Sports pick weekly
NFL:
5* Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens OVER +47.5
4* Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins UNDER -43.5
4* New York Giants +7.5
3* Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons OVER +47
3* Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3
1* Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans UNDER -39 (Bonus Play)
NCAAF:
5* Navy -3
3* Pittsburgh at Navy OVER 53
NBA:
4* L.A. Lakers at Memphis Grizzles UNDER -196
NCAAM:
3* Presbyterian College at Marquette OVER +139.5
2* Presbyterian College +22.5
NHL:
4* Chicago Blackhawks -1.5
2* St Louis Blues at Dallas Stars UNDER -5.5
NFL:
5* Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens OVER +47.5
4* Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins UNDER -43.5
4* New York Giants +7.5
3* Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons OVER +47
3* Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3
1* Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans UNDER -39 (Bonus Play)
NCAAF:
5* Navy -3
3* Pittsburgh at Navy OVER 53
NBA:
4* L.A. Lakers at Memphis Grizzles UNDER -196
NCAAM:
3* Presbyterian College at Marquette OVER +139.5
2* Presbyterian College +22.5
NHL:
4* Chicago Blackhawks -1.5
2* St Louis Blues at Dallas Stars UNDER -5.5
WAYNE ROOT
MILL--Atlanta +
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No Limit--New York Giants +
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Perfect Play--Baltimore +
Baltimore would love to have this season behind them. But not until they can pull an upset and complete the season sweep of their division rival, Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steel Curtain has been more like wood than Steel when playing in Baltimore. They have lost nine of their last twelve games in the nickel city. Wideout Kamar Aiken (a game changer) could see Schaub (based on how his injuries by game time) or Jimmy Clausen who has started the last two games. Ryan Mallett is not prepared and should be held back but not ruled out. The Steelers had a major chink in the armor exposed last week against Denver before putting on a second half comeback clinic. The Ravens have stayed competitive in most games and getting double digits at home is crazy. The oddsmakers are appealing to the public falling in love with Ben's offense and the Ravens key injuries. Reminder to everyone that Ben has thrown for three scores and four picks while losing his last three games at Baltimore. Take the points.
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Inner Circle--Tennessee +
It's Brandon Weeden for Houston vs Zach Mettenberger for Tennessee at the quarterback position in a crucial game for the Texans. But the pressure is clearly on Houston. Mettenberger is a quality backup and can free wheel the entire game. Knocking a division foe out of the playoffs is the desire of many teams this time of year. It establishes momentum moving forward. It leaves a good taste for the fans. It's their mini super bowl. Weeden didn't fare well with Dallas this season and in relief last week against the Colts was minimal at best. He's weak with the playbook, timing with his receivers and can not exactly be beaming with confidence. The Titans have their own player named Beckham. Dorial Green-Beckham should light up the receiving numbers and be the catalyst on offense. This will be a very difficult game for Houston after leaving everything on the field against the Colts. Hitting the road again will be too much in addition to laying points.
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Pinnacle--New York Jets + **AFC Division Rivalry Game of Year
The Jets are in a must win game today and need the Bengals to knock off the Broncos. But first things first. Can any team stop Gronkowski? He seems to catch more passes left wide open than anyone in the league. The Jets should put a combo of Revis, Skrine, Pryor, Harris, Gilchrist, and Cromartie on him. The game plan has to be to not let him beat you. Cover the short passes and then Brady is limited at best to long clock eating drives. The Jets offense has all the tools needed. Ryan Fitzpatrick to Brandon Marshall against one on one coverage. Alternate Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell's rush attack and it comes down to one thing. Which team has the most desire? We know this is a "must win" for New York. But Belichick may rest some players. He may not care that much about this game. At this point they have home field throughout the playoffs. I look for the Jets momentum to be huge. Not that the Pats have none based on recent play but momentum plus desire plus revenge plus home field plus the points is too good to pass. Fitzpatrick to Marshall for the win!
MILL--Atlanta +
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No Limit--New York Giants +
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Perfect Play--Baltimore +
Baltimore would love to have this season behind them. But not until they can pull an upset and complete the season sweep of their division rival, Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steel Curtain has been more like wood than Steel when playing in Baltimore. They have lost nine of their last twelve games in the nickel city. Wideout Kamar Aiken (a game changer) could see Schaub (based on how his injuries by game time) or Jimmy Clausen who has started the last two games. Ryan Mallett is not prepared and should be held back but not ruled out. The Steelers had a major chink in the armor exposed last week against Denver before putting on a second half comeback clinic. The Ravens have stayed competitive in most games and getting double digits at home is crazy. The oddsmakers are appealing to the public falling in love with Ben's offense and the Ravens key injuries. Reminder to everyone that Ben has thrown for three scores and four picks while losing his last three games at Baltimore. Take the points.
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Inner Circle--Tennessee +
It's Brandon Weeden for Houston vs Zach Mettenberger for Tennessee at the quarterback position in a crucial game for the Texans. But the pressure is clearly on Houston. Mettenberger is a quality backup and can free wheel the entire game. Knocking a division foe out of the playoffs is the desire of many teams this time of year. It establishes momentum moving forward. It leaves a good taste for the fans. It's their mini super bowl. Weeden didn't fare well with Dallas this season and in relief last week against the Colts was minimal at best. He's weak with the playbook, timing with his receivers and can not exactly be beaming with confidence. The Titans have their own player named Beckham. Dorial Green-Beckham should light up the receiving numbers and be the catalyst on offense. This will be a very difficult game for Houston after leaving everything on the field against the Colts. Hitting the road again will be too much in addition to laying points.
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Pinnacle--New York Jets + **AFC Division Rivalry Game of Year
The Jets are in a must win game today and need the Bengals to knock off the Broncos. But first things first. Can any team stop Gronkowski? He seems to catch more passes left wide open than anyone in the league. The Jets should put a combo of Revis, Skrine, Pryor, Harris, Gilchrist, and Cromartie on him. The game plan has to be to not let him beat you. Cover the short passes and then Brady is limited at best to long clock eating drives. The Jets offense has all the tools needed. Ryan Fitzpatrick to Brandon Marshall against one on one coverage. Alternate Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell's rush attack and it comes down to one thing. Which team has the most desire? We know this is a "must win" for New York. But Belichick may rest some players. He may not care that much about this game. At this point they have home field throughout the playoffs. I look for the Jets momentum to be huge. Not that the Pats have none based on recent play but momentum plus desire plus revenge plus home field plus the points is too good to pass. Fitzpatrick to Marshall for the win!
