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Re: 12-13-09
The Prez' NFL Game of the Year Gmen +1
The Prez' NFL Game of the Year Gmen +1
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Re: 12-13-09
Jim Feist’s 15-Star Pro Shocker - Sunday!
NFL (107) CINCINNATI BENGALS VS (108) MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Take: (107) Pro Shocker: Bengals. (15*)
Minnesota limps home from a loss at Arizona getting exposed: The way to attack this team is by going after the secondary. The Cardinals tore them up, and now a very strong passing game comes to town with another star QB in Carson Palmer (16 TDs, 10 INTs). They have good balance on offense with RB Cedric Benson (969 yds, 4.4 ypc) back, but have outstanding WRs in Chad Ochocinco and Andre Caldwell. The offense ranks 18th overall, and the defense is 4th in the NFL. They had huge 18-12 victory at Pittsburgh that put them in control of the AFC North, as Cincinnati is 4-0 against the Steelers and Ravens this season.Another reason for Palmer’s improvement is the Bengals’ offensive line. He has been sacked only 22 times and rarely has been hit while attempting to pass. The way to beat Minnesota, as the Cardinals showed, is to take away the ground game and force 40-year old Brett Favre to win it. The Bengals are No. 2 in the NFL against the run. Minnesota lost LB E.J. Henderson Sunday night, a huge loss. A great spot for the dog. Play the Bengals!Comment
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Re: 12-13-09
FAIRWAY JAY
Best Bet: Under 41.5
The winning continues as we nailed our seven straight Best Bet last week while
providing our personal clients a perfect 9-0 week in college and pro football.
This week we’ll fire for more green with an NFL total. The Rams have just one
SU win this season but have gone 4-1 ATS their last five games and we’ve been
on them four times. But St. Louis has really struggled to score on the road this
season with 0, 7, 0, 20, 17, and 9 point efforts. They have little chance to produce
consistent drives or scoring chances with Kyle Boller now at quarterback. Boller
was brutal last week at Chicago with just 3.5 yards per pass attempt. The Titans
defense is much improved with healthier players and as a result have played
three straight unders while facing some top offenses and quarterbacks. Tennessee
is more conservative on offense with Vince Young as they rely heavily
on their ground game with Chris Johnson having a monster season. Likewise,
the Rams rely on their star running back Stephen Jackson and both teams
figure to run the ball often while dink-and-dunk passes keep the clock moving.Comment
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Re: 12-13-09
MARTY OTTO
Best Bet: New York -1
New York 17 at Philadelphia (+1) 40 - Week 8 O/U 46.5 5 pm PT
The New York Giants finally have some positive momentum to work with after a
string of disappointing losses and I fully expect them to carry it over into this key
divisional game. When you look at their schedule you can understand the type of
slump they went through. Starting on October 18th they faced a litany of playoff
contenders: New Orleans, Arizona, Philadelphia, San Diego, Atlanta, Denver and
Dallas -- a group that is a combined 59-25 this season. They are getting healthier at
running back which is huge for a team that really struggled on the ground during
its losing streak. Bradshaw ripped off one 30-yard run in his seven carries and Jacobs
rumbled for a 75-yard TD catch in the win over Dallas. Continued production will
help alleviate some of the pressure Eli Manning has been under. Statistically speaking
these two teams are about as evenly matched as you can find. But home field
provides an edge as the Giants are 11-3 SU in their last 14 regular season games on
this field. In a spread range where a SU win covers we find a great play. Momentum,
revenge from a 23-point loss in Philly and home field to boot…play the Giants.Comment
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Re: 12-13-09
ROB VENO
Best Bet: Over 44.5
Seattle/Houston
Houston 10 at Seattle (-10) 42 - 2005 O/U 44.5 10 am PT
Two teams that are now also rans with nothing to lose will hook up here in
what figures to be an offensive shootout. Seattle has been a defensive nightmare
on the road this season allowing an alarming 404.5 ypg and 29.7 ppg.
Granted their road schedule has included a who’s who of offensive juggernauts
but the fact that they have not even contained any of them is problematic.
Houston fits the profile of an explosive offensive group and you can be sure
that after facing four consecutive division opponents they’ll be happy to play
a team that is not familiar with their style. Seattle has been dreadful against
the pass all season and last Sunday’s 310 yards posted by 49ers quarterback
Alex Smith signals trouble While the Texans are likely to easily exploit Seattle’s
pass defense, their defense should experience problems as well. The situation
itself suggests a letdown by the Houston defensive unit and Seattle has begun
to heat up, averaging nearly 22 points per game the past five weeks. A host
of pertinent angles make it somewhat easy to project an over in this contest.Comment
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Re: 12-13-09
Doug Williams
Denver Broncos +7 @ Indianapolis Colts -7
Colts will win but won't cover.
Denver to Cover +7
New Orleans Saints -10 @ Atlanta Falcons +10
Both Matt Ryan and Michael Turner are injured for the Falcons and may not play, Atlanta are hurting up front.
New Orleans to Cover -10
Carolina Panthers +13 @ New England Patriots -13
Bill Belichick is getting his team in order, fining guys for being late. Things are heating up in New England and they will easily cover this spread.
New England to Cover the -13
San Diego Chargers +3 @ Dallas Cowboys -3
The Chargers will win by at least a score.
Take San Diego to Cover the +3Comment
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Re: 12-13-09
ERIN RYNNING
Best Bet: Denver +7
Denver 20 at Indianapolis (-10) 38 - 2007 O/U 44.5 10 am PT
The Colts continue to find ways to win football games, while keeping their
perfect record in order. But a closer look shows this is a football team that
has actually been outgained in four of its last five games. From watching this
team, I have seen a different weakness seemingly every week. Luckily, quarterback
Peyton Manning often bails this team out of their problems but I question
whether or not the favorable bounces will continue to go their way. This
is a banged up football squad that is on borrowed time from a straight up
win/loss perspective. Meanwhile, I’m still a big believer in this 8-4 Broncos
team. They hit a road block losing four straight games mid-year but it might
have made this team stronger. The Broncos have been a prepared football
team and they’ll be ready to exploit some of the Colts’ issues in this contest.
Look for their wide receivers to have big days against the inexperience in the
Colts’ defensive backfield. I expect a back and forth game with a close finishComment
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Re: 12-13-09
BRENT CROW
Best Bet: Oakland +1
Oakland (+6) 16 at Washington 13 - 2005 O/U 37 1 pm PT
With JaMarcus Russell on the pine, the Raiders are now 2-1 with Bruce Gradkowski.
Gradkowski has thrown for 691 yards in his three starts -- more than
Russell threw for his last six starts -- and has given the Raiders some stability
on offense. Oakland has actually played pretty well on defense lately as well,
allowing 24 points or less in five straight games. Their two wins have been
against two good teams in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, and with a little confidence,
I expect them to continue to play well. This week they are a small underdog
over the Redskins, who have won one less game. Washington is also
coming off of three tough losses to its rivals Dallas and the Eagles and then
the unbeaten Saints last week, with the last two games by a late field goal.
They have played hard through another difficult season, but after three intense
games against marquee opponents, I am not sure they will bring a great effort
this week against the Raiders. The Redskins are also banged up, without their
top two running backs. Look for the Raiders to notch their fifth win of the year.Comment
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Re: 12-13-09
B l a c K W i d o W / B i l L Y o u n G
6* W ido w W iseg uy Be ng als/Vi ki ngs Di visio n-L ead er's G AME OF T HE YE AR on Ci nc inn ati +7(-115 bodog)
If the odds makers would give the Bengals the respect they deserved, this line would be Minnesota -3. Instead, they haven't bought into this team just yet while they have Minnesota overvalued. The Bengals have proven they can play with anyone in the league, with a new-found running game and one of the best defenses in the game. Cincinnati allows just 15.6 points/game and 293 yards/game defensively. The Bengals are 4-1 on the road this season, and a PERFECT 6-0 ATS as an underdog this year. Any time you can catch this team in the role of the dog, especially catching a touchdown, it's more than worth it. The Bengals are fighting for a 1st-round Bye in the AFC, so there will be no letting up for this team. The Vikings are 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in home games off an upset loss by 10 points or more as a favorite since 1992. After getting dominated last week by Arizona, it's clear that the Vikings aren't as well off as everyone assumes. Plus, they lost one of their best players in LB E.J. Henderson for the season with a broken leg he suffered in the loss to the Cardinals. Any way you put it, the Vikings will not be winning this game by more than a touchdown against an underrated Cincinnati team Sunday. Take the Bengals and the points.
5* W iseg uy N FL TO TAL OF THE WE EK on Se ahaw ks/T exan s OVER 44.5(-110 at bookmaker)
Two excellent passing teams will be airing it out Sunday in a shootout down in Houston. The Seahawks are throwing for 224 yards/game while completing 62.3% of their passes and they have been playing part of this season without Matt Hasselbeck under center. But he is healthy, and Seattle has put up 20 or more points in 4 of their last 5 games. Defensively, they have been awful on the road by giving up 29.7 points/game and allowing 264 passing yards/game while allowing opposing QB's to complete 70.6% of their passes. That bodes well for Houston Sunday, who are averaging 279 passing yards/game this season while completing 67.1% of their pass attempts. Matt Schaub and this Texans' offense should put up a big number on the Seahawks Sunday, while Seattle hangs right with them on the scoreboard. Seattle is 17-6 OVER (+10.4 Units) in a road game where the total is between 42.5 and 45 points since 1992. The OVER is 4-0 in Seahawks last 4 games as a road underdog of 3.5-10.0. Take the OVER 44.5 points.
5* W iseg uy E agl es/G ian ts N BC Su nday Ni ght BL OO D BA TH on New York PK(-110 betus)
This is the Giants' season. They trail the Cowboys and Eagles by 1 game in the NFC East, and after their win over Dallas last week, this team is back on track. After 3 straight losses to the Eagles, including an embarrassing road loss earlier this year, this one is personal for New York. They'll come together as a team Sunday and earn their biggest win of the season with revenge in mind against Philly. The Giants are 22-8 ATS (+13.2 Units) after 1 or more consecutive wins against the spread over the last 3 seasons. New York is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) off a upset win as an underdog over the last 3 seasons. This team has been solid at home, winning by an average of 7.5 points/game this season. New York is 11-1 ATS (+9.9 Units) vs. good passing teams with a completion pct. of 61% or better in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons. They are finally healthy in the secondary, and they are starting to get more pressure from their defensive line which will be key in stopping the Eagles' one-dimensional offense which relies solely on their passing game. Take the Giants and lay the points.
4* on St. Louis Rams +13.5(-109 at 5dimes)
Tennessee has to be deflated. The Titans won 5 straight games after their 0-6 start and had a chance to get back to .500 last week, but a poor performance against division rival Indianapolis has them all but out of the playoff hunt. Now, Tennessee will have a very hard time getting up to play the 1-11 St. Louis Rams. The Rams have been very competitive in recent weeks, going 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games and not losing once by more than 10 points. Simply put, the Titans are getting way too much respect from the odds makers here. St. Louis is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing >=5.65 yards/play over the last 3 seasons. The Titans are just 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite. Take the Rams and the points.
4* on Denver Broncos +7.5(-108 at 5dimes)
The Denver Broncos have righted the ship after losing 4 straight following a 6-0 start. Not only have they won their last two games, but they have dominated with a 26-6 home win over the Giants and a 44-13 road win at Kansas City. Denver will give the Colts all they can handle Sunday with a balanced offense that is hitting on all cylinders, and a defense that can get pressure on Peyton Manning. Plus, the Broncos have one of the best secondary's in the league to keep the Colts' passing game in check. Denver's defense gives up just 16.8 points/game and 289 total yards/game, including 180 passing. Denver owns the #3 ranked defense in the league overall, and the #2 ranked passing defense. Their stop unit gives them a chance to pull off this upset. Offensively, the Broncos have rushed for 115 or more yards in 4 straight games to compliment a steady passing attack. The Broncos are 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) after having lost 4 or 5 out of their last 6 games over the last 3 seasons. Denver is playing their best football of the season right now, and are primed for an upset bid of the undefeated Colts. Take the Broncos and the points.
4* on Miami Dolphins +3(-125 at bodog)
The Dolphins have a chance to get right back into the playoff race with another win Sunday. Miami just beat the Patriots last week in a huge victory, and now they take on 7-5 Jacksonville as they trail the Jaguars by 1 game entering play Sunday. The Jaguars are not nearly as good as their 7-5 record indicates, because though they are 2 games over .500, Jacksonville is actually getting outscored by 4.0 points/game this season. They have played a very easy schedule, and their offense is one of the worst in the league, averaging just 18.7 points/game. The Dolphins could have packed it in after their 0-3 start, but it just shows how mentally tough this team really is by winning 6 of their last 9 games. This team is well-coached and their players feed of of coach Sporano. Jacksonville is 0-9 ATS (-9.9 Units) as a home favorite over the last 2 seasons. What more needs to be said? This team should not be favored Sunday against a superior team. The Dolphins are 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games after 1 or more consecutive wins over the last 3 seasons. Take Miami and the points.
4* on Atlanta Falcons +10.5(-109 at 5dimes)
This is Atlanta's season. The Falcons will fight, scratch and claw to try and take down the undefeated Saints Sunday with their season on the line. They played the Saints tough in the first meeting, losing 27-35 as an 11-point underdog. We see no scenario playing out as to where the Falcons lose this game by more than 10 points. Atlanta is 5-1 SU & 4-2 ATS at home this season. New Orleans has escaped with a lot of wins this season, including last week's come-from-behind 33-30 overtime victory at Washington. If the Saints win Sunday, they will have to escape with it again because the Falcons will not go down easily. The Falcons are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games following a S.U. loss. This team has been very resilient under head coach Mike Smith when coming off a loss. Take Atlanta and the points.Comment
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Re: 12-13-09
CKO
* Denotes Home Team RATINGS: 11 - Exceptional,10 Strong, 9 Above Average
11 *HOUSTON over Seattle
Late Score Forecast:
*HOUSTON 34 - Seattle 16
Seattle’s 1-4 SU and pointspread mark on the road TY doesn’t inspire much confidence as Seahawks face the Texans
in Houston for the first time. HC Kubiak of the 5-7 Texans likely needs a strong finish to preserve his job. And he’s won
& covered his last two home games each of his first three seasons (3-0 when favored). A few key breakdowns on
offense the last month have disguised the improvements on Houston’s young, aggressive defense.
10 DENVER over *Indianapolis
Late Score Forecast:
DENVER 24 - *Indianapolis 21
Indy seeking to set a new regular-season record for consecutive victories (22). But few of this year’s Colt triumphs
have been blowouts. And Purdue product Kyle Orton has the Denver offense purring once more now that his ankle is
healing, while Elvis Dumervil (15 sacks) adding Dwight Freeney-like bite to the Bronco defense. Denver secondary
loaded with cagey veterans now that Ty Law around to help Champ Bailey & Brian Dawkins keep the group poised.
TOTALS: UNDER (44) in the Seattle-Houston Game——Texans’ emerging defense has produced 5 “unders” its last 7 games...OVER (49) in the San Diego-
Dallas Game——QBs Tony Romo & Philip Rivers both on the beam; Cowboys, Romo fired up to shut down critics who say Cowboys can’t win in December.
NINE-RATED GAMES: BALTIMORE (-13½) over Detroit——Ravens fighting to stay in playoff hunt; Lions (1-4-1 vs. spread on the road) suffering from
attrition...SAN FRANCISCO (+3) over Arizona (Monday)——Niners (13-5-2 last 20 vs. spread) must win or kiss their playoff hopes good-by.
Hoops
RHODE ISLAND over *Boston College.
Since fast-paced RI (79 ppg; only loss by 2 at VCU) nicely compensating for the departure of its top
2 scorers from LY—thanks to a strong quartet of sr. returnees—eager to “take” vs. depth-shy BC team that might still be sans versatile 6-
5 swingman R. Sanders (high ankle sprain). Rams’ blue-chip frosh G Richmond (A-10 Rookie of Week in late Nov.) providing spark off bench,
and HC Baron’s never-say-die bunch has suffered just one reg.-season loss by DDs last 1+Ys (at Villanova last Nov.).
RHODE ISLAND 78 - *Boston College 74 RATING - 10Comment
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