Monday Night Football is usually considered the ‘big’ game of the week during the regular season, but with the run the Saints have been on, primetime matchups are starting to become old hat. In a stretch that goes back to last year’s playoffs, tonight marks the fifth consecutive game for New Orleans in front of a national TV audience.
The Week 1 opener vs. Minnesota was not exactly the brand of football Saints bettors have become accustomed to, but a 14-9 win was enough to get the team past the mythical post-Super Bowl jinx that has sent several past champions to the mat.
San Francisco not only lost its first game, they were slapped hard by a divisional opponent (Seattle) who this weekend at Denver proved they were not very special after all. The pressure in this game for a strong performance is clearly on the 49ers.
Sportsbook have the line as New Orleans -5.
PAST PERFORMANCES
2010 marks the third straight year the Saints have opened the season at home and followed it with a non-divisional road game the very next week. They are 3-0 SU in the home portion and the games that followed the last two years had completely different results (5 point loss – 26 point win). Today’s Saints are nothing like the group from `08, however, so it’s not worth putting too much weight into the trend.
It is worth noting that the Saints are 6-9 ATS on Monday Night and they have won five straight over the 49ers since being swept in a 2001 home-and-home series against their then-NFC West rival.
San Francisco is looking to avoid its first 0-2 SU start since 2005. They are 4-1 SU in their home opener the past five years and 3-2 against the number.
SPOTLIGHT
No wonder the Saints don’t mind a lot of attention!
2009 Divisional Finals – Saints (-7) hosted the Arizona Cardinals, winning 45-14 (Over 57)
2009 Conference Championship – Saints (-3.5) beat Minnesota 31-28 in overtime (Over 54)
Super Bowl XLIV at Dolphins Stadium – Saints (+4) upset Indianapolis Colts 31-17 (Under 56.5)
2010 NFL Season Kickoff – Saints (-5) welcome Brett Favre back with another defeat, 14-9 (Under 49)
PUBLIC EYE
According to online sportsbooks, only three teams this week including the Saints (87-percent) were heavily over weighted with public money to one side. The other big favorites Sunday, Philadelphia (89-percent) and New England (89-percent), both came up short at the betting window.
Combine it with figures from Week 1, where overweight public favs went 1-3 ATS and it doesn’t paint a pretty picture for Joe Public. Can the Saints change the market?
PREDICTION
Expectations for the 49ers were high coming into the season and after the blowout at Qwest Field, no one should be sounding the alarms just yet. A 0-3 SU day for NFC West rivals on Sunday helps the cause and with a win today, San Francisco would be right on pace. Now getting that win vs. the most explosive team in football is another story.
QB Smith is going to be under a lot of duress from the front seven and when he does get the ball away the Saints’ ball hawking secondary will be looking to make plays. San Francisco’s run-game was good for only 49 yards against Seattle and if they fall behind it will be hard to get untracked.
The Niners also converted just 1-for-15 on third downs and while no team is ever ‘as bad’ as they were the week before, Mike Singletary’s squad has a lot of ground to make up.
Pick: Take the Saints
Check the updated NFL odds @ sportsbetting.com
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
NFL Betting: Season Win Totals Still Offered
In the weeks leading up to the kickoff of the new NFL season, sportsbook offered lines on win totals for each team. These “Season Win Total” plays are always popular with the sports betting public.
Sportsbetting.com - However, with the advent of free agency and so much movement and parity interjected into the league these days, there is a sense it has become more difficult for bettors to handicap individual teams on a year-to-year basis.
With one week in the books we’ve now had a chance to see the first teamers respond to different playbooks, new teammates and coaching changes. Its knowledge we can use for betting sides and totals on the Week 2 card, but there is another option available that could offer even more value.
One sportsbook, Sportsbetting.com, is giving bettors a chance to make plays on Adjusted ‘Season Win Totals’ with revised pricing based on Week 1 results.
So now you can apply some of the things you learned opening week to handicapping these bets, something that hasn’t been an option in the past.
Favorites came out of Week 1 with a 10-6 straight-up (SU) record and for the six teams that were upset, this could be a viewed as a good buying opportunity as the loss gets swept under the carpet and these teams prepare for Round 2.
One play you might want to look at is the San Diego Chargers (Over 10 -120). The defending AFC West champs were rained on, beat up and bowled over by a feisty Kansas City team celebrating the grand re-opening of Arrowhead Stadium. San Diego was using a new O-line, featured a rookie running back and played its first game without last year’s top receiver (V. Jackson). The team was got caught off guard by a "live" divisional home dog.
The reward for bettors that waited is a half-point advantage over the Chargers preseason win total and the insurance of a ‘Push’ option on 10 wins. Remember, this team is notorious for starting slow but they did finish 2009 with 11-straight wins.
Or how about teams that mildly shocked the sports betting community with Week 1 performances that weren’t even on the radar screen for handicappers? Seattle, Washington and Houston are all 1-0 SU right now and it created a spike in their projected win total for the season. Will the winning ways continue?
The Redskins host the Texans in Week 2, guaranteeing (almost certainly) that one of these teams will be 1-1. If you think Arian Foster is the new Chris Johnson, the value for betting Houston "Over" may be gone. If Donovan McNabb’s first win was a hoax, however, and there’s no way the Redskins will survive such an obvious lack of chemistry for an entire season, then playing the inflated win total "Under" 8 wins offers immediate value.
A good strategy while setting up for Week 2 is to check the lines for all 32 teams in the football betting section your sportsbook. Compare your preseason thoughts with impressions from Week 1 and then look at this week’s matchups. If a team that lost in Week 1 has a good chance at winning straight-up in Week 2, reference the odds for their adjusted win total.
Spotting line value means more than just looking at the current matchups. If there is a good ‘Futures’ pick available, it could be your best bet.
You can check all the updated NFL Odds @ sportsbetting.com
Sportsbetting.com - However, with the advent of free agency and so much movement and parity interjected into the league these days, there is a sense it has become more difficult for bettors to handicap individual teams on a year-to-year basis.
With one week in the books we’ve now had a chance to see the first teamers respond to different playbooks, new teammates and coaching changes. Its knowledge we can use for betting sides and totals on the Week 2 card, but there is another option available that could offer even more value.
One sportsbook, Sportsbetting.com, is giving bettors a chance to make plays on Adjusted ‘Season Win Totals’ with revised pricing based on Week 1 results.
So now you can apply some of the things you learned opening week to handicapping these bets, something that hasn’t been an option in the past.
Favorites came out of Week 1 with a 10-6 straight-up (SU) record and for the six teams that were upset, this could be a viewed as a good buying opportunity as the loss gets swept under the carpet and these teams prepare for Round 2.
One play you might want to look at is the San Diego Chargers (Over 10 -120). The defending AFC West champs were rained on, beat up and bowled over by a feisty Kansas City team celebrating the grand re-opening of Arrowhead Stadium. San Diego was using a new O-line, featured a rookie running back and played its first game without last year’s top receiver (V. Jackson). The team was got caught off guard by a "live" divisional home dog.
The reward for bettors that waited is a half-point advantage over the Chargers preseason win total and the insurance of a ‘Push’ option on 10 wins. Remember, this team is notorious for starting slow but they did finish 2009 with 11-straight wins.
Or how about teams that mildly shocked the sports betting community with Week 1 performances that weren’t even on the radar screen for handicappers? Seattle, Washington and Houston are all 1-0 SU right now and it created a spike in their projected win total for the season. Will the winning ways continue?
The Redskins host the Texans in Week 2, guaranteeing (almost certainly) that one of these teams will be 1-1. If you think Arian Foster is the new Chris Johnson, the value for betting Houston "Over" may be gone. If Donovan McNabb’s first win was a hoax, however, and there’s no way the Redskins will survive such an obvious lack of chemistry for an entire season, then playing the inflated win total "Under" 8 wins offers immediate value.
A good strategy while setting up for Week 2 is to check the lines for all 32 teams in the football betting section your sportsbook. Compare your preseason thoughts with impressions from Week 1 and then look at this week’s matchups. If a team that lost in Week 1 has a good chance at winning straight-up in Week 2, reference the odds for their adjusted win total.
Spotting line value means more than just looking at the current matchups. If there is a good ‘Futures’ pick available, it could be your best bet.
You can check all the updated NFL Odds @ sportsbetting.com
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Wednesdays Champions League Betting
The second night of Champions League football this week arguably has more anticipated clashes than last night. Where does the betting value lie? Let’s look at some selections.
Real Madrid v Ajax:
Europe’s big spenders take on the former European Cup holders from the Netherlands in a match that sees last year’s Champions League winning manager get back into action. Can Jose Mourinho get his attempt to win a second successive Champions League title off with a win? Bet365 make Real Madrid the 1.30 favourites to claim all three points, with Ajax available at 9.50 and the draw can be backed at odds of 5.50.
Neither of these two sides have looked particularly impressive at the start of the seasons, with Real Madrid having scored just one goal in their first two league matches and Ajax struggling to get into the Champions League. Real are undefeated in La Liga under Jose Mourinho with a draw and a win under their belt, but the highlight is that Mourinho has worked his magic already and Real are yet to concede a goal. Ajax were lucky to reach this point of the tournament, having overcome Greek side PAOK on away goals and beaten Dynamo Kiev 3-2 on aggregate in the qualifiers. However, they are joint top of the Dutch league having gone unbeaten for five league matches, winning four and drawing one, but can they remain unbeaten against massive superior opposition that the teams in the league?
I can’t see Ajax getting anything from this game as Real will keep things tight under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho, and I expect to see a Real win in a tight game. My money for this match is on Real Madrid to win the game by at least two goals. Check the odds at your sportsbook.
Bayern Munich v Roma:
Neither of these sides have started off the season well and Bayern sit mid-table in the Bundesliga, while Roma are doing even worse and sit second bottom of Serie A after two games. How will this game go? Books believe that Bayern will take all three points and make them the 1.67 favourites, with Roma available at 5.30 and the draw can be backed at odds of 3.80.
Bayern began their domestic season with a win over Wolfsburg, now managed by former England boss Steve McClaren, but since then they have picked up just one point from their following two games and they failed to find the net in either match. However, that pales in comparison to the start had by Roma this season. After pushing Inter Milan all the way to the title last season they would have hoped to start this season well, but a 0-0 draw on the opening day against newly promoted Cesena and a 5-1 thumping at the hands of Cagliari see them sit second bottom of the league. Both teams need to turn things around in this match, but which one of them will do so?
With Roma’s dismal away performance at the weekend against Cagliari I feel that they will struggle at the Allianz Arena this Wednesday and i’m backing a home win in this game despite their poor start to the season. As well as backing a Bayern Munich win at odds of 1.67, I’ll also be putting my money on both teams not to score at odds of 2.10. Both set of odds come from Bet365.
Arsenal v Sporting Braga:
The oddsmakers have Arsenal as 1.29 favourites to pick up all three points in the first Champions League match of the season at the Emirates Stadium. Braga are available at odds of 11.00 and the draw can be backed at 5.50. Will the game go according to these odds?
Arsenal have started the Premier League season well and have dropped just two points from their opening four games as they sit in second place in the table. The dropped points came on the opening day of the season against Liverpool at Anfield as they were outplayed by a ten man Liverpool side. Since then they have scored twelve goals and conceded just two, with ten of those goals coming in two matches at home and this will give them the confidence to believe that they can collect all three points against Braga.
However, Braga will be no pushovers as shown by the manner in which they qualified for the Champions League – a 4-3 victory at Sevilla, who had just previously beaten Barcelona 3-1 at the same ground days previously. However, they come into this game having been beaten in the league by FC Porto, will this motivate them to get all three points or will they fail to get anything from the match?
Arsenal are devastating at home at the moment and while Braga are a decent team they are will still be unable to deal with an Arsenal side that is at the top of its game at the moment. However, they have shown that they can score goals away from home, having scored in six of their last seven away games, and with Arsenal’s weak point being their goalkeeper I expect this game to see both teams on the scoresheet. My money is on Arsenal to win the game by at least two goals at odds of 1.80 and both sides to score.
Check all the Champions League Odds @ sportsbetting.com
Real Madrid v Ajax:
Europe’s big spenders take on the former European Cup holders from the Netherlands in a match that sees last year’s Champions League winning manager get back into action. Can Jose Mourinho get his attempt to win a second successive Champions League title off with a win? Bet365 make Real Madrid the 1.30 favourites to claim all three points, with Ajax available at 9.50 and the draw can be backed at odds of 5.50.
Neither of these two sides have looked particularly impressive at the start of the seasons, with Real Madrid having scored just one goal in their first two league matches and Ajax struggling to get into the Champions League. Real are undefeated in La Liga under Jose Mourinho with a draw and a win under their belt, but the highlight is that Mourinho has worked his magic already and Real are yet to concede a goal. Ajax were lucky to reach this point of the tournament, having overcome Greek side PAOK on away goals and beaten Dynamo Kiev 3-2 on aggregate in the qualifiers. However, they are joint top of the Dutch league having gone unbeaten for five league matches, winning four and drawing one, but can they remain unbeaten against massive superior opposition that the teams in the league?
I can’t see Ajax getting anything from this game as Real will keep things tight under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho, and I expect to see a Real win in a tight game. My money for this match is on Real Madrid to win the game by at least two goals. Check the odds at your sportsbook.
Bayern Munich v Roma:
Neither of these sides have started off the season well and Bayern sit mid-table in the Bundesliga, while Roma are doing even worse and sit second bottom of Serie A after two games. How will this game go? Books believe that Bayern will take all three points and make them the 1.67 favourites, with Roma available at 5.30 and the draw can be backed at odds of 3.80.
Bayern began their domestic season with a win over Wolfsburg, now managed by former England boss Steve McClaren, but since then they have picked up just one point from their following two games and they failed to find the net in either match. However, that pales in comparison to the start had by Roma this season. After pushing Inter Milan all the way to the title last season they would have hoped to start this season well, but a 0-0 draw on the opening day against newly promoted Cesena and a 5-1 thumping at the hands of Cagliari see them sit second bottom of the league. Both teams need to turn things around in this match, but which one of them will do so?
With Roma’s dismal away performance at the weekend against Cagliari I feel that they will struggle at the Allianz Arena this Wednesday and i’m backing a home win in this game despite their poor start to the season. As well as backing a Bayern Munich win at odds of 1.67, I’ll also be putting my money on both teams not to score at odds of 2.10. Both set of odds come from Bet365.
Arsenal v Sporting Braga:
The oddsmakers have Arsenal as 1.29 favourites to pick up all three points in the first Champions League match of the season at the Emirates Stadium. Braga are available at odds of 11.00 and the draw can be backed at 5.50. Will the game go according to these odds?
Arsenal have started the Premier League season well and have dropped just two points from their opening four games as they sit in second place in the table. The dropped points came on the opening day of the season against Liverpool at Anfield as they were outplayed by a ten man Liverpool side. Since then they have scored twelve goals and conceded just two, with ten of those goals coming in two matches at home and this will give them the confidence to believe that they can collect all three points against Braga.
However, Braga will be no pushovers as shown by the manner in which they qualified for the Champions League – a 4-3 victory at Sevilla, who had just previously beaten Barcelona 3-1 at the same ground days previously. However, they come into this game having been beaten in the league by FC Porto, will this motivate them to get all three points or will they fail to get anything from the match?
Arsenal are devastating at home at the moment and while Braga are a decent team they are will still be unable to deal with an Arsenal side that is at the top of its game at the moment. However, they have shown that they can score goals away from home, having scored in six of their last seven away games, and with Arsenal’s weak point being their goalkeeper I expect this game to see both teams on the scoresheet. My money is on Arsenal to win the game by at least two goals at odds of 1.80 and both sides to score.
Check all the Champions League Odds @ sportsbetting.com
Champions League Picks
The Champions Leagus returns to action this mid-week, but who will start off their campaigns with a victory and the three points? Let’s preview two of the opening Tuesday’s fixtures.
Group A - FC Twente v Inter Milan
The reigning champions kick off the defence of their Champions League title in the Netherlands
This season, Twente started off the defence of their domestic league title slowly as they drew their first two matches 0-0. Since then they have won their following three games and they sit third in the table, just two points behind giants of the game PSV and Ajax
Since Jose Mourinho left Inter Milan to take over the reins at Real Madrid and former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez stepping into his shoes, Inter have been inconsistent. They will hope that it is just ‘New Manager Syndrome’ where it takes a while to get used to new methods employed by the new man in charge, but after Benitez’s poor last season at Liverpool we will have to wait and see. Benitez guided Inter to an impressive 3-1 win over Roma in the Italian Super Coppa final in his first competitive game in charge, before slumping to a 2-0 defeat against the impressive Atletico Madrid Bologna
The two sides have never met before and although this is Twente’s first ever Champions League game I expect to see them get something from the match, and although Inter are blowing hot and cold I feel that they have a decent performance in them. As a result of this my money is on the draw at odds of 3.50 at the sportsbook.
Group C – Manchester
This clash sees the first meeting between Manchester United and Rangers in the Champions League since Alex Ferguson’s men won both home and away fixtures in the 2003/2004 campaign. Can Rangers get revenge and beat United at Old Trafford? SPORTSBETTING.com say no as they make the home side the 1.17 favourites to claim all three points.
Manchester United have started off the Premier League season well, but a lack of concentration has cost them dearly. At home they have claimed two wins from two games, scoring six goals and keeping two clean sheets, however away from home they have thrown away four points in injury time as they Fulham and then Everton this weekend scored three goals in added time to claim two draws against last season’s runners up. Alex Ferguson will not be happy with the way that his side threw away two points against Everton on Saturday, can they appease him with a win here?
Rangers have started the Scottish Premier League season well, winning all four games and sitting level on points with league leaders Celtic. The only problem that the Scottish side have had is that they have leaked at least one goal in three of their four games this season and should they continue to do this they face a large defeat at Old Trafford this Tuesday. Can they tighten things up defensively for this game?
I feel that Rangers are in trouble for this game and that they are in for a beating. I expect Manchester United, with Wayne
Check all the Champions League Odds @ sportsbetting.com
Monday Night Previews: Ravens at Jets and Chargers at Chiefs
What better way to cap off Week 1 then with a Monday Night Football doubleheader!
Sunday featured its share of hard hits and upsets and tonight promises to deliver more of the same when Baltimore stops in at the new Meadowlands Stadium.
BALTIMORE AT NEW YORK JETS
Line: Jets -2.5
Over/Under: 35.5
Sportsbook opened this game at New York -3 but the Darrelle Revis holdout and 65-70 percent support from Ravens backers edged this line off the key number down to -2.5.
Both of these teams finished last season at 9-7 straight-up (SU) and put up a good fight in the playoffs. Key additions to the offense will bolster the attack but the edge in QB has to go to the Ravens. Joe Flacco is in his third year and having a legitimate downfield threat in WR Boldin will stretch the field for a passing game that ranked 18th overall last year.
Mark Sanchez was prone to turnovers and rookie mistakes in 2009 and the absence of WR Holmes (suspension) won’t help. New York will look to its ground game to take pressure away from Sanchez but this Ravens defense ranked first overall at limiting yards per carry.
New York also saw their leading rusher RB Jones leave for Kansas City; although RB Greene did show he was ready to take over. Veteran RB Tomlinson will also help and LT showed in preseason he still has a move or two left in the tank.
Monday Night Pick:
Revis will cover Boldin but Flacco also has TE Heap, TJ Houshmandzadeh, WR Mason and one of the top RBs in the game with Ray Rice. Beyond the hype that Coach Ryan has put into his team’s Super Bowl chances, the Ravens are one of the top teams in the conference. Getting points, we like the road team.
Take the Ravens
SAN DIEGO AT KANSAS CITY
Line: Chargers -4.5
Over/Under: 45
It was an active off-season for San Diego and rookie RB sensation Ryan Matthews is set to take his first steps as the new face of the Chargers ground game. WR Jackson’s absence will be felt, but TE Gates and WRs Floyd and Naanee will still provide plenty chances for QB Rivers to connect.
More unsettling for Rivers may be the contract dispute that will keep veteran left tackle Marcus McNeill away from Monday’s game. For a Chiefs defensive unit that finished 30th overall last season, it’s never going to be any easier for them trying to break into the Chargers pocket.
San Diego was slow out of the gate last year, going 2-3 SU and 1-4 against the spread (ATS). Denver’s 6-0 start triggered an alarm that sent the team into an 11-game winning streak beginning in Week 6 at Arrowhead against this Chiefs team.
Monday Night Pick:
Slow starts aren’t new for San Diego, the team is 5-7 in September the past three seasons, but the sense of urgency is more apparent right now and we don’t see HC Turner letting this game slip by. Lay the points on the road with the better team in this one.
Take the Chargers
Sunday featured its share of hard hits and upsets and tonight promises to deliver more of the same when Baltimore stops in at the new Meadowlands Stadium.
BALTIMORE AT NEW YORK JETS
Line: Jets -2.5
Over/Under: 35.5
Sportsbook opened this game at New York -3 but the Darrelle Revis holdout and 65-70 percent support from Ravens backers edged this line off the key number down to -2.5.
Both of these teams finished last season at 9-7 straight-up (SU) and put up a good fight in the playoffs. Key additions to the offense will bolster the attack but the edge in QB has to go to the Ravens. Joe Flacco is in his third year and having a legitimate downfield threat in WR Boldin will stretch the field for a passing game that ranked 18th overall last year.
Mark Sanchez was prone to turnovers and rookie mistakes in 2009 and the absence of WR Holmes (suspension) won’t help. New York will look to its ground game to take pressure away from Sanchez but this Ravens defense ranked first overall at limiting yards per carry.
New York also saw their leading rusher RB Jones leave for Kansas City; although RB Greene did show he was ready to take over. Veteran RB Tomlinson will also help and LT showed in preseason he still has a move or two left in the tank.
Monday Night Pick:
Revis will cover Boldin but Flacco also has TE Heap, TJ Houshmandzadeh, WR Mason and one of the top RBs in the game with Ray Rice. Beyond the hype that Coach Ryan has put into his team’s Super Bowl chances, the Ravens are one of the top teams in the conference. Getting points, we like the road team.
Take the Ravens
SAN DIEGO AT KANSAS CITY
Line: Chargers -4.5
Over/Under: 45
It was an active off-season for San Diego and rookie RB sensation Ryan Matthews is set to take his first steps as the new face of the Chargers ground game. WR Jackson’s absence will be felt, but TE Gates and WRs Floyd and Naanee will still provide plenty chances for QB Rivers to connect.
More unsettling for Rivers may be the contract dispute that will keep veteran left tackle Marcus McNeill away from Monday’s game. For a Chiefs defensive unit that finished 30th overall last season, it’s never going to be any easier for them trying to break into the Chargers pocket.
San Diego was slow out of the gate last year, going 2-3 SU and 1-4 against the spread (ATS). Denver’s 6-0 start triggered an alarm that sent the team into an 11-game winning streak beginning in Week 6 at Arrowhead against this Chiefs team.
Monday Night Pick:
Slow starts aren’t new for San Diego, the team is 5-7 in September the past three seasons, but the sense of urgency is more apparent right now and we don’t see HC Turner letting this game slip by. Lay the points on the road with the better team in this one.
Take the Chargers
Thursday, September 9, 2010
NFL Betting: Vikings at Saints
The long wait is over. The rosters have been cut, practice squads set and now the games actually count.
The NFL serves up a true marquee matchup to kick everything off, as the Vikings head back to the scene of the crime when they visit the New Orleans Saints. Sportsbook have been seeing heavy action on this one as the game gets closer.
The last time Minnesota played here it was the NFC Conference Championship game and we all remember how that finished for Favre and crew. Although those bettors who backed Minny in that one were able to smile as they cached in, playing the underdog at +4 in a 31-28 loss.
The Vikings are underdogs again, this time by 5 points. They will play without standout WR Sydney Rice, but otherwise have their usual assortment of weapons (Adrian Peterson, Bernard Berrian, Percy Harvin).
The defending Super Bowl champs, as stated, are laying 5 points in this game as they are again touted as one of a handful of Super Bowl contenders. The team is mostly in tact, with the exception of safety Darren Sharper, who was placed on the PUP list with a knee injury.
Will the Saints enter the game with the dreaded Super Bowl hangover? Or will they be fired up looking to defend their title? Will the Vikings avenge the Conference Final loss from last season? Or will they start the season the same way it ended last year? It should be a lot of fun finding out.
Looking at the sportsbetting.com, currently the action is heavily tilted to the home team, with 80% of all the money on the Saints.
Check all the NFL odds
Enjoy the game.
The NFL serves up a true marquee matchup to kick everything off, as the Vikings head back to the scene of the crime when they visit the New Orleans Saints. Sportsbook have been seeing heavy action on this one as the game gets closer.
The last time Minnesota played here it was the NFC Conference Championship game and we all remember how that finished for Favre and crew. Although those bettors who backed Minny in that one were able to smile as they cached in, playing the underdog at +4 in a 31-28 loss.
The Vikings are underdogs again, this time by 5 points. They will play without standout WR Sydney Rice, but otherwise have their usual assortment of weapons (Adrian Peterson, Bernard Berrian, Percy Harvin).
The defending Super Bowl champs, as stated, are laying 5 points in this game as they are again touted as one of a handful of Super Bowl contenders. The team is mostly in tact, with the exception of safety Darren Sharper, who was placed on the PUP list with a knee injury.
Will the Saints enter the game with the dreaded Super Bowl hangover? Or will they be fired up looking to defend their title? Will the Vikings avenge the Conference Final loss from last season? Or will they start the season the same way it ended last year? It should be a lot of fun finding out.
Looking at the sportsbetting.com, currently the action is heavily tilted to the home team, with 80% of all the money on the Saints.
Check all the NFL odds
Enjoy the game.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
NFL Betting: Week 4 Pre-Season Picks
We’re a week away from the kick-off to the real 2010-2011 season, as the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints prepare to start it all next Thursday night. However, before those festivities take us into the new season, there are still a few questions that need answering during the Week 4 preseason.
Let’s look at the betting action on a few of the games from the final week of the exhibition schedule.
Washington at Arizona
Who cares about this one? Let’s start with Willie Parker and Matt Leinart…and maybe Albert Haynesworth. Actually Albert probably doesn’t really care, but it is worth noting that everyone on the Redskins 1st team defense is getting the night off, but Haynesworth is expected to start and get a lot of playing time in this one.
On offense, Willie Parker will start at RB, but for him, this is more likely a showcase for other teams needing depth at running back, as it looks improbable that he will make the ‘Skins.
For the Cardinals, rumors are swirling that they’re actively shopping QB Matt Leinart. Look for Anderson to start behind center as they try and get a handle on that messy QB situation.
But bettors still like the home side, with 65% of the action at the sportsbook on Arizona -6.
Carolina at Pittsburgh
Most star QBs will not see much action in any Week 4 preseason games. The exception is if your star QB is about to serve a four-game suspension to start the season. That’s the current scenario for Ben Roethlisberger, who will see his last action until his suspension is completed. Byron Leftwich will hold down the fort until his return.
For the Panthers’ QBs, Matt Moore is expected to get a little time, followed by a brief stint from Jimmy Clausen. The majority of the snaps will be shared between Tony Pike and Hunter Cantwell. If you think Week 4 doesn’t mean anything, watch this one, as it is possible whoever plays better between Pike and Cantwell will get the #3 spot, and the loser may be unemployed.
Bettors are all over the home team, with sportsbooks reporting 80% of the betting is on Pittsburgh -6.
Miami at Dallas
The big news out of Dallas is that Dez Bryant is back to the practice field, but will not see any action Thursday night. This is because the 1st team offense will not play in the final regular season game. Jerry Jones has stated that Bryant’s first action will be versus the Redskins in Week 1, as a starter (always love how the owner is the one announcing news like this in Dallas).
Dolphins’ coach Tony Sparano was not pleased with the performance of his team last week and is looking for greater focus and urgency versus Dallas. He hasn’t indicated how long his starters will play, just that “they better be ready to play.” Henne will start at QB, and Pennington will also see some action.
Bettors are listening, as they think the Dolphins have an edge. A lopsided 85% of the action is on Miami -1.
Enjoy the games. You can check all the NFL Odds
Let’s look at the betting action on a few of the games from the final week of the exhibition schedule.
Washington at Arizona
Who cares about this one? Let’s start with Willie Parker and Matt Leinart…and maybe Albert Haynesworth. Actually Albert probably doesn’t really care, but it is worth noting that everyone on the Redskins 1st team defense is getting the night off, but Haynesworth is expected to start and get a lot of playing time in this one.
On offense, Willie Parker will start at RB, but for him, this is more likely a showcase for other teams needing depth at running back, as it looks improbable that he will make the ‘Skins.
For the Cardinals, rumors are swirling that they’re actively shopping QB Matt Leinart. Look for Anderson to start behind center as they try and get a handle on that messy QB situation.
But bettors still like the home side, with 65% of the action at the sportsbook on Arizona -6.
Carolina at Pittsburgh
Most star QBs will not see much action in any Week 4 preseason games. The exception is if your star QB is about to serve a four-game suspension to start the season. That’s the current scenario for Ben Roethlisberger, who will see his last action until his suspension is completed. Byron Leftwich will hold down the fort until his return.
For the Panthers’ QBs, Matt Moore is expected to get a little time, followed by a brief stint from Jimmy Clausen. The majority of the snaps will be shared between Tony Pike and Hunter Cantwell. If you think Week 4 doesn’t mean anything, watch this one, as it is possible whoever plays better between Pike and Cantwell will get the #3 spot, and the loser may be unemployed.
Bettors are all over the home team, with sportsbooks reporting 80% of the betting is on Pittsburgh -6.
Miami at Dallas
The big news out of Dallas is that Dez Bryant is back to the practice field, but will not see any action Thursday night. This is because the 1st team offense will not play in the final regular season game. Jerry Jones has stated that Bryant’s first action will be versus the Redskins in Week 1, as a starter (always love how the owner is the one announcing news like this in Dallas).
Dolphins’ coach Tony Sparano was not pleased with the performance of his team last week and is looking for greater focus and urgency versus Dallas. He hasn’t indicated how long his starters will play, just that “they better be ready to play.” Henne will start at QB, and Pennington will also see some action.
Bettors are listening, as they think the Dolphins have an edge. A lopsided 85% of the action is on Miami -1.
Enjoy the games. You can check all the NFL Odds
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