2017 NLL Week 4 Preview

Last Week:
2-2; 0-4 against the spread; 1-0 best bet

Picks:
Top Attraction:

New England Black Wolves (0-2) @ Georgia Swarm (2-0)
Time: Fri 20 JAN 2017 7:35p, Harrah's Cherokee Casino Field @ Infinite Energy Arena
Line: Georgia -1.5
The Scoop: I would not want to face the Swarm right now. They’re riding their regular season form from last year and showing that the play-in to take on the Bandits last May was just one game. New England, the team that beat them, meanwhile, have not won a game since beating Georgia in the playoffs. This would provide an opportune time to break the goose egg in the "w" column. But Georgia is seemingly a better team at home so far, so it’s a tough ask for the Black Wolves to win in Gwinett County.
Outlook: Swarm by 2.

Best of the Rest:

Calgary Roughnecks (1-1) @ Colorado Mammoth (2-1)
Time: Fri 20 JAN 2017 9:30p, Pepsi Center
Line: Colorado -1.5
The Scoop: This fixture is always entertaining. The Mammoth have played great other than their blip to Vancouver and even then they were solid but the Stealth earned a statement win. Calgary having Frank Scigliano back is pivotal and it showed when they beat Vancouver last week on the road. Someone will have to lose this game trying to continue their forward momentum. Colorado, however have seen positives from Zach Greer despite losing Adam Jones to Saskatchewan for him.
Outlook: Mammoth by 2.

Rochester Knighthawks (1-0) @ Saskatchewan Rush (0-2)
Time: Sat 21 JAN 2017 8:30p, SaskTel Centre
Line: Colorado -1.5
The Scoop: Unlike Rochester who became the first team to win three straight titles, Edmonton, is in the process of trying to do that themselves. This could very well, despite not playing each other often prior, spark a modern rivalry reminiscent of Buffalo and (then) Philadelphia or shortly there after Rochester with Toronto. However, Rochester only early on had beaten the Rush not including the 2012 final - which is even better than the Rush's record against Buffalo (4-3, before playoffs, Bandits have won last 2). The KHawks are looking to have an early impressive win to knock the champs to 0-3.
Outlook: Rush by 3.

Dog of the Day:

Vancouver Stealth (2-1) @ Buffalo Bandits (0-2)
Time: Sat 21 JAN 2017 7:30p, KeyBank Center
Line: Vancouver -1.5
The Scoop:Buffalo has one more game in their home-stand to have all systems go. Dvide DiRuscio may need to be the guy that protects the twine tent over Anthony Cosmo. Vancouver had a great opening weekend after the won their second game against Colorado in convincing fashion. Vancouver has not beaten the Bandits since a 2014 home game which was the first since moving to Langley (Buffalo's team record 8-game losing streak), and have lost five of six since beating the Bandits in Buffalo in 2012 who are 17-6 all time against the Stealth franchise.
Outlook: Buffalo by 1. - best bet

*All times Eastern.