Wunderdog
Game: Philadelphia at Arizona (Sunday 1/18 3:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 5 units on Philadelphia -4 (-110) (risk 5 to win 4.6)
Pick: 2 units on Game Total UNDER 47 -110
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Game: Philadelphia at Arizona (Sunday 1/18 3:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 5 units on Philadelphia -4 (-110) (risk 5 to win 4.6)
Pick: 2 units on Game Total UNDER 47 -110
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The Eagles, who were left for dead after a 10-3 loss to the Redskins in week 16, have certainly come together at the right time. I mentioned last week in picking them that they reminded me somewhat of the 2007-08 Giants - a team that peaked at the right time and became a force in the playoffs. Last week's road win over the top seed in the NFC only reinforces that feeling. Donovan McNabb, benched at mid-season, has come back with the old passion and form. Over the past seven games, he has thrown for 1,643 yards, 11 touchdowns and just four interceptions. With Brian Westbrook struggling, McNabb has taken over. From week three to week twelve, McNabb completed just two games with a QB rating of 90 or better. Over the last seven weeks, he has put up a 92.5+ rating in five games. That isn't all the Eagles are bringing to the table however over the past several weeks. While the Ravens and Steelers defenses are getting all the press, the Eagles defense is playing better than anyone's lately! They have not allowed any opponent to score more than 14 points in the last six weeks. Neither Baltimore nor Pittsburgh can boast those kind of numbers. Arizona's stats look good - good enough to make you wonder if they can win this game, especially playing at home. They won their division. Their offense put up 29+ points nine times during the regular season. But, is this team really any good? Here are some numbers that might make you wonder. The Cardianls are a product of a horrible division which provided a gift of six wins (compare that to the Eagle's division of the NFC East). As a result, ten weeks into the season Arizona had things already locked up. This is a division in which the other three teams finished a collective 13-35 on the season, and consequently the Cards went 6-0 inside their pathetic division. The bad news for the Cards backers this week comes from doing a little math. Outside of their division games, this team was 3-7! I think it is safe to say if Zona was in the NFC East like the Eagles, they wouldn't be here. In fact, Zona was 1-3 on the season vs. the NFC East, getting outscored by an average of 10 ppg, including a 28-point thrashing by this Eagles team on Thanksgiving Night. The NFC East QB's would be enshrined in the Hall of Fame if they could play against the Cardinals each week. In the four games against the Cardinals defense, NFC East QBs combined to go 99-141 (70%) for 1,018 yards, with 12 TDs and no INTs. The running games of these four NFC opponents put up 120.3 yards a game as well. But the Cards are team of destiny that is also peaking at the right time, right? Heck they weren't given a great chance at home vs. Atlanta but won. They were given no chance last week in Carolina but won outright easily as a 10 point dog. They have rediscoverd the run, and Warner is hot... Not so fast. They certainly played well in the Wild Card game. Credit given. However, remember that they beat an Atlanta team, with a rookie QB, that was .500 on the road this year. But, what about last week? Throw it out! The Cards caught a Jake Delhomme meltdown for the ages, as he personally was responsible for six turnovers. With that kind of performance by Delhomme, how could Arizona not win that game? The stuffed suits talk about shutting down Carolina's vaunted running game, but the Panthers simply got down big early and had to pass most of the game. And, Carolina's defense didn't show up either. They inexplicably failed to cover Larry Fitzgerald - all game. The Eagles won't do that. In fact, compared to the Eagles' defense, Atlanta and Carolina are going to look like High-School opponents. Warner, Edge, Fitz and Boldin are in for a rude awakening in my opinion. This is the best defense they have faced in six weeks - by far. The team they faced six weeks ago? Philly. Arizona in fact hasn't played a single game against a great defense all year (unless you count the Eagles in week 13 and maybe the Giants in week 12). Carolina simply seemed overconfident and lazy last week and they didn't show up. After that surprise, and what Fitzgerald was able to do, you can bet Philadelphia won't be caught off guard. I think the Eagles defense, which is playing better than anyone's right now, puts a lot of pressure on Warner and stops the running game cold. You give Warner time, and he can pick you apart. You put him on his back with creative blitzes (see Jim Johnson defense) and physical corner play, and this vaunted offense could really struggle. No one is scoring on this Eagles defense right now, and that makes the UNDER attractive here as well. Simply put, I think the Eagles are not only the better team here, but the MUCH better team. We have a top 3 defense facing a below-average, honestly, weak defense. If not for a 9-3 turnover advantage in their first two playoff games, the Cards wouldn't be here. Philly is playing great (especially on defense) and the Philly players have more playoff experince. Their coach is playoff-tested while Arizona's is brand new to this. Take the Eagles and the UNDER here.
DWAYNE BRYANT SPORTS
Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals, 3:00 pm ET on FOX
I'm Betting On: Arizona Cardinals +3.5
The Eagles are the "sexy" pick in this game. The Eagles are getting a lot of press for their road wins at Minnesota and New York. But for some reason, not too many people are talking about the Cardinals going into Carolina and absolutely destroying the #2-seeded 12-4 Panthers, 33-13. The first thing many people point to is the Eagles' 48-20 pounding of these Cards in Philly on Thanksgiving night. It should be noted that the Cards had control of the NFC West at that point and were traveling east on a very short week. Since the games started to "count" again for the Cards, they have shown what they can do. Carolina still doesn't know what hit them.
The Cards have shown a renewed emphasis on the running game with the duo of Tim Hightower and a fresh-legged Edgerrin James giving the team a huge boost. And when it comes to the passing game, there's not much that needs to be said. Kurt Warner is a league MVP, Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP. And he's one of the best passers when blitzed. Larry Fitzgerald is amazing at WR and if Anquan Boldin can play, which I fully expect, the Eagles won't be able to double Fitzy. The Eagles haven't faced a single top-tier WR in these playoffs. The Giants were without Plaxico Burress and the Vikings don't have an elite WR (sorry, Bernard Berrian). Now they'll have to deal with two.
Eagles RB Brian Westbrook killed the Cards earlier this season with 130 total yards and four (yes, 4) touchdowns. As Westbrook goes, so goes the Philly offense. But it was clear in watching the Eagles-Giants game last weekend that Westbrook is nowhere near 100%. And that makes things a bit easier for an improving Cardinals defense. Arizona is stopping the run, rushing the passer, and getting turnovers. They were -3 in turnovers on Thanksgiving night in Philly. That won't happen in this one.
Take the Arizona Cardinals +3.5
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers, 6:30 pm ET on CBS
I'm Betting On: Pittsburgh Steelers -6
The Ravens have become the public's team of choice, but I think it's time to jump off the bandwagon. The Ravens look like an exhausted bunch. Last weekend, the Titans marched deep into Baltimore territory drive after drive after drive. But turnovers and a key first-half injury to RB Chris Johnson, who was having a monster first half, cost the Titans a chance to be playing today. The Titans actually outgained the Ravens, 391-211, and had 21 first downs to just nine for Baltimore. The fact that Tennessee was able to hang 391 yards on the Ravens defense tells me that they are definitely worn out. Remember, the Ravens haven't had a week off since Week 2 of the regular season. That's 18 straight weeks of action! The Ravens defense is also beat up. Samari Rolle and Terrell Suggs, two key cogs on the defense, will not be 100% if they suit up.
Offensively, the Ravens managed just 50 rushing yards against the Titans. Willis McGahee had 32 yards on 11 carries and LeRon McClain had 12 yards on 12 carries. You can expect the same against Pittsburgh's stout run stopping unit. That leaves the game on the arm of rookie QB Joe Flacco and he will not be able to go into Pittsburgh and put this offense on his back. Flacco was just 9-for-23 in the Ravens' first-round win at Miami and he was just 11-for-22 last weekend in Nashville. It goes without saying that Flacco will see A LOT more pressure from Pittsburgh's blitz-happy defense. As if being a rookie QB on the road in the AFC Championship game isn't pressure enough!
As I said earlier, the Ravens defense is tired and banged up. They were on the field for 37 minutes against the Titans and I already mentioned that they haven't had a bye since mid-September. Kerry Collins was able to hang 281 passing yards on this Ravens D, so I expect "Big Ben" should have success as well. The Titans averaged over four yards per carry on the ground against the Ravens, so I also expect a solid game from Fast Willie Parker. His success should open things up downfield (watch Nate Washington).
Pittsburgh has beaten the Ravens seven of the last eight times they've squared off at Heinz Field. And with the Ravens seemingly "running out of gas," the Steelers should roll. The Ravens are going from one brutal, physical battle right into another. This could get ugly, especially if the Steelers get the lead and start "pinning their ears back" and really harassing Flacco.
Take the Pittsburgh Steelers -6
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Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals, 3:00 pm ET on FOX
I'm Betting On: Arizona Cardinals +3.5
The Eagles are the "sexy" pick in this game. The Eagles are getting a lot of press for their road wins at Minnesota and New York. But for some reason, not too many people are talking about the Cardinals going into Carolina and absolutely destroying the #2-seeded 12-4 Panthers, 33-13. The first thing many people point to is the Eagles' 48-20 pounding of these Cards in Philly on Thanksgiving night. It should be noted that the Cards had control of the NFC West at that point and were traveling east on a very short week. Since the games started to "count" again for the Cards, they have shown what they can do. Carolina still doesn't know what hit them.
The Cards have shown a renewed emphasis on the running game with the duo of Tim Hightower and a fresh-legged Edgerrin James giving the team a huge boost. And when it comes to the passing game, there's not much that needs to be said. Kurt Warner is a league MVP, Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP. And he's one of the best passers when blitzed. Larry Fitzgerald is amazing at WR and if Anquan Boldin can play, which I fully expect, the Eagles won't be able to double Fitzy. The Eagles haven't faced a single top-tier WR in these playoffs. The Giants were without Plaxico Burress and the Vikings don't have an elite WR (sorry, Bernard Berrian). Now they'll have to deal with two.
Eagles RB Brian Westbrook killed the Cards earlier this season with 130 total yards and four (yes, 4) touchdowns. As Westbrook goes, so goes the Philly offense. But it was clear in watching the Eagles-Giants game last weekend that Westbrook is nowhere near 100%. And that makes things a bit easier for an improving Cardinals defense. Arizona is stopping the run, rushing the passer, and getting turnovers. They were -3 in turnovers on Thanksgiving night in Philly. That won't happen in this one.
Take the Arizona Cardinals +3.5
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers, 6:30 pm ET on CBS
I'm Betting On: Pittsburgh Steelers -6
The Ravens have become the public's team of choice, but I think it's time to jump off the bandwagon. The Ravens look like an exhausted bunch. Last weekend, the Titans marched deep into Baltimore territory drive after drive after drive. But turnovers and a key first-half injury to RB Chris Johnson, who was having a monster first half, cost the Titans a chance to be playing today. The Titans actually outgained the Ravens, 391-211, and had 21 first downs to just nine for Baltimore. The fact that Tennessee was able to hang 391 yards on the Ravens defense tells me that they are definitely worn out. Remember, the Ravens haven't had a week off since Week 2 of the regular season. That's 18 straight weeks of action! The Ravens defense is also beat up. Samari Rolle and Terrell Suggs, two key cogs on the defense, will not be 100% if they suit up.
Offensively, the Ravens managed just 50 rushing yards against the Titans. Willis McGahee had 32 yards on 11 carries and LeRon McClain had 12 yards on 12 carries. You can expect the same against Pittsburgh's stout run stopping unit. That leaves the game on the arm of rookie QB Joe Flacco and he will not be able to go into Pittsburgh and put this offense on his back. Flacco was just 9-for-23 in the Ravens' first-round win at Miami and he was just 11-for-22 last weekend in Nashville. It goes without saying that Flacco will see A LOT more pressure from Pittsburgh's blitz-happy defense. As if being a rookie QB on the road in the AFC Championship game isn't pressure enough!
As I said earlier, the Ravens defense is tired and banged up. They were on the field for 37 minutes against the Titans and I already mentioned that they haven't had a bye since mid-September. Kerry Collins was able to hang 281 passing yards on this Ravens D, so I expect "Big Ben" should have success as well. The Titans averaged over four yards per carry on the ground against the Ravens, so I also expect a solid game from Fast Willie Parker. His success should open things up downfield (watch Nate Washington).
Pittsburgh has beaten the Ravens seven of the last eight times they've squared off at Heinz Field. And with the Ravens seemingly "running out of gas," the Steelers should roll. The Ravens are going from one brutal, physical battle right into another. This could get ugly, especially if the Steelers get the lead and start "pinning their ears back" and really harassing Flacco.
Take the Pittsburgh Steelers -6
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Bob Balfe
NFL Football
Eagles/Cardinals Under 47
The Cardinals are coming off the biggest win in team history last week where their defense played awesome and they put in a flawless performance on offense. The Eagles took advantage of a bad game by Eli Manning and shocked the Giants in New York. Both teams are as hot as it gets now, but the defenses are really on fire. Philadelphia will blitz Kurt Warner all day and make his very uncomfortable. Warner hates pressure are is a very bad QB when teams bring it. Brian Westbrook is more banged up then the team will let on and I do not see him being an explosive threat if he gets the ball in open space. Other than Westbrook the Eagles really have no offensive weapons. There is tremendous pressure on McNabb to lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl and I do not think the same performance on offense as they did a few weeks ago when they destroyed Arizona in Philly. Look for a normal paced game, but this total is too high. Take the Under.
Pittsburgh -6 over Baltimore
Two things that impressed me about Baltimore this season is the play of rookie Joe Flacco and the defense living up to their name despite a ton of injuries. Baltimore might be without Rolle and Suggs on defense today. Its just a matter of time before they just cannot keep up playing lights out defense with so many injuries. Pittsburgh defense is going put a lot of pressure on Flacco in cold conditions. I believe this line was set this high for a reason. Pittsburgh should win this game with ease. Baltimore plays great defense so to be getting six points seems like a huge bargain, but if you look more into it you will see that they are also nicked up on offense with Mason and really could be in for a long day today. The public money is all over the Ravens who are the Underdog which never is good for dog bettors. Lay the points with Pittsburgh.
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NFL Football
Eagles/Cardinals Under 47
The Cardinals are coming off the biggest win in team history last week where their defense played awesome and they put in a flawless performance on offense. The Eagles took advantage of a bad game by Eli Manning and shocked the Giants in New York. Both teams are as hot as it gets now, but the defenses are really on fire. Philadelphia will blitz Kurt Warner all day and make his very uncomfortable. Warner hates pressure are is a very bad QB when teams bring it. Brian Westbrook is more banged up then the team will let on and I do not see him being an explosive threat if he gets the ball in open space. Other than Westbrook the Eagles really have no offensive weapons. There is tremendous pressure on McNabb to lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl and I do not think the same performance on offense as they did a few weeks ago when they destroyed Arizona in Philly. Look for a normal paced game, but this total is too high. Take the Under.
Pittsburgh -6 over Baltimore
Two things that impressed me about Baltimore this season is the play of rookie Joe Flacco and the defense living up to their name despite a ton of injuries. Baltimore might be without Rolle and Suggs on defense today. Its just a matter of time before they just cannot keep up playing lights out defense with so many injuries. Pittsburgh defense is going put a lot of pressure on Flacco in cold conditions. I believe this line was set this high for a reason. Pittsburgh should win this game with ease. Baltimore plays great defense so to be getting six points seems like a huge bargain, but if you look more into it you will see that they are also nicked up on offense with Mason and really could be in for a long day today. The public money is all over the Ravens who are the Underdog which never is good for dog bettors. Lay the points with Pittsburgh.
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Vegas Sports Experts
Vegas Sports Experts The VSE Sunday Hoops Power Plays are:
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VSE Power Plays 10* Take LaSalle (+12.5) over Xavier (NCAA Power Play) LaSalle• 9-2 ATS in road games over the last 2 seasons• 11-3 ATS as an underdog of 10 points or more over the last 3 years• 8-1 ATS in road games when playing their 2nd game in a week
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10* Take Oklahoma City (+2) over Miami (NBA Power Play) Oklahoma City• 9-1 ATS over the last 10 games• 25-12 ATS as an underdog this season• 14-5 ATS coming off an UNDER the total Bonus Hoops & NHL Plays are:
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3* Take Bradley (+5) over Southern Illinois (NCAA)
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3* Take Edmonton (-145) over Phoenix (NHL)
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Vegas Sports Experts The VSE Sunday Hoops Power Plays are:
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VSE Power Plays 10* Take LaSalle (+12.5) over Xavier (NCAA Power Play) LaSalle• 9-2 ATS in road games over the last 2 seasons• 11-3 ATS as an underdog of 10 points or more over the last 3 years• 8-1 ATS in road games when playing their 2nd game in a week
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10* Take Oklahoma City (+2) over Miami (NBA Power Play) Oklahoma City• 9-1 ATS over the last 10 games• 25-12 ATS as an underdog this season• 14-5 ATS coming off an UNDER the total Bonus Hoops & NHL Plays are:
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3* Take Bradley (+5) over Southern Illinois (NCAA)
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3* Take Edmonton (-145) over Phoenix (NHL)
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