Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAY
Green Bay/ Chicago Under 51.5: Last week the Packers gave up a 31 points to the Vikings, but just 243 yards in the game as the Vikes got a 109 yards KO return for a TD and had 247 return yards overall to set up some short fields. The Packers come in 9th overall and 4th vs the run, which should negate the effectiveness of Matt Forte, whole will be called on more in the game with McCown at QB. More Running for Forte, should lead to eating clock. really its the only way for the Bears to keep this one close. they have to keep the high powered Packers offense off the field. The Packers are a very balanced offense this year, meaning they will run just as much and that should help move the clock. This is not normally a high scoring series, as just 1 of the last 10 between these teams has gone over the total, with an average of just 36.5 ppg being scored in those games. Back in 2011 the teams put up 56 points in one game, but in the other 9, no more than 44 points have been scored. I see this one in the low to mid 40's at best.
SPORTS WAGERS
GREEN BAY -10½ over Chicago
We’re going to put our 3-1 NFL week in the bank and PASS on this game but with a short betting menu tonight, we’ll give out an opinion. In other words, hold a gun to our heads and we’d lay the points but this is a no-bet for us because spotting big lumber in this league is too risky and the Bears are too unappealing to take the points.
We certainly don’t like the Bears chances here without Jay Cutler. Cutler can hit his targets when given time but the 34-yeard old, career journeyman, Josh McCown cannot. McCown played in two games, relieving an injured Cutler in 2011 but two weeks ago was his first action since. That came against Washington. This isn’t Washington and McCown is a mistake waiting to happen. The Bears defense was already a major problem thanks to injuries and as a result, they gave up over 40 points in both of their most recent road games in Washington and Detroit. It doesn’t get easier facing Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay on Monday Night Football.
The Pack has won all their home games by more than the margin here. They beat the ‘Skins 38-20, Detroit 22-9 and Cleveland 31-13. Oddly enough, losing receivers has made Aaron Rodgers more productive than he was. After three straight games with just one touchdown each, Rodgers lost his wideouts and passed for 260 yards and three scores on the Browns. Then he left Minnesota after throwing for 285 yards and two more touchdowns. Rodgers has never failed to score at least once and he's been a lock for over 250 yards every week. As if that isn’t enough for the Bears defense to deal with, Chicago also has to deal with RB Eddie Lacy. Lacy is the workhorse that all backs want to be. For the four weeks since he returned from his concussion, he's ran at least 22 times every week and is now also adding four or five catches. Lacy scored in each of the last two games and provides a very balanced attack for the defense to figure out. The Bears defense hasn’t been able to figure out anyone and there’s no reason to expect anything different here. Chicago’s lone win over the past four weeks came against the lifeless G-Men. The bottom line here is that Josh McCown has to step up and keep the offense going because the defense isn't going to stop Green Bay. That’s something we would not bet on happening. Lay the points.
Minnesota +109 over CLEVELAND
Expecting the Cavs to keep pace with the T-Wolves is somewhat unrealistic. The Cavs have some nice pieces in place but if Kyrie Irving doesn’t have a big night, who is going to pick him up? The Cavs have four or five other guys that can go off for 10 points but none others that can go off for 15-20 every night. The Cavs were held to 85 points in Charlotte and 74 points against the Pacers. They have yet to hit the century mark while the Timberwolves have scored 120, 100 and 109 in their three games, respectively.
The Timberwolves are undefeated in three games and that includes a win over OKC on Friday night. They not only beat the Thunder, they whacked them by 19. Last night, Minnesota went into New York and built up a 20-point, 1st quarter lead, only to see it slowly dwindle down to 2 points with about 4½ minutes remaining. Instead of giving in to the momentum shift in the Knicks’ favor, the T-Wolves dug down deep and put the game away. That’s what good teams do and the T-Wolves, still undervalued, take a big step down in class when facing these Cavaliers. When a team starts off on a roll, it’s usually not a good idea to go against them. This Minnesota offense is humming right now with Kevin Love and Kevin Martin both going off for 30 points last night. Corey Brewer is a shut-down defender who held Kevin Durant in check on Friday. With Brewer defending him last night, Carmelo Anthony went 2-10 shooting and 6-11 when Brewer wasn’t defending him. The Cavaliers have nothing resembling Durant or Melo. Minnesota is intent on keeping this thing going. They are loaded with shooters and key role players. Ricky Rubio is one of the best PG’s in the game and the only thing that will prevent the T-Wolves from winning this game is a letdown but we don’t anticipate that with Minnesota wanting more after a 3-0 start. The beat goes on here.
Pass NHL
OC Dooley
NY Rangers -120
It was exactly one week ago when one of the longest road trips to open a new campaign in professional sports history finally came to an end. Due to a one-billion dollar facelift to Madison Square Garden the New York Rangers played the initial nine regular season games on the road. Including the preseason the Rangers were on enemy ice for a month-and-a-half. Last Monday in their home opener the Rangers lost on the scoreboard, but ever since they have actually WON THREE IN A ROW. For New York to be this large of a favorite tonight is a bit of a shock since visiting Anaheim is on a positive 4-0-1 run and are in position to grab first place in the Pacific Division. But the Ducks are putting the wraps on a marathon EIGHT game road-jaunt this evening where fatigue becomes a factor. Anaheim has actually lost each of the past three games inside New York’s Madison Square Garden including the most recent visit which was back in November of 2011
Harry Bondi
GREEN BAY (-10) over Chicago
Packers are always worth a look at home particularly in this series with Chicago. It's been all Green Bay as the Packers have won and covered the last five at Lambeau. The Pack are also a perfect 3-0 ATS at home this season. Bears still without Jay Cutler and Lance Briggs and don't trust Josh McCown under the bright lights of Monday Night. Take Green Bay.
Joe Gavazzi
Minnesota +2
The 89-74 Cleveland loss to Indiana on Saturday, a true contender for a Ring Ceremony, was to be expected. Far more was expected in their 90-84 loss to Charlotte. Maybe it was a letdown from their opening home upset of the Nets. Cavs PG Irving now has a front line to work with composed of a healthy Varejao, emerging Thompson, and the peripatetic Bynum. They should easily exceed last year’s 24 wins. Though some may be surprised that the TWolves have bolted to a 3-0 SU start, as one of four undefeated teams, this bureau is not one that is shocked. Quality victories over OKC by 19 and NY by 9 were for real. Key is the return to health of core components PG Rubio, Love, and Pecovic. Throw in the addition of Jarrett Jack, , a savvy performer at crunch time, and you have a winning recipe. Play the better team as underdog and hope the Big Apple hangover from last night does not bite another traveler following a performance at MSQ.
Mid-Major Matt
Celtics vs Grizzlies
Pick: Under
The Celtics hope to get their first win of the season on Monday in Memphis against the Grizzlies. They managed only 77 points against the Pistons on Sunday in an 87-77 loss. Without Rajon Rondo this is a team without a lot of offensive options. They got 15 points from Kelly Olynyk on Sunday which led the way. The one thing you can say is that this team plays decent defense. They gave up 105 to the Bucks on 11/1, but only 93 points on opening night. Memphis has had it's defense fail this season giving up over 100 points in each of their first three contests. The Grizzlies are better then this and should be able to clamp down on the weak Celtics. Offensively, this is a team that has struggled to score at times. The Celts have gone under in nine of their last 16 against the Southwest division. This one should be a low scoring affair.