I just wanted to post up a mock draft to see how close I can come to calling this thing:

1.) Lions - Matthew Stafford
2.) Rams - Jason Smith
3.) Chiefs - Aaron Curry
4.) Seattle Seahawks - Mark Sanchez
5.) Cleveland Browns - Brian Orakpo
6.) Cincinnati Bengals - Andre Smith
7.) Oakland Raiders - Michael Crabtree
8.) Jacksonville Jaguars - Eugene Monroe
9.) Green Bay Packers - B.J. Raji
10.) San Fransisco 49ers - Tyson Jackson
11.) Buffalo Bills - Aaron Maybin
12.) Denver Broncos - Brian Cushing
13.) Washington Redskins - Michael Oher
14.) New Orleans Saints - Beanie Wells
15.) Houston Texans - Malcolm Jenkins
16.) San Diego Chargers - Rey Maualuga
17.) New York Jets - Jeremy Maclin
18.) Denver Broncos - Robert Ayers
19.) Tampa Bay Bucs - Josh Freeman
20.) Detroit Lions - William Beatty
21.) Philadelphia Eagles - Knowshon Moreno
22.) Minnesota Vikings - Eben Britton
23.) New England Patriots - Everette Brown
24.) Atlanta Falcons - Vontae Davis
25.) Miami Dolphins - Percy Harvin
26.) Baltimore Ravens - Darius Butler
27.) Indianapolis Colts - Darrius Heyward-Bey
28.) Buffalo Bills - Brandon Pettrigrew
29.) New York Giants - Hakeem Nicks
30.) Tennessee Titans - Peria Jerry
31.) Arizona Cardinals - Donald Brown
32.) Pittsburgh Steelers - Alex Mack

PITTSBURGH STEELERS -7 VS. ARIZONA CARDINALS

I’m pretty down since my Eagles lost to the Cardinals in the NFC Championship, so my interest in the Super Bowl has declined immensely.  By no means did the Eagles choke.  Unfortunately they came out flat in the first half, but they got it together in the second half.  If they would have played both halves the way they played the second half, they could be playing in the big game in Tampa.  There’s still a lack of respect for the Cardinals due to their 9-7 regular season record.  Do not underestimate them.  Larry Fitzgerald is the most dangerous player in this game.  He has the ability to win games himself.  3 TDs last week against the Eagles.  He is virtually unstoppable as long as the offensive line can give Warner enough time.

Last Super Bowl, I said take the points with the Giants and this year I think taking the points may be the way to go.  I’m thinking that Pittsburgh will more than likely win this game, but that the Cardinals will more than likely cover. I’m pulling for the Cardinals since I hate Pittsburgh, so that’s influencing my pick.  I hate the Steelers, so yeah, there’s some bias here.  The Steelers should win this one by 3-4 points, but I wouldn’t be surprised one bit by a Cardinals victory.  If they do, look for one man to dominate: Larry Fitzgerald.

Also keep in mind that Big Ben is playing banged up, but that shouldn’t affect his game.

Prediction: Cardinals 27 - Steelers 24

Disclaimer: This pick is 100% bias.

It’s better late than never.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES -3.5 @ ARIZONA CARDINALS

I’m an Eagles fan, so yes, I’m 100% confident that my team will beat the Cardinals and move on to the Super Bowl.  McNabb is playing at the highest level he has played in years.  Their defense is absolutely ridiculous.  We will just have to double team Larry Fitzgerald all game.  Don’t count on the Cardinals running game having any success against the tough Eagles run D.  Eagles win, 27-20.

BALTIMORE RAVENS @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS-6

The #1 defense vs. the #2 defense.  Expect this one to be a tight defensive battle like the Ravens/Titans game.  I said before the playoffs that I think the Ravens will be the team to go onto the Super Bowl.  Their defense is better than Pittsburghs by a hair.  I like the prospect of Flacco going deep to Mark Clayton at some point in this game.  I also like the under 34.  This shouldn’t go over a 20-14 game.  Pittsburgh may move the ball well, but I see them often having to settle for field goals.  If the Steelers do win this game, it should be by 3-6 points.  I like the Ravens +6 and think they will win outright.  Ravens win, 13-9.

Hey guys.  I just got back from Vegas and cashed in on the Arizona/Atlanta over, Eagles, and Ravens.  I dropped a small amount on the Colts though.  Speaking of that game, the NFL better change the overtime rules this offseason.  It’s completely bogus to determine a football game by a coin flip.  You knew whoever was getting the ball first in overtime was going to win the game.  Let’s see what’s on tap this weekend.

BALTIMORE RAVENS @ TENNESSEE TITANS -3

With two of the best defense in the league, maybe the under 34.5 is the play to make.  However, a few Ed Reed INT’s can always get the game to hit the over.  I love the Ravens this post-season.  I think they have an excellent shot to play in the Super Bowl.  The Titans are at home where they just beet Pittsburgh in convincing fashion.  This will be a tight one.  Whoever wins the turnover and sack battle wins this game and both teams are great at forcing turnovers and getting sacks.  I’m pulling for the Ravens and I think this game pushes.  Either way, it should be tight.  With the home field, I’ll have to say the Titans win by a field goal.  Titans win, 16-13.

ARIZONA CARDINALS @ CAROLINA PANTHERS -10

Before seeing the spread, the Panthers over the Cardinals was the best play to make.  I would surely recommend taking the Panthers at -6.5, but 10 points is a lot to cover in a playoff game.  The Cardinals are terrible on the road, where they are 3-5.  They give up an average of 30 PPG on the road.  The Panthers, on the other hand, are a perfect 8-0 at home.  Carolina averages 29 PPG at home and gives up 13.9 PPG at home.  Also keep in mind that Anquan Bolden is listed as questionable for this game and should be a game-time decision.  The Panthers should dominate, but when you have to lay 10 point, a late Cardinals score can get them to cover. The over 48.5 also looks like a good play.  I see the Panthers winning this one by a score of 31-23.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES @ NEW YORK GIANTS -4

I’m an Eagles fan and I think they have a great shot to win.  DeSean Jackson made the Sports Illustrated cover with the title “Philadelphia Is Dangerous.”  Yes they are.  The Eagles already beat the Giants in New York this season and seek to make it a second time.  Their defense is playing outstanding and Westbrook has been “The Giant Killer.”  Also keep in mind that Eli Manning sucks in the cold.  It could be just wishful thinking since the Eagles are my team, but even as I try to be unbias, taking the 4 points with the Eagles looks like a good play.  Eagles win, 24-20.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS -6

Pittsburgh won the last game against the Chargers 11-10.  Pittsburgh clearly has a defensive edge, but San Diego should keep it close.  I don’t think either spread is good to take, so you’re probably better off flipping a coin.  I say Pittsburgh wins, 23-17.

Playoff football is here.  I see all the road teams having the upper hand, but you always have to be cautious when picking road teams.  However, Wild Card teams in recent years have rolled on.

ATLANTA FALCONS -2.5 @ ARIZONA CARDINALS

The Cardinals are not playoff worthy, the Falcons are.  82% of the betting public is taking the Falcons.  However, the Cardinals are a dangerous team at home.  368 yards of offense per game and 30.7 PPG when they’re at home.  That defense of the Cardinals can be a liability for them though.  I think the Falcons win this one in a tight, high-scoring game.  I say Falcons win 31-27.  The over 51 may be the play to make in this one.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

This one is a pick ‘em.  8/10 experts at Covers.com like the Colts and so do I.  How can you not?  They’ve won 9 in a row!  Manning has been unstoppable.  San Diego does have an impressive 30.5 PPG average and 367 yards per game at home though.  I think this will be another tight one: Colts win 27-24.

BALTIMORE RAVENS -3.5 @ MIAMI DOLPHINS

The 1-15 Dolphins of last year are in the playoffs.  That’s the NFL for you.  They’ve won 9 of their last 10!  The Ravens are 8-2 in their last 10.  With the Ravens allowing only 80 rushing yards per game, I think the Dolphins offense will struggle and the Ravens offense should roll over the Dolphins D.  The Ravens put up 33 on Dallas 2 weeks ago.  I expect the Ravens to cover comfortably.  Ravens win 27-13.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES -3 @ MINNESOTA VIKINGS

E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!!! I’m an Eagles fan, so I obviously expect them to win this one.  Also note that Adrian Peterson is playing banged up.  Eagles win: 23-16.

Good luck this weekend, enjoy the playoffs.

Happy New Years.  It’s January 1, which means the real bowl games start and we’re no longer subjected to the Wyoming Stamps.com Bowl.   Today we have the Rose Bowl and the Orange Bowl.  Let’s preview the games.

ROSE BOWL: USC -9 VS. PENN STATE

I’m shocked that the Torjans are 9-point favorites.  I came out thinking they would be favored by 3.  Both teams are 11-1, but I’m more impressed with what Penn State has done this season.  PSU averages 40 PPG and allowed 12 PPG.  USC scores 37 PPG and allows 8 PPG.  These teams have one common opponent: Oregon State.  Penn State killed them in their 2nd game, USC lost to them in 3rd game, but I wouldn’t give that too much weight.  The Trojans have an obvious advantage since this is essentially a home game.  72% of the public is taking the USC spread, but 63% are taking the Penn State moneyline at +270.  These teams match up pretty well.  It should be a great game and it should be close.  I think taking the points is the way to go, but I’m bias as a PA native.

ORANGE BOWL: VIRGINIA TECH VS. CINCINNATI -2

Cincinnati is 11-2 and Virginia Tech is 9-4.  I like Virginia Tech in this one because I think they have a much better defense.  They allow only 17 PPG to Cincinnati’s 20 PPG and they’ve had a much tougher schedule.  They’ve also only given up 9.7 PPG in their last 3.  The betting public is split down the middle on this one, but 8/12 experts like VT and so do I.

There is a critical bowl game today that should be a good indicator of how strong or weak the Big 10 really is this year. With Northwestern playing very strongly against Missouri and covering easily the Big 10 could be a good play throughout the rest of the bowl games, as most are getting plenty of points. Minnesota a +7 to +9 point underdog, depending on where you make the bet, with a solid showing could give bettors a reason to take the points with the Big 10 throughout the rest of the bowl games, even though I have initially thought the Big 10 teams where clearly outmatched in all of their games. If you are looking for a small play I would take the over the in the Minnesota/Kansas game at 58. Minnesota stuggled down the stretch losing their last four giving up an average of over 40 points. Kansas went 2-2 over their final four giving up an average of 40 per as well. If Minnesota does play well today and cover or win, you may want to rethink most experts opinion that the Big 10 is weak.

Plays for Today:

1. Minnesota/Kansas over 58

2. Boston College -6 v. Vanderbilt

3. LSU v. Georgia Tech -4

Good Luck.

With this being the final Sunday for NFL Regular Season football I thought I should give out some rock solid winners so you guys can pad your bankrolls before the playoffs.

1. Oakland/Tampa Bay OVER 39.5 (Rating +5)

2. Tennessee/Indianapolis OVER 39 (Rating +4)

3. Chicago/Houston  UNDER 46.5 (Rating +4)

4. Seattle (+6.5) at Phoenix (Rating +3)

5. Miami (+3) at New York Jets (Rating +3)

College Play for Sunday:

1. Northern Illinois (+1.5) vs. Louisiana Tech

Good Luck!

Boise State let me down late as they could not stop TCU down the stretch, however if you took the points then you had an easy cover.

I made two bets before I left Vegas on bowl games and Central Michigan was one of them.  I was able to get the line at -6.5, but it is now at -7. There is definetly some home field advantage here as CMU is bringing tons of fans, while FAU is only bringing about 1500. CMU has played in the Motor City Bowl for the last 2 years and have played well in both. FAU has been poor on the road this year going 2-5 SU and 3-4 ATS. Another factor is that at least two starters on defense for FAU are either out or suspended for the game and one other back-up is out as well. That puts in even more stress on a weak defense that will have its hands full trying to slow down that high powered CMU offense. CMU dropped the last two games of the year, but I don’t think that is as big a deal as many think. CMU lost to a red hot Ball State team, but played very tough and the game wasn’t decided until the last few minutes. Their other loss came to Eastern Michigan, but many times after a tough loss and with a game that is virtually meaningless you will see a team have a big let down and lose. Therefore, both of those losses can easily be explained. Tonight will be different. This is Dan LeFevour’s last game and he is going to go out in style. He should easily light up this weak FAU defense. While CMU’s defense is nothing to brag about, they are better than FAU’s D and should come up with some big stops. Lay the points with CMU as they should win in a route.

Sorry I haven’t posted in a while guys, I was in Vegas. Had a pretty successful trip as I hit a video poker machine with 4 Aces and a kicker which paid $2000. Anyways it is back to reality and we have a bunch of bowl games to analyze.

TCU v. Boise State (+3):

Without a doubt the public is all over TCU, with 57% of the money on the spread going on TCU. I just don’t understand why. TCU has the better defense, but I just don’t believe they are that different: TCU’s D only allows 166 passing yards and under 50 yards rushing. However BSU’s D allows 189 passing and 105 rushing, which is also rock solid. Both of TCU’s losses have come on the road against Oklahoma and Utah. The key for me here is that Oklahoma loss. BSU’s offense is very similar to Oklahoma and I believe BSU will exploit TCU’s weakness in the secondary. I think BSU’s can beat them deep and score at will. I am calling it now, BSU in a route. I have already played this game on the money line. So take the points if you feel the need, but I just see BSU playing an overall better game and with a chip on their shoulder after getting snubbed from a major bowl game.

The Play: Boise State moneyline (+130)