11-7-13

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Ted Holmlund
21-9 70%

Baylor

Texas A & M
Alabama

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tale of the Tape: Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings

The Washington Redskins and their potent offense visit Minnesota to tangle with Adrian Peterson and the Vikings in this week's Thursday night NFL showdown.

The Redskins are coming off a 30-24 overtime victory over the San Diego Chargers, improving to 3-2 since opening the season with three straight losses. The Vikings have dropped four consecutive games, including a 27-23 decision to Dallas last time out.

Here's the breakdown in our betting tale of the tape:

Offense

Led by second-year quarterback Robert Griffin III, the Redskins have succeeded at racking up the passing yards. They rank 12th in the league in yards per game through the air (261.4), with Griffin posting 291 yards in the victory over the Chargers despite not throwing a touchdown pass. The rush attack has been even more impressive, ranked seventh in the NFL in total yards (1,170) while averaging five yards per carry and registering 12 touchdowns.

Despite employing the defending rushing champion in Peterson, the Vikings have actually had an average running game so far in 2013, ranked 16th in the league in yards per game (111.5). Peterson, who boasted prior to the start of the season that he would break Eric Dickerson's single-season record of 2,105 yards, in on pace for just 1,422. The passing game has been dreadful, ranked 23rd in yards per contest (205.3) thanks to a revolving door of QBs.

Edge: Washington

Defense

The Redskins' frequent defensive lapses are the main reason the team finds itself at 3-5 on the season. Washington has among the worst pass defenses in football, ranked 28th in yards per game against (282.1) while giving up 17 touchdowns against just nine interceptions. The run defense has been nearly as poor, ranked 22nd in yards per game against (116.6) and one of only six units to have surrendered double-digit scores on the ground (10).

As bad as the Washington pass defense has been this season, Minnesota's has been even worse so far. The Vikings have been gashed for 291.1 yards per game through the air and have been torched for 18 passing touchdowns - second only to the Buffalo Bills (20). Teams have had a much harder time running on the Vikings, who are limiting the opposition to 104 yards per game on the ground but have surrendered nine rushing touchdowns.

Edge: Minnesota

Special Teams

Washington has one of the worst return games in the league through the first nine weeks, sitting 31st in average kick-return yardage (19.4) and 25th in punt-return average (6.5). While they've defended kickoff returns well - limiting foes to a 22.1-yard average - the Redskins are one of only two teams to have allowed two punt-return touchdowns. Kicker Kai Forbath has had a dreadful season, going just 5-for-9 on field goals while also missing time due to injury.

The kick-return exploits of Cordarelle Patterson have Minnesota sitting atop the ledger in yards per attempt (30.6), with the electrifying rookie returning two kicks for touchdowns so far. The Vikings also have a punt-return score while averaging 16.2 yards per attempt, good for second in the league. Kicker Blair Walsh hasn't been as automatic as he was during his magical rookie season of 2012, but has still converted 11 of 13 kicks - including 2 of 3 from 50-plus yards.

Edge: Minnesota

Notable Quotable

"Of course you're not gonna get the same show that you're gonna get on a Sunday when you've got guys that had a lot of time to recover and rehabilitate from the little nicks and bruises from the previous game. But I mean, all in all, it's a game and you've got to go out and give it your all, and we plan on doing that." - Redskins LT Trent Williams

"I don't take that in a negative way at all. Our guys are competitive. They put a lot of work in. Good players ask why: 'Hey, coach, why did you make this decision? What were you thinking?' I have no problem whatsoever about a guy asking me why. We explain it, we talk about it and we move on." - Vikings defensive coordinator Alan Williams on being second-guessed following last week's loss to Dallas

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Ben Lee/The Eckman/Mr. Chalk
57-40

Oklahoma
Stanford

2 team teaser
Ok + 21
Stanford + 17

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Scott Ferrall paid picks

NFL PICK FOR THURSDAY		Washington MINNESOTA +3
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PAY PICKS FOR THURSDAY		Oregon STANFORD +10 ½ OKLAHOMA +15 Baylor
COLLEGE FOOTBALL FREE PICK FOR THURSDAY		Troy LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE -12

[Can'tPickAWinner]

James Michael Sports

NBA All for 1*
Miami Heat -5
Denver Nuggets -3
Atlanta Hawks @ Denver Nuggets - Over 203

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Redskins try to add to Vikings misery Thursday
by Brian Graham

Kickoff: Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET
Line: Washington -2.5, Total: 49.5

The Vikings try to snap a four-game losing skid when they face the roller-coaster Redskins for the fourth straight year on Thursday.

Washington has alternated losses and wins in each of the past six games (both SU and ATS), rolling up 500 total yards in last week’s 30-24 overtime victory versus the Chargers. Minnesota's 27-23 loss in Dallas last week, in which TE Kyle Rudolph broke his foot, drops the club to 0-7 SU (2-5 ATS) on U.S. soil this year. Although Minnesota is happy to return home, its defense is allowing 36.7 PPG and 413 total YPG at Mall of America Field. This series is 5-5 (SU and ATS) since 1992, with the Redskins prevailing 38-26 last year behind QB Robert Griffin III’s legs, as he rushed for 138 yards and 2 TD. Both teams have some favorable trends, as Washington is 10-2 ATS (83%) versus poor passing defenses (61% completion pct. or worse) in the past two seasons, while the Vikings are hoping this trend stays true to form: Road favorites with 130+ rushing YPG, after outrushing an opponent by 100+ yards, are only 70-117 ATS (37%) since 1983.

Washington's ground game has been outstanding over the past four games with 187 rushing YPG on 5.2 YPC. RB Alfred Morris has piled up 390 yards on 5.1 YPC over this stretch, including 121 yards and a touchdown in last week's overtime win versus the Chargers. QB Robert Griffin's III had a big throwing day in Week 9 when he completed 23-of-32 passes (72%) for 291 yards (9.1 YPA), but he also tossed an interception with no touchdowns, bringing him to 9 TD and 9 INT for the season. Last year Griffin threw 20 TD passes with only five picks. But because of the Redskins' punishing ground game (5.2 YPC, 2nd in NFL), they have been outstanding both in third down situations (44.5% conversions, 4th in NFL) and in the red zone (65.4% efficiency, 3rd in NFL). Winning the turnover differential has been vital to this Redskins team, which has a minus-4 TO margin in its five losses, but a +2 TO margin in its three victories. But this team isn't going anywhere unless the defense improves dramatically. Washington has allowed 31.6 PPG (2nd-worst in NFL) and 399 total YPG (3rd-worst in league). The run defense has been better recently though, allowing just 89 rushing YPG on 3.8 YPC over the past six games.

Minnesota will once again start Christian Ponder under center, as he had some big moments in the near upset of heavily favored Dallas last week. He completed 68% of his passes for 236 yards and 2 TD (1 rushing, 1 passing), but he also committed two turnovers, including a third-quarter fumble in his own end zone that the Cowboys recovered for a touchdown. Ponder also had his ups and downs in last year's meeting with the Redskins, completing 35-of-52 throws (67.3%) for 352 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns, but he also tossed a couple of picks, including one that was returned for a score. For the Vikings to get back on track, they have to keep giving the ball to reigning league MVP, RB Adrian Peterson. After averaging just 50 rushing YPG over three straight losses, Peterson rumbled for 140 yards on 25 carries (5.6 YPC) in last week's defeat. He rushed for a solid 79 yards on 17 carries (4.7 YPC) in last year's loss in Washington. The Minnesota defense has not played well by any stretch, but the unit has been on the field for a 34:18, which is the second-longest time of any NFL team. This has led to 395 total YPG allowed (4th-most in league). The Vikings have the NFL's worst defense on third downs (49.2%), which has led to the team allowing the third-most points in the league at 31.5 per game. The lack of a consistent pass rush (17 sacks) has been unable to help generate turnovers. The Vikings started out the season with 12 takeaways in four games, but they have forced just two turnovers combined over the past four contests. They have also been decimated by injuries, especially in the secondary where S Harrison Smith (toe) is on short-term IR, S Jamarca Sanford (groin) is doubtful, and CBs Chris Cook (hip) and Xavier Rhodes (leg) are both questionable for this week.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

WINNING POINTS

PRO BASKETBALL
*Miami over Los Angeles Clippers by 7
This is the Clippers' first time this season playing in the second of back-to-back
games. The Clippers lost by 22 when they last visited Miami back in February.
MIAMI 103-96.

*Denver over Atlanta by 6
Denver's scoring has been down in the early going minus Danilo Gallinari and Wilson
Chandler, their second and third leading scorers from last season. This is the Hawks'
third road game in five days, though.
DENVER 94-88.

*Houston over Los Angeles Lakers by 9
Dwight Howard won't lack for motivation after a disappointing stay with the Lakers
last season. The combination of Howard and Omar Asik could control the boards
while the Rockets maintain a big backcourt edge with James Harden and Jeremy Lin.
HOUSTON 108-99.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

POWER PLAY WINS

Baylor -15

[Can'tPickAWinner]

StatFox Super Situations™ - FoxSheets

NHL NY RANGERS at COLUMBUS
Play On - Any team against the money line (NY RANGERS) extremely tired team - playing 8 or more games in 14 days, a marginal losing team (40% to 49%) playing a bad team (25-40%) in the first half of the season
37-10 since 1997. ( 78.7% 28.0 units )

NHL MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON
Play Against - Road teams against the money line (MINNESOTA) after scoring 4 goals or more in 3 straight games against opponent after scoring 6 goals or more in their previous game
26-7 since 1997. ( 78.8% 21.6 units )

NHL NY RANGERS at COLUMBUS
Play On - Road teams against the money line (NY RANGERS) extremely tired team - playing 8 or more games in 14 days, a marginal losing team (40% to 49%) playing a bad team (25-40%) in the first half of the season
23-6 since 1997. ( 79.3% 19.3 units )

[Can'tPickAWinner]

StatFox Super Situations™ - FoxSheets

NBA LA CLIPPERS at MIAMI
Play Under - Home teams where the total is 200 to 209.5 after going over the total by 30 or more points total in their last five games, with a winning record on the season playing another winning team
55-24 over the last 5 seasons. ( 69.6% 28.6 units )

NBA LA CLIPPERS at MIAMI
Play On - Any team vs the money line (LA CLIPPERS) off a road loss, first 6 games of the season, after closing out last season with 4 or more straight ATS losses
35-16 since 1997. ( 68.6% 23.1 units )
3-3 this year. ( 50.0% -1.0 units )

NBA LA CLIPPERS at MIAMI
Play Under - All teams where the first half total is 100.5 to 105 with a winning record on the season playing another winning team, in November games
104-55 since 1997. ( 65.4% 43.5 units )

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ROOT Full Card

MILLIONAIRES-------BAYLOR BEARS


BILLIONAIRES-------STANFORD CARDINAL


NO LIMIT------MINNESOTA VIKINGS

On Thursday, November 7, 2013, the Washington Redskins will march onto Mall of America Field to take on the Minnesota Vikings. The Redskins are coming off of an exciting overtime win against the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers took a 14-7 lead into the halftime break; however, the Redskins would fight back into the game in the third quarter. The two teams played to a standstill in the fourth period, with the game ending in a 24-24 tie.In the overtime period, Redskins quarterback, Robert Griffin III, lead the Skins down the field for the winning touchdown.The Vikings are coming off of yet another disappointing loss. This time it was against the Cowboys. In a game in which the Vikings probably played their best football of the season, they simply could not hold on to get the win. Adrian Peterson rushed for 140 yards – reaching a milestone that marked is 40th career 100 yard game. Peterson’s antics included a touchdown run in which he was met at the five yard line by several Dallas players and drove them into the end zone, but at the end of the day, it was not enough. They would end up losing on a touchdown score by the Cowboys with 35 seconds left on the clock. Vikings seem to be their own worst enemy at times, last week Minnesota should have beat Dallas but Vikings let another win slip away. Washington had an improbable win last weekend and their luck backfires tonight in a game in which the public will embrace by taking RGIII and the Skins. We'll go the opposite and go with Peterson and the Vikings.TAKE MINNESOTA

[Can'tPickAWinner]

David Banks

Oregon ducks

NFL

8:30 WASHINGTON REDSKINS-2

NCAAF

7:30 OKLAHOMA SOONERS+15

7:30 OKLAHOMA/BAYLOR UNDER 73.5

7:30 UL LAFAYETTE RAGIN CAJUNS-13.5

NBA

7:00 LA CLIPPERS+5.5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Youngstown Connection
Date: Thursday November 7, 2013
NFL Play
#108 Minnesota +2.5 830PM Eastern
Line from Greek
Line as of 1005AM Eastern 11/7/13

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bryan Leonard 3* Baylor -15

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Intpicks
3* Baylor -14.5
2* Oregon -10
2* Wash / Minnesota over 49
1* Denver -3
Free play
UL Lafayette -13.5