Special K Comp
WASHINGTON STATE-7 1/2
Marc Lawrence
NFL System Play
Super Letdown: Play against any playoff team who knocked the defending Super Bowl champions out of this year?s playoffs.
Pointspread Record since 1980: 8-2 ATS (80%)
This week's application: New England Patriots
Larry Ness Sportsline
NFL System Play
Playoff Road Weary: Any NFL playoff team coming off a straight up road win,
now facing a third consecutive road game.
Pointspread Record Since 1983: 22-10 (68.8%)
This week's application: Green Bay Packers
Big Al
New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers
Play: Under
At 6:30 pm, on Sunday, our complimentary selection is on the 'under' in the Green Bay/New York Giants game. Last week, the Packers spotted Seattle a 14-0 lead, and then roared back to defeat the Seahawks 42-20. But after scoring 42 points, we'll look for a MUCH lower game at Lambeau Field on Sunday, as teams have gone 'under' the total 18 of the last 25 games, if they scored 37+ points in a playoff win their previous game. Take the 'under'
Point Train
6-UNIT CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP BEST BET
GREEN BAY PACKERS (-7) over New York Giants
Rating: 6 units
GREEN BAY (-) over New York at 6:30 pm EST The Packers could not have received better fortune than Dallas completely choking against New York last week. The Giants win enabled Green Bay to host the NFC Championship in front of a raucous home crowd in favorable weather conditions, at least for the Packers. Not only did the Cowboys losing last week end their season, it also gave Green Bay an easy path to the Super Bowl. The home-field advantage that Green Bay possesses has always been considered one of the best in the NFL. The Packers have nothing to dispel that belief this season. They are 8-1 SU and 7-1-1 ATS at Lambeau Field for the season and have led almost every minute of every game at home. Green Bay’s home-field dominance has only grown as the weather has chilled. Since losing to Chicago in Week 5, the Packers have won their last six home games by 20.8 ppg, with five of those six wins coming by two or more touchdowns. For all of the progress New York QB Eli Manning has made this year, he’s just up against too much in this game. He has admitted to hating playing in cold weather and this game will be just about as cold as gets. Manning has come nowhere near playing in a game of this magnitude in these conditions and he will fail miserably in his first attempt. This game could very well play out similarly to Green Bay’s 42-20 win over Seattle last week. The Packers, behind the running of RB Ryan Grant the passing of QB Brett Favre, will have little trouble moving the ball in this game. Grant has averaged 105.2 rushing ypg since taking over the starting role, averaging 6.2 ypc in those games. And no quarterback has more experience in cold weather than Brett Favre. Additionally, the Giants defense is built a lot like Seattle’s in that it relies heavily on its pass rush. Poor footing will make rushing the passer much more difficult for New York, allowing Green Bay to go up and down the field. The Packers are clearly the better team in this game and they have all the advantages on their side. This game has double-figure win written all over it. Ride with Green Bay.
CTO
*WASHINGTON STATE over Oregon...Payback definitely on Wazzu's mind after Cougs were swept by UO last season. Although Ducks still dangerous, they've proven more vulnerable in '07-08 without graduated do-everything PG Brooks, as opponents having more success taking Ernie Kent's bunch out of its rhythm, especially on road, where Ducks have lost 4 of last 6 thru Jan. 16. Prefer WSU's balance, with crackling backcourt play featuring sr. PG Low & slashing 6-7 swingman Weaver now complemented by bruising post presence of 6-11 jr. Baynes, forcing opponents to pay attention in paint.
*WASHINGTON STATE 72 - Oregon 55 RATING - 10
James Patrick Sports NFL Playoff Game of the Year is Golden
Chargers vs. Patriots 3:00 p.m. est. (AFC Championship Game)
A lot of things have changed since the Patriots beat San Diego in week two of the regular season. San Diego has been hit with some crucial injuries to their key offensive players and that isn't a very promising outlook heading into Foxboro to play the undefeated Patriots for the right to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. QB Phillip Rivers, RB LaDanian Tomlinson and TE Antonio Gates, the top offensive weapons for Norv Turner's team, are all ailing. It's going to take more than the Chargers will offer to take out New England at home in Foxboro. Did you know that teams that beat the defending Super Bowl Champions are just 2-8 ATS ? Last week San Diego 28 Indianapolis 24. Considering the fact that New England never punted until the final half minute against a sound Jacksonville Jaguar team last weekend and Brady was 26 for 28 passing, We expect the Patriots to blow away the huge point spread here and make a statement heading into the Super Bowl as an Undefeated AFC Champion.
5* Pot of Gold New England Patriots
College Hoop Action
Penn State vs. Indiana
Without Gerry Claxton you can just about put a fork in the Nittany Lions for this promising season. The heart & soul of Penn State went down with a knee injury for the season and the scoring, defense and rebounding absence will be greatly missed. The Hoosiers take no prisoners at Assembly Hall and today they have a victim that is prime for the taking.
3* Indiana Hoosiers
Oregon vs.Washington State
The Ducks have dropped four of six on the road of late and the Cougars are ready for battle as Oregon swept Washington State last season. Beasley Coliseum and the main ingredients back from a 26 win season a year ago put us on Wassou in this game.
3* Washington State Cougars
Vegas Hot Sheet
Premium Picks
New England -13.5
Green Bay -7
Silver Rated Picks
SD/NE over 46
GB/NYG under 40.5
Marc Lawrence
Temple Owls at St. Louis Billikens
In a battle of the birds, the Billikens host the Owls as St. Louis look to even its record at 7-7 with a win here today. The history book shows the home team a perfect 2-0 SU & ATS in this series, with St. Louis looking to avenge a 6-point loss from last season. It's not often you will find a team that won 20 games the previous season looking to avenge a loss from a 12-win team, but such is the case today. With the Owls having cashed each of its last three games, the value and the motive becomes the Billikens' today. Look for St. Louis to improve to 9-2 at home as they get they revenge here today.
Picks Pal
Michigan St at Minnesota
Michigan State is 15-2 and number 11 in the country as they take their 3-1 Big Ten record to Minnesota. Minnesota is 12-4 and struggled in their last game from the field and from the FT line. Look for Minnesota and Tubby Smith's team to bounce back with a big conference win at home.
Play on Minnesota
Gold Medal Club
NFL: 10* Pats UNDER 47.5
10 * Giants +7.5
CBB: 50* Florida State ML
50* Mizzou State ML
25* Minnesota ML
NHL 50* Atlanta -1.5
10* Anaheim
Bryan Leonard
San Diego Chargers @ New England Patriots
PICK: under
REASON FOR PICK: Chargers/Patriots under: The Pats got slowed down in Baltimore with windy weather, and this weather situation looks worse -- 14 degrees, windy conditions. San Diego DC Ted Cottrell put in a more attacking, aggressive defense in midseason and will continue that in an attempt to get to Tom Brady, which is the only way to try and trip up the Pats. San Diego's running game should chew up the clock. Both teams have been strong in the red zone since Week 8. Don't look for a lot of offense. PLAY THE CHARGERS/PATRIOTS UNDER
POINTWISE
COLLEGE KEY RELEASES
MINNESOTA over Michigan State RATING: 4
Vegas Vic
Chargers +14
New York Football Giants +7
THE SPORTS MEMO
San Diego at New England -14 O/U 49
Recommendation: New England
We used the over in the Patriots game last week in this same price range, but we’ll adjust to some injury information and some good old visual evidence from last week’s performances to determine a new plan of attack this week. Jacksonville had been on a monumental run going over the total in 11 straight prior to their trip to Foxboro and their performance against Pittsburgh told us that trend was likely to continue against the League’s most diverse offensive attack. Typically these Chargers have the weaponry we would equate with an over team as well, but if you watched the game last week you saw Tomlinson and Rivers injure their knees and you saw a hobbled Antonio Gates become a non-factor. You also saw the Colts take over early in the game as Peyton Manning picked apart the secondary. That doesn’t bode well against Tom Brady who is as patient in the pocket as any QB that has started in the NFL. Brady doesn’t force anything, taking only what is available; take away Moss and Welker kills you. Take away Welker and Ben Watson goes for 25 down the middle. Watson is covered? Throw to Gaffney. The Chargers were able to take advantage of three turnovers from the Colts as Indy drove the field. Each turnover stopped what looked like sure scoring drives. But the Pats don’t turn the ball over, period. Both LT and Rivers are questionable as of now but we’ll call for them to gut it out come game time. If they can’t go the onus falls on Michael Turner and Darren Sproles in the backfield and Billy Volek under center. Either scenario is fine for us. We expect the combination of stout defense from the Pats (who have given up less than 14 points per game at home this season) and a conservative clock management style offense (to protect and relieve pressure from their injured offensive stars or backups) from the Chargers. While the Pats have fallen off course by covering just once in their last seven games, and the Chargers have produced the single best run ATS in the NFL down the stretch (9-1 including eight straight) this week sets up nicely for a blowout as Belichick’s crew head to another Super Bowl.
New York at Green Bay -7 O/U 42
Recommendation: Green Bay
The Giants continued their improbable run on the highway cashing another ticket and taking the outright win in Big D. But if you watched the game you probably came away less than impressed by the G-Men, and a quick glance at the box score would justify your feelings. New York was completely dominated from a numbers standpoint: They were out gained by over 100 yards (including a 64 yard deficit on the ground), lost the time of possession battle by 13 minutes, gave up more sacks and allowed the Cowboys to covert on 10-16 on third down. It wasn’t exactly the performance of a lifetime and certainly those numbers wouldn’t get the job done against the Packers. Green Bay spotted the Seahawks a 14 point lead after two quick Ryan Grant turnovers. But Grant fully redeemed himself by going over 200 yards while scoring three TDs and the Packers,who scored a TD on six straight possessions, ran away from Seattle(quite literally). The same fundamental and situational matchups that made the Packers an appealing bet last week make them an appealing bet again this week. Their rushing attack is absolutely looking like one of the best in football right now as Ryan Grant continues to punish defenses behind an excellent zone blocking offensive line. Grant pushed his streak of 100 yard efforts to six in his last 11 outings while scoring at least one TD in each of his last seven games. The Giants’ numbers tell a story of being able to defend the run; they do after all rank in the top ten in that category.But we saw Marion Barber run all over them before Dallas decided to give up on the run, something the Packers don’t seem likely to do. The Giants and their backers will point to the pressure they put on Tony Romo, and the fact that they are one of the best pass rushing teams in the NFL as being a big plus for them this week.But Green Bay utilizes the three step drop quick-to-intermediate passing game really neutralizing much pass rush, and their WRs are amongst the best in producing yards after the catch. Lambeau has been magical this season (7-1-1 ATS) once again and they’ll be rocking this week as their beloved Pack head to the Super Bowl
Ethan Law
GB 1 unit, GB/NY OVER
1/2 unit, sydicate play on NE
1 unit Missouri St.
Scott Spreitzer Comp
N Iowa
Lenny Stevens
20* GOY GREEN BAY
10* SD
Jimmy The Moose
Game: New Jersey Nets at Phoenix Suns Jan 20 2008 8:05PM
Prediction: under
John Fina
Miami (Ohio) -13
Ats Lock Club
4 units NE -14
3 units Teaser NE -8 GB -1.5
Arthur Ralph
Super Pick
St Louis NCAA Hoops
New England
Green Bay
Free Play: Missouri State
ASA
ASA's 4* play on GREEN BAY (-7) over Ny Giants
In Green Bay’s Week 16 35-7 loss to Chicago in poor weather conditions left many doubters questioning whether the Packers could still play in bad weather. They answered that question in a big way last week in a 42-20, snow-covered win over Seattle in the second round of the playoffs. Early weather reports are calling for even colder conditions this week and that plays right into Green Bay’s hands. Eli Manning and the Giants have proved their doubters wrong as well with back-to-back road wins at Tampa and Dallas. Both of those games came in optimal weather conditions, though. Sunday’s conditions will be much less than optimal. Manning has definitely exorcised some of his demons over the last two weeks but those demons will return in this game as he struggles to deal with the weather. Favre, on the other hand, will have no problem doing what he does. The Giants have one of the best pass rushes in the NFL but that pass rush will be negated in this game. Favre has been sacked just 16 times in 17 games this year and he gets excellent protection from both tackles, which is where most of the pressure will be coming from. Additionally, Favre has Ryan Grant providing him with a strong running attack that will temper the New York pass rush as well. Grant ran for 201 yards in the snow last week and has additional motivation in this game as he was traded from the Giants to Green Bay earlier this year. He’ll want to prove his former team wrong. These two teams met earlier this year with Green Bay heading into New York and handing the Giants a 35-13 beatdown. Favre carved up the New York secondary to the tune of 286 yards and three touchdowns and could very well match those numbers again. The Giants secondary is beat up right now and it will struggle to keep Favre down. New York went 2-2 against the NFC North this year and struggled to score in all four games. The Giants averaged just 16.8 points per game against the division and they’ll have a tough time scoring against Green Bay’s sixth-ranked scoring defense. The Packers, meanwhile, went 3-1 against the NFC East, averaging 23.8 points per game. Green Bay has gone 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS in its last six meetings with the Giants, winning those five games by 15.6 points per game. The Packers have covered each of their last five home games, winning those contests by 24.4 points per game. They may not win by that much in this game but they’ll easily cover the spread. Take Green Bay at home minus the points to earn a trip to the Super Bowl.