SUPER BOWL XXXV SUNDAY JANUARY 28, 2001

    Well here we are Members!  It's been a great year, and this game should be a good one.  We again are releasing this, a Gold Key Play to all Members, no charge.  If you need any information regarding side plays or gimmick bets, give us a call at (410) 536-5878 after 11 AM daily, no charge.  

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******************** Gold Key Play, Baltimore –3 Over NY Giants   (WINNER)

(SCROLL DOWN FOR OTHER NFL SELECTIONS)

    Yuppers, count 'em.  This most watched game in sports is scheduled for 6:30 PM ET from Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, with forecasts of clear skies and temperatures in the 60's predicted at game time.

    Week Twenty-one:  Wow, what a game!!  Another great Offensive team, the Raiders, fall by the wayside and score THREE points on the Ravens at Home no less.  Typical of all Raven's games, the opponent says, "We didn't play well."  "We weren't prepared for their Defense."  The opponent, "Isn't that good."  Good enough to win and cover is good enough for us!  By the way, the Ravens have now won TEN games SU in a row.  That's no small feat in the National Football League including Playoff play.

    The Ravens will definitely benefit from the extra week of rest.  Running Back Jamal Lewis has had time to let his aggravated knee heal properly.  They have had a ridiculously difficult Playoff road to get here, winning at Home versus the Broncos, traveling to Nashville to take care of the Titans again, then flying cross-country to give the Raider's fans their just reward.  Interesting side note-- Coach Gruden has contemplated leaving the Raiders for other work, just another Coach this year that plans to leave, or leaves their job after a loss to the Ravens!  

    Each and every week we are impressed by the team chemistry, and Coach Billick.  Misunderstood by many, he really is not as brash and big-headed as they think.  The Ravens have successfully adjusted each week against different strategies to beat them.  The Offense knows to hold onto the ball and maintain good field position to give back to the Defense.  The Special Teams continue to impress.  Coach Billick even has set no curfew on his players out of respect.  This team has had its goal set on a Super Bowl win for many weeks and is totally focused.  They even handled the media circus well.

    It has been thirty years since a Baltimore team, the Colts, has played in the Super Bowl.  Memories of the greatest Tight End of all time, Hall of Famer John Mackey flash through our mind.  He catches the tipped pass and rumbles the length of the field to defeat the Cowboys in Super Bowl V.  The City has been behind this team 100%, and the players appreciate it immensely.  

    The rest of the world is quite disappointed, expecting to see the St. Louis Rams Arena Football team again in the Super Bowl, or the Vikings, Broncos, or Raiders Offense.  But then they simply don't understand that Defense wins Championships, and anything else is an aberration.  That's why the Giants and Ravens are playing on Sunday.

    N.Y. and Baltimore?  Brings back memories of 1958 and 1959, games that MADE the NFL.  What was that famous score in OT?  23-17?  Hmmmmmm.  Both teams, despite incompetent reporting, have been professional and straightforward leading up to this event.  We also remember another Super Bowl involving Joe Namath against the Colts.  There will be no payoffs or fix in this game, that's for sure!!

    We have nothing but respect for the Giants, a truly professional team that thrives on Defense and Ball Control also.  Well coached by Jim Fassel, they will be well prepared for this game and should have some tricks up their sleeves.  Word is that Al Groh has been helping them, he of the hurry up Offense and 69 passes in the 20-34 Jet's losing effort versus the Ravens.  The Giants proved that after all is said and done, Offense falls by the wayside.  Loud mouths such as Cris Carter can now be loud in front of their TV as they watch the Giants play in the Super Bowl.

    The Ravens have been the team of destiny this year, having to play one of the worst configured schedules the League could offer, and never getting any respect along the way.  Then they had to play two Road games in the Playoffs back to back, three weeks of Playoffs in a row.  In Championship games the team that wins generally "Dances with what got them there."  Rarely do trick plays or greatly changing Offensive strategies work in a Title game such as this.  However-- remember that this is just ONE game, not a series like baseball or hoops.  The team that can put ten points on the board ahead of their opponent has the best chance to win.  Defense should be the key again here, and the Raven's Defense plays their own game.

    We release this, our final GOLD KEY PLAY of the season to all FreeSportsLetter Members.  This is our highest rated play ever in 26 years!  Members predicted final score:  Ravens 23-17.  Win or lose, the Ravens have more than paid for themselves with FreeSportsLetter Members this year, and our hats off to them, especially the Defense! 

NFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES SUNDAY JANUARY 14

    So here we are Members!  Just two games to go before the big one from Tampa in two weeks.  Two Great match ups for our entertainment and enjoyment today, including a bonus Gold Key Play.  Feel free to call for updates and to make sure of the final rating after 11 AM ET Sunday at (410) 536-5878, no charge just have your subscribed e-mail address available.

3*** NEW YORK GIANTS +2.5 Over Minnesota   (WINNER, OUTRIGHT!!)

    This NFC Championship Game is scheduled for 12:30 PM ET from Rutherford, where the early weather predictions call for clear skies and temperatures near 40 degrees.

    So here are the Giants no less, a team we couldn't do anything with up to mid-season and then tried to avoid them.  But they did come through last week for us in a 3*** FreeSportsLetter Winner (scroll down) at Home versus the Eagles, a team we had won on the previous week (scroll down). 

    The Giants are playing at Home on their Natural Turf.  We stressed Defense and ball control in our newsletter all year, and they have that make up.  They are a well coached professional team.  

    The Vikings look to be the most complete team in the NFC.  They manhandled the Saints last week at Home.  Now they are the Fav here on the Road at the Giants in the Title Game.  Our hats off to Coach Dennis Green and squad, FreeSportsLetter Members had a good year on and against his team.

    The line opened at Vikings -1 and has steadily moved up to -2.5 as of this writing.  We'll take the Giants at Home here and the points in a Good play.

12************ Gold Key Play, Baltimore +6 Over OAKLAND   (WINNER, OUTRIGHT!!)

    Yuppers, count 'em.  This AFC Championship Game is scheduled for 4 PM ET from California, with the weather predicted to be clear and temperatures near 60 degrees.

    Week Twenty, last week's game:  Wow, what a game!!  There are so many different ways to look at this Raven's win over the Titans.  The Defense as usual allowed the Opponent to drive down and score a TD on the first drive, and then "Nevermore."  Good news immediately appeared after the game for the Ravens, fortuned by Randy Cross.  Before the Ravens-Titans game Cross again picked against the Ravens, as he did when he predicted the Broncos against the Ravens, and the Jets against the Ravens.

    Previously he stated that the Raven's Defense "had so few sacks" before the Broncos blowout, and then last week spouted, "Both Defenses don't hit hard." concerning the Ravens and Titans.   (?).  Now we learn that the "Ravens can't win versus the Raiders because they aren't complete, no Offense."  Plus "The Ravens won in only one category, the scoreboard."  That's true, it's happened before to them, and just two games to go Randy.  Thank goodness the Good Lord gives those without brains, brawn.  By the way, the Ravens have now won NINE games Straight Up in a row.  That's no small feat in the National Football League including Playoff play.  

    Looks just like the Dolphins game versus the Raiders on paper, doesn't it?  Looks like this one is over before Kickoff right?  No reason to look any further right?  Well let's look at this so called "Incomplete Offense":  Six first downs last week, almost a record in futility.  Little time on the field.  But what DON'T we see from the Offense?  One column -- TurnOvers.

      Dilfer went down a few times, including another direct hit into his face or chest by the crown of a helmet with no flag or fine from the League.  That's fine, because the Raven's Defense plays their own game.  No interceptions from Dilfer, and a big pass to Shannon Sharpe to set up an Offensive TD to tie the game when down on the Road.  That's plenty to ask for.  For a chunk of the season the Offense was a Detriment to the overall team performance, last week cannot be considered that.  And what of the Special Teams?  Their great play is a carryover from the Defense, so many great athletes on the team.  

    The Raiders have played totally awesome this year and deserve to host the AFC Championship Game.  Whoda thunk it?  Al Davis and Art Modell in the AFC Title Game!  The Raiders are 12-5 SU this year, and have covered their last seven at Home versus Cleveland, Seattle, Kansas City, Atlanta, NY Jets, Carolina, and last week versus the Dolphins.  

    In that game they took the heart and soul from the Dolphins early, their Defense taking one back the other way after a long drive against them fell short.  Their Defense played strong throughout and their Offense put points on the board.  They deserve to be the Fav in this one at Home.

    The crowd will make cadence impossible for Dilfer.  If they thought the Titan's crowd was loud, now they have to deal with the large percentage of Raider's Fans who are lunatics.  The Raven's Defense will not have the advantage of crowd noise.  If they fall behind early and pull into a shell or throw ill-fated sideline passes like the Dolphins, then they will not be able to overcome the Raiders combined Offense/Defense.  The Offense must continue to hold onto the ball, regardless of yardage.

    We believe Coach Billick has learned much about how to coach a ball control team like this, and has the ability to open it up or close it as he desires.  Dilfer, and Banks if necessary, both understand their role in the total Raven's game plan.  They know they must protect the ball first, and let the Defense and Special Teams play their own game.  The Raiders can be taken out of their Offensive game plan by a good Defense.  The Raven's Defense plays their own game.

    The line opened at Raiders -6 and has bounced back and forth between -5.5 and -6 as of this writing.  We are taking the points here and releasing this one to all FreeSportsLetter Members as a 12************ Gold Key Play on the Ravens.  Win or lose, the Ravens have more than paid for themselves with FreeSportsLetter Members this year, and our hats off to them, especially the Defense!  FreeSportsLetter and Gold Key Members predicted final score:  Ravens 31-29.  

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NFL CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS SUNDAY JANUARY 7

    Two great match ups today, both FreeSportsLetter Member Plays including a bonus!

7******* Gold Key Play, Baltimore +6.5 Over TENNESSEE  (WINNER, OUTRIGHT!!)

    Yuppers, count 'em.  This awesome Playoff is scheduled for 12:30 PM ET from Nashville where the weather report calls for possible rain and temperatures near 50 degrees.

    We learned on Saturday that the teams that lay in wait at Home with the Bye have crushed their opponents.  Depending on what stat you look at, that may be eight in a row.  Yesterday both ball control teams, both having every chance to score early or first and giving their Defenses a chance, both turning over the ball early and letting the Fat Lady sing early, so did the Saints and the Dolphins go.  End of story.  

    So that means the Ravens will get blown out today, right?  This will be the ninth loss in a row in the NFL Playoffs in this situation, right?  The line is moving up with the Fav correctly again, right?

    We saw Iowa State upset Pittsburgh in the Insight Bowl recently, a Cinderella team that no one thought would go anywhere.  Well it ain't gonna be the Saints or the Dolphins in the NFL, that's for sure.  The Eagles maybe?  Possibly.  How about the Ravens?

    Ravens Pre-Season:  The FreeSportsLetter Newsletter goes with the Ravens three times and covers all three, even in the pre-season!

    Raven's Week One:  They shut out the Steelers 16-0, a SU and ATS win.  A 5***** Gold Key Winner.  The Offense is pitiful under Quarterback Tony Banks on a cold day in Pittsburgh.  The Defense holds the line, seven straight attempts at scoring with goal to go fail for the Steelers.  Jerome Bettis runs for EIGHT yards on nine carries.  The last Steelers blanking at Home was 1989, TWELVE years ago.  The Steelers blame themselves for poor Offense, but notice they are quite bruised the next day.  

    Raven's Week Two:  Facing a Jaguar team that had defeated them Straight Up EIGHT times in a row, never winning against them, usually losing at the very end of the game, the Ravens fall way behind 17-0.  Yet they come back at Home in a miracle SU win with a TD pass from Tony Banks to Shannon Sharpe to Push the line.  This is a well received 5***** Gold Key Push.  Any gambler respects a team that has the will to win SU after such a poor start, and accepts the Push happily.  The Raven's secondary is exposed, and Tony Siragusa gets in shape.  

    Week Three:  They travel to the Dolphins on Sunday Night Football and embarrass themselves in the mud bowl, 6-19.  A FreeSportsLetter Loser.  With no strong Running Back, Coach Billick through Offensive Coach Cavanaugh chooses to throw on first, second, and third and goal in key situations.  Result:  no TDs.  The Defense is slightly burnt, but still yields only 19 while staying on the field much too long.  Banks appears unwilling to take any risks, and the Coaching staff appears unwilling to allow him to.    

    Week Four:  The Bengals come in to Baltimore with a team geared for running, and lose 37-0.  Another 5***** Gold Key Winner.  On the very first Offensive series of the game, Quarterback Akili Smith is sacked by Sam Adams and does not return.  Running Back Corey Dillon, record setting RB later in the season, runs for NINE yards on twelve carries.  He runs off the field in the middle of an Offensive series muttering something like, "No Mas."  Coach Coslett resigns after the game, unable to shoo Dillon back onto the field for several series.  Ravens Running Back Jamal Lewis runs for 116 yards.

    Week Five:  At the Browns the Offense sputters again, while the Defense throws a shutout.  Sam Adams knocks out Quarterback Couch in the first half, yet he miraculously returns with no apparent physical injuries late in the game.  The Browns rushing game amasses TWENTY-THREE yards in thirteen carries.  Errict Rhett is knocked out for the Browns in the first half.  Raven's Running Back Jamal Lewis carries thirteen times for 86 yards.  Other Backs combine for 104 yards on 23 carries for the Ravens.  "We had opportunities but we were unable to capitalize on them," said Browns coach Chris Palmer, whose team managed 230 total total yards.  The game ended with the Browns on the Raven's two yard line.  Once again the opponent blames itself for no Offense.

    Week Six:  In the return match AT the Jaguars, the Offense is pitiful as Pro-Bowl Kicker Matt Stover connects on FIVE field goals for the entire Offense.  They still win as the Defense gels, 15-10.  Quarterback  Mark Brunell is actually removed by Coach Coughlin, to no avail.  The lack of scoring is blamed on him.  A 5***** Gold Key Winner.

    Week Seven:  For the first time in NFL history, a team, the Ravens, are forced to play their FIFTH game of their first seven on the Road, and it shows.  They lose 3-10 with no Offense under Tony Banks.  RB Stephen Davis of the Redskins comes through in the fourth quarter versus a tired team.  There is no play on this one for FreeSportsLetter Members. 

    Week Eight:  With no Bye in sight until Week FOURTEEN after having been assigned to play five games on the Road in their first seven, the Ravens lose to the Titans at Home 6-14.  The Titans make only seven first downs.  Titan's All-Pro Running Back Eddie George removes himself after the very first Offensive series and does not return.  He amazingly reappears the next week for the Titans, including seven straight plays to him in one series.  The Raven's Offense has now not scored a TD in FOUR straight games under Tony Banks.  There is no play for FreeSportsLetter Members. 

    Week Nine:  The Steelers come into Baltimore and win 9-6, the Ravens go FIVE straight games without an Offensive TD.  Jerome Bettis is held to 65 yards, Jamal Lewis rushes for 93 yards and makes three catches for an additional 53 yards.  Trent Dilfer starts for the Ravens, but fumbles inside the Steelers ten yard line on the opening drive and throws a key interception for a touchback.  The Raven's Defense knows they must play their own game now.  They are no longer concerned with their own Offense, and make NO negative comments about it for the rest of the season.  The Raven's Defense sees itself as a separate entity from the Raven's Offense, not on the same team in a way.  There is no play on this one either for FreeSportsLetter or Gold Key Members.

    Week Ten:  The Bengals at Home lose convincingly 7-27, a 5***** Gold Key Winner.  Sam Adams greets Akili Smith in his own special way again, forcing a key fumble as he lands on top of him again.  Running Back Corey Dillon, who had rushed for 415 yards in his last two games setting all-time NFL records, is held to TWENTY-THREE yards on sixteen carries.  Jamal Lewis rushes for 109 yards.  Trent Dilfer appears capable of putting points on the board without turning it over regularly like Banks.  He gains confidence versus a weak team.

    Week Eleven:  The Ravens invade Adelphi Coliseum and come out with something no other Titan's opponent has to this day-- a WIN.  No Music City Miracle on this day.  Running Back George is used mysteriously little, carrying twelve times for TWENTY-EIGHT yards.  Jamal Lewis rushes for 99 yards.  Dilfer drives the Ravens downfield and throws a key TD pass.  Al Del Greco misses his first extra point in seven years, and a possible game winning FG to end the game.  He is blamed for the loss.  Ho-hum, another 5***** Gold Key Winner.

    Week Twelve:  Jamal Lewis rushes for 187 yards and is taken out early in a 27-0 rout at Home versus the Cowboys.  A 7******* Gold Key Winner, shown on national TV designed for Cowboy's fans.  Emmitt Smith rushes for 48 yards.  Cowboy's Quarterback Aikman says the team was not fully prepared to face a Defense like this and places the blame mostly on his own Offense.  The Raven's Defense plays their own game.

    Week Thirteen:  Jamal Lewis rushes for 170 yards in a 44-7 thrashing of the helpless Browns, in what could have been much worse if Billick had not called off the dogs early.  The Raven's Defense allows the Browns to drive downfield on the opening drive and they look like the 49'ers with Montana doing it.  Oh, the Browns Offense seemed to leave for the rest of the game.  You guessed it, a 5***** Gold Key Winner.  The Browns rush 17 times for TWENTY-EIGHT total yards.   "I don't think we quit; I think we got beat up," Browns coach Chris Palmer said. "They physically manhandled us."  After THIRTEEN WEEKS the Ravens are finally given recognition by an opponent, and enjoy their BYE, one of the latest in the league.

    Week Fifteen:  Jamal Lewis rushes for 91 yards as the Ravens whip the Chargers 24-3 at Home.  A 5***** Gold Key Winner.  The Chargers rush the ball 26 times for 64 yards.  The Raven's Defense plays their own game.

    Week Sixteen:  The Ravens hang on as their Defense holds, 13-7.  Dilfer has a pitiful game, but give the Cardinals credit for playing great Defense at Home.  Arizona Head Coach Dave McGinnis is rewarded with a multi-year contract extension later in the week.

    Pundits determine that the Ravens are "Nevermore", and will surely have trouble in week Seventeen versus the back-to-the-wall Jets.  There was NO play on this Cardinal's game for FreeSportsLetter Members, a "bounce" week was to be expected, traveling cross-country to Arizona against a weak non-Conference team, after leaving cold Baltimore weather no less.

    Week Seventeen:  The line drops from Ravens -6.5, even -7.5 at some outlets on openers, to Ravens -5.5 at game time.  Everyone seems to be betting on the Jets.    FreeSportsLetter Members are warned to pay no attention to the incorrect betting action, and are given a FREE posted Gold Key 5***** Play on the Ravens with a predicted score of 34-10.  They are also warned to watch for key interceptions, including TD runbacks versus Testaverde.  The Ravens give up 524 total yards, quite an embarrassment by itself.  The Jets drive downfield with a no-huddle Offense on the opening drive and score a TD easily.  The Jets score a TD next again, and lead 14-0, they're going to the Playoffs!  Right?  Coach Al Groh was right to stir up the Ravens by publicly and cynically knocking the Raven's Defense.  Right?

    Unfortunately the Jets then are outscored 34-6 as Vinny Testaverde throws 69 times including a 98 yard TD interception return against him.  Jet's Coach Groh lashes out at the media, blames his own team, then quits and is hired as Head Coach of the Cavaliers in NCAA!  

    The Ravens Defense learns much from this game, and will not be fooled by hurry up Offenses so easily in the future.  Once again the Defense plays their own game, and Special Teams start to heat up again.  Not only having the best Kicker in the league in Matt Stover, Jermaine Lewis wakes up and returns TWO punts for TDs.  The punting game remains excellent, one of the best in the league.  

    Last Week:  The highly touted Denver Broncos with the Number One scoring Offense in the National Football League come to Baltimore for the Wild Card Playoff Game.  The line opens at Ravens -3.5 and immediately drops to -3.  Pundits such as Randy Cross predict the Broncos on national TV because, "The Ravens have so few sacks."  FreeSportsLetter Members are told to pay this no mind and ignore this ill informed brute, you can scroll down for that write-up.

    Jamal Lewis rushes for 110 yards.  Broncos Rookie of the Year Running Back Mike Anderson is held to FORTY yards on fifteen carries.  Denver's highly touted Offense scores A FIELD GOAL in a 21-3 routing.  The much ballyhooed Denver Offensive Line looks like boys against men.  You guessed it, a 5***** Gold Key Winner.  The Raven's Defense plays their own game.  The Ravens are set for the next round of the playoffs, returning to the Titans.  

    Broadcaster Anus, er uh, Imas calls NFL Defensive Player of the Year Ray Lewis a "Murderer."  Evidently he doesn't know that Ray was exonerated in a case brought on by political motives.  USA Today lists the line on the upcoming game during the week as Titans -6 Over THE BRONCOS!!

    The Titans are probably the best team in the NFL.  The Raiders might have something to say about that, but we doubt any NFC team will defeat them in the Super Bowl.  The Titans have the best combined Offense/Defense in our estimation, and are deadly at Home.  Their Coach Jeff Fisher is a superb Man and Coach, and we respect him greatly.  The City of Nashville and the State of Tennessee are both great hosts for their beloved Titans.  The Home crowd will make cadence impossible for Dilfer.  The Raven's Defense will not have the advantage of crowd noise.  

    On paper this game looks to follow the other two blowouts yesterday, with the Titans logically figuring to win easily in another Home Conference Playoff thrashing.  We saw two one-dimensional teams get buried yesterday like that.

    The line opened at Titans -5.5 and has moved upwards to -6.5 as of this writing, especially after the Home team blowouts yesterday.  We are taking the points here and offer all Members this 7******* Gold Key Play on the Ravens.  Win or lose, the Ravens have more than paid for themselves with FreeSportsLetter Members this year, and our hats off to them, especially the Defense!  FreeSportsLetter and Gold Key Members predicted final score:  Ravens 27-24, outright.

    Note:  One thing is for sure-- should the opposition Head Coach call for a referee's review of an obviously thrown Forward Pass while leading 27-0 in a rout at Home late in the game as we saw yesterday; and then to show his intensity curse the official who makes the correct call in not reversing it; that Head Coach's Offense will be lucky to have his starting Quarterback carted off with only broken ribs or broken legs.  The Raven's Defense plays their own game.

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3*** NEW YORK GIANTS –4 Over Philadelphia   (WINNER)

    This NFC Playoff game is scheduled for 4 PM ET from East Rutherford with the weather predicted to be Sunny and in the 30s.

    The Giants deserved the Bye, and received it.  They now face a team they have owned, the Eagles.  They have won EIGHT games SU in this match up.  They won both ATS this year also.  Since losing back-to-back home games to St. Louis and Detroit, Coach Fassel guaranteed the Giants would make the playoffs and they reeled off five straight wins to clinch the NFC East title and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

    Since losing to the Giants on October 29, the Eagles won six of their last seven games and rolled to a 21-3 triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild card round.  Their only loss in that time period was at Home versus the Titans, but they covered ATS.  You can read a further in depth review on their season below in last week's selection.

    The line opened at Giants -5.5 and has worked its way down to -4.  We'll lay the wood here and bet on the streak continuing.  DANGER, DANGER!  WARNING, WARNING!  We believe we were 0-fer on/against the Giants this year and have shied away from using them when possible up to this point.  

NFL CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS SATURDAY JANUARY 6

4**** Miami +9 Over OAKLAND   (LOSER)

    This AFC Conference Playoff game is scheduled for 4:15 PM ET with the weather predicted to be Sunny and temperatures near 60 degrees from California.

    The Dolphins surprised everyone last weekend, that is except for FreeSportsLetter Members who made out on a 4**** Straight Up Dog Winner.  We pointed out last week that it is DEFENSE that wins in any professional sport in Playoff and Championship games.  One only needs to look at last week's Broncos/Ravens game, the best Offense versus the best Defense (another FreeSportsLetter Gold Key Winner).  Even the fabled 49'ers during their reign actually won off of their Defense, although Joe Montana and Jerry Rice and crew didn't hurt.  

    The most points the Dolphin's D allowed this year was 40 in that famous Monday Night thriller versus the Jets, yet they still Pushed that one.  Otherwise the greatest margin against them was 17 in the return match versus the Jets.  Coach Dave Wannstedt understands that his Running Game and his Defense are what he needs to rely on.  They will be playing on Natural Turf, similar to their Home Turf.  And by the way, what was Indy's Coach Mora thinking last week -- letting the clock run out in regulation with multiple timeouts and a great Quarterback under Center?

    The Raiders earned their time off and lay in wait for the Dolphins.  They finished the year 12-4 SU and 11-5 ATS.  Let's take a look at some of their games this year.  They lost SU at the Steelers and at the Seahawks, and twice SU versus the Broncos.  Off of each SU loss they came back the next game to pummel their opponents -- the Browns, Saints, Jets and Panthers.  They finished the regular season 3-2 ATS as Single Digit Fav.

    Much has been made about their 52-9 thrashing of the Panthers to end the season (a FreeSportsLetter Winner), but the Panthers offered little resistance to teams that got out on top of them the entire season.  We believe that the Raiders are the third best team in the NFL this year, only behind the Titans and Ravens.  No doubt they are a better team than the Dolphins, and are benefited by playing at Home.  

    The line opened at Raiders -8.5 and as of this writing moved up to -9.  The Totals line has been bet dead at 42.  This means the linesmakers predict a final score of roughly Raiders 25-16.  We'll take the points here and the Dolphins in what we predict will be a more ball control type game in a Strong Play.

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NFL WILD CARD PLAYOFFS SUNDAY DECEMBER 31

5***** Gold Key Play, BALTIMORE –3 Over Denver   (WINNER)

    This AFC Wild Card match up is scheduled for 12:30 PM ET from Crabtown, USA.  Forecasters had called for up to ten inches of snow, but they were the ones who bet on the Colts and the Rams.  :-))  The weather looks to be in the middle 30's, gusty and clear.

    The Ravens continue their trek during Festivus Maximus today.  This is the first Playoff game in Baltimore since 1977 when the BALTIMORE Colts were defeated in a thrilling double OT game by the Raiders.  We can only hope that the Irsay Colt's fans enjoy watching the game, their team once again eliminated from going to the Super Bowl.  The "Irsay Curse" continues.

    The Ravens had deficiencies on Offense the past two games, yet still won both SU.  Last week the Defense and Special Teams came through to finish the game on a 34-6 run against a team with its back to the wall.  Defense wins in the Playoffs in any sport, and the Ravens 'D' has shined all year.  Coach Al Groh's Jets may have provided the Raven's Coaches much help by pointing out their weaknesses before the Playoffs.  This week Coach Groh resigned and took an NCAA job.

    The Ravens are 8-4 ATS as Fav.  They have limited injuries going into the Playoffs.  They are totally focused on this game, take nothing for granted, and respect all opponents.  Although not necessarily a weakness, Coach Brian Billick needs to step up here and stop making poor Offensive calls especially near the Goal Line.  When in doubt, run it up the middle with your Running Back Lewis, Brian.

    The Broncos have had an outstanding season, and finished up 9-6 ATS.  They also are 4-0 as Dog.  Three games back they held on against the Seahawks, two games back they got dusted by the Chiefs.  Last week at Home they whipped the 49'ers who were playing for pride only.  Quarterback Griese is expected to start, if not Frerotte is quite acceptable.  Likewise with their Running Backs, whoever is handed the ball benefits from great up front blocking.

    The Raven's Defense like many others has questioned the illegal leg whip tactics used by the Broncos Offensive line.  Look for that to be taken care of by the Raven's D regardless if the Refs call the penalty or not.  The Raven's Defense plays their own game, and doesn't like to be disrespected.  

    The one area where the Broncos definitely have the edge in experience is at Head Coach.  Mike Shanahan has an impeccable Playoff record.  Unfortunately John Elway is no longer under Center for him. 

    The line opened at Ravens -3.5, and like last week fell.  As of this writing it stands at -3.  We look for the Ravens to use more ball control on Offense and for their Defense to continue to shine.  We prefer the line to be at or less than a Field Goal, but regardless are strong on the Ravens.  We offer this Gold Key Play to all Members today!

3*** PHILADELPHIA +3 Over Tampa Bay  (WINNER, OUTRIGHT!!)

    This NFC Wild Card match up is scheduled for 4 PM ET from the City of Brotherly Love.  The weather report includes gusty winds, with the temperature predicted to be in the 20's.

    The Eagles finished up the year at 11-5 SU and ATS.  Let's look at their last five games going back to November 5th:  They defeated the Cowboys on the Road to Push ATS, next they won outright as the Dog at the Steelers, next they mauled the Cardinals at Home, followed by a SU win at the Redskins, next they lose on a last second Field Goal to cover at Home versus the Titans (a Gold Key Winner), followed by Straight Up wins without covering at the Browns and at Home versus the Bengals.

    Add to that the fact they received one of the latest Byes from the League only two weeks ago, a benefit.  They are used to the cold weather and their hard artificial turf.  They have notched a 6-1 ATS record as Dog this year.

    The Buccaneers under Coach Tony Dungy have lived and died by their Defense.  They ended the season with a 10-6 SU, 9-6-1 ATS record.  They show a 3-1 ATS record as Road Fav.  Much has been made of their 0-19 SU record in cold weather.  That was almost broken last week at Green Bay, but Martin Gramatica's kick missed, allowing them to lose in OT and Push.  Throw out that cold weather record today, the Bucs would play without clothes if they had to.

    Since their SU loss at the Bears (yes, another cold weather game) the Bucs covered at Home versus the Bills, Cowboys and Rams and on the Road at the Dolphins, while Pushing last week at the Packers in the OT loss.  They are a team to be reckoned with, and deserve to be the Fav.

    The line opened at Bucs -1.5 and has climbed to -3.  We'll take the Eagles and the points here in a Good Play, and prefer to get the full Field Goal if possible.

NFL WILD CARD PLAYOFFS SATURDAY DECEMBER 30

4**** MIAMI +2 Over Indianapolis   (WINNER, OUTRIGHT!)

    This AFC Wild Card match up between AFC East teams is scheduled for 12:30 PM ET with the Miami weather predicted to be sunny in the middle 60's.

    The Dolphins struggled into the Playoffs here with three straight ATS losses.  They did however pull out last week's game on the Road versus the Patriots to clinch the Division.  Their Defense has been the key for the Dolphins, and in the Playoffs that's what counts most.  Jay Fiedler and the Offense have to step up here and play ball control to keep their own Defense off the field.  

    The Colts look like they're coming to hand.  They won and covered their last three games, including a win at the Dolphins two weeks ago.  This will be the third match up between these two teams in the past six weeks.  In the first two match ups the Dog won outright.  

    The line opened at Dolphins -1 and quickly moved to Colts -1.5, then up to Colts -2 and above.  We'll go with the Dog here again in this series, and look for the Dolphins to cover a hard fought game at Home.

4**** NEW ORLEANS +7 Over St. Louis   (WINNER, OUTRIGHT!!)

     This NFC Wild Card match up between NFC West rivals is scheduled for 4 PM ET from the confines of the Superdome.

    The Saints surprised most this year by finishing 10-6 SU, 9-7 ATS and going to the Playoffs.  They haven't played as well at Home as they have on the Road, as their 3-5 ATS record shows.  They are 0-2 ATS as Home Dog also.  This match up is similar to the earlier Wild Card game, with the teams facing each other for the third time in six weeks.  In the first two the Road team won and covered.  The Saints Defense must do better at controlling Marshall Faulk, or they have no chance.  

    The Rams are perhaps the most feared team in the NFC Playoffs.  They seem to be returning to form.  They finished the year 2-4 ATS in their last six though.  Quarterback Warner is listed as probable for this one.  With the general low quality of NFC Playoff teams as compared to their counterparts in the AFC, the Rams could go all the way to the Super Bowl again starting with a win here.  

    The line opened at Rams -5.5 and has moved upwards.  While the Rams are clearly the better team, we'll still go with the Saints to cover this one at Home in another hard fought Playoff battle.

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