Wednesday Trends and Indexes 12/20

[Udog]

Six-Pack for Wednesday

Six reasons the Mets should sign Barry Zito

Over the last six seasons, Zito made 209 of a possible 210 starts, missing one start to get ready for a playoff start. The man is durable.

As of right now, the Mets' Game 2 starter in April is John Maine.

Zito already has a good working relationship with Mets' pitching coach Rick Peterson from their days together in Oakland.

During his time in Oakland, Zito's win percentage exceeded the A's win percentage by .020. He outperformed a successful team.

Zito promises to be more effective not having to face the DH, or the stronger teams that play in the AL.

If Mets don't sign Zito, they may very well face him the playoffs, if they meet up with the Dodgers or Padres.

[Udog]

Wednesday's List of 13:

Nobody asked me, but.............

13) ESPN bought a piece of Arena Football, and will have a Monday night game on every week, as well as playoff games, starting around March 1. The Arena Bowl is in New Orleans this year, the week before NFL exhibition games start.

12) On December 13, $670M was spent shopping online, an all-time record. I think some of that money was mine.

11) Vikings outscored opponents 83-27 on first drive of a half. In my mind, that indicates good coaching.

10) The scoreboard at Cowboys' new stadium (opening in 2009) is going to have a scoreboard that is sixty yards long.

9) Carolina has been outscored in second half in 12 of its 14 games. Chris Weinke has a career record of 1-17 as an NFL starter. This has been a lousy season for the Panthers.

8) Harrah's Inc was sold this week for $16.7B, that's billion, with a B; Harrah's owns 39 casinos in this country, and many others around the world.

7) Speaking of billion, Harvard's endowment is $29 billion. At one time, back in the 60's, the Patriots played home games at Harvard Stadium, before Schaefer Stadium was built. They've come a long way since those days. .

6) At this point, there will be 17 first-timers at The Masters in April. Next batch of invites, if there are more, will be sent out March 26, two weeks before the event, to include guys in the Top 50 of world rankings.

5) Justin Rose was in the Top 50, but took the last weekend off European Tour to get married; he got passed in rankings, and didn't get an invite. He has until March 26 to get back on the Top 50. Just one more reason why marriage is a bad idea.

Some college football coaching notes, or, why you should tell your kid to be a football coach…..
4) Urban Meyer had already made $270G this season, just in incentives; if his Gators beat Florida, he earns another $100G, thats on top of whatever his salary is.

3) Jim Tressel made $200G for making the BCS title game; if he wins, Ohio State has to redo his contract.

2) Bob Stoops makes $3.45M a year to coach Oklahoma. On December 31, 2008, when Stoops is in Norman for ten years, he gets another check for $3M.

1) Likewise, if Mark Richt is still coaching Georgia in 2012, he gets a check for $2.4M; that would buy Uga an awful lot of dog food.

[Udog]

NCAAB
Short Sheet

Wednesday, December 20th

(TC) Alabama at North Carolina State, 6:30 EST
Alabama: 0-9 ATS after 3 straight games outrebounding opponent by 6+
North Carolina State: 16-5 ATS at home after playing BB games as an underdog

Western Michigan at Indiana, 7:00 EST
Western Michigan: 8-0 Over as an underdog
Indiana: 3-12 ATS off a home game

Pepperdine at Connecticut, 7:00 EST ESPNU
Pepperdine: 6-0 ATS in road games
Connecticut: 6-0 Over off 3 straight DD wins

Miami (Ohio) at Dayton, 7:00 EST
Miami (Ohio): 19-9 Under off a home game
Dayton: 5-18 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points

(TC) Delaware at Virginia Commonwealth, 7:00 EST
Delaware: 18-5 Under as a road underdog
Virginia Commonwealth: 14-5 Under playing only their 2nd game in 8 days

Towson St. at Georgetown, 7:30 EST
Towson St: 1-5 ATS as a road underdog of 15.5 to 18 points
Georgetown: 22-5 Under in home games

Georgia State at Iowa, 8:00 EST
Georgia State: 12-3 ATS Away off Away games
Iowa: 8-20 ATS at home off a DD loss

Central Michigan at Southern Illinois, 8:00 EST
Central Michigan: 0-6 ATS in December games
Southern Illinois: 6-0 ATS at home off non-conference

Memphis at Arizona, 8:30 EST
Memphis: 8-0 ATS after a game outrebounding opponent by 15+
Arizona: 24-9 ATS off BB Unders

(TC) Princeton at South Carolina, 7:00 EST
Princeton: 6-0 Under off BB non-conference games
South Carolina: 12-3 ATS after playing a game as an underdog

Arkansas at Texas, 9:00 EST
Arkansas: 6-0 Under Away off an ATS loss
Texas: 4-12 ATS off a cover

Cal Irvine at DePaul, 8:30 EST
Cal Irvine: 8-0 ATS Away off BB games as road dog
DePaul: 8-1 ATS after allowing 80+ points

UL Lafayette at Cal State Fullerton, 10:00 EST
UL Lafayette: 11-23 ATS in all games
Cal State Fullerton: 11-0 Over off a cover

LSU at Washington, 10:30 EST
LSU: 6-0 ATS Away on Wednesday
Washington: 4-12 ATS at home after scoring 80 points

San Juan Shootout
Second Round

Utah at Virginia, 12:00 EST
Utah: 29-15 Under when the total is 130 to 139.5
Virginia: 5-18 ATS off an Over

Tennessee Tech at Vanderbilt, 2:00 EST
Tennessee Tech: 19-8 ATS off an Over
Vanderbilt: 1-8 ATS in tournament play

Appalachian State at Central Florida, 4:00 EST
Appalachian State: 30-15 ATS playing their 2nd game in 3 days
Central Florida: 2-9 ATS off a cover

Rainbow Classic
Opening Round

Wyoming at Nebraska, 10:00 EST
Wyoming: 6-0 ATS Away off BB game with 12 or less assists
Nebraska: 12-28 ATS Away off a DD win

San Francisco at Hawaii, 12:15 AM EST
San Francisco: 38-61 ATS vs. non-conference
Hawaii: 14-3 Under at home vs. non-conference opponents

Added Games

The Citadel at West Virginia, 7:00 EST
The Citadel: 14-30 ATS playing with one or less days rest
West Virginia: 10-2 ATS off a home win

Wofford at Elon College, 7:00 EST
Wofford: 10-2 ATS after allowing 80+ points 3 straight games
Elon College: 0-6 ATS at home off a non-conference game

(TC) Rider at Villanova, 7:00 EST
Rider: 20-35 ATS after playing a game as a road underdog
Villanova: 16-5 Over as a home favorite

Middle Tenn. St. at Austin Peay, 8:00 EST
Middle Tenn. St.: 8-1 ATS when the line is +3 to -3
Austin Peay:

Morehead St. at Eastern Illinois, 8:30 EST
Morehead St.: 3-13 ATS off a SU win
Eastern Illinois: 12-1 Under at home playing with no rest

Eastern Kentucky at Tennessee-Martin, 8:30 EST
Eastern Kentucky: 6-0 Under as a road favorite
Tennessee-Martin: 0-7 ATS at home off a loss by 3 points or less

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Dennis14072]

thanks guys!

[Udog]

Sure, Dennis! Good luck, buddy!

[Udog]

NFL - WEEK 16

Long Sheet

THURSDAY

MINNESOTA (6 - 8) at GREEN BAY (6 - 8) - 12/21/2006, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 16-32 ATS (-19.2 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1992.
GREEN BAY is 35-20 ATS (+13.0 Units) in the last 4 weeks of the regular season since 1992.
GREEN BAY is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
GREEN BAY is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in home lined games over the last 3 seasons.
GREEN BAY is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in a home game where the total is between 38.5 and 42 points over the last 3 seasons.
GREEN BAY is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) off a division game over the last 2 seasons.
GREEN BAY is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 4-2 against the spread versus GREEN BAY over the last 3 seasons
GREEN BAY is 3-3 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


SATURDAY


KANSAS CITY (7 - 7) at OAKLAND (2 - 12) - 12/23/2006, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 11-22 ATS (-13.2 Units) against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) in home games after 2 or more consecutive losses since 1992.
OAKLAND is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in the last 4 weeks of the regular season over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 3-2 against the spread versus OAKLAND over the last 3 seasons
KANSAS CITY is 5-0 straight up against OAKLAND over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


SUNDAY


TENNESSEE (7 - 7) at BUFFALO (7 - 7) - 12/24/2006, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BUFFALO is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) against conference opponents this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.




NEW ORLEANS (9 - 5) at NY GIANTS (7 - 7) - 12/24/2006, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) as an underdog this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) against conference opponents this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
NY GIANTS is 1-0 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
NY GIANTS is 1-0 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




CAROLINA (6 - 8) at ATLANTA (7 - 7) - 12/24/2006, 1:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
CAROLINA is 3-2 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 3-2 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




WASHINGTON (5 - 9) at ST LOUIS (6 - 8) - 12/24/2006, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 19-34 ATS (-18.4 Units) in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points since 1992.
WASHINGTON is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games against NFC West division opponents since 1992.
WASHINGTON is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in the last 4 weeks of the regular season over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) against NFC East division opponents since 1992.
ST LOUIS is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 1-0 against the spread versus ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 1-0 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




INDIANAPOLIS (10 - 3) at HOUSTON (4 - 10) - 12/24/2006, 1:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANAPOLIS is 3-2 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
INDIANAPOLIS is 5-0 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




BALTIMORE (11 - 3) at PITTSBURGH (7 - 7) - 12/24/2006, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in road games when playing with 6 or less days rest over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 7 points over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 4-1 against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
BALTIMORE is 3-2 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




TAMPA BAY (3 - 11) at CLEVELAND (4 - 10) - 12/24/2006, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.




CHICAGO (12 - 2) at DETROIT (2 - 12) - 12/24/2006, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 6-22 ATS (-18.2 Units) in road games in December games since 1992.
CHICAGO is 6-22 ATS (-18.2 Units) in road games in the last 4 weeks of the regular season since 1992.
CHICAGO is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points this season.
CHICAGO is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) against conference opponents this season.
DETROIT is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest this season.
DETROIT is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) versus division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) revenging a loss against opponent over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 3-1 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 3-2 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




NEW ENGLAND (10 - 4) at JACKSONVILLE (8 - 6) - 12/24/2006, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ENGLAND is 67-42 ATS (+20.8 Units) as an underdog since 1992.
NEW ENGLAND is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ENGLAND is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) in road lined games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ENGLAND is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in all games where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ENGLAND is 38-20 ATS (+16.0 Units) in December games since 1992.
NEW ENGLAND is 46-26 ATS (+17.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1992.


Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ENGLAND is 1-0 against the spread versus JACKSONVILLE over the last 3 seasons
NEW ENGLAND is 1-0 straight up against JACKSONVILLE over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




ARIZONA (4 - 10) at SAN FRANCISCO (6 - 8) - 12/24/2006, 4:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 3-2 against the spread versus ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
ARIZONA is 3-2 straight up against SAN FRANCISCO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




CINCINNATI (8 - 5) at DENVER (8 - 6) - 12/24/2006, 4:15 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 1-0 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
CINCINNATI is 1-0 straight up against DENVER over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




SAN DIEGO (12 - 2) at SEATTLE (8 - 6) - 12/24/2006, 4:15 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.


MONDAY


PHILADELPHIA (8 - 6) at DALLAS (9 - 5) - 12/25/2006, 5:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 110-76 ATS (+26.4 Units) against conference opponents since 1992.


Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 3-2 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 3-2 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




NY JETS (8 - 6) at MIAMI (6 - 8) - 12/25/2006, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) against conference opponents this season.
MIAMI is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) versus division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 22-40 ATS (-22.0 Units) in December games since 1992.


Head-to-Head Series History
NY JETS is 5-0 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
NY JETS is 4-1 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


Short Sheet

Thursday, December 21st

Minnesota at Green Bay, 8:00 EST NFL
Minnesota: 24-11 Over away in December
Green Bay: 0-7 ATS at home off an Under

** (TC) Denotes Time Change


Saturday, December 23rd

Kansas City at Oakland, 8:00 EST NFL
Kansas City: 30-15 ATS off a loss by 10+ points
Oakland: 0-6 ATS off a loss as a favorite

** (TC) Denotes Time Change


Sunday, December 24th

Tennessee at Buffalo, 1:00 EST
Tennessee: 16-6 ATS off a home division win
Buffalo: 7-18 ATS off a division win by 10+ points

New Orleans at NY Giants, 1:00 EST
New Orleans: 7-1 ATS as an underdog
NY Giants: 26-11 Under off BB Overs

Carolina at Atlanta, 1:00 EST
Carolina: 1-7 ATS off a loss
Atlanta: 10-2 ATS off a loss by 10+ points

Washington at St. Louis, 1:00 EST
Washington: 13-4 ATS away vs. NFC West opponents
St. Louis: 6-18 ATS vs. NFC East opponents

Indianapolis at Houston, 1:00 EST
Indianapolis: 8-20 ATS in the last two weeks of the season
Houston: 15-6 Under as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points

Baltimore at Pittsburgh, 1:00 EST
Baltimore: 1-8 ATS away off a home win
Pittsburgh: 17-7 ATS off a win by 10+ points

Tampa Bay at Cleveland, 1:00 EST
Tampa Bay: 11-2 ATS off 4+ losses
Cleveland: 2-13 ATS off 3+ Overs

Chicago at Detroit, 1:00 EST
Chicago: 15-6 ATS vs. conference opponents
Detroit: 2-9 ATS vs. division opponents

New England at Jacksonville, 1:00 EST
New England: 17-7 ATS in road games
Jacksonville: 10-2 Over with a line of +3 to -3

Arizona at San Francisco, 4:05 EST
Arizona: 9-2 Over vs. conference opponents
San Francisco: 11-3 ATS off a road game

Cincinnati at Denver, 4:15 EST
Cincinnati: 20-7 Under away off a loss by 14+ points
Denver: 1-5 ATS as a home favorite

San Diego at Seattle, 4:15 EST
San Diego: 9-1 ATS vs. non-conference opponents
Seattle: 0-6 ATS off a division loss

** (TC) Denotes Time Change


Monday, December 25th

Philadelphia at Dallas, 5:00 EST NBC
Philadelphia: 11-2 Over as an underdog
Dallas: 1-7 ATS after scoring 30+ points

NY Jets at Miami, 8:30 EST ESPN
NY Jets: 9-2 Over off a win
Miami: 2-9 ATS vs. division opponents

** (TC) Denotes Time Change


Write-up

Vikings (6-8) @ Packers (6-8)-NFL Network having lousy luck with Thursday games; freezing rain/sleet expected for this game, as rookie Jackson gets nod at QB for Minnesota; last 13 rookie QBs lost their starting debuts. Vikings lost six of last eight games (1-7 vs. spread); Favre was 24-42/347 passing in 23-17 Packer win in Week 10's first meeting. Pack won last two games, after trailing Jets 31-0 at half in Week 13; they're 3-0 vs Vikings/Lions this season. Vikings have 18 takeaways in last four games (+9), but they lost last eight times they scored less than 26 points.

Chiefs (7-7) @ Raiders (2-12)- Raiders lost seven in row, Chiefs three in row, but are still clinging to life in playoff race. Brooks gets start at QB for Oakland (0-6 in his '06 starts) team that's been outscored 80-14 in second half of those seven games (50-61 in first half). Chiefs' 17-13 win vs. Raiders in Week 11 was Green's first game back from concussion; Oakland led 13-7 at half, was 8-14 on third down and had 133 rushing yards. Chiefs have one TD on 20 drives in last two games, but they played Ravens, Chargers. Raiders made Ram defense look like '85 Bears last week.

Titans (7-7) @ Bills (7-7)- Both sides on roll, with Buffalo winning four of last five, covering last seven; their only losses in last seven games are 17-16 at Colts, 24-21 vs. San Diego. Tennessee won last five, all as underdog, and covered nine of last 10 games. Young now 7-4 as starter for Titan club playing just second turf game of season and at cold weather site (they lost 14-13 at Colts in Week 5). Tennessee had three TDs on defense last week, while Bills shut Miami out on this field. Over is 7-1-1 in last nine Titan games, 4-1 in last five Buffalo tilts.

Saints (9-5) @ Giants (7-7)-Saints already clinched division, but playing for critical first-round bye; Giants lost five of last six games, are holding on to last playoff spot by thin margin. Payton was once canned by Giants, plus Saints had to play LY's game at Giants in wake of Katrina, when NFL wouldn't let game be played in San Antonio, so intangibles favor spunky Saints, especially if they get off to fast start and locals turn on stumbling Big Blue. Saints scored 31+ in five of last six road games.

Panthers (6-8) @ Falcons (7-7)-Atlanta lost three in row, four of last five at home, with lone win in OT vs. Steelers; they won 20-6 at Carolina in Week 1, outrushing Panthers 252-65, but now they have injury issues at RB and coach Mora's future is in doubt. Panthers lost last four games, with zero takeaways in last three games, and -9 turnover ratio in last five; they're 12 for last 42 on third down, and ran ball for total of just 89 yards in last two games. Carolina has been outscored in second half in 12 of 14 games (total of 64-20 in last four games).

Redskins (5-9) @ Rams (6-8)-St Louis is +19 in turnovers (22-3) in its six wins, -7 (7-14) in its eight losses; they're 1-4 in last five home games, allowing 30+ pts in five of last six under Arch. Redskins are 2-5 on road, both wins came in domes (Houston, New Orleans); they lost last four times they allowed more than 13 pts. Porous Ram run defense will be tested by Betts; Skins averaged 171.6 rushing yds/game over last four weeks, but have scored only one TD in last nine trips to red zone. Under is 5-1-1 in Washington's last seven games.

Colts (11-3) @ Texans (4-10)- Soft spot for Colts, traveling off Monday night win; road teams who won previous Monday are just 2-3 SU, with wins by 3,2 points. Indy won first meeting 43-24 in Week 2 (-13), gaining 515 yards, converting 9-12 on 3rd down, averaging 9.8 yds/pass attempt and scoring five TD's, three FGs on 10 drives. Houston in freefall, losing four of last five games; they lost 40-7 in Foxboro last week, allowing KR for TD after their only score; they're 2-4 at home, 2-2 in last four, with losses by 3,6 pts. Four of last five Houston games went over the total.

Ravens (11-3) @ Steelers (7-7)- Pittsburgh won three in row (by combined score of 84-13), five of last six to get back in playoff hunt; only loss in last six games was 27-0 waxing in Baltimore four weeks ago (+3) when Ravens sacked Big Ben nine times, holding Steelers to 21 rushing yards, 1-12 on third down, while forcing three turnovers. Baltimore won two in row, seven of last eight games- they have 27 sacks in last five games. In Pitt's last three games, wins over bad QB's (Gradkowski, Anderson, Weinke), Steelers allowed one TD on 33 drives.

Buccaneers (3-11) @ Browns (4-10)-Tampa was down 21-3 at half last week, on way to fourth loss in row, when Rattay came off bench, rallied Bucs to four second half TDs and an unlikely OT in Chicago; Bucs still lost, but they looked like an NFL team, so Rattay gets first start of year for Tampa team that is 0-7 on road, with only one loss by less than 11 points. Browns lost four of last five games; they were down two TDs in 4th quarter of game they won. Anderson has been improvement over Frye at QB, but Browns are still 2-5 at home. Five of last seven Buc games went over total.

Bears (12-2) @ Lions (2-12)- Last home game for Detroit fans who are so apathetic they don't boo much; Detroit lost last six games (1-5 vs. spread); they've turned ball over 14 times in last three games and are just 13 for last 46 on third down. Bear defense hurt by attrition; they've allowed 27,31 pts in last two games, blowing 21-3 halftime lead last week. Chicago won first meeting 34-7 (-8), in game where Lions had 14 penalties for 104 yards. Bears have run ball for 142 yds/game over last five weeks, and Grossman has 512 passing yards in last two games, as Bear offense beginning to carry part of load.

Patriots (10-4) @ Jaguars (8-6)-Jags outgained Tennessee 396-98 last week, but Titan defense scored three TDs in upset win, putting Jax playoff hopes in jeopardy. Jags are 6-1 at home; they seem to play better vs. name teams, with wins over Dallas, Giants, Steelers, Colts. Pats are 5-1 on road, but got shut out at Miami in last one; they're underdog for first time since Week 4, when they crushed Bengals 38-13 (+6). Jags are 3-1 vs. spread after a loss; they have only five penalties in last two games. Under is 7-2-1 in last ten New England games.

Cardinals (4-10) @ 49ers (6-8)-Oddly, Niners can still win division if they win out and Seattle loses out; lot has changed since 34-27 Arizona win in season opener, when 49ers lost 69.6% of third down plays, losing despite outgaining Cards 393-367. SF had three extra days to prepare for this after Seattle upset; they're 4-3 at home, 1-1 as favorite. Cards are 3-2 in last five games (4-1 vs. spread); they're 17 for last 38 (44.7%) on third down, as Leinart improves, but Niners trying to keep Gore in race for rushing title (they had 228 rushing yards last week). Seattle loss to Chargers in game going on at same time keeps 49ers alive in playoff hunt.

Bengals (8-6) @ Broncos (8-6)- Winner here has leg up on Wild Card spot. Cincy is 8-1 if it allows 20 or less points, but Bengals had 4-game win streak snapped in weak effort at Indy Monday; this season, Monday night loser is 4-11 in next game, 2-5 if on road, but is 3-2-1 vs. spread as dog. Denver ended 4-game skid 37-20 in Arizona, with Cutler getting win #1 as NFL starter; Broncos allowed 30.7 pg in losing last three home games. Denver ran ball for 149.7 yds/game over last three weeks, but they've only had edge in average starting field position three times in 14 games, so special teams need a boost.

Chargers (12-2) @ Seahawks (8-6)-Seattle lost last two weeks to Cardinals, 49ers, still need win to clinch division. San Diego playing for home field thru AFC playoffs; they won last eight games (5-3 vs. spread) and scored 36 pg in winning last three road games. Chargers have balanced offense, although Rivers was 8-23/88 in dismal effort last week, first game since Week 5 that Bolts didn't have 3+ offensive TD's; they'd have total of only seven penalties in last three games. Ten of last 12 Seattle games, eight of last ten Charger games went over total.

Eagles (8-6) @ Cowboys (9-5)-Philly is 3-0 in December, scoring 28 pg, as backup QB Garcia led them to nine TDs on 29 drives since 45-21 Monday night debacle at Indy; winner of this game leads NFC East heading into Week 17, as Philly tries to complete rare hat trick of winning on home field of three division foes in consecutive weeks. Dallas won five of last six games behind Romo; last week, Cowboys scored game's last 21 points after Falcons rallied to take lead; Pokes are 9-2 if they score 20+ pts,
0-3 if they don't. Eagles used +3 turnover edge to win first game, 38-24 in Week 5, but neither starting QB from that game will be starting this one.

Jets (8-6) @ Dolphins (6-8)- Gang Green is 5-2 on road, needs win here with "should win" game vs. Raiders on deck next week-10-6 finish might land Jets in playoffs. Jets won first meeting 20-17 in Week 6, forcing three turnovers to offset 395-272 edge in total yards and Fish winning 60.7% of third down plays. Miami is 2-7 if its scores 17 or less points; they won three of last four home games, but Harrington got yanked in Buffalo last week, with Cleo Lemon his replacement, not good. Jets foes are just 10 for last 37 on third down, but NY been outscored 26-10 in second half of last three games.