Sean MurphyFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Arizona vs. San FranciscoFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: UnderFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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What to expect: The 49ers defense will relish the opportunity to finally take a step down in class after going up against the Patriots and Seahawks in the last two weeks, on the road no less. The Cardinals are simply playing out the string right now. Even last week in their home finale, they managed to score only six points on offense (the other seven came by way of a blocked punt for a touchdown) against the Bears.
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They'll be hard-pressed to reach double-figures again this week. I don't expect to see the 49ers offense explode off that poor showing in Seattle last week. Much like they did in Arizona back in late October, I look for them to manage this game cleanly, and ultimately finish up in the high-20s. Save for that 41-point outburst against the Patriots, it's not as if the Niners have really been lighting it up offensively over the last month or so. This has all the makings of a 'win and move on' type of game for Jim Harbaugh's squad, and I look for it to play out accordingly. The Cardinals simply won't put up enough of a fight to help this one over the low total.
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Final verdict: San Francisco 27 Arizona 7
Marc LawrenceFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Chicago vs. DetroitFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: DetroitFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Rather than a good luck offering, the Bears could use a get-well-soon card. Behind an offensive line hanging by threads, wobbly RB Matt Forte looks to start in this all important, must-win game for the Bears, who must defeat Detroit and then hope Green Bay downs Minnesota later in the day in order to slip into the playoffs. The defense remains in shambles with star LB Brian Urlacher, S Chris Conte and DL Henry Melton all MIA and hoping to don the pads this week. Ironically, the Bears were most healthy when they met the Lions on a Monday night in mid-October. Rookie WR Alshon Jeffery was their only starter who was out because of an injury in a game won by the Bears, 13-7. Meanwhile, the Lions are easily the biggest enigma in the league, 4-11 on the scoreboard in spite of being +65 net YPG on the season. It’s turnovers that have done them in (-12 net on the season). Detroit’s 9-3 ATS home dog log when seeking revenge in ‘4th quarter games’ (Games Thirteen thru Sixteen) grabs our attention. Lovie Smith’s penchant for lumping up in games against opponents off back-to-back losses cements it (3-17-1 ATS versus those foes seeking revenge). After sleeping for the last two months in the mighty jungle, the Lion wakes today.
Bruce MarshallFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Baltimore vs. CincinnatiFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: UnderFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Weather conditions are expected to be almost arctic-like at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday, making it unlikely we'll see much in the form of offensive pyrotechnics from either the visiting Ravens or host Bengals. Remember that Baltimore QB Joe Flacco has struggled all season on the road, where the Ravens have posted 14 ppg fewer than when home at M&T Bank Stadium. Which is hardly good news against Mike Zimmer's voracious Cincy defense that has allowed more than 13 points just once in its last seven games! The Bengals, "under" 6-1 in their last seven outings, are likely to be involved in another low-scoring game on Sunday vs. Baltimore.
Jimmy BoydFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Cincinnati Bengals -2½FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Cincinnati has really turned things around this season, going 6-1 over their last seven games, including a big win last week over the Pittsburgh Steelers that locked up the sixth seed in the AFC. The team's only loss during that stretch was to the Dallas Cowboys and came on a last second field goal to lose by a single point.
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Baltimore on the other hand is headed the opposite direction. Sure they beat the NY Giants last week but in the three weeks prior were a home loss to Pittsburgh without Big Ben, at Washington, and a 17 point defeat at home to the Denver Broncos.
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The only thing I don't love about this game is that it doesn't mean anything to Cincinnati. Sure, if they win they can claim a share of the division title, and that might mean something to a team with such a poor history, but they can't move up to the five seed. Without knowing their motivation and if they will rest their starters for the playoffs, I'm only going to play this one for action.
Chip ChirimbesFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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NY Giants -7FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Well, if the Giants don't make it to the post season they only have themselves to blame as they held a 6-2 record at the mid-point of the season but faltered winning only two of their next seven. Now, New York need a win and plenty of help from the rest of the league to qualify. The headaches won't get any better for the Eagles Andy Reid as Mike Vick gets pummeled once again by a determined Giants squad. Take NEW YORK!
Timothy BlackFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Carolina Panthers +5½FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Not only are the Panthers 7-2 ATS in their last 9 meetings with the Saints, they are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games played at New Orleans! The Panthers are also 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games this season and haven't been beaten by more than 6 points on the road all year. In fact, with a 3-4 SU record, Carolina has actually outscored opponents on the road by nearly 4 ppg on the year.
Jeff AlexanderFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Tennessee Titans -4FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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While the Jags can feel good about a solid performance against New England last time out, the Titans have a sour taste in their mouth following last week's embarrassing 55-7 loss in Green Bay. As if that defeat isn't enough motivation, Tennessee will also be fueled by last month's loss to the Jags. The Titans won last season's home meeting by 6 points and have won 3 of their last 4 at home in the series with the 3 wins coming by an average of 10.0 points. Take the Titans.
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NY Giants -7FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Giants are hanging on to slim playoff hopes, but I would expect them to go after this one with all they've got regardless. They have lost two straight and eight of nine to the Eagles, and they'll be hungry for a little revenge against their NFC East rivals. While it's been a disappointing season for the reigning Super Bowl champs, it's been an even more disappointing campaign for the Eagles, who have lost 10 of their last 11 games and are 3-11-1 ATS on the season. The Eagles are also on a 0-5-1 ATS slide in their last six games versus teams that have a winning record. The Giants have rattled off back-to-back winning seasons, and they don't want to see that streak come to an end, especially against a team that has given them fits. Expect New York to play with pride and get the job done at home against the struggling Eagles.
Brad DiamondFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Baltimore vs. CincinnatiFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Play: Under 41F FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Ravens enter the battle with a 10-5 SU record, while the Bengals fresh off their upset of Pittsburgh land at 9-6 SU. Against the spread Cincinnati brings a higher margin of financial success with an 8-6-1 ATS mark. They have covered 6 of 7 after their Steelers money earner. Winning (33-14 NYG) last week the Ravens brought home another AFC North title. They have ravaged opponents for 381 points this season and look to surpass their all time record performance. However, the Bengals are jelling late in the season and own a 5-2 SU mark at home in this series. In week #1 Baltimore crushed Cincy 44-13, so REVENGE is a viable antidote. The defense has been the keynote session for the Bengals restricting the opposition to just 12.1 points per game over the last 7 weeks. So, I believe the Ravens offensive keys won’t be there this week as in their route of the Giants. We look for a low scoring game in a classic Eastern battle on the last weekend of the season.
Joseph D'AmicoFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota VikingsFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Play: Green Bay PackersFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Green Bay can earn a first round bye with a win here. The Packers defeated the Vikings in 5 straight meetings, including a 23-14 victory on December 2nd. Aaron Rodgers has padded his career numbers vs. Minnesota. This season, the QB has 3930 YP, a 67% CR, and a 35/8 TD/INT ratio. The offense has established a good ground game and will see the return of WR, Nelson. With Christian Ponder tossing 12 INTs, the name of the game is "Give the ball to Peterson." The RB has a chance at 2000 yards but won't beat Dickerson's season record. Remember, Clay Matthews sat out in the first meeting but will be wreaking havoc in this one. The Vikings are good vs. the run but atrocious against the pass. And now must face one of this generations best passers in Rodgers. The Packers are 4-1 ATS their L5 games played vs. the Vikings, 20-8 ATS their L28 games played in December, 4-1 ATS their L5 games played on the road, and 23-8 ATS their L31 games played vs. the NFC North. Take Green Bay.
Rob VincilettiFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis ColtsFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Play: Indianapolis ColtsFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Colts fit a nice system here that plays on winning home dogs in the final week of the season. The Colts have won 10 straight here vs Houston and are 3-1 as a home dog of 3.5 to 7. They have covered 6 of 7 at home this season and take on a Houston team that is just 4-13 ats in dome games and 3-8 in December games. These two met just a few weeks ago in Houston with the Texans winning by 12. Look for a closer game this go around take the home team with the points.
Steve JanusFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Carolina Panthers +6FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Panthers don’t seem to be letting their record keep them from not playing hard down the stretch. Carolina has been out of the playoff picture for several weeks, but enter the final week of the regular season on a three game winning streak. What’s been impressive is that all three wins have come by double-digits, including last Sunday’s 17-6 win over the Raiders.
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Carolina has already proven they can hang with New Orleans, as the Panthers defeated the Saints 35-27 back in Week 2. Cam Newton threw for 253 yards and a touchdown to go along with another 71 yards and a score on the ground. The Panthers as a team put up 463 yards of total offense.
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This team is going to be extremely motivated to continue their late surge by finishing up the year on a four-game winning streak and really build some momentum going into next season. It’s not going to be easy to get a win at New Orleans, but you have to like their chances of keeping it close. In a division matchup between two pretty evenly matched teams, hard to not like the points.
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Carolina is an amazing 10-1 ATS in their last visits to New Orleans and are 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings in this series. New Orleans is just 5-18 ATS off an extremely close road win by 3 points or less since 1992.
Jim Feist
Boston at Sacramento
Pick: Under
Can't really see the Celtics putting forth much effort here on Sunday. They play their third game in four nights on the road and they are in a back-to-back spot having got beat at Golden State last night, 101-83. It was the second horrible loss in a row on the road, having scored just 77 at the Clippers on Friday evening. Add to that the fact that the Celtics are just 5-9 O/U on the road and this one has the makings of a real slow down game. Take the UNDER here on Sunday.
Sean Higgs
St. Louis Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
Play: St. Louis Rams
Wow. Who would have thought that the Seahawks would have dropped 50+ in 2 straight and another 40+ on a tough San Francisco team. But that 49ers beat-down is exactly why we are taking the double digits here. Niners won't lose to Arizona so Seattle won't be wrapping up a division title. This is more about the Rams and their 9-3 ATS dog mark this year. This is about their new HC Jeff Fisher and what it means to have a winning record on the year, and go undefeated in the division. This is the Rams Super Bowl. Double digit division game.
NFL Betting Picks
Denver Broncos -16
The Denver Broncos can clinch an all important first round bye with a win on Sunday or a New England loss. The Patriots are favored by 10 points at home, so the Broncos know they will most likely need a victory on Sunday to grab that bye next weekend. Denver also has the opportunity for home field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win and Houston loss on Sunday so we can expect this team to come out hard against one the leagues worst teams. The Kansas City Chiefs are just 2-13 on the year including 1-6 on the road. They've lost 11 of their last 12 games and they have almost all been ugly losses. The Chiefs are just 5-10 ATS this season. Over their last 11 games the Chiefs have scored 16 or fewer points 10 times and 13 or fewer points 9 times. The Denver Broncos have been quite the opposite going 12-3 on the season and 6-1 at home. Denver has won 10 straight games, and their three losses came at the start of the year against playoff teams in Atlanta, Houston and New England. The Broncos have scored 26 or more points in 9 of their last 10 games and 30+ points in 8 of those games. Denver ranks 4th in the NFL offensively and average 29.5 ppg, while the Chiefs rank 22nd and are scoring a league worst 13.9 ppg. Denver also ranks near the top defensively at #3 and are allowing just 19.1 papg, while the Chiefs rank 17th and are giving up 25.8 papg. Kansas City is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 divisional games. The Broncos are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs a team with a losing record, and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall. Although the Broncos only beat Kansas City by 8 points in their meeting earlier this year, I like Denver to run all over the Chiefs at home. Denver needs the win to secure a bye and give them a shot for home field advantage throughout, so they won't be taking it easy on the Chiefs. I expect a 17+ point win by Peyton Manning and the Broncos on Sunday. Take the Broncos to cover.