Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/16/2017

The NFL Divisional Playoff Game of the week was no question the Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys and our Sportsman of the Week made what might be the play of the year.  Jared Cook hauled in a 35 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers with just 3 seconds left to set up the Packers game winning field goal to ruin the Cowboys playoff party at home.  For the game, he ended up with 6 catches for 103 yards and a TD as Rodgers favorite target.  All were season highs (except yards within 2 yards of his 105 yards during the last Packers loss in Washington).  But it was the catch in the clutch that thrust the Packers into the NFC Championship Game that earns Cook our Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/11/2015

The most hyped game of the NFL Divisional Playoff weekend was probably the Green Bay Packers vs. the Dallas Cowboys.  Echos of the Ice Bowl were evident (although temps were balmy in the mid-20s.  But it was a rookie Wide Receiver that burst on the scene.  The Packers Davante Adams was targeted by once and future NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers 11 times, hauling in 7 passes for 117 yards and a TD.  Adams did some of his best work after the catch, including a highlight reel 46 yard TD scamper that changed the momentum of the game.  He also hauled in a critical 3rd down pass to seal the game in the fourth quarter.  You never know who your star is going to be, this week it's Davante Adams, our Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 11/9/2014

There were several huge performers on NFL Sunday, but this week's Sportsman shined above the rest.  QB Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers humiliated their arch-rival Chicago Bears defense, literally making it look like he was throwing against air.  Even with receivers wide open, Rodgers put the ball where it had to be for a total of six TDs before halftime, tying an NFL record that hadn't been done in 45 years.   Afforded most of the second half on the bench, his final stat line was 18-27 for 315 yards and six TDs.  Worth of our Sportsman of the Week!  This is Rodgers second nod, joining Peyton Manning (3), LeBron James (2), and Kevin Durant (2) as the only multiple time winners (through 150 weeks).

Sportsman of the Week Ending 9/15/2013

Another week, another NFL QB puts up video game stats in a game in which they needed to win.  Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers went all Madden on the Washington Redskins, a team that is reeling but still looked like scout league talent against Rodgers.  He put up 480 yards (a career high) and 4 TD, while only misfiring on 8 passes in 42 attempts (81% completion percentage).  Rumors of the Packers demise were greatly exaggerated after the Week 1 dud against the San Francisco 49ers, Rodgers and the Pack will contend all year.

NFL Playoff Week Two Predictions

Betting information courtesy of 5dimes.com at the time of post (this blog has no affiliation with that site)

January 14, 2012: 16:30 EST
New Orleans Saints (-3.5, -175) vs. San Francisco 49ers (+3.5, +165) O/U 47
Going into the playoffs I really liked New Orleans to go deep, but I felt myself starting to hedge. They aren't that good on the road, and the 49ers are by far the most underrated team in the playoffs. But I think Brees and the Saints playoff experience carries the day. If the 49ers can get their ground game going with Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree making big 3rd down catches they might be in business. Keep away from the Saints is a must. I think the game goes to the 4th quarter but the Saints pull it out. Final Prediction: Saints 28, 49ers 23.

January 14, 2012: 20:00 EST
Denver Broncos (+13.5, +575) vs. New England Patriots (-13.5, -710) O/U 50
The Broncos had a banner week last week, but two main factors gave them the edge (albeit barely). A home crowd (for the most part) and an opposing QB very limited in mobility. The Patriots have struggled at home in the playoffs (crowds seem more nervous than enthused) and, oh yeah, remember that Brady is banged up (as are a dozen others). And their defense is porous A week off helped, but the tight lipped Patriots might be hiding something. I can't pick the Broncos to win, but I think they'll keep it close. Final Prediction: Patriots 28, Broncos 21.

January 15, 2012: 13:00 EST
Houston Texans (+7.5, +305) vs. Baltimore Ravens (-7.5, -335) O/U 36
Some people look at the earlier season matchup (of which Baltimore won 29-14) and think it wasn't close. The Texans were leading that game deep into the 3rd quarter before running out of offensive juice. That game they had Schaub but not Johnson. The Ravens will play textbook, try to get Rice going and torment Yates. I think they will mostly succeed. Final Prediction: Ravens 24, Texans 16.

January 15, 2012: 16:30 EST
New York Giants (+7.5, +305) vs. Green Bay Packers (-7.5, -335) O/U 53
Other than gamblers, this seems to be the game that most people think will be the closest. The Giants have an "it" factor with Manning (which I didn't fully appreciate when picking against them last week). Something is off with the Packers, it was too easy early in the year, and things aren't smooth late. Some injuries, too. Maybe some rust today. And cold weather. I'm going to pull the trigger on a Giants upset, they do look like that 2007 team that faced a huge battle every week and seemed beat teams that seemed comfortable (at home and rested). Final Prediction: Giants 34, Packers 31.

Gambling summary :

My 3-game parlay last week only hit one but overall (if 100 units assumed gambled on ATS, Money Line, and O/U) I would have gambled 1200 and ended the week with 1470. A bit below even except for the Broncos money line. This assumes -110 on all lines and O/U.

This week's best bets (for parlay)
Giants ATS
Broncos ATS
NYG/Packers Over