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NFL Betting – Key Coaching Changes

The NFL season has been over for a couple weeks now, but the many teams have wasted no time in making moves. Several coaching changes of late has changed the outlook for the 2010 seaosn.

One of the most important changes in coaching thus far has not been at the top level, but instead a switch at offensive coordinator.  Mike Martz is in at Chicago, and will have the task of improving the underachieving Bears offense lead by Jay Cutler and Matt Forte.

Martz did wondrous things with the St. Louis Rams yes ago in St. Louis, and looks to do the same in Chciago, where the strong arm of Cutler was erratic last season. Should the Bears acquire an elite wide receiver to join the young, speedy wide outs they currently have, their aerial attack could be among the best in the league.

And after a sophomore slump, Forte looks to return to the success of his freshman year, where he was among the best in the league.

The highest profile acquisition of the offseason, of course, has been Mike Shanahan being named Head Coach of the Washington Redskin.  It is still unsure whether Jason Campbell will stay in D.C. as the quarterback, but look for Clinton Portis to lead a rushing attack that should be strong under Shanahan. With a history of getting strong rushing performances out of young and less heralded athletes, the former Denver Broncos coach should continue his attention to the ground game.


Shanahan recently hired Chris Foerster to be the offensive line coach. Foerster spent the last two years in San Francisco that saw Frank Gore excel rushing the ball. Jim Haslett was named the defensive coordinator, another big name that has seen success in the past. Washington plays in a very competitive division, but also gear up for the big games. With an experienced coach leading the way, there is no reason the Redskins should no be a consistent, competitive team this season focusing on defense and a strong running game.

 

Lots to look forward to in the coming months as the draft takes place in April, and training camp goes in July. There is plenty of sports betting in the meantime as the country waits for the NFL to begin again.

 

Twins trying to prove they’re not cheap

Anyone who does sports odds (US sportsbook reviews) in baseball knows that you have to spend money to make money, like bringing in the best players, having a state-of-the art stadium for your fans so you can pay for said stadium, and the list goes on and on. The Minnesota Twins have long earned a reputation for being tight with their wallet, but they’re looking to show their MVP that they’ll go out and get players, with money left for him as well.

Joe Mauer has won three of the last four batting titles, three Silver Sluggers, two Gold Gloves and is easily the best catcher in baseball. But the defending American League MVP is heading into a contract year, and many are wondering when the high-paying vultures like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will swoop. Both are looking to replace aging catchers (Jorge Posada in New York, Jason Varitek in Boston), and Mauer will be 27 and entering the prime of his career before the first month of the 2010 season is over.

The Twins will start this season at Target Field, which replaces the Metrodome, and they’ve already spent some money to acquire Orlando Hudson, Jim Thome and Carl Pavano, among others. Some are saying that the benchmark for Mauer’s contract will be the deal signed by teammate Justin Morneau in 2008. Morneau, who won the MVP in 2006, signed a six-year, $80 million deal, and you have to think that Mauer’s agent has thrown that out there. The Twins also remember what happened to star pitcher Johan Santana, who the Twins couldn’t afford, and then traded to the New York Mets. The Twins haven’t had an ace since, and their fans aren’t happy about it, so look for them to do all they can to keep Mauer in town.

 

Pro Bowl Preview

Super Bowl odds are set but for this week, the main focus is the Pro Bowl. For the first time, NFL Commissioner Roger Gooddell has changed the Pro Bowl from the week after the Super Bowl to the week prior to it and there has been plenty of grumbling.

For some silly reason, the NFL is forcing the players from the teams that are Super Bowl bound to show up at the Pro Bowl and make an appearance. It doesn’t make sense for them to be apart from their teams when they have such a big game coming up, but I digress.

For the actual matchup this year, you have to side with the NFC. They have won two straight contests and they will have the far better quarterback rotation this year.

The AFC will be without its top three starters as Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Philip Rivers will not be playing, which leaves Vince Young, David Garrard and Matt Schaub running the show. That’s not bad, but it’s not Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo and Donovan McNabb.

Quarterbacking is basically the only way to handicap the Pro Bowl and when you look at the rotations, it’s simple that the NFC has the edge.

Of note, keep in mind that this game will be in Miami instead of Hawaii.

Sportsbettin.com Review Pick: NFC -2

 

Jets’ run ends in San Diego, but they keep it close

Those playing Super Bowl odds didn’t think much of the New York Jets: the only team who had worse odds was Cincinnati, who the Jets beat last week. Can they do it again on the road against San Diego?

Jets vs Chargers betting – Sunday, January 17, 4:40 PM ET

The Jets dominated their 24-14 win in Cincinnati, running for 171 yards. This meant Mark Sanchez didn’t have to do much, but he still went 12-of-15 for 182 yards and two touchdowns in his first playoff game. The Jets’ defense stuffed the Bengals’ aerial attack, although they did give up 171 yards on the ground.

The Chargers are well rested after an 11-game winning streak won them the AFC West and a first-round bye. San Diego’s offense is as good as anyone in the league, led by Philip Rivers, but the lack of a running game could be worrying. The defense is solid, usually coming up with big plays, and it shows: five of San Diego’s wins have come by three points or less.

Bookmaker odds (bookmaker reviews) have the Chargers as a 7.5-point favorite at home, where they were 3-4-1 ATS this year. The Jets were 5-3 ATS on the road, and their defense will keep this close. If you’re going straight up, go with the Chargers, but against the spread, the Jets will prevent them from covering.

NFL Picks: Jets +7.5 ATS

 

NFL Week 9 Picks

Gold: Tennessee Titans @ San Francisco 49ers

This is a matchup of two teams heading in opposite directions.

Sure, the Titans just won their first game last week but they are surprisingly confident after it. They seem like a rejuvenated squad with Vince Young under center and they are getting healthy on defense – particularly in the secondary.

On the flip side, the 49ers are a team with no identity. Frank Gore can’t run with consistency, Alex Smith and/or Shaun Hill are ineffective starting quarterbacks and the injuries are piling up. This week the 49ers lost cornerback Nate Clements and left tackle Joe Staley.

This is a long road trip for the Titans but they can pull it off.

Gold Pick: Titans +4

 

Silver: Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles

This one is easy. The Dallas Cowboys have played two consecutive opponents at home that don’t pressure the quarterback very much. That has allowed Tony Romo time to make smart decisions and avoid the costly turnovers.

This week, the Cowboys have to head outdoors, on the road to face a defense that blitzes more than any other team in the NFL. They should be able to rattle Romo and force a mistake or two, which will be the difference.

Silver: Eagles -3

 

Bronze: Detroit Lions @ Seattle Seahawks

Every once in a while, the Seahawks get dealt a cream puff. And it seems like every once in a while they are good to blow out a team at home. This appears to be one of those times.

The Seahawks are a decent veteran team and believe it or not, can get within one game of first place with a win. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions just lost at home to the St. Louis Rams. They aren’t winning this game.

Bronze Pick: Seahawks -10

 
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