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**Udog** · 12-07-2015, 07:36 AM

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

Westgate Super Contest (1,727 entrants-- prize pool is $2.5M)
six most popular picks in Week 13 season record: 39-38-2

6) Broncos -4 (366)-- Brock's (Osweiler) Bandwagon is picking up steam- W.

5) Chiefs -2.5 (414)-- Kansas City looking to win/cover sixth in a row- W.

4) Giants +2.5 (424)-- Both teams are playing in their home stadium- L.

3) Saints +7 (432)-- Still lot of doubters for unbeaten Carolina- W.

2) Texans +3.5 (439)-- Dome team in Buffalo in December- L

1) Seahawks even (484)-- 6-5 Seattle led in fourth quarter in every game- W.

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Armadillo: Monday's List of 14: Wrapping up a sports Sunday.......

14) Panthers 41, Saints 38-- This was like an old AFL game from the 60's, one of the most fun games I've watched in a while. Carolina won despite a -2 turnover ratio. Four weeks to go and the Panthers have a 2-game lead over the whole NFC for home field in the playoffs. Cam Newton needs to slide more; he took a beating in this game.

13) 49ers 26, Bears 20 OT-- Chicago missed a 35-yard FG on last play of regulation, missed a 40-yarder earlier, lost a game where they had a 13-yard edge in field position, which doesn't happen much. Chicago scored with 3:32 left to take 20-13 lead, but on last three drives, 49ers gained 135 yards on 10 plays, scoring tying/winning TDs.

12) Bengals 37, Browns 3-- Last week there were ten teams that were +2 or better in turnovers; Cleveland was only one of the ten to lose. In the first 14 games in Week 13, Browns were only team that was -2 or worse in turnovers. Teams that didn't score an offensive TD are 2-20 this year- two teams played each other, so really 1-19.

11) Titans 42, Jaguars 39-- Tennessee snapped 11-game home skid by beating Jags, last team they had beaten in Nashville. Jacksonville missed two PATs and a 2-point play. Marcus Mariota had an 87-yard rushing TD; Titans scored a defensive TD-- all five of its offensive TDs came on drives of 75+ yards.

10) Bills 30, Texans 21-- Dome team Houston caught break with good weather on a December day in western NY, but Bills threw 40-yard TD pass with 1:53 left for the winning score, ending Houston's win streak at four. Is it me, or was it a really bad day for kickers Sunday? Both teams missed a PAT in this game, Jaguars also missed two.

There were eight PATs missed in the NFL all of last year. There were eight missed and one blocked, just in today's games.

9) Dolphins 15, Ravens 13-- Game was scoreless at 2:00 warning of first half, Ravens had ball, but then Schaub threw a pick, Miami scored on next play. 0:20 later, Schaub threw his weekly pick-6 and when Ravens were offsides on PAT, Miami went for two and got it, then held on to win despite going scoreless in second half. Ravens got ball on Miami's 41 after a fumble with 4:17 left, but did nothing with it.

8) Seahawks 38, Vikings 7-- Seattle brought its A-game to Twin Cities, kicked the Vikings butts, outgaining them 433-125; they've now won five of last six games, and the Packers are back atop NFC North. Seattle holds the second Wild Card now.

This seems like a good time to point that the A's have signed two free agent pitchers this fall; starter Rich Hill, who didn't start a big league game from 2010-14, and Ryan Madson who wasn't even in the major leagues from 2012-14- they're both 35 now.

7) Cardinals 27, Rams 3-- You can tell when a football team has surrendered; Rams are one of those teams. I'm not a big fire-the-coach guy; don't think Jeff Fisher should go, but I do think every offensive coach should be fired. Watch them play, then you tell me. Arizona has two losses this year; in both games, they were -3 in turnovers.

6) Buccaneers 23, Falcons 19-- Atlanta was 5-0 at one point; both of these teams are 6-6 now and game behind Seattle for second Wild Card in NFC. No division winner under .500 should make the playoffs; they should replace them with extra Wild Card, so the best possible teams make playoffs. Jameis Winston is pretty good, by the way

5) Jets 23, Giants 20 OT-- Giants drove ball 67 yards on 17 plays on an epic drive that took 11:21 off the clock, but with a 20-10 lead and under 9:00 left, they went for it on 4th down instead of kicking an easy FG and failed. On last three drives of game from that point on, Jets gained 212 yards on 35 plays, scoring two FGs and a TD to end a 5-game losing streak to the Giants in dramatic fashion.

Last four weeks of the regular season, New York media can start specualting on who will be coaching the Giants next year, because it probably won't be Tom Coughlin.

4) Broncos 17, Chargers 3-- Brock Osweiler is 3-0 as Denver's QB; they scored 17 in both of his road starts, getting a defensive TD here. Chargers lost fifth home game in a row- they were outscored 50-6 in last two home games. Could be that December 20 is last-ever home game in San Diego for the Bolts, who are likely moving to LA.

3) Chiefs 34, Raiders 20-- KC won/covered its last six games; Maclin caught couple TD passes in 4th quarter, then Chiefs scored a defensive TD to wrap things up- they have been plus in turnovers eight games in row now. Why exactly did the Eagles give up on Maclin- he has revitalized the Chiefs' passing game.

Derek Carr imploded in fourth quarter, throwing three INTs when Oakland led 20-14 after the third quarter. Chiefs' three TD drives in fourth quarter came on "drives" of 2-13 yards, followed by a defensive TD. Quite a turnaround this year for KC.

2) Eagles 35, Patriots 28-- Philly scored TDs on a punt return, a blocked punt and an INT return; thats how you pull an upset on the road. Luckily the NFL has Wild Cards since in five of eight divisions, the leader has a 3+-game lead- not lot of drama there. In two of the three close races, the whole division sucks (6-6 Colts, 5-6 Redskins are the leaders). Only the NFC North (Packers/Vikings 8-4) has a real quality race.

Philly's INT return for a TD was a 99-yarder, by the way. Eagles are 5-7, have their next three games at home- they're in thick of the playoff race.

1) Steelers 45, Colts 10-- In 2004, Giants traded with Chargers to get Eli Manning after the draft; San Diego got Philip Rivers. Ben Roethlisberger wound up with the Steelers. Now all three QBs are really good, but if that draft happened again today, wouldn't you take Big Ben first over the other two? I know I would.

**Udog** · 12-07-2015, 07:37 AM

No. 1 Clemson not favored in Orange Bowl as playoff field set

College football’s Football Bowl Subdivision now has the four teams in place for its national semifinal playoff games. And while Clemson is the No. 1 seed, the Tigers aren’t the biggest favorite. In fact, they’re not favored at all.

Rather, it appears oddsmakers and bettors believe No. 2 seed Alabama is the best team in the championship field. Johnny Avello, executive director of race and sports for Wynn Las Vegas, installed the Crimson Tide as 8.5-point chalk against No. 3 seed Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on New Year’s Eve.

Cotton Bowl - Michigan State vs. Alabama (-8.5)

Alabama (12-1 SU, 7-6 ATS), the SEC champion, has won 10 in a row SU since a stunning home loss to Mississippi. That includes Saturday’s 29-15 victory over Florida in the conference title game, though the Tide failed to cash as a hefty 16.5-point fave.

“The Alabama offense hasn’t lit it up this year, but it has done enough to win football games while covering the spread in six of the 11 games we booked this year (Charleston Southern excluded),” Avello said. “Quarterback Jake Coker isn’t flashy, but he makes the big play when needed and keeps the turnovers to a minimum.

But Avello isn’t dismissing Big Ten champ Michigan State, by any means. The Spartans (12-1 SU, 5-7-1 ATS) upset Ohio State on the road last month, then got a touchdown in the final minute of the Big Ten title game Saturday to edge Iowa 16-13 and get a push as 3-point chalk. Avello thinks Michigan State might like its draw in the Cotton Bowl.

“This is the type of game the Spartans like to play – a low-scoring, cat-and-mouse, who-can-make-the-least-mistakes type of contest,” he said. “Alabama’s rush defense is the best in the country, and Michigan State’s is seventh. I opened the Tide an 8.5 point favorite, so let’s see where the bettors take the number.”

Orange Bowl - Oklahoma (-3) vs. Clemson

The fourth-seeded Sooners got the oddsmakers’ nod of approval in the other New Year’s Eve semifinal, with Avello making them a 3-point favorite against the only undefeated team in the country. There is no Big 12 championship game, so Oklahoma was off this past weekend, but it has made a statement the past several weeks.

After a shocking loss to Texas in the Red River Rivalry, the Sooners (11-1 SU, 9-3 ATS) went on a 7-0 SU and 6-1 ATS tear to finish the regular season. Six of those wins were by double digits, and five were flat-out routs, capped by the Bedlam Game at Oklahoma State – a 58-23 beatdown with Oklahoma laying 7.5 points.

Clemson (13-0 SU, 6-7 ATS) hasn’t been quite that impressive on its way to the ACC title, but the Tigers have knocked down everyone the schedule makers have put in front of them. On Saturday, in the conference final, Clemson held off a North Carolina rally for a 45-37 victory to cash as a 6.5-point fave.

“I realize Clemson is the No. 1 seed, but I opened Oklahoma -3,” Avello said, pointing to several factors – including revenge from the 2014 bowl season. “Stronger schedule, more potent offense, program recognition and a 40-6 loss in the Russell Athletic Bowl last year as a 5-point favorite. The Sooners were held to 275 yards of total offense and didn’t score until late in that meaningless bowl game last year. I anticipate a better effort with so much more at stake.”

**Udog** · 12-07-2015, 07:41 AM

NHL
Dunkel

Monday, December 7

Nashville @ Boston

Game 1-2
December 7, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Nashville
10.648
Boston
12.785
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-140
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-140); Under

Minnesota @ Colorado

Game 3-4
December 7, 2015 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
10.155
Colorado
11.586
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Colorado
-115
5
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(-115); Over

Buffalo @ Vancouver

Game 5-6
December 7, 2015 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Buffalo
11.470
Vancouver
10.307
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Buffalo
by 1
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Vancouver
-185
5
Dunkel Pick:
Buffalo
(+160); Under

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, December 7

Hot teams
-- Bruins won six of their last eight games.
-- Minnesota won last three games, allowing one goal. Colorado won three of its last five.
-- Sabres won three of their last five games.

Cold teams
-- Nashville lost seven of its last nine games.
-- Vancouver lost its last five games, outscored 17-5.

Series records
-- Bruins won four of last five games with Nashville.
-- Avalanche lost eight of last nine games with Minnesota.
-- Home side won eight of last ten Buffalo-Vancouver games.

Totals
-- Over is 4-0-2 in last six Nashville-Boston games.
-- Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Minnesota-Colorado games.
-- Over is 7-2-1 in last ten Buffalo-Vancouver games.

Back-to-backs
-- Sabres are 2-1 when they played the night before.

NHL

Monday, December 7

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
NASHVILLE vs. BOSTON
Nashville is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Nashville is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 9 games when playing at home against Nashville

See more trends!
DECEMBER 7, 9:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. COLORADO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games when playing Colorado
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Colorado is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 7 games when playing Minnesota

See more trends!
DECEMBER 7, 10:00 PM
BUFFALO vs. VANCOUVER
Buffalo is 1-7-1 SU in its last 9 games ,when playing on the road against Vancouver
Buffalo is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vancouver's last 5 games
Vancouver is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games

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**Udog** · 12-07-2015, 07:43 AM

NHL

Monday, December 7

NHL roundup: Kane breaks Blackhawks' record

CHICAGO -- Patrick Kane increased his point streak to a franchise record 22 games, and the Chicago Blackhawks held on for a 3-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday night.

Marian Hossa scored a goal and collected an assist while Teuvo Teravainen and Artemi Panarin also scored for Chicago.

Chris Thorburn scored the lone goal for the Jets. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for Winnipeg.

Kane earned an assist on Panarin's empty-net goal with 1:46 to go in the third period to maintain his point streak. Kane surpassed the franchise record set by Bobby Hull, who garnered a point in 21 straight games during the 1971-72 season.

Hurricanes 5, Coyotes 4

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Justin Faulk scored a power-play goal with 17 seconds left as Carolina responded with two late goals to defeat at PNC Arena.

Ron Hainsey, Eric Staal, Kris Versteeg and Jay McClement also scored for the Hurricanes, who last won two games in a row in late October. Staal also finished with two assists.

Antoine Vermette, Stefan Elliott, Tobias Rieder and defenseman Nicklas Grossmann scored for the Coyotes, who are winless on the first four games of a five-game road trip.

Cam Ward made 19 saves for Carolina and Arizona goalie Anders Lindback had 13 saves.

Rangers 4, Senators 1

NEW YORK -- Derick Brassard scored twice as the New York Rangers defeated Ottawa at Madison Square Garden.

Henrik Lundqvist turned aside 23 shots Ryan McDonagh scored in the first period and Jesper Fast added an empty-net goal with 1:31 remaining for the Rangers.

Marc Methot scored for the Senators, who received 27 saves from Craig Anderson.

Devils 4, Panthers 2

NEWARK, N.J. -- New Jersey ended its four-game home winless streak, topping Florida at the Prudential Center.

Lee Stempniak, Kyle Palmieri, Adam Henrique and Mike Cammalleri scored the Devils. Henrique and Damon Severson each registered two assists.

Aaron Ekblad and Jonathan Huberdeau scored for the Panthers. Florida's Jaromir Jagr also recorded two assists.

Ducks 2, Penguins 1

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Corey Perry and Chris Stewart scored as Anaheim earned a victory over Pittsburgh in front of 15,836 at the Honda Center.

John Gibson stopped 23 shots for his third victory in four games as the Ducks gave the Penguins their fourth loss in the last five contests.

Olli Maatta scored his fourth goal of the season for Pittsburgh.

Oilers 4, Sabres 2

EDMONTON, Alberta -- Edmonton won its third game in a row, topping Buffalo.

Taylor Hall and Teddy Purcell each had a goal and an assist, and Anders Nilsson, who has started every game during the Oilers winning streak, made 32 saves.

Jordan Eberle and Luke Gazdic also scored for Edmonton, while Jack Eichel and Eric Gryba scored for the Sabres.

Kings 3, Lightning 1

LOS ANGELES -- Anze Kopitar recorded his 400th career assist on Brayden McNabb's go-ahead goal in the second period, and Los Angeles won its fourth in a row.

Jonathan Quick stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced as the Kings captured their fifth decision in the past six games. They have won 11 of their past 13 home games.

Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy saved eight of 10 shots before Ben Bishop came on to replace him in the second period. Bishop finished with 17 saves on 18 shots as the Lightning had their five-game unbeaten run against Pacific Division clubs end.

**Udog** · 12-07-2015, 08:58 AM

NHL
Long Sheet

Monday, December 7

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NASHVILLE (13-8-0-5, 31 pts.) at BOSTON (14-8-0-3, 31 pts.) - 12/7/2015, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 3-1 (+2.0 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 3-1-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.0 Units)

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MINNESOTA (14-7-0-4, 32 pts.) at COLORADO (11-15-0-1, 23 pts.) - 12/7/2015, 9:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 11-8 (+2.0 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 11-8-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
9 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.1 Units)

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BUFFALO (11-13-0-3, 25 pts.) at VANCOUVER (9-11-0-8, 26 pts.) - 12/7/2015, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BUFFALO is 0-13 ATS (+25.3 Units) in road games in December games over the last 3 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 9-19 ATS (+32.5 Units) in all games this season.
VANCOUVER is 9-19 ATS (+31.5 Units) first half of the season this season.
VANCOUVER is 17-27 ATS (-16.0 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 3-10 ATS (-8.2 Units) in non-conference games this season.
VANCOUVER is 10-14 ATS (-10.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BUFFALO is 2-3 (+0.3 Units) against the spread versus VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 3-2-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.8 Units)

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Announcement

Monday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 12/7

Monday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 12/7

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