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Closing Lines and Final Scores

All trends are ATS (Against The Spread) unless otherwise specified.

• 20* Indy v Chicago --- I was able to meet with several professional handicappers in my Las Vegas travels last week. Two were Vegas locals and one was from California. This is what I learned, all the stats and trends point to the Bears. My Power Rating, the BPR, also points to the Bears, but here’s where it gets a little sticky. Have you seen the Bears play the last 2 weeks? Chicago was tooth and nails to beat a terrible Seattle team, at home. Last week, they had the Saints by the throat and let them back in the game. If it wasn't for some bonehead coaching, and terrible breaks, the Saints would be playing this weekend. Then, if you look back at the teams Chicago beat in the regular season, it's a long list of chumps. The only good team the Bears faced was New England and they lost to them in Foxboro. Also, do not forget that the NFC sucked this year and they were totally dominated by the AFC. Now, when you look at all that, and think about all the stats that they've piled up, the Bears do not look as impressive. Rex Grossman was a terrible 11 for 26, versus New Orleans. The only reason he's here, is because the Saints could not hang on to the ball. The Bears do not inspire me. Rex Grossman does not look like a Superbowl QB and I have a hard time putting my money on that guy.
• No one gave Indy much of a shot. The Colt run defense was in the barn and Peyton Manning, and the explosive Indy offense, was just plodding along. Then the playoffs came and a light went on. The Colts stopped the Chiefs running game, dead in its tracks, for win number one. Then Indy traveled to Baltimore and hit the Daily Double, shutting down the soaring Ravens, in an impressive road win.  They topped off the Trifecta, with an improbable come from behind win, beating the Pats at the wire. Manning generated 5 second half scoring drives, all with the game on the line. He did it by spreading the ball to 9 different receivers and not completing a pass to WR Marvin Harrison, in the second half. That was a statement game, loud and clear. Peyton Manning finally took the reins and put an end to all the Colt playoff disasters.
• The game should see some first quarter jitters, as it always does. I see Manning, and the Colts, spreading the ball around and moving on the Chicago defense. Putting the ball in the end zone, when it matters. When the Bears have the ball, I don't see them being able to put together the long scoring drives they are going to need to beat Indy's Cover-2 defense. Remember, the Colt defense is fast and doesn't give the opposition very much room. It will be up to Grossman to string together enough positive plays to get the Bears down the field consistently. I don't see it happening. I see the Colts taking a modest first half lead, thus forcing the Bears into taking chances in the second half. That's when the flood gates open. Grossman is green and the mistakes will happen. He'll end up throwing 2 picks, maybe 3, and the Colts will win, like Secretariat, going away. I like Indy big, with a lean to the OVER. If you're still in doubt about spotting the 7 points, think about this. Who would you rather have as your jockey, Rex Grossman or Peyton Manning? Thanks and Good Luck, Ben

WINNER - 20¶ Indy 37 – Chicago 17 

Loser - 10¶ OVER

• 10* Indy v Chicago OVER - Loser

  (Teasers MUST include key numbers: 3, 6, 7, 10, 13, 14, etc.)

Closing Lines and Final Scores

    Remember compare the BPR (Ben’s Power Rating) to the spread, in the chart below, and if there’s a difference of 4 points or more, in your favor, then that’s a potential play. Below are the potential plays for this week; I have already added the 4 points. (Check individual game BPR's for any  line movements):

Information Purposes Only - Not Intended For Anyone Under 21 Years of Age

ATS – Against Spread

aft - after

bfr - before

BPR - Ben’s Power Rating

B2B – Back To Back

BOUNCE – Opp. result

D – Dog

Def - defense

DDD – Double Digit Dog

DDF - Double Digit Favorite

DIV - Division

F – Favorite

L - Loss

SAND - Sandwich game

H – Home

HD – Home Dog

HF – Home Favorite

HOME TEAM – In Capitals

LW – Last Week

LY – Last Year

N-DIV - Non Division

O/U – Over /Under

OFF – Offense

R – Road

REV – Revenge

SU – Straight Up

V - Versus

W - Win