Here are 15 helpful hints that we use everyday in our prediction algorithms on sports. 

Check the weather

Look for influencers of the game

Disabled list

Weather

Illness

Watch twitter for breaking news on a individual player (link to social media acounts)

What player has been in the headlines latley in a negative light (spousal abuse etc)

Coaching Changes

Fans have turned on the team

atmosphere of the game (small or big a game can be influenced by the slightest thing)

who are the refs and do they tend to allow the game to play or do do they tend to flag happy etc

home and away games

trends tend to carry over into another game

trends also are snapped (hasnt rushed for 100 yards in 3 games, hasnt had 300 yard passing game YET)

Player has death in family (depends on role of player on team and position) Remember Brett Favre?!