Elite Eight

[Lumi]

Elite Eight
January 11, 2010


When Arizona jumped out to a 17-0 lead over Green Bay, we were on the cusp of seeing the NFL?s most drama-less first-round action ever. The Packers politely came to the rescue, however, and we instead got to watch one of the best games in the league?s postseason history.

Trailing 24-10 at intermission and 31-10 early in the third quarter, Mike McCarthy?s team stormed back into a 38-38 tie with more than 14 minutes left. The Packers were sparked by an onside kick they perfectly executed after pulling to within 31-17. Moments later, Green Bay was within seven on the second of four touchdown passes by Aaron Rodgers in the second half.

Arizona would answer for a 38-24 lead when Larry Fitzgerald made a diving one-handed touchdown catch. However, the Packers responded again, pulling into a 38-38 tie at the 10:57 mark. The Cardinals went back ahead with 4:55 remaining thanks to Kurt Warner?s fifth touchdown pass of the day, a 17-yard strike to Steve Breaston.





But the Packers pulled into another tie at 45-45 with 1:52 left thanks to an 11-yard TD pass from Rodgers to Spencer Havner. The Cardinals quickly drove into field-goal range and had a chance to win, but they were denied the victory when Neil Rackers hooked a 34-yard field goal.

At that point, you had to figure the winner of the coin toss would be in serious business. And, once again, the overtime rules were going to come into serious question, right? Wrong.

Green Bay won the toss and it indeed was in business. Remember when the Packers went into overtime at Denver on Monday Night Football in 2007? On that night, they won the coin flip and elected to receive. Then on the first play from scrimmage, some dude named Brett Favre dropped back to pass and hit a streaking Greg Jennings down the sidelines for an 80-yard scoring strike.

Fast-forward ahead to this year?s playoffs and we had the exact same situation, just a different quarterback. This time, Jennings blew past the defenders for a potential game-winning bomb, only to be overthrown.

To be clear, we aren?t trying to take Rodgers to task. He was nothing short of sensational, completing 28-of-42 passes for 428 yards with four TD passes and a TD run. But he had Jennings for an easy TD and missed him. Two plays later, the season was over.

On third down Rodgers came under pressure and was stripped by Michael Adams. The ball bounced into the hands of Karlos Dansby, who raced 17 yards untouched into the end zone to give the Cardinals a stirring 51-45 win. They cashed tickets as three-point home underdogs, hooking up money-line backers with a plus-125 return.

Ken Whisenhunt's team will now go to New Orleans to face the NFC?s top seed Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Eastern on Fox. Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened the Saints as 6 1/2-point home favorites against Arizona. LVSC had the highest total we?ve seen all season (57 ?) on the send-out. As of early Monday morning, most books had New Orleans as a seven-point ?chalk? with the total in the 57-58 range.

VI?s Chris David tossed me several great stats to consider for this Saints-Cards? total, the highest we?ve seen all year. For starters, the ?under? has a lucrative 13-2 record in 15 NFL games with a total in the 50s this season. For the Saints, the ?under? is 7-3 when the number is in the 50s. The ?under? is 2-0 for the Cards in a pair of games that closed the tally at 50.

Arizona has thrived in road underdog spots this season, going 4-1 straight up and 5-0 against the number. Meanwhile, Sean Payton?s club is 6-2 ATS as a single-digit favorite.

In the prime-time slot Saturday night, Indianapolis will face Baltimore as a 6 ?-point home favorite. As of early Monday morning, most spots had the total at 44 ?, while the Ravens were plus-220 to win outright (risk $100 to win $220).

These teams met in Baltimore on Nov. 22 with Indy capturing a 17-15 win as a one-point road favorite. Peyton Manning threw for 299 yards and one touchdown, but he was intercepted twice.

John Harbaugh?s team advanced to the second round by spanking New England 33-14 as a 3 ?-point road underdog. Ray Lewis and Co. forced Tom Brady into one of the worst performances of his career, certainly in terms of his postseason standards. Brady threw three interceptions and also lost a fumble.

Ray Rice set the tone for the winners by busting an 83-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage. By the end of the first quarter, the Ravens led 24-0. Rice finished with 159 rushing yards and two TDs.

Dallas advanced to Round 2 with its first postseason win since 1996, a 34-14 victory over Philadelphia as a four-point home favorite. The Cowboys will bring a four-game winning streak to Minnesota to face the Vikings at 1:00 p.m. Eastern on Sunday.

LVSC opened the Vikings as three-point favorites at even-money with a 48-point total. As of early Monday morning, betting shops were either at 2 ? or three, forcing gamblers to pay double juice for Dallas bets at three.

With the Ravens pulling the mild upset against the higher-seeded team, the Jets now go to San Diego instead of Indianapolis. The Chargers are 7 ?-point favorites with a total of 42 ?.



--Keep in mind that Baltimore and Arizona will be working on a short week of preparation, playing a day early on Saturday after advancing Sunday. On the other hand, the Jets and Cowboys get an extra day of rest after Saturday victories ahead of this Sunday?s games.

--New Orleans is mired in a 0-5 ATS slide.

--Joe Flacco has now led Baltimore to three wins in four career postseason starts that have all come on the road. He?s won at Miami, at Tennessee and now at New England.

 

[Lumi]

Cards save the Books

Cards save the Books

Cards save the Books
January 11, 2010


There haven?t been ooh?s and aah?s in Las Vegas Sportsbooks all season like what was witnessed by the thousands who viewed Sunday?s Packers-Cardinals Wild Card matchup. The game resembled more like an Arena Football league type of game with non-stop action than an NFL game, at least by the standards set from the three previous uneventful Wild Card games over the weekend. However, unlike the old Arena league games, this game was the most heavily bet game of the weekend.

Usually the final game of the playoff weekend always has the most wagers just because of all the repeat wagers after the other games are over. Sometimes their winning bets from earlier games are rolling over from someone feeling lucky, and then sometimes it?s the unlucky who are trying to recoup their losses from the other games.

By Friday of last week, before any of the games started, several sportsbooks were already reporting that the Cardinals game had the most action of the four games by far -- both from the sharps and small money. The ticket count ratio was 6 to 1 at many books in favor of the Packers and the actual cash wagers resembled the same ratio.

When the opening line came out last Sunday night, many opened the game with the Cardinals a 3 (EVEN) or 2 ?-point favorite. That number continued to slide down all week until finally having the Packers as a 1-point favorite by Thursday. By kickoff on Sunday, most books closed with the Packers being a 3-point favorite -- a six point move in many cases.

Everyone had Packers fever. The public had just witnessed the same game last week in Arizona with Green Bay winning easily 33-7, despite the Cardinals not playing many of their starters. They had just seen the Jets dispose of the Bengals like they did last week and same with the Cowboys thumping the Eagles again, why not the Packers too. The Packers offense had been so crisp the last few weeks led by Aaron Rodgers and the defense had been almost equally as strong.

The variable missing from the Cardinals loss last week was Kurt Warner, who played one of the best games of his career leading Arizona to the 51-45 overtime win. Talk all week had been about how Warner said he may retire at the end of the season, a hope all the Packer-backers wished he had done before the game.

At the conclusion of the game, everyone had to catch their breath from the frenzied pace of the game, and the cashier windows in the sportsbooks looked more like a Tuesday morning during basketball season than an NFL Sunday.

The sportsbooks' entire weekend rested on that one Packers decision. Most fared well with the Jets and Cowboys winning Saturday along with a big upset day in College Basketball action. The Eagles would have been a better decision, but everyone knew that it was going to come down to that last game to decide their weekend?s fate.

The Patriots losing to the Ravens was a good result for the house, but it still paled in comparison to the mounting risk built from all three games that was heading into the Packer game. All the parlays and teasers that were alive were going into the final game along with all the action that was played just exclusively by itself.



When it was all said and done, the sportsbooks breathed a sigh of relief after enduring the same type of up and downs the bettors did throughout the game. When Neil Rackers missed a chip-shot field goal at the end of regulation, the bettors in the books erupted, while the bookies threw objects at the wall in disgust. It would only seem fitting that such an offensive show would end in overtime with a defensive touchdown.

It will be hard for any game to top what we all saw Sunday in Arizona, but we may just very well see it Saturday night in New Orleans when the Saints welcome these very same Cardinals. The Saints opened up as 7-point favorites at the Las Vegas Hilton Super Book with a whopping total of 56 ?, which surely suggests there might be some points scored.

The Saints limp into the playoffs not having won for a month with a three-game losing streak. The offense that had once lit up the scoreboard by going 13-0 has struggled, even before their first loss to Dallas. Now the Saints come off a bye? Can they really just turn on the switch and say the team from Week 9 is back?

On the subject of byes, handicapper Marc Lawrence brought up a great stat. Since 2000, when the current playoff system was structured adding two more teams, the favorites have gone 23-13 straight up and 15-20-1 against the spread. That ratio ATS is much higher than in years past and is something to really consider before wagering this week.

Most of the teams with byes have had their situation clinched for a few weeks which means resting players down the stretch and then having an additional week off for their bye. When they get to game-time when the games really mean something, it?s hard to find that rhythm again that got the lofty record.

This week, the Saints and Colts fall into that danger category, whereas the Chargers and Vikings played strong to close out the regular season. The Hilton opened up the Colts a 6 ?-point favorite over the tough Jets defense, Minnesota a short 2 ?-point favorite over the rejuvenated Cowboys, and the Chargers a big 9-spot over the Ravens.

Ravens money came in immediately and the line at has settled between 7 ? and 8 at most Books.

Two teams I would not want to be playing right now are Dallas and Arizona. I wouldn?t be surprised at all to see those two battle for the NFC Championship. If that becomes the case, the Week 17 laydown by the Cardinals to Green Bay looms large. Had Arizona won that game, the possible Championship game could have been at home under that scenario.

Oh well, looking at how many Packers fans found seats into the game Sunday, I?m sure the Cowboy faithful would have had just as large a presence, and Arizona can win just about anywhere they want as long as it isn?t cold.

 

[Lumi]

The NFL Wild Card round produced three outright underdog winners along with all four games going Over the total. As Steve uncovered, teams that won the regular season matchup in Week 17 are 6-5 and 5-5-1 ATS in the Wild Card round. Most compelling was the fact the OVER is now 10-1 in return games.

 

[Lumi]

NFL PLAYOFF REST ? OR RUST?

NFL PLAYOFF REST ? OR RUST?

NFL PLAYOFF REST ? OR RUST?

It seems like only yesterday when NFL playoff teams took the field with a week of rest against advancing Wild Card Round winners and proceeded directly to winners circle. But such is not the case today. As Bob Dylan so sagely put it, ?The times are a-changin?.?

Don?t know if you?ve noticed but what was once a moneymaking proposition backing rested teams in the NFL postseason has turned into a stone-cold loser, instead. Perhaps it?s been an over-adjustment by the linesmaker. Or maybe it was an edge that was lost by teams that opted not to play their starters in season finales. Whatever the case, to ask them to ?turn on the switch? two weeks later simply isn?t working.

Let?s examine how these rested teams have fared in the playoffs since 1990, when the league shifted from a ten to a twelve-team playoff format. Here are the results. (Note - all rested teams were hosting unrested Wild Card round winners and dated listed are by ?season?):

1990-2008
56-20 SU and 39-35-2 ATS

Overall an unspectacular 53% winning effort against the number. However, let?s break down the numbers and take a closer look at how these same teams have fared over the past two decades:

1990-1999
33-7 SU and 24-15-1 ATS

2000-2008
23-13 SU and 15-20-1 ATS

Uh, oh. Do you see what I see? Like the Exxon Valdez, these well-rested home teams appear to be leaking oil at an alarming rate. In fact, over the last four years these teams appear to have blown a gasket, going just 7-9 SU and 4-12 ATS.

Now, what is your take on coaches resting starters in Week Sixteen of the season? So much for letting air out of the ?momentum balloon?.

My suggestion this week would be to take the time and carefully evaluate the four rested hosts and get a better perspective of their condition as they enter their opening round games. It could be time well spent?

 

[Lumi]

Today's NFL Picks

Today's NFL Picks

Today's NFL Picks
Arizona at New Orleans
The Cardinals look to build on their 6-0 ATS record in their last 6 games as an underdog between 3 1/2 and 10 points. Arizona is the pick (+7) according to Dunkel, which has the Saints favored by only 2. Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+7). Here are all of this week's picks.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16
Time Posted: 9:00 a.m. EST (1/12)
Game 109-110: Arizona at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona 134.110; New Orleans 135.929
Dunkel Line: New Orleans by 2; 55
Vegas Line: New Orleans by 7; 57 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+7); Under
Game 111-112: Baltimore at Indianapolis
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore 134.997; Indianapolis 143.727
Dunkel Line: Indianapolis by 8 1/2; 48
Vegas Line: Indianapolis by 6; 44
Dunkel Pick: Indianapolis (-6); Over

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17
Time Posted: 9:00 a.m. EST (1/12)
Game 113-114: Dallas at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 139.269; Minnesota 138.643
Dunkel Line: Dallas by 1; 49
Vegas Line: Minnesota by 3; 45 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+3); Over
Game 115-116: NY Jets at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: NY Jets 138.784; San Diego 146.708
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 8; 46
Vegas Line: San Diego by 9; 42
Dunkel Pick: NY Jets (+9); Over

 

[Lumi]

Divisional round breakdown

Divisional round breakdown

Divisional round breakdown


It only took three games, but NFL fans eventually saw a wild matchup during Wild Card weekend.

The 51-45 overtime shootout that ensued between the Packers and Cardinals went down in the record books as the highest scoring game in league history.

And it?s a good thing the Sunday matinee was exhilarating because the other three playoff games were lackluster to say the least.

Both AFC road underdogs won outright by margins of 19 and 10 points despite completing a total of 16 passes between them.

The favored Cowboys made their papa proud after getting the franchise?s first playoff win since 1996 and the first in Jerry World. At least that 1.3 billion didn?t go to waste.

Last week not a single spread was posted higher than 4 points, but as we head into the Divisional round of the postseason three of the four games have numbers around a touchdown.

?[The spreads] are larger for a reason,? said Pete Korner, founder of the Sports Club in Las Vegas. ?We have better home teams playing this week and each of these teams had an off week. We know the nature of the bettors is that they are going to lean towards the teams that had a week off.?

Three of the four road teams in last year?s Divisional round won straight up and all three were 3-point underdogs or greater. Each of those games fell under the posted total with the dogs holding their opponents to 13, 11 and 10 points.

One game this weekend that is expected to produce a plethora of points is the bout between the Saints and Cardinals.

Korner and his crew at the Sports Club wavered on where to set this total and sent out 55. He admitted they were on the low side and numbers as high as 57.5 can be found at offshore sportsbooks.

Korner does believe this total could get up to 58 or 59, but would expect under bettors to drive it back down before game time.

Arizona has averaged 25.1 points per game this season while New Orleans posted a 31.9 ppg mark. The Saints hit an offensive wall the last six games of the season, however, registering less than 24 points per outing.

?They played superb their first 10 games and then were asking to get beat in the last six. So we really didn?t know what to expect as far as New Orleans,? stated Korner, who made the Saints 7-point favorites. ?But if there was going to be a blowout this weekend, a two or three touchdown difference, this is the game I could see it happening in.?

Despite being at home and the defending NFC champs, nobody gave the Cardinals a chance last week as they moved from 2.5-point favorites to 3-point underdogs by kickoff. In the Divisional round game last season at Carolina, few believed in Arizona but they won outright as 10-point dogs.

Another second round, underdog winner from last year?s tournament was the Ravens.

Baltimore faces Indianapolis who they lost to, 17-15, at home in Week 11 as 1-point pups. Joe Flacco actually completed more passes than Peyton Manning in that game (23-22) and the Ravens defense picked off Manning twice.

The offensive production from both teams was fairly even, both gaining 20 first downs and around 350 yards of total offense, but Baltimore?s scoring came from five Billy Cundiff field goals. Needless to say, Flacco is going to have to perform better than the 4 of 10 for 34 yards outing (10.0 QB rating) that he got away with last week.

?I think this spread goes to 7 before it drops to 6, but I don?t think it?s going to travel much,? Korner said. ?Baltimore certainly has a great defense and a chance in this, but I just think the Colts have too many weapons.?

The Sports Club released a spread of 7 with a total of 47. Most shops are currently working with a 6.5-point spread and a total of 44.

?We were high on the side and the total but we know the play is usually on the favorite and over,? said Korner.

Perhaps the marquee matchup of the weekend is the Cowboys at Vikings. Dallas? defense is the best in the land and the renewed Favre-Cowboys rivalry provides a bonus angle.

?I think this is going to be the best game and the one everybody is looking forward to,? said Korner. ?This is anybody?s game. I don?t think the spread plays into this one, just pick the winner.?

Korner and the Club debated on making this spread 2.5 or 3 and came to the conclusion they would receive too much action on Dallas at 3 given the team?s large following.

The spread on this game can be found anywhere from 2 to 3 at offshore markets with a total of 46. The Sports Club opened the total at 49.

The last call for action will be Sunday?s late afternoon game featuring the Jets and Chargers.

New York has won four consecutive games on the road and six of its last seven overall. The defense is playing lights out and the offense is pounding the rock like Elton John pounds?you get my drift.

Korner and his group were in a quandary over where to set this line and other sportsbooks have reflected that dilemma. The spread can be found as low as 7.5 and as high as 9.

?We were anywhere between 7.5 and 9.5 for this game,? he said. ?The feeling is that the Chargers are a lot better team than the Jets. We realize the Jets have a really good defense, but the Chargers have a lot of weapons. The Jets are not going to rack up a lot of points here so they are really going to have to count on their defense.?

Darrelle Revis can shut down Vincent Jackson but the Chargers have other 6-foot-plus receivers that can inflict damage on a secondary.

The Sports Club ended up opening the game at 9 with a total of 43. Korner expects many teasers and parlays to be funneling into this game and predicts the books will need New York to come through with a cover.

 

[Lumi]

Divisional Round Notebook

Divisional Round Notebook

Divisional Round Notebook
January 11, 2010
By The Gold Sheet

by Bruce Marshall

Having been around for 53 seasons, we at THE GOLD SHEET are often asked about our most-memorable pro football playoff games. We're a good candidate to stroll down that memory lane, too, because we began publishing ten years before the NFL adopted a multi-round playoff format in 1967. In prior years, "playoffs" in both the NFL and old AFL consisted of the league championship games, and nothing more. Indeed, in most years prior to the late '60s, those title contests were played in late December; the modern-day playoffs don't even begin until January. We really have seen 'em all!

And there have been plenty of interesting Division Round games since the 1970 merger, including an incredible pair of battles on the same day (December 23) in 1972, one contest that longtime Bay Area football fans have long wished they could forget. In the "early" kickoff that Saturday, Pittsburgh scored a miraculous 13-7 win over Oakland in the famed Franco Harris "Immaculate Reception" game that remains discussed to this day. By us, we still think Kenny Stabler's 30-yard TD scramble that preceded Franco's TD might have been just as miraculous, and still wonder if Harris' TD should have counted, given that Terry Bradshaw's pass might have been deflected Franco's way by teammate Frenchy Fuqua (which, at the time, would have been illegal) as he was blasted by Raider DB Jack Tatum. We have also long wondered if pro football history might have changed had Oakland won that game, as the Raiders would have been hosting Don Shula's unbeaten Miami in the AFC title game the next week, and would have probably been rated no worse than pick'em by the oddsmakers had that game taken place. Who knows...maybe the '72 Dolphins never would have gotten to 17-0? Meanwhile, in the "late" game that December 23 of '72, Dallas staged a remarkable comeback at San Francisco, rallying from a 28-13 deficit with two late TD drives engineered by Roger Staubach (the latter score after an onside kick recovery) to stun the 49ers at Candlestick Park, 30-28.

But our most memorable TGS "pre-title" playoff game actually came a couple of years before the NFL officially expanded its playoffs, in what was arguably one of the most influential games in pro football history. When the NFL's Western Conference race ended in a tie in 1965 between the Packers and Colts (both 10-3-1), the teams met in a playoff game at frigid Lambeau Field to determine who would face (and host) the defending champion Browns in the following week's NFL title game. The Colts went into Lambeau forced to utilize RB Tom Matte as their emergency QB after both Johnny Unitas and backup Gary Cuozzo had gone down with injuries late in the season. Matte, with help from veteran QB Ed Brown, had engineered a 20-17 road win over the hot L.A. Rams in the final week of the regular season (a Saturday game that I actually attended!), although the Colts needed help from the 49ers, who tied the Packers the following day, to force the playoff. Matte's gritty performance, in which he completed only 5 passes, vs. Green Bay has become part of gridiron lore (Matte's wristband, complete with a built-in play selection chart, is on display at the Hall of Fame in Canton), but it is also mostly forgotten that the Packers were without their starting QB, Bart Starr, for most of that game after he was KO'd, with backup Zeke Bratkowski called upon to rally the Packers from a 10-0 deficit. Which they eventually did, along with some help from the referees, who erred on PK Don Chandler's game-tying 22-yard FG that seemed to drift wide, but was ruled good. In overtime, Chandler connected legitimately from 25 yards out to give the Pack a 13-10 win.


The drama was certainly palpable that day in Green Bay, but it was the aftermath of the game that really caused the NFL to pause and reflect. The Western Conference playoff had generated so much attention that the league decided more such games might be a good idea, and by '67 the NFL had split the two conferences into four divisions (anyone remember the Coastal, Central, Capitol, and Century Divisions...all 7 letters and beginning with the letter C?), creating a round of playoffs before the title game. Chandler's controversial field goal also prompted the league to increase the height of the goalpost uprights to 20 feet for the '66 season, with the now-familiar "slingshot" goalposts standardized in '67.

Returning to the 49ers and Raiders, however, there's also been a Bay Area-like tectonic shift in the patterns of NFL Division Round pointspread results in recent years that have been as ground-shaking (in a gridiron sense, at least) as what the San Andreas, Hayward, and other earthquake faults have long been able to cause in California. Let us digress.

For most of their history, Division Round games have been the territory of home teams and favorites (almost always one and the same), but that certainly hasn't applied the past six seasons. Road underdogs have been getting the money consistently in Division Round games since 2003, covering 16 of 24 chances. Over the past three seasons, that success has been even more pronounced, with road dogs 10-2 vs. the number. And twice since 2003, the visiting underdog teams have covered all four Division Round games. That's all been quite a change from the success home favorites used to enjoy in this round as recently as from 1998-2002, and '04, when hosts were 16-7-1 vs. the line in Division Round action.

And there are some dynamics worth mentioning that are unique to this round that have likely helped home teams achieve pointspread success in the past. Since 1990, when the playoffs expanded from 10 teams to 12, all Division Round hosts have been off a "bye" and a week of rest. And almost all of the "powerhouse" NFL teams in recent memory are from that first-round "bye" group, including 49 of the last 62 Super Bowl participants since '78 (when the first-round "bye" was introduced). But the change theme reflected in the recent success of Division Round road dogs has made some wonder if that first-round "bye" is really worth it. In each of the past four seasons, a top seed in either the NFC (the Giants, losing 23-11 at home to the Eagles a year ago, and Dallas, defeated by the visiting Giants 21-17 two years ago) or AFC (San Diego bowing to New England, 24-21, in 2006 and Indianapolis falling to Pittsburgh, 21-18, in 2005) have bitten the dust after a "bye" week. Three of the past four Super Bowl winners (2005 Pittsburgh, 2006 Indy, and the 2007 Giants) each participated from the outset in the playoffs, beginning their postseason adventures in the wildcard round. The Saints, Vikings, Colts, and Chargers (this year's first-round "bye" teams) are thus forewarned.

Following are the pointspread results in various spread categories of NFL Division Round playoff games since 1975. Our "charting" begins with the '75 season because, prior to then, playoff home teams were predetermined in a divisional rotation, as opposed to the better won-loss record. A "margin of victory" chart for the games since 1975 is included as well.

CATEGORY... RESULT
Favorites vs. line...68-64-3 (1 pick)
Favorites straight up...94-41
Favored by 0-3 points...7-13-1
Favored by 3 ?-6 ? points...24-22-1
Favored by 7-9 ? points...24-18
Favored by 10-13 ? points...10-8
Favored by 14 points or more...3-3-1
Home teams straight up...96-40
Home teams vs. spread...70-63-3
Home favorites vs. spread...66-61-3
Home underdogs vs. spread...3-2
Home picks vs. spread...1-0
Over/under (since 1986)...48-44

MARGINS OF VICTORY
1-3 points...33
4-6 points...11
7-10 points...23
11-13 points...10
14 points or more...59

 

[Lumi]

Cowboys, Vikes set for battle

Cowboys, Vikes set for battle

Cowboys, Vikes set for battle




Debates are always going to be part of our lives. ?Ginger vs. Mary Ann,? ?Great Taste vs. Less Filling? and ?Kirk vs. Picard? have permeated through every level of conversation amongst the general public. The current debate now is to find out if it is better to have a week off after the regular season or keep momentum going by playing in the Wild Card round.

We?re going to see which side of that last argument will have more ammo on Sunday as the Cowboys head to the Metrodome to face Minnesota (12-4 straight up, 9-6-1 against the spread) at 1:00 p.m. EST on FOX.

Dallas (12-5 SU, 10-7 ATS) is coming into this weekend?s showdown after dumping the Eagles as a four-point home ?chalk? 34-14 on Jan. 9. It was the final ?bugger off? the Cowboys could do to Philadelphia as they?ve won all three meetings this season ? the 13th time that has happened in NFL history.

When you look at the stats from last week?s game, they?re close in terms of total yardage with Dallas winning that battle 426-340. But the Eagles were held to just 56 rushing yards, which brings them up to 93 yards over the last two weeks.

Tony Romo had another solid outing against Philly, completing 23 of his 35 passes for 244 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He?s been very good over the last four games with a 66.7 completion percentage, 288.3 passing yards per game, six scores and two interceptions.

Romo was able to ration the aerial assault effectively with five receivers having at least 27 yards last Saturday. Miles Austin showed his worth once more with 82 yards and a touchdown on seven catches. Roy Williams even looked good with five receptions for 59 yards.

Dallas was also able to pick up 198 rushing yards against the Eagles. Felix Jones proved to be a force to be reckoned with, gaining 148 yards and a score on 16 carries last Saturday.

The Cowboys? defense had no problems pushing around the running game as previously mentioned. That play kept Philadelphia to converting only two of its 11 third downs in the Wild Card round. Dallas should be considered with the fact that they allowed 284 yards through the air.


Dallas? stoppers will need to be on top of its game because the Vikings have one of the more dominant offenses in the NFL.

The Vikes were already a playoff team entering this season with Tavaris Jackson under center. That was before they got America?s favorite flip-flopper Brett Favre into a purple jersey.

Favre has dramatically improved the offense in his first year in Minnesota. Last season, the Vikings were gaining 330.5 YPG with 184.8 YPG come through the air. With John Madden?s muse under center, they?re fifth in the league with 379.5 YPG and 184.8 passing YPG.

That increase helped Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin become Pro Bowlers. Rice is picking up 15.8 yards per reception this season, taking eight of them to the house in his best year to date. Harvin has enjoyed a great rookie campaign with 790 receiving yards and six scores. Also, Visanthe Shiancoe has proven to be one of the NFL?s top tight ends with 56 catches for 566 yards and a team high 11 touchdowns.

Harvin earned his stripes this year as a kick returner by bringing back 42 kickoffs and punts for 1,156 yards, scoring twice. Only two returners had a better average yardage per return than Harvin?s 27.5 YPR.

When you have an offense throwing the ball around with success, the running game would understandably take a tumble. Minnesota is picking up just 119.9 YPG on the ground in 2009 to rank 13th overall. Last year, they were gaining 145.8 rushing YPG to rank fifth.

The funny thing about those numbers is that fans don?t give a damn because Adrian Peterson doesn?t let you focus on them. Peterson picked up 1,383 yards this season, which is down from the league leading 1,760 yards he picked up on the ground in 2008. But he?s found the end zone 18 times in his sophomore campaign; Peterson had just 10 touchdowns in ?08.

It also doesn?t hurt that the Vikings have one of the NFL?s top defenses. This unit is in the Top 10 in points allowed (19.5), rushing defense (87.1) and total yards (305.5). They also lead the league with 48 sacks. Minnesota?s resident redneck Jared Allen has accumulated 14.5 sacks this year to rank second only to Denver?s Elvis Dumervil. Allen has already brought Romo down twice in his career with five solo tackles against the Cowboys.

Given how closely these teams match up, the sportsbooks have made the line just as close with Minnesota listed as a 2 ?-point home favorite with a total of 45 ?. Bettors can back the Cowboys to win outright for a plus-120 return (risk $100 to win $120).

?This line wasn't hard to make. We knew going in that no matter what, versus the Cowboys... the Vikings were going to be the home favorite and never by more than three-points,? says betED?s sportsbook manager Randy Scott. ?And now because Dallas is running red hot right now that automatic -3 for the home team isn't going to surface, instead it's -2 ?. Some books have added extra juice on the -2 ? (-115).?

?The action we are getting right now is pretty much two-way. There is a lot of buying points on both sides of this line as well as teasing the number both ways,? concludes Scott.

If we?re looking at just amount of money on a particular side, then Dallas is king. According to Sportsbook.com, 86 percent of the cash on the money line is backing the ?Boys. They?re also hold a 55 percent majority on covering the spread.

Bettors are no doubt paying attention to Dallas being on a 3-0 SU and ATS run against the Vikes. The most recent meeting coming in the preseason with the Cowboys winning as three-point road pups 35-31.

What those gamblers may not be aware of the fact that the Vikings boast a perfect 8-0 SU and 5-2-1 ATS mark (14-1 SU, 8-6-1 ATS in last two seasons) at home in 2009. Of course, gambler may not want to lay $140 to take them to win outright.

When you factor Minnesota as a home ?chalk? coming off of a bye, then they are 9-0 SU and 5-3-1 ATS. The ?over? is also 7-2 during those matches as well.

Dallas has done fairly well on the road this season by going 5-3 SU and 4-4 ATS. The ?over? went 5-3 as well. As road pups over the last five years, however, the Cowboys are just 7-9 SU and 9-7 ATS.

What backers of the Cowboys have to be hopeful about is the fact that they are 3-1 SU and 4-0 ATS when listed as road underdogs against a team coming off of an open date.

 

[Lumi]

Matchup Analysis

Week 19


DALLAS (12-5) vs MINNESOTA (12-4)

Game Time: 1:00 p.m. EDT Sunday, January 17

Stadium: Metrodome Surface: turf






RECORD ANALYSIS
STRAIGHT-UP VS. SPREAD OVER/UNDER
DALLAS HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL

Year-to-Date 7 - 2 5 - 3 12 - 5 6 - 3 4 - 4 10 - 7 4 - 5 3 - 5 7 - 10
Last 5 games 2 - 1 2 - 0 4 - 1 2 - 1 2 - 0 4 - 1 1 - 2 0 - 2 1 - 4
YTD vs. Div. 3 - 1 2 - 1 5 - 2 2 - 2 2 - 1 4 - 3 2 - 2 1 - 2 3 - 4
STRAIGHT-UP VS. SPREAD OVER/UNDER
MINNESOTA HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL
Year-to-Date 8 - 0 4 - 4 12 - 4 5 - 2 4 - 4 9 - 6 4 - 4 4 - 4 8 - 8
Last 5 games 2 - 0 0 - 3 2 - 3 2 - 0 0 - 3 2 - 3 1 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 3
YTD vs. Div. 3 - 0 2 - 1 5 - 1 2 - 0 2 - 1 4 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 1 3 - 3
AWAY VS. SPREAD HOME VS. SPREAD
Year-to-Date FAV DOG GRASS TURF FAV DOG GRASS TURF
DALLAS 2 - 4 2 - 0 2 - 4 2 - 0 6 - 3 0 - 0 0 - 0 6 - 3
MINNESOTA 3 - 3 1 - 1 2 - 4 2 - 0 5 - 2 0 - 0 0 - 0 5 - 2



TEAM LOGS/SCHEDULE:
( * = overtime)

DALLAS
LINE OVER/UNDER
DATE DAY OPP SCORE SU OPEN CLOSE ATS &
MARGIN OPEN CLOSE O/U &
MARGIN G/T
09/13/09 Sun @TB 34 - 21 W -2.5 -5.5 W +7.5 42.5 39.5 O +15.5 G
09/20/09 Sun NYG 31 - 33 L -3.5 -3 L -5 43.5 45.5 O +18.5 T
09/28/09 Mon CAR 21 - 7 W -8 -8.5 W +5.5 45.5 48.0 U -20.0 T
10/04/09 Sun @DEN 10 - 17 L -4 -2.5 L -9.5 43.5 43.0 U -16.0 G
10/11/09 Sun @KC 26 - 20 W -7 -7 L -1 43.0 43.0 O + 3.0 G
10/25/09 Sun ATL 37 - 21 W -3 -4.5 W +11.5 44.0 47.5 O +10.5 T
11/01/09 Sun SEA 38 - 17 W -7.5 -10 W +11 45.5 46.0 O + 9.0 T
11/08/09 Sun @PHI 20 - 16 W +4 +3 W +7 48.5 50.0 U -14.0 T
11/15/09 Sun @GB 7 - 17 L -1 -3 L -13 50.0 47.5 U -23.5 G
11/22/09 Sun WAS 7 - 6 W -11 -11 L -10 41.5 41.5 U -28.5 T
11/26/09 Thu OAK 24 - 7 W -14 -13.5 W +3.5 41.5 40.0 U -9.0 T
12/06/09 Sun @NYG 24 - 31 L +0 -1 L -8 44.5 45.5 O + 9.5 G
12/13/09 Sun SD 17 - 20 L -3 -3.5 L -6.5 47.0 48.5 U -11.5 T
12/19/09 Sat @NO 24 - 17 W +7.5 +7.5 W +14.5 54.5 53.5 U -12.5 T
12/27/09 Sun @WAS 17 - 0 W -4.5 -7 W +10 38.5 42.0 U -25.0 G
01/03/10 Sun PHI 24 - 0 W -3 -3 W +21 48.0 47.0 U -23.0 T
01/09/10 Sat PHI 34 - 14 W -4.5 -3.5 W +16.5 45.5 46.0 O + 2.0 T


MINNESOTA
LINE OVER/UNDER
DATE DAY OPP SCORE SU OPEN CLOSE ATS &
MARGIN OPEN CLOSE O/U &
MARGIN G/T
09/13/09 Sun @CLE 34 - 20 W -2 -4 W +10 40.5 40.0 O +14.0 G
09/20/09 Sun @DET 27 - 13 W -9.5 -10 W +4 45.5 45.5 U -5.5 T
09/27/09 Sun SF 27 - 24 W -6.5 -7 L -4 41.0 39.0 O +12.0 T
10/05/09 Mon GB 30 - 23 W -3.5 -4.5 W +2.5 46.5 46.5 O + 6.5 T
10/11/09 Sun @STL 38 - 10 W -10 -10 W +18 40.0 40.5 O + 7.5 T
10/18/09 Sun BAL 33 - 31 W -3.5 -3 L -1 44.5 45.5 O +18.5 T
10/25/09 Sun @PIT 17 - 27 L +3.5 +6 L -4 44.5 46.0 U -2.0 G
11/01/09 Sun @GB 38 - 26 W +3 +3.5 W +15.5 46.5 47.0 O +17.0 G
11/15/09 Sun DET 27 - 10 W -16 -17 L 0 48.5 47.5 U -10.5 T
11/22/09 Sun SEA 35 - 9 W -10.5 -10.5 W +15.5 46.0 47.0 U -3.0 T
11/29/09 Sun CHI 36 - 10 W -10 -11 W +15 47.0 47.0 U -1.0 T
12/06/09 Sun @ARI 17 - 30 L -4.5 -3.5 L -16.5 48.0 48.5 U -1.5 G
12/13/09 Sun CIN 30 - 10 W -7 -6.5 W +13.5 42.5 42.5 U -2.5 T
12/20/09 Sun @CAR 7 - 26 L -7 -8.5 L -27.5 42.5 42.5 U -9.5 G
12/28/09 Mon @CHI 30 - 36 L -7 -8.5 L -14.5 41.5 41.0 O +25.0 G
01/03/10 Sun NYG 44 - 7 W -7.5 -8 W +29 47.5 48.0 O + 3.0 T



PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

LINE OVER/UNDER
DATE DAY VIS SC HOM SC OPEN CLOSE ATS &
MARGIN OPEN CLOSE O/U &
MARGIN G/T
10/21/07 Sun MIN 14 DAL 24 -9.5 -9.5 DAL +0.5 44.5 46.0 U -8 T





STATISTICAL AVERAGES:


AWAY/HOME RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM FGP
DAL (off) 20.3 21 25 97 3.9 38 24 0.6 299 7.9 396 0.5 0.8 .00
MIN (def) 15.5 14 18 64 3.6 33 21 0.6 209 6.3 273 0.8 0.8 .00
RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM FGP
DAL (def) 17.4 19 24 96 4.0 36 22 0.6 225 6.3 321 0.6 0.5 .00
MIN (off) 32.8 23 32 133 4.2 36 24 0.7 293 8.1 426 0.3 0.5 .00
ALL GAMES RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM FGP
DAL (off) 23.2 21 28 135 4.8 34 22 0.6 266 7.8 401 0.5 0.6 .00
MIN (def) 19.5 17 22 87 4.0 33 21 0.6 218 6.6 305 0.7 0.8 .00
RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM FGP
DAL (def) 15.5 18 22 89 4.0 36 21 0.6 229 6.4 318 0.7 0.8 .00
MIN (off) 29.4 21 29 120 4.1 35 24 0.7 260 7.4 380 0.4 0.7 .00



SCORING AVERAGES:

DALLAS (away) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 5.5 4.1 9.6 3.5 6.4 0.8 10.7
POINTS ALLOWED 0.0 6.3 6.3 2.1 9.0 0.0 11.1



MINNESOTA (home) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 4.8 14.0 18.8 7.1 6.9 0.0 14
POINTS ALLOWED 0.9 5.1 6 2.9 6.6 0.0 9.5



DALLAS (all) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 4.2 7.4 11.6 5.1 6.2 0.4 11.7
POINTS ALLOWED 1.6 5.1 6.7 2.0 6.8 0.0 8.8



MINNESOTA (all) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 4.3 9.8 14.1 6.9 8.4 0.0 15.3
POINTS ALLOWED 1.8 6.3 8.1 3.5 7.5 0.4 11.4



VALUE INDEX COMPARISON TO LAS VEGAS LINE:

LV POINTSPREAD VALUE INDEX VALUE INDEX
OPEN CURRENT RATING LINE EDGE
DALLAS 55 1.5
MINNESOTA 53 -1.5
LV OVER/UNDER VALUE INDEX VALUE INDEX
OPEN CURRENT RATING EDGE
OVER/UNDER 42.5 3.5 under

 

[Lumi]

Preview:
Dallas at Minnesota
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 17, 2010
Where: Hubert Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Quick Hits

Overall Team Offense

The Minnesota Vikings are ranked 6 on offense, averaging 379.6 yards per game. The Vikings are averaging 119.9 yards rushing and 259.8 yards passing so far this season.

The Dallas Cowboys are ranked 2 on offense, averaging 400.9 yards per game. The Cowboys are averaging 135.4 yards rushing and 265.6 yards passing so far this season.

Home and Away

The Minnesota Vikings are 8-0 at home this season, and against 9-3NFC opponents.

At home the Vikings are averaging 32.8 scoring, and holding teams to 15.5 points scored on defense.

The Dallas Cowboys are 5-3 while on the road this season, and 10-3 against NFC opponents.

On the road, the Cowboys are averaging 20.2 scoring, and holding teams to 17.4 points scored on defense.

Current Playoffs

The Cowboys are coming off of a win over the Eagles where they scored 34 and gave up 14 .

 

[Lumi]

Trends - Dallas at Minnesota

Trends - Dallas at Minnesota

Trends - Dallas at Minnesota

ATS Trends

Dallas

Cowboys are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Cowboys are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
Cowboys are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. NFC.
Cowboys are 11-1 ATS in their last 12 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Cowboys are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win.
Cowboys are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win of more than 14 points.
Cowboys are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
Cowboys are 5-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Cowboys are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games in January.
Cowboys are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 playoff games.
Cowboys are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog.
Cowboys are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 playoff road games.
Cowboys are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games on turf.


Minnesota

Vikings are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Vikings are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite.
Vikings are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games on turf.
Vikings are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Vikings are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Vikings are 7-15-1 ATS in their last 23 games following a S.U. win.
Vikings are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a SU win of more than 14 points.
Vikings are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.
Vikings are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Vikings are 4-14-1 ATS in their last 19 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game.
Vikings are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
Vikings are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as a favorite of 0.5-3.0.
Vikings are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.


OU Trends

Dallas

Under is 7-1 in Cowboys last 8 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Cowboys last 7 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Over is 6-1 in Cowboys last 7 games on turf.
Under is 8-2 in Cowboys last 10 games overall.
Under is 4-1 in Cowboys last 5 road games.
Under is 4-1 in Cowboys last 5 games in January.
Under is 6-2 in Cowboys last 8 vs. NFC.
Under is 5-2 in Cowboys last 7 games following a S.U. win.
Under is 5-2 in Cowboys last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 10-4-1 in Cowboys last 15 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
Over is 7-3 in Cowboys last 10 games following a SU win of more than 14 points.


Minnesota

Under is 4-0 in Vikings last 4 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game.
Over is 3-0-1 in Vikings last 4 games as a favorite of 0.5-3.0.
Under is 4-0-1 in Vikings last 5 playoff games.
Under is 6-1 in Vikings last 7 games after allowing less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Vikings last 6 games after allowing less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 17-4 in Vikings last 21 games following a SU win of more than 14 points.
Under is 4-1 in Vikings last 5 games as a home favorite.
Under is 4-1 in Vikings last 5 home games.
Under is 4-1 in Vikings last 5 games on turf.
Under is 4-1 in Vikings last 5 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 20-6 in Vikings last 26 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.
Under is 6-2 in Vikings last 8 games overall.
Over is 3-1-1 in Vikings last 5 Divisional Playoffs games.
Under is 6-2-1 in Vikings last 9 games in January.
Under is 6-2 in Vikings last 8 games as a favorite.
Under is 5-2 in Vikings last 7 vs. NFC.
Under is 35-15-1 in Vikings last 51 games following a ATS win.
Over is 16-7-1 in Vikings last 24 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 34-16-1 in Vikings last 51 games following a S.U. win.


Head to Head

Favorite is 7-0 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Home team is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Cowboys are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 meetings.
Cowboys are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 meetings in Minnesota.

 

[Lumi]

Cowboys' Barber misses Wednesday's practice

Cowboys' Barber misses Wednesday's practice

Cowboys' Barber misses Wednesday's practice
Arlington, TX
The Dallas Cowboys were without running back Marion Barber during Wednesday's practice as the team prepares for Sunday's NFC semifinal game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Barber, who is dealing with a knee injury, was limited in last week's 34-14 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC wild card round. He carried the ball three times for four yards.

Second-year tailback Felix Jones carried the load against the Eagles, running for 148 yards and a score on 16 rushes.

Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said Wednesday he thought Barber, a Minnesota native, would play if there's a way he can. Phillips added that he thought Barber's condition had improved.

 

[Lumi]

Dallas Cowboys Playoff Results (33-26)

Dallas Cowboys Playoff Results (33-26)

Dallas Cowboys Playoff Results (33-26)


Date Game Result (Location)
1/13/08 NFC Divisional New York Giants 21, Dallas 17 (Dallas)
1/6/07 NFC Wild Card Seattle 21, Dallas 20 (Seattle)
1/3/04 NFC Wild Card Carolina 29, Dallas 10 (Carolina)
1/9/00 NFC Wild Card Minnesota 27, Dallas 10 (Minnesota)
1/2/99 NFC Wild Card Arizona 20, Dallas 7 (Dallas)
1/5/97 Division Playoff Carolina 26, Dallas 17 (Carolina)
12/28/96 NFC Wild Card Dallas 40, Minnesota 15 (Dallas)
1/28/96 Super Bowl XXX Dallas 27, Pittsburgh 17 (Phoenix)
1/14/96 NFC Championship Dallas 38, Green Bay 27 (Dallas)
1/7/96 Division Playoff Dallas 30, Philadelphia 11 (Dallas)
1/15/95 NFC Championship San Francisco 38, Dallas 28 (San Francisco)
1/8/95 Division Playoff Dallas 35, Green Bay 9 (Dallas)
1/30/94 Super Bowl XXVIII Dallas 30, Buffalo 13 (Atlanta)
1/23/94 NFC Championship Dallas 38, San Francisco 21 (Dallas)
1/16/94 Division Playoff Dallas 27, Green Bay 17 (Green Bay)
1/31/93 Super Bowl XXVII Dallas 52, Buffalo 17 (Pasadena)
1/17/93 NFC Championship Dallas 30, San Francisco 20 (San Francisco)
1/10/93 Division Playoff Dallas 34, Philadelphia 10 (Dallas)
1/5/92 Division Playoff Detroit 38, Dallas 6 (Detroit)
12/29/91 NFC Wild Card Dallas 17, Chicago 13 (Chicago)
1/4/86 Division Playoff L.A. Rams 20, Dallas 0 (Los Angeles)
12/26/83 NFC Wild Card L.A. Rams 24, Dallas 17 (Dallas)
1/22/83 NFC Championship Washington 31, Dallas 17 (Washington)
1/16/83 Super Bowl Tournament Dallas 37, Green Bay 26 (Dallas)
1/9/83 Super Bowl Tournament Dallas 30, Tampa Bay 17 (Dallas)
1/10/82 NFC Championship San Francisco 28, Dallas 27 (San Francisco)
1/2/82 Division Playoff Dallas 38, Tampa Bay 0 (Dallas)
1/11/81 NFC Championship Philadelphia 20, Dallas 7 (Philadelphia)
1/4/81 Division Playoff Dallas 30, Atlanta 27 (Atlanta)
12/28/80 NFC Wild Card Dallas 34, Los Angeles 13 (Dallas)
12/30/79 Division Playoff Los Angeles 21, Dallas 19 (Dallas)
1/21/79 Super Bowl XIII Pittsburgh 35, Dallas 31 (at Miami)
1/7/79 NFC Championship Dallas 28, Los Angeles 0 (Los Angeles)
12/30/78 Division Playoff Dallas 27, Atlanta 20 (Dallas)
1/15/78 Super Bowl XII Dallas 27, Denver 10 (New Orleans)
1/1/78 NFC Championship Dallas 23, Minnesota 6 (Dallas)
12/26/77 Division Playoff Dallas 37, Chicago 7 (Dallas)
12/19/76 Division Playoff Los Angeles 14, Dallas 12 (Dallas)
1/18/76 Super Bowl X Pittsburgh 21, Dallas 17 (Miami)
1/4/76 NFC Championship Dallas 37, Los Angeles 7 (Los Angeles)
12/28/75 Division Playoff Dallas 17, Minnesota 14 (Minnesota)
12/30/73 NFC Championship Minnesota 27, Dallas 10 (Dallas)
12/23/73 Division Playoff Dallas 27, Los Angeles 16 (Dallas)
12/31/72 NFC Championship Washington 26, Dallas 3 (Washington)
12/23/72 Division Playoff Dallas 30, San Francisco 28 (San Francisco)
1/16/72 Super Bowl VI Dallas 24, Miami 3 (New Orleans)
1/2/72 NFC Championship Dallas 14, San Francisco 3
12/25/71 Division Playoff Dallas 20, Minnesota 12 (Minnesota)
1/17/71 Super Bowl V Baltimore 16, Dallas 13 (Miami)
1/3/71 NFC Championship Dallas 17, San Francisco 10 (San Francisco)
12/26/70 Division Playoff Dallas 5, Detroit 0 (Dallas)
1/3/70 Playoff Bowl Los Angeles 31, Dallas 0 (Miami)
12/28/69 Eastern Championship Cleveland 38, Dallas 14 (Dallas)
1/5/69 Playoff Bowl Dallas 17, Minnesota 13 (Miami)
12/21/68 Eastern Championship Cleveland 31, Dallas 20 (Cleveland)
12/31/67 NFL Championship Green Bay 21, Dallas 17 (Green Bay)
12/24/67 Eastern Championship Dallas 52, Cleveland 14 (Dallas)
1/1/67 NFL Championship Green Bay 34, Dallas 27 (Dallas)
1/9/66 Playoff Bowl Baltimore 35, Dallas 3 (Miami)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Lumi]

Minnesota Vikings Playoff Results (18-26)

Minnesota Vikings Playoff Results (18-26)

Minnesota Vikings Playoff Results (18-26)

Date Game Result (Location)
1/4/09 NFC Wild Card Philadelphia 26, Minnesota 14 (Minnesota)
1/16/05 NFC Divisional Philadelphia 27, Minnesota 14 (Philadelphia)
1/9/05 NFC Wild Card Minnesota 31, Green Bay 17 (Green Bay)
1/14/01 NFC Championship NY Giants 41, Minnesota 0 (New York)
1/6/01 NFC Divisional Minnesota 34, New Orleans, 16 (Minnesota)
1/16/00 NFC Divisional St. Louis 49, Minnesota 37 (St. Louis)
1/9/00 NFC Wild Card Minnesota 27, Dallas 10 (Minnesota)
1/17/99 NFC Championship Atlanta 30, Minnesota 27 OT (Minnesota)
1/10/99 NFC Divisional Minnesota 41, Arizona 21 (Minnesota)
1/3/98 NFC Divisional San Francisco 38, Minnesota 22 (San Francisco)
12/27/97 NFC Wild Card Minnesota 23, NY Giants 22 (New York)
12/28/96 NFC Wild Card Dallas 40, Minnesota 15 (Dallas)
1/1/95 NFC Wild Card Chicago 35, Minnesota 18 (Minnesota)
1/9/94 NFC Wild Card NY Giants 17, Minnesota 10 (New York)
1/2/93 NFC Wild Card Washington 24, Minnesota 7 (Minnesota)
1/6/90 NFC Divisional San Francisco 41, Minnesota 13 (San Francisco)
1/1/89 NFC Divisional San Francisco 34, Minnesota 9 (San Francisco)
12/26/88 NFC Wild Card Minnesota 28, Los Angeles 17 (Minnesota)
1/17/88 NFC Championship Washington 17, Minnesota 10 (Washington)
1/9/88 NFC Divisional Minnesota 36, San Francisco 24 (San Francisco)
1/3/88 NFC First Round Minnesota 44, New Orleans 10 (New Orleans)
1/15/83 NFC Second Round Washington 21, Minnesota 7 (Washington)
1/9/83 NFC First Round Minnesota 30, Atlanta 24 (Minnesota)
1/3/81 NFC Divisional Philadelphia 31, Minnesota 16 (Philadelphia)
12/31/78 NFC Divisiona Los Angeles 34, Minnesota 10 (Los Angeles)
1/1/78 NFC Championship Dallas 23, Minnesota 6 (Dallas)
12/26/77 NFC Divisional Minnesota 14, Los Angeles 7
1/9/77 Super Bowl XI Oakland 32, Minnesota 14 (Pasadena)
12/26/76 NFC Championship Minnesota 24, Los Angeles 13 (Minnesota)
12/18/76 NFC Divisional Minnesota 35, Washington 20 (Minnesota)
12/28/75 NFC Divisional Dallas 17, Minnesota 14 (Minnesota)
1/12/75 Super Bowl IX Pittsburgh 16, Minnesota 6 (New Orleans)
12/29/74 NFC Championship Minnesota 14, Los Angeles 10 (Minnesota)
12/21/74 NFC Divisional Minnesota 30, St. Louis 14 (Minnesota)
1/13/74 Super Bowl VIII Miami 24, Minnesota 7 (Houston)
12/30/73 NFC Championship Minnesota 27, Dallas 10 (Dallas)
12/22/73 NFC Divisional Minnesota 27, Washington 20 (Minnesota)
12/25/71 NFC Divisional Dallas 20, Minnesota 12 (Minnesota)
12/27/70 NFC Divisional San Francisco 17, Minnesota 14 (Minnesota)
1/11/70 Super Bowl IV Kansas City 23, Minnesota 7 (New Orleans)
1/4/70 NFL Championship Minnesota 27, Cleveland 7 (Minnesota)
12/27/69 Western Championship Minnesota 23, Los Angeles 20 (Minnesota)
1/5/69 NFL Playoff Bowl Dallas 17, Minnesota 13 (Miami)
12/22/68 Western Championship Baltimore 24, Minnesota 14 (Baltimore)

 

[Lumi]

'Mr. Fix-It' has Cowboys playing dynamic defense

'Mr. Fix-It' has Cowboys playing dynamic defense

'Mr. Fix-It' has Cowboys playing dynamic defense

Early in his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys, Wade Phillips declared himself ``Mr. Fix-It'' for the defense. Two years later, his unit still had serious flaws.

So team owner Jerry Jones ratcheted up the pressure going into this season, the last of Phillips' contract. Jones made Phillips the defensive coordinator and they agreed to overhaul the lineup - five new starters, dumping several notable players and plugging in younger guys already here and some old favorites signed as free agents.

The fact the Cowboys are playing a second-round playoff game against Minnesota on Sunday is the first hint things have worked out quite well.

Dig deeper and the facts are even more impressive.

Dallas hasn't allowed a 300-yard passer since the second week of the season and hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher all season. Over the last five games, the Cowboys have allowed a total of six touchdowns. Only two were in the first half, helping the offense get ahead and stay ahead; they haven't trailed in their last four games.

``We play our techniques well, we execute and we don't allow big plays,'' defensive end Igor Olshansky said. ``I think that's a big part of it - don't allow big plays and make them earn every inch.''

Bottom line: It's fixed.

``I think we've just been consistent,'' Phillips said Wednesday. ``It's just being solid in so many areas.''

The defense also has managed to pull off the coaches' dream of getting better as the season goes along, and peaking at the right time. A lot of it goes back to those five new starters and how well they've blended with holdovers such as pass-rush specialist DeMarcus Ware, nimble nose tackle Jay Ratliff and inside linebacker Bradie James, the captain.

The learning curve was pretty small for the three veteran newcomers - Olshansky, inside linebacker Keith Brooking and safety Gerald Sensabaugh.

Olshansky played for Phillips in San Diego, and Brooking played for Phillips in Atlanta. Dallas uses pretty much the same 3-4 scheme Phillips has used everywhere else, so Olshansky and Brooking only needed to get comfortable with the guys around them.

Sensabaugh had no Phillips ties, but in Jacksonville he played for secondary coach Dave Campo and special teams coach Joe DeCamillis. They were sure he'd be a good fit, and they were right.

Outside linebacker Anthony Spencer and cornerback Mike Jenkins are the other new starters. Both are former first-round picks who were limited in previous years. Both got a chance when malcontents were swept out of the locker room.

It took time for the young guys to blossom, but they certainly have.

Jenkins actually didn't seize the starting job until late September, getting it partly by default because his competition, Orlando Scandrick, struggled. Yet Jenkins has certainly claimed the role, leading the club with five interceptions in the regular season and another in last weekend's playoff game. He also had a team-best 23 passes defended in the regular season and four more in the playoffs.

``(Jenkins) is going to be a superstar in this league for a long time,'' Vikings quarterback Brett Favre said.

Spencer was the king of the near-miss the first few months, with an ugly zero on his stat line for sacks going into a Thanksgiving game against predecessor Greg Ellis and the Raiders. Spencer had two that day and has put up a total of seven the last seven games, including one in the playoffs.

``There's a lot of guys that have a lot of potential, but if they're not comfortable with the people that they're around, it's hard for them to fit in,'' Spencer said. ``The group of guys we've got around here, they make it easy, they make it easy to fit in.''

As each piece of the defensive puzzle snapped into place, the unit became tougher.

When they held San Diego to a season-low 20 points last month, the players began to realize what they were capable of. Although the Cowboys lost that game, the confidence carried over the following week for what proved to be the season's turning point - a victory at unbeaten New Orleans in which Dallas held the Saints to a season-low 17 points.

Then the Cowboys closed the regular season with consecutive shutouts, a first in club history, and followed it by allowing only a broken-play touchdown the first three quarters of the playoff opener against Philadelphia.

``The guys have bought into this system and bought into each other and the belief in one another and the belief in the system and the belief in Wade,'' Brooking said. ``We're a selfless defense, we're a selfless team. That's what I love about us more than anything.''

With even the backups contributing, Jones recently called Phillips ``the MVP of the defense,'' giving the head coach/defensive coordinator full credit for the transformation.

What Phillips really would like is a new contract. His deal is up after this year, but there's a team option for next season. Considering how things have gone, he may earn a longer extension.

``I'm really happy for him,'' Olshansky said. ``We are playing at a high level and he is getting his due respect.''

 

[Lumi]

Cowboys vs. Vikings in playoffs conjures Hail Mary

Cowboys vs. Vikings in playoffs conjures Hail Mary

Cowboys vs. Vikings in playoffs conjures Hail Mary

-The Dallas Cowboys are headed to Minnesota for a playoff game Sunday, which means longtime Vikings fans probably won't want to watch much television the next few days.

Otherwise, they're going to see it again.

The Hail Mary.

On Dec. 28, 1975, the Vikings were hosting a first-round playoff game against the wild-card Cowboys, and were winning 14-10 in the final half-minute, when Roger Staubach threw a 50-yard pass to Drew Pearson for the winning touchdown. Known at the time as merely ``a bomb,'' Staubach entered a new term into the vernacular of football when he described how he pulled off the miraculous throw by saying, ``I closed my eyes and said a Hail Mary.''

The quote is what made the pass stand out in NFL lore. But it meant so much more to both teams.

The Cowboys were plucky upstarts, a year removed from missing the playoffs and supposedly in rebuilding mode. Twelve rookies made the club, earning them the nickname ``The Dirty Dozen.'' Dallas rode the momentum of the Minnesota game all the way to the Super Bowl, only to lose a thriller to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

For Vikings fans, it remains perhaps the most excruciating film clip imaginable - for so many reasons.

First off, the '75 Vikings might have been the best in franchise history.

Led by NFL MVP Fran Tarkenton and running back Chuck Foreman on offense, and featuring a defense fronted by a group known as the ``Purple People Eaters,'' Minnesota won its first 10 games and finished 12-2, tying for the best record in the NFL. Coach Bud Grant's group had few weaknesses, perhaps fewer than his four teams that reached the Super Bowl.

In this game, Minnesota fell behind 10-7 early in the fourth quarter, then Tarkenton led a 70-yard drive for the go-ahead points with 5:56 left. Dallas had the ball on its own 15 with less than 2 minutes left. It was cold outdoors in Bloomington, so some fans headed to the exits.

It looked over when the Cowboys were facing fourth-and-16 from the 25. Then Pearson, who hadn't caught a pass all game before this drive, caught a pass and went out of bounds at the 50. While he was sliding on the ground, a security guard kicked him.

After an incomplete pass to Preston Pearson, Staubach and Drew Pearson talked about a play that had worked before, a deep pass down the sideline with a pump fake along the way.

``We knew what we needed to do; we had to have a bomb,'' Hall of Fame offensive lineman Rayfield Wright said Tuesday. ``It's a play I'll never forget.''

Staubach put so much into selling the fake that he nearly lost control of the ball. He held on, but awkwardly, which is why he underthrew the pass.

And that leads to the next layer of Vikings fans' ire.

Pearson slowed to catch it and bumped into cornerback Nate Wright as they jumped for the ball. Wright landed on the ground while Pearson felt the ball go through his arms. Somehow, he actually pinned it to his hip - a la David Tyree and his head in the Super Bowl two years ago. Pearson turned and scampered the last few yards into the end zone, then the former college quarterback heaved the ball into the crowd.

The throw fans wanted to see was a flag. The only one that came was against Minnesota's Alan Page for griping about the non-call. Fans threw all sorts of things onto the field. An official reached to pick up some trash when a whiskey bottle conked him in the head, opening a gash.

``I don't think he pushed off,'' Rayfield Wright said, smiling.

Hours after the game, things got far worse for Tarkenton. He learned that his father - a pastor named Dallas - died of a heart attack while watching the game on television.

Dallas beat Minnesota in an NFC championship game following the 1977 season, then again in the playoffs on Dec. 28, 1996. That had been the Cowboys' most recent playoff victory until last Saturday.

The Vikings have won five of the six meetings since the '96 playoffs, including a playoff game following the 1999 season.

 

[Lumi]

Rested Favre says he's focused on now, not future

Rested Favre says he's focused on now, not future

Rested Favre says he's focused on now, not future

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -Brett Favre walked to the podium wearing his usual baseball cap and workout shorts, taking a quick gulp of water to chase the peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich he was trying to wolf down.

Yes, the old quarterback sure seemed to be living in the moment on Wednesday, as preparations for the weekend playoff game against Dallas ramped up for Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. He was gregarious, expressing excitement about his 23rd postseason appearance and the possibility of returning to a Super Bowl with his new team.

``That's the only reason I came back,'' Favre said.

So will he come back - again? That's always the question with the NFL's all-time leading passer.

He's under contract for another year, after all. Plus, adding 33 touchdown passes to just seven interceptions this season equals an awfully effective 40-year-old.

If Favre has already been wrestling with his decision about the 2010 season, he's not letting on.

``Honestly, I see us sitting here next week having this press conference again,'' Favre said, anticipating a Vikings victory over the Cowboys and an advancement to the NFC championship game. ``If that doesn't happen, to me it will be a shock. So I just haven't thought about what next year will be like, or what I will be doing next week.''

One question about Favre's future was prefaced by reports that Arizona's Kurt Warner, who's 38, will retire after the season.

``Waffling? Is he waffling?'' Favre said, flashing his familiarly mischievous grin as he poked fun at his infamous indecisiveness.

Favre, though, wouldn't honor attempts to get him to offer any clues about his desire to return.

``Good try. Why not try?'' he said. ``You know what? All I want to do is beat Dallas. To even think about next year is doing myself an injustice, and this team.''

Favre went home with his family to Mississippi during a welcomed week off, while the Cowboys beat the Philadelphia Eagles to advance. He stopped short of claiming to be fully recharged - he has often spoken of both mental and physical fatigue at this stage of a season - but was clearly refreshed from the days away from the practice facility.

``You can't completely get away from it, but I was just more focused on just getting away mentally,'' Favre said. ``No stress for a while.''

Favre's age prompted a joke from Cowboys coach Wade Phillips, wrapped in an assessment of Minnesota's success at completing rollout throws with its old passer.

``They do move him around a little bit, surprisingly,'' Phillips said. ``Most quarterbacks at our age don't move around that much, but he still moves around well.''

Phillips has beaten Favre before, in 2007 with Dallas and also after the 2002 season when he was Atlanta's defensive coordinator. Michael Vick and the Falcons went to Green Bay in the first round and handed the Packers their first playoff loss at Lambeau Field.

Don't think Phillips was about to crow about that, though.

``He's had so many big games and won so many big games, put the team on his back so many times,'' Phillips said. ``He just has great experience, and everybody has seen what a great player he is. And he's come back and played probably just as well as he ever played this year. So he's in top form.''

Favre wondered aloud in August whether he'd make it through all 16 games, especially uncertain about his surgically repaired right arm. He took his share of hits, but he didn't show any glaring signs of wearing down. Coach Brad Childress has said he's made all the throws he's needed to make, and Favre has said his arm feels as good as it has in awhile.

As the players reconvened this week, the Vikings had a little extra pep in their step from the rest and the promise of the biggest game of this Favre-fueled season.

``I can see a spunkiness,'' Childress said, ``which is what you want this time of year. Guys that are bright-eyed, mentally and physically.''

Another of the elders who benefited from the bye was cornerback Antoine Winfield, who aggravated the right foot injury that cost him 6 1/2 games when he returned on Dec. 13 and was not at full speed down the stretch.

The Vikings reduced his role in the regular season finale against the New York Giants, essentially making him the nickel back so he could play the slot position, but Childress said the plan this week is to play Winfield ``some'' on the outside where he usually lines up.

``He seems to be pretty comfortable,'' Childress said.

Though he won't be at full strength until the summer, Winfield was in good spirits after Wednesday's practice, reporting progress with his recovery.

``I think it helped having the time off, staying off the foot,'' he said. ``It felt good today. I went out there and took all the reps. I'm looking forward to getting out there and playing on Sunday.''

 

[Lumi]

Key Performance Information

Key Performance Information

Key Performance Information

DALLAS

IN GAMES WHERE THE LINE IS +3 TO -3
This season
SU: 2-4 | ATS: 2-4 Last 3 seaons
SU: 10-5 | ATS: 10-5 Since 1993
SU: 42-38 | ATS: 39-35
IN ALL GAMES
This season
SU: 13-5 | ATS: 11-7 Last 3 seaons
SU: 35-16 | ATS: 27-24 Since 1993
SU: 178-130 | ATS: 150-147
AGAINST CONFERENCE OPPONENTS
This season
SU: 11-3 | ATS: 10-4 Last 3 seaons
SU: 28-11 | ATS: 23-16 Since 1993
SU: 138-95 | ATS: 120-106
AGAINST NFC NORTH DIVISION OPPONENTS
This season
SU: 0-1 | ATS: 0-1 Last 3 seaons
SU: 5-1 | ATS: 4-2 Since 1993
SU: 23-16 | ATS: 22-17
OFF A DIVISION GAME
This season
SU: 5-2 | ATS: 5-2 Last 3 seaons
SU: 14-4 | ATS: 11-7 Since 1993
SU: 82-45 | ATS: 65-56
IN DOME GAMES
This season
SU: 1-0 | ATS: 1-0 Last 3 seaons
SU: 2-2 | ATS: 1-3 Since 1993
SU: 13-14 | ATS: 11-16
IN GAMES PLAYED ON TURF
This season
SU: 9-2 | ATS: 8-3 Last 3 seaons
SU: 23-9 | ATS: 17-15 Since 1993
SU: 135-77 | ATS: 107-96
IN JANUARY GAMES
This season
SU: 2-0 | ATS: 2-0 Last 3 seaons
SU: 2-1 | ATS: 2-1 Since 1993
SU: 14-10 | ATS: 11-12
IN PLAYOFF GAMES
This season
SU: 1-0 | ATS: 1-0 Last 3 seaons
SU: 1-1 | ATS: 1-1 Since 1993
SU: 12-7 | ATS: 10-8
OFF A WIN AGAINST A DIVISION RIVAL
This season
SU: 3-1 | ATS: 3-1 Last 3 seaons
SU: 9-2 | ATS: 8-3 Since 1993
SU: 51-28 | ATS: 38-37
AFTER 2 OR MORE CONSECUTIVE WINS
This season
SU: 4-2 | ATS: 4-2 Last 3 seaons
SU: 14-6 | ATS: 11-9 Since 1993
SU: 57-37 | ATS: 45-47
WHEN PLAYING AGAINST A TEAM WITH A WINNING RECORD
This season
SU: 5-3 | ATS: 5-3 Last 3 seaons
SU: 11-12 | ATS: 10-13 Since 1993
SU: 63-66 | ATS: 57-64
WHEN PLAYING AGAINST A TEAM WITH A WINNING RECORD IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON
This season
SU: 3-2 | ATS: 3-2 Last 3 seaons
SU: 8-7 | ATS: 7-8 Since 1993
SU: 43-49 | ATS: 37-49
IN ALL LINED GAMES
This season
SU: 13-5 | ATS: 11-7 Last 3 seaons
SU: 35-16 | ATS: 27-24 Since 1993
SU: 178-130 | ATS: 150-147
AS AN UNDERDOG
This season
SU: 2-0 | ATS: 2-0 Last 3 seaons
SU: 3-5 | ATS: 3-5 Since 1993
SU: 35-67 | ATS: 47-51
AS A ROAD UNDERDOG OF 3 PTS OR LESS
This season
SU: 1-0 | ATS: 1-0 Last 3 seaons
SU: 2-1 | ATS: 2-1 Since 1993
SU: 9-12 | ATS: 11-7
IN ROAD GAMES
This season
SU: 5-3 | ATS: 4-4 Last 3 seaons
SU: 15-9 | ATS: 11-13 Since 1993
SU: 69-81 | ATS: 64-82
IN ROAD LINED GAMES
This season
SU: 5-3 | ATS: 4-4 Last 3 seaons
SU: 15-9 | ATS: 11-13 Since 1993
SU: 69-81 | ATS: 64-82
IN A ROAD GAME WHERE THE TOTAL IS BETWEEN 45.5 AND 49 PTS
This season
SU: 1-2 | ATS: 1-2 Last 3 seaons
SU: 4-3 | ATS: 4-3 Since 1993
SU: 8-9 | ATS: 7-9
IN ALL GAMES WHERE THE TOTAL IS BETWEEN 42.5 AND 49 PTS
This season
SU: 8-5 | ATS: 7-6 Last 3 seaons
SU: 24-10 | ATS: 18-16 Since 1993
SU: 57-42 | ATS: 43-51

 

[Lumi]

Key Performance Information

Key Performance Information

Key Performance Information

MINNESOTA

IN GAMES WHERE THE LINE IS +3 TO -3
This season
SU: 2-1 | ATS: 1-2 Last 3 seaons
SU: 7-12 | ATS: 5-12 Since 1993
SU: 51-46 | ATS: 48-47
IN ALL GAMES
This season
SU: 12-4 | ATS: 9-6 Last 3 seaons
SU: 30-19 | ATS: 22-24 Since 1993
SU: 170-133 | ATS: 144-154
AGAINST CONFERENCE OPPONENTS
This season
SU: 9-3 | ATS: 7-4 Last 3 seaons
SU: 23-14 | ATS: 16-19 Since 1993
SU: 132-99 | ATS: 109-119
WHEN PLAYING WITH 2 WEEKS OR MORE OF REST
This season
SU: 1-0 | ATS: 0-0 Last 3 seaons
SU: 3-0 | ATS: 2-0 Since 1993
SU: 15-4 | ATS: 11-7
AGAINST NFC EAST DIVISION OPPONENTS
This season
SU: 1-0 | ATS: 1-0 Last 3 seaons
SU: 3-4 | ATS: 2-5 Since 1993
SU: 22-21 | ATS: 22-21
AFTER A BYE WEEK
This season
SU: 1-0 | ATS: 0-0 Last 3 seaons
SU: 3-0 | ATS: 2-0 Since 1993
SU: 18-4 | ATS: 13-8
IN DOME GAMES
This season
SU: 10-1 | ATS: 7-3 Last 3 seaons
SU: 24-8 | ATS: 16-14 Since 1993
SU: 123-64 | ATS: 93-91
IN GAMES PLAYED ON TURF
This season
SU: 10-1 | ATS: 7-3 Last 3 seaons
SU: 24-9 | ATS: 16-15 Since 1993
SU: 133-76 | ATS: 104-102
IN JANUARY GAMES
This season
SU: 1-0 | ATS: 1-0 Last 3 seaons
SU: 1-1 | ATS: 1-1 Since 1993
SU: 7-11 | ATS: 6-12
IN PLAYOFF GAMES
This season
SU: 0-0 | ATS: 0-0 Last 3 seaons
SU: 0-1 | ATS: 0-1 Since 1993
SU: 5-10 | ATS: 5-10
WHEN PLAYING AGAINST A TEAM WITH A WINNING RECORD
This season
SU: 5-2 | ATS: 4-3 Last 3 seaons
SU: 11-9 | ATS: 9-11 Since 1993
SU: 59-59 | ATS: 60-57
WHEN PLAYING AGAINST A TEAM WITH A WINNING RECORD IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON
This season
SU: 2-1 | ATS: 2-1 Last 3 seaons
SU: 7-5 | ATS: 6-6 Since 1993
SU: 38-42 | ATS: 40-40
IN ALL LINED GAMES
This season
SU: 12-4 | ATS: 9-6 Last 3 seaons
SU: 30-19 | ATS: 22-24 Since 1993
SU: 170-133 | ATS: 144-154
AS A FAVORITE
This season
SU: 11-3 | ATS: 8-5 Last 3 seaons
SU: 23-6 | ATS: 15-13 Since 1993
SU: 120-58 | ATS: 79-96
AS A HOME FAVORITE OF 3 PTS OR LESS
This season
SU: 1-0 | ATS: 0-1 Last 3 seaons
SU: 4-1 | ATS: 2-3 Since 1993
SU: 17-5 | ATS: 14-8
IN HOME GAMES
This season
SU: 8-0 | ATS: 5-2 Last 3 seaons
SU: 19-6 | ATS: 12-12 Since 1993
SU: 103-48 | ATS: 77-72
IN HOME LINED GAMES
This season
SU: 8-0 | ATS: 5-2 Last 3 seaons
SU: 19-6 | ATS: 12-12 Since 1993
SU: 103-48 | ATS: 77-72
IN A HOME GAME WHERE THE TOTAL IS BETWEEN 45.5 AND 49 PTS
This season
SU: 6-0 | ATS: 4-1 Last 3 seaons
SU: 7-0 | ATS: 5-1 Since 1993
SU: 29-7 | ATS: 22-13
IN ALL GAMES WHERE THE TOTAL IS BETWEEN 42.5 AND 49 PTS
This season
SU: 8-3 | ATS: 6-4 Last 3 seaons
SU: 16-7 | ATS: 10-11 Since 1993
SU: 85-51 | ATS: 66-67

 

[Lumi]

Chargers big faves

Chargers big faves

Chargers big faves
January 12, 2010
By Sportsbook.com

Odds makers at Sportsbook.com have taken notice of San Diego?s current 11-game win streak, as they made the Chargers a nine-point favorite over the New York Jets in their AFC Divisional Playoff game on Sunday. Bettors seem to think that this line was too high, as a decent amount of early action on this matchup has been on the underdog, causing Sportsbook.com to move the line to the current number of San Diego -7.5.

The next biggest favorite for this weekend?s games are the NFC No. 1 seed New Orleans Saints, who are seven point favorites against the Arizona Cardinals. According to Sportsbook.com spokesperson Dave Staley, ?Despite using one of the highest playoff totals in recent memory and even though both teams have gone under the posted total in five of their past six games, the betting public keeps hammering the total in this game. In fact, almost 90 percent of the action on the total is backing the 'over,' causing our lines makers to move the total from 56.5 to 57 less than 20 minutes after we offered this matchup.?



The AFC No. 1 seed Indianapolis Colts are 6.5-point favorites against the suddenly surging Baltimore Ravens, who made Tom Brady look like Marsha Brady, causing him to throw three interceptions and lose one fumble. The Colts and Ravens did face each other in Baltimore in late November; with the Colts winning a hard fought 17-15 game. The Ravens did move the ball well, racking up 354 yards of total offense, but had to settle for five field goals. ?Peyton Manning has to be foaming at the mouth to get back into action in a meaningful game, and to show everyone why the Colts are considered the favorites to win the Super Bowl? added Staley.

The game with the smallest spread is considered by many to be the most intriguing game for the Divisional Playoffs. The Minnesota Vikings are 2.5-point favorites against the hottest team left in the NFC, the Dallas Cowboys. All the Cowboys have done over the past month is knock the Saints from the ranks of the undefeated, and then pitch back-to-back shutouts against the Redskins and Eagles, before dismantling Philadelphia again in the postseason. Standing in the Cowboys way to the NFC Championship game, is Brett Favre who had one of his finest seasons ever throwing for over 4200 yards and tossing 33 TD passes, compared to just seven interceptions