JustinCover
5unit**New York Jets+5
5unit**Jacksonville Jaguars+5
5unit**Atlanta Falcons-6
25unit**Houston Texans+1
25unit**st.louis Rams-3
25unit**Cincinnati Bengals-1
25unit**New England-14
25unit**Miami Dolphins under 40
100unit**football Teaser+10
New England-4
Miami under 50
Dallas Over 34
5unit**New York Jets+5
5unit**Jacksonville Jaguars+5
5unit**Atlanta Falcons-6
25unit**Houston Texans+1
25unit**st.louis Rams-3
25unit**Cincinnati Bengals-1
25unit**New England-14
25unit**Miami Dolphins under 40
100unit**football Teaser+10
New England-4
Miami under 50
Dallas Over 34
Sunday's Best NFL Bets
Kansas City Chiefs at Saint Louis Rams (-3, 42)
There weren’t many NFL betting fans that really thought that this duel between Show Me State rivals was going to mean much, let alone be a clash of division leaders. Alas, that’s what has happened for Sunday, as the St. Louis Rams meet the Kansas City Chiefs at the Edward Jones Dome.
KC has had a tremendous revival this year, and it is fantastic to be talking about it this late in the season. However, with one more loss, the door swings open for the San Diego Chargers, who open this week just one game back with three to play. Last week was an embarrassment that needs to be forgotten quickly, as the Chiefs were beaten 31-0 by those Chargers to fall into this predicament. However, things are still already, as they control their own destiny and know that three wins will send them to the playoffs. The biggest question is whether QB Matt Cassel is going to be back in the fold or not. We tend to believe that he’ll be back, and the oddsmakers are confident enough in that decision to make KC a favorite in this game. Cassel has one of the best TD/INT ratios in the league, and you probably don’t even know it. He has thrown 23 TDs against just four picks, and his taking care of the football has made things tremendously easier for his duo of rushers, RB Jamaal Charles and RB Thomas Jones, who will have over 2,000 yards combined by the time this one finishes up on Sunday. As always, watch out for WR Dwayne Bowe as well, as he has 14 TD receptions to lead the team in scoring.
The Rams were certainly not a team that anyone figured would be hanging around in Week 15, and though a 6-7 record doesn’t normally suggest that a team would be playoff bound, that really could be the case. St. Louis knows that winning out would win the NFC West, and even just winning the two games after this one would get the job done as well. Whereas most of the NFL is racing to get to ten or 11 wins, the Rams are just trying to get to eight. QB Sam Bradford might be guiding one of the few offenses that still has a chance this year that is scoring less than 20 points per game, but he is clearly the undisputed leader of this franchise already as a rookie, and there is no doubt that he is winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Bradford has thrown for 2,884 yards and 17 TDs this year, and he has done so without having a single receiver with more than three TD grabs. He also won’t have a receiver this year reach even 800 yards in all likelihood.
The Rams might be a great story and might be a great home team, but there’s a point that you just don’t sneak up on anyone anymore. Assuming that Cassel is healthy, this is a great spot for the Chiefs to take just one more step towards that AFC West title. With two home games on tap when this one is over, the coast really might just be clear.
Pick: Kansas City Chiefs -2
Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots (-14, 43.5)
One team is well on its way to be the top ranked team in the AFC. The other is set to go from a Super Bowl favorite to a dud that fails to even make the second season if things don’t change. That’s what’s facing the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers come Sunday Night Football in Week 15.
The Packers are facing their biggest hurdle, arguably in the last two decades for the franchise. QB Aaron Rodgers suffered his second concussion of the year last week in a despicable 7-3 loss to the Detroit Lions, and all week, the question has been whether or not he is going to play this week. That looks like it’s going to remain a question right up until this one kicks off on Sunday night. If Rodgers can’t go, it will be the first time since QB Brett Favre took the reins over from QB Don Majkowski in 1992 that the Packers are going to be calling on a backup quarterback to start a game. The only good news for Green Bay in this one is that its defense ranks No. 1 in the NFL in scoring at 14.5 points per game and that four of the team’s last six foes have been held to seven points or fewer. That unit might need to play virtually perfect ball for a second straight week if the Packers have any hopes of getting into the playoffs. A loss in this one isn’t fatal, but it certainly does put the team in a very compromising position, a game back of at least one, and probably two teams, with just two to play.
The Patriots don’t have to worry about anything of the sorts, as they already know that they are headed to the postseason. If the NFL odds hold true and the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New York Jets earlier in the day, New England will enter this one as the AFC East champs with three games to play. That’s a foregone conclusion at this point, but the Pats have their eye on a bigger prize: The No. 1 overall seed in the AFC playoffs. We already know that New England has to lose a game at some point at home to be knocked from its perch, but a Pittsburgh loss parlayed with a Pats win on Sunday night gets the job done. It’s clear that this is strength vs. strength here, as the New England offense is the most feared in the game in spite of the fact that the only real “name” on the unit is that of QB Tom Brady, the soon to be two time MVP of the league. Brady has been fantastic this year, throwing for 3,398 yards with 29 TDs against four picks.
This is quite the interesting game, as we are wondering what the oddsmakers are going to do with the NFL lines in this one. However, whether Rodgers plays or not, we tend to believe that the Green Bay defense is going to be the key. You know that Head Coach Mike McCarthy is going to have his team fighting for its life, and you also know that that aura and great play of late for the Patriots is going to inflate this line one way or the other when it comes out. You’ll probably be catching a boatload of points. Be sure to take them all.
Pick: Green Bay Packers
Kansas City Chiefs at Saint Louis Rams (-3, 42)
There weren’t many NFL betting fans that really thought that this duel between Show Me State rivals was going to mean much, let alone be a clash of division leaders. Alas, that’s what has happened for Sunday, as the St. Louis Rams meet the Kansas City Chiefs at the Edward Jones Dome.
KC has had a tremendous revival this year, and it is fantastic to be talking about it this late in the season. However, with one more loss, the door swings open for the San Diego Chargers, who open this week just one game back with three to play. Last week was an embarrassment that needs to be forgotten quickly, as the Chiefs were beaten 31-0 by those Chargers to fall into this predicament. However, things are still already, as they control their own destiny and know that three wins will send them to the playoffs. The biggest question is whether QB Matt Cassel is going to be back in the fold or not. We tend to believe that he’ll be back, and the oddsmakers are confident enough in that decision to make KC a favorite in this game. Cassel has one of the best TD/INT ratios in the league, and you probably don’t even know it. He has thrown 23 TDs against just four picks, and his taking care of the football has made things tremendously easier for his duo of rushers, RB Jamaal Charles and RB Thomas Jones, who will have over 2,000 yards combined by the time this one finishes up on Sunday. As always, watch out for WR Dwayne Bowe as well, as he has 14 TD receptions to lead the team in scoring.
The Rams were certainly not a team that anyone figured would be hanging around in Week 15, and though a 6-7 record doesn’t normally suggest that a team would be playoff bound, that really could be the case. St. Louis knows that winning out would win the NFC West, and even just winning the two games after this one would get the job done as well. Whereas most of the NFL is racing to get to ten or 11 wins, the Rams are just trying to get to eight. QB Sam Bradford might be guiding one of the few offenses that still has a chance this year that is scoring less than 20 points per game, but he is clearly the undisputed leader of this franchise already as a rookie, and there is no doubt that he is winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Bradford has thrown for 2,884 yards and 17 TDs this year, and he has done so without having a single receiver with more than three TD grabs. He also won’t have a receiver this year reach even 800 yards in all likelihood.
The Rams might be a great story and might be a great home team, but there’s a point that you just don’t sneak up on anyone anymore. Assuming that Cassel is healthy, this is a great spot for the Chiefs to take just one more step towards that AFC West title. With two home games on tap when this one is over, the coast really might just be clear.
Pick: Kansas City Chiefs -2
Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots (-14, 43.5)
One team is well on its way to be the top ranked team in the AFC. The other is set to go from a Super Bowl favorite to a dud that fails to even make the second season if things don’t change. That’s what’s facing the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers come Sunday Night Football in Week 15.
The Packers are facing their biggest hurdle, arguably in the last two decades for the franchise. QB Aaron Rodgers suffered his second concussion of the year last week in a despicable 7-3 loss to the Detroit Lions, and all week, the question has been whether or not he is going to play this week. That looks like it’s going to remain a question right up until this one kicks off on Sunday night. If Rodgers can’t go, it will be the first time since QB Brett Favre took the reins over from QB Don Majkowski in 1992 that the Packers are going to be calling on a backup quarterback to start a game. The only good news for Green Bay in this one is that its defense ranks No. 1 in the NFL in scoring at 14.5 points per game and that four of the team’s last six foes have been held to seven points or fewer. That unit might need to play virtually perfect ball for a second straight week if the Packers have any hopes of getting into the playoffs. A loss in this one isn’t fatal, but it certainly does put the team in a very compromising position, a game back of at least one, and probably two teams, with just two to play.
The Patriots don’t have to worry about anything of the sorts, as they already know that they are headed to the postseason. If the NFL odds hold true and the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New York Jets earlier in the day, New England will enter this one as the AFC East champs with three games to play. That’s a foregone conclusion at this point, but the Pats have their eye on a bigger prize: The No. 1 overall seed in the AFC playoffs. We already know that New England has to lose a game at some point at home to be knocked from its perch, but a Pittsburgh loss parlayed with a Pats win on Sunday night gets the job done. It’s clear that this is strength vs. strength here, as the New England offense is the most feared in the game in spite of the fact that the only real “name” on the unit is that of QB Tom Brady, the soon to be two time MVP of the league. Brady has been fantastic this year, throwing for 3,398 yards with 29 TDs against four picks.
This is quite the interesting game, as we are wondering what the oddsmakers are going to do with the NFL lines in this one. However, whether Rodgers plays or not, we tend to believe that the Green Bay defense is going to be the key. You know that Head Coach Mike McCarthy is going to have his team fighting for its life, and you also know that that aura and great play of late for the Patriots is going to inflate this line one way or the other when it comes out. You’ll probably be catching a boatload of points. Be sure to take them all.
Pick: Green Bay Packers
PICK 'N' ROLL
Sunday's Best NBA Bets
Los Angeles Lakers at Toronto Raptors (+7, 210)
The Toronto Raptors may have caught a break with one of their greatest rivals coming to the Air Canada Centre Saturday.
Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers are in town, however. But Bryant less than 100 percent after suffering a sprained pinkie finger on his shooting hand in the Lakers’ 93-81 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
"It was tough to hold the basketball, so it really affected it," Bryant told the Los Angeles Times.
He went just 3 for 11 from the field, including 0 for 3 from beyond the arc, for only nine points versus his hometown Sixers. It marked the first time this season that Bryant has failed to score in double figures.
Bryant has averaged 35.8 points per game over his last 10 meetings with the Raptors, including his 81-point performance on January 22, 2006.
However, Toronto has managed to come through for bettors in that span, posting a 5-1-4 ATS mark despite winning just two of those 10 contests.
Pick: Toronto Raptors
Indiana Pacers at Boston Celtics (-9, 192)
Losing your All-Star point guard is a blow only the Boston Celtics could absorb.
With Rajon Rondo on the sidelines, the veteran-heavy Celtics have kept their winning streak rolling, picking up victory No. 12 against the Atlanta Hawks Thursday. Boston is 7-4-1 against the spread during this stretch.
“We’re playing with seven (regular members of the rotation), two rookies, and Von (Wafer) goes down at halftime,” Kevin Garnett told reporters following Thursday’s win. “Paul said that this game was going to be more mental than anything — we just had to grind it out.
“So what are you going to do?” he said. “Are you going to quit, put on your clothes and go home? Gutsy is an understatement.”
Rondo isn’t the only player nursing an injury. Centers Jermaine and Shaquille O’Neal are banged up and reserve guard Von Wafer is dealing with a back injury.
However, role players like Nate Robinson, Semih Erden and Glen Davis have all stepped up to keep Boston’s streak alive. Those three combined for 42 of the team’s 102 points against the Hawks.
“I don’t know if I’m surprised or not,” Doc Rivers about the Celtics’ red-hot run. “They’re just playing well and executing well. Paul basically became the point forward in the second half, and it really worked out for us. I don’t know if we stumbled on it, or if we were forced into it. But it was terrific.”
Pick: Boston Celtics
Sunday's Best NBA Bets
Los Angeles Lakers at Toronto Raptors (+7, 210)
The Toronto Raptors may have caught a break with one of their greatest rivals coming to the Air Canada Centre Saturday.
Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers are in town, however. But Bryant less than 100 percent after suffering a sprained pinkie finger on his shooting hand in the Lakers’ 93-81 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
"It was tough to hold the basketball, so it really affected it," Bryant told the Los Angeles Times.
He went just 3 for 11 from the field, including 0 for 3 from beyond the arc, for only nine points versus his hometown Sixers. It marked the first time this season that Bryant has failed to score in double figures.
Bryant has averaged 35.8 points per game over his last 10 meetings with the Raptors, including his 81-point performance on January 22, 2006.
However, Toronto has managed to come through for bettors in that span, posting a 5-1-4 ATS mark despite winning just two of those 10 contests.
Pick: Toronto Raptors
Indiana Pacers at Boston Celtics (-9, 192)
Losing your All-Star point guard is a blow only the Boston Celtics could absorb.
With Rajon Rondo on the sidelines, the veteran-heavy Celtics have kept their winning streak rolling, picking up victory No. 12 against the Atlanta Hawks Thursday. Boston is 7-4-1 against the spread during this stretch.
“We’re playing with seven (regular members of the rotation), two rookies, and Von (Wafer) goes down at halftime,” Kevin Garnett told reporters following Thursday’s win. “Paul said that this game was going to be more mental than anything — we just had to grind it out.
“So what are you going to do?” he said. “Are you going to quit, put on your clothes and go home? Gutsy is an understatement.”
Rondo isn’t the only player nursing an injury. Centers Jermaine and Shaquille O’Neal are banged up and reserve guard Von Wafer is dealing with a back injury.
However, role players like Nate Robinson, Semih Erden and Glen Davis have all stepped up to keep Boston’s streak alive. Those three combined for 42 of the team’s 102 points against the Hawks.
“I don’t know if I’m surprised or not,” Doc Rivers about the Celtics’ red-hot run. “They’re just playing well and executing well. Paul basically became the point forward in the second half, and it really worked out for us. I don’t know if we stumbled on it, or if we were forced into it. But it was terrific.”
Pick: Boston Celtics
Sunday's Best NCAAB Bets
Stony Brook Seawolves at No. 23 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+20)
Nothing gives Notre Dame problems like size and athleticism.
The Fighting Irish struggled to find anyone on its roster that could contain the elite play of Kentucky freshman guard Terrence Jones in a recent loss. When Jones began to attack the rim in the second half, Notre Dame had no answers on how to stop him.
Notre Dame also struggled in a four-point win over Gonzaga when the Bulldogs went big and began to bully the Fighting Irish down low. The team’s starting center, Ty Nash, stands a mere 6-foot, 7-inches and has trouble clearing the paint. The result is a team-rebounding approach that can sometimes slow down a dangerous fast-break offense and hurt the Fighting Irish who go cold sometimes in half-court sets.
But don’t expect either of these to be a huge issue against the Seawolves. Stony Brook settles for jumpers, is shooting a mere .369 percent from the floor and has a minus-1.7 rebound margin.
The Fighting Irish aren’t a perfect team – but they will be good enough to handle the Seawolves.
Pick: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Arizona Wildcats at North Carolina State Wolfpack (+2.5)
Few players in the country are excelling like Derrick Williams of the Wildcats.
As a freshman, he was expected to possibly redshirt and adjust to the college game. However, after looking amazing in practice he forced coach Sean Miller’s hand to give him big minutes. And he delivered. Williams led Arizona in scoring, rebounding and field-goal percentage, the first freshman to lead the program in those categories since freshmen became eligible nearly four decades ago. For this, he was named the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and garnered a first-team all-conference selection.
"It's not like he was a high school All-America or a guy people had been paying attention to since the 8th grade," Miller said. "He was late to come to a lot of things and you can see that when you coach him. But that also means he has a lot of room for improvement."
But it’s hard to tell if he can play much better. This season, Williams leads the Wildcats with 19.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. He also is hitting better than 65 percent of his shots from the floor and burying 71.4 percent of his threes.
The Wolfpack are improving, but won’t have an answer for Williams.
Pick: Arizona Wildcats
Stony Brook Seawolves at No. 23 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+20)
Nothing gives Notre Dame problems like size and athleticism.
The Fighting Irish struggled to find anyone on its roster that could contain the elite play of Kentucky freshman guard Terrence Jones in a recent loss. When Jones began to attack the rim in the second half, Notre Dame had no answers on how to stop him.
Notre Dame also struggled in a four-point win over Gonzaga when the Bulldogs went big and began to bully the Fighting Irish down low. The team’s starting center, Ty Nash, stands a mere 6-foot, 7-inches and has trouble clearing the paint. The result is a team-rebounding approach that can sometimes slow down a dangerous fast-break offense and hurt the Fighting Irish who go cold sometimes in half-court sets.
But don’t expect either of these to be a huge issue against the Seawolves. Stony Brook settles for jumpers, is shooting a mere .369 percent from the floor and has a minus-1.7 rebound margin.
The Fighting Irish aren’t a perfect team – but they will be good enough to handle the Seawolves.
Pick: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Arizona Wildcats at North Carolina State Wolfpack (+2.5)
Few players in the country are excelling like Derrick Williams of the Wildcats.
As a freshman, he was expected to possibly redshirt and adjust to the college game. However, after looking amazing in practice he forced coach Sean Miller’s hand to give him big minutes. And he delivered. Williams led Arizona in scoring, rebounding and field-goal percentage, the first freshman to lead the program in those categories since freshmen became eligible nearly four decades ago. For this, he was named the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and garnered a first-team all-conference selection.
"It's not like he was a high school All-America or a guy people had been paying attention to since the 8th grade," Miller said. "He was late to come to a lot of things and you can see that when you coach him. But that also means he has a lot of room for improvement."
But it’s hard to tell if he can play much better. This season, Williams leads the Wildcats with 19.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. He also is hitting better than 65 percent of his shots from the floor and burying 71.4 percent of his threes.
The Wolfpack are improving, but won’t have an answer for Williams.
Pick: Arizona Wildcats
ICE PICKS
Sunday's Best NHL Bets
Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings (-195, 5.5)
Mike Babcock has a simple message for his team: play tougher, especially at home.
"This last (stretch) while the goalie's been first star in this building," the Red Wings coach said. "To me, that's unacceptable for your team to let the other goalie be first star. As great as they're allowed to be, back them in the net, be hard on them, get enough second, third and fourth chances. You can look like the Globetrotters on the outside, but the game's won on the inside."
The Red Wings are third in the league in goals (3.3 per game) and second in shots (33.4 per game), but have struggled lately at home. Over its past five home games, the team is averaging just 2.6 goals per game and is 2-3 during that stretch, including a 5-0 loss to Los Angeles.
Overall, the team has lost two of its past three and five of eight.
Pick: Dallas Stars
Montreal Canadiens at Colorado Avalanche (-131, 5.5)
The Montreal Canadiens defense isn’t impenetrable after all. The Canadiens have struggled to keep their goal clear the past four games, giving up a total of 15 goals over that stretch. During that span, the team also posted a 1-3 mark and saw the over hit three times.
On the other bench, the Colorado Avalanche have the hottest and arguably the best offense in the NHL. The Avs have the second-most man-games lost due to injury, but continue to roll four lines with plenty of talented skaters and scoring punch.
"Our identity is skating, our identity is energy and playing an aggressive, forechecking style," Avs coach Joe Sacco said. "Overall, we've done that the majority of the last few games."
Actually, the team has done it most of the season, posting a league-leading 3.6 goals per game. The team also has seen the over hit 22 times in its past 31 games as the Avalanche are happy to find themselves in the middle of a shootout.
A shootout they usually are on the winning end of.
Pick: Colorado Avalanche and OVER
Sunday's Best NHL Bets
Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings (-195, 5.5)
Mike Babcock has a simple message for his team: play tougher, especially at home.
"This last (stretch) while the goalie's been first star in this building," the Red Wings coach said. "To me, that's unacceptable for your team to let the other goalie be first star. As great as they're allowed to be, back them in the net, be hard on them, get enough second, third and fourth chances. You can look like the Globetrotters on the outside, but the game's won on the inside."
The Red Wings are third in the league in goals (3.3 per game) and second in shots (33.4 per game), but have struggled lately at home. Over its past five home games, the team is averaging just 2.6 goals per game and is 2-3 during that stretch, including a 5-0 loss to Los Angeles.
Overall, the team has lost two of its past three and five of eight.
Pick: Dallas Stars
Montreal Canadiens at Colorado Avalanche (-131, 5.5)
The Montreal Canadiens defense isn’t impenetrable after all. The Canadiens have struggled to keep their goal clear the past four games, giving up a total of 15 goals over that stretch. During that span, the team also posted a 1-3 mark and saw the over hit three times.
On the other bench, the Colorado Avalanche have the hottest and arguably the best offense in the NHL. The Avs have the second-most man-games lost due to injury, but continue to roll four lines with plenty of talented skaters and scoring punch.
"Our identity is skating, our identity is energy and playing an aggressive, forechecking style," Avs coach Joe Sacco said. "Overall, we've done that the majority of the last few games."
Actually, the team has done it most of the season, posting a league-leading 3.6 goals per game. The team also has seen the over hit 22 times in its past 31 games as the Avalanche are happy to find themselves in the middle of a shootout.
A shootout they usually are on the winning end of.
Pick: Colorado Avalanche and OVER
Bettors' Best Friend (BBF): Sunday's Wagering Tips
Who's Hot
NBA: Detroit Pistons have seen the over go 7-1 in their past 8 home games.
NBA: Houston Rockets are 7-2 ATS in their past 9 games overall.
NCAAB: Arizona Wildcats are 7-3 ATS in their past 10 overall.
NHL: Colorado Avalanche have seen the over go 7-1 in their past 8 home games.
NHL: Chicago Blackhawks are 11-3 in their past 14 against the Pacific Division.
Who’s Not
NBA: Indiana Pacers have seen the under go 8-2 in their past 10 road games.
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers have seen the under go 13-3 in their past 16 games overall.
NHL: Ottawa Senators have seen the under go 9-3-2 in their past 14 games overall.
NHL: Dallas Stars are 0-8 in their past 8 games played on Sunday.
Key Stat
1 – Career passes for Denver rookie quarterback Tim Tebow who will get the start on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. Tebow, who had his throwing motion rebuilt during the Spring and Summer, must try to excel in an offense that has given up a whopping 34 sacks and thrown the ball more than 500 times.
Injuries That Shouldn’t Be Overlooked
Down to their third string quarterback, the Minnesota Vikings figured to rely heavily on a rushing attack ranked ninth in the NFL, averaging more than 122 points per game. The team also has an outstanding 14 rushing touchdowns behind running back Adrian Peterson. However, with starting quarterback Joe Webb being banged up and All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson missing the game due to injury, the team will have hard time blocking nine men in the box against the Bears.
Biggest Games On The Slate
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts (-4.5, 48)
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (-2.5, 46.5)
Notable Quotable
"Everybody keeps saying Indy, Indy. What about us? What about the Jacksonville Jaguars? What about us going out and executing and holding everything that we want in our own hands? Not worrying about what they do, but worrying about what we do. We go up and take care of business, we know what's at stake.” – Jaguars linebacker Kirk Morrison
Tips And Notes
The Orlando Magic haven’t just reloaded with their most recent trades to acquire Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu – they have totally rebuilt their roster and crunch-time rotation. The team will be sacrificing frontcourt depth with the loss of Martin Gortat and Rashard Lewis and must learn to play with a more skilled but less physical lineup. This lineup ultimately could be better than the one the team started with and just as good as the team that made the Finals two years ago. However, it will take time to get there.
St. Louis Blues defenseman Erik Johnson returned to the ice for Saturday's game against the San Jose Sharks.The top overall pick of the 2006 draft, Johnson had been sidelined since colliding with Detroit Red Wings star Pavel Datsyuk on Wednesday with a slight knee sprain. This was a huge scare, because he tore his ACL in his right knee two years ago, which caused him to miss the entire 2008-09 season.The 22-year-old has one goal and nine assists in 29 games this campaign, but is one of the team’s top blueliners and his play could be very hesitant as he is cautious with his injury.
The Green Bay Packers will now face a must win in New England without their best offensive weapon. The team announced on Saturday that backup quarterback Matt Flynn will replace starter Aaron Rodgers on Sunday night as the incumbent will miss the prime time game with his second concussion of the season. Flynn, a seventh-round draft pick in 2008, has never started in his career, but coach Mike McCarthy insists the team won’t scale back the playbook. Flynn will be backed up by former Texas Tech star Graham Harrell.
Who's Hot
NBA: Detroit Pistons have seen the over go 7-1 in their past 8 home games.
NBA: Houston Rockets are 7-2 ATS in their past 9 games overall.
NCAAB: Arizona Wildcats are 7-3 ATS in their past 10 overall.
NHL: Colorado Avalanche have seen the over go 7-1 in their past 8 home games.
NHL: Chicago Blackhawks are 11-3 in their past 14 against the Pacific Division.
Who’s Not
NBA: Indiana Pacers have seen the under go 8-2 in their past 10 road games.
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers have seen the under go 13-3 in their past 16 games overall.
NHL: Ottawa Senators have seen the under go 9-3-2 in their past 14 games overall.
NHL: Dallas Stars are 0-8 in their past 8 games played on Sunday.
Key Stat
1 – Career passes for Denver rookie quarterback Tim Tebow who will get the start on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. Tebow, who had his throwing motion rebuilt during the Spring and Summer, must try to excel in an offense that has given up a whopping 34 sacks and thrown the ball more than 500 times.
Injuries That Shouldn’t Be Overlooked
Down to their third string quarterback, the Minnesota Vikings figured to rely heavily on a rushing attack ranked ninth in the NFL, averaging more than 122 points per game. The team also has an outstanding 14 rushing touchdowns behind running back Adrian Peterson. However, with starting quarterback Joe Webb being banged up and All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson missing the game due to injury, the team will have hard time blocking nine men in the box against the Bears.
Biggest Games On The Slate
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts (-4.5, 48)
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (-2.5, 46.5)
Notable Quotable
"Everybody keeps saying Indy, Indy. What about us? What about the Jacksonville Jaguars? What about us going out and executing and holding everything that we want in our own hands? Not worrying about what they do, but worrying about what we do. We go up and take care of business, we know what's at stake.” – Jaguars linebacker Kirk Morrison
Tips And Notes
The Orlando Magic haven’t just reloaded with their most recent trades to acquire Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu – they have totally rebuilt their roster and crunch-time rotation. The team will be sacrificing frontcourt depth with the loss of Martin Gortat and Rashard Lewis and must learn to play with a more skilled but less physical lineup. This lineup ultimately could be better than the one the team started with and just as good as the team that made the Finals two years ago. However, it will take time to get there.
St. Louis Blues defenseman Erik Johnson returned to the ice for Saturday's game against the San Jose Sharks.The top overall pick of the 2006 draft, Johnson had been sidelined since colliding with Detroit Red Wings star Pavel Datsyuk on Wednesday with a slight knee sprain. This was a huge scare, because he tore his ACL in his right knee two years ago, which caused him to miss the entire 2008-09 season.The 22-year-old has one goal and nine assists in 29 games this campaign, but is one of the team’s top blueliners and his play could be very hesitant as he is cautious with his injury.
The Green Bay Packers will now face a must win in New England without their best offensive weapon. The team announced on Saturday that backup quarterback Matt Flynn will replace starter Aaron Rodgers on Sunday night as the incumbent will miss the prime time game with his second concussion of the season. Flynn, a seventh-round draft pick in 2008, has never started in his career, but coach Mike McCarthy insists the team won’t scale back the playbook. Flynn will be backed up by former Texas Tech star Graham Harrell.
OUTLAW SPORTS ADVISORS
$500* Baltimore Ravens -2
Look for the Ravens ground game to control the clock and keep Drew Brees off the field in this one. The Saints will be headed up north to a much colder atmosphere which will favor the Ravens. The Ravens pass defense isn't the best this season, but they have been getting pressure on the QB's which makes for mistakes. I think the Saints will have trouble scoring in this game and the Ravens to cover the -2. Baltimore Ravens -2
$300* Cleveland Browns +1
Cincinnati just can't put anything together this season, seems like they always find a way to lose. In the past, this game has been a high scoring affair, but I look for the Browns defense to be the key in this game and also for Peyton Hillis to run the ball all over a lack luster defense and have over 100 yards rushing. This game will be really close, and I have Cleveland pulling out a close win. Cleveland Browns +1
$500* Atlanta Falcons -6
Once again, Seattle was exposed last week. They have been anything but good this season. I look for the Falcons to head up to the old northwest and handle the Seahawks with ease. The Seahawks only have 1 advantage in this matchup and that's with special teams. I look for the Falcons defense to make plays and stop the run, and they will force the Seahawks to throw the ball which is just not going to happen. As also, Turner will have a good ground performance which will open up the Ryan to White later on in the game. Atlanta Falcons -6
$500* Baltimore Ravens -2
Look for the Ravens ground game to control the clock and keep Drew Brees off the field in this one. The Saints will be headed up north to a much colder atmosphere which will favor the Ravens. The Ravens pass defense isn't the best this season, but they have been getting pressure on the QB's which makes for mistakes. I think the Saints will have trouble scoring in this game and the Ravens to cover the -2. Baltimore Ravens -2
$300* Cleveland Browns +1
Cincinnati just can't put anything together this season, seems like they always find a way to lose. In the past, this game has been a high scoring affair, but I look for the Browns defense to be the key in this game and also for Peyton Hillis to run the ball all over a lack luster defense and have over 100 yards rushing. This game will be really close, and I have Cleveland pulling out a close win. Cleveland Browns +1
$500* Atlanta Falcons -6
Once again, Seattle was exposed last week. They have been anything but good this season. I look for the Falcons to head up to the old northwest and handle the Seahawks with ease. The Seahawks only have 1 advantage in this matchup and that's with special teams. I look for the Falcons defense to make plays and stop the run, and they will force the Seahawks to throw the ball which is just not going to happen. As also, Turner will have a good ground performance which will open up the Ryan to White later on in the game. Atlanta Falcons -6
