Who’s got it better than us? Today we have three CFP games and an NFL doubleheader along with NBA, NHL and college hoops.
Last night wasn’t too bad either. Alabama (+1.5) rallied from 17 points down to beat Oklahoma 34-24 in the CFP. Next up for the Tide: Indiana (-6.5) in the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl. And, if you missed it, Anthony Joshua (-1600) KO’d Jake Paul in Round 6.
Packers-Bears
This lifelong Bears fan is turning to a lifelong Packers fan for betting insight on tonight’s big Green Bay-Chicago game (8:20 ET, Fox).
Actually, I was intrigued by Steve Makinen’s take because he rarely references his previous work for “far-away places”:
To me, this game screams of the biggest issues that oddsmakers are having nowadays because of their unwillingness to put down a number of pick’em or -1 in any game. They leave such a massive hole for savvy bettors to slip through.
Why do I say that? Well, Green Bay sat as a -1.5-point favorite at the outset of the week. Since then, 81% handle and 65% bets on Chicago have forced DraftKings to move the line. Not to GB -1, or even, or even GB +1, but all the way to +1.5. That’s a 3-point move that, in the days of better practices, would have never happened. I know this, as I used to consult on linemaking for perhaps the biggest book of them all in the “old days.” Not to mention that all that money sitting on a home favorite is never good.
Put Steve down for Packers +1.5 (even better, the number is +2 at Circa, which in fact did move from a pick’em).
👉 Check out Steve’s NFL Week 16 Best Bets, which include the first game of the NFL doubleheader, Eagles (-7) at Commanders (5 ET, Fox).
Other Best Bets columns
👉 Pauly Howard (kicking props)
Josh Appelbaum will post his NFL Sharp Report this morning.
Everything we do on Week 16 will be posted here.
Other NFL resources
>Fantasy Points WR/CB Matchup Tool
>DraftKings/Circa Betting Splits
>Injury Report: Both the Bears and Packers have key injuries.
VSiN Pro subscribers have access to the plays from hosts and guests on our NFL picks page.
Today’s CFP Best Bets
Adam Burke and Zach Cohen preview today’s CFP first-round games:
>Miami (+3) at Texas A&M, Noon ET (ABC/ESPN)
>Tulane (+17) at Ole Miss, 3:30 ET (TNT)
>James Madison (+21) at Oregon, 7:30 ET (TNT)
In his Best Bets column, Matt Youmans had this to say:
In my opinion, the 12-team playoff bracket has six teams with no chance to win it all. Those teams are James Madison, Tulane, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas A&M. I’m putting Miami in the group of six teams that have a real title shot. Still, the Hurricanes rank sixth on that list behind Ohio State, Indiana, Georgia, Texas Tech and Oregon. (I recently bet the Ducks +800 and also played the Hoosiers at 10-1 during the season, but my Notre Dame 16-1 ticket is obviously dead.) While I’m not a believer in Miami coach Mario Cristobal and quarterback Carson Beck, the Hurricanes do have the defense and overall talent required to make a playoff run.
More Best Bets columns
Plenty more CFP opinions in the VSiN College Football Playoff Betting Guide.
👉 Buy your VSiN CFP Betting Guide for just $14.99.
Everything else we do during bowl season is posted here.
Others CFB resources
VSiN Pro subscribers have access to the CFB Picks page.
Circa Friday Football selections
Matt Youmans announced 77 picks from 11 contestants on the Circa Friday Football Invitational show last night.
The picks are posted on VSiN.com.
I think it’s fair to say that there is no consensus on the Miami-Texas A&M game:
Chris Macero: Miami FL (+3)
Kenny White: Texas A&M (-3)
Chris Fallica: OVER (48)
Scott Pritchard: UNDER (48)
👉 Standings.
Quick Hits
NBA: Zach Cohen‘s Best Bets and Steve Makinen‘s Analytics Report will hit around mid-morning on our NBA page. Our Opta AI NBA player props projections are here.
College Basketball: Greg “Hoops” Peterson has his Best Bets for today’s menu. Adam Burke offers his college basketball Best Bets Monday-Saturday. You can find them on our college basketball page mid-morning.
Get real-time steam alerts from the DonBest Screen. Sign up now for a 7-day free trial at go.donbest.com. Use the promo code VSIN10 for 10% off your initial subscription.
NHL: VSiN hockey analyst Jonathan Davis will post his Best Bets around mid-day.
Horse Racing: On VSiN At The Track, Mike Somich and Aaron Halterman preview today’s races. 👉 Listen / Watch.
“Mr. Ed” Sehon has picks for today’s menu at Gulfstream.
1/ST BET is built for bettors who demand more. Their AI-powered handicapping tools deliver Win, Place, and Show probabilities for every runner—helping you find value and bet smarter. Right now, new users can get up to a $250 sign-up bonus. Use promo code VSIN250 and sign up today.
Soccer: Nigel Seeley has Best Bets for the EPL menu.
