Sunday 12/13/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: New England at Houston

When: 8:30 PM ET, Sunday, December 13, 2015
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

With their bid for a perfect season now ancient history, the New England Patriots will attempt to avoid their first three-game losing streak in 13 years when they visit the resurgent Houston Texans on Sunday night. A rash of injuries finally appeared to catch up to the Patriots in a 35-28 home loss to Philadelphia last week, marking their first back-to-back defeats since September 2012.

"We'd love to have everybody healthy," New England quarterback Tom Brady said. "I think everybody would love that. It's just not the reality at this point." The two-game skid has dropped the Patriots to the No. 3 seed in the AFC behind Cincinnati and Denver. Meanwhile, the Texans have fought back from a 1-4 start to move into a tie with Indianapolis atop the AFC South despite last week's 30-21 loss at Buffalo. Standout defensive end J.J. Watt broke his hand in practice Wednesday but said he will play Sunday.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Patriots -3.5. O/U: 45

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (10-2): Star tight end Rob Gronkowski, who suffered a knee injury in an overtime loss at Denver on Nov. 29, practiced on a limited basis Thursday for the first time since he was hurt but his status is unclear for the Texans. Without Gronkowski and slot receiver Julian Edelman unavailable, Brady completed only 51.8 percent of his passes and had his first multiple-interception game of the season, including a 99-yard return for a touchdown in the loss to the Eagles. New England has blown 14-0 leads in consecutive weeks, although Philadelphia scored three TDs via defense and special teams.

ABOUT THE TEXANS (6-6): After surrendering a total of 35 points during a perfect 4-0 November, including six on three occasions, Houston was unable to slow Buffalo last week in permitting 187 yards rushing. Quarterback Brian Hoyer tossed three scoring passes last week - the sixth time in seven games he has multiple touchdown passes - and has an emerging superstar in DeAndre Hopkins, who has 10 touchdown receptions and is third in the league with 1,169 yards. Watt has an NFL-best 13.5 sacks for the Texans, who rank third in the league by allowing an average of 218.3 yards passing per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Patriots are seeking their seventh straight AFC East title, which would tie the Los Angeles Rams (1973-79) for the longest streak in history.

2. Texans LB Whitney Mercilus has 6.5 sacks in his last seven games.

3. Patriots WR Danny Amendola has 26 receptions in his last three games.

PREDICTION: Patriots 27, Texans 20

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL

Week 14

Steelers (7-5) @ Bengals (10-2)-- Cincy (even) won 16-10 at Pittsburgh in Week 8, its first win in last four series games; series was swept in six of last eight years. Steelers are 4-1 in last five visits here. Steelers won three of last four games, scoring 30+ points all four games- they're 2-3 on road (1-2-1 as road dogs) with their only road wins at woeful Rams/Chargers. Bengals are 4-1-1 as home favorites this year; they won glorified scrimmages last couple of weeks over Rams/Browns by total of 68-10; they're 10-1-1 vs spread this year. NFL-wide, divisional home favorites are 14-24-3 vs spread. Three of last four Pitt games went over the total; five of last six Bengal games stayed under. Teams are 3-6-2 vs spread this year week after playing Indianapolis.

Bills (6-6) @ Eagles (5-7)-- LeSean McCoy returns to Philly with Buffalo squad playing its fourth road game in five weeks; Bills are 5-0 this year with positive turnover ratio, 1-6 in its other games. Eagles have only three takeaways (-5) in last four games. Eagles snapped skid at Foxboro LY, scoring two special teams TDs and one on defense- they're 5-1 when they score 24+ points, 0-6 when they don't. Bills held four of last five opponents to 21 or less points. Buffalo won five of last seven series games; their last visit here was in '07. Average total in first half of last four Eagle games: 32.5. NFC East non-divisional underdogs are 7-12 vs spread, 4-5 at home; AFC East road favorites are 3-6. Five of last seven Buffalo games, four of last five Philly games went over total.

Falcons (6-6) @ Panthers (12-0)-- Skidding Atlanta lost six of last seven games, four of its last five losses were by 4 or less points. Falcons lost four of last five games with Carolina; three of four losses were by 10+ points. Atlanta is 5-4 in last nine visits here. Falcons split six road games; this is first time they're underdog since first two weeks (2-0) of this season. Carolina scored 39.3 ppg in last three games; they're 3-2 as home favorites; four of its six home wins are by 8 or less points. Panthers ran ball for 148.7 ypg last three weeks; they trailed at halftime LW for first time this season. Underdogs covered five of six NFC South divisional games this year. Last six Atlanta games stayed under the total; eight of last ten Carolina games went over.

49ers (4-8) @ Browns (2-10)-- Cleveland goes back to Manziel at QB; they've lost seven games in row (0-6 vs spread in last six), allowing 30+ points in last five-they've run ball for 50.6 ypg in last five games. 49ers are 2-2 (3-1 against spread) with Gabbert at QB, winning in OT LW at Chicago, their first road win in six tries- they're 4-0 vs spread when scoring 20+ points, 2-6 when they don't. Browns won two of three series games, with average total of 27.3 in three games. Cleveland is 1-4 in games decided by 7 or less points. AFC North non-divisional home teams are 10-5 vs spread; NFC West road teams are 6-9. Four of last six 49er games, three of last four Cleveland games stayed under the total, but five of six SF road games went over.

Redskins (5-7) @ Bears (5-7)-- Both teams lost on last play LW, Chicago missing 35-yard FG on last play of regulation before losing in OT, Redskins losing to Dallas Monday night on late FG. Redskins are still tied for first in NFC East; they're 11-2 in last 13 series games, winning last five, four by 4 or less points- they won six of last seven visits here. Eight of last nine Chicago games were decided by four or less points or in OT; they're 1-5 at home, with only win 22-20 over Oakland. Washington is 0-5 on road, 1-4 vs spread, losing by an average of 32-17. NFC East non-divisional road teams are 5-8 vs spread; NFC North home teams are 9-7. Four of six Chicago home games went over total. Jay Cutler's brother-in-law has been missing for over a week; not sure if that is affecting his play.

Lions (4-8) @ Rams (4-8)-- Detroit is 3-1 since its bye, losing on a 61-yard Hail Mary LW to Green Bay; they've had three extra days to prep here. Rams are in freefall, losing five in a row (0-5 vs spread), firing their OC Monday. Lions are 1-3 on road; this is only their third true road game since Week 2. Detroit won six of last nine series games, last of which was a 27-23 win in Fisher's first game as Rams' coach in 2012. Keenum is expected to start at QB for Rams' squad that scored five TDs on 63 drives in last five games; there won't be many people at this game, with Rams rumored to be headed to LA. NFC North non-divisional road teams are 8-5 vs spread; NFC West home teams are 8-7. Six of last eight Detroit games went over total; seven of last eight St Louis games stayed under.

Chargers (3-9) @ Chiefs (7-5)-- KC (-3) crushed Chargers 33-3 at Qualcomm three weeks ago, outgaining Bolts 385-201; they've won three in row vs San Diego, after losing 11 of 13 to Chargers before that. Chiefs won/covered their last six games- they're +15 in turnovers in those six, after being -2 in first six games. San Diego covered last three road games; they are 1-4 on road, with only one road loss by more than seven points. KC scored three TDs in 4th quarter at Oakland LW, with defensive score and TD drives of 13-2 yards- they picked Carr off three times in fourth quarter. Home teams are 0-7 SU/ATS in AFC West divisional games this year. Three of last four Charger games stayed under total; over is 3-1-1 in last five Chief games.

Saints (4-8) @ Buccaneers (6-6)-- Winston got first NFL win at Superdome back in Week 2 with 26-19 (+9) win, snapping 7-game skid vs Saints, who won last three visits here, by 7-2-3 points. Bucs are 5-3 in last eight games, allowing one TD on 21 drives in last two home games; they're 5-1 allowing 20 or less points, 1-5 if they allow more. Saints lost last four in row, allowing 36.5 ppg; they're 1-5 on road, with four losses by 12+ points- their only road win was 27-21 at Indy. New Orleans is 0-3 outdoors, outscored 113-53; they've allowed 23 TDs on last 55 drives, gave up 189 rushing ypg in last three games. Underdogs covered five of six NFC South divisional games. Six of last eight Saint games went over total; three of Bucs' last four games stayed under.

Colts (6-6) @ Jaguars (4-8)-- Indy was outgained 431-321, ran for only 60 yards in 16-13 OT win over Jaguars at home in Week 4, their sixth series win in row. Colts won last three visits here, by 27-10/37-3/44-17, they're 3-0 in division games this year, winning by 2-3-7 points, 3-3 on road, winning by 2-7-3. Jax lost last two games despite scoring 64 points in losses by 6-3 points; their last six games were all decided by 6 or less points. Jags are 2-3 at home, beating Miami/Titans. Hasselbeck has rib separation, is expected to play; backup is veteran standby Whitehurst. Over is 5-3 in last eight Indy games, 6-2 in last eight Jax tilts. Home teams are 5-2 SU in AFC South games this year. Jaguars missed two PATs and two-point play in 42-39 loss at Tennessee LW- not good to score six TDs and still lose.

Titans (3-9) @ Jets (7-5)-- Gang Green rallied from behind to beat Giants in OT LW; they are +14 in turnovers in their seven wins, -13 in six losses- Jets are 4-3 as home faves; they are 6-1 when scoring 23+ points, 1-4 when they don't. Tennessee scored 42-34-42 points in its three wins; they're -8 in turnovers; 2-2 as road dogs- five of their last seven games were decided by 6 or less points. Titans are 1-7 vs spread when scoring less than 33. Underdogs are 1-3 vs spread week after playing Jaguars. AFC East non-divisional home favorites are 6-3-1 vs spread; AFC South road underdogs are 6-7. Under is 4-2-1 in last seven Tennessee games, 3-1 in last four Jet games. Jets have been outscored in second half only one time all year, in Week 7 loss to the Patriots (9-1-2).

Raiders (5-7) @ Broncos (10-2)-- Denver (-5.5) won 16-10 at Oakland in Week 5, the only NFL game this year where team won despite not scoring offenisve TD; neither team gained 300 yards in game, Denver's 8th straight series win (seven by 13+). Raiders lost last three visits to Mile High City, 37-6/37-21/47-14; they lost three of last four games, are 3-0 as a road underdog this year, with road losses by 2-3-5 points (3-3SU). Denver won all three of Osweiler's starts, running ball for 161.3 ypg- they're 1-2 as home favorites. Broncos are -7 in turnovers in their losses, +10 in wins; Raiders turned ball over 11 times in their last five games (-5). Home sides are 0-7 SU/ATS in AFC West games this year. Over is 4-1-2 in the last seven Oakland games.

Seahawks (7-5) @ Ravens (4-8)-- Seattle won/covered last three games; they scored average of 34.5 ppg in last four games- they ran ball for 176 ypg last three weeks, allowed one TD on 28 drives in winning last three road games, by 17-1-31 points. Baltimore has problems at QB; backup Schaub is banged up, which would leave Clausen as QB- he lost 26-0 to Seattle in Week 3 while starting for Bears. All 12 Raven games have been decided by eight or less points- they're 3-1 as an underdog. Home side won last four series games; Seattle lost last two visits here 31-24/44-41ot. AFC North non-divisional home teams are 8-6 vs spread; NFC West road favorites are 4-3. Last four Seattle games went over total; three of last four Raven games stayed under.

Cowboys (4-8) @ Packers (8-4)-- Green Bay needed 61-yard Hail Mary to win in Detroit LW, just second win in last six games; they lost last two home games by total of six points. Pack is 3-3 as home favorite, failing to cover last three. Cowboys held four of last six foes to 16 or less points, winning last two road games; they're 2-3 as road dogs, but 1-7 SU with backup QB starting. Packers won last four series games, beating Pokes 26-21 in playoffs LY. Dallas lost eight of last nine visits here, with win in '08. NFC East non-divisional road underdogs are 3-7; NFC North home favorites are 7-3. Seven of last nine Dallas games, three of last four Packer games stayed under total. Green Bay is 5-23 on third down last couple weeks; they had three extra days to prep here after Thursday night win.

Patriots (10-2) @ Texans (6-6)-- New England lost last two games, blowing 14-point leads in both; they gave up two special teams TDs in home loss LW. Pats won five of six series games, with average total of 56.8- they won two of three visits here, with both wins by FG. O'Brien/Hoyer are former Patriots. Houston won four of last five games, allowing 17 or less points in the wins- they won last three road games, allowing 9.7 ppg. Pats are 1-3 as road favorites- four of their five road wins by 7+ points. AFC South non-divisional home dogs are 5-3 vs spread. Houston is tied atop AFC South despite starting three different QBs this year; they're +7 in turnovers last seven games, after being -8 in first five games. Four of last five Texan games stayed under total.


Monday's game
Giants (5-7) @ Dolphins (5-7)-- Giants have lost four games in last minute when they had lead, most by any team since 1970. Big Blue lost last three games, all by 6 or less points- they're 1-2 on natural grass, scoring 17.8 ppg. Miami lost four of last six games, with two wins by total of three points- they're 2-2 at home. Giants ran ball for only 62.3 ypg in last three games; they won five of last seven series games, winning 19-14/17-7 in last two visits here- last seven series totals were 37 or less. NFC East non-divisional road teams are 5-8 vs spread; AFC East home teams are 7-7-1. Last three Giant games, three of last four Miami games stayed under total. Teams have same record, but Miami is playing out string, while Giants are tied for first place, despite blowing those late leads.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL
Dunkel

Week 14


Washington @ Chicago

Game 113-114
December 13, 2015 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
128.798
Chicago
133.829
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 5
47
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
by 3
43 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(-3); Over

Detroit @ St. Louis

Game 115-116
December 13, 2015 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
131.974
St. Louis
125.989
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 6
44
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
by 1
40 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(+1); Over

San Diego @ Kansas City

Game 117-118
December 13, 2015 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Diego
125.264
Kansas City
146.266
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kansas City
by 21
41
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kansas City
by 10
45 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Kansas City
(-10); Under

New Orleans @ Tampa Bay

Game 119-120
December 13, 2015 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Orleans
125.015
Tampa Bay
132.911
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 8
47
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
by 3 1/2
51
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-3 1/2); Under

Indianapolis @ Jacksonville

Game 121-122
December 13, 2015 @ 2:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Indianapolis
130.003
Jacksonville
126.143
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Indianapolis
by 4
36
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Indianapolis
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Indianapolis
N/A

Tennessee @ NY Jets

Game 123-124
December 13, 2015 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tennessee
124.450
NY Jets
134.806
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Jets
by 10 1/2
47
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Jets
by 7
43
Dunkel Pick:
NY Jets
(-7); Over

New England @ Houston

Game 125-126
December 13, 2015 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New England
140.943
Houston
134.913
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New England
by 6
49
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New England
by 3
44 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
New England
(-3); Over

Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati

Game 105-106
December 13, 2015 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
138.369
Cincinnati
144.418
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cincinnati
by 6
46
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cincinnati
by 3
50
Dunkel Pick:
Cincinnati
(-3); Under

Oakland @ Denver

Game 127-128
December 13, 2015 @ 4:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oakland
128.492
Denver
140.343
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Denver
by 12
48
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Denver
by 7
43
Dunkel Pick:
Denver
(-7); Over

Buffalo @ Philadelphia

Game 107-108
December 13, 2015 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Buffalo
135.897
Philadelphia
131.738
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Buffalo
by 4
50
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Buffalo
by 1
46 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Buffalo
(-1); Over

Dallas @ Green Bay

Game 129-130
December 13, 2015 @ 4:25 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Dallas
131.912
Green Bay
137.532
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Green Bay
by 5 1/2
48
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Green Bay
by 7 1/2
43 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Dallas
(+7 1/2); Over

Atlanta @ Carolina

Game 109-110
December 13, 2015 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
126.513
Carolina
143.102
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Carolina
by 16 1/2
52
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Carolina
by 7 1/2
46 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Carolina
(-7 1/2); Over

Seattle @ Baltimore

Game 131-132
December 13, 2015 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
141.027
Baltimore
129.646
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Seattle
by 11 1/2
35
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Seattle
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Seattle
N/A

San Francisco @ Cleveland

Game 111-112
December 13, 2015 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Francisco
129.954
Cleveland
121.955
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Francisco
by 8
37
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 2
41
Dunkel Pick:
San Francisco
(+2); Under



NY Giants @ Miami

Game 133-134
December 14, 2015 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Giants
127.456
Miami
130.791
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 3 1/2
42
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Giants
by 1 1/2
47
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(+1 1/2); Under

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL's biggest betting mismatches: Week 14

Buffalo Bills at Philadelphia Eagles (+1.5, 47)

Bills’ penalty problems vs. Eagles’ up-tempo offense

Nothing breeds chaos quick like speed. And no team is as chaotic – on and off the field – as the Eagles. Chip Kelly’s up-tempo offense is second in the NFL in plays per game, taking an average of just under 69 offensive snaps. With different looks and some creative sets, Philadelphia keeps opposing defenses on their toes.

This will be an issue for the Bills. Buffalo enters Week 14 as the second-most penalized team in football, with a total of 109 accepted infractions, according to NFLpenalties.com. Those flags have equaled up to 985 free yards for the Bills’ opponents. Forty of those penalties have been on the defense and 10 of those have been defensive pass interference along with six for defensive holding.

On the flip of this, the Eagles have benefited from 97 penalties on their foes – fourth most in the NFL. Philadelphia has forced opponents to break the rules for 858 extra gains including nine pass interference calls that have handed Kelly & Co. 139 yards. Things get even more out of hand when the Bills are on the road, with 68 of their penalties coming as visitors. Lincoln Financial will be rocking for LeSean McCoy’s homecoming Sunday.

Daily fantasy watch: WR Jordan Matthews


Tennessee Titans at New York Jets (-7.5, 43)

Titans’ fourth-quarter defense vs. Jets’ fourth-quarter offense

When you're dealing with that half-point hook on the touchdown, like Jets bettors are with this Week 14 home game, you always lose a little sleep dreading the backdoor cover. You can see it happening: New York up by 14 points in the fourth quarter when Tennessee sneaks one into the end zone in the dying minutes.

However, look at the makeup of these two teams, Jets bettors should be resting a little easier – despite the 7.5-point spread. New York has turned it on in the final frame of their games, averaging eight points per fourth quarter on the season and turning that up to 11.3 over the last three games. Last week, the Jets forced overtime against the Giants with a 10-point push in the closing 15 minutes. And the week before they hit the Dolphins for 17 fourth-quarter points to absorb a 13-point push from Miami in the final act, holding on to the ATS win.

The Titans, while having an understated defense, have been trash in the fourth quarter. Tennessee has allowed opponents to score an average of 9.4 points in the fourth and things have gotten out of hand in the last three games. The Titans watched Jacksonville put 10 points on the board in the closing quarter in Week 11, then allowed just a touchdown in the fourth versus the Raiders (be it a game-winning score with 1:21 remaining) in Week 12. Last Sunday, Tennessee was torched for 20 points in the last 15 minutes against the Jaguars, forcing their bettors to settle for a push.

Daily fantasy watch: WR Eric Decker


Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers (-7.5, 42.5)

Cowboys’ budding blitz vs. Packers’ injured o-line

The Cowboys were one of the most passive defenses in the entire NFL, in fact the most passive with defensive coordinator Rob Marinelli dialing up the blitz once every blue moon and relying on a four-man rush. But in the win over Washington Monday, Marinelli unleashed hell on a young and hobbled Redskins offensive line and constantly closed the pocket on QB Kirk Cousins. Dallas, which has only 23 sacks on the season, recorded three sacks – two coming from hybrid LB/DE DeMarcus Lawrence.

The big question on everyone’s mind this week is if the Cowboys will stick to this aggressive rush or go back to playing it safe against the Packers? Normally, Aaron Rodgers would make opponents pay for bringing extras but the Green Bay passing attack just isn’t the same and is lacking that deep-threat option (save for an occasional miracle Hail Mary). The Packers actually rank as the seventh weakest passing offense over the past three weeks, averaging only 210 yards through the air in that span.

Two other things would indicate that Dallas may keep the blitz coming in Week 12. 1. Green Bay, much like Washington, has a patchwork offensive line, with injuries up and down the depth chart. The Packers are an injury or two away from bringing in long snappers and defenders to protect. They’ve given up 29 sacks this season after allowing 30 last season. And 2. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was very vocal with his praise of this new aggressive style. And, as we know, what Jerry wants, Jerry gets.

Daily fantasy watch: D/ST Dallas


New England Patriots at Houston Texans (+3, 45)

Patriots kick coverage vs. Texan’s sucking starting field position

One of the unsung strengths of this Patriots teams has been its ability to pin opponents deep in their own end, giving the defense a head start each drive. New England tops the NFL in opponents’ starting field position, forcing foes to open drives at an average of their own 23-yard line. On the flip of this, the Pats are fourth in offensive starting field position, according to FootballOutsiders.com, beginning their drives at an average beyond the 30-yard line.

Houston is at the bottom of that stats table, sitting 28th in average starting field position. The Texans open their drives at an average of just over the 25-yard line, which has helped slow down an already one-dimensional playbook producing just over 21 points per game. Houston has record 40 three-and-out drives this season, third most in the NFL, and bad field position doesn’t help move the chains.

The Texans’ special teams aren’t doing much to remedy that either. Houston averages 24.2 yards per kickoff return and only 7.3 yards on punt runbacks. They go up against a Patriots coverage unit that is allowing a mere 18.6 yards on kickoffs –second lowest in the league - and 8.3 yards on punt returns. New England averages 4.2 touchbacks per game, which is also second in the NFL.

Daily fantasy watch: D/ST New England

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SUNDAY NFL INJURY REPORT

ATLANTA FALCONS at CAROLINA PANTHERS

ATLANTA FALCONS

--Out: DT Paul Soliai (calf)

--Probable: S Ricardo Allen (shin), G Chris Chester (shoulder, knee), WR Devin Hester (toe), S Kemal Ishmael (shoulder), WR Julio Jones (knee), TE Tony Moeaki (hamstring), TE Jacob Tamme (shoulder)

CAROLINA PANTHERS

--Doubtful: WR Brenton Bersin (groin), CB Charles Tillman (knee)

--Probable: DE Mario Addison (ankle), DE Jared Allen (not injury related), WR Jerricho Cotchery (not injury related), LB Thomas Davis (not injury related), DT Dwan Edwards (not injury related), WR Ted Ginn (not injury related), S Roman Harper (not injury related), C Ryan Kalil (not injury related), TE Greg Olsen (not injury related), RB Jonathan Stewart (not injury related)


BUFFALO BILLS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

BUFFALO BILLS

--Out: LB Nigel Bradham (ankle), CB Ron Brooks (concussion, neck), CB Stephon Gilmore (shoulder), RB Karlos Williams (shoulder)

--Questionable: G John Miller (ankle)

--Probable: TE Charles Clay (knee), T Seantrel Henderson (illness), WR Chris Hogan (knee), DE Mario Williams (hand)

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

--Probable: RB Kenjon Barner (ankle), QB Sam Bradford (left shoulder), TE Zach Ertz (hip), T Lane Johnson (shoulder), DT Bennie Logan (knee), RB Ryan Mathews (concussion, groin), CB Eric Rowe (ankle), DE Cedric Thornton (ankle), S Walter Thurmond (elbow, shoulder)


DALLAS COWBOYS at GREEN BAY PACKERS

DALLAS COWBOYS

--Out: QB Tony Romo (left shoulder)

--Probable: WR Dez Bryant (foot, knee), DE Greg Hardy (shin), S Jeff Heath (shoulder)

GREEN BAY PACKERS

--Doubtful: C Corey Linsley (ankle)

--Questionable: T Bryan Bulaga (ankle), WR Ty Montgomery (ankle), LB Nick Perry (shoulder)

--Probable: T David Bakhtiari (knee), G T.J. Lang (shoulder), LB Clay Matthews (ankle), CB Damarious Randall (hamstring), G Josh Sitton (back)


DETROIT LIONS at ST. LOUIS RAMS

DETROIT LIONS

--Questionable: DE Ezekiel Ansah (hamstring, elbow), WR Calvin Johnson (ankle), LB Travis Lewis (ankle), WR Lance Moore (ankle), T Michael Ola (knee), S Glover Quin (ankle), DT Caraun Reid (ankle), C Travis Swanson (ankle)

ST. LOUIS RAMS

--Out: T Andrew Donnal (knee), DE Robert Quinn (back)

--Doubtful: CB Janoris Jenkins (concussion)

--Probable: DE William Hayes (thigh), P Johnny Hekker (not injury related), K Zach Hocker (right thigh), CB Trumaine Johnson (thigh), QB Case Keenum (concussion), TE Lance Kendricks (concussion), WR Wes Welker (calf), K Greg Zuerlein (right hip)


INDIANAPOLIS COLTS at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

--Out: LB Daniel Adongo (not injury related), T Anthony Castonzo (knee), LB Jerrell Freeman (hamstring, ribs), QB Andrew Luck (abdomen, kidney)

--Doubtful: LB Erik Walden (foot)

--Questionable: S Colt Anderson (ankle), C Khaled Holmes (fibula), LB D'Qwell Jackson (quadricep), CB Gregory Toler (knee)

--Probable: WR Phillip Dorsett (ankle), QB Matt Hasselbeck (neck, back), G Hugh Thornton (elbow), WR Griff Whalen (hamstring)

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

--Out: LB Paul Posluszny (hand)

--Questionable: DE Ryan Davis (knee), TE Nic Jacobs (hamstring), WR Bryan Walters (back)

--Probable: S Sergio Brown (hamstring), DE Chris Clemons (not injury related), S Johnathan Cyprien (neck), DT Roy Miller (knee), T Jermey Parnell (knee), LB Dan Skuta (groin), RB T.J. Yeldon (groin)


NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

--Out: G Jahri Evans (ankle), DT John Jenkins (concussion)

--Probable: T Terron Armstead (knee), CB Delvin Breaux (hamstring), WR Marques Colston (not injury related), WR Brandin Cooks (concussion), CB Brian Dixon (abdomen), LB Dannell Ellerbe (hip), DE Bobby Richardson (hamstring), WR Willie Snead (calf), T Zach Strief (shoulder)

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

--Out: DE Jacquies Smith (hamstring)

--Doubtful: DE George Johnson (calf)

--Questionable: LB Lavonte David (ankle), DT Gerald McCoy (hand)

--Probable: CB Jude Adjei-Barimah (elbow), LB Bruce Carter (concussion), T Gosder Cherilus (knee), DE William Gholston (concussion), WR Vincent Jackson (knee), G Logan Mankins (not injury related)


OAKLAND RAIDERS at DENVER BRONCOS

OAKLAND RAIDERS

--Out: S Nate Allen (knee), LB Neiron Ball (knee)

--Questionable: DE Shelby Harris (ankle), RB Taiwan Jones (knee)

--Probable: WR Amari Cooper (foot), C Rodney Hudson (ankle), DE Khalil Mack (knee), CB Keith McGill (ankle), LB Korey Toomer (ankle), S Charles Woodson (shoulder)

DENVER BRONCOS

--Out: QB Peyton Manning (foot), LB Danny Trevathan (concussion), S T.J. Ward (ankle)

--Questionable: RB C.J. Anderson (ankle), S Omar Bolden (hamstring), S David Bruton (knee), WR Andre Caldwell (quadricep), TE Vernon Davis (concussion), WR Bennie Fowler (ankle), RB Ronnie Hillman (foot)

--Probable: TE Owen Daniels (knee), T Ryan Harris (knee), G Evan Mathis (ankle), C Matt Paradis (ankle), LB Shane Ray (illness), WR Emmanuel Sanders (ankle, finger), T Michael Schofield (ankle), S Darian Stewart (hamstring), G Louis Vasquez (groin), DE Vance Walker (shoulder), LB DeMarcus Ware (back), DT Sylvester Williams (ankle)


PITTSBURGH STEELERS at CINCINNATI BENGALS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

--Probable: WR Sammie Coates (illness), CB William Gay (concussion, not injury related), LB James Harrison (not injury related), TE Heath Miller (rib), TE Matt Spaeth (knee), LB Sean Spence (hamstring), LS Greg Warren (not injury related)

CINCINNATI BENGALS

--Doubtful: T Jake Fisher (concussion), CB Adam Jones (foot)

--Questionable: WR Mario Alford (not injury related), CB Leon Hall (back), S George Iloka (groin)

--Probable: G Clint Boling (neck), TE Tyler Eifert (neck), TE Ryan Hewitt (knee), CB Dre Kirkpatrick (knee), CB Josh Shaw (back)


SAN DIEGO CHARGERS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

--Out: CB Brandon Flowers (knee), WR Dontrelle Inman (neck), WR Steve Johnson (groin), DT Corey Liuget (foot)

--Doubtful: DT Sean Lissemore (shoulder)

--Questionable: G D.J. Fluker (concussion)

--Probable: T King Dunlap (ankle), TE Ladarius Green (ankle), T Chris Hairston (abdomen), QB Philip Rivers (foot), CB Steve Williams (concussion)

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

--Out: S Husain Abdullah (concussion), DE Mike Devito (concussion, shoulder), LB Justin Houston (knee), WR De'Anthony Thomas (concussion)

--Questionable: G Jeff Allen (ankle)

--Probable: DE Allen Bailey (calf), P Dustin Colquitt (right knee), LB Tamba Hali (knee), TE Travis Kelce (groin), C Mitch Morse (concussion)


SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at CLEVELAND BROWNS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

--Out: RB Carlos Hyde (foot), TE Vance McDonald (concussion), LB Michael Wilhoite (ankle)

--Questionable: CB Tramaine Brock (foot), LB Aaron Lynch (concussion), WR Torrey Smith (back, toe)

--Probable: DT Arik Armstead (shoulder), WR Anquan Boldin (hamstring), G Alex Boone (knee), LB Navorro Bowman (shoulder, finger), DT Quinton Dial (shoulder), RB Kendall Gaskins (hamstring), LB Eli Harold (shoulder), C Marcus Martin (ankle), T Erik Pears (knee), DT Mike Purcell (shoulder), T Joe Staley (knee), S Jaquiski Tartt (ankle), G Andrew Tiller (knee)

CLEVELAND BROWNS

--Out: CB Justin Gilbert (concussion), CB Joe Haden (concussion), WR Andrew Hawkins (concussion)

--Questionable: TE Gary Barnidge (ankle), WR Travis Benjamin (shoulder), WR Taylor Gabriel (concussion), WR Brian Hartline (hip), WR Marlon Moore (ribs)

--Probable: G Cameron Erving (ankle), QB Johnny Manziel (right elbow)


SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at BALTIMORE RAVENS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

--Out: DE Demarcus Dobbs (concussion), RB Marshawn Lynch (abdomen)

--Doubtful: DT Jordan Hill (toe)

--Probable: DE Cliff Avril (not injury related), DE Michael Bennett (not injury related)

BALTIMORE RAVENS

--Out: T Eugene Monroe (shoulder)

--Doubtful: WR Marlon Brown (back), TE Crockett Gillmore (back)

--Questionable: QB Matt Schaub (chest)

--Probable: DE Chris Canty (not injury related), LB Elvis Dumervil (not injury related), LB Daryl Smith (not injury related), CB Jimmy Smith (knee), T Ricky Wagner (ankle), DT Brandon Williams (shoulder), TE Maxx Williams (concussion)


TENNESSEE TITANS at NEW YORK JETS

TENNESSEE TITANS

--Out: LB Yannik Cudjoe-Virgil (knee), DT Mike Martin (knee), LB Derrick Morgan (shoulder), WR Kendall Wright (ribs)

--Questionable: WR Tre McBride (abdomen)

--Probable: TE Anthony Fasano (shoulder), DT Sammie Lee Hill (knee), RB Dexter McCluster (knee)

NEW YORK JETS

--Questionable: CB Marcus Williams (knee)

--Probable: S Dion Bailey (ankle), CB Antonio Cromartie (hip), TE Kellen Davis (hand), WR Eric Decker (knee), QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (left thumb), WR Jeremy Kerley (illness), C Nick Mangold (hand), WR Brandon Marshall (ribs, ankle), LB Calvin Pace (abdomen), S Calvin Pryor (neck), CB Darrelle Revis (concussion)


WASHINGTON REDSKINS at CHICAGO BEARS

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

--Out: S Jeron Johnson (hamstring), LB Perry Riley (foot), RB Chris Thompson (shoulder)

--Questionable: TE Derek Carrier (ankle), DE Jason Hatcher (neck, ankle), WR Andre Roberts (knee), LB Keenan Robinson (shoulder)

--Probable: LB Will Compton (shoulder), CB Quinton Dunbar (finger), CB Deshazor Everett (hamstring), S Dashon Goldson (knee, hamstring, wrist), CB DeAngelo Hall (toe)

CHICAGO BEARS

--Out: WR Marquess Wilson (foot)

--Doubtful: LB Pernell McPhee (knee)

--Questionable: LB Sam Acho (shoulder), CB Bryce Callahan (quadricep), TE Zach Miller (ribs), CB Tracy Porter (ankle), S Antrel Rolle (knee), WR Eddie Royal (knee)

--Probable: LB Shea McClellin (ankle)


NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at HOUSTON TEXANS (Sunday night)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

--Out: WR Julian Edelman (foot)

--Questionable: WR Danny Amendola (knee), TE Scott Chandler (knee), S Patrick Chung (foot), CB Justin Coleman (hand), TE Rob Gronkowski (knee), LB Dont'a Hightower (knee), G Josh Kline (shoulder), WR Matt Slater (stinger)

--Probable: T Marcus Cannon (toe), DE Chandler Jones (abdomen), S Devin McCourty (shoulder), TE Michael Williams (knee)

HOUSTON TEXANS

--Probable: RB Alfred Blue (back), G Brandon Brooks (illness, toe), T Duane Brown (knee), LB Max Bullough (shoulder), LB Jadeveon Clowney (hamstring), DT Christian Covington (knee), WR DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring), CB Kareem Jackson (ankle), CB Charles James (calf), C Ben Jones (hip), CB Johnathan Joseph (knee), LB Whitney Mercilus (back), T Derek Newton (elbow, knee), RB Chris Polk (knee), WR Cecil Shorts (hamstring), DE J.J. Watt (groin, hand)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL Week 14 Essentials
By Tony Mejia

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati: Ben Roethlisberger tossed for a season-high four TDs in Sunday night’s 45-10 win over Indianapolis, showing no effects of any concussion symptoms that had his status in doubt earlier in the week. Since a 16-10 home loss to these Bengals on Nov. 1, Roethlisberger has thrown for 1,533 yards in leading the Steelers to a 3-1 record, tossing 10 touchdowns and just three picks. Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant may be the most feared WR combination in the league, but Pittsburgh remains three games behind the Bengals in the AFC North, which means the home team can clinch the division with a win here. The Bengals have surrendered 10 points or less in five of the last six games, a streak that started in Pittsburgh. The defense leads the NFL in fewest points per game allowed (16.3), while the Steelers have scored an average of 34.3 points over their last four contests.

Buffalo at Philadelphia: A road upset of the Patriots has the Eagles in contention in the putrid NFC East, snapping a three-game losing streak that featured lopsided losses to the Bucs and Lions. While Sam Bradford returned under center, Philadelphia’s offense still failed to move the ball well as most of the scoring came as a result of defense and special teams returns. It remains to be seen whether Bradford can improve and be more of a threat then he was before injuring his shoulder and dealing with a concussion. The Bills saved their own season with a 30-21 home win over Houston, getting three touchdown passes from Tyrod Taylor, who also ran for a score. The offense has really picked it up of late and should be even better if linemen Seantrel Henderson and John Miller, both of whom missed last week’s win, are able to return to the lineup. WR Sammy Watkins has nine receptions for 267 yards and three touchdowns over the last two games, which spells trouble for Philly’s porous secondary.

Atlanta at Carolina: After starting 5-0, the Falcons have dropped six of seven and find themselves on the outside looking in the NFC playoff picture. The latest collapse came as a result of being unable to tackle Jameis Winston on an eventual game-winning drive that allowed the Bucs to complete a season sweep in this series. The Falcons are 0-3 inside the division and are only now getting their first look at the undefeated Panthers, who have already wrapped up the NFC South. Julio Jones questioned Atlanta’s red zone play-calling after Sunday’s loss after his fourth consecutive game without a touchdown. Carolina has won four of the last five in the series, but did lose at home 19-17 on Nov. 16, the last time it lost at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium. Including playoffs, the Panthers have won nine straight home games. The teams will meet again on Dec. 27 in Week 16.

San Francisco at Cleveland: With both teams basically eliminated from playoff contention, this one is all about Johnny Manziel’s return to the starting lineup after what was basically a two-game banishment for lying about partying during the team’s bye week. The process of seeing where he is in his learning curve begins at home against a solid 49ers defense and will include games against the Seahawks, Chiefs and Steelers, all teams in the thick of the playoff hunt. Manziel is 1-2 in his starts this season, throwing four TDs and one interception in games against Tennessee, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. San Francisco has won one game per month and already have met their quota in a 26-20 win at Chicago last Sunday. Blaine Gabbert is 2-2 since replacing Colin Kaepernick as the starter and has been surprisingly competent despite not being able to work with top tailback Carlos Hyde, who will likely miss his sixth consecutive game with a stress fracture in his foot.

Washington at Chicago: The ‘Skins wasted an opportunity to grab the NFC East by the throat on Monday night, failing to get in the end zone until the fourth quarter and failing to come up with a stop on Dallas’ final possession, losing 19-16. They’re in a three-way tie for first in the division alongside the Giants and Eagles and will close the season with the most manageable schedule of any of the contenders, playing only a single opponent currently at .500. Washington will have to play three of its last four away from Landover and enters Soldier Field winless in five road games thus far. Kirk Cousins has been the main culprit, throwing eight interceptions and just five touchdowns in opposing stadiums. Ironically, Chicago is just 1-5 at home, but does have its offensive unit healthier than it has been all season.

Detroit at St. Louis: After being dealt a soul-crushing blow by Green Bay on their last game’s final play, the Lions will find themselves in an opposing dome for a battle of 4-8 teams. It remains to be seen whether there’s any hangover to be had after such a traumatic loss, but defensive coordinator Teryl Austin should have a solid game plan in place as Detroit looks to add to the Rams’ woes. Only San Francisco averages fewer offensive points per game than St. Louis (14.4), which is also loast in passing yards per game (178.0) and first downs (175). Over the past four games, the Rams have managed just 36 points (9.0), coming off a season-low in a 27-3 setback at Arizona. Coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. lost his job on Monday in a move Jeff Fisher characterized as being important to the team’s future, but replacement Rob Boras has never called plays on the pro level, operating mostly as a tight ends coach. Case Keenum is expected to start ahead of Nick Foles now that he’s cleared concussion protocol.

San Diego at Kansas City: The Chiefs own the AFC’s longest winning streak at six games, even with Arizona for the second-longest in the NFL behind unbeaten Carolina. Head coach Andy Reid has done a tremendous job picking his team up from the loss of RB Jamaal Charles, riding a committee approach at tailback and getting superb play from QB Alex Smith, who hasn’t thrown an interception since Week 3. He’s thrown for a pair of touchdowns in each of the last two games and faces a Chargers defense that ranks 29th of 32 teams, surrendering 27 points per game. Kansas City will likely have to find ways to get after Philip Rivers without top pass-rusher Justin Houston, who was inactive last week with a strained PCL and isn’t likely to return this week. San Diego suffered a 33-3 home loss to the Chiefs on Nov. 22 as Rivers failed to throw a TD pass for the first time all season. He repeated the feat in Sunday’s 17-3 home loss to Denver. Kansas City has lost two of the last three at Arrowhead against the Chargers.

New Orleans at Tampa Bay: Losing a 41-38 shootout to the Panthers realistically ended the Saints playoff pursuit, which means the team will miss the playoffs for the third time in four years since the organization was rocked by Bountygate. The defense has been a disaster all season, statistically ranking among the worst of all-time. Drew Brees threw for 282 yards and three TDs against typically stingy Carolina and will look to avoid a fifth straight loss, which would mark the longest losing streak of the Sean Payton era. Last time he saw the Bucs, he significantly injured his shoulder after being hit while pressured and wound up missing the next week’s contest. Jameis Winston has already swept Atlanta and will look to improve his team’s NFC South record to 4-1 while climbing over .500 for the first time. Tampa Bay had lost seven straight against New Orleans entering the season. The Bucs haven’t swept the Saints since 2007, Payton’s second season at the helm.

Indianapolis at Jacksonville: Monitor Andrew Luck’s availability here. Although the Colts were shooting for him to come back in Week 15, Matt Hasselbeck injured his neck and shoulder in suffering his first loss as a starter against Pittsburgh on Sunday night. If neither Luck (kidney) or Hasselbeck can go, Indianapolis would be forced to turn to Charlie Whitehurst. The Colts defeated the Jaguars behind Hasselbeck way back in Week 4 on Oct. 4, prevailing in OT after rookie kicker Jason Myers missed a pair of chances to win the game for visiting Jacksonville. Blake Bortles is 0-3 against the Colts, being outscored by an 83-33 margin. He threw for a career-high five TD passes in Sunday’s 42-39 loss at Tennessee, doing damage despite missing key receiver Allen Hurns, who has been out with a concussion but should return for this one. He caught 11 balls for 116 yards and a score in Indianapolis.

Tennessee at N.Y. Jets: Marcus Mariota has thrown for 11 touchdowns and just one pick in the Titans three wins this season, which tells you the No. 2 pick in this past draft has had to be masterful to elevate his team beyond a competitive level. In the seven losses he’s participated in, Mariota has thrown eight TDs and eight picks. Tennessee has won 42-14, 34-28 and 42-39 and hasn’t beaten a team with a winning record. The Jets are hoping to get Darrelle Revis back from a concussion and Marcus Williams from a knee injury, restoring their secondary’s top two corners. Offensively, Ryan Fitzpatrick is doing his part to taste his first postseason, coming off season-highs in completions (36) and yards (390) in a 23-20 OT win over the Giants.

Seattle at Baltimore: The Seahawks are surging, owning a season-long three-game winning streak after dominating the Vikings. As a result, they’re sitting in sole possession of the final NFC playoff spot, which would spell trouble for whover has the misfortune of drawing the two-time defending champs on Wild Card weekend. Russell Wilson has dominated on this current run, throwing 11 touchdowns without an interception while adding a rushing TD. Doug Baldwin has caught 24 passes for 433 yards and six scores over the last four games. The depleted Ravens had their two-game winning streak snapped in a 15-13 loss in Miami. Baltimore has beaten only one team with a winning record this season and is beginning a three-game homestand to close out December. John Harbaugh’s team is 2-3 SU at M&T Bank Stadium but is 0-4-1 ATS there. Since taking over for the injured Joe Flacco, Matt Schaub has thrown for 540 yards over two games, tossing three touchdowns and four picks.

Oakland at Denver: A disastrous fourth quarter prevented the Raiders from getting back to .500 against Kansas City, which means they’ll have to win out to have a realistic shot at the playoffs. Second-year QB Derek Carr committed costly turnovers as Oakland was outscored 20-0 by the Chiefs to wipe out a 20-14 lead. The Broncos allow just 17.5 points, second-lowest in the league, and have registered 23 takeaways, tied with five others for the second-most in the NFL. No one has recovered more fumbles. Brock Osweiler is 3-0 as Denver’s starter and is in line to start for Peyton Manning once again. Denver has won the last eight games in this series, last losing in the 2011 season opener. The Broncos have beaten Carr by a margin of 104-41 in their three victories over him.

Dallas at Green Bay: Coming off a miracle win on Thursday night via Hail Mary, the Packers are hoping for a more complete performance than they managed at Detroit. There are still major issues due to a banged up offensive line and a depleted receiving corps, but Richard Rodgers grab of Aaron Rodgers’ 61-yard heave with time expired served as the ultimate bandage. With extra time to prepare, the Packers now have a home game to get healthy with, facing a Tony Romo-less Cowboys team coming in off a short week after playing in Landover on Monday night. Rodgers has thrown 14 touchdowns and just three picks at Lambeau Field this season, but has been a part consecutive home losses to Detroit and Chicago, snapping a run of 13 straight wins on the friendly frozen tundra. The Cowboys picked up a gutsy win over Washington on Monday night, overcoming three costly turnovers and uncharacteristically blitzing heavily to ensure they were getting pressure on Cousins. Dallas is going to have to pick its spots attacking Rodgers, but rides a wave of momentum into another must-win.

New England at Houston: The Patriots have dropped two straight for the first time since September of 2012, but are hoping to get star tight end Rob Gronkowski back from his scary-looking knee injury to help aid the passing game. It remains to be seen whether the organization takes a cautious approach with him, but he’s obviously missed. Tom Brady was picked off on multiple occasions for the first time all season in Sunday’s loss to Philadelphia and had massive issues with drops. We’ll see how he fares against a Texans defense that is going to come after him after surrendering 30 points in a road loss to the Bills. Sacks leader J.J. Watt had helped Houston hold three of its last four opponents to six points prior to the loss in Buffalo, so expect them to aggressively get after Brady in this Sunday night showdown.

Monday, Dec. 7

N.Y. Giants at Miami: It’s not the most attractive matchup of the week, but the Monday night game does again pack some intrigue. The Dolphins held off Baltimore at home to remain alive in the playoff hunt, but continue to bring up the rear in the AFC East. Meanwhile, New York blew yet another fourth-quarter lead in a dreadful loss to the Jets that makes this a must-win considering it closes the season against Carolina, Minnesota and Philadelphia. Eli Manning threw a costly red-zone interception in the fourth quarter but benefits from the presence of one of the game’s most productive receivers in Odell Beckham Jr., who has racked up double-digit targets in four consecutive games and has racked up over 100 yards in five straight. He’s caught a touchdown in each of the last three contests and has a favorable matchup against a vulnerable Dolphins secondary here.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Public Fades - Week 14
By Kevin Rogers

The final quarter of the NFL regular season is here as only one team has clinched a playoff berth so far. The Panthers remain unbeaten at 12-0, while three teams currently sit at the top of the AFC tied at 10-2 (New England, Denver, and Cincinnati). Two clubs that got off subpar starts are back on the winning track as both Seattle and Kansas City are public favorites in Week 13.

In last week’s edition of "Public Fades," we made the case for backing the Saints and Eagles. Philadelphia won outright as 9 ½-point underdogs at New England, while New Orleans covered in a 41-38 defeat as six-point home ‘dogs to Carolina. This week, we’ll take a look at supporting two teams that aren’t headed to the postseason.

Chargers at Chiefs (-10, 45)

The last time these AFC West rivals got together in late November, Kansas City wiped out San Diego, 33-3 as three-point favorites at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chiefs’ defense limited the Chargers to just 201 yards of offense, while Philip Rivers threw for a season-low 178 yards. Andy Reid’s squad is riding a six-game winning streak following a 1-5 start to sit in a prime position for an AFC Wild Card spot.

Kansas City’s defense has stepped up of late, limiting seven of its past eight opponents to 20 points or less. The Chiefs pulled off their third road win in four weeks over a division foe last Sunday by taking care of the Raiders, 34-20 as three-point favorites.

Lightning hasn’t struck for the Chargers this season, who stumble into Arrowhead Stadium with a dreadful 3-9 record. San Diego has failed to score a touchdown in two of the last three weeks in double-digit losses to Denver and Kansas City, while the Bolts’ last two victories have come against Cleveland and Jacksonville since early October. The only thing the Chargers have going for them is three consecutive covers as a road underdog, which includes losses of seven points or less at Green Bay and Baltimore.

So why back the Chargers?

VegasInsider.com handicapper Joe Nelson says in spite of the Chargers’ recent struggles, their air attack can give Kansas City problems, “San Diego is still the fourth-most productive passing team in the NFL, while the Chiefs rank 26th in the league in passing yards per game and the pass defense numbers are remarkably similar despite the contrasting results. Kansas City has won and covered in six straight games to move into a playoff position in the AFC, but the prices to back the Chiefs will now climb.”

Even though the Chiefs have been on fire of late, Nelson notes the oddmakers may have over-inflated the line on the Chiefs, “Kansas City was only a three-point favorite in San Diego in Week 11 and only twice since 2003 have the Chiefs been a double-digit favorite. Despite the issues this season the Chargers aren’t likely to mail it in vs. a division rival and San Diego is on a 35-15-3 ATS run as a road underdog since 2004 including covering in each of the last three instances this season.”

NFL expert Vince Akins mentions an interesting stat regarding teams that win without putting up many yards, “Kansas City defeated Oakland on the road last week, 34-20. That margin looks great on the scoreboard, but there is some reason for concern from how that game played out. Kansas City put up 34 points but did so with just 232 yards of total offense. Oakland meanwhile, put up 361 yards of offense. A big win where a team was significantly outgained is cause for concern. Teams that won by more than seven points last game while being outgained by at least 100 yards have covered just 43.6% of the time next game since 1989.”

Seahawks (-9½, 42) at Ravens

Seattle has turned things around since a 2-4 start by winning five of its last six games. The Seahawks are in the mix for a playoff berth in the NFC, looking to make its third consecutive Super Bowl. Pete Carroll’s club won its third straight road game in last Sunday’s 38-7 rout of the Vikings as short favorites, as the Seattle defense limited Minnesota to 125 yards of total offense. However, the Seahawks have struggled in the second contest of consecutive road games since 2013, posting a 2-5 ATS record.

It’s been a forgettable season for John Harbaugh’s Ravens, capped off by the loss of quarterback Joe Flacco three weeks ago to a season-ending knee injury. In spite of Baltimore’s 4-8 record, the Ravens have yet to play a game decided by double-digits. The Ravens have cashed the last two weeks as an underdog with Matt Schaub under center, including last Sunday’s 15-13 defeat at Miami as 3½-point ‘dogs.

So why back the Ravens?

Nelson points out that Baltimore’s offense has held its own even without Flacco, “With Schaub at quarterback the past two weeks, the Ravens have had decent production posting an average of 355 yards per game and 19 first downs per game. Javorius Allen has also provided a solid threat in the backfield with 118 rushing yards on 29 carries while also totaling 136 receiving yards on 16 catches. The Seattle defense has also had inconsistent performances this season, allowing 27 or more points in half of the team’s games and a great performance last week in Minnesota it seems unlikely that the team will be as sharp in a second straight road game against a much less threatening opponent.”

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Vegas Money Moves - Week 14
By Micah Roberts

The Chiefs have won and covered six straight games which is normally a sign that bettors will be jumping all over whatever spread is offered on its next game, but that’s not necessarily the case this week as the Chiefs are 10.5-point home favorites over the Chargers.

South Point sports book director Bert Osborne says enthusiasm for the Chiefs has slowed at his books this week for a couple of reasons.

“No matter how good a team is doing, when you put double digits on the board, it scares people off the game, or at least with the favorite. Bettors just don’t want to include double-digit favorites on their eight-team parlays.

“We’re also seeing business slow as usual at this time of year because of the holiday season. Maybe if this same situation with Kansas City were to occur last month, it would be a different story, but the betting public is usually cautious about laying double-digits.

This is the first week with no big college football games which will make Friday night and Saturday morning sports book traffic come to a crawl compared to the last 15 weeks. Couple that with bettors readying themselves for holiday spending, they’re being a bit frugal at the bet windows.

“We’ve been so jammed with the NFR (National Finals Rodeo) in town that we’re not getting our regular betting crowd, and then we’ve only got one college game Saturday (Army-Navy), so I don’t expect to see too much action on any of these (NFL) games until Saturday night and Sunday morning.”

When Osborne was running through his betting screen that shows all the action for each game, it was almost the same story for all 15 games with nearly a 50 percent drop off on parlay action across the board from a normal NFL week through Friday.

The areas Osborne was showing similar action to from previous weeks was straight bets and teasers.

“We’ve got a lot of live teasers leftover from the Cardinals on Thursday night tied to Carolina and Denver, and then to a lesser degree with Green Bay and Pittsburgh.”

Osborne has seen sharp action this week on the Raiders +7.5 and +7 and the Redskins at +3.5. His biggest parlay games of the week have been on the Panthers, Lions and Patriots.

Now back to this Chargers-Chiefs game.

If you would have had the foresight back in April that the Chargers would be on a 1-7 run heading into its Week 14 contest at Kansas City, you might have easily laid the Chiefs -2 at CG Technology sports books when they offered spreads on every game for the first 16 weeks.

Fast forward to last Wednesday when the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook posted their early Week 14 NFL lines, while Kansas City was in the midst of a 5-0 win streak (5-0 ATS), and opened the Chiefs at -8.5. On Sunday night, following the Chargers 17-3 home loss to Denver and the Chiefs winning its sixth straight (6-0 ATS), Kansas City was reopened at -10.5 and on Friday morning they were bet up to -11 at the Westgate.

The point spread on the board is always the great equalizer, but when you see that San Diego could cover only once in its last 11 games against AFC West teams, it shows that the entire division they play against twice a year isn’t fooled one bit by any of their offensive or defensive schemes. Kansas City has also covered four straight against the Chargers. Still, that’s a big number. Most are saying, “I don’t want to lay it, but I certainly don’t want to take it, either.”

Here’s a look at all the early Week 14 lines offered at the Westgate last Wednesday following by where the number has moved through Friday based on Week 13 results, market adjustments and actual cash taken.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati: No early line due to Ben Roethlisberger injury status. CIN opened 3-flat and PITT money has pushed it to CIN -3 (EV). The Wynn is showing CIN -2.5. CIN, the best cover team in the league at 10-1-1 ATS, looks for the season sweep while PITT looks to win its fourth in five games.

Buffalo at Philadelphia: BUF opened -1 and now PHIL is -1 with several other books showing PK. After the impressive PHIL win at NE last week, and the NFC East dangling up for grabs, does this mean PHIL is back to being who we thought they were? Or is their identity really a Jekyll and Hyde team that can beat anyone while also looking bad allowing 45-points a game like the did the two previous games before upsetting NE.

Atlanta at Carolina: CAR opened -8 and its still sits there, but there‘s plenty to choose from at other books. MGM books are using -7.5 while CG Technology books are using -9 (-105).

San Francisco at Cleveland: CLEV opened -3 and they‘re now -1.5. The early line was posted with expectations of Austin Davis starting at QB for CLEV and also before SF won its first road game of the season. Johnny Manziel gets the nod for at QB for CLEV.

Washington at Chicago: CHI opened -3.5 and is now -4. Most other books are still at -3.5. Despite the home loss last week, CHI has covered seven of its past nine.

Detroit at St. Louis: STL opened -2 and now DET is -3 (EV), which is quite a shift. Barring the Hail Mary last Thursday, DET would be riding a four game win streak. STL has lost five straight while averaging only 10 ppg and have scored 10 points combined in the last two.

San Diego at Kansas City: KC opened -8.5 and it’s now -11 with MGM books still at -10.

New Orleans at Tampa Bay: TB opened -4 and its now -4.5. Most other LV books have it -4 after being -3.5 for most of the week. NO has lost four straight while TB has covered six of its last eight.

Indianapolis at Jacksonville: JAC opened -1 and it‘s now a pick ‘em.

Tennessee at NY Jets: NYJ opened -7.5 and it‘s now -7 (-120).

New England at Houston: NE opened -3.5 and it‘s now -3.5 (EV). HOU just had its four game win streak snapped and NE has lost two straight after starting 10-0. Could we really see three straight losses by a Belichick coached NE squad?

Oakland at Denver: DEN opened -6.5 and its now -7 (EV). Most LV books have it 7-flat. DEN has won the last eight meetings against OAK (7-0-1 ATS).

Dallas at Green Bay: GB opened -9 and its now -6.5. Other LV books have it -7 (EV). The MNF win at WASH, its first win without Tony Romo, gave DAL a little more creditability. GB has lost its last two at home failed to cover the number its past three at home.

Seattle at Baltimore: SEA opened -4.5 and its now -12. Yes, that‘s not a typo. So what happened? The early line was set with expectations of Matt Schaub starting for BALT. With Jimmy Clausen now expected to start, SEA was re-opened Thursday at -10 and it ran all the way to -12 on Friday morning. SEA has won five of its last six while BALT has covered its last two. Is Schaub really worth 7.5-points more than Clausen? To take it a step further, Joe Flacco is worth 4-points more than Schaub. In April, CG Tech books had SEA a 1-point favorite for this game. It all adds up, except for Schaub being 7.5-points better than Clausen.

NY Giants at Miami: Opened pick ’em and now NYG is -1.5 with a high of -2 at CG tech books.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL
Short Sheet

Week 14


Sunday - Dec, 13

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 1:00 ET
Pittsburgh: 7-1 UNDER as an underdog
Cincinnati: 7-1 ATS as a favorite

Buffalo at Philadelphia, 1:00 ET
Buffalo: 14-5 UNDER in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49
Philadelphia: 8-19 ATS at home where the total is between 45.5 and 49

Atlanta at Carolina, 1:00 ET
Atlanta: 0-6 ATS after 2 or more consecutive losses against the spread
Carolina: 7-1 ATS when playing with 6 or less days rest

San Francisco at Cleveland, 1:00 ET
San Francisco: 0-9 ATS in all games where the total is between 35.5 and 42
Cleveland: 28-10 UNDER as a home favorite of 3 points or less

Washington at Chicago, 1:00 ET
Washington: 2-8 ATS off 2 or more consecutive unders
Chicago: 61-50 ATS after covering the spread in 2 out of their last 3

Detroit at St Louis, 1:00 ET
Detroit: 8-1 UNDER after a loss by 10 or more points
St Louis: 9-21 ATS after allowing 375 or more total yards in 2 consecutive games

San Diego at Kansas City, 1:00 ET
San Diego: 0-6 ATS revenging a loss against opponent
Kansas City: 6-0 ATS after 2 games with a turnover margin of +1 or better

New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 1:00 ET
New Orleans: 16-5 ATS on road after allowing 175 or more rush yds last game
Tampa Bay: 71-49 UNDER as a home favorite

Indianapolis at Jacksonville, 1:00 ET
Indianapolis: 5-1 ATS after allowing 40 points or more last game
Jacksonville: 1-6 ATS after being outrushed by 100 or more yards last game

Tennessee at NY Jets, 1:00 ET
Tennessee: 16-5 ATS after gaining 200 or more rushing yards last game
New York: 72-100 ATS after playing their last game on the road

New England at Houston, 8:30 ET
New England: 12-3 ATS off 1 or more straight overs
Houston: 16-4 OVER as a home underdog of 3 points or less

Oakland at Denver, 4:05 ET
Oakland: 29-55 ATS in December games
Denver: 23-11 ATS in games played on a grass field

Dallas at Green Bay, 4:25 ET
Dallas: 16-31 ATS in road games after covering the spread in 2 out of their last 3
Green Bay: 58-37 ATS off a road win

Seattle at Baltimore, 1:00 ET
Seattle: 14-6 ATS after having won 4 or 5 out of their last 6 games
Baltimore: 1-3 ATS after a loss by 6 or less points


Monday - Dec, 14

NY Giants at Miami, 8:30 ET
New York: 19-7 ATS against AFC East division opponents
Miami: 2-10 ATS after allowing 375 or more total yards in 2 consecutive games

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

TECH TRENDS

SUNDAY, DEC. 13

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
PITTSBURGH at CINCINNATI (CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Steelers 4-1 SU, 3-1-1 vs. line last five vs. Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. But Cincy a remarkable 10-1-1 vs. line in 2015 including a win and cover at Pittsburgh.
Tech Edge: Slight to Bengals, based on recent trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
BUFFALO at PHILADELPHIA (CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Eagles just 2-5 vs. spread last seven at Linc. Birds “over” last three and four of last five in 2015, Bills “over” 7-4 last 11. Buffalo has only covered one of last five on road this season.
Tech Edge: “Over,” based on recent “totals” trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
ATLANTA at CAROLINA (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Falcons no covers last eight this season, Panthers 11-4-1 vs. number last 16 reg.-season games. Falcons “under” 9-2-1 this season, though Panthers “over” 8-3-1 in 2015.
Tech Edge: Panthers, based on team trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
SAN FRANCISCO at CLEVELAND (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Browns winless SU last seven this season and no covers last six. Cleveland also “over” 5-1 as host this season. Niners have covered last two, three of last four, and five of last eight in 2015.
Tech Edge: 49ers and slight to “over,” based on team and “totals” trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
WASHINGTON at CHICAGO (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Redskins 0-5 SU, 1-4 vs. line away this season, winless SU last nine away and 2-7 vs. spread in those games. Bears 5-2-2 last nine vs. spread in 2015.
Tech Edge: Bears, based on Redskins road woes.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
DETROIT at ST. LOUIS (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Lions had won and covered three straight before last-second loss to pack. Rams 0-4-1 vs. number last five this season, also “under” 7-1 last 8 in 2015.
Tech Edge: Lions and “under,” based on team and “totals” trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
SAN DIEGO at KANSAS CITY (CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Chargers have covered last three on road this season but still just 6-17 vs. points last 23 on board since early 2014. Chiefs have won and covered six straight in 2015.
Tech Edge: Chiefs, based on recent trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
NEW ORLEANS at TAMPA BAY (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Saints no covers four of last five TY. Saints 10-17-1 last 28 on board since last season. Bucs 4-1 vs. line last five in series, and have covered 3 of last 4 as host this year after dropping 8 of previous ten vs. spread as host.
Tech Edge: Bucs, based on team and series trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
INDIANAPOLIS at JACKSONVILLE (CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Jags “over” 9-4 last 13 since late 2014. Colts had covered five straight in series prior to 16-13 win and non-cover back on Oct. 4. Indy had covered 6 of last 7 TY prior to last week’s loss at Steelers.
Tech Edge: “Over,” based on “totals” trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
TENNESSE at N.Y. JETS (CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Titans have not covered two in a row since the start of the 2013 season. Titans 3-11-1 vs. spread last 15 away from Nashville.
Tech Edge: Jets, based on team trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
SEATTLE at BALTIMORE (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Seahawks now 19-4-1 vs. line in last seven reg.-season games since 2012. Ravens 20-1 vs. line last three this season but 0-7-1 vs. spread last eight at home.
Tech Edge: Seahawks, based on team trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
OAKLAND at DENVER (CBS, 4:05 p.m. ET)
Broncos have won and covered last eight in series. Raiders “over” 12-3 since late 2014.
Tech Edge: Broncos and slight to “over,” based on team and “totals” trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
DALLAS at GREEN BAY (FOX, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Pack 2-5 vs. line last seven in 2015 and one play away from 1-6 last seven (last-play win vs. Lions last week). All after winning covering first five games this season and 9-1-1 previous 11 vs. line as host. Also no covers last three at Lambeau Field. Dallas just 4-8 vs. spread in 2015.
Tech Edge: Slight to Pack, based on extended trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
NEW ENGLAND at HOUSTON (NBC, 8:30 p.m. ET)
Patriots no covers last four this season (0-3-1) but are “over” last 2 and “over” 60-32-1 in reg.-season games since late 2009. Houston 4-1 SU and vs. line last five this season, and Texans “over” 8-4-1 last 13 since late 2014.
Tech Edge: Texans and “over,” based on team and “totals” trends.


MONDAY, DEC. 14
NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
N.Y. GIANTS at MIAMI (ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET)
Giants had covered 7 of first 10 this season before dropping last two. G-Men 7-4 “over” last 11 on road. Dolphins 1-5 vs. line last six this season, 1-6 last seven vs. spread at Sun Life Stadium.
Tech Edge: Giants and slight to “over,” based on team and “totals” trends.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sunday's Top Action


DALLAS COWBOYS (4-8) at GREEN BAY PACKERS (8-4)

Sportsbook.ag Line: Green Bay -7.5, Total: 43

The latest chapter in a classic, old-school rivalry will be written on Sunday when Dallas travels to Lambeau Field for a date with Green Bay.

The Cowboys (4-8 SU and ATS) pulled out a 19-16 victory over Washington on Monday Night Football, in an otherwise unimpressive offensive performance, on Dan Bailey’s 54 yard field goal with less than 10 seconds left in regulation. Dallas pulled within one game of the Eagles/Giants/Redkins in the NFC East, despite a -2 turnover differential, going 1-for-9 on 3rd downs, and maintaining possession of the ball for just 45% of the game. The Cowboys’ rushing attack also managed just 31 yards, their fewest in a game this season.

Green Bay (8-4 SU, 7-5 ATS) pulled off one of the great endings in NFL history on Thursday night in a 27-23 win over Detroit, with Aaron Rodgers heaving a walk-off, 61-yard hail mary to Richard Rodgers for the win. The Packers, who trailed 17-0 at halftime, and 20-0 in the 3rd quarter, were given an extra play with no time left after a defensive face mask penalty was called against the Lions on what would have been the last play of the game. The Packers avoided what would have been their 5th loss in six weeks SU and ATS.

Trends for this game are mixed, with Dallas holding an advantage on the head-to-head history side, with Green Bay holding the advantage in quarterback play and coaching history. The Cowboys are 10-6 SU and ATS against the Packers since 1992, though Green Bay has won five of six at home SU and four of those six ATS. Since the start of the 2012 season, Aaron Rodgers is 32-23 ATS, while Matt Cassel is just 12-15. Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy is 96-67 ATS in his career, including a 25-14 mark in December, while Jason Garrett is just 40-45 ATS in his career, including an 11-11 mark in December.

Dallas’ offense has struggled to establish itself this season in the wake of long-term injuries to QB Tony Romo and WR Dez Bryant, averaging just 330.2 total YPG (27th in NFL), and 216.4 passing YPG (28th in the league). While the offense has struggled, the defense has thrived, allowing just 326.5 YPG, 222.4 of those by way of the pass (T-5th and 5th in NFL, respectively). The Cowboys do, however, have Dez Bryant back and he made some big time catches to help this team beat Washington a week ago. He’ll look to cause some mayhem in the Packers secondary in this one. Matt Cassel will just need to avoid mistakes and give Bryant a chance to come down with some throws.

Aaron Rodgers’ 2015 campaign has continued to look vastly different than Aaron Rodger’s campaigns of seasons past. Against the Lions, Rodgers threw for less than 250 yards for the 3rd straight game, and 9th time overall this season; his 246.3 passing YPG is more than 25 YPG less than his average last season. Rodgers is currently on pace to set new career lows for completion percentage, yards per attempt, and yards per completion over a season in which he was the full-time starter. He will need to have a short memory and turn in a solid performance against Dallas.

The Packers are in a fight with the Vikings in the division and this is the type of game that Green Bay absolutely must win. If Rodgers doesn’t come through then he will hear plenty of criticism next week.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Watt breaks hand but will play Sunday

HOUSTON (AP) Houston star defensive end J.J. Watt isn't worried about people trying to come after him Sunday to take advantage of his broken left hand.

''Let them try,'' Watt said. ''I mean what? The opposing players come after me every week with every type of thing in the book you can think of. So feel free, go ahead come at me. I'll take advantage of whatever you try to do. It's my job to get to the quarterback. That's what I do. You can try and take advantage of whatever you want to take advantage of.''

Watt broke his left hand in practice on Wednesday, but said he'll play Sunday.

Watt, who leads the NFL with 13 1/2 sacks, had a black cast covering his left hand and wrist on Thursday. But both Watt and coach Bill O'Brien said they don't expect the injury to hamper last year's Defensive Player of the Year.

The Texans (6-6) host the New England Patriots (10-2) on Sunday night.

''People are going to try to make a big deal out of this, but I've played with worse than this before, even this season,'' Watt said. ''This I'm not very worried about. My elbow a couple years back was way more painful. This was painful when it happened, but it's football. In a game of football you're going to play with pain. If you don't play with pain you're probably in the wrong sport.''

Watt wouldn't say exactly how he suffered the injury other than it was in practice playing football. He said he knew as soon as it happened that it was broken. Watt couldn't remember if he'd ever played a game with a broken bone before at any level of football.

He was asked how long he expects to have to wear the cast.

''I don't know how fast bones heal,'' Watt said. ''I listen to the people who do.''

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL
LONG SHEET

Sunday, December 13

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PITTSBURGH (7 - 5) at CINCINNATI (10 - 2) - 12/13/2015, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in all games this season.
CINCINNATI is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in all lined games this season.
CINCINNATI is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) as a favorite this season.
CINCINNATI is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) in home lined games over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points this season.
CINCINNATI is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) against conference opponents this season.
CINCINNATI is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest this season.
CINCINNATI is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) off a division game over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in games played on turf this season.
PITTSBURGH is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in December games over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 3-2 against the spread versus CINCINNATI over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 3-2 straight up against CINCINNATI over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BUFFALO (6 - 6) at PHILADELPHIA (5 - 7) - 12/13/2015, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) in a home game where the total is between 45.5 and 49 points since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ATLANTA (6 - 6) at CAROLINA (12 - 0) - 12/13/2015, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) off a division game over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 70-46 ATS (+19.4 Units) in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points since 1992.
CAROLINA is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest this season.
CAROLINA is 53-30 ATS (+20.0 Units) in December games since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
CAROLINA is 3-1 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
CAROLINA is 3-1 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN FRANCISCO (4 - 8) at CLEVELAND (2 - 10) - 12/13/2015, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN FRANCISCO is 23-40 ATS (-21.0 Units) in a road game where the total is between 38.5 and 42 points since 1992.
SAN FRANCISCO is 0-9 ATS (-9.9 Units) in all games where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON (5 - 7) at CHICAGO (5 - 7) - 12/13/2015, 1:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 1-0 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 1-0 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DETROIT (4 - 8) at ST LOUIS (4 - 8) - 12/13/2015, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 59-84 ATS (-33.4 Units) in road games against conference opponents since 1992.
DETROIT is 5-18 ATS (-14.8 Units) in road games against NFC West division opponents since 1992.
DETROIT is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in December games over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 147-187 ATS (-58.7 Units) in all games since 1992.
ST LOUIS is 147-187 ATS (-58.7 Units) in all lined games since 1992.
ST LOUIS is 105-147 ATS (-56.7 Units) against conference opponents since 1992.
ST LOUIS is 114-149 ATS (-49.9 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN DIEGO (3 - 9) at KANSAS CITY (7 - 5) - 12/13/2015, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 0-9 ATS (-9.9 Units) versus division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) revenging a loss against opponent over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 89-63 ATS (+19.7 Units) in road games when playing with 6 or less days rest since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 4-1 against the spread versus SAN DIEGO over the last 3 seasons
KANSAS CITY is 3-2 straight up against SAN DIEGO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW ORLEANS (4 - 8) at TAMPA BAY (6 - 6) - 12/13/2015, 1:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 4-1 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 4-1 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INDIANAPOLIS (6 - 6) at JACKSONVILLE (4 - 8) - 12/13/2015, 1:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANAPOLIS is 4-1 against the spread versus JACKSONVILLE over the last 3 seasons
INDIANAPOLIS is 5-0 straight up against JACKSONVILLE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TENNESSEE (3 - 9) at NY JETS (7 - 5) - 12/13/2015, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TENNESSEE is 7-19 ATS (-13.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TENNESSEE is 7-19 ATS (-13.9 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
TENNESSEE is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
TENNESSEE is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points over the last 2 seasons.
TENNESSEE is 3-15 ATS (-13.5 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
TENNESSEE is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest over the last 2 seasons.
TENNESSEE is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in December games over the last 3 seasons.
TENNESSEE is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in the last 4 weeks of the regular season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY JETS is 1-1 against the spread versus TENNESSEE over the last 3 seasons
NY JETS is 1-1 straight up against TENNESSEE over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW ENGLAND (10 - 2) at HOUSTON (6 - 6) - 12/13/2015, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ENGLAND is 170-130 ATS (+27.0 Units) against conference opponents since 1992.
NEW ENGLAND is 54-34 ATS (+16.6 Units) in the last 4 weeks of the regular season since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 1-0 against the spread versus NEW ENGLAND over the last 3 seasons
NEW ENGLAND is 1-0 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OAKLAND (5 - 7) at DENVER (10 - 2) - 12/13/2015, 4:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 29-55 ATS (-31.5 Units) in December games since 1992.
OAKLAND is 28-52 ATS (-29.2 Units) in the last 4 weeks of the regular season since 1992.
DENVER is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 28-14 ATS (+12.6 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 7 points since 1992.
DENVER is 24-41 ATS (-21.1 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 4-0 against the spread versus OAKLAND over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 5-0 straight up against OAKLAND over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DALLAS (4 - 8) at GREEN BAY (8 - 4) - 12/13/2015, 4:25 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
GREEN BAY is 1-1 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
GREEN BAY is 2-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEATTLE (7 - 5) at BALTIMORE (4 - 8) - 12/13/2015, 1:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, December 14

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NY GIANTS (5 - 7) at MIAMI (5 - 7) - 12/14/2015, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY GIANTS are 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) against AFC East division opponents since 1992.
MIAMI is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in home games against NFC East division opponents since 1992.
MIAMI is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 29-49 ATS (-24.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL TRENDS

Sunday, December 13

1:00 PM
TENNESSEE vs. NY JETS
Tennessee is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against NY Jets
Tennessee is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games on the road
NY Jets are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing Tennessee
The total has gone OVER in 6 of the NY Jets last 8 games

1:00 PM
DETROIT vs. ST. LOUIS
Detroit is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis
Detroit is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games
St. Louis is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Detroit
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit

1:00 PM
NEW ORLEANS vs. TAMPA BAY
New Orleans is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Orleans's last 5 games
Tampa Bay is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games at home

1:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. CHICAGO
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chicago's last 10 games

1:00 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. KANSAS CITY
San Diego is 6-17 ATS in its last 23 games
San Diego is 6-11-1 ATS in its last 18 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Kansas City is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games at home
Kansas City is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against San Diego

1:00 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. CINCINNATI
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games when playing Cincinnati
Cincinnati is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 7 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh

1:00 PM
BUFFALO vs. PHILADELPHIA
Buffalo is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 7 games
Philadelphia is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
Philadelphia is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Buffalo

1:00 PM
SEATTLE vs. BALTIMORE
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing Baltimore
Seattle is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Baltimore is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore's last 5 games when playing Seattle

1:00 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco's last 6 games
San Francisco is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games at home

1:00 PM
INDIANAPOLIS vs. JACKSONVILLE
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indianapolis's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Indianapolis's last 9 games when playing Jacksonville
Jacksonville is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Indianapolis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Jacksonville's last 5 games at home

1:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. CAROLINA
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games
Atlanta is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Carolina's last 20 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Carolina is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

4:05 PM
OAKLAND vs. DENVER
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Oakland's last 15 games
Oakland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Denver's last 6 games when playing at home against Oakland
Denver is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games

4:25 PM
DALLAS vs. GREEN BAY
Dallas is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games
Dallas is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games
Green Bay is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Green Bay is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games

8:30 PM
NEW ENGLAND vs. HOUSTON
New England is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New England's last 5 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 5 games when playing New England
Houston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing New England


Monday, December 14

8:30 PM
NY GIANTS vs. MIAMI
NY Giants are 8-17 SU in their last 25 games on the road
NY Giants are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 5 games when playing NY Giants
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL notebook: Penguins fire coach Johnston
By The Sports Xchange

The Pittsburgh Penguins fired head coach Mike Johnston on Saturday after a slow start this season and just 18 months on the job.
Mike Sullivan, who was head coach of the Boston Bruins from 2003-06 and was serving as the coach of Pittsburgh's affiliate in the American Hockey League, replaces Johnston.
The Penguins also fired assistant Gary Agnew on Saturday morning with the high-profile Penguins, led by former MVPs Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, struggling in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division.
Pittsburgh is 15-10-3 this season after a 3-2 shootout loss at home to the Los Angeles Kings on Friday night. The Penguins are 28th in scoring.
Johnston, 58, was in his second season coaching the Penguins, with a 58-37-15 record.
"I felt it was time for a coaching change because our team has underachieved," general manager Jim Rutherford said in a statement. "Our expectations are much higher with this group of players."
The Penguins slipped into the Stanley Cup playoffs last season, needing a win against the Buffalo Sabres on the final day of the regular season to secure the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins were eliminated by the New York Rangers in a five-game series in the first round.
Sullivan, 47, was in his first season coaching AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where the Penguins are 18-5-0-0 and leading the Atlantic Division. He coached two seasons with the Boston Bruins, winning a division title in 2003-04 and going 70-56-31.

---The Tampa Bay Lightning recalled forward Mike Blunden from the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL.
Blunden, 28, has played in two games with the Lightning this season, recording three shots on goal. He has skated in 20 games with the Crunch, posting five goals, four assists and 26 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-4, 217-pounder has played in 432 career AHL games over his 11-year pro career, recording 101 goals and 218 points.

---The Minnesota Wild activated forward Tyler Graovac from injured reserve and assigned him to the Iowa Wild of the AHL.
Graovac, 22, was injured in the Wild's season-opening game at Colorado on Oct. 8 when he won nine of 12 faceoffs and skated a career-high 13:37. The 6-5, 212-pound native of Brampton, Ontario, underwent successful bilateral core muscle repair surgery on Nov. 3.
Graovac made his NHL debut with Minnesota on Dec. 29, 2014 and has skated in four career NHL games. He recorded 46 points (21 goals, 25 assists) and 26 penalty minutes in 73 games with Iowa last season.

---The Winnipeg Jets reassigned forward Joel Armia to the Manitoba Moose of the AHL.
Armia, 22, was called up by the Jets on Nov. 23 but did not play in any games. He has played in 15 games for Manitoba, recording seven points (three goals, four assists) and 16 penalty minutes.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Devils (13-10) at Islanders (14-8)

Date: December 13, 2015 5:00 PM EDT

The New Jersey Devils are unbeaten in regulation in their last five games and find themselves in the top half of the Metropolitan Division with the season's possibilities wide open entering their 30th game.

It's a nice improvement given the state of the franchise entering 2015-16, but that pace won't be good enough to catch the New York Islanders.

Two nights after earning two points against one of the league's hotter teams, the Devils can continue to climb Sunday in Brooklyn against the club sitting right above them in the division, though the Islanders haven't lost in regulation since Nov. 22.

New York (17-8-5) is 7-0-2 since that 4-2 loss in Montreal, but there haven't been any easy games lately. After Saturday's 3-2 overtime win in Columbus, the Islanders' last five have been decided in overtime or a shootout.

Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen gave them separate one-goal leads in regulation before Okposo finished things off in the extra period with a 2-on-none breakaway.

"It was a good win for our team," Okposo told the team's official website. "We got a little lucky with the last play, we have to come out tomorrow night and have a better effort."

The nine-game point streak began Nov. 25 with a win in Philadelphia, and the penalty kill has been flawless since the first the Islanders took in that contest, going 22 for 22. Add in a 38.9 percent power play in those games (7 for 18) and you've got the main ingredient to a streak on which they've actually been outscored 17-16 at even strength.

The Islanders have limited the Devils to 11 goals over a 7-0-1 span in the series with four straight home wins, including a 2-1 victory Nov. 3. in the first meeting in Brooklyn.

A 3-2 home overtime win over streaking Detroit on Friday has New Jersey (15-10-4) at 3-0-2 since its last regulation loss came 2-1 at home against Colorado to begin the month.

The Devils trailed by two goals entering the third period and won without Adam Henrique (lower-body injury) and Travis Zajac (upper body), who will sit again Sunday.

Kyle Palmieri scored the winner in the final minute of overtime after assisting on Sergey Kalinin's tying goal.

"I thought we were confident with the way we were playing after two periods, but we were getting a little frustrated down by two goals after putting together a decent 40 minutes," Palmieri told the team's official website. "We knew we had to try and wear them down, and I think we did a good job of that. It paid off in the end with the two points."

What's surprising about this season's moderate improvement is it's been nearly a month since the Devils won consecutive games. They last did it Nov. 12-14, and kicking the back-and-forth habit would get them within three points of the in-form Islanders.

"For us, it's about trying to find a way to win each game, and this particular lineup found a way to win," coach John Hynes said.

Hynes will start Cory Schneider, who has given up more than two goals once in his last nine games, going 4-2-3 with a 2.16 goals-against average and .927 save percentage. He's never allowed more than two to New York, posting 1.64 and .940 marks while going 2-3-1.

Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak played against the Flyers and hasn't started both games of a back-to-back set this season, so Thomas Greiss figures to start. Greiss has won his last three and has a 1.93 GAA and .930 save percentage over a 4-2-0 span.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Avalanche (13-16) at Blues (16-9)

Date: December 13, 2015 6:00 PM EDT

It's difficult to consider any homestand featuring losses to Toronto and Philadelphia a success, but St. Louis can at least break even if it wraps things up on a positive note.

The Blues conclude a five-game stay Sunday night against the Colorado Avalanche, one night after taking care of business in the homestand's most important contest.

St. Louis (17-9-4) had no trouble with NHL-leading Dallas on Saturday, winning 3-0 to hand hockey's top-scoring team its first shutout. More importantly, the Blues gained a few points on a club that had been running away with the difficult Central Division. The gap still stands at eight, but that's partly St. Louis' fault with a 2-3-1 record this month.

Part of the defensive success versus the high-powered Stars hinged on a 4-for-4 effort on the penalty kill that improved the Blues to 17 of 17 over a seven-game span.

That run is in little danger against a Colorado power play that's 1 for 18 in its last seven games, but the Avalanche have balanced that with an 18-for-19 mark on the PK in the same span, including 16 for 16 in six games this month.

The Blues, meanwhile, have received power-play goals from David Backes in the last two games. The center got the scoring going two minutes in against Dallas and added an assist. He's scored in three straight and can match a career-best four-game run in December 2008.

"It's one of the better efforts we've had as a group and when you've got the team with the best record in the league, you know you're going to need it," Backes said.

The Blues have won seven of nine in the series over the last two seasons, including the last three in St. Louis while limiting the Avalanche to three goals.

Colorado (12-16-1) is also coming off a win within the division, topping Nashville 3-2 to open a three-game trip against the Predators, Blues and Chicago in a four-day span. The Avalanche have won four of six despite scoring 11 goals.

"We've got a lot of character on that team," Francois Beauchemin told the team's official website after notching a goal and an assist. "We lost some big games early, but we know the situation we're in and who we're playing against in the next few games. Those are games we'll have to win if we want to keep getting in the race."

Semyon Varlamov remained hot with 34 saves, giving him a 1.48 goals-against average and .952 save percentage over a 3-1-0 span.

"(Varlamov) was really good," coach Patrick Roy said. "He made some really good saves, especially in those (penalty kills) as well, but overall, yes he was very solid. I like to say that our guys played well in front of him. Our (defensemen) were sharp with the breakout. I thought we did a good job."

He's 6-6-2 with a 1.94 GAA and .939 save percentage in his career against the Blues, and he has two shutouts in his last five games in the series.

Should Colorado rest him in the second of back-to-back games, Reto Berra will try to improve on a 1-5-0 slide during which he's posted a 3.84 GAA and .872 save percentage.

St. Louis' Jake Allen beat the Stars and has allowed a goal on 49 shots in consecutive wins, but he's 1-1-0 with a 3.88 GAA and .882 save percentage in three versus Colorado.

Blues No. 2 Brian Elliott hasn't won since Oct. 18, going 0-3-2 with a 2.76 GAA and .901 save percentage in eight games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Canucks (10-11) at Blackhawks (16-10)

Date: December 13, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Patrick Kane has joined or passed some big names in matching the NHL's longest point streak since 1992-93: Sidney Crosby, Bobby and Brett Hull, Phil Kessel, Eddie Olczyk.

Although Wayne Gretzky's record remains a pipe dream, within reach are names like Guy LaFleur, Steve Yzerman, Paul Coffey, Mario Lemieux and - yes - even Gretzky to an extent.

After pushing his franchise-record run to 25 games, Kane looks to help the Chicago Blackhawks win their fourth in five contests Sunday night against the Vancouver Canucks.

Kane leads the league with 45 points after scoring his 19th goal on the power play in a 2-0 victory over Winnipeg on Friday, tying Crosby in 2010-11 for the longest point streak in the league since Mats Sundin's 30-game run in '92-93.

Having already broken the mark for an American player first set by Olczyk and Kessel and Bobby Hull's team record, he became the fifth player since '90-91 with a streak of at least 25, joining Crosby, Sundin, Brett Hull (25 in '91-92) and Gretzky (25 in '90-91).

"It's not really important," Kane said, "but I think it's one of those things when you realize what elite company you're in when you're with these great players that have these great streaks, it definitely humbles you."

Next up for the star right winger among the NHL's longest streaks is the 28-game plateau, which was reached by LaFleur ('76-77), Gretzky ('84-85), Lemieux and Coffey ('85-86) and most recently by Yzerman ('88-89).

Beyond Sundin's streak and Gretzky's own 30-game run in '82-83, things become a bit harder to fathom. In addition to yet another monstrous flurry in '85-86 that reached 39 games, Gretzky holds the record of 51 in '83-84 followed by Lemieux's 46 in '89-90.

"Obviously, I feel honored and very fortunate to be involved with names like those," said Kane, who has 16 goals and 23 assists during his streak. "It's something I'm trying not to think about too much. Just go out and play the game."

Kane's output on his run is smaller than that of Crosby, who had 26 goals and 24 assists, and his team has also failed to capitalize the way Pittsburgh did that season, going 14-7-4 compared to the 19-5-1 mark the Penguins had behind their star center.

The Blackhawks (16-10-4), however, have picked it up since a three-game losing streak with three wins in their last four, though the loss was an ugly 5-1 setback at Nashville on Thursday in which Kane recorded the lone goal.

Jonathan Toews also scored with the man advantage as Chicago bounced back Friday and Corey Crawford stopped 25 shots in his third shutout of the season.

The club also played well on the penalty kill, stopping all five of the Jets' power-play opportunities, but that story was far different in its first meeting this season with the Canucks (11-11-8), who scored three times in four chances in a 6-3 home win Nov. 21.

The win was Vancouver's third in four meetings, though the loss came with a 3-1 decision April 4 at the United Center - oddly enough the only game Kane didn't play. He had one goal and three assists in the three losses and was held off the score sheet once.

The November victory also marked a season-best goal total for Vancouver, which lost six of its next seven before picking up back-to-back wins over Buffalo and the New York Rangers this past week - though the most recent victory came at a cost.

Daniel Sedin and Alexander Edler each had a goal and an assist in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Rangers, but veteran defenseman Dan Hamhuis was hit in the face by a slap shot and will miss two months with a facial fracture.

"It's scary," coach Willie Desjardins said. "It's a hard thing to take. He'll suffer with that for a little while."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Grand Salami - December

The Grand Salami in pro hockey is decided by adding up all the goals scored in every game scheduled for that particular day. You can wager on 'over' or 'under' the Grand Salami total. The total is set by adding up all listed 'over/under' odds for each game on that particular day.

Note: The Grand Salami will have no action if any game is suspended or cancelled before the regulation time of three twenty minute periods. Also, regardless of the number of goals scored during the shoot out portion of the overtime, the final scored recorded for the game will give the winning team on more goal than its opponent based on the score at the end of regulation time.

*The majority of sportsbooks do not put out a total on the Grand Salami when there is only one game on the card. For tracking purposes, we will continue to show the 'over/under' for goals and combined goals scored on days with just one game.


NHL GRAND SALAMI
Date No. of Games Total Goals Combined Goals Scored Result
12/1 10 53.5 51 UNDER
12/2 4 22.5 18 UNDER
12/3 8 41.5 37 UNDER
12/4 7 36 33 UNDER
12/5 10 52 54 OVER
12/6 7 36 37 OVER
12/7 3 16 15 UNDER
12/8 9 48.5 55 OVER
12/9 4 21.5 20 UNDER
12/10 7 37 44 OVER
12/11 7 36 37 OVER
12/12 10 52 47 UNDER
12/13 3 - - -
12/14 5 - - -
12/15 11 - - -
12/16 2 - - -
12/17 11 - - -
12/18 6 - - -
12/19 10 - - -
12/20 6 - - -
12/21 8 - - -
12/22 10 - - -
12/23 No games scheduled - - -
12/24 No games scheduled - - -
12/25 No games scheduled - - -
12/26 9 - - -
12/27 9 - - -
12/28 6 - - -
12/29 10 - - -
12/30 5 - - -
12/31 9 - - -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Islanders won six of their last seven games.
-- Colorado won four of its last six games.
-- Canucks won last two games 4-1/2-1, after losing previous five games. Chicago won three of last four.

Cold teams
-- Devils are 0-5 in game following their last five wins.
-- St Louis lost four of its last six games.

Series records
-- Islanders won seven of last eight games with New Jersey
-- Blues won eight of last ten games with Colorado.
-- Canucks won three of last four games with Chicago.

Totals
-- Four of last five Islander games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 7-0-1 in last eight St Louis-Colorado games.
-- Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Vancouver games.

Back-to-backs
-- Islanders are 3-3 if they played the night before.
-- Colorado is 1-2 if it played night before; St Louis is 2-2.