Week 12 in NFL betting wasn’t too heavy on the injuries. Thankfully, it was heavier on the close games and drama. Fun stuff. But there were still a few key boo-boos worth reporting.

Don’t worry about: Peyton Manning (elbow), Steven Jackson (finger), David Garrard (wrist)

Bruce Gradkowski, Raiders: SHOULDER

Looks like Bruce Gradkowski reinjured his throwing shoulder in Oakland’s loss to Miami. That means Jason Campbell should get this starting gig back next week. The guy has nine lives, doesn’t he?

Adrian Peterson, Vikings: ANKLE

This is easily the week’s most talked about injury – because of fantasy football, not because of its impact on Minnesota’s season. The Vikings are already toast. Peterson got knocked out of the game with an ankle sprain and said the discomfort was “unbearable.” The MRI results aren’t in as of press time but the early prognosis is that AP will play against Buffalo next week. If he doesn’t, Toby Gerhart will get the start. He carried the ball 22 times for 76 yards and a touchdown in relief of Peterson yesterday.

Vincent Jackson, Chargers: CALF

That didn’t last long. A predictably rusty and creaky Vincent Jackson tweaked his calf after three offensive plays. No word yet on his availability for Week 13. Conspiracy theory: what if V-Jax pulled himself out of the game just to mess with his arch rival, Chargers general manager A.J. Smith?

Antonio Gates, Chargers: FOOT

Gates tried to play through his torn plantar fascia but was very clearly hobbled. He pulled himself from the game after catching four passes for 46 yards and is no guarantee to return next week. I’m betting San Diego rests him for a game.

Zach Miller, Raiders: FOOT

Same exact injury as Gates and same diagnosis. I’d be surprised if Miller can play in Week 13.

Michael Oher, Ravens: KNEE

The Blind Side’s knee sprain could significantly impact Baltimore’s sportsbook odds, as he’s done a fine job protecting Joe Flacco over the last couple of seasons. However, Oher insists that the injury is minor and that he’ll play next week. He’s no doctor, so we’ll see about that.

Your comp winner for Monday is on the Mavericks from Matt Rivers. The NBA Odds Dallas laying 8.5 to Houston.

It’s laying a lot in a semi in-state rivalry type of a game but the Rockets are a really banged up and cold club that has the potential to get absolutely pounded today in Big D.

Aaron Brooks is out and without the speedy point guard this Rocket team is not nearly the same and obviously not having their big man in Yao in the middle is never a good thing. Before the season began I really did like this team but in this spot on a back-to-back I just don’t see them competing. I felt that the Rockets were a solid under-the-radar type of a team that could cause some trouble and after seeing them in the opener against the Lakers I believed that I was correct. But with the recent injuries this team is just not nearly the same as they have now dropped five of their last seven games both straight up and against the number and that includes the victory over Oklahoma City last night.

Dallas is Dallas, a very good regular season team led by a superstar in Dirk Nowitzki and quality complimentary pieces like Jason Terry, Caron Butler and a few others. The Mavs are 11-4 after winning five in a row and 9 of their last 11 and it’s not like they are beating the dregs of the NBA. These guys just downed Miami, San Antonio and Oklahoma City and a few weeks back won in Atlanta on a tough back-to-back along with a victory over Chris Paul and the Hornets. So as of now it’s business as usual for Marc Cuban’s squad as they are once again flexing their muscles in their time of the year, before the playoffs.

It’s some lumber to lay I freely admit that but we are looking at two teams going in completely different directions and therefore I see nothing but a blowout today.

For more information: The 400,000* Panthers and 200,000* Vikings rocked for all Matt Rivers clients and the hut for sure in another real solid Sunday. That’s now back-to-back quality winning days and a 4-1 overall run. Add that into an already very successful season and I’m feeling pretty good right about now. The hoops slate is fairly gross tonight so I have one play and one play only coming from the gridiron. A 300,000* near pick-em no-brainer is here from the desert between the 49ers and Cardinals. A third straight winning day is here! Click now to purchase

Matt Rivers has a free pick Sunday is on the Atlanta Falcons -2 to Green Bay at Bodog.

There is no doubt that Aaron Rodgers is an elite quarterback and that the explosive Packers are one of the better teams in the NFC, if not the entire NFL, but the road is never easy and Mike Smith’s Falcons never lose at home. Matt Ryan has literally lost only one game in three years at the Georgia Dome and the quarterback seems to find ways game after game in helping the Falcons to becoming one of the better teams themselves in the league.

Atlanta has a league best two losses on the season and both came on the road against quite possibly the two best teams in the league in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with the former coming in overtime in the opener. There’s certainly nothing at all to sneeze about in either of those defeats.

The Falcons boast an extremely potent offense with Ryan, a future Hall of Famer in Tony Gonzalez, a borderline great running back in Michael Turner and possibly the league’s MVP in Roddy White. These guys are going to make plays and score a lot of points against anybody and anywhere, which includes today. Brian Van Gorder’s defense is good and I admit not great but more than not John Abraham and the fellas are decent enough when the offense goes for around that 24-28 point mark and I expect that here. This unit will get challenged by Rodgers, Greg Jennings and the high powered Green Bay offense but the Pack still do not exactly have a great rushing attack and that could rear its ugly head today.

This is going to be a high quality game involving a pair of upper eschelon teams and more times than not the home Falcons come out with the victory.

Atlanta consistently mans up at the Dome. We have seen this on numerous occasions with the last example being in that victory over Ray Lewis and the Ravens a few weeks back on national tv. At this price pretty much a win on the field will equal a win at the window and that just seems like too good of a deal to entirely pass up.

The pick: Atlanta Falcons at SportsBook

For more information: It wasn’t a bank-breaking day for Matt Rivers, but it was a winning day nonetheless and there’s never anything wrong with that. Now to the pros and another monstrous Sunday with two plays and another two winners. The play of the day is a huge 400,000* “1:00 Underdog No-Brainer” along with a bonus 200,000* in that same hour. I’m ready to bash that Crookie upside his head one more time! Click now to purchase

Your Friday free pick winner is on Nevada from Matt Rivers. They are getting 14 points from Boise at SportsBook

There is no bigger fan of Chris Petersen’s Broncos than me as I 100% believe that if this team runs the table and either Auburn or Oregon loses than Boise State is next in line, end of story. Kellen Moore and today’s visitors are flat out awesome. Doug Martin and Jeremy Avery can kill you with the run and Titus Young is a stud wide receiver constantly getting behind the defense leading to Moore touchdown pass after touchdown pass. Add in a stifling defense that has made this team a complete team, unlike seasons’ past and you have a beast of a squad taking the field today against the Wolfpack.

Boise scores 50 plus a game, is a perfect 10-0 and I expect them to make it to 11-0 after today. But and a big but here, Colin Kaepernick is awesome running that amazing pistol offense and to get north of two touchdowns at home, even against Boise, is just too much. Nevada’s offense cannot be fully stopped by anybody as they have a weapon at quarterback who cannot be accounted for.

I was watching a replay on tv of the game back in 2007 when Kaepernick was a young buck making his first start on the road in Boise and took his boys as the huge underdog into triple overtime before falling by a deuce to big bad Boise. This kid is flat out special and showed just that from day one of his Nevada career. He has led this offense ever since to numbers that not many programs have or will ever see in three years, no less one. Throw in a hard nosed back in Vai Taua along with Rishard Matthews and a few others and we are going put up points today.

As I said up top, I love this Boise team as much as anybody but the number is just too much to not take a shot on Kaepernick and a really really good Wolfpack team at home.

35-27 Boise.

For more information: Historic bet is at 2:30 EST from Matt Rivers. A 6-2 run and three of four winning days. Only Temple collapsing late last night prevented a phenomenal last four day run. Things are still really good though and today Christmas comes early as I am giving out an absolute Bazooka today in a 500,000* Game of my Life from Tuscaloosa between the undefeated Auburn Tigers and the defending National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide. Something has to give and I flat out know what. Bonus 300,000* Buffalo-Akron and a 100,000* on the hardwoods between Tennessee and Villanova.

3-0 Friday sweep including a 500,000* Lock of my Life as I absolutely dismantle that Crookie one more time! Click now to purchase

Your free pick play winner for Wednesday is on the Heat +4.5 at Orlando.

I don’t care about anything at all today except for the fact that I am getting money with a team led by Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Yes Miami has been underachieving and really bad of late and probably less confident than before the season began. Yes there are rumblings that Pat Riley may come down from the front office to the bench. Yes Orlando is awesome led by a beast in Dwight Howard and overall are a top four team at worst in the NBA. And finally yes the Magic have a huge matter of revenge after getting drilled a few weeks ago by the Heat.

I just don’t care about all of the above, I don’t. Erik Spoelstra’s team was heads and shoulders the NBA favorite to win it all and still are, even with this recent poor play. The loss at home against the Pacers on that last game was absolutely dreadful. Wade was 1-for-13 and the bench was literally outscored 40-4. There are no excuses for a performance like that

as Miami is far from locked in right now, I admit that. The King and his mates have also dropped two in a row on the floor and eight of the last 9 at the window. They are underachieving mightily but come on. These guys are still great and anytime you can get points with them it’s a no-brainer.

The Magic were just outclassed to fall to 9-4 and have now lost their last two against the number. I am not going to badmouth Stan Van Gundy’s team because that would be silly but the Heat in any situation getting points is also silly and in the end I’ll put my shekels on these visitors for sure.

The pick: Miami Heat at BetED

For more information: It really doesn’t get much easier than Matt Rivers performance. He was led by the 300,000* outright on Miami, Ohio and the 200,000* lock on Florida Atlantic yesterday in the perfect day. Just a pair of flat out sure fire locks. No quantity today but one major release in the Association and that’s all that will be needed in a third straight winning day.

One play, a 400,000* Bomb from Utah between the Hornets and Jazz. Chris Paul and company has been rolling all season long before Monday night where they inexplicably stumbled against Blake Griffin and the ice cold Clippers. How will New Orleans respond? I know, do you? Click now to purchase

In this special edition of college football betting news and notes, we focus on the Thanksgiving NCAA football action happening this Friday.

(2) Auburn (11-0) vs (9) Alabama (9-2)

Auburn will have close to a full-strength roster for the Iron Bowl, though defensive tackle Mike Blanc  and defensive end Michael Goggans will have to sit out the first half. They were ejected against Georgia for throwing punches. Auburn didn’t appeal the ejections.

The hosting Alabama Crimson Tide are a bit more banged up by comparison in this sports betting matchup. Right guard Barrett Jones missed Thursday’s game and wore a protective boot on his left foot on the sideline. He’s questionable to return this week. Defensive lineman Kerry Murphy is questionable and defensive back B.J. Scott remains out indefinitely with an ankle injury. Trent Richardson (leg) looks like he’ll return to play second fiddle to Mark Ingram in ’Bama’s backfield after missing the last two games.

(20) Arizona (7-3) vs (1) Oregon (10-0)

Arizona showed flashes of brilliance early this season but games against the Pac-10’s elite (Stanford, USC) of late have been a rude awakening. Hoping to avoid a similar result against mighty Oregon, the Wildcats held a players-only meeting this week. It looks like they’ll get running back Nic Grigsby back from an ankle sprain that held him to on carry over the last two weeks. Slot receiver Bug Wright could return from his ankle injury as well.

The bye week came at the perfect time for Oregon. LaMichael James finished the Ducks’ game against California on crutches but has healed sufficiently over the last two weeks that he’s not even on the injury report. Don’t be betting on starting wideout Lavasier Tuinei to return. He has a cracked shoulder blade and could miss the rest of the year.

(3) Boise State (10-0) vs (19) Nevada (10-1)

Hawaii, Idaho, Fresno State – even supposedly powerful offensive schools can’t seem to score on Boise State. The Broncos look formidable and pretty healthy entering their trip to Nevada this week. Tight end Tommy Gallarda and linebacker Byron Hout are each out for the regular season with a broken foot.

Nevada already has an elite offense but has tweaked its line in recent weeks anyway. Jordan Mudge started over John Bender at guard last week and could retain the job; Steve Haley has returned to his role at tackle after recovering from a broken arm.

The free pick winner for Tuesday is on the Indiana Pacers, says Matt Rivers of OffshoreInsiders.com.

Sometimes you don’t have to get too complicated when it comes to handicapping a game and that is my belief here between Cleveland and Indiana. The Pacers are the better team here and are at home. Put those two important factors together and I just see Danny Granger and the Pacers as too cheap in this spot.

Indiana will be on a back-to-back which is never easy but they are also flying pretty high right now after embarrassing Lebron, D-Wade and Bosh down in South Beach last night. Wade shot 1-for-13 and the Pacer bench outscored the Heat’s 40-4. The next night doesn’t always translate into success but these guys have now won three of five on the court and covered four of five. Jim O’Brien has a blossoming big man in Roy Hibbert helping out Granger and a bunch of other solid enough players who just form a much better team than what the Cavaliers have to offer these days in the post Lebron era.

Cleveland is just a team that is without a doubt on its way down after losing their former King. The start to the season hasn’t been all that terrible but there is a lack of talent there and when all is said and done the Cavs are about a 30-33 win team.  They were just outclassed against a pair of heavyweights in New Orleans and San Antonio and I expect a third straight defeat tonight as the Pacers continue to improve and cash that ticket.

The pick: Indiana NBA -4 at SportsBook

For more information: Matt Rivers says: A 2-0 sweep on the hardwoods highlighted a winning Monday and now is when I build back up the momentum and prove once again that I am the best there is. Two winners today including a 300,000* on the gridiron between Temple and Miami, Ohio along with a 200,000* hoops winner down south involving Florida Atlantic and Florida. 2-0 sweep baby. Don’t just watch me, win with me

Matt Rivers has a free pick winner Monday is on the Atlanta Hawks -3 to Boston.

The Celtics are a very experienced and good team this season that has a great shot once again to go pretty far. Boston opened the season playing quality basketball jumping out to the 9-2 start flexing their muscles more times than not. Yesterday was not one of those times as they lost up North in Toronto and now the C’s have to travel to a place they lose a lot in and possibly will be without Rajon Rondo once again.

Last season the Hawks swept all four games from the Celtics and are a confident bunch when playing against Doc Rivers’ squad. This Atlanta team grew up a few seasons ago in the postseason when they won all three games at Philips Arena against the heavily favored Celtics led by a confused group of players in Garnett, Pierce and Allen. Back in Beantown was a different story as the Hawks were continually blown out but at home Joe Johnson and the fellas were great stifling the favorites.

Boston will limp into Hotlanta today possibly missing their floor general again in Rondo and is in danger of a third straight loss in what is a very difficult situation facing a well-rested Hawks squad. The C’s had a poor home effort and loss against an Oklahoma City team that was without their superstar in Kevin Durant, then fell yesterday up in Canada and now play for a second straight day and third time in the last four days.

Larry Drew’s team just fell themselves to Dallas on Saturday night in a rather poor effort but that was their only game in the last six days so there is no real fatigue factor here and there should be a commitment and focus today going on as the Hawks play the team they love to hate the most in these Celtics.

With or without Rondo this is a difficult situation for the suddenly struggling Celtics and therefore I will expect a focused Hawks to take care of business going away.

The pick: Atlanta -3 at 5 Dimes

For more information: A poor weekend from Matt Rivers for sure as very little went right. It happens and nothing at all that I will ever run from. I win a lot more times than I lose but there will be some days strung together that are subpar. The best get back on the horse and get after it and that is exactly what will happen today. Three winners including a 300,000* from the NFL along with a pair of 200,000* on the college hardwoods involving Oklahoma-Kentucky and San Diego State-Miami, Ohio. Click now to purchase Matt Rivers picks

Matt Rivers has your free pick winner for Sunday is on the Cowboys -6 on NFL Odds to Detroit.

It’s certainly not the easiest thing to trust the Cowboys these days but the Lions on the road have been a disaster for as long as I have been alive and after seeing Dallas finally man up in New York last week against what was the best team in football I will take my chances on what appears to be a bit of a cheap lay here.

Matthew Stafford is out with that shoulder once again and therefore Shawn Hill is expected to get the start. I don’t hate Hill at all as the guy is not bad and at least serviceable. But on the road Hill doesn’t exactly scare many and even if Jon Kitna is old and not what he used to be the signal caller still looked good last week and should be properly motivated here against a former team.

Felix Jones should be able to have a big game running the ball against Ndamakong Suh and the Lions defense and Dez Bryant is proving to be a great rookie and a guy who can make plays with the best of them. Throw in Miles Austin and a few other guys who need to always be accounted for at all times and in Jerry’s Playground I just do not see the Pokes doing anything but playing solid enough football today and fully outclassing what is still a well inferior team on the road without its young stud quarterback.

Top expert pick: Dallas Cowboys from Matt Rivers

For more information: It certainly was an underachieving Saturday, there are no two ways about it. Absolutely nothing at all went my way. Unfortunately in this racket days like that will happen but it won’t come close to shaking my confidence as this very successful season will be just that today in another winning NFL Sunday. A pair of plays on the NFL gridiron with the big one coming by the bay in a 400,000* between Tampa Bay and San Francisco. Bonus 200,000* involving Washington and Tennessee. Click now to purchase

It’s the football betting examination in collating key success indicators form a betting point of view on the matchup between Wisconsin vs. Michigan on ESPN

The Vegas odds on this game are posted at Wisconsin -4 with a total of 67.

Commencing with the yards per carry data, the higher rated offense is Michigan by .5.

On the same side of the line of scrimmage, yards per reception gives the upper hand to the Wolverines by 2.3.

Sharp football bettors exploit yards per point. The more productive unit with the ball in their hands is Wisconsin by 3.4.

We differentiate the information on defense in a moment but first of all, the biggest sports handicapper betting pick in the handicapping industry on today’s card is Boise and under make it 5-0 in football. The winning streaks always outlast and outnumber the losing streaks. With our first football slump in three years a distant memory, to say the least the shock and awe will overwhelm the bookmakers. I would not want to be booking sharp players right now.

Wise Guy plays from GodsTips are widely accepted by virtually every bookmaker, Vegas runner, pro bettor, Vegas insider, oddsmaker, and fellow handicappers alike as the strongest pick in sports gambling. Rutgers vs. Cincinnati is the best play on the board and among seven college football winners. Click now to purchase

In stopping rushing attacks, the higher ranked defense according to rushing yards per attempt is Wisconsin Badgers by .4.

The stingier defense in terms of yards per pass catch would be Wisconsin by 1.0.

The more disruptive defense making use of yards per point enlightenment is that of Wisconsin by 2.8.

On the better side of turnover ratio is the Badgers by a prohibitive 14.

Yards per point is determined by diving total yards by number of points. Offensively a lower number is considered more efficient. On defense, a higher number is better.