Doc’s Sports Service has been one of the top companies in the sports selection service industry for over 40 years primarily because we have been able to offer picks from some of the best handicappers in the game. For the past four years one of our top performers has been has been the Vegas Sports Informer. He has risen to the top of the industry by combining the unique ability to successfully break down matchups along with 15 years experience working behind the counter of one of the biggest books in Las Vegas. This insider’s edge has enabled The Informer to provide a steady stream of winners in a number of different sports for quite some time now.

As part of an ongoing weekly series, Doc’s Sports has taken the opportunity to sit down with The Informer to get a first-hand, behind-the-scenes update on what is really going in the Las Vegas books as well as get his expert opinion on each week’s hottest trending sports gaming topics.

Doc’s Sports: There was a big upset in boxing with Manny Pacquiao getting knocked out this past Saturday night to go along with a number of upsets in the NFL’s early games on Sunday. How did the Las Vegas books fare with all this action?

VSI: The MGM Grand took it on the chin in Saturday night’s knockout, as that is where all the action was. The closing money line had Pacquiao at -190 and Marquez at +150. The line could have been as high as +200 for Marquez in some of the out-of-the-way books in town. Sunday’s NFL games were basically a wash for most of the books. All the morning losses were offset by the Seahawks, the Giants and Packers all covering later in the day. All the books took a beating on Monday night with another favorite/”over” combination.

Doc’s Sports: Speaking of Monday night, the Patriots clearly showed everyone that they are the team to beat in the AFC with their 42-14 pasting of Houston. Which team do you see as the best in the NFC right now?

VSI: That conference has remained up for grabs all season long as nobody seems to want to take control. Atlanta fell off the perch with a sloppy loss to Carolina, so I guess I would have to go with San Francisco as my choice. The 49ers should actually get better as Colin Kaepernick becomes more and more comfortable running the offense. They also have the easiest route to a first-round bye over any of the other teams chasing a No. 1 or No. 2 seed.

Doc’s Sports: The college bowl season kicks off this Saturday with the New Mexico and Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Do you have any thoughts or insight into either of these matchups?

VSI: I would have to go with Arizona giving the 10 points against Nevada, but the game I am really interested in is Utah State vs. Toledo with the Aggies favored by 10 points as well. The Rockets have always done well in bowl games, while Utah State’s experience is limited at best. When it comes to bowl games between smaller schools, you should never underestimate the value that past experience playing in a game like this brings to the table.

Doc’s Sports: The NBA regular season is approaching the quarter pole, and the one betting trends that caught our attention was that road favorites are now 52-39 against the spread through Monday night’s games. How has your season gone so far?

VSI: It is funny that you should mention that trend as that has been the cornerstone to another fast start for me this season in the NBA. I especially like matchups when a better team from the West goes on the road as a favorite against a middle-of-the-road team from the East. Overall, road chalk has been very good to me so far.

Doc’s Sports: With Pacquiao’s loss, it looks like we will never see him fight Floyd Mayweather Jr., so what do you see as the next big bout for Las Vegas?

VSI: Mayweather has already agreed to a two-fight deal with the MGM Grand for next year. The first event is scheduled for the same Saturday as next year’s Kentucky Derby. It is still unclear who he will fight, but it looks like a Saul Canelo Alvarez vs. Austin Trout bout could be on the undercard of that event. This could very well set up a Mayweather vs. Alvarez bout for next September as the second fight in the contract.

To keep up on all the inside information from Las Vegas be sure to follow VSI on Twitter @vsidocsports. Also, if you have any questions for The Informer that you would like us to cover in future articles please email them to askvsi@docsports.com and we will do our best to add them into the mix.