Editor's Note: Don't forget to get Scott Rickenbach's picks for the upcoming NFL season here.

Especially in the NFL season you will see me often talk about “fading the masses” or “cashing in on a line move”. I firmly believe that in the most popular sports to bet on (football and basketball) including some contrarian handicapping in your “arsenal” is absolutely critical to success. Keep in mind that sometimes a line move is justified. Also, there will be times when a line move is based on “smart money” that would scare the pants off most sane people! However, in the end, there will be many line moves throughout the football and basketball seasons that truly are not justified and, in turn, they offer the astute bettor some fantastic line value.

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What has prompted this diatribe from me is more than just the upcoming fall sports seasons. It’s the fact that a Preseason NFL situation has me going to the “contrarian well” early this year. Now mind you this play was not formally released as a selection by me. I try to “limit my action” in preseason NFL as I attempt to pick up on only the best spots to release my plays. Note that contrarian plays are certainly not foolproof. As I post this information on Monday morning I take the chance that this play blows up in my face tonight. However, I post this not so much as a free pick but as a suggestion for you to keep this methodology in mind as we get ready to roll into the wonderful season of fall when all the major sports will be kicking into gear. Do not lose sight of the value of sports handicapping with a contrarian’s perspective. It will offer you more winners than losers in the long run and for a quick peek at what I look for in contrarian situations please read on:

Free Pick in the NFL Monday August 20th, 2007: Indianapolis Colts (+3) vs. Chicago @ 8:00 ET - I really believe the whole world is lining up on the Bears for Monday night and I have to laugh at the whole thing. The only thing that is keeping this from being a star rated play is the fact that the Bears depth definitely does rate an advantage over the Colts reserves. However, for many people to purport this to be such a huge revenge and "lock" situation for the Bears because of getting a chance at Super Bowl revenge is absolutely preposterous.

The fact is that this is a preseason game that will play out much like any other preseason game. That said, I see great value in taking the Colts +3 after they originally were favored by 3. Even in preseason a 6 point line swing is value to the hilt. I am well aware of the Colts recent struggles in the preseason. However, it should be noted that the Colts lost by double digits at Dallas last week while the Bears snuck out a win down in Houston. This is giving us more line value this week as the Colts proved they have much more to work on while the Bears already notched a victory in their very first game of the preseason.

Again, I understand the line move and I see the reasoning behind it. However, I feel the line value clearly resides with the Colts now. Keep in mind that in sports gaming, even in the preseason, it's never "that easy". That said, if you want to follow the masses go right ahead but I feel all these tickets being written on the Bears are going to end up being torn up and thrown in the trash.