Tim Trushel
Giants
Teddy Covers
20* Eagles/Giants Under
Doc
3* Philadelphia Eagles +4
Indiancowboy
3 Unit Play. Take San Diego Chargers +6.5 over Pittsburgh Steelers
I understand that the Chargers should not be here given the season that they have had in a weak division. I have always felt that a "Division Winner" should not be given the right to enter just because they won their particular division and in particular, host a playoff game over a team that has the better record. After all, the Arizona Cardinals should not be in the playoffs nor should they have hosted the first round of the playoffs as a home game against the the 11 win Atlanta Falcons. That's a joke. Having said that, the Chargers should not have been hosting a game against the Chargers either. But, what's done is done. This is not to take away from the fact that the Chargers have made a big run and a strong push the last few weeks. After all, they kept believing. Remember, the Chargers are quite capable of defeating the Steelers outright. Heck, they just defeated the Indianapolis Colts who were one of the hottest teams in the league coming into that game at Q-Com. Let's not forget, this is the same San Diego Chargers team that lost 10-11 to the Steelers on the road earlier this year and easily covered as the road chalk. If they can cover the road chalk there as 4.5 dogs, why could they not cover herre as 6.5 chalk? This team plays with a chip on its shoulder. This team wants to be here and in particular, they are thankful to be here given the year they had. They have not played a bad game in quite some time. After all, these Chargers once again, lost 10-11 to the Steelers on the road and frankly, there were some questionable calls that game and this team could have won outright. They were up 7-0 at the end of the first and went into half time up 7-5. Take away the safety that Rivers had and the final outcome of that game could have been very different. Pittsburgh remember lost to the Colts at home 20-24 as this team can be defeated and defeated at home. The Chargers know they played a great game against Pitt last time around and are quite capable of defeating this team. I look for the Chargers in Rivers, LT and Norv Turner to put it all together and continuing this improbable run and frankly, I would not be surprised if the Chargers won outright. After all, if the Giants can go on the road last year as 7 point dogs to Tampa Bay and win Outright, as 7 point dogs to Dallas and win Outright and 7 point dogs to Green Bay in the NFC Championship and win outright - is that impossible to think that the San Diego Chargers who lost by 1 point last time to the Steelers and who were leading at the half 7-5 and were a safety away from winning last time can't defeat the Steelers in Pittsburgh? The Chargers have won their last 5 straight, have covered their last 3 straight and have covered their last four straight playoff games. The "Boltz" get it done for us on Sunday.
2 Unit Play.Take Philadelphia Eagles +4.5 over NY Giants
I believe in the Eagles. Why not? This team is very similar to the NY Giants of 2007-2008? Remember that team? That was the wild card team that went on the road last year as 7 point dogs to Tampa Bay and win Outright, as 7 point dogs to Dallas and win Outright and 7 point dogs to Green Bay in the NFC Championship and win outright. Why is it so hard to believe a Philadelphia team, a veteran Philadelphia team at that, who already defeated the Giants on the road Outright this year in a must win game can't defeat a Giants team that enter the playoffs playing questionable football? I actually think this game is a toss-up. Look, the Eagles have absolutely nothing to lose. They are thankful just to be in the playoffs, nevertheless, a game away from the NFC Championship. This is a magical year for this team. After all the heat that McNabb and company took this year, this team finds itself in a game they can certainly win outright. The Giants are simply not the same without Plaxico and it has showed. Yes, the Giants defeated the Panthers in an exciting Sunday Night Football game in a great comeback. I remember that as I was on the Giants and were rooting for them to score the touchdown in overtime rather than kick the field goal. But, having said that, the Giants simply have not been blowing anyone out of late. In all honesty, one can argue, that despite the Giants were 2-2 ATS coming into the playoffs, they should be 4-0 ATS. After all, the Giants should not have been true 7 point dogs on the road to the Vikings and lost outright and really should not have covered against the Panthers who should have won that game outright. Prior to that the Giants lost outright to the Eagles and lost on the road convincingly to Dallas 8-20 that even the Ravens were able to accomplish with relative ease. The Giants just come into the playoffs stumbling and I look for the hot Eagles who have won 5 of 6 SU and covered 5 of 6 to beat the Giants outright here or at worse lose by a field goal. Don't over think this, we have the team that has the angel that the Giants had on their shoulder the previous year and I firmly believe this could be a magical year for the Eagles as only the Panthers could stand in their way. The Eagles are more dynamic over the last month than the Giants, the Giants have not been the same with the exiting of Plaixco and have a defense that is second to no one when it comes to pressuring the quarterback which Tony Romo can tell you all about. The Eagles are 10-1 ATS as road underdogs and 4-0 ATS in their last four road playoff games
ATS Lock Club
3 Giants -4
4 Alabama -3.5
3 N.C. -5
ATS Financial Package
3 Over 38 NYG/PHI
3 Ohio -2.5
3 San Fran +9.5
PlatinumPlaysWin
Magic +3
Heat +11
Penn State +7
Alabama -3.5
Central Michigan -1
RON RAYMOND
5* Magic / Spurs Under 186
5* Philadelphia Eagles +4
Jeff Benton
15 Dime: CHARGERS (plus the points vs. Steelers) ... NOTE: If this line is sitting at 6 1/2, buy the half point and grab 7, which is obviously a key number in football.
15 Dime: GIANTS (minus the points vs. Eagles) ... NOTE: This line is bouncing between 4 1/2 and 4. Be sure to shop around and get the best of the number!
10 Dime: Eagles-Giants UNDER the total
Chargers
Well aware of the fact that Pittsburgh fields the best defense in the NFL – one of the best we’ve seen in years. Also aware of the fact that that Steelers defense completely shut down the Chargers in an 11-10 regular-season victory back on Nov. 16 (a game that should’ve been 18-10 and a Pittsburgh spread-cover if not for a botched officiating call on a fumble return for a score on the final play of the game).
However, this is a completely different Chargers offense – and a completely different Chargers team – than the one that went to Pittsburgh two months ago. San Diego is riding a five-game winning streak (4-1 ATS), including last week’s impressive, gutsy 23-17 overtime win over the Colts. That game was a coming-out party for San Diego scatback Darren Sproles, a 5-for-6 (maybe) bowling ball of a running back who more than made up for the loss of LaDainian Tomlinson.
Although that was the first time the majority of the nation got a glimpse of Sproles, I’ve been watching him all season. He’s a unique and valuable weapon, almost always the fastest guy on the field who uses his size to his advantage (many times, defenders admit that they simply cannot find him on the field because he’s so short). For some bizarre reason, despite his success, the Chargers’ coaches have been unwilling to put the ball in Sproles’ in certain games. That includes the 11-10 loss at the Steelers, when Sproles touched the ball on offense just twice – one rush and one catch.
Now, some believe that Sproles won’t have nearly the success against the Steelers’ physical D as he did last week. Maybe. But I believe he’ll have some success, because Pittsburgh’s defenders are aggressive and over-pursue a lot of plays. If they don’t have a spy on Sproles, especially in blitzing situations, the little guy is going to make them pay. Also, speaking of the Chargers offense, there isn’t a hotter QB in the playoffs right now then Philip Rivers, and the fact he’s seen this Pittsburgh defense once already is a big advantage for him and the San Diego offense.
As for the Steelers’ offense, it doesn’t scare me one bit. It managed just 21.7 points per game – and that includes several defensive scores – and 312 yards per game. Ben Roethlisberger threw nearly as many INTs (15) as TD passes, and his QB rating (80.2) was 20 points lower than Rivers’ (102.2). And remember, the last time we saw “Big Ben” he was flat on his back on a stretcher after suffering a concussion in the season finale against Cleveland. It was Roethlisberger’s fourth concussion since entering the NFL, and after returning from his last one, he tossed four INTs in a game against the Raiders.
Today, Roethlisberger faces a Chargers D that completely stymied Peyton Manning last week and is allowing only 18 ppg during the team’s five-game winning streak (and held the Steelers to three field goals two months ago at Heinz Field – Pittsburgh’s other two points came on a safety).
One very, very, VERY important last point to make about this game: San Diego, as the world finally saw last week, possesses one of the best punters in the game in Mike Scifres, while the Steelers just re-signed veteran punter Mitch Berger, a guy they though so highly of that they cut just a few weeks ago. With horrible weather expected on what is notoriously THE worst grass field in the NFL, field position is going to be immensely key in this contest. And with Scifres vs. Berger – not to mention Sproles returning kicks and punts for the Bolts – San Diego could easily own the field position battle.
Bottom line: Pittsburgh won just three of seven games against this year’s set of playoff teams. Not only did the Steelers average just 13 ppg in those eight contests, but their three wins were by a COMBINED eight points. Given that, plus the fact the Chargers have the better (and hotter and healthier) quarterback, a dangerous weapon (Sproles) that the Steelers’ D hasn’t seen all year, a field-possession changer in Scifres, incredible momentum and the confidence that they came to crappy Heinz Field and nearly knocked off the Steelers once this season, and it’s enough to get me on the underdog. Give me the points, and don’t be surprised to see an outright upset.
Giants
It seems as if the world has fallen in love with the Philadelphia Eagles, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why. I know I backed them last week in their game at Minnesota, but as I mentioned at the time, it was more a play against the Vikings and their QB Tarvaris Jackson than it was a play on the Eagles. And when you get right down to it, if Jackson doesn’t throw a pick-six in the first half and if Brian Westbrook doesn’t bust a short screen pass for a 71-yard TD with less than seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter, the Eagles would’ve produced just four field goals and lost 14-12.
In fact, the Eagles’ inability to put the pigskin in the end zone has become a problem that has received little publicity. Consider this: Philadelphia has scored 103 points in its last four games, which is obviously pretty impressive. However, only 42 of those points (six TDs) were the result of offensive touchdowns. The rest were defensive scores and field goals. Also, in its last four road games – in which Philly went 2-1-1 – the offense generated just five touchdowns. That includes no TDs in their last road trip, a 10-3 loss in a critical game at Washington in the next-to-last contest of the season.
Yes, two weeks before falling flat against Washington, the Eagles went to the Meadowlands and cooled off the then-red hot Giants 20-14. And yes, the final score wasn’t nearly as indicative of how dominant Philly was in that game, as the Giants’ two touchdowns came on a blocked field goal returned for a score at the end of the first half and a garbage TD with 20 seconds to play, and the Eagles outgained New York by 120 yards that day. However, two HUGE points need to be made about that game: 1) the Giants were without RB Brandon Jacobs, who was injured, and 2) the Giants dealt with a ton of distractions leading up to the game, as that was the week when the Plaxico Burress crap hit the fan. You cannot underestimate the impact of either of those issues, particularly the loss of Jacobs, who had 126 of New York’s 219 rushing yards when the Giants won 36-31 in Philadelphia as a three-point underdog in mid-November.
Today, New York gets a healthy (and well-rested) Jacobs back on the field, and his presence, I think, is going to be the biggest difference in this game, because his bruising style of running is exactly the kind that gives Philadelphia’s otherwise stout run D the biggest problem. Also, with Jacobs on the field, it not only allows his talented backup (1,000-yard rusher Derrick Ward) to remain fresh, but it helps Eli Manning tremendously in the passing game because Jacobs keeps the defense honest and he’s one of the best pass-protecting blocking backs in the game.
A few more points to make: The Giants come into this one very well rested, while the Eagles are playing their what amounts to their seventh straight pressure-packed, must-win game. Also, New York went 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS at home this year, averaging 28.5 points and 362.2 yards per game (179 rushing ypg) while allowing 15.6 points and 266 yards per game (99.9 rushing ypg). The team’s only non-covers at home came against the Eagles and in a Week 3, pre-bye-week 26-23 overtime win over the Bengals when New York simply went through the motions. In their other five home wins, the Giants won by margins of 9, 38, 12, 21, 20, and 6 points.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia, even after last week’s win at Minnesota, is just 4-4-1 SU and 5-4 ATS on the road, including the embarrassing loss at Washington, an unforgivable tie at Cincinnati and a total no-show at Baltimore (36-7). In fact, that loss at Baltimore was the only time prior to today that the Eagles played consecutive road games this season.
Finally, although it seems as if some folks have forgotten, the Giants ARE the defending Super Bowl champs, a team that rolled through the postseason last year with a 4-0 SU and ATS record. They’ve cashed in their last five playoff games overall, they went 9-3 ATS as a favorite this season (often a big favorite), they’re 21-6 ATS in their last 27 games overall, and – prior to that home loss to Philadelphia a month ago, a loss that I noted came with some important “yeah, buts” – the Giants had won three straight games and covered in four in a row against the Eagles.
In the end, I come back to my initial point that the Eagles are being overvalued, while the defending champs – for the first time since the start of last year’s playoffs – are being sold short by the oddsmakers. And I think the players in New York’s locker room will feed off the disrespect and the fact that the majority of analysts believe the Giants are the one team ripe for an upset. No upset here, though. Backed by a defense that will give Philly’s end-zone-challenged offense fits all day and a rejuvenated Jacobs in the backfield, the champs will win this by at least a touchdown.
Giants-Eagles UNDER the total
I’ve already stated my case about the Eagles’ offense needing a GPS system to find the end zone lately. Meanwhile, the Eagles’ defense has been very impressive of late, allowing 14 points or less in five straight games (10.8 ppg allowed during this stretch). I also mentioned how great the Giants’ defense was at home this season, allowing only 15.6 ppg and 266 yards per game. In fact, only six of eight teams that went to the Meadowlands in the regular season put the ball in the end zone more than twice.
Coming into this contest, the Eagles are on a 3-0-1 “under” streak, with the lone “over” coming in the season finale against the Cowboys, thanks to two defensive TDs by Philly. Meanwhile, the Giants stayed under the total in four of their last five regular-season games, with the four “unders” featuring combined point totals of 30, 34, 28 and 39. What’s more, the last five times these divisional rivals have squared off, the under hit four times, with final scores of 20-14 and 16-3 in the last two meetings in New York.
Lastly, and most importantly, we’ve got potential weather issues in this contest, with snow, biting cold and wind all in the forecast. If that forecast holds up, we can expect to see the ball in the hands of Eagles RBs Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter, and Giants tailbacks Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward, a lot today. After all, we all know how conservative coaches get this time of year, and two of the most conservative in the NFL – Tom Coughlin and Andy Reid – are involved in this one.
In addition to the aforementioned “under” trends, the under is 5-1 in the Giants’ last six playoff games, 7-2 in the Giants’ last nine divisional games, 6-1-1 in the Eagles’ last eight playoff contests and 5-1 in Philly’s last six on the road. This one smells like a 20-10 Giants victory. Play it UNDER the total.
Guys, maybe consider this but do not follow blindly. He lost 45 dimes yesterday on Carolina, Tennessee, and BC in NCAA BB
Bob Balfe
NFL Football
Giants -4 over Eagles
The Eagles have not run the ball that well this year and will be playing in windy conditions which will slow the passing game down. The GMen have played well at home this season and on paper are the more talented team. Philly will give them their best shot, but outside of Westbrook the Eagles have no real weapons. Look for the Giants to run the ball well with Jacobs and to play solid defense at home. Take New York.
Steelers -6 over Chargers
San Diego is in a tough spot coming to play in a cold city with a crazy crowd and good defense. Last week the Chargers were lucky to escape with a win against the Colts and without L.T the running game will hurt. How much can they really expect Sproles to keep doing? The Pittsburgh defense should shut them down and the offense should have their way against a Chargers Defense that has played poor this year. Take the Steelers.
NBA Basketball
Spurs -3 over Magic
NCAA Basketball
St. Johns +19.5 over Pitt
Sean Michaels
25 Dimes Steelers
BOXERSPORTS
Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants
Play Giants -4 -110 ( 3* )
San Diego Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Play Steelers -6 -110 ( 3* )
Play Steelers/Chargers Under 38 -110 ( 3* )
NorthCoast
Double Play
Phi/NYG Under 40
Right Angle Sports (RAS) has an over 66% win percentage
on their over/under plays. 😮
So if anyone sees their picks posted anywhere please post
them here. With a win % like that we can not afford to be
without their picks.
Thank you and Happy New Year ( a little late ) 😉
Scott Ferrall
SUNDAY'S COLLEGE RACK LOCKS BEST BETS IN ( )
FERRALL HOT AS EVER PICKING NCAA HOOP WINNERS ATS
PURDUE -5.5 to Wisconsin--OVER 123 (1)
IOWA +7.5 from Michigan--OVER 121 (4)
ST.JOHNS +19.5 from Pitt--OVER 132 (5)
XAVIER -19 to Fordham--UNDER 132.5 (3)
MINNESOTA -6.5 to Penn St--UNDER 132 (2)
NBA LOCKS FOR SUNDAY BEST BETS IN ( )
TORONTO (plus points--no early line) over Boston (5)
ATLANTA -6 to Philly--OVER 197 (1)
CLIPPERS +9 from Suns--OVER 201 (3)
ORLANDO +2.5 from San Antonio--UNDER 186.5 (4)
GOLDEN ST (no early line) over Indiana (6)
SACRAMENTO (no early line) over Dallas (7)
LAKERS -11 to Heat--OVER 204 (2)
SUNDAY'S HOCKEY LOCKS MY FAVORITE LOCKS: BEST PICKS IN ( )
CHICAGO -240 over Nashville (1)
EDMONTON -170 over St.Louis (3)
ANAHEIM -140 over New Jersey (2)
SIDE DISHES:
BLACKHAWKS -1.5 goals at +120
Northcoast
3* Pitt -6 1/2
Triple Play SD/Pitt Under 37
Double Play Philly u 38 1/2
Reg op. Giants -4