Follow@cimini

Zack and Kellyinvegas do a quick video for week thirteen of the NFL season. They discuss one of the Thanksgiving day games involving the Seahawks and 49ers.

Follow@cimini

You’re preparing for family to come into town for Thanksgiving, checking Black Friday sales, and dealing with the high volume holiday work load that comes annually. To top it off you’re planning on placing some wagers on Turkey day and rivalry week in college football.

Rivalry games do tend to bring out some of the best matchups of the season. What’s better than in-state games at all hours of the day. No need to argue with other family relatives anymore as you have your tablet to isolate the game you want to watch.

In the NFL there will be three Thanksgiving games starting with the Bears vs Lions, than the Cowboys vs the Eagles, and last will be the Seahawks vs the 49ers.

It sounds like a great lineup to get some action on. And there may be value but be extra cautious before placing wagers. Here are a few keys to enjoy the Thanksgiving week and family time.

Family Influence
Love for our family is endless but many of them will probably recite players names that heydays were many years ago. We all have been in family conversations or friend conversations where they have no clue what they’re talking about when it comes to sports. Remember that when they’re trying to influence you on a play Thursday and into the weekend.

Consumption
This is a huge key. You’re going to already be consuming endless amounts of food. Don’t carry that over into wagers. You should not be placing wagers on every game. Limit the board to where true value is and let the rest take care of itself. Who cares if you’re not on the afternoon game in the NFL. If you live on the west coast and aren’t buried in snow, head outside and toss the ball around with family members. Turn on the radio and listen to Kevin Harlan, Boomer Esiason, and countless others that call radio broadcasts. If you’re stuck indoors pull out one of those closet board games that are always fun to entertain everyone with and keep the game on in the entertainment room.

Stay away or keep totals limited
I hardly recommend totals to my clients and the reason for it is the game changing moments in football. You can account for turnovers in a point spread but in a total they can be absolute daggers. Not to mention time of possession, red zone failures, etc. One or two crucial mistakes and you’re total could be dead in a heartbeat. At least with a spread you’re truly never out of it unless you’re counting on the Jets/Titans/Jaguars.

Follow@cimini

Watch as Zack Cimini, Hollis Barnhart, and John Cranton discuss how poor coaching has affected point spread line value on NFL Sundays.

Follow on Twitter@cimini

Zack Cimini of notjustagame.com breaks down a free play in the NFL for week 12 and his season thus far year to date.

Week 12 NFL Free Play and ATS Insight from Zack Cimini on Vimeo.

Follow@cimini

Black Friday and Thanksgiving are just a week away. That means fantasy playoffs are ever-so-close. Prepare yourself for that last stretch by reviewing possible player adds following week eleven’s games.

Andy Dalton
People love to hate Dalton but he is still a young quarterback in this league. Other quarterbacks have struggled at stretches of season’s and not taken as much ridicule as Dalton. With AJ Green and him connecting at a high rate it automatically catapults Dalton to a second tier fantasy QB (12th-17th).

Jonas Gray
Gray’s outing on Sunday night football speaks for itself. Now fantasy owners have to play the bidding war with fellow league mates or hope they have the first waiver wire priority.

Jerrick McKinnon
There are plenty of fantasy leagues where owners anticipated AP coming back and dropped McKinnon in advance. That has backfired as AP has been suspended. This is a premium position to go ahead and grab McKinnon as he has been an advanced PPR running back and a consistent all-purpose yards back.

Isiah Cromwell
The Browns decision to cut Ben Tate cements the new load Cromwell has been receiving. Cromwell and West have paired to be a solid backfield. With the cloud of Tate gone, Cromwell can be a solid fantasy contributor the remainder of the season.

Stephfan Taylor
It’s clear that Andre Ellington has been playing at less than 100% all season. The speed he possessed last season just isn’t there, which is probably due to the foot injury he suffered in preseason. Taylor returned last week against the Lions in a limited role, but don’t be shocked to see his carries climb up to the levels we saw before his injury.

Kenny Britt
Britt may be a one week wonder but his past stats as a Titan make him a worthwhile boom/bust addition to team’s struggling at wide receiver. His big play came early and proved to be all the separation the Rams needed to defeat the Broncos.

Follow@cimini

Watch as Zack Cimini, John Cranton, and Hollis Barnhart break down Sunday’s NFL matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals from a Las Vegas odds perspective. Zack continues to be sizzling in the NFL with an ATS percentage of 75%. In college football he is 31-20 (61%). Be sure to get on board with him under today’s picks.