Executive Sportsline football
NFL LOCK OF THE YEAR
Sun, Dec 8
1:00
NFL
650%
Tampa Bay -3
over Ind.Colts
1:00
NFL
400%
New Orleans -1
over San Francisco
4:25
NFL
300%
Kansas City +3
over New England
Scheduling has a lot to do with a team's performance. In the sports field this is known as scheduling dynamics.
The Colts in the past several weeks have had to play division rivals Jax at home, Houston on the road,
and last week Tenn at home. This week they travel to TBay, and they have next week a road trip to New Orleans.
The Colts rely on their rushing game, and they need to even more without TY Hilton
in the line up. With TY sidelined they are only 1-7 SU&ATS. Last week they faced
one of their toughest opponents against the run, and Tenn held them to only 82 rushing yards.
This week they face their toughest opponent against the run, as TBay has the #2 defense against the run behind only the Jets,
as they give up only 76 yds/gm on the ground. The Colts passed for only 190 yds or less in 5 consecutive games prior to
last week. In their last 5 games they are only 1-4 SU and had 11 turnovers in those 5 contests.
The Bucs schedule is unique in the fact they played everywhere but Florida in 5 consecutive games and 6 of the first
8 this season. Since returning home on Nov 10th to play Arizona, they have now played in the state of Florida in
4 of their past 5 games, and their only game outside the state was in Atlanta.
This 5 game stretch has been a much friendlier schedule, and it's showing. They are 3-1 the past 4 games, and the
past 2 they had only 3 turnovers which has been a problem with them all season. Last week Jameis even had a
turnover free game. In those 4 games their rushing D performed well, as they gave up over 100 yards in one of those
contests - 109 to the Saints. As a matter of fact, they have given up over 100 rushing yards in only 3 games -
two times to the Saints the other one to Seattle. Tampa has the #5 offense in the league - the #4 passing offense,
and the #4 scoring offense along with the #2 rushing defense. The past 2 weeks they held on the road to
Atlanta and Jax to only 57 and 49 rushing yards in each game, and they were +3 in turnovers.
While the Bucs are on the upswing, the Colts are sliding downward rapidly.
Remember, great stats don't always win games, but when combined with
scheduling dynamics and momentum, they can greatly increase your odds to win.
PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY TO WIN BY 13 ... 33-20