La Tonique’s Week 14 Surefire Bets

By Timothy An

Moneyline: Moneyline is where you be on what team is going to win specific games. If the Spurs’ odds to win are -130 and the Warriors’ odds to win are +110, it means the Spurs are favored to win.

- If you bet $130 on the Spurs, you would win $100.

- If you bet $100 on the Warriors you would win $110.

a). (z/100) = (y/x) b). (100/z) = (y/x)

If you want to calculate how much you would win if you bet a value other than $100, use the equations above to calculate. The equation in (a) is to solve for the odds if it is a negative number. You put the odd in (z), then how much you want to be in (y), then solve for (x). So, let’s say you want to bet $50 on the Spurs winning and their line is set at -140.

(140/100) = (50/x)

X = 35.71

In this particular case, you would get a payout of $35.71.

Betting the Line: Betting the line means that you are essentially betting to double your money. An example of a line would be Los Angeles Lakers -9.5 and Miami Heat +9.5. This means that the odds are set at the Laker’s winning by 9.5 points. You can either bet the Lakers -9.5, which means you are predicting the Lakers will win by 10 or more points. Or you can bet Miami Heat +9.5, which means you are predicting that the Miami Heat will win, or lose by 9 or less. If you are correct, you double your money, and if you are incorrect you lose it all.

SUREFIRE BETS OF THE WEEK:

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (+1.5) VS. BUFFALO BILLS

The Steelers are looking to bounce back from an embarrassing loss. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off of an embarrassing loss to the Washington Football Team, which is probably why they are favored to lose this game. However, this team remains one of the top teams in football with an outstanding defense.

The Buffalo Bills are a great team with a 9-3 record, but lack the offensive weapons to keep up with the Steelers.

While Stefon Diggs is having a fantastic year, I don’t think the rest of this offensive arsenal, featuring WR Cole Beasley, RB Devin Singletary and WR Gabriel Davis will be able to make enough plays to put up points against this frightening Steelers defense. The Steelers D should be able to keep the Bills under 30 points, while their offense has the talent to put up points against this very average Buffalo Bills defensive unit.

I predict a pretty strong victory for the Steelers here and think this is pretty much a lock for Week 14. 

BALTIMORE RAVENS (-2.5) VS. CLEVELAND BROWNS

The Ravens are looking to replicate their Week 1 success against the Browns this week. (USA TODAY Sports)

This is a matchup between two teams trending in completely opposite directions.

The Ravens are trending downwards, going 2-4 in their last 6 games, while the Browns are coming off a 4-game win streak that includes a dominating victory over the Tennessee Titans just last week. Even though the Browns may seem hot, don’t be fooled. The Ravens dominated the Browns in Week 1, 38-6, and even though these teams may not be playing at the same level they were in Week 1, this dominating victory proves that the Ravens know how to stop this Browns team.

I think the Ravens have a lot to play for here, and will come out with a strong gameplan and extra motivation since they are currently one game back from a Wild Card spot. The Ravens defense is still one of the best units in the league, and I expect them to be able to slow down this Browns offense and provide pressure on Baker Mayfield throughout the game.

This is an opportunity for the Ravens to make a statement win, and I think they will do just that. 

*Bet at your own risk

Follow Timothy on Twitter @timothyan1