Sports Picks & Predictions

*3 Star NFL ATS Bookie SMASHER* The Detroit Lions haven't been as good as most expected so far this year, but they will be playing against much lesser competition this week. Jacksonville has struggled to be competitive this year. The Jaguars were walloped at home by the Bengals and the Bears, and they have only one win so far this season. Detroit's passing attack is now ranked second in the NFL in yards per game, and I think we'll see Stafford and Calvin Johnson put together a big game against a shaky secondary. The Jaguars are completely one-dimensional on offense, and that should allow the Lions to stack the box. The favorite is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings between these teams. Take Detroit.

*5 Star NFL Play of the Week* The Washington Redskins are a good team to play the 'over' with because they are very good offensively with RG3 at the helm and very suspect on the defensive side of the ball. Washington is dead last in the NFL in passing defense, and they are allowing 28.4 points per game. Carolina looked pretty good in a 23-22 loss to Chicago last week, and if they come out with that same kind of enthusiasm here they should put up a big number. The Panthers defense is giving up 24 points per game, and no one has had the answer to stopping RG3 all season. I don't see the Panthers having the answer in this one. The over is 5-0 in the Panthers last 5 after allowing 150 yards or less through the air in their previous game. The over is 5-0-1 in the Redskins last 6 after an ATS loss. Take the over big!

*3 Star Sunday Night Total Domination* The New Orleans Saints have a way of making games very high scoring. The Saints have a high-powered offense that can score very quickly, and they also have a defense that gives up a ton of points. Denver is a much more potent offense now with Peyton Manning at the helm. Manning should be able to take advantage of a very poor Saints secondary. The Saints are giving up 30.3 points per game and scoring 29.3 per contest. Denver is averaging 29 points per game at home this year. In a game that is played at a quick pace, I expect both teams to get plenty of chances to put points on the board here. The over is 6-0 in the Saints last 6 after a bye week. The over is 5-0 in the Saints last 5 road games. The over is 4-0 in the Saints last 4 October games. Look for lots of points here. Take the over.

*3 Star Giants/Cowboys CASH* The New York Giants are a team that has risen to the occasion in their biggest games over the past year. Dallas took out the Giants in the season opener this year, and you have to think the Giants will be out for some revenge here. Eli Manning is having a terrific season even with his wide receivers more dinged up than ever. As they are starting to get healthy, this offense becomes even more dangerous. The Giants dominated the 49ers a couple weeks ago, and it wouldn't surprise me to see them take it to the inconsistent Cowboys in this one. The Giants are 37-15-1 ATS in their last 53 road games. The Giants are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 in Dallas. Take the Giants.

*3 Star NFL Early Bird Special* The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets will be playing in some ugly conditions Sunday afternoon. Hurricane Sandy will be dumping rain on this game and kicking up the wind. These kind of conditions aren't helpful to offenses, especially the wind. Miami's defense has been solid all year. The Jets offense is very inconsistent, and this kind of weather will lead to a lot more running. With the clock ticking throughout the game, it will be hard to get as many points as normal. Look for a defensive battle played in the driving rain in New York. The under is 7-0 in the Dolphins last 7 October games. Take the under in this one.

*3 Star NFL Play of the Week* The Washington Redskins are a terrific 'over' team this year. Washington hasn't had a quarterback in the last few years, but now they have a star dual-threat quarterback. RG3 has more than lived up to all the hype so far this year. He is a game changer for this offense. Washington is averaging 30 points per game this year. At the same time, the Redskins defense continues to have problems stopping anyone. The Redskins are dead last in the NFL in pass defense. The New York Giants have a terrific passing attack, and I expect them to shred up this defense. The Giants are also averaging 30 points per game. This is a game that I expect to reach at least 55 points, so I really like the value on this one. The over is 6-1-1 in the Redskins last 8. Look for these offenses to get up and down the field quickly. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL Early Bird Special* The New Orleans Saints finally got a win two weeks ago by coming back and beating the San Diego Chargers. New Orleans is still only 1-4, but they are holding onto faint hopes that they will be able to get into the postseason. New Orleans is 4th in the NFL in total offense, and I don't see Tampa Bay slowing them down much. The Bucs are second to last in the NFL in passing defense. Drew Brees seems to be coming into his own of late, and he should have a big day in this one. At the same time, the Saints defense isn't very good at all right now. The Saints are allowing 31 points per game on the season. Look for both teams to put up quite a few points here. The over is 8-0 in the Saints last 8 games against the NFC. The over is 4-0 in the Saints last 4 road games. The over is 5-0 in the Saints last 5 games following a straight up win. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL ATS Bookie SMASHER* The Baltimore Ravens lost Ray Lewis and LaDarius Webb last weekend. Those are certainly two very big injuries, but I think the betting public and the oddsmakers have overreacted a bit here. Remember, this Baltimore team is absolutely a Super Bowl contender. They still have Ngata, Reed, and many other play makers on the defense. Offensively, they have the best all-around running back in football in Ray Rice. Joe Flacco is a much improved quarterback. Houston is missing their best linebacker (Cushing) right now too, and I just don't see them being favored by a touchdown against this good of a Ravens team. Too good of a value to pass up. The road team is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 matchups. Take Baltimore.

*3 Star Giants/49ers Total Domination* The New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers have quite a bit of bad blood between them at this point. They met in the NFC Championship game last year, and it was the Giants who pulled off a come from behind victory in that one. San Francisco is definitely looking for revenge here. The 49ers do it with defense first. At this point, it is tough to argue with the fact that the 49ers have the best defense in the league. They are giving up less than 14 points per game. The Giants have had offensive explosions this year several times, but they haven't played a defense like the Niners. New York's defense should get a good pass rush on the 49ers, and I expect both defenses to bring their best in this intense game. The under is 4-0 in the Giants last 4 road games. The under is 5-0 in the Giants last 5 games after scoring 30 points or more in the previous game. Take the under.

*3 Star NFL Totals TKO* The Arizona Cardinals are 4-1 this year, but a lot of people see their offense and assume they aren't a very good team. Many people overlook the fact that Arizona has one of the best defenses in the NFL. Patrick Peterson is a star at cornerback, and the Cardinals have a ton of very solid guys in their front seven. No team has scored more than 21 points on Arizona this year. Buffalo's offense has been dreadful of late. The Bills scored three points last week against the 49ers. Kevin Kolb and the Cardinals offense is out of sync right now, and I don't expect them to put up too many points without any kind of running game. The under is 4-1 in the Cardinals 5 games this season. Take the under.

*3 Star NFL ATS Play of Week* The Dallas Cowboys had the week off last week. Two weeks ago they looked horrible in a 34-18 loss to the Bears. The Cowboys were also blasted by the Seahawks earlier this year. Some are taking the angle that Dallas will come back strong after a bye week, but I just don't think the Cowboys are that good of a team right now. On the other side, the Baltimore Ravens are a complete football team. Baltimore has arguably the best running back in football in Ray Rice. They also have a much improved quarterback in Joe Flacco. The Ravens defense hasn't been as spectacular as usual so far this year, but I still think they are a very good veteran unit. Giving only three points at home against a mediocre Dallas team, I definitely like the Ravens. The Cowboys are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 following an ATS loss. Take Baltimore.

*3 Star NFL ATS Bookie SMASHER* The Green Bay Packers may only be 2-2, but they are definitely still one of the elite teams in the league. Indianapolis should get better with Andrew Luck at the helm, but they still have tons of holes in their roster right now. Vontae Davis is the Colts best corner, and he'll miss this game. That's not a good recipe for success against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers passing attack. Dwight Freeney is questionable, and the Colts don't have the pass rush they used to have. The Packers defense should get after Andrew Luck in a big way in this game. The Packers are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games following an ATS loss. Take Green Bay.

*3 Star NFL Early Bird Special* The Baltimore Ravens are one of the best teams in the NFL right now because of their balance. Baltimore has one of the best play makers in the league in Ray Rice. Rice can do it all. Joe Flacco is no longer a weakness, but now he is a strength at quarterback. The Ravens defense is still very good with play makers like Ngata, Lewis, and Reed leading the way. Kansas City has been blown out twice at home already this year. The Chiefs are one-dimensional on offense and I think the Ravens will make Matt Cassel beat them with his arm. On defense, the Chiefs were one of the worst in the NFL last year, and they still are fairly weak this year. Baltimore is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games. The Chiefs are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 following a double digit home loss. Take Baltimore.

*3 Star NFL ATS Play of the week* The Cincinnati Bengals have gone on the road and beaten the Washington Redskins and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Bengals offense has been very good this year, while the defense has been dinged up. The Bengals defense should have Dre Kirkpatrick and Nate Clements both in the secondary this week, and that will help a ton. Miami's Ryan Tannehill is a rookie who hasn't been consistent at all this year, and I don't see him lighting up this Bengals defense. On the other side, the weakness of the Miami defense is their secondary. A.J. Green is quickly becoming a star in this league. No one in this Miami secondary will be able to slow him down. The Bengals are 6-1-2 ATS in their last 9 games against teams with a losing record. Cincinnati is 10-3 ATS in their last 13 following a straight up win. Take the Bengals.

*3 Star NFL Play of the Week* The Washington Redskins offense has been unstoppable so far this year. Robert Griffin III has been amazing through his first three weeks in the NFL. Washington has scored 40, 28, and 31 points in the first three weeks of the season. Tampa Bay's defense was good against Carolina and Dallas, but they allowed Eli Manning to throw for more than 500 yards in a 41-34 loss to the Giants. Don't forget that Tampa Bay was dead last in the NFL in total defense a year ago. Washington should score quite a few here again. Tampa Bay's offense is improved this year as well. Dating back to last season, Washington's defense has allowed 31 points or more in 7 of their last 8 games. Tampa Bay should pile up the yards and points against a poor Redskins secondary. The over is 4-0-1 in the Redskins last 5. The over is 21-7-1 in the Bucs last 29 games against a team with a losing record. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL ATS Value Play* The Cincinnati Bengals went on the road and defeated the Washington Redskins last week. Cincinnati's offense is firing on all cylinders right now. The Bengals have a great tandem in quarterback Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. Jermaine Gresham is also a solid tight end, and the offensive line is strong for the Bengals. Cincinnati's defense has struggled this year, but their struggles are in the secondary. Jacksonville isn't a team that is good at just airing it out. Blaine Gabbert hasn't proven he can consistently sling it around. I think the Bengals offense will be a little too much for Jacksonville to keep up with here. The Jaguars are 5-15-1 ATS in their last 21 games against teams with a losing record. Take Cincinnati.

*3 Star NFL Early Bird Special* The New England Patriots are off to a slow 1-2 start. The Patriots are unlikely to drop to 1-3, but the Bills do pose some problems for their defense. New England has scored at least 34 points in each of their last 4 meetings against Buffalo. Look for Tom Brady and his receivers to get on track in a big way in this one. At the same time, the Bills are starting to get healthier and the Patriots defense isn't very good. There is no reason to expect New England to shut down Buffalo here. The two meetings last year ended at 34-31 and 49-21. The over is 4-0 in Buffalo's last 4 week 4 games. The over is 4-0-1 in Buffalo's last 5 vs. the AFC East. The over is 5-1 in the Patriots last 6 road games. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL ATS Play of the Week* The Houston Texans are one of the most complete teams in the NFL this year. No team in the league has a better running game than the Texans. The offensive line is very good, and Matt Schaub is a quality quarterback. Andre Johnson is one of the best receivers in the business. It is the defensive end where this team has improved most. The Texans secondary used to be a liability, but now it is a strength. The front seven is great pressuring the quarterback. Peyton Manning showed plenty of rust this past Monday. The Broncos running game isn't very good, and I expect the Texans to get heat on Manning. Denver's defense isn't bad, but they aren't up to par with the Texans defense. Houston is better in all phases of the game. I think the Texans are definitely undervalued here. Denver is 0-6-1 ATS when playing on Sunday following a Monday night football appearance. The Texans are 7-0-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a game where they allowed 15 points or less. Take Houston.

*3 Star NFL Early Bird Special* The Cincinnati Bengals offense woke up nicely last week against Cleveland. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are a great pass and catch tandem. The Bengals offensive front is strong, which should allow them to run the ball some as well. RG3 has been spectacular through the first two weeks, and the Bengals defense has been very disappointing. Cincinnati's secondary has been beaten deep far too many times through just two weeks. The Bengals are dinged up at the linebacker spot as well, and that will hurt when trying to keep Griffin inside the pocket. Look for Griffin to run around on the Bengals and make plays outside the pocket. Both teams should put up quite a few points. The over is 4-0 in the Bengals last 4 games. The over is 4-0 in the Redskins last 4 home games. The over is 3-0-1 in the Redskins last 4 games overall. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL ATS Bookie CRUSHER* The San Francisco 49ers look like they might have the best team in football right now. They are absolutely taking on the mentality of their coach. This is a very tough team that will run through walls if they have to. Alex Smith showed a ton of heart last weekend, and Michael Crabtree is finally coming into his own. The 49ers defense is awesome against the run, and I don't think the Vikings can beat them through the air. Harbaugh's team doesn't have very many letdown type games, and I don't expect them to play down to their competition in this one. The Vikings are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 home games. Take San Francisco.

*3 Star NFL ATS Bookie CRUSHER* The Dallas Cowboys were impressive in week one in New York. Still, I don't think we should overreact to one week of results. The Seahawks are a very tough team to beat at home, and the Cowboys still have a ton of question marks. The Seattle front seven is terrific, and Murray will likely struggle in this one. Russell Wilson was decent in his first NFL start, and I expect him to be better in his home debut. Few stadiums are as difficult to play in as Seattle, and the Cowboys have had trouble here before. Dallas is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win. Take the Seahawks and the points.

*3 Star NFL Total Domination* Andrew Luck threw for more than 300 yards in his NFL debut, but he threw three interceptions. The Bears secondary is very good, so that was a tough matchup for Luck. The Vikings secondary will likely start three rookies in this one, and I think Luck will have a much easier time in this one. On the other side, the Colts will be without Dwight Freeney so the pass rush won't get to Ponder as much. In addition, the Colts are terrible against the run. Adrian Peterson should be able to gash the Colts for quite a few yards in this one. Both offenses should have the edge in this game. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL ATS Value Play* The Kansas City Chiefs were crushed 41-7 in the season opener last year by the Buffalo Bills. The Bills fell apart late in the year, and the Chiefs came on late in the year. Kansas City has the better defense here, and they are stacked at running back. Charles is healthy again and he is great, and Peyton Hillis is a terrific backup. Fred Jackson is out for this one, which hurts the Bills a ton. David Nelson is also out, and Ryan Fitzpatrick has been shaky of late. I think the Chiefs are the better team, so I love getting the points here. The Chiefs are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games. Take Kansas City.

*3 Star Battle of Ohio ATS* The Cleveland Browns only lost by a point to the Philadelphia Eagles last weekend, but they were dominated in the stat book. The Eagles outgained them by almost 250 yards. Philadelphia turned the ball over 5 times to keep Cleveland in the game. Cincinnati was thrashed 44-13 by the Ravens in week one. The Bengals were only down 17-13 late in the third quarter before it all fell apart. I saw some positives for the Bengals in that loss. Cincinnati's offensive line was getting a good push against a great Ravens defensive front. The Bengals seem to have more balance on offense now. The Browns are without star corner Joe Haden. The Bengals should win comfortably in this one. Take the Bengals.

*5 Star NFL Play of the Week* The New Orleans Saints defense was absolutely chewed up by RG3 and the Redskins last week. Griffin was great, but I can't help but think part of the reason for his amazing day was a poor Saints defense. New Orleans still put up 32 points, and they should be able to score points in bunches against a less than mediocre Carolina defense. Cam Newton and the Panthers put up 27 points in a 30-27 loss to the Saints at home last year. I think Carolina can get a lot from the tape of last week's Redskins game and use that against New Orleans in this one. The two meetings between these two last year finished at 57 and 62 points. Both offenses have a significant edge on the defenses here. The over is 6-0 in the Saints last 6 games. 5 Star Play of the Week on the over in this game!

*3 Star Bears/Packers Total Domination* The Chicago Bears clearly have a much better offense than they did a year ago. The Green Bay Packers obviously have one of the best offenses in the NFL. Why do I like the under in this one? It is all about value. Getting a number like 51.5 isn't something I expected here. The public has pushed the number up enough to where this fits in as a solid play. The Bears secondary is one of the best in the NFL, and Green Bay simply can't run the football. Green Bay's defense is good at pressuring the quarterback. The highest total set for meetings between these teams in the past four years is 45.5. I think both teams have to settle for field goals enough here. The under is 8-1 in the last 9 meetings between these two. Take the under.

*3 Star MNF Totals SMASHER* The San Diego Chargers defense took a big step backward last year. This team doesn't have a good secondary, and Carson Palmer will air it out against them in this one. The Raiders have lost key pieces in their secondary for two straight seasons, and they now have a real weakness at the cornerback spot. Phillip Rivers is healthier now, and I expect him to lead the Chargers offense to quite a few yards against this mediocre Raiders defense. Neither team has a strong pass rush and both secondaries are susceptible. I think the offenses will have the upper hand here. The over is 5-0 in the Raiders last 5 season openers. The over is 4-0 in the Raiders last 4 home games. The over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings in Oakland between these teams. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL ATS Play of the Week* The Arizona Cardinals finished the season on a 6-2 run. Skelton was at the helm during that period, and he got the starting nod over Kevin Kolb for this year's season opener. One thing many people overlook about the Cardinals is that they now have a very solid defense. Arizona can get after the quarterback very well, and Patrick Peterson is a major play maker in the secondary. He'll be the best special teams player on the field in this one as well. I like Russell Wilson, but I don't understand his team being favored by three on the road in the first start of his career. Seattle was nothing special last year. They may have made some upgrades, but I don't value them any higher than the Cardinals. Arizona is a much better team at home, and both meetings between these two teams were settled by a field goal last year. Arizona is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 against the NFC. They are also 5-1 in their last 6 home meetings with the Seahawks. Take the home underdog and the points here with Arizona.

*3 Star NFL Total Domination* These two teams met twice last year and the final scores were 38-19 and 48-16. Carolina has a very balanced offense with Cam Newton under center. The Panthers have two very good running backs in Stewart and Williams and Newton can run as well as any QB in the NFL. On the other side though, Carolina's defense just isn't very good at all. Tampa Bay should be able to move the ball with ease through the air. Josh Freeman should have a solid season and Doug Martin is a good addition to the offense. Tampa Bay's defense gave up at least 31 points in their final four games last year. The over is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings at Tampa Bay between these teams. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL Early Bird Special* The New Orleans Saints have heard about Bountygate all through the offseason, and I'm guessing they are ready to take out their frustration on the Redskins. Washington's defense allowed 33 points or more in 4 of their last 5 games last year. New Orleans is quite likely to get into the 30's here. Drew Brees has weapons all over the field. Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston are great pass catchers, and the backfield is stacked with talent. New Orleans does give up points. The Redskins should have an improved offense with RG3 at the helm this season. Washington will have more balance and that should help them put up several points here. The over is 5-0 in the Saints last 5. Take the over.

*3 Star Super Bowl XLVI ATS CASH* By now you've definitely heard that this is a rematch of Super Bowl 42. The Giants ruined the Patriots perfect season in that one. Some are playing the revenge angle in this one, but I don't buy it. Of course the Patriots want to win this game badly, but it is the Super Bowl and the Giants want it badly too! I think both teams come out highly motivated in a game like this. The Giants pass rush should force the Patriots into throwing more quick passes, but that also makes the offense more predictable. New England has been able to outscore teams this year, but their defense simply isn't good at all. The secondary should get chewed apart by a very underrated group of wide receivers form New York. Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks are ready for a big game on the big stage here. The Giants secondary isn't good, but I do think they are better than the Patriots secondary. They'll also get more help from the pass rush. Eli Manning has been stepping up in a big way in big games. I think the value here is on the Giants. The Giants are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 as a playoff underdog. Take the Giants.

*3 Star NFC Total DOMINATION* The San Francisco 49ers have done it all year with their defense. The 49ers stop the run better than anyone in the NFL, and last week they proved they can get after the quarterback as well. The 49ers should have a conservative game plan here. Look for Frank Gore to get quite a few carries in this one. The Giants will open up the passing game quite a bit, but San Francisco has an above average secondary. The under is 4-1 in the Giants last 5 games, and this Giants defense is really improving right now. Conference Championship games tend to run a little lower scoring than average, and I think both of these defenses will be ready for this one. Take the under.

*3 Star NFL AFC ATS Bookie BEATDOWN* The New England Patriots played well last week in their win over the Denver Broncos, but beating Denver and playing against Baltimore are very different things. The Ravens have plenty of playoff experience, and they came to Foxboro and beat the Patriots two years ago. The last four times these two teams have played, the Ravens have either won or lost by less than a touchdown. I don't understand why we are getting such a big number here. Sure the Patriots have a big advantage at quarterback, but Baltimore is much better defensively. Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and the rest of the Ravens defense will be hungry this weekend. Expect Ray Rice to find plenty of running room as well. Getting more than a touchdown, I really like the Ravens.

*3 Star Giants/Packers Total DOMINATION* The New York Giants and Green Bay Packers met in early December. The Giants gained 447 yards and scored 35 points in that one. The Packers gained 449 yards and scored 38 points in that one. I don't see any reason to believe that the defenses will be able to change much in this one. The Packers offense is the most prolific in the NFL. The Giants passing offense has been great all year, and the Packers secondary is last in the NFL in pass defense. The Giants have a great pass rush, but the Packers are great at quick drops to neutralize that advantage. The over is 8-2 in the Packers last 10. Look for another high scoring game. Take the over.

*3 Star Saints/Niners ATS CRUSHER* I really like what the Saints have done this year, but I think this line is skewed too heavily toward the road team. San Francisco put together an extremely impressive season under Jim Harbaugh, and I love the fact that the Niners are so tough defesnsively. The Saints have been an indoor team the last couple years, and the Niners should have a nice home field advantage here. These teams met last year when San Francisco wasn't very good, and the Niners only lost by three. New Orleans will get their yards here, but I think the 49ers will force them to kick field goals. Frank Gore and the Niners rushing game should have success in this one. San Francisco is 12-3-1 ATS this year. I'll take the home team getting more than a field goal.

*3 Star Falcons/Giants Total Domination* The Atlanta Falcons offense really found its own in the last four weeks. Atlanta scored at least 31 points in three of their last four games. The Giants have a good pass rush, but the secondary takes too many chances and gives up big plays too often. On the other side, Eli Manning has some real weapons on the outside. Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks have turned into young superstars for the Giants. Atlanta's secondary is below average, and they aren't that great at pressuring the quarterback without bringing a blitz. The over is 4-0 in Atlanta's last 4. Take the over in this one.

*3 Star Wild Card Total Domination* Houston's offense has done fairly well under the leadership of rookie T.J. Yates, but there is no doubt this unit isn't as strong as it was at the start of the season. The Bengals will likely gear up to stop the run, something they have done well this year. On the other side, Houston quietly has one of the best defenses in the NFL. Cedric Benson and the Bengals running game hasn't been very good of late. The Bengals offense hasn't scored more than 24 in a game in their last nine games, and the playoff jitters should hurt this young offense. Look for both defenses to play well here. Take the under.

*3 Star NFL Total Domination* Both Carolina and New Orleans can pile up the points. Cam Newton has shown that he can perform well against just about any defense in the NFL. Drew Brees and the Saints starters are expected to play in this game. The final game of the season generally lends itself to a higher scoring game. The over is 6-2 in the Saints last 8 January games. The over/under here is posted extremely high, but I think these two teams have a good shot at getting to 60 in this situation. Both pass defenses are very poor, and I think that will be on full display in this one. Take the over.

*3 Star Eagles/Cowboys GUARANTEED Cash* The Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Dallas Cowboys 34-7 earlier this year. The Eagles are actually playing their best football of the year right now. Mike Vick is healthy and the Eagles defense is starting to perform like most expected they would at the beginning of the year. Believe it or not, this game actually means something for the Eagles. If Philadelphia wins this and the Giants lose this weekend, the Eagles are right back in the race in the NFC East. Dallas hasn't proven to be a clutch team of late, and there is a lot more pressure on the Cowboys than the Eagles right now. Dallas is 3-10 ATS in their last 13 as a home favorite. Take Philadelphia.

*3 Star NFL Totals TKO* Tampa Bay's defense has been awful of late. The Bucs have given up at least 31 points in five of their last six games. Carolina's offense has been very good under the leadership of Cam Newton this year. Stewart and Williams are a great tailback tandem, and Steve Smith is a great weapon on the outside. Carolina's defense is giving up 26.3 points per game this year. The Panthers haven't been good against the run or the pass. Josh Freeman and the Bucs offense should be able to put up several scores in this one as well. The over is 19-7-1 in the Bucs last 27 games against a team with a losing record. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL Total DOMINATION* The Vikings have given up 34, 35, and 42 points in their last three games. In fact, Minnesota hasn't given up less than 24 points in a game since October 2. This Minnesota secondary has been getting riddled on a weekly basis. Rex Grossman may throw quite a few interceptions, but he does help the Redskins move the ball pretty consistently through the air. On the other side, Washignton is mediocre against the run, and Adrian Peterson is a beast on the ground. Christian Ponder and the Vikings offense has scored 32, 28, and 20 points in their last three games. I expect both teams to score quite a few here. Take the over here.

*3 Star NFL Total Domination* The Oakland Raiders defense has completely fallen apart of late. Oakland has allowed 33.3 points per game in their last three games. Carson Palmer has helped the offense move the ball well, but he is throwing far too many interceptions. Palmer has a tendency to throw a lot of pick six passes. The Lions secondary will be very aggressive this weekend. Matt Stafford and the Lions passing attack is working well right now. The trends point strongly to the over. The over is 7-1-1 in the Lions last 9 road games. The over is 4-0 in Oakland's last 4 games. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL Totals Takedown* Rex Grossman does give the Redskins offense a bit of a boost when it comes to moving the ball, but he still makes those bad decisions with the ball. The Giants are liable to pick him off at least a couple times here, and there could easily be a defensive score in this game. Eli Manning and the Giants passing game has been great of late. Look for the Giants to build on last week's momentum building win in Dallas. The over is 12-5-1 in the Giants last 18 games. The over is 4-0 in Washington's last 4. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL ATS Play of the Week* The Green Bay Packers are the best team in the NFL right now by a large margin. It may seem like a strange thing to do to wager against them at this point, but I see value here. The Packers have clinched home field advantage. I do believe Green Bay will try to stay unbeaten this year, but the Chiefs should be highly motivated here. Kansas City is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games as an underdog. The Chiefs beat the Bears a couple weeks ago, and their home loss against Pittsburgh was an impressive effort. The Packers are just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as favorites of 10.5 points or more. Green Bay hasn't won a game by more than two touchdowns on the road all season. Take Kansas City here.

*3 Star NFL Totals Takedown* The 49ers defense continues to amaze as the season moves along. San Francisco tops the NFL in run defense, and the pass defense has improved over the last few weeks. Arizona has scored 9, 6, 7, and 7 points in the team's last four meetings with San Francisco. The Cardinals defense has been playing better lately as well. The under is 4-1 in Arizona's last 5. The under is 6-1 in San Francisco's last 7. I think this is a game where both offenses settle for field goals most of the time. Take the under.

*3 Star NFL Play of the Week* Carolina has shown they have the ability to move the football against just about everyone this year. The Atlanta defense isn't very good against the pass, and Cam Newton should have some success against them. On the other side, the Panthers defense is allowing 27 points per game. The Panthers lost two defensive tackles last week, and that will certainly hurt the run defense. Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense chewed up this unit in the first meeting this year, and I expect them to do the same this time. Look for both offenses to move it with ease here. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL Total Domination* The New England Patriots offense had a brief period where they struggled a few weeks ago, but they are back in a big way of late. The Patriots have scored at least 31 points in four straight games. The Redskins defense gave up 34 points against the Jets last week, and I suspect they'll struggle against Brady and the Pats. Rex Grossman has Santana Moss back, and the Patriots secondary ranks dead last in the league in pass defense. Washington should be able to move the ball and score. Also, Grossman always has the potential to throw a pick-six at any time. The over is 23-8 in New England's last 31. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL Play of the Week* The Oakland Raiders have been playing pretty good football of late. The Raiders are right in the thick of the AFC West race, and this is a game they really need to win. Miami may have started 0-7, but they have won 3 of their last 4. The Dolphins defense is giving up less than 19 points per game this year. Without Darren McFadden, the Raiders offense is certainly less explosive. Jacoby Ford is also expected to miss this game. Matt Moore is a solid quarterback, but the Raiders should key in on the run in this one. Look for the defenses to have the upper hand in this one. The under is 15-5-1 in Miami's last 21 games. Take the under.

*3 Star NFL Play of the Week* Minnesota has been terrible even with the best running back in the league this season. Now they have to go without Adrian Peterson in the backfield, and I think it could be ugly for them. Christian Ponder and Percy Harvin are expected to play, but they are dinged up a bit. The Falcons defense is great against the run, and I don't think the Vikings have the weapons to successfully air it out constantly on the Falcons. Matt Ryan and the Falcons are a slightly disappointing 6-4 this year, and I think this is a great chance for them to break back out once again. The Vikings are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 road games. The Falcons are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 against a team with a losing record. Take Atlanta.

*3 Star NFL Thanksgiving Total Domination* San Francisco is a ball control type of team. Alex Smith has been great for the 49ers, but he isn't going to throw for a ton of yards against many teams. The Niners will be looking to establish Frank Gore. Baltimore's front seven is terrific. The 49ers defense is first in the NFL in points allowed, and the Ravens offense has been very inconsistent this year. This looks like a game where both teams try to pound the ball and play a field position battle. Take the under here.

*3 Star NFL Play of the Day* Arizona's offense may have had enough to beat the Eagles last week, but with Skelton at quarterback I don't expect them to move the ball much at all against the 49ers. The 49ers lead the league in rushing defense, so they should shut down the Cardinals rushing attack. Skelton and Smith are two quarterbacks that really can't air it out that often. Look for both teams to be running a lot here. Jim Harbaugh's team should grind out another win here. I don't expect this to be a pretty game, and it should stay under the posted total. Take the under.

*3 Star Bucs/Packers Total Domination* Tampa Bay's secondary is a mess right now, and the last team they would want to be playing is the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers is carving up every defense he faces, and he should do the same to this weakened Bucs secondary. The Packers have scored 45 points in each of their last two games, and I think they could easily top 40 again in this one. At the same time, Green Bay's secondary has struggled this year and I think Josh Freeman and the Bucs will be able to move the ball at times. The over is 8-2 in Green Bay's last 10 home games. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL Total TKO* Washington's offense has been abysmal of late. The Redskins made the change to John Beck and it hasn't helped the offense one bit. Tim Hightower is out and the running game is struggling as well. Washington just doesn't have many play makers at all on offense right now. Dallas has been playing well defensively this year. Rob Ryan should have a scheme to shut down this Redskins offense. The Redskins usually get up to play the Cowboys, and that generally leads to a low scoring affair. The under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings. The under is 13-3 in the Redskins last 16 games. Take the under.

*3 Star NFL ATS Play of the Week* The San Francisco 49ers are 7-1, but I'm still not convinced they are a great team. They are certainly good, but the Giants are playing very well right now too. The Giants lead the league in sacks, and I think they could put a lot of pressure on Alex Smith and give the 49ers some issues. The 49ers are weak in the secondary, and Eli Manning and the Giants passing game has been very good this year. Frank Gore is still banged up and that will hurt the 49ers. The Giants have a long history of beating the number on the road. The Giants are 30-13 ATS in their last 43 road games. The Giants are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 meetings with the 49ers. Take New York.

*3 Star NFL Total DOMINATION* The St. Louis Rams and the Cleveland Browns both have been very poor offensively this year. Neither team has very many weapons offensively. Sam Bradford has been dinged up this year, and he doesn't have much help at all at wide receiver. Colt McCoy hasn't been bad, but without a running game at all this Browns offense has been bad. Peyton Hillis is expected to miss this one, and that hurts the Browns a lot. I fully expect this to be a very ugly that not many people will want to watch. The under is set low, but it is low for a reason. The under is 6-0-1 in the Rams last 7 road games. Take the under.

*5 Star NFL Top Play of the Week* The Washington Redskins decided to go to John Beck at quarterback, and it hasn't helped the offense. This offense is struggling to get anything done lately. Beck has only thrown two touchdowns all year. The Redskins are lacking offensively without key weapons such as Cooley, Moss, and Hightower. Miami's defense is better than most people realize, and that is why the Dolphins have been in so many games of late. The Dolphins offense can only run the ball, and the Redskins defense isn't that bad. Washington is giving up only 19.8 points per game. Two bad offenses and two decent defenses should mean a lot of running and not much scoring. The under is 6-1 in the Redskins last 7. The under is 7-0 in the Dolphins last 7. Take the under.

*3 Star NFL Thurdsay Night Total Domination* Carson Palmer is still learning the Oakland Raiders offense. Palmer started to show some flashes of brilliance last weekend, but he once again threw three interceptions. The Chargers secondary takes chances, and I suspect they'll probably pick off a couple passes in this one. Don't be surprised if there is a defensive score here. The Raiders defense has been shredded of late. Denver put up 38 points on them last week, and Kansas City scored 28 the week before. The Chargers passing game got going last week against the Packers, but Rivers is still throwing lots of interceptions as well. Expect both teams to move the ball a lot here. I think there is a good amount of value on the 'over' in this one. Take the over.

*3 Star Ravens/Steelers ATS CASH* The Baltimore Ravens absolutely embarrassed the Pittsburgh Steelers in week one of the NFL season. Pittsburgh is a proud team, and they are a very good team. If there was ever a great revenge spot, this is it. The Steelers are typically the more consistent of these two teams, and I think they'll be ready in this matchup. Baltimore has been very shaky the last couple weeks, while the Steelers are playing great football. Roethlisberger is having a big year, and he has plenty of play makers on the outside. The two defenses are both terrific, but the Steelers have the clear edge at quarterback in this matchup. The Steelers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games. The Steelers are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 against the Ravens. Take Pittsburgh.

*3 Star Sunday Night Total Knockout* The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers are both very tough teams. When these two get together you can always expect nothing short of a hard nosed football game where plenty of guys get dinged up. James Harrison is expected to be back in the Steelers lineup for this one, and that should be a big boost for the defense. The total for this game is set quite a bit higher than we are used to seeing for a Ravens/Steelers game. Earlier this year when the teams met the total was 36. The game did go 'over' but it finished at 42 points (and that was with 7 Steelers turnovers). Just two of the last eight games between these two went over this posted total. I expect both defenses to play well Sunday night. Take the under.

*3 Star Packers/Chargers Total Domination* The Green Bay Packers offense has been virtually unstoppable this year. Aaron Rodgers is showing that he is the best quarterback in the NFL right now. Rodgers has 20 touchdowns and just three interceptions this year. The Packers are averaging 33 points per game. San Diego's offense has struggled with turnovers this year. Phillip Rivers has been extremely disappointing, but this is still a Chargers team that can move the ball through the air. Green Bay is giving up 289 yards through the air each game. San Diego has the offensive weapons to rack up a lot of yards through the air. Look for both quarterbacks to have a lot of success here. This should be a shootout. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL Totals TKO* The Cincinnati Bengals have the fourth ranked defense in the NFL. The Titans are dead last in the NFL in rushing so far this year. Andy Dalton and the Bengals offense have been solid, but they aren't a high scoring offense. This is the type of game that I expect to be won on the ground. Look for the Bengals to get Cedric Benson the ball quite a bit. At the same time, the Titans will be eager to try to get Chris Johnson going. Both defenses should have the upper hand on the offenses in this one. Take the under here.

*3 Star NFL Moneyline Play of the Day* The New York Jets lost three in a row, but they have now won their last two games. This is still a very solid team that is a team to watch out for as the season moves along. The Jets secondary is still probably the best in all of football, and that should give Ryan Fitzpatrick trouble on Sunday. In the last six meetings between these two teams, Buffalo has never topped 306 total yards of offense. The Jets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games at Buffalo. The Jets have the better defense here, and I think they can slow down the Bills. This is a big game for both teams, and I think the more experienced team comes up with a mild upset. Take the Jets.

*3 Star Sunday Night Total Knockout* The Dallas Cowboys defense has really gotten a nice boost from Rob Ryan taking over as their coordinator. Ryan has this team showing their opponents a lot of new formations. Dallas even held New England to just 20 points. Philadelphia's offense is not firing on all cylinders right now. Mike Vick is making too many mistakes with the football. On the other side, the Eagles secondary seems to be coming together over the last couple games. The Eagles are a stunning 13-3 to the under coming off a bye week. Look for this to be a lower scoring game than most expect. Take the under.

*3 Star Patriots/Steelers Bookie CRUSHER* Tom Brady is 6-1 in his career against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh's defense is very good, but they don't mix up their defenses too often. Dick LeBeau's defense is all about blitzing, and Tom Brady is great at recognizing when the blitz is coming. Pittsburgh will get their yards through the air against New England, but the Patriots are pretty opportunistic on defense as well. Don't be surprised if Roethlisberger is picked once or twice here. The Patriots are an impressive 46-22-3 ATS in their last 71 road games. The Patriots are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 meetings with the Steelers. Take New England here.

*3 Star NFL ATS Play of the Week* The Washington Redskins started out at the top of the NFC East this year, but that didn't last very long. John Beck is now the quarterback here, but I really don't think he is the answer either. No Santana Moss or Chris Cooley means this offense must rely heavily on the running game. Tim Hightower is now out for the year due to an injury, so it will be up to Torain and Helu to carry the load. Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing great for the Bills, and I think he can have success against an average Redskins secondary. Fred Jackson is quietly having as good of a year as any running back. Jackson is averaging 5.7 yards per catch, and he also has 24 receptions out of the backfield. The Bills have a ton of offensive weapons right now. It should be too much for Washington. The Bills are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 home games. Take Buffalo.

*3 Star NFL Total Domination* The Minnesota Vikings got a much needed offensive boost last week when Christian Ponder took over the starting quarterback job. Ponder completed some deep balls to stretch the defense and give Adrian Peterson more room to run. Carolina's defense is terrible against the run, and Peterson may well be the best running back in the NFL. On the other side, Carolina's offense is fifth in the NFL in total offense. Cam Newton and this offense have been good against everyone they have played this year. Minnesota is allowing 25.4 points per game this year. Expect both teams to move the ball quite a bit in this one. I like the value on the over.

*3 ATS Bookie BEATDOWN* The Jacksonville Jaguars really showed up to play this past Monday in their win over the Ravens. A short week to prepare here won't help them any, and I think this team won't be nearly as mentally prepared for this matchup. Houston realizes this is the type of game that cannot afford to lose if they wish to finally get into the playoffs after many close misses. Even without Andre Johnson the Texans have a ton of offensive weapons. Ben Tate and Arian Foster are both during a great job in the backfield this year, and Matt Schaub is an underrated quarterback. Jacksonville will rely heavily on the run, but the Texans have a strong front seven. The Texans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 as a home favorite. Take Houston.

*3 Star Monday Night Football Bookie SMASHER* The Baltimore Ravens defense is built to stop the run. Haloti Ngata and Terrance Cody are terrific at clogging up the running lanes. Jacksonville is a team that can't do much passing at all right now. The Ravens should load up the box and stuff Jones-Drew and the Jags running attack tonight. On the other side, I expect the Jaguars defense to play some inspired football under the Monday Night Football lights. The under is 5-0 in the Jaguars last 5 Monday night games. Expect both defenses to play well. Take the under in this one.

*3 Star NFL ATS Play of the Week* The Green Bay Packers are 6-0. The Packers look much better right now than they did last year during their Super Bowl season. Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in the NFL at this point in my opinion. The Packers don't have nearly as many injuries as they had last year. On the other side, the Vikings are a complete mess. Adrian Peterson is a force in the backfied, but the team has virtually no passing game. Christian Ponder will get his first career start in this one. Starting against this Packers defense will not be an easy task for Ponder. The Vikings defense is strong against the run, but the secondary struggles. I expect Aaron Rodgers to pick apart this secondary all day long. The Packers are 11-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games against a team with a losing record. The Packers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 meetings with Minnesota. Take Green Bay.

*3 Star NFL Totals TKO* The Atlanta Falcons have started running the football better of late, and that should help them a lot in this game. Atlanta's balance on offense should keep the Lions defense on their heels. At the same time, Matt Stafford and this Lions passing attack should fare well against a secondary that is struggling right now. I don't see anyone on the Falcons roster that can slow down Calvin Johnson. This one should stay close throughout, and both offenses should move the chains consistently. The over is 13-5-1 in the Lions last 19 games. The over is 6-1-1 in the Falcons last 8 road games. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL Total Domination* The New York Jets defense played well Monday, albeit against a poor Miami Dolphins offense. The Jets secondary is the best in the NFL though, and I think they'll make life tough on Phillip Rivers and the Chargers passing attack here. The Chargers really don't have a dominating running game to pound down the throats of the Jets. San Diego's defense is pretty good, and at this point I consider the Jets offense below average. I expect the defenses to get the best of the offenses in this one. I think the value is on the under in this one.

*3 Star NFL Total DOMINATION* The Houston Texans have a pretty good offense, but without Andre Johnson stretching the defense, the offense is not nearly as dynamic. The Baltimore defense is first in the NFL in points allowed per game this year at just 14.2 ppg. Houston is one of the most improved defenses in the NFL this year thanks to a much better secondary. The Texans linebackers are all over the field. Baltimore has a great front seven as well with Cody, Ngata, Lewis, Suggs, etc. I think this line is inflated a bit because of Houston's results from last year. This is a much better Houston defense this year. Expect a grind it out type of game here. Take the under.

*3 Star NFL Total Knockout* The Buffalo Bills have been one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this year. The Bills offense is successful because they are so balanced. Jackson is dangerous at the running back spot, and Fitzpatrick can throw it around quite well. The Giants defense has some key injuries right now, and I think Buffalo should score quite a few here. At the same time, the Buffalo defense isn't very good. Shawne Merriman will miss this game, and New York should have a good chance at establishing a running game. Eli Manning has some weapons at wide receiver, and I expect them to get open against a poor secondary. The over is 6-0 in Buffalo's last 6 games. The over is 5-1-1 in the Giants last 7 home games. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL ATS Play of the Week* The Philadelphia Eagles have outgained every opponent they have played this year, but they have found a way to be 1-4 after 5 contests. Turnovers have held this team back in a big way. The high expectations surrounding this team have caused the media to be all over Philadelphia through this poor start. Mike Vick has still been electric in his play making, but he needs to take better care of the football. The Eagles offense put on a clinic last year against Washington, and I think it is a good matchup for them again this year. Rex Grossman is a quarterback that I simply don't trust, and the Eagles have far more play makers than the Redskins. The Eagles definitely have their backs against the wall here, and I'm guessing they come up with their best performance of the season. Take Philadelphia.

*3 Star Sunday Night Football Total Domination* The Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons meet in a rematch of their playoff game last year in Atlanta. Green Bay won that game 48-21 as Aaron Rodgers carved up the Falcons secondary. The Packers offense is arguably better than it was last year at this point. Green Bay is averaging 37 points per game. At the same time, Atlanta's defense has struggled mightily this year. The Falcons are giving up 27 points per contest. I expect Green Bay to put up 30 or more points here. Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense is much better at home, and they should be able to throw the ball some on a Packers secondary that has struggled in 2011. The over is 5-2-1 in the Falcons last 8 home games. The over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings between these teams. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL Total DOMINATION* The San Diego Chargers offense hasn't really broken out the way you might expect them to, but I think they could do that this weekend against Denver. The Broncos secondary is dinged up quite a bit right now, and Phillip Rivers should be able to pick them apart. The Chargers secondary isn't fully healthy either, and Kyle Orton should be able to find some open receivers. The over is 7-1 in Denver's last 8 home games. The over is 27-11-4 in the Chargers last 42 road games. The over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings between these two. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL ATS Play of the Week* The Buffalo Bills blasted the lowly Chiefs in Game One, then had miraculous comebacks against Oakland and New England to get to 3-0. Last week's loss at Cincinnati showed the Bills still have a long way to go. The Eagles may be 1-3, but this team is still extremely good. Quite honestly, the Eagles cannot afford to go to 1-4 if they hope to make the playoffs. It is awfully early to say this, but it is basically a must win game for them. Vick and the Eagles offense should find plenty of holes in the Buffalo defense. The Eagles defense will give up some points, but I don't think Buffalo can keep up with the Eagles. At this small number, I really like the Eagles.

*3 Star NFL Total Knockout* The Carolina Panthers are a much better football team than they were last year, but the defense still needs a lot of work. Carolina is allowing 25.5 points per game this year, and the Saints have one of the best offenses in the NFL. Cam Newton and the Panthers passing attack is ranked third in the NFL, and the Saints have struggled against the pass this year. This should be a game where both quarterbacks have a lot of success. Carolina is out to prove that they can play with the best teams in the NFL, but they'll have to score points to stick around in this one. I like the over here.

*3 Star NFL Hidden GEM* The Tennessee Titans are rolling along at 3-1. The Titans benefited last week from the Browns turning it over constantly. Tennessee actually has the worst rushing attack in the NFL right now despite having Chris Johnson. Pittsburgh has the league's top ranked pass defense. I know the Steelers offensive line has some real issues, but I think this team will be highly motivated for this game. The Steelers really can't afford to go 2-3 and fall far behind the Ravens. Tennessee lost on the road at Jacksonville earlier this year, and I don't think the Titans can keep playing as well as they have been. Pittsburgh isn't as bad as they have looked, and the Steelers defense should step up big this week. Take the Steelers.

*3 Star Monday Night Football Bookie BEATDOWN* The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are certainly a better football team than the Indianapolis Colts right now. Josh Freeman is a rising star in the league and Raheem Morris has done a nice job with the Bucs defense. Having said that, the Colts showed they aren't just going to roll over last week against Pittsburgh. Indianapolis has a lot of veterans with plenty of pride. The defensive line can really get after the passer, and Freeman does tend to hold the ball a little too long at times. Tampa Bay is a team that generally squeaks out close wins rather than covering the number. The Bucs are 5-16 ATS in their last 21 home games. Take the Colts here.

*3 Star NFL Total DOMINATION* The New England Patriots have scored 38, 35, and 31 points in their three games this year. I see no reason to think their productivity will drop against a weak Oakland secondary. On the other hand, Oakland has the best rushing attack in the NFL. I expect Darren McFadden to have a very big day against New England. Oakland scored 35 points against Buffalo and then lit up a very good New York Jets defense for 34 points. It wouldn't surprise me to see both teams at 30 points or more in this one. Expect a lot of big plays from both offenses. The over is 19-7 in the Patriots last 26. The over is 5-0 in the Raiders last 5 home games. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL ATS Play of the Week* The New Orleans Saints stormed back to beat Houston 40-33 last week. This New Orleans offense is in midseason form right now. They are second in the NFL in total offense and second in passing offense. Jacksonville's defensive numbers look good, but they have yet to face a powerful offense. They have taken on the Titans, Panthers, and Jets. The Saints will easily be the best offense they have matched up against. The Jaguars will have to rely on MJD to run the football effectively to stay in this one, and the run defense is the Saints strength. Blaine Gabbert gets the start here, and I think the Saints will get a nice pass rush on him and force turnovers. Jacksonville is 2-9 ATS in their last 11 against teams with a winning record. Take New Orleans.

*3 Star NFL Totals TKO* Which defense is currently ranked first in the NFL in total defense? Not many people would know it, but it is the Tennessee Titans. Cleveland's offense has struggled to get going all year, and I think Tennessee will load up the box and force the Browns to try to beat them through the air. On the other side, despite having Chris Johnson, the Titans are dead last in rushing yards per game with a paltry 51 yards per contest. The Browns secondary is very good, so I don't expect Hasselbeck to find too many open receivers. Remember, Kenny Britt is injured, and he was Tennessee's best wideout. I like the under in this one.

*3 Star NFL ATS Play of the Week* The Chicago Bears surprised me by crushing the Falcons on week one, but they didn't look good in last week's loss at New Orleans. The Bears offensive line is miserable right now, and I fully expect the Packers to be able to exploit that weakness. Clay Matthews, B.J. Raji, and others should be in the Bears backfield constantly. Aaron Rodgers is a much better quarterback than Jay Cutler, and Rodgers has far more weapons to work with as well. The Bears won the NFC North last year, but I don't see this team making the playoffs this season. Green Bay has a great offense and defense, and they seem to have picked up right where they left off last season. The Packers are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 meetings with the Bears in Chicago. Take Green Bay here.

*3 Star NFL Total DOMINATION* The Oakland Raiders are a very good running team, but the Jets front seven is extremely talented. The Jets are a great running team as well, but Oakland has an extremely strong defensive line. Both of these teams will likely be attempting to establish the run, but I don't see either team running as well as normal in this one. Mark Sanchez and Jason Campbell have both shown they aren't generally able to air it out and pick up huge yardage through the air. This has the makings of a defensive struggle. I like the under here.

*3 Star NFL Totals Takedown* The Houston Texans have a very capable offense. Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson is one of the best quarteback/wide receiver combos in the league. Arian Foster is dinged up, but Ben Tate is a solid backup. Houston's defense is very weak against the pass, and the Saints can definitely air it out. Drew Brees has 6 TD's and 0 interceptions this year, and I expect them to move the ball quite easily against the Texans secondary. The over is 6-0 in Houston's last 6 games as an underdog. The over is 8-3-1 in the Saints last 12 games during September. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL Road Warrior* The Dallas Cowboys should have beaten the New York Jets last weekend. Tony Romo's fourth quarter meltdown was about as bad as it gets. Still, the Cowboys did dominate the Jets (who are a good team) for the majority of the game. This week they'll take on the 49ers in San Francisco. The Niners led just 19-17 late in the 4th quarter against Seattle last week before Ted Ginn took two returns to the house. Dallas has a strong defensive front, and I don't think the Niners can exploit the Cowboys trouble in the secondary. The Niners secondary isn't very good against the pass, and I think Romo bounces back nicely in this one. The 49ers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 following a straight up win. Take Dallas.

*3 Star NFL Total DOMINATION* The Kansas City Chiefs defense was lit up like a Christmas tree by Buffalo last weekend. Detroit's offense will be much better this year with a healthy Matt Stafford under center. Calvin Johnson is a beast on the outside, and the Lions have a solid offensive nucleus. Kansas City lost Eric Berry, their most talented player in the secondary, and he will miss the rest of the year. On the other side, I do expect Jamaal Charles and the Chiefs to be able to move the ball on the ground some in this one. The over is 8-2 in the Lions last 10 home games, and with Stafford healthy I think this Lions offense is very good. The over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings between these two teams. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL ATS Play of the Week* I rarely side with a favorite of 14 points in the NFL, but I absolutely love this spot for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Seattle will be one of the worst teams in the NFL this year, and Pittsburgh will be one of the best. Pittsburgh was absolutely embarrassed last weekend at Baltimore, and they should be extra ticked off in his home opener. Jackson is at quarterback for Seattle, and I think he is a turnover waiting to happen, especially against this Pittsburgh defense. The Steelers have a history of bouncing back. They are 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 games following a loss of 14 points or more. I think Pittsburgh's defense will dominate, and the offense will put up quite a few. This one should get very ugly. Take the Steelers.

*3 Star Monday Night Football Bookie CRUSHER* The Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos both have a new coach this year. The Raiders team lost quite a bit of talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Oakland lost the best corner in football, and now their secondary is banged up. While Denver wasn't very good last year, the passing game was very effective. On the other side, Denver was one of the worst defenses in the NFL. The Broncos simply couldn't stop the run, and that is exactly what the Raiders do very well. With McFadden and Bush running hard behind a talented run blocking offensive line, I expect the Raiders to run the ball well on Monday night. The over is 16-5 in Denver's last 21 games overall. The over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings between these teams. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL Total DOMINATION* The Carolina Panthers will have Cam Newton under center as they start off the 2011-2012 season. Newton will certainly give them a play maker at the quarterback position. Stewart and Williams give the Panthers a nice tailback tandem, and Smith is still one of the best receivers in the NFL. I think Carolina's offense will be quite a bit better than they were last year. Arizona picked up Kevin Kolb, which should help their passing game a lot. Larry Fitzgerald might be the most talented receiver in football, and Kolb should connect deep with him at least once or twice a game. Both teams improved offensively, and I think the oddsmakers have this one set too low. Take the over.

*3 Star NFL ATS Play of the Week* The Chicago Bears are a team that I believe will be overrated as we head into this season. The Bears won the division last year, but I don't think they can do it again this season. This is a defense that is aging, and they won't be able to carry the load much longer. Jay Cutler hasn't been consistent enough as a starting quarterback. Atlanta has Matt Ryan, who is a very solid quarterback at this stage in his career. The Falcons have two very good WR's in Jones and White, and the running game is very good with Turner. Atlanta is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games. Take the Falcons.

*3 Star NFL Dog of the Week* Matt Hasselbeck gives the Tennessee Titans a solid veteran presence at quarterback, which is more than the Jaguars have at this point. Luke McCown has never proven capable of keeping a starting job for too long, and I don't expect him to perform very well in this one. Chris Johnson may have held out quite a while, but at least he is healthy heading into this season. The Jaguars changed their mind at the last minute on the quarterback spot, and I think that will hurt them in this game. Take the Titans ML.

*3 Star Super Bowl Bookie BEATDOWN* The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers will meet for Super Bowl 45. This should be a terrific game between two very deserving teams. The first thing that struck me about this game is how strong the two defenses are. The Steelers are first in the league in points per game allowed and the Packers are second.

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers have a very good offense. I think the Packers will be able to throw the ball some on the Steelers, but in the end their lack of a running game against the top ranked rushing defense in the league will make them awfully one-dimensional. If the Packers are too one-dimensional the Steelers certainly have the front seven capable of getting after Rodgers. On other side, Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense is a more balanced attack. Rashard Mendenhall will probably get his yards here, and I think Pittsburgh will do their best to run it pretty often in this game. Green Bay has a great pass rush and the Steelers offensive line has struggled with teams like this all year.

The Packers games with the Bears and the high-flying Eagles both stayed well under this total. The Steelers lit up the scoreboard against the Ravens, but their game with the Jets stayed under this posted total. The under is 5-1 in the last six Super Bowl games. I like the value on the under in this one!

*3 Star Jets/Steelers Bookie SMASHER* The New York Jets have traveled to both Indianapolis and New England and pulled off improbable victories. The Jets have definitely been very impressive thus far in the postseason, especially on the defensive side of the football. Pittsburgh came from down 21-7 to defeat their AFC North rival, the Ravens, last week in Pittsburgh. Both teams are playing their best football of the season right now.

The Jets offense revolves around getting the running game going. Tomlinson and Greene are both very good running backs, and they are running behind a very talented offensive line. Mark Sanchez has been pretty inconsistent this year, and the Jets could be in trouble if they are forced to throw constantly at any point in the playoffs. The Steelers have gotten back to being a successful running team this year with Mendenhall leading the way. Ben Roethlisberger is a great playoff quarterback who does a terrific job making good decisions with the football. Mike Wallace has given this team a great deep threat, and Hines Ward is still one of the more reliable recievers in the league. This Steelers offense is multi-dimensonal right now.

I expect the difference in this game to be the Steelers rushing defense, which is easily the best in the league. The Steelers will make it very tough for the Jets to control the ball the way they have against the Patriots and the Colts. Troy Polamalu may be the best defensive player in the NFL, and I expect him to make some huge plays for the Steelers in this one as well. The Steelers have been great at covering the number in the playoffs in recent history. The Steelers are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 playoff games. They are also 5-0 ATS in their last 5 playoff games at home.

I think Roethlisberger gives the Steelers a big edge at quarterback, and this Steelers defense is the real deal. I like Pittsburgh to cover here.

*3 Star NFC Championship Total Knockout* The Green Bay Packers have put together a very impressive run in the playoffs thus far. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers have probably been the most impressive team in the playoffs so far. The Chicago Bears defense is determined to make life much tougher on him this weekend. Make no mistake about it, there is no love lost between these two teams. This is a huge rivalry, and now it is for a bid to the Super Bowl.

Both defenses are very good. The Packers have the fifth ranked defense when it comes to yards allowed, but they are second in the NFL in points allowed at just 15 per game. What about the Bears? Chicago is excellent against the run, and they have improved throughout the year against the pass. The Bears are fourth in the NFL in points allowed at just 17.9 per game. The Packers offense is impressive right now, but they don't have much of a running game to keep the Bears honest. Chicago's offense really hasn't been impressive all year, but they have done what they need to do to win.

In their two meetings earlier this year, the Bears won 20-17 at home, and the Packers won 10-3 on their home field. I was quite surprised to see the total at 44 in this one, since these teams have a nice history of low-scoring games. The under is 6-0 in the last 6 games between these two. Nine of their last ten meetings have finished under 44 points. I think the value here is on the under. Take the under in this NFC Championship Showdown!

*3 Star Jets/Patriots Total DOMINATION* The New York Jets were absolutely humiliated last time in New England. One has to expect them to come out and play better than they did last time. The Jets have a solid running game, and the Patriots allow 108 rushing yards per game. Mark Sanchez is the type of guy that I think is good for an 'over' because he has big play ability, but he can also throw some picks that lead to defensive scores or great field position for the opponent.

Tom Brady and the Patriots offensive are absolutely firing on all cylinders right now. How good has the Patriots offense been? In the last eight games they are averaging 37 points per game. Their lowest point output in the last eight games was 31 points. The consistency of their production is truly amazing. The Jets defense is very good, but they have had some trouble against the pass at times this year, and I think New England's precision passing game will give them trouble.

What about the trends for this one? The over is 12-4 in the Jets last 16 games overall. The over is 15-3 in the Patriots last 18 overall. The over is 8-1 in the Jets 9 road games this year. The over is 7-1 in the Patriots 8 home games this year. I think the Patriots are likely to get to at least 28 in this one, and I expect the Jets to put up a fight. I like the value on the over. Take the over in this one.

*3 Star Green Bay/Atlanta GUARANTEED Cash* The Green Bay Packers and the Atlanta Falcons square off in what should be a terrific game in Atlanta Saturday night. The Falcons have been terrific at home. It is much publicized now that Matt Ryan has a 20-2 record at home in this three-year career. The Falcons beat the Packers 20-17 back on November 28th. Both teams moved the ball pretty well in that game, and I think the line here is low enough that the over is a solid value. Last time they played the over/under was set at 47.5. The Falcons defense has given up quite a few yards all year, but they have managed to give up only 18 points per game. I feel like Green Bay is the type of team that is playing well enough to capitalize on their opportunities in this one and put the ball in the end zone. Green Bay's defense is 2nd in the NFL in points per game allowed at just 15, but I think Atlanta's offense will be ready in this one. Michael Turner can do some damage against Green Bay, and Matt Ryan is definitely a clutch quarterback. With Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez, the Falcons have a couple very reliable weapons in the passing game. Both defenses are good, but I think these offenses will be able to put up more points than most people are expecting on Saturday. I like the over here.

*3 Star Wildcard Weekend Best Play* The Baltimore Ravens are on the road once again in the playoffs, and they've had a lot of success in recent years in these situations. What about their body of work this year? The Ravens have been very good against good teams this year. Against teams above .500 they are 4-3, with their three losses coming by a combined 11 points. In each of those three losses they were at least tied late in the fourth quarter. What about the Chiefs? They did not beat a team all year that is above .500. Kansas City feasted on a pretty weak schedule. The Chiefs needed overtime to beat Buffalo at home, and they narrowly beat Denver at home as well. Last weekend's beatdown at the hands of the Raiders was hardly a good way to head into the playoffs. Baltimore is the veteran team here, and I think they'll be ready for this one. The Baltimore run defense is great, and I suspect they'll make Matt Cassel beat them with his arm. I think the Ravens win this one by a touchdown or more. Take Baltimore here.

*3 Star Wild Card Total DOMINATION* The New York Jets haven't been running the ball as well in the last few games, but I have a feeling they'll run it effectively against the Colts in this one. Indianapolis is 25th in the league against the run, and this Jets line is very good. At the same time, Peyton Manning has been playing very good football the last few weeks. As the Colts needed their wins, Peyton and this offense stepped it up a notch. The Colts are averaging 31 points per game in their last five games. The Colts running game has actually picked it up nicely of late as well, which should help keep the Jets honest. A healthy Joseph Addai is key to the Colts attack. The Jets are a big play team on both offense and defense. Even though they do have the third ranked defense in the NFL, they do allow some big plays. The offense and special teams have both been putting up the points of late as well. The Jets averaged 31 points per game in their last three contests. The over is 7-2 in the Jets last nine games. The over is 5-1-1 in the Colts last 7 games. The over is also 4-0 in the last four meetings between these two. I like the over in this Wild Card showdown.