Report: Mohamed Sanu could miss multiple weeks

The Patriots could be without WR Mohamed Sanu for a few weeks He injured his ankle on Sunday against the Eagles, and although he finished the game, he could be sidelined NBC Sports’ Tom E. Curran is hearing it could be a high ankle sprain that would sideline him a couple weeks Sanu has 14 catches for 108 yards and 1 TD in three games with the Patriots

The Patriots could be without WR Mohamed Sanu for a few weeks He injured his ankle on Sunday against the Eagles, and although he finished the game, he could be sidelined NBC Sports’ Tom E. Curran is hearing it could be a high ankle sprain that would sideline him a couple weeks Sanu has 14 catches for 108 yards and 1 TD in three games with the Patriots

Report: Mohamed Sanu could miss multiple weeks

The Patriots could be without WR Mohamed Sanu for a few weeks He injured his ankle on Sunday against the Eagles, and although he finished the game, he could be sidelined NBC Sports’ Tom E. Curran is hearing it could be a high ankle sprain that would sideline him a couple weeks Sanu has 14 catches for 108 yards and 1 TD in three games with the Patriots

The Patriots could be without WR Mohamed Sanu for a few weeks He injured his ankle on Sunday against the Eagles, and although he finished the game, he could be sidelined NBC Sports’ Tom E. Curran is hearing it could be a high ankle sprain that would sideline him a couple weeks Sanu has 14 catches for 108 yards and 1 TD in three games with the Patriots

Oregon at Arizona State odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Oregon Ducks at Arizona State Sun Devils betting odds and lines, with college football analysis, picks and best bets.

The Oregon Ducks (9-1, 7-0 Pac-12 North) and Arizona State Sun Devils (5-5, 2-5 Pac-12 South) meet Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Oregon-Arizona State odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Oregon at Arizona State: Three things you need to know

1. The Ducks look to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive and cannot afford to be tripped up against the Sun Devils, or against Oregon State in the Civil War.

2. Oregon enters 4-1 against the spread in the past five Pac-12 battles, while the Sun Devils are 0-3-1 ATS in the past four league outings.

3. The Ducks rank 14th in the country with 37.8 points per game (PPG), and they’re 10th in the land defensively, yielding just 14.8 PPG.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Oregon at Arizona State: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Oregon 34, Arizona State 13

Moneyline (ML)

The moneyline is just not worth the risk. Oregon (-667) is too expensive, and Arizona State (+445) just doesn’t have the consistent offensive attack to stay with the high-octane Ducks.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Oregon to win outright would return a profit of $1.50.

Against the Spread (ATS)

OREGON (-14.5, -105) is the play here, although I’d feel a lot more comfortable buying the line down under two touchdowns or playing this game as part of a large teaser.

Arizona State (+14.5, -115) is just 1-4-1 ATS in the past six at home, and 2-5 ATS in the past seven at home against the Ducks. Oregon is 8-3-1 ATS in the past 12 meetings overall in this series, too.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 52.5 (-110) is the play, going 12-4-1 in Oregon’s last 17 games on the road and 7-1 in its past eight on a grass surface. The Over is 4-1 in Arizona State’s past five overall, but the Under is 5-2 in the past seven following a non-cover in its previous outing.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Deontay Wilder vs. Luis Ortiz odds: Wilder is about a 4-1 favorite

Deontay Wilder (-500) is a heavy favorite to defeat Luis Ortiz (+333) in their rematch Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz square off in a rematch for Wilder’s WBC heavyweight title Saturday at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, with the card kicking off at 9 p.m. ET. / 6 p.m. PT.

Wilder-Ortiz: What you need to know

Deontay Wilder (41-0-1, 40 knockouts) puts his nearly unblemished record on the line in a title rematch bout on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View. Wilder has seen 98 percent of his victories come via the knockout, including a 10th-round KO of Ortiz in March of last year at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. It nearly went another way, as Ortiz was working him over with heavy, sustained damage in the seventh. However, Wilder showed his champion mettle by pulling himself out of the fire and rebounding with a knockout of his own in an epic bout.

For Ortiz (31-1, 26 KOs), that remains the only setback in his 32-bout career. Since that right uppercut dropped him from the ranks of the unbeaten, he has taken out his aggression on Razvan Cojanu and Travis Kauffman in knockouts before picking up a decision victory against Christian Hammer.

Now, he gets another chance to get all the way on top. He cited problems with his cardio as the reason he petered out in the last bout against Wilder, as he expended a lot of energy in the seventh round trying to drop Wilder.

Wilder-Ortiz odds, picks, tips and best bets

Deontay Wilder celebrates moments after defeating Dominic Breazeale by knockout in the first round. Sarah Stier / USA TODAY Sports

 

Per BetMGM, Wilder (-500) is the heavy favorite over Ortiz (+333) on the 3-way betting line, with a Draw (+2500) also a choice. It isn’t a good choice, though.

If you were to look for lighting to strike twice, with a Wilder knockout in Round 10 (+1400), that pays rather handsomely. However, individual round betting is not a great investment. Instead, look to Round Group Betting, where Wilder to win in Rounds 9-12 (+500) pays fairly well.

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If you like Wilder for the KO/TKO/Technical Decision or DQ victory, BetMGM has him listed as a rather heavy favorite at -334, with a win on points at +650 rather tempting. However, most talking heads expect a knockout, and Wilder’s track record suggests the same. BetMGM has a special prop bet for those looking for the victory via KO or TKO, too.

If you feel the fight will go 12 rounds, with either fighter winning on points (+450), you can do fairly well, but it isn’t a recommended wager.

Are you new to sports betting? A $10 wager on Wilder straight up at -500 to win outright pays just a $2.00 profit. 

I personally prefer Group Betting, with the fight won in Rounds 7-12 (+150), while doubling down on Wilder in Rounds 7-12 (+188). If both of those things come through on a $100 wager, it pays a respectable $269. Sign me up.

If you want some action on this title bout or other boxing matches, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

Report: Myles Garrett claimed Mason Rudolph used racial slur before fight

Myles Garrett dropped some serious accusations on Mason Rudolph, according to reports.

Based on everything we know about Myles Garrett, it’s not a reach to say that he acted out of character during the brawl between the Browns and Steelers last Thursday night. Garrett has presented himself as a jovial dude who is into poetry and dinosaurs, so it was truly shocking to see him tear the helmet off of Mason Rudolph and use it as a weapon.

Garrett did not offer much of an explanation following the game, so we had no other choice but to assume that he simply lost control for a moment. But now Garrett is offering up an explanation for why he lost his cool. The Browns star is claiming Rudolph used a racial slur toward him before the brawl took place, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Josina Anderson.

Rudolph’s lawyer didn’t waste any time denying that claim, almost immediately releasing a statement on behalf of the Steelers quarterback…

The matter is now in the league’s hands. Unless the NFL can find audio substantiating Garrett’s claim or there are witnesses who are willing to come forward, this will be Garrett’s word against Rudolph’s.

It’s unclear when Garrett is alleging Rudolph used the slur, but Schefter’s tweet indicates that it happened before the physical altercation, which resulted in the suspension of Garrett, teammate Larry Ogunjobi and Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey.

Garrett has been suspended for the remainder of the season and the NFL left open the possibility of the suspension going into the 2020 season. Ogunjobi and Pouncey are appealing their suspensions. Rudolph, meanwhile, avoided a major punishment. That will obviously change if Garrett can provide proof that a racial slur was used. It’s unclear how that will affect his own suspensions, if at all, but it could help in the court of public opinion.

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Bruce Arians says Falcons QB Matt Ryan is ‘one of the premier pocket passers’

The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are two of the biggest disappointments in the league this season, with a combined record of 6-14 entering their Week 12 matchup.

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The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are two of the biggest disappointments in the league this season, with a combined record of 6-14 entering their Week 12 matchup.

Neither team appears to be headed to the playoffs despite having two of the NFL’s most potent passing offenses. The Bucs are averaging 285.6 yards per game through the air, which ranks fourth. The Falcons are averaging 300.3 passing yards per contest, the third-highest in the league.

The problem for Tampa Bay has been its 32nd-ranked defense, which has allowed 31.2 points per game. Atlanta isn’t too far behind, allowing 26.2 points per game, even after two dominant defensive performances.

Bucs coach Bruce Arians spoke with team reporters and was asked about Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Arians, who’s worked with some great QBs including Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck and Carson Palmer, had high praise for Ryan:

“I’ve always been a fan,” said Arians. “I think he’s one of the premier pocket passers, and he’s just been an outstanding player for a long time.”

Atlanta has played complementary football during its current two-game win streak, accounting for 11 sacks and four interceptions, while putting up 27.5 points per game. The Bucs, meanwhile, are coming off a 34-17 loss to the Saints in Week 11.

The Falcons are favored for the first time in over a month, opening as a 4.5-point favorite over Tampa Bay in Week 12.

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In their own words: 4 keys for the Texans to beat the Colts

The Houston Texans will host the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday Night Football for a Week 12 divisional tilt. Here is how to beat them, as they said.

The Indianapolis Colts, also known as the Texans adversaries, will visit Houston for a Thursday night divisional tilt with playoff implications on the line.

The Colts, under coach Frank Reich, have had the best of the Texans since the start of 2018, winning three of the last four rivalry matchups, including playoffs. How will Houston stop the efforts of the Colts and regain the crown of the AFC South? The Texans’ own explain.

Play sound football, tackling well, and winning at the line of scrimmage – Romeo Crennel

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The best way to shut-down a good offense? Play good, sound defense.

“We’ve got to tackle, we’ve got to win at the line of scrimmage, we’ve got to run to the football,” said defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel on Tuesday. “All of those kind of things.”

Whereas Crennel stresses basic defensive competence from the Texans, they haven’t quite done that in 2019. Houston is 28th in the NFL in missed tackles (85), per Pro Football Reference, last in pressure-rate (17.8%) and 31st in yards after the catch allowed (1,336).

The Texans will need to see improvement in all areas. Though not a necessarily high-powered offense, the Colts, led by offensive mastermind Frank Reich, will exploit basic deficiencies in the Texans offense, such as tackling.

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Giants injury report: Rhett Ellison unlikely to play vs. Bears

New York Giants tight ends Rhett Ellison (concussion) and Evan Engram (concussion) are unlikely to play against the Bears in Week 12.

Prior to practice on Thursday, New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur revealed that tight end Rhett Ellison (concussion) would not participate and is unlikely to be cleared in time for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.

As the team’s best blocking tight end, that creates problems for the Giants which are likely to be compounded by the absence Evan Engram (foot), who also sat out of practice on Thursday.

If both Engram and Ellison are unable to play, the Giants will lean on Scott Simonson, Kaden Smith and potentially the recently re-signed Garrett Dickerson, who currently resides on the practice squad.

Meanwhile, left tackle Nate Solder (concussion) appeared to be a limited participant in the portion of practice open to the media, but was given a full participation designation by the team.

Finally, cornerback Janoris Jenkins (concussion) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (concussion) were once again practicing in full and remain on track to potentially play on Sunday.

Here’s a look at the team’s official injury report for Thursday:

Did not participate: TE Evan Engram (foot) and TE Rhett Ellison (concussion)

Limited participant: N/A

Full participant: LT Nate Solder (concussion), C Jon Halapio (hamstring), CB Janoris Jenkins (concussion), RT Mike Remmers (back) and WR Sterling Shepard (concussion)

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San Jose State-UNLV odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s San Jose State at UNLV college football matchup, with NCAA football betting odds, picks and best bets

The San Jose State Spartans (4-6, 1-5 Mountain West) visit the UNLV Rebels (2-8, 0-6) at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.

We analyze the San Jose State-UNLV odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

San Jose State at UNLV: Three things you need to know

  1. Both teams figure as bottom-30 squads in the 130-team ranks of the FBS. Thanks to a decent passing game, the Spartans are the better team on offense. The Rebels have played a slightly more difficult schedule and sport the better defense. UNLV heads in having lost four straight games; SJSU has dropped four of its last five.
  2. Due primarily to interceptions for (14) and against (four) and pitted against pass break ups, the Spartans figure as solidly on the “turnover lucky” side of the spectrum. Those extra picks have helped SJSU to a +13 in turnover margin.
  3. Some hidden-yards analytics pegged San Jose State as a play after some sideways results in October; the Spartans went 3-0 against the spread on Oct. 26, Nov. 2 and Nov. 9. Now, some of those same indicator numbers support UNLV.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

San Jose State at UNLV: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 2 p.m. ET.

Prediction

UNLV 42, San Jose State 27

Moneyline (ML)

San Jose State has had some defensive struggles on the road, and the Spartan defense wasn’t sharp at all two weeks back at Hawaii (7.6 yards per play allowed). SJSU is 1-6 over its last seven road tilts against losing teams. This losing foe — UNLV — has a few positives going for it. Taking the near 2-1 payoff here and going with UNLV +190.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on UNLV returns a profit of $19.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Will LINE WATCH this one, looking for a full 7 on the UNLV side (current line: UNLV +6.5, -110). The Rebels have done well in bounce-back situations (and lines have moved a few too many points against them in such games). UNLV is 5-1 ATS over its last five after a double-digit loss the game prior. (The Rebels lost 21-7 to Hawaii last weekend.)

Over/Under (O/U)

UNLV has played in three straight unders, and the figure has missed on the low side in five of the Rebels’ last six games. Some regression-ready numbers favor the upside here. The SJSU-UNLV matchup in the Rebels run game points the same way in a game with a decent-pace exchange of scoring. TAKING THE OVER 65.5 -106 on what is expected to be a good weather afternoon in Las Vegas.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Baker Mayfield, Sheldon Richardson unaware of Myles Garrett’s racial slur accusation against Mason Rudolph

Baker Mayfield, Sheldon Richardson and other Browns were unaware of Myles Garrett’s accusation against Mason Rudolph that the Steelers QB used a racial slur

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The allegation made by Browns defensive end Myles Garrett that Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph used a racial slur at the onset of Thursday night’s brawl at FirstEnergy Stadium is rippling across the NFL landscape. The waves hit in the Browns locker room, too.

Two Browns players were directly asked by ESPN’s local beat writer, Jake Trotter, if they heard Rudolph say anything or if they had heard any talk about a possible racial slur prior to today. Neither Baker Mayfield nor Sheldon Richardson backed up Garrett’s claim, which the suspended DE made during his appeal hearing on Wednesday.

Trotter posted a very similar reaction from defensive lineman Richardson, who was on the field during the brawl,

As of now, there is no on-field audio from the brawl to confirm or refute Garrett’s allegation.

Updates:

One Browns player, left guard and team captain Joel Bitonio, does believe Garrett:

Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. also affirmed his trust in Garrett’s words,