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There has been a recent streak of bad weekday prime time games in the NFL, but that ends tonight. This is an outstanding match-up between two teams that look headed for the playoffs.
The Steelers have now won four straight and the run game has been strong without Le’Veon Bell. They’ve run for 112 or more in the past four games. The defense has been the real story though as they’ve allowed less than 100 yards on the ground in six of eight games this season and have a 5-1 record in those games. The last three wins were all against division opponents and they are now in the driver’s seat of the AFC North. The defense has been the story
Carolina at 6-2 has been in every game this season. Their two losses were by a touchdown or less and they are just behind the Saints and Rams for the NFC favorite, they are actually 3rd in the NFL by Football Outsiders DVOA. They only have one game this season in which they’ve rushed for less than 118 yards. This team controls the clock and forces turnovers in bunches.
This should be a good one.
NFL Betting Tips:
It’s always tough when you have that short week, but that affects both teams. These defenses are pretty similar in yards allowed, but the Panthers have the most turnovers by a large margin. That is also the case on the offense as well as the Panthers have done a far better job of taking care of the ball. (That 6 turnover game by the Steelers in week one skews that, but the Panthers do have more 0 turnover games.)
This just feels like a close game though. Where one team shines on offense, the other shines on defense. They are both coming in hot and I just see this game ending up close. If that’s the case, I have to take the points and that means the Panthers. They are good enough to win this game outright and have kept all of their losses close this year.
NBA Betting Tips:
The Boston Celtics have had an up and down season thus far that has made people think they should probably trade someone. They just have too much talent that needs shots and the balancing act isn’t working out thus far. The offense is 28th in Offensive Rating to start the season which is a big disappointment considering the players on this team. That said, what is working out thus far is the defense. They have the top Defensive Rating in the league.
They face the Phoenix Suns tonight who have the worst Offensive Rating and the 27th Defensive Rating. The total on this one is set pretty high and I just can’t see them scoring at that level tonight. The Celtics are a lock down team and the Suns don’t have the firepower outside of Devin Booker.
NHL Betting Tips:
When I wrote my last tips, the Blackhawks had just fired their head coach Joel Quenneville. They play their first game without him tonight at home against the Carolina Hurricanes. That kind of thing has a way of uniting teams and having them play their best game the next time out. They had a decent rest heading into this one and they play an opponent of similar talent level. This one seems like a lay-up to me.
