Pure Profit
Money Move...Phoenix Suns
High Roller...Weber State
Power Play...Packers Over
Consensus...New England
Real Animal
5* Green Bay -7 @ -120 at Olympic
4* Green Bay 'OVER' 41
3* San Diego +14 1/2 @ -120 at Olympic
3* San Diego 'OVER' 47 1/2
A-Play
Double Play...Marquette
Vegas Hotline...Florida State
Heavy Hitter...Minnesota U
Chip Shot...Chargers
Major Shocker...Giants
Ron Meyer
Chalkboard...New England
Coaches Consensus...Giants
Live Dog...Oregon
FAST EDDIE
10* Green Bay Packers
NSA
20* San Diego
Rocketman
New England
Green Bay
Dennis Hill
20 units on Arkon
Linecrusher
Giants
New England
Phil Steele
3* GB
Wolkosky Milan
20* PACKERS -7
20* SD/NE OVER 47
10* CHARGERS +14
10* NYG/GB UNDER 41½
RYAN STETSON
San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots (-14, 47)
Looks like LaDainian Tomlinson will be good to go. As far as good news goes, that’s about the extent of it for Chargers bettors.
There’s a possibility Philip Rivers could get on the practice field Friday, but he hasn’t taken a snap since leaving last weekend’s game with a strained MCL in his left knee. Sounds very iffy. Meanwhile, Billy Volek has been taking the practice reps this week, while freak tight end Antonio Gates probably won’t even test his dislocated toe until Sunday’s pregame warmup.
If all that wasn’t discouraging enough, a number of Chargers are also being singled out for trash-talking the Pats. Probably not the best idea in the world. Remember how well that sort of thing worked out for Pittsburgh safety Anthony Smith?
That said, I don’t know how much any of this extracurricular stuff matters after kickoff, the whole Randy Moss alleged assault and battery deal included.
What could really matter is the weather. Early forecasts predict a cold, windy day in Foxboro, which really makes you think twice about giving 14 points on a Pats bet against a Chargers team that’s won and covered eight in a row.
Sure the Pats have been great in nasty weather in the past, but 22 mph winds will throw off any team’s passing game and I can see San Diego trying to run the ball all day to control the clock and keep Brady on the sideline. Of course, easier said than done, but don’t forget that Michael Turner is more than capable of picking for Tomlinson if he’s slowed by injury.
Everybody knows these teams don’t like each other. This is going to be a nasty hard-hitting game from kickoff to the final whistle and San Diego won’t stop hitting no matter what the score is. If you throw that and some nasty weather on top of a line that’s already inflated to balance a bazillion square Pats bets, a two-touchdown spread seems like a lot to swallow.
It’s not so much that the Pats couldn’t beat the Chargers by 14, 17, or even 21 points, it’s all the factors that are working against New England bettors at this point in the season. You know something’s going on when what might go down as the best team ever has dropped seven of its last nine against the number. Doesn’t seem like good value on the chalk here. Again.
Picks: Chargers +14, under 47 points
New York Giants at Green Bay Packers (-7, 40)
If you like the Packers at -7, get your bet in before the books push up the line.
Every oddsmaker I talked to this week had strong Packer money coming in and you can see almost every offshore book on the board has already increased the juice. I like Green Bay by a touchdown, but wouldn’t go near it at 7 ½.
It’s nothing against the Giants. They played a great game last weekend in Dallas and finally seem to have their play-calling issues figured out. They get after the quarterback and run the ball well. If they do all that again this weekend, they have a good shot at upsetting the Packers.
With Brett Favre playing his best ball in years with that dynamic receiving group and Ryan Grant running crazy on everybody, I don’t see the Giants beating Green Bay at Lambeau with another 12-for-18, 163 yard day from Eli Manning and less than 100 yards on the ground from Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. It worked against Dallas, but the Giants will need more production against the Packers and I’m not sure where they’re going to find it unless Plaxico Burress’ ankle magically heals over the next couple of days.
I think this game is won in the trenches and New York can’t pull it off unless its defensive line has Favre running for his life all day. Good luck against the Packers’ O-line.
Favre was sacked four times by the Eagles way back in Week 1, but since then he’s been sacked only a dozen times and no more than twice in a single game. That’s a pretty decent sample size.
Plus, home field really does mean a lot at Lambeau. Years ago you wouldn’t even consider betting against Green Bay at home and I think these Packers are getting back to that again, winning and covering in their last five in Wisconsin. It’s a tough place to play, especially if you get down early.
Picks: Green Bay -7, over 40 points
Game Time Sports Advisors
10* San Diego
5* New York Giants
10* Minnesota CBB
Rocketman
5* GB
5* NE
4* DAL (NHL)
3* COL (NHL)
3* UCONN
3* INDIANA
John Ryan
3*Anaheim
Toronto Maple Leafs at New Jersey Devils
Prediction: Toronto Maple Leafs
Reason: Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Toronto Supporting this graded play is a system that has gone 78-33 and has made 44.2 units since 1997. Play against any team against the money line off 2 or more consecutive home losses and playing on Sundays. Also, note that although NJ is a big favorite for this game they are not in a strong role. NJ is just 7-9 against the money line (-12.4 Units) in home games against terrible defensive teams allowing 3+ goals/game in 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
IndianCowboy
Weber State @ Montana Grizzlies
Pick: 3 unit(s) ATS: Weber State +5 (Play of the Day)
I never shy away from points in a game in which a team can win outright and this game is no different. I took Sac yesterday with succses being a small road favorite and I will take Weber State here. Keep in mind that Montana has revenge from losing last year, but Montana has not been all that potent at home as they are just 1-3 and this team has had a tough time winning ballgames as they have lost 8 of their lat 9 ballgames. Montana comes off a home loss to Idaho State at home who is a top 250 team so kep that in mind so they will be reved up for this game, however, this team has not beat a top 200 team at home and Weber State has been very impressive all year and yes they are 1-5 on the road - but look who they have played - losing on the road to Illinois, BYU, San Fran and New Mexico. This team looks to be turning it around to their credit as they beat Eastern Washington, Portland State and Montana State - a team that is in the top 200 who they defeated on the road. Now, they face a top 250 team on the road catching 5 points. I'll take my shot here with Weber State winning outright - The Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 ballgames and the Grizzlies of Montana are just 3-13 ATS at home.
Game: Bowling Green Falcons @ Akron Zips
Pick: 3 unit(s) ATS: Bowling Green Falcons +14
Game: New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers
Pick: 3 unit(s) TOTAL: Over 41.5
Typically when the weather is "inclement" many enjoy taking the under believing that it will be tough for other teams to score. However, the Packers have scored essentially 28 to 30 points in 8 of their last 10 ballgames and much was the same case when the Packers played the Seahawks and many thought it would be a lower scoring ballgame. Keep in mind the Giants defense is fare more trustworthy than that of the Seahawks, but regardless, to have a total of 41.5 in a Green Bay is tough to pass up. Brett Favre helped his Pack score 35 points on the road and although I do see that production coming down, I still feel that this team will have their opportunities to score not only because of the Packers and their offense in Green Bay, but also because I think Eli will be prone to turnovers as well. I do feel that Packers are likely to win but the Giants will be competitive in this game as they will not go silent and keep in mind the Giants game totaled 38 at Dallas and that was against a Dallas offense that I believe is not as potent as a Packers team. Inclement weather can also lead to turnovers and better field position, so I will take my chances with the over as I have this game at 48. The over is 4-0 for the Pack at home and the over is 7-0 when they are a favorite by this margin