Today's picks: Predators-Kings best bet, plus more PGA Tour, NFL and college basketball picks for Thursday

Jonathan Coachman is joined by top sports betting experts Mike McClure, Allie O'Neill, Justin Perri, and Larry Hartstein on the Early Edge podcast, powered by SportsLine. Get highlighted plays for the NHL, PGA Tour, NFL, and college basketball for Thursday, Jan. 6, and you can stream the show live every morning on the SportsLine YouTube page.

Larry opens by spotlighting how NFL teams that have nothing to play for in Week 18 could actually be worthy of strong consideration. Mike then eagerly launches into his top play for the 2022 Sentry Tournament of Champions. He is on Jon Rahm over Justin Thomas at -110. These are the two top players in the field, but the one knock on Thomas is his putter, and this is a course where that will matter. Rahm excels in loaded fields. Mike reminds us to check out his simulated leaderboard at SportsLine. 

Allie's featured NHL play is the Predators -135 over the Kings at 10:30 p.m. ET. "I think these teams are really equally matched right now. They're both scoring around three goals per game," she says. "You have the goalies, including Jonathan Quick, who is one of the best for the Kings, but he has struggled a little bit at home. I do think that's going to be the difference because Juuse Saros has been really sharp lately."

Justin supplies three college basketball plays, including South Alabama -5.5 over Appalachian State at 8 p.m. ET. The Jaguars have been very effective on offense this season. He is also taking Eastern Washington +2.5 against Montana at 9 p.m. ET. The Grizzlies are just not a good road team. Justin finishes up with USC -5.5 over California at 11 p.m. ET. Recent meetings indicate that the Trojans will easily prevail. 

In Week 18 of the NFL, Larry is going with the Rams team total Over 23.5 against the 49ers on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET. San Francisco is dealing with serious personnel issues in the secondary, and the Rams have a lot to play for on Sunday. 

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