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The Tennessee Titans are making believers out of lots of folks.The idea that they could win the AFC South is very much alive after their victory over Denver.Should the Titans come out of Kansas City with another win on Sunday, the question might become are they good enough to not only make the playoffs, but do damage there?With Marcus Mariota showing franchise-quarterback temperament and skills, DeMarco Murray leading a powerful running game behind an improving line, and a stingy run defense, Tennessee seems to be arriving a year early as a contender.Well continue to grow, Mariota says. Theres always areas to improve, but I think its fun to be around a group thats growing and learning at the same time. You can see the confidence throughout the locker room.That confidence has led to a 7-6 record -- Tennessee has won three of four -- and a meaningful final month of the year.Its a fun atmosphere to be a part of. This is what you work all year for is to have an opportunity in December to make a run at the playoffs, Mariota adds.Not only are the Chiefs (10-3) a factor in the AFC West, they could secure a playoff berth with a win and both Miami and Denver either losing or tying, or Denver and Baltimore or Pittsburgh losing.Coach Andy Reids eyes are focused only on the Titans, who knocked off defending Super Bowl champion Denver last week.Theyre hotter than a firecracker right now, Reid says. They play hard, they know what theyre doing. Their defense, Dick LeBeau is a Hall of Famer as a coach and a player. Hes very good at what he does, and the guys look like they believe in what theyre doing.Reid can tie Bill Parcells (183) for 10th on the NFL wins list.The action began Thursday night with Russell Wilson throwing three touchdown passes and Seattle beating Los Angeles 24-3 to win the NFC West title.Wilson was 19 of 26 for 229 yards, and Tyler Lockett had 130 yards receiving with a 57-yard scoring catch. Seattle (9-4-1) claimed its third NFC West title in four seasons, assuring itself of at least one home game in the playoffs.A tumultuous few days for the Rams (4-10) after the firing of Jeff Fisher as head coach culminated in their fifth straight loss and first under interim coach John Fassel.Miami (8-5) at New York Jets (4-9), Saturday nightThe Dolphins have won seven of eight and look to clinch their first winning season since 2008, when they went 11-5 and won the AFC East. Theyll try to stay in the wild-card hunt with veteran backup quarterback Matt Moore after Ryan Tannehill damaged his knee. Center Mike Pouncey also is out, so Miamis defense could be in the spotlight.New York also is using a backup QB, second-year man Bryce Petty in his third start trying out for the position next season. He led the Jets to a nice comeback OT win at San Francisco to break a four-game slide.Tampa Bay (8-5) at Dallas (11-2)This game was flexed to prime time and with good reason. Yes, the Cowboys had their 11-game win streak snapped by the Giants, the only team to beat them in 2016, but they still have the NFC East and the overall top seed in the conference in sight.The division belongs to Dallas if it wins and the Giants dont, or it ties and the Giants lose. Home-field advantage comes if the Cowboys win and the Giants tie the Lions.Tampa has won five straight; the previous time that happened, the Bucs won the NFL title in 2002. They have an NFL-high 10 interceptions in those five games. On offense, Jameis Winston to Mike Evans has been a top combination, and Doug Martin is averaging 102 yards from scrimmage in his past 13 road games.Yes, the Bucs might have the players to match up with Dallas star rookies, RB Ezekiel Elliott, the NFLs leading rusher, and QB Zak Prescott .Detroit (9-4) at New York Giants (9-4)Two more teams in the heart of the NFC chase, though the Lions are in a stronger spot. They lead the North and can secure a position if they win and the Packers dont, or if they tie and both the Packers and Vikings lose.A playoff berth is within a lengthy reach for the Giants. They must win and have Washington lose, Minnesota and Green Bay both lose or tie. They still can grab the NFC East if they stay hot and Dallas slumps.If this one is close, as it figures to be -- both teams rarely have lopsided contests, with Detroit winning eight times despite trailing in the fourth period -- watch out for Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. His game-breaking skills were on display in the 10-7 victory over Dallas last Sunday night.Oakland (10-3) at San Diego (5-8)OK, Raiders fans, here are some words youve been waiting to hear since Rich Gannon took you to the Super Bowl in 2002: Oakland makes the playoffs with a win.Tied for the lead in the AFC West (Kansas City holds the tiebreaker), the Raiders also can get in without a win, but that requires lots of help.San Diego is playing out the string, perhaps on the field for the penultimate time in Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers soon must exercise their option to move to Los Angeles, and any stadium deals to remain in San Diego appear to be a long shot.New England (11-2) at Denver (8-5)As usual, the Patriots are pushing for the AFCs best record. With a win they would become the first team in NFL history with eight consecutive division titles.While they cant clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs this weekend, they could grab the East simply by Miami not beating the Jets. A first-round bye comes with a Patriots win, too.Denver has not been one of Tom Bradys favorite places. The Broncos are the only team Brady has a losing record against: 6-9, 2-7 in Denver, including two losses last season, the second for the AFC championship. And the Broncos still have that strong defense.But Denvers offense has sputtered badly and cant afford a shootout with New England.For the Broncos to have a chance to repeat as champs, they must negotiate the toughest closing trio of opponents: New England, Kansas City and Oakland.Green Bay (7-6) at Chicago (3-10)Pro footballs longest rivalry could be deadlocked if Green Bay wins and keeps its playoff hopes breathing. Chicago leads 94-93-6, but the Packers have won six in a row at Soldier Field. Their defense has come alive in a three-game win streak that revitalized Cheeseheads everywhere.Aaron Rodgers is 14-4 against the Bears, including postseason. He leads the NFL with 32 TD passes, but hurt his right calf last week and missed some practice time.The Bears get back WR Alshon Jeffery from a four-game suspension for violating the leagues policy against performance enhancers.Indianapolis (6-7) at Minnesota (7-6)After falling at home to Houston in a first-place matchup, the Colts stagger into Minnesota, where the Vikings are barely in contention as well.Colts RB Frank Gore needs 77 yards from scrimmage to pass Tony Dorsett for 10th on the career list.Adrian Peterson told Dash Radio on Friday that he plans to return to the Minnesota Vikings backfield after missing 11 games with a torn meniscus in his right knee. Peterson had targeted next week against Green Bay for his return.Jacksonville (2-11) at Houston (7-6)Houston is tied with Tennessee for the AFC South lead. Its defense has made the difference recently, which is impressive considering its star player, J.J. Watt, has been sidelined for months.The Jaguars have lost eight straight, while Houston has won nine in a row in the division. Mismatch?San Francisco (1-12) at Atlanta (8-5)Doesnt look as if we need the question mark after mismatch for this one.The 49ers blew a big lead to the Jets, of all opponents, and havent won since their opener. Their defense is a sieve and now they take on Atlantas high-powered offense.Sure, the 49ers have won the past three games in this series, but those were different teams, different times.Falcons QB Matt Ryan is having his best season and Atlanta hopes to have back top receivers Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu.Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley is tied for the NFL lead with 13+ sacks and leads with six forced fumbles.Pittsburgh (8-5) at Cincinnati (5-7-1)The Bengals advertised tickets available for this one, so look for thousands of Terrible Towels to wave at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers feel comfortable there anyway, having taken the past three and six of seven, including that 18-16 wild-card playoff last January when penalties on Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict and CB Adam Pacman Jones set up Pittsburghs winning field goal in the final seconds.Pittsburghs offense is in gear behind RB LeVeon Bell, who set a club record with 236 yards rushing last week at Buffalo. WR Antonio Brown needs seven catches for a fourth straight season with 100, while Ben Roethlisberger and Brown have combined for 49 TDs, tied with Terry Bradshaw and Lynn Swann for the most in team history.Philadelphia (5-8) at Baltimore (7-6)Baltimore cant afford to stumble here and have a reasonable shot at the postseason. The Eagles are 1-6 on the road, with six losses in a row. Baltimore has the NFLs best defense in home games, allowing an average of 250.6 yards and 13.1 points.Perfection didnt suit Ravens placekicker Justin Tucker, who had a field goal blocked in the loss to New England, his first miss of any kind this season.Carolina (5-8) at Washington (7-5-1), Monday nightCornerback Josh Normans chance to meet up with the team that franchise-tagged him, then removed it and allowed him to head to the nations capital.Carolina has won four straight in the series. Washington struggles against tight ends, so watch for Panthers standout Greg Olsen.Redskins LB Ryan Kerrigan has 11 sacks and presents a major threat to Cam Newton.Cleveland (0-13) at Buffalo (6-7)Ah yes, the winless Browns. Only three teams have gone 0-14. Cleveland hasnt tasted victory in a calendar year.Not to be outdone in the grand scheme of failure the Bills have lost two straight and are in jeopardy of extending the NFLs longest active playoff drought to 17 seasons -- the worst since New Orleans ended a 20-year streak in 1987.New Orleans (5-8) at Arizona (5-7-1)Few teams have been more disappointing this season than the Cardinals, who played for the NFC title in January. They play out the string now, with only RB David Johnsons accomplishments worth noting. He joined Edgerrin James as the only players to have at least 100 yards from scrimmage in the first 13 games of a season. No one has done it for the first 14.New Orleans and Jacksonville are the only teams not to have a winning record at any point in the past three seasons. Not the company you want to keep.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLFake Phillies Jerseys . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Philadelphia Phillies Shirts . Isner, ranked No. 14, won his eighth career singles title and took the title in New Zealand for the second time after his victory in 2010. The match was similar to Isners quarterfinal victory over fifth-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber which went to three sets, all tiebreaks and contained no breaks of serve. https://www.cheapphilliesjerseys.us/ .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. Cheap Phillies Jerseys .05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. The designation was released Monday after the deadline passed for NFL teams to use franchise or transition tags on players becoming free agents. Wholesale Phillies Jerseys . -- Devin Hester is done returning kicks in Chicago.Chris Andrews has nearly 30 years of Nevada bookmaking experience under his belt, but this will be the Vegas veterans first college football weekend back behind the counter in over a decade.I always say that Im really not worried about one thing over another, Andrews told me with chuckle. Im worried about everything.Now the sportsbook director at the South Point Casino, Andrews is lopsided on the season win totals for Miami, Arizona State, Buffalo and Florida International. Hes overloaded with Ohio State money on his early line for the Week 3 showdown between the Buckeyes and the Oklahoma Sooners, and the pesky sharps are relentless and continually keep him guessing. Relax, Chris, were guessing youll be just fine.We can offer these points of assurance:? According to Nevada Gaming Control, the states sportsbooks are up $1.3 billion on football since 1989.? The books have not suffered a losing month during footballs regular season since November 2012.? Overall, Nevada sportsbooks have come out ahead in 36 consecutive months, with their last loss in July 2013.? The books have never had a losing September since gaming control began archiving sports betting revenue numbers in 1988.Here are a number of gambling tidbits (Chalk points in our parlance) that will guide you entering college football season:National title? The worst-case national champion for Las Vegas sportsbook operator CG Technology to start the season? The plucky Iowa Hawkeyes.Opening as 100-1 longshots, the Hawkeyes are now 20-1, after a customer backed Iowa with a series of notable four-figure futures bets at 75-1 and at 60-1. Iowas odds to win the Big Ten also have shortened, improving from 7-1 to 3-1 at CG Technology. The Westgate SuperBook also took a four-figure bet on the Hawkeyes to win the national title at 80-1.? The money on the odds to win the national championship is divided between six teams. More money has been bet on Clemson to win the title than any other team at William Hill and MGM sportsbooks, and Alabama is a close second at both books. But at Westgate, LSU has attracted the most money. There has been a lot of decent-sized wagers on LSU, even at crazy low odds, said SuperBook assistant manager Ed Salmons. Ohio State, Florida State and Michigan have seen a similar amount of support, both in terms of money and overall bets.? On Aug. 2, William Hill took a $10,000 bet on Clemson to win the national championship at 9-1.? Top five teams to win the national championship by money bet at the Westgate SuperBook1. LSU 2. Michigan 3. Clemson 4. Ohio State 5. Notre Dame? Top five teams to win the national championship by number of bets at the SuperBook:1. Michigan 2. Ohio State 3. LSU 4. Alabama 5. Florida State? Alabama was a 6-point favorite over Clemson in last years national championship game. Asked what the line would be on a rematch between the two teams played this week, Salmons said, Alabama -2.5.? Top five teams in Salmons power rankings:1. Alabama 2. Ohio State 3. LSU 4. Florida State 5. Clemson? Utah State has zero tickets and is the only team listed in the SuperBooks national title odds without a bet. Cincinnati, Kentucky and Temple each have attracted one $5 bet.? Auburn has fallen from 30-1 to 80-1 to win the national championship at the SuperBook.? Baylor has fallen from 12-1 to 50-1 to win the national championship at the SuperBook.? The SuperBook took a four-figure bet on Oklahoma State at 100-1 to win the national championship.? As of Sunday, four times as much had been bet on the odds to win the Super Bowl than the odds to win the college football national championship at the SuperBook.? Salmons, a Vegas veteran who is considered by his peers to be one of sharpest college football oddsmakers in town, placed futures bets on these teams to win the national championship: Florida State, Tennessee, Washington and TCU.? Right now, LSU is our worst-case scenario, said Treasure Island sportsbook director Tony Nevill, regarding his odds to win the national championship.? At Station Casinos sportsbook, Texas A&M is the worst-case national championship scenario.? At MGMs sportsbook, Texas Tech is the worst-case national championship scenario.? William Hill took a pair of $5,000 futures bets on July 30: one on Nebraska (60-1) and one on Georgia (40-1).? The SuperBook took a $400 bet on Kansas State to win the national championship at 1,000-1.? William Hill took a $1,000 bet on Utah (125-1) to win the national championship on Aug. 25.? Two days later, William Hill took a $1,000 bet on Arkansas (125-1) to win the national title.? The South Point sportsbook is offering on a prop bet in which you can either take a group made up of Alabama, Oklahoma, Clemson, Washington and Michigan or the field to win the national championship. Each side is -110. Good two-way action, Andrews said.Individual games? At the MGM sportsbook, the ticket count on the Alabama-USC game was even; the money was not. As of Tuesday, 15 times as much money had been wagered on the Crimson Tide than the Trojans. Included in that one-sided money was an $11,000 bet on Alabama -11, placed Monday. Alabama was an 11.5-point favorite at most books in the middle of the week.? The largest bet William Hill U.S. had taken on a Week 1 game as of Mondaay was $44,000 on the Texas Longhorns +4 vs.dddddddddddd Notre Dame.? On Monday at CG Technology, Clemsons opener at Auburn was the most-heavily bet game of Week 1. The ticket count was 2-1 in favor of Dabo Swinneys Tigers. The money count was 15-1 in favor of Clemson.? To start the week, the most-heavily bet Week 1 game at the SuperBook was Thursdays Appalachian State-Tennessee game. We had a house player make a decent-size wager on Tennessee, Salmons said. Its kind of skewing [the handle]. The trendy Volunteers are 20.5-point favorites over Appalachian State.? On Monday, a bettor at William Hill, likely clad in orange, put down $40,000 on the Tennessee money line at -1,300 to beat Appalachian State. If the Vols prevail, the bettor would net $3,076.90.? Top five candidates to win the Heisman Trophy by money bet at William Hill U.S.:1. Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey 2. LSU RB Leonard Fournette 3. Clemson QB Deshaun Watson 4. Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield 5. Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett? College football favorites covered the spread in more games last year during the regular season than any other regular season in the last 11 years. Favorites went 423-385 (52.35 percent) last season. It was only the third time in the last 11 seasons that favorites covered the spread in more than 400 games ( it has happened three of the last five regular seasons). Overall, since 2005, favorites are 4,074-4,029 ATS, according to sports betting database BetLabs on SportsInsights.com.? In 2015, $1.69 billion was bet on football, both college and the NFL, at Nevadas regulated sportsbooks. The books kept $82.5 million of the amount bet.? In 2015, the NFL attracted 58 percent of the money bet on football at the Westgate SuperBook. Thats in line with estimates at other books.? Top three teams in South Point sportsbook director Chris Andrews power ratings:1. Alabama 2. Clemson 3. LSU? The lowest-ranked team in Andrews power rankings is North Texas.? Best ATS records over last 5 years:1. Georgia Southern 20-8 2. Stanford 44-24 3. Houston 42-23-1 4. Baylor 40-23-1 5. Arkansas State 40-24-1? Worst ATS records in last 5 years:1. UConn 20-39-2 2. Eastern Michigan 22-37-1 3. Kansas 22-37-1 4. Virginia Tech 24-40-2 5. Kentucky 23-37-0? Coach Nick Saban is 7-1 ATS in season openers at Alabama.? Alabama is 3-12 ATS after a straight-up loss under Nick Saban.? For his career, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer is 37-9 ATS with more than one week to prepare, including 8-3 ATS in season openers.? Ohio State is currently a 5-point underdog in its Week 3 game at Oklahoma. Urban Meyer is 19-5 ATS as an underdog in his career.? Approximately 95 percent of the money wagered on the Ohio State-Oklahoma game at South Points sportsbook is on the Buckeyes.? In the last five seasons, teams are 19-33 ATS in their next game after playing Ohio State.? Ohio State is currently a 5-point home favorite over Michigan in their Nov. 26 meeting.? Notable Games of the Year lines at South Point:Stanford at Washington (-4), Sept. 30 Tennessee at Georgia (-1), Oct. 1 Oklahoma (-10.5) vs. Texas, Oct. 8 Alabama (-2.5) at Tennessee, Oct. 15 Stanford (-3) at Notre Dame, Oct. 15 Clemson at Florida State (-2.5), Oct. 28 Michigan (-4) at Michigan State, Oct. 28 Alabama at LSU (-2.5), Nov. 5 Michigan (-4) at Iowa, Nov. 12 USC at UCLA (-3), Nov. 19 Florida at Florida State (-11), Nov. 26 Auburn at Alabama (-15.5), Nov. 26 Army vs. Navy (-12), Dec. 10? Since returning to coach Kansas State in 2009, Bill Snyder is 18-9 ATS off a straight-up loss.? Since 2009, Bill Snyder is 42-19-1 ATS in Big 12 play.? Kentucky is 7-17 ATS in SEC play under coach Mark Stoops.? Nearly 70 percent of Indianas games under coach Kevin Wilson have gone over the total, including a 10-2-1 over/under mark last season.? There have been 4,007 unders and 3,692 overs in the regular season since 2005. Last season, there were 412 unders and 400 overs.? Scoring in college football continues to trend up. In 2015, FBS teams averaged 29.6 points per game. In 2010, it was 27.9, and in 2005, 26.8.? Alabama and Michigan each have nine draft-eligible NFL prospects, the most of any schools, according to Todd McShays preseason rankings.?? Baylor is 24-7 ATS at home in last five seasons.? Oregon is 19-3 ATS on the road over the last five seasons.? Army is 4-20-1 ATS on the road over the last five seasons.? South Alabama is 7-19 ATS over the last five seasons.? At the South Point, Andrews posted win totals on each of the 128 FBS teams, from Air Force (8.5 -145 over) to Wyoming (3.5 -120 under), with Kansas (2 -125 under) in between. The most lopsided action has been on the over on Miami, Fla. (8 -130 under) and the over on Arizona State (6.5 -130 under). Bettors also have sided with the under on Buffalo (4.5 -115 under) and the under on Florida International (5 -130 under).? Top 5 teams ATS after a straight-up loss in last five seasons:1. Louisville 12-4 2. Stanford 12-3 3. Missouri 16-6 4. Kansas State 12-5 5. Michigan 14-6? California is 9-25 ATS after a straight-up loss in last five seasons.Statistical data courtesy of: BetLabsSports.com on SportsInsights and TeamRankings.com ' ' '