Sports Betting

Saturday’s Best ESPN BET Bets: Browns-Texans, Penguins-Hurricanes, Dolphins-Chiefs

Published

4 months ago

January 13, 2024

The Winning Picks suffered another setback last night with a 1-2 night. The Spurs were able to get us a win as they blew out the visiting Charlotte Hornets. However, the Duquesne Dukes lost again in conference play, this time in front of a sellout crowd versus rival Dayton. Hopefully the Dukes can get on track soon. The under looked great heading into the third period of Flyers/Wild, but three goals were scored in the period ruining the under. We move to 95-75-3 on the year.

We have a huge day of action in not only the NFL playoffs but in college basketball as well. Though we will have no college hoops games as part of the Winning Picks for today, like always I have some games that I have some unofficial leans on that I would take today.

As for favorites today, look for Creighton, Kansas, Purdue, Arizona and Texas all to cover in their games today. Texas should be a big winner tonight as they face a West Virginia team still trying to figure out their identity in the post Huggie Bear era. For underdogs, New Mexico, Kentucky, TCU and Miami to cover in their games. TCU and Jamie Dixon’s squad should be able to hand Houston their second straight loss of the season.

Now onto the Winning Picks!

Cleveland Browns (-1.5) at Houston Texans O/U 44.5 4:30 PM on NBC

If you would have told me before the season that the Browns would make the playoffs with Joe Flacco starting at quarterback, I would’ve said you were crazy. Mainly because Flacco wasn’t even in the league or on Cleveland’s radar. Now a former member of the old Browns can lead the new Browns to their second playoff win since the franchise was resurrected in 1999.

And there is good reason to believe Flacco can do it. The former Raven QB is 5-0 in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, with all those starts coming with Baltimore. They will have to face a young and hungry Texans squad with CJ Stroud back in the fold under center. Stroud missed the Browns game with a concussion in the final weeks of the season.

I expect both teams to be able to put up points in this matchup. Maybe not as many as their previous clash, but we should see some fireworks. Look for Amari Cooper to continue where he left off last game in Houston and find the end zone again along with Kareem Hunt. Nico Collins should haul in a touchdown pass as well.

In the win, the Browns win and pick up the cover in Houston. They will move on and likely face the Ravens, the NFL needs Flacco vs Jackson.

Browns Cover -1.5, Cleveland Browns 27 Houston Texans 24

Pittsburgh Penguins at Carolina Hurricanes (-150) O/U 6.5 7:00 PM on SportsNet Pittsburgh

As it has been in the last few seasons, the 2023/2024 Pittsburgh Penguins have been a rollercoaster ride. They are extremely streaking, looking like a playoff team one game and a team that has no business being in the playoffs the next game.

The Pens have split their matchups against the Carolina Hurricanes so far this year. One thing is for certain when both these teams face off: it is a playoff-like feel. Each of these games have been a grind back-and-forth, with each team not giving the other an inch.

In both of the games, the under has been covered. As far as tonight goes, I believe it will go the same as the previous matchups. Under 6.5 is the Winning Pick.

Under 6.5 Covers, Pittsburgh Penguins 2 Carolina Hurricanes 3

Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs (-5) O/U 43.5 8:00 PM on Peacock

The NFL/NBC got their wish of having the Kansas City Chiefs as their streaming exclusive playoff game. Making all the Taylor Swift fans buy a Peacock subscription if they want to view their queen at a NFL game is one of the greatest business decisions in recent sports memory. But with the weather forecast, they hope that T-Swift doesn’t turn to ice.

Temperatures tonight in Arrowhead will rival those of the Ice Bowl and the Freezer Bowl. At least this game is being played on grass and not on turf, the Freezer Bowl was played on the frozen Astro Turf of Riverfront Stadium. Yikes. The question is can Miami overcome this weather and win?

The injuries the Dolphins have suffered throw some water on that. Miami is once again suffering through last season struggles after starting off the season hot. I do believe Tyreek Hill will find a way to have a big game tonight despite the elements. He will find the end zone.

Patrick Mahomes will rise to the occasion as he does in the playoffs, as will Travis Kelce. I believe the embattled tight end will have his best game in some time and get into the end zone as well. In the end, the weather and the Chiefs defense will be too much for Tua and the Dolphins. Kansas City wins and covers.

Chiefs Cover -5, Miami Dolphins 17 Kansas City Chiefs 24