At Doc's Sports we are heading into our 44^th year in the sports selection industry with a head of steam after another successful season in both college football and the NFL. We are also off to a strong start in the NBA and gearing up for a profitable run to March Madness in college hoops. One of the biggest reasons for our continued success in such a competitive environment has been the ability to surround ourselves with some of the top expert handicappers in the business.

One of these experts that has been able to work his way to the top of the list over the past eight years has been Raphael Esparza. He became known as the Vegas Sports Informer during his days behind the counter in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry, and at the height of his career he held the prestigious position of Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria until his retirement in 2013.

Raphael has been working as hard as ever developing and expanding an already-vast network of relationships with some of the biggest and most influential sports insiders in Las Vegas today. These professionals know the sports betting industry inside and out, and Raphael has incorporated this "insider's edge" into a number of selection packages that have enabled savvy bettors to pocket a small fortune over the past several years.

His handicapping service is not limited to just releasing selection packages for the major sports. Raphael has built his reputation in town for uncovering betting opportunities for sporting events such as the WNBA, horse racing, boxing, professional tennis and soccer leagues all around the globe. Over the past year, he has released a number of winning picks for professional wrestling, high school football and high-profile award shows in the field of entertainment. It is safe to say that if a sportsbook posts odds for it, he will handicap it.

Heading into the New Year, Doc's and Raphael will continue their ongoing weekly Q&A to delve deeper into the Las Vegas betting scene as well as to discuss some of the hottest trending sports betting topics of the day. We have found that there is no better source than someone that is a true "insider" in the undisputed sports gambling capital of the world. The following is this week's conversation.

Doc's Sports: Both Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota were unable to bring home a national title for their respective team this season, but which one of these high-profile quarterbacks would you take first in this May's NFL Draft?

RE: I would have to go with Mariota simply because of lingering concerns with Winston's off-field issues. The most interesting thing about this question is that Mariota leaving Oregon for the pros is not necessarily a done deal. Some of my sources believe that he may return for one more shot at a national title following Monday's stunning loss, especially if he is not guaranteed to be the first overall pick in the draft.

Doc's Sports: The Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks clash in this season's NFC Championship, but with Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers' mobility impacted by a calf injury, do the Packers have any shot at pulling off the upset in this one?

RE: It was pretty obvious that Rodgers was struggling with that injury against Dallas, and unless he makes some kind of miraculous recovery before Sunday's game, his lack of mobility against Seattle's defense could have a major impact on the outcome of this game. I actually like the "under" in this game against what I see as a fairly high total line.

Doc's Sports: The Indianapolis Colts stunned the Denver Broncos last Sunday while benefitting from an injured Peyton Manning's compromised play. Do they have any chance at upending New England with a healthy Tom Brady at the helm for the Patriots?

RE: I cannot see the Colts going into New England and having the same kind of success throwing the ball as they did last week, and everyone knows they cannot run it. A healthy Manning would have probably pulled that game out. I do see Brady having another big game against Indianapolis after helping the Patriots shred that defense for 42 points in a Week 11 victory on the road.

Doc's Sports : We do not even know which two teams are even playing in this season's Super Bowl, and you have already posted betting odds for Super Bowl 50 from West Gate Sportsbook Las Vegas in a recent post in you blog, Straight Bet Talk . If you had to make a wager right now on one team, which one would it be?

RE: I would have to go with Seattle at 5/1. I am not sure if the Seahawks will be going for the threepeat in that game, but this roster should stay pretty much intact this offseason, so there is already quite a bit of value built into those odds.

Doc's Sports: Atlanta has been absolutely tearing up the NBA since late November. The Hawks are clearly the best team in the East right now, but should they be considered legitimate contenders to win it all this year?

RE: Atlanta is built in the same mold as San Antonio, and the Hawks' playing style also mirrors the Spurs, so I would have to believe that they are a legitimate title contender given their current form. My one concern with betting on Atlanta to win it all is a lack of experience in the postseason, which is a huge factor when it comes to winning titles.

Click here to visit Raphael Esparza's Insider's Page at Doc's Sports for more information on his amazingly-profitable sports handicapping picks. Also, get $60 worth of Esparza's member's picks absolutely free - no obligation, no sales people - you don't even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit for any sport Esparza handicaps. Click here for $60 worth of free picks from Raphael Esparza . Also be sure to follow him on Twitter @VSIDocsports.