We must be close to Thanksgiving as we are about to reignite the great NFL Network debate. The decision to pay a few extra bucks per month to the old cable company in order to view just 1 extra football game each week. Well, for gamblers and fantasy football freaks, this is a no-brainer. Bring on the NFL Network and bring on some more Thursday night supplemental income. We have both NFL and college for your enjoyment:
NFL
Three-Star Special:
Baltimore Ravens @ Atlanta Falcons - Line is Falcons -1 - There are so many similarities between these two teams in what is essentially a pick em of a game. I won't waste time with the Flacco vs. Ryan story that is giving Cam Newton a run for his headline money. We're more interested in two defenses that are both tough upfront and maybe a bit too soft in the middle (though the Ravens have gotten that soft label during the annual Ed Reed hiatus - Mr. Reed is back and soft might be getting shown the door). We're also interested in two consensus top 5 RBs who might not have done as much thus far as fans and fantasy owners expected.
From a handicapping standpoint, a few advantages in our eyes tip the scales in Baltimore's favor. First, Roddy White is somewhere less than 100% physically. Even if he is 90% - which can be debated - that is a big negative for Atlanta. They need White to stretch the field and command significant secondary attention to open things up for Michael Turner. Another thing we like for Baltimore is that this is a prime-time game and Ray Lewis and his posse never disappoint on this stage. They get up big (just ask the Jets in Week 1) for big games and they play big in big games. We think that they can rattle Matty Ice a bit, clog up Turner's running lanes and intimidate some Falcon receivers with a few big hits. On the other side of the ball, we think that Ray Rice is poised to breakout and finish this season on a tear. While he might not have tremendous success on the ground tonight. Look for him to be a major disruptive force in the passing game - and as the game progresses - the screens and check downs to Rice will only open things up for a timely strike or two down the field to Drs. Boldin and Mason. We like Joe Flacco to make enough plays in this game for fans to start to move him up their mental list of quality NFL QBs.
The one major obstacle for the Ravens would appear to be the game's location and Ryan's history of success in Atlanta. We're willing to throw that out the window here. This game will be decided on the field by two very good, very physical teams. The Ravens will not be impacted by a loud crowd. With all of that knowledge transferred to your brains, you're in position to take Baltimore and 1 charity point and make some money. We think the Ravens win this one outright 24-20. LOCK IT UP
College
Four-Star Special:
Pittsburgh @ Connecticut - Line is -6 - UConn is a certifiable mess. I could care less that they beat West Virginia at home last Friday to bust the Locksmith. They are an utter mess. They're on to about their 5th QB this season and can't do very much of anything on offense. Sure they have a scrappy defense and can give the Panthers fits from time to time. Don't believe the hype.
Pittsburgh is hitting its stride. They've won three straight games in very convincing fashion and have a stranglehold on first place in the Big East (not that that is too impressive a feat this season). The Panthers have a legitimate big time RB, they have a maturing QB who is finally starting to play with confidence and getting results, they have a solid defense and they have a coach that looks a lot like my friend John Yannuzzi (an advantage not to be overlooked).
It's unfortunate that the Big East will put a team into a BCS bowl this season - it just doesn't seem fair. But knowing that they will likely be that team, we expect Pittsburgh to use this nationally televised game to make some sort of statement. Break Rule #1 and take the road favorite here. Lay 6 points to UConn. Final score is 27-13. LOCK IT UP
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