My selection is on Memphis plus the points over Los Angeles at 10:40 pm et on Monday.

The Grizzlies have had a couple of days to chew on an 'upset' loss at home against the Jazz on Friday. That defeat snapped their two-game winning streak both SU and ATS. Still, Memphis is 7-3 SU and ATS over its last 10 contests. The Grizzlies are five games ahead of the Clippers in the standings and the difference in strength of schedule between these two teams has been negligible. While the Clippers have been idle for three days since dropping their third straight game on the road in Houston, you have to wonder where their confidence level is at right now. They've lost an unthinkable 17 of their last 20 games. While they did cover the spread in each of their last two contests, they were catching a considerable number of points in both. While this is a double-revenge spot for Los Angeles, I don't think the situation warrants it laying this many points. Take Memphis (8*).

Monday NFL Free play. My selection is on the 'under' between Miami and Pittsburgh at 8:15 pm et on Monday.

We've seen a string of high-scoring primetime NFL games but I think we'll see a different story unfold on Monday in Pittsburgh. Both the Dolphins and Steelers are limited offensively. Both did score plenty of points in last week's respective victories but I'm not counting on repeat performances here. Miami is well-positioned to stamp out Pittsburgh's struggling ground attack and we don't want to count on the Dolphins to do heavy lifting offensively to help this total along, noting that they've evolved in a true 'run-first' team, only attempting 21, 20, 23 and 21 passes over their last four contests. Take the under.

My selection is on Alabama A&M plus the points over North Alabama at 8 pm et on Monday.

There's very little separating these two teams - in fact, they own identical records but Alabama A&M has faced the slightly more difficult schedule by most metrics. North Alabama has been idle since December 3rd - plenty of time to pump its own tires following three straight victories including 'upset' wins at Jacksonville State and San Francisco in its last two contests. Alabama A&M on the other hand played on Saturday, edging out little-known Arkansas Baptist 67-59. I think at least getting on the floor in recent days does serve it well as it prepares for this matchup on Monday. I like the Bulldogs chances of frustrating the Lions, noting the former has held six of its nine opponents to 58 or fewer field goal attempts. In fact, they've allowed fewer than 20 made field goals in three of their last four contests. North Alabama wants to get out and run, having hoisted up 60+ field goal attempts in six of its nine games this season. The efficiency hasn't always been there, however, as it has made good on 24 or fewer field goals in five of its nine contests so you can see how that would play out if Alabama A&M is able to limit the pace. Given the fact that this game will be played on the Bulldogs home floor, I see little reason for the Lions to be favored on the road, even if it is a short trip. Take Alabama A&M (8*).

AFC Game of the Month. My selection is on Miami plus the points over Pittsburgh at 8:15 pm et on Monday.

This game harkens back memories to Pittsburgh's 3-0 Monday night victory over Miami in the 'Mud Bowl' of 2007 (we actually cashed the 'under' in that game ;) The Steelers pulled out a 27-22 'upset' win in Baltimore last Sunday but I'm not convinced that victory will be of the 'tide-turning' variety. You're not going to win many games running for less than 40 yards but that's what Pittsburgh accomplished last week. The Steelers are still trending in the wrong direction having gone 3-5 SU and ATS over their last eight games and their home field advantage has been virtually non-existent in recent years. The Dolphins enter this game riding a four-game winning streak (3-1 ATS). Tanking was probably the prudent move after a miserable start to the season but instead Miami persevered and now finds itself still with something to play for down the stretch, even if its chances or reaching the playoffs are remote. I like the way the Dolphins match up in this particular contest. The Steelers have been getting gashed by opposing ground attacks and one thing Miami does well is run the football with RB De'Von Achane. He's been cleared to play after suffering an injury last week. QB Tua Tagovailoa has evolved into a true game manager and there's nothing wrong with that in this offense. Defensively, the Dolphins have all but erased opposing ground attacks in recent weeks and have the potential to make the Steelers one-dimensional on offense, noting that unit has been of the pop-gun variety for much of the season. This has all the makings of an ugly affair so we'll grab all the points we can get with the underdog Dolphins. Take Miami (10*).