NCAA Football Betting – BCS National Championship Game Could Set Records For Offense

Given the offensive talents on both teams, it would be no surprise to see the No. 1 Auburn Tigers and No. 2 Oregon Ducks set the record for most points in a national title game in this year’s Tostitos’ BCS National Championship game. These teams combined to average 90 points per game during the regular season, and with a handful of superstars on both sides of the ball, it should make for an exciting contest.

Tostitos’ BCS National Championship Game

Oregon Ducks vs. Auburn Tigers

Monday January 10, 2011 – 8:30 PM ET

Online Sports Betting Odds: Auburn - 3

While the Tigers boast Heisman trophy-winner and quarterback Cam Newton and running back Michael Dyer, the Ducks will answer with an impressive tandem of their own in Heisman trophy runner-up and running back LaMichael James and quarterback Darron Thomas. While the Tigers’ offense is predicated on strength and toughness, the Ducks is on speed and finesse, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown.

NCAA Football Betting Preview: Oregon

Thomas and James will get plenty of opportunities to show their value against a Tigers’ defense that has looked tentative several times this season. James rushed for 1,682 yards and 28 touchdowns during the college football betting year, while Thomas provided the perfect compliment as a signal-caller that can make big plays with both his arm and legs. Thomas threw for 28 touchdowns, while rushing for five more, and will need to use his speed and ability to make plays outside of the pocket to exploit a much slower Tigers’ defense. The Ducks showed improvement defensively as the season wore on, but three games in which they allowed 500 yards have left them looking vulnerable.

NCAA Football Betting Preview: Auburn

The same can be said about an Auburn defense that allowed 28 points per betting services game over the final eight weeks, and finished in the bottom-half of the SEC in total defense. Newton more than made up for the team’s deficiencies on the other side of the ball with an outstanding season, throwing for 2,589 yards while rushing for another 1,409 and combining for 48 touchdowns. Dyer provided the perfect compliment to Newton’s playmaking abilities with excellent straight-line speed and toughness, and averaged 5.9 yards per carry. Those two will be relied on heavily to keep up with the Oregon offense, particularly due to the inconsistencies that the team has experienced defensively.

The Match Up: Oregon vs. Auburn

The Tigers and Ducks will exchange several blows and big plays throughout the course of what should be an exciting football betting game, and it may come down to which offense can put up more points in the end. Oregon flexed their muscle against the PAC-10, but will be battling a different type of beast in Auburn. How both sides adapt defensively to taking on offenses they are not used to will go a long way in determining which team comes out on top, and it’s hard to bet against the biggest superstar in the game in what should be an explosive battle.

BSN Sports Pick: Auburn - 3

NFL Odds Preview for January 2, 2010: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens (-10)

Online Sports Bet Preview:

NFL betting in the AFC North is getting interesting. The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers sit on top of the division each with an 11-4 record. They are finishing the season against the bottom two teams in the division, but neither game is a gimme by any stretch of the imagination.

The Ravens have the Cincinnati Bengals coming to town for the final game of the season, and the Bengals just knocked the San Diego Chargers out of the playoffs with a week 16 win. The sportsbook promo experts were not expecting the Chargers to lose that game considering the fact that their entire playoff hopes were riding on a win. But Cincinnati beat one of the best offensive and defensive teams in the league 34-20, and that should concern the Baltimore Ravens.

Offense:

The Ravens put together a potent offense in the off-season with the acquisition of wide receivers Donte Stallworth and Anquan Boldin. But the offense experienced a slow start due to some problems with quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco came into the first few games of this season indecisive and, when he did make a decision, it was not a good one. But, as the season wore on, Flacco has developed confidence in his abilities and has teamed up with running back Ray Rice to create a very potent offense.

The Bengals were losing to the Chargers until a 21-point fourth quarter explosion sealed the game. The explosion came from the Cincinnati passing game. Quarterback Carson Palmer threw four touchdown passes in the game, with two of them going to receiver Jerome Simpson. The Bengals were playing without their top receiver Terrell Owens, but they still managed to put up an offensive display to win the game.

Defense:

The confidence of the Cincinnati offense could be a problem for the Baltimore defense. The front seven of Baltimore is capable of keeping Carson Palmer in check, but the young and inconsistent secondary is prone to giving up points especially towards the end of a game. Ray Lewis and the linebackers will shut down the Bengals running game, but it could be Carson Palmer and the passing game that gives the Bengals problems.

The Bengals completely shut down the Chargers extremely potent running attack, and the Chargers feature two first-string running backs in Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles. The Ravens have Ray Rice and occasionally turn to Willis McGahee, but the lack of dimension to the Ravens running game may give the Bengals a chance to focus on Flacco and the passing game.

The Bottom Line:

The Cincinnati Bengals saw what it was like to have Terrell Owens on offense this season, and now they have seen what it is like to not have him. Owens will probably be looking for a new team again this off-season. and the Bengals will roll into this game with some confidence. But they will need more than confidence to beat a Ravens team that is fighting for the second best record in the AFC.

BSN Sports free pick: Baltimore Ravens

College Football Betting – Buckeyes, Razorbacks Go After Sugar Bowl

College football betting players have watched Ohio State go 0-9 against the SEC in bowl games, and the Buckeyes will get a chance to break that duck when they head into the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans to take on Arkansas, who are making their first BCS appearance.

Sugar Bowl Betting – Tuesday, January 4th, 8:30 PM ET

The No.6 Buckeyes (11-1) shared the Big Ten title with Michigan State and Wisconsin, and their lone blip was a loss in Madison to the Badgers, but they didn’t play the Spartans. Terrelle Pryor leads the No.20 offense in the country, but running back Dan Herron is a big part of that as well and allows the Buckeyes to use some play-action passes. As usual, the defense is the power of the team as the Buckeyes are second in the country on that side of the ball, and they’re deep and experienced in the secondary. The front seven has been bolstered by a healthy Ross Homan, and you can’t forget about end Cameron Heyward, a future NFL pick.

The No.8 Razorbacks (10-2) lost only at home to Alabama and at Auburn, and their six-game winning streak to end the SEC season included three wins over ranked teams, and two of those were on the road. Pivot Ryan Mallett sparks the No.3 aerial attack in the country, and he’ll have some insight on Ohio State after playing for their bitter rival, Michigan. Don’t sleep on Knile Davis, who ran for almost 1,200 yards. The defense is 33rd in the country, and outside of allowing 65 at Auburn, the Razorbacks didn’t give up more than 24 points in regulation (they gave up 31 against Mississippi State in double overtime). No one had Arkansas here before the season started, but they should get some sportsbook promo now.

The Buckeyes are a 3.5-point betting favorite in the Sugar Bowl, even with their record against the SEC and their recent BCS woes. Ohio State had lost three BCS games in a row before last year’s Rose Bowl win over Oregon, and two of those were romps at the hand of the SEC in title games. The Razorbacks shouldn’t be worried about the big stage after their season in the SEC, but their talented receiving core has their hands full against a very good Ohio State secondary. If a line that has been suspect at times this season can’t give Mallet time, Arkansas is going to be in trouble because the OSU secondary will be all over the wideouts, meaning there will be no quick throws. We’re giving a slight edge to the Buckeyes because of their conservative, mistake-free offense and a rock-solid defense.

Gambling Advisor free pick: Ohio State -3.5

NFL Betting Preview for December 26, 2010: Washington Redskins vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (-6.5)

Betting Overview:

Washington head coach Mike Shanahan has been able to make winning teams out of average players, and post Super Bowl winning NFL scores with Hall of Fame caliber players. The man knows how to utilize talent and get the most from his team. Maybe that is why the NFL betting world is shocked to see the chaos being created by Shanahan in Washington. The problems with defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth were avoidable with some face-to-face talking before the season started, but the problems that Shanahan created with starting quarterback Donavan McNabb are just baffling.

The preseason NFL predictions surrounding the Jacksonville Jaguars certainly did not include the Jags competing for the AFC South title in week 15 of the regular season. But last week’s loss to the Colts may have been the end of a season that saw the Jaguars take a center stage no one expected them to take. Running back Maurice Jones-Drew has become the focus of an offense that still does not have an identity, but yet can put a lot of points on the board.

Offense:

The Jacksonville offense was able to go toe-to-toe with a relatively healthy Indianapolis Colts defense in what become a week 15 shoot out for first place in the AFC South. But the Jags running game could just not get going against that Colts defensive front, and Maurice Jones-Drew wound up with on 46 yards rushing and no touchdowns. Quarterback David Garrard showed that he can get the ball down the field when he needs to, but eventually he ran out of ideas and the Colts defense won the day.

The Redskins gave the starting quarterback job to Rex Grossman in what head coach Mike Shanahan calls an “evaluation period.” That basically says to the fans that the Redskins have thrown in the towel on the season, officially, and the fans can expect to see a lot of replacement players in the game for evaluation purposes. That bodes really well for a Jacksonville defense that is looking for a reason to get better. For example, when the Redskins were near the goal line late in their week 15 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Shanahan did not have starting running back Ryan Torain in the game. The goal line, with the game on the line in the regular season, seemed like a good time for Shanahan to evaluate talent.

Defense:

Defensively the Washington Redskins are a mess as well. The Washington coaching staff is trying to hammer a 3-4 defense into a roster that is not made up of players that can play that kind of scheme. For some reason, Mike Shanahan is not willing to work with what he has. He seems more content to exert his power as the head coach and, rather than gradually moving towards the scheme he wants, he is trying to force players to play in ways they are not comfortable playing. With no Albert Haynesworth, Shanahan has no nose tackle for his defense, and that opens up the Redskins against the run.

The Jaguars defense is not much better than the Redskins, and they showed up when they gave up 34 points to the Indianapolis Colts in a game the Jaguars had to have. The worst part for the Jacksonville defense is that they were beat by the run and the pass.

The Bottom Line:

If Mike Shanahan is going to continue to evaluate talent, then the Jaguars will take this game easily. If Shanahan uses the players he has to try and win this game, then it will be a very close game.

BSN Sports Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars

College Football Betting – TCU Get To See What They’re Made Of Against Wisconsin

NCAA football betting players have listened all season to the great debate: do non-AQ (automatic qualifiers) teams belong in the same category as AQ teams? This year, we get a matchup that will be a huge statement in that debate as Wisconsin will go against TCU in the “Granddaddy of Them All”, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The Horned Frogs were left out of the national-title party, and this is their chance to step up for non-AQ teams everywhere (before they head off to the Big East).

Wisconsin TCU Betting – January 1st, 5:00 PM ET

The No.5 Badgers (11-1) fell just once, on October 2nd by 10 points at Michigan State, and that led them back to Pasadena for the first time since 2000. The Badgers offense was out of control down the stretch, averaging 67 points over their last three games, and they’re doing it on the strength of the No.12 rushing attack in the nation. The star of the show, John Clay, has missed the last few games and will likely be back for the Rose Bowl. UFC betting players may think they’re getting ready to watch a battle in the octagon, because the Badgers aren’t fancy, they step up and punch you in the mouth.

Only twice did the No.3 Horned Frogs (12-0) fail to beat an opponent by double digits, and only four opponents managed to reach double digits against TCU, who could end up with their fifth No.1 ranking in total defense in the last 10 years. But the offense caught up to the defense, coming in ninth in total offense and fourth in points scored. In fact, the Badgers and Horned Frogs are tied for fourth in the nation in points scored.

Your pay per head sportsbook has the Horned Frogs favored by a field goal in this massive game, and these two programs have never met. Wisconsin is 3-3 in their all-time Rose Bowl record, while TCU is looking to bounce back from a loss to Boise State in last year’s Fiesta Bowl, their debut appearance in a BCS bowl. This game will be won and lost at the line of scrimmage, as Wisconsin looks to impose its will, and their power running game, while the Horned Frogs have to protect Andy Dalton and their aerial attack. We’re going to take Wisconsin because of their running game, but it’s not going to be a blowout; in fact, it’ll likely be decided by a field goal in what could be the most exciting game of the bowl season. It won’t be a high-scoring affair, so take the under on the posted total of 58.5.

BSN Sports pick: Wisconsin +3

NFL Odds Preview for December 16, 2010: San Francisco 49ers vs. San Diego Chargers (-9)

Betting Overview:

When San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York proclaimed that his then 0-3 San Francisco 49ers would not only make the playoffs but they would also win the division, it was considered one of the most ludicrous NFL predictions of the season. But as the NFL scores kept rolling in, the 49ers find themselves at 5-8 and only one game out of first place in an extremely weak NFC West. After pounding the Seattle Seahawks 40-21 in week 14, the 49ers turn their attention to the San Diego Chargers.

The San Diego Chargers used to be good money for NFL betting in December. No matter how the Chargers had done earlier in the season, they always seemed to sweep December and make the playoffs. This December has been a bit different. The Chargers lost a key week 13 game to the Oakland Raiders that put San Diego two games back of first place Kansas City in the AFC West. But the Chargers beat Kansas City in week 14, and are riding a wave of momentum into this game against the 49ers.

Offense:

The San Diego Chargers have watched their offensive production fall off in December. The Chargers are now ranked second in the league in offense averaging a total of 400 yards per game. But do not let a fall in the rankings fool you. The Chargers still have a potent running game headed by a healthy rookie running back Ryan Mathews, and the passing game still features an extremely accurate quarterback in Philip Rivers.

The San Francisco 49ers just cannot seem to make up their minds. For some reason, quarterback Troy Smith was benched for the already-once-benched Alex Smith two games ago. When Troy Smith was playing, he was creating a buzz in the league. But the 49ers have shown that they desperately want Alex Smith to be the starting quarterback and it looks like they made the right choice so far. Running back Frank Gore cannot get blocking from the offensive line, and there is no underneath passing game that features tight end Vernon Davis. The problems with the San Francisco offense seem to be coaching rather than the players.

Defense:

The San Diego Chargers still have the number one ranked defense in the league. It is a fast defense that puts pressure on the quarterback and stuffs the run at the line of scrimmage. The defensive backfield is extremely fast and getting smarter every week. The 49ers defense is the very kind of defense that the San Francisco 49ers cannot play well against.

The 49ers have the 11th ranked defense in the league allowing an average of 327 yards per game. But that was established against teams like the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks. The 49ers won’t have any answers for an offense like the one the Chargers bring to the table.

The Bottom Line:

The sad thing about the NFC West is that the 49ers could lose this game and still be in the hunt for the divisional crown. When you spend all season playing weak teams like the ones in the NFC West, you are in no condition to take on the San Diego Chargers.

BSN Sports Pick: San Diego Chargers

NFL Betting Preview for December 19, 2010: Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers (-2.5)

Betting Overview:

These games between NFL teams trying to figure out who will be on the roster next season are usually very interesting. The NFL predictions for the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers were not optimistic in the preseason, and the regular season NFL scores have shown both teams to be living down to expectations. This will be a difficult game for NFL betting enthusiasts because you really never know which Arizona Cardinals team will show up. It could be the Cardinals team that has put together a 4-9 record this season, or it could be the Cardinals team that laid a 43-13 beating on the Denver Broncos in week 14.

The Carolina Panthers should be on the hunt for a new head coach after this season is over. Current head coach John Fox did not have the personnel to win this season, but he made some extremely bad moves in an attempt to win. Rather than develop a young team into something that Carolina fans could be excited about, Fox has dismantled his team and shattered the confidence of rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen. There will be a lot of pieces for a new coach to pick up in Carolina next season.

Offense:

The Cardinals are still searching for the answer at quarterback. Right now, the only in-house solution seems to be the young Max Hall. But he has been injured almost all season long and there is no chance of getting him any game play experience this season. Rookie John Skelton did an excellent job of managing the 43-13 win over the Broncos in week 14, but he did not have any major hand in determining the outcome of the game. It is expected that the Cardinals will release quarterback Derek Anderson at the end of the season and try their luck in the draft. Running back Tim Hightower had 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the week 14 win, and he looks to be as potent as ever.

The Carolina Panthers are clueless on offense. The offensive line cannot protect Clausen or block for the run. Head coach John Fox pulled Clausen from the lineup twice in favor of journeyman Matt Moore until Moore finally suffered a concussion. Wide receiver Steve Smith is wasting away in Carolina, and last year’s 1,000 yard rusher Jonathan Stewart will be lucky to get 800 rushing yards this season.

Defense:

On defense, the Cardinals cannot stop the run or the pass. But they have just enough firepower on defense to shut down a unit like the Carolina Panthers. The Cardinals are strongest against the pass, and they will limit Clausen’s ability to throw deep. The Cardinals linebackers will have to determine whether or not Jonathan Stewart has a big game on the ground.

The most frustrating thing for Carolina fans is that their 1-12 record includes stellar performances by the 12th ranked defense in the league. Carolina’s biggest defensive weakness is against the run where they are ranked 25th in the league. There is no passing game in Arizona to shut down, so the Panthers will be able to shift all of their defensive resources to stopping Tim Hightower.

The Bottom Line:

The Panthers are about as well-matched as they can get against the Cardinals. But it is hard to bet for the Panthers because they keep finding new ways to lose games. A team does not get the distinction of being the worst team in football without making critical mistakes at the worst possible times.

BSN Sports Pick: Arizona Cardinals

NCAA Football Betting – Non-BCS Bowl Outlook

NCAA football betting players shouldn’t just check out the BCS bowls, as there are a number of other matchups worth taking a look at. Here are the top five matchups outside of the BCS bowls.

Utah Boise State Betting – December 22nd, 8:00 PM ET

The No.10 Broncos are favored by 16.5 points in the Las Vegas Bowl, where they will face the No.19 Utes in a clash of top non-AQ teams. The Broncos and Utes both had disappointing seasons, especially Boise State, so this game should be exciting. This game could be won up front: Boise State is second in sacks, while Utah is fifth in sacks allowed. The Utes have won nine bowl games in a row, but they’ll be in tough against the Broncos, who have won all three meetings with Utah.

Hawaii Tulsa Betting – December 24th, 8:00 PM ET

The Warriors are 12-point favorites in what is a home game at the Hawaii Bowl, and they’ve made six appearances in this game since 2002. The Golden Hurricane have won two bowls in a row, and they’re in for a shootout this time. You may be in for a sports betting bonus if you bet on the posted total as both teams are ranked in the top 10 in scoring offense. These two met five times between 2000 and 2004, with Hawaii winning three.

Florida State South Carolina Betting – December 31st, 7:30 PM ET

The No.20 Gamecocks are 3-point favorites in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against the No.23 Seminoles in this matchup of teams that lost in their conference title games. The Gamecocks have lost three of their last four bowl games, while FSU has won three of their last four heading into their first meeting against South Carolina. There is some history here: South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is 5-8 against FSU from his time at Florida.

Alabama Michigan State Betting – January 1st, 1:00 PM ET

Pay per head sportsbook odds have the No.16 Crimson Tide as an 11-point favorite in the Capital One Bowl against the No.9 Spartans, and both teams will be angry heading into this game. The defending national champs from Alabama lost a 24-point lead at home to rival Auburn in the “Iron Bowl”, while the Spartans feel slighted about being left out of the BCS bowl picture. These two have not met before, and both teams are ranked in the top 30 in terms of scoring offense and defense.

LSU Texas A&M Betting – January 7th, 8:00 PM ET

The No.11 Tigers are favored by a point in the Cotton Bowl, making their first appearance here since 2002. The No.17 Aggies will be out to end a four-bowl losing streak, and they’ve been blown out by SEC teams in two of them. These two have met once, in 1995, and LSU’s No.8 defense will try to slow down Texas A&M’s No.20-ranked offense, so those who bet will have a tough choice.

NFL Odds Preview for December 12, 2010: Cleveland Browns vs. Buffalo Bills (-1)

Betting Overview:

The Cleveland Browns looked like a much-improved football team almost from the beginning of the season. Quarterback Jake Delhomme looks more comfortable in the Cleveland offense than he did in Carolina, and running back Peyton Hillis is the break-out surprise of the 2010 season. The Browns have a shut-down kind of defense that has been effective at creating turnovers. With wins over the New England Patriots and defending champion New Orleans Saints under their belts, the Browns are also developing a strong sense of confidence.

The Buffalo Bills were showing major signs of improvement. Buffalo had taken some pretty good teams to overtime, and then beat the Cincinnati Bengals after the Bengals had taken a huge halftime lead. Then the Bills seemed to fall back to their old ways in week 13 against the Vikings. Turnovers, bad plays and really bad penalties cost the Bills dearly. That gun the Bills had used to shoot themselves in the foot had re-surfaced after being put away for so many weeks. If the Bills can learn to stop shooting themselves in the foot, they can put together some wins to finish the season.

Offense:

The Buffalo Bills were not part of anyone’s NFL predictions for the playoffs this season and rightfully so. The NFL scores that Bills had put up earlier in the season showed a team in complete disarray. But the NFL betting world has seen a different Buffalo Bills team in the past few weeks. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is a cool presence in that Buffalo offensive huddle, and wide receiver Stevie Johnson is a rising star regardless of what the Almighty thinks. The problem for the Bills is still a weak offensive line and bad penalties. If they can improve on those two aspects of their offense, then they may start moving into the realm of playoff contender.

The Cleveland Browns got a shot of confidence this summer when Mike Holgren became president of the team. But that confidence was shaken a little when Holgren brought in quarterbacks Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace. Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy barely made the team this season, and Browns fans were more than concerned. But Delhomme has proved to be consistent as the Browns quarterback, and McCoy showed signs of promise while he filled in for the injured Delhomme in the middle of the season. Add in running back sensation Peyton Hillis, and the Browns are on their way to the improvements they were so desperately looking for.

Defense:

The Bills defense is more inconsistent than bad. There have been games where the Bills defense has only allowed 17 points or less, and then there are games where the Buffalo team has allowed 35 points or more. This is not the same ball-hawking team we saw last season that put up a lot of interceptions. The Bills defense seems unsure of itself and unable to keep the team in tight games against good teams.

The Browns defense is a lot like the Bills defense was last season. The Cleveland defense looks for turnover opportunities, and they are able to put some pressure on the quarterback. But the Cleveland defense still needs help up front, and that may be where the Bills can exploit the Browns for some offensive yards.

The Bottom Line:

The Browns are headed in a good direction through planning and on purpose, the Bills seem to be headed in the right direction by accident. If the Bills really knew what they had in quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, then they would have started him at the beginning of the season instead of Trent Edwards. Planning breeds winning, and the Browns are learning how to plan from one of the best ever.

BSN Sports Pick: Cleveland Browns

NCAA Football Betting – Seminoles, Hokies Square Off For ACC Championship

NCAA football betting players may remember the 2005 ACC championship game, which was the first for the conference, and culminated in a 27-22 win for Florida State over Virginia Tech. The Seminoles have not been back since, while the Hokies are making their fourth appearance in the ACC title game as the two will clash in Charlotte on Saturday night.

Florida State vs. Virginia Tech Betting – Saturday, 7:45 PM ET

The No.21 Seminoles (9-3, 6-2) did their part last week, ending a six-year skid against rival Florida by pounding the Gators 31-7 at home, and then they got some help from Maryland, who beat North Carolina State to put Florida State in the ACC title game. Christian Ponder was 16-of-24 for 221 yards and three touchdowns in his last game at Bobby Bowden Field, and over the next few months, he’ll be looking to raise his stock when it comes to the top NFL picks. But the defense was the story on this day as they held the Gators to 276 yards, including 64 yards through the air, and they forced four turnovers along the way.

The No.15 Hokies (10-2, 8-0) won their 10th straight game in a 37-7 win over Virginia at home, and they did efficiently with 201 rushing yards. Tyrod Taylor was 13-of-23 for 176 yards and a touchdown for the Hokies, who were also strong on the other side of the ball by stopping the Cavaliers on 11 of 12 third-down attempts, and all three of their chances on fourth down. The Hokies have shown a lot of heart by coming back from two losses to start the season, and when people were writing them off, Virginia Tech stormed back to prove that they’re still the kings of the ACC as they go for their third conference crown in four years.

Online football betting odds have the Hokies as a 4-point favorite in this showdown, but the Seminoles have won four of their last five against Virginia Tech, including the win in the 2005 ACC title game. The Florida State defense has been much improved this season, but they’re going to have to contain Turner, who can hurt you with his arms as well as his legs. The Seminoles are second in the country in sacks, and they’ll be out to disrupt Taylor. As for the Hokies, they’re going to have to deal with the Florida State running game, and they’ve shown that they can have a problem stopping the run. If they can’t do that, then Ponder can use the play-action pass. This is going to be a close game, and while we think that the Hokies will win, we think Florida State can cover the sports betting spread.

NFL Odds Preview for December 5, 2010: Cleveland Browns vs. Miami Dolphins (-4.5)

Betting Overview:

The Cleveland Browns appear to be on the right track. The NFL scores that rookie quarterback Colt McCoy was putting up while Jake Delhomme was out were impressive. But head coach Eric Mangini did the right thing and put Delhomme back in when he was healthy. The NFL predictions for this season may not have been too impressive for the Browns, but there may be playoff expectations in the Dawg Pound for next season. The Browns offense and defense are developing together, and that is always a healthy way for a bad team to get better.

It looks like the Miami Dolphins have peaked, and now head coach Tony Sparano is trying to piece together a winner out of what he has left. Quarterback Chad Henne was benched, but a season-ending injury to Chad Pennington has put Henne back in the starting role. The wildcat is still a staple part of the Dolphins’ offense, but now that every defense in the league has figured out it is no longer nearly as effective as it used to be. What is still effective in the Dolphins offense is running back Ricky Williams. Williams looked impressive in the Dolphins’ 33-17 win over the surging Oakland Raiders last week.

Offense:

The NFL betting world was not sure what to make of the Cleveland Browns offense before the season started. Quarterback Jake Delhomme was coming off some pretty poor seasons as the starter in Carolina, but the Eric Mangini offense seems to work for Delhomme and he looks comfortable throwing the ball behind a mediocre Browns offensive line. The best part for Cleveland is that Delhomme is helping to develop quarterback Colt McCoy into the Browns quarterback of the future. With running back Peyton Hillis finding a place in the Cleveland offense, the Browns look like they will be a threat in the future.

It seems like the Dolphins are either running out of options on offense, or Miami has decided that a traditional offense is more appropriate with a throwing quarterback like Chad Henne. Don’t forget that the Dolphins still have a deep threat in Brandon Marshall at wide receiver, and Marshall should be back in the line up before the end of the season. The Dolphins have the personnel for a coordinated and powerful running and passing attack without the wildcat.

Defense:

The Dolphins have a very good defense. The Miami defense is ranked sixth overall, but it is their play against the passing game that has sustained them to this point. If the Dolphins focus on stopping Delhomme, then Hillis will run right past them. This will be a war that the Dolphins will need to fight on two fronts, and they have the personnel to do it.

The Cleveland defense is young, aggressive and improving. Miami will miss Brandon Marshall in this game. The long ball would kill the Browns in this game, but Miami will have to rely on the running game and the Browns have an answer for Ricky Williams.

The Bottom Line:

The Dolphins will win this game, but it will be close. Ricky Williams will not have the game everyone is expecting him to have, but there is just enough balance in the Miami attack to come out of this game on top.

Gambling Advisor blog Pick: Miami Dolphins

Magnificent Viking debut of Leslie Frazier Against the Redskins

Great welcome from the Minnesota Vikings to Leslie Frazier in his debut as head coach at home, beating the Washington Redskins 17-13 in a tight marker.

The first blow was made by Redskins tight end Fred Davis as the quarterback of the red tribe sent a pass 10 yards for a touchdown.

But the Vikings quarterback, Brett Favre had a great performance in two key offensive that ended in scoring, hit 3 of 3 in the first possession, which resulted in a carry into the end zone from five yards of the graduate of Oklahoma Adrian Peterson, to bring the score tied at 7-7.

Peterson had to leave in the second quarter after an ankle injury, giving the opportunity to rookie Stanford running back Toby Gerhart (# 32).

Favre, 41, went 5-5 in their first offensive in the second half, culminating with a touchdown acarrero five yards of Gerhart, who finished the match with 22 runs for 76 yards (14-7).

Both NFL betting teams had two more field goals leaving the score 17-13.

In the last stretch of the meeting, on third and eight to move forward, just before the break of two minutes, "The General" ran to find the first down to run out the clock, and he succeeded to the noise of their peers.

Thus, at the National Conference, Washington is at 5-6 in the AL East while the Vikings broke a losing streak at nine games, less than a week after coach Brad Childress left the squad Minnesota and is in the North Division with 4-7.

Favre finished with 23 passes thrown, 15 completed for 172 yards, while McNabb was not the victory as a gift for his 34th birthday, on 25 November was a record full 35 pitches with 21 for 211 yards with one touchdown and a intecepción.

In the game, note is the Vikings' defensive line, who managed to catch McNabb 4.

Bet On NCAA Football – Broncos Aim To Continue Rolling Against Wolf Pack

Those who bet on NCAA football have seen Boise State dominate the WAC, as they’ve won seven conference titles since 2002, and they can clinch at least a share of one final title before they head to the Mountain West when they head to Nevada on Friday night. More importantly, the Broncos will likely jump up in the BCS rankings with a decisive win as they look for their 18th straight win on the road.

Boise State Nevada Betting – Friday, 10:15 PM ET

The No.4 Broncos (10-0, 6-0) got off to a slow start, but got back on track quickly for a 51-0 shutout of Fresno State at home. Kellen Moore was 27-of-38 for 333 yards, four touchdowns and a pick as the Broncos racked up 516 yards of offense, while holding Fresno State to a mere 125 yards, stopping them on 11 of 12 third-down opportunities. On the other hand, the Broncos converted 10 of their 13 chances to move the chains on third down, and any online football betting player will tell you how important that is to a team’s success.

The Wolf Pack (10-1, 5-1) raced out to a 31-3 halftime lead and never looked back in a 52-6 rout out New Mexico State at home, and turnovers were the story of this game. Nevada allowed New Mexico State to gain 309 yards, but they forced three turnovers and ran one pick back for a score. Colin Kaepernick was 15-of-27 for 251 yards and two touchdowns, while running for 35 yards and another score for the Wolf Pack, who had 494 yards of their own. The Nevada defense did a great job on third down, stopping New Mexico on 15 of 20 opportunities, and that also had a big hand in the win.

Your pay per head sportsbook has the Broncos as 14-point favorites on the road, and they’re 9-0 against the Wolf Pack in the WAC. In fact, the Broncos have won 10 in a row over the Wolf Pack, last losing back in 1998, which was at Nevada. The Wolf Pack are an extremely talented team, and they’ll probably hang with the Broncos for the first half due to Kaepernick’s ability to beat you with his legs as well as his arm. But the Broncos are just too strong, ranking second in the country in defense and fourth on offense, and they’re deeper than people give them credit for. That depth will allow them to wear down the Wolf Pack in the second half. Also, the Broncos prepare for every team the same, whether you’re Virginia Tech, Fresno State or Nevada, and that preparation will pay off in spades on Friday. Take Boise State to cover the sports betting spread.

NFL Betting Preview for November 25, 2010: Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets (-9)

Betting Overview:

NFL betting fans who love to gorge on Thanksgiving Day football were happy when a third game was added to the holiday schedule. The Cincinnati Bengals have very little to be thankful for this season as they have failed to live up to their preseason NFL predictions. The NFL scores racked up by the Bengals have shown a team that is out of sync on offense, and out of luck on defense.

The New York Jets touted themselves as the next Super Bowl champions before the season started, but few believed that a team with no depth could possibly go very far in the playoffs. To this point, the Jets have been incredibly fortunate not to have any major injuries to key players and that is what has made them the best team in the AFC. The Jets dominate on both sides of the ball, and have one of the best offensive lines in football. But the thing that has really carried the Jets to this point is that they make very few mistakes on offense or defense.

Offense:

The greatest fear of all other AFC teams is starting to materialize; Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez actually is turning into a pressure quarterback. In the dying seconds of last week’s game against the Houston Texans, Sanchez led the Jets to a game winning touchdown that looked like something Marion or Elway had orchestrated. A long bomb to Braylon Edwards followed up by a touch pass to Santonio Holmes sealed the game for the Jets. It is wins like that which are making the Jets into a Super Bowl contender.

The Bengals offense is just all off. Cincinnati went into the locker room at halftime against the Buffalo Bills up 31-14. That should have been lights out for the Bills, but Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer is so fixated on getting the ball to wide receiver Terrell Owens that he is ignoring a wide open Chad Ochocinco. On one occasion in the Bills game, Ochocinco was standing all alone in the endzone as Palmer threw the ball over the middle and incomplete. Running back Cedric Benson is showing signs of giving up on the season, and Terrell Owens himself continues to put pressure on the offense to perform.

Defense:

The Jets have one of the top defenses in the league. By all accounts, over the past three or four weeks, the Jets have the top defense in the league followed closely by the Green Bay Packers. The Jets have Antonio Cromartie and Darelle Revis shutting down both sides of the field in the passing game. That allows the defensive line to tee-off on the run and get to the quarterback. There is very little that an offense can do to trick or beat the New York Jets defense.

The Bengals defense completely collapsed against the Buffalo Bills last week. Cincinnati could not stop the run or the pass at all in the second half. Towards the end of the game it looked like the Bengals defense gave up and the Bills were walking into the endzone from 20 and 30 yards out. The best the Bengals can hope for in this game is to not get blown out, and in order to do that they need their defense to play a full game.

The Bottom Line:

The Cincinnati Bengals are a mess. The offense is arguing and the defense has given up. The New York Jets will not take very long to exploit the weak points of the Bengals and it is a possibility that this could be the most lopsided game of the season.

BSN Sports Pick: New York Jets

Kansas City Chiefs came back to Lead in the AFC West

The Kansas City Chiefs came back to lead in the AFC West and in the process remained undefeated Arrowhead Stadium from 31 to 13 after defeating the Arizona Cardinals.

The performance of the evening was that of Dwayne Bowe with two touchdown passes coming six consecutive games with at least one touchdown reception, a mark on the franchise, to accompany his 109 yards.

Arizona began with promise to take a lead early, but Thomas Jones was charged tip two touchdowns in a performance in which he totaled 71 yards. From there the result never again be in doubt despite a good game of Derek Anderson threw 295 yards and a touchdown in the final minutes of the game in Larry Fitzgerald.

The Cardinals posted their fifth straight loss and have dropped to 3-7, leaving the chance of being NFL betting champions of their division for the third consecutive time while the Chiefs (6-4) are still struggling to prove that their home has not been a fluke and that deserve the title of the West.

NCAA Football Betting – Defending National Champions Still Looking To Finish Strong

Despite the fact that they won’t get the chance to defend their national title, or get a shot at a third straight SEC championship, No. 11 Alabama is still looking to finish their season strong. The Crimson Tide will try to avoid looking too far ahead on their football betting schedule with a massive showdown in their finale against No. 2 Auburn looming after this week’s match up with Georgia State.

Georgia State Panthers @ Alabama Crimson Tide

Thursday November 18, 2010

Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Online Sports Betting Odds: Alabama – 54.5

The Panthers represent an easy win for the Crimson Tide, who haven’t gotten many breaks this year with the toughest schedule in the country. Georgia State is 6-4 in the IAA Independents, and are overmatched against a powerful Alabama team that will have the chance to step out of the SEC spotlight before being thrust back in to it for their college football betting showdown with the Tigers.

NCAA Football Betting Preview: Georgia State

The Panthers are coming off of a 23-17 win over Lamar which ended a mini two-game slide that included losses at Old Dominion and South Alabama, but will have a tough time ending their season on a high note. 67-year old Bill Curry was back on the sidelines after a 14-year absence for the win, and will get the chance to close out the season against a school he helped lead to a national title in 1989. Although Georgia State is a huge underdog, Curry appreciates the experience his team will draw from playing a big school like Alabama as the Panthers build for the future.

NCAA Football Betting Preview: Alabama

After going undefeated since the 2009 Sugar Bowl, the Crimson Tide faced a couple of major obstacles this season with consecutive games against ranked opponents on multiple occasions. Alabama went 3-2 in those games, losing to South Carolina on the heels of wins over Arkansas and Florida before dropping a close decision to LSU before beating Mississippi State. Despite the tough pay per head schedule the Crimson Tide rank fourth in the country in points allowed, while Greg McElroy and reigning Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram both played major roles in dropping the Bulldogs last weekend. Alabama has the finale against Auburn circled as their own personal championship game, and this will be considered a tune up to make sure everything is ready for the big game.

The Match Up: Georgia State @ Alabama

The Crimson Tide’s season is down to two games, including an easy win against Georgia State this Thursday before a massive SEC showdown with the Tigers next week. Alabama players and coaches know that they won’t get the chance to defend their national title, but that should only serve as motivation to finish the season strong. The line is huge for this game, but there is every reason to believe that Alabama will still cover it.

NCAA Football Betting Pick: Crimson Tide – 54.5

NFL Game Preview for November 21, 2010: Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys (-7)

Betting Overview:

Things were going so well for the Detroit Lions just a couple of weeks ago. Yes the Lions only had two wins this season, but the NFL betting experts never expected them to win more than a couple anyways. The NFL scores the Lions were starting to put up, thanks to quarterback Matthew Stafford, were threatening to defy the NFL predictions that had the Lions winning four games or less this season. Then Stafford was lost for the season, and the Lions lost to the previously winless Buffalo Bills, and the season-ending tailspin has begun.

The Dallas Cowboys have seen their fair share of turmoil this season as well. Things got so bad in Dallas that owner Jerry Jones felt compelled to fire head coach Wade Phillips and replace him with assistant head coach Jason Garrett. But things are looking up for the Cowboys. They beat the New York Giants in week 10, and looked organized and inspired in doing so. The Cowboys won’t be making the playoffs, but at least they will now see which players want to be on the roster next season.

Offense:

It has become apparent that the Lions offense is lost without Matthew Stafford. Shaun Hill may be a competent backup, but there is something about the way that Stafford runs the offense that makes it so much more efficient when he is in there. Now that Stafford is out for the season, teams can key in on stopping rookie running back Jahvid Best. Shutting down the Detroit running game is how the Bills beat the Lions, and the Cowboys will use the same tactics.

When Dallas quarterback Tony Romo broke his collarbone, many Cowboys fans felt that the season was truly over. But Jon Kitna is a savvy veteran quarterback, and while he does not have the arm strength of Romo he does understand how to attack a defense. Kitna is using weapons like wide receivers Dez Bryant and Roy Williams to open up the opposing defense for the Dallas run game. The Dallas offense finally seems to be hitting on more than one cylinder and it is a good sign for Dallas fans.

Defense:

A team does not get to be 2-7 by accident, and the Detroit Lion’s biggest inconsistency is their defense. The Detroit defense is ranked 21st overall giving up an average of 353 total yards per game. The Lions defense is giving up 130 yards per game on the ground, and they are not showing an ability to get turnovers out of the opposing offense. Rookie defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh is impressive so far this season with six and a half sacks, but the rest of the Detroit defensive line only has seven sacks combined.

The Dallas defense has become famous, along with the offense, for mistakes that cost them the game. Bad penalties and an inability to stop the opposing offense in key situations has cost the Cowboys games this season. The Cowboys defense seemed to get things straightened out in the Giants game, but it will be interesting to see if they can keep it going all season long.

The Bottom Line:

The players in Dallas took the firing of Wade Phillips personally. While it may seem anti-climatic that they now feel inspired to win because he is gone, it does mean that the Cowboys can start to climb the standings and try to finish the season .500.

BSN Sports Pick: Dallas Cowboys

Bet On NCAA Football – Crimson Tide Look to Drown Bulldogs

If you bet on NCAA football, you may think that Mississippi State is one of the biggest surprises in the country, and you’ll probably be right. But the Bulldogs have a tall order in front of them on Saturday night when they head to Tuscaloosa, where they’ll face an Alabama team who will be angry after seeing their chances at a BCS-title repeat go up in smoke last week.

Mississippi State Alabama Betting – Saturday, November 13th, 7:15 PM ET

The No.19 Bulldogs (7-2, 3-2) won their sixth straight game with a 24-17 victory at home against Kentucky, forcing four turnovers out of the Wildcats. Chris Relf was 7-of-16 for 111 yards and a touchdown, while adding 79 yards and the game-winning score on the ground. Vick Ballard ran for 103 yards and a touchdown for the Bulldogs, who had 214 yards on the ground, but were still outgained 347-325. Their defense was opportunistic, picking off Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline three times, and all football betting players know that if you win the turnover battle, you’re likely to come away with a win.

The No.12 Crimson Tide (7-2, 4-2) fell just short in a 24-21 loss to LSU in Baton Rouge, and it burns even more because Alabama coach Nick Saban, who won a national title at LSU in 2003, was outcoached by counterpart Les Miles, who called a fake punt in the fourth quarter. The Crimson Tide also had a couple of turnovers which didn’t help their cause, and they were outgained 433-325. Greg McElroy was 21-of-34 for 223, two touchdowns and a pick, while Mark Ingram ran for 97 yards and a score for the Crimson Tide, whose defense went soft early in the fourth quarter and allowed LSU to take over.

If you’re a fan of defense, this will be well worth the price per head if you have a ticket to the game, where the Crimson Tide are a 13.5-point favorite. Both teams are ranked in the top 10 nationally in terms of scoring defense (Alabama is fifth, Mississippi State is ninth), so it should be a low-scoring affair. The Crimson Tide are 5-2 SU in their last seven at home against the Bulldogs, but only 2-5 ATS, and while we think Alabama will win the game, we think Mississippi State to keep it to within a touchdown. The Bulldogs are 71st against the pass, but we don’t know if the Crimson Tide can take advantage of it. McElroy hasn’t been as sharp as he was in last year’s run to the national title, and that’s partly because the running game hasn’t been as strong. We’re taking Alabama to win straight up, but go with Mississippi State if you want to go against the online sports betting spread.

NFL Game Odds Preview for November 14, 2010: Minnesota Vikings (-1) vs. Chicago Bears

Overview:

NFL observers were betting on some level of drama surrounding the Minnesota Vikings (3-5) this season. The Vikings did use a private jet to fly to Brett Favre’s house and convince him to play one more season. But the NFL betting experts were probably not counting on more coaching drama from head coach Brad Childress and the quick visit of wide receiver Randy Moss.

The football betting enthusiasts also did not know what to make of the Chicago Bears (5-3) in the preseason. The NFL predictions surrounding the Bears were favorable. The Bears had linebacker Brian Urlacher back from injury, they picked up defensive lineman Julius Peppers and they also brought in running back Chester Taylor to help the offense. But the Chicago offense is still sputtering, and many are starting to wonder if the problem does not start with quarterback Jay Cutler.

Offense:

Why the Chicago Bears have the 27th ranked passing game in the NFL is a mystery. It could be the same problem that the 29th ranked passing game is having; the quarterback and the offensive line are inconsistent. Quarterback Jay Cutler only has nine touchdowns this season to go along with seven interceptions. But Cutler is getting sacked an average of three times a game. That indicates that the Bears offensive line is having all kinds of problems protecting for the pass, and opening up holes in the running game.

The Minnesota Vikings thought they had the perfect replacement for oft-injured wide receiver Percy Harvin when they brought in veteran receiver Randy Moss. But after insulting the Vikings caterer, and initiating a Patriots love-fest after the Vikings lost to the Patriots in week eight, the Vikings decided that they did not need the services of Randy Moss any longer and let him go. Luckily for the Vikings, Brett Favre is starting to really warm up and push Minnesota into the win column. It looks like some of that Favre magic still exists.

Defense:

The Vikings have the fifth-ranked defense in the NFL allowing an average of only 305 total yards per game, but they have had problems putting pressure on the quarterback. In their week nine win over the Arizona Cardinals, the Vikings defense finally found its way to the quarterback and registered six sacks. Up to that game, the Vikings had only six sacks all season long. The Minnesota secondary looked a little confused against the Cardinals, but they brought it together in the fourth quarter to help force overtime.

The Bears defense is as intimidating as it has always been. The Bears are ranked third against the rush allowing an average of only 84 yards per game on the ground. Even with the addition of Peppers and a healthy Urlacher, the pass defense on the Bears is ranked 19th. The Bears have a problem giving up the big pass play at least once or twice a game, and if they give that play up early to Favre then it could open the flood gates.

The Bottom Line:

The Bears struggled to hold on and beat the Buffalo Bills in week nine while the Vikings came back from two touchdowns back to force overtime and beat the Cardinals. Momentum can sometimes account for a lot in the NFL, and the Vikings are carrying a lot of momentum into this game.

BSN Sports Pick: Minnesota Vikings

NCAA Football Lines – Ducks Defend Top Spot in BCS Against Visiting Huskies Saturday

It took eight convincing wins to finally capture the top spot in the Bowl Championship Series rankings, but for number-one Oregon, there is an understanding that it will take just one loss for everything they have built this season to crumble. After watching four number-one teams lose their spots in the past five weeks, the Ducks are primed to make a statement in their debut as the top-ranked team in the country, welcoming the Washington Huskies to Eugene this Saturday.

Washington Huskies @ Oregon Ducks

Saturday November 6, 2010 – 3:30 PM ET

Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon

Online Sports Betting Odds: Oregon - 36

The Huskies are coming off consecutive college football betting losses to number-18 Arizona and number-13 Standford that dropped their record to 2-3 in the conference, but now get the toughest team of them all in Oregon. A 35-34 double overtime win over number-24 Oregon State now seems like nothing more than a distant memory, and the Huskies may need a miracle to keep this one close.

NCAA Football Betting Preview: Washington

Potential NFL betting first round pick Jake Locker didn’t help his stock in last weekend’s 41-0 shutout loss to Stanford, completing just seven passes for 64 yards while throwing away two interceptions. Locker was outplayed by Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck, and will need to regain his confidence in a hurry in order to help the Huskies avoid a second straight blowout loss. The running game will need to be better as well however, as Chris Polk has struggled to get much going in recent weeks. Part of the problem has been the offensive line, which has been inconsistent all year, and those issues may come down to talent and depth more than anything else. The Huskies have allowed an average of 34.1 points per game this year, which doesn’t inspire confidence heading in to a game against the top-ranked offense in the country.

NCAA Football Betting Preview: Oregon

A 52-32 win over rivals USC served as the metaphorical passing of the torch for the recognition to the Trojans as the best team in the conference. The Ducks’ high-powered offense steamrolled through the USC defense with LaMichael James showing the nation how he has averaged a phenomenal 7.1 yards per carry and 14 touchdowns this year. Meanwhile, quarterback Darron Thomas continues to provide Oregon with the dual-threat option from under center with 23 combined touchdowns. The Ducks have just one ranked opponent left on their schedule in number-15 Arizona, and will be tough to stop now four wins away from clinching the conference and BCS title game spot.

The Match Up: Washington @ Oregon

While 36 points is a lot to give any team, the Ducks are on a sportsbook bonus mission and given what the Cardinal were able to do to Washington, it doesn’t seem unreasonable for the spread to be so high. Oregon’s offense will smash through the Huskies defense both on the ground and through the air, and by the time this one is over the Ducks will be three wins away from a national title shot.

BSN Sports Pick: Oregon – 36

NFL Odds Preview for November 7, 2010: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons (-9 ½)

Betting Overview:

Has anyone even noticed that the Atlanta Falcons (5-2) are leading the NFC South over the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints (5-3)? Has anyone even noticed that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2) are in second place in the NFC South and also leading the New Orleans Saints? The Buccaneers have been feasting on weaker teams to this point, but they do hold a victory over the up and coming St. Louis Rams.

This divisional game is extremely important to the Falcons. If Atlanta is going to wrestle the torch away from the Saints and take over the NFC South, then they will have to win as many divisional games as possible. This game will help give the Falcons the upper hand in any tie-breaking situations at the end of this season, and that may come into play as the playoffs get closer.

Offense:

The Falcons are led by steady quarterback Matt Ryan. To this point, Ryan has 1,714 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. He had a rough start to the season, but with the help of veterans like receiver Roddy White and tight end Tony Gonzalez, Ryan has been able to turn the Atlanta offense back around. Running back Michael Turner has racked up 587 yards so far this season on his way to another 1,000+ yard season.

The Buccaneers are an interesting study because much of the NFL scores they put up to win games are done on special teams and not on offense. While the Bucs are exceeding any of the NFL predictions that came out in the preseason, they always look like they are living on borrowed time. They pulled out a win in week eight in the last minute against the Arizona Cardinals and, while the Bucs record is impressive, a quick look at who they beat to get the record instantly brings up questions about the quality of the Tampa Bay team.

Defense:

The Atlanta defense is getting better, but it still allows a lot of yards through the air. The Falcons pass defense is ranked 27th in the league allowing an average of 260 yards per game. However, the Atlanta run defense is ranked sixth in the league only allowing teams an average of 96 yards per game. The Buccaneers very limited running game will get shut down by the Falcons, and that will force Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman to take control and try to win the game for the Bucs.

The Buccaneers are 30th against the run allowing an average of 149 yards per year on the ground. This is a perfect invitation for Michael Turner to soften up the Tampa Bay defense on the ground, and then have Ryan attack the Bucs through the air. This could be a very long day for the Buccaneers defense.

The Bottom Line:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been able to take advantage of the mistakes made by others so far this season, but the Falcons play disciplined football. With few mistakes to capitalize on, the Buccaneers may find themselves unable to compete against Atlanta.

BSN Sports Pick: Atlanta Falcons 21-10

Titans lost Young, Britt and the Game Against Chargers 33-25

The San Diego Chargers won a valuable victory over the Tennessee Titans 33 to 25.

In what has become his style, San Diego fought against the Titans and his own mistakes in order to obtain a valuable result for Norv Turner and his men kept alive in their division but with the very high costs.

For Tennessee, the losses were significant because in addition to losing the division lead, then whoever wins between Houston and Indianapolis will take his place, Kenny Britt succumbed to a thigh injury and quarterback Vince Young, good performance with 235 yards and two touchdowns , left the game for what was reported as a knee injury.

The first score of the NFL betting game, according to the season for the Chargers, was a safety for the visitors after a blocked punt Mike Scifres. San Diego had to paddle upstream almost the entire first half but despite a goal by Chris Johnson, and Young's pass to Craig Stevens, the Chargers reached the half down only five.

In the third quarter achieved locals take the lead by five points thanks to a field goal and a reception by Antonio Gates, arguably the man of the match with 123 receiving yards and a touchdown.

But the ineffectiveness of the Chargers offensive series to close the opening the door would return to the Titans who found eight points down in the middle of the last four were approached by a huge 71-yard pass to Nate Washington Young, another major performance 117 yards and a touchdown, needing only two-point conversion to tie the game. The attempt, however, fail to San Diego giving breathing space.

The Chargers would benefit from the opportunity by getting a touchdown pass from Philip Rivers to Darren Sproles. In another distressing and incomprehensible error premises failed extra point that would have the advantage of two runs giving an opportunity to the team of the AFC South.

Their return was cut short by the aforementioned Young injury in an attempt to career appeared to trip over the grass clutching his knee right away without having received any contact.

That was all for the match that kept the hopes of the Chargers (3-5) and left the Titans with many problems, few of which are related to the positions of their division. Must await the injury status of both players...

Betting Underdogs Take Center Stage for 2010 World Series

After consecutive seasons of watching the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies battle for baseball betting supremacy, Major League Baseball crowned two new league champions in 2010, with the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants each beating the defending league champions to get to the World Series. While the Giants haven’t been to the big game in eight seasons, this will be the first championship series for the Rangers, underlining what has been an improbable run for two underdogs with designs on winning it all.

The Rangers answered the question of who would take down the hated Yankees in the American League by taking them down in six games. A powerful Texas offense and clutch pitching has fueled the Rangers past the Tampa Bay Rays and Yankees to win their first American League title, but that won’t be enough for a hungry Rangers’ team. With the outstanding postseason phenom Cliff Lee on the mound for at least two games, Texas feels they have the better chance to take home the online sports betting title this fall, and with good reason. The Rangers have hit a home run in every game during these playoffs, with an offense that features Nelson Cruz and his five homers, as well as slugger Josh Hamilton, who tied an ALCS record with four home runs in the ALCS. Lee is 7-0 with an era of 1.26 over the past two playoffs, and has the experience, talent, and poise to rank as the best pitcher in the baseball. It’s hard to argue against the way the Rangers dominated the Yankees last series, and manager Ron Washington would like to see more of the same in the World Series.

The Giants finally ended the Phillies’ party atop the National League, with a win over Philadelphia following four wins over the Cincinnati Reds. Game one starter Tim Lincecum has regained his Cy Young form after struggling for the first time in his career this past August, and as long as he continues to perform, should keep the Giants in the games against Lee. Despite being a team that is not known for its offense or aggressiveness, San Francisco has done a lot to get to where they are, with seven of their eight Northbet review wins this postseason coming via one-run. The Giants’ NLCS MVP Cody Ross was a player that nobody even wanted during the season, but after providing the team with an offensive spark this postseason is what everyone is now talking about.

The MLB betting season will come to an end in the next couple of weeks, with either the Rangers or Giants taking home baseball’s top honor. Both teams deserve to be where they are based on what they have accomplished this season, but in the end only one can win it all. The Rangers are the favorites based on their high-powered offense and Lee. The question is whether or not the Giants will continue to overcome the odds?