NHL BEST BETS FOR DECEMBER !!
12/15/2024........................2 - 5 - 0......................28.57%....................- 21.20
12/14/2024........................7 - 9 - 4.......................43.75%.....................- 20.00
12/13/2024........................1 - 1 - 0.......................50.00%.....................- 5.05
12/12/2024.......................9 - 13 - 0.......................40.90%....................- 19.70
12/11/2024........................1 - 2 - 1........................33.33%....................- 5.00
12/10/2024......................6 - 11 - 0........................35.29%.....................- 25.20
12/09/2024........................2 - 1 - 0........................66.66%....................+ 4.50
12/08/2024........................3 - 4 - 3........................42.85%.....................- 6.25
12/07/2024.........................5 - 9 - 0.......................35.71%.....................- 20.70
12/06/2024.........................3 - 5 - 0.......................37.50%......................- 11.50
12/05/2024..........................5- 9 - 0.......................35.71%......................- 21.65
12/04/2024.........................4 - 1 - 0.......................80.00%......................+ 14.50
12/03/2024.........................4 - 6 - 0.......................40.00%.......................- 6.35
12/02/2024.........................2 - 3 - 0.......................40.00%.......................- 5.50
12/01/2024.........................5 - 2 - 0.......................71.42%.......................+ 16.55
TOTALS.:...........................59 - 81- 8......................42.14%....................... - 132.30
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NOVEMBER TOTALS:.........154 - 151 - 5......................50.49%........................- 3.00
12/15/2024........................2 - 5 - 0......................28.57%....................- 21.20
12/14/2024........................7 - 9 - 4.......................43.75%.....................- 20.00
12/13/2024........................1 - 1 - 0.......................50.00%.....................- 5.05
12/12/2024.......................9 - 13 - 0.......................40.90%....................- 19.70
12/11/2024........................1 - 2 - 1........................33.33%....................- 5.00
12/10/2024......................6 - 11 - 0........................35.29%.....................- 25.20
12/09/2024........................2 - 1 - 0........................66.66%....................+ 4.50
12/08/2024........................3 - 4 - 3........................42.85%.....................- 6.25
12/07/2024.........................5 - 9 - 0.......................35.71%.....................- 20.70
12/06/2024.........................3 - 5 - 0.......................37.50%......................- 11.50
12/05/2024..........................5- 9 - 0.......................35.71%......................- 21.65
12/04/2024.........................4 - 1 - 0.......................80.00%......................+ 14.50
12/03/2024.........................4 - 6 - 0.......................40.00%.......................- 6.35
12/02/2024.........................2 - 3 - 0.......................40.00%.......................- 5.50
12/01/2024.........................5 - 2 - 0.......................71.42%.......................+ 16.55
TOTALS.:...........................59 - 81- 8......................42.14%....................... - 132.30
*****************************************************
NOVEMBER TOTALS:.........154 - 151 - 5......................50.49%........................- 3.00
Monday’s 6-pack:
Some interesting spreads for Week 16:
— Broncos @ Chargers (-3)
— Texans (-2) @ Kansas City
— Steelers @ Baltimore (-6.5)
— Patriots @ Buffalo (-14)
— Rams (-3) @ Jets
— Eagles (-3.5) @ Washington
Quote of the Day
“I was trying to run up in the pocket, obviously 4th down, trying to make a play happen, and as I threw the ball, I kind of got hit — and I haven’t seen it — but it felt like someone hit me from behind as well. And so I kind of just got rolled up on. It kind of happens in football, and so I tried to bounce back up, but obviously, it hurt a little bit. But now we’ll just get after the rehab part of it and try to be ready for next week.”
Patrick Mahomes, describing his ankle injury
Monday’s quiz
25 years ago, the Rams won the Super Bowl for the first time, behind QB Kurt Warner, who was the backup during training camp. Who was the Rams’ starting QB that summer, before he blew his knee out in an exhibition game?
Sunday’s quiz
Dallas Cowboys won the first Super Bowl played in a domed stadium; they beat Denver 27-17 in the New Orleans Superdome.
Saturday’s quiz
Josh Harris owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils; he also owns the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
**********************************************
Bills scored 30+ points for 8th game in a row.
Buffalo won eight of its last nine games (7-2 ATS)
Bills’ first three drives: 25 plays, 221 yards, 21 points.
Buffalo averaged 10.6 yards/pass attempt.
Bills are first team since 1966 to play consecutive games where both teams scored 40+ points.
Detroit’s 11-game win streak was snapped.
Goff threw for 494 yards and five TD’s.
St Brown caught 14 passes for 193 yards and a TD.
Lions are tied in loss column with Vikings atop NFC North.
Detroit-Minnesota play at Ford Field in Week 18.
Packers 30, Seahawks 13
Packers won eight of last ten games (4-0 ATS last four).
Green Bay outgained Seattle, 369-208.
Green Bay’s first four drives: 33 plays, 277 yards, 20 points.
Packers are 9-0 when they allow less than 24 points.
QB Smith hurt his knee, missed most of 2nd half (check status)
Seahawks/Rams are now tied atop NFC West (Rams won 1st meeting)
Seattle in 2nd half: 35 plays, 83 yards, 10 points.
Seattle allowed 26+ points in its losses, 21 or less in wins.
Ravens 35, Giants 14
QB Jackson threw 5 TD passes, 4 of them plays of 20+ yards.
Ravens averaged 9.8 yards/pass attempt.
Baltimore is 9-0 if they score 28+ points, 0-5 if they score less than 28.
Ravens are 12-6 ATS in last 18 games as a road favorite.
Ravens were 9-11 on third down, Giants 2-12.
Giants are 0-9 SU/1-8 ATS in last nine games.
Last nine games, Giants were outscored 125-39 in first half.
Giants are 0-8 SU/2-5-1 ATS at home, scoring 10.6 points/game.
Jets 32, Jaguars 25
Adams caught 9 passes for 198 yards, 2 TD’s, all in second half.
Jaguars led 13-7 at halftime.
Jets in second half: 38 plays, 330 yards, 25 points.
Over is 7-2 in their last nine games.
Jaguars are 1-6 SU/5-2 ATS in their last seven games.
Jaguars are 1-10 if they give up 18+ points.
Backup QB Jones is 19-28 as an NFL starter.
Seven of their last ten games went over the total.
Cowboys 30, Panthers 14
Dallas led this game 10-7 at halftime.
Cowboys’ first four drives in 2nd half: 27 plays, 176 yards, 20 points.
Cowboys are 5-0 when they allow 20 or fewer points.
Dallas is 12-5 ATS last 17 games as a road favorite.
Carolina drove 72 yards on its first drive, but lost a fumble.
Dallas outgained the Panthers, 410-235.
Over is 10-4 in Carolina games this year.
NFC South home teams are 8-12 ATS in non-divisional games.
Commanders 20, Saints 19
Down 20-13, Saints scored TD on last play of the game.
They went for 2 points and the win, but they failed.
Saints in first half: 20 plays, 28 yards, trailed 14-0 at half
Saints in second half: 33 plays, 237 yards, 19 points.
Washington’s first three drives: 30 plays, 125 yards, 14 points.
Commanders were 9-17 on third down, New Orleans 3-11
Saints sacked rookie QB Daniels eight times.
Commanders are 8-0 if they give up less than 26 points.
Bengals 37, Titans 27
Cincinnati converted 10-13 third down plays.
Bengals won their last two games, scoring 27-37 points.
Bengals are 5-0 ATS as a road favorite TY.
Over is 10-3 in their last thirteen games.
Titans turned ball over six times, had 12 penalties for 110 yards
Bengals turned ball over four times, had 14 penalties for 113 yards
Tennessee is 2-8 SU/1-9 ATS in last ten games.
Titans are 2-8 ATS as an underdog this season.
Famous birthdays, December 16:
Joyce Bulifant, 87
Jan van Breda Kolff, 73
Jeff Ruland, 66
Jerry Gray, 62
Benjamin Bratt, 61
Bill Ripken, 60
Alcides Escobar, 38
Bryan De La Cruz, 28
Chiefs 21, Browns 7
Mahomes sprained his ankle late in game (check status)
Chiefs are 13-1, but this was their first cover in eight games.
Cleveland turned ball over six times on 13 drives.
Kansas City led 14-0 at halftime.
Winston threw three INT’s, eventually got yanked.
Cleveland is 1-10 when they score less than 24 points.
Browns are 2-5 SU/ATS at home this season.
Browns are minus-15 in turnovers the last eight games.
Browns’ team total: under 11-3
Texans 20, Dolphins 12
Dolphins outgained Houston, 224-181.
Miami turned ball over on four of their last seven drives.
Miami is 1-7 when it gives up 20+ points, 5-1 if they allow less.
Under McDaniel, Miami is 6-9 ATS as a road underdog.
AFC East road underdogs are 6-11 ATS in non-divisional games.
Houston won despite averaging only 3.5 yards/pass attempt.
Texans clinched AFC South when the Colts lost in Denver.
Texans are +16 in turnovers their last nine games.
Houston is 6-4 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
2nd-year QB Stroud is 19-12 as an NFL starter.
Broncos 31, Colts 13
Colts led 13-7 early in 3rd quarter; RB Taylor ran for what appeared to be an easy TD, but he was too cool and dropped the ball on purpose, but before he was in the end zone. Not good.
Colts after that play: 32 plays, 96 yards, no points.
Indy lost 5 of last 7 games, are 1-5 ATS in last six games.
AFC South road underdogs are 4-12 ATS in non-divisional games.
Colts turned ball over five times, Denver three times.
Broncos won despite being outgained 310-193.
Broncos won last four games, scoring 38-29-41-31 points.
Denver is 8-0 if they score more than 20 points, 1-5 if they score 20 or less.
Cardinals 30, Patriots 17
Cardinals were 10-15 on third down, New England 0-6
Patriots lost five of their last six games, are 3-5 ATS on road.
Last four games, New England gave up 28-34-25-30 points.
NE is 11-23-1 ATS in last 35 games as an underdog.
Patriots are 32-50 SU since Tom Brady left town.
Arizona’s first five drives: 40 plays, 235 yards, 16 points.
Patriots’ first three drives: 13 plays, 40 yards, no points.
RB Conner ran for 110 yards, two TD’s.
Arizona is 14-6 ATS last 20 games vs AFC opponents.
Cardinals snapped a three-game losing skid.
Buccaneers 40, Chargers 17
Buccaneers outscored Chargers 27-0 in second half.
Chargers in second half: 23 plays, 82 yards, no points.
Tampa Bay is 4-0 since its bye, scoring 30-26-28-40 points.
WR Evans caught nine passes for 159 yards, two TD’s.
Tampa Bay is 10-2 ATS last 12 games as a road underdog.
Buccaneers’ team total: over 11-3
Tampa Bay outgained the Chargers, 506-206.
Buccaneers were 9-15 on third down, Bolts 0-6.
Chargers only ran the ball 11 times, for 32 yards.
Chargers are 9-29-7 ATS last 45 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Eagles 27, Steelers 13
Eagles are 10-0 SU/7-3 ATS in their last ten games.
Philly outgained the Steelers, 401-163.
Philly outscored the Steelers 10-0 in second half.
Steelers lost for only second time in their last nine games.
Eagles went out of their way to pad their WR’s stats:
Brown caught eight passes for 110 yards, Brown nine for 109.
Eagles were 10-17 on third down, Pittsburgh 3-10.
Philly is 9-5-1 ATS in last 15 games vs AFC opponents.
Eagles are 7-4 ATS in last eleven games coming off a win.
Conference bowl records (SU/ATS)
Sun Belt 1-0 SU/1-0 ATS
MAC. 0-1 SU/0-1 ATS
Favorites: 1-0 ATS
Totals: under 1-0
Some interesting spreads for Week 16:
— Broncos @ Chargers (-3)
— Texans (-2) @ Kansas City
— Steelers @ Baltimore (-6.5)
— Patriots @ Buffalo (-14)
— Rams (-3) @ Jets
— Eagles (-3.5) @ Washington
Quote of the Day
“I was trying to run up in the pocket, obviously 4th down, trying to make a play happen, and as I threw the ball, I kind of got hit — and I haven’t seen it — but it felt like someone hit me from behind as well. And so I kind of just got rolled up on. It kind of happens in football, and so I tried to bounce back up, but obviously, it hurt a little bit. But now we’ll just get after the rehab part of it and try to be ready for next week.”
Patrick Mahomes, describing his ankle injury
Monday’s quiz
25 years ago, the Rams won the Super Bowl for the first time, behind QB Kurt Warner, who was the backup during training camp. Who was the Rams’ starting QB that summer, before he blew his knee out in an exhibition game?
Sunday’s quiz
Dallas Cowboys won the first Super Bowl played in a domed stadium; they beat Denver 27-17 in the New Orleans Superdome.
Saturday’s quiz
Josh Harris owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils; he also owns the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
**********************************************
Monday’s Den: Wrapping up an NFL Sunday…….
Bills 48, Lions 42Bills scored 30+ points for 8th game in a row.
Buffalo won eight of its last nine games (7-2 ATS)
Bills’ first three drives: 25 plays, 221 yards, 21 points.
Buffalo averaged 10.6 yards/pass attempt.
Bills are first team since 1966 to play consecutive games where both teams scored 40+ points.
Detroit’s 11-game win streak was snapped.
Goff threw for 494 yards and five TD’s.
St Brown caught 14 passes for 193 yards and a TD.
Lions are tied in loss column with Vikings atop NFC North.
Detroit-Minnesota play at Ford Field in Week 18.
Packers 30, Seahawks 13
Packers won eight of last ten games (4-0 ATS last four).
Green Bay outgained Seattle, 369-208.
Green Bay’s first four drives: 33 plays, 277 yards, 20 points.
Packers are 9-0 when they allow less than 24 points.
QB Smith hurt his knee, missed most of 2nd half (check status)
Seahawks/Rams are now tied atop NFC West (Rams won 1st meeting)
Seattle in 2nd half: 35 plays, 83 yards, 10 points.
Seattle allowed 26+ points in its losses, 21 or less in wins.
Ravens 35, Giants 14
QB Jackson threw 5 TD passes, 4 of them plays of 20+ yards.
Ravens averaged 9.8 yards/pass attempt.
Baltimore is 9-0 if they score 28+ points, 0-5 if they score less than 28.
Ravens are 12-6 ATS in last 18 games as a road favorite.
Ravens were 9-11 on third down, Giants 2-12.
Giants are 0-9 SU/1-8 ATS in last nine games.
Last nine games, Giants were outscored 125-39 in first half.
Giants are 0-8 SU/2-5-1 ATS at home, scoring 10.6 points/game.
Jets 32, Jaguars 25
Adams caught 9 passes for 198 yards, 2 TD’s, all in second half.
Jaguars led 13-7 at halftime.
Jets in second half: 38 plays, 330 yards, 25 points.
Over is 7-2 in their last nine games.
Jaguars are 1-6 SU/5-2 ATS in their last seven games.
Jaguars are 1-10 if they give up 18+ points.
Backup QB Jones is 19-28 as an NFL starter.
Seven of their last ten games went over the total.
Cowboys 30, Panthers 14
Dallas led this game 10-7 at halftime.
Cowboys’ first four drives in 2nd half: 27 plays, 176 yards, 20 points.
Cowboys are 5-0 when they allow 20 or fewer points.
Dallas is 12-5 ATS last 17 games as a road favorite.
Carolina drove 72 yards on its first drive, but lost a fumble.
Dallas outgained the Panthers, 410-235.
Over is 10-4 in Carolina games this year.
NFC South home teams are 8-12 ATS in non-divisional games.
Commanders 20, Saints 19
Down 20-13, Saints scored TD on last play of the game.
They went for 2 points and the win, but they failed.
Saints in first half: 20 plays, 28 yards, trailed 14-0 at half
Saints in second half: 33 plays, 237 yards, 19 points.
Washington’s first three drives: 30 plays, 125 yards, 14 points.
Commanders were 9-17 on third down, New Orleans 3-11
Saints sacked rookie QB Daniels eight times.
Commanders are 8-0 if they give up less than 26 points.
Bengals 37, Titans 27
Cincinnati converted 10-13 third down plays.
Bengals won their last two games, scoring 27-37 points.
Bengals are 5-0 ATS as a road favorite TY.
Over is 10-3 in their last thirteen games.
Titans turned ball over six times, had 12 penalties for 110 yards
Bengals turned ball over four times, had 14 penalties for 113 yards
Tennessee is 2-8 SU/1-9 ATS in last ten games.
Titans are 2-8 ATS as an underdog this season.
Famous birthdays, December 16:
Joyce Bulifant, 87
Jan van Breda Kolff, 73
Jeff Ruland, 66
Jerry Gray, 62
Benjamin Bratt, 61
Bill Ripken, 60
Alcides Escobar, 38
Bryan De La Cruz, 28
Chiefs 21, Browns 7
Mahomes sprained his ankle late in game (check status)
Chiefs are 13-1, but this was their first cover in eight games.
Cleveland turned ball over six times on 13 drives.
Kansas City led 14-0 at halftime.
Winston threw three INT’s, eventually got yanked.
Cleveland is 1-10 when they score less than 24 points.
Browns are 2-5 SU/ATS at home this season.
Browns are minus-15 in turnovers the last eight games.
Browns’ team total: under 11-3
Texans 20, Dolphins 12
Dolphins outgained Houston, 224-181.
Miami turned ball over on four of their last seven drives.
Miami is 1-7 when it gives up 20+ points, 5-1 if they allow less.
Under McDaniel, Miami is 6-9 ATS as a road underdog.
AFC East road underdogs are 6-11 ATS in non-divisional games.
Houston won despite averaging only 3.5 yards/pass attempt.
Texans clinched AFC South when the Colts lost in Denver.
Texans are +16 in turnovers their last nine games.
Houston is 6-4 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
2nd-year QB Stroud is 19-12 as an NFL starter.
Broncos 31, Colts 13
Colts led 13-7 early in 3rd quarter; RB Taylor ran for what appeared to be an easy TD, but he was too cool and dropped the ball on purpose, but before he was in the end zone. Not good.
Colts after that play: 32 plays, 96 yards, no points.
Indy lost 5 of last 7 games, are 1-5 ATS in last six games.
AFC South road underdogs are 4-12 ATS in non-divisional games.
Colts turned ball over five times, Denver three times.
Broncos won despite being outgained 310-193.
Broncos won last four games, scoring 38-29-41-31 points.
Denver is 8-0 if they score more than 20 points, 1-5 if they score 20 or less.
Cardinals 30, Patriots 17
Cardinals were 10-15 on third down, New England 0-6
Patriots lost five of their last six games, are 3-5 ATS on road.
Last four games, New England gave up 28-34-25-30 points.
NE is 11-23-1 ATS in last 35 games as an underdog.
Patriots are 32-50 SU since Tom Brady left town.
Arizona’s first five drives: 40 plays, 235 yards, 16 points.
Patriots’ first three drives: 13 plays, 40 yards, no points.
RB Conner ran for 110 yards, two TD’s.
Arizona is 14-6 ATS last 20 games vs AFC opponents.
Cardinals snapped a three-game losing skid.
Buccaneers 40, Chargers 17
Buccaneers outscored Chargers 27-0 in second half.
Chargers in second half: 23 plays, 82 yards, no points.
Tampa Bay is 4-0 since its bye, scoring 30-26-28-40 points.
WR Evans caught nine passes for 159 yards, two TD’s.
Tampa Bay is 10-2 ATS last 12 games as a road underdog.
Buccaneers’ team total: over 11-3
Tampa Bay outgained the Chargers, 506-206.
Buccaneers were 9-15 on third down, Bolts 0-6.
Chargers only ran the ball 11 times, for 32 yards.
Chargers are 9-29-7 ATS last 45 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Eagles 27, Steelers 13
Eagles are 10-0 SU/7-3 ATS in their last ten games.
Philly outgained the Steelers, 401-163.
Philly outscored the Steelers 10-0 in second half.
Steelers lost for only second time in their last nine games.
Eagles went out of their way to pad their WR’s stats:
Brown caught eight passes for 110 yards, Brown nine for 109.
Eagles were 10-17 on third down, Pittsburgh 3-10.
Philly is 9-5-1 ATS in last 15 games vs AFC opponents.
Eagles are 7-4 ATS in last eleven games coming off a win.
Conference bowl records (SU/ATS)
Sun Belt 1-0 SU/1-0 ATS
MAC. 0-1 SU/0-1 ATS
Favorites: 1-0 ATS
Totals: under 1-0
NHL
Monday, December 16
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Trend Report
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Washington vs Dallas
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Washington is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Dallas's last 7 games
Dallas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington
Florida vs Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games when playing Edmonton
Edmonton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Edmonton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Colorado vs Vancouver
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Colorado is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vancouver's last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Vancouver's last 13 games
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Monday, December 16
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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Washington vs Dallas
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Washington is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Dallas's last 7 games
Dallas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington
Florida vs Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games when playing Edmonton
Edmonton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Edmonton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Colorado vs Vancouver
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Colorado is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vancouver's last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Vancouver's last 13 games
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NHL BEST BETS FOR DECEMBER !!
12/16/2024........................3 - 3 - 0......................50.00%....................- 4.10
12/15/2024........................2 - 5 - 0......................28.57%....................- 21.20
12/14/2024........................7 - 9 - 4.......................43.75%.....................- 20.00
12/13/2024........................1 - 1 - 0.......................50.00%.....................- 5.05
12/12/2024.......................9 - 13 - 0.......................40.90%....................- 19.70
12/11/2024........................1 - 2 - 1........................33.33%....................- 5.00
12/10/2024......................6 - 11 - 0........................35.29%.....................- 25.20
12/09/2024........................2 - 1 - 0........................66.66%....................+ 4.50
12/08/2024........................3 - 4 - 3........................42.85%.....................- 6.25
12/07/2024.........................5 - 9 - 0.......................35.71%.....................- 20.70
12/06/2024.........................3 - 5 - 0.......................37.50%......................- 11.50
12/05/2024..........................5- 9 - 0.......................35.71%......................- 21.65
12/04/2024.........................4 - 1 - 0.......................80.00%......................+ 14.50
12/03/2024.........................4 - 6 - 0.......................40.00%.......................- 6.35
12/02/2024.........................2 - 3 - 0.......................40.00%.......................- 5.50
12/01/2024.........................5 - 2 - 0.......................71.42%.......................+ 16.55
TOTALS.:...........................62 - 84- 8......................42.46%....................... - 136.40
*****************************************************
NOVEMBER TOTALS:.........154 - 151 - 5......................50.49%........................- 3.00
12/16/2024........................3 - 3 - 0......................50.00%....................- 4.10
12/15/2024........................2 - 5 - 0......................28.57%....................- 21.20
12/14/2024........................7 - 9 - 4.......................43.75%.....................- 20.00
12/13/2024........................1 - 1 - 0.......................50.00%.....................- 5.05
12/12/2024.......................9 - 13 - 0.......................40.90%....................- 19.70
12/11/2024........................1 - 2 - 1........................33.33%....................- 5.00
12/10/2024......................6 - 11 - 0........................35.29%.....................- 25.20
12/09/2024........................2 - 1 - 0........................66.66%....................+ 4.50
12/08/2024........................3 - 4 - 3........................42.85%.....................- 6.25
12/07/2024.........................5 - 9 - 0.......................35.71%.....................- 20.70
12/06/2024.........................3 - 5 - 0.......................37.50%......................- 11.50
12/05/2024..........................5- 9 - 0.......................35.71%......................- 21.65
12/04/2024.........................4 - 1 - 0.......................80.00%......................+ 14.50
12/03/2024.........................4 - 6 - 0.......................40.00%.......................- 6.35
12/02/2024.........................2 - 3 - 0.......................40.00%.......................- 5.50
12/01/2024.........................5 - 2 - 0.......................71.42%.......................+ 16.55
TOTALS.:...........................62 - 84- 8......................42.46%....................... - 136.40
*****************************************************
NOVEMBER TOTALS:.........154 - 151 - 5......................50.49%........................- 3.00
Tuesday’s 6-pack:
Some interesting spreads for Week 16:
— Lions (-7) @ Chicago
— Vikings (-2.5) @ Seattle
— Patriots @ Buffalo (-13.5)
— Jaguars @ Las Vegas (-1)
— 49ers @ Miami (-1.5)
— Buccaneers (-4) @ Dallas
Quote of the Day
“We got problems in college football…….the way the portal is and the timing of it and the way our team is playing, and when you play the position of quarterback and there’s only one spot and those spots are filling up, he felt like he was put in a no-win situation, and I agree with him.”
Penn State football coach James Franklin, talking about backup QB Beau Pribula entering the transfer portal
Tuesday’s quiz
In the history of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, who has scored the most points?
(Hint: They started playing in Oklahoma in 2008-09)
Monday’s quiz
25 years ago, the Rams won the Super Bowl for the first time, behind QB Kurt Warner, who was the backup during training camp. Trent Green was the Rams’ starting QB that summer, before he blew his knee out in an exhibition game.
Sunday’s quiz
Dallas Cowboys won the first Super Bowl played in a domed stadium; they beat Denver 27-17 in the New Orleans Superdome.
******************************
Chicago in first half: 28 plays, 107 yards, trailed 13-0.
Bears are 0-8 SU/2-6 ATS in their last eight games.
Bears are 8-15-1 ATS last 24 games as a road underdog.
Bears scored 24+ points in their wins (0-9 score less than 24)
Vikings’ first four drives: 37 plays, 175 yards, only 13 points.
Minnesota was 7-14 on third down, Chicago 1-12.
Minnesota won last seven games, scoring 31.3 ppg in last four.
Vikings are 6-1 SU/5-2 ATS at home this season.
Falcons 15, Raiders 9
Falcons snap a four-game losing skid.
Atlanta blocked a punt and an extra point.
Atlanta is 7-5 ATS in last 12 games as a road favorite.
Six of Falcons’ last eight games stayed under the total.
Raiders are 0-10 SU/3-7 ATS in last ten games.
Raiders are 2-11 SU, need three more losses to clinch #1 pick in ’25 Draft.
Falcons ran ball 37 times for 168 yards.
Las Vegas has 28 turnovers in 14 games (minus-19).
— Wake Forest football coach Dave Clawson has resigned, bad news for college football and college sports in general.
Clawson was 67-69 at Wake Forest, 5-2 in bowl games; Wake is the smallest of the Power 5 football schools. Clawson will stay at Wake Forest and work as a fundraiser, which these days is really important, since the players are getting paid (legally) now.
Clawson led Wake Forest to seven consecutive bowl games and had the Deacons in the top 10 in 2021/2022, the highest they’ve ever been ranked, but when QB Sam Hartman bolted Wake Forest for Notre Dame’s big $$$, the Deacons went 4-8/4-8 the last two years.
— Quarterback coming/goings:
Former Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold bolted from the Sooners to Auburn
Former USC QB Miller Moss bolted from USC to Louisville.
Former Texas/Duke QB Maalik Murphy is in the transfer portal. Again.
Murphy threw for a school-record 26 TD passes in leading Duke to a 9-3 record, but he’s quit on his teammates before their bowl game.
Duke will replace Murphy with former Tulane QB Darian Mensah.
Oy.
— Former NFL QB Teddy Bridgewater won a state championship in his first season as coach at his alma mater, Miami Northwestern High- he led the Bulls to the Florida Class 3A state title with a 41-0 win Saturday.
Bridgewater was a backup QB for the Lions last year; now he has joined the growing list of former NFL Players who have become high school coaches- Carson Palmer is on that list now, also.
— Marshall dropped out of their Independence Bowl game against Army in Shreveport, because a bunch of Marshall players entered the transfer portal after Thundering Herd coach Charles Huff bolted to Southern Mississippi.
Louisiana Tech will now play Army in the December 28th game.
Famous birthdays, December 17th:
Eugene Levy, 78
Bill Pullman, 71
Albert King, 65
Claire Forlani, 53
Chase Utley, 46
Daniel Vogelbach, 32
Buddy Hield, 32
Ryan Weathers, 25
Caden Dana, 21
— Was watching the Gonzaga-UConn game Saturday night that was played in Madison Square Garden; Jason Benetti mentioned that this week was the 46th anniversary of Billy Joel’s first concert at MSG. He’s now done 100 concerts at MSG.
— Tampa Bay Bucs WR Mike Evans had a big game against the Chargers Sunday; back when he was in high school in Galveston HS, the other receiver on the school’s football team was Nick Williams, who wound up playing five years in the major leagues as an outfielder.
Must’ve been fun coaching a team with two big league athletes playing receiver.
— SEC has 8 of the 25 teams in this week’s AP Top 25 basketball poll.
— Cal-Davis is bolting the Big West for the Mountain West in 2026, in all sports but football.
UTEP< Hawai’i, Grand Canyon and Cal-Davis are the four new teams in the league; Grand Canyon doesn’t have a football team- the Cal-Davis football team will stay at the I-AA level.
— When Colts RB Jonathan Taylor dropped the ball before he got to the goal line in Denver Sunday, it rolled out of the end zone for a Broncos touchback. Not only did the Colts get outscored 24-0 the rest of the way, you wonder how many people won/lost their fantasy league playoff games because of that blunder.
— It must be fun to be really, really rich; Phoenix Suns minority owner Justin Ishbia, and the brother of Suns majority owner Mat Ishbia, is interested in buying the Minnesota Twins, who are said to be worth $1.5B and $2B. Justin Ishbia has a net worth of $5B.
— A’s will be playing in Sacramento the next three years; they added another starting pitcher last week, acquiring Jeffrey Springs from Tampa Bay. He was 9-5, 2.46 in 25 starts in 2022, then was off to a great start in ’23, before he got hurt and missed a year.
With Springs and Luis Severino in the rotation, the A’s figure to be improved in 2025.
— Conference bowl records (SU/ATS)
Sun Belt 1-0 SU/1-0 ATS
MAC. 0-1 SU/0-1 ATS
Favorites: 1-0 ATS
Totals: under 1-0
Some interesting spreads for Week 16:
— Lions (-7) @ Chicago
— Vikings (-2.5) @ Seattle
— Patriots @ Buffalo (-13.5)
— Jaguars @ Las Vegas (-1)
— 49ers @ Miami (-1.5)
— Buccaneers (-4) @ Dallas
Quote of the Day
“We got problems in college football…….the way the portal is and the timing of it and the way our team is playing, and when you play the position of quarterback and there’s only one spot and those spots are filling up, he felt like he was put in a no-win situation, and I agree with him.”
Penn State football coach James Franklin, talking about backup QB Beau Pribula entering the transfer portal
Tuesday’s quiz
In the history of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, who has scored the most points?
(Hint: They started playing in Oklahoma in 2008-09)
Monday’s quiz
25 years ago, the Rams won the Super Bowl for the first time, behind QB Kurt Warner, who was the backup during training camp. Trent Green was the Rams’ starting QB that summer, before he blew his knee out in an exhibition game.
Sunday’s quiz
Dallas Cowboys won the first Super Bowl played in a domed stadium; they beat Denver 27-17 in the New Orleans Superdome.
******************************
Tuesday’s Den: Nobody asked me, but…….
Vikings 30, Bears 12Chicago in first half: 28 plays, 107 yards, trailed 13-0.
Bears are 0-8 SU/2-6 ATS in their last eight games.
Bears are 8-15-1 ATS last 24 games as a road underdog.
Bears scored 24+ points in their wins (0-9 score less than 24)
Vikings’ first four drives: 37 plays, 175 yards, only 13 points.
Minnesota was 7-14 on third down, Chicago 1-12.
Minnesota won last seven games, scoring 31.3 ppg in last four.
Vikings are 6-1 SU/5-2 ATS at home this season.
Falcons 15, Raiders 9
Falcons snap a four-game losing skid.
Atlanta blocked a punt and an extra point.
Atlanta is 7-5 ATS in last 12 games as a road favorite.
Six of Falcons’ last eight games stayed under the total.
Raiders are 0-10 SU/3-7 ATS in last ten games.
Raiders are 2-11 SU, need three more losses to clinch #1 pick in ’25 Draft.
Falcons ran ball 37 times for 168 yards.
Las Vegas has 28 turnovers in 14 games (minus-19).
— Wake Forest football coach Dave Clawson has resigned, bad news for college football and college sports in general.
Clawson was 67-69 at Wake Forest, 5-2 in bowl games; Wake is the smallest of the Power 5 football schools. Clawson will stay at Wake Forest and work as a fundraiser, which these days is really important, since the players are getting paid (legally) now.
Clawson led Wake Forest to seven consecutive bowl games and had the Deacons in the top 10 in 2021/2022, the highest they’ve ever been ranked, but when QB Sam Hartman bolted Wake Forest for Notre Dame’s big $$$, the Deacons went 4-8/4-8 the last two years.
— Quarterback coming/goings:
Former Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold bolted from the Sooners to Auburn
Former USC QB Miller Moss bolted from USC to Louisville.
Former Texas/Duke QB Maalik Murphy is in the transfer portal. Again.
Murphy threw for a school-record 26 TD passes in leading Duke to a 9-3 record, but he’s quit on his teammates before their bowl game.
Duke will replace Murphy with former Tulane QB Darian Mensah.
Oy.
— Former NFL QB Teddy Bridgewater won a state championship in his first season as coach at his alma mater, Miami Northwestern High- he led the Bulls to the Florida Class 3A state title with a 41-0 win Saturday.
Bridgewater was a backup QB for the Lions last year; now he has joined the growing list of former NFL Players who have become high school coaches- Carson Palmer is on that list now, also.
— Marshall dropped out of their Independence Bowl game against Army in Shreveport, because a bunch of Marshall players entered the transfer portal after Thundering Herd coach Charles Huff bolted to Southern Mississippi.
Louisiana Tech will now play Army in the December 28th game.
Famous birthdays, December 17th:
Eugene Levy, 78
Bill Pullman, 71
Albert King, 65
Claire Forlani, 53
Chase Utley, 46
Daniel Vogelbach, 32
Buddy Hield, 32
Ryan Weathers, 25
Caden Dana, 21
— Was watching the Gonzaga-UConn game Saturday night that was played in Madison Square Garden; Jason Benetti mentioned that this week was the 46th anniversary of Billy Joel’s first concert at MSG. He’s now done 100 concerts at MSG.
— Tampa Bay Bucs WR Mike Evans had a big game against the Chargers Sunday; back when he was in high school in Galveston HS, the other receiver on the school’s football team was Nick Williams, who wound up playing five years in the major leagues as an outfielder.
Must’ve been fun coaching a team with two big league athletes playing receiver.
— SEC has 8 of the 25 teams in this week’s AP Top 25 basketball poll.
— Cal-Davis is bolting the Big West for the Mountain West in 2026, in all sports but football.
UTEP< Hawai’i, Grand Canyon and Cal-Davis are the four new teams in the league; Grand Canyon doesn’t have a football team- the Cal-Davis football team will stay at the I-AA level.
— When Colts RB Jonathan Taylor dropped the ball before he got to the goal line in Denver Sunday, it rolled out of the end zone for a Broncos touchback. Not only did the Colts get outscored 24-0 the rest of the way, you wonder how many people won/lost their fantasy league playoff games because of that blunder.
— It must be fun to be really, really rich; Phoenix Suns minority owner Justin Ishbia, and the brother of Suns majority owner Mat Ishbia, is interested in buying the Minnesota Twins, who are said to be worth $1.5B and $2B. Justin Ishbia has a net worth of $5B.
— A’s will be playing in Sacramento the next three years; they added another starting pitcher last week, acquiring Jeffrey Springs from Tampa Bay. He was 9-5, 2.46 in 25 starts in 2022, then was off to a great start in ’23, before he got hurt and missed a year.
With Springs and Luis Severino in the rotation, the A’s figure to be improved in 2025.
— Conference bowl records (SU/ATS)
Sun Belt 1-0 SU/1-0 ATS
MAC. 0-1 SU/0-1 ATS
Favorites: 1-0 ATS
Totals: under 1-0
NHL
Tuesday, December 17
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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Buffalo vs Montreal
Buffalo is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Montreal
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 7 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Montreal is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Montreal's last 7 games when playing at home against Buffalo
Los Angeles vs Pittsburgh
Los Angeles is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Los Angeles is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
Columbus vs Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Columbus's last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Columbus's last 12 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Columbus
Tampa Bay is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
NY Islanders vs Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Islanders's last 5 games when playing on the road against Carolina
NY Islanders is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
Carolina is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games at home
NY Rangers vs Nashville
NY Rangers is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Nashville
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Rangers's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games at home
Nashville is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing NY Rangers
New Jersey vs St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 5 games
New Jersey is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games on the road
St. Louis is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing New Jersey
Washington vs Chicago
Washington is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
Boston vs Calgary
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games on the road
Calgary is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
Calgary is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Ottawa vs Seattle
Ottawa is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Ottawa's last 20 games on the road
Seattle is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Winnipeg vs San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Winnipeg's last 7 games when playing on the road against San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Winnipeg's last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Jose's last 7 games when playing at home against Winnipeg
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Jose's last 7 games at home
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, December 17
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buffalo vs Montreal
Buffalo is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Montreal
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 7 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Montreal is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Montreal's last 7 games when playing at home against Buffalo
Los Angeles vs Pittsburgh
Los Angeles is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Los Angeles is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
Columbus vs Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Columbus's last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Columbus's last 12 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Columbus
Tampa Bay is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
NY Islanders vs Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Islanders's last 5 games when playing on the road against Carolina
NY Islanders is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
Carolina is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games at home
NY Rangers vs Nashville
NY Rangers is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Nashville
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Rangers's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games at home
Nashville is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing NY Rangers
New Jersey vs St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 5 games
New Jersey is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games on the road
St. Louis is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing New Jersey
Washington vs Chicago
Washington is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
Boston vs Calgary
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games on the road
Calgary is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
Calgary is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Ottawa vs Seattle
Ottawa is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Ottawa's last 20 games on the road
Seattle is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Winnipeg vs San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Winnipeg's last 7 games when playing on the road against San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Winnipeg's last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Jose's last 7 games when playing at home against Winnipeg
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Jose's last 7 games at home
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17
| Game | Time(ET) | Pick | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUF at MON | 07:00 PM | MON +109 O 6.0 | +500 +500 |
| CLB at TB | 07:00 PM | TB -233 O 6.5 | +500 +500 |
| LA at PIT | 07:00 PM | LA -139 O 5.5 | +500 +500 |
| NYI at CAR | 07:30 PM | NYI +210 O 6.0 | +500 +500 |
| NYR at NAS | 08:00 PM | NAS -144 U 6.0 | +500 +500 |
| NJ at STL | 08:00 PM | STL +164 U 5.5 | +500 +500 |
| WAS at CHI | 08:30 PM | WAS -190 O 5.5 | +500 +500 |
| BOS at CAL | 09:00 PM | CAL +120 O 5.5 | +500 +500 |
| OTT at SEA | 10:00 PM | SEA +115 U 5.5 | +500 +500 |
| WIN at SJ | 10:30 PM | SJ +200 U 6.0 | +500 +500 |
NHL BEST BETS FOR DECEMBER !!
12/17/2024........................7 - 9 - 0......................43.75%....................- 11.55
12/16/2024........................3 - 3 - 0......................50.00%....................- 4.10
12/15/2024........................2 - 5 - 0......................28.57%....................- 21.20
12/14/2024........................7 - 9 - 4.......................43.75%.....................- 20.00
12/13/2024........................1 - 1 - 0.......................50.00%.....................- 5.05
12/12/2024.......................9 - 13 - 0.......................40.90%....................- 19.70
12/11/2024........................1 - 2 - 1........................33.33%....................- 5.00
12/10/2024......................6 - 11 - 0........................35.29%.....................- 25.20
12/09/2024........................2 - 1 - 0........................66.66%....................+ 4.50
12/08/2024........................3 - 4 - 3........................42.85%.....................- 6.25
12/07/2024.........................5 - 9 - 0.......................35.71%.....................- 20.70
12/06/2024.........................3 - 5 - 0.......................37.50%......................- 11.50
12/05/2024..........................5- 9 - 0.......................35.71%......................- 21.65
12/04/2024.........................4 - 1 - 0.......................80.00%......................+ 14.50
12/03/2024.........................4 - 6 - 0.......................40.00%.......................- 6.35
12/02/2024.........................2 - 3 - 0.......................40.00%.......................- 5.50
12/01/2024.........................5 - 2 - 0.......................71.42%.......................+ 16.55
TOTALS.:...........................69 - 93- 8......................42.59%....................... - 147.95
*****************************************************
NOVEMBER TOTALS:.........154 - 151 - 5......................50.49%........................- 3.00
12/17/2024........................7 - 9 - 0......................43.75%....................- 11.55
12/16/2024........................3 - 3 - 0......................50.00%....................- 4.10
12/15/2024........................2 - 5 - 0......................28.57%....................- 21.20
12/14/2024........................7 - 9 - 4.......................43.75%.....................- 20.00
12/13/2024........................1 - 1 - 0.......................50.00%.....................- 5.05
12/12/2024.......................9 - 13 - 0.......................40.90%....................- 19.70
12/11/2024........................1 - 2 - 1........................33.33%....................- 5.00
12/10/2024......................6 - 11 - 0........................35.29%.....................- 25.20
12/09/2024........................2 - 1 - 0........................66.66%....................+ 4.50
12/08/2024........................3 - 4 - 3........................42.85%.....................- 6.25
12/07/2024.........................5 - 9 - 0.......................35.71%.....................- 20.70
12/06/2024.........................3 - 5 - 0.......................37.50%......................- 11.50
12/05/2024..........................5- 9 - 0.......................35.71%......................- 21.65
12/04/2024.........................4 - 1 - 0.......................80.00%......................+ 14.50
12/03/2024.........................4 - 6 - 0.......................40.00%.......................- 6.35
12/02/2024.........................2 - 3 - 0.......................40.00%.......................- 5.50
12/01/2024.........................5 - 2 - 0.......................71.42%.......................+ 16.55
TOTALS.:...........................69 - 93- 8......................42.59%....................... - 147.95
*****************************************************
NOVEMBER TOTALS:.........154 - 151 - 5......................50.49%........................- 3.00
Wednesday’s 6-pack:
College hoop teams shooting the best on the foul line:
84.8%— Wisconsin
83.8%— Cal-Irvine
82.4%— Tex-San Antonio
82.2%— Valparaiso
81.5%— Canisius
81.3%— Campbell
Quote of the Day
“He’s got to play better. We have to find a way to get him to play better. We have to play better at the quarterback position.”
Falcons coach Raheem Morris, before he benched Kirk Cousins Tuesday
Wednesday’s quiz
Which NFL team drafted Kirk Cousins in 2012?
Tuesday’s quiz
In the history of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook has scored the most points.
Monday’s quiz
25 years ago, the Rams won the Super Bowl for the first time, behind QB Kurt Warner, who was the backup during training camp. Trent Green was the Rams’ starting QB that summer, before he blew his knee out in an exhibition game.
***************************************
33.3%- Chiefs
30.4%- Dolphins
29.4%- Broncos
28.8%- Eagles
28.5%- Steelers
— NFL teams who get the lowest %age of their first downs on 3rd down plays:
20.6%- Packers
22.0%- Browns
22.0%- Falcons
22.9%- Lions
23.1%- Vikings
— NFL screwed around with the Week 17 (next week) schedule, moving some games:
Saturday December 28:
Chargers @ Patriots, 1:00
Broncos @ Bengals, 4:00
Cardinals @ Rams, 8:00
Sunday, December 29:
Falcons @ Commanders, 8:20
— Minnesota Vikings are 12-2, having a great year; are they really going to let QB Sam Darnold walk next spring? The franchise tag for a QB figures to be around $41M next year, which would be a crimp in Minnesota’s salary cap, but quarterbacks are really important, and Darnold is leading a 12-2 team this season.
Rookie JJ McCarthy hasn’t played yet; he’s already had two knee procedures. Will Minnesota really let Darnold walk and let McCarthy take over, with Giants’ reject Daniel Jones as the #2 quarterback? Tough decision they’ll have to face after the season.
— Falcons are benching QB Kirk Cousins, will start rookie Michael Penix this week against the Giants, giving the rookie QB his first NFL start.
Tennessee Titans are benching QB Will Levis; Mason Rudolph is the likely starter- Trevor Siemian is their other QB. Rudolph has a 9-6-1 record as an NFL starter, mostly with Pittsburgh.
Cleveland Browns are benching QB Jameis Winston, will start #3 QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson against Cincinnati. Bailey Zappe is Cleveland’s other QB. Thompson-Robinson was 1-2 as a starter for Cleveland last year.
— Memphis 42, West Virginia 37
Tigers led 28-17 at halftime.
West Virginia outgained Memphis, 534-474
Mountaineers ran ball for 206 yards, but were minus-2 in turnovers.
Memphis threw an 89-yard pass that wasn’t a TD; it was the longest pass play in the country this year that didn’t result in a touchdown.
— Ohio U is playing Jacksonville State in a bowl game in Orlando Friday; both teams have had really good years, so good that both head coaches have already bolted to greener pa$ture$.
Famous birthdays, December 18th:
Steven Spielberg, 78
Bobby Jones, 73 (basketball player)
Roy Howell, 71
Brad Pitt, 61
Charles Oakley, 61
Don Beebe, 60
Dan McGwire, 57
Byron Buxton, 31
Ronald Acuna, 27
Jayden Daniels, 24
— Chicago Cubs traded OF/1B Cody Bellinger to New York Tuesday, in exchange for P Cody Poteet- the Cubs are dumping most of Bellinger’s salary. Chicago will send $5M to New York as part of the deal, but Bellinger is going to make $52.5M the next two years, so the Cubs dump $47.5M in salary.
Bellinger hit 18 homers LY with a .751 OPS; his numbers figure to go up with the short right field fence in the Bronx.
— Baltimore Orioles signed P Tomoyuki Sugano to one-year, $13M deal; the 35-year old Sugano had a 1.67 ERA in 24 starts LY in Japan, but had only 111 strikeouts in 156.2 IP. Sugano has spent his entire 12-year pro career with the Yomiuri Giants.
— Bucks 97, Thunder 81
Milwaukee wins the NBA Cup championship; not sure what that means.
Lakers won its last year; they fired their coach after the season.
Bucks have won 11 of their last 13 games.
— WCC (Gonzaga’s league) is ranked #7 this year; this is the highest the league has been ranked in the last 25 years, partly because having Washington State/Oregon State for this year only has provided a boost.
Oregon State is 12-6, ranked #65; Wazzu is 11-7, ranked #72; they give the WCC more depth than it has had in quite a while.
Of course, Gonzaga is off to the Mountain West in a couple years, and Coogs/Beavers will be back in the Pac-12 then, so the WCC has darker days ahead.
— Florida 90, North Carolina 83
11-0 Gators outscored Carolina 13-3 over the final 4:03
Tar Heels were only 5-28 behind the arc.
SEC is 28-3 against the ACC this year, which is pretty amazing.
— South Carolina 91, Clemson 88 OT
Gamecocks led by 14 in first half; they shot 56% inside the arc.
Clemson led 69-67 with 5:09 left in the game.
Carolina has won five games in a row, after a 3-3 start.
— Drake 73, Kansas State 70 OT
Drake was up 29-9 in first half of this game.
K-State was up by a hoop with 1:19 left to play.
Drake is 10-0, with four starters who were playing D-2 ball last season.
— Dayton 66, UNLV 65
UNLV led 62-58 with 1:25 left in the game.
Dayton shot 63.3% inside the arc.
— Cal-San Diego 75, Utah State 73
Tritons of Big West have won eight in a row, are 10-2.
Cal-San Diego shot 70% inside arc; they were 23-27 on foul line.
— Conference bowl records (SU/ATS)
AAC 1-0 SU/0-1 ATS
Big X 0-1 SU/1-0 ATS
MAC. 0-1 SU/0-1 ATS
Sun Belt 1-0 SU/1-0 ATS
Favorites: 1-1 ATS
Totals: under 1-1
College hoop teams shooting the best on the foul line:
84.8%— Wisconsin
83.8%— Cal-Irvine
82.4%— Tex-San Antonio
82.2%— Valparaiso
81.5%— Canisius
81.3%— Campbell
Quote of the Day
“He’s got to play better. We have to find a way to get him to play better. We have to play better at the quarterback position.”
Falcons coach Raheem Morris, before he benched Kirk Cousins Tuesday
Wednesday’s quiz
Which NFL team drafted Kirk Cousins in 2012?
Tuesday’s quiz
In the history of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook has scored the most points.
Monday’s quiz
25 years ago, the Rams won the Super Bowl for the first time, behind QB Kurt Warner, who was the backup during training camp. Trent Green was the Rams’ starting QB that summer, before he blew his knee out in an exhibition game.
***************************************
Wednesday’s Den: Mid-week musings……
— NFL teams who get the highest %age of their first downs on 3rd down plays:33.3%- Chiefs
30.4%- Dolphins
29.4%- Broncos
28.8%- Eagles
28.5%- Steelers
— NFL teams who get the lowest %age of their first downs on 3rd down plays:
20.6%- Packers
22.0%- Browns
22.0%- Falcons
22.9%- Lions
23.1%- Vikings
— NFL screwed around with the Week 17 (next week) schedule, moving some games:
Saturday December 28:
Chargers @ Patriots, 1:00
Broncos @ Bengals, 4:00
Cardinals @ Rams, 8:00
Sunday, December 29:
Falcons @ Commanders, 8:20
— Minnesota Vikings are 12-2, having a great year; are they really going to let QB Sam Darnold walk next spring? The franchise tag for a QB figures to be around $41M next year, which would be a crimp in Minnesota’s salary cap, but quarterbacks are really important, and Darnold is leading a 12-2 team this season.
Rookie JJ McCarthy hasn’t played yet; he’s already had two knee procedures. Will Minnesota really let Darnold walk and let McCarthy take over, with Giants’ reject Daniel Jones as the #2 quarterback? Tough decision they’ll have to face after the season.
— Falcons are benching QB Kirk Cousins, will start rookie Michael Penix this week against the Giants, giving the rookie QB his first NFL start.
Tennessee Titans are benching QB Will Levis; Mason Rudolph is the likely starter- Trevor Siemian is their other QB. Rudolph has a 9-6-1 record as an NFL starter, mostly with Pittsburgh.
Cleveland Browns are benching QB Jameis Winston, will start #3 QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson against Cincinnati. Bailey Zappe is Cleveland’s other QB. Thompson-Robinson was 1-2 as a starter for Cleveland last year.
— Memphis 42, West Virginia 37
Tigers led 28-17 at halftime.
West Virginia outgained Memphis, 534-474
Mountaineers ran ball for 206 yards, but were minus-2 in turnovers.
Memphis threw an 89-yard pass that wasn’t a TD; it was the longest pass play in the country this year that didn’t result in a touchdown.
— Ohio U is playing Jacksonville State in a bowl game in Orlando Friday; both teams have had really good years, so good that both head coaches have already bolted to greener pa$ture$.
Famous birthdays, December 18th:
Steven Spielberg, 78
Bobby Jones, 73 (basketball player)
Roy Howell, 71
Brad Pitt, 61
Charles Oakley, 61
Don Beebe, 60
Dan McGwire, 57
Byron Buxton, 31
Ronald Acuna, 27
Jayden Daniels, 24
— Chicago Cubs traded OF/1B Cody Bellinger to New York Tuesday, in exchange for P Cody Poteet- the Cubs are dumping most of Bellinger’s salary. Chicago will send $5M to New York as part of the deal, but Bellinger is going to make $52.5M the next two years, so the Cubs dump $47.5M in salary.
Bellinger hit 18 homers LY with a .751 OPS; his numbers figure to go up with the short right field fence in the Bronx.
— Baltimore Orioles signed P Tomoyuki Sugano to one-year, $13M deal; the 35-year old Sugano had a 1.67 ERA in 24 starts LY in Japan, but had only 111 strikeouts in 156.2 IP. Sugano has spent his entire 12-year pro career with the Yomiuri Giants.
— Bucks 97, Thunder 81
Milwaukee wins the NBA Cup championship; not sure what that means.
Lakers won its last year; they fired their coach after the season.
Bucks have won 11 of their last 13 games.
— WCC (Gonzaga’s league) is ranked #7 this year; this is the highest the league has been ranked in the last 25 years, partly because having Washington State/Oregon State for this year only has provided a boost.
Oregon State is 12-6, ranked #65; Wazzu is 11-7, ranked #72; they give the WCC more depth than it has had in quite a while.
Of course, Gonzaga is off to the Mountain West in a couple years, and Coogs/Beavers will be back in the Pac-12 then, so the WCC has darker days ahead.
— Florida 90, North Carolina 83
11-0 Gators outscored Carolina 13-3 over the final 4:03
Tar Heels were only 5-28 behind the arc.
SEC is 28-3 against the ACC this year, which is pretty amazing.
— South Carolina 91, Clemson 88 OT
Gamecocks led by 14 in first half; they shot 56% inside the arc.
Clemson led 69-67 with 5:09 left in the game.
Carolina has won five games in a row, after a 3-3 start.
— Drake 73, Kansas State 70 OT
Drake was up 29-9 in first half of this game.
K-State was up by a hoop with 1:19 left to play.
Drake is 10-0, with four starters who were playing D-2 ball last season.
— Dayton 66, UNLV 65
UNLV led 62-58 with 1:25 left in the game.
Dayton shot 63.3% inside the arc.
— Cal-San Diego 75, Utah State 73
Tritons of Big West have won eight in a row, are 10-2.
Cal-San Diego shot 70% inside arc; they were 23-27 on foul line.
— Conference bowl records (SU/ATS)
AAC 1-0 SU/0-1 ATS
Big X 0-1 SU/1-0 ATS
MAC. 0-1 SU/0-1 ATS
Sun Belt 1-0 SU/1-0 ATS
Favorites: 1-1 ATS
Totals: under 1-1
NHL
Wednesday, December 18
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Trend Report
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Philadelphia vs Detroit
Philadelphia is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 7 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Detroit is 11-1 ATS in its last 12 games
Toronto vs Dallas
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Dallas's last 8 games
Dallas is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Florida vs Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Florida's last 8 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Minnesota's last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota's last 8 games when playing Florida
Winnipeg vs Anaheim
Winnipeg is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Anaheim
Winnipeg is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Anaheim is 13-3 ATS in its last 16 games
Anaheim is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Vancouver vs Utah
Vancouver is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Vancouver is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Utah
Utah is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Vancouver
Utah is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Vancouver
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Wednesday, December 18
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philadelphia vs Detroit
Philadelphia is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 7 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Detroit is 11-1 ATS in its last 12 games
Toronto vs Dallas
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Dallas's last 8 games
Dallas is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Florida vs Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Florida's last 8 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Minnesota's last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota's last 8 games when playing Florida
Winnipeg vs Anaheim
Winnipeg is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Anaheim
Winnipeg is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Anaheim is 13-3 ATS in its last 16 games
Anaheim is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Vancouver vs Utah
Vancouver is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Vancouver is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Utah
Utah is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Vancouver
Utah is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Vancouver
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NHL BEST BETS FOR DECEMBER !!
12/18/2024........................5 - 2 - 0......................71.42%...................+ 17.05
12/17/2024........................7 - 9 - 0......................43.75%....................- 11.55
12/16/2024........................3 - 3 - 0......................50.00%....................- 4.10
12/15/2024........................2 - 5 - 0......................28.57%....................- 21.20
12/14/2024........................7 - 9 - 4.......................43.75%.....................- 20.00
12/13/2024........................1 - 1 - 0.......................50.00%.....................- 5.05
12/12/2024.......................9 - 13 - 0.......................40.90%....................- 19.70
12/11/2024........................1 - 2 - 1........................33.33%....................- 5.00
12/10/2024......................6 - 11 - 0........................35.29%.....................- 25.20
12/09/2024........................2 - 1 - 0........................66.66%....................+ 4.50
12/08/2024........................3 - 4 - 3........................42.85%.....................- 6.25
12/07/2024.........................5 - 9 - 0.......................35.71%.....................- 20.70
12/06/2024.........................3 - 5 - 0.......................37.50%......................- 11.50
12/05/2024..........................5- 9 - 0.......................35.71%......................- 21.65
12/04/2024.........................4 - 1 - 0.......................80.00%......................+ 14.50
12/03/2024.........................4 - 6 - 0.......................40.00%.......................- 6.35
12/02/2024.........................2 - 3 - 0.......................40.00%.......................- 5.50
12/01/2024.........................5 - 2 - 0.......................71.42%.......................+ 16.55
TOTALS.:...........................74 - 95- 8.......................43.78%....................... - 130.90
*****************************************************
NOVEMBER TOTALS:.........154 - 151 - 5......................50.49%........................- 3.00
12/18/2024........................5 - 2 - 0......................71.42%...................+ 17.05
12/17/2024........................7 - 9 - 0......................43.75%....................- 11.55
12/16/2024........................3 - 3 - 0......................50.00%....................- 4.10
12/15/2024........................2 - 5 - 0......................28.57%....................- 21.20
12/14/2024........................7 - 9 - 4.......................43.75%.....................- 20.00
12/13/2024........................1 - 1 - 0.......................50.00%.....................- 5.05
12/12/2024.......................9 - 13 - 0.......................40.90%....................- 19.70
12/11/2024........................1 - 2 - 1........................33.33%....................- 5.00
12/10/2024......................6 - 11 - 0........................35.29%.....................- 25.20
12/09/2024........................2 - 1 - 0........................66.66%....................+ 4.50
12/08/2024........................3 - 4 - 3........................42.85%.....................- 6.25
12/07/2024.........................5 - 9 - 0.......................35.71%.....................- 20.70
12/06/2024.........................3 - 5 - 0.......................37.50%......................- 11.50
12/05/2024..........................5- 9 - 0.......................35.71%......................- 21.65
12/04/2024.........................4 - 1 - 0.......................80.00%......................+ 14.50
12/03/2024.........................4 - 6 - 0.......................40.00%.......................- 6.35
12/02/2024.........................2 - 3 - 0.......................40.00%.......................- 5.50
12/01/2024.........................5 - 2 - 0.......................71.42%.......................+ 16.55
TOTALS.:...........................74 - 95- 8.......................43.78%....................... - 130.90
*****************************************************
NOVEMBER TOTALS:.........154 - 151 - 5......................50.49%........................- 3.00
Thursday’s 6-pack:
Most TD passes thrown for the Buffalo Bills:
237— Jim Kelly
192— Josh Allen
181— Joe Ferguson
80— Ryan Fitzpatrick
77— Jack Kemp
55— Drew Bledsoe
Quote of the Day
“I mean, you really want to get me going today. Yeah, I think to be honest with you, I think that’s complete and total bullshit if you want my honest opinion. These guys are tough (bleep)ers, man, they go after it every day……I can’t even wrap my mind around how that would even be a conversation. I mean, just because we don’t win games doesn’t mean we’re soft.”
Titans coach Brian Callahan
Thursday’s quiz
Which two starting QB’s in the NFL have fathers who played major league baseball?
Wednesday’s quiz
Washington Redskins drafted Kirk Cousins in the 4th round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Tuesday’s quiz
In the history of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook has scored the most points.
********************************************
Dukes get their first-ever I-A bowl win.
Hilltoppers led 14-7 at halftime.
JMU ran ball for 212 yards, outgained WKU 394-318
— UNLV 24, California 13
Rebels get their first bowl win since 2000.
UNLV won despite completing only 6-19 passes.
Cal’s QB bolted; they used two backups in this game.
— Conference bowl records (SU/ATS)
AAC 1-0 SU/0-1 ATS
ACC 0-1 SU/0-1 ATS
Big X 0-1 SU/1-0 ATS
C-USA 0-1 SU/0-1 ATS
MAC 0-1 SU/0-1 ATS
MWest 1-0 SU/1-0 ATS
Sun Belt 2-0 SU/2-0 ATS
Favorites: 2-2 ATS
Totals: under 3-1
— UConn 94, Xavier 89 OT
Xavier shot 13-24 on arc; they led by 5 with 5:16 left.
UConn shot 55.6% inside the arc.
— Oklahoma 87, Michigan 86
11-0 Sooners were down 11 with 9:55 left to play.
Oklahoma was 12-25 on arc, Wolverines 4-28
— Memphis 64, Virginia 62
Virginia led by 11 early in second half.
PJ Haggerty played all 40:00, scored 27 points for 9-2 Memphis
— New Mexico 78, VCU 71
Donovan Dent scored 40 points for the Lobos.
VCU was only 13-24 on the foul line.
— Atlanta Falcons added kicker Riley Patterson to replace Younghoe Koo, who is on IR and is done for the regular season.
— As we speak, the Chicago White Sox win total for 2025 in 49.5, the lowest in recent memory. Last year, the A’s were supposed to suck; their win total was 57.5. White Sox were 41-121, an incredibly terrible season. The 2024 A’s wound up 69-93, by the way.
— Famous birthdays, December 19:
Tim Reid, 80
Kevin McHale, 67
Bill Wegman, 62
Jennifer Beals, 61
Arvydas Sabonis, 60
Joe Slusarski, 58
Tom Gugliotta, 55
Alyssa Milano, 52
Warren Sapp, 52
Jake Plummer, 50
— When the Carolina Panthers were favored over the Cowboys Sunday, it was the first time in 34 games that the Panthers were favored to win. It didn’t go well.
— Former NFL QB Michael Vick is the new football coach at Norfolk State, which went 3-8/4-8 the last two years at the I-AA level.
Vick is 44 years old; he last played in the NFL in 2015 for Pittsburgh. He has no formal coaching experience, but he played QB in the NFL for 13 years and was a coaching intern for the Chiefs five years ago. He’ll need to hire experienced assistant coaches.
— Quarterback TJ Finley should write a book someday; he recently transferred to Tulane, which will be his fifth college team. He’’ll be 23 in March.
2020— started five games for LSU (2-3)
2021-22— started six games for Auburn (2-4)
2023— started the whole season at Texas State (8-5)
2024— started three games for Western Kentucky (2-1)
2025— Tulane.
— Wake Forest hired former Washington State coach Jake Dickert as its new football coach; he replaces Dave Clawson, who is a really good coach, but Wake Forest doesn’t have the resources that its competitors have, so Clawson resigned.
Dickert was 23-20 in three years at Wazzu, 8-4 this season. Washington State wasn’t in a league this year; they’ll eventually be in the re-configured Pac-12 with a lot of Mountain West teams.
— Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia was granted eligibility for the 2025 season, very good news for the Commodores; he’s been arguing that junior college seasons should not count against NCAA eligibility, which could open up a whole new can of worms.
— Modern college football: Alabama poached the long snapper from the Cal Bears.
— In his excellent career, NBA star James Harden has scored 40+ points in 103 games.
Most TD passes thrown for the Buffalo Bills:
237— Jim Kelly
192— Josh Allen
181— Joe Ferguson
80— Ryan Fitzpatrick
77— Jack Kemp
55— Drew Bledsoe
Quote of the Day
“I mean, you really want to get me going today. Yeah, I think to be honest with you, I think that’s complete and total bullshit if you want my honest opinion. These guys are tough (bleep)ers, man, they go after it every day……I can’t even wrap my mind around how that would even be a conversation. I mean, just because we don’t win games doesn’t mean we’re soft.”
Titans coach Brian Callahan
Thursday’s quiz
Which two starting QB’s in the NFL have fathers who played major league baseball?
Wednesday’s quiz
Washington Redskins drafted Kirk Cousins in the 4th round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Tuesday’s quiz
In the history of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook has scored the most points.
********************************************
Thursday’s Den: Nobody asked me, but…….
— James Madison 27, Western Kentucky 17Dukes get their first-ever I-A bowl win.
Hilltoppers led 14-7 at halftime.
JMU ran ball for 212 yards, outgained WKU 394-318
— UNLV 24, California 13
Rebels get their first bowl win since 2000.
UNLV won despite completing only 6-19 passes.
Cal’s QB bolted; they used two backups in this game.
— Conference bowl records (SU/ATS)
AAC 1-0 SU/0-1 ATS
ACC 0-1 SU/0-1 ATS
Big X 0-1 SU/1-0 ATS
C-USA 0-1 SU/0-1 ATS
MAC 0-1 SU/0-1 ATS
MWest 1-0 SU/1-0 ATS
Sun Belt 2-0 SU/2-0 ATS
Favorites: 2-2 ATS
Totals: under 3-1
— UConn 94, Xavier 89 OT
Xavier shot 13-24 on arc; they led by 5 with 5:16 left.
UConn shot 55.6% inside the arc.
— Oklahoma 87, Michigan 86
11-0 Sooners were down 11 with 9:55 left to play.
Oklahoma was 12-25 on arc, Wolverines 4-28
— Memphis 64, Virginia 62
Virginia led by 11 early in second half.
PJ Haggerty played all 40:00, scored 27 points for 9-2 Memphis
— New Mexico 78, VCU 71
Donovan Dent scored 40 points for the Lobos.
VCU was only 13-24 on the foul line.
— Atlanta Falcons added kicker Riley Patterson to replace Younghoe Koo, who is on IR and is done for the regular season.
— As we speak, the Chicago White Sox win total for 2025 in 49.5, the lowest in recent memory. Last year, the A’s were supposed to suck; their win total was 57.5. White Sox were 41-121, an incredibly terrible season. The 2024 A’s wound up 69-93, by the way.
— Famous birthdays, December 19:
Tim Reid, 80
Kevin McHale, 67
Bill Wegman, 62
Jennifer Beals, 61
Arvydas Sabonis, 60
Joe Slusarski, 58
Tom Gugliotta, 55
Alyssa Milano, 52
Warren Sapp, 52
Jake Plummer, 50
— When the Carolina Panthers were favored over the Cowboys Sunday, it was the first time in 34 games that the Panthers were favored to win. It didn’t go well.
— Former NFL QB Michael Vick is the new football coach at Norfolk State, which went 3-8/4-8 the last two years at the I-AA level.
Vick is 44 years old; he last played in the NFL in 2015 for Pittsburgh. He has no formal coaching experience, but he played QB in the NFL for 13 years and was a coaching intern for the Chiefs five years ago. He’ll need to hire experienced assistant coaches.
— Quarterback TJ Finley should write a book someday; he recently transferred to Tulane, which will be his fifth college team. He’’ll be 23 in March.
2020— started five games for LSU (2-3)
2021-22— started six games for Auburn (2-4)
2023— started the whole season at Texas State (8-5)
2024— started three games for Western Kentucky (2-1)
2025— Tulane.
— Wake Forest hired former Washington State coach Jake Dickert as its new football coach; he replaces Dave Clawson, who is a really good coach, but Wake Forest doesn’t have the resources that its competitors have, so Clawson resigned.
Dickert was 23-20 in three years at Wazzu, 8-4 this season. Washington State wasn’t in a league this year; they’ll eventually be in the re-configured Pac-12 with a lot of Mountain West teams.
— Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia was granted eligibility for the 2025 season, very good news for the Commodores; he’s been arguing that junior college seasons should not count against NCAA eligibility, which could open up a whole new can of worms.
— Modern college football: Alabama poached the long snapper from the Cal Bears.
— In his excellent career, NBA star James Harden has scored 40+ points in 103 games.
