Bobby Maxwell
N. Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech -1, at Shreveport, La.
College bowl game FREE winner for you today as we play Louisiana Tech to get the job done tonight against Northern Illinois.
Louisiana Tech finished tied for second in the Western Athletic Conference behind unbeaten Boise State and tonight they'll get a big bowl win over Northern Illinois in the Independence Bowl.
The Bulldogs have averaged 34 points over their last five games and they ranked second in the WAC, averaging 195 yards on the ground. All-WAC running back Daniel Porter has been the catalyst of the running game with 1,086 yards and eight TDs.
Northern Illinois has lost three of its last four games and they are just 1-4 ATS in the last five contests. Last time out, the Huskies got blanked by Navy 16-0 as a three-point favorite and their offense has made a habit of disappearing in big games. Ball State held them to 14 points and they only got 16 against Bowling Green. Tennessee limited the Huskies to nine points and against Miami of Ohio they only managed 17 points, winning 17-13 as 11-point favorites.
Offenses that disappear in big games is not something good for the bowl season. Let's put our money on Louisiana Tech in this one. Play the Bulldogs.
2♦ LOUISIANA TECH
New England -6 at BUFFALO
Talk about a team that might be peaking at the perfect time, a little help from the Jets, and there will be nobody in the AFC playoffs who want to take on the red-hot Patriots. Today in Buffalo they will continue their offensive surge and destroy the Bills, who had their season-spoiling win last week.
New England is going to close out the season in style as they are the five-time defending AFC East champs. This offense has put up 96 points in the last two weeks, including a 47-7 blowout of Arizona in a blizzard in Foxborough, Mass. QB Matt Cassel threw for 345 yards and three TDs without an INT and the running back tandem of Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan racked up 183 yards rushing.
The inclement weather in New England didn't even cause this offense to stub its toe. It was Matt Cassel's first game in snow and today could be his second. The Pats have won 10 straight games over the Bills and 15 of their last 16, outscoring the Bills 150-40 in their last four visits to Buffalo. Earlier this season they held Buffalo to 168 total yards in a 20-10 win on Nov. 9.
With the Jets-Dolphins game not starting until 4:15 p.m. EST, the Patriots have every reason to come out quick and not let up against Buffalo. The Patriots win this one by 20. Play New England.
NEW ENGLAND
Chris Jordan
Seattle at ARIZONA -6
One week after being shellacked by the Patriots, we're going to side with the Cardinals, who will play all their offensive superstars, according to coach Ken Whisenhunt.
He not only wants the bad taste out of his players' mouths after the 47-7 blowout in Foxboro, but he wants his high-explosive offense ready for the opening weekend of the playoffs. Thus, you can expect to see the likes of Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald making headlines on Sunday against division rival Seattle in the season finale.
Incidentally, the three all-Pro selections will be playing against the league's passing defense. So while we saw the defense light up the Seahawks in the first meeting, forcing three Matt Hasselbeck interceptions in Seattle in Week 11, this one will be all about touching up that porous secondary.
The fact Whisenhunt said his Cardinals look as if they're lacking confidence in their two losses since clinching the NFC West in Week 14, and that he is going to treat this week like a playoff game, is enough for me to feel confident in laying this number and banking on a double-digit winner.
The Cardinals are 11-4 at home under Whisenhunt, while they stroll into this one on ATS runs of 5-1 in intra-division play, 7-2 as a favorite and a perfect 5-0 in Week 17.
And in this series, the home team has covered four of the last five, while the favorite is on a 5-2 spread run the last seven meetings. Lay the chalk with Arizona, and look for a 10-to-14 point victory.
4♦ ARIZONA CARDINALS
Oakland at TAMPA BAY -13
Alright, so we first combined Atlanta with Florida State for a Saturday-Sunday teaser, and now we're going to give you a look at a second team on Sunday, to pair with the Falcons. And that team is going to be Tampa Bay against Oakland.
The Buccaneers need a lot of help to get into the postseason, I know this, but it all starts with a win over the Raiders. And with the Bucs laying -13 points, I think we need to take it down to the flat 7, and aim for the 10-point win. That doesn't mean I like the Raiders straight by the way, I just don't want to get backdoored and don't think I need to be laying this many with a Tampa team. I know the Raiders are going to come into this game with nothing to lose and everything to gain, like some sort of distant-revenge from Tampa's Super Bowl annihilation in XXXVII, but I have added motivation beyond Tampa's postseason hopes for this one.
His name is Monte Kiffin. Tampa's defensive guru will undoubtedly be looking to embarrass Al Davis after the way the boisterous owner dismissed Kiffin's son, Lane. And you better believe the two Kiffin's have conferred about Oakland's offensive tendencies, especially the weaknesses.
- - - - - - - - - - -
With Atlanta, well, a win and it could very well be the NFC's No. 2 seed under a rookie coach. And the way this team has been playing, I don't know if there is anything the Rams can do to stop the offensive onslaught I see taking place. And we're teasing this to single digits. The Falcons clinched a postseason spot with a 24-17 win in Minnesota last Sunday, and now they just need to beat the Rams to celebrate with the home crowd to have a chance at the NFC South title?
In blowout fashion boys, in blowout fashion. Atlanta is 6-1 at the Georgia Dome, while St. Louis has lost nine in a row, including last week to lowly San Francisco. And for the record, the Rams beat the Falcons 28-16 in the teams' last meeting, back on Dec. 2, 2007.
The last time St. Louis went on the road it was drilled by Arizona, 34-10. The time before that, a 35-16 loss in Frisco. The time before that, a 47-3 beatdown at the hands of the Jets. You get the picture? The Falcons might be solid straight-up, but why not tease it into single digits?
2♦ SIX-POINT TEASER BUCCANEERS/FALCONS
Sports Gambling Hotline
Carolina at NEW ORLEANS +2'
Of course the obvious play here is to back the Panthers, as they are a win away from clinching the NFC South, but we don't expect the prideful Saints to go quietly.
Drew Brees is on the verge of eclipsing Dan Marino in the record books, so you can expect New Orleans to fire away at Carolina with nothing at all to lose in this game.
New Orleans is 6-1 both straight up, and against the spread at the Superdome this year, and they do have a matter of revenge on their side, as they were waxed 30-7 at Carolina earlier in this season.
The Panthers are off their disappointing Sunday night loss at the New York Giants in a game they did everything but win in! That road loss dropped John Fox' team to 2-4 both straight up, and against the spread on the road this season.
Carolina does own a 6-game win, and cover streak their last 6 visits to the Big Easy, but we don't think this one is going to be that "easy" for Carolina today.
Play on the Saints.
2♦ NEW ORLEANS
Karl Garrett
Carolina -2' at NEW ORLEANS
I don't think there is a snowballs chance in hell that today's Panthers-Saints game is going to stay UNDER the posted total.
Carolina comes into this one having scored 28-points or more in each of their last 5 games, and the Panthers did put up 30-points in the season's first meeting with New Orleans.
New Orleans counters with an average of nearly 32-points per game since their season-low 7-point output at Carolina back on October 19th.
Expect the Panthers to bang away at the depleted New Orleans defense with their power running game, but also expect Drew Brees to do some damage through the air as he looks to pass Dan Marino in the NFL record books.
By the end of the day this game will feature enough points to take us OVER the posted total.
G-Man banking on a high-scoring affair in New Orleans this afternoon.
5♦ OVER
Nelly
Detroit + over Green Bay
This has the potential to be one of the most intriguing games of the week. Green Bay faced a crushing, meaningful rivalry game Monday night so this will be a short week for the Packers and Green Bay’s defensive deficiencies could give a Lions offense that has shown some signs of promise a chance. There will be some pressure on Green Bay but in a season that has gone wrong avoiding embarrassment will be a bigger motivator for the Lions than for the Packers.
Tom Freese
Boston at Sacramento
Boston is 14-3 ATS their last 17 games as favorites of 11 or more points and they are 20-6-1 ATS on the road vs. a team with a losing home record. The Celtics are 51-18 ATS vs. an opponent that scored 100 or more points in their last game and they are 9-2 ATS when playing with one day of rest. Sacramento is 2-6 ATS when playing with one day of rest and they are 2-8 ATS their last 10 home games. The Kings are 1-5 ATS their last 6 games as home dogs and they are 3-13 ATS vs. Eastern Conference teams. PLAY ON BOSTON -
Tony Mathews
Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans
Selection: Chicago Bears +3
The Bears are hanging by a hair in their playoff hopes and a must win against the Texans will serve to strengthen the possibility. Last Monday, Chicago bounced back and walked away with a win, but that shouldn't effect them here despite a short week. Houston on the other hand, was defeated by Oakland after the Texan defense allowed 27 points to one of the worst offenses in the NFL; a debacle that is a sure blow to the collective ego.
Chicago has been resourceful in managing their wins and we expect them to do so this weekend. Chicago and Texas have no real history, so there is no big rival motivational factor at play. However it is important for the Bears to make the playoffs and this game depends on it.
This tells all... A Bears win gives them a small shot at making the playoffs, while a Bears loss gives them no chance at making the playoffs.
Take the Chicago Bears +3
Andre Gomes
HOU -3 vs CHI
I know I'm going against a team who is still fighting for a place in the playoffs. In this game between Houston and Chicago, I just needed to be sure that the Texans would give their A effort today and this seems to be a certainty. Houston is 7-8 right now and they will look for the second season in a row to avoid having a losing season. A win in here and Houston will finish the season with a 8-8 overall record and a 6-2 home record. The Texans are coming from their worst defeat of the season at Oakland and they were questioned about their will to win and so, I expect Houston to come fired up today.
"We're going to play hard," cornerback Dunta Robinson said. "We want to win. Any time you end the season with a loss, it's a long offseason, but with a victory, it gives you something positive going into the offseason."
We're going to do what we have to do to win the game," Kubiak said. "We're going to play our regular guys. This is an important game for us, too."
With this motivation to win, we are talking about one of the best teams of the league right now. They were coming from four wins in a row and they had just defeated the Titans at home by 13-12, in an amazing defensive performance of the Texans. Matt Schaub leads the 3rd best offense of the league with 377.2 yds/game and rookie RB Steve Slaton had more than 100 rushing yards in 4 of the last 6 games of the team.
On the other side, the Bears are still in the hunt for the playoffs in a surprising way since they haven't been playing well at all. They are coming from two home wins against the Saints and the Packers, but they finished these games with minus 100 total yards than their opponents. If that wasn't enough, they had to make an extra effort, as not only both games went to overtime, as they were played at terrible conditions. Let's face it: a team who is coming from a MNF divisional game who goes to overtime in a -5?C game won't be certainly be in good conditions to perform in the following game. QB Kyle Orton has been at least intercepted once in the last four games and the Bears are almost exclusively dependent from their rookie RB Matt Forte.
I think Houston has the perfect conditions to be a spoiler team in here. They are right now a more well balanced team than the Bears, who are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a win. Take Houston in here.
Jimmy The Moose
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
Prediction: New England Patriots
The Patriots still have a chance at making the playoffs and will get the big win that keeps thie hopes alive this afternoon. The Patriots are 3-1 SU and ATS in their last 4 riad games. In their last 21 games as a road favorite the Patriots are 16-5 ATS. In their last 9 games played on turf the Patriots are 7-2 ATS. The Bills are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games and 4-6 ATS. Buffalo is 2-7 ATS in their last 9 vs. a team with a winning record. The Bills are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games. New England is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 trips to Buffalo. The Patriots are 10-0 SU and 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings. Play on the Patriots -.
Frank Jordan
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers
Play: Green Bay Packers -11
Green Bay has gone from 5-5 to 5-10 and has had a rough first year without Brett Favre, but it still isn't as bad as the 0-15 Lions. Detroit is the first team to go 0-15 in an NFL season and could before the first to go 0-16. Back in week two these two teams hooked up in Detroit and despite the Lions putting up 25 points they lost big as the Packers hung 48 points as Aaron Rodgers threw for over 300 yards. Look for the Packers to cruise at home and win by two TDs. Play Green Bay
DUNKEL
New England at Buffalo
The must-win situation for New England, the Patriots will look to build on their 5-2 ATS record on the road this season and take advantage of Buffalo's 2-4 ATS record at home. New England is the pick (-6 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Patriots favored by 9 1/2. Dunkel Pick: New England (-6 1/2).
Game 301-302: Oakland at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland 119.616; Tampa Bay 135.929
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 16 1/2; 35
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay by 13; 39
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-13); Under
Game 303-304: Detroit at Green Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 123.925; Green Bay 130.667
Dunkel Line: Green Bay by 7; 45 1/2
Vegas Line: Green Bay by 9 1/2; 43
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+9 1/2); Over
Game 305-306: Dallas at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 139.263; Philadelphia 139.443
Dunkel Line: Even; 45
Vegas Line: Philadelphia by 1 1/2; 42 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+1 1/2); Over
Game 307-308: NY Giants at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: NY Giants 135.733; Minnesota 143.940
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 8; 40
Vegas Line: Minnesota by 6 1/2; 42
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-6 1/2); Under
Game 309-310: Chicago at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 132.906; Houston 133.803
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 50
Vegas Line: Houston by 2 1/2; 47
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+2 1/2); Over
Game 311-312: Carolina at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 138.315; New Orleans 139.087
Dunkel Line: New Orleans by 1; 56
Vegas Line: Carolina by 3; 53
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (+3); Over
Game 313-314; St. Louis at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 120.586; Atlanta 134.011
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 13 1/2; 47
Vegas Line: Atlanta by 14 1/2; 44
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+14 1/2); Over
Game 315-316: Kansas City at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City 124.337; Cincinnati 129.417
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 5; 32
Vegas Line: Cincinnati by 3; 38
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-3); Under
Game 317-318: Jacksonville at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville 128.039; Baltimore 144.405
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 16 1/2; 32
Vegas Line: Baltimore by 12 1/2; 35 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-12 1/2); Under
Game 319-320: Tennessee at Indianapolis
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee 144.096; Indianapolis 139.395
Dunkel Line: Tennessee by 5; 35
Vegas Line: Tennessee by 3; 38
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee (-3); Under
Game 321-322: Cleveland at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 127.089; Pittsburgh 135.300
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 8; 30
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh by 10 1/2; 32
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+10 1/2); Under
Game 323-324: Miami at NY Jets
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 129.352; NY Jets 135.269
Dunkel Line: NY Jets by 6; 47
Vegas Line: NY Jets by 2 1/2; 42
Dunkel Pick: NY Jets (-2 1/2); Over
Game 325-326: New England at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: New England 137.860; Buffalo 128.451
Dunkel Line: New England by 9 1/2; 39
Vegas Line: New England by 6 1/2; 42 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New England (-6 1/2); Under
Game 327-328: Seattle at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 126.299; Arizona 128.212
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 2; 37
Vegas Line: Arizona by 6; 45 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+6); Under
Game 329-330: Washington at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 130.475; San Francisco 130.467
Dunkel Line: Even; 41
Vegas Line: San Francisco by 3; 37
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+3); Over
Game 331-332: Denver at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 132.115; San Diego 136.771
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 4 1/2; 53
Vegas Line: San Diego by 8 1/2; 50
Dunkel Pick: Denver (+8 1/2); Over
NBA
Miami at Cleveland
The Heat face a Cleveland team that is 5-1 ATS as a home favorite between 9 1/2 and 12 points. The Cavaliers are the pick (-10 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has Cleveland favored by 15. Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-10 1/2).
Game 501-502: Denver at New York
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 120.200; New York 114.690
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 5 1/2; 209
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 3 1/2; 220 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-3 1/2); Under
Game 503-504: Dallas at LA Clippers
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 118.578; LA Clippers 118.798
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 181 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 505-506: Miami at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 115.886; Cleveland 130.583
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 15; 184 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 10 1/2; 186 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-10 1/2); Under
Game 507-508: New Orleans at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 119.979; Indiana 118.535
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 1 1/2; 216 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 509-510: Boston at Sacramento
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 124.505; Sacramento 114.335
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 10; 211 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 12; 200
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (+12); Over
Game 511-512: Golden State at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 111.413; LA Lakers 126.433
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 15; 201
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
NCAAB
Texas Tech at Stanford
The Cardinal, who are 4-0 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record, take on a Texas Tech team that is just 2-4 ATS on the season. Stanford is the pick (-9 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Cardinal favored by 14. Dunkel Pick: Stanford (-9 1/2).
Game 513-514: Eastern Michigan at Illinois
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Michigan 49.332; Illinois 76.743
Dunkel Line: Illinois by 27
Vegas Line: Illinois by 20
Dunkel Pick: Illinois (-20)
Game 515-516: Indiana State at Northern Iowa
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana State 48.931; Northern Iowa 58.979
Dunkel Line: Northern Iowa by 10
Vegas Line: Northern Iowa by 8
Dunkel Pick: Northern Iowa (-8)
Game 517-518: Southern Illinois at Bradley
Dunkel Ratings: Southern Illinois 59.991; Bradley 59.181
Dunkel Line: Southern Illinois by 1
Vegas Line: Bradley by 2
Dunkel Pick: Southern Illinois (+2)
Game 519-520: Illinois State at Missouri State
Dunkel Ratings: Illinois State 63.137; Missouri State 59.564
Dunkel Line: Illinois State by 4
Vegas Line: Illinois State by 2
Dunkel Pick: Illinois State (-2)
Game 521-522: Louisiana Tech at UCLA
Dunkel Ratings: Louisiana Tech 45.217; UCLA 76.964
Dunkel Line: UCLA by 31 1/2
Vegas Line: UCLA by 26
Dunkel Pick: UCLA (-26)
Game 523-524: UC-Riverside at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Riverside 46.641; Denver 53.412
Dunkel Line: Denver by 7
Vegas Line: Denver by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-4 1/2)
Game 525-526: Rice at Arkansas Little Rock
Dunkel Ratings: Rice 47.608; Arkansas Little Rock 55.091
Dunkel Line: Arkansas Little Rock by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Arkansas Little Rock by 10
Dunkel Pick: Rice (+10)
Game 527-528: Loyola Marymount at New Mexico State
Dunkel Ratings: Loyola Marymount 44.645; New Mexico State 64.294
Dunkel Line: New Mexico State by 19 1/2
Vegas Line: New Mexico State by 22 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Loyola Marymount (+22 1/2)
Game 529-530: Drake at Evansville
Dunkel Ratings: Drake 59.736; Evansville 65.384
Dunkel Line: Evansville by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Evansville by 3
Dunkel Pick: Evansville (-3)
Game 531-532: Western Kentucky at Florida State
Dunkel Ratings: Western Kentucky 57.156; Florida State 67.292
Dunkel Line: Florida State by 10
Vegas Line: Florida State by 7
Dunkel Pick: Florida State (-7)
Game 533-534: Valparaiso at Purdue
Dunkel Ratings: Valparaiso 50.159; Purdue 72.095
Dunkel Line: Purdue by 22
Vegas Line: Purdue by 25
Dunkel Pick: Valparaiso (+25)
Game 535-536: Virginia at Georgia Tech
Dunkel Ratings: Virginia 57.851; Georgia Tech 67.929
Dunkel Line: Georgia Tech by 10
Vegas Line: Georgia Tech by 8
Dunkel Pick: Georgia Tech (-8)
Game 537-538: Iowa State at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Iowa State 56.125; Houston 66.712
Dunkel Line: Houston by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Houston by 12 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Iowa State (+12 1/2)
Game 539-540: Yale at Alabama
Dunkel Ratings: Yale 46.649; Alabama 62.295
Dunkel Line: Alabama by 15 1/2
Vegas Line: Alabama by 17 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Yale (+17 1/2)
Game 541-542: Richmond at NC Wilmington
Dunkel Ratings: Richmond 55.730; NC Wilmington 44.330
Dunkel Line: Richmond by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Richmond by 8
Dunkel Pick: Richmond (-8)
Game 543-544: Rutgers at North Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Rutgers 55.248; North Carolina 85.546
Dunkel Line: North Carolina by 30
Vegas Line: North Carolina by 32
Dunkel Pick: Rutgers (+32)
Game 545-546: Wichita State at Creighton
Dunkel Ratings: Wichita State 57.099; Creighton 71.273
Dunkel Line: Creighton by 14
Vegas Line: Creighton by 12
Dunkel Pick: Creighton (-12)
Game 547-548: Texas Tech at Stanford
Dunkel Ratings: Texas Tech 58.334; Stanford 72.436
Dunkel Line: Stanford by 14
Vegas Line: Stanford by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Stanford (-9 1/2)
Game 549-550: Dartmouth vs. Air Force
Dunkel Ratings: Dartmouth 42.429; Air Force 54.956
Dunkel Line: Air Force by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 551-552: Portland at California
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 52.798; California 70.804
Dunkel Line: California by 18
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 553-554: Buffalo vs. Pepperdine
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 57.427; Pepperdine 40.838
Dunkel Line: Buffalo by 16 1/2
Vegas Line: Buffalo by 13
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (-13)
Game 555-556: Coppin State vs. Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Coppin State 45.873; Colorado 55.906
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 6
Vegas Line: Colorado by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Coppin State (+7 1/2)
Game 557-558: Tennessee State at Marshall
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee State 48.893; Marshall 59.184
Dunkel Line: Marshall by 10
Vegas Line: Marshall by 13 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee State (+13 1/2)
Game 559-560: Eastern Illinois at Bowling Green
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Illinois 40.811; Bowling Green 57.038
Dunkel Line: Bowling Green by 16
Vegas Line: Bowling Green by 14
Dunkel Pick: Bowling Green (-14)
Game 561-562: Montana at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Montana 50.143; Washington 69.046
Dunkel Line: Washington by 19
Vegas Line: Washington by 21
Dunkel Pick: Montana (+21)
Game 563-564: Tennessee Martin at Fordham
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee Martin 46.099; Fordham 49.172
Dunkel Line: Fordham by 3
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 565-566: Siena at St. Joseph's
Dunkel Ratings: Siena 59.161; St. Joseph's 66.237
Dunkel Line: St. Joseph's by 7
Vegas Line: St. Joseph's by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Joseph's (-5 1/2)
NHL
Chicago at Minnesota
The Blackhawks are 9-1 in December and look to take advantage of a Minnesota team that is just 3-8. Chicago is the pick (-125) according to Dunkel, which has the Blackhawks favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-125).
Game 51-52: Boston at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 12.096; Atlanta 11.091
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-180); 6
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-180); Under
Game 53-54: Anaheim at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Anaheim 10.307; St. Louis 11.964
Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Anaheim (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+115); Under
Game 55-56: Chicago at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 12.354; Minnesota 11.307
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-125); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-125); Over
Game 57-58: Toronto at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 10.372; Washington 12.439
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 59-60: Nashville at Edmonton
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 12.341; Edmonton 10.637
Dunkel Line & Total: Nashville by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Edmonton (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nashville (+110); Under
Game 61-62: Ottawa at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Ottawa 10.151; Vancouver 12.163
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-180); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-180); Under
GINA
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
New England has won the past 10 meetings and has been superb in December going 23-2 since 2003. They need this win badly and are plying well. Buffalo was the spoiler last week beating the Broncos, 30-23. Don't think the Bills will be the spoiler again this week. The Patriots are 4-0 against the spread in the last four meetings and covered the last four in Buffalo.
New England Patriots -5½
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
Cleveland Browns haven't scored a touchdown in their last five games and to make matters worse have difficulty scoring against the Pittsburgh Steelers and their potent defense. Go with the Steelers to take their 11 straight contest against the Browns and their anemic offense. Pittsburgh is 7-2-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings versus Cleveland.
Pittsburgh Steelers -10½
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
The Detroit Lions can make history as the first NFL team to finish 0-16 with a loss in their regular-season finale against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. In all probability this will happen. Green Bay has won the last six meetings and is 17-0 at home against Detroit since 1991. Go with the Packers to end Detroit’s’ suffering. Detroit's lackluster defense will have problems with the Packers running attack on the frozen tundra.
Green Bay Packers -10½
Independence BOWL
Louisiana Tech +1½
Randall the Handle
SAN FRANCISCO –3 over Washington
Here we have a Redskins squad that started the year out 6-2 after beating the Eagles and Cowboys in successive weeks and looked like a lock for the playoffs. The Skins then went on to lose six of its next seven weeks, were eliminated from the playoffs in the process and in a last ditch effort to make life miserable for someone else, they played their hearts out last week and virtually eliminated the Eagles from post-season play. That was their Super Bowl last week. Now after a hugely disappointing second half and after that big win last week, the Skins will head west to close out the year in San Fran in a meaningless game. Good luck to them. The 49ers are playing a meaningless game too but so what, they’ve been playing meaningless games since the middle of October. Mike Singletary worked wonders with this talented group and was rewarded this week with a contract extension and the players would like noting more then to give the coach a win to close out the year. The Skins have absolutely no motivation here while the 49ers have plenty. The Skins season ended last week and anything short of a 49ers easy win here would surprise me greatly. Play: San Francisco –3 (Risking 2.04 units to win 2).
HOUSTON –3 +1.10 over Chicago
To make the playoffs the Bears need to win here and they also need the Vikes to lose to the Giants. Should that come to pass the Bears will win the NFC-North. Chicago can also clinch the final Wild Card bid in the NFC with a win and losses by both Tampa Bay and Dallas but that’s unlikely to occur. The bigger problem however, is that the Bears are the second best team in this match-up and it might not be close. Chicago’s 20-17 win over the Packers on Monday night was one of the more flattering scores of the year, as the Bears were badly outplayed for most of the game. Only a lucky 32-yard field goal miss by the Packers as time expired has the Bears breathing but that is likely to be short-lived. You see, the Bears can’t keep up with Houston anywhere. The Texans have a huge edge offensively, they have an edge defensively as well and they’re at home. Incidentally, the Bears have three road wins and two of them came against Detroit and St. Louis, arguably the NFL’s two biggest dregs. They won their opener in Indianapolis but Indy wasn’t ready and Peyton Manning weighed about 90 pounds when the season started. So, in reality, the Bears have zero notable road wins this season and frankly, their home wins aren’t that impressive either. The Texans have been gaining steam for weeks now. They have a damn good QB, the best receiver in the league, a very underrated defense and after laying an egg in Oakland last week they’ll be so ready to send the Bears home and that’s exactly where they belong. Play: Houston –3 +1.10 (Risking 2 units).
Kansas City +1.23 over CINCINNATI
The Bengals are favored here because the Chiefs are 2-13 and because Cincinnati is coming off two wins in a row. That’s nice, it really is but the Bengals beat a depleted and mentally beat up Brownies team, who incidentally were forced to start its sixth string QB. Bengals won 14-0. They also beat a reeling Washington team, who had lost five of six going into that game. Asking a bad football team to win three in a row in this league is next to impossible. The Bengals have been blown out so many times this season and when a team shows up against them, they simply cannot win. This team is more dysfunctional then the Osbourne’s. The perception is that the Chiefs are a bad team and I would have agreed with that weeks ago but this team is absolutely onto something good. Unlike the Bengals, the Chiefs show up every week. They’ve been in every game with the exception of a couple and should have beaten both the Chargers and Dolphins over the past two weeks. In fact, they’ve been so close that with a couple of favorable calls or bounces they could have won eight of its past nine instead of losing them. A close look shows the Chiefs losing by the narrowest of margins over that span. They lost 28-24 at the Jets, 30-27 to the Bucs, 20-19 at San Diego, 30-20 to the Saints, 24-17 at Denver, 22-21 to the Chargers and finally, last week’s 38-31 loss to the Dolphins. Tyler Thigpen has resurrected a stale offense and it’s not an aberration. Thigpen is wickedly good with an incredible arm and the accuracy to go along with it. The Chiefs will walk into Cincinnati as the superior team with the superior offense (it’s not close) and defense and they’ll close out the year with a win because they want it about 1000 times more then the Bengals. Keep the points. Play: Kansas City +1.23 (Risking 2 units).
JOHNNY GUILD
NFL
The Georgia Dome is the host for the Atlanta Falcons when they bring the St Louis Rams to their town. Atlanta Falcons has a won two straight games while the Rams lost 9 games in a row. With a spread like this the Falcons have to dominate this game amazingly which they will. but they really have nothing to lose this game and scoring Touchdowns may be real easy for them. Especially since the Falcons defense will completely shut down the Rams running game and will stop the passing game in the air. Look for a major crush by Atlanta.
Prediction: Atlanta -14.5
Independence BOWL: Louisiana Tech
CBB
Washington Huskies -21
Purdue Boilermakers -25
Wichita St. Shockers +12.5
SportsInsights
Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets
Time to "buy low and sell high." A few weeks ago, some people were picking the Jets to be the AFC representative in the Superbowl. Since the Jets' big win at Tennessee five games ago, the Jets have limped to a 1-3 record. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins have put together a four-game winning streak and are tied with New England atop the AFC East, one game ahead of the Jets. The Jets looked bad last week against the lowly Seahawks while the Dolphins scored 38 points in defeating KC. Time to buy the Jets at a recent "low" and sell the Dolphins at a "peak."
The "sharps" also feel that there is good value on the New York Jets. The line opened at CRIS at Jets -2.5. The majority of bets -- especially teasers and parlays -- are on Miami, but the line has ticked up to the "key three number." There are still some 2.5's available that we would grab ASAP.
Many of the Dolphins' wins this year have been by just a few points. They beat the teams they should -- but don't seem to be as good as their 10-5 record. On the other hand, the Jets have been underperforming lately. Overall, we believe that the Jets are a better team, so we like giving less than a FG at home.
New York Jets -2.5