Predictem’s Mike Mann handicaps the New York Jets vs. New England Patriots game which kicks off this Sunday, December 30th, 1:00 PM at Gillette Stadium Foxboro, MA. Online sportsbooks opened New England as huge 13 point favorites.
Mike Mann
Cotton Bowl Pick: Notre Dame vs. Clemson
In the first of the BCS Semifinal Playoff games, two undefeated teams face off when Clemson and Notre Dame meet in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas. Kickoff is slated for December 29th at 4 PM ET and will be broadcast on ESPN. The betting line on this game opened with Clemson favored by 11.5 points but was quickly bet up to -13. The public has been playing the underdog with Notre Dame getting about 60% of the wagering action. Our handicapper has a different opinion on the game. Read on to get his Cotton Bowl prediction.
Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots Pick
The Bills weapons are in short supply now with Kelvin Benjamin off to Kansas City, Zay Jones leads the team in receptions and yards and rookie Robert Foster continues to impress after posting over 100 yards in a touchdown in their win last week. On the season he is now second on the team in yards and posts a 24.6 yards per catch average. After that there isn’t much else as tight end Charles Clay has been a big disappointment and without Benjamin it remains to be seen who might step up next in his absence. Do the Bills have enough to stay inside of 13 points?
New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Pick
The Patriots are coming off their disastrous final play loss to the Dolphins. The entire game was a myriad of mistakes even before the ending, including constant defensive lapses that resulted in big plays, a missed field goal and extra point by Stephen Gostowski (sound familiar?) and another blown chance at field goal to end the first half. But this is a new week and Sportsbooks have New England at -1.
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins Pick
AFC East foes meet in Miami when the Dolphins host the Patriots on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium. New England has had the upper hand over the last few years with a 13-4 record in their last 17 games against the Dolphins, but all four of those losses have come in their last five trips to Miami. Can the Pats break that trend and get the 9 point win to cover against the spread?
New England Patriots vs. New York Jets Pick
The Patriots head to Jersey to take on the Jets for a Sunday afternoon showdown of AFC East rivals. New England has dominated of late with wins in twelve of the last fourteen games between the teams, but it is Gang Green who has had the upper hand against the spread with a record of 8-2 in the last ten meetings including five straight covers at home. Now that we have the ATS hocus pocus out of the way, lets dive into the matchup!
Notre Dame at USC Pick ATS
Notre Dame heads west to take on USC for a Saturday night showdown at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The game is played for the Jeweled Shillelagh Trophy, with Notre Dame holding an all-time advantage 47-37-5. The Irish have won four of the last six games in the series, but it has been the Trojans with the upper hand of late when playing at home, as they have put up a 6-2 record in the last eight meetings in California.
Syracuse Orange vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Pick ATS
Notre Dame and Syracuse meet at Yankee Stadium in this year’s installment of the Shamrock Series. The Irish lead all time 5-3 against the Orange with wins in the last two games in 2014 and 2016 by at least 16 points in each. Mike Mann thinks he has this one figured out. Get his opinion on the -10 spread and his ATS winner.
Pick: Florida State Seminoles vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Florida State Seminoles visit the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday in South Bend. The betting line on this game opened at the majority of the betting shops with Notre Dame a -16.5 but now is listed between 16 and 17 points depending at the sportsbooks we track. The Irish are 9-0 on the campaign, but have extended the winning margin past 10 on only three opponents this season. Can Florida State make it 7 or are they over-matched in this spot?
Pick: New England Patriots vs. Tennessee Titans
One of the biggest questions facing the Titans this week is how they will be able to trade points with the Patriots on Sunday. They rank near the bottom of the NFL in a majority of statistical categories, coming in at 30th in scoring, passing and yards per game. How they will they attack New England? That remains to be seen. Mike Mann has his NFL Prediction.