Over the past 42 years, Doc’s Sports Service has risen to the top of the ranks in the sports selection industry by providing our loyal customers with a consistent stream of winning picks for all the major sports. This has been especially true when it comes to college football, and this has been one of our best seasons yet. This successful run has been made possible by a commitment to surrounding ourselves with some of the best handicappers in the business. One of the ‘best of the best’ during his seven-year association with Doc’s has been Raphael Esparza, who was formally known as the Vegas Sports Informer. He honed his handicapping skills during a long and illustrious career working behind the counter of some of the biggest sportsbooks in Las Vegas, including the position of Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria. Raphael decided to retire from the sportsbook industry earlier this year, but he remains hard at work sourcing inside information from vast network of contacts in Las Vegas to aid in all of his selections  He continues to use this ‘insider’s edge’ to deliver winning picks for a wide array of sporting events.

Doc’s Sports decided to tap into this ‘insider’s edge’ through a series of weekly discussions with Raphael to uncover some valuable insight into the hottest trending topics in the sports gaming industry today. He has proven time and time again that working and living in the undisputed sports gambling capital of the world has made him one of the top handicappers in the game.

Doc’s Sports: Last week the AFC featured the top matchup in the NFL with New England erasing a 24-point deficit to get past Denver in overtime. This Monday night we turn our attention to the NFC with 9-2 New Orleans on the road against 10-1 Seattle. Which conference power do you have coming out on top in this showdown?

RE: Playing at home is always an advantage in the NFL, but these two teams both personify just how big that edge can be. Given that this showdown take place in Seattle, the Seahawks have the clear edge, but that would immediately swing the other way if this game were to be played in New Orleans. Weather could also be a factor if it is rainy and cold as Drew Brees is another one of those quarterbacks that has not played his best football in those kinds of conditions.

Doc’s Sports: There are a number of tight division races in the NFL heading into the final month of the regular season. Starting with the NFC East, which team do you have winning this title?

RE: After watching Dallas persevere under adverse conditions and come away with the win against New York last Sunday, it definitely has some solid momentum for the stretch run. The Cowboys catch a huge break with the Raiders coming to town this Thursday, which should eventually translate into enough wins to stay on top in the division.

Doc’s Sports: There are a number of great rivalry games in college football this week, but the one at the top of most bettors’ list is No. 1 Alabama on the road against No. 4 Auburn as a 10.5-point favorite with most sportsbooks. First, do the Tigers have any shot at pulling off the upset, and, if not, can they still cover with the points?

RE: I not only think that the Tigers will cover the spread at home, I can see them winning this game straight up as long as they can effectively run the ball and control the clock. Home field is a huge bonus, but keeping Alabama’s offense on the sideline for as long as possible remains the key to pulling off the upset.

Doc’s Sports: Turning to college basketball, it looks like No. 6 Duke will square off against No. 4 Arizona this Friday night in the finals of the NIT Season Tip-Off provided neither team gets tripped up in Wednesday night’s semifinals. Which team do you like in this matchup of national powers?

RE: I probably would have leaned towards Duke in this matchup, but last week’s close call against Vermont sent some warning flags for this team heading into this matchup. I would now give the slight edge to Arizona, mainly because of the Wildcats’ overall experience in their lineup, especially coming off the bench.

Doc’s Sports: It looks like the Indiana Pacers will have a good shot at taking down Miami in the NBA’s Eastern Conference given the loss of Derrick Rose in Chicago and numerous issues with both Brooklyn and New York. From what you seen so far from both of these teams, is this the season that the Pacers take that next step by ending the Heat’s three-year reign as conference champs?

RE: The inside word out of Indiana this season is that this team is focused on just two things. The first would be to secure the No. 1 seed in the East to hold home court advantage in the playoffs and to beat Miami. That is not to say that the Pacers do not want to win a NBA title, but beating the Heat is at the top of their list.