GUS AUGUSTINE
My comp play for today is the Seahawks and the Cowboys to play Over the total.
These teams like to run the football, and usually when that is the case, you take a strong look at the Under when looking for a totals play. The problem with that is the total tonight seems extremely low when you consider the numbers these teams have been able to post this year.
Yes, their first meeting way back on Week Three of the season saw just 37 combined points, but it also saw 3 Cowboys turnovers that did not aid the cause for putting points on the board at CenturyLink Field that afternoon.
The Seahawks come into this game with the # 6 scoring offense in the league, as they average 26.8 points per game. They played each of their last 3 games, and 7 of their last 8 games on the year Over the total. That mark includes each of their last 3 on the road Over the total.
The Cowboys just played a wild one with the Giants Over the total, 36-35 to conclude the regular season, and 5 of their last 9 games this campaign have also played Over the total. The Dallas offense generates 21.2 points per game, and truth be told they settle for field goals in the red zone a little too often for my like to make a "slam dunk" Over case, but if they want to win this game, they had better figure out a way to get 7's tonight instead of 3's.
With a total of just 6 combined touchdowns as I post this analysis, I will look for these teams to reach that plateau along with a few field goals also sprinkled into the equation.
Seattle-Dallas Over the total.
2* SEATTLE-DALLAS OVER
My comp play for today is the Seahawks and the Cowboys to play Over the total.
These teams like to run the football, and usually when that is the case, you take a strong look at the Under when looking for a totals play. The problem with that is the total tonight seems extremely low when you consider the numbers these teams have been able to post this year.
Yes, their first meeting way back on Week Three of the season saw just 37 combined points, but it also saw 3 Cowboys turnovers that did not aid the cause for putting points on the board at CenturyLink Field that afternoon.
The Seahawks come into this game with the # 6 scoring offense in the league, as they average 26.8 points per game. They played each of their last 3 games, and 7 of their last 8 games on the year Over the total. That mark includes each of their last 3 on the road Over the total.
The Cowboys just played a wild one with the Giants Over the total, 36-35 to conclude the regular season, and 5 of their last 9 games this campaign have also played Over the total. The Dallas offense generates 21.2 points per game, and truth be told they settle for field goals in the red zone a little too often for my like to make a "slam dunk" Over case, but if they want to win this game, they had better figure out a way to get 7's tonight instead of 3's.
With a total of just 6 combined touchdowns as I post this analysis, I will look for these teams to reach that plateau along with a few field goals also sprinkled into the equation.
Seattle-Dallas Over the total.
2* SEATTLE-DALLAS OVER
RAY CHADWICK
I am well aware of Seattle's pedigree when it comes to this time of the season, but I keep coming back to the simple fact of home and away.
The Seahawks went just 4-4 straight up on the road this season, while the Cowboys lost only once this season at AT&T Stadium, and did notch a win over New Orleans to boot on their home turf!
These teams did face one another back on September 23rd, and that was the game that Seattle turned to their "ground and pound" style of running the football that has served them so well the longer this season has gone on. In that game, Dallas committed 3 costly turnovers, including 2 interceptions, as Seattle got out to a 17-3 lead en-route to a 24-13 home win and cover in a game that was priced right around a pick.
Remember, back in that meeting, Dallas did not have the services of one Amari Cooper. Cooper has balanced out the Dallas offense, and the Cowboys do come into this meeting with 7 wins over their last 8 games, and a 6-1-1 against the spread mark over those last 8 contests.
Seattle has won 6 of their last 7 games coming into this road playoff game, and Russell Wilson sure knows a thing or two about playoff football, as each of the last 5 times the Seahawks have made the postseason, they have been able to win all 5 of their opening round games straight up! Pretty impressive if you ask me, but those past wins don't matter a lick today in Big D.
This one is going to come down to running and stopping the football. Yes, Seattle had success back in Week 3, but Dallas has been only allowed 6 teams to rush for more than 10 yards on them this season. Let's see if the visiting Seahawks are able to get their preferred run first game working tonight on the road. As for Dallas' rushing offense, Zeke Elliott did have success in that first meeting between the teams, and Seattle was inconsistent at best in stopping the run during the regular season.
In the end, that 7-1 home mark is just too impressive for me to overlook, especially when 4 of Seattle's 6 season losses have come away from the Emerald City.
Mark me down for a play on the Cowboys.
5* DALLAS
I am well aware of Seattle's pedigree when it comes to this time of the season, but I keep coming back to the simple fact of home and away.
The Seahawks went just 4-4 straight up on the road this season, while the Cowboys lost only once this season at AT&T Stadium, and did notch a win over New Orleans to boot on their home turf!
These teams did face one another back on September 23rd, and that was the game that Seattle turned to their "ground and pound" style of running the football that has served them so well the longer this season has gone on. In that game, Dallas committed 3 costly turnovers, including 2 interceptions, as Seattle got out to a 17-3 lead en-route to a 24-13 home win and cover in a game that was priced right around a pick.
Remember, back in that meeting, Dallas did not have the services of one Amari Cooper. Cooper has balanced out the Dallas offense, and the Cowboys do come into this meeting with 7 wins over their last 8 games, and a 6-1-1 against the spread mark over those last 8 contests.
Seattle has won 6 of their last 7 games coming into this road playoff game, and Russell Wilson sure knows a thing or two about playoff football, as each of the last 5 times the Seahawks have made the postseason, they have been able to win all 5 of their opening round games straight up! Pretty impressive if you ask me, but those past wins don't matter a lick today in Big D.
This one is going to come down to running and stopping the football. Yes, Seattle had success back in Week 3, but Dallas has been only allowed 6 teams to rush for more than 10 yards on them this season. Let's see if the visiting Seahawks are able to get their preferred run first game working tonight on the road. As for Dallas' rushing offense, Zeke Elliott did have success in that first meeting between the teams, and Seattle was inconsistent at best in stopping the run during the regular season.
In the end, that 7-1 home mark is just too impressive for me to overlook, especially when 4 of Seattle's 6 season losses have come away from the Emerald City.
Mark me down for a play on the Cowboys.
5* DALLAS
RAY CHADWICK
Inflation is a bitch! Today in Blacksburg that is exactly what we have in this Boston College-Virginia Tech contest.
Buzz William's Hokies are holding steady at #10 in the land, and they looked mighty tight blasting Notre Dame on New Year's Day, 81-66 as the -11 point home chalk. That blowout win coupled with Boston College's shocking home loss to Hartford in overtime on December 31st has served to inflate the price on this conference clash early Saturday afternoon.
My suspicion is that Jim Christian's team was caught very much looking ahead to this conference road opener, and that they will acquit themselves in a much better light today.
This is actually quadruple revenge for BC, as the lone meeting last year in Chestnut Hill ended in an 85-80 Tech overtime win as the -1 point road chalk.
Cannot expect a double-digit underdog to exact straight up revenge, but with these points I think the Eagles will fly.
Ky Bowman is fresh off a 44 point, 10 rebound performance in that OT loss to Hartford. His teammate Nik Popovic has also been playing well with 3 double-doubles in 3 of BC's last 4 games. Look for that pair to keep the Eagles in this game with the inviting double-digits.
10 of Tech's 12 games this season have been decided by double-digits, so this big number does appear justified. However, with Va-Tech off of their romp over Notre Dame, and with a pair of ACC roadies on-deck, including a date with Virginia, I expect the Gobblers to let their guard down just enough for Boston College to steal the cash.
BC plus the points for the C's on Saturday - as in C-Notes!
4* BOSTON COLLEGE
Inflation is a bitch! Today in Blacksburg that is exactly what we have in this Boston College-Virginia Tech contest.
Buzz William's Hokies are holding steady at #10 in the land, and they looked mighty tight blasting Notre Dame on New Year's Day, 81-66 as the -11 point home chalk. That blowout win coupled with Boston College's shocking home loss to Hartford in overtime on December 31st has served to inflate the price on this conference clash early Saturday afternoon.
My suspicion is that Jim Christian's team was caught very much looking ahead to this conference road opener, and that they will acquit themselves in a much better light today.
This is actually quadruple revenge for BC, as the lone meeting last year in Chestnut Hill ended in an 85-80 Tech overtime win as the -1 point road chalk.
Cannot expect a double-digit underdog to exact straight up revenge, but with these points I think the Eagles will fly.
Ky Bowman is fresh off a 44 point, 10 rebound performance in that OT loss to Hartford. His teammate Nik Popovic has also been playing well with 3 double-doubles in 3 of BC's last 4 games. Look for that pair to keep the Eagles in this game with the inviting double-digits.
10 of Tech's 12 games this season have been decided by double-digits, so this big number does appear justified. However, with Va-Tech off of their romp over Notre Dame, and with a pair of ACC roadies on-deck, including a date with Virginia, I expect the Gobblers to let their guard down just enough for Boston College to steal the cash.
BC plus the points for the C's on Saturday - as in C-Notes!
4* BOSTON COLLEGE
TOMMY BRUNSON
Comp play release will be the tried-and-true when Davidson and Duquesne meet in Atlantic Ten action this Saturday night at Belk Arena, and that is to back the Wildcats minus the points.
Duquesne is definitely on the improve under second year coach Keith Dambrot, but the Iron Dukes do not seem to have recovered after Dambrot's last seconds implosion at home against Penn State. You may recall his arguing a blocking foul called with under 6 seconds to go resulted in a double-technical and a 6-point loss!
Duquesne did win their next game against Eastern Kentucky, but they needed overtime to win 85-84 as a near double-digit home favorite, and then followed with a head-scratching 67-78 home court loss to NJIT their last time out on December 31st. Now they will head to North Carolina for a date with a Wildcats team that has also not played a game yet in 2019, but I am sure wily Bob McKillop will have his 'Cats ready to go on their home floor.
Both teams are 9-4, but Davidson has had to deal with road games against ACC reps, North Carolina and Wake Forest. They have also faced big name programs Wichita State and Purdue this season.
The Wildcats are 6-0 straight up at home, and have covered in 4 of their 5 home dates thus far. The Iron Dukes on the other hand, have dropped their lone true road game, and are 1-2-1 against the spread in their 4 games away from the Palombo Center.
Series numbers are 100% in favor of backing the host here, as these teams have played 6 times in A-10 action, and the Wildcats have not only won all 6, but they have covered in all 6 wins. All 6 wins have come by 11-points or more too!
What changes today? Nothing!
Lay it with Davidson.
4* DAVIDSON
Comp play release will be the tried-and-true when Davidson and Duquesne meet in Atlantic Ten action this Saturday night at Belk Arena, and that is to back the Wildcats minus the points.
Duquesne is definitely on the improve under second year coach Keith Dambrot, but the Iron Dukes do not seem to have recovered after Dambrot's last seconds implosion at home against Penn State. You may recall his arguing a blocking foul called with under 6 seconds to go resulted in a double-technical and a 6-point loss!
Duquesne did win their next game against Eastern Kentucky, but they needed overtime to win 85-84 as a near double-digit home favorite, and then followed with a head-scratching 67-78 home court loss to NJIT their last time out on December 31st. Now they will head to North Carolina for a date with a Wildcats team that has also not played a game yet in 2019, but I am sure wily Bob McKillop will have his 'Cats ready to go on their home floor.
Both teams are 9-4, but Davidson has had to deal with road games against ACC reps, North Carolina and Wake Forest. They have also faced big name programs Wichita State and Purdue this season.
The Wildcats are 6-0 straight up at home, and have covered in 4 of their 5 home dates thus far. The Iron Dukes on the other hand, have dropped their lone true road game, and are 1-2-1 against the spread in their 4 games away from the Palombo Center.
Series numbers are 100% in favor of backing the host here, as these teams have played 6 times in A-10 action, and the Wildcats have not only won all 6, but they have covered in all 6 wins. All 6 wins have come by 11-points or more too!
What changes today? Nothing!
Lay it with Davidson.
4* DAVIDSON
RAY MONOHAN
NHL | Jan 05, 2019
Islanders vs. Blues
St. Louis -130
The Blues are worth a flyer here. St. Louis has played well as of late, which includes a blowout win over the Capitals this week. Along with that, they have the edge head to head. They have 5 of the last 7 against the Islanders in St. Louis. The Blues offensive firepower with their combination of youth and veterans has really been able to overwhelm the Islanders in recent meetings.
Some trends to note. Islanders are 13-29 in their last 42 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Islanders are 3-7 in their last 10 vs. Central.
Lay the juice. Back St. Louis.
Good Luck, Razor Ray.
NHL | Jan 05, 2019
Islanders vs. Blues
St. Louis -130
The Blues are worth a flyer here. St. Louis has played well as of late, which includes a blowout win over the Capitals this week. Along with that, they have the edge head to head. They have 5 of the last 7 against the Islanders in St. Louis. The Blues offensive firepower with their combination of youth and veterans has really been able to overwhelm the Islanders in recent meetings.
Some trends to note. Islanders are 13-29 in their last 42 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Islanders are 3-7 in their last 10 vs. Central.
Lay the juice. Back St. Louis.
Good Luck, Razor Ray.
MATT JOSEPHS
NCAA-B | Jan 05, 2019
Northern Illinois vs. Ohio
OVER 147
Northern Illinois has gone over in eight of their 11 lined games. On the road they've had massive issues with defense allowing 88 at MSU, 95 at Butler, 85 at Green Bay and 72 at Oakland. I really like the Huskies with Eugene German and Levi Bradley accounting for over 37 points per game. They've shown that they can fill up the buckets as well with seven efforts of 80 points or more. Ohio is a faster paced team that has alternated overs and unders the past few weeks. Their offense is in a bit of a rut with four of their last five efforts being in the 60s. This team has shown they can run with the best putting up 101 on Marshall and 89 on Iona. Their big three is pretty solid and they are the better rebounding team of the two. I think this one should see plenty of points on Saturday.
NCAA-B | Jan 05, 2019
Northern Illinois vs. Ohio
OVER 147
Northern Illinois has gone over in eight of their 11 lined games. On the road they've had massive issues with defense allowing 88 at MSU, 95 at Butler, 85 at Green Bay and 72 at Oakland. I really like the Huskies with Eugene German and Levi Bradley accounting for over 37 points per game. They've shown that they can fill up the buckets as well with seven efforts of 80 points or more. Ohio is a faster paced team that has alternated overs and unders the past few weeks. Their offense is in a bit of a rut with four of their last five efforts being in the 60s. This team has shown they can run with the best putting up 101 on Marshall and 89 on Iona. Their big three is pretty solid and they are the better rebounding team of the two. I think this one should see plenty of points on Saturday.
CHIP CHIRIMBES
Seattle at Dallas 8:00 ET
Cowboys/Seahawks- OVER-
Okay to start with both defenses surrender just over 21 points per game and the totals number seems right-on! (But what is even better is Chip's NFC Wild Card Game of the Year...Chip's is a 'Documented' 12-1 92% winners and has this one today the SIDE between Seattle and Dallas) Both these teams will implement a few trick plays that will keep defenses on their heels. In what many believe will be a boring slugfest but I see it another way. Play OVER.
Seattle at Dallas 8:00 ET
Cowboys/Seahawks- OVER-
Okay to start with both defenses surrender just over 21 points per game and the totals number seems right-on! (But what is even better is Chip's NFC Wild Card Game of the Year...Chip's is a 'Documented' 12-1 92% winners and has this one today the SIDE between Seattle and Dallas) Both these teams will implement a few trick plays that will keep defenses on their heels. In what many believe will be a boring slugfest but I see it another way. Play OVER.
TIM MICHAEL
NHL | Jan 05, 2019
Flames vs. Flyers
OVER 6½
T.M. Selection: Flames/Flyers over (Bonus Play)
Calgary comes in off a 6-4 road loss in Boston, while Philadelphia fell 5-3 at home to Carolina. The Flames though are still a solid 13-9 on the road this year, averaging 3.00 GPG and allowing 2.33. The Flyers are 8-14 at home and they’re averaging 2.78 goals and allowing 3.39 in those contests. Philadelphia can’t rest on its laurels and expect to break a five-game win streak though. Note as well that the Flyers have seen the total go over the posted number in seven of their last nine home games after a four games or more losing streak. Play the over.
T.M. Prediction: 5-3 Flames.
NHL | Jan 05, 2019
Flames vs. Flyers
OVER 6½
T.M. Selection: Flames/Flyers over (Bonus Play)
Calgary comes in off a 6-4 road loss in Boston, while Philadelphia fell 5-3 at home to Carolina. The Flames though are still a solid 13-9 on the road this year, averaging 3.00 GPG and allowing 2.33. The Flyers are 8-14 at home and they’re averaging 2.78 goals and allowing 3.39 in those contests. Philadelphia can’t rest on its laurels and expect to break a five-game win streak though. Note as well that the Flyers have seen the total go over the posted number in seven of their last nine home games after a four games or more losing streak. Play the over.
T.M. Prediction: 5-3 Flames.
RED DOG SPORTS
NCAA-F | Jan 05, 2019
Eastern Washington vs. North Dakota State
under 61
The free college football total is to take the under 61 when Eastern Washington plays North Dakota State on Saturday afternoon. It is an early start and EW may struggle to score. Hopefully we see a game in the 50's that stays under.
NCAA-F | Jan 05, 2019
Eastern Washington vs. North Dakota State
under 61
The free college football total is to take the under 61 when Eastern Washington plays North Dakota State on Saturday afternoon. It is an early start and EW may struggle to score. Hopefully we see a game in the 50's that stays under.
JOSEPH D'AMICO
Saturday's FREE NFL WINNER: Seattle Seahawks
Game 103.
5:15 pm pst.
Both teams bounced back after subpar seasons LY, to finish this campaign at 10-6. Dallas is a hotter team, winning 7 of their L8 SU (6-2 ATS) and are a monster home team, sporting a 7-1 SU (5-3 ATS) mark at AT&T Stadium. Seattle has the edge in the series matchup, winning 4 of the L5 SU, including a late-December, 24-13 victory. Neither squad has an explosive passing game, but both offenses can run the ball. However, when it comes to this time of year, post-season experience and success is vital. The combination of QB, Russell Wilson and HC, Pete Carroll have won 8 playoff games since 2012, including a Super Bowl, which is 7 more wins than HC Jason Garrett has in his tenure. QB, Dak Prescott has 0 post-season wins under his belt. The Cowboys are 3-8 ATS the L11 overall playoffs games, 1-4 ATS the L5 home playoff games, and 1-5 ATS the L6 January games. Take the Seahawks. Thank you.
Saturday's FREE NFL WINNER: Seattle Seahawks
Game 103.
5:15 pm pst.
Both teams bounced back after subpar seasons LY, to finish this campaign at 10-6. Dallas is a hotter team, winning 7 of their L8 SU (6-2 ATS) and are a monster home team, sporting a 7-1 SU (5-3 ATS) mark at AT&T Stadium. Seattle has the edge in the series matchup, winning 4 of the L5 SU, including a late-December, 24-13 victory. Neither squad has an explosive passing game, but both offenses can run the ball. However, when it comes to this time of year, post-season experience and success is vital. The combination of QB, Russell Wilson and HC, Pete Carroll have won 8 playoff games since 2012, including a Super Bowl, which is 7 more wins than HC Jason Garrett has in his tenure. QB, Dak Prescott has 0 post-season wins under his belt. The Cowboys are 3-8 ATS the L11 overall playoffs games, 1-4 ATS the L5 home playoff games, and 1-5 ATS the L6 January games. Take the Seahawks. Thank you.
