Power Play Wins
Baltimore
RAS
Drake -1.5
Marc Lawrence
3 Units Philadelphia -2.5
3 Units Boston College +7.5
3 Units Missouri St. +5
KELSO
50 Units Baltimore -3
15 Units Philadelphia -3
50 Units Nevada -7.5
25 Units Rhode Island -2
25 Units Knicks +6.5
10 Units Wichita St -5
3 Units USC -5
R.A.W. FOOTBALL
3* Ravens/Chiefs Under
2* Green Bay
2* Packers/Eagles Over
Brandon Lang
Baltimore Ravens -3
Helmut
Northwestern -6
Southern California Under 131.5
ALATEX SPORTS
10* PACKERS
LARRY NESS
10* GOY - EAGLES
8* LV INSIDER - RAVENS
GATOR
3* NEVADA
3* PACKERS
PRIVATE PLAYERS OF PITTSBURGH
3% BOSTON COLLEGE
3% RAVENS
3% PACKERS
THE UNKNOWN SOURCE
4* RAVENS UNDER
3* EAGLES (Moneyline)
LT PROFITS
5* PACKERS
5* BOSTON COLLEGE
ROCKETMAN
4* RAVENS
JOE D SPORTS
20* NEVADA
15* RAVENS
15* PACKERS
NORTHCOAST
3* RAVENS
3* BOSTON COLLEGE
CAROLINA SPORTS
3* PACKERS
3* RAVENS UNDER
PREFERRED PICKS
3* BOSTON COLLEGE
BIG AL McMORIDE
4* KANSAS CITY
3* PACKERS
BEN BURNS
10* GOY - RAVENS UNDER
9* PACKERS
FAIRWAY JAY
15* EAGLES OVER
ER SPORTS
20* KANSAS CITY
TEXAS SPORTSWIRE
3* NEVADA
STEVE BUDIN
50 DIME - RAVENS
GREAT LAKES SPORTS
4* NEVADA
4* EAGLES
BLAZER
4* EAGLES
3* RAVENS
GOLD SHEET
1* PACKERS
LENNY STEVENS
20* KANSAS CITY
10* EAGLES
PURE LOCK
RAVENS
California Sports
GOM Northwestern
Dave Malinsky
6* Rhode Island
MR EAST
5 UNIT PLAYOFF GAME OF THE YEAR - KANSAS CITY CHIEFS +3
The Baltimore Ravens have finished the season with 4 straight wins, and 5 of their last 7 opponents have not been able to score more than 13 points. Their mark vs winning teams on the season was 3-3-1 ATS so nothing to be taken from that. Most people have forgotten just how valuable Kansas City is playing at home, because they have been winning so infrequently, those numbers are lost. Well, here they are again, as the Chiefs have gone 7-1 SU at home and lost only in a meaningless week 17 game. The history of the Chiefs and their potent homefield advantage has been shrouded and forgotten by several years of inept sub-.500 teams. Let's take a look at the history of this Chief's team when they have been at worst a .500 team. The home ledger shows they are 92-20 straight up at home since 1983 when they have had a winning season, and 92-18 when you extract a pair of meaningless week 17 games. When they have been posted as a home underdog, this team is 22-2 ATS since 1983 when they have had a .500 team or better. What is more remarkable is they are 20-4 straight up over the same stretch. When they are a home dog of any number or a favorite of 4 or less, they are 46-15-2 ATS at home when they have had a .500 team or better. The past 2 seasons show this Ravens team vulnerable playing against a team that wins over 60% of its games, where they are 1-8 ATS, and when they have had 2 straight games with a turnover margin of +2 or more, they are 2-11 ATS. Kansas City is a big running team, and if they run the ball for 125 yards or more they are 63-26 ATS since 1992. The Chiefs have averaged 183 rushing yards per game at home this year, and have failed to make it to 125 yards just 1 time, and it was in the finale vs Oakland in a meaningless game, otherwise in their 7 meaningful games they have run for 193 yards per game, with a season low of 135 at home, so 125 is very likely here. Statistically these teams are pretty much a dead heat, both slightly below average form a yards per play standpoint, and both better than average on defense. The Chiefs fans will be really loud for this one as it has been several years since they have seen the Chiefs at home in the playoffs, a decided advantage. My NFL Playoff Game of the Year is on Kansas City
4 UNITS - GREEN BAY PACKERS +3 -125
The Green Bay Packers have had a good season that could have been better if not for all the injuries they had to overcome. It shows the great wealth of talent this team has assembled, as they have 15 players on IR, and lost a 1000+ running back in Ryan Grant, and a dynamic TE in Jermichael Finley for te entire season. Despite of the losses, the Packers earned their way here winning their last 2 and finishing 10-6. The Packers getting a juiced 3 here is huge. Despite all the injury issues, and a QB that has sustained 2 concussions this year, the Packers have not lost by more than 4 points to anyone in their last 24 regular season games. The Eagles offensive line is in shambles and they have taken 30 sacks in their last 9 games, and 49 for the season. Teams in the wildcard round over the last 5 years that have taken 40+ sacks are 1-5 ATS and 0-6 SU. The Packers get to the QB and have had 47 sacks this season. Teams that have recorded 40+ sacks are 6-0 ATS unless they are playing another team that had 40+. I'll go with Green Bay.
Nelly
2* Kansas City Chiefs (+) over Baltimore Ravens
The Chiefs were blown out in their home finale against the Raiders but that was the first loss at home for the Chiefs all season long. Getting that lackluster effort may actually be a positive heading into this playoff game and the Chiefs are historically formidable home underdogs. Baltimore is a serious threat in the playoffs with wins over the Jets, Steelers, and Saints on the season as well as an OT loss at New England. The Ravens won six of the final seven games and did not lose a game by more than five points all season long. Kansas City's only win over a playoff team came against 7-9 Seattle so there is good reason to be suspect of the Chiefs but Kansas City could have a big edge on the ground in this game with a per game average of 164 yards per game on 4.7 yards per carry. Baltimore's defense was not as strong this season as its reputation and the Ravens were rather erratic on offense this season, six times failing to reach 20 points on the year. Of Baltimore's five wins on the road this season two came by three points or less and another came by six points in OT so this is a team to be weary of on the road, even though last season the Ravens stunned the Patriots in the playoffs. Baltimore has also been ultra conservative on offense late in the season, with less than 20 pass attempts in each of the last four games so this is a game the superior playmakers on Kansas City will have a chance to steal. Kansas City's team may lack playoff experience but the coaching staff has plenty and will be ready off a loss.
2* Philadelphia Eagles (-) over Green Bay Packers
The Packers pulled out a narrow win at home in the game they had to have last week against the Bears but it was hardly an impressive showing with just ten points. Six times this season Green Bay scored 20 or fewer points this season and The Packers have lost each of the last three road games, finishing 3-5 for the season away from home. Philadelphia was surprisingly just 4-4 at home this season including a loss to Green Bay to open the season but that game, like last week's home loss featured Kevin Kolb as the starting QB. The Eagles ended up as the highest scoring team in the NFC but the Packers featured the best point differential in the conference. Either of these teams will be a threat to win in the next round but this will be an early elimination game. Michael Vick has been banged up and his play declined late in the year but he also has won in the playoffs against the Packers, as has Andy Reid. Andy Reid is 10-8 in the playoffs all time but last year was the only time in his career that his team lost in the first round and he has never lost a home playoff game in the first round. Green Bay should have success in the air in this match-up as the Eagles allow 217 yards per game passing but the Packers will have a hard time stopping the Eagles on the ground even with added efforts to stop scrambles. Philadelphia averaged 5.5 yards per carry this season and Green Bay allowed 4.6 yards per carry, which should give the Eagles opportunities.
The Duke's Sports
Kansas City (+3) for 1.5 Units
In 2009, the Chiefs got whipped in their season opener at Baltimore 38-24. Much as changed over that time as the Chiefs shored up their offense under OC Weis to become the NFL's top rushing team, while Romeo Crennel designed effective game plans throughout the season. We'll look for Weis's meetings with Florida's athletic department to be the culprit of last week's struggle however, we'll look for KC to be on track in this spot. KC has been a strong home team virtually all season 7-1 SU and has the Arrowhead Stadium crown revitalized. KC's underrated offensive line has done a great job protecting QB Cassel and opening holes for Charles and Jones. And we like the matchup with Bowe against banged up corner Wilson; if Wilson can't go, it gets even better with Fabian Washington who was benched early this season. We'll look for KC to effectively move the football on a Ravens' defense that has been suspect at times under DC Mattison. On the other hand, Ravens' offensive production has slid this season: the running game numbers are down and QB Flacco's been sacked 40 times. The Chiefs' defense has 19 sacks over the past 7 games and should produce more today. Oher is hurting with knee and ankle injuries and he'll be blocking dangerous rusher Hali (14.5 sacks). Cheifs are a dangerous dog at 7-2 ATS and we're on them.
Ben Burns
Maryland +16
As usual, Duke is very good. In fact, since winning both the ACC Championship and the NCAA Title last season, the Blue Devils have opened the season with a perfect 14-0 record. Dating back to last season, they've now won 24 straight. Not surprisingly, the Blue Devils are ranked #1 in the country. That #1 ranking (and Duke's overall reputation) brings some "inflated" lines though. In this evening's case, I feel the line has gotten too big.
Yes, the Blue Devils have won 24 straight. Note that the last team to beat them was the team that they'll face today. Yes, Maryland won the last meeting, a 79-72 victory last March. While many will argue that will give the Blue Devils added motivation to really blow out the Terps here, I feel that result will help the Terps, as it gives them confidence that they can compete with this team.
While the Terps no longer have Greivis Vasquez, who had a big game in last year's win over Duke, they still have Jordan Williams. Duke fans may recall that Williams had a "double-double" against them last season. Currently, the Maryland forward has recorded eight straight "double-doubles," averaging 18.6 points and 11.9 rebounds.
Duke covered last time out but has alternated pointspread wins and losses its last four games. While the Blue Devils have a winning ATS record overall, note at they're 0-3 ATS against teams which average 77 or more points per game.
Maryland, which averages 80.6 points per game, is an impressive 14-5 ATS its last 19 lined road games.
While the Terps have lost four games this season, note that ALL were by single-digits. In fact, their last three losses all came by four or fewer points. Off a 55-point win, the Terps have plenty of confidence. I look for them to give the Blue Devils their toughest test of 2011, thus far.
DAVID BANKS
CHIEFS
OVER 40.5
EAGLES
OVER 46.5
NEVADA
TRAILBLAZERS
MINNESOTA