Savannah Sports
2* Washington +3
Eric Degarde
2* Phoenix -2
INSIDER SPORTS REPORT
4* Utah/Orlando OVER 202.5
3* Louisiana-Lafayette -3.5
3* N.Y. Giants/Washington UNDER 43.5
NSA
20* Redskins
20* Drexel
10* Giants Over
10* Yale Under
10* Kings
10* Suns
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
Giants -3
For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this game is on the Giants:
New York's latest defeat cost them any realistic chance of winning the NFC East, but they could still be in good position to reach the playoffs if they take care of business against seemingly inferior competition.
A dominating defense was what led the Giants on their Super Bowl run two seasons ago, and the unit was again one of the best in the league last year as New York went 12-4 to earn the top seed in the NFC; although its stumbled lately, I look for it to step up on the national stage.
It's true that New York is just 1-7 ATS its last eight overall, but dating back to last season its an awesome 17-5 ATS its last 22 on the road. It's also a dominant 5-1-1 ATS its last seven when playing Washington.
On the other side of the field: Washington has played better lately, but will be facing a very determined and focused team and will have its hands full if the Giants’ offense plays like it did Sunday night, when it racked up a season-high 512 total yards. Manning threw for a career-high 391 yards and three touchdowns, including strikes of more than 60 yards
Washington has been better lately, but always struggles at home; the Redskins are a poor 3-9 ATS their last 12 in front of the hometown crowd.
Bottom line: The Redskins have plenty off field issues to contend with right now and will face a team that is desperate to finish the season strong and which has had great success over them; look for NEW YORK to improve to a perfect 3-0 ATS when playing against a team with a losing record and for Washington to fall to 4-7 ATS vs. conference opponents.
10* GIANTS
Tony George
Phoenix -2.5
Cavs on a back to back roadie here, and Suns are UNDFEATED 10-0 at home, they are well rested, the favorite in this series is 10-1 ATS and the Suns are 20-8 ATS their last 28 at home. Strong frontcourt for the Suns at home, better guard play and Shaq may not play again.
Play 1 Unit on Phoenix
Evan Altemus
Giants / Washington Over 43.5
Both of these offenses are playing their best of any time this season, especially Washington. The key to this selection is the Redskins offensive line. They are finally giving quarterback Jason Campbell time to throw, as well as opening up holes for the running game. Washington’s offense has several young players that are finally starting to get in sync with Campbell, and they are motivated to play well, unlike of the banged up veterans that haven’t played recently. Meanwhile, New York’s offense has played very well lately and finally has a healthy Eli Manning. The Giants have scored 31 points or more in 3 of their last 4 games, including a 38 point performance last week against a decent Philadelphia defense. For this game to go over the total each just has to score three touchdowns, which should be easily done for both offenses facing struggling defenses. Look for this game to be high scoring and soar over the total.
4 UNIT SELECTION OVER
Bob Balfe
Giants -3
The formula for breaking down this game is simple. The Giants have to win. This is basically a playoff game for them if they want to make the playoffs in three weeks. The Redskins are already looking towards next year and rumors are swirling about who the next coach will be. If you're looking at the running backs, the advantage goes to the Giants (with Portis and Betts out for the year). The Redskins also might be missing Sellers at fullback, which will hurt Campbell with pass protection as well as Ganther and Cartwright in the running game. The Skins also might be without RT Heyer. If he can't go, they will be starting a guy from the practice squad who has never taken an NFL snap. Playing right next to him is rookie guard Williams. Two rookies on one side will have a tough time stopping this pass rush. When the Redskins shuffle their line, they usually don’t play well. I would have to give the edge to the Giants in the passing game. On defense, the edge does go to the Redskins but again this is a must win for New York. Eli Manning should lead his offense to a big night. The Redskins have too much to overcome with injuries on offense and simply not enough firepower to keep up. Take the Giants.
Lenny Del Genio
Giants -3
Normally, we don't fall into the trap of "must win" games, but really the Giants "must win" here. If they don't, the NFC playoff picture will essentially be set and the NFL certainly doesn't want that. A lot of folks are buying into how "well" Washington has been playing of late and we will be the first to admit that we were on the Redskins two weeks ago when they should have beaten the then-unbeaten Saints. They have now covered five straight after last week's win over Oakland, who was saddled with JaMarcus Russell at QB for too much of the game. Seven of Washington's nine losses this year have come by single digits, but this line is too low. The Giants have won three straight in this NFC East rivalry, holding the 'Skins to a total of just 31 points. New York is 31-16 ATS on the road under HC Coughlin. Meanwhile, Washington's Head Coach Jim Zorn is just waiting to be fired and instead of game planning is just setting up Mike Shanahan's office for next year. NY Giants are our Monday Night Football Game of the Year.
RON RAYMOND
5* Bucks / Pacers Over 198.5
5* Edmonton Oilers -145
Wunderdog
Montreal at Atlanta
4 Units Montreal +120
In many ways the road has not been friendly to the Canadiens, but they hope to build off a 3-0 shutout win over the Islanders. The Thrashers are breaking down defensively, allowing 31 goals in their last eight games, or right about at 4 per contest. History has shown that when the Thrashers cough up 5 or more in their last game, they throw up a lemon in their next contest, going just 22-47 in their last 69 after serving a 5-spot or more. The Canadiens have cashed this situation well as they have posted six wins in their last seven when facing a team that allowed 5+ their last time on the ice. I'll go with Montreal here.
Montreal at Atlanta
5 Units Montreal +1.5 -250
The Canadiens have roared loud vs. a team allowing five or more goals in their last game as they have taken six of the last seven facing that situation. By the same token, the Thrashers have not been so productive following a five goal or more onslaught by an opponent as they have followed by producing a not so healthy 22-47 in the game following. Getting the plus side of the puckline just sweetens the pot, so I'll go with Montreal on the puckline.
Florida at Philadelphia
3 Units on Philadelphia -170
The Florida Panthers have been a break-even hockey team this season. It doesn’t matter whether it’s home or away as the results have been the same. There is evidence that is changing fast as the Panthers, after a robust start on the road, have come out on the right side just twice in their last eight road games. They have also now been horrible as an underdog, going just 2-8 in their last 10 as a dog, and 19-39 in their last 58 when playing their third game in four days. The Flyers have struggled lately themselves, but will be in a favorable situation at home vs. the Panthers. The home team has claimed the win in four of the last five between these clubs. I'm going with Philly in this one.
Buffalo at Toronto
5 Units UNDER 6
After going 125 games without recording a shutout, the Toronto Maple Leafs have suddenly recorded two in their last 11 games. Is there something in the water in Toronto? They also ended a 54-game streak without getting shutout in their last November game. The Sabres have been shutout in three of their last 14, and have completed two shutouts of their own, so getting very ominous numbers here to a high total bodes well for the UNDER. Off a game scoring two or less, Buffalo has played 20-9-1 to the UNDER in their next time out. The UNDER has prevailed in seven of the last nine between these clubs as well as four straight UNDER in Toronto. I'll back the UNDER here.
Tampa Bay at New York Islanders
3 Units UNDER 5.5
The New York Islanders made a run, but have fallen off sharply and the unproductive offense was shutout in their last game. That mark now sets at 13 goals in their last eight games and the Islanders are scoring just 1.6 times a game. The Lightning has been punchless on the offensive end themselves as they have been shutout in four of their last 11 games! That keeps their recent 11-game stretch of offense under two as well. The last game explosion of six goals isn't a sign they are coming out, as after 5+ they have played 13-2-1 to the UNDER in the game following the explosion. The Islanders are now 34-14-4 to the UNDER in their last 52 as home chalk. I don't see this one topping the total, so I’m going UNDER here.
New Jersey at Pittsburgh
3 Units UNDER 5.5
The Panthers have it rolling and that means one thing. They are getting strong play behind the net and the proof is in the 27 goals allowed in the last 14 games - fewer than two per contest. That translates to 11 UNDERs and just three OVERs during their last 14 games. The Devils have been even better, allowing two or less in 22 of their last 28 games. Goals should be at a premium in this one especially with Pittsburgh playing 10-1 to the UNDER in their last 11 vs. teams at .600 or better. That is matched by the Devils 31-14-6 mark to the UNDER on the road vs. a home team at .600 or better. Last five in Pittsburgh has also produced four UNDERs, so the only way to go here is UNDER the total.
Colorado at Minnesota
4 Units Minnesota -140
The Avalanche were a disaster a year ago then surprised everyone early with their elevated level of play. That has maintained itself at home, but taking to the road they have fallen off sharply and have been on the right side of just four of the last 12. The Wild has reversed their fate. They started horribly with just three of their first 12 ending favorably, but have rebounded nicely to show nine of their last 12 in the win column. The Avalanche are showing a precursor to their fate as they are a lowly 12-30 after scoring two or less in their last game. The Wild are now 38-18 in their last 56 as home chalk, and the Avalanche have failed to find the win column in their last four in Minnesota. I'll go with Minnesota here.
San Jose at Dallas
3 Units San Jose -130
San Jose gets a lot of ink on how tough they are to take down at home, but this season those results are translating favorably on the road. Through 18 roadies, the Sharks man an 11-6-1 mark, so they are playing excellent on foreign ice as well. The Stars are getting extended at home with just eight wins in 16 tries. They have been woefully inconsistent at just 12-39 in their last 51 following a win. The Sharks’ improved road play shows them at 7-2 as road chalk and four of the last five in Dallas have gone their way. I'll play them here to make it five of six.
Columbus at Phoenix
4 Units Columbus +130
The Coyotes have been struggling to find the net of late as they managed to hang a 6-spot at defenseless Toronto, but in their six games surrounding that one, they have failed to tally more than 2 in any of them. The Blue Jackets come in riding a six game winless string and will hope to get healthy in this one. The Coyotes may accommodate them as they are 3-8 the last 11 times they squared off with an opponent off of scoring 2 goals or less. The road team has had their way in this series scoring the win in five of the last six. I'll go with Columbus in this one.
Columbus at Phoenix
5 Units Columbus +1.5 -270
This has been a road-dominated series. The Coyotes managing to top the 2-goal mark only at defenseless Toronto in their last seven, you have to love the value on the plus side of the puckline here. The Coyotes have trouble scoring, and it has been more pronounced of late, and own just five games this season being able to top the -1.5 puckline at home. I'll go with Columbus here on the puckline.
CHARLIE SPORTS
500* Redskins
500* Redskins Under
500* Jazz Over
30* Kings
20* Cavaliers
20* UTEP
10* Arizona St
10* Magic
BIG AL
Washington Redskins
SCOTT RICKENBACH
New York Giants
The Duke's Sports
Washington (+3) for 1.5 Units
At a trends standpoint the Giants control the edge in this series and in this spot however, the Giants defensive injuries and/or new leadership (DC) have taken its toll on performance. They're not producing sacks at the rate they did the prior two seasons, they're 28th in points allowed and getting burned repeatedly in the secondary. And without Antonio Pierce, the lifeblood of their defense, they're just 1-3 ATS. Offensively, the Giants are managing to put points on the board, but could struggle tonight without RT Kareem Mckenzie (MCL). In the meantime, the Redskins have gained confidence down the stretch on a 5-0 ATS run; moreover, 4 of those 5 opponents are teams above .600. Furthermore, QB Jason Campbell has found his rhythm and a comfort level with Sherm Lewis and company. And with Haynesworth back in the fray for Washington, the 'Skins' defense can be more versatile with their packages. Throw in revenge and we'll look for the Redskins to have a legitimate chance as a spoiler tonight.
NHL PRO PICKS
Florida +150
NY Rangers +105
Columbus +130
St. Louis +126