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David Banks
This week 3 - 0
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 13 of the NFL season kicks off on Thursday night at Centurylink Field in Seattle where both the Seahawks (4-7, 6-4-1 ATS) and Philadelphia Eagles (4-7, 4-7 ATS) will continue closing out their disappointing seasons; the NFL Network will cover this NFC battle starting at 8:20 ET.
After falling at home last week to the New England Patriots, the 2011-12 campaign for the supposed “Dream Team” has more or less come to an end. For a team that went out and spent megabucks on high-prized free agents in the off-season, the Eagles have let their fan base down in a very big way. It's been almost impossible to gauge what this team will bring to the field every passing week. One week, they go out and blow the doors off the division rival Dallas Cowboys at home, but then follow it up with embarrassing defeats to both Chicago and Arizona the next two weeks. After going into the Meadowlands and scoring the 17-10 outright road win and cover with Vince Young leading the offense, the Eagles were simply no match for the Patriots last week at home. Because of it, the Eagles now bring up the rear of the NFC East along with the Washington Redskins; not exactly where NFL bettors expected this team to be at this point in the season.
The Seattle Seahawks won the NFC West last season, but not many gave Head Coach Pete Carroll's team a chance to repeat as division champions. However, this team entered last week's home battle against the Washington Redskins winners of two in a row after shocking the Baltimore Ravens 22-17 in a major letdown spot as seven point home underdogs and following it up with a 24-7 domination of the division rival St. Louis Rams on the road. Even though Seattle currently sits three games under .500 heading into this match-up, the Seahawks have gone 6-4-1 against the closing pointspread with four of those ATS triumphs coming against winning teams. However, Centurylink Field had long been an impossible venue for the opposition to go into and win, but the Seahawks stand just 2-3 SU and 3-2 ATS as a host this season. Seattle is 1-2 SU & 2-1 ATS against the NFC East this season.
Tonight's matchup marks the first meeting between these teams in three seasons. The road team has won and covered each of the last six skirmishes with the Eagles last going into Seattle and beating the Seahawks by a 26-7 final count as seven-point favorites. Philadelphia is 6-3 SU & ATS as a road favorite of three points or less the L/3 seasons, but has failed to cover each of its L/5 games against losing teams. Seattle's managed to win just two of its L/8 December match ups, but has cached five of the last six times it was dogged at home.
PICK: SEATTLE/PHILADELPHIA UNDERComment
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Safestwagering
Another opening line surprise for many.
Although 8-3, West Virginia has thrown in some flat performances.
Syracuse beat them handily, looking like they had gotten an early look at
their playbook. Their loss to Louisville was also a surprise, but Louisville's
offense has improved lots the 2nd half of the season. Although The Mountaineers
are ranked 22nd in the BCS standings there's a pretty big dropoff after #17 (Baylor).
Their tackle Julian Miller, is arguably one of the biggest sack threats in college.
They have better all-around talent, but often lack focus.
Two things that push me in West Virginia's direction.
1) They pretty much just win, even if it's with last minute heroics.
2) And... against similar competition their passing offense is ranked 6th, while
The Bulls often have trouble with blown coverages (Pass D ranked 82nd).
USF's backs are banged up, and they don't have much depth in the secondary.
For what it's worth: The line is moving in in W. Virginia's favor, while the majority of
bettors are also backing The Mountaineers. The big money is on The Bulls.
I think they are wrong this evening.
Take The West Virginia Mountaineers -1Comment
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SPORTS WAGERS
SEATTLE +3 +100 over Philadelphia
One never knows which Philadelphia team will show up but now that the playoffs are nothing but a 'dream', it would seem unreasonable to expect a strong effort from this troubled Eagles squad. What started out with great promise is ending on a very bitter note. Philly also has the unenviable task of flying through three time zones on a short week while the Seahawks get to host consecutive games here in Seattle. While the 'Seahags are among the league's weaklings, they have been competitive and that is reflected in their recent run of covering seven of past eight when taking points. Play: Seattle +3 +100 (No bets).
Columbus +210 over CALGARY (3-way betting line)
The Flames have reeled off two in a row for just the second time this season and the first time in over a month. Now they’re a substantial favorite over the Blue Jackets when they should not be a substantial favorite over anyone. On its best night, Calgary is beatable and with games upcoming against Northwest rivals and its two biggest rivals Edmonton and Vancouver, the Flames are in a vulnerable spot. The Jackets still have the fewest wins in the NHL but they’re playing much better and they’re coming off a solid effort in Vancouver. They lost that game 4-1 but don’t let the score fool you. They were all over the Canucks and were stymied by Cory Schneider, who had one of the finest games all year by any goaltender in the league. Anything close to that effort gets us to the cashier’s booth and once again we find some tremendous value on a Jackets club that at worst has just as good a chance of winning as the host. Big overlay. Play: Columbus +210 (Risking 2 units).
Pittsburgh +140 over WASHINGTON (3-way betting line)
We laid off the Blues last game in Washington only because we expected a “honeymoon surge” from the Capitals. It didn’t happen. Washington not only lost 2-1 to the Blue Notes but once again they were badly outplayed. At yesterday’s practice, Alex Ovechkin was the first player off the ice and while that may not mean anything, it is curious that the captain left first and at least two beat writers covering the practice made note of it. When Sidney Crosby and OV have met up in the past in big games, Sid the Kid has always come out on top. Whether it’s been in International play or the playoffs, Crosby brings his best and if the Pens had just gone through a coaching change we highly doubt that Crosby would be the first player off the ice after their first game together. The Pens are just so tough and anytime we can get them at a price to win in regulation you can pencil us in. A coaching change in Washington will not fix what ails this fragile host. Play: Pittsburgh +150 (Risking 2 units).
WINNIPEG +170 over Phoenix (3-way betting line)
The Phoenix Coyotes, formerly the Winnipeg Jets, return to the place they once called home. It’s some added interest to the game but it was a long time ago and none of the current Coyotes were ever a Jet. Phoenix is coming off perhaps its best game of the year in Chicago, a 4-1 win. Its stock is higher than it’s been all season and so it should be. The Coyotes don’t have any household names, nor will they dazzle anyone. What they do is play hard for 60 minutes every game and they’re always a tough out. Having said that, the Jets also play hard and you can double that at home where they are greatly energized by the most passionate fan base in the NHL. Winnipeg is coming off a 6-4 loss to the Sens but that was upon retuning home from a trip. They still managed to record 42 shots on net and score four times but some shaky goaltending prevented them from picking up the win. That was the Jets only loss in their past four home games. Over that span they’ve scored 19 goals and at least four in every contest. Three goals here might be enough and with Phoenix having won its last two and returning home to face Philadelphia after this one, we could certainly catch them playing with less urgency. Play: Winnipeg +170 (Risking 2 units).
DALLAS -½ +128 over OTTAWA
Nobody expected much out of the Senators this year but here we are, more than a quarter of the schedule into the season and Ottawa is right in the thick of things, just four points out of third in the conference. The Sens have a good mixture of vets and youth and if you haven’t seen Erik Karlsson play yet, you’re missing out. The Sens are likely going to offer up some strong value all season in the role of the underdog but this one is all about playing against them in a very difficult spot. Ottawa had just returned home from playing six on the road and they defeated the Hurricanes 4-3. They subsequently headed out for a game in Winnipeg with just one day off in between. They’ll now play its second game on the road after six at home and one more on the road. That’s nine straight games in which they’ve had to board a plane and travel to its next destination. That’s almost unfair and one has to trust that the Sens will be running on fumes here. Andrew Raycroft has taken over for the injured Kari Lehtonen and no goaltender in the league looks more relaxed than Raycroft. He’s given the Stars a tremendous boost when they’ve needed it most. This is really a favorable scheduling spot for the Stars, who should simply have plenty more gas in the tank than the opposition. Play: Dallas -½ +125 (Risking 2 units).Comment
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WUNDERDOG
1 OF 8
Game: Arkansas State at St. Bonaventure (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: Arkansas State +11.5 (-110)
St. Bonaventure has come a long way over the last two years, and they have themselves a team capable of finishing in the middle of the Atlantic-10. They have a bona fide NBA prospect in Andrew Nicholson. The Red Wolves are getting no respect here because they scored 27 against Louisville, but to their credit, they came back and won their next game and have been competitive unless they have stepped in over their head in competition. That won't be the case here. The Bonnies don't have much of a home-court advantage at 15-35-1 ATS in their last 51 including 4-11 ATS as a favorite of -7 to -12.5. Play Arkansas State in this one.Comment
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Anthony Redd
50 DIME
Big East Easy Money
West Virginia as the road favorite over South Florida. West Virginia is currently laying between 1 1/2 to 2 points at the majority of sportsbooks here in Vegas and where I check offshore as I release this selection at 6 AM Pacific.Comment
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NHL
Hot teams
-- Rangers won three in row, 10 of last 12 games.
-- Senators won five of their last seven games.
-- Coyotes won seven of their last nine games.
-- Calgary won its last two games, 5-2/1-0.
-- Canucks won their last five games, allowing four goals.
-- Panthers won five of their last seven road games.
Cold teams
-- Washington lost seven of its last nine games. Penguins lost six of their last eight road games.
-- Carolina lost last four games, outscored 14-8.
-- Dallas Stars lost seven of their last ten games.
-- Winnipeg lost three of its last four games.
-- Blue Jackets lost 10 of their 11 road games.
-- Nashville lost five of its last six games.
-- Los Angeles is 4-6 in its last ten home games.
-- Montreal lost four of its last five games. Sharks lost their last two games, scoring two goals.
Totals
-- Over is 5-2-1 in Pittsburgh's last eight road games.
-- Under is 6-2-1 in Rangers' last nine road games.
-- Over is 7-2 in Ottawa's last nine road games.
-- Last three Phoenix games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Calgary home games stayed under.
-- Under is 3-0-1 in last four Nashville games.
-- Five of last even Florida games stayed under total.
-- Sharks' last five games stayed under the total.
Series records
-- Washington won eight of last nine games against the Penguins.
-- Rangers won three of last four games against Carolina.
-- Dallas Stars won last three games vs Ottawa, allowing five goals.
-- Washington lost 3-2 at Phoenix in LY's meeting.
-- Flames lost six of last eight visits to Columbus.
-- Canucks won six of last eight games against Nashville.
-- Panthers lost 3-2 at Staples Center in LY's meeting.
-- Home side won last four Montreal-San Jose games; Canadiens lost last two visits here, 6-4/3-2.Comment
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