12-30-12

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Allen Eastman Ace-Ace

3-Unit Play. Take #316 Washington (-3) over Dallas (8 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 30)
The Redskins are going to get the job done here today. They have won seven straight games and they have covered every one of them. The Redskins are one of the hottest teams in the NFL and I had this line closer to 4.5 so there is nice value. I have seen Dallas choke in these situations time and time again. They will choke again here and will probably be blown out of this game. The Redskins dominated the first meeting and they were up 28-3 at halftime down in Dallas on Thanksgiving. Tony Romo will turn the ball over and the Dallas defense will give up big plays and the Cowboys will have their season end with an ugly loss once again. Go with the hot team.

5-Unit Play. Take #309 Houston (-6.5) over Indianapolis (1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 30)
This is my Game of the Week and is from the NFL 411 System.
I really like Houston here. The Texans were embarrassed last week by Minnesota. Now the Texans have to win. They need to win this game to guarantee home field advantage in the AFC. They don't want to have to go to Denver in the AFC Title Game. Indianapolis is locked into the No. 5 seed. They will go on the road to face Baltimore next week. Coach Chuck Pagano has said that he isn't going to rest his starters this week. But I think the Colts have less motivation in this game. And I would be surprised if Andrew Luck is still in the game in the second half. Houston beat the Colts handily at home two weeks ago. I think they will win this one by double-digits on the road and get the No. 1 seed overall. Take Houston.

4-Unit Play. Take #328 San Diego (-7) over Oakland (4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 30)
This is Norv Turner's last game as head coach. I think he'll pull out all the stops. This Chargers defense dominated the Jets last week with 11 sacks and I think they will be able to do the same thing this week against the Raiders. Oakland will be without starting quarterback Carson Palmer. They will go with either Matt Leinart or Terrelle Pryor. The Raiders are just 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games in Week 17. The Chargers are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five games in Week 17 and they are 17-8 ATS in December. The Raiders are ready to quit on the season and I think the Chargers will win this one in a blowout.

3-Unit Play. Take First Half #322 Atlanta (-2.5) over Tampa Bay (1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 30)
This play is on the Falcons in the first half only. There are some books that do not have a line out on this game. But when it comes out will be at this number or even better in my favor.
I think that the Falcons are going to rest their starters. But I think that they will play their starters in the first half. This team won't play again for two weeks and they don't want their best players to be out for that long. I think the Falcons will come out and play great in the first half against a Bucs team that isn't very focused right now. But then Atlanta is going to pull its starters and I think the Bucs could come back and win in the second half if they still care to play.

2-Unit Play. Take #324 New Orleans (-5) over Carolina (1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 30)
The Saints seem like they are motivated to finish 8-8. It has been a long year for New Orleans. But they are playing their best football late in the year. They had a big win in Dallas last week and that made it back-to-back wins both SU and ATS. The Saints have revenge for a loss at Carolina in Week 2 and they will be motivated to beat Cam Newton and the Panthers. They will want to send a message to the young Panthers. These two teams met last year in Week 17 and New Orleans won 45-17 and the Saints didn't have anything to play for then. I think it will be a similar beating. The Saints are 7-2 ATS in divisional games and they are 16-5 ATS when they play at home. Lay the points.

2-Unit Play. Take #318 Detroit (+3) over Chicago (1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 30)
I think that this one could be an upset. Detroit has had a disappointing season. But they could still have something to play for here. The Lions have a chance to knock Chicago out of the playoff hunt and I think that will matter to the home team. The Lions beat the Bears at home last year and Detroit has revenge for a close loss at Chicago earlier this season. The Bears are just 2-5 in their last seven games and they have faded down the stretch. Detroit has lost seven straight and they don't want to end the season on a losing streak. Detroit has outgained three straight opponents and lost all three. But I think they will outgain the Bears and pull the outright upset. Take the points in case it is close, but I think this underdog will bite.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Vegas Sports Informer

NFL FOOTBALL PLAYS

2 Unit Play. #324 Take New Orleans -5 over Carolina (1:00p.m., Sunday, Dec 30)
Revenge for the Saints in this last game of the season! Week #2 the Panthers ran all over the Saints and won 35-27 but this Saints team is a totally different team and actually this Saints team plays defense. Last year Week #17 these two teams met and the Saints won 45-17 and since this game has revenge I see the same outcome. The Saints offense will have a big game Sunday afternoon and Drew Brees outduels Cam Newton. New Orleans is a perfect 5-0 ATS when playing a team with a winning record and the Saints are 7-1 ATS in the month of December.

5 Unit Play. #315 Take Under 49 Dallas at Washington (8:30p.m., Sunday, Dec 30 NBC)
(Total Play of the Week) Both teams need this game and I see both ?D's? playing a hard hit game. Look for both offenses to play risk free football and I see both teams trying to establish the run early. I'm hoping the Cowboys defense plays like they did in their last road game keeping the Bengals to under 20 points and if the Boys defense can hold RGIII this game flies under. Saturday in our capital they are expecting rain/snow so I'm hoping the affects go into Sunday because that could also help us out with the 'Under'. The Cowboys are 2-8 O/U in their last 10 road games and the Redskins are 5-12 O/U in their last 17 games against a team with a winning record.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jason Sharpe

NFL
4 Unit Play Take #320 Minnesota +3.5 over Green Bay (4:25pm est):
Seems to be this huge support for the Green Bay Packers here down the stretch but looking closer at who they have beat and you have to wonder if the Packers deserve all this love right now. The Packers come in off a beating of Tennessee last week. They did beat Chicago before that game but keep in mind that the Bears have stumbled to the finish line and look like a non-playoff team at this time. Green Bay also has a few wins over the Lions and a victory against Arizona, Jacksonville, St. Louis and these Vikings over their last nine games. They are 8-1 during this stretch but it's also very possible that when this season is over that none of these last nine wins came against a playoff team.

Minnesota is sky high right now after playing probably their three best games of the season these past three weeks. The Vikings went through an extremely tough stretch of games the second half of the year and are at 5-4 now after it. They know that a win here and they are in the playoffs this year and have pretty much been in a do or die situation the past month of their season. Getting a field goal in this spot is huge as you know the Vikings will fight to the bitter end in this contest. This is already an intense, bitter rivalry type game to begin with but now add this ?win and your in? scenario into the equation and you have much more now at stake here in this game for the Vikings.

Look for Minnesota to keep things very close in this game and to pull it out in the end. Take Minnesota and the points here.

3 Unit Play Take #318 Detroit +3 over Chicago (1:00pm est):
You have to believe the Detroit Lions would love nothing more than to end their season on a winning note as they once again won the box score but lost the game last week to another top notch team. Nothing we could say about this Lions team could justify how things have played out for them this season on the field. This is a decent squad with loads of talent who somehow have found ways to hand games over to their opposition the last few months. The Lions have also been beat by mostly the better teams of the NFL of late with losses to Atlanta, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Houston, Green Bay again and Minnesota- all of which could be in the playoffs this year.

The Chicago Bears are a very average football team this season and one who has stumbled down the stretch. The Bears are an ugly 2-5 their last seven games and have looked like they have got very old in some key spots here at the close of this year. Keep in mind this is a team that has failed to score over 17 points in any of their losses. Chicago took advantage of lots of turnovers this year to make the most of what was a very mediocre season for this group. Now that the turnovers have stopped, so has the strong play also. We have seen how old teams have got real old this year down the stretch with the way the Steelers, Ravens and also these Bears have crumbled here these last two months of the season.

Detroit has the better talent and statistically has played much better than the Bears at the line of scrimmage this year. Take Detroit and the points here. Big NBA play coming on Friday as it's my NBA Game of the Month going for December. I have went 4-0 this month on top plays rated six units and higher in all sports. Also later this week I will have another huge play with my CBB Non-Conference Game of the Year as well. This seven unit play is my highest rated CBB play to date and comes just a week after nailing my highest rated CBB play to date at that time in my CBB Game of the Month. Big plays coming up and I have been the king of big plays and look forward to keeping that going here these next few days.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Strike Point Sports

NFL Plays

6-Unit Play. Take #306 Cincinnati (-2) over Baltimore (1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 30)
Note: This is our NFL Game of the Month.
Coach Marvin Lewis has stated that Cincinnati "Will not rest their starters." He has had terrible results in the past when he has rested his starters before the playoffs and he has vowed that he won't make that mistake again. This is great news for Bengals backers as they should be fired up to beat the Ravens after their victory over the Steelers.

The Bengals have covered six of their last seven games and they are on an absolute roll. The haven't been lucky during this run, they have just been good. This Bengals team is one that could surprise their first round opponent in the playoffs and they will show people this weekend that they need to be taken seriously in the playoffs. They want to end the season on a positive note, and playing in front of their home fans is enough to cover this less than a field goal line.

The Ravens are not a good road team and prior to last weekends victory over the Giants, they weren't playing that well. Yes, the Ravens looked good last weekend, but the Giants are on a free fall and they played with absolutely no fire. Anyone that watched that game knows that the Ravens victory was just as much poor play from the Giants as it was great play by the Ravens.

The Ravens are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games on field turf and 1-6 ATS in their last seven December games. The Bengals are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games versus the Ravens in Cincinnati and 4-0 ATS in their last four games versus the AFC. Take the small home favorite in this one.

4-Unit Play. Take #313 Philadelphia (+7.5) over New York Giants (1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 30)
The Giants are on an absolute free fall and they are probably going to sit many of their starters due to injury. The way they are playing they in no way should be favored by more than a touchdown versus a Division rival. Outside of their wins over Green Bay and New Orleans they have looked awful versus Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Washington, Atlanta, and Baltimore. Playing at home doesn't make this game any more intriguing for the Giants nor their backers. The Giants are just 3-10 ATS In their last 13 home games versus a team with a losing record.

For anyone that is a trend buff and doesn't want to just take my word on it, how about these numbers; Philadelphia is 5-0 ATS in their last five games meetings in New York, and 7-1-1 ATS in their last nine games versus the Giants. The underdog is 13-2-1 ATS In their last 16 games between the two teams, and the road team is 3-0-1 ATS in the last four meetings between the two teams. Take the dog in this one.

3-Unit Play. Take 'Over' 46 Green Bay at Minnesota (4:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 30)
This game is going to have a playoff feel and I think both teams offenses will be firing on all cylinders. Green Bay's passing attack should have tremendous success versus the Vikings and Adrian Peterson should be able to run at will versus Green Bay. The last two times these two teams met it was a low scoring game (23-14) and I see the complete opposite happening this time.

The 'Over' is 7-3 in the last 10 Packers games after they scored 30 points in their previous game. The 'Over' is also 6-2 in the last eight Vikings home games versus a team with a winning record. The 'Over' is also 7-2 in the last nine meetings between the two teams and 9-2-1 in the last 12 meetings between the two teams in Minnesota.

On the fast surface of the dome the Packers and Vikings should both be able to play to their strengths. The public will be all over the 'under' here as both teams are battling for the playoffs or positioning, and it is a rivalry game, but the public will be wrong in this one as the 'over' is the sharp play as both teams will move the ball on offense and Green Bay will take advantage of some Vikings turnovers to create quick points on their end.

3-Unit Play. Take #315 Dallas (+3) over Washington (8:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 30)
This is the roll that is better suited to the Cowboys. I was all over the Saints last weekend as the Cowboys never win when they are "supposed to" win. The Cowboys are one of my least favorite chalk teams as they just don't seem to get the job done when they should or when they are expected to.

In this situation the Boys are the dogs and Washington is playing extremely well. Both teams are battling for the title of NFC East Champ and I see Dallas staying just close enough to pull this game out. Tony Romo is one of the best fourth quarter QBs in the NFL this season and this game will absolutely come down to the fourth quarter. If Dallas has the ball last with a chance to win, I see them winning this game outright.

Washington will be able to run the ball, but RGIII will have difficulty throwing the ball versus this tough Dallas secondary. Look for Dallas to create some turnovers to keep this game close throughout. This game will be one of those throwback NFC East battles and it will come down to who makes the last mistake, which I see the rookie doing so.

Dallas is 5-1-1 ATS In their last seven road games versus a team with a winning home record and 4-1 ATS In their last five road games overall. The Underdog is 23-6 ATS in the last 29 meetings between the two teams and the road team is 7-2 ATS in the last nine meetings between the two teams.

Best of Luck - Strike Point Sports

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Team Doc Sports

NFL

4 Unit Play. #36/#303 Take New England Patriots -10 over Miami Dolphins (Sunday, 4:25 pm CBS) The Patriots are on the outside looking in when it comes to receiving a bye, but they still have a chance to claim the No. 1 seed should things break their way. New England has a long tradition of playing their regulars even if the game is meaningless, and expect that to hold true again on Sunday. New England had been dominating this series of late, winning 16 of the 23 match-ups since 2001 and the Dolphins just do not have the personnel to be able to threaten this suspect Patriots defense. New England won the first meeting in South Florida by a touchdown, and Miami has just not been the same team during the second half of the season, losing 5 of their last 8 games. New England is 3-0 ATS (1 push) in their last 4 Week 17 games. Most of those week 17 games were meaningless, but this one may have a lot riding on it, and expect the Patriots to go out and make a statement.

4 Unit Play. #32/#310 Take Indianapolis Colts +7 over Houston Texans (Sunday, 1 pm CBS) The Texans have more to play for than do the Colts, but Bill Polian is no longer with this organization, and, thus, I do not expect the Colts to just lay down and die like they have done in past seasons when games are meaningless. That strategy never worked well for the Colts in past years, and expect this new regime to be fully aware of that. Indianapolis is 6-1 at home this season, and they have not lost a home game since 9/23/12. The Texans have been blown out in two of their last 3 games, and teams are starting to figure out their defense. Wade Phillips has been unwilling to make adjustments. Indianapolis is 18-7 ATS (2 pushes) in their last 27 games against teams with a winning record. This game goes down to the wire, and we collect with whoever comes out on top.

Houston by 1

5 Unit Play. #45/#315 Take Dallas Cowboys +3.5 over Washington Redskins (Sunday, 8:20 pm NBC) The final game of the NFL Regular Season has two traditional rivals set to battle in the nation's capital in a winner-take-all atmosphere. Both teams need to win to make the playoffs (slim chance Washington could still make it if they lose), and, thus, I fully expect a sixty-minute battle. Dallas did not play well last week against New Orleans, but that did not affect them much, and expect them to bounce back in a big way on Sunday night. Washington has won six in a row after their coach declared them dead, but only one of those six victories came in a dominating performance. They have been hanging on by a thread of late, and that luck is about to run out. I still believe that RG3 is banged up, and he did not play that well last week, throwing for under 200 yards against a terrible team in Philadelphia. Washington is still a young team, and the veteran leadership on Dallas will be the difference. Dallas is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games. Dallas moves onto the playoffs and we collect with a nice underdog as well.

Dallas by 6

4 Unit Play. #33/#319 Take Green Bay Packers -3 over Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 4:25 pm FOX) Both teams have a lot of play for in this game, as the Vikings need to win it to make the playoffs and the Packers need to win it hang onto the No. 2 seed. The Packers have won 5 straight games against the Vikings, and when you compare the two quarterbacks there is no doubt who the better player is. Green Bay is 4-3 on the road this season, and that includes a game that was taken away from them by the replacement officials. Green Bay is 9-6 ATS against Minnesota since 2001 and they are 7-4 ATS when they are a favorite in this series. Green Bay wants no part of the No. 3 and having to play during wild card weekend and then on the road during the divisional playoffs. Minnesota has Adrian Peterson, but I just do not believe that they have enough weapons around him to beat the Packers. Clay Mathews gave the Packers a defensive spark last week against Tennessee, and expect that to carry over this week as well. Minnesota had a remarkable season, but their playoff aspirations fall just short on Sunday.

Green Bay by 10

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Indian Cowboy

4-Unit Play. #309. Take Houston -6.5 over Indianapolis Colts (Sunday @ 1pm est).

4-Unit Play. #326. Take Denver Broncos -16 over Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday @ 4:25pm est).

The Texans need this game and the Colts really don't. The Colts are essentially locked in and although the emotional return of their head coach to the sidelines will be a boost for this team, given how poorly Houston played in their last week against the Vikings, you'd have to think that this team shows up with so much on the line in this game. Foster is probable and sure the Colts have some revenge here, but I just can't see Indianapolis really getting up for this game because it does not have much meaning for them. The Colts of course will still look to play their best football for the most part but despite 65% of the public on the Colts getting the points, the Texans line quickly shot up on opening for this very reason. I like the Texans here by about 10 points as they will be motivated to play after their really poor effort last week plus looking forward to secure positioning in the playoffs.

Peyton Manning is one of the best at making the necessary changes. If you think for a second just because this is the Chiefs and he cares less about this game because of that think again. The Chiefs gave Manning quite a bit of trouble in Arrowhead. The Broncos ended up winning that game 17-9. The Chiefs covered that game. The Chiefs also played a great against Indianapolis and I suspect they might have given it all in their game. This is a team that got shutout against Oakland 0-15 in a division game. They lost 7-30 against Cleveland on the road, 13-31 against San Diego and 10-38 against Oakland. Now they face a Bronco team that is rolling now who just beat a very good Cleveland team 34-12 at home. I don't see Denver laying down the gas at all as most of the public is on the underdog which bodes well for a good public fade as well and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Colts win this game by a similar margin to the Cleveland game. If the Chiefs had trouble scoring against the Oakland defense, they will find it hard against a Denver defense that is one of the best in the league.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ROOT

millionaire vikes
no limit giants
inner circle dallas
billionaire bengals
Pinnacle lions
perfect 49ers

[Can'tPickAWinner]

1unit wagers / Steven Kane

Saints(-4.5)
Giants(-6.5)
Bears(-2.5)

Buy 1/2 point in some spots.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapping Kings

JIMMY

1:00PM New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills
[302](KINGS RANSOM- 2 UNIT PLAY) Buffalo Bills -3 +100

4:25PM Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos
[325] OVER 42 -110

GOODFELLAS

4:25PM Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings
[319](Cigar Game - 2 unit play) Green Bay Packers -3 +100

1:00PM Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions
[318] Detroit Lions +3.5 -135

4:25PM Arizona Cardinals vs San Francisco 49ers
[330] San Francisco 49ers -16.5 +100

MARC

1:00PM Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans
[311](LIGHTS OUT PLAY- 2 UNIT PLAY) UNDER 41.5 -110

4:25PM St. Louis Rams vs Seattle Seahawks
[331] OVER 41 -110

8:30PM Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Redskins
[315] OVER 48.5 -110

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Football Crusher
Chicago Bears -150 over Detroit Lions
(System Record: 43-5, won last game)
Overall Record: 43-52-4



Soccer Crusher
Queens Park Rangers + Liverpool OVER 2
This match is happening in England
(System Record: 334-14, won last 3 games)
Overall Record: 334-293-39

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NFL Weather Watch: Snow Expected in Buffalo

Now that it’s officially winter, factoring weather into your handicapping will become even more important.

New York Jets at Buffalo Bills (-3.5, 39)

Site: Ralph Wilson Stadium

Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the mid-20s with a 50 percent chance of snow. Winds will blow out of the WNW at 13 mph.

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (-7, 45.5)

Site: MetLife Stadium

Forecasts are calling for temperatures around the freezing mark and partly cloudy skies. Winds will be strong out of the NW at 19 mph.

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (-11, 34.5)

Site: Heinz Field

Forecasts are calling for temperatures around the freezing mark and overcast skies. Winds will blow out of the west at 13 mph.

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (-10, 46)

Site: Gillette Stadium

Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the high-20s and partly cloudy skies. Winds will blow out of the NW at 13 mph.

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers (-10, 39)

Site: Qualcomm Stadium

Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the mid-50s with a 40 percent of thunderstorms. Winds will blow out of the west at 6 mph.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bears at Lions: What Bettors Need to Know

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions (3, 44.5)

The Chicago Bears need a win and some help in the final week of the regular season to lock up a playoff spot. The Detroit Lions are only playing for one thing - history for Calvin Johnson. The Bears are hoping to keep Johnson in check when they visit the Lions on Sunday. Johnson broke Jerry Rice’s single-season record for receiving yards last week and is aiming to become the first player in history to reach 2,000.

The Bears kept their playoff hopes alive with a win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16 and are hoping their banged-up roster can pull out one more in the final week. Chicago will also need the Green Bay Packers to beat the Minnesota Vikings (9-6). Detroit, which made the playoffs last season, has lost seven games in a row to crush any hope of a return trip. Johnson has been the only thing keeping spirits up with his record 1,892 yards.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX.

LINE: Bears -3, O/U 44.5

ABOUT THE BEARS (9-6): Chicago is hoping running back Matt Forte (ankle) will be ready for the Lions. He sat out practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday. Forte was knocked out of Sunday’s win over Arizona and left the locker room in a walking boot, but he told reporters he would play against the Lions. Linebacker Brian Urlacher (hamstring) has missed the last three games and has yet to practice this week. The Bears had dropped five of six prior to the win at Arizona, averaging 11.4 points in the losses. They have won every game in which they have scored at least 18. The defense accounted for a pair of touchdowns in the 28-13 win over the Cardinals and quarterback Jay Cutler bounced back from an awful start to throw for a touchdown and at least keep the offense moving.

ABOUT THE LIONS (4-11): Detroit has simply become the Calvin Johnson show. What was once an explosive offense trying to compensate for a lackluster defense has put up an average of just 16 points in the last three games. Matthew Stafford (4,695) could end up with another 5,000-yard season but has only 17 touchdown passes to go with 16 interceptions. His 443 yards in Saturday’s 31-18 loss to the Atlanta Falcons marked the most in NFL history without a touchdown pass. Stafford hasn’t gotten much help from the running game and is frequently throwing from behind. Johnson caught 11 passes for 225 yards in the loss to Atlanta and is averaging 126.3 yards, making the 108 he needs for 2,000 a strong possibility. He has had at least 118 yards in each of the last eight games.

TRENDS:

* Bears are 1-4 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Lions are 0-4 ATS in their last four games overall.
* Under is 6-0 in Bears’ last six vs. NFC North foes.
* Under is 4-1 in Lions’ last five vs. NFC North foes.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Bears also lost starting S Chris Conte (hamstring) in the Arizona game. Anthony Walters replaced him the rest of the game.

2. Johnson was held to a season-low 34 yards in a 13-7 loss at Chicago on Oct. 22.

3. Chicago has taken eight of the last nine in the series but lost in its last trip to Detroit 24-13 on Oct. 10, 2011.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Packers at Vikings: What Bettors Need to Know

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (3.5, 46)

The Green Bay Packers' path is pretty well defined. If the visiting Packers can defeat the NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, they'll receive a bye and punch their ticket to the divisional playoffs. Should Green Bay suffer just its second loss in 11 outings, it could still clinch the No. 2 seed - provided San Francisco stumbles against Arizona and fellow NFC West rival Seattle follows suit versus St. Louis.

Minnesota's path to the postseason is a little trickier. A fourth straight victory on Sunday will secure the Vikings the No. 6 seed - and perhaps a return trip to Lambeau Field for the first round of the playoffs. A loss to the division foe on Sunday isn't entirely a death knell to the season, although Minnesota would require Chicago, Dallas and the New York Giants to all suffer losses in Week 17.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX.

LINE: Packers -3.5, O/U 46

ABOUT THE PACKERS (11-4): Green Bay, which has defeated Minnesota in five straight games, secured its postseason berth with a convincing 55-7 rout of Tennessee last week. Pro Bowler Aaron Rodgers led the charge with his second consecutive three-touchdown game on Sunday, and has torched Minnesota during the team's winning streak. Rodgers has thrown for 14 touchdowns and accumulated a 122.2 passer rating. Green Bay's run-by-committee approach has been successful, with veteran Ryan Grant recording 80 yards and a pair of scores last week.

ABOUT THE VIKINGS (9-6): Adrian Peterson's bid to usurp Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record hit a bump in the road in last week in the team's 23-6 victory over Houston. The Pro Bowler battled abdominal soreness to amass "only" 86 yards, thus requiring 208 on Sunday if he wishes to break Dickerson's 1984 mark. Peterson torched the Packers for 210 yards on Dec. 2, but Green Bay walked away with a 23-14 triumph. Christian Ponder was victimized by two critical interceptions in the loss.

TRENDS:

* Packers are 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall.
* Vikings are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six home games.
* Under is 5-0 in Packers’ last five vs. NFC North foes.
* Under is 6-0 in Vikings’ last six vs. a team with a winning record.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Green Bay OLB Clay Matthews didn't play in the first meeting due to a hamstring injury. The Pro Bowler, who has a team-high 12 sacks, is set to compete on Sunday, however.

2. Ponder has been picked off on only one occasion during Minnesota's three-game winning streak.

3. Packers WR Jordy Nelson returned to practice this week after injuring his hamstring in the teams' earlier tilt.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Raiders to start QB Pryor Sunday vs. Chargers

The Oakland Raiders have announced 23-year-old QB Terrelle Pryor will start Sunday versus the San Diego Chargers in place of the injured Carson Palmer.

After being deemed not ready to be the backup when Palmer got hurt last week in Carolina, Pryor now gets the chance to make his first career NFL start. The Ohio State product will be making his first start since the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4, 2011.

The LVH SuperBook put this Sunday’s game back on the board this afternoon and has the Raiders listed as 9.5-point road underdogs with the total set at 39.5

Pryor was taken in the third round of the supplemental draft in August 2011 by late Raiders owner Al Davis. The Former Big Ten Freshman of the Year got a few snaps in the preseason but was then inactive for the first 11 games of this year. He also saw action briefly the past two weeks in specialty packages.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

WUNDERDOG SPORTS

Game: Houston at Indianapolis (Sunday 12/30 1:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: Game Total OVER 46.5 -110

The Houston Texans need the win here. A win clinches home-field advantage for as long as they manage to stay in the playoffs. However, the Colts certainly aren't going to wave the white flag. The Colts will get a huge emotional lift out of the return to the sidelines of their head coach Chuck Pagano. The Texans average 27 points per game and of late, their defense has been allowing an equal amount as offenses seem to have found ways to exploit the secondary. In their last six games, the Texans have allowed 31+ three times and the average points allowed has been 26.7. The only team they kept under 23 points was the lowly Titans. In the Gary Kubiak era, the Texans are 31-19 OVER after a loss including 18-6 OVER after a double-digit loss. The Colts average 24 points per game in dome games and they should score enough here to get this game OVER the total.