This Week's Best Spot Bet Opportunities
By Ben Burns
Covers.com
Letdown spot
Wisconsin is rolling these days. In fact, the Badgers enter Thursday's game at Michigan State off seven straight wins, covering the spread in all seven of those games. One of those victories came at Illinois, a 63-55 Badger win on 1/31. Off the big game vs. the Spartans, and off a big upset win at Maryland in their previous game, it may be easy for the Badgers to suffer a letdown against the lowly Illini. Keep in mind that Maryland and Michigan State are the top two teams in the conference while Illinois (11-14) is third from the bottom. Consider grabbing the points with revenge-minded Illinois on Sunday afternoon.
Lookahead spot
The Louisville Cardinals responded to the news that they weren't eligible for the postseason by blowing out a bad Boston College team. Since then, the Cardinals have suffered losses at Duke and at Notre Dame. They'll get another crack at Duke on Saturday afternoon and the recent revenge factor should help provide the Cardinals with some added motivation for that game. First, however, Louisville will take on Syracuse on 2/17. Sure, the Cards will want to snap their losing streak. They'll be laying a fairly big number though and with the Blue Devils looming on deck, it could be easy to get caught looking ahead. Take a look at Syracuse on Wednesday.
Schedule spot
Returning home from an extended road trip can be tough. Girlfriends, wives, friends, bills (regular life) all need to be attended to and can often prove distracting. On Thursday the 18th the Maple Leafs will be playing their first game in Toronto in two full weeks. Much has happened over that span, as the team has traded away its captain, while traveling across the continent. The last time that the Leafs returned from a West Coast trip, they were defeated by lowly Columbus, in their first game back. The Hurricanes are 10-4 their last 14 visits here, including wins in each of the last two. They won here 1-0 in January and 4-1 here last season. Consider Carolina on Thursday.
Texans vs. Titans Spread Prediction A huge matchup in the AFC South will take place in Nashville today when the Titans host the Texans at 1:00 p.m. ET. While the Titans are surging, the Texans have the ultimate X-factor in quarterback Deshaun Watson. Which team is the better bet?
Patriots vs. Bengals Spread Prediction The Patriots have dropped two in a row, but they should get back into the win column on Sunday when they visit the one-win Bengals at 1:00 p.m. ET. That said, will the Pats cover as a 10-point road favorite?
Bears vs. Packers Spread Prediction The Packers are laying 4.5 points to NFC North rivals the Bears at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday but Chicago has won three straight and Mitchell Trubisky looks confident. What’s the better play for bettors: Chicago or Green Bay?
Seahawks vs. Panthers Spread Prediction The Seahawks have a golden opportunity to rebound from their Week 14 loss to the Rams when they visit a Panthers squad that is in freefall mode following five consecutive losses. That said, will the Hawks cover as a touchdown-sized road favorite?
Broncos vs. Chiefs Spread Prediction The Chiefs are laying 10 points to their AFC West rivals the Broncos at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. Is Patrick Mahomes and the 9-4 Chiefs worth a play at that number or does Drew Lock and Co. offer bettors better value?
Dolphins vs. Giants Total Prediction The Giants were competitive in their loss on Monday night to the Eagles, but does that make them a safe play versus the Dolphins today at 1:00 p.m. ET? The G-Men are laying a field goal as a home favorite.
Bucs vs. Lions Spread Prediction With Jamies Winston expected to play following a thumb injury suffered last Sunday in a win over the Colts, the Bucs are now 5-point road favorites versus the Lions at 1:00 p.m. ET today. Is that too many points to lay on the 6-7 Bucs?
Eagles vs. Redskins Spread Prediction The Eagles needed overtime to beat the lowly Giants on Monday night and are now laying a touchdown to the Redskins in Landover on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET. Is that too many points or will Philly find a way to cover?
UFC 245 Predictions Three championship bouts highlight a big night for the UFC tonight. Here’s our predictions for the title bouts at UFC 245.
Thunder vs. Nuggets Prediction Can the Denver Nuggets defend their home turf when they play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight at 9PM ET?
