FiveStarPick.com is coming off a 3-1 ATS Divsional Playoff record and looks forward to this weekends line-up of games.  The focus of this preview is the matchup between Arizona (11-7 straight up, 11-7 against the spread) and Philadelphia (11-6-1 SU, 12-6 ATS).  The Cardinals have home field advantage and will enjoy a closed roof over University of Phoenix Stadium.

The Cardinals’ quarterback Kurt Warner is a former Superbowl champion and will definately be a factor in these benign conditions.  He is 7-2 over his career in the postseason and has a 63% completion percentage with 2,712 yards, 19 touchdowns and a mere 12 interceptions. The Eagles are currently listed as 4-point visiting favorites, with the total set at 47.5.  But it will be turnovers that will make the differnce on Sunday.  After pummelling the Panthers last week, the Cardinals now have a +7 turnover ratio in the playoffs. The Eagles, on the other hand are at +1.

Arizona’s defense has improved dramatically in the post season.  Prior to the playoffs, the Cards gave up over 35 PPG.  In the playoffs, they have only allowed 19.3 PPG.  This tenacious ‘D’ has helped the Cards cover their last three games ATS.

The Arizona offese has scored less than 29 points at home only once this season and when Arizona has scored 30 or more points, the team has gone 8-1 SU and ATS.

Philly is 6-1 SU and ATS since McNabb was benched in Baltimore in Week 12.  Since then, the Eagles have busted up their opponents with 27.7 PPG and only relinquished 12 PPG to their opponents.  This will be the  Eagles 3rd road game in a row and one that will require the Eagles to travel across the country.  The birds have gone 2-0 SU and ATS this season out west beating San Francisco in Week 6 and Seattle in Week 9.

Here is an interesting trend to ponder…teams that knock off the defending Super Bowl Champs the week before are 0-10 SU and 1-9 ATS the following week.

Now let’s talk about past performances.  In one of his best games of the season, McNabb passed for 260 yards and 4 TDs beating Arizona 48-20 back on Thankgiving Day.  RB Brian Westbrook, added 110 rushing yards and 2 scores of his own.  But Westbrook reinjured his swollen left knee in the win over the Giants.  The Eagles are 5-4 SU and 7-2 ATS in their last nine head-to-head meetings versus Arizona.

So who covers the spread in the NFC Championship Game?  It’s time to step up your game, become a member of our family and find out.  Why not try our service out for 2-days and see if our talent for picking winners exceeds your expectations?  With over 2300 active members, you owe it to yourself to find out why FiveStarPick.com is the most accurate sports handicapping service on the net.  Our dime bettors won nearly $100K in 2008.

Jimmy the Geek – FiveStarPick.com

FiveStarPick.com lit it up yesterday as we took down the sports book with both dogs.  As a matter of fact, our handicapping team took Arizona on the money line and turned $10,000 into $37,500.  We look for today to be no different as we give our members the ATS winners of both Divisional Playoff games.  The focus of this preview is this afternoon’s game between the San Diego Chargers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Las Vegas sports books list the Steelers as 6.5 home favorites with the total set at 37.5. 

San Diego (9-8 SU, 8-8 ATS) enters this contest riding a five-game SU winning streak (4-1 ATS) after knocking off Indianapolis last weekend in overtime during Wildcard Weekend as a 2 ½-point home underdog, 23-17. The combined 40 points went ‘under’ the 50-point closing total, ending a string of three straight ‘over’ outings.

The Chargers led the Colts in first downs (26-17), rushing yards (167-64) and time of possession (37:09-29:11), but were hindered by a pair of turnovers. Quarterback Philip Rivers completed 20-of-36 passes for 217 yards with an interception, while Darren Sproles had 22 carries for 105 yards with two scores including the game winner. Backfield mate LaDainian Tomlinson had just five carries for 25 yards and a touchdown in limited action.

Pittsburgh (12-4 SU, 9-7 ATS) enjoyed a bye week compliments of the AFC’s second seed. The Steelers throttled Cleveland two weeks ago in the regular season finale as an 11-point home favorite, 31-0. The 31 points failed to eclipse the 33 ½-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ improve to 3-1 the previous four outings.

Pittsburgh controlled all aspects of the game, leading in first downs (20-8), rushing yards (176-106), passing yards (193-20), turnovers forced (2-1) and time of possession (33:20-26:40). However, the Steelers had some anxious moments when signal caller Ben Roethlisberger suffered a concussion in the second quarter.

The Miami of Ohio product went 9-of-14 passing for 110 yards with an interception before being knocked out, while backup Byron Leftwich entered to go 7-of-12 passing for 80 yards. Running back Willie Parker accounted for 23 carries and 116 yards with a score in the victory.

San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson (groin) is ‘doubtful’ versus the Steelers, while tight end Antonio Gates (ankle), wide receiver Vincent Jackson (possible suspension), place kicker Nate Kaeding (groin) and linebacker Brandon Siler (foot) are ‘probable.’ Wide receiver Malcom Floyd (lung) is ‘questionable’ for this contest.

Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (concussion), linebacker James Harrison (hip) and cornerback Ryan Clark (shoulder) are ‘probable’ against the Chargers.

So who covers the spread in this NFL Divisional Playoff matchup?  It’s time to step up your game, become a member of our family and find out.  Why not try our service out for 2-days and see if our talent for picking winners exceeds your expectations?  With over 2300 active members, you owe it to yourself to find out why FiveStarPick.com is the most accurate sports handicapping service on the net.  Our dime bettors won nearly $100K in 2008.

Jimmy the Geek – FiveStarPick.com

FiveStarPick.com is so excited that the NFL Divisional Playoffs are here.  Las Vegas sports books list the Titans as 3-point favorites with the total at 34.5.

Preview Courtesy of VegasInsider.com

A year ago, the Titans were able to make the postseason thanks to Vince Young’s heroics and an Indianapolis squad that took it easy in Week 17. Yet they were expected to finish third in the AFC South in 2008 behind the Colts and Jaguars by many experts.

Baltimore really didn’t know what to expect this season, losing Steve McNair and Jonathan Ogden to retirement after a 5-11 campaign in 2007. Adding more uncertainty was the decision to throw rookie signal caller Joe Flacco into the fire as the starter.

Now both clubs are just three victories away from claiming the Lombardi Trophy. They’ll butt heads on Saturday in Nashville for a 4:30 p.m. EST showdown on CBS.

Rookie head coach John Harbaugh didn’t have to rely on his rookie quarterback to win the game in Miami last week as his defense dominant. The Ravens never stopped Chad Pennington last Sunday, sacking him three times and forcing four interceptions. Plus, Baltimore forced a fumble to bring its takeaway total to five. To give you an idea of how impressive that is, Miami led the league in giveaways by turning the ball over just 13 times during the regular season.

We shouldn’t be too surprised by the Ravens’ prowess on defense. After all they ranked fifth in the NFL against the pass (224.0 yards per game) and the best squad defending the run (52.0 YPG). Ed Reed, who scored on one of his two interceptions last week, leads the league with nine picks for the year.

Flacco performed reasonably well in his first playoff start, completing nine of 23 passes for 135 yards and not getting sacked by the Dolphins. It was still a drop off from his regular season stats of connected on 60 percent of his passes for 2,971 yards with 14 scores and 12 interceptions.

While his numbers are solid, VegasInsider.com expert handicapper Andy Iskoe believes they don’t tell the whole story for Flacco…especially against playoff squads. “All 5 of Baltimore’s losses this season came to Playoff teams with 4 of the losses to teams that had Byes last week (twice to Pittsburgh, once to the Giants, once to Tennessee) and the fifth loss was to 12-4 Indianapolis,” says Iskoe. “Yet the Ravens actually played the tougher schedule as their foes were 132-121-3 while Tennessee’s foes were a combined 117-138-1.” He completed 122 of 206 passes for 1,280 yards with more picks (nine) than scores (five) when he faced teams that made the postseason.

The plus side for Raven fans is that they have the No. 2 running game in the league, averaging 151.0 YPG on the ground this year. Willis McGahee only played in 13 games this year but still picked up 671 yards on 170 carries and scoring seven times. Le’Ron McClain exploded onto the scene for Baltimore by snapping up 3.9 yards per carry and leading the team with 10 rushing touchdowns.

Jeff Fisher was able to get his Titans back to the playoffs for the second straight year thanks to a defense that stepped up. Tennessee gave up 93.9 YPG on the ground, while surrendering 199.8 passing YPG.

Tennessee was able to put up those numbers by applying pressure in the trenches and in the secondary. Albert Haynesworth (51 tackles, 8 ½ sacks) Kyle Vanden Bosch (24 tackles, 4 ½ sacks) found their ways into the opposition’s backfield. Meanwhile, Cortland Finnegan (five interceptions, 17 defended passes) and Michael Griffin (seven picks, 11 defended passes) are quick to shut down receivers.

On the offensive side of the ball, the biggest change for the Titans was the ability to throw the ball with Kerry Collins under center. Collins took over in Week 2 of the year after Vince Young went down with a sprained knee. He averaged 167.3 passing YPG this season with 12 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. Compare that to Young’s nine scores to 17 picks in 2007. Collins’ could have some issues though as center Kevin Mawae (elbow) is “out” for this Saturday’s match.

Tennessee received a jolt to its running game in drafting Chris Johnson out of East Carolina, running for 1,228 yards and nine touchdowns. Former starter LenDale White was able to bite his lip and accept his new role as primarily a short-yardage back by rushing for 773 yards and 15 scores.

Normally you’ll give the home squad the advantage in this setup. Yet the Ravens have proven that they can win away from M&T Bank Stadium this year by posting a 6-3 SU and 7-2 ATS mark. They also saw the ‘over’ go 6-3 in road tilts this season.

Baltimore will have its work cut out this weekend visiting the Titans. Tennessee is 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS at home this year. The ‘over’ is 5-2-1 for Fisher’s squad at LP Field as well.

These squads faced off back on Oct. 5 where Tennessee won as a one-point road fave against the Ravens, 13-10. But Iskoe points out that that final score is a bit misleading. “When the teams met earlier this season in Baltimore, the Ravens led 10-3 after 3 quarters before the Titans scored the final 10 points to win 13-10. Yet Baltimore outgained Tennessee 285-210. Neither QB was sacked but each tossed a pair of interceptions. These teams are evenly matched with each team’s strength being the defense.”

The Ravens have been a solid fade against teams from the AFC South, posting a 4-7 SU and 2-9 ATS record against that division since 2005.

Visiting teams are 7-3 SU and ATS in the last 10 head-to-head meetings of these former AFC Central rivals.

So who covers the spread in this NFL Divisional Playoff matchup?  It’s time to step up your game, become a member of our family and find out.  Why not try our service out for 2-days and see if our talent for picking winners exceeds your expectations?  With over 2300 active members, you owe it to yourself to find out why FiveStarPick.com is the most accurate sports handicapping service on the net.  Our dime bettors won nearly $100K in 2008.

Jimmy the Geek – FiveStarPick.com

The Philadelphia Eagles (9-6 straight up, 10-6 against the spread) and the Minnesota Vikings(10-6 SU, 6-10 ATS) will square off in today’s NFL Wilcard game and FiveStarPick.com will be giving its members the ATS winner.  Most Las Vegas sportsbooks have listed the Eagles as 3-point road favorites with the total set at 42. 

Last week Philadelphia laid the pipe to Dallas, winning 44-6, but what actually got the Eagles into the playoffs was Oakland beating Tampa Bay (in Tampa), 31-24, and Houston beating Chicago 31-24. It was the perfect storm for the Birds. The Vikings beat the Giants in Week 17, 20-19, by nailing a 50-yard field goal in the final seconds.  The Vikes failed to cover the 7-point spread (a FiveStar win). 

The trends show that Philadelphia is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 road games and Donovan McNabb is scoring 26 PPG on the road this season.  RB Brian Westbrook has rushed for 4 yards per carry in his last 5 games and has 189 receiving yards and 2 scores in the same five.  What’s more, Philly’s defense has held the opposition to 18.1 PPG on the season.

Week 13 was the turning point for this Eagles team.  After Reid benched McNabb in Week 12, he came back with a vengence beating Arizona in Week 13 (48-20).  The Eagles have since gone 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five. During this time, Philly outgained the Cardinals, Giants, Browns, Washington and Dallas in every single contest for a total of 550-yards.

Minnesota has a great defense against the run. Inside the Metrodome, the Vikings have allowed just 80.5 YPG and held opponents to 184.1 YPG through the air.   In addition, Minnesota allowed just 17.9 PPG inside their own building in 2008, helping this group go 6-2 at home.  What is strange is that even when the Vikings hold teams to 20 points or less, they are a weak 2-3 ATS with an overall record of 3-5 ATS overall at home.

The biggest achilles heal for both teams is red zone scoring.  Philly has a mere 49 percent success rate at scoring TDs from within the 20 and ranks 22nd in the league.  Minnesota has been even worse at 43 percent.

The Eagles have had great success against the Vikings in head-to-head action. In the last four clashes, Philly has gone a perfect 4-0, while a 9-1 ATS record in their last 10 meetings sets an unprecedented pace.

So who covers the spread in this NFL Wildcard matchup?  It’s time to step up your game, become a member of our family and find out.  Why not try our service out for 2-days and see if our talent for picking winners exceeds your expectations?  With over 2300 active members, you owe it to yourself to find out why FiveStarPick.com is the most accurate sports handicapping service on the net.  Our dime bettors won nearly $100K in 2008.

Jimmy the Geek – FiveStarPick.com

FiveStarPick.com has started off the New Year with a 5-1 ATS run and will give its members 3 stunning football plays in both the Independence Bowl and the NFL Wildcard Playoffs.  The focus of today’s preview is tonight’s game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Diego Chargers.  Las Vegas sportsbooks list the Colts as 1-point favorites with the total set at 50.

Indianapolis (12-4 straight up, 7-8 against the spread) enters the postseason riding a nine-game SU winning streak after beating the Titans last weekend as a three-point home underdog, 23-0. The Colts, playing this game as one of the AFC’s wild-card teams, have covered the spread in their last two contests.  Both the Titans and the Colts played their backups most of the game to avoid starter injuries, but during the time the starters did play, Quarterback Peyton Manning was 7-of-7 for 95 yards and a touchdown.

San Diego (8-8 SU, 7-8 ATS) won the AFC West Division by beating Denver last weekend as a 7-point home favorite, 52-21.  Charger QB Philip Rivers went 15-20 for 207 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Darren Sproles had 14 carries for 115 yards and a score.  San Diego is not at full strength with LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates hurting. In addition, the Chargers last two wins were against two weak defensive teams in the Buccs and Broncos.

So who covers the spread in tonight’s game?  Why not let FiveStarPick.com help?  Aren’t you tired of getting cold called by services that tell you about their 750,000 star play that’s a guaranteed winner. Here is a bit of advice…NOTHING is guaranteed when you are betting on sports.  These so called “handicappers” call 500 people on a Saturday morning and give them all a free play; 250 people will get the Colts -1 and 250 will get the Chargers +1.  After the game ends, they call back the 250 people who won and pitch them on charging thousands of dollars to their credit cards for more guaranteed winners.   We are not your typical sports handicapping service.  We care about our members and we live and die on every play. Why?  Because we are moving thousands of dollars of our own money on the same plays we give you. Gambling on sports is how we make our living.  Do we win every play?  Absolutely not and we will never pretend to.  Our plays are always posted for all to see, including our losing streaks. But by the end of the year we always seem to have a few hundred thousand dollars of the sportsbook’s money in our casino account.  Let us try and do the same for you.  Join our family of winners today and start your winning streak tonight.

Jimmy the Geek – FiveStarPick.com