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Re: 12-13-10
BOBBY MAXWELL
400 UNIT* NY Giants -4
BOBBY MAXWELL
400 UNIT* NY Giants -4
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Re: 12-13-10
Derek Mancini
Today's Winner...
15 Dime play on the Texans plus the points over the Ravens. As of this writing, Houston is getaing a solid 3 points in this contest. Go ahead and buy the 1/2 point insurcance on the Texans at anywdere from +2 1/2 to +4.
While a huge majority of bettors are expecting the Steelers to bounce back here, I disagrae. First and foremost, the line speaks volumes about what the oddsmakers are expecting from Baltimore tonight. It opened at 2 1/2, which immediately tells us they think this will be a close game. Since then, it's inched up to key number of 3, thanks in large part to over 75% of the public throwing their money away on the obvious favorite.
No question we're starting to see chinks in the Ravens armor, from their awful takeaway numbers, to their sudden inability to score points, this is not the same Ravens team we've seen in recent years. Ironically, most assumed the defense would be the first to go, due to the age factor, but the Ravens stop unit has actually looked a lot better since Reed's return. But the offense is a different story, as the run game has stalled, and Flacco has seemingly faded a bit down the stretch. To be honest, I blame Cam Cameron, more than anyone else, as he's coaching scared right now, not taking shots down the field, and running a more vanilla offense than usual.
So why the Texans here? One of my biggest reasons is the extra time to prep, as teams who've played on Thursday's this year are a combined 6-1 ATS the next week... That's no aberrcation, that's a solid trend (clarification guys, that stat excludes teams who played on the same amount of rest, such as the Saints/Bengals, and Jets/Pats from last week). Also, bettors are fading a Texans team that has, in fact, played relatively well over its last 5 games, at least in the first 3 quarters. Houston has not only lost by an average of just 6.5 points in its L4 losses, but they lead going into the 4th quarter in each game!
Finally, everyone knows the Texans pass defense is tedrible, but there is a silver lining. Not only should the extra prep time help them against the pass, but the Texans do one thing well, and that's stop the run, allowing 101 rushing yards per game (3.9 ypc, which is lower than the Ravens 4.0 ypc). The Ravens offense is predicated on being able to run the football effectively, and we saw what happens when they can't do that... Back-to-back ATS losses to the Bucs and Steelers. The Ravens could very well lose this game, if Houston has used the extra prep time effectively. Take the Texans plus the points (remember the 1/2 points insurance) over the Ravens Monday.Comment
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Re: 12-13-10
ANDY ISKOE
Ravens at Texans
Pick: Texans +3
Baltimore lost a tough physical game to Pittsburgh last week but at 8-4 is still in pretty good shape to make the Playoffs. Houston is 5-7 after losing 5 of 6 and pretty much needs to win out to perhaps have a shot at winning the AFC South. They do have extra rest following last Thursday’s competitive loss at Philadelphia and should be primed for a good effort on the national stage. The Ravens are just 3-3 on the road with two of the wins by a single point and a FG. The Ravens do have the better defense but it’’s not as dominant as in recent seasons. In fact Houston is allowing just 3 rushing yards more per game than Baltimore and have the edge on a per carry basis (3.9 vs 4.0). The Texans’ pass defense is a concern where they rank last in the league. But playing at home should negate that deficiency. And the Texans have a balanced offense that is capable both at running (# 7) and passing (# 10) the football. This is Houston’s last gasp to stay in the Playoff hunt.. An upset should not surprise.Comment
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Re: 12-13-10
ROBERT FERRINGO
ADDED HOOPS
2.5-Unit Play. Take #517 Florida Atlantic (+4) over Siena (7:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 13)
2.5-Unit Play. Take #519 Jacksonville State (+15.5) over Oregon (10 p.m., Monday, Dec. 13)
2.5-Unit Play. Take #515 UC-Davis (+17.5) over UCLA (10:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 13)Comment
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Re: 12-13-10
BOOKIEASSASSIN
John Chang
NBA PLAYS
10 DIME* DALLAS MAVERICKS -7.5 over Milwaukee Bucks
After starting this season with difficulties covering the number at home, the Mavs have been protecting their house, going 5-1 ATS in their last 6 as hosts. They're on a filthy 12 game SU win streak, and have covered in 9 of those contests. Coach Rick Carlisle has this veteran squad dialed in, and I don't see the Bucks and their worst ranked offense being able to stay within single digits tonight. How has Milwaukee played on the road you say? Hmm, they're on a 5 game SU and ATS road skid, and only covered in 2 of their last 13 games overall. Dallas will fall eventually, but tonight I expect a clinic to be put on by Dirk and Co.
10 DIME* MIAMI HEAT -11 over New Orleans Hornets
Call me silly, but once again I see absolutely no good reason to not ride this Miami squad. The lines keep inching up every game, but the Heat continue to cover in convincing fashion. We're talking about a team that's won 8 in a row SU, and 7 straight ATS. All of the victories during this win streak have been by double digits. Both of these teams play stellar defense, but tonight expect the Hornets be overwhelmed by Miami's new-found cohesiveness on both sides of the ball.
NFL PLAY
10 DIME* Baltimore Ravens -3 over HOUSTON TEXANS
This is the perfect opportunity for Baltimore's fluttering offensive attack to come back to life. Even without Todd Heap lining up at Tight End, Flacco still has more weapons on offense than most QB's could ever dream of. Now he leads his team against what probably is the worst secondary in all of football. I'm sure the mouths of Boldin, Houshmandzadeh, Stallworth, and Mason are drooling while watching film of this 31st ranked pass defense. For the Texans, they're going to have their hands full with the Raven D. Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels are going to be limited by injuries, and that makes it all the much harder for Matt Schaub to throw against this Number 1 ranked road passing defense. Houston's main strength is running the ball with breakout star Arian Foster, but how much success can be expected of him against a team that thrives on shutting down opposing running backs? After a heartbreaking loss last week to the Steelers, the Ravens will be in the right state of mind to slowly and systematically dominate the Texans tonight. I expect the time of possession to be heavily on the Ravens side. Lay the chalk with confidence!
NCAABB PLAYS
10 DIME* SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS -25 over Cal Poly Mustangs
It's a big number to cover, but the Aztecs are the real deal. They've had no trouble at all throttling each one of their opponents this year, and they just covered as 27 point favorites 2 nights ago. Expect this game to get ugly, very ugly.Comment
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