Brett Atkins
St. Louis has a new coach in Travis Ford, but Ford is dealing with the hand that was dealt him, and it's not a very good hand, as the Billikins are just 4-10 on the season.
St. Louis is averaging just over 60 points per game for the season, and that lack of scoring punch will see them lose touch with a Davidson team that is seeking revenge for a loss in St. Louis last year, 96-87 as the -9 point road favorite!
The Wildcats are looking to end a 2 game losing streak - both in Atlantic 10 play! - and after also absorbing losses to Kansas and North Carolina a little earlier in the year, playing the lowly Billikins will be just the tonic the doctor ordered for this 7-6 Davidson team.
It's a lot of points to lay on the road, but with Davidson averaging 76 1/2 points per game on the year, I say lay it as the Wildcats gain revenge in a big way on Sunday.
5* DAVIDSON
Brad Wilton
Going to lay the small number in L.A. with the Trojans as they are looking for double-revenge on a California team that not only has won the last pair in the series, and 7 of the last 9 straight up overall.
Cal lost on Thursday at UCLA, as the Golden Bears trailed by 20 at the break before scrambling back to lose by 10 as the +10 1/2 point underdogs. That is now 3 losses in the last 4 games for the Golden Bears as they get set to try and continue their series domination over SC.
USC though is 15-1 on the year, and they did follow their lone loss of the season at Oregon with a solid blowout win over Stanford at home on Thursday.
Andy Enfield's team is 9-0 straight up at home for the season, and for the season they have covered 3 of 5 when favored by single-digits.
Yes, USC's early season schedule was a tad shall we say...soft, but I think they are ready for this double-revenger against Cal tonight at home.
Lay the small home chalk with the Trojans.
3* USC
Brandon Lee
Davidson vs. St. Louis
Play: Davidson -14
This is going to seem like a big number to be laying on the road with a Davidson team that comes in having lost 2 straight and 5 of 7 overall, but I actually think there's some value here with the Wildcats. St. Louis is awful. The Billikens are a miserable 4-10 on the season and it's not just that they are losing game, but getting annihilated. St. Louis has 8 losses by double-digits with 6 coming by 20 or more. The key here is that Davidson won't be overlooking the Billikens after a 0-2 start in A-10 play. The other thing is that the Wildcats are better than their recent play, they have simply gone up against a tough schedule. Look for Davidson to jump on St Louis early and cruise to a 20-point win this afternoon.
Matt Josephs
Richmond vs. George Washington
Play: Richmond +4½
GW snapped a two game losing streak last time out as they beat Davidson 73-69 at home. Now in comes the Richmond Spiders who have won two straight themselves. This is a Richmond team that is getting good work from ShawnDre Jones, DeMonte Buckingham and TJ Cline. These two have played some very close games in the past with UR covering three of it's last four. Last year they won in DC 98-90 by shooting 60% from the field. Of concern is Yuta Watanabe and Tyler Cavanaugh who should have their way inside on the smaller Spiders. Still, I think Richmond has the guard advantage in this one. GW has covered just 15 of their last 42 Atlantic 10 games.
Jack Jones
Giants vs. Packers
Play: Packers -5½
I think there is value to pull the trigger on the Packers here, a team I have been backing religiously down the stretch, and one I’m not about to step in front of with the momentum they are riding right now.
This feels a lot like 2010 when they got hot late amidst a ton of injuries and managed to parlay it into a Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The reason most the early money came in on the Giants is due to injuries in the Packers’ secondary, which was the same thing back then. And at least for this week, those injuries aren’t going to hurt them that much.
After all, the Giants have passed for 192 or fewer yards in five of their last six games overall. They are one of the worst passing teams in the NFL this season. They are averaging a mere 6.7 yards per attempt, which ranks 24th in the league. Eli Manning is not having a good season at all, and he can’t be trusted to go score-for-score with Aaron Rodgers. The Giants also rank 29th in rushing offense at 88.2 yards per game and 3.5 per carry.
The Packers are 6-0 SU & 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall. Their only non-cover came when they blew a 17-point lead late at Chicago as 4.5-point favorites and won by a field goal. The other five wins have all come by a touchdown or more, and three by at least 13 points.
Rodgers is the hottest quarterback in the NFL right now. He has thrown 18 touchdown passes and zero interceptions in his last seven games overall. He threw for 347 yards and four touchdowns against a good Vikings pass D three weeks ago, and he threw four more scoring passes in the 31-24 road win over the Lions last week. He has this Packers offense firing on all cylinders as they’ve scored at least 30 points in four straight.
Of course, the reason the Giants are getting so much respect here with this line move is because of their defense. But they lost 16-23 on the road to the Packers in the first meeting this season, and that game wasn’t as close as the final score. The Packers racked up 406 total yards and held the Giants to just 221, outgaining them by 185 yards in the win. Manning went just 18-of-35 passing for 199 yards in the loss with his only scoring pass coming in garbage time in the final few minutes with the game already decided.
The Packers have one of the best home-field advantages in the NFL. They are 6-2 SU & 6-2 ATS at home this season, outscoring opponents by 7.5 points per game on average. The Giants are only mustering 17.7 points and 304.7 total yards per game on the road this season, while the Packers are averaging 27.7 points and 362.5 yards per game at home.
Green Bay is 9-1 ATS in home games off a road win over the last three seasons. The Packers are 10-1 ATS off a division game over the last two years. Green Bay is 11-3 ATS in its last 14 games as a home favorite of 7 points or fewer. The Giants are 1-8-2 ATS in their last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. The home team is 4-1-1 ATS in the last six meetings. The Packers are 4-0 ATS in their last four wild card games.
Ricky Tran
Predators vs. Blackhawks
Play: Blackhawks -143
Scheduling: Nashville will play its third road game in 4 nights and fourth game in 6 nights. The Predators are 6-15 in their last 21 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation and 1-6 in their last 7 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation.
Marian Hossa: The Slovak missed five games with an upper-body injury, but the Hawks have recorded back-to-back wins since he returned to the lineup.
Previous Meetings: Predators are 5-11 in the last 16 meetings. Predators are 9-23 in the last 32 meetings in Chicago.
Mike Anthony
California vs. USC
Play: USC -3.5
The CAL Golden Bears stand 10-5 overall and 1-2 in the Pac 12. Cal lost some of their key contributors from last year’s squad, but this group remains a threat ranking 20th in the nation in total defense and 248th in scoring average. The USC Trojans haven’t gone against the toughest schedule, in comparison to other Pac 12 teams so far this season, but the Trojans have been taking care of business standing 15-1 overall and 2-1 in conference. In their last outing USC came through for us at home beating back Stanford by a final of 72-56. USC remains undefeated at home so far this season and the Torjans have shown strengths on both sides of the ball ranking 53rd in the nation in scoring average and 130th in total defense. The Trojans have great offensive depth with 5 players averaging in double figures and Elijah Stewart has led the attack averaging 14.3 points per game. Cal has to go back to back on the road which is always a challenge in the Pac 12. The Golden Bears will try to stay competitive today leaning on their defense, but the Trojans have shown the ability to put up some great offensive numbers this year. We like USC to come through on their home court as they go on to win and cover the spread.
SPORTS WAGERS
New York Giants +5½ over GREEN BAY
The Packers have won six straight games after their quarterback suggested they could run the table after the team was stuck in a mid-season slump. While Rodgers' prognostication now makes a great sound bite, it does nothing to slow the positive momentum the Packers have gained in the market and with the media. The Packers were an overwhelming favorite with the division on the line last Sunday night in Detroit and they didn’t let down their backers, as they covered easily as a 3½-point road favorite. The Packers defeated three playoff teams on their current stretch but two of them, the Texans and Lions, failed to reach double digit wins. The other W's were against Minnesota, Chicago and Philadelphia. The Packers blew a 17-point second half-time lead to the Bears and the Vikes nearly snuck in the backdoor as a six point dog. Green Bay has had some major problems all year in their pass defense that ranks 31st in the league. Their offensive line has given up 35 sacks this season compared to a Giants team that ranks third in the league in pass protection.
The Giants are making headlines heading into their Wild Card Playoff game in Green Bay. Their wide receivers, led by Odell Beckham Jr., took a little trip to Miami after the Giants Week 17 win at Washington but nobody had the sense to keep the camera phones on the shore. Not to be outdone, New York's highly touted secondary gave themselves the “N.Y.P.D.” moniker (for New York Pass Defense) which sent the talking heads into a tizzy on whether the name was an “homage” or “disrespectful” to the police force it was borrowed from. All of this makes for some good reading/radio but none of it means anything when it comes down to what's going to happen on the field. The Giants lost at Green Bay in Week 5, 23-16 in a game that was never really in doubt but they did force a push with a late fourth quarter touchdown. Even though that game was months ago, we've heard the case made that if Green Bay could cover a touchdown when they were playing bad, covering this number should be no problem now that they're rolling. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. The Giants are this year’s Broncos. Only the Rams, 49ers and Bears scored fewer points in the NFC than the Giants but only the Patriots allowed fewer points than the Giants. It all comes down to the defense holding their opponent low enough that the Giants offense can score just enough to win. Defense wins championships though and that makes the Giants dangerous and the points appealing.
Harry Bondi
HOUSTON -1 over Toronto
Not only is this a tough scheduling spot for the Raptors, but the Rockets are rolling, winning eight of their last nine straight-up while covering six of them. Houston is also 15-5 ATS on the road this year and 12-3 ATS when playing with revenge. Toronto, meanwhile, lost in OT last night on the road at Chicago and playing the high-flying Rockets with tired legs on the defensive end is a recipe for disaster. Houston rolls!
David Banks
Cal vs. USC
Pick: Cal +3
Andy Enfield and 22nd-ranked USC is at it again. Loaded with talent, Enfield’s Trojans started the 2016-17 college basketball season with 14 straight wins. After a loss to Oregon on Friday, USC continues its trek through the Pac-12 with a visit from Cal on Sunday night. The Trojans suffered the same fate as crosstown rival UCLA when they dropped an 84-61 defeat to the Ducks. Now, they attempt to recover with games this week against Stanford and the Golden Bears (10-4).
Cal has a difficult week ahead of itself facing the second-ranked Bruins on Wednesday prior to the meeting with USC. After consecutive losses to Virginia and Arizona, the Bears got back on track with win over Arizona State. Beating either UCLA or USC will require a monumental effort from Cal. The Bears do have some talent with guard Jabari Bird, the team’s leading scorer averaging 15.8 points per game. Sophomore Ivan Rabb (15.2 ppg, 10.3 rpg) is one of the nation’s better big men. Charlie Moore averages 15.3 points per game. The Bears problem is depth.
For Enfield, depth is not a concern as eight players see at least 16 minutes a game for the Trojans. Four starters average in double figures led by junior Elijah Stewart (14.7) and two others, De’Anthony Melton (9.9) and Shaqquan Aaron (9.8 ), average just under 10 per game. USC has a bench full of players who are capable of leading the team on any given night.
Melton led the Trojans in the loss to Oregon; it was Chimezie Metu (12.9 ppg) who scored 19 points to lead USC in a win over Oregon State and Jordan Mathews (7.2 ppg) scored 26 in a win over Wyoming.
Vegas Butcher
Detroit Pistons +3.5
The Blazers are playing their 3rd game in 4 nights, though they did have a day off yesterday. Still, for a team that doesn't have a lot of depth, this is a tough spot to be in. The Pistons will have a tremendous advantage in the paint, as there's just no one on the Blazers that can matchup with Drummond. Additionally, Detroit's depth with the second unit will provide further advantage in this matchup. The Pistons are a better team but they're priced like a half-point worse than Portland. I'll grab the value.
Eric Schroeder
My money is on the Pittsburgh Steelers, as I have them annihilating the Miami Dolphins in rather easy fashion.
The biggest line of the weekend, and it's justified, as the Steelers are the most dangerous threat to the New England Patriots. They will have no trouble dismantling Miami, just as we saw Seattle do to Detroit yesterday.
The Dolphins were 1-4, worst in the AFC East. Now they travel to frigid Pittsburgh, and the Steelers were 4-1 - the kings of the AFC North. But here is the ironic thing, they met once already, in Pittsburgh. Miami won.
It was a game no one considered as a postseason preview, yet here we are. And the Steelers are that much better, while I think there are two or three teams watching the playoffs that are better than the Fins.
Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell missed the past two postseasons with knee injuries. But now he is healthy, along with quarterback Big Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown, and the Killer B's are ready for this one.
Bell rushed 110 times in the last four games of the regular season, gaining 569 yards, while averaging 187 yards from scrimmage. Roethlisberger, meanwhile, has led the Steelers to seven consecutive victories. And then there's Brown - the best receiver in the game.
Trust me here, Pittsburgh is the better team and the Steelers are going to roll by at least two TDs.
2* STEELERS
Chris Jordan
My complimentary NFL winner for today is on the Green Bay Packers over the New York Giants, as I expect Aaron Rodgers to continue his hot streak, and throw all over the Giants' sketchy secondary.
All of you Giants fans who are waiting for the return of the same Eli Manning who won two Super Bowl rings with wild-card teams - both of whom rolled through Green Bay - I can tell you for certain it's not happening today.
While I know the Giants limited teams to 10, 6 and 7 points over their last three victories, it's a good thing since the Giants scored 19, 17 and 10 points in those same games. And I got news for you, the Packers are a different animal - they've scored at least 30 points in each of the past four weeks - and this game is at frigid Lambeau Field.
Rodgers is back, as he hasn't thrown an interception in 245 consecutive passes, leading Green Bay to six straight victories to close the season - three of the wins coming against playoff teams.
And oh yeah, let's not forget Green Bay already beat the Giants once this season. Lay the points.
1* PACKERS
Mike Lundin
Pistons vs. Blazers
Play: Blazers -3½
The Portland Trail Blazers are coming off a 118-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. Damian Lillard returned from a five-game absence due to an ankle injury and recorded 21 points and 10 assists. Portland went 2-3 in his absence, but the Blazers are a solid team with him in the lineup. The Detroit Pistons defeated Charlotte 115-114 on Thursday, but they failed to cover the spread and are 1-4 ATS through their last five games. Detroit took the two meetings last season by an average of 18.5 points, but the Pistons are 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings in Portland and I expect the Blazers to come through in front of the home town crowd tonight.
Tony Finn
Miami at Pittsburgh
Play: Under 47
The Dolphins earned one of the two AFC Wild-Card spots for this 2017 Road to Super Sunday and have traveled from sunny Florida to frigid Pittsburgh to square off against the Steelers. The kickoff today's Wild-Card event is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET at Heinz Field.
Ben Roethlisberger and his teammates enter the playoffs on a seven-game winning streak and aim to perform more effectively against the Dolphins today than they did in Week #5 when they fell 30-15 to the Dolphins in Miami.
The temperatures for today's American Football Conference playoff tilt are expected to feel like Zero degrees Fahrenheit due to gusting winds in 15 degree temperatures.
The Steelers are currently riding a positive run as are the Dolphins for today's win-or-go-home matchup. As mentioned, Pittsburgh is on a seven-game winning run and the 'Phins have won 10 or their last 12 games. The difference for today's game resides at the quarterback position where the Steelers have their future Hall of Fame starter healthy and ready while Miami will be without their No #1 signal caller Ryan Tannehill who befell injury in Week #14. Miami will start NFL journeyman Matt Moore who will be making his first career postseason start.
Le'Veon Bell will play in his first postseason event since becoming a professional. The Steelers didn't make the postseason in Bell's rookie season (2013). The Steelers have made the playoffs the last two years (2014 and 2015) but had to play without Bell, who had season-ending knee injuries in both seasons.
Without breaking down the large number of variables and underlying peripherals in this contest I am taking the short cut to the projected final result and offering up the reasons for a play to Under the Total based on logic and information that has been acquired from my sources that surround both NFL franchises.
The best running back in the National Football League, period, is the Steelers Bell. He is healthy at this point of the season for the first time in his career. He has gained 1,268 yards and registered seven touchdowns and has recorded 75 pass catches for 626 yards with two of those receptions being touchdowns. Football fanatics that tune in to watch the early Sunday Wild-Card event will see plenty of Bell catching and running the football today as gusty winds and cold temps that prevent both quarterbacks from having ideal conditions to throw the football.
The Steelers' run defense aims to do a better job of containing Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi. The Miami tailback has had three (3) performances this season in which he has gained 200 or more rushing yards.. He and the Miami offensive line took the Steelers front seven to task in October when Ajayi rushed for 204 yards and two TDs against the Steelers.
The Dolphins defensive front seven were able to slow Bell in that October affair. Bell recorded a total of 108 yards from scrimmage.
Windy conditions in the Ketchup Bottle and the fact that the Dolphins send a back-up quarterback to the field in his first NFL postseason game will result in both offensive coordinators playing a run-first scheme today, especially Pittsburgh, who will test Miami's 30th-ranked run defense with Bell, early and often.
The Under is 7-1 in Dolphins last 8 playoff games overall and the total has come in south of the oddsmakers closing number four out of five when the "Phins were taking part in road postseason affairs.
The Under is 21-8 in the Steelers last 29 games against an AFC foe and has cashed at a 70 percent clip (14-6) in Pittsburgh's last 20 games overall.