Chris Jordans picks for today Chris Jordan Sunday's winners ... He has been better at NFL lately... 300? NEW YORK GIANTS - It's very difficult to think about any other quarterback in the league who has struggled as much as JaMarcus Russell, and with the itinerary this team has endured the past eight days, I don't see him being able to do anything against this swarming defense. Seriously guys, I mean I will address the whole Eli Manning situation in a moment, but the defense can deliver a cover just as easy as the offense. Think about it, Russell is completing 39.8 percent of his passes - he completed 43-of-108 tosses for 506 yards - with just one touchdown versus four interceptions. Now he's going to take on the No. 1 defense in the league? How about, the No. 1 passing defense in the NFL? Paaahhhleeezzeee ... you want me to be concerned about Manning's heel when the Raiders - who might be the saddest organization in the league right now - were in Houston eight days ago, then went home after being swatted 29-6 by the Texans, went home to prepare for arguably the frontrunner in the NFC and are now in Jersey for this contest? I'm not buying into it, not one bit. Not when the Raiders rank last in total offense, last in passing yardage and 31 ins rushing yardage. And with running back Darren McFadden on the shelf, the workload goes to Michael Bush and Justin Fargas ... ahem, who?!?!?! I mean, I know who they are, but you get the point. Oakland's, I mean Russell's, only shot is if he gets the dink-and-dunk game going with tight end Zach Miller. And even then, how effective can that be against the top passing D? Okay, so as for Manning, here's the deal ... He participated in the New York Giants' practice Friday after missing two straight practices. Coach Tom Coughlin told reporters that Manning's availability for Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders likely will be a game-time decision and that Manning "did fine" during Friday's practice and he was "encouraged" by how Manning looked. On Saturday, he felt good enough to participate in the walkthrough and the tell-all sign was when the Giants failed to promote rookie quarterback Rhett Bomar off the practice squad, which means they are preparing to go into the game with only two quarterbacks - Manning and David Carr, who worked with the Giants' starting offense during practices Wednesday and Thursday while Manning sat out. And believe me, Coughling obviously wouldn't go into the game with just two signal callers if he was worried that Manning wouldn't be healthy enough to play. All that being said, Manning isn't about to let that consecutvie-game streak go to waste if he couldn't play. And since Steve Smith and Mario Manningham have been making Giants fans forget Plaxico is currently residing in a cubicle by tallying a combined 52 receptions, 717 yards and six touchdowns, I don't there'll be much the trravel-weary Raiders will be able to do. All Giants here! 100? COLORADO ROCKIES (LIST Hammel over Happ) - Welcome to the blizzard-worn Coors Field. The Rockies will emerge from the wild-card ranks looking more like the higher seed than the defending champs after this one. As I said yesterday, this is a team that has a knack for going on unstoppable runs, and now it is really in a great situation to take advantage in this series. The unconfirmed blurb I heard on the street outside of Coors Field yesterday was that maintenance crews were installing extra space heaters in the Rockies' dugout - but not necessarily in the Phillies' dugout. Whether or not that's true - or even allowed - is beyond me. But I do know there are certain home-field advantages in many old-school ballparks, so it wouldn't surprise me if the Rockies did enjoy better amenities than their visitors during this frigid faceoff. I like Hammel over Happ, just as I did over Martinez, as Colorado's import for Tampa won five of his last seven decisions to finish 10-8. He's found great command and is throwing strikes effectively. I expect him to challenge the Phillies hitters tonight in the brutal cold weather. Colorado won 51 games at Coors Field, the second most in the National League this season. Play Colorado tonight.
Sunday, October 11, 2009 Handicapper: Mike Handzelek Atlanta Falcons vs. San Francisco 49ers (NFL) - 4:05 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Total: 40.5/-105 Under Play Title: Smash Mouth Football Coming O/U Play Click Here to View Pick Analysis It looks like Mike Singletary has the 49ers defense grasping the system kind of early as witnessed by San Francisco yielding 13 PPG thus far this season. Yes, this is only the 2nd potent offense they'll be facing, but I don't think Coach Smith is going to abandon the running game with Michael Turner and a little bit of Norwood. 49ers MLB Patrick Willis will come up big and put some pressure on Ryan who will be dinkin' it most of the day. A lot of people are looking for a San Francisco cover as QB Shaun Hill is flawless @ home in 7 starts. Without Frank Gore in the lineup, the rookie Glen Coffee gets the call and will try to be a beast of burden. The Falcons will stress ball control and no turnovers on the road and should have a solid gameplan coming off a Week 4 bye. San Francisco is excited about Michael Crabtree signing, but it will be a long time before he makes a big impact he's capable of. The Falcons having that extra-prep time will load the box and force the issue. In doing so, expect more than a normal share of smash mouth football which gives us the line value we need for an UNDER. Our Smash Mouth Football Coming O/U Play is to take the UNDER in the Atlanta-San Francisco game @ Candelstick Park for $200. Handicapper: Mike Handzelek New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos (NFL) - 4:15 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Total: 41/-108 Under Play Title: Our Patented Got To Knowem' O/U Doubleplay (Undefeated) Click Here to View Pick Analysis Word to OVER players---Josh McDaniels knows Tom Brady and how to contain him being his former QB coach. Knowing offensive tendencies and familiar pass routes is a big A+ when facing the New England Patriots. The bigger advantage comes with the weather which should be in the 30's with winds and either rain or snow. Knowing Belichick & McDaniels, their game plan will evolve around the traditional bad weather smash mouth game plan. Belichick is smart enough to figure out a gameplan that gives his running backs those all-important playmaking abilities. I think both defenses come out of this smelling like a rose. Denver might struggle moving the ball but one key is the Denver preparation for the game. Yes, they could of practiced in the bubble, but they knew that wasn't reality this week. So sit back and watch how both of these teams trade field position throughout the afternoon until 1 team makes that game-changing make or break. It's also great to see that a lot of OVER trends are shoe-ins for this game. It won't work with all factors mentioned above. Our Patented Got To Knowem' O/U Doubleplay is to hop all over the UNDER in the Patriots-Broncos game for $400. Handicapper: Mike Handzelek Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Seattle Seahawks (NFL) - 4:15 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Point Spread: -1/-115 Seattle Seahawks Play Title: Your Classic Letdown Coming From A Mile Away Click Here to View Pick Analysis So the Jacksonville Jaguars have beaten the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans in back-to-back weeks and now we're ready to hand them the seat of a team in contention? Not so fast boys! Let's not jump the gun when its plain to see that their ground game is inconsistent, they're just coming off a gigantic victory in their division & they're making a cross-country trip into the unfamiliar territory of the NFC West. I recall the last time they recently hooked up with this division resulted ina big "L" against an Arizona team whose "Clancy-less" and is in defensive transition. The Pacific Northwest & Qwest Field in Seattle is not a area or venue that a team from the east can immediately adapt to unless you have the talent. Jacksonville is iffy at best in that category. What the average bettor doesn't understand about Tennessee last week is when they put that many in the box that frequently, you get beaten often and deep. Guess what happened against the challenged secondary of the Titans? Different things factor in for Seattle today that they didn't have recently. Hasselbeck back behind center, Josh Wilson back in the CB spot & Tatupu roming the MLB position are pivotal position players Seattle needs to have for a winning formula. With the Jaguars possibly having 2 offensive tackles not @ 100%, I have to give the edge to the Seahawks. Let's talk some numbers. Jacksonville does not fare well after a divisional game and back-to-back SU & ATS victories as witnessed by their PERFECT 0-7 ATS record in this situation under Del Rio. They've lost 5 in a row ATS off a home divisional win. I think Jim Mora, Jr. will motivate his club enough to respond in a big way with their backs against the wall & they've always come up BIG when off back-to-back losses going 10-2 ATS. Your Classic Letdown Coming From A Mile Away play says to put up $200 on the Seattle Seahawks. Handicapper: Mike Handzelek Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens (NFL) - 1:00 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Point Spread: 9/-104 Cincinnati Bengals Play Title: First Steppin' Out ATS Doubleplay Of Year (Like Others' 5*s) Click Here to View Pick Analysis Let's get one thing straight from the beginning. Cincinnati has turned their defense around and will consistent win games as a result this season. No more has everything fallen upon Carson Palmer's shoulders to make or break. I also expected a flat spot for Cincy against Cleveland because of the evident look-ahead toward this more important divisonal tilt. The Denver win was a fluke so in reality, the Bengals should be sitting @ 4-0. This game is a statement of respect I think the Bengals can make in sending the division a message that they're not a joke anymore and can contend for the division. Chad Ochocinco looks like he's ready to come out of his long slumber at the WR position. Negativity and excuses were coming from the Ravens lockerroom after last week's loss and that doesn't transform into blowout material here. It also doesn't help if they have to go without left tackle Jared Gaither. It becomes progressively hard to blow out every team that comes into M & T Bank Stadium as we get deeper into the season. I don't call KC & Cleveland quality opponents in that venue. Three key mojo systems to remember concern the time of year, similarity & coming off a certain game. In October, Baltimore has lost 10 of 11 ATS when off a SU loss versus an opponent off a SU win. Going back to November 24 of 2002, the mighty Bengals are a PERFECT 12-0 ATS after taking on Cleveland. let's look at similarity. When the Ravens take a team with like record, they are a PERFECT 0-6 ATS as a 7+ favorite since October 27, 2006. Week 5 is even going our way as well. Baltimore has lost 4 ina row versus the number in Week 5 while the Bengals have gone 4-0-1 the last 5 years in this week. The bottom line says the Bengals have responded BIG going 4-0 their last 4 installations as the dog so our First Steppin' Out ATS Doubleplay Of The Year is to put up $500 on the Cincinnati Bengals. I would also play $50 to risk on Cincinnati on the ML looking for a nicer payback.
GT Bookie Battle 2009 (5-4) 2008 & 2007 (37-21-4) Over the years I have followed the Bookies Battle in GamingToday and have posted the plays on this forum. The angle is to fade those teams that clearly have over 70% of the casino contestants picking one side. Over the last couple of years, it seemed to hit around 60% - 65%.The only problem: Not a lot of action. Week #5 Pick… bet on: WAS