Tag: expert picks

Colts vs. Raiders: NFL experts make Week 14 picks

NFL experts are siding with the Colts.

The Indianapolis Colts (8-4) are ready to travel west to take on the Las Vegas Raiders (7-5) at Allegiant Stadium for a Week 14 matchup that features two playoff teams fighting for a spot.

The Colts will enter this matchup as 2.5-point favorites on the road and with left tackle Anthony Castonzo returning to practice, there’s a chance the Colts get some much-needed reinforcements.

Here’s how the experts around the league see the matchup shaking out:

Expert Pick Score (if applicable)
Nate Davis (USA TODAY) Colts 27-23
Mike Jones (USA TODAY) Raiders 27-25
Jarrett Bell (USA TODAY) Raiders 27-24
Mike Clay (ESPN) Colts N/A
Gregg Rosenthall (NFL Network) Colts 30-27
Bill Bender (Sporting News) Raiders 31-27
Dave Richard (CBS Sports) Colts N/A
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Colts 27-23
Jake Arthur (Sports Illustrated) Colts N/A
Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated) Colts N/A
Bleacher Report Colts 27-24

As of this writing, 203 analysts weighed in on the matchup over at Tallysight with 76% of them siding with the Colts as the winners in this one. That said, 65% of the analysts see the Colts covering a three-point spread (2.5 points according to BetMGM).

The Raiders are right in the thick of the playoff race along with the Colts. They are just one game behind Indy for the final wild-card spot in the playoff race, which means this matchup will have a heavy hand in determining the seeding at the end of the season.

While the spread is close, experts around the league see the Colts coming out with a road win for the second week in a row.

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Experts give slim edge to the Bears over the Lions in Week 13

The Detroit Lions face off against the Chicago Bears in hopes of breaking their losing streak, but experts believe the home team prevails

The Detroit Lions (4-7) are on the road this week, hoping to notch out their first win in the post-Matt Patricia era, facing off against their division rival, the Chicago Bears (5-6) in Week 13.

The Bears have come out victorious in the last five games against the Lions, and the most recent being the opening game of the 2020 season. In that game, the Bears scored 21 unanswered points in a comeback win and D’Andre Swift had his welcome to the NFL moment.

Most of the time, people could have an idea of what to anticipate for a particular game, but for the Lions this week, it is full of unknowns. Will the team rally behind Bevell? Will we see a different sense of offensive tempo? Will the defense bring more pressure? The list goes on and on, but for this reason, this makes for an interesting game because we are not sure what is going to happen.

With Mitchell Trubisky’s history against the Lions, that usually brings the Bears a lot of hope, but the unknown element creeps up again. Was his success more due to Patricia’s defensive style, or was he bringing a new level against the Lions? With Cory Undlin running the defense now, it will be interesting to see what he brings to contain the Lion killer.

With the Lions already cleaning house, the Bears on the cusp of it, and the sheer amount of unknowns, experts are almost evenly split this week, but according to NFL Pickwatch, 56-percent of the experts give a slight edge to the home team.

Division games are difficult to predict because of the extra effort players bring, but the number of changes to the Lions, combined with the Bears suffering from a five-game losing streak, makes this game a hard one to predict.

If the Lions can follow the key concepts laid out in this week’s Honolulu Blueprint, they can overcome the recent coaching changes and break this losing streak against the Bears.

Big Ten and big game college football expert picks, odds for conference Week 7

It’s time for our Big Ten and big game college football predictions and odds for conference Week 7. Who is on upset alert?

Off to Week 7 in the world of Big Ten football, and it looks like Ohio State is back at it after pausing because of a mild coronavirus outbreak.

As we get further along in these games, it’s becoming more and more likely that a game gets canceled because of too many coronavirus positive tests, but we’ll continue to keep grinding along in hopes that safety rules the day. There are in fact, two more games that won’t happen in the conference because of COVID-19 outbreaks at Minnesota and Michigan.

As we do each week during Big Ten football season, we’re bringing you our expert picks and predictions on all the league games against the spread, and straight-up. Also, as an added bonus you didn’t know you even craved, we’ll throw in six of the top games across the slate of all the college football games for the week. We’re the judge and jury on that one. It’s called our Pick Six and becoming increasingly hard to find meaningful games when a handful are canceled every week.

As a reminder, if there’s an asterisk next to the pick, that means the team will win, but not cover. We get our odds from BetMGM. In the event of a tie, George Washington settles it via the old coin-flip.

INSTRUCTIONS: Make your pick against the spread. For example …
– If you think Ohio State will win -3.5 over Michigan: OSU
– If you think Ohio State will win outright: OSU
– If you think Ohio State will win, but NOT cover: OSU*

Here are our expert picks for Week 7, but first our results after six weeks of play.

RESULTS SO FAR

@PhilHarrisonBW: 47-23 SU, 33-37 ATS
@MarkRussell1975: 45-25 SU, 34-36 ATS
@DanRuppert: 48-22 SU, 41-29 ATS
CONSENSUS PICK: 47-23 SU, 37-33 ATS

First up … Big Ten early games

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Colts vs. Texans: NFL experts make Week 13 picks

NFL experts weigh in on the divisional matchup.

The Indianapolis Colts (7-4) are preparing to visit the Houston Texans (4-7) at NRG Stadium for a Week 13 matchup on Sunday that is a relatively vital game for the former.

The Colts enter this game as road favorites over the Texans and find themselves in the thick of the playoff hunt with five games remaining in the regular season.

As Vegas has the Colts winning this game, let’s see who some of the experts around the league are taking in the matchup:

Expert Pick Score (if applicable)
Nate Davis (USA TODAY) Colts 23-17
Mike Jones (USA TODAY) Colts 28-26
Jarrett Bell (USA TODAY) Colts 26-24
Mike Clay (ESPN) Colts N/A
Gregg Rosenthall (NFL Network) Colts 30-24
Bill Bender (Sporting News) Texans 27-24
Dave Richard (CBS Sports) Texans N/A
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Colts 30-23
Jake Arthur (Sports Illustrated) Colts N/A
Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated) Colts N/A
Bleacher Report Colts 28-27

As expected the Colts are pretty favored in the matchup over the Texans. Over at Tallysight, the Colts are chosen by 82% of the analysts in Week 13.

The Colts will see the return of a few starters in running back Jonathan Taylor and defensive end Denico Autry—both of which have been activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Center Ryan Kelly should also be back from missing the Week 12 game with a neck injury.

The Texans are likely to put up a fight as they have been playing better since the firing of Bill O’Brien, but the Colts are the clear favorites in this divisional matchup.

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Colts vs. Titans: NFL experts make Week 12 picks

NFL experts make their picks.

The Indianapolis Colts (7-3) and Tennessee Titans (7-3) are preparing for a big matchup on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium and one that will likely have a say in determining the winner of the division down the line.

As both teams find themselves in the thick of the playoff hunt, the Colts will enter the week as three-point home favorites in this matchup. They bested the Titans on the road in Week 10, 34-17 at Nissan Stadium.

Here’s how some of the experts around the league view the matchup:

Expert Pick Score (if applicable)
Nate Davis (USA TODAY) Titans 27-23
Mike Jones (USA TODAY) Titans 27-25
Jarrett Bell (USA TODAY) Titans 27-24
Mike Clay (ESPN) Colts N/A
Gregg Rosenthall (NFL Network) Colts 30-27
Bill Bender (Sporting News) Titans 27-24
Will Brinson (CBS Sports) Colts 31-27
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Colts 27-24
Jake Arthur (Sports Illustrated) Colts N/A
Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated) Colts N/A
Bleacher Report Titans 24-23

Over at Tallysight, 56% of the analysts are siding with the Colts in this matchup as of this writing. But it just goes to show how close this game is likely going to be, especially with some new factors in play.

The Colts are going to be without star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and could be without defensive end Denico Autry, both of which are on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Buckner has officially been ruled out after testing positive this week while Autry is still up in the air depending on whether he was asymptomatic.

Regardless, this should be an interesting matchup and one that comes down to the wire. It’s truly anyone’s guess which team will be victorious on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

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How sure is a Texas victory over Iowa State? USA TODAY Sports weighs in

The college football staff for USA TODAY Sports made their picks for this weekend’s games. Who wins the Iowa State-Texas Big 12 matchup?

Just another game right? Well not exactly, this one could be for all the marbles. The Iowa State Cyclones and Texas Longhorns both looking to punch their ticket to the Big 12 Championship. On Friday, the Cyclones could punch their ticket to Arlington. Meanwhile, a Texas victory puts them a step closer, but a victory doesn’t get them in just yet.

The staff at USA TODAY Sports picked 16 games this weekend with the Iowa State-Texas game being among them. This is one of three games that features ranked oppoenents on both sides. The others being Notre Dame-North Carolina and the Iron Bowl with Auburn–Alabama. So how do they see this one coming down?

The third game matching ranked opponents has big ramifications in the Big 12. No. 15 Iowa State can all but secure a spot in its first conference title game with a win at No. 21 Texas. The Longhorns also would be in prime position to reach Arlington, Texas, by knocking off the Cyclones.

Image courtesy of USA TODAY Sports

The staff rules 4-2 in favor of the Texas Longhorns in this Big 12 Championship knockout game.

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Big Ten and big game college football expert picks, odds for conference Week 6

We make our predictions against the spread and straight-up for all Big Ten and six of the bigger games in college football.

Here we go for Week 6 in the world of Big Ten football. As we get further along in these games, it’s becoming more and more likely that a game gets canceled because of too many coronavirus positive tests, but we’ll continue to keep grinding along in hopes that safety rules the day.

As we do each week during Big Ten football season, we’re bringing you our expert picks and predictions on all the league games against the spread, and straight-up. Also, as an added bonus you didn’t know you even craved, we’ll throw in six of the top games across the slate of all the college football games for the week. We’re the judge and jury on that one. It’s called our Pick Six and becoming increasingly hard to find meaningful games when a handful are canceled every week.

As a reminder, if there’s an asterisk next to the pick, that means the team will win, but not cover. We get our odds from BetMGM. In the event of a tie, George Washington settles it via the old coin-flip.

INSTRUCTIONS: Make your pick against the spread. For example …
– If you think Ohio State will win -3.5 over Michigan: OSU
– If you think Ohio State will win outright: OSU
– If you think Ohio State will win, but NOT cover: OSU*

Here are our expert picks for Week 6.

RESULTS SO FAR

@PhilHarrisonBW: 41-18 SU, 27-32 ATS
@MarkRussell1975: 39-20 SU, 30-29 ATS
@DanRuppert: 41-18 SU, 33-26 ATS
CONSENSUS PICK: 41-18 SU, 31-28 ATS

First up … Big Ten early games

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Experts narrowly edge out Lions in Week 11 matchup with the Panthers

The experts are slightly picking ahead of the Detroit Lions in their Week 11 road matchup against the Carolina Panthers

With the 4-5 Detroit Lions looking to even their record at .500, their next stop takes them to Charlotte to face off against the 3-7 Panthers in this battle of the big city cats.

The last time these two teams met was two years ago and the Lions came away with a 20-19 victory after the Panthers failed on what would’ve been a game-winning two-point conversion.

Both squads face tough hurdles this week, with several injuries in crucial positions, making this look more like a hospital trip than an NFL game.

The Lions will be without Kenny Golladay, Danny Amendola, D’Andre Swift, Da’Shawn Hand, and Austin Bryant. And even though Matthew Stafford tore a ligament in his thumb, he is expected to play. With the massive injuries mainly to the wide receivers and defensive line, the Lions brought up Frank Herron and Mohamad Sanu for depth.

The Panthers will be without several offensive weapons, including Christian McCaffrey, starting left tackle Russell Okung, and starting right guard John Miller. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will be a game-time decision, and the Panthers would turn to either P.J. Walker or Will Grier to fill in if he can’t go.

According to NFL Pickwatch, 57-percent of experts are giving the Panthers a slight edge at the time of this writing. Honestly, this is a tough game to pick, considering they have no idea who will be on the field to make a fair judgment.

In the end, it will more than likely end up coming down to who overcame their injuries to a greater degree. If the Lions can get creative and hit some of the key concepts in the Honolulu Blueprint, they should be able to bring their record back to .500.

Colts vs. Packers: NFL experts make Week 11 picks

NFL experts weigh in on the matchup.

The Indianapolis Colts (6-3) have a big matchup awaiting them on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium when the Green Bay Packers (7-2) come to visit for a Week 11 matchup.

This should be a pretty interesting matchup and while the Colts are favored entering the weekend, the experts may not feel the same confidence. The picks are pretty split in what should be a close game on Sunday.

Here’s how the experts view the Week 11 game unfolding:

Expert Pick Score (if applicable)
Nate Davis (USA TODAY) Packers 27-23
Mike Jones (USA TODAY) Packers 32-28
Jarrett Bell (USA TODAY) Packers 27-24
Mike Clay (ESPN) Packers N/A
Gregg Rosenthall (NFL Network) Colts 29-26
Bill Bender (Sporting News) Packers 33-27
Will Brinson (CBS Sports) Colts 31-10
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Packers 27-21
Jake Arthur (Sports Illustrated) Packers N/A
Kevin Bowen (1070 The Fan) Packers 30-23
Bleacher Report Packers 28-27

Over at Tallysight, 68% of the analysts are choosing the Packers to come away with an upset victory on the road. The NFC North leaders have been setting the world on fire given their offense.

The Colts have been winning thanks to strong play from Philip Rivers and the emergence of a defensive unit that has thrust itself into the elite category. They will have a huge test against the Packers, but they’ve been strong in their performances thus far.

The Colts and Packers are set to kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX with Troy Aikman and Joe Buck getting the call.

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Big Ten and big game college football expert picks, odds for conference Week 5

It’s time for us to put our predictions against the odds and straight up on the line again for Big Ten and bigger college football games.

OK. It’s time for Week 5 in the Big Ten. This time it looks like Ohio State’s game is on, and it’s a bigger than expected matchup with a top ten Indiana Hoosier program that’s already had one whale of a season.

As we do each week during Big Ten season, we’re bringing you our expert picks and predictions on all the league games against the spread, and straight-up. Also, as an added bonus you didn’t know you even craved, we’ll throw in six of the top games across the slate of all the college football games for the week. We’re the judge and jury on that one. It’s called our Pick Six and becoming increasingly hard to find meaningful games when a handful are canceled every week.

As a reminder, if there’s an asterisk next to the pick, that means the team will win, but not cover. We get our odds from BetMGM. In the event of a tie, George Washington settles it via the old coin-flip.

INSTRUCTIONS: Make your pick against the spread. For example …
– If you think Ohio State will win -3.5 over Michigan: OSU
– If you think Ohio State will win outright: OSU
– If you think Ohio State will win, but NOT cover: OSU*

Here we go for Week 5 in the heartland with the standings being updated each week after all the games.

RESULTS SO FAR

@PhilHarrisonBW: 35-13 SU, 22-26 ATS
@MarkRussell1975: 32-16 SU, 23-25 ATS
@DanRuppert: 35-13 SU, 27-21 ATS
CONSENSUS PICK: 35-13 SU, 26-22 ATS

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First up … Big Ten early games

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