Arizona Cardinals (7-7) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)
Arizona and Cincinnati weren’t expected to contend for a playoff berth this year, but both of them are still in the chase with two weeks of the regular season remaining.
Author: Kyle Hunter
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Tigers vs Hoyas College Hoops Handicapping
NCAA Basketball Matchup: Memphis Tigers vs. Georgetown Hoyas
7:00 PM EST
College Basketball Gambling Odds from BetOnline
NCAA Basketball Betting Favorite: Georgetown -5
Over/Under: 145
The Memphis Tigers are loaded with potential, but this young team has struggled to find its way over the last two years. Georgetown was discounted by many people after losing a lot of top talent at the end of last season, but the Hoyas have put together a very nice season thus far. These two teams already met once this year, and it was Georgetown who came out on top in an overtime thriller. Will the sequel be as good as the first matchup?
Will Barton has become the main man for the Memphis offense. Barton is averaging 20.7 points per game, and he is shooting 55% from the floor. Tarik Black is the team’s best post presence, but he continues to struggle with foul problems. Black is only averaging 22 minutes per contest because of constant foul trouble. The team needs him to stay in the game, because he is their best post player and shot blocker. Joe Jackson is maturing at the point guard spot, but he needs to be a little better on the defensive end. Memphis is giving up 75 points per game defensively.
Georgetown has nine players averaging at least 13 minutes per game. The team’s depth has really helped them this season. Jason Clark is the veteran leader of this team, and he is also their leading scorer. Clark averages 15.5 points per game, and he is shooting 90% from the free throw line. Hollis Thompson has stepped up in a big way so far this year. Thompson is knocking down 50% of his shots from beyond the arc. Henry Sims has been with Georgetown for four years, and he was never much of a scorer until this season. Sims is the team’s best post presence, and he averages 12.6 points per game. The Hoyas have been great defensively this year. Georgetown is giving up only 57.5 points per contest.
Memphis is pushing the pace in a big way this year, and they aren’t playing much defense either. I think this one goes over the total, and I expect another close game.
Prediction: Georgetown 78 Memphis 73
Browns vs Ravens NFL Betting Preview
There is no love lost between the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens. As time passes, the rest of the NFL may forget that Art Modell took the Browns to Baltimore, but the city of Cleveland doesn’t forget.
Ever since Cleveland got another NFL team, this has been a hard fought rivalry game. Cleveland has had a season to forget, but they’d love to spoil the Ravens party. Baltimore is tied atop the AFC North with the Steelers.
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Cleveland Browns (4-10) vs. Baltimore Ravens (10-4)
Time/Date: 1:00 PM EST, December 24, 2011
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium
Broadcast: CBS
Browns vs. Ravens Gambling Odds from 5Dimes
Spread: Ravens -13
Moneyline: Ravens (-650) Colts (+535)
Over/Under: 38.5
Colt McCoy has been diagnosed with a concussion, and he is not expected to play this weekend. In fact, McCoy’s season may be over at this point. Seneca Wallace is expected to get the start at quarterback in place of McCoy. Wallace played well in last week’s overtime loss to the Cardinals. Wallace threw for 223 yards and a touchdown. He also didn’t commit a turnover. Peyton Hillis has been injured much of this season, but he seems to be fully healthy at this point. Hillis is a tough runner who fights for every yard. Last week he picked up 99 yards on the ground. Overall, this offense is lacking play makers. The Browns are scoring just 13.9 points per game.
Cleveland’s defense has actually been pretty good this year. This unit has kept the team in the game when the offense has done virtually nothing. Joe Haden is the leader of a great young secondary. Cleveland ranks third in the NFL in pass defense. The Browns need to find a way to get more pressure on the opposing quarterback. This unit is allowing 19.6 points per contest. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Baltimore’s offense has been mediocre this season. Joe Flacco is having the worst season of his career statistically. Flacco is completing just 57% of his passes, and he has already thrown 11 interceptions. Ray Rice is showing why he is one of the league’s top tailbacks. Rice already has 1,086 yards on the ground this year. He also leads the team with 71 receptions. Having a versatile player in the backfield is a major weapon for this Ravens offense. Anquan Boldin isn’t putting up huge numbers, but he is having a better year than he did last season. The Ravens offense is putting up 23.9 points per game.
The strength of this Baltimore team is their ultra-talented defense. Terrell Suggs is piling up the sacks at an amazing rate. He has 13 sacks through 14 games this year. He has also forced six fumbles already this season. Ray Lewis may not be the player he once was, but he still leads the team in tackles with 58. Haloti Ngata gives the team a dominating defensive tackle that attracts a double team almost all the time. The secondary has improved quite a bit this year. Ed Reed is still one of the best safeties in the league, and LaDarius Webb has really stepped up as a great cover corner. This is one of the best defenses in the NFL.
I don’t see the Browns putting up many points at all in this one. Cleveland’s defense will fight hard, and I think this game will stay under the posted total.
Free NFL Pick: Under 38.5
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NCAA Basketball Matchup: Blue Raiders vs Rebels
Both Middle Tennessee State and Mississippi enter this game with just two losses on the season.
NCAA Basketball Matchup: Buckeyes vs Gamecocks
Ohio State took their first loss of the season last Saturday in Lawrence.
College Basketball Betting: Musketeers vs Bulldogs
Purdue and Butler are only separated by a short two hour drive on Interstate 65 in Indiana.
NCAA Basketball Matchup: Arkansas Pine-Bluff Golden Lions vs. Michigan Wolverines
7:00 PM EST
College Basketball Gambling Odds from BetOnline
NCAA Basketball Betting Favorite: Off
Over/Under: Off
Arkansas Pine-Bluff rarely gets a chance to play on national television, but they’ll get that rare opportunity Tuesday night when ESPNU hosts the team’s game at Michigan. The Wolverines are 7-2 and ranked 18th in the nation. The Wolverines are a pretty young team, but they are maturing quickly and they could make some noise in the Big Ten this year. Will the Golden Lions be able to hang around in this one, or will this one get ugly fast?
Arkansas Pine-Bluff is 1-5 on the season so far. The Golden Lions are terrible at taking care of the basketball. The team turns it over on nearly 27% of their offensive possessions. In addition, Arkansas Pine-Bluff is shooting just 38% from the floor. Savalance Townsend leads the team with an impressive 18.2 points per game. Townsend excels at using his quickness to get to the basket. The team really needs someone else to step up and take some pressure off Townsend on the offensive end. Defensively, the Golden Lions do a good job forcing turnovers with some full-court pressure. In the half-court, this team gives opponents far too many good looks.
Michigan has been lighting it up on offense this year. This isn’t a team that pushes the tempo, but they are extremely efficient on offense. The Wolverines come into this game hitting 61.6% of their two-point shots this year, which is the best mark in college basketball. Tim Hardaway Jr. has a ton of ability, and he continues to develop in his game on a constant basis. He leads the team with 16.4 points per game in 2011. Trey Burke is a sensational freshman point guard who has stepped in and become a leader for the team right away. Michigan only allows 61.9 points per game.
This one should be a complete mismatch. The Golden Lions have been beaten badly by every decent team they have played this year. Look for Michigan to roll in this one.
Prediction: Michigan 75 Arkansas Pine-Bluff 50
NCAA Basketball Matchup: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers
8:00 PM EST
College Basketball Gambling Odds from BetOnline
NCAA Basketball Betting Favorite: Wisconsin -9.5
Over/Under: 112
The Wisconsin Badgers have had their way with Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the past decade. The teams have met every year, and the Badgers are 10-0. Bo Ryan’s team has two losses this year, but they have come against Marquette and North Carolina. The Badgers tremendous defense and terrific ball control on offensive make them very difficult to beat. Wisconsin-Milwaukee is also off to an impressive 8-2 start, and they would love nothing more than to shock the Badgers on Tuesday night.
Wisconsin has been winning games with their amazing defense this year. Opponents are shooting just 33.5% from the floor this season. Wisconsin is holding opponents to just 44.9 points per game. Jordan Taylor is the Badgers leader at the point guard spot, but he has been struggling shooting the ball so far this year. Taylor does have a very impressive assist to turnover ratio of 57 to 15. Ben Brust barely played last year, but he is the team’s leading scorer at 12.7 per contest this year. The Badgers are a frustrating team to defend because of their patience on offense. This is a very disciplined team that will be a tough out in March.
Wisconsin-Milwaukee is out to prove that they can compete with their intrastate rivals from the Big Ten. The Panthers have been doing it with stellar defense so far this year as well. Opponents are hitting just 25% from beyond the arc. The Panthers are holding opponents to 58.6 points per game. Kaylon Williams, James Haarsma, and Ja’Rob McCallum give the team three players averaging double figures in scoring this year. Wisconsin-Milwaukee has struggled to keep up with the Badgers on the glass in recent matchups, and that is an area that must improve this year.
The posted total is set at a ridiculously low level already, but I still think the under is the play here. Look for the two defenses to control this one. This game might have trouble topping 100 points.
Prediction: Wisconsin 58 Wisconsin-Milwaukee 45
Colts vs Baltimore NFL Betting Preview
Are the Indianapolis Colts trying to position themselves to draft Andrew Luck? If they aren’t, you wouldn’t know it by their play on the field.
The Colts have found a way to lose all twelve games so far this season.
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Indianapolis Colts (0-12) vs. Baltimore Ravens (9-3)
Time/Date: 1:00 PM EST, December 11, 2011
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium
Broadcast: CBS
Colts vs. Ravens Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
Spread: Ravens -16
Moneyline: Ravens (-1300) Colts (+850)
Over/Under: 41
On the other side of the field, Baltimore is in another tight AFC North battle with the Steelers. The Ravens have had letdowns against lesser teams three times this year, and they can’t afford one this Sunday.
Dan Orlovsky got his first start of the year under center last week for Indianapolis and he didn’t disappoint. In fact, Orlovsky was terrific against the Patriots. He completed 30 of his 37 attempted passes for 357 yards. He engineered three fourth quarter scoring touchdowns, and nearly brought the team all the way back from a 28 point deficit. He’ll get the start again this weekend. Joseph Addai is the team’s primary runner, but he is listed as questionable due to a hamstring injury. Pierre Garcon leads the team with 55 receptions and six touchdowns.
The Colts defense has two great pass rushers in Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, but they don’t have too much else going for them at this point. The team doesn’t really have anyone who is great at clogging the running lanes, and opponents are averaging 144 yards per game on the ground. Indianapolis is allowing 29.8 points per game this year, which is worst in the league. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Ravens offense has been up and down this year. Ray Rice is having a terrific season in the backfield. Rice is averaging 4.5 yards per carry, and he already has over 900 rushing yards in 2011. He also leads the team with 56 receptions, and his versatility makes him one of the league’s most dangerous tailbacks. Joe Flacco has the lowest quarterback rating of his four-year NFL career. Flacco also leads the league in fumbles. The team will need him to be more consistent if they are going to make run at the Super Bowl this year. Anquan Boldin is starting to come on at the wide receiver position, and that should help this offense quite a bit.
Baltimore’s defense is once again one of the best in the NFL. The Ravens don’t have a real weakness on this side of the ball. Terrell Suggs has racked up ten sacks already this year. Haloti Ngata is one of the best defensive tackles in football. Ray Lewis is expected to miss his fourth straight game this weekend with a toe injury, but this defense has been very good even in his absence. Ed Reed may have lost a step, but he is still a great play making safety. The Ravens are giving up just 16 points per game.
I don’t like laying a big number in the NFL, but I don’t expect the Colts to put up a second straight good performance. Look for the Ravens to dominate in this one.
Free NFL Pick: Ravens -16
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Houston Texans (9-3) vs Cincinnati Bengals (7-5) NFL Betting Preview
Houston entered this season looking to prove that they could be a consistent winner and get to the playoffs.
The Texans are well on their way to that goal, but the key injuries they have sustained at the quarterback position are extremely concerning for the team.
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Texans vs. Bengals
Time/Date: 1:00 PM EST, December 11, 2011
Venue: Paul Brown Stadium
Broadcast: CBS
Texans vs. Bengals Gambling Odds from JustBet
Spread: Bengals -3
Moneyline: Bengals (-150) Texans (+130)
Over/Under: 38
Cincinnati has been one of the biggest surprises of the season, but they have lost two straight. If the Bengals are going to have a chance of making the playoffs, they really can’t afford to lose a third straight game.
Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart are both out for the season after suffering serious injuries. The Texans are now starting T.J. Yates. Yates is a rookie out of North Carolina. Yates started off his NFL career with an impressive performance last week against the Atlanta Falcons. He threw for 258 yards and a touchdown, and he didn’t turn the ball over. The strength of this offense is really its running game. Arian Foster and Ben Tate may be the best tailback tandem in the NFL right now. Foster has racked up 916 rushing yards and Tate has 753 yards on the ground. Andre Johnson suffered another minor injury last week, and he is listed as doubtful for this game.
Houston’s secondary was the worst in the NFL last year, but that is definitely not the case this season. Johnathan Joseph was a huge pickup for this group. Joseph has 13 pass deflections and four interceptions in 2011. The secondary that finished dead last in the NFL in pass defense last year is currently third best in the NFL this year. Brian Cushing and DeMeco Ryans give the Texans two terrific inside linebackers that can cover a lot of ground. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Cincinnati was thumped last weekend in Pittsburgh, but they must find a way to bounce back this weekend. Andy Dalton is a legitimate rookie of the year candidate because of the terrific job he has done as the team’s starting quarterback. Dalton stepped into a tough situation, and he has been great. He has 17 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and he has shown poise in the pocket all year long. A.J. Green gives the Bengals a spectacular young wide receiver. Green leads the team with 50 catches and seven touchdowns. The Bengals offense is at its best when Cedric Benson is running the ball effectively.
The Bengals defense was best in the NFL through the first few weeks, but they have been pretty bad over the last few weeks. To be fair, the Bengals have sustained some key injuries that have hurt them badly. Leon Hall is the team’s best cover corner, and he is out for the season. Nate Clements, the team’s second cornerback, missed last week and is listed as questionable for this one. Keith Rivers was a key part of the linebackers for this unit, and he is out for the season as well. The front seven continues to play quite well, but the secondary has been struggling of late.
Cincinnati is better than just about anyone expected them to be, but I don’t think they are good enough to overcome the key injuries they have right now. I think this one goes down to the wire, so I’ll take the points.
Free NFL Pick: Texans +3
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NCAA Basketball Matchup: Musketeers vs Bulldogs
Sean Miller and the Arizona Wildcats had a great run in the NCAA Tournament last year.
NCAA Basketball Matchup: Wildcats vs Gators
Sean Miller and the Arizona Wildcats had a great run in the NCAA Tournament last year.
Cleveland Browns (4-8) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) NFL Betting Preview
The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers have always been bitter rivals. The two teams have gone in different directions over the last few years, and the Steelers have dominated this matchup in the past decade.
Pittsburgh must continue to win to try to keep pace with the Ravens.
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Time/Date: 8:25 PM EST, December 8, 2011
Venue: Heinz Field
Broadcast: NFL Network
Browns vs. Steelers Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
Spread: Steelers -13.5
Moneyline: Steelers (-790) Browns (+610)
Over/Under: 39.5
The Browns would love nothing more than to spoil the Steelers chance at the AFC North title. These two square off Thursday night in Pittsburgh.
Cleveland’s offense has struggled all year long. Colt McCoy is progressing at the quarterback spot, but the rest of the offense just isn’t very good. Peyton Hillis was the breakout star for this unit last year, but he has been a major disappointment this season. Hillis has only played in half of the teams games, and he is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry. McCoy really doesn’t have any go to receiver on the outside. The Browns average just 14.6 points per game.
Cleveland has been competitive this year thanks to a solid defense. The Browns secondary has been stellar. Joe Haden has quickly become one of the best cover corners in the entire league. Cleveland ranks first in the NFL in pass defense. The Browns haven’t been nearly as good against the run. In fact, opponents have been gashing the Browns for 151.2 yards per game on the ground. The biggest problem this unit has had has been getting off the field on third down. Opponents are converting 40.4% of their third-down conversion attempts. Phil Taylor has been a bright spot on the front line of this defense. The Browns allow 20 points per game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Ben Roethlisberger has definitely found a major weapon on the outside in Mike Wallace. Wallace is averaging 16.8 yards per reception so far this season. The Steelers have four receivers with at least 36 catches in 2011. Big Ben is completing 64% of his passing attempts, and he has 19 touchdown passes. Rashard Mendenhall isn’t putting up the huge numbers he did last season, but he continues to perform at a solid clip. The Steelers offensive line has been better the last few games, and that is very important to this team’s long-term success.
This defense is arguably the best in all of football. Pittsburgh ranks first in the NFL in total yards allowed. There really isn’t a true weakness in this defense. The linebackers are absolutely the best in the league. James Harrison, James Farrior, LaMarr Woodley, and Lawrence Timmons are all capable of taking over the game at any point. Brett Keisel has really stepped up his game, and he is a real force on the defensive line. Troy Polamalu is probably the most valuable player to this defense. Polamalu is simply all over the field, and his leadership is vital to this team’s success.
The Browns will fight hard here, but I don’t expect that to be enough. Pittsburgh is just a much better football team. Look for the Steelers to cover in this one.
Free NFL Pick: Steelers -13.5
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NCAA Basketball Matchup: Tigers vs Hurricanes
Memphis had a disappointing regular season last year, but they finished strong and nearly knocked off Arizona in the NCAA Tournament.
NCAA Basketball Matchup: Patriots vs Cavaliers
Virginia and George Mason are both off to a nice start this year. The Patriots are now under the leadership of Paul Hewitt.
Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) NFL Betting Preview
Everyone expected the Steelers to be right in the thick of the AFC playoff race, but no one expected the Bengals to be there. Cincinnati just continues to defy the odds and stay in the race.
Pittsburgh won a hard fought contest in Cincinnati a couple weeks ago. Can Cincinnati pick up a huge win on the road, or will the Steelers hold serve at home?
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Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
Time/Date: 1:00 PM EST, December 4, 2011
Venue: Heinz Field
Broadcast: CBS
Bengals vs. Steelers Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
Spread: Steelers -6.5
Moneyline: Steelers (-275) Bengals (+235)
Over/Under: 42.5
Andy Dalton deserves some serious consideration for rookie of the year this year. Dalton come into a very difficult situation and he has performed as well as anyone could have possibly expected and more. Dalton has already thrown for 2,509 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.
A.J. Green is his top target on the outside, and Jermaine Gresham has become a favorite target over the middle. Green still isn’t 100% from a recent knee injury, but he is expected to play Sunday. The Bengals offense is at its best when Cedric Benson is running the ball well. Cincinnati averages 23.5 points per game.
The Bengals defense is the primary reason this team sits at 7-4 right now. Through the first few games of the season, the Bengals were the top ranked defense in the NFL. The defense has taken a hit due to major injuries over the last few weeks. Leon Hall, the team’s best cover corner, is out for the season.
Keith Rivers, a starting outside linebacker, is now also out for the season. The pass rush must get after Big Ben this week to take some pressure off the inexperienced secondary. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Ben Roethlisberger isn’t having his best season statistically, but he has been getting the job done for this Steelers offense.
Mike Wallace has emerged as one of the top deep threats in the league. Wallace averages 17.1 yards per reception so far this season. The offensive line started the season out very poorly, but they have improved over the last few games. Rashard Mendenhall is a workhorse in the backfield for Pittsburgh. The Steelers rank tenth in the NFL in total offense, but they are 19th in points per game.
This is an offense that has turned the ball over too many times this year, and that is something they must work on as the regular season winds down.
The Steelers defense got a big scare when Troy Polamalu went down with a concussion last weekend in Kansas City. Polamalu is feeling better, and he is listed as probable for this game. As has been the case for the last few years, this unit is one of the best in the NFL. It’s tough for opponents to matchup with the front seven that Pittsburgh puts on the field.
James Harrison, Lamarr Woodley, James Farrior, and Lawrence Timmons are the best group of linebackers in football. This defense ranks in the top six of the NFL in every major defensive category.
The Bengals are no slouch this year, but the recent defensive injuries will make it difficult for them to keep up with the Steelers in this one. Look for the Steelers to cover the spread here.
Free NFL Pick: Steelers -6.5
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