Sunday Power Plays – Week 17

The regular season concludes today with a full slate of Sunday games. The only week we see all 16 played on Sunday. We’ve been on a holiday break, which was much needed to help disrupt the wretched streak of losses we have endured. Today, we have three games to help us do just that.

Carolina (+7) @ New Orleans

This line opened at New Orleans -9, and has been bet down to -7. It’s easy to understand why. The Panthers have been one, if not the hottest team in football lately. They are winning and scoring a lot of points in the process, averaging 32.8 ppg in their last 5 games where they are 4 – 1, and 3 – 0 on the road.

New Orleans is at home again, where they have been nothing short of dominant. They enter the game needing a win and a loss by the 49ers to clinch the #2 seed, which we see as highly unlikely since San Francisco is playing the lowly Rams. Though they need a win, the Saints should enter the game with the idea that they will likely host a playoff game next week. Because of this, we expect a more cautious approach by the Saints.

This will be Cam Newton’s first trip to New Orleans, where he is looking to cap off his historic rookie season in dramatic fashion. The Panthers have held a lead in 14 of their 15 games this season. They led the Saints 27 – 23 early in the 4th quarter in their first matchup in Carolina. Head to head, the road team has gone 18 – 4 ATS in the last 22 meetings. The Panthers are 10 – 1 in their last 11 games in New Orleans, and 6 – 1 ATS in their last 6 meetings overall.

In a game that should be settled by a field goal, we’re getting 7 or more. Take the points ASAP, as we expect the number to drop even further by game time.

New Orleans wins, 28 – 27

****

Tennessee (-1.5) @ Houston

We are going to keep it simple here. Houston has locked up the 3rd seed in the AFC with no further room to move. It makes this a game we expect the Texans to use extra caution. They are down to their rookie starter, and will be hosting their first ever playoff game next week. They also embarrassed the Titans in their last meeting, winning 41 – 7 back in October, and have lost their last two games.

The Titans need a win and some help from the Jets, Bengals, Broncos and Raiders, giving them a lot to play for today. Though they have struggled a bit, they get a Houston team not at full strength looking forward to a playoff game next week. As we know, divisional matchups have a tendency to split the games. The Titans will remember the last matchup and will be playing with their season on the line.

Tennessee wins, 23 – 14

****

Kansas City (+3) @ Denver

After starting the season 1 – 4 as a starter, Kyle Orton was quickly replaced by Tim Tebow and eventually cut by the Broncos. Though there was some talk that he would reject the move, the Kansas City Chiefs needed a QB and later grabbed Orton off waivers. Since the acquisition, Kansas City has replaced their head coach and knocked off undefeated Green Bay with Orton as starter, where he is 1 – 1.

Tebow time has taken a big hit the last two weeks. His 4 INTs in Buffalo last week had the Tebow haters filling the air with “I told you so”. With 2 straight losses, the Broncos are heading the wrong way. They were in the driver’s seat for the AFC West title, but have since struggled just to keep a hand on the wheel. Their rivals in Oakland have come back to life and are also needing a win today. Yet, it’s the Broncos who control their destiny here.

There have been very few instances where a QB has had the opportunity to seek vengeance on his ex-team in the same season, not to mention in a game where that team’s season rests in the balance. Kyle Orton gets that rare opportunity. The Broncos need a win and have their season to play for. The Chiefs don’t need a win, but also a lot to play for. The players have stepped up their games for interim coach Romeo Crennel, and are trying their best to finish strong to help him permanently land the gig. Add the situation with Orton, and the fact that this is a division rivalry which the Broncos won earlier in the year, and you have the makings of a very physically fought game.

The Chiefs will leave it all on the field here. They already spoiled Green Bay’s perfect season, and nearly ended the Raiders’ last week. We like the upset, in revenge fashion.

Kansas City wins, 17 – 16

Sunday Power Plays – Week 16

Oakland @ Kansas City (-2.5)

Named starter for the first time, QB Kyle Orton showed a veteran's control of the Chiefs offense last week.

The Chiefs have looked strong in their last 2 games at home. They took Pittsburgh to the wire, and to the delight of a handful of NFL retirees, handed Green Bay their first loss last week. The Raiders have looked no short of awful in their last 2 games on the road. Losing in Miami and Green Bay by an average score of 40 – 15. The two loses were followed by last week’s 28 – 27 loss to the Lions at home, in a game Oakland led 27 – 14 with less that 8:00 left in the 4th quarter.

Kansas City has been up and down with injuries and coaching drama, which all seemed to come together last week when Romeo Crennel took over as interim head coach, immediately naming newly acquired Kyle Orton as starting QB. The result was more potency in the offense, which moved the ball very effectively between the 20′s. They did struggle in the redzone, scoring only 1 touchdown in 5 attempts. A sign to expect from a new starter. The experience Orton brings, however, should improve that statistic this week. They face a Raiders defense that allows redzone touchdowns 60% of the time, ranked 27th in the league.

What started as a promising trade move has turned into a scramble for Carson Palmer and the Oakland Raiders, now on the verge of another early offseason.

The move at head coach and quarterback has definitely lit a spark in Kansas City, and we look to take advantage of the heat. In Oakland’s last 31 games as an underdog of 3.0 or less, they have gone 7 – 21 – 3 ATS. Kansas City is a hard enough place to play in as it is, just ask the Packers. With three straight losses, it seems apparent the Raiders are going the wrong direction. The Chiefs have been energized at home and now have the momentum of last week’s upset on their side.

Kansas City wins, 24 – 17

****

Denver (-2.5) @ Buffalo

Expected to start, RB Willis McGahee should get plenty of chances to expose Buffalo's weak rush defense.

With their 6-game winning streak out the window, Denver returns to the road this week, where Tim Tebow is a perfect 5 – 0 SU and ATS this season. It will be the first game the Broncos have been favored since their win in Miami, Tebow’s first start. They have since made impressive adjustments to the offense causing defensive coordinators to scratch their heads. They have the NFL’s #1 rushing game, and a quarterback in Tebow who is starting to show better signs as a passer. Their formula has been quite simple. A stiff defense who keeps getting the ball back, paired with an offense that can pound away at the opposing defense. The results have been a handful of low scoring, close wins against tough defenses like the Jets, Bears and Chiefs. The Broncos also have safety Brian Dawkins returning, and running back Willis McGahee is expected to start.

The loss of Fred Jackson has proven deadly for the Bills. Since he suffered the broken leg in Week 11, they have lost four straight and have turned totally one-dimensional, averaging 99 yards rushing with only 2 TDs. Injuries continue to plague the offense as QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is battling sore ribs while WR Stevie Johnson fights a bad groin. The pain the offense is suffering has been no help to the Buffalo defense. They rank 28th in rushing defense and 27th in scoring defense. They were drilled for 254 yards on the ground by the Dolphins last week.

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Bills have suffered the injury bug, which has killed their winning chances.

In Buffalo’s last 11 games as an underdog of 3.0 or less, they have gone 1 – 8 – 2 ATS. In their last 16 games as a home underdog, they are 4 – 11 – 1 ATS. With the AFC West title within reach, we should see a focused Broncos team. They get the Bills in perhaps the worst state they could be in, which will mean a lot of running and killing of the clock.

Denver wins, 20 – 10

****

San Diego (+2) @ Detroit

Phillip Rivers continues to exhibit the game we were expecting weeks ago, but it may be too late now.

Its December, which means time for the Chargers to wake up. And they have. After a 6-game losing streak, SU and ATS, following their bye week, San Diego seemed to turn on the switch once the clock hit December. They have won three in a row SU and ATS this month, by an average score of 36 – 13. Phillip Rivers has yet to throw an interception in December, while RB Ryan Matthews is averaging 115 yards per game. The Chargers get to enjoy a 2nd straight game as an underdog, and have covered their last four as an underdog of 3.0 or less. In their last 35 games as an underdog, they are 23 – 9 – 3.

The spark of Ryan Matthews has given the Chargers a full arsenal of offensive weapons.

Detroit has had their ups and downs this year. They enjoyed a couple key comeback wins earlier in the season against Minnesota and Dallas. They also managed to lose to Atlanta, San Francisco, Green Bay, and New Orleans, the top 4 teams on their schedule. They have won two in a row by a combined 7 points, but are 0 – 3 – 1 ATS in their last 4 games.

Lets not forget that the Chargers were on a lot of radars as the season got started. They were picked to not only retake the AFC West, but some had them in the SuperBowl. To say they have disappointed, especially after the bye week, cannot be overstated. Yet, their win against Baltimore, a good team, reflected play we had expected to see from the start. Expect to see it again this week. The wrong team is favored.

Chargers win, 29 – 24.

Looking at the Lines

As we look towards another Thursday night kick off, we wanted to take a look at the current spreads and their movement. Using the Hilton lines, we look for discrepancies in the numbers. (Note: Lines, totals, and percentages as of 12/22/11 @ 12:00 am EST)

Texans @ Colts

The line opened with the Colts getting 6.5 as a home dog. It since moved down to 5.5, but has settled with the Texans now favored by 6. The Texans are getting 89% of the action at this point. The move in the line is a firm indicator that the 11% are doing some serious spending on the Colts. The total has remained steady at 40 points. From here, we don’t see a lot of movement on either numbers.

Raiders @ Chiefs

A classic division matchup opened at Chiefs -1. The Hilton shows it now at -2, with -2.5 available in some spots. The home team is getting about 52% of the action, which is no surprise. Coming off their win against Green Bay, we expect the Chiefs to move towards, and perhaps close at -3. The opening total of 43 has since been bet down to 41.5 with 70% of the action getting UNDER play.

Broncos @ Bills

Another home underdog with the Bills opening at +3. The Hilton has it bet down to +2.5, but you can still find +3 on some books. With 76% of the action on the Broncos, the move on the Hilton line has us thinking some big money has been laid on the home dog. We don’t expect a lot of movement from here. The line should close around +3 by game time. The total opened at 42.5 and has been taken down to 41, where we think it will close.

Jaguars @ Titans

This one has stayed as it opened, at -7.5 Titans. Some books may give -7, but get it while you can. The total opened at 39 points and has been bet up t0 40, but 77% of the action has gone UNDER. An indicator of big OVER money. As a division game, where the home team looks to be a clear favorite, we expect the line to stay at -7.5 Titans come game time.

Cardinals @ Bengals

In a significant line move, the Bengals saw their opening line of -5.5 immediately dropped to -4. Mostly in reaction to the Cardinals’ recent play. The Bengals, however, are getting 72% of the action. The sudden drop in the number marks another point where we could be seeing big money riding on the underdog. The total opened at 40 and now sits at 40.5, with 68% leaning towards the OVER.

Dolphins @ Patriots

70% of the public has again jumped on the Patriots, but the line has moved the opposite direction. Opening at +10.5, the Dolphins got some big action over the key number, which has sent the line down to Patriots -9.5. The movement since appears to be some over-adjusting, and we expect the number to close back up to Patriots -10. The total, 48.5 points, can be found at 48 on some books. The OVER is getting 84% of the action so far.

Browns @ Ravens

The Ravens opened at -13.5, and have settled at -13. They are getting 71% of the action so far, which we expect to increase. The UNDER is getting 90% of the bets, which has sent the total from 39 to 38.5 points. By game time, we expect the line to move towards -14, but the total to stay the same.

Giants @ Jets

No movement in this number, as it sits comfortably at Jets -3. The action has been heavy on the Giants, at 71%. We see this as something of a home/road game for the Giants, so we expected more action on the underdog. The OVER has been the play at 68%, though the total has moved from 47 down to 45.5. The line should close as is. The total will drop to 45 by game time.

Vikings @ Redskins

The recent play of the Redskins had this number moving from day one. Opening at Redskins -5.5, they’ve received 74% of the bets, which sent the number to its current -6.5. The total has been sitting at 43.5, and we expect it to stay there. We expect the line to move towards Redskins -7, so grab it now.

Buccaneers @ Panthers

This is a divisional matchup that has everyone looking to cash in on the home team. The Panthers have been playing well lately, and opened at -7. They have seen 89% of the action, which has sent the line to -7.5. We wouldn’t be surprised to see -8 by game time. The total opened at 49, and today sits at 47.5, with 76% taking the OVER.

Rams @ Steelers

The line opened with the Steelers as heavy favorites of -16.5, and a total of 39 points. The questionable status of both QBs has this line currently closed.

Chargers @ Lions

Opening at -3, the Lions now sit at -2.5. The Chargers have seen 78% of the action, which would explain the line move. With 92% playing the OVER, the total has moved from 50.5 points at the open, to 52.5 points today. We expect the line to move even more towards the Chargers, closing around +1.5 to +2.0. The total should move more towards 53.5 points.

49ers @ Seahawks

The 49ers opened at -3, but have been bet down to -2.5. This movement towards the Seahawks, as home underdogs, comes despite the 49ers getting 88% of the action. It’s another situation where big money has sided on a hong dog. The total is 38 points, with the UNDER getting 77% of the play. We expect the line and total to close where they are.

Eagles @ Cowboys

A solid and healthy Eagles team has sent this line racing towards a pick’em. It opened at Cowboys -3, but now sits at -1.5. We think it has more room to move with the Eagles receiving 61% of the bets. The total has remained in a stand still at 50.5 despite 82% playing the OVER. Don’t be surprised to see the line close at pick’em and the total pushing 51.5.

Bears @ Packers

The line opened at Packers -13, and has now moved to -13.5. 88% of the action has come on the favorite here, making us think this line could close at Packers -14. The total remains at 44.5 where it opened, but the UNDER is getting 75% of the play. We think the total may close at 44. If you like the numbers now, it may be unwise to wait.

Falcons @ Saints

This opened at Saints -6.5, and has seen movement to -7. The favorite is getting 72% of the action, but the line has settled to Saints -6.5, but we won’t be surprised to see more movement back towards -7. The total still sits where it opened at 53 points, but 70% have played the OVER. Some of the books have the total down to 52.5, which makes us think you could see some big money come towards the UNDER in the end.

NFL Power Top 10

We followed up our 4 – 1 NFL Week 14 with an 0 – 5 disaster,and our overall record has suffered miserably from it. In our meetings last week, we had great info on the Panthers, Seahawks, Redskins, Saints, and Chargers. Instead, we went another way. We started on Thursday night, missing the UNDER thanks to the help of Atlanta’s defense and special teams. It continued in Chicago, where the windy city blew another UNDER right from our hands. In hopes to bounce back with the champion Packers, we proceeded to jinx their undefeated run against the Chiefs. Sorry Green Bay, but we think it’s for the best. Our Sunday ended in Denver. As Tebow time ran out, we were stuck sitting on the wagon watching Tom Brady have his way. Then their was last night. Believing extra days rest would be enough to get Big Ben back healthy, we underestimated San Francisco’s offense, and their ability to eat up chunks of yards and clock. Like most of their wins, they methodically pounded the Steelers with defense, while they slowly patched together points. The results speak for themselves. We stunk the place up. So, we look to regroup this week, and have 3 plays to right the ship. In the meantime, it’s another NFL Power Top 10.

POWER TOP 10

1. New Orleans Saints (11-3): Our SuperBowl pick is starting to heat up. They’re unstoppable at home, and have now shown they can travel. They finish the year with Atlanta and Carolina, both at home. With a little help from San Francisco, they could see a first round bye.

2. Green Bay Packers (13-1): Injuries and Arrowhead Stadium exposed the Packers for what they are. A good team that may have peaked. They get the Bears at home this week. We will know more then.

3. New England Patriots (11-3): They ended Tebow’s run, grabbing a much needed win in Denver. It’s the same story with the offense. They remain explosive. It’s whether the defense can change their story that remains the biggest question mark.

4. San Francisco 49ers (11-3): They rebounded beautifully off their loss at Arizona, taking advantage of the Steelers without a healthy Ben Roethlisberger and suspended James Harrison. Opposite of the Patriots, the defense is the same story here. They shut you down. It’s the 49ers offense that will be the question mark come playoff time.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4): Not having a healthy Ben Roethlisberger, or James Harrison, makes this a venerable team. With those two playing, they remain the reason we picked them to return to the SuperBowl.

 6. Baltimore Ravens (10-4): It was proven to us again Sunday not to trust this team on the road. Whether it’s Flacco with the crowds, or the veterans needing the comforts of home, we don’t see a long playoff run.

7. Atlanta Falcons (9-5): They also manhandle teams at home, but if they make it to the playoffs, it’ll be on the road. Their game this Sunday night, in New Orleans, will go a long way in making that possible.

8. Detroit Lions (9-5): With San Diego at home this week, and Green Bay on the road the next, this will be a battle tested team if they make the playoffs. That’s IF they make the playoffs.

9. Houston Texans (10-4): They were slapped around at home last week by the Panthers. This week they face the Colts, off their first win, on Thursday night. Now is not the time to start losing to weak teams.

10. Dallas Cowboys (8-6): They gave the Giants the division lead only to have the Giants hand it back. They face them again Week 17, but a loss to the Eagles this weekend could mean lights out in Dallas.

Undefeated No More

Don Shula is carried off the field after the Dolphins completed their 17 - 0 season in Super Bowl VII.

The 1973 Miami Dolphins followed their undefeated ’72 season with a second straight SuperBowl title. The last for the franchise. The New England Patriots came within minutes of matching the Dolphins with an undefeated season. Eli Manning and the Giants defensive line thought otherwise.

Many teams have had us talking the undefeated talk. The Colts had it to 14 – 0 in 2009, only to mismanage their week 16 game, and ultimately the playoffs. Many continue to criticize their choice not to push forward with an aggressive campaign for 16 – 0. This week, the Green Bay Packers were making their own push, to 14 – 0 for now, in hopes to get into the position to be aggressive. A meeting on the road against the lowly Chiefs with their new interim head coach and new staring QB, seemed a carefree task. But parity rules the NFL. So, with just over two minutes remaining in Kansas City, the Packers attempted an onside kick in hopes of regaining possession, down 19 – 14. They failed to recover it.

Aaron Rodgers found little daylight against the Chiefs' defense and LB Tamba Hali, who sacked Rodgers three times.

Hats off to the Kansas City Chiefs, and especially, to Romeo Crennel. Taking over as interim head coach in the NFL has to be one of the hardest jobs to succeed in. Chances are the head coach was fired early in the week, so it becomes an immediate concern as to what effect his departure will have on the team. To ask an interim coach to even put together a respectable game plan can be a challenge. To ask him to take on a team looking to go 14 – 0, well, that’s just unreasonable.

A mad dash to the first down marker by Jackie Battle, with under two minutes remaining, gave Kansas City the freedom to kneel. The once dominant and undefeated Packers, were neither today. The pressure to stay aggressive, gone. The thrill of an undefeated run, over.

The ’72 Dolphins finished at 17 – 0. A mark that was surpassed by the Patriots when they won the 2008 AFC Championship, going 18 – 0. Their SuperBowl loss two weeks later would permanently stain their season as a “what could have been” year. For the Green Bay Packers today, to finish the season as SuperBowl champions must now be their aggressive campaign. Let’s face it, in the grand scheme of things, isn’t trying to go undefeated a bit overrated?

Sunday Power Play(s) – Week 15

Seattle @ Chicago (UNDER 35.0)

The defensive combination of Urlacher and Briggs has become the Bears best shot at winning these days.

Sometimes, you find a team that is playing a stretch of games that you know are going to fall a certain way, and you can’t help but ride it out. Right now, the Chicago Bears are that team. The loss of Jay Cutler and Matt Forte was their equivalent to the Colts losing Peyton Manning. Overnight, it seemed, this team lost its offense. Since backup QB Caleb Hanie took over behind center, the Bears have averaged 11 ppg. The game had suddenly become a fight the defense had to win.

With Seattle in town, Chicago will again match up with a below-average offense. This should give the defense a chance to make keep it close. Whether it works out on the scoreboard remains to be seen. They have lost all 3 games since Cutler has been out, and no Forte has meant no run game. Like Denver last week, Seattle is an above-average defense. They rank 15th in total defense, and 9th in points allowed. In their last 5 games, they have gone 4 – 1 SU and have allowed only 14.8 ppg in the process. Chicago ranks 20th on total defense, and 8th in points allowed. In the last 3 losses, they have allowed 48 total points. 27 of them were field goals.

Expect to see another large dose of Marshawn Lynch controlling the clock in Chicago.

We expect this game to be played more between the 20′s, with a large number of drives ending in either punts or field goals. We give the offensive advantage to Seattle, who should have more luck moving the ball with Marshawn Lynch. If they find their way into the redzone, don’t expect many touchdowns. The Bears are a 3rd best 37.8% in allowing redzone TDs. Seattle’s defense, on the other hand, ranks 5th in the league in trips allowed to the redzone with only 2.5 per game.

The OVER has hit in the last 6 meetings between these two teams, which is a trend we like here, and think it’s due to be broken. Expect the windy conditions in Chicago to play the role of 12th man for both defenses. As was the case in Chicago last week, expect points to come at a premium.

Seattle wins, 16 – 10.

***

Green Bay (-12) @ Kansas City

Aaron Rodgers is one touchdown pass away from setting the Packers single-season franchise record. Move over Brett Favre.

In the few instances where we have witnessed a team in the position to go 16 – 0, we have never seen a team embrace the moment quite like the Green Bay Packers. At 13 – 0, they have been nothing but dominant. After steamrolling the Raiders by 30 points last week, they head to Kansas City where winning, not to mention covering, can be difficult.

The trends point to the underdog right away. The Chiefs are 5 – 1 ATS in their last 6 as a home underdog, and the Packers are 1 – 5 ATS in their last 6 as a road favorite of 10.5 or more. Normally, these numbers would scare us towards the Chiefs. Not today.

The Chiefs enter the game with defensive coordinator, Romeo Crennel making his debut as interim head coach after the firing of Todd Haley earlier in the week. It will also be the debut of Kyle Orton as starting QB for the Chiefs, granted his previously dislocated index finger is ready. If it isn’t, look out for rookie Ricky Stanzi to make his first start. To say the Packers are the wrong team to be facing when dealing with injury problems and coaching instability is an understatement today.

Interim head coach, Romeo Crennel, will have his hands full in his debut at the helm.

The Packer’s explosive offense and opportunistic defense is just too much for any team to handle right now. As a team on a mission, expect the pedal to the metal from the first to last snap. Green Bay will look to secure a large lead to handover to the 2nd string.

Green Bay wins, 41 – 17

***

New England @ Denver (+7.5)

Will Tebow Time run out this week? We don't think so.

The line started at -4.5 in favor of the Patriots, and has since been bet up to as high as -9. It’s a solid indicator that bettors have decided this is the game that ends the Denver run of Tebow Time. We feel otherwise. Thanks in part to the Patriots, and their 32nd ranked defense.

Though they’re offense has been anything but explosive, Denver still brings the leagues top rushing attack, which has allowed them to keep their defense rested, and could help keep Tom Brady on the sideline. As was the case in New England’s loss to Pittsburgh, the formula for success rests in keeping the Patriots offense off the field.

Since 1969, the New England Patriots are 2 – 15 SU in Denver, and have lost 6 in a row there. At 1 – 6 SU all time, Tom Brady should be hungry for a mile-high win. Denver will be returning home with five straight ATS wins as an underdog. Head to head, the home team is 4 – 1 ATS.

Brady and Belichick look to end their mile-high slump.

The key matchup will be the ability of Bill Belichick to get his defense ready for Tebow and the option. New England’s lack of success in stopping other teams this year has us doubting they can keep a lead long. In the end, the Patriots should end their Denver struggles, but it won’t be easy.

New England wins, 27 – 23.

A Slice of Saturday College Basketball

San Diego @ Stanford (-21.5)

Stanford leading scorer Aaron Bright will be hungry to get back on the court.

The Stanford Cardinal are at home after a 13-day lay off for exams. Entering their break, Stanford had a run of three straight wins following their close loss to Syracuse in Madison Square Garden back on Nov. 25. The first two wins came by an average of 32 points over Pacific and Seattle. Their last came in a fight at home against NC State, 76 – 72. Then again, exams were looming.

With the freedom of winter break upon them, the Cardinals mindset should be all basketball. At home, they have been unstoppable. And with such a long break from the game, we expect Stanford to be primed to get back to their winning ways. They have been dominant ATS this season, going 6 – 1. At home, they are 4 – 1 ATS in their last 5 games.

San Diego has been, at best, mediocre. At 5 – 5 SU and 2 – 5 ATS, they are preparing for only their 2nd true road game of the season. Their first came four games ago at UC-Irvine, and ended in a 20-point San Diego loss. In their three home games since, the Toreros have only managed one win. This is also a non-conference game, where San Diego has gone 5 – 22 ATS in their last 27.

Leading scorer Johnny Dee looks to lift the Toreros towards an upset.

The eagerness Stanford will have to get back to basketball will prove too tough for San Diego to overcome, making this one unlikely to remain close. The game may start slow, but expect a strong finish as the Cardinals loosen back up.

Stanford wins, 85 – 58