In today’s SportSense Entertainment Newsletter…

Additional Model Predictions ⬇️

NBA Model Predictions- Click Here

NHL Model Predictions- Click Here

There were no model predictions yesterday, January 13, 2023.

Two NFL games are scheduled to take place today. Our model’s predictions for both matchups can be found below.

Los Angeles Rams @ Detroit Lions

Model Predicts- Lions ML, OVER 52, Rams +3

The Los Angeles Rams will make the journey to Detroit, Michigan on Sunday to battle the Lions in what is the first postseason game for each team in 2024.

The Rams made the postseason after winning 10 of 17 regular season games, which most recently included a 21-20 win over the 49ers in Week 18. Meanwhile, Detroit was slightly better in the regular season, winning the NFC North title with a 12-5 record.

Both quarterbacks, Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff will face their old teams today, and our model believes Goff and the Lions have the upper hand. Let’s take a look at why that is.

Los Angeles Rams

• Ended season red hot

  • Went 7-1 following Week 10 bye

  • +53 point differential in that time

• Offense has gotten down field in large chunks

  • Averaging 5.8 yards per play over last 3 games

  • Very balanced attack- average 230 pass yards per game and 120.3 rush yards per game

• Have several key injuries- Tyler Higbee (TE), Joe Noteboom (LT), Kevin Dotson (RG), and Jordan Fuller (SS) all questionable

Detroit Lions

• Had some ups and downs across final few games of season

  • Went 4-3 in final seven games

  • Losses to Cowboys, Bears, and Packers

• Defense is major concern

  • Allowing 6.7 yards per play over last 3 weeks- 31st in NFL

  • Opponents scoring 23.71 points per game over last 7 games, which four teams scoring at least 24

• Relatively healthy for today’s game. Key injuries are Sam LaPorta (TE) and John Kominsky (DE)

What’s the Play?

This game contains what is likely the best storyline of the postseason with Stafford and Goff playing their old teams. It’s tough to pick a side here, but we agree with our model that this should be a high-scoring game.

Detroit’s defense has been non-existent in the second half of the season. Opposing offenses are lighting this team up through the air, tallying 351.7 pass yards per game in that time, and Stafford, who has thrown for more than 315 yards in his last two starts, should have no problems putting up a similar number today.

However, Detroit has all the necessary tools on offense to match the Rams’ offense, averaging 408.8 yards and 30.5 points per game at home this season. Expect both teams to find the end zone often tonight.

The Play: Over 52 (-110)

Money Line Trends 💰

• Dallas Cowboys- 12-5 overall this season, 8-0 as the home team

• Detroit Lions- 12-5 overall this season, 6-2 as the home team

Over/Under Trends ⬆️⬇️

• Detroit Lions- Over is 11-6 this season, 6-2 as the home team

Spread Trends ➕➖

• Green Bay Packers- 9-8 against the spread (ATS) this season, 6-4 ATS as an underdog

• Los Angeles Rams- 10-6-1 ATS this season, 4-3-1 ATS as an underdog

🥶 Chiefs beat Dolphins in frigid weather. In freezing conditions at Arrowhead Stadium, the Kansas City Chiefs overcame the extreme cold, with Patrick Mahomes' helmet even shattering on impact. Despite the challenging weather, Mahomes led the team to a 26-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins in the wild-card round of the playoffs. The reigning Super Bowl champs showcased resilience, with Mahomes throwing for 262 yards, connecting with Rashee Rice for a touchdown, and the defense shutting down the prolific Miami offense.

📈 LaPorta trending towards playing vs Rams. Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is likely to play against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night, recovering well from a hyperextended knee and bone bruise sustained in the final regular-season game. Despite being a nonparticipant in Wednesday and Thursday practices, LaPorta fully participated on Friday and is expected to wear a brace during the game. The second-team All-Pro rookie, selected 34th overall, had an impressive regular season with 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns, tying him with Rob Gronkowski for the second-highest rookie tight end touchdown record.

Today’s trivia requires you to dig into multiple pockets of your brain, testing your knowledge of recent events as well as those that happened decades ago.

See how many of the below questions you can get correct. Answers are provided at the end of the newsletter.

Question #1- Who was the first quarterback selected in the 1995 NFL Draft, going third overall to the Houston Oilers?

Question #2- Who is the only active NBA player who played college basketball at Tennessee State University?

Question #3- Nick Saban coached for what NFL team from 2005-06 before becoming the head coach at Alabama?

Anyone know what has happened on January 14th throughout history? We didn’t have a clue either, but it appears that it has been a busy day.

On January 14th…

1982- MLB legend Hank Aaron is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Aaron spent 23 seasons in the MLB, 21 with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and two with the Milwaukee Brewers. He would retire from baseball following the 1976 season, setting several power hitting records before that year.

2001- The Atlanta Hawks retire Dominique Wilkins’ No. 21 jersey. He joined Bob Pettit and Lou Hudson in the rafters as the the third Hawk to have his number retired. Wilkins played for Atlanta from 1982-1994, becoming an All-Star nine times in that stretch.

2019- Houston Rockets star James Harden scores 38 points in 116-108 loss to the Orlando Magic. It was Harden’s 16th straight game with 30+ points, matching Kobe Bryant’s NBA record. However, the performance was left with on blemish, as Harden shot just one of 17 three point attempts in the game, tying the NBA record for the most misses.

1. Steve McNair

2. Robert Covington

3. Miami Dolphins