SPORTS reporter:
SUPER BEST BET.....BALT
BEST BET......BUFF
RECOMMENDED...GREEN BAY, DENVER, PHILY
POWER SWEEP:
4* Green Bay
3* NE
2* Buff
2* Pitt
3* cinn/ne over 43 1/2
3* sf/arz under 37
3* giants/balt over 33
2* chi/jax under 35
2* indy/hou over 56 1/2
CKO
CONFIDENTIAL KICK-OFF
PRIORITY PICKS and
PREFERENCES
10 N.Y. JETS over *Pittsburgh
Late Score Forecast:
N.Y. JETS 17 - *Pittsburgh 12
(Sunday, December 12)
10 *ATLANTA over Oakland
Late Score Forecast:
*ATLANTA 34 - Oakland 17
(Sunday, December 12)
The only game the Jets have lost when Chad Pennington has been healthy from start to finish was at New
England, where the champs are unbeatable. His quick release, accuracy, and reading of defenses are crucial
to the fast-paced, but mostly “horizontal,” N.Y. offense. That’s the type of ball control needed to neutralize so
many of the Steelers’ preferred zone blitzes. And don’t overlook the quick, aggressive N.Y. defense (only 15
ppg). Steelers playing ‘em close three straight weeks; Jets’ biggest loss by 6.
Falcons blew their chance to wrap up the NFC South last week against defensively-tough divisional rival Tampa
Bay, who used their familiarity with Mike Vick to sack him five times and pick off two of his passes to shut out one
of the game’s brightest stars. Don’t expect the Raiders (allowing 30 ppg on road) to come close to that
performance, especially now that the Falcons extra focused and playing on their fast track in the Georgia Dome.
Kerry Collins very vulnerable to the Falcons quick front seven, and emerging WR Curry (Achilles) might be
through for the year.
Premium Selections
From The Gold Sheet
* - Denotes Home Team RATINGS: 11 - Exceptional, 10 - Strong, 9 - Above Average
HONORABLE MENTION (Nine-Rated Games): BALTIMORE (-9½) vs. N.Y. Giants—Raven defense (24 pts. in 4th Q last week) out to shut down Eli; ground game
should flourish vs. injured Giant defense...DENVER (-11) vs. Miami—Broncs can’t afford a single loss in wildcard chase; “battered” Fish vulnerable to the run.
CONFIDENTIAL TIP-OFF BASKETBALL RELEASES FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 10 -16, 2004
Saturday,
Dec. 11
Sunday,
Dec. 12
Monday,
Dec. 13
*CINCINNATI over Detroit...Since revamped Detroit (lost top 4 scorers) figures to continue its offensive woes (Titans only 41% FGs, 29%
triples, 61% FTs) at least until gifted soph G Cotton (Michigan St. transfer) gains eligibility Dec. 20, willing to lay the lumber with defensivelystingy
Cincy squad that will control boards with bruising, 6-7 glass-crashing Fs Maxiell & Hicks (combined 18 rpg). Also, Bearcats upgraded
at PG this year, thanks to juco-AA playmaker Muhammad (17 ppg), who can also nail the J. So, expect identity-seeking Titans, who’ve
already suffered 3 DD losses to lesser opposition, to lose touch in the noisy “Shoe.” *CINCINNATI 82 - Detroit 52 RATING - 11
RICHMOND over *VCU...CTO sources tell us VCU vulnerable in favorite’s role, since 1-4 Rams still searching to fill BIG shoes left by G Dominic
Jones (CAA Player of Year in ‘03-‘04) & 6-9 wide-body C Godwin (11 ppg, 7 rpg, 50 blocks), who commanded double-teaming LY. Sure,
youthful Richmond still a work in progress, but hard-drivin’ HC Wainwright thrilled with team’s unselfishness. Spiders speedy 5-9 soph PG
Merritt, who can drive and kick, has developed into reliable floor general, burgeoning 6-11 jr. C Steenberge (added 10 lbs. of muscle) more
assertive down low, & blossoming 6-6 jr. F Bucknor is now a confident mid-range scorer after starring for Canada’s Senior Men’s National
Team in summer. Wainwright’s squads always fundamentally sound on “D.” And crosstown bus ride to Siegel Center (in Richmond) no
sweat after competing at Seton Hall, Virginia and Wake Forest. RICHMOND 72 - *Vcu 64 RATING - 10
*NEW YORK over Denver (NBA; Day Game)...New York has been a very formful team in the early going, covering 6 of first 8 at home. Knicks
are getting a boost from G Marbury, who is having by far his best season in terms of shooting accuracy, as he’s made 48% of his shots
overall, 39% from 3-point range, and 87% of his free throws. All of those would be career highs for the 9-year vet. New York is also doing
a solid job on the boards, leading the NBA in defensive rebound percentage, thanks in part to Nazr Mohammed (12 ppg, 10 rpg), who is
having perhaps his best all-around season as well. *NEW YORK 100 - Denver 88 RATING - 10
OLD DOMINION over *East Carolina (Day Game)...Early reports from CTO Mid-Atlantic scouts indicate that ODU emerging as the team to beat
in competitive CAA. Monarchs’ effective inside-outside combo of jr. G Hunter & 6-9 Aussie jr. Loughton now further complemented by highjumping
6-7 soph Ivory Coast native Dahi, who already helped HC Taylor’s bunch pull mild upset at TCU. Matchups don’t look bad vs. ECU,
which is relying heavily on frosh Gs King & Hammonds in early stages of campaign. And Loughton’s versatility could minimize influence of
Pirate shot-blocker Badiane. OLD DOMINION 69 - *East Carolina 60 RATING - 11
*TCU over Smu (Day Game)...Metroplex sources report SMU chemistry concerns (a main reason Mike Dement was dismissed as coach last
spring) yet to abate under new HC Jimmy Tubbs, whose Mustangs continue to be plagued by sloppiness (24 TOs in recent blowout loss at
Texas Tech). Meanwhile, TCU rebuilding project much further along under 3rd-year HC Neil Dougherty (a Roy Williams protege), who can
at least count on veteran backcourt (srs. Santee & Shropshire) keeping care of ball. 6-4 Temple transfer Murry providing Frogs added
backcourt depth, and smallish but hard-working TCU frontline unlikely to be overrun by erratic SMU counterparts.
*TCU 81 - Smu 64 RATING - 10
ORLANDO over *Phoenix (NBA)...Orlando is one of the most remarkable stories in the NBA this season. Magic have undergone an amazing
transformation from last season’s dismal group. Orlando has five “new” starters this season and started 11-5 to lead in the Southeast
Division, which was expected to be dominated by Shaq & Miami. Magic F Grant Hill (20 ppg, 49% FGs) appears to be all the way back from
nagging injuries, while 19-year-old rookie F Dwight Howard (10 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2 bpg) has proven he made the right decision by turning
professional (and the Magic made the right decision in drafting him). ORLANDO 106 - *Phoenix 100 RATING - 10
MISSISSIPPI STATE over *New Orleans...Doubt extra prep time (nearly 2-week layoff) will help rebuilding UNO squad that lacks the requisite
athleticism, speed & depth to hang with loaded MSU, whose only losses came vs. Final Four-caliber Syracuse & Arizona thus far. Look for
Bulldogs wiry defensive wiz, 6-4 SG Frazier to hound Privateers main weapon, 6-0 G soph McCaleeb (22 ppg), while speedy 5-11 soph
penetrator Irvin triggers many fastbreak hoops vs. UNO’s soft transition “D” that’s allowed an avg. 93 ppg to the only 2 quality foes it’s faced
thus far (N.C. St. & LSU). And in smooth-functioning halfcourt, MSU’s powerful 6-9 sr. F Roberts (17 ppg, 11 rpg) & late-blooming 7-0 sr.
C Campbell (10 pts., 11 rebs. vs. ‘Zona) encounter little resistance in paint. Bulldogs are profitable 10-5 as visiting chalk last 4+Ys.
MISSISSIPPI STATE 81 - *New Orleans 60 RATING - 10
just trying to understand the culture of this site, I can understand not posting any discussion as to why you might think a team may or not win in the ""Service Play Section"" but this is general Discussion area. is their a place on this site for general discussion. sometimes its helpful to see some one elses thought process of how they came up with the picks and can generate some hopefully friendly banter.
take your time, hurry up, the choice is yours just dont be late.
New York Giants 19 Baltimore Ravens 17
New York Giants (1 star)
Angle: Scored 9 or Fewer Points in Consecutive Games [Teams coming off back-to-back games scoring less than 10 points ]
Go with New York Giants ( Playing on the road, Opponent scored less than 40 points combined in previous two, 11-5, 68.8% )
Detroit Lions (+9½) at Green Bay Packers
Power Rating Projection:
Green Bay Packers 27 Detroit Lions 19
Statistical Projections
Detroit Lions 18
Rushing Yards: 86
Passing Yards: 189
Turnovers: 1 Green Bay Packers 23
Green Bay Packers 37 Detroit Lions 18
Green Bay Packers (1 star)
Historical trend: Take Green Bay Packers ( Domination by favorite at Green Bay Packers, 6-1-1, 85.7% )
Historical trend: Take Green Bay Packers ( Domination by home team, 13-3-1, 81.3% )
Rushing Yards: 110
Passing Yards: 241
Turnovers: 2
** Statistical edge to Indianapolis Colts
SUNSHINE FORECAST Official Prediction:
Indianapolis Colts 39 Houston Texans 18
Indianapolis Colts (1 star)
Angle: Favored by More Than 7 Points on the Road [Road teams favored by more than 7 points ]
Go against Indianapolis Colts ( No additional conditions, 43-69-3, 38.4% )
New York Jets (+5½) at Pittsburgh Steelers
Power Rating Projection:
Pittsburgh Steelers 23 New York Jets 18
Statistical Projections
New York Jets 21 Pittsburgh Steelers 16
New York Jets (1 star)
Angle: Allowed 9 or Fewer Points in Consecutive Games [Teams coming off back-to-back games allowing less than 10 points ]
Go with New York Jets ( Played at home in previous game, Favored by more than 3 points in previous game, 23-14, 62.2% )
Philadelphia Eagles 27 Washington Redskins 10
Philadelphia Eagles (1 star)
Angle: Favored by More Than 7 Points on the Road [Road teams favored by more than 7 points ]
Go against Philadelphia Eagles ( No additional conditions, 43-69-3, 38.4% )
Angle: Home Underdogs [Teams playing as a home underdog ]
Go with Washington Redskins ( Underdog by more than 7 points, Won at home in previous game, 7-3, 70.0% )
Historical trend: Take Philadelphia Eagles ( Domination by Philadelphia Eagles, 13-4, 76.5% )
Historical trend: Take Philadelphia Eagles ( Domination on the road by Philadelphia Eagles, 7-1, 87.5% )
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