Category: NFL
Podcast #4! NFL Playoff Preview
Podcast #4 is up in time for the NFL Playoffs! Lou and I talk the NFL Conference Props, the Wild Card lines for the weekend, and some thoughts on WNBA and NCAA COllege Football Bowl betting (for those of you who care: AND YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE).
https://soundcloud.com/miraclecovers/miracle-covers-playoff-pod-1517
Hedge Week 17
Two teams unders that I bet on are in play this week…so I have some sweet hedge money for the two games below:
Philadelphia -4 (-110)
Denver -1.5 (-115)
Buffalo -3 (-135)
The Jets suck.
UFC BONUS:
Cruz by decision +120
Week 16 NFL Plays
Tampa Bay +3 (EVEN)
The Bucs head into New Orleans needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. New Orleans’ defense stinks like Bourbon Street’s world famous piss aroma during Mardi Gras. This game maybe close, but I don’t expect the Saints to blow out a Tampa team who beat them a few weeks ago.
Cleveland +5 (-110)
I’ve bet this team every week the last few weeks, and my bankroll has suffered because of it. Their game at home vs San Diego maybe their last chance to get a win. I expect Cleveland to go down with a fight; Joe Haden and Terrelle Pryor Jr. are both playing this meaningless game hurt, so you know the team cares about this shit and will make an effort at least.
Bears vs Washington Football Team Under 47 (-115)
Washington is prime for a late season collapse, and the Bears have played well the last few weeks ATS. The game is in Chicago, so it will be windy and cold as fuck most likely. The Washington Football Team’s offense is different when Jordan Reed isn’t in the lineup, and you can see Cousins’ accuracy is affected as a result. Someone wins this game 19-17, IMO.
TEASER (+160):
GB -6
MIA +4.5
SEA -7
Week 15 NFL Picks
Baltimore -6 (-105)
Baltimore, coming off a lackluster loss vs New England last Monday night, welcome the banged up and depth depraved Philadelphia Eagles into town. As we all know, Philly has a rookie QB, and rookie QBs who have their first start vs a John Harbaugh coached Ravens team at home are 0-7 , both straight up and ATS, with a QB passer rating of 52.3. I expect the Ravens to bounce back with a vengeance this Sunday vs a Philly team who has been on fumes the past few weeks, and is waning on offense since losing one of the best 3 Down Running Backs in football, Darren Sproles, to injury.
Arizona -3 (EVEN)
Arizona hasn’t been playing all that well the last few games, but have still kept things close despite their dysfunctional season. Why I like them this week: the Saints come into Glendale banged up as 2nd Half rookie WR Michael Thomas, who has played well, is most likely to miss the game, and QB Drew Brees has been shut down the last few weeks and was rested this week in practice due to a sore calf ailment (it’s called: “the olds”). The Saints were essentially eliminated from playoff contention with their loss in Tampa last week, and I expect them to take a giant dump on the road vs a Cardinals team who still has plenty of weapons to attack the league’s worst defense.
Cleveland +11 (-110) and ML +480
We continue banging our heads against the wall (like most sharps in America) and taking this team week after week, hoping for the eventual breakthrough that covers up all the losses the past few weeks. Miracle Covers contributor (and Buffalo Bills fan) Nick reports that the Browns always play the Bills tough, the Bills might already be tuning out their coach and they are essentially out of the playoff hunt, and Bills (and Karna’s Fantasy Team) QB Tyrod Taylor is banged up. Add the fact the weather in Buffalo this weekend is calling for snow showers, I expect this to be a closegame, so I’ll take the line “bigly” and place a small side wager that they’ll win the game as well. The Browns owe me one (hundred thousand dollars).
TEASER (+240):
Green Bay -6
Baltimore -6
Houston -6
Kansas City -5.5
Week 14 NFL Plays
Seahawks at Packers Over 46.5
It’s going to be cold in Green Bay on Sunday, but I expect points to be scored in this one as both teams lost big defensive players to injury (SS Earl Thomas for the Seahawks; LB Nick Perry for Packers). RB Thomas Rawls comes back for the Seahawks vs the Packers’ milquetoast run defense. These games are always competitive and back and forth. One of the great slate of games for this week.
Miami -1 (-105)
The Arizona Cardinals make a cross country trip for a 1 o’clock game vs a team who plays in hot weather that got their ass kicked last week. The Cardinals are one of my “Teams Already Packed Up for the Holidays” and will most likely be partying the night before at the various wonderful establishments on South Beach. SS Tyrann Mathieu is out for Arizona. Miami is still in the WC hunt and needs a win, and I expect one here.
Washington -1 (-105)
The Eagles’ young team has been reeling the last few weeks as their lack of depth is now catching up to them. Washington gets super route runner TE Jordan Reed back for this game, and I expect a rebound for Kirk Cousins and company.
Houston +6.5 (-110)
I hate taking this shitty Texans team on the road, but in this shitty AFC South division vs a shitty Colts team where it’s a must win for both of these shitty teams, I expect a low scoring, close, shitty game.
Browns ML +290 and TEASER: Browns +12.5 and Under 43.5
As we talked about on the Miracle Covers podcast a few weeks ago, the Browns win in their schedule comes against the lowly Bengals…and we said this BEFORE they lost WR A.J. Green and RB Geo Bernard. The Browns get Robert Griffin III back (I dunno if that’s good or bad) but they are coming off a bye (in Week 13?) and it either this game, or when the Chargers come into Cleveland in a few weeks, that is the *win* in this season. The Browns are not the 2008 Detroit Lions, IMO the worst team of all time. They are a bad team, but they aren’t *that* bad; at least they have some talent like WR Pryor Sr, LB Jamie Collins, RB Isiah Crowell, etc. It’s also going to be snowing Sunday in Cleveland, so I am going to put the Browns line (+6.5) in a teaser with the under as well. Disclosure: I may have a gambling problem.
TEASER (+160):
ATL -6
GB/SEA Over 46.5
SD +8
UFC BONUS:
Marc Diakiese vs Frankie Perez Under 1.5 Rounds +145
Max Holloway -200
Pettis missed weight today by 3 lbs this morning. Holloway is the best 145 lb guy in the division now that McGregor has moved up in weight. I’ll pay the juice and Holloway gets the belt here, IMO vs Pettis who is 1-3 in his last 4 fights.
NCAA BONUS:
Army vs Navy Under 47
The Under in this game has hit 10 out of the last 11. Also, a good tip: its +EV to take a under in an Armed Forces college derby, as these teams play for the “Commander’s Cup” each time, as well as the fact that Armed Forces team usually have run-heavy option attacks due to recruiting issues.
Week 13 NFL Picks
Baltimore -3 (-125)
This has bounced back from -3 to -3.5/-4 (+105). Miami has been on a roll lately, winning 6 straight…..but they are a flawed team that gave up a lot of big plays to Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers last weekend. They are due for a loss, IMO. Baltimore has always played stout at home, and their defense is top 5 in the league and should be able to keep Ryan Tannenhill and Company at bay enough. The only variable, like last week: can the Baltimore offense score enough to cover the line? Against a defense like Miami who is clearly waning in play due to lack of depth (and add in a pick 6 maybe from Tannenhill), I like the Ravens and will give the points here.
New Orleans vs Detroit Over 53.3 (-110)
New Orleans Overs at home have hit at a 66% rate this year, and the two that didn’t hit were only off by a few points. Both of these defenses stink, and the offenses have QBs who are playing at a high level. This is an important game for both teams, so I expect a fun, back and forth competitive affair that also has some fail in between.
Green Bay -7 (+105)
This is more about the juice, and the opponent for the Packers, more so that whether or not they are an actual good team who can cover the 7. The Packers are quite flawed; Rodgers is playing well but his teammates aren’t fans of his showing up his teammates on the field, and both Green Bay’s running defense and offense has been shoddy this year. Rodgers and this team reminds me of James Harden and the Rockets: you have this one great individual player who racks up huge stats each week, but the shortcomings of the team eventually bites them down the road in the playoffs where not even a great scorer can overcome a more balanced opponent. Houston, who somehow still leads the AFC South and is now tied with the Titans, comes into town as one of the worst road teams in the league both in the record and ATS. Houston Texans’ QB Brock Osweiler, who they gave a shit ton of money too, is having his job security questioned by fans and beat writers from some guy named Tom Savage, who I think was in a tag team with the Macho Man back in the WWE. DeAndre Hopkins is on milk cartons across America because he is missing each and every week. Gimme Aaron Rodgers at home here.
TEASER @ +260:
NO vs DET Over 53.5
KC +4
SEA -7
GB -7
Parlay Special @ +280:
Green Bay -7 (+105) (NFL)
Univ of Washington ML -380 (NCAAF)
Demetrious Johnson -1000 (UFC)
Rob Font -280 (UFC)
Week 12 NFL Plays
Baltimore -4 (-115)
This started at -4.5 and is falling, I dunno why. Cincy lost their 3rd down back in Geo Bernard and their #1 WR in A.J. Green. Their LB corps are banged up and playing on fumes, and the secondary is not as good as they were last year. The Ravens are coming off a loss at Dallas they could of had, and will be playing pissed and motivated vs a Cincy team one loss away from throwing the season in (yes, we had the over #doh). I am wary of the BAL offense as it has struggles putting teams away, but I fully expect a Dalton giveaway and maybe some Cincy special teams fail to help the Ravens take care of business at home.
Jacksonville at Buffalo Over 45 (-110)
Did you know Buffalo has been the best “Over” team all year? Who knew! They didn’t hit last week, but that’s because McCoy left with an injury. HE comes back this week vs a Jacksonville team that can score in bunches (and also go quarters without points) vs a back four in Buffalo who, while is playing better, has given up big plays in the passing game all year. Tyrod Taylor should have no problem moving the ball at home, WR Sammy Watkins comes back from injury, and this could end up being a fun game with big plays and hilarious fail.
TEASER (+120):
NO vs LA Over 45.5
NE -8
BAL -4
UFC BONUS:
Dan Kelly +220
Brunson vs Whittaker Fight Goes the Distance? – YES @ +200
Happy Thanksgiving Podcast and NFL Picks
Happy Thanksgiving everybody! Podcast #3 is out, and me and Lou have a lot (of hilarious fail) to talk about since we last chatted. Also some NHL thoughts, and we end the show on a positive note talking about the US Soccer team, who somehow had a worse week than the guys painting the MLS field in Montreal.
https://soundcloud.com/miraclecovers/miracle-covers-112316
Here are my NFL plays for Turkey Day; actual good games! First time since 1975 that all teams involved have a winning record, and the best overall winning record b/t combined teams since 1995.
Minnesota +3
Vikings are getting healthy on defense (Harrison Smith is a biggie) and Zimmer has weathered the storm. Their offensive line is still terrible, but the Detroit defense is equally as bad. Lou saved me money back talking me off the Detroit Under 7.5, and now they are favorites going into this game to win the NFC Central at -120. I think this will be a close game, and with all of the missed extra points lately (Over is at 6 on Bovada +100 for this weekend; I probably take it), someone probably wins this game by one point between these flawed, average teams.
Pittsburgh -3
I got this on Monday as I thought it should of been -4.5 before the Andrew Luck news that he’s out with a concussion! Wisconsin’s Scott Tolzien starts; he played a little at Green Bay but I think the line jumping to -9…and then back down to -7.5 is accurate. The big stat here: Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger is 2-0 in his last games vs Indy with amazing offensive fantasy results. The Steelers are getting healthy on offense and I like them on the road here. I also recommend teasing them if the line gets to -7.
Washington +7 (-120)
The Washington Football Team has been one of the best teams ATS this year, and Kirk Cousins has been on fire the last few weeks. He’s really streaky when it comes to his play (probably due to his inaccuracy). Dallas has played well but I don’t think their defense is any good and now with Washington being able to run the ball and having TE Reed back, maybe they play keep away vs Dak and crew as supposed to the other way around when these two first met. This is a rivalry game as well, so records usually get thrown out the door and I expect a close, fun game here.
CFL GREY CUP BONUS:
Redblacks +9
NFL Week 11 and Kovalev vs Ward thoughts
Jacksonville +7 (-120)
The Jaguars go into Detroit coming off a close loss at home to a boring ass Texans team. Detroit has the worst passing defense in the league, and if there is one thing Bortles and Co. do is throw the ball, especially when they are behind in a game. Matthew Stafford and the Lions do a great job playing *up* to their competition, but also a bad job playing *down* to it. The public is big on the Lions….I don’t know why. This is the same team that beat Minnesota in OT that also lost to Tennessee at home despite spending the entire first half inside the Titans’ 50 yard line and only scoring 15 points. That’s really hard to do! I like a close game filled with fail here, and maybe a Blake Bortles miracle cover!
Titans at Colts Under 53 (-115)
This is actually a big game in the fail AFC South! Everyone expects this to be a shootout in the dome with two offenses playing pretty well, and both defenses are pretty milquetoast. But Titans’ QB Marcus Mariota’s QBR tanks on the road by 30+ points, and Andrew Luck’s teams in these big games tend to have sphincteritis. I expect a low scoring, tightly contested playoff style game as this is essentially a “loser goes home” game.
Miami -1.5 (EVEN)
Yes, Miami is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 road games. Their win in SD last week was their first on the road in over 2 years. But they get a break this week as Jared Goff, the #1 overall pick, who makes his first start at home. The last QB who was taken first in the draft since 2000 to win his first start at home? David Carr in 2002 with the Texans. I like Miami and their front seven to get after the rookie and create some turnovers into points, as I will admit it will be hard for the milquetoast Miami offense to have many long drives vs the Rams’ top 5 defense….but I’ll take Ryan Tannehill over a QB who doesn’t know the Sun sets in the West. We also have Miami’s season under at 7, and since they’ve won 4 in a row, that’s in jeopardy so we can hedge here, too.
TEASER (+240):
ARI +1.5
DAL -7
KC -7
SEA -6.5
BOXING BONUS: Kovalev (+115) vs Ward (-145) Prop: “Fight Goes the Distance – Yes” at -170
Big time fight this week with these two titans of boxing. Both are undefeated, and Ward is coming up in weight to fight KO artist Sergey Kovalev. Ward is the sport’s second best defensive boxer (behind Floyd Mayweather) and is master class with his footwork and punching. I expect him to out point and try to frustrate Kovalev’s power and aggression and make him fight his fight. Kovalev has also shown he can outbox too, as he out pointed legend (and AARP member) Bernard Hopkins two years ago (a lean we had here on Miracle Covers). I like this fight to go the distance in a 12 round classic, and if I had to pick a side, I also like Ward to win in a close decision (which is at +105, if you so fancy).
NFL Week 10
Denver at New Orleans Over 49 (-110)
We barely missed the over last time it was under 50 in New Orleans vs Seattle….the Saints did their part, but Seattle didn’t, losing the game 25-20. This week, Denver comes into town reeling on offense as injuries at RB as well as the QB having issues finding WRs D.Thomas and E.Sanders week to week. They look as upset as most of the country did after this week’s election results. But, the number is in our favor again as it’s not only under 50 in the dome, but this is was just revealed on twitter:
Broncos rule out CB Aqib Talib and DE Derek Wolfe for Sunday vs Saints.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 11, 2016
The Saints offense is top 5, and I expect them to be able to move the ball and score. Also, Denver’s offensive woes can be always helped by a bottom 5 Saints defense.
Washington -3 (-105)
The Washington Football Team has been great ATS this year, are at home coming off a bye and face a reeling Vikings team coming into town off of two losses where their OC Norv Turner just got up and left the team, the running backs are a pile of dinged up backups, and their OL is full of replacements thanks to season ending injuries. Oh, and their QB is Sam Bradford who is coming back down to earth after a decent start. The Vikings have scored 10 and 16 points the last two weeks vs some of the worst defenses in the NFL. Giving the points, here is the play IMO.
Prop Bet – David Johnson to run for more than 100 yards +135
The Cardinals welcome the 1-7 49ers into town this week. They allowed huge plays in the running game to Tim Hightower and Mark Ingram last week, two OK RBs. Never mind the best runningback in all of football this year, statistically. I expect a huge day from D.Johnson.
TEASER (+160):
NE -7.5
DAL +3
ATL +1
CFL Playoffs Bonus:
Eskimos -105
