Sports
Betting Texans-Chiefs: Picks, props and DFS plays for ‘Sunday Night Football’
Sunday’s Week 14 slate wraps up with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans on “Sunday Night Football.”
Both teams are trying to claw their way into the playoffs. The Texans are right back in the thick of things after winning four straight. At 7-5, they are a game back of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South and -150 to make the playoffs. The 6-6 Chiefs, who were the Super Bowl favorite as recently as Week 11, are now +120 to even reach the playoffs.
The Texans and Chiefs met twice last season, once in the regular season and again in the divisional round, with Kansas City winning both games.
The Chiefs head into Sunday night’s matchup as 3.5-point favorites.
Matt Bowen, Liz Loza, Pamela Maldonado and Eric Moody offer their picks, prop bets, DFS plays and analysis to help you bet the game.
Note: Odds provided by DraftKings and subject to change.
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Picks | Props | DFS tips | Trends
Game bet
14:12
Patrick Mahomes, WHAT HAPPENED? ‘It’s STILL hard to bet against him!’ – Peter Schrager
Kimberley A. Martin, Peter Schrager, Domonique Foxworth and Jeff Saturday join Mike Greenberg on Get Up to discuss all the biggest storylines after Week 13 in the NFL season.
Texans team total UNDER 19.5 (-120)
Maldonado: Houston is one of the worst red-zone offenses, finishing drives at a bottom-tier rate, exactly the trait that K.C. exploits. C.J. Stroud has struggled in both prior Arrowhead trips, and I expect no difference this time around. The Chiefs defense is top 10 in points per play allowed at home. The Texans can move the ball, but they also consistently stall.
Notable player props, bets
Patrick Mahomes OVER 0.5 interceptions (-102)
Loza: Mahomes has thrown seven picks (T-13) on the season, including two over his last three contests. Meanwhile, the Texans have flourished at creating takeaways, forcing 12 interceptions on the season (tied for the fourth most). Given the significant number of injuries along the Chiefs’ offensive line and Houston’s ability to bring pressure, Mahomes is likely to make a few errant throws. I’m betting on Matt Burke’s unit capitalizing on at least one of those opportunities.
C.J. Stroud OVER 229.5 passing yards (-110)
Moody: The Chiefs’ run defense has stifled opponents in recent weeks, allowing the seventh-fewest rushing yards per game over their last three contests. With Woody Marks dealing with an ankle injury, the Texans will likely need to lean on Stroud and the passing game to move the ball. Stroud has cleared this line in four of his past six games. Kansas City’s defense also ranks near the bottom of the leagues in sacks, which should give Stroud ample time to deliver the football to his playmakers.
1:22
Why Daniel Dopp is apprehensive about starting Woody Marks in Week 14
Daniel Dopp breaks down why Woody Marks is a flex-only option in Week 14.
Jayden Higgins OVER 3.5 receptions (+114)
Bowen: Higgins has four or more receptions in each of his last four games. Using his frame and foot quickness to create separation back to the ball, Higgins can produce from both slot and boundary alignments. I like the over to hit here.
Daily Fantasy tips for DraftKings Captain Showdown
1:13
Daniel Dopp: Rashee Rice has been unbelievable
Daniel Dopp reacts to Rashee Rice’s stellar fantasy performance in Week 13.
Bowen’s recommendations
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy points): Nico Collins ($14,700) has seen 10 or more targets in five of his last six games with at least 90 yards receiving in three. He’s a consistent and dependable option in the Texans route tree. Smart play in any matchup.
Also in my lineup: Travis Kelce ($8,800) has a touchdown reception in three of his last five games, and we know he can uncover late in the down on second-reaction throws from Patrick Mahomes. Find open grass here. And that leads to explosive-play receptions.
Loza’s recommendations
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy points): Patrick Mahomes ($16,200). Houston has an elite defense, but Mahomes still has that magic. He ranks inside of the top five in passing yards and passing scores and averages 29 rushing yards per game (QB13). With the Texans sending pressure, I expect Mahomes to pick up some extra points via the ground.
Also in my lineup: Dalton Schultz ($5,400) is a solid volume play at a reduced cost. He has drawn at least eight looks in four of his last five games, working as an essential safety valve over the middle. C.J. Stroud should look to him frequently with the Chiefs’ pass rush attacking regularly.
Maldonado’s recommendations
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy points): Rashee Rice ($16,500). He is the volume anchor. He avoids Houston’s elite boundary coverage, lives in the slot, owns massive red-zone equity and has the safest path to receptions in a low-scoring game.
Also in my lineup: Nico Collins ($9,800). He is Houston’s entire passing heartbeat, commanding double-digit targets and producing even when the offense is stale. Collins is the last working flashlight in a power outage; everything else around him is fading, but he stays bright because he has to.
Moody’s recommendations
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy points): Nico Collins ($14,700) enters this game with momentum, surpassing 75 yards in four of his last five games while averaging 9.8 targets per outing. Houston will need him in this high-stakes matchup with the Chiefs. His volume, paired with elite efficiency, makes him an appealing DFS play, even against a tough Kansas City secondary.
Betting trends
Courtesy of ESPN Research
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The Chiefs are 0-4 ATS in their last four games, tied for the longest active ATS losing streak in the NFL.
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The Chiefs are 1-7 ATS against teams with winning records this season.
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Unders are 9-3 in Texans games this season, tied for the highest under rate in the NFL. Unders are 6-1 in the Chiefs’ last seven games.
Sports
Pakistan Shaheens announce squad for T20’s, ODI’s – SUCH TV
Pakistan Shaheens have announced their squad for the upcoming T20 and ODI series against England Lions to be played in the United Arab Emirates, with Shamil Hussain named captain for both formats.
All matches of the series will be held at the Oval Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The three-match T20 series will begin on February 20, followed by a five-match ODI series from February 27 to March 9.
Abdul Samad, Hassan Nawaz, Moaz Sadaqat and Saad Khan have been included in the squad, along with Sameer Minhas and Arafat Minhas.
Rohail Nazir and Saad Baig will share wicketkeeping duties.
Spin bowlers Saad Masood and Sufyan Muqim are also part of the team, while the fast bowling unit includes Ali Raza, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Muhammad Salman and Shahid Aziz.
Pakistan Shaheens will hold a seven-day training camp in Karachi from February 11 to February 17.
Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been appointed mentor and manager of the Shaheens.
Ijaz Ahmed will serve as head coach, with Mansoor Amjad named fielding coach and Aizaz Cheema as bowling coach.
Sports
NHL outdoor game sees its 1st goalie fight between Vasilevskiy, Swayman
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning credited the first goalie fight in an NHL outdoor game for helping to spark their historic Stadium Series comeback win over the Boston Bruins on Sunday.
With 8:59 left in the second period and the Bruins leading 5-2, Lightning forward Brandon Hagel tried to poke the puck from under Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman after a save. Swayman then jumped on top of Hagel next to his crease, leading to a melee between the teams while the Lightning were on a power play. Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy skated from his crease to the opposite blue line during the chaos.
“I just saw Sway was swinging the blocker on [Hagel] a bit, so it was just a reflex to go to the red line and challenge him. He accepted,” Vasilevskiy said.
Swayman spotted the Tampa Bay goalie, dropped his stick and skated out to meet Vasilevskiy as the two engaged near center ice. Swayman took off his gloves and mask and signaled to Vasilevskiy to remember to remove his mask before the fists flew.
“I don’t want to hit his helmet, so I’m glad we didn’t do that,” Swayman said.
The Lightning goalie nicknamed “The Big Cat” grabbed Swayman’s collar and started throwing left hands. The Boston goalie wasn’t able to get much offense in before Vasilevskiy wrestled him to the ice.
Did Swayman know that Vasilevskiy was a lefty before their fight?
“No,” the Bruins goalie said curtly, with a laugh. “Glad we both had our first gig against each other. Really worthy opponent.”
Vasilevskiy gave him a tap on the back and then tapped the back of Swayman’s head in appreciation of the moment, grinning widely as the fans roared inside Raymond James Stadium.
“When we both fell, we just kind of said to each other nice words. It was super nice. It’s one of the biggest moments for me, because I never fought in the NHL,” Vasilevskiy said. “Big thanks to him. He was great in the net all game and great in the fight as well.”
Swayman was also appreciative.
“He wanted to win, which is good. So did I. So that’s game respecting game,” he said. “I’m fighting the biggest, toughest goalie in the league. It wouldn’t be my first choice, but glad we got the first one out of the way. Probably retire after that.”
The crowd of nearly 65,000 fans stood and cheered during the confrontation, and then again when the referee announced the goalies had both received five-minute majors for fighting. Players on both benches were on their feet, too, slapping their sticks against the boards in appreciation and respect for their netminders.
“He was throwing lefts. I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ I didn’t want to be the other guy,” Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov said. “I was so happy. I was so fired up. I think the bench felt it. Everyone in the building felt it. Ever since that fight, the game was turned. Vasy had to do it, I guess. He had to wake us up.”
The Lightning would score twice on 5-on-3 power plays over the next 5:12, cutting the Bruins’ lead to 5-4 heading into the third period. Kucherov tied the score in the third period, and the Lightning eventually won 6-5 in a shootout.
Tampa Bay’s rally from a four-goal deficit to win marked the largest comeback victory in franchise history and the largest in an NHL outdoor game.
Lightning coach Jon Cooper said he could feel the momentum starting to swing before the fight, but the goalie throwdown was an emotional high the Lightning needed at that moment.
“I was like, ‘Thank goodness something positive was going to happen to our game,'” he said. “I give Boston a lot of credit. They took it to us and we weren’t prepared for it. Vasy was pissed.”
Hagel said he felt the fight was “a big turning point in the game.”
So did Kucherov, who was also convinced that his goalie would win the fight.
“I knew he was going to beat the wheels off of Swayman right away,” Kucherov said. “We call him ‘White Tyson’ now.”
Sports
Inter Milan extend Serie A lead | The Express Tribune
MILAN:
Inter Milan moved eight points clear at the top of Serie A after a comfortable 2-0 victory over hosts Cremonese on Sunday, but the victory was marred by a flare thrown on to the pitch from the away end that narrowly missed home goalkeeper Emil Audero.
The win takes Inter to 55 points from 23 games, eight ahead of city rivals AC Milan, who have a game in hand. Cremonese lie in 16th with 23 points from the same number of games.
Lautaro Martinez and Piotr Zielinski scored first-half goals as the visitors took control of the contest and despite not finding the back of the net again, they never looked unduly troubled by their hosts.
“There’s a long way to go,” Martinez told DAZN. “We made mistakes, especially in the first half, but there’s also a lot to enjoy because the championship is very balanced.”
Early in the second half a flare was thrown from the stands and landed near Audero, who dropped to the floor but did not appear to be injured. The match continued following a short delay.
“These things must not happen, there’s a risk to a person,” Martinez said. “We’re putting on a show that can be seen all over the world. I apologise to Audero and all the Cremonese fans.”
Inter have won 10 of their last 11 Serie A games since losing to AC Milan in November, their only blemish in that run a 2-2 home draw with Napoli.
By contrast, Cremonese are winless in eight, with five defeats in that sequence, which leaves them six points above the relegation zone.
The visitors might have won by a greater margin given their dominance of possession and chances, but did more than enough to secure another three points.
Inter hit the front on 16 minutes thanks to a header from Martinez, who steered Federico Dimarco’s corner into the net. It was just reward for a bright start.
Cremonese had an excellent chance to equalise when Jamie Vardy was sent through on goal. However, a heavy touch allowed Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer to get to the ball ahead of him.
The ball swerved past Audero, who will feel he should have made the save, but the power and the movement through the air left him floundering.
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