Vikings look to sink Chicago's season

Formally known as the Purple People Eaters, Minnesota captured six straight NFC Central Division titles from 1973-78, appeared in four conference championship games and three Super Bowls. Along with Pittsburgh and the Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota enjoyed four consecutive double-digit win seasons—playing a 14-game schedule—starting in 1973 and was entrenched as one of the league’s elite franchises.

Three decades later, the Vikings have yet to return to the Super Bowl but they took a considerable step last Sunday when Green Bay’s lost in Pittsburgh giving them back-to-back division crowns for the first time since the late ‘70s. Only two current Vikings—Brett Favre and Pat Williams—were alive when it last happened and they’ll try to secure a first-round playoff bye for the first time since 1998.

Speaking of No. 4, he once again made himself the center of attention by refusing to exit last week’s loss to Carolina. Thus heading to the Windy City, Minnesota (11-3, 8-5 ATS) has unintentionally given ESPN a number of storylines heading into its last Monday night telecast.

Though Favre and coach Brad Childress have reportedly kiss and made up, questions have to remain, especially in the Vikings locker room, where players have to wonder who is really in charge. Enough players will back Favre, while others will support the coach. No matter who backs who, Minnesota backers are impassible with their team 5-22 ATS in final road of the regular season.

Favre has been remarkable, no matter what his age, as the Vikings have a had a top 10 offense all season and are fourth in scoring at 28.3 points per game. Minnesota’s outstanding season has in part been because of how they played in division, showcasing a 5-0 SU and 4-0-1 ATS record in NFC North games.

Minnesota got a potential belated Christmas gift, with New Orleans losing a second straight home game, blowing a 17-0 lead to Tampa Bay and losing in overtime 20-17, leaving ajar the door for Minny to be the top-seed in the NFC if they win out and the Saints falter at Carolina next week.

Chicago (4-10 ATS) fans couldn’t have been happier this past off-season, they finally got their franchise quarterback, one problem; he needs to be able to throw the ball to somebody. Jay Cutler has thrown for over 3,100 yards and 19 touchdowns, but been picked off a league-high 25 times. Chicago receivers are arguably the worst in the NFL (good luck trying to find ones that are worse) and the combination of poor route-running and Cutler trying to force throws have sunk Chicago.

The Bears have fallen like the winter temperatures to 5-9 by losing six of its last seven games, including a 36-10 rout at the hands of the Vikings in November. Chicago has become THE play against team having dropped seven in a row against the spread. The Bears are 2-16 ATS this month as underdog versus team that is off SU and ATS loss.

In the previous matchup, Chicago had no answers for Favre, who completed 32 of 48 for 392 yards and three touchdowns. All three of his scoring tosses—one each to rookie Percy Harvin, Chester Taylor and Visanthe Shiancoe—came in the second quarter as the hosts built a 24-7 halftime lead. Cutler threw for 147 yards and a touchdown and was picked off twice and sacked four times.

The Bears have fared well at home in this head-to-head series however, going 7-4 SU and 8-3 ATS dating back to 1998. They are also on a nice 12-3 ATS run when revenging a loss of 14 points or more to an opponent. However, coach on the hot seat Lovie Smith has seen his team at its worst against good teams, 0-7 ATS vs. clubs with a winning record in this campaign.

DiamondSportsbook.com has Minnesota as eight-point road division favorite, with total of 41.5. The Vikings are 4-11 ATS as North Division visiting favorites and is a torpid 2-13 ATS in December as road chalk. The Vikes are 7-0 UNDER off an upset loss by 10 points or more as a road favorite. If Chicago has an ounce of pride, they should play well after another dismal effort, on home turf against rival with playoffs ahead of them. The Bears are 14-6 ATS at Soldier Field after posting 10 or fewer points and are 8-0 UNDER as an underdog this season.

Minnesota covers if they have the kind of game plan that has them jumping all over the Bears early. Get Adrian Peterson wide, play action pass deep and use Shiancoe over the middle. The Vikings running game has produced 62 or fewer yards in two of the last three weeks, this is opportunity to fix things against 25th rated run defense. The defensive front four can dominate the Chicago offensive and keep Cutler’s miscues coming. Above all, Childress has to convince his team to play 60 minutes and finish their work, otherwise they could fall victim like the Saints or almost what happened to Philadelphia on Sunday.

Chicago covers if they can make Favre uncomfortable in the pocket. Over the last few seasons, the former Southern Miss product has not played well outdoors in the cold. After 12 touchdowns and no interceptions in November, Favre has just three TD’s and four picks in the final month of 2009. It’s going to be up to the defense to raise their level of play and force Vikings into mistakes. Chicago talk radio has brought up OC Ron Turner as a big part of offensive issues and Da Bears can’t be too quick to abandon the run, as long as they are within two touchdowns. Cutler is a good play-action passer, don’t leave him without options. Chicago must dominate the special teams to control field position.

Monday Night System – Play On a division team that outgained its opponent in earlier game by more than a 100 total yards. (18-5 ATS, 78.2 percent)

Steve Makinen of StatFox and College and Pro Football Weekly contributed to this article.

Bears by the Bay for NFL Thursday Night

It’s the first of six consecutive games on the NFL Network package. These games have tended to be fair (as in OK) matchups, with the league not trying to anger the other networks that help keep the coffers nicely stocked with cash. Of course the NFL bosses will throw around money to prevent sports bettors from having legalized gambling, thus what they are really doing is providing one game on their network for the enjoyment of those that can afford the NFL Network for the enjoyment of all their fans, having absolutely nothing to do with sports wagering. (Wink, wink)

The Setup

The first Thursday night game of the NFL season pits two fringe playoff contenders in the NFC against one another. San Francisco (3-5, 5-2-1 ATS) is playing at home and as the small favorite, which could prove important, since favorites are 24-6 ATS on Thursday games going back five seasons. It’s also notable since favorites are on a run of 7-0 SU and 6-1 ATS in the last seven games between these teams, each time the host club in the role of the chalk. The 49ers are on a four-game losing skid, but have won five of last seven at home. Chicago (4-4 SU&ATS) is on a 25-11 ATS run on the road in November, but just 1-3 SU and ATS on the road this season, being outscored by 10.5 points per game while turning the ball over 13 times. The Bears are not playing well, having lost three of their last four tries.

Why Watch

Mike Singletary is a legend in Chicago, for his fiery play and intensity (those bulging eyes shots are classic) and ended up the Hall of Fame. Now he faces his old team as the coach.

Though it was before Singletary was head coach, a bit of bad blood exists between these teams’ front offices. In 2006, the Bears brought tampering charges against the 49ers for pursuing linebacker Lance Briggs, who was in the midst of a contract dispute with the Bears. The NFL ruled against San Fran, and they were docked a fifth-round pick in the 2008 draft.

This contest features two of the better tight ends on the NFC with Vernon Davis and Greg Olson, the latter coming off three touchdown game.

Which quarterback will throw more game-changing interceptions to drive sport bettor insane? Alex Smith has five picks in basically 2.5 games and Jay Cutler has just what you get at Dunkin Donuts, a dozen.

Why Wager

Do you really care about the NBA yet? Yea didn’t think so. The Bears are 6-0 ATS having lost three out of their last four games over the last three seasons. San Francisco is 8-16 ATS after allowing 28 or more points.

Some might be of the opinion Chicago is more done than the last of the leaves that were just raked up and the Bears are 1-8 ATS after gaining six or more yards play in their previous game. Besides, the Niners are 5-2-1 ATS after an L.

The Line

Bookmaker.com has 49ers by 3 with total of 43.5.

What Happens

The aforementioned Mr. Briggs steps his play up and tries to compensate for crummy secondary by playing the run like a stud and blitzes QB Smith into mistakes. Defensive lineman Tommie Harris finally decides to play football and not look like the second coming of Alonzo Spellman. The Chicago wide receivers are the worst in the NFL and most have no clue how to run deep routes. Throw short and hope they make a move to use exceptional speed.

Of course for every action there is a reaction and San Francisco would be making a huge mistake not keeping Smith in the shotgun as much as possible. He’s obviously more comfortable in it from his college days and reads the field better. Remember the strength of the offense was supposed to be the line, ask Frank Gore what he thinks about that notion with all his one and two yard gains. Block somebody. Excuse the 49ers secondary if they smile a lot facing the Bears wideouts, put any kind of pressure on Cutler and they are covered like blanket.

The Outcome

3DW selects San Fran to cover

School is in Session

The opening days of baseball, college football and the NFL are all special, thus today is already a great day. So was yesterday with 3-0 record. It’s all football today with Top Trend and Free Pick in college football and Best System is a non-qualifier, yet potent 8-3 in NFL preseason. Good Luck

What I thought today – Is it me or is this new crop of NFL coaches a little power hungry. Josh McDaniel essentially doesn’t want strong armed quarterback to run his system and can’t find way to work with Jay Cutler. Kansas City’s Todd Haley fires his offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and Tampa Bay’s new coach Raheem Morris launches his OC, before one official game has been played. If the NFL is about continuity and routine, all three of these head coaches are a disruptive force to their own teams.

Announcement- On Twitter at: www.twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Starting this Saturday and on Sunday once the NFL begins, I will have a running analysis of all the college football action on those days. I’ll have all my TV’s lined up, working the remote as well as the computer. Sign up at Twitter and let’s have some fun and all learn something.

Free Football System-1) In the NFL, PLAY On away favorites that scored 24 or more points and lost at home last week. This preseason system is 8-3 ATS, 72.7 percent and suggests to play on Arizona tonight.

Free Football Trend -2) The Oregon Ducks are 27-5 ATS in first road game of a new season.

Free Football Pick -3) Edward had easy MLB winner yesterday and chooses to back N.C. State in revenge spot.

College Football Guaranteed Picks Available.

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Jay Cutler returns to Mile High City

Edward Everett Hale wrote a short story about the death of poor Philip Nolan back in the early 1800’s and based on the path Jay Cutler’s mouth and actions are leading him, he could follow in Mr. Nolan’s footsteps. Hale wrote of Nolan’s death as “A Man without a Country” and Cutler this year is making enemies every time his lips start flapping. (Gosh, Jay Cutler sure looks different out of uniform. Or maybe I pulled the wrong Jay Cutler picture)

Cutler would be wise to keep his pie-hole shut Sunday night and absorb the booing the Denver Broncos faithful will rein on him and just play football. The former Vanderbilt product (This is supposed the Harvard of the South, right) showed a rocket arm with oodles of potential in the Rockies, unfortunately proved to have skin thinner than a slice of salami, talking his way out of the Mile High City when his new coach Josh McDaniels didn’t shower him with love and had the gall to check into the services of other available quarterbacks.

Once traded to Chicago, the now windy Cutler, fit right into the Windy City, ripping Broncos fans (later apologizing) compared to Bears’ loyalists and later suggesting Devin Hester is limited as pass receiver. Of course Culter hasn’t exactly made anyone forget Billy Wade or Sid Luckman (very old school Bears QB’s) by his performances thus far, other than having All-Pro foot in mouth offseason.

Lovie Smith’s Bears have looked like most NFL teams this time of year, part choppy and part pretty good. Chicago played well at home last week in containing the Giants in 17-3 as 2.5-point favorites. They will look to do the same in Denver, but are 2-12 ATS off a home win.

Coach McDaniels acted like a rookie coach the way he handled the Cutler saga, but could not have bargained for his best receiver Brandon Marshall, would be so insubordinate he’d have to suspend for the rest of the preseason, with the rest of the story to evolve.

Quarterback Kyle Orton has looked out of place in Denver uniform, throwing numerous bad passes (including interception left-handed). The Denver front office put on happy face after trading for Orton in Cutler deal, hoping the former Purdue chucker could just manage games, much like he did in Chicago. Though nothing really matters yet, Orton has definitely not settled into his new surroundings.

Maybe positive support from the home fans will help, as they see Orton in Broncos home uniform for first time. Denver is 11-2 ATS at home after one or more consecutive straight up losses.

DiamondSportsbook.com has the Broncos as two-point favorites with total listed at 38. Denver is 11-1 ATS when they are below .500 in the preseason. The Bears are 9-21 ATS in the final two weeks of the exhibition season and 12-3 OVER in road games off one or more games going Under the total.

The NBC crew should have field day with this matchup which starts at 8 Eastern.

Friday April 3 plays at 3Daily Winners

Thought it was ironic Jay Cutler gets traded when his name comes up here. Overall, I think Denver helped themselves more, now having a ton of draft choices to play with and rebuild defense. I don’t think the Broncos are done on the quarterback front either, I could see them doing something with Cleveland or Arizona on or just before the draft to have another quarterback.

The trade makes sense for Chicago, since they haven’t had a potential Top 5 quarterback since god knows when, what makes this interesting is Bears football has never been about the quarterback. Granted, a bad one has held them back, but they have had numerous playoff trips with ones that were just above average.

No above average system today in the NBA, coming in at 82.9 percent over a lengthy period of time. The Cavs and Magic matchup which is detailed below has Top Trend that has yet to lose. Good Luck.

Free Basketball System-1) PLAY AGAINST home underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points like Indiana in non-conference games, off a close home win by three points or less. This system is 29-6 ATS, 82.9 percent since Independence Day was the top-grossing movie of that year.

Free Basketball Trend -2) The Cleveland Cavaliers are 12-0 ATS off a road loss this season.

Free Basketball Selection -3) I'm as hot as anybody in the NBA having hit 16 of last 22 and one of my plays is Charlotte -4.

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April 2 Plays and your opinion requested

Back on Tuesday, we finished with 2-1 day and want to start putting together a streak. I found a different money line system for tonight NIT championship, which is 83.1 percent over 124 games. Utah travel to Denver, how will they do in the Mile High City, the Top Trend might have the answer. Good Luck.

While mentioning Denver, what about this Jay Cutler fiasco? Though none of us know the -he said-he said -parts between the quarterback and the team, Cutler is clearly doing a 180 trying to escape being the bad guy. What a wuss in the first place for having his feelings hurt because the new coach wanted to inquire about somebody he was more comfortable with.

Though Cutler has strong arm, his decision making hasn’t always been the best, which he gets a pass on for the most part being a young quarterback. Let’s not kid ourselves, if any signal caller is a fit for first-year head coach Josh McDaniels offense, it would be Cutler. Both Tom Brady and Matt Cassel got the quick read and throw down pat and Cutler has much stronger arm, so that leads me to believe McDaniels saw something or believed something was POTENTIALLY wrong to make inquiry.

Cutler is acting like a big baby, because something hurt his feelings, tough. I know a number of teams will try and secure his services (hello Buffalo, hello Tampa Bay), however I’m not sure I’d want this goof as my quarterback if I really wanted to get to the Super Bowl. Tell me what you think.

Free Basketball System-1) PLAY AGAINST any underdog vs. the money line, who is a good ball handling team like Penn State, committing 14 or fewer turnovers a game, after two straight contests forcing opponent to commit eight or less turnovers. In the last 12 years, this money line system is 103-21, 83.1 percent.

Free Basketball Trend -2) Utah is 0-8 ATS in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season, losing by 13 points per game.

Free Basketball Selection -3) Sal is passing today, but eight players from the LCC are on the Sixers at -7.5.

Note- If you prefer to have this sent to you daily instead of having to visit the site, sign up for our FREE mailing list on the right. You will also receive all my personal plays for Free and your name will NEVER be given to anyone.

Betting Keys to Five Key NFL Games in Week 15

The regular season is winding down and so are the remaining opportunities to keep winning wagers in the NFL. The NFC South has three of its teams involved in crucial contests, which will be critical to who ends at the top of the division and who makes the playoffs. The New York Jets have been grounded with a pair of defeats and will attempt to take flight again and keep share of the division lead versus AFC East rival Buffalo. Arizona won first division title since Bruce Springsteen released instant classic ‘Born to Run” album and now have to deal with celebrity and how to prepare for postseason and teams on the remainder schedule like Minnesota. Finally, Pittsburgh and Baltimore renew un-pleasantries, with extra ambulances and doctors on call. Bookmaker.com provides the Week 15 numbers.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta (Falcons -3, 44.5)

It’s inconceivable the Tampa Bay defense will be steamrolled a second straight time, even facing Michael Turner. Similar to Carolina, Atlanta prefers to move the chains and try a few deep balls. The Buccaneers defense has to control third downs or it could be another tough road loss. On offense Garcia needs more help from offensive line, to start running game and play-action passing. The Bucs are 11-4-1 ATS in recent battles. Atlanta leads the league in first quarter points with 94. This shows excellent planning and execution and home keeps the crowd in the game. The Falcons defense has to do better job against the run, permitting 123.4 yards a game the last five weeks. Make Tampa Bay one dimensional, which frees up John Abraham to rush Jeff Garcia. If Roddy White catches three long passes, good chance the favorite moves to 16-5-1 ATS in this southern showdown.

Buffalo at N.Y. Jets (Jets -7.5, 41)

Brett Favre has to load up on Red Bull or some energy drink, as once again his play is noticeably slipping late in the season. Opposing teams have devised ways to take away deep ball from Jets, with no burners and the secondary has more holes than Dunkin Donuts without a pass rush. When New York had five game winning streak, they scored on first possession, put the right plays together to make that happen again. Buffalo players are wondering why offensive coordinator Turk Schonert has gotten so pass happy, especially with two quarterbacks with limited ability in that persuasion. The Bills work better running the pigskin and blending the pass. Buffalo has covered seven of last 10, the defense will need to win field position battle and force two or more miscues.

Denver at Carolina (Panthers -7.5, 48)

Mike Shanahan’s team has been impossible to figure, however they might bloviate having the opportunity to attack Carolina corners with Jay Cutler tossing the ball, after seeing how open Tampa Bay receivers were down the field. By now the Broncos don’t worry whose running, with turnstile efforts this season. Carolina can be run on. Denver has actually been better against the run with 4-3 setup and safety near the line of scrimmage. If they fail to stop Panthers back, Broncos drop to 1-9 ATS in December after a pair of wins and covers. This is Carolina’s last home game and NFC South teams are 23-2, 18-6-1 ATS at home in 2008. Off the huge win last Monday, a drop in intensity would wipe out potential importance of Giants game next week. John Fox’s squad can control the line of scrimmage on both sides in this matchup and bludgeon Broncos with Steve Smith down the field.

Minnesota at Arizona (Cardinals -3, 47)

Tavaris Jackson will get the call for the Vikes who want him to play like he did last week in relief of Frerotte. If Arizona could, they would wear Detroit helmets, as Adrian Peterson has five fumbles against the Lions this season. Peterson knows he has to secure the ball better, with Cardinals swooping in to swipe the ball away. The Vikings run of the mill secondary will need Jared Allen and others to rattle Warner. The Cardinals will want to improve certain areas before playoffs (does that sound odd), while keeping wins coming. Kurt Warner has eight turnovers in last four games, not acceptable. The running game has to rise to well below average instead of 32nd. A hundred yard effort against Minny would be big confidence boost. Play like a division champion at home against a visitor that is 2-6 ATS against teams with winning home records.

Pittsburgh at Baltimore (Ravens -2.5, 34)

Pittsburgh is well renowned for playing with intensity, however this stage will have Baltimore stoked. The Steelers must match the Ravens and stop them at the point of attack when running the ball. Flacco was often confused last week, with Dick LeBeau calling the defense he’ll do whatever he can to the rookie to keep in same state of mind. Baltimore has to consistently win first and second down, Keeping Joe Flacco in manageable situations and Ben Roethlisberger in third and long. Baltimore will take stupid penalties when they are too juiced up, they must maintain poise and not give away free yards to Steelers. The Ravens are 10-2 ATS in home games after three or more consecutive wins.