Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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01-20-24 | Packers v. 49ers -9.5 | Top | 21-24 | Loss | -110 | 19 h 31 m | Show |
Lost in the glare of the Packers' 48-32 smashing upset victory of the Cowboys last Sunday was that Green Bay's defense was on the field for 89 plays.
Now the Packers go back on the road for the fourth time in the last five weeks - and on a short week with this being a Saturday game - to face a rested and healthy 49ers offense that led the league in net yards per passing play, rushing touchdowns and had the best red-zone conversion rate. The 49ers produced the second-most yards in the league and third-most points. I don't like Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry and I don't trust Green Bay's defense. The Packers gave up 30 points, 26 first downs and nearly 400 yards of offense to Carolina just four games ago. It's scary to think how many points Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk can put up against the Packers defense, which was 28th in stopping the run and hasn't been innovative all season. Star cornerback Jaire Alexander is questionable, too, with an ankle injury. It's easy to overrate the Packers. After all, they just were seen burying the Cowboys in a game that was far more lopsided than the final score while the 49ers haven't played a meaningful game in three weeks. The 49ers are an elite, "A'' team. The Packers are two levels behind them and in a difficult situational spot. Green Bay has gone as far as it can go. Congrats to the Packers on a nice season, but it ends here and it ends in a big way. |
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01-15-24 | Eagles -2.5 v. Bucs | Top | 9-32 | Loss | -120 | 154 h 59 m | Show |
The Eagles catch two major breaks here. This game is on Monday night so they get extra rest. They also draw the Buccaneers. The Eagles are at low ebb right now dropping five of their last six games. They certainly won't lack motivation now that the playoffs are here. Tampa Bay, winner of the weak NFC South Division, is one of the worst teams in the postseason. The Bucs are last in rushing and Baker Mayfield is banged-up. Tampa Bay has produced a combined 22 points in its last two games going against the Panthers and Saints. Philadelphia played a much more difficult schedule than Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers only went 1-5 in games vs playoff teams. The one victory came against the Packers. The Buccaneers hosted the Eagles back in Week 3. It didn't go well for Tampa Bay. The Eagles won, 25-11. The Buccaneers could only manage 12 first downs and 41 yards rushing. |
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01-14-24 | Packers v. Cowboys -7 | Top | 48-32 | Loss | -110 | 45 h 49 m | Show |
The Packers surprised many people sneaking into the playoffs as the final wild-card team. But that is their ceiling. |
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01-08-24 | Washington v. Michigan -4 | 13-34 | Win | 100 | 76 h 19 m | Show | |
It's time. Michigan has the superior defense, ground attack and big-game experience having been in three straight college football playoffs to beat Washington by more than a field goal. |
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01-07-24 | Eagles v. Giants +5 | Top | 10-27 | Win | 100 | 136 h 9 m | Show |
The Eagles don't need to beat the Giants unless the Cowboys happen to lose to the Commanders. That's not going to happen. The Cowboys are two-touchdown favorites in that game. So the Eagles will be the NFC's No. 5 seed. |
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01-06-24 | Steelers v. Ravens +3 | 17-10 | Loss | -105 | 7 h 1 m | Show | |
Just because the Steelers are in a must-win spot to keep their playoff hopes alive, doesn't mean they will win. Yes, I understand the Ravens have clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC and will be sitting out multiple starters, including Lamar Jackson. |
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12-31-23 | Bengals v. Chiefs -6.5 | 17-25 | Win | 100 | 120 h 13 m | Show | |
The Chiefs are not an elite team right now. But the Bengals aren't even a playoff team without Joe Burrow and D.J. Reader to fortify the team's run defense. So I'm going to buy low on the Chiefs to beat the Bengals by more than a touchdown at home. |
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12-31-23 | Chargers +5 v. Broncos | 9-16 | Loss | -110 | 100 h 24 m | Show | |
The demoralized Broncos aren't making the playoffs for the eighth straight season. Because of that and financial considerations, they could sit out Russell Wilson. Jarrett Stidham is Denver's backup QB. That's a huge dropoff. |
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12-31-23 | Raiders v. Colts -3.5 | Top | 20-23 | Loss | -108 | 45 h 13 m | Show |
The Raiders buried the Chargers, 63-21, at home two weeks ago, drawing an opponent that picked that game to quit on their coach. Then last week the Raiders scored two defensive touchdowns to upset the Chiefs. That game might have been the Raiders' Super Bowl considering how much they celebrated and how emotional it was for interim coach Antonio Pierce.
Pierce is an upgrade on the egregious Josh McDaniels, but he's not in the class of the Colts' Shane Steichen. The oddsmaker has priced this matchup like these two teams are even considering Indy's home-field advantage and an early start time for the Raiders. Yes, those are edges for the Colts. But the Colts also are much better than the Raiders. Thanks to the innovative Steichen, the Colts rank in the top-10 in scoring. They are 5-2 in their last seven games. Jonathan Taylor is back and primed for a big game. Michael Pittman is expected to play, too, after being out last week with a concussion. That gives Gardner Minshew his two best weapons. The Raiders rank 25th in scoring and 29th in total yards. Rookie Aidan O'Connell is in the argument for worst starting quarterback. Josh Jacobs has missed the last two games with a knee injury and is questionable. |
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12-30-23 | Lions v. Cowboys -6 | Top | 19-20 | Loss | -110 | 101 h 45 m | Show |
This is both a play on Dallas and fade on Detroit. The spot intersects perfectly. |
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12-30-23 | Toledo v. Wyoming -3.5 | Top | 15-16 | Loss | -110 | 26 h 12 m | Show |
Craig Bohl and Tucker Gleason. That's the simple answer as to why I strongly favor Wyoming to beat Toledo by more than a field goal in this Arizona Bowl.
The highly-popular and successful Bohl is retiring after 42 years coaching, including the last 10 years at Wyoming. The Cowboys are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five bowl games during the past seven years. Wyoming played in this same Arizona Bowl last season. Gleason is the backup replacement for Toledo's superstar QB, Dequan Finn. Finn is transferring to Baylor after accounting for 3,220 yards and 29 touchdowns passing and rushing. The Rockets also will be without Peny Boone, their top running back who gained 1,400 rushing and scored 15 touchdowns. He entered the transfer portal. Gleason threw just 21 passes this season. He has completed less than 51 percent of his passes during his college career. Wyoming has a top-50 defense, is well-coached, has good special teams and has a reliable QB in Andrew Peasley, who threw for 1,823 yards and 20 touchdowns with five interceptions. Toledo has failed to cover in its last five bowl games under Jason Candle. |
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12-29-23 | Memphis +11 v. Iowa State | Top | 36-26 | Win | 100 | 17 h 15 m | Show |
This isn't a great Iowa State team. The Cyclones are 7-5. The best teams they beat were Oklahoma State and Kansas State. Memphis can hang with Iowa State,especially having home field advantage, which they do with the game taking place at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis. The Tigers are 9-3 and have plenty of bowl experience. Their only defeats came to the two best teams in the American Athletic Conference, SMU and Tulane, and to Missouri. The Tigers lost those games by an average of seven points. Memphis hasn't lost a game by more than 10 points all season. The Tigers are the seventh-highest scoring team in the nation averaging 39.7 points. Seth Henigan has completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,519 yards with a 28-to-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Iowa State may win, but it won't be by double-digits.
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12-28-23 | NC State +2.5 v. Kansas State | Top | 19-28 | Loss | -110 | 30 h 57 m | Show |
North Carolina State has plenty of momentum entering this bowl game. I'm going to ride that here as Kansas State was hit hard by players transferring and opting out. I see a wrong favorite here. |
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12-26-23 | Bowling Green +3.5 v. Minnesota | Top | 24-30 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 11 m | Show |
Just because Minnesota is a Big Ten team and Bowling Green is from the Mid-American Conference doesn't mean the Gophers should automatically be the favorite.
But that's what the oddsmaker has done in this Quick Lane Bowl, which is being held at Ford Field in Detroit. Bowling Green is the better team. I'll certainly take points to back that opinion. Minnesota shouldn't even be in a bowl game. The Gophers are 5-7. They are the only non-.500 team to earn a bowl invite. It happened because there were not enough teams that finished 6-6 or better to fill all the bowl slots. So the committee turned to a Big Ten team. Aside from Michigan and Ohio State, it was a down year in the Big Ten. Minnesota is average defensively and horrible on offense. The Gophers' best offensive player might be running back Darius Taylor and he's questionable. It was a terrible year in the Big Ten for quarterbacks. One of the lower tier QB's was Minnesota's Athan Kaliakmanis. He started every game. But Kaliakmanis won't play here because he entered the transfer portal. How good can backup Cole Kramer be if he couldn't dislodge Kaliakmanis at any point this season? I like Bowling Green QB Connor Bazelak much better. He played his best ball down the stretch with a 7-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio during his last five games. Bowling Green concluded the regular season winning and covering five of its last six games. Minnesota, by contrast, finished 0-4 SU and ATS. The Falcons have proved they can step up when playing a Power Five team. They upset Georgia Tech, which beat Central Florida, 30-17, in the Gasparilla Bowl this past Friday. Bowling Green also played Michigan and covered in a 31-6 road loss. Minnesota also went up against Michigan. The Gophers were hammered by the Wolverines at home, 52-10. Bowling Green and Minnesota played each other two years ago in Minneapolis. The Falcons won, 14-10. The Falcons are used to this venue. They played in the Quick Lane Bowl last year. The Falcons heavily recruit in Detroit. So this game means a lot to them not just in terms of the prestige of beating a Big Ten team, but also in recruiting. Minnesota, on the other hand, can't be too excited about this opponent nor the venue. The Gophers weren't even thinking about a bowl game when the regular season concluded. |
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12-25-23 | Ravens +6.5 v. 49ers | Top | 33-19 | Win | 100 | 23 h 45 m | Show |
Since 2021, Baltimore is 9-2-1 ATS as an underdog. Lamar Jackson is having an MVP-type season. Jackson is 19-1 against NFC opponents. The Ravens are one rushing touchdown shy of their franchise-best of 24 running TD's. |
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12-23-23 | Duke v. Troy -7 | 17-10 | Loss | -110 | 62 h 31 m | Show | |
These two teams have changed positions as the season comes to a close. Duke opened 5-1 with just a loss to Notre Dame. But the Blue Devils lost their star QB, Riley Leonard, to injury and went 2-4 the rest of the way falling way out of the top-25. |
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12-22-23 | Central Florida v. Georgia Tech +5.5 | 17-30 | Win | 100 | 8 h 7 m | Show | |
Central Florida is making its third Gasparilla Bowl appearance in five seasons. That can't be too exciting for the Knights. I question their motivation and their being favored by more than a field goal in this bowl game. Georgia Tech is up for this game. It's the Yellow Jackets' first bowl appearance since 2018. Nice coaching job by Brent Key in his second season with Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets were inconsistent, but dangerous as underdogs. Georgia Tech was 6-2 ATS as underdogs. The Yellow Jackets lost to Louisville by five points and to Georgia by eight points, two teams better than Central Florida. They beat Miami and North Carolina straight-up as double-digit 'dogs. Both Central Florida QB John Rhys Plumlee and Georgia Tech's Haynes King are dual threats. Plumlee, though, is not 100 percent because of a lingering knee injury. Central Florida ranks 121st in run defense and 85th in defensive total yards. The Knights will be without their top defensive back, Corey Thornton. There's going to be lots of scoring in this one - and Georgia Tech will be right there if not on top at the end. |
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12-21-23 | Saints v. Rams -4 | Top | 22-30 | Win | 100 | 32 h 10 m | Show |
I've been looking to fade the Saints and this is the right spot. Both teams are 7-7, but the Rams are much the superior team. LA doesn't hold a huge home field advantage compared to other team's. However, the visiting team playing on Thursday is at a big disadvantage. So I believe this point spread is well short.
The Saints have beaten the Giants and Panthers at home during the last two weeks. Typical because New Orleans has played the easiest schedule. The Rams have drawn one of the more difficult schedules going against the 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys, Bengals, Browns and Ravens, who they lost in overtime on the road two weeks ago. Since Matthew Stafford returned from his finger injury, the Rams have gone 4-1 SU and ATS. Stafford has a 12-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio during the last four games. Kyren Williams has emerged as one of the top running backs in the league averaging 124.3 rushing yards the last four games. Cooper Kupp has come alive, too, catching 16 passes for 226 yards during the last two weeks. The Rams are averaging 33 points during the last four weeks. The Saints' defense is down from past seasons and their offense is mediocre at best. |
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12-17-23 | Commanders +7 v. Rams | 20-28 | Loss | -120 | 16 h 55 m | Show | |
There is one thing the Commanders have excelled at this season, covering as a road underdog. They are 5-1 ATS in that role. |
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12-17-23 | Bears v. Browns -3 | 17-20 | Push | 0 | 123 h 40 m | Show | |
I'm selling high on the Bears, who have won three of their last four games but haven't faced an elite defense like this on the road all season. |
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12-17-23 | Chiefs -8 v. Patriots | Top | 27-17 | Win | 100 | 13 h 1 m | Show |
Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are pissed. It's not a good time to be playing the Chiefs especially if you have a punchless offense like the Patriots do. |
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12-16-23 | California v. Texas Tech -3 | 14-34 | Win | 100 | 32 h 26 m | Show | |
Now that Tahj Brooks is set to play, I like Texas Tech to beat California in the Independence Bowl. The Red Raiders are better than Cal on both sides of the ball and Brooks is the best player on the field. |
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12-16-23 | Broncos v. Lions -4 | 17-42 | Win | 100 | 53 h 26 m | Show | |
The Lions' offensive line is back healthy, Jared Goff is at his best in a dome setting and the Broncos have been thriving because of takeaways. I see the Lions playing a clean game here. That would be bad news for Denver. The Lions have far more weapons than the Broncos. Detroit also has played three NFC North Division foes in its last four games. Those teams know the Lions. The Broncos don't. Detroit is 3-0 versus AFC West Division teams this season defeating the Chiefs, Raiders and Chargers. This is Denver's first dome game of the season. It's not a good setting for the Broncos. The Lions may not be a serious Super Bowl threat, but they are better than they've shown since Thanksgiving.
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12-16-23 | New Mexico State -3.5 v. Fresno State | 10-37 | Loss | -110 | 49 h 38 m | Show | |
These two teams have gone in opposite directions. New Mexico State is 8-1 SU and ATS in its last nine games. Fresno State fell apart after a promising 8-1 start, losing and failing to cover its final three regular-season games in bad form to San Jose State, New Mexico and San Diego State. The Bulldogs were favored against the Lobos and Aztecs. |
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12-14-23 | Chargers +3.5 v. Raiders | Top | 21-63 | Loss | -120 | 20 h 51 m | Show |
When it's dreck vs dreck like it is in this matchup, take the points. The Chargers beat the Raiders, 24-17, in Week 4. That was Aidan O'Connell's quarterback debut in the NFL. Khalil Mack welcomed O'Connell into the league by sacking him six times. O'Connell had three turnovers in that game. Nothing has changed. O'Connell still holds the ball too long and is mistake-prone. Only once in their last seven games have the Raiders scored more than 17 points. Las Vegas is averaging 11.5 points in its past four games. Jimmy Garoppolo is just an older version of O'Connell, a statue who also has thrown more interceptions than touchdown passes. The Chargers are vulnerable on pass defense. However, they rank No. 2 in the NFL in sacks with 43. The questionable status of Josh Jacobs is getting a lot of attention. But the Raiders definitely will be without two starting offensive linemen, left tackle Kolton Miller and center Andre James. Las Vegas' quarterbacks are immobile. Missing two starters from the offensive line, including perhaps their best one in Miller, does not bode well. Chargers quarterback Easton Stick shouldn't be worse than O'Connell or Garoppolo. This is his fifth season as the Chargers' backup. He's learned from Philip Rivers and Justin Herbert and is well ingrained into the Chargers' system. Stick was a huge star for FCS power North Dakota State from 2015-18. No Keenan Allen, but the Chargers at least get Josh Palmer back. Stick should be able to move the ball throwing short against the Raiders' soft zone coverages they heavily use. Austin Ekeler has lost his juice as a runner, but he still is one of the best at catching the ball out of the backfield. Maybe now that the pressure is off, the Chargers will loosen up and play better. The disadvantage of being the road team on Thursday is lessened here because the Chargers only had a short distance to travel and are well-acquainted with their AFC West Division rival. |
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12-10-23 | Eagles +3.5 v. Cowboys | 13-33 | Loss | -110 | 70 h 15 m | Show | |
Dallas is 9-3. The Cowboys have crushed a lot of bad teams. They've faced only two above .500 opponents, though, and lost those two games, falling to the Eagles and 49ers. |
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12-10-23 | Texans v. Jets +3.5 | 6-30 | Win | 100 | 64 h 58 m | Show | |
Houston has been a major surprise this season. So has C.J. Stroud, who looks like a lock to win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
But this is a clear buy low/sell high situation to take the Jets and go against the Texans. The warm-weather, roof-enclosed Texans are heading into cold and bad weather to face a disappointed Jets team that seems ready to take their season-long frustrations and jealousy out on a beatable opponent such as this. I actually believe Zach Wilson will provide a spark to a Jets offense that encountered one of the worst two-game quarterback stretches of the season with Tim Boyle. I expect a fresh Wilson to be improved after his two-game benching. He has the best running back, Breece Hall, and top wide receiver, Garrett Wilson, on his side in this matchup. The Texans rank 26th in pass defense. Stroud will be without explosive Tank Dell, the Texans' touchdown leader and second-leading receiver. The Jets have the third-best pass defense in the NFL. They haven't allowed a 300-yard passer during their last 30 games. |
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12-10-23 | Jaguars v. Browns -3 | Top | 27-31 | Win | 100 | 64 h 20 m | Show |
This game sets up very badly for the Jaguars. Not only is warm-weather Jacksonville traveling into cold and bad weather conditions on a short week, but doing it without their first and second string offensive left tackles and most consistent wide receiver, Christian Kirk. The Jaguars are facing a Cleveland defense that gives up the fewest yards per game in the NFL and has outscored opponents, 113-61, at home in going 5-1. If you discount a 28-3 loss to the Ravens, the Browns are giving up an average of 6.6 points in their five other home contests. Joe Flacco is a huge upgrade on P.J. Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
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12-03-23 | Browns +4 v. Rams | 19-36 | Loss | -120 | 63 h 38 m | Show | |
The Rams were able to bully a bad Cardinals defense last week. They won't be able to do that against an elite, well-coached Browns defense. |
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12-03-23 | 49ers -3 v. Eagles | Top | 42-19 | Win | 100 | 63 h 12 m | Show |
The spot sets up well for the 49ers to get a measure of revenge from their, 31-7, loss to the Eagles in the NFC title game last season when Brock Purdy was knocked out of the game. |
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12-02-23 | Michigan v. Iowa +22.5 | Top | 26-0 | Loss | -110 | 75 h 37 m | Show |
This is the Big Ten Conference title game. But nothing was bigger for Michigan than beating Ohio State last week. So this matchup is actually a letdown for the Wolverines. |
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11-30-23 | Seahawks v. Cowboys -9 | Top | 35-41 | Loss | -110 | 20 h 38 m | Show |
It's difficult enough being the visiting team when playing on Thursday night. But it's even worse for the Seahawks because Geno Smith isn't 100 percent and the opponent is Dallas. |
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11-25-23 | West Virginia -10.5 v. Baylor | 34-31 | Loss | -115 | 44 h 57 m | Show | |
West Virginia was picked to finish last in the Big 12 in the preseason poll. Instead it has been Baylor who has been terrible while the Mountaineers have gone 7-4, including 5-3 in the Big 12. |
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11-25-23 | Jacksonville State -2.5 v. New Mexico State | Top | 17-20 | Loss | -115 | 22 h 9 m | Show |
Fading New Mexico State in an obvious letdown spot is the major part of my handicap. The Aggies not only have punched their ticket to face Liberty in the Conference USA championship game, but could also have trouble getting up for this game after what happened last week. |
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11-24-23 | Air Force v. Boise State -6 | Top | 19-27 | Win | 100 | 75 h 54 m | Show |
It has been a tumultuous season for Boise State to say the least, culminating in the firing of head coach Andy Avalos. But with their season on the line, the Broncos responded under popular interim coach Spencer Danielson rallying from a 10-0 deficit to beat Utah State, 45-10, as 4 1/2-point road favorites last week.
This victory was significant because it moved the Broncos' record to 6-5 keeping them alive in the Mountain West Conference title race and boosting their chances of earning a bowl bid for the 26th straight year. A key for the Broncos was having their two best running backs, George Holani and Ashton Jeanty, healthy and ready to play at the same time. The Boise State players thought so highly of Danielson they presented him the game ball from that victory. It was Danielson's first game as head coach of the Broncos. Air Force, on the other hand, is heading in the opposite direction as down as it has been all season. The Falcons opened 8-0. But the roof has caved in on them this month. It started three weeks ago with a stunning, 23-3, loss to rival Army as 18-point favorites. The Falcons then lost, 27-13, on the road to Hawaii as 20 1/2-point favorites followed by a 31-27 home loss to UNLV. Air Force was favored by a field goal in that game and blew a 24-7 lead. The Falcons' confidence is shaky at best, while Boise State has all the momentum plus a very strong home field edge at Albertsons Stadium. The Broncos have defeated Air Force in five of the last six seasons, including 19-14 last season as 2-point road favorites. |
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11-23-23 | Commanders +13.5 v. Cowboys | 10-45 | Loss | -110 | 17 h 12 m | Show | |
This clearly is a buy low on the Commanders sell high on the Cowboys play. |
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11-23-23 | Packers v. Lions -7.5 | Top | 29-22 | Loss | -110 | 27 h 13 m | Show |
The Lions, to the surprise of their many cynics, are living up to their considerable preseason hype. They are 8-2. Detroit hasn't been that good through 10 games since 1962. The Lions happened to host the Packers that year, too, in their annual Thanksgiving game. Detroit dealt Vince Lombardi's Packers their only defeat of that season in that Thanksgiving matchup. |
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11-20-23 | Eagles v. Chiefs -2.5 | Top | 21-17 | Loss | -115 | 56 h 52 m | Show |
The Chiefs beat the Eagles at a neutral site in the Super Bowl and they'll beat them at home. The Chiefs are 11-1 in their last dozen home games.
Kansas City is the healthier team and has the better defense. It's remarkable how good the Chiefs' defense has gotten. Kansas City ranks No. 2 in scoring defense giving up 15.9 points per game, ranks fourth in fewest yards allowed and is fifth in pass defense. The Eagles' defense can't match that given their vulnerable secondary. Philadelphia entered this week allowing 19 TD passes, third-worst in the league, while ranking 28th in pass defense. Jalen Hurts might be the second-best QB in football. But Patrick Mahomes is No. 1. Hurts also will be missing his third-best receiver, injured tight end Dallas Goedert. Both teams were idle last week. No coach in history has been better off a bye than Andy Reid, who is 21-3 in that role. |
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11-19-23 | Raiders v. Dolphins -11.5 | 13-20 | Loss | -120 | 123 h 24 m | Show | |
Afraid to lay big chalk in the NFL? Don't be. Double-digit favorites are 9-1 SU, 7-3 ATS. Look for the Dolphins to continue that run of success. Miami comes off its bye with De'Von Achane eligible to play again and Jaylen Waddle at 100 percent. The Raiders' soft zone coverage may work against Tommy DeVito and Zach Wilson, but Tua Tagovailoa is going to pick their vulnerable secondary apart. The Dolphins lead the NFL in most points and yards by wide margins. They've lit up far better defenses than the Raiders. Not only does offensive mastermind Mike McDaniel have extra time to prepare more innovations, but the Raiders are traveling cross-country to play at an early start time for them. This is with a rookie QB and rookie head coach. Miami has beaten all the mediocre-to-bad teams on its schedule. The Dolphins' losses have come when stepping up - Bills, Eagles and Chiefs. This is a monster step down after their last game against the Chiefs. The Dolphins, by the way, had their best defensive half of the season in that game holding Kansas City scoreless in the second half. The Dolphins have been dominant at home, too, winning 16 of the past 18 times. The Raiders are 0-4 SU, 0-3-1 during their past four road games. They have road losses of 28 points to the Bills, 18 points to the Bears and 12 points to the Lions.
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11-19-23 | Cardinals +6 v. Texans | 16-21 | Win | 100 | 42 h 7 m | Show | |
The Texans are 5-0 as an underdog this season. However, when favored they are 0-3 ATS this season. Until this season, the Texans hadn't been favored in 22 consecutive games. Yes, Houston is much improved thanks to C.J. Stroud and better coaching. But the Texans are overpriced because this isn't the Cardinals of past weeks. |
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11-19-23 | Chargers -3 v. Packers | Top | 20-23 | Loss | -110 | 124 h 42 m | Show |
As inconsistent as the Chargers are, I don't see them losing to the Packers. |
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11-18-23 | Texas v. Iowa State +7.5 | 26-16 | Loss | -105 | 68 h 11 m | Show | |
Texas is 9-1 with a huge non-conference victory against Alabama. But the Longhorns haven't been so high and mighty lately. |
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11-18-23 | Kentucky v. South Carolina +1.5 | 14-17 | Win | 100 | 68 h 39 m | Show | |
The schedule has turned for these two teams - and so have the results. |
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11-12-23 | Jets +1 v. Raiders | 12-16 | Loss | -110 | 91 h 12 m | Show | |
The timing is right to back the Jets off their Monday night home loss to the Chargers while the Raiders rode the excitement and relief of having Josh McDaniels finally getting fired to a victory against the lowly Giants. |
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11-12-23 | Commanders v. Seahawks -6 | Top | 26-29 | Loss | -115 | 89 h 40 m | Show |
The Seahawks are far from an elite team. But they are not nearly as bad as they appeared against the Ravens this past Sunday. Credit to Baltimore, which looked like the best team in football with that 37-3 victory. |
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11-12-23 | 49ers -3 v. Jaguars | 34-3 | Win | 100 | 85 h 50 m | Show | |
After three consecutive losses - one of which occurred against the Browns on a missed 41-yard field goal with six seconds left - I'm buying low on the 49ers. |
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11-11-23 | Texas -10.5 v. TCU | Top | 29-26 | Loss | -120 | 43 h 11 m | Show |
Texas holds numerous edges against TCU. The Longhorns' offense still kept humming the past two games under backup QB Maalik Murphy producing 68 points and more than 800 yards of offense in beating Kansas State and BYU. But Murphy committed four turnovers. The Longhorns survived a scare from Kansas State last week before prevailing in overtime. |
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11-08-23 | Akron v. Miami-OH -17.5 | Top | 0-19 | Win | 100 | 32 h 34 m | Show |
Miami of Ohio has the second-best overall record in the Mid-American Conference behind 8-1 Toledo. The 7-2 RedHawks' only losses have been to the Miami Hurricanes opening week and Toledo. |
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11-06-23 | Chargers v. Jets +3.5 | Top | 27-6 | Loss | -110 | 34 h 14 m | Show |
The Chargers looked great in their last game destroying the Bears at home, 30-13. But the buy sign rarely is on the Chargers because of Brandon Staley. It certainly isn't on then here with the Chargers road chalk against the Jets on Monday night. |
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11-05-23 | Colts v. Panthers +3 | 27-13 | Loss | -120 | 64 h 29 m | Show | |
If there's one game Panthers coach Frank Reich wants to win more than any other it's this one against the Colts, a team he was fired from after coaching them the previous five years. |
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11-05-23 | Cardinals v. Browns -11 | 0-27 | Win | 100 | 18 h 13 m | Show | |
The game hasn't even started and already Clayton Tune is hearing Myles Garrett's footsteps. |
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11-04-23 | Boise State +2.5 v. Fresno State | 30-37 | Loss | -105 | 32 h 24 m | Show | |
I'm far from convinced Fresno State is better than Boise State. The Bulldogs have been extremely lucky while Boise State has been extremely unfortunate.
The Broncos are 4-4, but three of those losses were by a combined six points for an average loss of two points. The only time Boise State has been completely out of a game was its opener against No. 5 ranked unbeaten Washington. Fresno State is 7-1 with four of those victories occurring by a single score. Bulldogs QB Mikey Keene doesn't look completely healthy either. He finished last week's game against UNLV hobbling. The Rebels are not strong defensively. Yet they held the Bulldogs to 312 total yards. Boise State showed how far it has come along when it whipped Wyoming, 32-7, last week. Wyoming dealt Fresno State its only loss, 24-19, a month ago. The Broncos have historically been very strong as an underdog covering 65 percent of the time in that role during the past 52 instances. |
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11-04-23 | LSU v. Alabama -3 | Top | 28-42 | Win | 100 | 66 h 54 m | Show |
Defense trumps offense. That's what it comes down to in this matchup, especially with Alabama in a revenge spot. |
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11-04-23 | Kansas v. Iowa State -2.5 | 28-21 | Loss | -115 | 30 h 58 m | Show | |
Kansas is coming off one of its biggest football victories in school history having upset Oklahoma at home last Saturday. It was the Jayhawks' first home win against a Top 10 team since 1984. The fans went crazy storming the field. The victory also made the Jayhawks' bowl eligible, which is a big deal for them. |
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11-04-23 | Ohio State v. Rutgers +19 | 35-16 | Push | 0 | 58 h 48 m | Show | |
Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State. That's the upper tier of the Big Ten. Heading up the next tier is Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are having their best start in 11 years going 6-2, already bowl-eligible. They can stay within this number of Ohio State if not giving the Buckeyes a downright scare. |
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11-01-23 | Ball State v. Bowling Green -5 | Top | 21-24 | Loss | -110 | 33 h 31 m | Show |
I find excellent value getting Bowling Green at home laying less than a touchdown to Ball State. |
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10-30-23 | Raiders v. Lions -8 | Top | 14-26 | Win | 100 | 43 h 6 m | Show |
Both the Raiders and Lions were humbled last week. The Lions were destroyed, 38-6, by the Ravens while the Raiders were embarrassed by the Bears, 30-12, who were giving rookie QB Tyson Bagent his first NFL start. |
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10-29-23 | Vikings v. Packers +1 | Top | 24-10 | Loss | -110 | 17 h 6 m | Show |
The Bears are the Packers' oldest rival. But it's the Vikings who the Packers want to beat more than any other team. It has been that way for years. The spot sets up perfect for Green Bay to do just that. |
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10-28-23 | North Carolina v. Georgia Tech +12 | Top | 42-46 | Win | 100 | 25 h 1 m | Show |
We saw North Carolina implode last season losing its last four games after a 9-1 start. The pattern continues this season. The Tar Heels were upset, 31-27, by visiting Virginia as a 24-point favorite last week. That halted the Tar Heels' six-game win streak to start the season and raises serious concerns about North Carolina. |
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10-28-23 | Wyoming +4.5 v. Boise State | 7-32 | Loss | -110 | 22 h 60 m | Show | |
A decline in recruiting and coaching is taking a toll on Boise State. The Broncos are overvalued because of their past reputation. This is such a case. |
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10-23-23 | 49ers -6.5 v. Vikings | Top | 17-22 | Loss | -115 | 117 h 44 m | Show |
The Vikings played their first game without Justin Jefferson this past Sunday. They managed only 220 yards of total offense, reaching the red zone just once. Yet they managed to win because they were playing the Bears, who had lost Justin Fields to injury during the game. |
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10-22-23 | Chargers +5.5 v. Chiefs | 17-31 | Loss | -110 | 15 h 9 m | Show | |
The Chargers are a frustrating team to get behind because of Brandon Staley's perplexing on-field decisions. But there are two things you can say about the Chargers: They possess a lot of talent and they keep games close. LA hasn't lost a game by more than three points during its last 11 games. Kansas City went 2-0 versus the Chargers last season. Each win was by three points. The Chiefs' offense is worse this season and the Chargers are improved. The Chargers are averaging 25.4 points and have only three turnovers. The Chiefs are averaging 24.5 points and have turned the ball over nine times. If you discount a 41-10 win against the hapless Bears, the Chiefs would be averaging 21.2 points in their last five games. Patrick Mahomes and his merry band of mediocre wide receivers have yet to get in sync. Mahomes is frustrated with them. Who can blame him? Kansas City's defense has played much better than LA's. However, the Chiefs have just played four bad-to-mediocre offenses - the Bears, Jets, Vikings, in which Justin Jefferson suffered an injury, and Broncos. The Chargers' defense is getting better as they get healthier with the return of star safety Derwin James and linebacker Erick Kendricks. The Chargers have 21 sacks in their last four games. Their defense is ascending, while the Chiefs' defense goes against the best quarterback, Justin Herbert, they have faced all season.
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10-22-23 | Cardinals v. Seahawks -7 | 10-20 | Win | 100 | 88 h 28 m | Show | |
The Seahawks had won three in a row, including beating the Lions, until losing to the Bengals this past Sunday. Look for the Seahawks to get back on the winning track here. They beat the Cardinals twice last season, each time by 10 points. The Cardinals are worse this season and the Seahawks have gotten healthier in their secondary and offensive line. I see another double-digit victory by Seattle. Arizona ranks in the bottom-six defensively in the two most important categories, points allowed and yards given up. The Seahawks can open their offense now more for Geno Smith with their starting tackles back in action. Joshua Dobbs is a very limited QB. He's especially ineffective without the Cardinals' one decent running back, injured James Conner. Dobbs has completed fewer than 50 percent of his throws during the past couple of games. This is really egregious because he rarely throws downfield. He's averaged just 5.5 yards per pass attempt during this span and has more interceptions than TD passes. Seattle's defense could really come on with cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon and Tariq Woolen along with the return of dominant safety Jamal Adams to shore up the secondary.
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10-21-23 | Oklahoma State v. West Virginia -3.5 | 48-34 | Loss | -104 | 40 h 56 m | Show | |
If Houston didn't hit on a Hail Mary on the final play last week against West Virginia, the Mountaineers may have been a heavier favorite than they are now. That 41-39 loss to Houston halted the Mountaineers' four-game win and covering streak. |
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10-21-23 | Minnesota +4 v. Iowa | Top | 12-10 | Win | 100 | 42 h 36 m | Show |
This is the lowest football total of the season. So taking more than a field goal where points are going to be at an absolute premium certainly makes sense. |
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10-21-23 | Air Force v. Navy +10.5 | 17-6 | Loss | -115 | 25 h 39 m | Show | |
It's a simple rule when two service academies play one another, think Under and underdog, especially when the number is at double-digits like it is here. |
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10-21-23 | Central Florida +17.5 v. Oklahoma | 29-31 | Win | 100 | 18 h 52 m | Show | |
Oklahoma may not be that sharp coming out of its bye having defeated arch-rival Texas in its previous game, 34-30, on a touchdown in the final minute. The Sooners still might be celebrating. UCF also is coming off a bye. The extra time allowed dual threat QB John Rhys Plumlee to get healthy after missing most of the last four games. He makes a difference for UCF. The Knights are familiar with Sooners' star QB Dillon Gabriel, who played for UCF from 2019-21. The Knights actually average more yards per game than Oklahoma. |
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10-17-23 | Western Kentucky -7.5 v. Jacksonville State | 17-20 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 49 m | Show | |
Schedule matters. So does quarterback injuries. Factor these elements in and Western Kentucky is worthy of a play. |
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10-15-23 | Giants +15.5 v. Bills | 9-14 | Win | 100 | 47 h 9 m | Show | |
I know the Giants are a hard sell even though this is the largest point spread of the season. Daniel Jones is out. So is left tackle Andrew Thomas, the team's best offensive lineman. I don't expect Saquon Barkley to return for this game either. But the Bills aren't without key injuries either. They will be missing three important defensive players: linebacker Matt Milano, cornerback Tre'Davious White and nose tackle DaQuan Jones. The Giants have veteran Tyrod Taylor to fill in for Jones. He's a journeyman. But his mobility and experience make him one of the better backup quarterbacks. There are three other factors as to why the Giants can stay within two TD's. At 1-4, the Giants are in desperate shape. They really can't take a loss here. The Bills have a division game up next against the Patriots on the road. They don't want to show anything new to Bill Belichick so they'll be as vanilla as possible. The Bills are returning from London. Any American who has flown to London and back realizes it takes at least a few days to fully get over jet lag. So there is the real possibility of the Bills being flat for this contest. Then there's the Brian Daboll angle. He was the Bills' popular and effective offensive coordinator before taking the Giants job last year. Daboll doesn't want to be embarrassed on national TV with this being the Sunday night game. I doubt that Sean McDermott and Josh Allen run up a score on their buddy Daboll.
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10-15-23 | Patriots +3 v. Raiders | Top | 17-21 | Loss | -115 | 43 h 16 m | Show |
You have to go back to Bill Belichick's first year as head coach of the Patriots in 2000 to find New England this bad. The Patriots have hit rock bottom losing by a combined, 72-3, to the Cowboys and Saints during the last two weeks. So I'm buying as low as possible on the Patriots as they drop way down in class to face the Raiders. Las Vegas has yet to break 18 points in a game. The Raiders are on a short week in a letdown spot after beating the Packers at home on Monday night. Belichick has lost a lot of his coaching luster during the past couple of seasons. But he's still miles ahead of Josh McDaniels when it comes to coaching. McDaniels seems to make mistakes in crucial on-the-field decisions every game. The Patriots are going to run the ball with Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott while Mac Jones mixes in a few short passes. This is the right game plan to attack a Raiders defense that guards against the long ball and heavily relies on Maxx Crosby to create havoc. Belichick is familiar with Jimmy Garoppolo having coached him when Garoppolo was in New England. Belichick can exploit Garoppolo's many weaknesses. Garoppolo leads in the NFL in interceptions with seven despite missing a game. The Raiders rank last in rushing, 30th in scoring and 29th in total yards.
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10-14-23 | San Diego State -5.5 v. Hawaii | 41-34 | Win | 100 | 73 h 48 m | Show | |
Having had their last four games against Air Force, Boise State, Oregon State and UCLA, the San Diego State Aztecs are stepping way down in class. Hawaii was picked to finish 10th out of 12 teams in the Mountain West Conference in the preseason media poll and so far the Rainbow Warriors have lived up to those low projections. They have played one Mountain West game and were blown out, 44-20, by UNLV. San Diego State has one of the top tight ends in the Mountain West, Mark Redman, and one of the best dual kickers in the country, Jack Browning. The Aztecs hold major edges against the Rainbow Warriors at tight end, special teams and in running the ball. According to the ESPN Special Teams Efficiency metric, San Diego State fields the 19th-best special teams while Hawaii ranks 124th. San Diego State has a history of defensive improvement as the season goes on. Hawaii ranks last in the country in rushing. That puts a lot of pressure on Rainbow Warriors QB Brayden Schager and he's turnover-prone with seven interceptions. The Aztecs are far from explosive. But they are facing a defense that has only come up with one takeaway, gives up nearly 35 points per game and ranks 108th in rush defense. San Diego State has defeated Hawaii during each of the past three seasons.
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10-14-23 | UCLA +3.5 v. Oregon State | 24-36 | Loss | -110 | 71 h 54 m | Show | |
I trust UCLA's defense to keep them in this game if not prove instrumental in the Bruins upsetting Oregon State. UCLA is surrendering just 12.2 points a game. Defensive end Laiatu Latu, perhaps the premier pass rusher in the country, and linebacker Darius Muasau have a combined nine of the Bruins' 18 sacks. UCLA has recorded 44 tackles for a loss. This is in just five games, too. Oregon State has permitted 30 tackles for a loss. The Bruins rank No. 3 against the run. They can bottle up Oregon State's two good running backs, Damien Martinez and Deshaun Fenwick, forcing DJ Uiagalelei to beat them. I don't believe Uiagalelei is a good enough quarterback to do that.
Oregon State just put up 52 points on California. That might have caused some line inflation here because I believe UCLA is the better team. |
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10-14-23 | Kansas State +2 v. Texas Tech | 38-21 | Win | 100 | 20 h 30 m | Show | |
I want Kansas State going for me following a 29-21 road loss to Oklahoma State as an 11 1/2-point favorite last week. Will Howard had his worst game throwing three interceptions against the Cowboys. He's much better than that, a grade above Texas Tech backup QB Behren Morton. The Red Raiders rank 94th in pass defense. I'm looking for a strong comeback performance from Howard. |
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10-14-23 | Iowa v. Wisconsin -9.5 | 15-6 | Loss | -110 | 66 h 40 m | Show | |
Both teams are strong defensively. But Iowa doesn't have enough offense to stay within double-digits of Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes were 132nd in yards per game at 249.2 and now have to go with backup QB Deacon Hill after starting QB Cade McNamara suffered a season-ending knee injury last week. Hill couldn't win the starting job at Wisconsin before transferring to Iowa. He's a step down from the mediocre McNamara. Iowa has the third-worst passing attack in the country. |
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10-12-23 | Broncos +10.5 v. Chiefs | Top | 8-19 | Loss | -110 | 18 h 54 m | Show |
This is a lot of points to lay in a division matchup for the Chiefs. Aside from walloping the Bears, the Chiefs haven't looked that sharp offensively. Discount that Bears game and the Chiefs are averaging 21.7 points in their four other games. |
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10-09-23 | Packers +2.5 v. Raiders | Top | 13-17 | Loss | -115 | 20 h 25 m | Show |
Pure and simple, wrong team favored. And that's figuring Davante Adams is going to play for the Raiders against his former team.
The Raiders won't even have much of a home field advantage as the Packers travel well. There will be plenty of cheeseheads at Allegiant Stadium. Jordan Love should have his major weapons back. Green Bay also is expected to have its entire starting offensive line on the field with the exception of left tackle David Bakhtiari. Love is set to shine facing a Raiders defense that gives up a 108.2 passer rating and has multiple injuries in their secondary. Las Vegas has some star power with Adams, Josh Jacobs and Maxx Crosby, a top-five pass rusher. But the Raiders' supplemental talent is well below par and they are poorly coached. Some consider Jimmy Garoppolo to be an average NFL quarterback. I find him to be below average. Despite missing last week while in concussion protocol, Garoppolo has thrown six interceptions in three games. The Raiders have lost three in a row. They entered this week with an NFL-worst minus-nine turnover ratio, while also ranking among the worst on third down and in the red zone on both sides of the ball. The Packers are no longer Super Bowl contenders without Aaron Rodgers. But they are a seven-to-nine win team, which puts them a level higher than the Raiders. |
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10-08-23 | Cowboys v. 49ers -3.5 | 10-42 | Win | 100 | 80 h 24 m | Show | |
If home field is worth 3 points then the oddsmaker is saying San Francisco is barely better than Dallas. |
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10-08-23 | Eagles v. Rams +4.5 | 23-14 | Loss | -110 | 76 h 16 m | Show | |
Perhaps this is nitpicking because the Eagles are unbeaten after all. But they haven't looked very good at least compared to last season. |
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10-08-23 | Bengals -3 v. Cardinals | Top | 34-20 | Win | 100 | 76 h 22 m | Show |
I'm buying low on the Bengals. This is a circle-the-wagons game for them. A loss to the Cardinals would put Cincinnati at 1-4 with its next three games against the Seahawks, 49ers and Bills.
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10-08-23 | Ravens v. Steelers +4.5 | 10-17 | Win | 100 | 48 h 14 m | Show | |
It has been seven games since the Ravens beat the Steelers by more than a field goal. Pittsburgh, in fact, has won five of its last six meetings against Baltimore.
The Steelers have their bye next week. They certainly don't want to enter it on a two-game losing streak after an embarrassing, 30-6, road loss to the Texans last Sunday. Baltimore is at its worst laying points - 3-8 ATS the past 11 times when favored. Pittsburgh is at its best as a home underdog - 16-5-3 ATS the last 24 times. The Steelers have covered 64 percent of the time under Mike Tomlin when receiving points at home going 51-28-4 ATS. The 3-1 Ravens are trying to establish themselves early as the team to beat in the AFC North already owning division road victories against the Bengals and Browns. Right now, though, the Ravens aren't that good despite their record. The Ravens beat the Texans opening week at home when C.J. Stroud was making his NFL debut behind a makeshift offensive line. Baltimore then beat the Bengals in Week 2 when Joe Burrow wasn't 100 percent and the Bengals were in a down mode. Then came an upset road loss to the Colts, who were quarterbacked by backup Gardner Minshew. The Ravens then caught a monster break last Sunday when Deshaun Watson was a late scratch forcing the Browns to use untested rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who found out the hard way that regular season is vastly different than preseason. Lamar Jackson is playing well. But the Ravens have been dealing with a cluster injury problem in their offensive line, running back and secondary. The Steelers have a strong history of defending Jackson well. Jackson has never scored a rushing TD against the Steelers and has a 4-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio versus Pittsburgh. T.J. Watt is back to his dominant pass rushing self tied for the NFL lead in sacks with six. I'm fine no matter who is behind center for Pittsburgh. Kenny Pickett would be an inspiration after getting knocked out last week with a knee injury, while backup Mitch Trubisky would provide a running threat the Steelers don't have with Pickett. |
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10-07-23 | South Alabama v. UL-Monroe +10.5 | 55-7 | Loss | -110 | 52 h 31 m | Show | |
Just because South Alabama beat a mediocre Oklahoma State on the road doesn't mean the Jaguars are any good. |
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10-07-23 | Washington State +3.5 v. UCLA | 17-25 | Loss | -113 | 48 h 20 m | Show | |
Washington State seems on a mission to win the last Pac-12 football championship as we know the league to be. Maybe it's because the Cougars are one of just four teams left in the Pac-12 after the league will break up starting next season. |
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10-05-23 | Sam Houston State v. Liberty -19 | Top | 16-21 | Loss | -113 | 32 h 31 m | Show |
To say Sam Houston State is struggling transitioning into the FCS would be an understatement. The Bearkats are 0-5 and have by far the worst offense in the nation averaging 9.5 points and 219.8 yards a game. |
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10-04-23 | Jacksonville State v. Middle Tennessee State -3 | Top | 45-30 | Loss | -110 | 21 h 60 m | Show |
Jacksonville State is 4-1 while Middle Tennessee State is 1-4. Yet the Blue Raiders are the favorites. |
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10-01-23 | Chiefs -8 v. Jets | 23-20 | Loss | -120 | 19 h 18 m | Show | |
No matter how good of a defense you have, it doesn't matter if your offense can't score. The Jets' offense has generated three TD's in three games with Zach Wilson. That's not going to cut it against many teams. Certainly not against the high-powered defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes deservedly gets all the attention. But quietly the Chiefs' defense has emerged as a very good stop unit. Kansas City is giving up only 13.3 points per game having faced the Lions, Jaguars and Bears. The Chiefs are giving up the fourth-fewest points and seventh-fewest yards per game. Kansas City has a dominant pass rusher in Chris Jones. The Jets' offensive line hasn't been very good. But even when given time, Wilson still ranks last among qualifying quarterbacks in passer ratings when afforded decent protection. The Chiefs' attack is potent with a healthy Travis Kelce and he's back healthy. |
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10-01-23 | Bucs v. Saints -3 | 26-9 | Loss | -120 | 92 h 47 m | Show | |
I'm not expecting Derek Carr to play. But I make no drop-off from Carr to Jameis Winston. Either of those two is better than Baker Mayfield. The Saints get Alvin Kamara back from suspension. He'll have fresh legs. Tampa Bay just yielded 201 yards rushing to the Eagles this past Monday. Note that game was played on Monday so the Buccaneers are traveling on a short week. Tampa Bay still has good defenders. But New Orleans has a very good defense. The Saints have held their last six opponents to an average of 13.3 points a game. They haven't allowed more than 20 points in their last 11 games. The Buccaneers rank 25th in total yards, 27th in rushing and third-from-last in red zone touchdown percentage. |
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10-01-23 | Broncos -3 v. Bears | Top | 31-28 | Push | 0 | 122 h 26 m | Show |
How wretched are the Bears? The winless Broncos, who just lost by 50 points, are road favorites against them. And Denver is the right side. Chicago is the worst team in the NFL right now. Worse, the Bears know it. They have dissension, multiple injuries on their offensive line and in the secondary and Justin Fields isn't on the same page with the coaching staff. As exciting as he is, Fields remains an unpolished project who is not accurate and holds the ball too long. He's been sacked 13 times. The Bears have one sack by comparison. The Broncos have looked as bad with Sean Payton as they did with Nathaniel Hackett. Maybe that should reduce Payton's considerable ego. But Payton can coach. Russell Wilson is playing better than last season and Denver's defense still is better than Chicago's. The Bears don't have nearly the speed or passing accuracy to light up the Broncos' defense the way the Dolphins did. The Bears have lost 13 straight games. They are 1-16 SU, 4-13 ATS in their last 17 games. One team finally gets back on track here - and it's not the Bears. |
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09-30-23 | Houston v. Texas Tech -8 | 28-49 | Win | 100 | 23 h 14 m | Show | |
Houston isn't any good this season. Losses to Rice and to TCU by 23 points at home are evidence of that. Texas Tech has had three one-score losses, including one to Oregon. The Red Raiders should be able to take out their frustrations against the Cougars in what will be an emotional setting. They are honoring players and coaches into their Hall of Fame, including the late Mike Leach. I'm fine with Behren Morton taking over at QB for the Red Raiders after Tyler Shough suffered a broken leg last Saturday against West Virginia. Morton has experience having started four games last season. |
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09-25-23 | Eagles -4.5 v. Bucs | Top | 25-11 | Win | 100 | 19 h 43 m | Show |
The record shows both the Eagles and Buccaneers to be 2-0. But the Buccaneers are at least two levels behind Philadelphia. The Eagles, too, are on an extra rest having played in the Week 2 Thursday game. The Eagles are due to play better as their players adjust to new coordinators. The extra rest and practice time should come in handy for them here. Tampa Bay has beaten the winless Bears and winless Vikings. The Buccaneers are plus 5 in turnover ratio during these victories. The Buccaneers' defense still has good players, but it's not great anymore. I'm not buying the early hype on Baker Mayfield either. He's looked better than he did the previous couple of seasons, but he's still Baker Mayfield with severe limitations. The Eagles not only have the edges at the skill positions - Jalen Hurts is 19-1 in his last 20 regular-season starts - but also have the advantage in the trenches. Philadelphia is the second-leading rushing team and ranks No. 1 in run defense. Mayfield isn't going to have a run game to keep the Eagles' pass rushers honest. The Eagles easily led the NFL in sacks last season with 70. |
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09-24-23 | Texans v. Jaguars -7.5 | 37-17 | Loss | -105 | 35 h 33 m | Show | |
The Jaguars beat the Colts by 10 points opening week despite Indy getting a gift defensive TD. The Colts then defeated the Texans by 11 points in Week 2 in a game that was more lopsided than the final score. Now the Jaguars get the Texans. The oddsmaker and marketplace are down on Jacksonville, though, because of its poor performance against the Chiefs at home last week. But now the Jaguars don't have to worry about Patrick Mahomes or Chris Jones. I see a strong bounce-back effort from the Jaguars at home against a depleted Texans squad. Trevor Lawrence and Calvin Ridley are in for a big game against the Texans, who have a cluster injury problem in their secondary. Out for the Texans are their top cornerback, Derek Stingley, free safety Jalen Pitre and nickel back Tavierre Thomas. Also hurt and out is Denzel Perryman, one of Houston's better linebackers. Houston also has multiple injuries in its offensive line. They may get star left tackle Laremy Tunsil back from a knee injury, but remain without three other projected opening day offensive line starters. The Jaguars' defense is underrated. They gave up 14 points to the Colts' offense and held the Chiefs to 17 points. The Jaguars also have five takeaways, bad news for turnover-prone rookie QB C.J. Stroud. |
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09-23-23 | Iowa +14.5 v. Penn State | 0-31 | Loss | -115 | 26 h 45 m | Show | |
Penn State is getting a lot of love so far this season. Too much in my view given this inflated point spread. Iowa is improved at quarterback. Its defense remains first-rate and I give a checkmark in coaching to the Hawkeyes in a matchup of Kirk Ferentz versus James Franklin. Penn State hasn't faced a defense the caliber of Iowa's yet this season. The Nittany Lions also haven't beaten Iowa by more than six points during the last six seasons. The teams didn't meet last year. Iowa defeated Penn State in 2021 and 2020. The Hawkeyes are 7-2 ATS the last nine times they've been a road 'dog during the regular season. No argument that Penn State has the superior skill position. But the Hawkeyes are always tough in the trenches and they are upgraded at QB this season with the transfer of former Michigan QB Cade McNamara. |
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09-23-23 | Ole Miss v. Alabama -6.5 | 10-24 | Win | 100 | 64 h 47 m | Show | |
Alabama has won 103 out of 112 home games under Nick Saban for 92 percent. It's rare to find the Crimson Tide such a small favorite at home. You have to go back eight years to find the last time Alabama was such a small home favorite. But the Crimson Tide lost a lot of public support when they were upset at home by Texas. I see this as a buy-low spot on Alabama. The Crimson Tide still are loaded at nearly every position and Saban made the right move to go back to Jalen Milroe as his starting QB. Milroe is better than Tyler Buchner. Mississippi's 3-0 record looks good on paper. But the Rebels have played a fairly weak schedule - Mercer, Tulane and Georgia Tech. The Crimson Tide has dominated the Rebels, beating them by an average of more than 33 points per game during the past six meetings. |
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09-21-23 | Giants v. 49ers -9.5 | Top | 12-30 | Win | 100 | 86 h 45 m | Show |
Through the first six quarters of their season, the Giants were outscored, 60-0. They regrouped to pull out a 31-28 victory against the Cardinals - the worst team in the NFL. Scoring 31 points in the second half to pull out that road victory in the Arizona desert has to take a lot out of the Giants both physically and mentally. They lost their superstar running back, Saquan Barkley, to an ankle injury, too, in that win. The NFL did the Giants no favor by making them the road team for a Thursday game against the 49ers, who are one of the three-best teams in the NFL. I don't see how the Giants can stay within single-digits of the 49ers given the short-week circumstances and the quality of the defenses. Brock Purdy is 10-0 in games he has started and finished for the 49ers. The Giants surrendered four TD's and nearly 400 yards to the pop-gun offense of the Cardinals. Now they go from Joshua Dobbs and his cast of grunts to Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk backed by a real coaching staff. Daniel Jones needs weapons to be successful. He won't have his main one, Barkley. His wide receivers don't frighten anyone least of all the 49ers. This one isn't going to be close. |
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09-21-23 | Georgia State +7 v. Coastal Carolina | 30-17 | Win | 100 | 10 h 56 m | Show | |
The oddsmaker may know the Power-5 conferences well, but he got this Sun Belt Conference matchup wrong. Coastal Carolina should not be nearly as high as a TD favorite against Georgia State. I downgraded Coastal Carolina with the coaching change from respected Jamey Chadwell to first-year head man Tim Beck. The Chanticleers have had one of the better QB's in the league with Grayson McCall. But so far McCall hasn't been playing as well as he has in the past. He's been picked off twice and sacked seven times. Coastal Carolina is one-dimensional averaging an unimpressive 3.8 yards on the ground. Georgia State thrives on turnovers and is strong at quarterback and running back. The Panthers are 3-0. They've averaged more than two takeaways per game during their last 15 games and have already forced seven turnovers this season. Panthers QB Darren Grainger has a 6-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio while completing 73.4 percent of his passes. Grainger and stud running back Marcus Carroll have combined to rush for 574 yards and nine rushing touchdowns. Coastal Carolina ranks 111th in run defense allowing 174 yards on the ground per game. |
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09-17-23 | Dolphins v. Patriots +3 | 24-17 | Loss | -110 | 71 h 59 m | Show | |
The Dolphins are not going to draw Bill Belichick's Patriots into a track meet. The Patriots have the superior defense of the two teams. The Patriots offense is improved and the weather conditions are in their favor. So is the situation. Miami has to be at least a little fat-and-happy crisscrossing the country after beating the Chargers in LA last Sunday and now having to fly to the East Coast where the weather conditions will be different with 10-to-15 mile per hour winds. The Patriots drew a bad break when the Eagles caught an early gift TD courtesy of their defense last week. But the Patriots showed their grit coming back from a 16-0 deficit to lose, 25-20, to the Super Bowl runner-up. New England outgained Philadelphia, 385-251. The Patriots forced more three-and-outs than the Eagles had all last season. Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill had monster performances against the Chargers. Tagovailoa passed for 466 yards. Hill caught 11 passes for 215 yards and two TD's against the poorly-schemed Chargers defense. Hill could be the best wide receiver in the AFC. But Belichick isn't going to let this combination beat his team by not paying full attention to Hill like the Chargers failed to do. The Patriots also have the capability of playing ball-control with Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott keeping the chains moving on the ground and the clock running. Mac Jones has upgraded wide receiver depth and much better offensive coaching/play calling than last season with the switch of offensive coordinators from Matt Patricia, a defensive coach, to Bill O'Brien. |
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09-17-23 | Commanders v. Broncos -3 | 35-33 | Loss | -125 | 67 h 18 m | Show | |
Give me the 0-1 home team versus the 1-0 road team. Give me the Denver defense instead of the Commanders offense. These are the main two factors why I like the Broncos to defeat the Commanders by more than a field goal at Mile High Stadium. Washington was nip-and-tuck with Arizona, by far the worst team in the NFL, before pulling out a 20-16 home win last week. Commanders QB Sam Howell was sacked six times and committed two turnovers in that loss. The Commanders were turnover-prone last season committing 23. They still are turnover-prone and the veteran, savvy Denver defense knows how to take advantage. Russell Wilson didn't set the world ablaze in last Sunday's loss to the Raiders, but he was improved under Sean Payton. Wilson completed 27-of-34 passes for 177 yards and two TD's. I'm expecting Wilson to be much better this season. He's showing signs of that. Payton gives the Broncos more credibility on offense than they've had in the past. |
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09-17-23 | Jets v. Cowboys -9.5 | Top | 10-30 | Win | 100 | 124 h 40 m | Show |
The timing for this matchup couldn't be worse for the Jets. They have to travel on a short week following their roller-coaster emotional Monday night home upset overtime victory against the Bills. Their opponent happens to be the Cowboys, who I rank with the 49ers as being the best teams in the NFL right now. |
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09-17-23 | Giants -5.5 v. Cardinals | 31-28 | Loss | -110 | 123 h 44 m | Show | |
The Giants are going from playing arguably the best team in the NFL, Dallas, to the undisputed worst, the Cardinals. |
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09-16-23 | Wyoming +30 v. Texas | Top | 10-31 | Win | 100 | 56 h 58 m | Show |
Kudos to Texas for upsetting Alabama on the road last week. That victory vaulted the Longhorns into a top-five rating in the AP poll for the first time since 2010. It also puts the Longhorns in danger of letting down against Wyoming, especially since they have a bigger game on deck when they play at Baylor next week to begin Big 12 Conference play. Texas has great skill position talent, but Wyoming isn't getting enough respect. The Cowboys are a solid Mountain West Conference program under Craig Bohl. They've gone bowling five of the past six years, not including the 2020 shortened Covid season. Wyoming is 2-0. The Cowboys are 8-2-1 ATS the last two plus seasons when taking a field goal or more. They've already scored one major upset this year defeating Texas Tech, 35-33 in overtime, as 13 1/2-point home 'dogs. The Cowboys are not flashy. But they have a solid defense, can run the ball effectively and have a competent QB in Andrew Peasley. |
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09-16-23 | Tennessee v. Florida +6 | 16-29 | Win | 100 | 27 h 58 m | Show | |
I find Tennessee and its quarterback, Joe Milton, to be overrated. Considering the Volunteers haven't won at Florida since 2003, I'm going to take this many points with the Gators. Tennessee only beat Austin Peay, 30-13, last Saturday as a 48 1/2-point home favorite. The Governors were within 10 points still in the fourth quarter. That raises a big red flag. Wisconsin transfer QB Graham Mertz is getting more accustomed to operating Florida's offense. |