Red Dog Sports
South Carolina St vs. Clemson
Play: Under 131
Take a look at under 131 in this game. Last year's score was 64-55 (119 points) and Kenpom predicts this one to be 62-57 (119 points). Scores are up in college basketball due to the fouls they are calling and less charges are called and that is helping the offense but these two are weak on offense and strong on defense.
Doug Upstone
Arizona Cardinals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Play: Arizona Cardinals -8
On Sunday, Play On Favorites of 3.5 to 10 points like Arizona after allowing 99 or less rushing yards in two straight games, against opponent after gaining 99 or less rushing yards in three consecutive contests. The logic is the favorite is certain to make their opponent one dimensional and control the tempo of the game. These teams are 24-5 ATS, 82.5 percent since 2004 and win by an average of 14.7 points a game.
Jeff Alexander
Chicago Bears -3
Expect a letdown from Baltimore on the road following last week's emotional overtime win against division rival Cincinnati. The Ravens have struggled away from home where they are 1-4 this season. Outside of Denver, you can certainly make the argument that the Bears are better than the other teams road teams they've faced (Buffalo, Miami, Pittsburgh, Cleveland). McCown is going good for the Bears, as evidenced by his 103.2 passer rating. Plus, Chicago is a respectable 3-2 at home with its two losses coming to good teams (New Orleans & Detroit). Speaking of home, the home side is 4-0 SU and ATS in the all-time series with an average winning margin of 15.0 points. Bet Da Bears.
SPORTS WAGERS
Dallas +141 over VANCOUVER
OT included. The Canucks are struggling again. It’s not that they are playing poorly or not putting forth an all-out effort, it’s that they are not scoring goals and continue to labor on the power-play. Vancouver has dropped three straight and four of its last five games. The Canucks have been outscored 10-3 over their last three games, all against upper-tier teams in Los Angeles, San Jose and Anaheim. The Canucks have beaten up on team from the East (7-3-1) but against the much-tougher West they are under .500 and the blueprint to defeat them is on full display. John Tortorella is forced to use and rely on his top line far too much. Three of the NHL’s top five forwards in per-game ice time continue to be Canucks (Ryan Kesler and the Sedins). Shut down that trio and the Canucks will always be fighting it. Lindy Ruff knows a thing or two about preparing for the opposition.
Dallas continues to improve with each passing week. They have won five of their last six games with only loss over that span occurring against Chicago. The Stars have also won five straight on the road and have outscored their past two opponents by a combined 10-3 count. Dallas is a well-balanced squad with elite forwards, outstanding puck-moving defensemen and now Kari Lehtonen is quickly becoming one of the game’s best. As a pup in this price range, Dallas offers up all the value here.
SPORTS WAGERS
Portland +102 over TORONTO
The Raptors have four wins in 10 games. They have defeated Boston, Milwaukee, Utah and a struggling Grizzlies squad. What those four have in common is that they are all under .500 and combined, that quartet has 15 wins in 30 games. When Toronto played strong defenses like Chicago, Indiana and Miami, they lost by them all by 16, 7 and 11 points, respectively. Defensively, the Raps allow far too many easy baskets and open looks and now they’re being asked to keep pace with one of the best teams in the Association.
Only three players are averaging 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game right now: LeBron James, Kevin Love and Damian Lillard. Lillard is also leading his team in three-pointers and free throws made. The best part of Lilliard’s game is that he can’t stand to lose. This isn’t a one-man show either. This is a true team with multiple weapons that can hurt you at any given time. One night it may be Mo Williams. The next night it could be Thomas Robinson or Robin Lopez’s great defense. If any of those are having an off night, Wesley Matthews or LaMarcus Aldridge will not be. Nicolas Batun can come off the bench and score 20. The Blazers are deep, they’ve won five straight, they have a 10-point win over San Antonio among others and they appear to be extremely focused in every game they play. The Raptors are a poor 4th quarter team and if it’s close or the Blazers have the lead in that money quarter, you can take this one to the bank. Portland may also blow this team out.
Pass CBB
Wunderdog
Indiana State at Notre Dame
Pick: Notre Dame -11
Notre Dame (2-0) is off to a great start, and coach Mike Brey has spoken about the mental preparation and focus his team has had. They have come out of the gate in mid-season form, off an 80-49 rout of Stetson. This team shoots 53% from the field with outstanding depth. That depth will be a big plus against an Indiana State squad (1-1) that ran out of gas the last game, a 96-95 setback on Thursday night at Belmont. Indiana State saw its 49-33 halftime advantage erased as the Sycamores were outscored 63-46 in the second half. The Sycamores are on a 2-10 ATS run and 2-6 ATS in their last eight road games. The Sycamores are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games vs. a team with a winning record, so grab the Irish. Play Notre Dame!
Bob Balfe
New York Jets -2
As the season gets into the cooler weather it is teams like the Jets who can shock teams and make deep playoff runs. This team is excellent at stopping the run and the wind will slow down the opposing teams passing game. Buffalo has been hit hard with injury at the QB spot and just are not in sync as a unit. Take the Jets.
Chris Jordan
My free winner for Sunday night is on the Over in the Jets/Bills game in Orchard Park, as I think we're in store for some fireworks with the AFC East rivals.
Remember last season when everyone was hyped up about rookie quarterbacks Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson, and if any of them might meet? Well, today's déjà vu from last season's magical year of rookie signal-callers.
Buffalo's EJ Manuel and the Jets' Geno Smith are set for Round 2 of their AFC East showdown, in what is another battle of the first two quarterbacks selected in this past summer's draft.
Smith earned bragging rights in their first meeting, a home win for the Jets, 27-20, back on Sept. 22. Now it's time for the rematch with so much more at stake, and there's no reason to think these two cant get into the 40s.
And since the Bills are in revenge and the Jets are in off a bye, I have to believe we're in store for a high-scoring game.
I know the Bills' offense has scored just two touchdowns in their past two games, and has been limited to five in their past four, but the over is on a 5-2 run when these two get together, as this matchup tends to get explosive.
The Jets are in on over runs of 4-1 in November, 22-10 on the highway, 15-7 in division play and 6-1 overall. Look for the tempo to be upbeat, and this number to easily get into the 40s, as I think one of these two win by a score of something like 24-21.
5♦ Jets/Bills OVER
My second free winner for Sunday is on the Los Angeles Lakers, plus the points at home against the Detroit Pistons. There may not be a better night to play the Lakers at home, as it's like party time and reason to extend the weekend.
Sundays at Staples, it's always a good play, and has cashed in once this season already. Tonight the Lakers will be chomping at the bit for an outright win, and they're in the right spot to do so, against a weary Detroit team.
The Pistons will be playing their fourth-straight road game, after playing Portland, Golden State and Sacramento. Thing is, what bothers me about the Motown boys, is they've been on the road since Tuesday. And while playing their fourth road game in seven days might seem better, with more rest, it's been an elongated trip with the first two games on Tuesday and Wednesday, the third game being played on Friday and now they play tonight.
The Lakers, meanwhile, are in after a home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night, a tough three-point setback. And make note Los Angeles won both of last season’s meetings with the Pistons and has been victorious in eight of the past 11.
Take the home dog.
5♦ L.A. LAKERS
Jeff Benton
Your Sunday freebie is the Washington Redskins plus the points as they pay a visit to their division-rivals the Philadelphia Eagles.
Why the hell not? I know the Redskins are just 3-6 and they are coming off a loss, but they have had a few extra days to prepare for a Philadelphia team that most definitely has lost their way in the City of Brotherly Love.
The Eagles have lost all 4 home games played this season, and 10 in a row straight up dating back to last year, and to top things off they have failed 12 in a row against the spread.
Hard to get behind those kinds of numbers is all I can say, but when you throw in the fact Washington won in Philadelphia last season, and the Redskins have also covered 5 of their last 6 visits up I-95, the percentage play here is to grab the points and back Washington.
3♦ WASHINGTON
Craig Davis
Free play of the day on the Detroit Lions on the road vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers. As I write this, the line in Vegas is sitting between -2 1/2 and -3. Let's be safe and buy the 1/2 point if the line is 3 or 3 1/2.
Obviously, the team with the most to gain and most to lose in this game is the Pittsburgh Steelers. If they have any hope of making the post-season, they simply can't afford to lose this game.
After starting the season 0-4, Pittsburgh has somehow been able to get back in the race in the suddenly-competitive AFC North. Granted, the Steelers are still on the outside looking in, but at least they're not dead yet.
Having said that, I think after today's loss, it's going to be grim.
Both teams have talent on both sides of the ball: talented receivers, solid run game, live-arm QBs... where this game will be won and lost is in the trenches. And the Lions have the clear advantage on both fronts.
Detroit proved to me last week that they are now capable of pounding the rock and eating clock when they need a long, time-consuming drive vs. Chicago. I truly believe they'll be able to do it against Pittsburgh too.
And in the end, Detroit has Calvin Johnson and the Steelers don't have anyone that can stop him.
Should be close for a while, but in the end the Lions are just the better team.
3♦ DETROIT
Scott Delaney
My free winner is on the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints staying under the posted number, as I think the posted number is a bit high and we won't see this potential NFC Championship matchup stay in the 40s, and nowhere near the 50s.
The beautiful thing about the New Orleans Saints is how they can play on either side of the ball, and play to any tempo their opposition is applying toward the pace of the game. Of course, Saints coach Sean Payton isn't one to allow a team come into his house and push his team around with how it wants to play football.
Then again, this isn't just any ordinary visitor.
The 49ers are the defending NFC champs and are in after a disappointing loss to the Carolina Panthers. And they have to know the only way they're going to win this game is to slow the Saints down - not try to get into a shootout with them.
San Francisco has built its reputation over the years as being a staunch defensive unit, and this year the Saints have rebuilt their stop unit into a force under defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who is in his first year.
Check the numbers:
The Niners rank sixth in total defense; the Saints rank seventh.
The Niners are fourth in scoring defense (17.2 points per game); the Saints rank fifth (18.1).
New Orleans is third in yards passing allowed per game (199.9); San Francisco ranks ninth (211.7).
The 49ers come in ranking 12th against the run (105.1 yards per game); it's the only category the Saints have struggled, as they rank 23rd (117.7).
That last one works in the favor of playing it under, cause it'll help the Niners grind things out, and play keep-away from the always dangerous Saints. By controlling the clock, the 49ers can try to keep New Orleans off the field.
Look for a physical game, and these two to exude plenty of defensive prowess. It stays low.
4♦ 49ers/Saints UNDER
Brad Wilton
Looking at a total here as your comp play this Sunday, as I have a feeling the roaring Lions offense is going to be slowed just enough for them to combine with the Steelers for an Under at Heinz Field this afternoon.
Detroit held Under the total last weekend at Chicago, as 2 of their last 3 played away from the comfy indoors of Ford Field have stayed Under the total. Now the Lions must head outdoors once again this weekend, and do so at Heinz Field which has really become the "Field of Unders" in recent games played next to the three rivers.
With last Sunday's 23-10 final at home versus Buffalo, the Steelers have now played 13 of their last 15 games at home Under the total.
This total seems a tad high if you ask me, and with an 86% under rate at Heinz Field the past 2-plus seasons, I say play the Under in the Lions-Steelers meeting.
4♦ DETROIT-PITTSBURGH UNDER
Brett Atkins
My free winner for Sunday in the NFL is on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the Atlanta Falcons, as I think we're going to continue to see the demise of the Dirty Birds.
Last year the Falcons weren't too far away from advancing to the Super Bowl, as they were hosting the NFC Championship game, and rather than proving everyone - that they really aren't postseason chokers - it's exactly who they turned out to be, squandering an early 17-0 lead, and losing 28-24.
The Falcons (2-7), some thought, would turn the corner this season. Those few believers were wrong, and along with the dismal Buccaneers, the teams have three wins between them.
The Bucs (1-8) began their campaign with eight straight losses before becoming the last team in the NFL to get off the schneid, winning last Monday night over the embattled Miami Dolphins.
The momentum will continue for the Bucs today, as I think the troubled and banged-up Falcons are in bad shape mentally and won't be able to answer the call on the road.
Wide receiver Julio Jones is out for the season, and fellow-wideout Roddy White and running back Steven Jackson have been hobbled for much of the schedule, so with everything placed on quarterback Matt Ryan's shoulders, it's been tough to move the offense. To Ryan's credit, the team still has the sixth-best passing game. But, the rushing game ranks last.
And since the Bucs set a franchise record by limiting the Dolphins to 2 yards rushing this past Monday, and the Falcons averaged a measly 1-yard per carry against Tampa Bay last month - finishing with 18 yards on 18 attempts - I don't know if Ryan can step up a second-straight time in this series.
Atlanta hasn't won since beating the Tampa Bay four weeks ago, and have been outscored 94-33 during their slide. The Falcons have lost each game by a minimum of two touchdowns, and I today could be rock bottom.
Take the home team.
2♦ TAMPA BAY
Sean Michaels
I like Chicago at home against Baltimore today. With the Bears laying -3, I would encourage you to buy down the half-point on Chicago if the number you get falls between -3 and -4 1/2.
The Bears couldn't follow-up their win at Green Bay when they took on the Lions last Sunday. Part of the reason was the poor play of Jay Cutler, who clearly wasn't healthy. With Cutler out, however, today, I'm back on Chicago because I like the way Josh McCown (60 percent completions, 4 TDs, no interceptions) has quarterbacked the team off the bench this season.
Baltimore is suffering the typical post-Super Bowl blues. A team that wasn't that good defensively last year continues to be so-so this season. And a team that won the title because of a high-scoring offense that caught fire late last year, is nowhere near as potent this season.
Joe Flacco has 12 TDs versus 11 INTs. The offensive line isn't giving him good enough protection (30 sacks allowed). Ray Rice isn't giving him much ground support (2.7 ypc).
The Ravens were fortunate to beat the Bengals in OT last Sunday at home. Their luck runs out tonight in Chicago.
2♦ CHICAGO
John Fina
Washington Redskins +4.5
This will be the second time this season, that these teams meet. In week one (first meeting), QB Mike Vick and the Eagles blasted the Redskins defense with Chip Kelly's new offense. This is a great spot for the Redskins to get well deserved revenge. This time around, the Redskins (and the league) know how to beat Chip Kelly's offense. Plus, this time the Eagles are without QB Mike Vick leading the way. Yes, we know QB Nick Foles has put together two decent starts, however, this came against the Raiders and a injured Packers team. Before those two starts, QB Nick Foles looked awful, losing to the Cowboys by a score of 17-3. Let's not forget that unlike the first time these teams played each other (week 1), the Redskins have a much healthier RG III. Once again, there are many people who like the Eagles in this spot because they are at home. Anyone who makes that statement, is not speaking with any facts. As we have stated many times this season, the Philadelphia Eagles have ZERO home field advantage. In fact, the Philadelphia Eagles home field works against them. This is clearly shown by the Philadelphia Eagles being 0-4 SU and 0-4 ATS at home this season. In addition, the Philadelphia Eagles are 5-15 SU and 3-16 ATS at home over the last three (3) seasons. A team this bad at home, should not be favorite by this many points. Take the Washington Redskins +4.5!