[LLXC]

REASON FOR PICK: My Game of the Week is on Cleveland at 5:00 ET. The popular opinion is that home teams have an advantage on Christmas Day. That's reflected in the line, which we've seen go up for this game. Keep in mind that visiting teams covered the spread in three of five games last Christmas and that four of five were decided by single-digits. Christmas or otherwise, getting points with the Cavaliers has been a winning proposition. In fact, Cleveland is a perfect 3-0 ATS this season when listed as an underdog and all three games resulted in outright victories. The last time they were underdogs (at Phoenix) they won by 18 points. The Cavaliers have also been excellent on the road. They've won 11 of their last 16 away from Cleveland. The Cavaliers also come in with something to prove. The Lakers beat them both games last season and the Lakers are the champs. They have what the Cavaliers want and Cleveland is anxious to show they can play with and beat the champs. Cleveland has been at its best against winning teams, going 10-2 SU and 9-3 ATS. Conversely, the Lakers are just 5-7 ATS against teams with a winning record. In a game that will likely come right down to the wire and could easily be decided in the final seconds, lets grab the points. *9 Cleveland.

[LLXC]

REASON FOR PICK: My Weekly Wipeout is on Tennessee at 7:30 ET. Both teams are off important wins and both need another victory here. The Titans need the game much more though. The Chargers are already in the playoffs while they are not. In addition to being more motivated and playing at home, the Titans have the schedule on their side and the fact that this is a short week works in their favor. The Chargers had to travel from San Diego to get here. The Titans played here last week. Ladanian Tomlinson has had a great career. The Titans boast the much better running game though - as Chris Johnson leads the league with over 1700 rushing yards. The Titans also aren't giving up nearly as much in the passing game as the stats would suggest. Rivers is having a great year but Young is coming off a game which saw him throw three TD passes. He's also the much bigger threat to make plays with his legs. Fisher is arguably the better coach too and he has always excelled at getting his team ready to play for home games against top tier teams. That's demonstrated by the Titans outstanding 17-4-2 ATS record as home favorites of 3 points or less. The Chargers may go far in the playoffs but this is the type of team that is capable of really giving them trouble. Look for them to to control the line of scrimmage with Johnson delivering another 100+ yards on the ground and the Titans earning the critical win and cover. *8 Tennessee