Michael Alexander

Rating: 2 Units

I have to take the Ducks at plus money in this spot. Their offense has been playing very well of late, and Lukas Dostal has been solid in the net. On the other side, the Devils will have to deal with fatigue on the second night of a back-to-back. Moreover, the Devils cannot count on Brett Pesce (upper body), who’s a true anchor on their blueline. Without Pesce, the Devils’ defense has fallen apart in those two losses against Colorado and San Jose. New Jersey might miss winger Connor Brown (G5, A1), while Anaheim is without center Mikael Granlund (G2, A6).

Rating: 2 Units

Oddsmakers are giving the Knicks the benefit of the doubt because they’re at home, and there’s no way a team this talented loses 4 straight games. Forget that. I’m grabbing the points with the Bulls. The Bulls continue to stack wins and have a chance at franchise history with a 6-0 start. The Bulls have also covered all 5 games, and that includes a double-digit win over the Knicks on Halloween. Until the Bulls lose or stop cashing tickets, I’ll gladly keep backing them. Give me the points.

Rating: 2 Units

Since their season-opening 17-13 loss to San Francisco, the Seahawks have stormed back to out-yard every opponent. That says a lot for a team involved in five one-score games this season, and a team that is 3-0-1 ATS in games against opponents coming off a Monday Night game. Last year’s upstart Commanders expected a return to earth this season, and they’ve upheld their end of the bargain, mostly without their brilliant quarterback Jayden Daniels. Washington’s 1-4-1 ATS record as non-division home underdogs and its 2-6 ATS record against teams with a .700 or better winning percentage seal the deal.

Rating: 3 Units

The Chiefs enter this game on a 5-1 SUATS winning streak, going 6-0 ITS (In The Stats) in those contests, winning the yardage by +126 net yards per game. As a result, Kansas City is a game out of the AFC West race, with a loss to Los Angeles in hand. The Chiefs have won five of six and appear destined to make another Super Bowl run. However, they are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games against the AFC East, and the Bills 9-3 ATS in their last dozen games against the AFC West, and 5-0-1 ATS against opponents coming off a Monday night contest. We look for Buffalo to improve on its recent 4-0 SUATS mark as a home underdog

NFC Game of the Week

Rating: 5 Units

When you see a team in a divisional matchup that has lost five series losses in a row and are paired with an opponent coming off a Bye week they respond with aplomb, going 9-3 ATS overall dating back to 1990 when the divisions realigned. And when they enter the game with a .400 or better win-percentage they’ve been money in the bank, going 5-1 SU and 6-0 ATS. That’s a long-term 100% winning angle, add in Minny’s 8-2 ATS record after playing on a Thursday (extra rest for the Vikes), and you have the makings of a live NFL underdog. Finally, the Vikings are 17-6-1 SU and 18-5-1 ATS in games after surrendering more than 36 points in their last game, including 7-0 ATS as a dog three or more points

Divisional Play of the Day

Rating: 4 Units

QB Daniel Jones has posted a QB Rating over 100 in each of his seven games this season. Only Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have achieved that in eight straight games, and both won MVP awards in the years they accomplished the feat. However, the Colts won their sixth game of the season while allowing a season-high yardage total against the Titans last week, and the visiting team is 1-5 ATS in this series. Finally, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is 24-12-2 ATS in games following a surrender of 35 or more points in the previous game, including a perfect 9-0 ATS at home after a loss.