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BIG AL's 100% EARLY SATURDAY AFTERNOON BOWL WINNER
East Carolina at La.-Lafayette Dec 22 2012 12:00PM
At 12 Noon, on Saturday, our selection is on the East Carolina Pirates + the points over La Lafayette, as the Rajin' Cajuns fall into negative 72-107, 18-53, and 20-44 ATS Bowl Systems of mine. Additionally, Lafayette comes into this game off back to back SU/ATS wins, while East Carolina failed to cover the spread in its last two games. Unfortunately, though, Bowl favorites of -3 or more points off back to back ATS wins have covered just 8 of 31, including an 0-for-9 run vs. foes not off ATS wins in either of their previous two games. Take the Pirates. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.
Prediction: East Carolina
Marc Lawrence New Orleans Bowl Killer Key Play!
East Carolina at La.-Lafayette Dec 22 2012 12:00PM
Play On: East Carolina (Game 209) Note: The fifth of 35 bowl games takes us out to the Big Easy where it will be anything but easy for the Ragin’ Cajuns’ to duplicate last year’s 32-30 New Orleans bowl win over San Diego State. Though the Cajuns are hitting the alleys for the second consecutive season after a 41-year bowl hiatus, bowl favorites of eight or less points that return to the same bowl they won the previous year are just 10-21-1 ATS. Worse, Sun Belt bowlers are 1-5 ATS as chalk off a SU win versus a foe off a SU win while dogs are 5-1 ATS in the last six Conference USA/Sun Belt bowl affairs. And speaking of dogs, pre-New Year’s day pups with a better win percentage are 34-16-1 ATS when both teams arrive off a victory. Yes, we know SBC squads have been moneymakers in non-conference clashes this season (24-10 ATS) but in 26 of the those contests they were taking points. They are a mediocre 4-4 ATS as non-conference chalk this year - and keep this in the memory bank (you’ll also need it for GoDaddy.com Bowl): Sun Belter’s are 0-5 SU and 0-4-1 ATS in bowl games versus greater than .666 opposition. We will grab the points here with the Pirates as Conference USA bowl dogs of three or more points improve to 11-5 ATS in games since 2007. We recommend a 3-unit play on East Carolina. Thank you and good luck as always. Check this out: there is an amazing awesome angle inside Saturday night's NFL clash between the Falcons and Lions that has never lost the money in NFL history. It comes directly from Marc's famous PERFECT SYSTEM CLUB and its yours - if you act now!
Prediction: East Carolina
Bet Type: SPREAD
Marc Lawrence Hawaii Bowl Christmas Eve Top Play!
SMU at Fresno St. Dec 24 2012 8:00PM
Play On: SMU (Game 213) Note: A tip of the hat to the great job done by both coaches this season. Fresno State’s Tim DeRuyter turned a 4-win Bulldogs squad into a 9-win ATM machine in his first season, going 10-1 ATS in the process. Meanwhile, June Jones did some of the best coaching of his career when he turned a 2-4 squad into a bowler by season’s end. While it’s dangerous jumping in front of a moneymaking machine our database gives us permission in this game as it notes that pre-New Year’s day bowl favorites who enter on at least a 3-0 SU and ATS skein as they are 10-25 ATS in this role since 1980. The mean machine also points out the fact that first-year coaches struggle as favorites in bowl games, now 13-27-1 ATS since 1990 - including a jaw-dropping 0-3 SUATS when laying double-digits! When it comes to bowl trending, these former Western Athletic Conference-mates own wildly disparate numbers as the dog in SMU bowl games is 7-0 SUATS, while the favorite in Fresno State postseason tilts is 2-9 SU and 1-10 ATS. The Ponies attack is led by CUSA Offensive Player of the Year RB Zach Line, 2nd all-time rusher to Eric Dickerson in SMU history. Line will look to puncture the Bulldogs Achilles heel, namely a rush defense that allowed its six fellow bowl opponents an average 222 yards on the ground. In closing, this year’s Ponies bring the same traits the 2009 SMU team did when June Jones’ squad closed 4-1 and went on to win the Hawaii Bowl, 45-10, as 11-point dogs over highly-touted Nevada. Coupled with Jones’ familiarity and past successes in games played at Aloha Stadium as Hawaii’s headman (16-1 SU last 17 games, 4-0 SUATS last four Aloha Bowl games), it’s June in December in Hawaii all over again. We recommend a strong 3-unit play on SMU. Thank you and good luck as always.
Prediction: SMU
Bet Type: SPREAD
Larry's 10* New Orleans Bowl (7-2 run / 1st 10*)
East Carolina at La.-Lafayette Dec 22 2012 12:00PM
My 10* New Orleans Bowl play is on UL-Lafayette at 12:00 ET.
Mark Hudspeth’s first season as a head coach went fairly well in 2011. He led UL-Lafayette to its first-ever bowl berth, a thrilling 32-30 win over San Diego St in this very same New Orleans Bowl. Louisiana-Lafayette tied a school record with nine wins last season, and its win last year in the Superdome in this bowl game last Dec 17 was one of its most exciting. After giving up a TD with 35 seconds left, the Cajuns drove 49 yards on four plays to set up Brett Baer's 50-yard FG as time expired. QB Blaine Gautier was the New Orleans Bowl most valuable player but he broke his left hand in a win over Florida International on Sept 29. Sophomore Terrance Broadway, who transferred from Houston, has taken over and played extremely well. He’s completed 65.4% with 16 TDs and eight INTs plus ended the regular season as the team’s second-leading rusher (661 yards on 6.4 YPC with eight TDs). UL-Lafayette has a solid running game, averaging 187.3 YPG on 5.1 YPC with RBs Harris (761 yards / 5.1 YPC / 8 TDs) and Reed (411 yards / 4.9 YPC / 5 TDs) doing the most damage. East Carolina runs for about 50 yards less per game (134.8 YPG on 3.8 YPC) and QB Shane Carden isn’t much of a running threat, despite his eight TDs. He wasn’t the starter when the season began but was given the job because he didn’t turn the ball over as much as his competitors. Carden has completed 66.8% with 21 TDs and nine INTs. as East Carolina won FIVE of its final six games to finish 8-4 overall (‘ugly’ 56-28 home loss to Navy was the lone blemish) and 7-1 in C-USA’s East, losing a tie-breaker to UCF. The Pirates saw a five-bowl run snapped last year by going 5-7 but are back ‘bowling’ in 2012. However, ECU was just 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS in that five-year bowl stretch plus the Pirates didn’t beat a single FBS team with a winning record in 2012. Take away ECU’s season-opening win over FCS school Appalachian St (8-4) and the team’s other seven wins came over seven losing programs which combined to go 22-62 (.262). Meanwhile, UL-Lafayette bested bowl teams La-Monroe (8-4) on the road and Western Ky (7-5) at home. Plus, how can anyone forget Lafayette’s 27-20 loss at Florida as four-TD underdogs back on Nov 10. The Ragin’ Cajuns actually led 20-13 with under two minutes to go at “the Swamp,” before Florida backup QB Jacoby Brissett connected on a three-yard TD pass with 1:42 remaining. Jelani Jenkins then returned a blocked punt 36 yards for a TD with two seconds remaining, capping the comeback and giving Florida a 27-20 victory. Much to the team’s credit, UL-Lafayette didn’t fold, but rather won its final three games after that amazing finish. Louisiana-Lafayette won four of its last five games, scoring 31 or more points in each of the wins and makes its second consecutive trip to “The Big Easy” after winning this bowl last year. Second verse, same as the first. Lay it!
Good luck...Larry
Prediction: La.-Lafayette
Bet Type: SPREAD -
DR BOB
Best Bet
3* UNDER 46.5 - Washington 17 at BOISE ST. 21
Opinion
East Carolina (+5) 31 UL LAFAYETTE 32Comment
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Washington Huskies vs. Boise State Broncos
Point Spread - Pick
Washington Huskies (7-5 SU, 7-5 ATS) at No. 19 Boise State Broncos (10-2 SU, 6-6 ATS)
Maaco Bowl Las Vegas
Date/Time: December 22, 2012. 3:30 p.m. EST.
Where: Sam Boyd Stadium
TV: ESPN
by Wilson, Football Handicapper.
Point Spread: BSU -5/UW +5
Over/Under Total: 46
The Boise State Broncos finished 19th in the BCS standings and will take on the University of Washington Huskies in the Maaco Bowl in Sin City. The Huskies started slow but finished the season strong by winning big games against ranked opponents. They beat No. 6 Stanford Cardinal, then No. 13 Oregon St. Beavers, and were able to slip into the BCS top 25. Although the Huskies lost their last regular season game to their rival Washington State Cougars in the annual Apple Cup game; they were already bowl eligible before the game. The Broncos are playing in the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas for a third consecutive year-it's almost like a home game for them because they are so familiar with the stadium, setting, and atmosphere. This will also be Boise State's 11th straight bowl appearance. The broncos are 8-4 overall in bowl games.
The Washington Huskies are no stranger to bowl games as they are a storied football school which has a number of Rose Bowl appearances as well a share of a National Championship with the Miami Hurricanes in 1991, but they have struggled to maintain their grid iron dominance in the last decade or so. The key player for the Huskies is QB Keith Price. Price can be very dangerous if he is on his game. This season he has thrown for over 2400 yards with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Price's numbers were more impressive last year as he threw for over 3000 yards and 33 TDs. UW's offense has sputtered this season but as of late they have found ways to get it done. Price is definitely the driving force-without him the Huskies have little chance of winning this bowl game.
Boise State is not the offensive powerhouse of years past when Kellen Moore and company averaged nearly 50 points or more in most games. This season's squad is no slouch as they are averaging 30 plus points per contest but it is the first time in two years where the Broncos were held to under 21 points in four games. The Bronco's defense is what carried them all season long. Boise State has held their opponents to just 14.9 points per game and 307 yards of total offense. These kinds of numbers certainly raise concerns for the Husky's offensive attack especially as often as they have struggled at times. Another potential issue for the Washington offense is the fact that Boise State is tied for 12th in the nation in pass defense-they have only allowed three (3!) touchdowns threw the air all season and give up only 163 passing yards per contest.
This will be the Husky's third straight bowl appearance. They look to erase the devastating loss to Washington State by getting a chance to end the season on a positive note in Las Vegas. UW was outlasted by the Baylor Bears 67-56 in last year's Alamo Bowl. The Huskies can wipe the slate clean if Lady Luck indeed is on their side but the Broncos also have a beef with the Huskies; these two teams have only met once before, in Seattle of 2007 when the Huskies beat the Broncos 24-10 thus snapping the Broncos nation leading 14 game win streak.
Offensively, the Broncos are ranked No. 55 in offense, averaging nearly 31 points per outing while the Huskies are ranked No. 37 in defense allowing 23.8 points per game. Boise's passing game is averaging 217 yards per game while the Huskies give up 189 through the air. Defensively the edge goes to Boise State as the Huskies are ranked No. 85 against the run-they give up an average of 196 yards on the ground per game. Both teams can put points on the board.
The Huskies will get out quickly on offense perhaps with some new-look sets but once the Bronco's D settles in they should pressure QB Keith Price and force him to hurry throws and limit his reads down the field. Boise State has won the last two consecutive Maaco Bowls in Las Vegas but the strength of conference wins out here.
Wilson's Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Hardly anybody is betting the Huskies yet the number refuses to move. The wiseguys will be ringing the cash register Saturday night as sharp action says Washington wins this game straight up as a 5 pts underdog.
I'm betting the Dawgs plus the points!Comment
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East Carolina Pirates vs. UL Lafayette Rajin' Cajuns
Point Spread - Pick
East Carolina Pirates (8-4 SU, 6-6 ATS) vs. UL Lafayette Rajin' Cajuns (8-4 SU, 7-5 ATS)
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Preview
Date/Time: Saturday December 22nd, 2012. 12:00PM Eastern
Where: Superdome New Orleans, L.A.
TV: ESPN
by Jay, Football Handicapper.
Point Spread: ECU +5.5/ULL -5.5
Over/Under Total: 65
A pair of 8-4 mid majors will collide inside the Superdome when the East Carolina Pirates tangle with the Louisiana-Lafayette Rajin' Cajuns at the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The Rajin' Cajuns will make their 2nd straight postseason trip to New Orleans. Last year Louisiana-Lafayette defeated San Diego State in an exciting 32-30 thriller and most expect another rousing match-up against East Carolina this year. At least for Louisiana-Lafayette, the Rajin' Cajuns will not only seek their 2nd straight New Orleans Bowl trophy but will also have a chance to reach 9 wins for just the 4th time in school history.
The Pirates will enter New Orleans after a solid 8-4 season that was closed out with 5 victories in the final 6 games. East Carolina pulled out an exciting 65-59 double overtime classic over Marshall in the season finale to earn their first trip to the New Orleans Bowl. The Pirates will attempt to break a 4 game postseason losing skid when they meet the Rajin' Cajuns with their last bowl win coming back in 2007.
Ironically both teams have a similar identity in the fact they strive on offense and struggle on defense. East Carolina has a trio of explosive playmakers on offense that has averaged 407 total yards per game on the season. QB Shane Carden leads the signal calling behind center with an accurate arm having hit 67% passing on the year for 2,838 yards with 21 scores and 9 picks. Carden has played pretty well during the 2nd half of the season and had a career high 439 passing yards in that shootout against Marshall. Carden also has an extremely talented wide out in Justin Hardy to target in the passing game. Hardy has caught 83 passes this year for 1,046 yards and 10 touchdowns. Together these two standouts hooked up for the majority of the East Carolina's passing yards this year and look for them to hook up often against the Rajin' Cajuns shaky defense.
Still, East Carolina has more weapons that just in the passing game as well. Running back Vintavious Cooper gives the offense balance and the ability to convert in short yardage situations. Cooper has been outstanding this year averaging 5.4 yards per touch with 7 scores. East Carolina has the passing offense to exploit Louisiana-Lafayette's atrocious pass defense (111th in FBS) and Cooper should be able to have some opportunities to make big plays as well.
On the other side of the ball, Louisiana-Lafayette has an extremely talented offense as well that will be matched against an struggling East Carolina defense that has relinquished 30.6 points per game (84th in FBS). QB Terrance Broadway sets the tempo typically for the entire offense. Broadway is a dual threat guy that makes plays with his arm and feet. On the year, Broadway has hit 65.4% passing for 2,526 yards with 16 scores and 8 picks. Broadway has also added 661 rushing yards and 8 additional touchdowns on the ground.
The Rajin' Cajuns run a spread option offense that uses a lot of misdirection and pulling blockers. Guys like WR Harry Peoples (61rec, 774yds, and 5TDs) and running back Alonzo Harris (149car, 761yds, and 8TDs) have the ability to make things happen on offense. In several games this season East Carolina has blown coverage in the secondary and given up more big plays against the run. Therefore, do not be surprised if the Rajin' Cajuns have some opportunities to consistently move the football.
Jay's Pick to Cover the Point Spread: I expected the total for this game to be about a touchdown higher considering the play of both defenses. I realize both teams have extra time to prepare for each other but I do not feel like that will slow either offense. Recent trends also seem to point towards the over as well with East Carolina reaching the over mark in 4 of their last 5 games and Louisiana-Lafayette reaching the over mark in 4 of their last 6 games.
Take the over 65!Comment
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Atlanta Falcons vs. Detroit Lions
Point Spread - Pick
Atlanta Falcons (12-2 SU, 8-5-1 ATS) vs. Detroit Lions (4-10 SU, 5-9 ATS)
NFL Week 16
Date/Time: Saturday, December 22nd, 2012, 8:30 p.m. EST
Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Mich.
TV: ESPN/DirecTV 206
by Badger, Football Handicapper.
Point Spread: Atl. -4/Det. +4
Over/Under Total: 50.5
The Atlanta Falcons are one win away from clinching a first round bye and home-field throughout the NFC playoffs, a task they'll try and accomplish this weekend when they travel to Ford Field for a primetime clash with the Detroit Lions Saturday night on ESPN.
Considering the Falcons are a perfect 7-0 in the Georgia Dome this season, Saturday's game has become one of the biggest games for Atlanta in a long time. After watching the way they destroyed the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants last week in the Dome, 34-0, it's finally time to admit that the Falcons are one of the teams to beat in the NFC playoffs, a task that becomes so much more difficult to do it when they are playing at home on the carpet.
If the Lions slow death from last year's surprise NFC playoff team and 10-win season wasn't already complete, they nailed the coffin shut and chained it up with multiple padlocks following last week's embarrassing, 38-10, loss at Arizona. The weight on quarterback Matthew Stafford's shoulders to carry the Lions every week has finally broken him, as Stafford threw three interceptions and had two of them returned for touchdowns in a game that snapped the Cardinals nine-game losing streak while extending the Lions current losing streak to six games.
At this point you don't know what to expect from the Lions anymore. It's the NFL, so their 10-loss season this year is likely to cause some people to lose their jobs, a fact head coach Jim Schwartz acknowledged in his press conference Monday. With games left against Atlanta and Chicago, both at home at Ford Field, the Lions can salvage some sort of respect with a decent showing in primetime Saturday night by making the Falcons wait another week to earn the NFC's No. 1 seed.
Oddsmakers set the opening point spread for the game with Atlanta as 3-point favorites on the road. But with the Falcons drilling of the Giants and the Lions debacle in Arizona still fresh on everyone's mind, bettors hammered Atlanta early and often and moved the number up to minus -4 or -4.5 at most sportsbooks.
The over/under total opened at 51 and has had the opposite line movement, dropping to 50.5 at the sportsbooks that have moved the number.
The total dropping is a bit curious, since the Falcons-Lions matchup will feature two of the NFL's top teams at throwing the football.
As I mentioned earlier, the Lions reliance on Stafford to throw it to win has been overwhelming and its moved them up to the No. 1 spot in the NFL at 302 yards passing a game. But Matt Ryan and the Falcons have opened things up this season too, coming in at 5th in the NFL with 288 yards a game. These two teams also have two of the league's best targets on the outside in Calvin Johnson and Julio Jones, so it wouldn't be much of a surprise if the footballs are flying on Saturday with over 100 pass attempts combined.
But both teams would be smart to try and establish at least some sort of a running game. The Falcons defense has had issues stopping the run at times (allow 125 ypg - 24th), so the Lions Mikel Leshoure should get touches to try and keep Stafford off his back. The Detroit run defense is also toward the bottom of the NFL pack (119 ypg - 18th), but the Falcons haven't run the ball effectively all season (90 ypg - 28th) and they'll need to get Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers going if they want a deep run in the playoffs.
The Falcons came into Ford Field last season and won, 23-16, in a game that saw both teams struggle to establish an offensive rhythm (combined 591 yards, six sacks, three turnovers). Atlanta won straight up as 4.5-poit underdogs, but this season they're the 4.5-point favorites, so my how a year makes a difference.
Over the years the series is even 5-5 SU on the field (since 1996), with Detroit going 4-3 SU at home. The Falcons hold a slight edge at the window, going 6-4-1 ATS including a 4-2-1 ATS mark in the games played in Detroit.
The total may be dropping because the under looks like the strongest betting trend wager on the board. The under is a perfect 5-0 in the last five meetings in Detroit.
Badger's Pick to Cover the Point Spread: I hope you didn't come here looking to confirm your thoughts that the Falcons are going to blow out a Detroit team who just got killed at Arizona! Detroit will be up for this game as they play well at home. If you look at their home games, they've been in every game beating Seattle and losing by 4 or less to GB, Houston and Indy. Atlanta is a good team, but they're no better than GB or Houston was when Detroit played them. Look for Detroit to stay within 4 or even possibly win this game straight up. Don't be a sheeple along with the other 70% who are throwing their loot into wind.
Take Detroit, a bottle of pepto bismol and come back here and buy me a beer when this game cashesComment
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Xpertpicks
• Play Lafayette -4.5 over East Carolina (TOP NCAA FOOTBALL PLAY)---30% OF YOUR BANKROLL
Starts at 12:00 PM EST
Lafayette has won and covered the spread in 4 of the last 5 games and
they have also covered the spread in 11 of the last 14 games coming
off two or more conference games. Lafayette has covered the spread in
8 of the last 10 games after allowing an average of 6.75 or more yards
a play in their last game and they are averaging over 39 points a game
on offense over the last three games.
• Play Boise State -5 over Washington (TOP NCAA FOOTBALL PLAY)---30% OF YOUR BANKROLL
Starts at 3:30 PM EST
Boise State has won 10 of the last 11 games and they have also covered
the spread in 8 of the last 9 games when playing on a neutral field.
Boise State has covered the spread in 12 of the last 14 games coming
off a conference win by seven points or less and they are only
allowing an average of 14 points a game on defense this season.
• Play Atlanta -4 over Detroit (TOP NFL FOOTBALL PLAY)---30% OF YOUR BANKROLL
Starts at 8:30 PM EST
Detroit has lost 12 of the last 15 games against the spread when the
total posted is greater than 49.5 points and they have also lost 7 of
the last 8 games against the spread coming off a loss against the
spread in their last game. Detroit has lost 11 of the last 14 games
against the spread when playing in the 2nd half of the season and they
are allowing an average of 27 points a game on defense this season.Comment
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Bio sports picks nfl sat / 45-28 on season
Atlanta -3.5 vs. Detroit (sat)Comment
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Indian Cowboy
4-Unit Play. #211 Take Under 44..5 Washington vs. Boise State (Saturday @ 3:30pm est).Comment
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STATFOX
Bowl Games Forecaster
East Carolina Pirates 26
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns 37
Washington Huskies 17
Boise State Broncos 25Comment
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NEWSLETTERS:
Powersweep
1★: E CAROLINA (+) over Louisiana
3★: WASHINGTON (+) Boise St.
Pointwise
Bowl Releases
6* LA-LAF 38 - E Carolina 30
4* BOISE ST 27 - Washington 17
Playbook Marc Lawrence
AWESOME ANGLE OF THE WEEK
Play On:
DETROIT LIONS
PLAY ON any NFL dog on Saturday who lost SU as a favorite in its last game and is facing a foe off a spread win of more than 8 points in its last game.
#209 East Carolina
#211 Washington
CKO
Priority Sports Picks
10* East Carolina
Gold Sheet
Projected Scores
LOUI -LAF 36 - E Carolina 35
Boise State 25 - Washington 24
KEY RELEASES
*Atlanta 30 - DETROIT 20 — It’s the nature of the NFL to have more backand-forth than the fiscal debate on Capitol Hill. And, after last week’s results,the humiliation bounce-back angle certainly applies to Detroit. But not sure how much fight is left in the Lions, who have been self-destructing more effectively than Peter Graves’ instruction tapes from the old Mission: Impossible TV series. Matthew Stafford’s confidence appears shot after three more picks (two for TDs) last week at Arizona, and error-prone Detroit is likely to gift Matt Ryan
some early Xmas presents. Falcs sew up home field in the NFC with a win.
CABLE TV—ESPN
(11-Atlanta 23-DET. 16...A.22-13 A.31/129 D.20/104 A.20/35/2/199 D.15/32/0/159 A.0 D.1)
(11-Atlanta +4 23-16...SR: Detroit 23-11)Comment
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Teddy Covers
10* Washington (Vegas Bowl)Comment
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Mark Mayer @ Gaming Today
East Carolina +6½ vs. UL Lafayette: The Pirates score a lot and play a much tougher schedule. EAST CAROLINA.Comment
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Richard Saber @ Gaming Today
New Orleans (at Superdome)
ECU +5½ vs. UL-Lafayette (64): C-USA vs. the Sun Belt in a game where both teams can light up the tote. Bet this total early as it can only go up. No weather concern. Lafayette is averaging 34.8 points a game, the Pirates from Greenville (N.C.) 42 in their last six. East Carolina allowed 40.2 in their last five. Sit back and watch the points. OVER.
Las Vegas
(at Sam Boyd Stadium)
Wash +5 vs. Boise St. (46): Boise finished 10-2 with a 3 point loss at Michigan State and by 2 at home to San Diego St. But, the Broncos went 6-6 ATS. The Huskies went 7-5 both SU and ATS, beating San Diego St. in Seattle to start the season. They also own wins over Stanford and Oregon State – two bowl teams. The better schedule says take the points. WASHINGTON.Comment
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Falcons at Lions: What Bettors Need to Know
Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions (3.5, 50.5)
The Atlanta Falcons are on the verge of clinching the top seed in the NFC. The Detroit Lions are just looking to end their dismal season on a high note when the teams collide at Ford Field on Saturday night. NFC South champion Atlanta can secure home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs with a triumph in the Motor City. The Falcons are wrapping up the road portion of their regular season but have lost two of their last three away from home.
Detroit enters the contest looking to snap its six-game losing streak. Things hit rock bottom for the Lions on Sunday, when they suffered a 38-10 loss in Arizona to the Cardinals, who were coming off their ninth consecutive defeat - an embarrassing 58-0 drubbing at the hands of Seattle. Detroit has not won since posting a 31-14 victory at Jacksonville on Nov. 4.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.
LINE: Falcons -3.5, O/U 50.5.
ABOUT THE FALCONS (12-2): Atlanta bounced back from a 10-point road loss to Carolina in a big way as it recorded a dominating 34-0 home triumph over the New York Giants on Sunday. The Falcons ran more than they passed for just the second time this season, gaining 125 yards on 35 carries - not including three kneel-downs by their quarterbacks - while attempting just 28 passes. They ran 37 times and passed on 29 occasions in a victory over Philadelphia on Oct. 28. Matt Ryan broke two of his franchise records Sunday. Ryan has now thrown for 4,202 yards on 369 completions through 14 games. He had 4,177 passing yards last season and completed 357 passes in 2010.
ABOUT THE LIONS (4-10): After winning 10 games last season, Detroit will be hard-pressed to record half as many victories this campaign. After facing Atlanta, the Lions host the Chicago Bears, who are very much in contention for a playoff spot. Coach Jim Schwartz is not planning on conceding anything despite his team's downward spiral. "You have something to prove every week regardless of winning streak, losing streak, what happened the previous week," he said. "People are competitive, people have pride. People have confidence in themselves. I think that's what helps people bounce back from stuff like this." Four of Detroit's last five losses have been by seven points or less.
TRENDS:
* Under is 5-0 in the last five meetings in Detroit.
* Under is 4-1 in Falcons’ last five games overall.
* Lions are 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall.
* Falcons are 1-4 ATS in their last five games following an ATS win.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Lions WR Calvin Johnson needs 182 yards to break Hall of Famer Jerry Rice's single-season record of 1,848 receiving yards.
2. Ryan is the only QB in Falcons history to throw for more than 4,000 yards in consecutive seasons. He is 33-4 at home and has won his last 11 starts at the Georgia Dome.
3. After throwing 41 touchdown passes last year, Detroit QB Matthew Stafford has only 17 this season.Comment
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