I hope everyone is having a great start to the New Year! 98-68 in CBB so far this season for me. 27-21 in the NFL. 66-52 in college football. Here's a free play from me for Sunday.

Free Play- Bears +4 Chicago finds themselves in close games on a consistent basis. A wind chill below 0 for this game is helpful too. The Rams have quite a few injuries, and the Bears should stay close.

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Start of 1/16 Premium Newsletter

VPID Premium Newsletter – January 16

>Doug CBB run 105-64 62% +$8,400

>Doug CBB 44-26 run 63% (+$3,100)

>Doug 9-2 and 12-3 NHL Streaks

>Doug PROPS 41-25 and 68-40 runs - +$3,200

>Sean Higgs is 316-257 all sports run and up $5,696

>Sean 76-61 30 Days $1,698

>Doug 27-16 Sports run  +$3600

^ A tough Thursday for Doug, losing in OT and Oilers losing 1-0 despite outshooting the Islanders 35-18. I cannot sweat the OT since I’m 469-608 beyond regulation in all sports the last almost 16 years. Plus, hats off to the New York goalie, I had the right side, wrong outcome in a normal game.

^ Super Systems NHL 2-0 Thursday

^ Top WCWG 2-0 yesterday

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Premium Picks

Doug’s Picks Ranked 1-6 (3 or higher a Best Bet depending on the day)

2 Unit Play. Take #36 Colorado -120 (-1.5 PL) over Nashville (9:07 p.m., ET Friday, Jan. 16)

Inevitably, Colorado was going to have rough spots, and they have lost three of their last five. However, in looking at the losses, Tampa Bay and Toronto are both on fire, with the latter in overtime and at Florida, it's tough for anybody. Nashville hits Denver playing solid hockey, winners of 9 of 13, thanks to improved defense and opportunistic scoring. However, the Avs are the best team in the NHL and have won 9 of 10 at home against the Predators. And it’s impossible to overlook that Colorado is 12-0 playing against a marginal losing team (Win Pct. 40% to 49%), winning by 3.1 GAG.

Football

3 Unit Play. Take #392 Denver -1 over Buffalo (4:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Jan. 17)

What a fascinating line move mid-week, when Buffalo went from -1.5 or -1 to +1 at Denver. Josh Allen is a proven commodity at quarterback in the AFC. Coach Sean Payton is not going to make the same mistake Liam Coen did for Jacksonville, which was playing conservatively most of the first half last week. Payton is already on record saying the Broncos have to take the game to the Bills. Allen last week picked apart the Jaguars' zone defense. Denver plays significantly more man defense and can really rush the passer. Keep in mind the Broncos are 12-1 SU as home favorites, winning by double digits. Grab Denver to cover.

4 Unit Play. Take #388 New England -1 over Houston (3:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Jan. 18) Taken early in the week

For the second AFC contest of the weekend, we have the side adjusted. New England opened at -2 and crawled over the key number of three to -3.5 with a great deal of sharp money. (Now down to -3) Houston has an exceptional defense that can slow down any offense. It’s safe to say Drake Maye is playing better at quarterback than C.J. Stroud. Keep in mind the Texans' offense only scored 16 points despite having 381 total yards at Pittsburgh. Plus, Houston has five turnovers in its past two away battles. The Patriots have improved against the run game after a tough stretch, getting back all the original defensive linemen. We’ll call for the Pats to win by 7, knowing Maye is 11-0 SU and 9-2 ATS as a favorite of 3 or more points. And, teams like Houston, who are NFL Playoff underdogs on 8+ game winning streaks, are 3-10 SU & 4-9 ATS.

2 Unit Play. Take #288 Indiana -8.5 over Miami-Fl. (7:50 p.m., ET Monday, Jan. 19)

With Miami up from +7.5 to +8.5 for the championship game, backing the Hurricanes playing on their home field should be an advantage for them. But this won’t be a typical Miami home game as it is expected to be 50 percent green and 50 percent red in the stands, and maybe a few more in crimson. The Canes have the defense to compete, and they will have to stop the run of Indiana and harass Fernando Mendoza on passing downs. However, when the Hoosiers have come to play, they dominate. Look for this to be close to the third quarter, when Indiana’s pass rush starts to speed up QB Carson Beck and the Hoosiers' excellent secondary makes plays. Then the Hoosiers' offense rises, Miami realizes they can’t win, and the undefeated team scores one more touchdown to cover. Indiana has only allowed more than 20 points twice, once to Penn State, playing a flat game, and in the last game in junk time against Oregon. I’ll take Indiana winning 27-16.

SEAN HIGGS Picks

Passing CBB Today

Football

Taking the BILLS. I had Jags (loser) and the Under (winner) last week. I am not all that high on Buffalo. But even if Maye wins the MVP, this guy is the best QB the AFC Playoffs. Josh is a one man wrecking crew. That being said, I expect Denver to run a bit more than the Jags did. When Jags did run, they had big gains. Not sure they didn't just do that. Payton will. But lets be honest. The #1 Seed is a dog for a reason. Nothing I didn't touch on when I did Look Ahead Lines last week talking NFL playoffs and possible 2nd round matchups. These guys. Had to pull a 20-12 win over the Titans in Week 1. Lost that nutty game in Indy. Couldn't hold a lead in LA vs the Chargers. Played town to a miserable Jets team, nearly losing in a 13-11 win. How about that Giants game? 18-15 in Houston vs Davis Mills. 10-7 at home vs Vegas. 24-17 in Vegas. Even their last 2 games vs 3rd stringer in KC and a back ups for LAC in Week 18 - eking out 19-3 and 20-13 wins. Not impressive. 4* Money Maker BUFFALO BILLS

Taking the NINERS. I wanted San Fran last week at +3.5 - I didn't play it when we did Look Ahead Lines. All of a sudden we are run at 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6. Had no idea why? No Trent Williams? Purdy out, CMC? I stayed away. Not overthinking things here. This will be a rock fight. 13-3, 17-13, 20-17 last 3 games. Seattle tough at home. I get it. As much as I like Darnold - guy has problems vs good teams. 17-13 loser this year, right here, vs San Fran. That crazy 38-35 Tampa Bay, again, home loss. Tough 20-12 win vs Jags. Lost 21-19 in LA. 18-16 here over Phillip Rivers and Indy! That wild Rams win 38-378. Do we have to go back to last year with Minny and his 4 losses.. Twice to Detroit -- Twice to the Rams. Not a knock. He has also beat LA and San Fran. But laying a TD. Can't do it. Niners or nothing. Also like the Under 45.5 here. 4* Money Maker SAN FRANCISCO 49ers

Taking the BEARS. This Rams defense just is not doing it for me. Needed to come down the field and score in the last seconds to beat Carolina after being installed as a 10.5 road favorite. This is now the Rams 4th road game in 5 weeks. Not great. Back to the Rams defense. 31-20-27-38-34 17-31 their last 7 games. 4 into the 30s, ALLOWED. Now you want me to think they can lay points vs the Bears? If we have seen anything the last 4 games from the Bears - it is They Do Not Quit. Do we have to rehash the Packers on-side kick and win? On the move deep into SF territory before losing 42-38. Then the Lions up 16-0 and they come back to tie before losing late. And Finally, that 21-3 left for dead halftime look the other night. Only to score 25 points in the 4th and win it.  4* Money Maker CHICAGO BEARS

Taking INDIANA. So - we had the Hoosiers their last 2 games in the playoffs.. Cha-Ching. We faded Miami the playoffs. 0-3. Of course I come back to my exact same reasoning to not take Miami. The coaching. And we look right at their last game vs Ole Miss. What should have been a Miami blowout could have been an outright loss for them if the refs didn't swallow the whistle on a one on one Hail-Mary pass. Granted. It is 15 yards in college. But still, a second shot at the end zone. Anything possible. More importantly. The penalties. That is all on poor coaching. 15 yards for conduct. That is all on the coaches. Look across the field. Is Indy playing that crap? These are literally men vs boys. We saw all the age stuff. But the Hoosier coach is on another planet compared to Miami in this one. I will always bring up Miami's 2 double digit favorite spots they lost this year. Plus last year. The game at down 35-10. The game before that needing 2 TDs in the 4th to rally past VT (17pt fav). Poor coaching and prep. The Georgia Tech fumble is icing on the cake. Then lose to Syracuse? Again. LAST YEAR. But still the SAME COACH. We saw it in those 2 games this year. We see the players immaturity with the dumb penalties. Indy plays a tough game. I can see them getting under Miami's skin and the Hoosiers cashing in on several unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. That turns a 1 score game into a 2 or even 3 score game. The fact this is home game for my Miami and they are 7+ point dogs?  They have learned whatever lessons had to be learned from their 2 losses last year.  -- And to Indiana. What has this team showed!

West Coast Wise Guys – Best Bets (Hottest Current Person – Stick With Until Losing Twice)

SPORTS – (172-141 all sports run)

CBB – DePaul

NBA – 76ers

West Coast Wise Guys – Consensus Picks (In order, Best First)

SPORTS – (308-268, 34-26 all sports)

CBB – DePaul

NBA – Kings

West Coast Wise Guys – Best Bet (Top Person by Sport)

SPORTS – (5-1, 3-0 Thursday)

CBB – DePaul and Boise State

NBA – T-Wolves

NHL – Ducks PL

VPID College Basketball Top Trends

>Kent State 4-20 ATS off a win against a conference rival.

>Baylor 1-11 ATS in away games versus teams - shooting >=45% with a defense of <=42%.

>Ohio 1-12 ATS in away games after scoring 75 points or more 2 straight games.

>Colorado State 13-2 ATS versus teams that average 6 or less steals/game.

VPID NFL Top Trends

>Buffalo 16-5 SU after a win by 3 or less points OR Denver 5-0 ATS in home games versus defenses allowing >=130 rushing yards/game.

>Denver 8-1 UNDER vs. teams outscoring opponents by 6+ PPG.

>San Francisco 5-0 ATS after covering the spread in 4 or 5 out of their last 6 games OR San Francisco 1-8 ATS after a win by 6 or less points.

>San Francisco 8-1 OVER in away games versus division opponents.

>Houston 5-0 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season OR New England 6-0 ATS after having won 4 out of their last 5 games.

>New England 6-0 OVER in home games where the total is between 38.5 and 42 points OR Houston 5-0 UNDER away after 3 or more consecutive wins.

>LA Rams 8-1 ATS in away games when playing against a team with a winning record OR Chicago 11-2 ATS after playing a game at home.

>LA Rams 7-0 OVER in away games against conference opponents OR Chicago 8-1 UNDER after a playing a game where 50 total points or more were scored.

VPID College Football Top Trends

>Miami (FL) 5-0 ATS versus teams - averaging >=425 yards/game.

>Miami (FL) 5-0 UNDER games off 1 or more straight overs.

VPID NBA Top Trends

>Toronto 1-9 ATS when playing 8 or more games in 14 days.

>Sacramento 3-14 ATS after playing 3 consecutive home games.

>New Orleans 9-1 UNDER vs. teams - outrebounded by 3+ per game.

>Houston 25-5 ATS on the 1st half line after scoring 100 points or less.

VPID NHL Top Trends

>Florida 10-1 ATS in away games against teams-averaging 3+ more shots on goal than foe.

>Colorado 14-0 in home games vs. power play killing teams who allow >17.5% of chances.

>Tampa Bay is on an 11-0 win streak.

> Nashville 24-6 UNDER in away games revenging a loss where opponent scored 4 or more goals.

VIPD College Basketball Super Systems

>Bet On - Road underdogs of 10 to 19.5 points like Loyola – Chic. - after being beaten by the spread by 30 or more points total in their last three games, against an opponent after going under the total by more than 12 points in two consecutive games. (29-6 ATS)

VPID NFL Super Systems

>Bet Over - Home teams like Broncos off 2 straight wins against division rivals, against opponent off an upset win as a road underdog. (23-6)

>Bet Under - Any team like 49ers where the first half total is between 21.5 and 24.5 - revenging a home loss, winning 60-75% or more of their games, in the second half of the season. (22-3)

Bet Against - Home teams like Patriots where the line is +3 to -3 - outgaining their opponents by 1.25 or more passing yards/attempt. (12-36 ATS)

>Bet Over - Any team like Patriots where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points - after 4 or more consecutive wins. against the opponent after 5 or more consecutive wins. (28-2)

>Bet On - Road favorites like Rams of 2 to 6 points vs. the first half line - after a win by 6 or less points, against an opponent after a playing a game where 50 total points or more were scored. (25-5 ATS)

VPID CFB Super Systems

Super Systems closed CFB 29-10-2

VIPD NBA Super Systems

>Bet Against - Road teams like Bulls where the line is +3 to -3 – scoring 114-118 PPG against a team scoring 108-114 PPG, after scoring 68 points or more in the first half last game. (5-25 ATS)

>Bet On - Any team like Kings after beating the spread by more than 18 points in two consecutive games, in non-conference action. (25-5 ATS)

VIPD NHL Super Systems

>Bet Against Friday underdogs like Nashville and Anaheim off an upset win as a home underdog. (12-49)

Social Media Betting Buzz

Popular (+60% of money) NFL Divisional Round bets at @BetMGM

 As of 3:00 pm ET

76% of money on 49ers +260

69% on Patriots -3

69% on Seahawsk-49ers UNDER 45

68% on Broncos-Bills UNDER 46

67% on Bears +165

66% on 49ers +7

61% on Patriots -175

**DAYTON is 0-11 ATS as a favorite of more than 7.5 PTS vs allowing >30.3% 3PT shooting.

** Timberwolves vs teams on no rest: 34-7 SU since 2023  /They have won 13 in a row

** Fade Rockets on Back-to-Back Games 13-1 ATS .10-4 straight up (avg. line of +205)  Timberwolves +4.5

**The @okcthunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the first NBA player to score at least 20 points in 40+ straight games to begin a season since George Gervin in 1981-82 (first 45).

**Divisional Round Dogs (<5.5) coming off a non-playoff season: 14-3 ATS  Chicago

**The Patriots are 9-1 ATS the past 2 seasons when the temperature is no more than 40. The game time temp in Foxboro Sunday is forecast as 34.

** The Fortyniners are 0-9 ATS since December 2023 when their opponent is on a 3+ game winning streak. That includes 5 straight outright losses.

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**The Bills are 9-0 to the OVER since January 2024 after allowing 200+ passing yards and 100+ rushing yards last game.

**The Bills are 10-0 ATS since December 2023 after throwing at least 35 passes last game.

**NFL Playoff underdogs on 8+ game winning streaks are 3-10 overall & 4-9 ATS.

**Patriots Drake Maye is 11-0 SU and 9-2 ATS as a favorite of 3 or more points.

**@ChicagoBears have won 6 games as underdogs this season and are 7-3 ATS as dogs.

**Miami is 5-0 ATS as an underdog vs Top 25 opponents when the total is less than 57.

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