Randall The Handle
Eagles @ Giants
Line: New York by 4
Many will look back at a December 14 contest between these two combatants as a gauge of what might happen at the Meadowlands this Sunday. That would be a mistake. The Giants entered that one as a 7-point favourite but succumbed to the visiting Eagles by a 20-14 count. Anyone that has watched the Giants play these past couple of years would concur that New York had one of its worst performances in recent memory. If you remember, that was the week when the Plaxico Burress incident drew all of its attention and it proved to be a huge distraction to the host. Don’t expect the same team to take the field on this day. The Giants are the defending Super Bowl champions. The Eagles had an improbable entry into the playoffs when the Buccaneers were upset by the lowly Raiders. Philadelphia won a playoff game in Minnesota last week and that is admirable but this task will be much tougher. The Eagles don’t travel well at the best of times. They were 3-4-1 on the road this season while the Giants were an impressive 7-1 at home. Even though the Eagles are familiar with this venue and have had some success here, Giants fans will be juiced up for this one as it will be the first time since the G-Men have hosted a playoff game since a 2005 wild-card game. Prior results notwithstanding, it makes no sense to us that the Vikings were a 3-point choice over these Eagles last week and that the Giants are only a 4-point pick here. Asking a suspect Philadelphia squad to win here twice in six weeks is asking a lot.
TAKING: New York –4 RISKING: 2.08 units to win 2
Chargers @ Steelers
Line: Pittsburgh by 6
Are the Chargers for real or just a bunch of pretenders that have reached the end of the line? No one seems to know for sure but until this recent run ends, it would seem prudent to jump on board. Say what you like about San Diego head coach Norv Turner but he is the anti-Schottenheimer, having won 12 of past 13 in December and January. With a win here, Turner would become the winningest playoff coach in Chargers history. It will take some work as the Steelers are no pushover. Pittsburgh owned the NFL's top ranked defence surrendering a league-low 223 points on the season. Clearly, stopping opponents is not an issue. However, offence is. Pittsburgh struggled with the ball for most of the season. Those concerns can be attributed to a weak offensive line that had QB Ben Rothlisberger running for his life and laying on the ground much more than anyone in Steeltown would have liked. San Diego is well aware of this and will do everything in its power to exploit its opponent’s weakness. In their previous encounter this season, Pittsburgh was victorious by a mere 11-10 count. While we expect more points than that on this day, we might get them from the visitor only. Philip Rivers is a top-tier quarterback. San Diego has a fresh and capable runner in Darren Sproles. The Chargers defence has improved since Ron Rivera took over a few weeks ago as coordinator. If there has been a strange destiny this season, it belongs to this quirky invader and an upset could be in the making.
TAKING: San Diego +6 RISKING: 1.08 units to win 1
Complimentary Selection from Jeff Benton
Tough loser on Vanderbilt with Saturday’s free play, as the Commodores came up one basket shy of covering the spread at Kentucky. Still, I’m 15-6 with my last 21 freebies in College Hoops and 38-18 over the last 56 days with complimentary plays. For Sunday, we’ll look to improve on both records by backing San Diego at Santa Clara in West Coast Conference action.
Although Santa Clara gained a moral victory in Friday’s 63-62 loss at St. Mary’s as a 13-point underdog, the fact remains the Broncos have dropped six of their last eight games, with the only two victories coming at home against UTEP in overtime (89-80) and Belmont (83-80). Also, despite easily covering at St. Mary’s, Santa Clara is just 2-4 ATS in its last six lined games.
Meanwhile, San Diego has won three in a row and five of its last six (4-1 ATS in lined games), including Friday’s 65-50 rout of San Francisco as a two-point road favorite in its West Coast Conference opener. The Toreros have been shooting light’s out from the field (53 percent overall, 46.3 percent from three-point land in the last five contests), and they’ve done it all without their best player (point guard Brandon Johnson is out for the season after suffering an Achilles injury in early December).
San Diego swept the season series from Santa Clara last year and is 6-2 (5-3 ATS) in the last eight meetings. And if the Toreros end up being an underdog, note that the pup has cashed in five straight meetings in this rivalry. Throw in the fact that San Diego is on ATS runs of 36-15 on the road, 16-5 in WCC games and 7-2 in its last nine trips to Santa Clara, and this one’s a no-brainer. Back the visitor.
(based on a 1 to a 10 ♦ Rating)
3♦ SAN DIEGO (College Hoops)
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maddux sports
Today's Free Pick is SD & Pittsburgh Over 37
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8)
THE SOCCER EXPERTS
SUNDAY 1/11
Spain league
Real Madrid to win
F.C Barcelona to win
Parlay:
Real Madrid to win
Barcelona to win
Who2Beton
The New York Giants could be in trouble vs. the Philadelphia Eagles here, as their offense struggled down the stretch and the bye week did not help.
The Giants lost three of their last four games, as the loss of Plaxico Burress turned them into basically a one-dimensional running team. The Eagles were able to take advantage of this the last time these clubs met in a 20-14 win here in New Jersey, as run defense is a strong suit of theirs anyway.
Unless one of the Giant receivers steps up here, the Eagles can stack the box and concentrate on the run, thus limiting the G-Men offense again. At the same time however, Philadelphia did not exactly keep the scoreboard operator busy in that last meeting, and truth be told, they were not that impressive vs. the Vikings last week in a game that turned on one big play to Westbrook.
We look for the total point output here to closely resemble that last head-to-head meeting, which came in six points below this posted total.
Pick: Eagles, Giants Under 40
Jeff Alexander Sports
1 Unit on LA Lakers -10.5
The Heat have played a lot of games in not very many days. This is the third game of a long road trip and fatigue is already starting to set in. That couldn't have been more evident than when they gave up 115 points to the Kings on Friday. The Lakers are 8-3 SU and ATS in the last 11 home games in this series and I'll take them with the fresher legs here. Plays on home favorites (LA LAKERS) - hot team - having won 12 or more of their last 15 games, well rested team - playing 6 or less games in 14 days are 82-39 ATS the last 5 seasons. Wade will get his but no one else for the Heat will do enough to cover this number.
Dave Cokin
Niagara @ Marist
Play: Niagara -7'
Sunday's game should not be much of a problem for Niagara. The Purple Eagles haven't covered their last couple of games, but they're still winning. And they'll have a little extra motivation here as Marist is the team that sent them packing in last season's MAAC tournament. The hosts have improved a little since the start of the season and they've definitely shown lots of effort in most of their games, but this is a pretty limited entry. Niagara has too many horses and should garner a double digit road victory.
Tom Freese
Miami at La Lakers
Miami is 9-1 UNDER their last 10 games as road dogs of 11 or more points and they are 4-0 UNDER after scoring 100 or more points in their last game. The Heat are 15-6 UNDER after allowing 100 or more points in their last game and they are 7-1 UNDER vs. winning teams. The Lakers are 10-4 UNDER vs. the Southeast Division and they are 7-3 UNDER after scoring 100 or more points in their last game. Los Angeles is 5-2 UNDER after allowing 100 or more points in their last game and they are 7-1 UNDER their last 8 meetings with the Heat. PLAY ON 'UNDER'
Matt Rivers
For Sunday take the points with the Eagles.
The Giants certainly can win this game at home and they even can cover this thing as they are still a very very good football team. But more times than not backing the red hot Eagles plus this number of right around 4 will cash in.
These teams are so evenly matched that I really do not see anything but a tight hard fought game. Just about a month ago Philadelphia went to the Meadowlands and dominated these same Giants in the win. I do not see as lopsided of a performance here as Brandon Jacobs is healthy and the whole Plaxico Burress incident is sort of in the past but we are going to see a competitive game and to back the quality dog and get these points is well enough for me.
Jim Johnson's defense has been nasty for the last month plus as this Eagle team is absolutely flying around the field and allowing next to nothing. Adrian peterson and the Vikings were punished last week at the Metrodome and that came a week after absolutely whacking around the explosive Cowboys offense.
Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook are total blue chip studs. Sure there is some tread on their tires but those guys are true leaders that are doing just that of late. Philly has been in the playoffs basically for the past month and are in rhythm right now and as confident as can be.
Eli Manning and the G-Men are the defending Super Bowl champions but after the amazing first three months to the season, resulting in the 11-1 record, have been fairly mediocre of late in losing three of their last five. Justin Tuck has not been the same guy and the pass rush is not nearly as scary as it appeared earlier.
Bottom line, this game is fairly even, so any points we can get are almost free points so sure I'll take the much hotter team in Philadelphia!
Jake Timlin
Your Sunday selection is the New York Giants.
Two rivals kickoff today’s action I like the Giants at home minus the points. The same New York team that has won and covered 3 of the last 4 meetings against the Eagles, including a 5 point win this season at home. Also, talking about being at home the Giants were a solid 7-1 SU this year at the Meadowlands as New York posted an overall 12-4 SU/ATS record to improve by two wins over last year’s total. Meanwhile, for the Eagles while they are flying high by winning their 5 of their last 6 games thanks to the Giants fresh off a bye week giving their running backs and defense time to rest I look for Philadelphia to struggle on both sides of the ball today. After all given the Giants ability to get to McNabb sacking the Eagles quarterback 18 times over the last four games mixed in with the Giants three heading rushing attack that went for 216 yards in the first meeting this season I look for déjà vu all over again.
No upset here… All New York minus the home points!
Tony Weston
Today's Selection:
Damn, how close was that? If the Panthers put together a semblance of an offense then the Over comes in easily last night between Carolina and Arizona.
But, since the Panthers didn’t bother to show up at home we end up taking the loss by a few points.
That’s fine because we’re coming back today and nailing the Eagles-Giants Under and getting a W.
Maybe it’s the division, or just the conference in general, but the Under has been coming in consistently for both Philadelphia and New York recently.
The Under is 3-1-1 the Eagles’ last five games and 4-1 in the same span for the Giants.
New York has also seen the Under go 5-1 its last six playoff games and 7-2 its last nine games against NFC East opponents. The Under is also 4-1 New York’s last five games in January.
For Philly, the Under is 6-1-1 the team’s last eight playoff games and it is 5-1 its last six games on the road.
Also, in the last five meetings between these two teams, the Under has gone 4-1, including coming in their last meeting at Giants Stadium.
These two will keep points to a premium and struggle offensively to score. Take the Under easily in this one.
3♦ EAGLES-GIANTS UNDER
Karl Garrett
Philadelphia at NY GIANTS
G-Man going to look for both the windy weather, and the familiarity of opponent to contribute to an UNDER at the Meadowlands this Sunday afternoon when division-rivals have at it in this Eagles-Giants playoff battle.
Philadelphia opened their Super Bowl quest with an UNDER at Minnesota last Sunday, as they have now played 3 straight UNDERS on the road dating back to the regular season. That includes a 20-14 UNDER at New York back on December 7th on a blustery, windy day.
Big Blue ended their regular season by playing LOW in 4 of their final 5 games, including that December 7th home UNDER against the Eagles.
3 of the last 4 series meetings between the teams have stayed UNDER the posted total, and the teams playoff meeting in the 2006 season also stayed UNDER the total.
G-Man staying UNDER the total in this one.
3♦ UNDER
Bobby Maxwell
Orlando +4 at SAN ANTONIO
Tonight's FREE selection comes from the NBA hardwood as we go with the red-hot Magic to get the job done in San Antonio against the Spurs.
There might not be any team in the NBA playing better than the Orlando Magic. So tonight we're going to grab the points and play them as they visit San Antoino. Orlando is on a 14-3 ATS run and on the road the Magic is on a 12-5-1 ATS run.
The Magic just played maybe their best game of the season with a 121-87 destruction of the Hawks on Friday night as five-point favorites. They had all five starters in double-digits and at one point had a 49-point lead. They are getting great play from center Dwight Howard and forwards Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis and the big question mark was going to be their guard play but even they are playing some great ball right now.
The Spurs have won four in a row but at home they have already dropped six games and they are just 8-11-1 ATS in their own building.
Orlando has already beaten the Spurs this season, winning 90-78 as a 2 1/2-point favorite in Florida back on Dec. 18. The Magic are on ATS streaks of 19-7-1 overall, 26-10-1 as an underdog, 14-3 against the Western Conference and 45-22-3 on the road. The Spurs are just 1-5-1 ATS against the Eastern Conference and 1-4 as a home favorite.
The Magic are proving to be one of the best teams in the NBA. Grab the points and play Orlando tonight.
4♦ ORLANDO
Sports Gambling Hotline
North Carolina -5 at WAKE FOREST
North Carolina followed up their shocking 85-78 home loss to Boston College with a solid 108-70 romp over the College of Charleston, and now they head to Winston-Salem in hopes of hanging a loss on Wake Forest, as the Demon Deacons are off to a perfect 13-0 start this season.
The Tar Heels have had the Deacons number of late, winning and covering the last 3 meetings, including last season's lone meeting 89-73 as the 15 1/2-point home favorite.
Roy Williams' team has played perfect on the road thus far at 7-0 straight up, and they have covered in 4 of their 6 lined road games. We tend to believe that while Wake is the undefeated unit in this game, UNC is the more polished, and proven product, and we will side with the Heels to hand the Deacs their first loss of the year.
Play on North Carolina.
2♦ NORTH CAROLINA
Matt Fargo
Louisiana State at Alabama
Prediction: Alabama
LSU is coming off its first true road game of the season and we all saw what happened. I was on Utah on Tuesday in that game against the Tigers and it resulted in a 30-point win. LSU is eager to bounce back but until it can show it can win on the road, it will be fade material, especially with a number as short as this one is. Going back to last season, the Tigers are 3-14 in games away from home against Division I opponents and that includes a 2-6 record in the SEC.
Alabama is also eager to bounce back following a loss and it is more apt to do it at home. The SEC is down this year there is no doubt about that as no team is asserting itself as being the team to beat. Alabama could just be that team. After suffering a humiliating loss at home to Mercer to open the season and then get thumped by Oregon in Maui by 23 points, the Tide has turned it around. They are 9-2 since then with the losses coming in overtime against Texas A&M and then at Clemson by only seven points.
Alabama has one of the best backcourts in the SEC and even in the nation for that matter. The trio of Alonzo Gee, Ronald Steele and Senario Hillman are averaging 41.5 ppg, 14.2 rpg and 7.4 apg. After knee issues hurt his 2006-07 season, Steele redshirted last year and he has come back stronger than ever. He is the leader and having a do everything points guard is enormous for a team to possess. Add to that he is hitting 89.8 percent from the free throw line, third in the SEC among players averaging at least 2.0 attempts per game.
Alabama falls into a solid situation based on recent output. Play on favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points that have won between 60 and 80 percent of their games after going under the total by more than 18 points in two consecutive games and playing a team with a winning record. This situation is 33-8 ATS (80.5 percent) since 1997 with the average point differential being +11.2 ppg. This favors Alabama in this one as LSU is 0-7 ATS in its last seven road games against teams allowing 64 ppg or fewer. 3* Alabama Crimson Tide