PICKENS PICKS SPORTS HANDICAPPING NFL PLAYOFFS
50 UNIT DIVISIONAL GAME
Simply put everyone is WAY TOO IN LOVE with the Ravens now. This is to take nothing away from Baltimore, as they have been fantastic this year, especially defensively. The reason we play on the Titans is because of the QB. On one team we have a rookie, coming off a big emotional first playoff win. On the other hand we have a QB who has been through this situation before. Kerry Collins, certainly nothing more than an average QB, will however be the best QB on the field today. Flacco has been fantastic for the Ravens this season; taking care of the football and coming through in the clutch. But today in what will be a well rested Titans defense coupled with home field advantage this will be just too much for the Ravens to overcome. I don't see the Ravens putting more than 13 on the board. Tennessee will stuff their run with a now much healthier defensive front and pay a visit to the AFC title game.
PLAY ON TITANS -3
100 UNIT NFC DIVISIONAL GAME OF THE YEAR
The Arizona Cardinals shocked alot of people, except Picken's sportshandicapping as we nailed the Cards and the over, by running the football more than expected with EJ. Tonight in Carolina that won't happen. The Cardinals are going to have a play a near perfect game to keep this within a touchdown, and for a team that has been flat out miserable on the road against solid teams it simply will not happen with Carolina off a bye. Oh, and Anquan Bolden isn't near 100%. Now for the biggest reason the Panthers cover this spread- DeAngelo Williams. The Cardinals did a fantastic job against the run last week, but lets face it- you don't turn into a world beating defense over night. If the Panthers have less than 150 yards rushing by the end of the night I'll walk to Carolina and whistle dixie the entire way. Carolina wins this easily.
PLAY ON PANTHERS -10
50 UNIT- NFC DIVISIONAL GAME EAGLES @ GIANTS
The Philadelphia Eagles are my choice in this matchup. Without the presence of Burress the Giants have quickly become a one trick pony. You know what is coming, but can you stop it? With Jim Johnson on the other side of the field, and an Eagles defense that looks as good as any in the McNabb era, I think Philadelphia matches up very well against the Gmen. Little has changed since the last meeting between these 2 teams....a meeting where the Eagles flat out DOMINATED the game from beginning to end. If anything the only thing that has changed is a healthy Brandon Jacobs (which is big) but the Eagles also have a massive amount of momentum. Come the end of this game I expect the Eagles defense to force many 3 and outs with 8 men in the box and let the best secondary in the NFL shut down Eli's passing game to his now very average WR corp minus Burress. The Eagles did a great job against AP last week against the Vikings and no matter what anyone says- AP is better than all 3 of the Giants backs any day of the week. I would prefer to matchup against 3 larger slower backs than 1 AP any day of the week. The Giants on the other hand have no momentum coming into this game. They were not playing good football since the Plaxico mess. This is NOT the same Giants team that won the Super Bowl last year. They've lost Manning's #1 safety valve in Burress, they lost the NFC's best DE early in the year, and now their others are still banged up. Philadelphia wins this game straight up and McNabb and Reid visit their record 5th NFC conference game.
PLAY ON PHILADELPHIA +4
50 unit- AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND REVENGE GAME CHARGERS @ STEELERS
Our selection is on the San Diego Chargers over the Steelers. I am the biggest believer in momentum...I thought it coming into this playoff season- the winner of the Colts / Chargers game is going to the Super Bowl. Yes I know, the Chargers have 8 losses...but they've also gotten the short end of the stick in a few games and could have EASILY been a 12 win team. I know close is only good in horseshoes and hand grenades, but trust me the Steelers want nothing to do with this Charger team. I expect San Diego to give Pittsburgh all they can handle- even without LT in the lineup. Rivers is playing fantastic right now, and I would take him any day of the week over Big Ben. The Steelers defense is everything impressive, but their offense will let them down in this game and it may not be enough for the win. Pittsburgh has found a way to win all year long in close games, but I'm afraid this time around the line does not come into play yet again.
PLAY ON SAN DIEGO +6
NFL PLAYOFF TOTALS OF THE WEEK
250 unit- Titans / Ravens UNDER
200 unit- Steelers / Chargers UNDER
100 unit- Giants / Eagles UNDER
50 unit- Panthers / Cardinals UNDER
50 UNIT DIVISIONAL GAME
Simply put everyone is WAY TOO IN LOVE with the Ravens now. This is to take nothing away from Baltimore, as they have been fantastic this year, especially defensively. The reason we play on the Titans is because of the QB. On one team we have a rookie, coming off a big emotional first playoff win. On the other hand we have a QB who has been through this situation before. Kerry Collins, certainly nothing more than an average QB, will however be the best QB on the field today. Flacco has been fantastic for the Ravens this season; taking care of the football and coming through in the clutch. But today in what will be a well rested Titans defense coupled with home field advantage this will be just too much for the Ravens to overcome. I don't see the Ravens putting more than 13 on the board. Tennessee will stuff their run with a now much healthier defensive front and pay a visit to the AFC title game.
PLAY ON TITANS -3
100 UNIT NFC DIVISIONAL GAME OF THE YEAR
The Arizona Cardinals shocked alot of people, except Picken's sportshandicapping as we nailed the Cards and the over, by running the football more than expected with EJ. Tonight in Carolina that won't happen. The Cardinals are going to have a play a near perfect game to keep this within a touchdown, and for a team that has been flat out miserable on the road against solid teams it simply will not happen with Carolina off a bye. Oh, and Anquan Bolden isn't near 100%. Now for the biggest reason the Panthers cover this spread- DeAngelo Williams. The Cardinals did a fantastic job against the run last week, but lets face it- you don't turn into a world beating defense over night. If the Panthers have less than 150 yards rushing by the end of the night I'll walk to Carolina and whistle dixie the entire way. Carolina wins this easily.
PLAY ON PANTHERS -10
50 UNIT- NFC DIVISIONAL GAME EAGLES @ GIANTS
The Philadelphia Eagles are my choice in this matchup. Without the presence of Burress the Giants have quickly become a one trick pony. You know what is coming, but can you stop it? With Jim Johnson on the other side of the field, and an Eagles defense that looks as good as any in the McNabb era, I think Philadelphia matches up very well against the Gmen. Little has changed since the last meeting between these 2 teams....a meeting where the Eagles flat out DOMINATED the game from beginning to end. If anything the only thing that has changed is a healthy Brandon Jacobs (which is big) but the Eagles also have a massive amount of momentum. Come the end of this game I expect the Eagles defense to force many 3 and outs with 8 men in the box and let the best secondary in the NFL shut down Eli's passing game to his now very average WR corp minus Burress. The Eagles did a great job against AP last week against the Vikings and no matter what anyone says- AP is better than all 3 of the Giants backs any day of the week. I would prefer to matchup against 3 larger slower backs than 1 AP any day of the week. The Giants on the other hand have no momentum coming into this game. They were not playing good football since the Plaxico mess. This is NOT the same Giants team that won the Super Bowl last year. They've lost Manning's #1 safety valve in Burress, they lost the NFC's best DE early in the year, and now their others are still banged up. Philadelphia wins this game straight up and McNabb and Reid visit their record 5th NFC conference game.
PLAY ON PHILADELPHIA +4
50 unit- AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND REVENGE GAME CHARGERS @ STEELERS
Our selection is on the San Diego Chargers over the Steelers. I am the biggest believer in momentum...I thought it coming into this playoff season- the winner of the Colts / Chargers game is going to the Super Bowl. Yes I know, the Chargers have 8 losses...but they've also gotten the short end of the stick in a few games and could have EASILY been a 12 win team. I know close is only good in horseshoes and hand grenades, but trust me the Steelers want nothing to do with this Charger team. I expect San Diego to give Pittsburgh all they can handle- even without LT in the lineup. Rivers is playing fantastic right now, and I would take him any day of the week over Big Ben. The Steelers defense is everything impressive, but their offense will let them down in this game and it may not be enough for the win. Pittsburgh has found a way to win all year long in close games, but I'm afraid this time around the line does not come into play yet again.
PLAY ON SAN DIEGO +6
NFL PLAYOFF TOTALS OF THE WEEK
250 unit- Titans / Ravens UNDER
200 unit- Steelers / Chargers UNDER
100 unit- Giants / Eagles UNDER
50 unit- Panthers / Cardinals UNDER
FERRINGO for Saturday:
2-Unit Play. Take #516 Marquette (-1.5) over West Virginia (Noon, Saturday, Jan. 10)
4.5-Unit Play. Take #529 Oklahoma (Pk) over Kansas State (1:30 p.m.)
Note: This is our Game of the Week.
2.5-Unit Play. Take #539 Detroit (+20) over Butler (2 p.m.)
3-Unit Play. Take #551 Missouri (-2.5) over Nebraska (2 p.m.)
3-Unit Play. Take #589 UNLV (-3.5) over TCU (5:30 p.m.)
2.5-Unit Play. Take #621 Portland (+23) over Gonzaga (8 p.m.)
2.5-Unit Play. Take #666 Murray State (-4.5) over Austin Peay (3 p.m.)
2-Unit Play. Take #545 Richmond (+1.5) over George Washington (7 p.m.)
2-Unit Play. Take #607 Auburn (+7.5) over South Carolina (7 p.m.)
2-Unit Play. Take #629 Arkansas-Little Rock (-1) over New Orleans (8 p.m.)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #563 Toledo (+1.5) over Northern Illinois (3 p.m.)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #574 San Diego State (-3.5) over Utah (4 p.m.)
1.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #657 Stanford (+7) over Washington State (10 p.m.) AND Take #591 Cal (+10) over Washington (6 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. TEASER: Take Take #562 Marshall (-2) over East Carolina (3 p.m.) AND Take #631 UTEP (-1) over SMU (8 p.m.)
2-Unit Play. Take #516 Marquette (-1.5) over West Virginia (Noon, Saturday, Jan. 10)
4.5-Unit Play. Take #529 Oklahoma (Pk) over Kansas State (1:30 p.m.)
Note: This is our Game of the Week.
2.5-Unit Play. Take #539 Detroit (+20) over Butler (2 p.m.)
3-Unit Play. Take #551 Missouri (-2.5) over Nebraska (2 p.m.)
3-Unit Play. Take #589 UNLV (-3.5) over TCU (5:30 p.m.)
2.5-Unit Play. Take #621 Portland (+23) over Gonzaga (8 p.m.)
2.5-Unit Play. Take #666 Murray State (-4.5) over Austin Peay (3 p.m.)
2-Unit Play. Take #545 Richmond (+1.5) over George Washington (7 p.m.)
2-Unit Play. Take #607 Auburn (+7.5) over South Carolina (7 p.m.)
2-Unit Play. Take #629 Arkansas-Little Rock (-1) over New Orleans (8 p.m.)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #563 Toledo (+1.5) over Northern Illinois (3 p.m.)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #574 San Diego State (-3.5) over Utah (4 p.m.)
1.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #657 Stanford (+7) over Washington State (10 p.m.) AND Take #591 Cal (+10) over Washington (6 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. TEASER: Take Take #562 Marshall (-2) over East Carolina (3 p.m.) AND Take #631 UTEP (-1) over SMU (8 p.m.)
C-Stars Sports Picks Plays For
SATURDAY
5000 Units NFL Playoff Total Of The Year! Arizona/Carolina over the total When ARIZONA CARDINALS team played as Road team as a Underdog - Playing on grass surface - After a conference game - Coming off a 1 under 12-2 O/U in this spot. When ARIZONA CARDINALS team played as a Road team - Last 5 years - Coming off a 1 under 10-1 O/U in this spot. When CAROLINA PANTHERS team played as Home team as a Favorite - Vs Non Division Opponent - After a conference game - Coming off 1 ATS win 8-2 O/U in this spot.
1000 unist Top Play Tennessee minus the points over Baltimore
50 units Tennessee/Baltimore under the total
SATURDAY
5000 Units NFL Playoff Total Of The Year! Arizona/Carolina over the total When ARIZONA CARDINALS team played as Road team as a Underdog - Playing on grass surface - After a conference game - Coming off a 1 under 12-2 O/U in this spot. When ARIZONA CARDINALS team played as a Road team - Last 5 years - Coming off a 1 under 10-1 O/U in this spot. When CAROLINA PANTHERS team played as Home team as a Favorite - Vs Non Division Opponent - After a conference game - Coming off 1 ATS win 8-2 O/U in this spot.
1000 unist Top Play Tennessee minus the points over Baltimore
50 units Tennessee/Baltimore under the total
Winning Way Sports (John Fina)
Basketball for January 10, 2009
NCAA - 2.5 units on Chicago Bulls -8.5 (-110)
Football for January 10, 2009
NFL - 3 units on Baltimore/Tennessee Over 33.5 (-110)
NFL - 3 units on Arizona Cardinals +10.5 (-110)
2-Team NFL Parlay (Risk: 1 Unit - Payout: 2.5 Units)
-Baltimore/Tennessee Over 33.5
-Arizona Cardinals +10.5
Basketball for January 10, 2009
NCAA - 2.5 units on Chicago Bulls -8.5 (-110)
Football for January 10, 2009
NFL - 3 units on Baltimore/Tennessee Over 33.5 (-110)
NFL - 3 units on Arizona Cardinals +10.5 (-110)
2-Team NFL Parlay (Risk: 1 Unit - Payout: 2.5 Units)
-Baltimore/Tennessee Over 33.5
-Arizona Cardinals +10.5
Dr. Bob
Here are the Strong Opinions and possible Best bets. Have not seen his 3 plays for today yet.
Saturday Daytime Opinions
GEORGE MASON (-5 ½) over Old Dominion
11:00 AM Pacific - Rotation 550
Old Dominion has not been as good as expected so far this season and I successfully went against the Monarchs on Wednesday night in their upset loss to James Madison. That loss as a 10 point underdog is not a good omen for ODU today as they visit a superior George Mason team that usually wins the games that they are supposed to win. The Patriots are now 85-52-4 ATS as a favorite of more than 4 points under coach Jim Larranaga and my ratings favor George Mason by 7 ½ points.
Indiana (+18) over ILLINOIS
12:00 PM Pacific - Rotation 557
Indiana has suffered through a tough rebuilding season so far, but the Hoosiers are starting to play a little better, losing by just 5 points and 6 points in covering both of their Big 10 games so far, and Illinois has a habit of letting up as a big favorite. The Illini are just 24-36-3 ATS as a favorite of 9 points or more under coach Bruce Weber and Illinois applies to a negative 48-101-5 ATS big home favorite situation that is based on their loss at Michigan in their most recent game. My ratings favor Illinois by 19 ½ points and I’m not willing to give up too much line value, so I’ll lean with the Hoosiers at +18 ½ or +18 and I’ll take Indiana in a 2-Star Best Bet at +19 points or more.
WASHINGTON (-4 ½) over California
03:00 PM Pacific - Rotation 592
My California Golden Bears are playing well above expectations under former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery, but the Bears apply to a very negative 47-117-4 ATS road letdown situation today and Washington is playing very well since losing a couple of games to Kansas and Florida over Thanksgiving. Cal still isn’t getting quite the respect they deserve, but the line has almost caught up to them, as my ratings favor Washington by 4 points in this game. The situation is worth playing if the price is fair, so I’ll lean with the Huskies at -4 ½ or -5 points and I’d take Washington in a 2-Star Best Bet at -4 points or less.
Memphis (-11 ½) over CENTRAL FLORIDA
02:00 PM Pacific - Rotation 595
Memphis has a tendency to start the season slowly and then get better and better under the tutelage of John Calipari. The Tigers are just 33-37-1 ATS in the first 9 games of the season during Calipari’s tenure, but they are a much better 122-82-7 ATS from game 10 on (101-60-5 ATS when not favored by more than 16 points). This season, Memphis started 4-5 ATS in their first 9 games but, right on cue, they are 4-0 ATS since game 10. I’ll lean with Memphis at -11 ½ or less and I’d take Memphis in a 2-Star Best Bet at -10 or less.<!-- / message -->
Here are the Strong Opinions and possible Best bets. Have not seen his 3 plays for today yet.
Saturday Daytime Opinions
GEORGE MASON (-5 ½) over Old Dominion
11:00 AM Pacific - Rotation 550
Old Dominion has not been as good as expected so far this season and I successfully went against the Monarchs on Wednesday night in their upset loss to James Madison. That loss as a 10 point underdog is not a good omen for ODU today as they visit a superior George Mason team that usually wins the games that they are supposed to win. The Patriots are now 85-52-4 ATS as a favorite of more than 4 points under coach Jim Larranaga and my ratings favor George Mason by 7 ½ points.
Indiana (+18) over ILLINOIS
12:00 PM Pacific - Rotation 557
Indiana has suffered through a tough rebuilding season so far, but the Hoosiers are starting to play a little better, losing by just 5 points and 6 points in covering both of their Big 10 games so far, and Illinois has a habit of letting up as a big favorite. The Illini are just 24-36-3 ATS as a favorite of 9 points or more under coach Bruce Weber and Illinois applies to a negative 48-101-5 ATS big home favorite situation that is based on their loss at Michigan in their most recent game. My ratings favor Illinois by 19 ½ points and I’m not willing to give up too much line value, so I’ll lean with the Hoosiers at +18 ½ or +18 and I’ll take Indiana in a 2-Star Best Bet at +19 points or more.
WASHINGTON (-4 ½) over California
03:00 PM Pacific - Rotation 592
My California Golden Bears are playing well above expectations under former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery, but the Bears apply to a very negative 47-117-4 ATS road letdown situation today and Washington is playing very well since losing a couple of games to Kansas and Florida over Thanksgiving. Cal still isn’t getting quite the respect they deserve, but the line has almost caught up to them, as my ratings favor Washington by 4 points in this game. The situation is worth playing if the price is fair, so I’ll lean with the Huskies at -4 ½ or -5 points and I’d take Washington in a 2-Star Best Bet at -4 points or less.
Memphis (-11 ½) over CENTRAL FLORIDA
02:00 PM Pacific - Rotation 595
Memphis has a tendency to start the season slowly and then get better and better under the tutelage of John Calipari. The Tigers are just 33-37-1 ATS in the first 9 games of the season during Calipari’s tenure, but they are a much better 122-82-7 ATS from game 10 on (101-60-5 ATS when not favored by more than 16 points). This season, Memphis started 4-5 ATS in their first 9 games but, right on cue, they are 4-0 ATS since game 10. I’ll lean with Memphis at -11 ½ or less and I’d take Memphis in a 2-Star Best Bet at -10 or less.<!-- / message -->
