HONDO
Steelers-Chiefs: The casual investor’s inclination is to buy into the Steeler hype, which is percolating on high after Sunday’s romp. The Killer Bs — Ben, Bell and Brown — were brilliant and the Steel Curtain was crushing, but sadly, for all you frenzied Terrible Towel wavers, that came at home against a back-up quarterback and a pedestrian defense that couldn’t walk the walk.
Now Pittsburgh goes to Arrowhead Stadium, where Alex Smith isn’t going to turn the ball over three times, and the freezing rain will prevent the Bs from bringing their “A” game. Plus, Big Red, aka Andy Reid, usually doesn’t start screwing up until later in the playoffs
Mike Tomlin won’t have much to cheer about Sunday when his Steelers prove to be the type to go against the hype.
Chiefs, 23-20
Packers-Cowboys: Mr. Rodgers will be out of his neighborhood, but in his element, while Cowboy super rook Dak Prescott merely will be out of his regular-season comfort zone. In fact, Hondo can envision Prescott struggling so much that Jason Garrett has to call on Tony Romo and his dreadful 2-4 playoff record, which is no way to make America’s Team great again.
Green Bay’s Big Cheese won’t melt under this spotlight.
Packers, 37-27
Steelers-Chiefs: The casual investor’s inclination is to buy into the Steeler hype, which is percolating on high after Sunday’s romp. The Killer Bs — Ben, Bell and Brown — were brilliant and the Steel Curtain was crushing, but sadly, for all you frenzied Terrible Towel wavers, that came at home against a back-up quarterback and a pedestrian defense that couldn’t walk the walk.
Now Pittsburgh goes to Arrowhead Stadium, where Alex Smith isn’t going to turn the ball over three times, and the freezing rain will prevent the Bs from bringing their “A” game. Plus, Big Red, aka Andy Reid, usually doesn’t start screwing up until later in the playoffs
Mike Tomlin won’t have much to cheer about Sunday when his Steelers prove to be the type to go against the hype.
Chiefs, 23-20
Packers-Cowboys: Mr. Rodgers will be out of his neighborhood, but in his element, while Cowboy super rook Dak Prescott merely will be out of his regular-season comfort zone. In fact, Hondo can envision Prescott struggling so much that Jason Garrett has to call on Tony Romo and his dreadful 2-4 playoff record, which is no way to make America’s Team great again.
Green Bay’s Big Cheese won’t melt under this spotlight.
Packers, 37-27
StatFox Super Situations
NBA*|*MILWAUKEE*at*ATLANTA
Play Under - Road teams where the total is greater than or equal to 200 after going over the total by 18 or more points total in their last three games against opponent after going under the total by 24 or more points total in their last three games
237-144*since 1997.**(*62.2%*|*78.6 units*)
14-9*this year.**(*60.9%*|*4.1 units*)
NBA*|*HOUSTON*at*BROOKLYN
Play Against - Underdogs vs the money line (BROOKLYN) terrible defensive team - allowing 103+ points/game on the season against opponent after allowing 110 points or more 2 straight games
53-15*over the last 5 seasons.**(*77.9%*|*30.6 units*)
29-12*this year.**(*70.7%*|*10.9 units*)
NBA*|*OKLAHOMA CITY*at*SACRAMENTO
Play Over - All teams where the first half total is greater than 105 after having won 3 of their last 4 games, tired team - playing 8 or more games in 14 days
98-51*over the last 5 seasons.**(*65.8%*|*41.9 units*)
20-14*this year.**(*58.8%*|*4.6 units*)
NBA*|*MILWAUKEE*at*ATLANTA
Play Under - Road teams where the total is greater than or equal to 200 after going over the total by 18 or more points total in their last three games against opponent after going under the total by 24 or more points total in their last three games
237-144*since 1997.**(*62.2%*|*78.6 units*)
14-9*this year.**(*60.9%*|*4.1 units*)
NBA*|*HOUSTON*at*BROOKLYN
Play Against - Underdogs vs the money line (BROOKLYN) terrible defensive team - allowing 103+ points/game on the season against opponent after allowing 110 points or more 2 straight games
53-15*over the last 5 seasons.**(*77.9%*|*30.6 units*)
29-12*this year.**(*70.7%*|*10.9 units*)
NBA*|*OKLAHOMA CITY*at*SACRAMENTO
Play Over - All teams where the first half total is greater than 105 after having won 3 of their last 4 games, tired team - playing 8 or more games in 14 days
98-51*over the last 5 seasons.**(*65.8%*|*41.9 units*)
20-14*this year.**(*58.8%*|*4.6 units*)
StatFox Super Situations
CBB*|*DRAKE*at*N IOWA
Play Against - Home teams as a favorite or pick (N IOWA) average defensive team (67-74 PPG) against a poor defensive team (74-78 PPG) after 15+ games, after trailing in their previous game by 15 or more points at the half
59-26*since 1997.**(*69.4%*|*30.4 units*)
CBB*|*MICHIGAN ST*at*OHIO ST
Play Against - A home team vs. the money line (OHIO ST) after 2 or more consecutive overs against opponent after 2 or more consecutive unders
200-217*over the last 5 seasons.**(*48.0%*|*86.4 units*)
12-12*this year.**(*50.0%*|*10.5 units*)
CBB*|*USC*at*COLORADO
Play Under - Road teams where the first half total is 65.5 to 70.5 off a loss by 10 points or more to a conference rival against opponent off a home loss
46-18*over the last 5 seasons.**(*71.9%*|*26.2 units*)
4-4*this year.**(*50.0%*|*-0.4 units*)
CBB*|*DRAKE*at*N IOWA
Play Against - Home teams as a favorite or pick (N IOWA) average defensive team (67-74 PPG) against a poor defensive team (74-78 PPG) after 15+ games, after trailing in their previous game by 15 or more points at the half
59-26*since 1997.**(*69.4%*|*30.4 units*)
CBB*|*MICHIGAN ST*at*OHIO ST
Play Against - A home team vs. the money line (OHIO ST) after 2 or more consecutive overs against opponent after 2 or more consecutive unders
200-217*over the last 5 seasons.**(*48.0%*|*86.4 units*)
12-12*this year.**(*50.0%*|*10.5 units*)
CBB*|*USC*at*COLORADO
Play Under - Road teams where the first half total is 65.5 to 70.5 off a loss by 10 points or more to a conference rival against opponent off a home loss
46-18*over the last 5 seasons.**(*71.9%*|*26.2 units*)
4-4*this year.**(*50.0%*|*-0.4 units*)
