R.A.W. FOOTBALL
4* Best Bet - Cincinnati
3* Philadelphia
3* Philadelphia/Dallas Under
KB Hoops
5* Missouri Tigers -4.5 **POD**
4* Gonzaga -2.5
3* UTEP -1
3* Wisconsin -1.5
4* Philadelphia Eagles +4
3* Cincinnati Bengals -2.5
Savannah Sports
2* Teaser 6 pointer
Cincinnati +3.5 @ Philadelphia +10
Eric Degarde
2* Charlotte -2.5
Kikki Sports
4.5* Playoff Lock GOY - Bengals
2* Lock GOM - UAB
ATS Financial
3 Philly +4
AL DEMARCO
15 Dime - Dallas Cowboys
TRACE ADAMS
1500* - Cincinnati Bengals,
500* - Philadelphia Eagles,
500* - Minnesota Golden Gophers
You can't say that last Sunday night's 37-0 blanking the Jets laid on the Bengals doesn't mean anything, but I honestly don't think it is indicative of what is going to happen on Saturday in Cincinnati.
For me, this game bolis down to two things; # 1- Rookie Quarteback, # 2 - The Road!
You can go on all you want about how the Jets will minmize Mark Sanchez' passes in this game, and how the Jets defense will be the difference, but eventually Sanchez is going to have to throw the pigskin, and I just don't see him engineering a road win in his first playoff start in a hostile environment.
Keep in mind that the Jets closed the season with wins over a pair of teams that mailed it in for the year, in the Colts and the Bengals. You will see a different Cincy team this afternoon in their 1st playoff game since Carson Palmer blew out his knee back in the 2005 season at home against Pittsburgh.
The Bengals have won their last 5 home games, and 6 of 8 overall this season, and while they are on a 1-6 overall spread slide, and a 3-5 home spread slide this year, this is the lowest price they have been asked to cover all season long, and I just don't see them losing this game.
Cincy has been through an awful lot this season with the deaths of Chris Henry, and the loss of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's wife. You can assume that all of that emotion is going to be channeled in a positive way today for the Bengals.
The Jets did well to make the postseason, today the reality sets in.
Take the Bengals minus the short chalk.
1500♦ - Cincinnati Bengals
Lest you think that a team that sweeps the regular season pair of games cannot win for a third time in the same season, 12 of the 19 times the scenario has presented itself, the hat trick has been completed. In fact, Pittsburgh won all 3 last season against Baltimore en route to winning the Super Bowl.
That fact bodes well for the Cowboys on Saturday night hosting the Eagles, but with Dallas having not won a playoff game since 1996, and with Philadelphia knowing the route to the championship game oh so well, I don't think it is going to be smooth sailing for the 'Pokes this evening at home.
I do think Dallas is going to eek out the win, but covering the impost is not going to happen.
If you ask me, no team is more dangerous in the NFC than the peaking Cowboys, but I don't see them pitching a 3rd straight shutout.
Philly did not maximize their patented blitzes in last week's loss, so you can assume they will try and rattle Romo's cage with a wide variety of their blitz packages in this one.
The first meeting between the teams saw Dallas win it 20-16 on November 8th in Philadelphia, I think this game will more resemble the first meeting than last last week's 24-0 beatdown.
Eagles plus the points as this game is decided by a field-goal tops.
500♦ - Philadelphia Eagles
One college hoops release for ya, as I like Minnesota to rebound from the beating Purdue put on them earlier this week in West Lafayette.
Minnesota is a perfect 9-0 at the Williams Arena, and 5-2 against the spread in their lined home games. I expect them to take advantage of an Ohio State team that has not been able to get much going in the absence of guard Evan Turner who is sidelined with a back injury.
The Buckeyes are just 4-3 straight up their last 7, and only 1-6 against the spread in that span!
The home team has won the last 4 series meetings, and 6 of the last 7 overall. With Minnesota looking so strong at home this year, no hesitation in laying the points with the Golden Gophers here.
500♦ - Minnesota Golden Gophers
WAYNE ROOT
3* Bengals (-2½) over Ny Jets
6* Cowboys (-3½) over Eagles
Sean Michaels
50 Dime Release - Cincinnati
As you know from watching the video on the subject on my homepage, this is a game with a price that demands buying down the half-point on Cincinnati if your price is -3 or 3 1/2. Now here in Vegas, it's pretty easy to get the Bengals at -2 1/2, and if that's the case with you as well, there's no need to buy down. But if your man or sportsbook is offering either 3 or 3 1/2, go ahead and buy down the hook.
Sportsbetsnow
2 Units Georgetown -4.5
2 Units Purdue +1.5
2 Units Missouri -5
2 Units Philly +4
Karl Garrett
50 DIMER - CINCINNATI BENGALS
10 DIMERS - PHILADELPHIA EAGLES, & KENTUCKY WILDCATS
50 DIMER - CINCINNATI BENGALS
Don't be fooled by the Jets 37-0 season finale last week over this Bengals team, New York will NOT be playing the same Bengals team they just humiliated to punch their playoff ticket.
Believe me, Marvin Lewis and his staff wanted no parts of the Houston Texans in this game, and that would have been the case had Cincy bested New York.
In essence, the Jets last 2 wins came against teams that had nothing to play for. Just keep the Jets dismal 10-7 home loss to Atlanta at the Meadowlands fresh in your minds. That is the real Jets team. Oh sure, New York may own a staunch defense, but at some point Mark Sanchez, that is ROOKIE Mark Sanchez is going to have to make a few plays, and that ain't gonna happen in his 1st playoff game of the road.
Cincy has waited since the end of the 2005 season to be back in the playoffs, and that was the game in which Carson Palmer blew out his knee in the first series. This go'round will be different.
The Bengals did not do a good job this year when favored, I will grant you that, but this line is for all intents and purposes a pick'em game, and there is no way I feel the home team is going to get beat today.
Lay the small impost.
10 DIMER - PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
This one is a "gut"play, as I will grant you the fact that Dallas could be the hottest NFC team right now, but the playoffs are a different beast altogether, and Dallas has not won a postseason game since 1996.
Philadelphia took the # 6 seed in last year's playoffs all the way to the NFC Title Game, and while I don't see them going that deep this postseason, they at least know what it takes to advance, and after 2 season losses to the Cowboys, they will pull out all the stops to avoid the hat trick.
I still think Dallas wins this game, but my bucks are on the Eagles to get the spread win.
Take the Birds plus the points as this one goes down to the bitter end.
10 DIMER - KENTUCKY WILDCATS
Georgia is still savoring their upset win over Georgia Tech, but don't expect the Bulldogs to once again waltz into the Rupp Arena and pull off another upset win, as Kentucky just has too many horses for this still-learning Bulldogs bunch.
Georgia did spring the upset win at Kentucky last season, beating the Wildcats as the 17 1/2-point underdog!
Not going to happen today.
The Wildcats are 11-0 straight up at home, and they have been able to cover their last pair, and 5 of their last 7 on line.
The Bulldogs have not been able to get any traction on the road, going 1-4 against the spread away from home thus far.
This one has whitewash writtien all over it.
Take the 'Cats over the Dawgs.
PRIMETIME SPORTS ADVISORS
Cincinnati Bengals
Ole Miss -2.5
Furman -1.5
St Louis +3.5
The Booooj
10 units Jets +2.5
50 Units Cowboys -3.5
Kelso
50 Units Bengals -2.5
5 Units Eagles +3.5
3 Units Bengals/Jets UNDER 34.5
3 Units Eagles/Cowboys OVER 45
ASA
4* Dallas vs. Philadelphia OVER 45
Dallas and Philadelphia meet in back-to-back games after Dallas’ 24-0 victory last weekend. The loss really took Philly off of their high horse. They entered the game on the momentum of six straight victories, averaging 31.2 points per game in that span. But instead of earning a first-round bye, the Eagles booked a return trip to Dallas with an uncharacteristic performance, gaining only 228 yards to the Cowboys’ 474. "It’s kind of embarrassing," Eagles tight end Brent Celek said. "I can’t wait to play these guys again. After what they did to us, I want to come back here. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else." This will be a high energy game and we expect some fireworks. Easy ‘over.’
In last week’s game, both teams missed their share of opportunities. Both Dallas and Philly had their own red zone turnover and Philly ‘just missed’ on a number of big plays. By halftime, Dallas owned a 17-0 lead and neither team was aggressive in the 2nd half. The Cowboys coasted to the easy victory and it was apparent that Philly conceded their win as their main goal was to keep their starters healthy for next week.
The Eagles are the main catalyst for this game finishing ‘over’ the total. They have a trio of big play receivers led by DeSean Jackson that can change the game whenever they touch the ball. Jackson has 12 touchdowns (9 receiving, 2 returns, 1 rushing) with 1167 receiving yards and 18.5 yards per reception. They love to pass the ball and it shows, with a full-season 60-40 pass-run ratio.
Dallas’ Tony Romo ended his season quite well. In his last six games, he has passed for 310 ypg with an 11/2 ratio. The Cowboys boast a 56-44 pass/run ratio and rank 6th in the NFL in passing yards and 2nd in the NFL in total yards. Philly, despite their poor performance on Sunday, still ranks 11th in total yards and 5th in scoring.
The Philly ‘over’ is 6-1 in Eagles last 7 games following a S.U. loss and 20-6 in last 26 games as an underdog. The average total in the past four meetings between the two is 47 points. The rivalry grows with another playoff match-up between these two with this being the first playoff game in Dallas’ new Cowboy stadium. Expect Fireworks and for this game easily to finish ‘over’ the total.