Week 17 Pro Football Trio of Free Picks

Week 17 Free Picks and Betting Preview

It’s all about the Playoff Push in Week 17 of Pro Football betting as Baltimore takes on Cincinnati with plenty at stake for both teams: Baltimore can clinch the AFC North and Cincinnati needs a victory for a AFC Wild-Card berth. In other key games the Denver Broncos host the Kansas City Chiefs with a chance to win the AFC West, and the Dallas Cowboys battle Eli Manning and the New York Giants with the NFC East title on the line.

Before getting into that, let me just write that anybody angry at New Orleans Saints’ coach Sean Payton for continuing to pass against Atlanta, therefore allowing QB Drew Brees to break Dan Marino’s single season passing yardage mark, makes no sense.  The Dirty Birds gave up 164 rush yards on the ground, 147 return yards, committed 7 penalties, and was 0 for 3 in Red Zone Efficiency. 

Can’t stop the run, horrible on special teams, a penalty machine, terrible in the Red Zone, and you’re crying about Brees breaking a record against you?  Really, ATL?  Really?

Check out a trio of Week 17 of Football action below.

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

When:  Jan. 1 at 4:15 pm EST

Betting Line:  Baltimore -1.5, Total 38   

Analysis:  Baltimore is a strange team.  They’ve gone 5 and 1 straight-up in their last 6 games but only 2-3-1 against the spread in those last 6 games.  They’re hard to figure out, which is why I’m backing the youngsters over in the great city of Cincinnati to win this game on Sunday.  Cincy is only 3 and 4 ATS at home this season, but I love the Dalton to Green connection as well as the fact that they’ve won two straight games, albeit over St. Louis and Arizona, after losing two straight versus Pittsburgh and Houston.  The Bengals are a good team and Baltimore’s defense appears more tired at this point in the season than Cincinnati’s.  I’m with the Bengals.

Pick:  Cincinnati

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos

When:  Jan. 1, 4:15 pm EST

Betting Line:  Denver -3.5, Total 37

Analysis:  Forget about the fact that Denver beat Kansas City 17 to 10 in November when handicapping this game.  With Romeo Crennel as the head coach, KC’s D has been downright awesome lately.  KC took down Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers straight-up in Week 15.  Then, in Week 16, they held Raiders’ QB Carson Palmer to 16 out of 26 for 237 yards and 2 picks.  Also in Week 16, Denver QB Tim Tebow went 13 out of 30 for 185 yards and 4 picks.  Tebow’s horrible game was against a Buffalo D that, after shutting down the Broncos, allows 128 yards on the ground and 225 yards through the air.  What do you think KC’s D is going to do to Tim Tebow on Jan. 1?  Lots of bad things, my friends, lots and lots of bad things.

Pick:  Kansas City

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

When:  Jan.1 at 8:20 pm EST

Betting Line:  NYG -3, Total 46.5

Analysis:  Dallas just isn’t a very good team.  Can we all admit that?  The defense is terrible, it allows 337 yards and 21 points per game on average and gave up 281 passing yards, 105 rushing yards, and 20 points to Philly in a home game in Week 16.  The offense is down to a running back that was sitting on a couch, Sammy Morris, three weeks ago, and the team has no heart.  From coach to players, the team threw in the towel against the Eagles last Sunday.  The New York Giants at least try to play football.  NYG almost beat Green Bay earlier in December, did beat Dallas on the road, threw in a clunker against the Redskins, but bounced back beautifully in Week 16 with a 29 to 14 smack down of the New York Jets.  NYG will cover the number in this Week 17 Pro Football betting game easily because Dallas’s brass is so smart that they think they can beat the G-Men with Tony Romo, who isn’t that good anyhow, and his busted throwing hand.  That’s genius.

Pick:  New York Giants

Vanderbilt Takes on Cincinnati in 2011 Liberty Bowl

Liberty Bowl Preview – Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt

The #24 Cincinnati Bearcats from the Big East take on the Vanderbilt Commodores from the SEC in the 2011 AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 31.

Cincinnati brings a 9 and 3 record to the party against the 6 and 6 Vanderbilt Commodores, but football odds makers aren’t impressed as the Bearcats will go into the game a slight 1.5 point dog to Vandy.  Who will win in what appears to be one of the better matchups this Bowl Season?

Liberty Bowl:  Cincinnati (9-3) vs Vanderbilt (6-6)

When:  Dec. 31 at 3:30 pm EST

Where:  Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

Betting Line:  Vanderbilt -1.5, Total 47.5   

Offense

Cincinnati’s offense, as to be expected, is much better than Vanderbilt’s. The Bearcats average 394 yards per game, 34 points, and are extremely balanced with 218 yards through the air on average and 175 yards on the ground on average. Cincy put up 37 against South Florida’s supposedly tough D during the regular season as well as taking apart North Carolina State, who just beat Louisville 31 to 24 in the Belk Bowl, 44 to 14.

Vanderbilt’s offense wasn’t that bad during the regular season, averaging 26 points and 343 total yards, but it did it against SEC rivals with bad defenses.  Against Arkansas, Vandy put up 28, against Florida, Vandy put up 21, but against Alabama, the best the Commodores could score was a big, fat, nada.  Versus South Carolina, Vandy scored only 3 points.

Defense

Cincinnati’s defense wasn’t bad during the regular season, allowing 20 points and 362 yards per game, but the Bearcats play in the Big East, a conference known for bad defenses. Cincinnati allowed Tennessee to beat them 45 to 14 during the regular season.  The D gave up 27 to Connecticut as well.

Vanderbilt’s D was much more impressive. The Commodores held Arkansas, a team that averaged 37 points in the SEC, to 31, and Wake Forest, a team from the ACC that averaged 27 points per contest, to only 7 in a 41 to 7 road victory. Vandy’s D allowed 21 points and 325 yards per game.
 
Betting Analysis

Both Vandy and Cincinnati have some injuries going into this matchup, but that shouldn’t matter.  The trends favor the Commodores big time as Vanderbilt is 6 and 1 ATS in their last 7 games overall and 4 and 1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games. Cincinnati is 0 and 4 ATS in their last 4 bowl games and 0 and 4 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games.

The problem for Cincinnati is that Vanderbilt’s offense might be capable of keeping up with the Bearcats’ O; Vandy put up 28 versus Georgia and Arkansas and 21 versus Florida and Tennessee, meaning that if Cincinnati’s offense can score at will against Vanderbilt, then Vanderbilt’s offense should be able to keep up. That’s a very big if regarding Cincy’s ability to score at will in this contest.

I just don’t see how a Big East team like Cincinnati will be able to handle such a strong team from the SEC like Vanderbilt. The Commodores should shut down Cincinnati’s offense enough for them to cover the spread with ease in the 2011 AutoZone Liberty Bowl.  I’m going to predict that Vanderbilt wins this College Football Bowl game by around 7 or 10 points.

Pick:  Vanderbilt -1.5

‘Polar Opposites’ Meet as Texas, California, Square off in Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl

Holiday Bowl Free Betting Preview and Pick

The Texas Longhorns and California Golden Bears were heading in opposite directions as they closed out their respective regular seasons, BetUS college football gamblers.

Texas (7-5 SU, 6-6 ATS, 5-6-1 O/U) lost three of its last four games, including a 48-24 smackdown by Baylor and RG3 in its regular season finale, while compiling an uninspiring 1-3 ATS mark over its final quartet of contests.

California (7-5 SU, 7-5 ATS, 5-7 O/U) won three of its final four games, including its exciting 47-38 win over Arizona State in the regular season finale to cash in as a 6-point road underdog and finish the season on a 4-0 ATS run.

Now, both teams will look to pick up a huge, season-ending victory when they meet in the 2011 Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl on Wednesday, December 28, live from Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California at 8:00 PM ET.

Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl
Dec. 28, 8:00 PM ET
Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA

NCAAF Odds
Texas -3
Over/Under 47.5

Texas
Texas averaged 28.7 points per contest this season (54th) while allowing 23.2 points per game defensively (43rd). The Longhorns did rank 19th in rushing and an equally-impressive 11th against the run, thought their passing attack was an anemic 85th in the nation.

The Longhorns used a two-headed quarterback system that failed miserably as Case McCoy completed 61.4 percent of his passes with seven TD passes and four interceptions. Part-time starter David Ash was even worse in completing just 56.0 percent of his passes with three TD passes and eight picks.

Texas is 25-22-2 all-time in bowl games but lost the 2010 BCS title game against Alabama 37-21 in their last bowl game appearance.

Here is a look at Longhorns’ key trends this season.

Texas is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite.
The Longhorns are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 non-conference games.
The Longhorns are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games in December.
Texas is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 Bowl games.
Longhorns are 0-6-1 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games.
The Under is 4-0 in Longhorns last 4 neutral site games as a favorite.
The Over is 7-3 in Longhorns last 10 bowl games.

California
The California Bears put up 29.8 points per game during the regular season (47th) while giving up 24.4 points per contest defensively (52nd). Cal ranked 39th and 49th in rushing and passing respectively.

California quarterback Zach Maynard struggled mightily this season in completing just 56.8 percent of his passes with 17 touchdowns and a high, 11 interceptions.

The Bears are 190-9-1 all-time in Bowl games but lot to Utah 37-27 in their last bowl game, the 2009 Poinsettia Bowl.

Here is a look at California’s key trends this season.

California is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
The Golden Bears are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Big 12.
The Golden Bears are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games in December.
The Over is 6-1 in Golden Bears last 7 Bowl games.
The Over is 5-1 in Golden Bears last 6 neutral site games.
The Under is 7-2 in Golden Bears last 9 games overall.

NCAAF Pick: I like Cal to win this game and cover the spread, BetUS college football gamblers with Texas being really mediocre this season and finishing up its regular season by limping into the postseason. As a matter of fact NCAAF bettors, there’s no way the Longhorns should even be favored in this contest, so play the Cal bears to get the outright SU and ATS win.

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Not Betting on the Las Vegas Bowl Would be the Real Sin

Las Vegas Bowl Free Betting Preview and Pick

The Boise State Broncos missed another field goal in a key game and find themselves playing in the Las Vegas Bowl for the second year in a row instead of playing in a BCS game.  Next year, that might all change for the Broncos since they’re moving to the Big East and, hopefully, will play tougher teams like Louisville and West Virginia.

This year, the Broncos take on a team that could have finished third in the Pac 12, and earn a bid to the Holiday Bowl, but lost their final four games to end up with a bid to Sin City. That team, the ASU Sun Devils, will be lead by already fired coach Dennis Erickson for the final time on Dec. 22.

Las Vegas Bowl:  Arizona State (6-6) vs Boise State (11-1)

When:  Dec. 22 at 8:00 pm EST

Where:  Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada

Betting Line:  Boise State -14, Total 68   

Offense

Both Boise State and Arizona State are led by solid quarterbacks.  Boise State’s Kellen Moore is considered one of the top quarterbacks in college football.  The man threw for 41 touchdowns and 3,507 yards to only 7 picks.  He racked up a 176.8 QB rating in the 2011 season.  During his career, Moore, who will be playing his final game as a Bronco in the Las Vegas Bowl, has thrown for a stunning 14,374 yards and 140 touchdowns.

The Broncos’ offense overall averaged 43.2 points per game during the regulars season, 7th in college football, and 483.1 yards per game on average.

Arizona State counters the fantastic Kellen Moore with 6’ 8”, 240 lb, Brock Osweiler.  Osweiler threw for 3,641 yards and 24 touchdowns.  He did throw 12 picks, but Osweiler and the Sun Devils played in a much tougher division than the Broncos did this season.  ASU’s offense put up a more than respectable 33 points per game, including scoring 43 against USC and 35 against Utah, while averaging 451 yards per game.

Defense

Boise State’s defense is one of the best in the nation.  The Broncos’ D allowed only 18.2 points per game.  That’s 10th in college football.  Boise State’s D allowed only 315.6 yards per game.  That’s 16th in college football.  Boise held a few teams with strong offenses to under 30, like holding Georgia and Tulsa to 21.
ASU’s defense was absolutely terrific in the first half of the season.  The Sun Devils held Missouri to 30 points in a 37 to 30 victory, Illinois to 17 in a 14 to 17 loss on the road, and USC to 22 in a 43 to 22 victory over the Trojans.  Then, the wheels fell off.  Allowing UCLA to score 29, Washington State to score 37, Arizona to score 31 and Cal to score 47 is unacceptable.  Overall, the Sun Devils gave up 26.3 points and 420 yards per game on average.   

Betting Analysis

ASU fell apart terribly at the end of the season.  They played so badly that ASU’s brass decided to fire coach Dennis Erickson before the end of the season.  Erickson will coach the Sun Devils in the Las Vegas Bowl, but it’s doubtful that the players will put forth much of an effort for Erickson.

After all, they didn’t when he really needed them to against UCLA, Washington State, Arizona and Cal.  The Arizona loss was particularly heartbreaking to ASU fans since Sun Devils vs Wildcats is one of the more important, unknown, rivalries in college football.

The trends point to Boise State doing a number on ASU.  The Broncos are 8 and 2 ATS in their last 10 bowl games.  They’re 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games versus a team from the Pac 12 Conference.  They’re 5 and 0 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games and 25-12-1 ATS in their last 38 non-conference games.

Plus, Boise State is going to be very motivated to send Kellen Moore to the NFL on a winning note.  They should dominate the Sun Devils in the 2011 Las Vegas Bowl.  73% of football handicappers believe that the Broncos cover on Dec. 22.  I’m with them.

Pick:  Boise State -14

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In Week 16 Football New Yorkers Prepare For the Worst and the Best

Week 16 Pro Football Free Picks

The NFL Playoff implications are huge this week, so make sure you follow my advice on these Pro Football Week 16 Bets.

New York Giants at New York Jets – Saturday, December 24 at 1:00 ET – ESPN-TV
New York Giants              +3 -120 (ML +120)
New York Jets                   -3 +100 (ML -140)
Over/Under Total            46

If there is one game to have the fans wired for sound, damn is this it! Can you imagine New Yahkers and New Joiseys guyz and goilz smack-talkin’ it up about their teams and mostly HATIN’ on the enemy teams? I can’t think of much more entertaining-it’s like Jersey Shore meets Real Life Dumb-Ass Housewives from ANY county!

The quarterbacks in this one give a major advantage to the Giants. Mark Sanchez can be forced to make mistakes (and horrible photo shoots) with just a little bit of pressure. He’s no Joe Namath behind center or behind the camera, so this is the Giants’ MUST on defense. This should be a given, but the rush from the Giants has not been stellar as of late. This will change for NFL Week 16 Bets NOW!

Eli Manning is having a Peyton type year, and we will see how the big man steps up against Cromartie and Revis Island. I don’t expect Victor Cruz “Teams aren’t really that scared of him anymore” to do much against the Island. That statement Just shows how scared they really are. Cruz should’ve been a baller and instead of “aren’t really that scared” should’ve said “I’ll beat that bitch down just like all my Giant Homeys will down to 3rd string.”

The Giants are 1-5 in their last 6, and Jets are 6-1 at home this season, but that doesn’t scare me one bit. Take the Moneyline on Giants.

Pick: Giants +120 Moneyline

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots – Saturday, December 24 at 1:00 ET – CBS-TV
Miami Dolphins                 +9.5 (ML +385)
New England Patriots     -9.5 (ML -465)
Over/Under Total            48

Welcome to the Brady-Bilichick show courtesy of the over-rated Miami Dolphins. If New England can just defeat two teams with 5-9 records (Miami and Buffalo) they get to play at cozy, freezing-ass home field. That doesn’t sound good to me, but believe me it is BIG, BIG, BIG for New England in Pro Football Week 16 Bets.

The Patriots can’t afford (they can afford money) to lose anyone on defense, and they did just that losing defensive end Andre Carter for the season. He had the team high 10 sacks, and now will be the most high in offseason going through bags.

The Pats are manhandling the closest brain to man Dolphins 117-45 the last 3 times these teams have smacked each other around (mostly New England slapping Miami), and this match will be very close to the average score of 39-15 Patriots drubbing of the Dolphins. Don’t believe the hype. Believe Brady and Belichick bombarding Miami.

There will be BOMBS a PLENTY in this OVER the total Tea Party.

Pick: Patriots -9.5 over Dolphins and Bet OVER 48 Total Points

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys – Saturday, December 24 at 4:15 ET – CBS-TV
Philadelphia Eagles          +2
Dallas Cowboys                 -2
Over/Under Total            50.5

The Cowboys should let their cheerleaders try closing these games out as you will see in my NFL Week 16 Bets advice. Romo’s smug answer to any question “we just need to get better, need to learn from mistakes and we will do better” has grown weary with even the most DIE-HARD Dallas fans.

The Eagles actually have a better road game record than at home, and if you know the fans in Philly you will understand. Vick owned Dallas earlier in the year and will again. Look for Felix Jones to have a huge day out of the backfield from Michael Vick’s screen passes.

The problem is that Romo is going to get owned by the Eagles secondary hawking at least 2 interceptions by the fading and collapsing Dallas Cowboys.

Pick: Eagles +1.5 over Cowboys

Independence Bowl Pits Mizzou Against North Carolina

Independence Bowl College Football Free Pick

The AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl Betting Lines make it easy to FIRE on Missouri over troubled, bubbled and about to be humbled North Carolina. Simply look at the opponents these two semi-scrub teams played this year, and the Bowl Game Pointspread should be at least Mizzou by 7.

Missouri Tigers (7-5) vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (7-5)- Monday, December 26, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Independence Stadium (53,000 Expandable to 60,000) – Shreveport, Louisiana
This won’t be the best College Bowl you see this year, but it might not be the absolute worst either.

Independence Bowl Betting Lines:
Missouri Tigers -5 (ML -215)
North Carolina Tar Heels+5 (ML +185)
Over/Under Total – 53

North Carolina is not going to just lay down here, and it seems fortune may be on the side of baby blue. The Tar Heels caught a lucky break when wide receiver and party boy Dwight Jones was reinstated for the Independence Bowl only a day after being ruled ineligible by the NCAA. Apparently Jones helped promote a New Year’s Eve Party by letting his likeness be used to draw more people to the bash.

Someone from Jones’ family was one of the party organizers and got a sweet little cease-and desist letter from the University. Dwight apologized, the blow out was canceled, and everything turned out hunky-dory for North Carolina.

He has 11 touchdown catches to go with his 1,119 yards receiving and is said to have some NFL interest. Well, Dwight is not a one man wrecking crew, and this one could get ugly early against that small Independence Bowl Betting Line.

UNC has had other infractions later in 2010 that haven’t been ruled on for penalties by the NCAA yet. They really have been going through quite a mess here.
Everett Withers will be coaching his last game as interim coach for the Tar Heels, and he is probably ready to get out of this mess. He said “It’s been a very positive experience…This experience will help me.” I get the idea he doesn’t really mean too much of that, and just wants to get to his Ohio State assistant to Urban Meyer gig.

The Tigers aren’t without their drama either. They lost to Baylor and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III on November 5th, and Head Coach Gary Pinkel got busted driving under the influence shortly after that. They disciplined him by not letting him coach the final regular season game, but he’s back to lead the Tigers to a nice close to what was almost a great season.

Missouri comes in with the 12th ranked offense overall in the nation averaging almost exactly the same yards rushing and passing per game which tells me this Independence Bowl Betting Line is going up, up up.

This spells trouble for the Tar Heels who suck against the pass. They’re 14th against the rush in the nation allowing 106.2 yards a game, but Mizzou is going to open up that passing game enough to create big voids in that South of the Border North Carolina defense. Bottom Line is UNC is DOA against MU.

Get your College Bowl Game Wagering off to the right start by Betting on Missouri -5 by the Independence Bowl Betting Line at BetUS.

Week 16 Night Games Nothing to Sleep On

Week 16 Night Games Free Picks

Three Week 16 Pro Football night matchups will take place this week – and BetUS NFL gridiron gamblers everywhere are going to get a trio of great chances to cash in with potentially winning wagers as I offer up my one-of-a-kind expert pro football picks.

That’s right BetUS gridiron gamblers, thanks to this trifecta of expert picks from the nation’s No. 1 handicapper – you’ll get the insight you’ll need in order to make three bankroll-boosting bets this weekend.

Okay, with that long-winded diatribe out of the way, let me get busy!

Houston at Indianapolis
Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011 8:20 PM ET

The Colts got a huge win in Week 15 by beating Tennessee 27-13 to easily cash in as a 6.5-point home underdog and move to a perfect 3-0 ATS over their L/3 games. The Houston Texans took a 28-13 loss to Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers on the chin as they saw their seven-game SU and five-game ATS winning streaks come to an abrupt halt.

While I really think the Colts are going to show up and bring their collective ‘A’ game, I like the Houston Texans and their No.1 defense to win this contest and cash in for BetUS football bettors.

The Texans have gone 4-0 ATS in their last four road games, 4-0-1 ATS in their L/5 games against AFC teams and an identical 4-0-1 ATS in their last five games versus teams from the AFC South.

While Houston has gone 6-1-1 ATS in their L/8 games overall, the Colts are 1-4 ATS in their L/5 home games.

Chicago at Green Bay
Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011 8:30 PM ET

I’m going to get right to the point for my longtime BetUS faithful that have a lot of things to do this Christmas weekend. The Green Bay Packers are not going to lose this contest against the banged-up Chicago bears, making the only question surrounding this contest, whether or not the Pack are going to cover the spread as 13-point home favorites.

Um, yes, the Packers are going to win – and they’re going to cash in too.

Chicago is 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 games in December while the Packers have gone 4-0 ATS in their L/4 games following an SU loss and an even more impressive 8-0 ATS in their last eight games following an ATS loss.

Sorry Chicago, but last week’s loss means the Packers will be back on track in a big way in this contest as they win and cash in!

Atlanta at New Orleans
Monday, Dec. 26, 2011 8:30 PM ET

With the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints combining to average a whopping 57.0 points per game, the best play for this Monday Night Football matchup is to simply play the Over.

The Falcons have scored an enormous 72 points in winning their last two games combined while the Saints have scored a whopping 64 combined points over their last two games.

At least one team in this NFC South divisional rivalry has topped the 25-point plateau in each of the last eight meetings and I expect that to happen again in this one.

The Over is 7-2 in Atlanta’s last nine road games versus a team with a winning home record and 6-2 in the Saints last eight Monday games.

Play the Over here gridiron gamblers and call it a wrap.

The NBA is Back – Christmas Day Free Hoops Picks

Pro Basketball Tip-off Brings More Magic To Christmas Day

Hoops is back and sports bettors are happy once again!  The 2011-2012 Pro Basketball Betting Season kicks off with six games scheduled on Sunday, Dec. 25.  Although it’s tempting to wager on all six games, the truth is Santa Stern, the NBA’s Commissioner, is handing out only three gifts to basketball handicappers on Christmas Day.

It just so happens that all three of the gifts occur in the three biggest games of the day: the Boston Celtics vs. the New York Knicks, the Miami Heat vs. the Dallas Mavericks and the Chicago Bulls vs. the Los Angeles Lakers.  Keep reading to find out what Santa Stern has left for sports bettors under the NBA tree!

Boston Celtics at New York Knicks

When:  Dec. 25 at 12:00 pm EST

Betting Line:  New York -1

Analysis:  Boston didn’t change all that much during the strange postseason.  The Celtics are still led by Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.  Boston historically has played well in New York, going 16 and 6 ATS in the last 22 meetings, but there’s a buzz in the Big Apple this season.  The Knicks appear loaded after adding guard Mike Bibby and center Tyson Chandler to a team with Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire.  That gives coach Mike D’Antoni four scoring options on offense and two terrific defenders, Chandler and Stoudemire, in the paint.  Chandler averaged close to 10 boards per game last year with the Mavericks.  Bibby has three targets to pass the ball to, Chandler, Stoudemire and the awesome ‘Melo Anthony.  Plus, Bibby can score if need be meaning that D’Antoni’s up and down philosophy should be on display in droves on Dec. 25.  I have to believe that Boston gets pummeled on Sunday.  As good as the Celtics are defensively, they won’t be able to keep up with the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.  I like NYK to cover by a mile.   

Pick:  New York Knicks To Cover

Miami Heat at Dallas Mavericks

When:  Dec. 25, 2:30 pm EST

Betting Line:  Miami -3

Analysis:  This line is a bit strange to me.  Why the Heat is 3 point favorites on the road against the Mavericks is beyond me.  Miami hasn’t changed all that much from last season.  Yes, Shane Battier will help, but they still lack an inside game and now that LeBron is taking a back seat, the pressure will be on Dwayne Wade again.  That didn’t work out so well before LeBron showed up.  So…how exactly is it going to work out this season?  In any case, the Dallas Mavericks added one of the best defensive players in the NBA to their roster, Lamar Odom.  Shawn Marion isn’t a bad defender either meaning that the Mavericks can guard LeBron and D-Wade one-on-one, Marion on Wade and Odom on LeBron, in this contest.  One other thing to keep in mind is this:  the problem for Miami in last season’s NBA Championship Series was that they couldn’t guard Dirk Nowitzki not that LeBron couldn’t get it going.  Dirk takes the Heat to school again on Christmas Day and the Cowpokes roll to a straight-up victory. 

Pick:  Dallas Mavericks To Cover

Chicago Bulls at L.A. Lakers

When:  Dec. 25 at 5:00 pm EST

Betting Line:  L.A. Lakers -2

Analysis:  The Lakers made a move for Chris Paul and that didn’t work out.  Then, they made a move for Dwight Howard and that didn’t work out.  So, what did the Lakers do?  They traded Lamar Odom to a Western Conference rival, the Dallas Mavericks, for what amounts to free lifetime passes to the L.A. Zoo.  Hey, maybe, Kobe could use them as alimony in his divorce settlement.  Okay, that wasn’t too kind.  In any case, I have no faith that the Lakers are going to touch the Mavericks, or the Clippers for that matter, this season.  Without Odom the Lakshow D will suffer and outside of Kobe and a lackadaisical, Pau “I’m Worried About the Euro-Zone Debt Crisis” Gasol, what does L.A. really have to offer in terms of scoring magic?  Nada.  In this game, expect Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and this season’s NBA MVP (yes, I’m making my prediction now!), Derrick Rose, to make a huge Christmas Day statement.

I’m backing Da Bulls on the moneyline to put a whuppin’ on the Lakers on Sunday in Pro Basketball betting.

Pick:  Chicago Bulls

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Ohio and Utah State Both Seek to Satisfy Hunger at Idaho Potato Bowl

2011 Idaho Potato Bowl Free Betting Preview

Potatoes and Bowls Go Together Like A Sandwich and a Plate: A Preview of the 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

If you’re a “Meat and Potatoes” type of gamer, than you’re going to love the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl pitting 9-4 Ohio against 7-5 Utah State. It should only seem fitting that America’s favorite side-dish will serve as the middle dish for the kickoff to College Football’s Bowl Season.

If they’re not too distracted by the blue turf, both these teams could put up a lot of points on the board. Ohio can rush the ball with the best – ranking 25th in the nation in rushing yards for. Considering they also throw for over 250 years per game, the Utah State defense could be tested early and often. Look for the Bobcats to pick on the Aggie defense’s secondary, as star WR LaVon Brazill already has over 1000 yards receiving. The Senior could be looking to make a name for himself on Saturday.

Before dropping their last regular season game in a nail-biter against Northern Illinois, Ohio had posted 5 consecutive victories straight up. They’re no slouch Against the Spread either; in their last 5 games against a team with a winning record (like Utah State does) they’re 4-1 ATS. And don’t think that the Bobcats care about respect as talented QB Tyler Tettleton has willed them to a 9-3 ATS mark in their last 12 games as an Underdog.
For their part, Utah State enters the Idaho Potato Bowl with a big chip on their shoulder. Despite posting 2 less SU victories than Ohio, as a member of the WAC they had stiffer competition, even coming within a score of beating Auburn to start the season off.

If there’s one thing the Aggies can do it’s control the ground. Ranking 6th overall in the nation with a massive 278 yards per game, stud RB Robert Turbin will make some NFL team a happy man either this or next year. He’s amassed a silly 1416 yards this season on just 229 carries – over 6 yards per carry – and scored 19 TDs.

In terms of Aggie trends, they are up-and-down. Utah State is 5-1 Against the Spread in their last 6 games against a team with a winning record, but 0-5 Against the Spread in their last 5 games as favorites. Personally, I don’t like those odds, but I dislike the Ohio defense even more.

Listen, the Bobcats have had a great year by any standards, but then again they play in the MAC. My momma could win the MAC with 10 of her friends (you should have seen her on Black Friday, even John Hannah would have been scared to try to stop her). Utah State can flat out score and score quick. The WAC is no joke either (even if it’s name is unfortunate). Sporting competition like always dangerous Hawaii, Nevada and Louisiana Tech, they’re just tested more week-to-week. Better skill players, better overall competition. Take the Aggies to cover the meager -2.5 spread in this middle betting game of College Football Bowl Season kick-off..

Free Pick: Utah State Aggies to Cover

Week 15 Pro Football – Trio of Free Picks

Week 15 Pro Football Free Picks

Oakland lay down like a big dog and blew out my parlay in Week 14.  It’s not as bad as it sounds, though.  The New England Patriots’ and Washington Redskins’ game went over by a mile, the total was 47.5 and the two teams scored a total of 61, while the Atlanta Falcons produced a furious comeback to score a 31 to 23 victory over Carolina.

All in all, I made a decent profit in Week 14, which brings me to advice regarding parlays.  The reason to play a parlay is to lower your risk while not lowering your reward.  For example, instead of playing $100 bucks on a parlay, football bettors play $50 in order to win $100 profit. Lowering your risk is the advantage to playing parlays.

Check out a trio of Week 15 of Football action below.

Carolina Panthers at Houston Texans

When:  Dec. 18 at 1:00 pm EST

Betting Line:  Houston -6.5, Total 45.5   

Analysis:  54% of sports gamblers are on the Panthers in this game.  I’m not one of them.  Carolina has a very good offense, but putting up 23 against Atlanta’s D is much different than putting up 23 against Houston’s D.  The Texans have the #1 ranked defense in the NFL in terms of yards allowed per game.  Houston allows only 274.9 per.  The D allows only 183.5 yards per through the air and 91 on the ground.  The offense, even with Taylor Yates at the controls, has been good enough recently when putting up 20 versus Cincinnati and 17 versus Atlanta.  Carolina’s D is much worse than either the Dirty Birds’ defense or the Bengals’ defense.  The most obvious trend in this contest is the fact that Carolina is 1 and 6 ATS in their last 7 games as a dog on the road.

Pick:  Houston Texans

New York Jets at Philadelphia Eagles

When:  Dec. 18, 4:15 pm EST

Betting Line:  Philadelphia -3, Total 44

Analysis:  I’m actually confused as to why the Eagles are favored in this game.  Philly put a beating on Miami, 26 to 10, in their last, but that was Miami.  NYJ has won 3 games in a row, 28 to 24 over the Buffalo Bills, 34 to 19 on the road versus Washington, and 37 to 10 over the Kansas City Chiefs.  J-E-T-S has covered in 2 out of their last 3 games while Philly is 2 and 4 ATS in their last 6.  The Jets are 9 and 1 ATS in their last 10 games as a dog of .5 to 3 points on the road and 5 and 1 ATS versus a team with a losing record.  Philly is going to have a ton of trouble stopping NYJ’s rushing attack.

Pick:  New York Jets

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos

When:  Dec. 17 at 1:00 pm EST

Betting Line:  New England -6, Total 45.5

Analysis:  My editor Mike calls this game the “Handsome Bowl”.  That’s actually a fact, not an opinion.  The two most beautiful men in football, El Guapo Uno (Tom Brady) and El Guapo Dos (Tim Tebow) lead their respective teams onto the field with most football handicappers, 72% of them, expecting the Tebow magic to run out once they kick the ball off.  I have to agree with my peers in this game.  First, the Broncos have no passing game meaning that New England can put eight in the box to take away Tebow’s terrific runs.  Second, linebacker Von Miller, the Broncos’ pass rush specialist, is wearing a cast on his hand and forearm.  It’s going to be tough for Von to wrap up if or when he gets Brady in his grasps.  Finally, New England has won 4 games in a row but they have a ton to play for since they’re fighting for home field advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs against Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Houston, who, like the Pats, are 10 and 3 on the season.  A big loss is in the cards for the Denver Prayers on Sunday.

Pick:  New England Patriots

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