1-13-13

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cappers Access

Seahawks +3
Texans +9-

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mighty Quinn

Mighty missed with the Broncos (-9) Saturday.

Sunday it’s the Seahawks. The surplus is 180 sirignanos.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Texans at Patriots: What Bettors Need to Know

Houston Texans at New England Patriots (-9.5, 48.5)

The Houston Texans were comfortably sailing along atop the AFC before meeting the New England Patriots last month. A lopsided setback led to two more losses in their final three games. The AFC South-champion Texans rebounded with a 19-13 triumph over sixth-seeded Cincinnati in last week's wild-card match, setting up a return date on Sunday with Tom Brady and the second-seeded Patriots in Foxboro, Mass.

Houston coach Gary Kubiak will need to have a better plan for Brady, who dissected his defense for 296 yards and four touchdowns on a national stage as New England cruised to a 42-14 victory on Dec. 10. Should the AFC East-champion Patriots emerge victorious on Sunday, Brady will surpass boyhood idol Joe Montana for the most postseason wins (17) by a starting quarterback. Brady is 10-2 at home during the postseason, but just 6-6 in his last 12 overall starts in the playoffs.

TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS.

LINE: New England opened at -9 and has been bet up to -9.5 while the total opened at 48.5, dropped to 47.5 and has been bet up to 49.

WEATHER: The forecast is calling for fog and a chance of showers later in the evening with temperatures in the mid 40s. Winds are expected to blow south at 6 mph.

ABOUT THE TEXANS (13-4, 10-7 ATS): Arian Foster scored the game's lone touchdown last week and compiled 174 total yards from scrimmage (140 rushing, 34 receiving). Foster's dual threat was rendered nearly obsolete after the Patriots breezed to an early 21-0 lead. The electric runner was held to 46 yards on the ground. Houston would be wise to feed Foster the ball on Sunday; the Texans are 8-0 when he rushes for at least 100 yards.

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (12-4, 9-7 ATS): Brady isn't shy about distributing the ball as he guides the league's highest-scoring team. Wes Welker, who had 118 catches for 1,354 yards this season, was held to just three receptions in the teams' earlier meeting. Rob Gronkowski, who was a spectator against the Texans earlier this season, led the Patriots with 11 touchdowns. Fellow tight end Aaron Hernandez, who had two scores versus Houston, and wideout Brandon Lloyd could be the wild cards in the high-octane attack.

TRENDS:

* Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Home team is 3-0-1 ATS in their last four meetings.
* Patriots are 1-8 ATS in their last nine playoff games.
* Under is 7-3 in Texans last 10 road games.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. New England led the NFL with a plus-24 turnover differential. Houston was second in the AFC with a plus-12 margin.

2. Houston stud WR Andre Johnson mustered nearly 100 yards per contest this season, and fell just five yards shy of that average on eight catches versus the Patriots in Week 14.

3. New England coach Bill Belichick needs one more postseason win to move past Joe Gibbs (17) for third place on the NFL's all-time list. Tom Landry recorded 20 victories while Don Shula is second with 19.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Seahawks at Falcons: What Bettors Need to Know

Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons (-3, 45.5)

Since the Atlanta Falcons made Matt Ryan their franchise quarterback, they have been synonymous with incredible success at home. While that has continued this season, the Falcons are more focused on ending another pattern that has emerged since Ryan and head coach Mike Smith came on board in 2008: an inability to win in the postseason. Top-seeded Atlanta has another chance to rectify its recent playoff struggles when it hosts the red-hot Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in the NFC divisional round. The Falcons are 0-3 in the playoffs over the past four seasons and were destroyed in their last two postseason appearances by a combined 72-23.

Seattle arrives in Atlanta as the team that no one wants to play. The Seahawks have ripped off six consecutive victories and turned in an impressive performance last weekend, erasing an early 14-0 deficit in Washington to eliminate the Redskins 24-14. Seattle has allowed the fewest points in the league (15.3 per game) and has shaken its reputation as a team unable to win away from CenturyLink Field by prevailing in its last three road games. The Falcons have won the past three meetings.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX.

LINE: Atlanta opened as low as a 1-point favorite and has been bet up to -3. The total has moved from 45.5 to 46.

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (12-5, 12-5 ATS): Seattle did not deviate from its game plan despite the early two-touchdown deficit at Washington and rallied behind rookie quarterback Russell Wilson, who threw for 187 yards and a touchdown and ran for 67 yards on eight carries. Wilson continues to play with the poise of a veteran, throwing 17 touchdown passes and only two interceptions in the past nine games. He has the luxury of a sledgehammer behind him in running back Marshawn Lynch, who rushed for a season-high 132 yards and a touchdown. Lynch, who finished third in the league with 1,590 yards, has reeled off five straight 100-yard games and 11 overall this season. He had only 24 yards on eight carries in last season's 30-28 loss to the Falcons in Seattle. The defense suffered a huge blow with an injury to DE Chris Clemons, who leads the team with 11.5 sacks.

ABOUT THE FALCONS (13-3, 9-6-1 ATS): Atlanta won its first seven home games before falling to Tampa Bay in a meaningless regular-season finale. That gave Ryan a 33-6 career record at the Georgia Dome. The former No. 3 overall pick posted career highs with 4,719 yards and 32 touchdowns passes and has perhaps the league's most complete receiving corps at his disposal. Roddy White and deep threat Julio Jones each surpassed 1,100 yards and combined for 17 scoring passes while ageless tight end Tony Gonzalez hauled in 93 receptions for 930 yards and eight touchdowns. The running game ranked just 29th in the league with an average of 87.3 yards. Michael Turner posted only two 100-yard games and ran for more than 52 yards once in the second half of the season. Atlanta's defense surrendered an average of 18.7 points and will hope sack leader John Abraham (10) is recovered from an ankle injury.

TRENDS:

* Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
* Underdog is 5-2 ATS in their last seven meetings.
* Over is 5-1 in Seahawks last six playoff games.
* Falcons are 0-4 ATS in their last four playoff games.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Seattle has outscored the opposition 217-74 during its six-game winning streak.

2. The Falcons have scored at least 30 points in each of their last three wins over the Seahawks, including the narrow victory at Seattle last season.

3. The Seahawks signed PK Ryan Longwell to replace the injured Steven Hauschka.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Game of The Day: Michigan at Ohio State

Michigan Wolverines at Ohio State Buckeyes (-2)

Michigan is one of only two undefeated teams left in Division I basketball. The biggest test to the Wolverines’ undefeated record so far will come on Sunday, when they visit rival Ohio State. The 14th-ranked Buckeyes have struggled against highly-ranked opponents in the first half of the season, with each of their three losses coming against teams ranked in the top 11. Michigan has taken its first three Big Ten games by an average of 23.7 points.

The Wolverines have only played one ranked opponent so far - a 79-72 home win over then-No. 18 North Carolina State on Nov. 27 - but will be ramping up the schedule strength considerably over the next few weeks. Ohio State will put pressure on Michigan’s defense with Deshaun Thomas, who is leading the Big Ten in scoring at 20.3 points, and have a guard in Aaron Craft who is strong enough defensively to put pressure on Trey Burke.

TV: 1:30 p.m. ET, CBS

ABOUT MICHIGAN (16-0, 3-0 Big Ten, 9-5 ATS): The Wolverines got to ease into the Big Ten with Northwestern, Iowa and Nebraska but will play three of its next four games on the road against ranked teams. Michigan has made it up to No. 2 in the country thanks to an efficient offense led by Burke. The sophomore point guard ranks third in the conference in scoring (18.2 points) while setting the pace for the Big Ten in assists (7.3). Tim Hardaway Jr. has put up 18.3 points over the last three contests since returning from an ankle injury, and Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III are both capable of carrying the team for stretches. The Wolverines have only allowed two opponents to reach even 70 points on the defensive end and are coming off a 62-47 win over Nebraska on Wednesday.

ABOUT OHIO STATE (12-3, 2-1, 8-5 ATS): The Buckeyes have had some trouble replacing Jared Sullinger’s presence on the inside and have Thomas averaging almost 10 more points than any other player. Thomas went for 24 points on 9-of-21 shooting but the rest of the cast shot 28.2 percent from the floor in a 74-55 loss at Illinois on Nov. 5 that knocked Ohio State out of the top 10. The Buckeyes looked like a different team three days later in a 74-64 win at Purdue. Craft (15) and Evan Ravenel (13) each stepped up to join Thomas in double figures as the team shot 56.4 percent. The Buckeyes took two of three from the Wolverines last season, including 77-55 victory in the Big Ten tournament.

TRENDS:

* Under is 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings in Ohio St.
* Wolverines are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings in Ohio St.
* Wolverines are 7-2 ATS in the last nine meetings.
* Under is 3-1-1 in the last five meetings.
* Underdog is 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings.

TIP-INS:

1. The Buckeyes are 146-13 at home since coach Thad Matta took over before the 2004-05 season.

2. Michigan shoots 41.1 percent from 3-point range, led by Stauskas’ 52.3 percent.

3. Burke and Thomas were both named to the midseason John R. Wooden Award top 25 on Thursday.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Matt Fargo
ENFORCER Houston Texans

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Ben Burns

GOTY Atlanta Falcons

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Rob Veno - Over Falcons/Seahawks

[Can'tPickAWinner]

DCI College Basketball
The Daniel Curry Index

01/13/13 Predictions

Season
Straight Up: 1929-604 (.762)
ATS: 798-830 (.490)
ATS Vary Units: 2693-2877 (.483)
Over/Under: 211-208 (.504)
Over/Under Vary Units: 255-283 (.474)

Atlantic 10 Conference
Massachusetts 79, FORDHAM 73

Atlantic Coast Conference
MIAMI (FLA.) 72, Maryland 61

Big East Conference
SETON HALL 71, Providence 66

Big Ten Conference
Iowa vs. NORTHWESTERN: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
MICHIGAN STATE 68, Nebraska 47
OHIO STATE 69, Michigan 67
PURDUE 69, Penn State 58

Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
FAIRFIELD 71, Niagara 64
IONA 87, Canisius 76
MANHATTAN 69, Marist 63
RIDER 64, Loyola (Md.) 62
SIENA 61, Saint Peter's 58

Missouri Valley Conference
Wichita State 71, EVANSVILLE 66

Pacific-10 Conference
OREGON 76, Arizona State 62

[Can'tPickAWinner]

DCI Pro Basketball
The Daniel Curry Index

01/13/13 Predictions

Season
Straight Up: 354-175 (.669)
ATS: 262-277 (.486)
ATS Vary Units: 782-745 (.512)
Over/Under: 277-260 (.516)
Over/Under Vary Units: 445-398 (.528)

NEW YORK 99, New Orleans 91
TORONTO 98, Milwaukee 95
Indiana vs. BROOKLYN: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
SAN ANTONIO 110, Minnesota 95
DENVER 109, Golden State 101
Oklahoma City 105, PORTLAND 99
L.A. LAKERS 107, Cleveland 96

[Can'tPickAWinner]

DCI Pro Football
The Daniel Curry Index

Divisional Round Predictions

Week
Straight Up: 1-1 (.500)
ATS: 0-2 (.000)
ATS Vary Units: 0-2 (.000)
Over/Under: 2-0 (1.000)
Over/Under Vary Units: 4-0 (1.000)

Season
Straight Up: 156-93 (.627)
ATS: 122-134 (.477)
ATS Vary Units: 504-703 (.418)
Over/Under: 126-131 (.490)
Over/Under Vary Units: 427-414 (.508)

Sunday, January 13, 2013

NFC Divisional Round
Seattle 25, ATLANTA 18

AFC Divisional Round
NEW ENGLAND 32, Houston 20

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

Our Free Plays are 964 - 718 (57 + %) over the last 4 1/2 years !

Free Winner SUN: Over 198 ttal Spurs/Minn

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Gamblers Data

Free Play Sunday

Wichita State -3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAA Basketball Picks

Michigan at Ohio State

The Wolverines look to build on their 4-1 ATS record in their last 5 games at Ohio State. Michigan is the pick (+2) according to Dunkel, which has the Wolverines favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Michigan (+2). Here are all of today's games.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 13 Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST

Game 815-816: Providence at Seton Hall (12:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Providence 56.774; Seton Hall 63.417 Dunkel Line: Seton Hall by 6 1/2 Vegas Line: Seton Hall by 4 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Seton Hall (-4 1/2)

Game 817-818: Nebraska at Michigan State (6:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Nebraska 55.269; Michigan State 72.446 Dunkel Line: Michigan State by 17; 122 Vegas Line: Michigan State by 19; 119 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Nebraska (+19); Over

Game 819-820: Massachusetts at Fordham (1:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Massachusetts 57.869; Fordham 52.459 Dunkel Line: Massachusetts by 5 1/2 Vegas Line: Massachusetts by 4 Dunkel Pick: Massachusetts (-4)

Game 821-822: Michigan at Ohio State (1:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Michigan 76.482; Ohio State 75.444 Dunkel Line: Michigan by 1; 145 Vegas Line: Ohio State by 2; 140 Dunkel Pick: Michigan (+2); Over

Game 823-824: Wichita State at Evansville (4:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Wichita State 66.497; Evansville 61.907 Dunkel Line: Wichita State by 4 1/2 Vegas Line: Wichita State by 3 Dunkel Pick: Wichita State (-3)

Game 825-826: Iowa at Northwestern (12:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Iowa 66.199; Northwestern 63.606 Dunkel Line: Iowa by 2 1/2 Vegas Line: No Line Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 827-828: Maryland at Miami (FL) (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Maryland 64.921; Miami (FL) 72.934 Dunkel Line: Miami (FL) by 8; 128 Vegas Line: Miami (FL) by 6; 130 Dunkel Pick: Miami (FL) (-6); Under

Game 829-830: Penn State at Purdue (12:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Penn State 53.751; Purdue 66.475 Dunkel Line: Purdue by 12 1/2; 121 Vegas Line: Purdue by 10 1/2; 125 Dunkel Pick: Purdue (-10 1/2); Under

Game 831-832: Arizona State at Oregon (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Arizona State 62.198; Oregon 70.351 Dunkel Line: Oregon by 8 Vegas Line: Oregon by 9 Dunkel Pick: Arizona State (+9)

Game 833-834: Niagara at Fairfield (1:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Niagara 55.416; Fairfield 62.447 Dunkel Line: Fairfield by 7 Vegas Line: Fairfield by 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Fairfield (-5 1/2)

Game 835-836: Marist at Manhattan (2:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Marist 46.632; Manhattan 52.338 Dunkel Line: Manhattan by 5 1/2 Vegas Line: Manhattan by 7 Dunkel Pick: Marist (+7)

Game 837-838: Loyola-MD at Rider (2:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Loyola-MD 55.541; Rider 49.930 Dunkel Line: Loyola-MD by 5 1/2 Vegas Line: Loyola-MD by 2 Dunkel Pick: Loyola-MD (-2)

Game 839-840: St. Peter's at Siena (2:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: St. Peter's 45.907; Siena 49.497 Dunkel Line: Siena by 3 1/2 Vegas Line: Siena by 1 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Siena (-1 1/2)

Game 841-842: Canisius at Iona (2:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Canisius 54.216; Iona 59.155 Dunkel Line: Iona by 5 Vegas Line: Iona by 7 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Canisius (+7 1/2)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Kelso

200 Units
Seahawks (+3) over Falcons

National Football Conference National Football League Playoff Game of the Year 200 Units Seattle Seahawks (12-5) +3 over ATLANTA FALCONS (13-3) Prediction: Seattle by 7-10 Starting Time: 1:05 TV: FOX Comments: There is no team in the NFL playing as well as are the Seattle Seahawks. They come into this game having won six straight, including a 24-14 win at Washington last week, and standing 8-1 in their last nine games. It does not take a genius to study Seattle’s defense, the focus of its offensive line to make it happen and the determined running of Marshawn Lynch to realize this is a team that really wants it—and that gives them the winning edge in this one. While Seattle plays to win, the Falcons have shown a strong tendency to play not to lose and there is a dramatic difference in those approaches. The bottom line is we find an Atlanta team playing it close to the vest and trying to grind out the win against a defense that gives up little. Seattle allowed an NFL-low 245 points this season and has not allowed more than 17 points since Week 12 of the season. Game philosophy and a lock-down defense wins this one for Seattle.

10 Units
Texans (+9½) over Patriots

American Football Conference 10 Units Houston Texans (13-4) +9 ½ over NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-4) Prediction: New England by 3-4 Starting Time: 4:35 TV: CBS Comments: Houston arrived in New England four weeks ago determined to play a statement game, and that it did, but it was the wrong message. The Patriots absolutely blasted Houston, opening up a quick—sudden is more like it—21-0 lead and went on to bury the Texans, 42-14. It was an embarrassing loss for a team many thought would win the Super Bowl and you can take it to the bank Houston will look for redemption today. While there are usually weather hazards facing visiting teams from warm-weather climates when the play in New England at this time of the year but that won’t happen today. Game-time temperatures will be in the low 50s and that should put Houston in a bit of a comfort zone. As I noted in winning with the Baltimore Ravens over Denver yesterday, nothing is ever as easy as it looks in the NFL and I do look for Houston to take the Patriots to the money today.