The New England Patriots and the New York Jets will battle for first place in the competitive AFC East division on Thursday night. Check out all the football picks and basketball spread winners for tonight  at the sports investor village with all pointspread winners that could only be hotter if you threw them in the George Foreman fryer.   

Here’s your Daily Sports Roundup.

The Gridiron Spotlight

The Jets ran roughshod over the Rams last week, taking a 40-0 lead into halftime and cruising from there to a 47-3 victory. Brett Favre went 14-of-19 for 167 yards passing in that win, with one touchdown strike. Thomas Jones rushed for 149 and three scores on 26 carries. That was the Jets’ third straight win, and it put them at 6-3 SU and 5-4 ATS.

The Patriots held off the Bills for a 20-10 win last time out. New England quarterback Matt Cassel completed 23-of-34 pass attempts for 234 yards in that contest, and rushed for a touchdown. BenJarvus Green-Ellis picked up 105 yards on the ground and also rushed for a TD. New England has the same record as New York: 6-3 SU, and 5-4 ATS.

The oddsmakers have the Patriots listed as 3.5-point home favorites for Thursday night, with the game’s total at 42 points. New England is 2-6-1 on the OVER/UNDER through nine contests this season, while New York has been a bit better for the OVER at 4-4-1.

Other Notable Events

LeBron James will lead his Cavaliers into action at home on Thursday night against the Nuggets. James poured in 41 points on Tuesday night to lead Cleveland to a 99-93 win over the Bucks; that wasn’t quite enough, though, to allow the Cavs to cover the 12-point spread. There are just two other NBA games on the schedule on a light Thursday night around the league – Dallas will play in Chicago, and Golden State hosts Detroit.

The Rest of the Schedule

There are three college football games set for kickoff on Thursday, although there are no ranked teams in action. Virginia Tech will take on Miami in the top contest on the Thursday schedule; both of those Atlantic Coast teams are 6-3 straight-up, with the Hokies at 3-5 ATS, and the Hurricanes at 5-3 ATS. Elsewhere it’s Buffalo (5-4, 6-3 ATS) at Akron (5-4, 6-2-1 ATS), and then Wyoming (4-6, 2-7 ATS) at UNLV (4-6, 5-4-1 ATS).

Montreal will be in Boston for the top matchup in the NHL on Thursday night. The Canadiens are coming off a 4-0 win over the Senators on Tuesday night, with Carey Price picking up the shutout; that win improved the Habs‘ record to 9-2-2 on the season. Rounding out the schedule for Thursday: the Islanders at Ottawa, Detroit at Tampa Bay, Phoenix at Minnesota, Los Angeles at Dallas, Toronto at Edmonton, Calgary at San Jose, and Philly at Pittsburgh. The Pens came back to defeat Detroit 7-6 Tuesday night.

Finally, there are pair of games in the Coaches vs. Cancer college hoops tournament on Thursday at Los Angeles’ Pauley Pavilion. UCLA is again the marquee team in action.

News from the Wire

Redskins running back Clinton Portis (knee) is looking questionable to play at home against the Cowboys on Sunday night . . . Steelers running back Willie Parker (shoulder) could return against the Chargers on Sunday afternoon . . . Bulls forward Drew Gooden (ankle) missed Tuesday’s game, and he’s day-to-day heading into Thursday’s game . . . Avs forward Joe Sakic (back) missed Wednesday night’s game.

A Peek at the Future

The NBA has more teams in action on Friday, with a dozen games on the schedule; highlighting that slate are Denver at Boston, Houston at San Antonio, and Detroit at the Lakers . . . the single college football game on the Friday schedule sees No. 22 Cincinnati (-3.5) at Louisville . . .  the winless Lions are the biggest underdog on the NFL’s schedule for Sunday – Detroit is getting 14 points on the road against Carolina.

Television Betting

Oh no, My Own Worst Enemy (about somebody who bets on their own?) and Lipstick Jungle have been cancelled. The world’s top sportsbooks have odds posted on television, movies, politics and more.

Did you have Ron Klain to be White House Chief of Staff of Joe Biden? If so, you won.

The Celtics will be looking to continue their red-hot start to the season on Wednesday, while there are two college football games on tap. It’s another windfall opportunity for bettors and here is your rundown of the top betting picks for tonight, a golden jubilee of winners. Here’s your Daily Sports Roundup.

The Gridiron Spotlight

The top college football team in action on Wednesday night? That’d be 7-2 (5-3 ATS) Central Michigan, who’ll take on 5-4 (5-3 ATS) Northern Illinois. The Chippewas have won five games in a row, and they slipped past Indiana 37-34 last time out. The Huskies had their three-game winning streak snapped last game, falling 45-14 to Ball State. The oddsmakers have Northern Illinois listed as a 3-point favorite, with the total at 48 points.

The most lucrative football team in action on Wednesday night? That’d be 6-2-1 ATS (3-6 SU) Temple, who’ll take on 1-6-1 ATS (2-7 SU) Kent. The Owls have won two of their past four games, but they fell 33-27 to Navy last time out (covering the 8-point spread). The Golden Flashes have lost five of their last six contests, and they’re coming off a 45-30 defeat versus Bowling Green. Temple is a 3-point favorite, with the total at 45 points.

Other Notable Events

The Celtics play host to the Hawks on Wednesday night, looking to pick up their eighth win in nine contests. Boston is currently on a five-game winning streak, and they came back to beat the Raptors 94-87 on Monday night. Paul Pierce exploded for 36 points against Toronto, while Kevin Garnett picked up 21 points and 10 boards in the contest.

There are 10 other NBA games on the schedule for Wednesday night, including the Lakers on the road in New Orleans. Rounding out the slate: Philadelphia at Toronto, Indiana at New Jersey, Portland at Miami, San Antonio at Milwaukee, Orlando at Oklahoma City, Utah at Washington, New York at Memphis, and Sacramento at the Clippers. Also, the Rockets will be on the road on Wednesday night to take on the Suns.

Other Betting Odds

As most know, bettors can invest in anything. Betting odds are posted on propositions ranging from the 2008 Miss World, the 2008 Heisman Trophy odds are updated, and the political futures of Sarah Palin and John McCain.

Of most interest to us in the sports handicapping and football betting community is the latest lines to win the Heisman. Graham Harrell leads the way at 3/2, followed closely by Sam Bradford at 7/4 and Colt McCoy at 7/2.

The Rest of the Schedule

The Canucks host the Avalanche on Wednesday night in one of seven games on the NHL schedule. Vancouver has won three games in a row, with goaltender Roberto Luongo posting a shutout in each of those victories. Also hitting the ice: St. Louis at Buffalo, Washington at Carolina, the Rangers at New Jersey, Phoenix at Columbus, and Tampa Bay at Florida. As well, the Bruins will head west to Chicago to play the Hawks.

Finally, the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament will continue to tip off the college basketball schedule on Wednesday. UCLA takes on Prairie View A&M in one of the day’s contests.

News from the Wire

Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell could return to action from his knee injury this weekend; Andrew Walter played in the team’s 17-6 loss to the Panthers in Week 10 . . . the Seahawks are expected to have Matt Hasselbeck (back and leg injuries) return to the field this week, sending Seneca Wallace back to the bench . . . Rams quarterback Marc Bulger was benched in their Week 10 loss, but he’ll be the starter again this week.

A Peek at the Future

Thursday’s college football slate: Buffalo at Akron (-2.5), Virginia Tech at Miami (-4), and Wyoming at Utah (-8.5) . . . there are just three NBA games on tap for Thursday, with Denver at Cleveland, Dallas at Chicago, and Detroit at Golden State . . .  the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament’s semi-final round is set for November 20 at Madison Square Garden in New York, with the championship game tipping off on November 21.