Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions

5Dimes Odds (5Dimes Reviews): Bears -3

The Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions won’t be playing for postseason spot this weekend. As a matter of fact, they’ll be jockeying for a different type of position: slotting themselves for the 2010 NFL Draft.

The Bears were expected to be Super Bowl contenders after acquiring Jay Cutler this offseason but the reality was far from it this year. The Bears were brutal and it turned out that their only real offensive weapon was Cutler.

Their offensive line crumbled, running back Matt Forte suffered from the sophomore slump, the wide receiving corps was pitiful and the defense was sluggish.

While all of those things went wrong for Chicago, none of those things were any better for the Lions.

Detroit has been brutal for many years and they’ll get another high draft pick this year. They have been putting forth quite an effort for head coach Jim Schwartz but they really don’t have the parts to compete.

The Lions should be able to win this game, though, as the Bears played in their makeshift Super Bowl last week. The Bears won an emotional game against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football and might not care about this game as much.

The Lions will be up for this game and it could be a close one if the Bears are sloppy.

NFL Picks: Lions +3

Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals

Expert Sports Handicapping Odds: Cardinals -3.5

The Arizona Cardinals might get a gift this week. If the Philadelphia Eagles lose to the Dallas Cowboys – as the sportsbook odds makers are expecting them to do so – and the Minnesota Vikings lose once again, which they’ve done three times in the last four weeks, the Cardinals would earn the No. 2 seed in the NFC with a win over the Green Bay Packers.

But the Cardinals have to be wary though. There is a very good chance that the Vikings will win and the Cardinals will hold their spot. That means that the Cardinals and Packers could also meet in the first round of the playoffs.

The Packers don’t really have a whole lot to play for but the question is will the Cardinals be interested in this game?

They should be – they have more to play for.

NFL Predictions: Cardinals -3.5

COL Avalanche v OTW Senators under 5.5  goals at 1.80
PHI Flyers v NY Rangers     under 5.5 goals at 1.87

Statistic:

171/289 58%

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Humanitarian Bowl Preview

Bowling Green Falcons vs Idaho Vandals
Bookmaker Odds (Bookmaker Sportsbook Review): Bowling Green -1

The Idaho Vandals are playing in a bowl game for the first time in a long time. How long is a long time? Try 1998. It has been a trying time for the Vandals as they have been one of the worst programs in the FBS since their last bowl appearance but appear to be on the verge of turning a corner.

The crowd will be on Idaho’s side as the game will be played at Boise – the state capital of Idaho.

If you’re looking for a low-scoring, defensive x’s and o’s game, then you’ll have to fire up Madden 10 instead. This game is going to be high-flying and entertaining through and through.

The Bowling Green offense is led by senior Tyler Sheehan and wideout Freddie Barnes, who is close to setting some NCAA records. Barnes is five catches away from breaking the record for most receptions in an NCAA football season (142).

Idaho is high-scoring as well, averaging nearly 32 points per game while Bowling Green averages just under 28.

The Falcons were embarrassed in their bowl game last year and their players remember it. While Idaho is just happy to be here, Bowling Green will play with a little more purpose.

NCAA football picks: Bowling Green -1

Holiday Bowl

Nebraska Cornhuskers @ Arizona Wildcats

NCAA Football Lines: Nebraska -2.5

The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Arizona Wildcats were both just a few seconds away from potentially playing for a BCS bowl. We’ll have to see how much both teams are motivated to play for the Holiday Bowl.

The Huskers were literally one second away from defeating the Texas Longhorns while the Wildcats could have topped Oregon at home with a few extra plays and changed the course of the Pac 10’s bid for the Rose Bowl.

This game is a little more important to the Wildcats than it is to Nebraska because head coach Mike Stoops needs to keep accruing wins to show that his program is building.

The game will be played at San Diego, which is closer to Arizona, so the crowd should be in the Wildcats favor.

The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win but the Wildcats do have the better offense, which means they should be able to overcome a little more adversity.

Sports Tips: Wildcats +2.5

Oklahoma City Thunder/New Jersey Nets (Under 194.5) points at (  1.952)
Washington Wizards vs Memphis Grizzlies (-5.5) Memphis Grizzlies (-5.5) to win at (  1.909)

Statistic: 137/269 50%

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Atlanta Thrashers/New Jersey Devils (Under 6) goals at (  1.741)
Phoenix Coyotes/San Jose Sharks (Under 5.5) goals at (  1.667)

Statistic:
171/289 58%

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It wasn’t a exactly the biggest water cooler topic in the offseason, but some small circles of NBA sports wagering experts felt that the Memphis Grizzlies might be on a similar route to the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Grizzlies have been one of the worst teams in basketball for a while (just as the Rays were) and they have collected a number of first-round picks (just as the Rays did). After a couple of years of playing together, internet sports betting sharps are starting to see the maturation process come to fruition.

The Grizzlies have a number of first round picks in their lineup, from point guard Mike Conley Jr., to O.J. Mayo, to Rudy Gay, and they also have added some key veterans in center Marc Gasol and power forward Zach Randolph.

The one move that really stood out was the signing of Allen Iverson, who has been known as a player who throws off the balance of chemistry in the lineup. The fact that the didn’t show up after a couple of weeks and requested his release was a blessing in disguise for the Grizzlies, even though many fans didn’t understand it right away.

The Grizzlies have a fairly complete roster, when you look at it. Conley Jr. has been playing fairly well as a point guard. In the month of December, Conley Jr. is averaging 13.4 points per game with a 5.1 assists per game, which is quality production.

Swingmen Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo, who struggled down the stretch last year playing together, have developed a chemistry together and have learned to play together instead of cutting the ball in half. Sports handicapping fans have seen the two average 38 points per game this year, which is again solid production.

But the main difference for the Grizzlies has been two-fold: the frontcourt and the depth.

The addition of Randolph hasn’t throw off the team chemistry and in fact, he’s been a fantastic contributor. The power forward position was a real weakness for the Grizzlies last year but this year, Randolph is providing a nightly double-double, including 22.9 points per game and 13.9 rebounds per game in December. That addition has taken the pressure off of Gasol and with rookies DeMarr Carroll and Hasheem Thabeet to come off the bench to contribute, the Grizzlies have been a good team.

People who bet the over for Grizzlies wins in December at 5Dimes (5Dimes Review) are looking good. After a 1-8 start, this team is 13-15. They have won six games this month and three straight, and are becoming a very respectable team. If they keep this growth up, don’t be surprised if they are in the neighborhood of the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference later this year.

49ers -12.5

So sports betting handicappers won’t get a story book ending for Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators and they also won’t see a happy ending for Brian Kelly and the Cincinnati Bearcats.

The Gators will have to settle for a Sugar Bowl appearance after losing to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship Game while the Bearcats will have to settle for a Sugar Bowl without their head coach, Brian Kelly.

The Gators may be a bit sour but they still have their coach and it is still Tebow`s last college game. You can be sure they’ll be focused for this contest.

How They Got Here: Cincinnati Bearcats

The Bearcats have plenty of questions to answer to sports wagering cappers as they head to the Sugar Bowl. They will be without coach Kelly, which has clearly disappointed the players, but that’s not all. The Bearcats interim head coach will stick around for the bowl game but he’s also leaving to coach another program.

The Bearcats got here were one of the few perfect teams in the nation and they took care of business in the Big East to get to this point. Even so, they played an extremely tight makeshift Big East Championship, which has left the Bearcats with lots of questions. The defense was carved up by Pittsburgh and they’ll have to play better to even be in the game with Florida.

How They Got Here: Florida Gators

Internet betting cappers know that Florida did everything they were supposed to do this year…except for beat the Crimson Tide. Not only did they fail to win in that game, they got whipped.

Even so, the Gators still have a very good roster and while their passing game isn’t what it was last year, their defense is still one of the best in the nation.

The Gators aren’t going to win another BCS Championship Game but a Sugar Bowl win is still nothing to scoff at.

The Matchup

This could be a very tough matchup for the Bearcats. For starters, the Bearcats defense isn’t very strong. The Gators should be able to run the ball regularly, which is going to be a problem for Cincy. Florida has struggled a couple of times this year but those teams shutdown their running game and forced them to pass – Cincinnati isn’t capable of that.

Beyond that, there is the intangibles. Kelly is gone and this will be Tebow’s last game. That should be enough to propel the Gators to a big win

Sportsbook 101 Pick: Florida -11

Florida Panthers vs Philadelphia Flyers Florida Panthers to win at  (  2.450)
Colorado Avalanche vs Minnesota Wild Colorado Avalancheto win at (  2.250)

Statistic:
169/287 58%

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New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills

Sports Betting Odds: Patriots -7

The New England Patriots have been under a storm of criticism this week with most of it being directed at star wide receiver Randy Moss. Moss had a bad game against the Carolina Panthers last week and there has been no shortage of pundits, fans and players ready to pile on.

Last week, members of the Panthers defense took shots. This week, former receivers Cris Carter and Jerry Rice took their turn. The truth of the matter is that Moss might actually be hurt right now, which would explain some of the lazy play.

Nonetheless, Moss’ play probably won’t come in question this week as the Patriots face the Buffalo Bills. The Bills lead the NFL with 25 interceptions but they have the league’s worst run defense, so it’s very likely that the Patriots plan their attack via the ground game initially.

The Bills offense has been better with Ryan Fitzpatrick running the show but realistically, this is not one of the better units in the NFL. Fitzpatrick has just 186 total passing yards in his last two games combined. If the Patriots are at all on their game, they’ll win this contest fairly easily.

Bet Jamaica Review Pick: Patriots -7

Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos

NFL Betting Line: Broncos -14

The Oakland Raiders will be without starting quarterback Bruce Gradkowski this week and they’ve opted for No. 3 quarterback, Charlie Frye instead of JaMarcus Russell as their starter.

Russell came into the game last week and played just over a two quarters worth of action and still found enough time to throw an interception, fumble and get sacked six times. While Frye may not be much of a better option than Russell, he also can’t be much worse.

The Broncos are the biggest favorite on the board this week and considering they are playing the Raiders, it’s easy to see why. The Raiders only path to victory is to have a really good effort on the ground from their stable of running backs but the Broncos defense won’t allow it – especially at home.

Look for Kyle Orton and company to play smart football and let the Raiders make mistakes. The Broncos will move the ball down the field, take the easy points and play defense.

NFL Prediction: Broncos -14

New York Knicks vs Chicago Bulls (-3) Chicago Bulls (-3)  to win at (  1.952)
Orlando Magic/Miami Heat (Over 199) points at (  1.952)

Statistic: 136/267 50%

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