The last four meetings between the Pacers and Blazers have stayed Under and the Blazers have stayed Under in their last two, a win against Utah and a slowdown loss at Milwaukee last night. Two Blazers games, two covers. The spread is so high because of playing last night but the total is lower because of what the Blazers have been doing. Still, I can’t stop betting something that keeps happening – Pacers Over. It’s 14-1 this season. Blazers are tired. Over is the play.

The Vikings have won the last five meetings with the Bears and covered the spread in four of them. The Bears come off a spirited Thanksgiving Day loss at Detroit while the Vikings just had a five-game win streak snapped against the surging Broncos. But the Vikings covered in a 21-20 loss. That’s six straight covers and QB Josh Dobbs is getting the job done again. He runs with a purpose and throws the ball accurately downfield. My money today is on Dobbs and the Vikings. I ask this question, the spread indicates both teams are almost equal on a neutral field, do you believe they’re equal? Vikings to cover.

The Magic have won and covered the last two meetings with the Hornets and my only hope today is that the Magic play like themselves and not take the Hornets lightly. The rested Magic have won and covered their last six games capped off with wins against the Nuggets and Celtics in their last two. The Hornets have won their last two but they’re on the road now where they’re 2-3. Magic to cover.

George Washington started out 5-0 and then lost to Illinois-Chicago. Coach Chris Caputo’s fast pace looks solid so far and more wins should be coming. This match has GW averaging 85 ppg while Delaware, who is also 5-1, is allowing 66 ppg. Something has got to give and that variable is senior guard James Bishop IV who led the Atlantic-10 in scoring last season. I love senior guards early in the season, they make fewer mistakes. I’m on George Washington.

Thad Matta’s third season at Butler has got off to a fast start. The pace outside of a 74-54 loss to Michigan State is the only slowdown game they have. They’ve gone full throttle from the days of last season when they averaged a 65-68 score. All those starters are gone. Boise State coach Leon Rice has done a a great job of keeping order defensively and they should make the NCAA Tournament again. I think this total is too high based on a small sampling of Butler games this season. I’m on the Under with BSU pace holding back what Butler wants to do. Just the Under.

The Raiders have covered all three games behind coach Antonio Pierce and they’ve gone 4-1 at home. The Raiders have the energy to beat the Chiefs, now they just have to execute. Feed Josh Jacobs, run the clock, and stay Under the total as they have in nine of their 11 games. The Chiefs have stayed Under in their last six and haven’t scored in their last three second halves. Is the KC offense missing Eric Bienemy? I’m on the Under.

The Texans got their sweet vibes going this season by surprising everyone with a 37-17 Week 3 blowout at Jacksonville and now sit in second place in the AFC South with a chance to take over first place with a win here. The Texans have won six of their last eight while the Jaguars have won six of their last seven. It’s time for the Jaguars to focus on the division. They can’t get swept here, they’re undefeated on the road (4-0). Jaguars to win, cover.

The Steelers have had a routine all season where they lost one game, win two straight, lose, and so on. They’re 6-4 and they’ve done it with the No. 28 offense and the No. 27 defense. But the bet here mainly stems from the Steelers pass rush against Jake Browning making his first NFL start. Joe Burrow is out. Browning mistakes expected is my play. It’s what the 2023 Steelers do and they lead the NFL with a +11 turnover margin. Steelers to cover.

San Jose State had a tough start to the season but the quality of opponents was tougher early on with losses to USC, Oregon State, Toledo, Air Force, and Boise State. But QB Chevan Cordeiro was never frazzled and they’ve won five straight and gone 5-1 ATS in their last six. San Jose State has won the last three meetings with UNLV. But this is it for the Rebels. They’re the best cover team in the nation at 10-1 ATS and have the new home edge at Allegiant Stadium. Close it out! Rebels to cover.

The last two years in this series we’ve seen shootout wins by Michigan, but I don’t see this being a shootout. Ohio State has stayed Under in nine of 11 games this season. We’ve got the No. 1 defense of Michigan against Ohio State’s No. 3 defense and I don’t think Kyle McCord is ready for this level of football. Against Michigan State they let him loose, against Michigan, I think the coaches will not let him be the reason they lose. McCord only has four interceptions, but it’s J.J. McCarthy that I trust here in this big game. Michigan to cover.

The Dolphins have been beaten by the Bills, Eagles, and Chiefs but they didn’t cover the spread against the Raiders in a tough defensive effort last week. Can the Jets do the same? I don’t see them winning and I don’t see a lot of scoring. The Jets defense has been solid, It's the offense that has been awful, but it hasn’t all been Zack Wilson’s fault that resulted in Tim Boyle getting the starting nod today. All the Jets receivers and blockers get credit for not executing and Wilson losing his job but it was Wilson who didn’t lead nor bark at his players. Under is the top play.

The Magic own the Celtics. At least that was the case last season when the Magic won the last three meetings, two of them by eight points or more. It looks like they have Boston’s number. And the future is now in Orlando with a 10-5 record and riding a five-game win and cover streak, the last coming against the Nuggets. They are 12-3 ATS this season. I took the points with the Magic.