Key Contests Week 16
By Brad Young
**Steelers at Titans**
-Caesars Palace lists Pittsburgh as a two-point road ‘chalk’ over Tennessee, with the total set at 34½. The Titans originally opened as a three-point favorite until getting hit with some key injuries. CBS Sports will begin its coverage of this contest beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET from LP Field in Nashville.
-Pittsburgh (11-3 straight up, 8-6 against the spread) has won five games in a row SU and four consecutive ATS after slipping past Baltimore last weekend as a three-point road underdog, 13-9. The combined 22 points never seriously threatened the 34-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ cash the second consecutive contest.
-The Steelers prevailed by outscoring the Ravens in the fourth quarter, 10-0, finishing the contest with advantages in first downs (18-12), passing yards (220-90) and time of possession (31:38-28:22). Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was 22-of-40 passing for 246 yards with a touchdown, while Willie Parker paced the ground game with 14 carries for 47 yards.
-Tennessee (12-2 SU, 11-3 ATS) had won back-to-back games SU and ATS before falling to Houston last weekend as a three-point road ‘chalk,’ 13-12. The combined 25 points never seriously threatened the 45-point closing total.
-Despite the one-point setback, the Titans trailed the Texans in first downs (22-14), rushing yards (107-100), passing yards (268-181), turnovers forced (2-1) and time of possession (36:22-23:38). Quarterback Kerry Collins completed 15-of-33 passes for 181 yards with an interception, while running back Chris Johnson had 13 carries for 65 yards.
-Pittsburgh throttled Tennessee during the last meeting back in 2005 as a seven-point home favorite, 34-7. The combined 41 points slithered ‘over’ the 40-point closing total.
-Pittsburgh defensive end Brett Keisel (knee) and offensive tackle Marvel Smith (back) are ‘questionable’ against the Titans, while running back Rashard Mendenhall (shoulder) is on injured reserve.
-Tennessee running back Quinton Ganther (hamstring) is ‘questionable’ versus the Steelers, while defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (groin), defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (knee) and defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson (suspsension) are ‘out.’
-Sunday’s forecast for Nashville, Tennessee is calling for high winds in the 20-30 mph range. The projected high calls for 38 degrees with a low of 20.
**Dolphins at Chiefs**
-Caesars Palace opened Miami as a four-point road favorite over Kansas City, with the total set at 40. CBS Sports starts its coverage of this contest at 1:00 p.m. ET from Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium.
-Miami (9-5 SU, 6-8 ATS) has put together three consecutive SU victories after knocking off San Francisco last weekend as a six-point home ‘chalk,’ 14-9. The combined 23 points failed to eclipse the 41-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ improve to 7-1 the past eight outings.
-The Dolphins prevailed despite being on the short end of first downs (24-11), rushing yards (112-98), passing yards (206-150) and time of possession (38:13-21:47). Quarterback Chad Pennington completed 12-of-19 passes for 156 yards with two touchdowns, while Ronnie Brown ran 10 times for 67 yards.
-Kansas City (2-12 SU, 8-6 ATS) continued its downward spiral with its loss to San Diego last weekend as a 5½-point home underdog, 22-21. The combined 43 points went ‘over’ the 41-point closing total, ending a string of back-to-back ‘under’ outings.
-The Chiefs appeared to have control of the contest before being outscored in the fourth quarter, 12-0. Kansas City did finish the game by leading the Chargers in rushing yards (102-68), turnovers forced (3-1) and time of possession (32:11-27:49). Quarterback Tyler Thigpen completed 19-of-28 passes for 171 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while Larry Johnson contributed with 17 carries for 55 yards.
-Miami knocked off Kansas City during the last meeting back in 2006 as a 1½-point home favorite, 13-10. The combined 23 points never seriously threatened the 40-point closing total.
-Miami linebacker Channing Crowder (knee) is ‘probable’ versus the Chiefs.
-Kansas City defensive end Alfonso Boone (thigh), offensive tackle Branden Albert (leg), linebacker Donnie Edwards (knee), cornerback Maurice Leggett (shoulder) and center Rudy Niswanger (knee) are ‘questionable’ against the Dolphins.
-Sunday’s forecast for Kansas City, Missouri calls for a high of just 16 degrees and low of seven. Things will be even colder behind high winds projected to be around 10-20 mph.
**Cardinals at Patriots**
-Caesars Palace installed New England as a 7½-point home ‘chalk’ over Arizona, with the total listed at 45. FOX Sports will provide coverage of this matchup beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET from Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium.
-Arizona (8-6 SU and ATS) dropped to 1-3 SU and ATS its last four games after getting run over by Minnesota last weekend as a 3½-point home favorite, 35-14. The combined 49 points toppled the 47-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ improve to 3-1 the previous four outings.
-The Cardinals never recovered after falling behind 21-0 in the first quarter, finishing the game with disadvantages in first downs (20-16), rushing yards (239-43), turnovers forced (2-1) and time of possession (34:34-25:26). Quarterback Kurt Warner was 29-of-45 passing for 270 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while running back J.J. Arrington had just two carries for 23 yards.
-New England (9-5 SU, 7-7 ATS) notched its second consecutive SU victory after cruising past Oakland last weekend as a seven-point road ‘chalk,’ 49-26. The combined 75 points soared past the 39-point closing total, enabling the ‘over’ to cash the fifth game in a row.
-The Patriots finished the matchup with advantages in first downs (29-19), rushing yards (277-116) and time of possession (30:41-29:19). Signal caller Matt Cassell was 18-of-30 passing for 218 yards with four touchdowns and an interception, while Sammy Morris contributed 117 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.
-New England knocked off Arizona during the last meeting back in 2004 as a 7½-point road favorite, 23-12. The combined 35 points went ‘under’ the 41½-point closing total.
-Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin (shoulder), running back J.J. Arrington (knee), wide receiver Early Doucet (hamstring), defensive end Travis LaBoy (ankle) and linebacker Pago Togafau (knee) are ‘questionable’ against the Patriots, while linebacker Clark Haggans (foot) is ‘out.’
-New England linebacker Gary Guyton (ankle) is ‘questionable’ versus the Cardinals, while offensive tackle Matt Light (shoulder) and free safety James Sanders (abdominal) are ‘doubtful.’
-Sunday’s forecast for Foxboro, Massachusetts calls for a 70 percent chance of a wintry mix of snow and sleet. The high is listed at 40 degrees with a low of 20, while winds are expected to be around 20-30 mph.
**Chargers at Buccaneers**
-Caesars Palace lists Tampa Bay as a 3½-point home ‘chalk’ over San Diego, with the total set at 42. CBS Sports starts its coverage of this game at 1:00 p.m. ET from Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium.
-San Diego (6-8 SU, 5-8 ATS) has strung together back-to-back SU victories after slipping past Kansas City last weekend as a 5½-point road favorite, 22-21. The combined 43 points went ‘over’ the 41-point closing total, ending a string of five straight ‘under’ outings.
-Signal caller Philip Rivers completed 34-of-48 passes for 346 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson had 15 carries for 39 yards with a touchdown, while wideout Vincent Jackson contributed with six receptions for 89 yards and a score.
-Tampa Bay (9-5 SU, 8-6 ATS) is currently mired in a two-game SU losing skid after falling to Atlanta in overtime last weekend as a five-point road underdog, 13-10. The combined 23 points failed to eclipse the 43½-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ improve to 7-3 the past 10 games.
-The Bucs finished the contest with advantages in first downs (19-18), passing yards (269-198) and turnovers forced (3-1). Quarterback Brian Griese completed 26-of-37 passes for 269 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while Carnell Williams carried the ball 14 times for 59 yards.
-San Diego defeated Tampa Bay during the last meeting back in 2004 as a 4½-point home ‘chalk,’ 31-24. The combined 55 points went ‘over’ the 43-point closing total.
-San Diego wide receiver Chris Chambers (head), wide receiver Malcom Floyd (lung), center Nick Hardwick (concussion), strong safety Clinton Hart (shoulder), linebacker Anthony Waters (hamstring) and fullback Mike Tolbert (shoulder) are ‘questionable’ against the Bucs.
-Tampa Bay quarterback Jeff Garcia (calf) and defensive tackle Chris Hovan (knee) are ‘probable’ versus the Chargers, while linebacker Derrick Brooks (ribs), defensive end Gaines Adams (ankle) and offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah (ankle) are ‘questionable.’
-Sunday’s forecast for Tampa Bay, Florida calls for a few showers, with a high of 77 degrees and a low of 51.
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