They say the NFL Conference Championships produce the most exciting and competitive games of the season. We'll put that old saw to the test this week as we lead off our betting preview with both of Sunday's matchups. All times are Eastern; fresh football odds are available at Bodog Sports, as well as the lines for just about every game under the sun.
1. NFL: N.Y. Jets at Indianapolis (Sunday, 3:00 p.m.)
The unlikely Jets (11-7 SU and ATS) aren't looking so unlikely anymore. In fact, they have the old-school combination of running and defense that's supposed to win championships. New York kept the San Diego Chargers (-9) at bay in a tight 17-14 Divisional Round victory on Sunday. The Colts (15-2 SU, 11-5-1 ATS), meanwhile, trounced the Baltimore Ravens (-6.5) 20-3 on Saturday, and their ability to hold the ground-and-pound Ravens to 87 yards rushing portends well for this matchup. This is the sequel to their Week 16 contest, which the Jets (+3) won 29-15 after Indianapolis pulled its starters.
2. NFL: Minnesota at New Orleans (Sunday, 6:40 p.m.)
The Superdome will be jumping when the Saints (14-3 SU, 9-8 ATS) host the Vikings (13-4 SU, 10-6-1 ATS) in what should be an outstanding offensive matchup. New Orleans got here by destroying the Arizona Cardinals (+7) 45-14 on Saturday, the first time the Saints have beaten the NFL odds since November. The Vikings (-3) were just as impressive in their 34-3 victory over the Dallas Cowboys; Brett Favre threw four TD passes and the new-age Purple People Eaters sacked Tony Romo six times. If you're a fan of surface trends, the Vikings are 5-1-1 ATS in their last six games on FieldTurf, while the Saints are 1-4 in their last five.
3. NBA: L.A. Lakers at Cleveland (Thursday, 8:00 p.m.)
This is no longer the expected NBA Finals matchup; the Lakers (31-9 SU, 18-22 ATS) are still the Western Conference favorites at 2-3, but the Cavaliers (31-11 SU, 20-21-1 ATS) have slipped to 7-4 in the East, second to the Boston Celtics at 5-4. Nevertheless, Cleveland is on a roll at 11-3 SU and 7-6-1 ATS since December 21. Los Angeles is 9-5 SU and 6-8 ATS over the same span. The Lakers are injury-free; the Cavs are missing reserve small forward Jamario Moon (abdomen), but are otherwise healthy, and Jawad Williams (14.5 points, 3.5 boards per 40 minutes) has played reasonably well in Moon's absence.
4. NCAAB: No. 1 Texas at No. 15 Connecticut (Saturday, 4:00 p.m.)
Texas (17-0 SU, 7-6 ATS) is the new No. 1 in the nation and one of two undefeated teams left in Division I - the No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats being the other. UConn (11-6 SU, 6-9 ATS), on the other hand, was expected to slip in Monday's new polls after losing both its games last week. Upsets by the Pittsburgh Panthers (+6) and Michigan Wolverines (+1) have people in Storrs wondering if the Huskies will even make the Tournament. No such concerns in Austin; the Longhorns are good at just about everything except free throws (63.4 percent), while the Huskies have a one-dimensional inside offense and are vulnerable to the 3-pointer. Watch for blue-chip guard Avery Bradley (43.1 percent from downtown) to light up the scoreboard on Saturday.
5. NHL: Chicago at Vancouver (Saturday, 10:00 p.m.)
You want hot teams, you got 'em. The Blackhawks (34-11-4, 9.71 units) lead the NHL standings and have won eight of their past 10 games. The Canucks (28-18-2, 3.30 units) are 8-2-2 in their last 12, all with Roberto Luongo (.919 save percentage) in net. Back-up Antti Niemi (.921 SV%) has worked his way into a timeshare with nominal No. 1 Cristobal Huet (.907 SV%), so keep an eye on the local papers to see who'll be starting this game for the Hawks. Vancouver has one of the best home records in the league at 19-7-1, but Chicago has been solid on the road this year at 13-6-3.
This information is provided in partnership with BoDog Sportsbook
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1. NFL: N.Y. Jets at Indianapolis (Sunday, 3:00 p.m.)
The unlikely Jets (11-7 SU and ATS) aren't looking so unlikely anymore. In fact, they have the old-school combination of running and defense that's supposed to win championships. New York kept the San Diego Chargers (-9) at bay in a tight 17-14 Divisional Round victory on Sunday. The Colts (15-2 SU, 11-5-1 ATS), meanwhile, trounced the Baltimore Ravens (-6.5) 20-3 on Saturday, and their ability to hold the ground-and-pound Ravens to 87 yards rushing portends well for this matchup. This is the sequel to their Week 16 contest, which the Jets (+3) won 29-15 after Indianapolis pulled its starters.
2. NFL: Minnesota at New Orleans (Sunday, 6:40 p.m.)
The Superdome will be jumping when the Saints (14-3 SU, 9-8 ATS) host the Vikings (13-4 SU, 10-6-1 ATS) in what should be an outstanding offensive matchup. New Orleans got here by destroying the Arizona Cardinals (+7) 45-14 on Saturday, the first time the Saints have beaten the NFL odds since November. The Vikings (-3) were just as impressive in their 34-3 victory over the Dallas Cowboys; Brett Favre threw four TD passes and the new-age Purple People Eaters sacked Tony Romo six times. If you're a fan of surface trends, the Vikings are 5-1-1 ATS in their last six games on FieldTurf, while the Saints are 1-4 in their last five.
3. NBA: L.A. Lakers at Cleveland (Thursday, 8:00 p.m.)
This is no longer the expected NBA Finals matchup; the Lakers (31-9 SU, 18-22 ATS) are still the Western Conference favorites at 2-3, but the Cavaliers (31-11 SU, 20-21-1 ATS) have slipped to 7-4 in the East, second to the Boston Celtics at 5-4. Nevertheless, Cleveland is on a roll at 11-3 SU and 7-6-1 ATS since December 21. Los Angeles is 9-5 SU and 6-8 ATS over the same span. The Lakers are injury-free; the Cavs are missing reserve small forward Jamario Moon (abdomen), but are otherwise healthy, and Jawad Williams (14.5 points, 3.5 boards per 40 minutes) has played reasonably well in Moon's absence.
4. NCAAB: No. 1 Texas at No. 15 Connecticut (Saturday, 4:00 p.m.)
Texas (17-0 SU, 7-6 ATS) is the new No. 1 in the nation and one of two undefeated teams left in Division I - the No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats being the other. UConn (11-6 SU, 6-9 ATS), on the other hand, was expected to slip in Monday's new polls after losing both its games last week. Upsets by the Pittsburgh Panthers (+6) and Michigan Wolverines (+1) have people in Storrs wondering if the Huskies will even make the Tournament. No such concerns in Austin; the Longhorns are good at just about everything except free throws (63.4 percent), while the Huskies have a one-dimensional inside offense and are vulnerable to the 3-pointer. Watch for blue-chip guard Avery Bradley (43.1 percent from downtown) to light up the scoreboard on Saturday.
5. NHL: Chicago at Vancouver (Saturday, 10:00 p.m.)
You want hot teams, you got 'em. The Blackhawks (34-11-4, 9.71 units) lead the NHL standings and have won eight of their past 10 games. The Canucks (28-18-2, 3.30 units) are 8-2-2 in their last 12, all with Roberto Luongo (.919 save percentage) in net. Back-up Antti Niemi (.921 SV%) has worked his way into a timeshare with nominal No. 1 Cristobal Huet (.907 SV%), so keep an eye on the local papers to see who'll be starting this game for the Hawks. Vancouver has one of the best home records in the league at 19-7-1, but Chicago has been solid on the road this year at 13-6-3.
This information is provided in partnership with BoDog Sportsbook
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