Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NHL Rotation #25 Saturday 10* Top Play Columbus Blue Jackets Money Line (+) @ Nashville Predators @ 8:05 ET - The Blue Jackets lost their opening game at Nashville Thursday by a 3-1 count but that game was 1-1 heading to the 3rd period. Now Columbus gets another shot at the Predators. I know these teams are considering roughly equal but I also like the Blue Jackets strong blue line with Seth Jones and Zach Werenski. The Jackets had a solid start in the game Thursday but really looked a bit listless in the 3rd period. That said, you know fiery coach John Tortorella is going to have the Blue Jackets ready to go here. Columbus, prior to their season-ending loss in Game 5 of their series with Tampa Bay (whom went on to win the Stanley Cup), had been on a 3-0 run when off a loss in which they were held to 1 goal or less. After scoring just 1 goal against the Preds Thursday, the Blue Jackets respond big here and get into the win column. 10* COLUMBUS

Philly Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #657 Saturday 10* Top Play OVER the total in LaSalle Explorers vs Davidson Wildcats @ 2 ET - LaSalle is off a horrible effort in their most recent game but that was on the road at George Mason. The Explorers scored just 49 points in that game but now they are back home in Philadelphia where they have averaged 76.5 points per game their last 4 games. The problem for LaSalle is their defensive play and that is the part of the reason they were on a 4-0 run to the over before the loss to the Patriots. As for Davidson, they have scored 74 points or more in 4 of their last 5 games and those 4 went 4-0 to the over. With the Explorers scoring much better at home but their defense unable to stop the Wildcats, I feel this is absolutely a bargain number on this low total which is in the 133 range. 10* OVER the total in LaSalle

Daytime Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #521 Saturday 10* Top Play OVER the total in San Antonio Spurs vs Houston Rockets @ 5 ET - These teams just met Thursday and that game stayed just under the total despite the complete reshuffling of the Rockets roster (the big Harden trade) plus some unusual shooting stats. The Spurs shot just 29% from three point land and Houston shot just 63% from the free throw line. Keep in mind San Antonio is shooting 37% from beyond the arc this season and the Rockets are knocking down 75% of their free throws. After those unusual stats and the fact that the Spurs are hungry and playing with revenge here after the upset loss, look for this one to easily fly over the total. This total is even lower than the Thursday one but that is simply not justified and we'll step in and take advantage of the corresponding value. 10* OVER the total in San Antonio

Primetime Punisher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NFL Rotation #303 Saturday 10* Top Play Baltimore Ravens (+) @ Buffalo Bills @ 8:15 ET - The Colts last weekend were the first team ever to have over 450 yards of offense in a game with zero turnovers and still lose the game. Teams with those stats had been 11-0. In other words, the Bills got lucky...very lucky! Now their luck runs out this week. While I absolutely respect Buffalo QB Josh Allen and all this offense has done, there is simply no comparison between these defenses. The Ravens have the much better defense. Also, in terms of the Baltimore offense, a running QB like Lamar Jackson gives a defense like the Bills have absolute nightmares. The Bills have allowed 21 points or more in 6 of their last 8 home games. The Ravens have allowed 19 points or less in 6 of their last 7 games. In fact, Baltimore allowed an average of 13 points in those 6 games. Buffalo allowed an average of 27 points per game in those aforementioned 6 home games. I know the full season numbers make the defenses look comparable but I feel strongly they are not. Also, the Ravens had to battle with the Steelers and the Browns in their division while the Bills took advantage of a weaker division. Of course the Jets were garbage, the Patriots ended with a losing record, and the Dolphins (despite a winning record) were pretenders whose full season stats told the full story. Off the fortunate win last week, Buffalo's luck runs out this week and the Ravens advance to the AFC Championship Game. 10* BALTIMORE

Afternoon Annihilation - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NFL Rotation #301 Saturday 8* Los Angeles Rams (+) @ Green Bay Packers @ 4:35 ET - Jared Goff has had a little more time to heal his thumb. The Rams also have their run game going strong. Additionally, you are talking about what might be the best defense in the league. They just held a strong Seahawks team to 11 first downs and Seattle QB Russell Wilson to 11 of 27 with his passing. The Packers offense certainly presents a tougher challenge but the Rams defense will be up to the task. At the same time, the Green Bay defense is susceptible to strong ground games and I like what Los Angeles has been doing on that side of the ball in recent games. The Packers are just 3-3 ATS in their last 6 home games. The Rams, including playoffs, are 11-6 SU this season and only 3 of those 17 games was a loss by more than a 3 point margin for LA. In other words, great value with the big points here in my opinion. 8* LOS ANGELES RAMS

National TV Blowout - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach EPL Rotation #200001 Saturday 10* Top Play OVER 2.5 goals in Fulham vs Chelsea @ 12:30 ET - Fulham comes into this game with plenty of confidence thanks to a hard-fought draw against Tottenham on Wednesday. That followed a victory for Fulham in English FA Cup action. I am well aware that Fulham has switched to a style of play that is focused on eliminating opponents chances. However, Chelsea is loaded with firepower and comes into this match not only off a 4-0 win English FA Cup action but also wanting to respond big in Premier League action where they have not registered many victories of late. In other words, Chelsea wants to take care of business against London rivals in this one and I feel strongly they will press the issue here which means a lot of attacking and we'll see at least 3 goals in this one. Chelsea is averaging about 2 goals per game this season while Fulham has averaged scoring about a goal per game in this campaign. Also, Chelsea has a history of dominating in this rivalry and has scored an average of 2.4 goals per match in the last 5 meetings. Fulham should also get on the board here as Chelsea has allowed 21 goals in 17 matches this season and I doubt they will produce a clean sheet here. With their manager feeling some pressure about this club performing better in league action, look for the visitors to be on the attack throughout this game and dictate the pace and flow of this one. 10* OVER the total in Fulham

OVER the total in Leeds United vs Brighton & Hove - Of course I am aware of the recent trend of many unders in Premier League action. However, this one certainly should buck that trend and I will take advantage of the additional value here as this one has dropped in some books after opening at a total of 3 goals. I understand the drop below 3 because of the overall recent trending in the league but that is merely serving to give us line value here. Leeds United is averaging nearly 2 goals per match this season but also allowing nearly 2 goals per match. Brighton & Hove is averaging 1.2 goals per match on the road this season but the reason this team has only 2 wins on the season is they are not exactly a powerhouse in terms of defending their won goal and they have allowed nearly 2 goals per match. This one is a value play all the way and I won't pass up on it as I fade the line move. OVER the total in Leeds United