BrownBagBets Daily Introduction: Thursday Night Football, College Action, and NBA, NHL, NCAA Basketball Plays

NFL Thursday Night Football, College Football, NBA, NHL, and NCAA Basketball

Thursday nights are for football, and tonight we have a standout NFL matchup along with plenty of action across college football, NBA, NHL, and NCAA basketball. Here’s what’s on deck:

• NFL Thursday Night Football:

• Cincinnati Bengals (4-5) vs. Baltimore Ravens (6-3) kicks off NFL Week 10 at 8:15 p.m. ET from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The Ravens are listed as 6-point favorites, with an over/under set at 53 points. Baltimore’s -258 moneyline shows they’re the favorites, but Cincinnati at +210 could make things interesting. With the AFC playoff race heating up, this game is a key one for both teams, and we’re ready to dive into the matchup to find the best value plays.

• College Football:

• We’re in for two intriguing Thursday night college football games:

• Appalachian State takes on Coastal Carolina in a Sun Belt showdown.

• Florida Atlantic faces East Carolina in an American Athletic Conference matchup.

• Both games offer some solid betting opportunities as these teams jockey for position in their respective conferences. We’ll be breaking down the lines and exploring the angles to capitalize on the midweek college action.

• NBA:

• Tonight’s NBA lineup is headlined by the Minnesota Timberwolves (4-3) visiting the Chicago Bulls (3-5) at 8 p.m. ET from the United Center. As the Timberwolves look to build on their early-season momentum, the Bulls aim to defend home court. Beyond this game, there’s a full NBA slate, and we’re honing in on the best matchups to keep the winning streak alive.

• NHL and NCAA Basketball:

• Both the NHL and NCAA basketball bring plenty of options tonight:

• NHL: A solid slate of matchups on the ice, and our model is ready to uncover hidden value.

• NCAA Basketball: With the season freshly underway, we’re digging into tonight’s games, looking to identify early-season opportunities. College hoops has always been a strong suit for BrownBagBets, and we’re excited to keep the gains rolling.

Staying Disciplined and Building Momentum

At BrownBagBets, every winning night adds up, and it’s this steady, disciplined approach that keeps us moving forward. With NFL Thursday Night Football, college football, NBA, NHL, and NCAA basketball all on the docket tonight, we’re sticking to what works and locking in smart plays across the board.

Let’s keep the momentum going, trust the picks, and make tonight another winning one. Here’s to another profitable Thursday night!

NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens

Bet: Over 52.5 / Wager: 2%

High-Scoring Trend in Recent Matchups

This AFC North rivalry has produced high-scoring games in recent years, with six of the last eight meetings hitting the over, including the last three. The Ravens have won and covered the last three matchups, with close contests in Cincinnati showcasing both teams’ ability to keep games competitive and push the scoreline higher.

Ravens’ League-Leading Offense

Baltimore boasts the No. 1 offense in the NFL, averaging 31.4 points per game, which has helped push eight of their nine games over the total. The Ravens’ potent offense, capable of both explosive passing plays and a strong run game, has consistently driven high scores.

Bengals’ Offensive Contribution

The Bengals, averaging 26 points per game, have gone over in six of their nine games this season. With Joe Burrow leading the way and a reliable receiving corps, Cincinnati is well-suited to contribute to a high total. Baltimore’s defensive vulnerabilities in certain matchups further open the door for the Bengals to put up points.

NCAAB: Montana State at Wisconsin

Bet: Montana State +18.5 / Wager: 3%

Montana State’s Experience and Strong Roster

Montana State brings a seasoned and cohesive lineup, as they enter this season as the three-time reigning Big Sky Tournament champions and preseason favorites. With key players like junior Brandon Walker and senior Brian Goracke named to the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team, MSU returns three starters and has one of the most experienced rotations in college basketball. Their depth includes six seniors and graduate students along with six juniors, which should keep them competitive against tough opponents.

Wisconsin’s Favorable Home Edge but Generous Spread

While Wisconsin is expected to be a solid double-digit favorite on their home court, the spread of 18.5 feels inflated against an experienced team like Montana State. The Badgers are formidable at home, but Montana State’s veteran roster and championship pedigree in the Big Sky Conference position them well to keep the game within a reasonable margin.

NHL: Philadelphia Flyers at Tampa Bay Lightning

Bet: Lightning -1 / Wager: 2%

Goaltending Advantage and Flyers’ Roster Challenges

Philadelphia is dealing with significant instability in net, as scheduled goalie Aleksei Kolosov is questionable after tweaking something in the morning skate. This situation could force the Flyers to start third-string goalie Ivan Fedotov, who has struggled immensely this season, posting a 0-3 record with a 5.35 GAA. Tampa Bay is well-positioned to capitalize on this goaltending mismatch, as Fedotov’s stats indicate he could be vulnerable to the Lightning’s offensive depth.

Key Absence for Flyers

Additionally, promising rookie forward Matvei Mitchkov, who has been one of the Flyers’ top contributors with 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists), has been unexpectedly scratched. His absence will further weaken an already inconsistent Flyers lineup, reducing their offensive threat and making it harder for them to keep pace.

NHL: Colorado Avalanche at Winnipeg Jets

Bet: Jets ML / Wager: 2%

Colorado’s Injuries and Goaltending Struggles

The Avalanche aren’t the dominant force they’ve been in recent seasons, largely due to injuries affecting key players. Cale Makar, one of the top defensemen in the NHL with 23 points, is questionable for this matchup, which would be a significant blow to Colorado’s blue line and overall defensive strength if he can’t play. Additionally, goaltender Alexandar Georgiev has struggled, with a 1-4-0 record, a 4.62 GAA, and a .822 save percentage over his last six appearances. These numbers point to significant vulnerabilities in net for Colorado.

Jets’ Goaltending Edge and Motivation

In contrast, Winnipeg has their No. 1 goalie Connor Hellebuyck in net, providing a reliable presence in goal and a clear edge in the goaltending matchup. With Hellebuyck’s solid play and the Jets’ home-ice advantage, Winnipeg is well-positioned to exploit Colorado’s weakened lineup. Additionally, the Jets have extra motivation, looking to avenge last season’s playoff loss to the Avalanche.

Game Outlook

With Colorado facing injuries and goaltending issues, and the Jets carrying momentum and a stronger lineup, Winnipeg has a solid chance to secure the win. Taking the Jets on the moneyline is a value play, with their home advantage and better goaltending positioning them well against a vulnerable Avalanche team.

NHL: Vancouver Canucks at Los Angeles Kings

Bet: Canucks ML / Wager: 3%

Canucks’ Recent Form and Goaltending Stability

The Canucks rebounded strongly from a tough 6-0 home loss to the Devils, securing back-to-back wins on the road. Coach Rick Tocchet has turned to Kevin Lankinen in goal with Thatcher Demko still out, and Lankinen has delivered, posting a stellar 6-0-2 record with a 2.09 GAA and a .923 save percentage. Lankinen’s reliable play has provided the Canucks with much-needed stability in the net and a strong foundation for this road trip.

Scheduling Advantage for Vancouver

This game presents a challenging schedule for the Kings, who are returning home after a multi-city road trip. Teams often struggle in their first game back after extended travel, which could leave the Kings vulnerable. The Kings’ most recent home game resulted in a loss to Chicago, highlighting their inconsistency on home ice.

Game Outlook

With the Canucks carrying momentum from recent wins and Lankinen’s solid form in goal, they have a good chance to capitalize on the Kings’ tricky schedule situation. Vancouver’s current road form and goaltending advantage make them a compelling pick to pull off the win. Taking the Canucks on the moneyline offers value as they look to continue their success on the road.

NHL: Minnesota Wild at San Jose Sharks

Bet: Sharks +1.5 / Wager: 3%

Sharks’ Recent Form and Goaltending Strength

The Sharks have picked up momentum, winning four of their last five games. The return of top draft pick Macklin Celebrini has already had a positive impact, as shown in their recent 2-1 OT win over Columbus. Additionally, solid goaltending from both Vitek Vanecek and Mackenzie Blackwood has been crucial, with Blackwood set to start tonight. Blackwood has won two of his last three starts, and the Sharks have limited opponents to three goals or fewer in each of the past four games, showcasing a much-improved defensive effort.

Wild’s Potential for Regression

Minnesota, after a strong start to the season, may be experiencing a bit of a slowdown, evidenced by their 5-1 loss to the Kings on Tuesday. Marc-Andre Fleury, set to get a rare start tonight, could bring some variability to Minnesota’s defense, as his performances have been inconsistent.