In Between the Lines: Chapter 14
Time flies when you’re having fun. It’s Divisional Round weekend in the NFL, which means there are eight teams left in the running. The NFL season may be coming closer to an end, but at least the NHL is back in action. Additionally, there is some good stuff going on at Wai’alae Country Club in Hawaii.
With a stacked sports schedule comes fervent sports bettors. “In Between the Lines” gives avid fans and sports bettors exactly what they want. Looking ahead to the upcoming week in sports, “In Between the Lines” offers inside analysis on line movements and key stats.
Here’s what you absolutely can’t miss this upcoming week in sports:
1. NFL – Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills (Divisional Round 1/16/21 at 8:15pm)
The Baltimore Ravens are currently 2.5-point underdogs against the Buffalo Bills. The Ravens are 9-1 against the spread and 7-3 outright as an underdog since drafting quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Bills were doing a fantastic job covering prior to last week against the Indianapolis Colts, covering eight of their past nine games.
The Bills are 7-1 against the spread when the line is between +3 and -3. I like the Buffalo Bills to win and cover the 2.5-point spread. The over/under is set at 48.5. Bills games are 12-4-1 to the over this season. Based on this mark, which is the second highest in the league, I like the over.
2. College Basketball – No. 2 Baylor Bears at No. 15 Texas Tech Red Raiders (1/16/21 at 4pm)
The Texas Tech Red Raiders upset the No. 4 Texas Longhorns 79-77 on Wednesday. With three seconds left in the game, Texas Tech’s Mac McClung nailed the game-winning jumper. McClung, a Georgetown transfer, is quite an asset to the Texas Tech team, averaging 15.8 points per game.
With McClung coming off this game-winning high, I like Texas Tech on the moneyline in this one. I smell another upset.
3. NFL – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints (Divisional Round 1/17/21 at 6:40pm)
Drew Brees and Tom Brady meet again. I am sure you have been seeing those pictures of Brady and Brees circulating the internet. Never forget long-haired Brady. The New Orleans Saints have covered five straight meetings. Brees is 5-2 outright and against the spread in his career against Brady.
Historically, Brees plays well against Brady. His 5-2 record is the best among 17 quarterbacks to face Brady at least five times. The Saints are a 3.5-point favorite and -160 on the moneyline. I like the Saints to win and cover the 3.5-point spread. The Saints have covered the past four times they have been a home favorite.
4. Golf – Sony Open (Final Round 1/17/2021)
Chile’s Joaquin Niemann is currently sitting in first place at the Sony Open sitting at 9-under through eight holes. In yesterday’s opening round on the 18th hole, Niemann holed a 50-foot chip for an eagle. He finished at 8-under-par 62. America’s Peter Malnati and Jason Kokrak also shot 62 in Thursday’s opening round. Malnati tees off at 5pm on Thursday.
Niemann turned pro as a 19-year-old. He is now 22 years old and I like him winning the hold thing and taking home the bulk of the $6,600,000 purse.
