Weekly Q&A with Doc's Sports Expert Handicapper Raphael Esparza 12/20/2016

by Doc's Sports - 12/20/2016

One of the top showdowns in Week 16 of the NFL season is a battle for the AFC North Division title between the 8-6 Baltimore Ravens and the 9-5 Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day. Both teams control their own destiny in this matchup in light of the Ravens' earlier victory this season against their bitter rivals. This week will check in with Doc's expert handicapper Raphael Esparza to find out which way he is leaning in the rematch.

Once known in sports betting circles as the Vegas Sports Informer, Raphael honed his craft as an expert handicapper during a long and successful career in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry. At one point in this career, he held the prestigious position as the Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria until his retirement in 2013. Since then, Raphael continues to split his time between Las Vegas and the Big Easy in New Orleans running a successful and diverse sports investment service. The following is this week's Q&A with one of Doc's most interesting handicappers.

Doc's Sports: The betting public has been on quite a roll against the Las Vegas sportsbooks the past month or so when it comes to wagering on the NFL. The favorites were able to carve out slight edge against the spread in last week's games, but what was the final tally at the betting window in Week 15?

RE: The betting public hammered the books again on the strength of Seattle's easy cover last Thursday coupled with a heavy number of carry over parlays with teams such as Atlanta, Pittsburgh and the New York Giants on Sunday. The books also took a beating when Dallas failed to cover against Tampa Bay. Monday night was a slight win for Las Vegas with Carolina winning straight up, but not nearly enough to reverse the previous losses.

Doc's Sports: Both Baltimore and Pittsburgh are playing some of their best football of the season heading into this Sunday's AFC North showdown at Heinz Field. The Steelers are currently listed as 4.5-point home favorites with most of the books, but can the Ravens somehow pull off the season sweep on the road?

RE: I have some genuine concern with the way Baltimore struggled in a very close call against Philadelphia, and, conversely, I think Pittsburgh built even more momentum for an AFC North title push with the way it was able to come from behind to beat Cincinnati. I thought the spread would have been six points in this game, so I am definitely leaning towards the Steelers at home.

Doc's Sports : This Wednesday's Poinsettia Bowl between BYU and Wyoming is one of the more interesting matchups on this week's slate of college football games. The Mountain West has gotten off to a strong start this bowl season with a couple of big wins. In light of this early success, can the Cowboys keep things rolling as 10-point underdogs against BYU?

RE: I was big on the Cowboys' chances to cover when the spread opened at 8.5 points, so I am loving this play now that it is sitting at 10 points. I am having a hard time trying to figure out why there is so much money going towards BYU even with the loss of quarterback Taysom Hill with an injured elbow. This loss is going to have a bigger impact than most bettors expect when it comes to the Cougars keeping pace with a Wyoming offense that knows how to put points on the board.

Doc's Sports : When it comes to college basketball this week, one of the most anticipated matchups would have to be Wednesday's Kentucky at Louisville game. Both teams are off to strong starts both straight up and against the spread, but which one of these bitter in-state rivals get the best of things in this game?

RE: Kentucky's recent win on the road against North Carolina tells me that the Wildcats could be a bit further along on offense right now than their in-state rivals. Louisville has looked good in the nonconference portion of its schedule, but I do not think the Cardinals are as battle tested as Kentucky given their rather soft schedule through their first 11 games.

Doc's Sports: The NBA is known for scheduling some big matchups on Christmas Day, and this year is no exception with a 2016 NBA Finals rematch between Golden State and Cleveland highlighting the five-game slate. The Cavaliers have the advantage of playing this game at home, but which team do you have coming out on top this Sunday?

RE : The playing status of Kevin Love for this Sunday is something to keep an eye on, but assuming both teams are at full strength, this game should open with Cleveland only favored by one or two points, making things too close to call. If the total line comes in lower than expected, I would probably turn my attention to the "over" in this matchup as the best possible way to go.

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 .

Start:	November 23, 2024 @ 2:30 PM
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