Sports Handicapper Nick Parsons's Picks & Predictions

This is a WESTERN CONFERENCE TOTAL OF THE WEEK on the OVER Suns/Wolves.

Look for a faster pace to lead to more points in this one.

I'm travelling today, so don't have the normal time for my in-depth analysis, but the bottom line here is that a faster pace will lead to more shots and more shots = more points.

The play is on the OVER.

Good luck, NP

This is a FREE PLAY on the OVER Lightning/Leafs.

As being primarily a situational capper, I love the way this one sets up to be more of a wide-open shootout, rather than a lower-scoring goaltenders battle, and that's why I like the OVER.

This is the first game of the year between these clubs and I'm expecting some offensive fireworks.

Tampa bay is 16-10-2 overall, including 8-3-2 on the road, while Toronto is 13-11-4 overall, including 8-4-4 at home.

The Lightning have a tough game at Montreal tomorrow night, so they'll have to be careful to not get caught looking ahead. 

The Bolts are off three straight losses as well, most recently a 2-0 setback at home to the Islanders, so they'll clearly be motivated here to get this difficult road trip started off with a lot more energy. One thing that's interesting though, is that dating back to last year the Lightning have in fact seen the total go OVER the number in five of their last six following a shutout home loss as a favorite.

Overall the Lightning average 3.3 goals per game, which ranks eight, while allowing 2.6, which ranks sixth, while Toronto averages 3.5 goals per game, ranked third, while allowing 3.4, ranked 24th.

Whoever gets the start in net here, as they're still undecided completely as of writing this, is going to be in for a serious workout in my estimation.

The bottom line here is that I expect a faster pace to lead to more shots and for that to lead to more goals.

So the play is on the OVER.

Good luck, NP

This is a MNF TOW on the OVER Eagles/Chargers.

This is a big game for each side and I'm expecting a faster pace to lead to plenty of points.

Philadelphia enters 8-4 overall, including 4-2 straight up and against the spread on the road, while LA is 8-4 overall as well, including 5-2 straight up and 4-2-1 ATS at home.

The Eagles are first in the NFC East, but they're now hungry to snap a two-game slide. I wouldn't call the defending champs "desperate" at this point, but they're certainly concerned. 

Philadelphia lost two games in Week's 5 and 6, and then responded with a 28-22 win at Minnesota and it went on a four-game win streak.

With upcoming favorable matchup at home against Las Vegas, followed by a contest at Washington after that, Philly has a prime opportunity here to post another win streak.

Clearly, though, LA won't be just "rolling over" here. The Chargers can't take anything for granted, as their remaining schedule could in fact be the most difficult in the entire league, with upcoming games at Kansas City, at Dallas, at home against Houston and then at Denver to close the campaign on January 4th.

The Chargers have won four of their last five and I think they can build off last week's convincing 31-14 victory here over the Chargers.

On the season the Chargers average 346.8 yards per game, which is ranked tenth, while allowing 21 points per game, which is ranked 11th.

The Eagles are averaging 22.5 points per game, ranked 19th, while conceding 20.8, which is ranked ninth.

These teams haven't played against each other since 2021, and the Chargers won 27-24 in Philadelphia and I'm expecting a similar final combined score here now in 2025 as well with the two capable quarterbacks, Jalen Hurts for Philly and Justin Herbert for LA, to step up and take "center stage" so to speak.

Look for a competitive battle to be a high-scoring one.

The play is on the OVER.

Good luck, NP

This is MNF GOM on the Eagles on the moneyline (or spread, depending on your risk tolerance).

I like the Eagles to win this game. My official call is to play on the moneyline, but I also do really like against the spread as well, so you have two options here, depending on your risk tolerance.

Philadelphia is 8-4 overall, including 4-2 straight up and against the spread on the road, while LA is 8-4 also, including 5-2 straight up at home and 4-2-1 ATS.

The Eagles, though, enter off back-to-back losses, and I expect Jalen Hurts and the defending champs to now risk life and limb here to avoid a third straight loss.

Saquon Barkley has struggled this year, and the Eagles' offense has started to stall. Most recently, they fell 24-15 at home to Chicago as 7.5-point favorites.

It's interesting to note, though, that looking back over the last two years, the Eagles are 7-3 against the spread in their last ten following a straight-up and against-the-spread home loss as 7-point or greater favorites.

The Chargers are off a 31-14 win over Las Vegas, but previously to that, they fell 35-6 at Jacksonville.

With upcoming games at Kansas City and Dallas, though, LA faces a difficult upcoming schedule for sure.

For me, this one comes down to the fact that Philadelphia is still simply the better overall team in my opinion, despite some of the injuries, and that i's also certainly the more motivated side following the two straight losses.

Lay the price, the play is on PHILADELPHIA.

Good luck, NP