Sunday 1/5/20 thread for free handicapping service plays and expert predictions for NFL, NCAAF & NBA games.
Mike Wynn
Free Pick: Colorado -9 Over Oregon St
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Totals4U
Sunday's Free Selection: St Bonaventure/George Washington under 132 1/2
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Atlantic Sports
Sunday's Free Selection from Atlantic Sports: Milwaukee Panthers - 3
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#1 Sports
Sunday's Free Selection: St Louis Billikens - 10 1/2
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Platinum Plays
Your Free Pick: the Minnesota Golden Gophers -9½ over Northwestern
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Hawkeye Sports
Sunday's Free Pick: Oakland Grizzlies - 1
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Arthur Ralph
Free Play Sun VCU -5 1/2
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RED DOG SPORTS
Soccer | Jan 05, 2020
Mallorca vs. Granada
Granada -102
Mallorca 1
Granada 2
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WILL ROGERS
NFL | Jan 05, 2020
Seahawks vs. Eagles
UNDER 46 -121
The set-up: The Eagles finished 9-7, while the Hawks ended up 11-5. Seattle almost knocked off the 49ers at home in Week 17, but it just wasn't to be. The Eagles had to sweep their final four games to punch their ticket, including a win over the Giants in Week 17. The Hawks will be without the services of WR Jaron Brown, who suffered a torn MCL in the loss to San Fran. That's going to put added pressure on QB Russell Wilson to carry the load and manage the game today. He'll also be leaning heavily on his run game, as Marshawn Lynch looked stronger as the game progressed in his first action in a while vs. the 49ers. The Eagles are also dealing with injury to RB Miles Sanders, who is listed as questionable here. Carson Wentz may have TE Zach Ertz back in the line-up today, but like his counterpart, the veteran pivot will have to shoulder the responsibility today if his team is going to win this one.
The pick: Both teams are going to rely on their run game to alleviate that pressure from their QB's though. Each is banged up on the offensive side as well. On this cold day in Philadelphia, I believe the "under" is definitely worthy of a second look.
1* FREE PLAY on the UNDER Hawks/Eagles.
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RICKY TRAN
NFL | Jan 05, 2020
Vikings vs. Saints
Saints-7½
My 1* FREE PLAY is on the New Orleans Saints.
Minnesota posted the "The Minneapolis Miracle" vs. the Saints in 2018, which sent the Vikes to the NFC Championship Game, so now New Orelans has an opportunity to avenge that setback. The Vikes are expected to have Dalvin Cook back in the line-up this week, but I still don't think it'll matter in this difficult road venue.
The Vikes' Kirk Cousins finished with 26 TD's and six INT's, while Saints' veteran Drew Brees finished with 27 TD's this season, despite missing several games with an injury.
Key Trends:
- Minnesota is a poor 4-7 ATS in its last 11 as a road underdog (including only 1-3 ATS this year.)
- The vikes are just 3-4 ATS this season after playing a game at home.
- The Saints are 10-6 ATS in their last 16 after allowing 14 points or less in their last game (including 3-1 ATS this season.)
The verdict: The Vikes' defense took a step back this year and I think it'll have a hard time slowing down Michael Thomas and the home side; I'm laying the points!
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TONY FINN
Event: (147) Seattle Seahawks at (148) Philadelphia Eagles
Sport/League: NFL
Date/Time: January 5, 2020 4PM EST
Play: Total Under 45.5 (-108)
It took the Philadelphia Eagles three-quarters of the 2019 regular season to find the formula for success. Injuries to players that were counted on to be every down assets contributed to the teams slow start. Two NFC squads that have earned postseason spots continue to win despite key variables to success are questionable for Sunday's Wild Card contest when the NFC East Philly Eagles host the NFC West Seattle Seahawks.
Seattle Seahawks (-1, 45.5)
It isn't unusual or any secret that the current state of the Seahawks success rests in the arm and legs of quarterback Russell Wilson. How Wilson goes so go Pete Carroll's crew. Injuries to running backs Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny and C.J. Prosise were all season ending. Enter former and retired running back Marshawn Lynch who was offered a contract to return to active duty for the now-postseason. Lynch and Travis Homer combined for nearly 100 yards on the ground last Sunday in a losing effort against the San Francisco 49ers.
Wilson has a history with the Eagles. The connection is the quarterbacks 4-0 career mark against Philadelphia. A healthy Tyler Lockett gives the Seahawks the speed threat to keep the Eagles defense honest. Seattle’s player personnel are no stranger to playoff pressure. The Hawks have qualified for the postseason in seven of their last eight seasons.
Philadelphia Eagles (+1, 45.5)
The Eagles have battled injuries to the likes of running back Miles Sanders (ankle), wideouts Alshon Jeffery (foot) and Nelson Agholor (knee) and Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz (ribs/back) the entire season. The talent and fortitude of running back Boston Scott (practice squad) and wideouts Greg Ward and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside have assisted in the Eagles winning the final four games of the regular season earning an NFC East title.
QB Carson Wentz managed to direct the offense to an overall 9-7 record without the services of one or more of the following in each of the team's 16 regular season games; offensive linemen Brandon Brooks and Lane Johnson. Running backs Miles Sanders and Jordan Howard. Wide outs Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson and Nelson Agholor. Tight end Zach Ertz. Cornerbacks Avonte Maddox, Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills.
Free Pick
Seattle is likely to be without offensive left tackle Duane Brown. The absence of Brown protecting Wilson's blind side will force Carroll and his staff to scheme more three-step drops and quick hitting passes to the quality receivers that the Seahawks roster. Seattle will ask more of Lynch in his second game since coming out of retirement.
The lack of big play weapons on the Philadelphia sideline and this contest being decided in the trenches and on the ground call for a free pick play Under the Total of 45.5.
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Razor Sharp
YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR SUNDAY: MINNESOTA (CBB) -10½ over Northwestern
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Nevada Sharpshooter
Your free winner for Sunday : DAYTON (CBB) -16 over St Josephs
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Golden Dragon
FREE WINNER for Sunday
Michigan State -8 College BB
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Hawkeye Sports
Sunday's Free Pick: Oakland Grizzlies - 1
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Huddle Up Sports
Free Play:
Miami -5' NBA
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Vegas Steam Line
Your free winner for Sunday: PURDUE +1½ over Illinois
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High Stakes Syndicate
Free Selection for Sunday: IUPUI Jaguars + 11 1/2
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Kenny Towers
Your Free Pick for Sunday: Port/Mia OVER 223
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CALVIN KING
NCAA-B | Jan 05, 2020
Manhattan vs. Niagara
[1%] Free Play on Niagara +1
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STEVE JANUS
NHL | Jan 05, 2020
Sharks vs. Capitals
1* Free Sharp Play on Capitals -218
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ROB VINCILETTI
NBA | Jan 05, 2020
Grizzlies vs. Suns
Suns-6
The NBA Comp Play is on Phoenix at 8:05 eastern. The Suns have home loss revenge here on Memphis and the revenging team has won the last 7 times in this series and the winning team has covered 15 straight. Memphis has no rest off a stunning 140-114 upset road dog win over the LA.Clippers as a 10 point dog. From the database going back to 1995 no team has covered as a road dog with no rest if they covered by 21 or more a a 10+ point dog scoring 120 or more. Look for The Suns to serve up revenge. For the NBA Free pick. Play on Phoenix. Rob V- GC Sports
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RAY MONOHAN
NFL | Jan 05, 2020
Vikings vs. Saints
Vikings+9 -125
Sunday January 5th at 1:05pm ET from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome we get the first NFC wild card game of 2020. The Minnesota Vikings 10-6 (9-7 ATS) take on the NFC South kings the New Orleans Saints 13-3 (11-5 ATS). New Orleans is a 9-point favorite, while the over-under for total points is 49.5.
Can we get another game like the "Minneapolis Miracle" please? (Last years 29-24 NFC Divisional round matchup where the Vikings won on a hail-mary of sorts)
For me this play is all about my x-factor in this matchup. The Minnesota defense. They're the second ranked red-zone defense in the NFL. They really limit easy TD's, and easy TD's are how teams cover a 9-point spread. If you combine that with what I think is too large a spread to begin with, and the Vikings get their best offensive weapon back in Dalvin Cook and you have all the makings of a competitive game. Throw in Mattison, and Boone and you have ground and pound, which will limit the Saints TOP.
It's true that Brees, Kamara, Thomas and Cook are all playing ELITE football right now, and that does give me pause, but I just feel like the Vikings defense matches up well enough on Sunday to limit big plays. Having said that, I still feel Michael Thomas will "get his".
Some trends to consider. Minnesota are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when playing on the road against New Orleans, and are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games, plus they're 10-2 SU in their last 12 games against an opponent in the NFC South. Also Minnesota was 7-3 ATS when playing indoors this season, and Cousins passer rating indoors is 120.3 vs. 95 outdoors. Play on the Vikings to keep this one close.
I'll grab the points.
Good Luck, Razor Ray.
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HUNTER PRICE
NCAA-B | Jan 05, 2020
Manhattan vs. Niagara
1* Free Pick on Niagara PK -105
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STEPHEN DeANGELO
For Sunday’s freebie, we’ll take a shot with the Eagles as a small home underdog against Seattle in this weekend’s final wild-card playoff game.
Back on Nov. 26, the Seahawks went to Philly as a 1½-point favorite and cruised to a 17-9 victory, which I remember well as I cashed a 50 Dime winner on Seattle. Today, the Seahawks are once again laying 1½ points in Philly, but this time I’m telling you to go the other way. So what’s changed? Well, for starters, these teams are riding completely different waves of momentum.
After following up the Seattle loss with an ugly 37-31 loss to the lowly Dolphins in Miami, the Eagles’ backs were pressed firmly against the wall. With no margin for error—and with a bunch of key players still banged up—Philadelphia needed to win its final four games to steal the NFC East from the Cowboys. And that’s exactly what happened, as the Eagles swept their three division rivals, beating the Giants twice, the Redskins on the road and the Cowboys at home.
Yeah, you can question the quality of the competition, but you can’t question Philly’s resolve, as it averaged 27.8 ppg and allowed 17.5 ppg during the four-game streak. And since the Seahawks loss, when he committed four turnovers, embattled QB Carson Wentz has been fantastic, with 10 TD passes and just one INT (none in the last four games).
Meanwhile, after winning in Philadelphia, Seattle came home and gutted out a 37-30 win over the Vikings. But from there, the Seahawks went 1-3 SU and 0-4 ATS, including two ugly losses to the Rams (28-12) and Cardinals (27-13). While the offense, which was so depleted at running back that it signed Marshawn Lynch off the streets before last week’s season-ending home loss to the 49ers, has sputtered in recent weeks, it’s the defense that’s really struggled. Since the Eagles win, Seattle has allowed 30, 28, 24, 27 and 26 points (and in the two weeks prior to the Eagles win, the Seahawks surrendered 34 and 24 points).
Finally, while Seattle didn’t have to sweat much in its last trip to Philadelphia, the reality is the Eagles—whose offense was completely ravaged by injuries—played better. Philly had 23 first downs to 14 for Seattle, it sacked Russell Wilson six times and finished with just 4 fewer yards (348-344). The problem for that day: The Eagles couldn’t hang onto the football (in addition to Wentz’s two INTs and two lost fumbles, Philly lost an additional fumble).
As noted above, Wentz has been a completely different quarterback over the last month, and his team’s play has improved along with him. So we’ll ride with the hotter team with the “we’re an underdog, at home?” chip on its shoulder.
3* PHILADELPHIA
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BOB VALENTINO
Last Sunday night, the Seahawks came within inches of beating the 49ers at CenturyLink Field, as they were stopped on a 4th and goal at the goal line and instead of winning the NFC West and a first round bye, Seattle will now hit the road for the long trek east to face the NFC East Division winning Philadelphia Eagles.
Philly enters at 9-7 and are winners of their final 4 games of the year but a closer look at those 4 wins show a pair over the Giants, one over the Redskins and of course one over the mystifying Cowboys. Combined record? How about 19-45 for those 4 wins! Hardly a "Murderer's Row", but certainly are due props to Carson Wentz who played clean ball - no turnovers - and willed his injury-ravaged team on to the division crown.
Both teams have injuries out the wazoo, but my belief is that even though they are on the road, Seattle is the play today in the City of Brotherly Love. Russell Wilson is a quarterback who has shown me over the years that he knows how to win big games, while this will actually be Carson Wentz' first playoff start as he has been sidelined by injury for the previous Philly postseason stints since becoming an Eagle.
The Seahawks did go 7-1 straight up away from the Emerald City this year and they also went a money-making 5-2-1 against the spread in those road games. Included is a November 17-9 win and cover at Lincoln Financial Field in a game that featured 7 combined turnovers - Philly contributing a whopping 5 to that effort, with Wentz the main culprit as he was picked off twice and lost two fumbles too.
As I said, during their 4 game uptick, Wentz has played clean football and I certainly do not expect him to gift the Seahawks multiple turnovers, but with Wilson a perfect 4-0 in his career against Philly, and with the Seatlle defense a little bit healthier going against an undermanned Eagles offense, this one has the look of another road win for the Seahawks.
Seattle did get a positive contribution from the un-retired Marshawn Lynch last week as he did record a touchdown and a tough 34 yards rushing, while rookie RB Travis Homer looked comfortable with 62 yards rushing and 5 catches out of the backfield for another 30 yards. Wilson should be able to connect enough times downfield against the suspect Philly secondary to fire the final winning shot in this Wild Card meeting.
I am on Seattle here on Sunday afternoon.
2* SEATTLE
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