DUNKEL
San Francisco at Minnesota
The 49ers look to take advantage of a Minnesota team that is 3-10 ATS in its last 13 games following a SU win. San Francisco is the pick (+7) according to Dunkel, which has the Vikings favored by only 4 1/2. Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+7)
Game 401-402: Tennessee at NY Jets
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee 134.335; NY Jets 138.585
Dunkel Line: NY Jets by 4; 40 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Jets by 1 1/2; 37
Dunkel Pick: NY Jets (-1 1/2); Over
Game 403-404: Jacksonville at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville 127.016; Houston 132.555
Dunkel Line: Houston by 5 1/2; 44
Vegas Line: Houston by 3 1/2; 47
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-3 1/2); Under
Game 405-406: Kansas City at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City 126.960; Philadelphia 133.882
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 7; 40
Vegas Line: Philadelphia by 9 1/2; 42
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+9 1/2); Under
Game 407-408: Cleveland at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 127.898; Baltimore 139.891
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 12; 36
Vegas Line: Baltimore by 14; 38 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+14); Under
Game 409-410: NY Giants at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: NY Giants 137.927; Tampa Bay 128.311
Dunkel Line: NY Giants by 9 1/2; 41
Vegas Line: NY Giants by 6 1/2; 44
Dunkel Pick: NY Giants (-6 1/2); Under
Game 411-412: Washington at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 130.956; Detroit 122.412
Dunkel Line: Washington by 8 1/2; 42
Vegas Line: Washington by 6; 38 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-6); Over
Game 413-414: Green Bay at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Green Bay 135.140; St. Louis 119.875
Dunkel Line: Green Bay by 15 1/2; 38
Vegas Line: Green Bay by 6 1/2; 41
Dunkel Pick: Green Bay (-6 1/2); Under
Game 415-416: San Francisco at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco 132.389; Minnesota 136.854
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 4 1/2; 44
Vegas Line: Minnesota by 7; 40
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+7); Over
Game 417-418: Atlanta at New England
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 131.808; New England 139.277
Dunkel Line: New England by 7 1/2; 50
Vegas Line: New England by 4; 46
Dunkel Pick: New England (-4); Over
Game 419-420: Chicago at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 134.334; Seattle 127.784
Dunkel Line: Chicago by 6 1/2; 34
Vegas Line: Chicago by 1; 37
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-1); Under
Game 421-422: New Orleans at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 143.556; Buffalo 131.117
Dunkel Line: New Orleans by 12 1/2; 56
Vegas Line: New Orleans by 6; 52
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (-6); Over
Game 423-424: Miami at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 128.606; San Diego 138.222
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 9 1/2; 46
Vegas Line: San Diego by 5 1/2; 44
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-5 1/2); Over
Game 425-426: Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 138.129; Cincinnati 131.147
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 7; 40
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh by 3 1/2; 37 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-3 1/2); Over
Game 437-428: Denver at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 129.656; Oakland 126.001
Dunkel Line: Denver by 3 1/2; 33
Vegas Line: Denver by 1; 35 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-1); Under
Game 429-430: Indianapolis at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Indianapolis 135.188; Arizona 137.143
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 2; 50 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona by 2 1/2; 48
Dunkel Pick: Indianapolis (+2 1/2); Over
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Game 431-432: Carolina at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 135.150; Dallas 139.050
Dunkel Line: Dallas by 4; 45
Vegas Line: Dallas by 9 1/2; 47
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+9 1/2); Under
MLB
San Diego at Arizona
The Padres look to bounce back from yesterday's defeat and build on their 9-1 record in their last 10 games following a loss.San Diego is the pick (+120) according to Dunkel, which has the Padres favored by 1/2 a run.Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+120)
Game 951-952: NY Mets at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Misch) 14.814; Florida (Johnson) 13.965
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Florida (-260); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+235); Under
Game 953-954: Atlanta at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Lowe) 16.422; Washington (Hernandez) 13.526
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 3; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-200); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-200); Over
Game 955-956: LA Dodgers at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 15.511; Pittsburgh (McCutchen) 13.503
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 2; 8
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-205); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-205); Under
Game 957-958: Philadelphia at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Blanton) 15.231; Milwaukee (Bush) 15.732
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-135); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+125); Over
Game 959-960: Cincinnati at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Cueto) 14.703; Houston (Rodriguez) 15.177
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Houston (-150); 8
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-150); Under
Game 961-962: St. Louis at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Lohse) 15.215; Colorado (De La Rosa) 14.695
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 963-964: Chicago Cubs at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Wells) 15.567; San Francisco (Cain) 15.690
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-145); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-145); Over
Game 965-966: San Diego at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Mujica) 15.341; Arizona (Buckner) 14.600
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-130); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+120); Over
Game 967-968: Seattle at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Rowland-Smith) 15.946; Toronto (Tallet) 14.824
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Seattle (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-120); Under
Game 969-970: Baltimore at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Tillman) 13.102; Cleveland (Huff) 13.700
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-140); Over
Game 971-972: Boston at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Byrd) 16.296; NY Yankees (Pettitte) 16.991
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-185); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-185); Over
Game 973-974: Detroit at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Jackson) 14.794; White Sox (Hudson) 15.206
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+140); Under
Game 975-976: Minnesota at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Liriano) 15.044; Kansas City (Greinke) 15.681
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-175); 8
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-175); Under
Game 977-978: Tampa Bay at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Price) 14.693; Texas (McCarthy) 15.786
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+110); Over
Game 979-980: Oakland at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Gonzalez) 17.149; LA Angels (Saunders) 15.035
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 2; 10
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-225); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+205); Over
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Chicago Bears -2.5
Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck suffered a broken rib last week. He did not practice all week and is extremely unlikely to play according to coach Jim Mora. Even if he does go, it's not going to be the All-Pro version of Hasselbeck. Seneca Wallace will be his replacement if he can't go. He's a solid backup but the Seahawks are just 5-7 when he starts and he will face a Bears defense that has looked very strong early on. Look for Jay Cutler and the Bears to build off of a big win over the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers here. The Seahawks are just 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a home underdog of 3.0 points or less. Lay the number.
Brian Steinberg
DETROIT +6½ over Washington
No, this has nothing to do with the “due to win” angle. Yes, the Lions have dropped 19 in a row but they’re not far off from that illusive win and this could certainly be the week they get it. They’ll be no Drew Brees to contend with and there will be no Adrian Peterson either. After facing the Saints passing game and the Vikes running game, this one should appear in slow motion for the Lions. Instead the Leo’s will have to contend with a Skins offense that scored nine points at home last week against the woeful Rams. Washington has averaged a measly 12 points a game over its last 10 outings and what we have here is a case of “Dead Offensive Coordinator Walking”. Remember, the Lions jumped ahead of the Vikes last week 10-0 before two turnovers turned the game around. However, the Lions have shown signs of life and despite four picks already, Matthew Stafford looks like he belongs. The Lions offense is dangerous and getting better. This team is starved for a win and hopefully they can smell it here. The Skins are ripe as hell and after watching the Cowboys chew up the Giants last Monday, the Skins 23-17 loss to the G-Men in week one suddenly looks a lot worse. For a team that averages 12 points a match over a significant stretch of games, laying 6½ on the road cannot be recommended. Lions outright. Play: Detroit +6½ (Risking 2.06 units to win 2).
CINCINNATI +1.70 over Pittsburgh
The Bengals lost a heartbreaker in the season’s first game that could have lingered the whole year. Instead they responded as a 9-point dog at Lambeau and beat the Pack outright. That could have been a coming of age moment for this talented team, as they had lost 13 of its last 16 road games prior to last week. The Bengals defense looks solid, Carson Palmer looks terrific, the running game is working and when you put that all together it amounts to a squad that could make some serious noise. Again, last week just might have been a defining moment for them. Meanwhile, the Steelers are suddenly very beatable with an offensive line that is in complete shambles. The D-line is not getting any pressure at all on opposing QB’s and they virtually have no running game. Of course, the Steelers can never be counted out but when you break it down, a team that can’t run, can’t defend, can’t protect its QB and can’t put pressure on the oppositions, it sure as hell doesn’t warrant laying road points. The Bengals have to be sick of being the Steelers whipping boys and this week they seriously have a great chance to turn those tables around. Keep the points. Play: Cincinnati +1.70 (Risking 2 units).
NEW ENGLAND –4 over Atlanta
In the world of the NFL there is always a right time to “step in” and that almost always occurs when everyone else is stepping out. Enter the Patriots, a team that should be 0-2 after playing the Bills and Jets, not exactly the cream of the crop. Lots of folks ripped their tickets on the Pats the past two weeks and those same frustrated folks want no part of this team. On the other side of that coin are the folks that have cashed consecutive weeks when holding a ticket on the Falcons. This team is 2-0 and suddenly the Falcons are the team that is attracting money and that works just beautifully. In other words, those that now want to wager on the Falcons missed out and those that hammered the Pats did it too early. This is precisely the right time to play the Pats and/or go against the Falcons. What is almost a guarantee is Bill Belichick has spent 24-hours a day prepping for this one. Nobody hates to lose more than him and he’ll have his team as ready as they’ve ever been. So, for all you stat geeks, forget about it all. The Patriots will be ready and raring to go and after two very sub-par performances, you can expect a serious 60-minutes of football from the preseason favorites to win it all. Play: New England –4 (Risking 2.2 units to win 2).
Tennessee +1.20 over NY JETS
This situation almost mirrors the Falcons/Pats game in that the Jets are suddenly attracting a lot of smart money. They’re now 2-0 and have looked near flawless against Houston and New England. The Titans are 0-2 after losing to Pitt and the same Texans team the Jets walloped. Yet, the oddsmakers have made the Jets a very small favorite in their own barn and that alone should raise flags. Furthermore, Rex Ryan, the Jets new rookie coach is getting way too cocky and shooting off way too much smack. That seldom works out well and you can double that against the cool and composed Jeff Fisher. Ryan was talking trash all week before the Patriots game and the Jets responded. When the 49ers accused the Jets with tampering last week, Rex Ryan responded by saying, “I wish we were playing them”. For a rookie coach, you just can’t keep shooting your pie-hole off and get away with it, not in this league. The Titans are an extremely talented team that will very likely respond big time. The Jets will face a team for the first time that can run the ball down the opposition’s throat. Throw in the letdown factor after huge win over the Pats and what we have here is another strong case of stepping in at the right time against a team that is grabbing all the headlines. Play: Tennessee +1.20 (Risking 2 units).
ARIZONA –2½ over Indianapolis
If the Dolphins and its pedestrian offense shredded the Colts, one can only imagine what the Cardinals potent attack will do. To make matter worse for the Colts, they’ll travel across the country on a short week and that seldom works out well. Yeah, Peyton Manning will likely get his points but this Indy team appears to be very beatable this season. They can’t run the ball and as a result the offense, when it does score, scores quickly, leaving the defense out on the field for far too long throughout the course of a game. Arizona was a little flat in week one but they really came to life last week in Jacksonville, making the Jags look like a bad college team. Kurt Warner was near flawless and when he gets time, which he should easily get here, he has perhaps the deadliest core of targets in the business. Despite being 2-0, the Colts could easily be 0-2 after beating the Jags by two and pulling out a win last week in Miami in a game they were completely dominated in. Indy’s charmed life is about to hit a roadblock. Play: Arizona –2½ (Risking 2.28 units to win 2).
EZWINNERS
Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders
Play: Oakland Raiders +2
The Broncos are off to a nice 2-0 start, but now they are don’t play anymore teams from the state of Ohio. The Broncos pulled of a miracle win at Cincinnati in week one and beat up on a hapless Cleveland team last week which gives us some very nice line value here. The Raiders played the Chargers down to the wire and won an ugly game in Kansas City last week. I expect the Raiders running game to expose a soft Denver defense and for JaMarcus Russell to play better than he did last week. On the other side of the ball Richard Seymour and company should be able to pressure Kyle Orton into some mistakes. The Raiders have the advantage in the running game on both sides of the ball and should be able to pick up the home win here. No way should the Broncos be laying points on the road. Play on Oakland.
BIG AL
Detroit at Chicago
The Detroit Tigers righthanded starter Edwin Jackson was tipping his slider, as pitching coach Rick Knapp suggested, he doesn't seem to be doing it anymore. Combine his strikeout pitch with a fastball that hit 98 mph last time out, and he has his early-season power arsenal back to throw at hitters for the stretch run and into the postseason. It's bad news for the White Sox if Jackson is back to his early season form as Detroit is doing everything they can right now to hang on to the last A.L. playoff spot by holding off the late season charge from the Minnesota Twins. Eliminated from contention, Chicago is auditioning young pitchers for 2010, and 22-year-old righthander Daniel Hudson is one of those who has shown some promise. Hudson pitched admirably in his first Major League start, but he did not receive any run support in a 7-0 loss against the Twins on Monday at U.S. Cellular Field, site of today's match-up. He made it through five innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits with four strikeouts and four walks. Hudson is on a fast track to the Majors, having never pitched above rookie ball in the Minors until this season, and throwing him in against a desperate Tiger lineup in his first-ever start against Detroit, is indeed a scary proposition for the rookie.
PLAY DETROIT
Sammy Jankus
I rate my plays 3, 4 and 5 stars. Always play the OTHER SIDE of my game writeups.
New Orleans at Buffalo
3* BUFFALO +6
Wow, just two games and already the New Orleans offense is in mid-season form. QB Drew Brees is in firm command of a scoring juggernaut that leads the NFL with 93 total points and 12 TD’s. Even though Buffalo’s defense played well last week in a 33-20 win over sorry Tampa Bay, they’re getting ready to face an entirely different animal here! Saints have too many things clicking on both sides of the ball not to cover this INSULTING 6-point number. I look for the Bourbon Street boys to totally buffalo the Bills in a 17-point whipping – so your play is on BUFFALO.
Mikey Sports
Atlanta @ New England
Play: New England (-)
Pure Lock Free
MINNESOTA @ KANSAS CITY
PLAY: MINNESOTA
R&R Totals
St Louis @ Colorado
Play: OVER
Boston @ NY Yankees
Play: UNDER
Bob Balfe
Bucs +6.5 over Giants
The Giants got a big win last Sunday in Dallas but they paid the price with injuries. The GMen will be very thin on defense and missing a few receivers from a group that is just average. Tampa has a great offense and usually plays well at home. This is a must win for the Bucs as they cannot fall into a 0-3 hole to start the season. The public is also betting the Giants very heavy. Take Tampa.
VEGAS EXPERTS
Tennessee Titans at NY Jets
This is a classic Week Three Play. Take the motivated 0-2 underdog to knock off the overhyped 2-0 favorite that's in a huge letdown spot. Since 1992, the Jets are 8-20 ATS at home in September games and they are 19-34 ATS when coming off BB ATS wins. Tennessee is 8-1 ATS their last nine September games. They are also 25-7 ATS if they rushed for 175+ yards in their previous game.
Play on: Tennessee
Tony Karpinski
Tennessee Titans vs. New York Jets
Play: Tennessee Titans +1
The Titans are in a must-win situation. No bones about it, no other way to say it. This team must win today or they can forget about making the playoffs in the AFC. They started last year 10-0 and cant afford to start 0-3 this year.
Mark Sanchez and the Jets have started 2-0, but when's the last time a rookie came out 3-0? Not very often and not likely today. They have failed to cash in five straight as a favorite and they are just 2-5 ATS in their last seven. New York is solid, but they are facing a caged lion in the Titans. Grab the few points and play Tennessee.
Charlie Scott
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans
Play: Under 47
We will get a focused Jaguar team today after playing terrible last week vs AZ. Be sure that Head Coach Jack Del Rio stressed fundamentals this week in practice. The Jaguars will be able to play their style of ball today vs Houston. The Texans defense struggles to stop the run and JAX offense struggles putting the ball in the end zone, playing right into the UNDER. The Texans off a big Win last week over the Titans could come out flat. A couple of long time consuming drives on the ground by JAX that end up being Field Goal attempts make this game go UNDER!
LT Profits
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans
The Jacksonville Jaguars turned in a pathetic performance while getting upset at home by the Arizona Cardinals last week, while the Houston Texans upset the Tennessee Titans on the road. We now think it is the Jaguars that will do the upsetting.
Maurice Jones-Drew has not gotten on track yet this season, but this should be his break-out game, as he must be salivating after watching Chris Johnson score three touchdowns of more than 50 yards vs. this atrocious Texans defense. In fact, Houston is allowing a disgusting 6.8 yards per run, which in itself makes Houston a poor play laying over a field goal vs. a running team.
Keep in mind also that Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard is at his best off of play-action, so a successful running game here should also allow him to also have his best game of the season. Sure, it seemed like the Jags quit last week after falling behind big early, but they should be motivated this week, both to erase the memory of that miserable contest and to get revenge for a nationally televised 30-17 beat-down the Texans gave them on a Monday night last season.
Granted there is nothing wrong with the Texans offense, and they will get their share of points here. However, they have still gotten nothing out of Steve Slaton, and that may not change here vs. a Jacksonville defense that is allowing just 94.5 rushing yards per game and 3.2 yards per rush. Houston got away with a one-dimensional passing game last week, but that approach is usually not successful for long in the NFL.
Look for the Jaguars to make enough stops defensively and to control the ball enough offensively to pull off an outright upset.
Pick: Jaguars +3.5
Brian Hansen
Cincinnati Reds at Houston Astros
Prediction: Houston Astros
Wandy off a bad game but he's still a lot better than Cueto. Rodriguez with a 2.03 ERA home ERA. Cueto with a 4.39 ERA overall. Play HOUSTON!
John Fisher
Tennessee Titans vs. New York Jets
Play: Tennessee Titans +1
Titans have played two toug games and had an aspiring practice this week. I just dont seeing Titans going 0-3 and Jets 3-0. Jets defense has shut down opponents. This will be a low scoring game with field position key. Look for Sanchez of Jets to look like a rookie here. Take Titans to give Sanchez and Jets first loss.
MTi Sports
Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals
Prediction: Washington Nationals
The Nationals are a terrible team so it?s very hard to find conditions in which they have a winning record. However, we found one. Washington is a perfect 7-0 as a dog when they are off a game in which their opponent has a dozen or more hits and they had a dozen or fewer hits. Fitting in nicely here is the fact that the Braves are a perfect 0-6 THIS season as a road favorite when they are off a win in which they had at least a dozen hits and their opponent had at least four hits.
Finally, Livan Hernandez has been terrific at preventing a three-game sweep. Washington is a perfect 8-0 AS A DOG when he is the starter in the third game of a three game series in which they lost the first two. In the last active date (9/10), he went seven and a third vs the Phillies and allowed two runs as a 170 home dog.