Rams-Falcons Preview

The St. Louis Rams and the Atlanta Falcons will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Georgia Dome.
Oddsmakers currently have the Falcons listed as 14-point favorites versus the Rams, while the game’s total is sitting at 44½.
The Rams lost to San Francisco 17-16 as a 3.5-point underdog last week. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (42).
Marc Bulger threw for 227 yards with a touchdown and an interception for St. Louis, while Steve Jackson rushed for 108 yards.
The Falcons defeated Minnesota 24-17 as a 3-point underdog last week. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (43.5).
Matt Ryan passed for 134 yards with a touchdown for Atlanta, while Michael Turner rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
Current streak:
St. Louis has lost 9 straight games.
Atlanta has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
St. Louis: 2-13 SU, 5-10 ATS
Atlanta: 10-5 SU, 9-6 ATS
St. Louis most recently:
When playing in December are 3-7
When playing on turf are 1-9
After outgaining opponent are 4-6
When playing outside the division are 2-8

Atlanta most recently:
When playing in December are 3-7
When playing on turf are 8-2
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing outside the division are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 7 of St. Louis’s last 8 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis’s last 5 games
St. Louis is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 12 of St. Louis’s last 16 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Atlanta’s last 8 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games at home

 

Chiefs-Bengals Preview

The Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Paul Brown Stadium.
Oddsmakers currently have the Bengals listed as 3-point favorites versus the Chiefs, while the game’s total is sitting at 40.
The Chiefs lost to Miami 38-31 as a 3.5-point underdog last week. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (37.5).
Tyler Thigpen threw for 320 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions for Kansas City and Larry Johnson rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.
The Bengals defeated Cleveland 14-0 as a 2-point underdog last week. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (31.5).
Ryan Fitzpatrick passed for only 55 yards with a touchdown for Cincinnati, while Cedric Benson rushed for 171 yards on 38 carries in the win.
Current streak:
Kansas City has lost 3 straight games.
Cincinnati has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Kansas City: 2-13 SU, 8-7 ATS
Cincinnati: 3-11-1 SU, 6-9 ATS
Kansas City most recently:
When playing in December are 2-8
When playing on turf are 1-9
After outgaining opponent are 4-6
When playing outside the division are 0-10

Cincinnati most recently:
When playing in December are 5-5
When playing on turf are 2-7-1
After outgaining opponent are 3-6-1
When playing on outside the division are 3-6-1

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City’s last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
Kansas City is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City’s last 5 games on the road
Kansas City is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games when playing Kansas City
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cincinnati’s last 10 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games
Cincinnati is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Kansas City

 

Lions-Packers Preview

The Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Lambeau Field.
Oddsmakers currently have the Packers listed as 11-point favorites versus the Lions, while the game’s total is sitting at 42½.
The Lions lost to New Orleans 42-7 as a 7-point underdog last week. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (50.5).
Dan Orlovsky threw for 125 yards with two interceptions for Detroit, while Kevin Smith rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.
Aaron Rodgers threw for two touchdowns in Green Bay’s 20-17 loss to Chicago in Week 16.
The Bears failed to cover the 4.5-point spread at home in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night’s posted total (40).
Current streak:
Detroit has lost 15 straight games.
Green Bay has lost 5 straight games.
Team records:
Detroit: 0-15 SU, 6-9 ATS
Green Bay: 5-10 SU, 7-7-1 ATS
Detroit most recently:
When playing in December are 2-8
When playing on grass are 1-9
After being outgained are 0-10
When playing within the division are 2-8

Green Bay most recently:
When playing in December are 6-4
When playing on grass are 2-8
After outgaining opponent are 4-6
When playing within the division are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Detroit is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Detroit’s last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit’s last 5 games when playing Green Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Green Bay
Green Bay is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
Green Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
Green Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Green Bay’s last 5 games when playing Detroit

 

Patriots-Bills Preview

The fans at Ralph Wilson Stadium will be treated to a game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills when they take their seats on Sunday.
Oddsmakers currently have the Patriots listed as 6-point favorites versus the Bills, while the game’s total is sitting at 35.
The Patriots defeated Arizona 47-7 as an 8-point favorite last week. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (41).
Matt Cassel passed for 345 yards with three touchdowns for New England and Randy Moss caught two passes for 87 yards with a touchdown in the win.
The Bills defeated Denver 30-23 as a 6.5-point underdog last week. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (46.5).
Trent Edwards passed for 193 yards with a touchdown for the Bills, while Fred Jackson rushed for 43 yards and a touchdowns on 10 carries in the win.
Current streak:
New England has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
New England: 10-5 SU, 8-7 ATS
Buffalo: 7-8 SU, 7-8 ATS
New England most recently:
When playing in December are 10-0
When playing on turf are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When playing within the division are 8-2

Buffalo most recently:
When playing in December are 3-7
When playing on turf are 4-6
After being outgained are 3-7
When playing within the division are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New England’s last 5 games
New England is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Buffalo
New England is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
New England is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Buffalo’s last 19 games when playing New England
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Buffalo’s last 10 games when playing at home against New England
Buffalo is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
Buffalo is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home

 

Bears-Texans Preview

The Chicago Bears and the Houston Texans will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Reliant Stadium.
Oddsmakers currently have the Texans listed as 3-point favorites versus the Bears, while the game’s total is sitting at 46½.
Robbie Gould’s overtime field goal gave the Bears a 20-17 win over the Packers in Week 16.
The Bears failed to cover the 4.5-point spread at home in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night’s posted total (40).
The Texans lost to Oakland 27-16 as a 7-point favorite last week. The combined score caused this game to be a PUSH on the posted over/under total (43).
Matt Schaub passed for 255 yards with an interception for Houston and Steve Slaton rushed for 66 yards on 18 carries.
Current streak:
Chicago has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 9-6 SU, 6-7-2 ATS
Houston: 7-8 SU, 8-7 ATS
Chicago most recently:
When playing in December are 6-4
When playing on grass are 6-4
After being outgained are 8-2
When playing outside the division are 6-4

Houston most recently:
When playing in December are 7-3
When playing on grass are 7-3
After being outgained are 5-5
When playing outside the division are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chicago’s last 8 games on the road
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago’s last 7 games
Chicago is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Houston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

 

Giants-Vikings Preview

The New York Giants and the Minnesota Vikings will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at The Metrodome.
Oddsmakers currently have the Vikings listed as 7-point favorites versus the Giants, while the game’s total is sitting at 41½.
The Giants defeated Carolina 34-28 in overtime as a 4-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (38).
Brandon Jacobs scored three touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime for the Giants, while Derrick Ward rushed for 215 yards on 15 carries in the win.
The Vikings lost to Atlanta 20-13 as a 3-point favorite last week. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (46.5).
Tarvaris Jackson passed for 233 yards with two touchdowns for Minnesota and Visanthe Shiancoe caught seven passes for 136 yards with two touchdowns.
Team records:
New York: 12-3 SU, 11-4 ATS
Minnesota: 9-6 SU, 6-9 ATS
New York most recently:
When playing in December are 5-5
When playing on turf are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When playing outside the division are 9-1

Minnesota most recently:
When playing in December are 5-5
When playing on turf are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing outside the division are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
NY Giants are 16-2 SU in their last 18 games on the road
NY Giants are 13-2 ATS in their last 15 games on the road
NY Giants are 16-3 SU in their last 19 games
NY Giants are 17-4 ATS in their last 21 games
Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota’s last 9 games
Minnesota is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games at home

 

Browns-Steelers Preview

The Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Heinz Field.
Oddsmakers currently have the Steelers listed as 11½-point favorites versus the Browns, while the game’s total is sitting at 34.
The Browns lost to Cincinnati 14-0 as a 2-point favorite last week. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (31.5).
Ken Dorsey passed for 68 yards with three interceptions for Cleveland and Jamal Lewis had 76 rushing yards on 16 carries.
The Steelers lost to Tennessee 31-14 as a 3-point favorite last week. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (34).
Ben Roethlisberger threw for 331 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for Pittsburgh and Hines Ward caught seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
Current streak:
Cleveland has lost 5 straight games.
Team records:
Cleveland: 4-11 SU, 7-8 ATS
Pittsburgh: 11-4 SU, 8-7 ATS
Cleveland most recently:
When playing in December are 3-7
When playing on grass are 2-8
After being outgained are 3-7
When playing within the division are 4-6

Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing in December are 5-5
When playing on grass are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When playing within the division are 9-1

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland’s last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
Cleveland is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Cleveland’s last 21 games
Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Pittsburgh is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh’s last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland

 

Raiders-Buccaneers Preview

The Oakland Raiders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Raymond James Stadium.
Oddsmakers currently have the Buccaneers listed as 13-point favorites versus the Raiders, while the game’s total is sitting at 39½.
The Raiders upset Houston 27-16 as a 7-point underdog last week. The combined score caused this game to be a PUSH on the posted over/under total (43).
JaMarcus Russell passed for 236 yards with a pair of touchdowns for Oakland, while Johnnie Lee Higgins caught three passes for 56 yards with a touchdown and returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown in the win.
The Buccaneers lost to San Diego 41-24 as a 4.5-point favorite last week. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (42.5).
Jeff Garcia threw for 232 yards with a touchdown, two interceptions and a TD run for Tampa Bay, while Antonio Bryant had six receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown.
Current streak:
Tampa Bay has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Oakland: 4-11 SU, 6-9
ATS
Tampa Bay
: 9-6 SU, 8-7 ATS
Oakland most recently:
When playing in December are 2-8
When playing on grass are 3-7
After outgaining opponent are 2-8
When playing outside the division are 2-8

Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing in December are 3-7
When playing on grass are 7-3
After being outgained are 5-5
When playing outside the division are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland’s last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Oakland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
Oakland is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
Oakland is 4-15 SU in its last 19 games
Tampa Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games when playing Oakland
Tampa Bay is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Oakland

 

Panthers-Saints Preview

The division rival Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints are set to renew hostilities on Sunday when they meet at Louisiana Superdome.
Oddsmakers currently have the Panthers listed as 2-point favorites versus the Saints, while the game’s total is sitting at 51½.
The Panthers lost to the Giants 34-28 in overtime as a 4-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (38).
DeAngelo Williams rushed for 108 yards and four touchdowns for the Giants and Jake Delhomme passed for 185 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Saints defeated Detroit 42-7 as a 7-point favorite last week. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (50.5).
Drew Brees passed for 351 yards with a pair of touchdowns for New Orleans, while Marques Colston caught nine passes for 99 yards with two touchdowns in the win.
Team records:
Carolina: 11-4 SU, 8-6-1 ATS
New Orleans: 8-7 SU, 10-4-1 ATS
Carolina most recently:
When playing in December are 7-3
When playing on turf are 6-4
After being outgained are 9-1
When playing within the division are 5-5

New Orleans most recently:
When playing in December are 5-5
When playing on turf are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing within the division are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Carolina is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
Carolina is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Carolina’s last 8 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Carolina’s last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New Orleans’s last 8 games when playing Carolina
New Orleans is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
New Orleans is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home
New Orleans is 5-0-1 ATS in its last 6 games

 

Sunday’s Great Betting Card

Several NFL teams will be looking for the wins that put them into the playoffs on Sunday, while the Lions only seek win No. 1. The stock market is having its worst year since the Great Depression yet the sports betting marketplace has been sensational as sharp players are winning more than ever and squares losing more. Here is today’s rundown of week 17 NFL picks, the Independence Bowl, NBA and college basketball betting.

Here’s your Daily Sports Roundup.

The Gridiron Spotlight

The Falcons and Panthers will battle for top spot in the NFC South division on separate fronts on Sunday afternoon, with Atlanta hosting St. Louis and Carolina playing in New Orleans (in a pair of 1:00pm ET kickoffs). The Panthers are in first place in the NFC South at 11-4 straight-up (and 8-6-1 against-the-spread), while the Falcons are just behind them at 10-5 SU and 9-6 ATS. Carolina is favored by 3 points against New Orleans, and Atlanta is a 14-point favorite against St. Louis.

The Vikings are 7-point home favorites against the Giants in another 1:00pm ET contest, and they’ll be looking to secure the NFC North title with a win. Their challenger for that spot, the Bears, are 2.5-point road underdogs against the Texans. The Buccaneers, who are hoping to wind up with an NFC Wild Card berth, have been listed as 13-point home favorites versus the Raiders on Sunday.

Other early-afternoon contests include Kansas City at Cincinnati (-3), Detroit at Green Bay (-10.5), Tennessee (-3) at Indy, Cleveland at Pittsburgh (-10.5), and New England (-6.5) at Buffalo, with the Patriots in the thick of the AFC East race.

The other two contending AFC East teams are in action at 4:15pm ET, with Miami a 2.5-point underdog on the road against the Jets. The Ravens are giving up 12.5 points at home against Jacksonville, while it’s Philadelphia -1.5 at home against Dallas in a key NFC clash. The afternoon slate wraps up with Seattle at Arizona (-6) and Washington at San Francisco (-3), while the Chargers (-8) and Broncos will meet in San Diego at 8:15pm ET to decide the AFC West champion.

Other Notable Events

There’s just one college football game on the schedule for Sunday, with Northern Illinois taking on Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl. The oddsmakers don’t see much to choose from in this matchup, as the game is listed as a pick’em (with the total at 47.5 points). Northern Illinois went 6-6 SU and 6-5 ATS on the season, while Louisiana Tech went 7-5 SU and 5-5-1 against the numbers.

The Rest of the Schedule

The Lakers got some revenge on the Celtics with a 92-83 win on Christmas Day, which put them at 24-5 SU and 13-16 ATS on the season. Los Angeles is back in action on Sunday with a home game against Golden State in one of six NBA contests on the schedule. Rounding out the slate: Denver at New York, Dallas at the Clippers, Miami at Cleveland, Boston at Sacramento, and New Orleans at Indiana.

Top-ranked North Carolina returns to action Sunday with a game against Rutgers on the college hoops schedule. The Tar Heels handily knocked off Valparaiso 85-63 in their last outing, and they’re now 11-0 SU and 5-5 ATS. The Crusaders get another ranked opponent on Sunday, as they’ll take on No. 10 Purdue. As well, it’s Louisiana Tech vs. No. 13 UCLA, and then High Point vs. No. 23 Minnesota.

Finally, the NHL has six games on tap for Sunday, including the Ottawa Senators continuing their western swing with a game in Vancouver against the Canucks. Boston will be in Atlanta for a 5:00pm ET puck drop, and it’s also Anaheim at St. Louis, Chicago at Minnesota, Toronto at Washington, and Nashville at Edmonton.

A Peek at the Future

With no more Monday Night Football on the schedule the NFL will be off until Saturday, when the first two Wild-Card Weekend games will be played. The other two playoff contests next weekend will be contested on Sunday . . . Monday’s college football schedule features N.C. State vs. Rutgers (-7) in the Papa John’s.com Bowl, and then Missouri (-12.5) vs. Northwestern in the Alamo Bowl.

Headlines

Pat White and West Virginia get the win but GodsTips and North Carolina got the cover yesterday in bowl action. Florida State wins easily in the Champs Sports Bowl (Guy Store)…Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady are denying reports of their engagement…Brian Gould of ScoresOddsPicks.com says if the NY Jets miss the playoffs, their QB Brett Favre will retire. Will it be Eric Mangini and Favre’s farewell when the Dolphins take on the Jets? …Jim Olson of SportsbooksandPoker.com says now is the time to fade the Boston Celtics who are overvalued off their 27-2 straight up start…Rashad Evans, Frank Mir, Quinton Jackson and the sportsbooks were the big UFC 92 winners…The NY Rangers have now lost three in a row losing to the NJ Devils team they once dominated.

Other Betting News

GOP leaders are lambasting the parody song, “Obama the Magic Negro”…Photos surface of President Bush and Robert Toussie, the father of Isaac, the scammer whose pardon was revoked…Inexperienced Caroline Kennedy is the frontrunner for Hillary Clinton’s vacant Senate seat…Get all entertainment and political betting odds up now.

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