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Stephen Nover |
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I have had only two losing season in pro football in my handicapping career. I have the best sources in the business thanks to more than 25 years as a sportswriter, handicapper and analyst. |
YESTERDAY'S PLAYS | ||
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Matchup | Selection | W/L |
CFL | Jul 25, 2024 Saskatchewan vs Montreal |
Saskatchewan +4½ -113 at BetVegas |
Won $100 |
Play Type: Top Premium | ||
Record-wise these are the two best teams in the CFL. Both have outstanding defenses and both are missing their injured starting quarterbacks. The situation favors Montreal, which had a bye last week and is home. But taking more than a field goal with Saskatchewan makes sense knowing Montreal QB Cody Fajardo is out with a hip injury suffered in the Alouettes' last game, a 37-18 home loss to Toronto. The Roughriders have the top run defense in the league. I don't believe the Alouettes have a strong enough passing game with backup QB Caleb Evans to exploit the Roughriders through the air, especially if they are in unfavorable yardage situations. Saskatchewan has been underrated all season. The Roughriders have the best point spread record in the league at 5-1. Their backup QB, Shea Patterson, is a running threat and Montreal ranks second-to-last in the league in run defense. | ||
Matchup | Selection | W/L |
CFL | Jul 25, 2024 Saskatchewan vs Montreal |
UNDER 49 -116 |
Won $100 |
Play Type: Premium | ||
Two backup quarterbacks in a matchup of the league's two best defenses. That spells Under to me at this large of a number. Saskatchewan gives up the second fewest points in the CFL and is first in takeaways and run defense. Montreal allows the fewest points in the league and least amount of yards per game. Montreal QB Cody Fajardo, the Grey Cup MVP last year, suffered a hamstring injury in the Alouettes' last game. That was a loss to Toronto in which Montreal could produce only 18 points. Backup Alouettes QB Caleb Evans threw two interceptions after replacing the injured Fajardo. Evans had thrown only five passes during Montreal's previous five games. The Alouettes are going to need Evans to play better because of the Roughriders' top-ranked run defense. Saskatchewan is not only down starting QB Trevor Harris, but also won't have its top rusher, AJ Ouellette. He's out with a hip injury. Ouellette is the third-leading rusher in the CFL. |
PICKS IN PROGRESS | ||
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Matchup | Selection | W/L |
MLB | Jul 26, 2024 Rockies vs Giants |
UNDER 8 -115 | |
Play Type: Top Premium | ||
When we last saw the Rockies they were scoring 20 runs. That was this past Wednesday at Coors Field. |
SERVICE BIO |
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Sports gaming writer for Las Vegas Review-Journal 1984-1997. Professional handicapper since 1999. Author of three books - Las Vegas Sportsbeat, Sportsgaming Beat, Winning Fantasy Football. Taught sports betting at UNLV. Former co-host of the Sunday Night Stardust Line sports gaming radio show. Was part-time oddsmaker and analyst for Roxy Roxborough. Recognized NFL expert with 21 of 23 winning seasons. |