The Doc is still cruising through the season posting up strong percentages. In fact, if you’ve been taking advice here at LBS on your picks from Doc and Del you’re doing quite well for yourself — both are over 69% on their Top 3, over 59% on straight up picks, and over 53% ATS, including 55% by the Doc. As usual, your guides see things pretty similarly in their NFL predictions so that must be good news.
Much like Del, the Doc loves the Colts on Thursday night. Indy has lost three in a row largely because Peyton Manning has been having one of his worst streaks ever throwing the ball. We expect the interceptions to come to an end and the Colts to score plenty of points. Tennessee meanwhile has lost five in a row and hardly has any semblance of an offense. The Colts should probably be a 6-7 point favorite in this one.
The Giants seem to be a good bet at Minnesota. The Vikings have been playing much better since making a coaching change but we’re hoping Brett Favre is healthy enough to play. Tarvaris Jackson will struggle against a good Giants defense if he makes it into the game while Favre will be eaten alive. Hopefully #4 plays plenty so the Giants can crush him. The only reservation we have in picking the Giants is Eli’s record against the Vikings. He’s 0-4 lifetime with 2TDs and 9INTs against them. Hopefully his struggles at Minnesota won’t stay with him on Sunday.
Lastly for the Top 3, Doc is going back to his beloved Bucs. Tampa Bay has gone 3-1 when the Doc has made them a part of his Top 3, and they even lost last week when Doc went against them. They were up 10 in the 4th quarter against the Falcons at home and blew the lead. They’re gritty, they’re competitive, and they can play. Josh Freeman keeps them in games and helps them pull victories out late. We have plenty of trust in him and are picking them against a Redskins team that has completely gone down the drain.
(ATS = Against the Spread, SU = Straight Up)
Keep in mind now that we’re in the heart of December, weather will be a major factor in many of these games. There’s a 50% chance of precipitation at many game sites so teams that like to pass the ball may struggle.
