The storyline is nothing more than youth vs. experience. New England has experience in spades, while the Rams have the ignorance of youth and the belief after trailing 13-0 at New Orleans, when it should have been at 20-0, they can overcome anything. At this point, one would be silly to say anything bad about the New England, as Bill Belichick has decades of football experience and the Patriots have gone with numerous old school formations and plays in the last two weeks to confuse Baltimore and Kansas City.

The Rams, their head coach Sean McVay was 16 when the B &B combination won their first Super Bowl and Jared Goff was in first grade. McVay grandfather is John McVay, who worked in the front office for the San Francisco dynasty with Joe Montana and Steve Young. Sean is a young brilliant football mind with an old soul.

Both teams made the conversion late in the season to running teams, each averaging over 39 carries per game. The Rams have the better defense in the Super Bowl and more players to make big plays. The offenses are similar in capability if not execution and will have every chance to be productive.

This has the making of a special Super Bowl and if New England wins, few will be surprised. But I'm taking Los Angeles because they have the better overall team and have more playmakers on both sides of the ball.

In this game, while experience helps, it does not always decide games. Just think back to a team called the Rams (from St. Louis), who was poised to win a second Super Bowl in three years and they lost to upstarts named Brady and Belichick. Will the cycle of life come full circle? I say YES with the Rams winning.

Doug' s Props 

Rams - Will they Score a Rushing Touchdown?  YES

Rams - Total Sacks by Defense O/U 1.5 - OVER

Rams - Total Points O/U 27.5 - OVER

How many times will the broadcast mention Sean McVay's Age O/U 1.5? (They have to actually he's 33.) OVER

How Many QB Hits will Aaron Donald Record? O/U 2.5 - OVER

New England vs. LA Rams: Anytime Touchdown Scorer - Rex Burkhard

Total Number of Different Patriots to have a Rushing Attempt (Conversions Do Not Count) (Kneel down is a Rush Attempt) O/U 5.5 - UNDER

Patriots - Will they Score a Rushing Touchdown - YES

Patriots - Total Sacks by Defense - OVER 1.5

Patriots - What will Happen First (Includes Safety)(Official Punt Only) - Taking Punt

Will any QB throw for 400 or more Yards in the game? - NO

Will there be an onside kick attempt in the game? - YES

New England vs LA Rams: Will there be a score in the first 4 mins 30 sec of the game? No

New England vs LA Rams: Total Rushing Yards by Todd Gurley -  Over 62.5

National Anthem O/U 107 seconds -  Over

While I do have to pump the breaks a little with Boston 15-5 ATS at home against teams with a winning road record, I do note the Thunder have put up the better ATS record of late and the underdog is 6-2-1 ATS in these teams last nine matchups. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the road club is 8-1-1 ATS. Take Oklahoma City to cover the spread. 

Kings win outright

Winnipeg wins by 3

Nets win outright

Goerge Mason losses by just 3

Kentucky wins by 6

Boston College by 5

Iowa State by 11

Georgia State by 6

OKC is in great form and getting a lot of help off the bench. Miami, they are up and down, undependable and the head coach is wondering if he putting the best rotations out on the floor. The Thunder is 4-0-1 ATS in recent games vs. the Heat, 8-2 ATS with two days rest and 8-1 ATS after ringing up 125 or more points. OKC by 8. 

St. Bonnie's is off a couple road wins, but I'm going with pedigree here and taking Davidson. The Wildcats average three or 3's a game, are the better defensive team and are 23-13 ATS as favorites. When it is crunch time, Davidson excels and wins by 4. 

I look at Quinnipiac and Canisius and I just do not see much difference. As the spread indicates, everything points to a close contest, however, road teams like the Bobcats when the line is +3 to -3, revenging a home loss, off two consecutive wins by 10 points or more against conference rivals are a rock solid 25-10 ATS.  

Golden State is 3-3 on totals of 240 or higher, but Philly is 6-2 UNDER at 230 or higher (no 240's). I'm going to say we have just enough missed shots and when the total is 220 or higher and a team like the Sixers shoot 45.5-47.5%, against a team that allows 43.5-45.5%, after 42+ games, after a game making 12 or more 3-point shots, the UNDER is 34-16. 

#650 UC-Riverside -6.5

Cal-Poly is 0-15 ATS off a loss against a conference rival and 0-12 after allowing 80 or more points. Riverside by 9 or more. 

#644  Utah -2.5

Utah has won and covered four straight, is committing fewer turnovers and been more solid on defense. Teams are running to the rim against Oregon's press without a shot-blocker. The Utes by 6.

#692  Weber State -8.5

When Weber State has a solid defensive club like they do this year, they are tough to beat at home. They are 20-2 SU and 12-6-2 ATS at home against Portland St. and the Vikings are  0-6 ATS off two straight wins against conference rivals the last three seasons. Weber State by 12. 

With Philadelphia a +185 ML road underdog and playing fantastic, they are a tempting choice. But having beat Boston at home only 15 days ago, Philly 3-11 after scoring one goal or less in their previous game and the Bruins 17-3 on home ice after two straight home tilts, the B's are the choice.

#607 Drexel +5.5

Playing the angle on this one with Drexel at Bill & Mary. Both teams are terrible on defense but the visitor is on an 8-2 SU and ATS move, that works! One point game either way. 

These two teams have played 14, as in FOURTEEN straight Over's in the regular season and if you go back to January of 2012, they are on 21-1 Over ride! 

#816 Drake 

The Bulldogs have been solid all year at 15-4 ATS and 7-1 ATS as favorites. Illinois State has frequent scoring droughts, Drake by 8. 

#815  Villanova -5.5

Coach Jay Wright has Nova playing their game, the defense has improved and P. Booth has been unstoppable. Villanova wins by 9 at DePaul.

#802  Iowa State -12.5

The Cyclones have the guards to breakdown West Virginia's defense and they play more than enough good defense, especially at home to contain a limited Mountaineers offense. Iowa State by 16.

Detroit is not scoring or allowing over 100 points on average in last five outings. The Bucks can score, but they cannot be happy how poorly their defense played at OKC in defeat and they have more than enough ability to lock down the Pistons. These rivals are on an 8-2 UNDER run against each other and Milwaukee is 18-5 UNDER in road games having won four of their last five and games and Detroit is 11-3 UNDER revenging a loss of 10 points or more. 

Maryland has played two poor games in losing to Mich. State and Illinois and is now back home and look for them to be more revved up against a Northwestern group that has offensive limitations. Expect the Terps to get back on track on offense and improve to 19-7 ATS at home off an upset loss as a favorite, winning by double digits. 

Ohio U. is 4-12 ATS this season and has other woes, like a 1-7 ATS record versus teams outrebounding opponents by 4+ per game this season. Northern Illinois has built a nice home gym edge in recent years and in 7-2 and 6-1 ATS at DeKalb this year winning by over 13 PPG. NIU is 14-5 ATS at home the last two years and wins by 8. 

The Clippers have won and covered four of five by getting a greater commitment on the defensive end and making the extra pass on offense. Atlanta is in rebuild mode and you don't know from night to night what the Hawks will give. Teams like Atlanta that after beating the spread by 54 or more points total in their last ten games, against opponent after going Under the total by 54 or more points total in their last ten games, are 6-18 ATS this season. Since I don't see the Clippers losing outright, the SU winner in their games is on a 17-0 ATS run. Clips by 9. 

Texas Tech ended their three-game losing streak but they remain a terrible bet with one spread cover in their last 10 contests (1-8-1 ATS). In the same time period, TCU is 8-3 ATS and while they too can play defense and are not always consistent on offense like the Red Raiders, they are 9-2 ATS off a cover and 9-1 ATS after conceding 60 or fewer points. Two-point game either way. 

#840 Oregon 

When you look at Washington State, they are 2-6-1 ATS of late, 0-6 SU and 1-4-1 ATS in true road games (3-13-1 L2Y) and are 3-7 ATS in Eugene. In this case, would rather give the points than take them and will go against the Cougars. Ducks by 16. 

#518 Mavs +5

Cannot ignore Dallas is 20-10 ATS versus teams averaging 88 or more shots a game this season and the fact they are 19-10 ATS as underdogs and 8-1 ATS as a home team catching. Two-point outcome either way. 

#524 T-Wolves +4

Second meeting in three days and Minnesota lost at Utah by just four. The Jazz is 3-11 ATS having won three of four the Timberwolves are 14-2 ATS in home games after three or more consecutive Under's the last three seasons. T-Wolves outright. 

#514 Clippers -5

The Clips are off a nice 3-1 SU and ATS road trip and favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points after successfully covering the spread in two or more games, in a game involving two marginal winning teams (51% to 60%), are 43-13 ATS. L.A. by 8. 

Two point game either way, take Weber State. 

The loser of this contest falls to 2-4 in the SEC. Look for the home court to be the deciding factors which propel Mississippi State to a victory and leaves Auburn with a third straight setback.

Oral Roberts wins by 4.

Quick turnaround revenge, one point game either way. 

Kentucky is on the rise across the board and its young players are really maturing and playing team basketball. In my opinion, Kansas was overrated to begin with (7-11-1 ATS) and losing center Udoka Azubuike makes them small up front, which should allow the Wildcats to control the paint. Kentucky by at least 9.

Eastern Illinois by 5

Western Kentucky wins outright.

N.C. State by 8

Louisville by 16

Duquesne wins outright

Virginia by 15

Maryland wins by 13

James Harden is playing basketball maybe as well as any player has in this period of games and he's had to with Houston having so many injuries. While everyone marvels at his individual brilliance, they still fell Toronto is the better team and moved them from -1 to -3 on the road. The Rockets are only 3-7 ATS of late and two of those defeats came as underdogs. However, the Raptors are only 5-8-1 ATS as road faves and I'll side with Harden and Houston at this many points.

#575  Clippers -5        

There is just nothing to like about Chicago and the Clippers are 15-5 ATS in road games versus teams allowing 110+ points a game. The Clips by 9. 

#566  Magic -3.5

In theory, not the best spot for Orlando, being a weak home favorite. Still, I cannot overlook that Washington is 4-12 ATS as a road underdog and abysmal 0-10 ATS in away games after scoring 115 points or more, which just happened last night at home. Magic by 7. 

Yale is a popular pick but they just played Brown at their place last week and won by three as two-point favorites. If that line was correct and the final score said it was, why isn't Yale a favored by at least 9?  (Figuring 3.5 point home court for each team) The Bears have quick turnaround revenge, they have the defense to hang and are 15-6 ATS at Yale. Brown loses by 3 again and covers.

#556  Utah -3.5

Good matchup, but Denver is 2-12 ATS in road games after playing two home games and they have lost seven straight at Utah (1-5-1 ATS) and lose by 7. 

#797  George Mason +8.5

Georgia Mason has the ability to hang around and is 20-8 ATS as a road underdog and is 6-0 ATS as a road dog of 6.5 to 12 points. With Dayton only 3-6 ATS at home, the Flyers win, just by 4. 

#808  LSU -11

Georgia is scoring only 62.2 PPG in the SEC, while LSU averages over 85 at home and wins by nearly 17 PPG. Expect more of the same, the Tigers Big! 

#531  Blazers +5.5

Really like what the Blazers are playing and they are 7-2 SU and ATS of late. Add in OKC is 1-9 ATS off two or more consecutive road wins and the Blazers cover and might win outright. 

#624  Michigan -12.5

I think the Wolverines were embarrassed by how they played in the loss to Wisconsin and bring the fury against a Minnesota team that 3-11 ATS versus teams who attempt 21 or more 3-point shots a game on the season and 0-7 ATS off a Big Ten win. With the Wolverines 7-0 ATS off one or more losses, they win by 16. 

Utah is playing great basketball, winners of six straight and 8 of 9. Plus, home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points off a home win by 10 points or more, in a game involving two marginal winning teams (51% to 60%) are 28-7 ATS. The Jazz by 8. 

Defensively, Minnesota should be able to compete as they are 9th in fewest goals surrendered and 2nd in killing off penalties. The Wild will go up against a like-minded Golden Knights crew that is stingy when it comes to giving up goals.

Vegas' foundation from the start was built around defense, figuring that was the fastest way to compete. It worked marvelously, playing for the Stanley Cup in their inaugural season. After losing a couple key players to free agency and having the hangover of almost winning the Cup, the Golden Knights are playing back to last year's level and are 5th in goals allowed. As good as they have been in conceding just 2.66 goals a game, in this 10-game stretch they have only given up 18 scores.

These are two really good defensive teams. VGK is 20-10 UNDER after scoring four or more goals and 12-4 UNDER at home after playing a game where eight or more total goals were scored. 

In reviewing the figures, we find that Tom Brady has won 28 playoff games over a career that spans back to when Bon Jovi was singing "It's My Life". (Sort of fits right.) Patrick Mahomes, he's won the only postseason playoff game he's been in and that was last Saturday.

This matchup has been viewed from almost every conceivable angle at this point, so let's take it down to gut levels. After a season in which New England was roundly viewed as a sinking dynasty and everyone agreed that the talent is not the same as prior teams that played for the AFC championship. Just a few days after an extremely impressive performance over the Chargers, now there is outrage about Patriots being an underdog in Kansas City and Brady is not pleased about being disrespected. (Again, enough already Tom)

We all know about Brady's unparalleled success, with the same going for Bill Belichick and the playoff failures of Andy Reid. But if facts matter, the B&B combination was 3-5 SU and ATS this year on the road and in their last eight playoff games on the road or at neutral sites, they are 2-6 SU. Believe it or not, New England will not be the only team with a modified game plan from the previous contest, as Reid will have a few surprises also. And as bad as the Kansas City defense has looked at times this season, at Arrowhead, they have allowed 17.4 PPG, which is tied for 3rd in the NFL at this moment. Take the Chiefs who win by 7. 

#826  Drake -3.5

Missouri St. is really struggling on the road this year at 2-8 and 3-7 ATS, losing by almost 10 PPG. And they are 1-10 vs. teams who commit 14 or fewer turnovers past the midpoint of the season since last year, while Drake is 9-2 ATS vs. teams who attempt 21 or more 3's. Drake by 7. 

No question Los Angeles and New Orleans looked like the best two squads in the NFC at that time and having reached this point they still are. Yet, each team is different from that last game and that will play directly into the outcome. 

After a late surge win and cover against Detroit, followed by losses to Chicago and Philadelphia, Sean McVay realized his defense was not good enough to be in shootouts every week and the loss of Cooper Kupp mattered to the passing. In winning and covering three straight the Rams have rushed the ball at least 40 times in each victory. New Orleans No.2 run defense will present a challenge, but if L.A. can just move the chains running, they can win this confrontation.

New Orleans was high-flying scoring machine 2 1/2 months ago, but with no real receiver threat outside of Michael Thomas and offensive line becoming battered at Thanksgiving, the Saints have averaged 19.1 PPG in their last six outings.

For the right to go the Super Bowl from this side of the bracket, let's take the Rams, who have taken a more aggressive defensive approach, still having an offense that can score and who is 13-3 SU on the road since last year. L.A. Outright! 

Delaware wins by 8

Bowling Greem wins by 12.

Texas State wins by 14

Geor. Southern 0-6 ATS off a conference road win. One point game either way. 

Hofstra wins by 9. 

It's the beginning of the NBA on Saturday's on ABC and we have a doubleheader, with this is the better game. There has been a lot talk about Jimmy Butler running his mouth in Philly, nevertheless, the Sixers are off a shocking beat down of Indiana in the Hoosier State and are winning by 10.3 PPG at home. Oklahoma City is on a 1-5 SU and ATS downturn.

Sac. State is a terrible road underdog, Southern Utah by 6. 

#564  Blazers -2.5

Strictly a situational play. Portland is 10-1 ATS at home games after scoring 105 points or more in five straight games, while the Pelicans are 2-11 ATS after playing exactly two road games this season. Blazers by 6. 

#553  Nets +1.5

Brooklyn is still hanging in and is 16-5 ATS in road games off an upset win as an underdog. Orlando, they are 4-15 ATS as a home favorite the last two seasons. Nets win. 

Despite at 14-3 record, Toledo is only 2-2 in the MAC. This has hoops bettors reconsidering the Rockets and they have been dumped from -11 to -8.5. It happens every year, teams put up big numbers before conference play and once they face familiar foes, the scoring average starts to slip. However, Ohio is 2-5 and 1-6 ATS on the road and is losing those games by 12 PPG. Make this a play with the Rockets at an adjusted price.

#657  UCSB -1.5

I am surprised the spread is this low frankly and road teams like UCSB when the line is +3 to -3, who score 74-78 PPG, against a poor offensive team (63-67 PPG), after 15+ games, are 26-8 ATS the last three years. The Gauchos by 6. 

#697  Austin Peay -7

 SIU-Edwardsville allows over 50% shooting and makes less than 30% of three's. Austin Peay is  11-2 ATS versus teams making 42% or fewer of their shots. AP by 10+.

#825   UCF -2.5

Wichita State has very limited offensive options and UCF plays great defense. 

#26 Flames 

Buffalo has lost 15 of 20, Calgary on 5-game win streak. 

#821  Georgia Tech +8

Clemson struggling to score against very good defenses and that is what the Yellow Jackets play. 

#814  DePaul +2.5

Butler cannot score on the road, DePaul much improved and wins at home for the first time in six games over the Bulldogs. 

#530  Celtics -2.5

Classic NBA makes no sense spot with how C's and Toronto are playing. 

#801  Iowa +2.5

I think Iowa should be favored over Penn State and wins the game.

Tampa Bay has a rare clunker at the New York Islanders, where they were outworked in a 5-1 setback. Besides the fact head coach Jon Cooper has a talent-laden roster, they have shown the ability to quickly put any loss behind them, as only once has his squad lost consecutive games and that was over two months ago on Nov. 10th and 13th.  Dallas briefly played well after their CEO Jim Lites ripped his two best players, Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. Now, they have lost three of four and the Stars have lit the lamp only seven times in five games. With Tampa Bay is 20-3 having won three of their four and is 16-7 on the road, which is the best mark in the NHL, they win.

#519  Heat +9

Miami is always a tough matchup for Milwaukee, which is why they are 7-1 SU and ATS against the Bucks. Look for that to continue with the Heat 11-3 ATS versus teams forcing 14 or fewer turnovers game this season. 

#615 South Florida +13

USF is a strong rebounding team and pesky, which is why they are 5-0 ATS on the road. The Bulls are on an 8-1 ATS run, while Cincy is not shooting the ball, which is why they are 1-4 ATS of late. The Bearcats are not going to be wired for this one and win by 8. 

#628  Bowling Green +1

Ball State might be better but after two home losses as double digit faves, how do you trust them? I'm seeing the Falcons at 8-0 and 6-0 ATS at home with the better defensive club. Backing Bowling Green. 

#601  Seton Hall 

Seton Hall is 9-6 and 11-4 ATS at Providence. As a road underdog of six or less the Pirates are 10-1 ATS and if you drill down to +3 or lower, they are 6-0 ATS. Seton Hall wins. 

Scheduling spot play against Detroit. The Pistons are playing a 4th road game in six days and Blake Griffin led his teammates to win at the Clips, which mattered a lot to them. With Utah steadily improving, the Pistons a poor shooting team and Detroit 0-8 ATS versus teams outrebounding opponents by 3+ per game, make it the Jazz by 12.  

You are going to see a lot of support for Texas in this spot, as the road team in this matchup is on an 8-0 ATS run. But those games at Lawrence had an average spread of - 11.75 for Kansas, nothing close to this number. I'm not suggesting a blowout with how the Longhorns play defense, still, Texas is 0-6 ATS after four straight games committing 14 or less turnovers and falls by 10. 

Both Nebraska and Indiana were competitive in losses on the Big Ten road last week, but the Hoosiers are back home. Both teams are sound defensively, but Indiana really shots well at Assembly Hall (55.9%) and they are 6-0 ATS after a conference road loss. Hoosiers by 5. 

#841 Drake +2

Drake lost a key starter recently, but, Northern Iowa is a horrible offensive team who is 4-19 ATS versus teams scoring 77+ points a game and 3-11 ATS this season. Drake wins. 

New England opened at -5 on the opening line against the L.A. Chargers, which is their smallest opening playoff game spread since Bill Belichick and Tom Brady started being in the postseason since 2001. But this is the 10th straight year New England has a playoff game, making them very familiar with the drill. The Patriots have also won their opening postseason contest a hard to fathom seven straight times. This Los Angeles bunch seems to relish playing on the road and they are 8-1, but two straight East Coast games will not be easy. As the point spread suggests, this is not a vintage New England bunch,  still, with the B & B combo in Foxborough, hard to go against this group. Pats by 6 or more. 

#834  Xavier +1.5

Neither Xavier or Butler is as good as they have been in the recent past. However, cannot back the Bulldogs who are 7-16 ATS  in road games when playing against a team with a winning record and  4-13 ATS away after three or more consecutive Over's. Xavier wins.

Arizona by 12.

Sharks win 5-2

Sac-Town by 8.

Rest assured, there will be a large contingent of handicappers and people reportedly in the know taking Dallas at +7 over the Rams. I will not unequivocally say they are wrong, nonetheless, I choose to disagree. Nobody knows the exact status of Todd Gurley, but if he's good enough to play, he will go. My guess is Sean McVay was not going to take any chances and wanted him close to 100 percent. The Dallas defense had more cracks in the latter part of the season and since holding New Orleans to only 10 points, they have permitted 24.6 PPG since, which is 20 percent more than their first dozen contests. Also, cannot overlook the Cowboys average 17.4 PPG on the road which was the worst of any playoff team, while the Rams were the top-scoring home team at 37.1 PPG. The Rams by at least 11. 

Tulsa loses by just 4.

St. John's by 12

The Grizzlies by 1

For the Chiefs Andy Reid, this is what a No.1 seed gets you, facing a team that is on a 10-1 run. Indianapolis is confident and ready to go looking to win three straight road games. As was mentioned here last week, the Colts running game is the key to their offense. The combination of Indy's offensive line and RB Marlon Mack is now 8-0 SU when they have 24 or rush attempts. On the season Kansas City was 27th in rushing defense and allowed 26.2 attempts per game. The Chiefs are on a 0-8 ATS playoff bowl flush and are facing the hottest team in the NFL with a better defense and a veteran quarterback.  The Colts move to 8-1 at K.C. with the upset win. 

NIU Huskies by 3.

Delaware loses by just 5. 

Kent State wins by 3.

Virginia wins by 9.

Ottawa ended their 8-game losing streak last night, but are they really good enough now to win back to back games on the road when they are 5-15 as visitors? Nope, take the Kings.