don't see them getting blown out here. 10* |
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12-23-13 | Atlanta Falcons +13 v. San Francisco 49ers | Top | 24-34 | Win | 100 | 108 h 12 m | Show |
I'm playing on ATLANTA. Needless to say, the 49'ers have had a much better season than the Falcons. That doesn't mean that the Falcons aren't offering value here though.
At this time of the years, when a team (like Atlanta) is out of playoff race, one has to try and determine if the game actually means anything. In this case, I believe that the game does mean a lot to the Falcons. For starters, the Falcons believe that they are much better than their record indicates. Playing a nationally televised game against a quality opponent, this is a final chance to prove that to the world. Winning what may be the final game at Candlestick would be all the more sweet. Additionally, you may recall that these teams met in the playoffs. The 49'ers overcame a double-digit halftime deficit to win that game by a score of 28-24. That figures to provide the Falcons with further motivation, as that game was essentially the start of their "demise." Naturally, the 49'ers will also really want to close out the Candlestick era with a victory. While I certainly respect their team, I feel that winning by two touchdowns or more is asking a lot. True, yesterday's win by Arizona (at Seattle) changed the dynamics of this game, significantly. The 49'ers now have a little more pressure on them, than most were expecting. (I personally didn't play the Seattle/Arizona game but admit that I thought the Hawks were likely to win "SU.") Note that the 49'ers play at Arizona next week too. So, this game became a lot more important to them, when the Cards scored the upset. That makes it even bigger for the Falcons too, in my opinion. Now, they get a chance to potentially do some spoliing. (They'd surely feel more love for the Cardinals than the 49'ers, the team which killed last year's dreams.) While the 49'ers could now be feeling some pressure, the Falcons have none. I believe that makes them dangerous. The Falcons have won two of three, each of those three games decided by a field goal or less. Going back further shows that each of their last five games has been decided by 13 or fewer points. I look for this one to prove much closer than most will be expecting and am grabbing all the points I can get. 10* |
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12-22-13 | Cleveland Browns v. NY Jets -2 | Top | 13-24 | Win | 100 | 25 h 6 m | Show |
I'm playing on the NEW YORK JETS. With last week's loss at Carolina and with Baltimore's subsequent win at Detroit, the Jets are officially eliminated from postseason contention. I don't expect them to pack it in though.
The Jets, who may well be playing for Ryan's job, have indeed struggled on the road. However, they've been very tough here at home. In fact, they've won five of seven home games, most recently a double-digit win over the Raiders. The combination of this being their home finale and that they're potentially playing for Ryan's job, figures to provide plenty of motivation. QB Geno Smith had this to say about playing hard for Ryan and about his feelings for the Jets' coach. "We're going out there and playing for Rex because he's our head coach and we want to play hard for him and we want to win games for him. He coaches us hard, he puts the time and effort in and he deserves for our team to go out and that's what we do every single week. I love Rex. And despite what decision is made, my feelings toward him will never change." While the Jets have won five of seven here, the Browns have just one win in six road tries. Having already played their home finale and with a revenge game against Pittsburgh on deck, I'm not sure that they'll be quite as hungry as the Jets. Even if they are "motivated," the Browns simply aren't playing very well right now. They've lost five straight, giving up an average of 33 points in those losses. Over the last two weeks, they've given up 658 passing yards and more than 900 overall. All teams are dealing with injuries at this time of the year and the Jets and Browns are no exception. The Browns' injury list is arguably bigger than the Jets' list though. While the Browns are 1-4 SU/ATS the last five times that they played a game with a line ranging from -3 to +3, the Jets are 2-0 SU/ATS when listed as home favorites of three or less. All things considered, I feel this line could easily be higher. 10* |
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12-15-13 | Cincinnati Bengals v. Pittsburgh Steelers +3 | Top | 20-30 | Win | 100 | 104 h 32 m | Show |
I'm playing on PITTSBURGH. The Bengals have enjoyed a much better season and enter as the hotter team. I like how this one sets up for the Steelers though.
Its true that the playoffs are now extremely unlikely for Pittsburgh. This is not a team which will go through the motions or plan for next year though. This is a team with great pride, that plays to win. The recent gaffes - along with a chance to beat a hated rival on National TV - should provide plenty of motivation. Despite coming up short last week, the Steelers have still won three of their last four home games. They've still got a 4-1 ATS record their last five games. While the Bengals are still trying to lock up a playoff spot, they'll still be in good position to do so, even with a loss here. Having lost at Cincinnati and off back-to-back losses, the Steelers should be highly motivated. As Jerricho Cotchery noted: "We didn't win the first game against these guys. We are going to be up for the challenge. Guys are going to be ready to play." Le'Veon Bell added: "We know what's at stake. Guys just have to be ready. We have to be ready for it." While Dalton is getting more headlines, Rothlisberger is also playing well. Much better than he was when the teams met previously. In fact, he's thrown 11 TDs over his last four games, completing 63% of his passes, without throwng a single interception. Even with the earlier loss, Rothlisberger is still 14-6 for his career against Cincinnati. The Steelers are (relatively) healthy, hungry and getting points at home. They're 3-1 ATS in divisional games and I expect them to be at their best here. 10* |
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12-15-13 | Arizona Cardinals v. Tennessee Titans +3 | Top | 37-34 | Push | 0 | 25 h 45 m | Show |
I'm playing on TENNESSEE. I'm happy to be getting points with the Titans here as I expect them to win outright.
While the Cardinals have admittedly been playing well in recent weeks, they're still only 2-4 away from Arizona this season. The two road wins came at Tampa and at Jacksonville, a pair of teams in the state of Florida. The Cards won't be seeing any "Florida-like weather" here though. With the wind chill, it figures to be pretty nasty. While Arizona certainly "needs" this game, off a divisional win and with a huge showdown with Seattle on deck, I feel that this will be a tough spot. While Tennessee has missed Locker, note that Arizona has a larger number of injuries overall. That includes Tyrann Mathieu, the second leading tackler on the team, who went down last week. Mathieu had done a lot for this defense and I expect him to be missed. The Cards are 0-2 ATS as road favorites of three or fewer points the past couple of seasons. Both ATS losses were also SU losses. With Jacksonville and Houston on deck, the Titans figure they can still salvage a .500 season. I look for and expect them to go all out in taking the first step towards that goal this afternoon. 10* |
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12-15-13 | Buffalo Bills -2 v. Jacksonville Jaguars | Top | 27-20 | Win | 100 | 21 h 23 m | Show |
I'm playing on BUFFALO. One could easily make a case for the Jaguars here. After all, they've caught fire in recent weeks while the Bills are off a blowout loss. I believe that Buffalo is favored for good reason though.
Both teams are 4-9 on the season. However, a closer look reveals that the Bills score more points AND they allow less. Buffalo averages 21 points and 327.8 yards on offense. Jacksonville, on the other hand, manages a mere 15.8 points per game, just 285.2 yards per game. (At home, the Jags' numbers dip to 10.4 ppg and 258.2 ypg!) On the other side of the ball, the Jags are allowing 28.6 ppg and 382.9 ypg. Meanwhile, the Bills are permitting 25.7 ppg and 345.8 ypg. The Bills are 8-6 ATS the past couple of seasons, when off two or more consecutive losses. During the same stretch, the Jags are only 1-5 ATS when off a divisional victory. Note that the Jags are currently dealing with a few key injuries. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jonathan Cyrpien and Cecil Shorts are all banged-up. If any/all of them play, they may be at less than 100%. The Bills were six point favorites when these teams met last December. They won by a score of 34-18, dominating the time of possession and holding a commanding 232-50 advantage on the ground. I expect another win and cover on Sunday afternoon. 10* |
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12-08-13 | Carolina Panthers v. New Orleans Saints -4 | Top | 13-31 | Win | 102 | 131 h 20 m | Show |
I'm playing on NEW ORLEANS. The Panthers are rolling right now and they certainly looked better than the Saints last week. Admittedly, the Panthers' defense is very good. I believe that the Saints have the better coach, the better QB and the better offense though. Combine all that with the fact they're playing at home and I expect them to overcome the fact that they're playing on a short week and for them to finish on top.
True, the Saints looked pretty bad at Seattle last week. Its important not to over-react to a single game though. Its also important to remember that last week's game was played up in the Pacific Northwest, where the Seahawks have been unbeatable. This game, however, is being played at New Orleans, where its been the Saints who are unbeatable. Big difference. In six games here, the Saints are 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS. They've outscored opposing teams by an average score of 33.2 to 15.8 here, out gaining them by an average margin of 450.8 to 270.2, in terms of total yards. Brees, who will be highly motivated to bounce back from last week's subpar effort, has topped 300 passing yards in all six home games this season. He's thrown 19 touchdowns against just three interceptions here. He's got a 122.2 home passer rating. The Panthers have been solid on the road but not dominant like New Orleans has been at home. The Saints haven't lost consecutive games in a single regular season under Payton since 2009. While they may have more trouble at Carolina in a couple of weeks, I expect the Saints to make a statement Sunday night. 10* |
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12-08-13 | Seattle Seahawks v. San Francisco 49ers -2.5 | Top | 17-19 | Loss | -118 | 127 h 14 m | Show |
I'm playing on SAN FRANCISCO. Admittedly, the Seahawks looked very impressive last week. Admittedly, its going to be tough to beat them up in the Pacific Northwest. They're not at home here though and they're up against another very talented team - one which is also playing very well - and one which is determined to deliver some payback, for an earlier loss at Seattle.
The 49'ers, who are off back-to-back double-digit wins, are 8-2 ATS as favorites this season and they're 2-0 ATS when playing a game with a line in the +3 to -3 range. The 49'ers, who were embarrassed (29-3) at Seattle in September, are also 7-3 ATS the last 10 times that they attempted to avenge an earlier loss. In addition to the revenge factor, the 49'ers arguably have more to play for. Seattle has already clinched a playoff spot, while they have not. While the 49'ers are playing on a "normal" week, the Seahawks are playing on a short week, due to having played on Monday. As they did this year, the Seahawks hammered the 49'ers at Seattle last season. However, the 49'ers won by seven when the teams met here at SF. In fact, they've outscored the Hawks by a 109-54 margin the last four meetings here. While I won with the "under" when these teams first met, I believe the value now lies with the revenge-minded home team. 10* |
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12-08-13 | Oakland Raiders v. NY Jets -2.5 | Top | 27-37 | Win | 100 | 124 h 52 m | Show |
I'm playing on the NEW YORK JETS. While the Jets made me look pretty bad last week, I really like them in this spot.
Lets not forget that the Raiders, who are playing out the string, are a West Coast based team, playing an early game in the Eastern Time Zone. Lets also keep in mind that its expected to be very cold, something the Jets are more accustomed to than their guests from California. Even after last week, the Jets aren't out of the playoff picture quite yet. They will be if they lose there though. Note that three of their final four opponents (incl. Oakland) are currently .500 or worse. Offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson noted: "There's definitely a sense of urgency now. You recognize there are four games left and we recognize the challenge that's before us, but all we can do is just keep our heads down and grind right now and focus on our work." The Raiders like to rely on the ground game, which helps out McGloin. However, they're banged up at the running back position and they'll be facing a Jets' defense which is the best in the entire league against the run. The Raiders are a dismal 37-69-5 over the years, when playing with a line in the -3 to +3 range. That includes an 0-2 SU/ATS mark in that situation, since the start of November. While its true that he hasn't performed at an elite level, I like that Ryan is sticking with Smith at QB. I believe he gives them the best chance to win here. While I've already acknowledged that they didn't play well last week, the Jets are still a solid 4-2 SU/ATS here at home. Prior to the Miami loss, they'd beaten the Saints in the previous game. With more to play for and the venue/weather/start time in their favor, I like the Jets to bounce back with their best effort, en route to a much needed win and cover. 10* |
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12-05-13 | Houston Texans -2.5 v. Jacksonville Jaguars | Top | 20-27 | Loss | -125 | 59 h 18 m | Show |
I'm playing on HOUSTON. These teams both have bad records. For the Jaguars, that was expected. It wasn't supposed to be like that for the Texans though, as they were anticipating a big year. One of the low-points of the Houston season was when the Jags beat them. Now, they get a chance to avenge that loss on National TV - a chance to show the country that they're a much better team than their record indicates. I expect them to rise to the occasion, making the most of that opportunity.
Andre Johnson called the loss to the Jags the "lowest point" of his 11-year NFL career. While the Jags have actually won two in a row, both came on the road. They're 0-4 SU/ATS when listed as the home team, getting outscored by a 29 to 6.2 average. In fact, they've lost seven straight home games, dating back to last season. While the Jags are being out gained by an average margin of 381 to 285.6 (394.5 to 252.5 at Jax!) the Texans are out gaining teams by an average of 365.2 to 303.9, in terms of total yards per game. The Texans are 3-0-1 ATS the last four times that they were favored by three or fewer points on the road. They're also 7-3 ATS the last 10 times that they attempted to avenge an earlier loss. Off the tough loss vs. the Pats and on an extended losing streak, some of the Texan players may not be thrilled about the short turn-around in between games. I don't think its a bad thing though. Houston offensive lineman Duane Brown said this of playing on the short week: "That |
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12-01-13 | Denver Broncos v. Kansas City Chiefs +6.5 | Top | 35-28 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 56 m | Show |
I'm playing on KC. I won with the Broncos when these teams met at Denver. However, with the rematch being played at Arrowhead, I'm expecting a much different result.
I successfully played against KC last week. Favored vs. the Chargers and perhaps looking ahead to this game, the Chiefs lost outright. Keep in mind that they only lost by three points though and also that it was their first home loss of the entire season. True, the KC defense was shredded by the Chargers. However, the offense also put up huge (38) points and even elite defenses are capable of having an off-day. Safety Eric Berry said this of the KC defense. "It's not the end of the world. But we do have a sense of urgency this week to get the things corrected that we see on tape." The Chiefs do have a couple of key injuries. The same is true of Denver though. Even with last week's loss here, the Chiefs are still outscoring teams by an average score of 25 to 17.3 here. Meanwhile, the Broncos have shown that they can be vulnerable. They blew the big lead at New England last week, Manning compiling a 70.4 passer rating. With that loss, the Broncos are only 2-2 their last four road games. All four of those games were close, each decided by eight or less. Overall, Denver scored 143 points, allowing 141. Speaking of close games, the Chiefs last three home games have all been decided by six or fewer points. I won't be surprised to see this one also come down to the wire and with the line having climbed from its opener, I believe we're getting excellent value with what should be a highly motivated home underdog. 10* |
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12-01-13 | Miami Dolphins v. NY Jets -1 | Top | 23-3 | Loss | -120 | 31 h 37 m | Show |
I'm playing on the NY JETS. The road team took both meetings in last year's season series. However, this Sunday afternoon, I look for the home team to finish on top.
The Jets have NOT played well on the road. Last week, they lost 19-3 at Baltimore. The previous week, they were blown out 37-14 by Buffalo. Their previous road game before that? A 49-9 loss at Cincinnati. Games at NY have been much different though. The Jets beat the Saints in their most recent game here and they beat the Patriots in their previous home game. Needless to say, those are a pair of pretty good teams. Overall, the Jets are 4-1 SU/ATS at home. That's considerably better than Miami's 2-3 SU/ATS mark on the road. The Dolphins have dropped three straight on the road overall. One of Miami's big problems recently has been an inability to run the football. After managing a mere two rushing yards vs. TB, a franchise low, the Dolphins only gained 52 rushing yards vs. Carolina last week. Offensive coordinator Mike Sherman noted: "You have to be able to run the ball to be effective. We just have to find a way to get the balance that we so desperately need. We don't have that balance right now." The Jets are already 1-0 SU/ATS as home favorites of three or fewer points, beating Buffalo by seven here, as a 2.5 point favorite. While both teams have some "issues," playing on their homefield, I believe it will be the Jets who bounce back with a very important victory. 10* |
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12-01-13 | New England Patriots v. Houston Texans +9 | Top | 34-31 | Win | 100 | 6 h 30 m | Show |
I'm playing on HOUSTON. I've had some success playing on/against the Patriots. Most recently, I backed them in last week's win over Denver. I feel that they're laying too many points this week though and am now going against them.
The Pats, who may be ripe for a letdown after last week, haven't been the same team away from Foxboro. In fact, they've lost three straight on the road, falling at Carolina, NY and Cincinnati. The Texans have not been good to me this season. In fact, they've proven downright costly. They're getting more points than they usually do here though. If they'd been getting this many points every week, they'd be 8-3 ATS. Only three of their losses have been by greater than a TD - none of their last five. The Pats average a respectable 362.4 yards per game on the road. The Texans average 407.2 ypg here at Houston though. While New England gains an average of 5.4 yards per play on the road, the Texans average 5.8 ypp here at home. On defense, the Texans allow a mere 287 yards per game at Houston, compared to the 353.4 average that the Pats allow per game on the road. Brady said this of the Texans: "They have a lot of the same guys they had last year. We're not even concerned about the record. You look at what they can do defensively and the kind of playmakers they have. ... They have probably the best front we've faced all season." The fact that the Pats knocked them out of the playoffs last season should provide the Texans with some added motivation here. They've been at their best off a division loss in recent seasons and I expect them to bounce back with their best effort here. 10* |
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11-28-13 | Pittsburgh Steelers v. Baltimore Ravens -2.5 | Top | 20-22 | Loss | -126 | 58 h 48 m | Show |
I'm playing on BALTIMORE. This is a pivotal game for both teams. The winner will be very much alive in the playoff race - although still far from a lock - the loser will be nearly out of the hunt. Playing at home, I like the defending champs to rise to the occasion.
The Steelers did look impressive in beating the Browns last week, at Cleveland. They're only 1-6 ATS the last seven times that they were off a divisional win though and they're still a dismal 7-15 ATS the last 22 times that they played on the road overall. Even with last week's win, the Steelers are still getting outscored by a 24.5 to 22 average margin on the road this season, getting outgained by an average of 387.2 to 349.5, in terms of total yards. On the other hand, despite not putting up many yards, the Ravens are outscoring teams by a fairly commanding 20 to 10.8 average margin here at Baltimore. Not surprisingly, they're 4-1 SU and 4-0-1 ATS here. The lone loss came against the Packers, with Rodgers. Needless to say, the defense has been excellent in front of the home fans. While both teams figure to be desperate, having already lost at Pittsburgh, the Ravens may be even more so. The Ravens are 4-2 ATS the last six times that they were home favorites of three or less. While this series has historically been close, I expect the Ravens to come out on top and believe they'll do enough to cover the small number. 10* |
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11-25-13 | San Francisco 49ers v. Washington Redskins +6.5 | Top | 27-6 | Loss | -110 | 81 h 1 m | Show |
I'm playing on WASHINGTON. While the 49'ers have had a better overall season, both teams are off back-to-back losses. Both teams badly need a victory. Playing at home and getting more than a field goal, I believe the Redskins are offering excellent value.
After back-to-back road losses, the Redskins figure to be happy to return home. They've averaged better than 30 points per game here this season, putting up better than 450 yards per game. In their last two games here, the Skins defeated the Chargers and the Bears. While the 49'ers are probably stronger than either of those teams, they haven't been able to score many points recently. While SF has totaled just 29 combined points its last two games, Washington has managed a total of 75 in its last two here at home. After playing in SF two weeks ago and in a dome last week, the west-coast based 49'ers may not enjoy the cold weather here. Note that this is the first time all season that they played back-to-back "true" road games. (They did play a neutral game vs. the Jags, after playing a road game.) The last time that they were in that situation was last December and they lost the second of those games (at Seattle on 12/23/12) by a score of 43-12. The previous time that they were in that situation, they lost outright at St. Louis, when laying -7.5 points. That loss happened to be immediately following a game vs. the Saints, at New Orleans. Even with a 3-7 record, given the poor records of the other NFC East teams, the Skins aren't completely out of the race. At the very least, tonight's game offers a chance to show the world that they're better than the record indicates. Looking at the last couple of years and we find that the 49'ers are 3-5 ATS when playing a team with a losing record during the second half of the season. Meanwhile, during the same period, the Skins are 5-2-1 ATS when facing a team with a winning record, during the second half of the season. I expect them to step up with AT LEAST a cover. 10* |
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11-24-13 | Denver Broncos v. New England Patriots +2.5 | Top | 31-34 | Win | 100 | 57 h 52 m | Show |
I'm playing on NEW ENGLAND. I successfully backed the Broncos vs. the Chiefs last week. However, I believe the value lies the other way here.
Last week's win was at home. Sunday's game is on the road, at hostile New England. Big difference. The Broncos haven't exactly been dominant on the road in recent weeks. They won by eight at San Diego in their last game. However, their two previous road games resulted in a 6-point loss and a 3-point win. Their only "big" road win was against the Giants, way back in Week 2. That "big road win" was back in September. Back when Manning was still healthy. That's no longer the case here. Manning is now playing at less than 100% health. Playing at home, he still had enough to outduel Alex Smith and the conservative Chiefs. Now, he's on the road though - and now he's up against an opponent which is typically capable of putting up more points on the board than the Chiefs. The Patriots have long been outstanding in the underdog role. They're 79-46-4 the last 129 times that they were getting points. That includes a 9-3-1 ATS mark as home underdogs of three or fewer points. Lets not forget that the Patriots last three games here have all resulted in victories. They showed an ability to come from behind, in beating a very good New Orleans team. Next, they beat a division rival (Miami) by double-digits. That was followed by a 55-31 destruction of Pittsburgh, in their most recent game here. Going back further finds the Pats at 5-0 here, outscoring teams by an average of 12 points. That's better than Denver's 3-1 road record. Some might be surprised that the Pats' margin of victory on the road it much better than the Broncos, who are outscoring teams by an average of 5.7 points per road game. Manning may break Brady's record of TDs in a season but Brady is still 9-4 in head-to-head meetings. Overall, including the playoffs, Manning is just 2-9 on the road against the Pats, 2-7 when facing Brady here. Playing at home, I like Brady and co. to make a statement, that they're still a force in the AFC, one that should not be forgotten about. 10* |
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11-24-13 | Carolina Panthers v. Miami Dolphins +5 | Top | 20-16 | Win | 100 | 49 h 22 m | Show |
I'm playing on MIAMI. Not many are giving the Dolphins much of a chance here. After all, they're up against Carolina, a red hot team which just beat New England - a team which defeated the Dolphins by double-digits less than a month ago. While I respect the Panthers, I see it differently and believe that anit-Miami sentiment is actually helping to provide us with excellent value.
While many may be down on the Dolphins, keep in mind that they beat San Diego here last week. In their previous home game, they defeated Cincinnati. They've only lost twice here all season and both those setbacks both came by three or fewer points. Also, lets not forget that the Dolphins are still very much alive in the AFC playoff race. At 5-5, they're still only two games behind the Patriots, who are 7-3. The Dolphins know that if they can win today, there's a chance that the Pats will lose, as they're facing Denver. Either way, the Dolphins know that they get to host the Pats in a few weeks - their next home game after this one - and that there will be a lot more meaning to that game, if they can win here. Even if catching the Pats is unrealistic, as it likely is, the Dolphins are still alive in the Wildcard race - IF they can win this week. As Miami tackle Tyson Clabo commented: "We're fighting through this. Someone's got to get that last wild-card spot. Why not us?" While playing without a team's starting center (Pouncey is doubtful as of this writing) is never a good thing, keep in mind that the Dolphins won without Pouncey last week. Remember, Carolina isn't entirely healthy either. Yes, its a big game for the Panthers. Off an emotional/controversial Monday night win, which was preceded by a win on the West Coast (at SF) I believe that they could easily be caught patting themselves on the back a little here. The Panthers have seen each of their last two games decided by four points or less, a 4-point win and a 1-point win. They've played four games which were decided by four or fewer points. Meanwhile, Miami has seen its last three games all decided by four points or less. That makes it six straight Dolphin games which were decided by 10 or fewer points with five of those decided by four or less. I'm grabbing the generous points with what I expect to be a highly motivated home underdog. 10* |
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11-17-13 | Kansas City Chiefs v. Denver Broncos -7.5 | Top | 17-27 | Win | 100 | 38 h 36 m | Show |
Analysis before 7am PST Sunday.
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11-17-13 | Oakland Raiders v. Houston Texans -7 | Top | 28-23 | Loss | -115 | 102 h 43 m | Show |
I'm playing on HOUSTON. I'll admit that the Texans have broken my heart (cost me money) this season. That said, I feel this will be a great spot for them to finally "get healthy" with a big win.
Coach Kubiak will be back. When Kubiak was last seen, the Texans were seemingly in good shape for a win against the Colts. After he collapsed, the team did too. They also went on to lose vs. Arizona last week. While he'll be calling plays from the press box, I expect Kubiak's return to provide an emotional boost. Keenum is expected to again get the start. I've liked what I've seen from Keenum and I feel this will be a favorable matchup for him. While the Raiders fared better defensively in last week's loss, the previous week saw them give up 49 points and 414 yards through the air, with Nick Foles throwing for seven TDs. That was the third time the Raiders gave up more than 370 yards through the air this season. The Raiders are winless on the road. They've been outscored by an average of 26.5 to 16.2. Keep in mind that they're a West Coast based team which will be playing an early game in the Eastern Time Zone here. This will be the first time this season that they'll have played back-to-back road games. Last week, they managed a measly 213 total yards. With a banged-up Pryor, rookie Matt McGloin has been getting the snaps in practice and is expected to get the start. I'm not necessarily opposed to playing on a rookie QB making his first start but I'm not yet convinced about McGloin. He's not big and he doesn't have a particularly strong arm. He was only "ok" in college, not good/big enough to get drafted. When he came in against the Eagles, he was just 7/15 for 87 yards. Whether its a banged-up Pryor or McGloin making his first start, the Raiders will be up against a Houston pass defense which allows only 166.6 passing yards per game. That just happens to be the best mark in the entire NFL. (No other AFC team allows less than 200.) In fact, the 280 total yards that the Texans are allowing also ranks #1 in the NFL. On offense, they average 376.2 yards. At home, the Texans are out gaining visiting teams by a commanding 457.7 to 262 margin. They average 6.2 yards per play here, allowing an average of 5.0. Speaking of having a yardage advantage, the Texans dominated the Raiders statistically when these teams met here in 2011. Houston had a 21-11 edge in first downs, a 34:25 to 25:35 edge in time of possession and a 473-278 edge in total yards. Despite also committing nearly twice as many penalties (11/89 vs. 6/50) the Raiders still found a way to win. I don't expect Oakland to be nearly fortunate this time, as I feel the Texans are ready to explode and take their frustrations out on someone. Having blown too many leads, I look for the Texans to keep the pedal to the metal the entire way here, en route to a double-digit win. 10* |
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11-14-13 | Indianapolis Colts v. Tennessee Titans +3 | Top | 30-27 | Push | 0 | 37 h 10 m | Show |
I'm playing on TENNESSEE. Both teams are off embarrassing performances last week. The Colts were destroyed by St. Louis. The Titans lost to the previously winless Jaguars, a team some had been calling the worst ever. Needless to say, both will be looking to bounce back with a much better performance. While I'm aware that Luck has a pretty impressive track record off a loss, I feel it will be the Titans which wind up with the money Thursday.
True, the Titans are without Locker. However, Fitzpatrick has some starts under his belt and the fact that he'll be starting here isn't coming as a surprise. He knows this is his chance and I expect him to be ready to go. I also expect the rest of the team to rally around him. As tight end Delanie Walker noted of Fitzpatrick. "He's going to be the starting quarterback from now on because Jake is out for the year, so Ryan has no choice but to play (well). I feel like he did a great job against the Jaguars. This is his opportunity to be the man now." While the Colts swept last season's meetings, the game here went to OT, while the game at Indianapolis was decided by four points, the Colts erasing a double-digit lead. In other words, both games could have easily gone either way. The Titans know that, after this, they only play one more home game between now and Christmas. And that doesn't come until 12/15. Their next three come on the road, one of them at Indianapolis. Knowing all that - and that a loss here essentially kills any hope of the playoffs - makes taking care of business on Thursday that much more imperative. Obviously the Colts also want to bounce back with a win. However, they don't "need" to in the same way that the Titans do. While Locker's absence will grab all the headlines, the Colts' injury list is much longer than the Titans' list, headed by star receiver Reggie Wayne. Playing arguably their biggest game of the entire season, I look for the Titans to rise to the occasion and score the upset. 10* |
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11-11-13 | Miami Dolphins v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers +3 | Top | 19-22 | Win | 100 | 156 h 11 m | Show |
I'm playing on TAMPA BAY. I won with the Dolphins last week. However, I'm going against them here.
I expect the Bucs to be both desperate and extremely motivated. They desperately want their first victory of the season - and a chance to do so on Monday night should provide them with added incentive to give it everything they've got. The Bucs ultimately came up short but they played a great game at Seattle last week. They've been very competitive, nearly every week - and this game provides them with an excellent shot to finally break through with a win. Lets not forget that the Dolphins are still 1-4 their last five games, the lone win coming by two points, on a safety. They've lost their last two on the road by a combined score of 65-34. Obviously, Miami badly wants a win too. Monday night games are big for every team, regardless of the situation. Plus, at 4-4, the Dolphins aren't out of the playoff race yet. That said, the Dolphins have some wins under their belts and are on the road. They may not have the same level of desperation as their hosts. While the Dolphins are trying to use it as an "us against the world" rallying cry, I do believe that the Incognito issue could easily prove to be a distraction. Either way, I look for homefield to prove the difference, as the Bucs finally find a way. 10* |
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11-10-13 | Dallas Cowboys v. New Orleans Saints -6.5 | Top | 17-49 | Win | 100 | 155 h 52 m | Show |
I'm playing on the NEW ORLEANS SAINTS. Long-time regulars will recall that I rode the Saints pretty hard during the year that they won the Super Bowl. Not only did I go 2-0 in the big game, hitting side and total, I backed them in every one of their playoff covers. While I obviously didn't play on them every week during the regular season, I was perfect in their 'prime-time" games. (If memory serves me correctly, they hammered the Giants, Patriots and Falcons all on National TV that reg. season.) That year's team had a real tendency to elevate its play on the "big stage." While I won't hand them the SB title quite yet, I believe this year's team has the same "feeling" to it. I believe that they'll be "extra motivated" for this game and that they'll prove too much for the Cowboys to handle.
I noted the same thing (about their tendency to elevate in big games and comparing this year's team to the SB team) when I backed the Saints in their Monday night game against Miami. They won that one with ease. Before I continue singing the Saints' praises, note that I will play against them (or any team) when the situation warrants doing so. I successfully played against the Saints when the Bucs nearly upset them earlier this season. However, that was on the road and there were a number of reasons why I thought they'd struggle. They're an entirely different team at home. Indeed, in four home games the Saints are a perfect 4-0 SU/ATS, outscoring opponents by an average of 31.7 to 14.5. They've averaged 423.2 yards per game here, 6.6 yards per play. Visiting teams are only averaging 311 yards. Going back further finds the Saints at a commanding 16-4 SU/ATS their last 20 games here. I like and respect the Cowboys and believe that they've a very capable team. While I did successfully play against them last week, I've also won with them on more than one occasion this season, successfully backing them vs. both the Manning brothers. Those games were both at Dallas though, while this one's at New Orleans. Not only are the Saints extremely tough to beat here, but the Cowboys have only one road win in four tries this season. They're getting out gained by an average of 430 yards to 317.7 in those four road games. They give up 6.2 yards per play on the road, averaging only 5.3 themselves. Note that the Cowboys were out gained by a 623-268 margin at Detroit, the last time they played in a dome. They earned a fortunate cover in that one - but are up against a more dangerous opponent here. Brees remains one of the very best quarterbacks in the game. He's got a tight-end (Jimmy Graham) who's practically unstoppable. After finding the end zone twice last week, Graham now has 10 TDs on the season. Overall, he caught nine passes for better than 100 yards. Note that Brees threw for 446 yards and three TDs the last time he faced the Cowboys. That game, which was played at Dallas last December and when Sean Payton wasn't the coach, was close. New Orleans, which was the underdog, won by a score of 34-31 in OT. A closer look at the stats shows that the Saints actually had a major edge on the ground (116-40) and that they had a 33-18 advantage in first downs, to go along with a whopping 41:59 to 22.28 edge in time of possession. Speaking of the Saints' coach, I believe that Payton, who was with Dallas before coming here, is among the very best in the game. I believe he gives the Saints an edge over Jason Garrett. Payton's defensive coordinator, Rob Ryan, isn't doing too shabby a job either. Indeed, Ryan has helped transform the Saints into one of the league's better defenses. As noted, they're allowing a mere 14.5 points per game here. While Romo had a big game vs. the Saints at Dallas last season, Ryan's unit is much better against the pass this year than last. The Saints rank fifth in the league against the pass, giving up 211 yards per game through the air. Note that Ryan figures to take this game personally. He was fired by the Cowboys last January, Garrett informing him of the decision by phone. Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis said this of Ryan: ''Any time a guy gets fired from a spot he's at and he has an opportunity to play them, he wants to prove a point.'' I expect the Saints entire team to be extra "fired up" to help Ryan "prove his point." The Saints, who have scored 20 or more points in seven of eight games, have allowed 18 points or less six times on the season. They've beaten the Cowboys seven of the last eight meetings and they're 9-1 ATS the last 10 times that they were home favorites in the 3.5 to 7 range. I expect them to make a statement. 10* |
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11-10-13 | Philadelphia Eagles v. Green Bay Packers -1 | Top | 27-13 | Loss | -110 | 99 h 8 m | Show |
I'm playing on GREEN BAY. As you're likely aware, Rodgers is out. That's obviously significant; Rodgers is one of the best QBs in the game, arguably the most valuable. Naturally, its been reflected in the line. With Rodgers in the game, the Packers are fairly heavy favorites here. Without him, that's not the case. In fact, without him, many aren't giving the Packers much of a chance at all. While I also think Rodgers is great, I believe that sentiment is providing us with plenty of value on the Pack.
While I'd never want anyone to get hurt, I benefitted from Rodgers' injury last week, as I had the Bears. Like others that watched the game, I saw that Seneca Wallace did not perform well. In fact, he wasn't very good at all. Since that performance, I've heard a lot of talk about how Wallace doesn't deserve to be an NFL QB and how the Packers have no chance with him in there. I've followed Wallace's career though and I expect him to be much better this week. While his career stats are not good, he's had some tough situations. He's had a week to prepare and is no longer coming in cold. He's also heard all the talk about how terrible he is and figures to be extremely motivated to prove otherwise. I look for him to do so. The Packers are a very well-coached team. I expect McCarthy and co. to find ways to help make Wallace effective. Of course, having a potent rushing attack, as the Packers have had, figures to help Wallace. Lacey and co. will be up against a Philadelphia defense which surrendered 210 rushing yards, on 33 carries, vs. Oakland last week. Foles is coming off a rather incredible performance. However, just as I won't over-react to Wallace's sub-par performance, I'm not about to immediately call Foles "elite." On the defensive side of the ball, keep in mind that the Packers allow 17.2 points and 341 yards per game at home, the Eagles allow 28 points and 429.6 yards per game on the road. Lets not forget that the Packers have won 29 of their last 31 regular-season games here at Lambeau. Or, that they're 16-4 all-time vs. the Eagles here. Don't be shocked when McCarthy and co. to find a way to continue that dominance Sunday afternoon. 10* |
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11-04-13 | Chicago Bears +11 v. Green Bay Packers | Top | 27-20 | Win | 100 | 36 h 30 m | Show |
I'm playing on CHICAGO. Without Cutler, not many are giving the Bears much of a chance against the mighty Packers. I also respect Green Bay. The Packers are very well-coached and have an outstanding quarterback. That doesn't mean that they can't be beaten though - or at least seriously challenged. Facing a desperate Chicago team, I expect the Packers to have their hands full Monday night.
Obviously, playing without Cutler is not ideal. However, McCown is a veteran and I expect him to give everything he's got.. He's been with the team for some time.. He's been here before, throwing for 242 years at Lambeau on Christmas Day 2011. He's off an impressive "relief" performance, hitting 70% (14 of 20) of his passes at Washington, for better than 200 yards with a TD, while also running for 33 more. McCown will have benefitted from the bye week, getting extra time to work with the first team. He's got plenty of weapons, with the likes of Forte, Marshall, Jeffery and Bennett. He knows this is his chance - and I expect him to do everything he can to make the most of it. Cutler said this of his backup: "Josh is going to do the job. We've got a good game plan coming in. Josh fared well against Washington. He'll play well again this week." Its also true that the Bears defense is banged-up, arguably a bigger concern than the QB situation. The defense should have also benefitted from the extra week off though. The defensive players too know this is their opportunity and that the team badly needs them to elevate their play. Lets not forget that the Packers have significant injury issues of their own. Lets also not forget that the Bears haven't lost a game by more than eight points this entire season or that the Packers have seen five of seven games decided by 13 or less. Chicago coach Marc Trestman had this to say: "We really have to play together more than ever now. And I think that's something that we're capable of doing." While the Packers have generally finished on top, the Bears almost always play them tough. Eight of the past 10 meetings have been decided by 10 point or less and all 10 of those games were decided by 14 or less. I expect that to be the case again and am grabbing all the points I can get. 10* |
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11-03-13 | Indianapolis Colts v. Houston Texans +1.5 | Top | 27-24 | Loss | -110 | 152 h 30 m | Show |
I'm playing on HOUSTON. I've had success playing both on and against the Colts this season. I feel that this will be a good spot to go against them.
While they couldn't quite manage the outright victory, the Texans broke through with a cover last time out, losing by a single point at KC, vs. the undefeated Chiefs. The Texans know they basically need to win every game the rest of the way, if they want any shot at making the playoffs. Even if they don't believe that's really possible, I believe that they'll be treating this game very seriously, doing everything possible to earn a win. After all, this is a divisional game on National TV. It offers a chance to show the world that they're a lot better than their record indicates. With victories over the Broncos and also at San Francisco, the Colts have proven that they can beat any team in the league. However, they did lose their last road game (19-9 at SD) and I believe that this will be a tough venue. Not having Reggie Wayne doesn't figure to help matters. For all this season's troubles, the Texans are still outgaining opposing teams by an average margin of 449.3 to 244.7 in their three games here at Houston. (Somehow, they only managed to win one of those, covering none.) Note that the home team won both meetings by double-digits in this series last season. The Colts beat the Texans 28-16 at Indianapolis. However, the Texans beat the Colts 29-17 in the game here at Houston. Keenum is expected to get the call and his performance seemed to light a spark for the team, particularly in terms of the deep passing game. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Keenum completed three of five pass attempts longer than 20 yards. In the previous four weeks, the Texans had attempted only six such passes total. Keenum finished with a passer rating of 110.6, completing 15 of 25 passes for 271 yards and a touchdown. Keep in mind that those numbers came against the Chiefs, arguably this season's best defensive team through the first half of the season. With the calendar having flipped, note that the Texans are a perfect 7-0 SU (5-1-1 ATS) in the month of November, the past coupe of seasons. I expect their best effort, en route to another ATS win. 10* |
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10-28-13 | Seattle Seahawks v. St Louis Rams +12 | Top | 14-9 | Win | 100 | 56 h 1 m | Show |
I'm playing on ST. LOUIS. Without starting QB Sam Bradford, not many are giving the Rams much of a chance here. I believe that they're offering us excellent value.
Keep in mind that the Seahawks have only won one of their four road games by more than five points. They beat Arizona by 12 last time out. However, before that, they'd lost by six at Indianapolis, won by three at Houston and won by five at Carolina. Bradford had been playing well of late. So, losing him certainly wasn't a "good" thing. However, I'm not as down on Clemens as many others seem to be. Clemens, who worked with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer during his tenure with the Jets, knows this is his big opportunity. He's been Bradford's backup for a couple of years and has been in the league a lot longer than that. Clemens noted: "...I'll go out there and do the best job I can and try to help this team win some games." As impressive as Wilson's career has been, he didn't fare well here last season. In fact, he was picked off three times here, only one of two times that he's been intercepted more than once in the same game. Note that he'll still be without Percy Harvin here, as Carroll has indicated the star receiver won't play. St. Louis won that game by a score of 19-13, while losing the game at Seattle by seven points. The Rams are 2-0 ATS the past couple of seasons, when listed as home underdogs in the 10.5 to 14 range. They've won two of their last three and I expect their very best effort on Monday night. 10* |
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10-27-13 | Green Bay Packers v. Minnesota Vikings +10 | Top | 44-31 | Loss | -110 | 123 h 8 m | Show |
I'm playing on MINNESOTA. Off a poor performance on National TV last week, not many bettors are going to want to back the Vikings here. Not against the mighty Packers. I feel that sentiment is providing us with excellent value with the home underdog.
The Packers are 0-2-1 ATS away from Lambeau this season. They lost two of those games outright while winning the other by just two points. While they've admittedly struggled the last two weeks, the Vikings first four games were all decided by 10 or fewer points; three losses by 10 or less and a win by seven. With the playoffs no longer even worth dreaming about, a home game on National TV, vs. a division rival, is about as big as it gets for the Vikings. I expect them to treat it like a "very important game." On the other hand, the Packers have many bigger games still to play, including a big one next week vs. arch-rival Chicago, a team they're fighting with the for the division lead. The Vikings are 25-14-1 ATS (31-9 SU) the last 40 times that they played a home game with an O/U line in the 45.5 to 49 range, 3-1 ATS the last couple of seasons. During that time, the Packers are 1-5-1 ATS when playing a road game with an O/U line in that range. While they lost by 14 at Lambeau in January, the Vikings won last year's game here at Minnesota by three points, losing by nine at Lambeau. The Vikings are 14-9-2 ATS the last 25 times that they were getting points. During that time, they're 7-4 ATS off two or more consecutive losses. I expect their best effort to lead to at least another cover on Sunday night. 10* |
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10-24-13 | Carolina Panthers v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers +7 | Top | 31-13 | Loss | -130 | 51 h 4 m | Show |
I'm playing on TAMPA BAY. With an 0-6 record not too many people are going to want to back the Bucs here. I believe that sentiment is providing us with very fair value on what I expect to be a highly determined home underdog.
I believe that the Bucs will really want this game. Coach Schiano had this to say: ''I want to be clear on this because I don't take lightly 0-6. I've never been 0-6. But we do our best. We're trying our hardest. Our guys are working ... and I have found when you have good people and they work hard and they work smart it'll turn. That's what I believe." Last year's games between these two clubs were both decided by six points. The Bucs won 16-10 at Tampa in September and then they won 27-21 at Carolina in November. This year's Tampa games have also been close, for the most part. An eight-point loss at Atlanta last time out was their fourth loss of eight or fewer points, three of those coming by three or less. While they're 0-3 at home, the Bucs have actually been leading their home games by an average score of 11.3 to 8.0 at halftime. Overall, they're being outscored by an average of 5.3 points per game here. Carolina linebacker Thomas Davis correctly stated: "In this league anything is possible and we know what Tampa Bay is capable of. If you look at their games this year they've pretty much been in all of those games. It just came down to executing in the fourth quarter and they could have a much different record. We know that." The Panthers are 0-2 ATS the past couple of seasons as road favorites in the 3.5 to 7 range. I expect them to have their hands full the entire way and am grabbing all the points I can get. 9* |
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10-21-13 | Minnesota Vikings +3.5 v. NY Giants | Top | 7-23 | Loss | -105 | 13 h 43 m | Show |
I'm playing on MINNESOTA. Needless to say, this wasn't the season that either of these teams had hoped for. Nor was it the matchup that ESPN envisioned. However, its still an interesting storyline, one which I believe is offering us excellent value.
When teams underachieve the way these ones have, homefield can often be less advantageous than normal. The crowd can be a little less into it from the onset and it can be quick to turn on the home team, if/when things don't go as planned. Even though the chances of making the playoffs are now extremely remote for both teams, there should be no shortage of motivation. Both teams have pride, both want to get things turned around. Both would love to show the national audience that they're better than their record indicates. The QBs, in particular, both figure to have much to prove. While he obviously didn't fare too well in Tampa, I believe Freeman will provide a boost for the Vikings. The Giants may have looked a little better than the Vikings in their most recent game but overall, the Vikings have been far more competitive. The Vikings are being outscored on the road, but only by a 30.7 to 29.3 average margin. On the other hand, the Giants are being outscored by a 38.5 to 22.2 average margin at home. The Giants 9-13 ATS as favorites the past couple of seasons are 1-2 ATS on Monday nights the past couple of seasons. The Vikings are 2-1 ATS as underdogs this season, 14-8-2 ATS as underdogs the past couple of seasons. I'm taking the points. 10* |
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10-20-13 | Denver Broncos v. Indianapolis Colts +7 | Top | 33-39 | Win | 100 | 108 h 27 m | Show |
I'm playing on INDIANAPOLIS. Some will surely believe that I need to have my head checked for going against Manning in his return to Indianapolis. That's OK. They thought that each of the past two weeks when I went against the Broncos too.. Denver failed to cover in either of those games. Once again. I feel that the value lies in going against the Broncos.
I've had pretty good success in picking my spots to play on/against the Colts. Last week, I successfully played against them, when they lost at San Diego. Included in my reasons for playing against them was the fact that they were on the road and that they might be caught looking ahead to this week's big game. Prior to that, I'd also successfully played against the Colts in their opening week ATS loss vs. Oakland. And, I successfully played ON the Colts when they crushed the 49'ers, a result that shows they can beat elite teams. Keep in mind that prior to last week's loss, the Colts had won three straight. After their previous loss, they won their next two games by a combined score of 64-10. While Mannning will obviously want to play his best and to win, the Colts should be every bit as determined to avoid letting that happen. While he admittedly seems to have ice water in his veins at times, it still figures to be an emotional homecoming for Peyton and its only natural to be at least a little nervous. Note that he was somewhat mortal in the game against Jacksonville, too. (Threw for less than 300 yards, had passer rating of less than 100, got picked off etc.) It should also be noted that Manning is without All Pro left tackle Ryan Clady and that right tackle Orlando Franklin got banged-up in the Jacksonville. Even if he plays, he may be at less than 100%. The Colts, who allow just 16.3 points per game, are 4-1 ATS the last five times that they were listed as home underdogs in the 3.5 to 7 range. This is a huge game for them and I expect their best effort, en route to AT LEAST another cover. 10* |
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10-20-13 | San Francisco 49ers v. Tennessee Titans +4.5 | Top | 31-17 | Loss | -110 | 104 h 60 m | Show |
I'm playing on TENNESSEE. While I certainly respect the 49'ers, I like how this sets up for the Titans.
For starters, the Titans are expected to have Locker back at QB. That figures to help, as the offense had really struggled under Fitzpatrick the past couple of seasons. Off three straight double-digit wins, I believe that the 49'ers could easily get caught patting themselves on the back a little here. It should be easy to take a struggling non-conf. opponent like Tennessee lightly, particularly with a trip to London on deck. Keep in mind that the Titans still have a winning record at home, where they're outgaining opposing teams by a 371-320 margin. While every game is certainly important to the 49ers, who are batting with Seattle for the division lead, the 49'ers do have some very winnable games on deck and even if they didn't ultimately beat Seattle, they'd still be in a solid spot for the Wildcard, even if they lost here. I would argue its a bigger game for the Titans, who would fall below .500 with a loss. The Titans, who have a long history of ATS success vs. NFC teams, are already 3-1 ATS as underdogs this season. I expect at least another cover. 10* |
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10-14-13 | Indianapolis Colts v. San Diego Chargers +2 | Top | 9-19 | Win | 100 | 38 h 14 m | Show |
I'm playing on SAN DIEGO. I successfully played against the Chargers last week. However, that was on the road and they were laying a handful of points. That's not the case here. They're at home and aren't being asked to win by any extra margin. I feel that they're providing us with fair value.
Give the Colts credit for a big win over the Seahawks last week. However, that was at home. Now, they're out West, thousands of miles away. They've also got a Sunday night showdown vs. Peyton Manning, their former leader, on deck. If there's ever a game to get caught looking ahead to, that figures to be it. (*The Chargers have Jacksonville on deck, so no reason for them to look ahead.) The Colts could easily be caught patting themselves on the back a little, too. Note that this is the Colts third road game in the past four weeks - the second time that they've had to come out West, during that span. The Chargers did lose at Oakland last week. However, they had a 423-299 edge in total yards. On the other hand, the Colts were out gained by more than 100 yards in their win. The Chargers, who have had remarkable success vs. AFC South teams over the years, are 8-2 SU/ATS the last 10 times that they played a home game with an O/U line of greater than 49. I look for home field to prove significant, the Chargers emerging victorious. 10* |
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10-13-13 | Washington Redskins +6 v. Dallas Cowboys | Top | 16-31 | Loss | -105 | 84 h 7 m | Show |
I'm playing on WASHINGTON. I've successfully played on the Cowboys a couple of times already, most recently last week at Denver. I've also successfully played against the Skins a couple of times, most recently choosing to go against them in their loss against the Packers. However, every team has good "play on" and "play against" times. In this case, I feel its now the Skins which are in the "play on" spot, while the opposite is true of the Cowboys.
The Skins come in with some positive momentum. They got back on track with a win at Oakland in their last game. They've also had extra rest, having received a bye last week. Dallas, which doesn't have the luxury of coming off a bye, just went toe to toe with mighty Denver. The Cowboys left it all on the field and came up short. That figures to be a tough pill to swallow. Obviously, any division game is a huge one for both teams, particularly one on national TV when the division is so up for grabs. This one is arguably more important for the Skins though. They've still only got one win - none in divisional play - while the Cowboys have a divisional win under their belts, one of two victories. Griffin, who had this best game of the season in the win over the Raiders, had this to say: "The start of the season didn't go the way we wanted to, but we got the win before the bye, and that's what we've got to keep doing. We know we can still go out and win this division. We've got to take it one week at a time, and it starts with the Cowboys." While I did back the Cowboys over the Giants, they're still only 3-10 ATS in divisional play the past couple of seasons. While I did play against the Skins in their loss to the Eagles, they're still 10-3 ATS in divisional play the past couple of seasons. The Cowboys are just 7-15-1 ATS as favorites the past couple of seasons, 2-4 ATS as home favorites in the 3.5 to 7 range. The Skins are 11-6 ATS on the road the past couple of seasons. The beat the Cowboys in both games last season and the previous year they lost both games by a combined five points. I expect them to be at their best here. 10* |
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10-13-13 | Jacksonville Jaguars +27 v. Denver Broncos | Top | 19-35 | Win | 100 | 128 h 18 m | Show |
I'm playing on JACKSONVILLE. OK. I admit that picking Jacksonville against Denver isn't exactly "fun," nor will it make me very popular. That said, I'm not looking for fun or to win any popularity contests. I simply feel that this line is too big - even for a game with the mighty Broncos taking on the hapless Jags.
Obviously, Denver has been MUCH better than Jacksonville. The Broncos are off a hard-fought and emotional win (Dallas) though and they've got a big Sunday night showdown at Indianapolis (Peyton's old team) on deck. I believe it will be very easy for them to go through the motions a little here. Coach Fox noted: "One thing I've learned is if you fall asleep at the wheel, you wreck. Sometimes dealing with prosperity is more difficult than the adversity |
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10-13-13 | Philadelphia Eagles v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers +3 | Top | 31-20 | Loss | -120 | 19 h 36 m | Show |
I'm playing on TAMPA BAY. Foles is expected to get the start for the Eagles here. However, whether it was Vick, perhaps at less than 100%, or Foles (1-5 as a starter last season) at QB for the visitors, I like the Bucs in this matchup.
Naturally, with zero wins on the season, the Bucs aren't getting much respect. However, kets keep in mind that three of their losses came by six combined points. (They lost by 1 at NY, by 2 vs. NO and by 3 vs. Arizona.) Indeed, this team could easily have had at least one victory - and with a few breaks could have been sitting at 3-1 right now. The only time that they lost a game by more than a field goal this season was at New England. No other team has played the Saints as tough - on the scoreboard at least - as Tampa. Speaking of close games, the Eagles beat the Bucs by two points here last season, a 23-21 win. The Bucs were laying a touchdown in that game. Now, we're getting points with them. The Eagles offense has certainly had some impressive moments and can indeed be explosive. However, the defense has been brutal. The Eagles rank 30th in points allowed (31.8) and 31st in total defense (434.0). I expect Tampa's run game to get back on track here. Note that Doug Martin ran for 128 and a touchdown on 28 carries when these teams met last year. Overall, the Bucs had a 136-29 edge on the ground in that one. Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson can be a real load for teams without someone to cover him. However, the Bucs have Darrelle Revis, still considered one of the elite players in the league. Revis figures to be fired up after listening to Jackson state the following: "I don't think he can run with me. I don't think he's as fast as me |
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10-06-13 | San Diego Chargers v. Oakland Raiders +5 | Top | 17-27 | Win | 100 | 112 h 8 m | Show |
I'm playing on OAKLAND. The Chargers are on a nice roll and deserve credit for beating the Cowboys. Lets not get carried away though. They're still only 2-2. Three of their four games, including both those on the road, were decided by a field goal. Yet, here they are on the road, laying more than that. I believe that's asking too much.
The Chargers are giving up 432.2 yards per game, including a whopping 481.5 on the road. Despite facing two of the top 10 scoring teams in the league (Denver, Indianapolis) the Raiders are giving up considerably fewer yards (349) and points (22.7) than the Chargers. In their two home games, the Raiders are allowing an average of only 293.5 points and 16.5 yards. While the Raiders offense struggled last game, they're expecting to get Pryor back here, which I feel will make a big difference. As noted, the defense has been very stingy here. The last meeting in the series was decided by a field goal. I won't be surprised if this one also comes down to the wire and am grabbing all the points I can get. 10* |
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10-06-13 | Denver Broncos v. Dallas Cowboys +8 | Top | 51-48 | Win | 100 | 128 h 20 m | Show |
I'm playing on DALLAS. Each week, the Peyton Manning legend seems to get bigger. However, with every new notch in Manning's belt, the pointspreads keep getting bigger. This week, playing on the road against perhaps their most talented opponent yet, the Broncos are laying more than a touchdown. As great as they've looked, I believe that's asking too much.
The Cowboys may have had some trouble on the road but they're also 2-0 at home. Denver has still only played one road game - and that was against the Giants (a team Dallas also defeated) and so there was the whole big brother vs. little brother thing going on, which sort of trumped the venue. (Also, the Giants are a mess.) Now, the Broncos visit a Cowboy team which is outscoring opponents by a 33.5 to 19.5 margin here at Dallas. The Broncos are obviously scoring points at a phenomenal rate. However, they're also quietly giving up quite a few. (They rank 30th in the league vs. the pass.) I have a feeling that Monte Kiffin's defense will give them some trouble and that Manning will come back down to earth a little. Meanwhile, the Cowboys offense should be able to sore some points themselves. The Cowboys have lost twice, both times by single-digits. After their first loss, they responded with a 31-7 victory. Given the awful start by their NFC East brethren, the Cowboys could probably "afford" a loss here. However, they also know that a win really puts them in the driver's seat in the division and shows the world that they're a force to be reckoned with, a team capable of beating anyone. Some will surely call me crazy, but I'm taking the points. 10* |
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09-30-13 | Miami Dolphins v. New Orleans Saints -6 | Top | 17-38 | Win | 100 | 155 h 30 m | Show |
I'm playing on NEW ORLEANS. I won with the Saints last week and I'm going to ride them one more time here.
In case you haven't noticed, the Saints are off to an excellent start. Last week's 31-7 win brought them to 3-0. The defense has allowed 17, 14 and 7 points, an average of 12.7 per game. Opposing teams are averaging only 295.7 yards. The offense, which has long been a strength, put up 423 yards last week. The Dolphins are also off to an impressive 3-0 start, making for an exciting matchup. They're clearly improved but I don't think that they're ready for the hostile environment that they're going to encounter here. I backed the Saints the year that they won the Super Bowl, winning both the side and total of the SB. I also rode them in their playoff victories and had a very good handle on them all year. That year, they were at their best in the "prime-time" games, seemingly out to show the world how good that they were. I expect them to again come out with a chip on their shoulder, eventually earning another double-digit win. 10* main event |
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09-29-13 | New England Patriots v. Atlanta Falcons -1 | Top | 30-23 | Loss | -116 | 31 h 57 m | Show |
I'm playing on ATLANTA. I expect the Falcons to be the more "desperate" team in this matchup. They're 1-2 and chasing the Saints. They can't afford to fall to 1-3 here. On the other hand, the Patriots are 3-0. While the Dolphins have the same record, the Pats likely aren't too concerned about not making the playoffs, something that has to be priority #1 for the Falcons. While needing to win doesn't always translate to actually winning, I expect that sense of urgency to come into play on Sunday.
Before getting too excited about the Pats' 3-0 record and their strong defensive numbers, keep in mind that they've faced the Jets, Bills and Bucs. Two of those three teams have a rookie QB and the third team just benched their QB, as he had the worst numbers in the league. Needless to say, facing Matt Ryan at the Georgia Dome represents an entirely different ballgame. As for the Falcons, their loses came against teams (NO and Miami) that currently have a perfect 6-0 combined record. They also came on the road. The Falcons won their lone home game (by 7) and are 15-4 SU here the past 2+ seasons. While the Pats did beat the Bucs, they're still only 5-5 SU and 3-6-1 ATS against NFC teams the past couple of years. During that span, the Falcons are 7-2 SU and 5-3-1 ATS against AFC opponents. While the Falcons do indeed have some injuries, the same can be said of the Pats. Of course, New England did also suffer those offseason personnel losses at the receiver position. While he's obviously still very dangerous, thus far, Brady's numbers are nothing special. Brady got the better of Ryan when the two went head-to-head before. However, that was back in 2009 and it was at Atlanta. Ryan's got a few more years to gain experience, while by 2009 Brady was arguably past the point where the extra years could help him. Perhaps more importantly, now the rematch is at Atlanta. I say Ryan and co. get some revenge, getting themselves back into the playoff race in the process. 10* SNF Main Event |
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09-29-13 | Arizona Cardinals v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3 | Top | 13-10 | Loss | -100 | 123 h 49 m | Show |
I'm playing on TAMPA. The Cardinals check in with the better record. They're 1-2 while Tampa is 0-3. Playing at home, I believe the Bucs will prove to be the better team.
You probably heard that Freeman is out as the starter for this week, replaced by rookie Mike Glennon. It remains to be seen how Glennon will fare. However, the team needed a spark and I believe that they'll rally around their new pivot. Considering that Freeman had the worse QB rating in the league to go along with the worst completion percentage, it won't take much for Glennon to be an upgrade. I played against the Cardinals last week. They played without nose tackle Dan Williams after his father was tragically killed in a car wreck on his way to the game. Then, three of their linebackers were lost for the season after suffering injuries. Sam Acho broke his leg, Lorenzo Alexander has a foot injury and rookie Alex Okafor suffered a torn biceps. Additionally, safety Rashad Johnson lost the tip of his left middle finger and missed the second half before. While he may play this week, the team was already weak on defense to begin with. True, Arizona did beat Detroit. That was at home though. The Cards are 0-2 on the road, including a loss at St. Louis. While the Cards lost 31-7 against the Saints, Tampa nearly beat New Orleans - losing 16-14. The Cards are now 3-15 SU away from home the past 2+ seasons. The Arizona offense has been nothing special either. Palmer initially looked good in this offense However, he's since struggled and his numbers rank near the bottom of the pack. (72.3 passer rating is 26th in the NFL.) Despite facing the Saints and Pats in two of their three games, the Bucs are still only allowing an average of 19 points per game, much better than the 26.3 (29 on the road) that the Cards are allowing. I expect them to take advantage of this winnable game Sunday, covering the small number along the way. 10* personal favorite |
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09-29-13 | Seattle Seahawks v. Houston Texans +3 | Top | 23-20 | Push | 0 | 123 h 30 m | Show |
I'm playing on HOUSTON. Things change in a hurry in the NFL. Public perception changes about as quickly as anything. If we were at this point of last season, the Seahawks sure wouldn't be favored here at Houston. But with the Hawks off back to back blowout wins and the Texans off a blowout loss, that's where we stand. I believe its providing us with excellent value with the home team.
The Seahawks are certainly a good team and the 29-3 dismantling of the 49'ers was indeed impressive. However, lets keep in mind that they've played two of three games at home and that their other two games came vs. Carolina and Jacksonville. The Texans may be 0-3 ATS but they're still 2-1 SU. Their lone loss came on the road vs. the defending Super Bowl champs. This team is 14-5 SU and 12-6-1 ATS here the past 2+ seasons. The Texans are also a profitable 8-1-1 ATS (8-2 SU) the last 10 times that they played a game where the line ranged from the -3 to +3. While the Texans played a bad game last week, I still believe they're a good team. I'll take whatever points are being offered but I expect them to rise the occasion with the outright win. 10* best bet |