RACEWAY PARK, NJ – Strapped for cash considering last minute Christmas gift-shopping and all the other peripherals associated with the holidays? Not. To. Worry. I got this – provided you listen to the advice herein because I’m a scorching 9-2-1 over the past three weeks with my Free NFL Picks and am outlining your gambling agenda through Monday night.
If I had to rate this first selection in terms of a Christmas present it would have to be the Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time. Careful. You’ll shoot your bookie’s eye out with this one. Even Ralphie Parker will be lining up at Ceasar’s Palace to get action in on the Minnesota Vikings at 1 o’clock. Hear that Angry Ward and jg Clancy? You might call it the kiss of death but I call it Santa Claus since this stacks up on the field as the Purple People Eaters against the Island of Misfit Toys. The point spread has the Vikes laying 5 and a half and I’d even feel comfortable giving triple the handicap. Why? The division leading Packers have a one game lead but have what seems like a tough game later in Oakland and the Vikes are looking to keep pace by ratcheting up the pressure with a early “W”. Five Franklins on MINNESOTA -5.5 over Chicago
The best I can do for a 4 p.m. start is hardly a game anybody wants to watch but betting is what makes the NFL so popular and this match is an example. Cincinnati has no Andy Dalton as A.J. McCarron is called upon to lead the troops in a road game which automatically spells trouble. Speaking of trouble, Blaine Gabbert is controlling the rudder for the Niners. This isn’t Alabama versus Alcorn State, McCarron. Even the crappiest of NFL squads can sneak up on the competition as San Fran has covered three of the last four at home. I’m calling for a back-door cover here but don’t invest too much on this one since it’s a hunch. Save the real cash for tonight and tomorrow. SAN FRANCISCO +5.5 over Cincinnati
Steve Miller got the call for the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame after a long wait and the night game is my Steve Miller Special because it’s Phoenix, Arizona and Philadelphia–two cities mentioned in the hit Rock’n Me. You’ll be rockin’ your bookie to the tune of $200 or $300 bucks as we concern ourselves with the number of points scored in the Sunday Night game. The total is 51. Wow. Lots of points and I agree. Someone in Vegas is expecting a sh!t-load of scoring and even a big score of 30-20 still doesn’t qualify as an over bet. Fear not. ABRACADABRA, I say. PHILADELPHIA/Arizona OVER 51.
Another game that means nothing more than draft position in next April’s NFL Draft is Monday Night Football’s Detroit Lions-New Orleans Saints matchup. The Lions have been playing markedly better since cleaning house in the front office and in its coaching ranks while Drew Brees is wasting away on a youthful Saints team. The Aints are down to Tim Hightower at running back and who knows if he can pick up a blitz to keep Brees off of his keester. More help in the backfield to protect #9 will be needed and even that might not be enough. Gimme the Lions on the road as dogs…outright! Throw some cash on the money line and leftovers on Detroit +3 over NEW ORLEANS.
That’s it. Come on back tomorrow for DJ Eberle’s Hot Takes…
