Announcement

**Spark** · 01-02-2005, 11:33 AM

Sunday, January 2nd

San Francisco () at New England (), 1:00 ET
San Francisco - 2-8 ATS away off an ATS loss
New England - 9-2 ATS at home off a road win

Pittsburgh () at Buffalo (), 1:00 ET
Pittsburgh - 7-1 Under off 5+ wins
Buffalo - 6-0 ATS off a win by 10+ points

Miami () at Baltimore (), 1:00 ET
Miami - 1-5 ATS off a win by 6 points or less
Baltimore - 16-6 ATS off a loss

Minnesota () at Washington (), 1:00 ET
Minnesota - 2-9 ATS after playing 3+ games as a favorite
Washington - 5-1 ATS in January

Cincinnati () at Philadelphia (), 1:00 ET
Cincinnati - 6-1 Over on grass fields
Philadelphia - 5-1 ATS off a road loss

Green Bay () at Chicago (), 1:00 ET
Green Bay - 6-1 ATS off a road win by 3 points or less
Chicago - 8-2 ATS off an Under

New Orleans () at Carolina (), 1:00 ET
New Orleans - 1-5 ATS away off 3+ ATS wins
Carolina - 6-1 ATS after scoring 30+ points

Detroit () at Tennessee (), 1:00 ET
Detroit - 3-11 ATS as a road favorite
Tennessee - 10-2 ATS off 4+ Overs

New York Jets () at St. Louis (), 1:00 ET
NY Jets - 17-5 ATS off a home division loss
St. Louis - 1-6 ATS off a Monday Night game

Cleveland () at Houston (), 1:00 ET
Cleveland - 1-6 ATS as a road underdog
Houston - 5-1 ATS after playing as a road underdog

Tampa Bay () at Arizona (), 4:05 ET
Tampa Bay - 8-1 ATS away off 3+ losses
Arizona - 1-6 ATS off BB ATS wins

Atlanta () at Seattle (), 4:05 ET
Atlanta - 9-2 Under vs. conference opponents
Seattle - 11-26 ATS off a division win

Indianapolis () at Denver (), 4:15 ET
Indianapolis - 5-1 Under away in January
Denver - 2-9 ATS at home off a win

Jacksonville () at Oakland (), 4:15 ET
Jacksonville - 7-1 ATS after scoring 6 points or less
Oakland - 3-10 ATS after allowing 30+ points

Kansas City () at San Diego (), 4:15 ET
Kansas City - 1-5 ATS off a win by 3 points or less
San Diego - 9-0 ATS off BB ATS wins

Dallas () at New York Giants (), 8:35 ET
Dallas - 6-1 ATS revenging a loss as a home favorite
NY Giants - 3-12 ATS as a home favorite

**Denotes Time Change

**Spark** · 01-02-2005, 11:34 AM

49ers (2-13) @ Patriots (13-2)- New England does not need game, but Niners are so bad, hard to imagine them being interested here, vs champs who are prepping for later January play, and figure to sit out nicked vets after beating rival Jets last week. Spread is huge for favorite that is disinterested, especially since Weis spent Tuesday night watching Notre Dame, instead of game planning; he was on ESPN for good 15-20 minutes. 49ers allowed 31.7 ppg in last three games, all of which went over total.

Steelers (14-1) @ Bills (9-6)- Teams are three hours apart; Bills on serious roll, and Steelers are likely to sit aching vets, after long stretch of hard-nosed wins. Big Ben likely won't play, but Maddox is former starter, and this is little bit of rivalry, so wouldn't expect Eagle-like tank job, especially since Steelers have next week off. Bills won last six games, all by 10+ points; they're 9-2 vs spread in last 11, with eight of last nine going over total. Buffalo's 26 forced turnovers in last six games most takeaways in any six-game span over last 13 years.

Dolphins (4-11) @ Ravens (8-7)- Sage Rosenfels, this generation's Babe Laufenberg, gets start here for Miami team that won last two games, both on national TV, but now goes up north to face ticked off foe in cold weather. Ravens have lot of Miami Hurricanes, so playing Fish will have their attention; they need win and lot of help to make playoffs, but at least win gives them winning season, but they've lost four of last five games, with three of four losses coming vs top three seeds in AFC; they had 20-3 fourth quarter lead in the other loss.

Vikings (8-7) @ Redskins (5-10)- Minnesota gets in playoffs with win, but they also back in if Rams or Carolina lose. Redskins playing good defense, but CB Smoot is hurt now, so Moss could run wild, as little #84 did for Dallas at end of game last week, which was first time Skins hadn't covered in last five games. Under is 8-3 in last 11 Skin games; Williams' defense has allowed just 13.8 ppg in last five games, and just six TD's on last 54 drives, but Dallas beat them with 80-yard drive in final minutes last week. Character test for Vikings, who could be sleeper team in NFC playoffs.

Bengals (7-8) @ Eagles (13-2)- McNabb ain't playing much here either, and Cincy is trying for second .500 season in row. Philly tanked Monday night game under Arch, playing subs whole second half; their WR's were useless vs Rams, and figure to be roadblock to Eagle title. Don't expect Eagles first-teamers to do much more here, so we'll see Blake vs his old team, while Kitna will do his best for Bengals. Last five Bengal games went over total; Cincy has minus-9 turnover ratio in those games. Eagles scored 12 ppg in last three games.

Packers (9-6) @ Bears (5-10)- If Favre sits, as he should (Pack locked in as #3 seed), then this becomes even game, as hideous Chicago offense has gained 229 or less yards in each of last three weeks. In first meeting this season, Bears used long fumble return for TD to break game open in second quarter of 21-10 win. Chicago ran for 182 yards in that game. Last five Bear games stayed under, but nine of last 11 Pack games went over, but with Green Bay hosting playoff game next week, doubt their main guys play in rivalry games such as this.

Saints (7-8) @ Panthers (7-8)- Saints in if they win; Panthers probably in if they win, so this is huge game. In first meeting, 32-21 Carolina win a month ago, Panthers had 132-30 edge on ground, were plus-3 in turnovers and had 26-7 halftime lead, as Carney kicked four of his six FG's before half. Haslett's team won three in row since then, scoring 24.7 ppg, with +5 turnover ratio; they've scored 14+ points in their last five second halves. Carolina covered their last seven games (6-1 SU, only loss in OT at Atlanta). Best game of the week.

Lions (6-9) @ Titans (4-11)- Detroit opened season on 24-game road loss streak, end season as road fave; go figure. Tennessee seriously banged up; their injury list reads like Nashville phone book. Third-string QB Doug Johnson wound up playing last week, after Volek's knee was dinged so danger of tank job by team that lost last five games, allowing 41.6 ppg in that streak. Titans were outscored 108-31 in second half of last five games. After winning first three road games of year, Lions dropped last four, so they're still shaky as road favorite.

Jets (10-5) @ Rams (7-8)- Both sides need a win, but Rams need win and help, and are playing on short week after lukewarm win over indifferent Eagles Monday. Rams are 0-3 vs AFC this year, only team to lose to Wannstedt's Dolphins, with losses by 17-18-20 points. Jets are 8-1 if they get 2+ turnovers, 2-4 if they don't. Sloppy Rams turned ball over 2+ times in nine of last 12 games. Once-proud offense is stagnant and dull; in their last six games, Rams scored total of 20 points in second half, pretty lame. Jets won 41-14 after their last Patriot loss; would expect win here, as well.

Browns (3-12) @ Texans (6-9)- Don't like losing teams after they've been on national TV late in year, so lean to Houston team that showed onions in road shutout at Jaguars last week. Browns lost last nine games, but in four games since they fired Davis, Cleveland scored total of just 29 points (two TD's on last 34 drives)Texans have shot at first-ever .500 season; they haven't allowed TD in 25 drives over last two games, with plus-5 turnover ratio. Last four Texan games stayed under total. Browns covered one of their last six road games.

Buccaneers (5-10) @ Cardinals (6-9)- Buc players seem to be polarized on Gruden, who, we quickly forget, won Super Bowl two years ago (albeit with Dungy's team). Bucs lost last three games, allowing 29.7 ppg; they're 2-9 if they don't have a positive turnover ratio. Arizona lost five of last six games, as they'll finish third in horrible division, but they can score now, as long as McCown at helm (26.7 ppg in last three games, 10 TD's on last 37 drives). Bad field position killing Bucs; they've started 67 drives 80+ yards from goal line, 22 more than their opponents.

Falcons (10-5) @ Seahawks (8-7)- Seattle needs win to clinch division, unless Rams lost earlier. Either way, Seattle in playoffs, but if Rams won, Hawks playing for home game next week. Vick expected to see minimal action, as Falcons have bye last week, and Vick sat vs Saints. Had Atlanta needed this game, Vick would have terrified Seattle defense that allowed 32.4 ppg in last five weeks, and almost allowed Arizona miraculous comeback from 24-7 deficit. Over is 10-2 in last twelve Seattle games; oddly, both unders came in domes.

Colts (12-3) @ Broncos (9-6)- Denver desperate for win here, and Manning unlikely to play a lot but he does appear to be starting. Colts locked in as #3 seed, they play next week making it more likely they use this as mini-bye, especially since they probably play Broncos again, just like they did at end of last season. In last three weeks, irst half totals in Denver games have been 28-38-40 so if Peyton does play, this could be quite a 30-minute shootout. Again, Colts nothing to gain by winning this game, so its impossible to back Colts vs desperate Broncos.

Jaguars (8-7) @ Raiders (5-10)- Jags need win and lot of help to make playoffs; they'll know if they have shot, early in this game. They probably won't. Rumors persist that Del Rio headed to LSU, which can't help Jags much. Oakland defense allowed 33.8 ppg in last four games (16 TD's on last 34 drives), but Jax, playing without Taylor last week, gained total of just 126 yards in last week's damaging 21-0 home loss. It was just second time all season Jaguars had negative turnover ratio (week 5, 21-34 @ Chargers).

Chiefs (7-8) @ Chargers (11-4)- Vermeil going for .500 season, as Chiefs won last three games, while Bolts are prepping for home playoff game next week. Rumor has Marty playing this as real game, not sure why, but in first meeting this year, five weeks ago, Chargers gained 498 yards in 34-31 win, averaging 9.8 yards per pass attempt. That game left Chiefs 3-8; they've won four in row since, scoring 39.8 ppg, and can salvage .500 season with win. Bolts won last six home tilts after 34-28 loss to Jets in home opener; six of their seven home games went over total.

Cowboys (6-9) @ Giants (5-10)- Big Blue trying to avoid nine-game loss streak, their longest in 28 years; this is already second year in row they've lost eight straight. Manning 0-6 as starter, but they did score on six straight drives last week, but last five were FG's. Giants must get better in red zone next year. In first meeting this year, a 26-10 Giant win in Week 5, Cowboys were outscored 20-0 in second half of 26-10 loss. That was fourth straight win for Giants, right before bye; they're 1-9 since the bye. Giants are 1-8 vs spread without a positive turnover ratio.

**Spark** · 01-02-2005, 11:35 AM

NBA Trends

Sunday, January 2nd

Atlanta at Washington, 12:05 ET
Atlanta - 9-5 ATS after scoring <80 pts. in a loss
Washington - 11-2 Over after scoring 100+ pts. in a loss

Philadelphia at LA Clippers, 3:35 ET
Philadelphia - 2-8 ATS after leading at halftime in a Loss
LA Clippers - 8-3 ATS when playing last of a homestand of 3 or more games

Boston at Detroit, 6:05 ET
Boston - 8-1 ATS away after failing to cover in three straight
Detroit - 0-9 ATS as Home Favorite off a home loss

Portland at Phoenix, 8:05 ET
Portland - 5-0 ATS when total is >200
Phoenix - 1-4 ATS with 3 or more days rest

Utah at Houston, 8:35 ET
Utah - 7-2 ATS after scoring 100+ pts. in a loss
Houston - 6-25-1 ATS when on a 2-game S/U & ATS win streak

Milwaukee at Dallas, 8:35 ET
Milwaukee - 4-0 ATS vs. Dallas
Dallas - 2-12 ATS after getting <10 off. rebounds in a win

San Antonio at Sacramento, 9:05 ET
San Antonio - 8-1 ATS when TO's decreased in three straight
Sacramento - 17-2 Over Home after an away win

Denver at LA Lakers, 9:35 ET
Denver - 0-7 Away w/ same season revenge for a Home Loss
LA Lakers - 14-5 Under Home after a Home Win

**Denotes Time Change

Announcement

Trends ... Sunday

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