Harry BondiFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
BALL ST (-7) over Arkansas StFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
You've got to worry about the mindset of Arkansas State in this game. Not sure how pumped up this team will be for this game as its their third-straight trip to this bowl. They are also dealing with the loss of their head coach for a third-straight year as head coach Bryan Harsin bolted for the job at Boise State, meaning assistant John Thompson will step in and call the shots for tonight's game. Ball State, meanwhile, is excited to be in a bowl game and the talk all week has been about how they want to make up for last year's disappointing, 21-point loss in a bowl game. The Cardinals are a money-making 24-13 against the spread the last three years and they cashed tickets both times they were tabbed as favorites this season. With the line now a much-more reasonable seven points, down from an opener of nine, let's lay the points with the more motivated team with the better defense.
Chris Jordan
My free play for Sunday is on the UCLA Bruins laying the points at home against their arch rivals, the Southern Cal Trojans.
With the Bruins opening Pac 12 play with such a big game, at Pauley Pavilion, I have to admit, this looks like trouble for the Trojans. UCLA has been impressive in opening its season with 11 wins in its first 13 games for the first time since a 14-2 start during the 2008-09 season. UCLA is scoring points in droves, and came into this past week's action ranked 14th in the nation in scoring (85.5 ppg), second in field goal percentage (52.2) and fifth in assists per game (18.4).
UCLA has won five of the last six meetings against USC, with the lone loss coming last season here at Pauley, so this automatically becomes a huge revenge game.
Kyle Anderson is going to have a monster game, mark my words, as he continues his impressive campaign for the Bruins by averaging 14.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg and 6.7 apg.
Lay the home chalk in this one.
2♦ UCLA
Jeff Benton
Sunday freebie is the Bengals over the Chargers.
The biggest chalk of this Wild Card weekend happens to be a team that has exited in this round the past 2 seasons, and that is the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have been bumped wild card weekend the past 2 years in Houston against the Texans.
This year the Bengals get to play their playoff game at home in the jungle where they went a perfect 8-0 both straight up and against the spread this season! That is the reason Cincy happens to be the biggest chalk this weekend, and it also helps they are playing a team they put down 17-10 when they met 5 weeks ago on the west coast.
Yes, San Diego does enter with 4 wins in a row, including a must-win over the Chiefs last week that punched their playoff ticket. That win over KC was less than impressive when you consider the Chiefs started Chase Daniel their backup QB, and that the Chiefs also missed a 41 yard field goal at the end of regulation that would have won the contest and sent the Bolts home for the winter.
Not that I am enamored with the "Red Rifle" Andy Dalton, but his cast of weapons - AJ Green, Giovanni Bernard included - playing on their home field against a San Diego defense that allowed well over 4 yards per carry on the ground this year spells trouble for the visitors.
After a perfect 8-0 home campaign during the regular season, look for Cincy to extend things to 9-0 with the playoff home win and cover today against Diego.
1♦ CINCINNATI
Craig Davis
Today's free play is on the NY Knicks plus the points over the Dallas Mavericks in Sunday evening action.
Do I even have to explain why? If you've been following me for a while, you know I love to go against the Mavericks at home when they are laying a big number.
And while 6 1/2 isn't necessarily a big number, it's too many for the Mavs... who have suddenly lost three of four at home after winning their first eight there. I think reality is starting to set in... that this team is old and simply not very good --- and will miss the playoffs for the second straight season.
On the other side, the Knicks appeared to be one of the worst teams in the NBA for quite some time, but recently they've opened my eyes with a couple of very impressive performances.
And it comes after playing some of their worst basketball of the year. The Knicks did what no one thought they could do... win at San Antonio. 105-101 was the final, but the game really wasn't even that close.
They followed that up with a 102-100 loss at Houston, but they gave that one away when JR Smith inexcusably jacked up a three-pointer despite the fact the Knicks were sitting on the final shot. Smith admitted he had a brain fart... thinking they were trailing by 2 instead of being tied.
But above all, the Knicks were obviously playing better basketball in their last two games and I believe it's a sign of things to come. They're simply too good not to be playing better.
Take the Knicks as your free play of the day.
2♦ NEW YORK
Scott Delaney
My free play is on the Los Angeles Lakers catching points at home against the Denver Nuggets.
Both teams come in after ending lengthy losing streaks, and with the Lakers being at home for this one, I like their chances at stealing this one. While Los Angeles' futility this season is well understood - aging and injuries haven't helped - the Nuggets' problems run deeper.
Denver off-court issues surrounding personality conflicts between coach Brian Shaw and his players peaked last week with veteran point guard Andre Miller. I'm not sold everything is okay with this team right now, and since Denver has lost 26 of its last 31 regular-season road games against the Lakers, I think the Nuggets will struggle here.
The Nuggets arrive in Los Angeles on ATS slides of 2-10 against the Pacific Division, 0-7 versus intraconference teams and 1-8 overall. Take the home underdog here.
3♦ LOS ANGELES
Brad Wilton
We have lost a little line value with the Red Wolves, but no way I am backing Ball State as the favorite here in the GoDaddy Bowl, as the Cardinals have lost all 6 of the bowl games they have been involved in, and their conference has been the bowl door mat this holiday season, with Buffalo, Ohio, Bowling Green and Northern Illinois ALL losing their earlier bowl games this year.
Arkansas State is trying to win their 3rd straight GoDaddy Bowl, and they are trying to do so with their 3rd straight interim head coach, as John Thompson the defensive coordinator will look to win for the 2nd straight season after his Red Wolves dumped Kent State in last year's game in Mobile.
The Red Wolves closed the year with wins and covers in each of their last 3 games installed as the underdog - winning at Western Kentucky, UL Monroe, and South Alabama - making the points the play this Sunday night against a Ball State team that will be happy enough to get off the 6 game bowl losing streak slide they are on.
Close on tonight, as Ball State prevails, but Arkansas State is there until the bitter end.
3♦ ARKANSAS STATE
Sean Michaels
Delivered a comp winner on Michigan State in a Big Ten blowout of Indiana in Bloomington yesterday. I'm staying in the conference for Sunday's play as I'm going with 22-ranked Iowa (+6') as the road dog against No. 4 Wisconsin.
The last four meetings have been decided by a total of 16 points with one of them decided in overtime. Considering Iowa is on a 7-3 ATS roll as a road dog, getting this generous number with the 12-2 Hawkeyes - whose only losses have come against nationally ranked Villanova and Iowa State, two teams who have a combined record of 25-1 this season - seems like the way to go.
Wisconsin, of course, is undefeated at 14-0 and coming off a conference-opening 76-49 road blowout of Northwestern, but this should be another down to the wire contest considering Iowa is outstanding on the boards (+10.8 rpg) and can go 10 deep with a rotation that's producing a Big Ten-leading 87.1 points a game.
2♦ IOWA
NellyFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Grizzlies / Pistons OverFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
219 points were scored when these teams met earlier this season albeit with overtime helping the cause. Detroit continues to be one of the best over teams in the NBA, 24-9 on the season including 13-4 in home games. The Grizzlies have been dead even on totals this season at 16-16 as the defense has taken a huge step back with David Joerger replacing Lionel Hollins. This is a taxing scheduling spot for the Grizzlies with a third straight road game after games in Phoenix and Denver Thursday and Friday. Detroit meanwhile has had a long break last playing on Monday and they will be ready to push the tempo in this game. The Pistons have been playing respectable ball for the most part this season but they have now lost five of the last six games with this being a key opportunity to rebound. Detroit has allowed 106 or more points in six of the last seven games as high scoring games have been the norm at the Palace. Both of these teams have allowed over 46 percent shooting this season and both teams are in the bottom eight of the league in defensive efficiency. That is a huge shift from last season particularly for Memphis and the total numbers have not appropriately adjusted yet. Both teams are above average offensively connecting on over 45 percent of shots and while the Pistons are a poor free throw shooting and 3-point shooting team they make up for its second chance opportunities in the paint with some of the best size and rebounding in the league. Look for Detroit to control the pace in this early game Sunday and a high scoring game is likely.
Brian EdwardsFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
USC +12.5FOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
UCLA and USC's new head coaches Steve Alford and Andy Enfield spent the offseason going to war on the recruiting trail and making quick enemies of each other. Both have enjoyed solid seasons going into Sunday's PAC-12 debut for both schools. Southern Cal has an RPI of 67, going 2-3 against RPI Top-100 opponents. The Trojans' largest magin of defeat is 15 in a 94-79 loss to Villanova, which is No. 5 in the RPI Rankings and beat Kansas in the same holiday tournament.USC has quality wins at Dayton and over Xavier (RPI #26) on a neutral court. The Trojans, who are 9-4 straight up and 6-4-1 against the spread, have won five of their last six games. They have gone 4-0-1 ATS during this span with the only outright loss coming by a 72-71 count at Long Beach State. Enfield’s team has won outright in each of its last three games in the underdog role. In fact, the victories over Dayton and Xavier came in double-digit underdog situations. And that’s the same role USC will have at UCLA, which was favored by 12.5 at most books early this morning. In six games against foes with an RPI of 150 or better, UCLA's 89-76 triumph over UC Santa Barbara represents its biggest margin of victory. I made UCLA a 6.5-point home favorite in this spot and was shocked to see the Bruins laying double digits. In a rivalry game like this, I don’t see UCLA getting this type of separation from USC. Southern Cal won outright in overtime over UCLA at Pauley Pavilion last season. I think the Trojans have a chance at an upset again Sunday. I’m all over them as 13-point underdogs.
Jeff Scott SportsFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
3 UNIT PLAYFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
San Francisco/ Green Bay Under 45.5: they say this has the possibility of being the coldest game in the history of the NFL and to me that means that a ground game should really take over this one, which will eat plenty of clock. Also helps to have two of the better rushing teams in the league in this one. The Niners come in ranked 3rd in the league in rushing as they have averaged 137.6 ypg on the ground, while their passing game is pathetic at 30th in the league, averaging 186.2 ypg. They will face a Green Bay team that is 25th in the league vs the run, so you can bet that San Fran will just try an pound the ball away at this defense. For Green Bay they are 7th in the league in rushing and Im sure they would love to just pound Lacy away at the middle of that San Fran defense, which will take pressure off of Rodgers to make many big play. the Packers do not want him dropping back too much vs this San Fran pass rush and risk him being sacked and landing on the rock hard surface of the "Frozen Tundra" of Lambeau Field. And yes this turf will be like playing on a concrete parking lot. One bad fall by Rodgers could end his season. This really should be all about the ground games in this one and that will just eat clock. these teams met in week one and 62 points were scored in that game. Well that game was played in San Fran, in a temperature (69 degrees) nearly 100 degrees warmer than today's game will be. This game should be played in the low 30's at best.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
1 UNIT PLAYFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
San Diego +7 over CINCINNATI: Fun fact here and that's the fact that the team that has been the Eagles home opening opponent this year has gone on to win the Super Bowl 4 straight years. I don't expect the Bolts to be able to do that this year, but I do think they could keep this game close and maybe even win it. This team has been in playoff mode the last 4 weeks and have stepped up every time. The Bengals are a perfect 8-0 at home this year, but Dalton hasn't preformed well in the post season, while the Bengals have not won a playoff game in 23 years. San Diego is playing with cofidence right and should keep this game within a TD.
James ManosFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Ball St / Arkansas St Over 64FOR SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
This game should see alot of points and I expec this number to rise even more as gametime approaches. Arkansas St. is a capable offensive team and will face a Ball St. defense that allowed 24.8 ppg vs a VERY weak slate of opposing offenses. The Cardinal truly faced just two quality offenses all season long, allowing 24 pts to Toledo and 48 pts to Northern Illinois. Ball St. played in shootouts down the stretch with all 4 of their final games exceeding this point total. These two teams played comparable schedule so my numbers should be accurate and I made the number for this game 68. I feel that Arkansas St. can do enough to stay in this game and that should help push it OVER this total.
Carolina Sports
San Diego State vs. Kansas
Play: San Diego State +9
SDSU is 6-0 ATS in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons. Kansas is 0-6 ATS after playing 2 consecutive games as favorite this season. Our ratings have Kansas -6.5. Take San Diego State today.
Steve JanusFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Denver Nuggets -2½FOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
The Nuggets were able to snap their 8-game losing streak with a 111-108 home win over the Grizzlies on Friday. The Lakers on the other hand cruised past Utah at home 110-99 to snap their 6-game losing streak. Denver is clearly in better shape than the injury-depleted Lakers and I look for them to come away with an easy win tonight. Beating the Jazz at home is nothing to get excited about. All that does is cover up to ugly home losses to the 76ers (104-111) and Bucks (79-94). The Nuggets won 111-99 as a 9.5-point home favorite back in early Nov. You can see the value with Denver now listed as a 2.5-point road favorite against a Lakers team that is worse off than the one they beat a couple months back.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
The Lakers are miserable 17-32 ATS in their last 49 following a game where they covered the spread, 7-21 ATS in their last 28 after playing two consecutive games as a home favorite and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 after scoring 100+ points in their last game.
Jeff Alexander
Oregon +4½
Oregon is showing value catching 4.5 points given the level of motivation it will have to snap a 3-game slide in the series. Oregon is 20-9 ATS when catching points the last 3 seasons, and teams headed up by coach Altman are 25-12 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points since 1997. The Ducks are also 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 road games and 9-1-2 ATS in their last 12 games versus a team with a winning record.
Rickie RobbinsFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
INSTEAD OF LEACHING OFF OTHERS WORK GO GET IT YOURSELF VIKESFAG
49ers vs. PackersFORFREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Play: Over 45FOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
INSTEAD OF LEACHING OFF OTHERS WORK GO GET IT YOURSELF VIKESFAG
The Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers face off on Sunday in a NFC Wildcard Playoff game at Lambeau Field.
INSTEAD OF LEACHING OFF OTHERS WORK GO GET IT YOURSELF VIKESFAG
The Green Bay Packers didn’t cement their spot in the playoffs until the final seconds of their final game of the season but regardless of what happened all year they are in. The Packers battled through injuries and pulled off miracle wins at Dallas and Chicago as well as edging out the Falcons at home to win the NFC North. Aaron Rodgers was injured for the bulk of the season but he returned in week 17 and appeared to be his old self pulling off the heroics which will go down in Packer lore. Eddie Lacy became the packers starting running back rushing for 1,178 yards and giving Green Bay a rushing attack they haven’t had in several years. Jordy Nelson had 85 receptions for 1,314 yards to lead the Packers while James Jones had 59 receptions, Jarrett Boykin had 49 catches but it was Randall Cobb who missed most of the season who made the big catch and touchdown last week. The Packers offense averaged 26.1 points and 400.2 yards per game playing a lot of the season without Rodgers. Defensively A.J. Hawk had 118 tackles and 5.0 sacks, Morgan Burnett had 96 tackles, and Sam Shields had four interceptions. The Packers defense allows 26.8 points and 372.2 yards per game. It will be interesting to see if Green Bay can carry over last week’s momentum or are they just not healthy enough to go far in the playoffs.
INSTEAD OF LEACHING OFF OTHERS WORK GO GET IT YOURSELF VIKESFAG
The San Francisco 49ers got off to a slow start to the season but they came on strong in the second half of the year and were one of the better teams in the NFL. The 49ers were depleted at receiver but once they got healthier the offense got better. Colin Kaepernick completed 58.4 percent of his passes with 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions and he rushed for 524 yards. Frank Gore was a force in the backfield as he is simply tough to bring down rushing for 1,128 yards while Kendall Hunter was effective in relief rushing for 4.6 yards per carry. Anquan Boldin had a huge first year in San Francisco with 85 receptions, Vernon Davis had 52 catches, and the return of Michael Crabtree has made the Niners passing game much more effective. The 49ers offense averaged 25.4 points and 323.8 yards per game ranking 30th in passing with just 186.2 yards per game. NaVorro Bowman had 145 tackles and 5.0 sacks, Patrick Willis had 104 tackles, Tremaine Brock had five interceptions, and Aldon Smith had 8.5 sacks despite missing several weeks with off of the field issues. The San Francisco defense allowed a third best in the NFL 17 points and a fifth best 316.9 yards per game and they had a plus 12 turnover ratio. The 49ers lost last year in the Super Bowl and expect them to be a team on a mission.
INSTEAD OF LEACHING OFF OTHERS WORK GO GET IT YOURSELF VIKESFAG
These two teams met in week one of the regular season with San Francisco winning 34-28 scoring the last 10 points of the game. Kaepernick threw for 404 yards against the Pack but the 49ers were stymied by 11 penalties to only five by the Packers. The 49ers also only converted on 60 percent of their red zone opportunities in that game while Green Bay converted 100 percent of theirs.
INSTEAD OF LEACHING OFF OTHERS WORK GO GET IT YOURSELF VIKESFAG
Green Bay is 5-2 against the spread in their last seven playoff games, 17-7 against the spread against a team with a winning record, and 0-5 against the spread in their last five home games. San Francisco is 7-0 against the spread in their last seven road games, 10-4 against the spread against the AFC, and 7-3 against the spread following a win. The home team is 3-1-1 against the spread in the last five meetings of these two.