The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have shown that they are serious this NFL betting season when placed together with the Falcons and Giants as the best brands in the NFC 38-35 on the road, beating the Arizona Cardinals.The man of the match was the Bucs rookie running back, LeGarrette Blount with 22 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns.
Another who scored twice in the match was the Arizona star receiver, Larry Fitzgerald also caught six passes for 72 yards.
Blount addition to the above, one that stood out for the Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib was that recorded five tackles and two important interceptions.
Max Hall was the starting quarterback for the Cardinals, however, was replaced by Derek Anderson, however both threw a touchdown pass and was intercepted twice, Anderson Hall 234 yards and managed only 71.
Pin the opposing team, Josh Freeman hit 18 of 25 passes for 278 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.
With this result, Tampa Bay's record is 5-2, tied with Atlanta at the top of the NFC South, while Arizona fell to 3-4 occupying the third place in the NFC West.
;
It seems as though after years of clutch offense dominating the sport at the highest level, the focus has shifted to those on the mound, with the pitchers taking center stage in MLB betting this year. Whether it has been Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay, or Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia, the defensive battles have stolen the spotlight this baseball postseason, particularly since the final four. That will undoubtedly continue when the 2010 World Series gets underway this Wednesday, with Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants taking on Lee and the Texas Rangers. Both have been outstanding for their respective clubs in these playoffs, with Lee putting on an absolute pitching clinic over the past three weeks, while Lincecum carries over his Cy Young form from the past couple of years.For Texas, the acquisition of Lee via trade with Seattle this past July has been the difference in their team’s success this postseason. The 32-year old is 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA this month, and is 7-0 with a 1.26 ERA over the past two playoffs. Only Sandy Koufax and Christy Mathewson have lower career postseason ERA’s as pitchers that have started in at least five games. His command has been incredible, with a 34-1 stikeout-to-walk betting ratio, and over 70-percent of his pitches have forced the umpire to swing his arm. His technique and the consistency in his mechanics have been what has separated Lee from the other pitchers around the league, and has given Texas a go-to guy to shut down opposing offenses.
While he hasn’t locked down the same type of numbers as Lee, Lincecum has provided San Francisco with the same quality throwing that has made the difference in the Giants getting to the World Series. The only pitcher to ever win consecutive Cy Young awards his first two years in the league, the 26-year old has a 1.93 ERA this postseason, going 2-1 in three starts while striking out 30 compared to tossing only five walks. Lincecum allowed just two earned runs in his only baseball betting loss, which had more to do with a brilliant performance from Phillies’ ace Roy Halladay and a lackluster offense than it did with the San Francisco hurler’s job.
While the aces will get the majority of the attention heading into the game, the Rangers and Giants are more than just the top dogs. San Francisco will start Matt Cain for game two against Texas’ CJ Wilson, while game three will feature the Giants’ Jonathan Sanchez against the Rangers’ Colby Lewis. With the pitching match ups so close, the tendency among the sportsbook Northbet reviews has been to look to the offenses of both teams, which has led to Texas earning the role of favorites for the championship series. Regardless of the outcome however, the biggest storyline this postseason has been pitching, and that will continue this week with the Giants and Rangers battling for the World Series.
As the NFL season advances, the
sports betting experts find it more and more difficult to predict the outcome of games. When the
NFL betting lines came out for week eight in the NFL, it would be hard to imagine the 1-6 Detroit Lions being favored over the 4-3 Washington Redskins. But there is something in the
NFL scores over the past few weeks that are making people think that the Detroit Lions are on the verge of going from the basement to the penthouse in the NFL North division.
The biggest factor in determining the odds for this game is the return of Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford. In only his second season, Stafford has shown that he can indeed put the Lions on his back and carry them to a winning record. Stafford has already missed a lot of time this season and it is unlikely that the Lions will win enough to finish 8-8 this season, but this game against the Redskins can be the start of Stafford’s declaration that the 0-16 Lions are indeed a thing of the past.
For the Redskins, the NFL predictions all season long have been hesitant. The offense under newly-acquired quarterback Donovan McNabb is not nearly as efficient as observers had expected. The defense lacks character and is weak along the front seven. The Redskins pass defense is ranked 31st in the league giving up an average of 292 yards per game in the air. They are not doing much better against the run as teams are putting up an average of 114 yards per game against the Redskins.
Many point to the off-season temper tantrum of Albert Haynesworth as a distraction large enough to disrupt the entire Washington defense. First, Haynesworth would not report because he did not want to play nose tackle in a 3-4 defense. Then, when he did report, bad off-season conditioning kept him out of practice. When he started to play in the regular season, he got hurt. Then he took personal time for a family tragedy. The only legitimate excuse was taking care of his family; the rest has upset the entire defensive balance of the Washington Redskins.
In this game, the Redskins are in trouble. Their bottom-ranked Northbet review pass rush is about to come up against a second-year quarterback in Stafford that has shown a talent for exploiting weak secondaries and defensive lines that cannot get to the quarterback. Throw in a fantastic and evolving running game with rookie running back Jahvid Best, and you have an offense that the Redskins just cannot handle.
Washington owner Daniel Snyder tried to buy a Super Bowl yet again by paying big money for head coach Mike Shanahan and quarterback Donovan McNabb. But Snyder still does not seem to understand that great teams are developed through free agent acquisitions and draft picks over the course of four or five years. Hopefully Snyder will put a little faith in Shanahan and give the legendary coach the time he needs to build a winner. For now, the Redskins have the bits and pieces that go into a consistent winning team. But they lack the role players and solid offensive and defensive lines that make a consistent winner in the NFL.
Pick: Detroit Lions 21-17
There were at least a couple of surprises when the Bowl Championship Series’ initial rankings were released on Sunday, and one of them may very well have been number-two Oregon’s seeding one spot ahead of Boise State. The Ducks have been one of the most exciting teams in college football betting with the top offense in the country this season, and will take the national spotlight this Thursday when they host UCLA.
UCLA Bruins @ Oregon Ducks
Thursday October 21, 2010 – 8:00 PM ET
Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
Online Sports Betting Odds: Oregon - 24
The Bruins are coming off a loss to California that snapped a three-game winning streak that included ranked opponents in number-23 Houston and number-seven Texas. While a .500 record doesn’t exactly call for celebration, the quality of opponents that UCLA has beaten early this year lends optimism to their season going forward.
NCAA Football Betting Preview: UCLA
UCLA is 1-2 in the PAC-10, with the blowout loss to California forcing them to take a step back. The Bruins allowed the first four touchdowns in the game, as its tenth-ranked rush defense allowed 304 yards on the ground, getting absolutely decimated by Golden Bears’ running back Shane Vereen. A big part in UCLA’s loss is the injuries that its defense has suffered, but after getting blown away by an unranked opponent there are question marks as to just how much progress this program has actually made this year.
NCAA Football Betting Preview: Oregon
The third-ranked rushing attack in the country has helped Oregon to the top scoring offense in the country, and a couple of weeks rest should only have prepared the Ducks even more. Oregon is seeded number-one in the country and is second in the BCS rankings. If they are going to have any chance at booking their spot in the national title game, the Ducks will likely have to go perfect over the remaining six games of the season. Head coach Chip Kelly understands his team still has a long way to go to get to the championship, but led by quarterback Darron Thomas and running back LaMichael James, Oregon is in control of their own destiny at this point. James leads the FBS in rushing with 169.6 rushing yards per game, a big chunk of the Ducks’ 576 yards per game average so far.
The Match Up: UCLA @ Oregon
The Ducks are focused and determined after opening up the initial BCS rankings in the top-two, and will look to begin a six-game run to the national title game with a big homecoming. Two Northbet weeks off should mean both teams are well-rested, but the Bruins’ defense is injury-riddled, and given what California was able to do on the ground against the Bruins two weeks ago, the Ducks should have no problem destroying the 24-point spread. Take Oregon in a second UCLA blowout loss.
BSN Sports Pick: Oregon - 24
The betting world was not too surprised when the NFL betting results came in for week six and the Dolphins had beaten the Green Bay Packers. The Packers secondary is so beat up that they could barely put together zone coverage on Miami wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The result was Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne throwing the ball to Marshall all day long. Even with their injuries, the Packers hung in there but lost the game in overtime.The Dolphins are, for the most part, a completely healthy football team. When the NFL scores came in, the Dolphins had only racked up 23 points on a weakened Green Bay defense. There were some special teams blunders by the Packers that helped out the Dolphins as well, but the Dolphins took advantage of an ailing team. That is what you are supposed to do in the NFL.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are not ailing. The Steelers just welcomed back their starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Big Ben went on to put up 28 points against the Cleveland Browns. The Pittsburgh defense held rookie quarterback Colt McCoy and the Browns offense to only 10 points. The Steelers looked very good against the Browns, and the Steelers have shown that they have one of the best defensive units in the NFL.
When you are thinking about your NFL predictions this week, remember that the Steelers have one of the best run defenses in the NFL. That shuts down the Miami wildcat. The Steelers do have a healthy secondary capable of covering Brandon Marshall. The Steelers are playing exceptionally well on special teams. In short, the Steelers can be considered the polar opposite of the Green Bay team that the Dolphins just struggled to beat.
The Pittsburgh offense looked like it was waiting for Roethlisberger to return. Whether or not Roethlisberger is a team captain, he is still the best quarterback on the Pittsburgh roster. In his first Northbet game back since his suspension, Big Ben threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns. He torched a Cleveland defense that was open to be brutalized. His passing arm improved over the course of the game, and his accuracy was spot on by the second half.
Let us not forget that the Steelers also have a running game featuring Rashad Mendenhall. Mendenhall is already on pace for more than 1,000 yards rushing this season and more than 10 touchdowns scored. The Miami defense is decent against the run, but when you put a passing game together with a running game then the Dolphins are going to have to pick which one they want to defend.
The Pittsburgh defense is too fast and too hard-nosed to tolerate the wildcat. If the Dolphins try it, the Steelers will shut it down. If the Dolphins try to throw the ball, the Steelers will take it away. The Steelers offense has so many choices against the Dolphins defense that it is almost not fair. The Steelers just keep rolling along as one of the best teams in the NFL.
Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers 21-10
After nearly two years of the college football betting world being dominated by Alabama, it seems as though the Crimson Tide’s run at the top is finally over, at least for now. The defending national champions were replaced at the top of the polls by Ohio State, which moved up from number two. The Buckeyes’ first game as the top-seeded team in the country comes this weekend at Wisconsin, and it is fitting that it will be played against perhaps the toughest opponent on their season schedule this year, in number-18 Wisconsin.
Ohio State Buckeyes @ Wisconsin Badgers
Saturday October 16, 2010 – 7:00 PM ET
Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin
Online Sports Betting Odds: N/A
The Badgers are off to a near-perfect start to their season, winning five of their first six games, their only loss coming at the open of the month at number-24 Michigan State. While the loss to a Big Ten opponent will hurt their standing within the conference, it was a tough road game and close final score, two things that have weighed heavily in them still being ranked so high.
NCAA Football Betting Preview: Ohio State
After weeks of sitting tight behind Alabama despite destroying most of the opponents that they faced, the Buckeyes finally get their chance in the spotlight with recognition as the best team in the country. It’s fitting that the best team also has the best player, and that is the case with Ohio State, who boasts early Heisman trophy-favorite quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Pryor has thrown for over 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns, while also registering 100-yard rushing performances in three of six starts this year. While Pryor has dominated opposing defenses, the Buckeyes have had some quality efforts from their own defenders, and are ranked sixth in the country in scoring defense. Wisconsin represent one of two ranked opponents left on Ohio State’s schedule, which makes this a game the team undoubtedly already had circled.
NCAA Football Betting Preview: Nebraska
The Badgers started the Northbet season absolutely on fire, and it was no secret as to why. Running backs John Clay and James White have both averaged over six yards per carry this season, with White’s 7.7 average mark among the most notable in college football. Nebraska is ranked 11th in the country rushing the ball, but will have a tough time getting back to the ground game against Ohio State. This match up is the first of two for the Badgers against ranked opponents, with a trip to number-15 Iowa on the horizon.
The Match Up: Ohio State @ Wisconsin
The Buckeyes worked as hard as any other team to get their number-one ranking, and will be in no hurry to relent it. A relatively easy schedule that includes only two ranked opponents will make it less of a challenge for Ohio State to get to the BCS Championship game, so expect for them to have this one and a trip to number-15 Iowa at the end of the year as the two games that are must-wins
NCAA Football Betting Pick: Ohio State
The South Florida Bulls and the West Virginia Mountaineers will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium.Kick off time from West Virginia is scheduled for 7:30PM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by ESPN.
Sportsbook.com currently have the Mountaineers listed as 10½-point favorites versus the Bulls.
South Florida lost its last outing, a 13-9 result against Syracuse on October 9. South Florida failed to cover in that game as a 8-point favorite, while the 22 combined points took the game UNDER the total.
West Virginia was a 49-10 winner in their most recent outing at home against UNLV. They covered the 27–point spread as favorites, while the total score (59) made winners of OVER bettors.
Betting trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of South Florida's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of South Florida's last 5 games when playing West Virginia
South Florida is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
South Florida is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
West Virginia is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games at home
West Virginia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of West Virginia's last 5 games when playing South Florida
West Virginia is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing South Florida
It seems unreasonable to think that any team the Ohio State Buckeyes will play before November will have much of a chance to end their undefeated run in 2010, especially given the lack of strength for the opponents they will face, and that this isn’t betting on NFL. For the second-ranked team in the nation, these games have become more about the point differential than they have been about the result, and given that the defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide have already reserved their spot in the BCS Championship game, it may come down to which of the Buckeyes, Oregon, and Boise State do the most damage to their opponents to determine who they will play.
Indiana Hoosiers @ Ohio State Buckeyes
Saturday October 9, 2010 – 12:00 PM ET
Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Broadcast: ESPN, ESPN3
Odds: Ohio State - 22
Total: 58
The Hoosiers come in to this game fresh off their first loss of the season, a hard-fought 42-35 Big Ten loss to number-19 Michigan at home. Indiana’s number-four ranked passing offense gave the Wolverines a major challenge week five, but will have a tough time putting up the same type of results on the road against a much more talented Buckeyes’ team.
NCAA Handicapping: What Indiana Will Have To Do To Win?
The Hoosiers battled hard in a home loss to Michigan last weekend, and may have left everything on the table looking for the victory in that game. Battling two ranked conference opponents in consecutive weeks would be tough for any team, but the fact that Indiana gets the number-two ranked Buckeyes in the second of as many college football betting weeks makes it that much tougher.
NCAA Handicapping: What Ohio State Will Have To Do To Win?
Heisman trophy hopeful, quarterback Terrelle Pryor left early in the Buckeyes’ last game due to injury, but appears to be ready to go for their Big Ten opener. Head coach Jim Tressel’s team has dominated Indiana in recent history, and even if Pryor isn’t at full strength the Buckeyes should be able to pull out a Northbet win at home. Ohio State had little problem with their non-conference schedule, but until they meet the likes of Iowa and Michigan towards the end of the year, they likely won’t face much of a challenge. Junior running back Dan Herron will be relied on even more in this one, after rushing for five touchdowns through the first four sports betting games.
NCAA Handicapping: Outlook & Pick
The sports book makers can sometimes be a stubborn bunch. In justifying why the Indianapolis Colts are nine point favorites over the Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL betting gurus may point to who the Chiefs beat to become 3-0 to this point in the season. But in picking this game it is not who the Chiefs have beaten that is important, it is who the Colts have lost to so far.Good teams are supposed to win the games they are expected to win. The Chiefs have beaten the San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers so far this season. With the exception of the Chargers, the Chiefs were expected to win these games if they wanted to show how much they have improved with the additions of running back Thomas Jones and wide receiver Chris Chambers.
The Colts have been a problem for the football betting experts as Peyton Manning and his crew cannot seem to win the games they need to win to stay on top in the AFC South. The Colts have lost two important divisional games so far this season. Their opening day loss to the Houston Texans and week four loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars could be setting a dangerous tone for the rest of the season for the Colts. Indianapolis could finish the season 10-6, but if all six loses are divisional then they may not make the playoffs.
At this point the Kansas City Chiefs are 3-0, and while this may surprise some people it should not be a big surprise to those that follow the league closely. The Chiefs biggest problems were on offense last season. With the addition of quarterback Matt Cassel two years ago and running back Thomas Jones in this most recent off-season, the Chiefs now have a way to stretch out the field against opposing defenses. It worked perfectly against the 49ers defense as the Chiefs went on to beat San Francisco 31-10.
The element people are forgetting is Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles and the wide receivers of the Chiefs. Charles ran for 97 yards against the 49ers, and he offers a one-two punch along with Jones that makes the opposing defense take notice.
Anyone involved with NFL predictions used to fear a motivated Peyton Manning. The Colts came into this season as the Northbet odds-on Super Bowl favorite because of their disappointment in Super Bowl XLIV and the motivation that would bring Manning. But the games are played on the field and not in the speculators score cards. The Colts defense is weak at secondary without the oft-injured Bob Sanders. Teams can throw against the Colts. The Colts offensive line is not what it used to be so teams can shut down the Colts running game as well.
It will take more than Peyton Manning to turn the Colts around this season. If the Colts defense cannot figure out how to stop the opposing team’s passing attack, the quarterbacks like Matt Cassel will continue to run up the score on the Colts and get Peyton Manning into situations where he will have to throw his way out of holes dug by the defense.
Pick: Indianapolis Colts 24-21
