David Schwab is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. While not cheering for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles David can be found working on his blog at www.eaglesinc.com. David wants to hear from you so please comment below.
This Sunday’s running of the AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway marks the first of three final races in the Chase for NASCAR’s 2013 Sprint Cup title. This race is set to get underway at 3 p.m. and it will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
The Chase for NASCAR’s 2013 Sprint Cup title returns to Martinsville this week for the running of the Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500. Sunday afternoon’s race is set to get underway at 2 p.m. and it will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
The Oddsmakers have been razor sharp the past two weeks in the NFL with an even 15-15 split between favorites and underdogs against the spread. When it came to betting totals, it was the second week in a row that nine of the 15 games went OVER the closing line.
The overall results for Week 6 in the NFL saw the underdogs carve out a slight 8-7 edge over the favorites against the spread after five dogs lost straight-up but covered with the points. There was also an unexpected uptick in scoring with nine of the 15 games going OVER the closing total line.
I am happy to say that I cashed-in on last Sunday’s parlay, but moving on to this week’s games, I have uncovered a couple of matchups that come together perfectly to form this Sunday’s NFL parlay of the week based on lines provided by [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′].
Pointspread: Atlanta -7
Total Line: 43
ATS Matchup Stats | NFL Gambling Insight!
The Buccaneers are one of three teams still looking for their first win of the year.
They have no real offensive attack to speak of with an average of 290 yards and 12.8 points a game. Things have been so bad that they have already turned the reins over to rookie quarterback Mike Glennon after parting ways with Josh Freeman.
The only bright spot has been a defense that is ranked 10th in the league in points allowed (20.2).
Atlanta is also off to a disappointing start with just one win in its first five games.
Its passing game took a major hit with the loss of wide receiver Julio Jones and its second-best receiver Roddy White is listed as doubtful with a strained hamstring. Given that the Falcons are ranked 26th in the NFL in rushing, they could really struggle to move the ball against Tampa Bay.
The total has stayed UNDER in seven of the last 10 meetings and it stays UNDER again this Sunday afternoon to secure the front-end of this week’s parlay. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Pointspread: Denver -6.5
Total Line: 56
ATS Matchup Stats | NFL Gambling Insight!
Denver’s numbers on offense have been staggering in its 6-0 straight-up start behind a red-hot Peyton Manning at quarterback. The Broncos are ranked first in the league in passing yards (360.7), total yards (476.0) and points per game (44.2).
They have outscored their opponents by a combined 107 points and despite being heavy favorites in every game they play the Broncos come into this matchup a profitable 6-0 against the spread.
The Colts turned some heads with a 27-7 road victory over San Francisco as 10.5-point underdogs and a 34-28 win against Seattle as three-point underdogs at home, but they looked very average in this past Monday’s 19-9 loss to San Diego as one-point road underdogs.
Indianapolis now has to face the best team in the NFL on a short week. It also has to try and figure out how to stop a quarterback that spent 14 seasons winning a ton of games in its own stadium. This all adds up to another Denver victory that covers the spread and makes this parlay a winner.
The Chase for NASCAR’s 2013 Sprint Cup title enters the backstretch this Sunday with a return to Talladega Superspeedway for the running of the Camping World RV Sales 500, which is the sixth race on the 10-race schedule.
The Oddsmakers’ lines for Week 5 in the NFL were razor thin with seven favorites and seven underdogs each covering against the spread. The total line was evenly split as well with seven games going OVER and seven staying UNDER.
Moving on to this week’s games I have uncovered a couple of matchups that come together perfectly to form this Sunday’s NFL parlay of the week based on lines provided by [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′].
Pointspread: Kansas City -10
Total Line: 40.5
ATS Matchup Stats | NFL Gambling Insight!
Oakland improved its record to 2-3 straight-up on the year with a 27-17 victory over San Diego in a game that stayed UNDER the 46-point closing line.
The total has now stayed UNDER in four of its first five games. The Raiders’ offense is ranked 23rd in the NFL in scoring with an average of 19.6 points a game, while its defense is holding teams to an average of 21.6 points a game.
The dramatic turnaround in Kansas City from a team that won just two games all last season to one that is off to a perfect 5-0 start has been fueled by an offense that does not turn the ball over and a defense that does not allow teams in its end zone. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Chiefs are currently ranked first in the NFL in points allowed; giving-up an average of just 11.6 points a game. Look for them to put the clamps on Oakland as well to keep this game UNDER the 40.5-point line.
Pointspread: New York -2
Total Line: 41
ATS Matchup Stats | NFL Gambling Insight!
The Steelers are one of those early season head-shakers with a 0-4 start has them buried in the basement of the AFC North. They will be coming off a bye after losing to Minnesota 34-27 in a Week 4 matchup in London as three-point favorites.
The one positive take away from that game was an uptick in scoring from an offense that managed a combined 42 points in its first three games.
This team is not as bad as it has looked so far and a week off could mean all the difference for this Sunday’s game.
New York is off to a surprising 3-2 start after last Monday night’s stunning 30-28 victory over Atlanta as a 10-point underdog on the road.
The Jets did steal a game from Tampa Bay on a last second field goal in their season opener and they were blown-out by Tennessee 38-13 as 3.5-point road underdogs in Week 4 so I am still not buying what Rex Ryan’s bunch is trying to sell.
Pittsburgh is 7-3 straight-up in the last 10 meetings and I fully expect the Steelers to get off the schneid with a SU win this time around to secure the back-end of this parlay.
NASCAR’s Sprint Cup series returns to racing under the prime time lights of Charlotte Motor Speedway this week for the running of the Bank of America 500. Saturday night’s race is set to get underway at 7:30 p.m. and it will be broadcast nationally on ABC.
Kansas Speedway – Hollywood Casino 400 Predictions
The Chase to this year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup title should really start heating up with the running of this Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway in the fourth race of this 10-race playoff.
For the second week in a row the favorites carved out a slight edge by covering in nine of the 15 contests on Week 4’s slate. The total followed suit by going OVER in nine games as well. The good news is that I cashed-in on last week’s parlay with Seattle -1 against Houston and the OVER on the Eagles vs. Broncos game.
Looking ahead to Week 5, I have uncovered a couple of matchups that come together perfectly to form this Sunday’s NFL parlay of the week based on lines provided by [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′].
Pointspread: Green Bay -7.5
Total Line: 53.5
ATS Matchup Stats | NFL Gambling Insight!
After a surprising 3-1 start both straight-up and against the spread, the Lions find themselves in first place in the NFC North. They took that lead after stunning Chicago 40-32 last Sunday as three-point favorites at home.
While there is no doubt that this offense can put points on the board behind Matthew Stafford and a passing game that is racking-up over 300 yards a game, the Lions’ defense remains suspect against both the pass and the run.
Green Bay comes into this division showdown well rested after an early bye week, but there are some major questions with this team after posting a 1-2 record SU and ATS in its first three games. The offense keeps churning right along with an average of 32 points a game.
Aaron Rodgers has thrown for 1,057 yards and eight touchdowns and the Packers have suddenly found a rushing attack with an average of 128 yards a game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The problem has been a defense that is ranked 27th in points allowed (29.3) which sets up perfectly for a play on the OVER 53.5 points in the front end of this week’s parlay.
Pointspread: Denver -8.5
Total Line: 56
ATS Matchup Stats | NFL Gambling Insight!
Denver is another team that has had no problem finding the end zone this season with a league-high 179 points in a perfect 4-0 SU (3-0-1 ATS) start. Peyton Manning is on pace to shatter a couple of single-season passing records with 1,470 yards and 16 touchdown throws while completing 75 percent of his attempts.
The Broncos have feasted on the NFC East this season with a 41-23 victory over New York in Week 2 and a 52-20 romp over Philadelphia this past Sunday.
Dallas is the early cream of the crop in the NFC East at 2-2. Behind Tony Romo, the offense is ranked 10th in the NFL in scoring with an average of 26 points a game.
The main reason it has lost as many games as it has won is a defense that is ranked 19th in total yards allowed and 27th against the pass, If Philip Rivers torched this secondary for 401 yards and three touchdowns is last week’s 30-21 loss to San Diego, what kind of numbers is Manning going to put up this Sunday?
The kind that will take this total well OVER and already elevated 56-point line to seal the back-end of this parlay.
The Chase to this year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup title enters Week 3 with a return trip to the Monster Mile at Dover International Speedway for the running of the AAA 400. Sunday’s race is set to start at 2 p.m. and it will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
After two weeks of tight games, the favorites made their presence felt in Week 3 of the new NFL season by covering in nine of the 16 contests on the slate. Several teams had trouble scoring points last week as well with nine games staying UNDER the total.
Looking ahead to Week 4, I have uncovered a couple of matchups that come together perfectly to form my NFL parlay of the week based on lines provided by [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′].
Pointspread: Seattle -2.5
Total Line: 41.5
ATS Matchup Stats | NFL Gambling Insight!
In just three weeks the Seahawks have been able to separate themselves from the pack as clearly the most complete team in the NFC. They are off to a 3-0 start both straight-up and against the spread while outscoring their opponents by a combined 59 points.
Seattle is ranked fourth in the NFL in scoring with Russell Wilson continues to play at a high level, but the real strength of this team is a defense that has allowed at total of just 27 points.
Houston fell to 2-1 SU on the year after getting hammered by Baltimore 30-9 as a one-point road underdog in Week 3.
The Texans have not played up to form in any of their first three games with a 0-3 record ATS. To make matters worse in this matchup, All-Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson remains questionable with a bruised shin.
Bank on Seattle exposing the Texans as just an above average team with another impressive win on the road that easily covers the 2.5 points. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Pointspread: Denver -12
Total Line: 57.5
ATS Matchup Stats | NFL Gambling Insight!
Chip Kelly’s up-tempo offense worked to perfection in a Week 1 upset of Washington, but this high-octane attack blew a gasket last Thursday night against Kansas City with numerous miscues and turnovers.
With 10 days to tinker with the engine, look for a much better effort this Sunday as the Eagles know they are going to have to put up some serious points to have any shot at keeping this game close.
As good as Seattle has been in the NFC, the Broncos have been even better in a 3-0 SU start that has Denver at the top of just about everyone’s’ NFL power ranking list.
Peyton Manning is on pace to break almost every conceivable single-season passing record with 1,143 yards and 12 touchdowns in just three games while spreading the ball around to easily the best receiving corps in the NFL.
The most impressive stat is this unit’s ability to put points on the board at will with an average of 42.3 points a game. The total for this contest has been set at 57.5, but that is not nearly high enough in what should be a track meet from the opening kickoff.
Philadelphia vs. Denver OVER 57
The underdogs had a slight edge against the spread in Week 2 of the NFL regular season, covering in nine of the 16 games and the total line was evenly split 8-8 for the second week in a row. Looking ahead to Week 3, I have uncovered a couple of matchups that come together perfectly to form my NFL parlay of the week based on lines provided by [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′].
Pointspread: Carolina -1
Total Line: 45.5
ATS Matchup Stats | NFL Gambling Insight!
The Giants started the season as most sportsbooks favorite to win the NFC East, but a stunning 0-2 start has put an early dent in those plans. Turnovers and a lack of a running game have killed New York so far, but there are also some issues on defense that has given-up a total of 77 points in these two games. The main thing in the Giants’ favor is a proven ability to circle the wagons when things go south.
Carolina is another team in that dreaded 0-2 boat with losses to Seattle at home and Buffalo on the road to start the year. It will be interesting to see how this team responds this week after losing to the Bills on a last second touchdown throw by rookie EJ Manual. The jury is still out on Carolina’s third-year quarterback Cam Newton, who has thrown for 354 yards while completing just over 60 percent of his passes.
When you look at a matchup between two teams that are both in desperate need of a win, I would always defer to the more talented one which in this case would be New York. The Giants are 4-1 both straight-up and ATS in the last five meetings including a 36-7 rout last season as 2.5-point road underdogs. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Stick with them to get that much needed win in the front-end of this parlay.
Pointspread: Minnesota -7
Total Line: 40.5
ATS Matchup Stats | NFL Gambling Insight!
Cleveland diverted attention away from its 0-2 start both SU and ATS by trading away running back Trent Richardson, who was the third overall pick in the 2012 draft, to Indianapolis for the Colts first round pick in next year’s draft. Does that mean they are already raising the white flag on this season after just two games? With a grand total of 16 points in losses to Miami and Baltimore that just might be the case.
The Vikings went 10-6 last season which was good enough for a wildcard berth, but as expected by many experts, they appear to have returned to form with a 0-2 start both SU and ATS. With Adrian Peterson in the backfield Minnesota can still run the ball, but the passing game with Christian Ponder at quarterback is ranked 20th in the NFL.
The Browns will be going with Brian Hoyer as their starting quarterback for this game in place of an injured Brandon Weeden. With Richardson now running the ball for the Colts, it is hard to see this offense scoring more points than it did in the first two games. The total has stayed UNDER in five of Cleveland’s last six road games and in nine of the Vikings last 13 home games against a team with a losing record on the road. This all adds up to a final score that stays UNDER 40 points to complete the back-end of this week’s parlay play.
The Chase to this year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup title is underway and the second of this 10-race playoff takes the series back to New Hampshire Motor Speedway this week for the running of the Sylvania 300.
Sunday’s race is set to start at 2 p.m. and it will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
Last week we got our first real look at all 32 NFL teams in action and while most of the favorites held true to form straight-up, there were some golden opportunities to cash-in on some bad lines against the spread. That is bound to hold true again this week so here is my two-team NFL parlay for Week 2 based on lines provided by [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′].
Pointspread: Green Bay -9
Total Line: 49.5
ATS Matchup Stats | NFL Gambling Insight!
Washington is going to have to quickly rebound from a stunning 33-27 loss to Philadelphia this past Monday night as a three-point home favorite. The total in that game went OVER the 51.5-point line. It found itself down by as many as 26 points before rallying to keep the scoring closer than this game really was.
The good news is that Robert Griffin III finished on a strong note after looking extremely rusty in the first half.
Green Bay had a four-point lead with eight minutes to play in its season opener against San Francisco, but it could not hold on in a 34-28 loss as a five-point road underdog. The total in this matchup went OVER a closing line of 47 points.
Aaron Rodgers had no problem moving the ball up and down the field through the air against one of the best defenses in the league, so look for him to have another big day this Sunday as well.
Both of these teams come into this game with a number of question marks on defense, which should translate to quite a few points on the scoreboard.
The total has gone OVER in four of Washington’s last six games and in four of the 49ers’ last five, so I am going with the OVER 49.5 in this game as the front-end of this week’s parlay. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Pointspread: Seattle -2.5
Total Line: 44
ATS Matchup Stats | NFL Gambling Insight!
Everyone wondered if Colin Kaepernick was the real deal after leading San Francisco to the Super Bowl last season and the third-year quarterback answered that question with 412 yards passing and three touchdowns on opening day.
These numbers are impressive but the 49ers are going to have to do a much better job running the ball to win this game after gaining just 90 yards on the ground against Green Bay.
Seattle has already proven it knows how to win ugly and that was clearly the case last week in a 12-7 victory over Carolina as a three-point favorite on the road.
The Seahawks were held to just three points in the first half and did not find the end zone until five minutes into the fourth quarter. The good news is that Seattle’s defense looked to be in mid-season form; holding the Panthers to 253 yards of total offense.
San Francisco is 1-5 against the spread in its last six trips to Seattle, which is one of the toughest places in the league to get a win.
The Seahawks went a perfect 8-0 at home last season and given that the half point on the spread in in their favor, I am going with Seattle covering the 2.5 points as the back-end of this parlay.
The 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup series kicks off its 10-race Chase to this season’s title this Sunday afternoon with the running of the GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. The green flag for this event is set to wave at 2 p.m. and the race will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
The 2013 NFL regular season gets underway this week which presents the perfect opportunity to take advantage of a few bad lines with a two-team parlay that can add an instant boost to the bankroll.
Here are my top two plays for Week 1 in the NFL based on lines provided by [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′] .
Pointspread: Chicago -3
Total Line: 41.5
ATS Matchup Stats | NFL Gambling Insight!
For the past two seasons Cincinnati continued to live in the shadows of Baltimore and Pittsburgh in the AFC North, but still managed to work its way into the playoffs as a wildcard team.
The tide is about to change in this division as the Bengals are more than ready to ascend to the top of the heap against a couple of former heavyweights that are starting to show their age.
Chicago went 10-6 last season but still decided to make a change at the top by naming offensive guru Marc Trestman as its new head coach. It is a bold gamble considering that most of his success as a coach came north of the border in the CFL.
The thought here is that Trestman will be able to get the most out of quarterback Jay Cutler through an offensive scheme that finally fits his skill set.
The big question for the Bears is how their defense will react to the loss of long-time leader Brian Urlacher.
The Bengals are built to win right out of the gate with the likes of Andy Dalton throwing the ball to AJ Green complementing a defense that was ranked sixth In the NFL last year.
It could take the Bears a couple of weeks to come together on both sides of the ball making this a perfect opportunity jump all over a road underdog that wins the game straight-up. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Pointspread: Washington -3
Total Line: 51.5
ATS Matchup Stats | NFL Gambling Insight!
There has been a changing of the guard in Philadelphia as well with Chip Kelly taking over for Andy Reid as head coach. Much has been made about Kelly bringing his fast-paced, up tempo style of play from the collegiate level to the pros.
The one thing in his favor in this season opener is the element of surprise as nobody knows what to expect on Monday night.
Robert Griffin III burst onto the scene as a rookie last season to lead Washington to its first playoff appearance since 2007 with his electrifying play both throwing and running the ball.
This past offseason all the talk has centered on his ability to come back from major knee surgery and from all indications he is ready to pick up where he left off under the prime time lights of Monday Night Football.
The one thing to expect from this classic NFC East showdown is the ability for both teams to put points on the board.
The Eagles are still loaded with playmakers on offense with a healthy LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson leading the way and RG III will come up with his fair share of big plays against a very porous Philadelphia defense.
All this adds up to a gift on the OVER play in this game to round-out the back-end of this parlay.
