February 9th Superbowl news ... With the multitude of betting options come super bowl odds, you need to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profits.
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2009 Super Bowl Odds
2008-02-05
The paint is barely dry on the New York Giants stunning Super Bowl upset over the New England Patriots, and Sportsbook.com is already turning its attention to next year.
Here is a look at the 16 favored teams for 2009, with a look at the ‘long shots’ coming out next week. Odds to win the 2009 Super Bowl are listed in parenthesis
New England Patriots (5:2)
The Patriots have the necessary talent to win the whole thing next year, but how will their mental state be after losing the perfect season? The fallout from ‘Spygate’ is another consideration.
Dallas Cowboys (7:1)
Quarterback Tony Romo is still dating Jessica Simpson, but the critics won’t complain if he can deliver a Super Bowl title next year. If he doesn’t, it could be the last season for Coach Wade Phillips.
Indianapolis Colts (8:1)
There is no hotter football family than the Manning’s, and Eli’s brother Peyton hopes that 2009 is his year to step back into the spotlight. The return of Coach Tony Dungy will help matters.
San Diego Chargers (8:1)
Philip Rivers showed a lot of guts in their playoff loss to New England and he hopes to be healthy by training camp. This is a very hungry team and the Chargers look to be undervalued at these odds.
New York Giants (12:1)
Not a ton of respect here for the defending Super Bowl champions, but it might take another ‘perfect storm’ to deliver another title. That said, we have learned never to count this team out.
Green Bay Packers (14:1)
Brett Favre and the Pack are one of several teams still trying to figure out what went wrong in the playoffs. This young team should get better at most positions, but it will still come down to the play of #4 at quarterback.
Jacksonville Jaguars (15:1)
This fearless Jaguars’ team has everything going for it with the exception of being stuck in the same division as Indianapolis. If they can somehow win the AFC South, then look out in the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Steelers (20:1)
Head Coach Mike Tomlin acquitted himself nicely in his first season, although you never want to lose a playoff game at home. Look for a good year from this perennial AFC contender.
Chicago Bears (30:1)
The Bears found out last year how hard it is to return to the Super Bowl. The big question on this team continues to be at quarterback as free agent to be, Rex Grossman may not be the long term solution.
Denver Broncos (30:1)
Mike Shanahan is considered the Broncos ‘coach for life’ but he must help improve a defense that ranked 19th in the NFL last year. A quicker maturation of quarterback Jay Cutler would help too.
Seattle Seahawks (30:1)
Coach Mike Holmgren is returning to the team after contemplating opening a bookstore and selling muffins. With an attitude like that, expect this to be Holmgren’s last season.
Philadelphia Eagles (30:1)
Quarterback Donovan McNabb should be back with the team, but there are still some trade rumors out there. If McNabb returns, this is a potential sleeper team on this list.
Minnesota Vikings (30:1)
Minnesota started last season at 3-6, won their next five games, and then lost their last two to finish out of the playoffs. Look for Tarvaris Jackson to remain the starter at quarterback.
Cincinnati Bengals (40:1)
Wide receiver Chad Johnson wants to be traded and the defense is still one of the worst in the NFL. That makes these odds overly optimistic even with an offense that will always put up its share of points.
Cleveland Browns (40:1)
The other Ohio team just missed making the playoffs this year, and they should be a team to be reckoned with next season. Signing coach Romeo Crennel to an extension was a solid decision.
Arizona Cardinals (40:1)
The Cardinals had an up and down year under first year coach, Ken Whisenhunt. To make the playoffs, the team really needs Matt Leinart to stay healthy and claim the quarterback position all year long.
The Biggest Game of the Year
2008-01-31
Championship Round Recap
Picks – Giants +7 at Packers
Result – Win
Amount - 50 units
Season Bankroll - +$600
If you have listened to me this season, you have made money. Period. It’s that simple. Specifically, if you listened to me during the playoffs this year, then you have made a LOT of money. Now comes your last chance. One game left, the Super Bowl. If you are down for the year, it is your chance to double down and salvage the season. If you are up, then it’s time for one last score. And it will be a good one, Patriots and Giants, this Sunday, with everything on the line. The New England Patriots are 60 minutes from the first 19-0 season in NFL history, with the New York Giants seeking to ruin that run at perfection with a monumental upset on Sunday. But would it be monumental? I’ve been riding the Giants since the playoffs started folks and this time, they are getting a whopping 12 points. So let’s take a closer look at this one shall we?
As everyone knows by now, this game is a rematch from week 17 of this season. The Giants took New England to the wire in that contest, building a double-digit second-half lead before falling, 38-35. Sunday will mark the second time two teams that squared off in the last game of the regular season will engage in a Super Bowl rematch. The Cowboys' 27-10 win over the Broncos in Super Bowl XII came less than a month after Dallas had downed Denver, 14-6, on the final week of the 1977 regular season.
The Patriots (3-2 in Super Bowls) will make their sixth Super Sunday appearance, a mark that trails only that of Dallas (8), and is tied with Pittsburgh (6) and Denver (6) for the most all-time while New York is in the Super Bowl for the first time in seven years thanks to consecutive playoff road wins over the Buccaneers (24-14), Cowboys (21-17), and Packers (23-20 in overtime), and the Giants' 10 wins away from home in 2007 are an NFL record.
Historically, the Patriots have a 5-3 edge in their series with the Giants, and have won four straight since New York took down New England by a 13-10 count at Foxboro Stadium in 1990. As mentioned, New England was a 38-35 road winner when the teams last met, in Week 17.
After putting together a regular season compatible with his inconsistent four- year career, Eli Manning (3336 passing yards, 23 TD, 20 INT) has undergone a playoff revelation marked by sound decision-making and a minimizing of mistakes. The former No. 1 overall draft pick has completed 62 percent of his throws and not committed a turnover in New York's three postseason games. Manning's outstanding run actually began with a strong outing against New England in Week 17, when he went 22-of-32 for 251 yards and tossed four touchdown passes. Since an interception thrown by Manning late in that game, the Giants offense has gone 33 possessions and 194 plays without a turnover.
New York's receiving corps possesses a strong blend of size, experience and youth in the threesome of Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer and Steve Smith. The 6-foot-5, 232-pound Burress can be a matchup nightmare for opposing defensive backs, as Green Bay's Al Harris recently found out first-hand. Burress manhandled the Pro Bowl corner with an 11-catch, 151-yard performance in the NFC Championship and also caught two scoring passes from Manning in the Giants' 38-35 loss to the Patriots in late December. Toomer, one of only two remaining members from New York's 2000 Super Bowl squad, has compiled 196 yards and three touchdowns in this postseason. The rookie Smith has made up for an unproductive and injury- plagued regular season with nine playoff catches, including several key grabs.
The Giants will send out their "thunder-and-lightning" tandem of Brandon and Ahmad Bradshaw in hopes of keeping the Patriots' record-setting offense off the field as much as possible on Super Bowl Sunday. The 21-year-old Bradshaw has been the more effective member of the duo during the playoffs, having totaled a team-best 163 rushing yards on 39 carries, but Jacobs did put up a respectable 67 yards on 15 attempts against New England in the regular- season finale. The pairing will be running behind another unsung hero in fullback Madison Hedgecock, an early-season waiver claim whose powerful blocking has been essential to the team's proficiency in the ground game.
New England primarily uses a three-man defensive front, with Pro Bowler Vince Wilfork the middle and Richard Seymour and Ty Warren occupying the ends. Seymour, who has two sacks and a fumble recovery during his Super Bowl career, is often replaced by Jarvis Green in passing situations. The Patriots ranked near the bottom of the league with 4.4 yards allowed per carry during the regular season.
The Patriots have a pair of highly-decorated linebackers in the middle of their four-man group, with former Pro Bowlers Tedy Bruschi, and Junior Seau occupying those places. Seau and Bruschi are 1-2 on the team in stops during the postseason. Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas man the outside linebacker positions for New England, and are viewed by opponents as the team's most dangerous pass rushers. Vrabel will be making his fourth Super Bowl start as a Patriot. Thomas had New England's only sack of Manning in Week 17.
MVP Tom Brady (4806 passing yards, 50 TD, 8 INT) comes off one of the great statistical seasons in NFL history, though less focus will be on that fact than on Brady's gimpy right ankle. Brady was hurt in the third quarter of the Pats' AFC Championship win over the Chargers, and struggled during much of a performance in which he threw a season-worst three interceptions. Even with that showing, Brady (471 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT in the postseason) has a 105.7 rating in these playoffs. He's also 3-0 with six touchdowns, one pick, and 735 yards in three career Super Bowl appearances. Brady was 32-of-42 for 356 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants in Week 17.
One of the major storylines on Super Sunday will involve wideout Randy Moss (98 receptions, 23 TD), who will be appearing in his first career Super Bowl and trying to shake off a conspicuously quiet 2007 postseason to date. Moss has touched the football just three times in the playoffs, catching two balls for 32 yards and carrying once for 14 yards. Moss had six catches for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Giants in the regular season finale. Slot receiver Wes Welker has 16 catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the playoffs thus far, and logged 11 grabs for 122 yards versus the G-Men last time out. Donte' Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney both had their moments during the regular season, and have combined for nine catches totaling 117 yards in these playoffs.
Tight end Benjamin Watson, who has made two of his three catches in the playoffs to date count for touchdowns, remains a trusted red- zone target for Brady. Watson, who will be making his first career Super Bowl appearance, caught four balls for 38 yards against New York in Week 17. No. 2 tight end Kyle Brady will be appearing in his first career Super Bowl at the age of 36. Brady had nine catches (two for touchdowns) during the regular season, and has one grab in the 2007 postseason. Vrabel, who caught a touchdown pass against the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX, occasionally appears as a tight end in goal-line sets.
Running back Laurence Maroney has generated a major impact for the Patriots during the playoffs, carrying 47 times for 244 yards and two touchdowns in wins over the Jaguars and Chargers. In his last five games overall, Maroney has averaged 110 rushing yards and scored seven touchdowns. The second-year pro was held to 46 yards on 19 carries against the Giants in Week 17, but scored twice. Kevin Faulk, who led New England with eight catches for 72 yards in the AFC Championship win over San Diego, has 16 rushes for 95 yards and seven receptions for 45 yards during his Super Bowl career. Fullback Heath Evans, who comes in during short-yardage situations, has just three touches in the '07 playoffs to date.
Giants ends Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan and Justin Tuck have been wreaking havoc all year long, and the trio will be counted on to make Brady uncomfortable in the pocket for the Giants to have a chance to pull off the upset. The 36-year-old Strahan, one of only two players left from the Giants' 2000 NFC champion squad, has been the most productive of the group in the postseason. The seven- time Pro Bowler has compiled 18 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble in the three playoff games.
Though the Patriots have the edge in a majority of the above personnel categories, it's not a decisive edge on many counts. The Giants proved on Dec. 29 that they have the ability to make this a game, and it is difficult to envision a team that is playing with as much confidence and purpose as is New York to get run off the field in this one. The Giants are getting 12 points people and they can actually win this one if they play a perfect game. Take the points and take the Giants.
Until next time, may all your bets be winners.
Odds to Win 2008 Super Bowl XLII MPV
2008-01-24
2008 Super Bowl line moves and MVP betting odds available at Sportsbook.com
Using Sportsbook.com's “Betting Trends” as an indicator, it appears as if the betting public believes Super Bowl XLII will be a lot closer then the lines makers originally thought. Opening at New York +14 on Sunday evening, the line quickly moved to +12.5 by Monday morning thanks to all of the heavy action on red hot Giants. And the line hasn’t stopped heading south; thanks to the 82% of the bettors betting against the flawless Patriots, the line moved another ½ point to where it currently sits at the Giants +12.
To the casual observer this might seem unbelievable considering the Patriots are 18-0 and the rate at which they were pummeling their opponents early on. Through the first eight weeks of the season, the Patriots covered every game and won by an average of 25.5 points. Ever since, they covered just two of their last ten games with an average winning margin of 13.1 points.
The Patriots recent trend of failing to cover isn’t the only reason the betting public is on the underdogs. New York has been very generous to bettors this season; currently 13-6 ATS including 8-2 as an underdog and 9-2 away from home. Also, the G-Me, proved in Week 17 that they could go toe to toe with the seemingly invincible Pats. Despite being 13 point underdogs, the Giants had the Patriots on the ropes before finally losing by just 3 points.
“It’s early, but it is amazing how much the public is deviating from their normal betting behavior,” stated Sportsbook.com Spokesperson Dave Staley. “Usually you can count on the public backing the favorite especially when a double digit spread is involved. The Patriots made a lot of people a lot of money through the first half of the season but it looks as if the bettors are now on the Giants’ bandwagon. It will be interesting to see if and how much more this line moves.”
Check live odds to win 2008 Super Bowl MPV HERE
NFL - Jacksonville @ New England (8:00 PM ET – CBS)
2008-01-14
The Patriots achieved something not accomplished since ’72, a perfect regular season. However, it will all be for not if they fail to win Super Bowl XLII in four weeks. With that pressure looming, New England will host upstart Jacksonville to open a postseason run. The Patriots were as dominant as any team ever in going 16-0 SU & 10-6 ATS, scoring the most points in NFL history at 36.8 PPG and outscoring teams by 19.7 PPG. Incredibly, they are 12-2 SU & 8-5 ATS in the playoffs under HC Bill Belichick. The Jaguars meanwhile, are on the list of foes teams were hoping to avoid in January, having gone 12-5 SU & 11-6 ATS so far in ’07-08, playing efficient, yet physical football. They are returning to the site of their last playoff loss, a 28-3 decision in 2006.
JACKSONVILLE
The Jags have fallen on hard times in the NFL, earning just one playoff appearance in the past seven years (that one visit resulting in a 25-point Wild Card loss to New England in 2005). This year’s break from the trend is led by David Garrard. The prolific passer finished the regular season as the 3rd-ranked quarterback in the game (102.2 QB Rating) and has been the catalyst for victory both over Pittsburgh in the Wild Card round and during the regular season. Of course, the rushing attack, bolstered by the fleet-of-foot QB as well as veteran rusher Fred Taylor and star-on-the-rise Maurice Jones Drew, is key. This team averaged 149.4 rushing yards per game during the regular season (2nd in the league) and will have to reproduce such gaudy returns if the Jags hope to advance.
However, as the Pittsburgh victory showed, there is reason for concern. The J’ville defense may have held Pittsburgh to 43 total rushing yards, but the Steelers were missing their leading rusher (Willie Parker), offered a patchwork offensive line, and QB Ben Roethlisberger nearly 70% of his pass attempts for 8.0 yards per attempt. During the regular season, this unit held opposing QBs to a respectable 76.1 QB Rating (7th in the NFL). If those numbers can’t be translated into the postseason, the Jags are all but destined for trouble.
NEW ENGLAND
If you don’t know, you don’t like football. The Patriots sit on the precipice of greatness, a clear and present danger to any and every team that has ever earned respect as a roster worthy of debate as the best to ever grace the fields of the NFL. Turn this playoff campaign into a Lombardi Trophy and another gaudy set of Super Bowl rings and a world of respect and admiration will become an undeniable fact. It would be a perfect season (clearly marking this Patriot team as, at the very least, one of the two best teams in the history of the game) and the Patriots’ fourth Super Bowl title in seven seasons (clearly marking this team as one of the most powerful dynasties in the history of sports).
Tom Brady makes the offense go, working to complete one of the most dominating single-season campaigns as quarterback has ever seen. Only his favorite target, veteran WR Randy Moss, might prove worthy of challenging for title of most potent offensive weapon in the NFL. Second-year RB Laurence Maroney has surged in recent weeks and brought the only questionable facet of this offense to prominence. The defense has followed suit, holding opponents under 200 passing yards and 100 rushing yards per game.
Only three games stand between this team, perfection, and history.
Key Trend – Teams with the better straight-up record are 10-3 ATS the last three years in Conference semis.
Keys to the Game
This Saturday evening affair showcases the best team in football against the one nobody want to play. Jacksonville has many of the qualities teams that teams have had success against New England, in terms of moving the ball. The Jaguars unheralded offensive line has pushed around most teams this year in being second in the league in rushing yards. Maurice Jones-Drew is the perfect player to give New England fits both as a runner and receiver. David Garrard can beat you with his arm or legs and has played very calm. Jacksonville is 12-3 ATS after playing their last game on the road. For New England's players, in many ways the pressure is off until they get to Glendale. The perfect regular season has been accomplished and with two more wins, both at home, they arrive at there predetermined destination. As dangerous as the Jaguars appear, the fact Pittsburgh came back throwing the ball in both games in the second half, does not bode well against Brady, Moss and the rest of the pass catchers from New England. Look for Belichick to have his defensive backs lay the lumber to Jacksonville's ordinary receivers, with the hope of having them develop case of alligator arms. Pats are 22-9 ATS vs. good passing teams averaging seven or more passing yards per attempt in the second part of the season. Tough situation for the Jags playing their third straight road game.
StatFox Edge – Patriots cover
NFL - Seattle @ Green Bay (4:30 PM ET – FOX)
2008-01-14
Green Bay was one of the surprise stories of the NFL season in 2007. Looking to continue the magical run, the Packers will host Seattle in the divisional playoff round on Saturday. Ironically, the Seahawks were the opponent in Green Bay’s last home playoff win, after the ’03 season. HC Mike McCarthy’s team was 7-1 SU & 6-1-1 ATS at home this year, allowing just 14.4 PPG. At 13-3 SU & 12-3-1 ATS, they were also the league’s best pointspread covering team overall. Here they are an 8-point favorite against a Seattle team that has struggled on the road, going just 3-5 SU & ATS in ’07 and 11-22 ATS in its L33. For McCarthy, this is a first ever playoff game, for Holmgren, a 24th. The former Packer head man is 4-5 SU & 5-3 ATS in the postseason with Seattle.
SEATTLE
Give Seattle coach Mike Holmgren full credit. He is nothing if not consistent and efficient, for the Seahawks have advanced through the Wild Card round of the playoffs for the third consecutive season (the team’s fifth consecutive year of postseason eligibility), yet this time the deed was achieved through an offense of complete imbalance. As has been the case for much of the year, Shaun Alexander was entirely ineffective as the team’s primary rusher (averaging just 3.1 yards/carry against Washington, 0.4 yards/carry less than he posted through the regular season).
To get to this matchup with Holmgren’s former employer, the Seahawks relied on one of the most potent defensive efforts they have seen this season. Through the regular season, Seattle had allowed an average of 219.1 passing yards per game (19th in the NFL) but held opposing QBs to a paltry 73.0 QB Rating (2nd in the NFL). It was the defensive backfield, returning two interceptions for TDs, that brought the anvil to Washington’s playoff hopes in the Wild Card round, and it is that unit, along with a powerful group of linebackers led by Lofa Tatupu and Julian Peterson, that will be charged with halting one of the most powerful offensive units in the game if the Seahawks hope to advance to the Conference Championships.
GREEN BAY
With one of the greatest field generals the game has ever known at the wheel, the Packers enter the playoffs with hopes of shocking the world. The offensive charge has been nothing short of phenomenal, ranking #2 among all NFL franchises, averaging a whopping 370.7 total yards per game. Put the blame on future Hall of Fame QB Brett Favre, leading the Packers rank as the 2nd-best passing offense in the land (270.9 yards). Contributions from rushers Ryan Grant, rookie Brandon Jackson, and Vernand Morency have solidified offensive balance. The entire effort is pushed by one of the best offensive lines in the game, giving the Packers a unit that could compete with any team in the land.
The defense may not garner the attention or headlines, but their efforts should not be overlooked. The defensive backfield may be the most undervalued compilation of players in the league, led by veteran corners Charles Woodson and Al Harris, but secretly bolstered by the outstanding efforts of strong safety Atari Bigby. Nick Barnett may be the best playmaking linebacker few fans of the game recognize, wrecking havoc all over the field and supporting a defensive line the pressures the passer as well as any line in the game. If the Packers are going to advance deep in the playoffs, this defense will be the reason for that success.
Key Trend – In the divisional playoff round, the larger favorite in an NFC contest is 17-5-1 ATS.
Keys to the Game
Seattle comes into this contest feeling very confident with the ball in the hands of Matt Hasselbeck. The former Packer backup quarterback has a chance for redemption from the famous 2004 overtime coin toss in which he essentially guaranteed a win and ended up throwing game-ending interception. Hasselbeck might not the best names in the business to throw to of the eight remaining teams; however they have formed into a cohesive unit since Coach Holmgren gave the green light on pass first offense. The Seahawks receivers against the physical Packers corners will be REALLY interesting to watch. How the Packers safeties attack the deep in-route Hasselbeck like to throw, especially to Bobby Engram, is another fascinating aspect. Green Bay was 7-1 and 6-1-1 ATS at Lambeau Field, showing some of the old frozen tundra magic. This will be the fastest defense outside of Chicago the Packers have faced and they lost both of those games to the Bears. For Green Bay, it's a matter of running the slants they prefer inside the corners and setting up double moves by wide receivers to throw over the top of corners and in front of safeties. If Favre can create success in splitting safeties, this opens up Greg Jennings for the deep ball on the post.
StatFox Edge – Packers cover
2009 Super Bowl Odds
2008-02-05
The paint is barely dry on the New York Giants stunning Super Bowl upset over the New England Patriots, and Sportsbook.com is already turning its attention to next year.
Here is a look at the 16 favored teams for 2009, with a look at the ‘long shots’ coming out next week. Odds to win the 2009 Super Bowl are listed in parenthesis
New England Patriots (5:2)
The Patriots have the necessary talent to win the whole thing next year, but how will their mental state be after losing the perfect season? The fallout from ‘Spygate’ is another consideration.
Dallas Cowboys (7:1)
Quarterback Tony Romo is still dating Jessica Simpson, but the critics won’t complain if he can deliver a Super Bowl title next year. If he doesn’t, it could be the last season for Coach Wade Phillips.
Indianapolis Colts (8:1)
There is no hotter football family than the Manning’s, and Eli’s brother Peyton hopes that 2009 is his year to step back into the spotlight. The return of Coach Tony Dungy will help matters.
San Diego Chargers (8:1)
Philip Rivers showed a lot of guts in their playoff loss to New England and he hopes to be healthy by training camp. This is a very hungry team and the Chargers look to be undervalued at these odds.
New York Giants (12:1)
Not a ton of respect here for the defending Super Bowl champions, but it might take another ‘perfect storm’ to deliver another title. That said, we have learned never to count this team out.
Green Bay Packers (14:1)
Brett Favre and the Pack are one of several teams still trying to figure out what went wrong in the playoffs. This young team should get better at most positions, but it will still come down to the play of #4 at quarterback.
Jacksonville Jaguars (15:1)
This fearless Jaguars’ team has everything going for it with the exception of being stuck in the same division as Indianapolis. If they can somehow win the AFC South, then look out in the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Steelers (20:1)
Head Coach Mike Tomlin acquitted himself nicely in his first season, although you never want to lose a playoff game at home. Look for a good year from this perennial AFC contender.
Chicago Bears (30:1)
The Bears found out last year how hard it is to return to the Super Bowl. The big question on this team continues to be at quarterback as free agent to be, Rex Grossman may not be the long term solution.
Denver Broncos (30:1)
Mike Shanahan is considered the Broncos ‘coach for life’ but he must help improve a defense that ranked 19th in the NFL last year. A quicker maturation of quarterback Jay Cutler would help too.
Seattle Seahawks (30:1)
Coach Mike Holmgren is returning to the team after contemplating opening a bookstore and selling muffins. With an attitude like that, expect this to be Holmgren’s last season.
Philadelphia Eagles (30:1)
Quarterback Donovan McNabb should be back with the team, but there are still some trade rumors out there. If McNabb returns, this is a potential sleeper team on this list.
Minnesota Vikings (30:1)
Minnesota started last season at 3-6, won their next five games, and then lost their last two to finish out of the playoffs. Look for Tarvaris Jackson to remain the starter at quarterback.
Cincinnati Bengals (40:1)
Wide receiver Chad Johnson wants to be traded and the defense is still one of the worst in the NFL. That makes these odds overly optimistic even with an offense that will always put up its share of points.
Cleveland Browns (40:1)
The other Ohio team just missed making the playoffs this year, and they should be a team to be reckoned with next season. Signing coach Romeo Crennel to an extension was a solid decision.
Arizona Cardinals (40:1)
The Cardinals had an up and down year under first year coach, Ken Whisenhunt. To make the playoffs, the team really needs Matt Leinart to stay healthy and claim the quarterback position all year long.
The Biggest Game of the Year
2008-01-31
Championship Round Recap
Picks – Giants +7 at Packers
Result – Win
Amount - 50 units
Season Bankroll - +$600
If you have listened to me this season, you have made money. Period. It’s that simple. Specifically, if you listened to me during the playoffs this year, then you have made a LOT of money. Now comes your last chance. One game left, the Super Bowl. If you are down for the year, it is your chance to double down and salvage the season. If you are up, then it’s time for one last score. And it will be a good one, Patriots and Giants, this Sunday, with everything on the line. The New England Patriots are 60 minutes from the first 19-0 season in NFL history, with the New York Giants seeking to ruin that run at perfection with a monumental upset on Sunday. But would it be monumental? I’ve been riding the Giants since the playoffs started folks and this time, they are getting a whopping 12 points. So let’s take a closer look at this one shall we?
As everyone knows by now, this game is a rematch from week 17 of this season. The Giants took New England to the wire in that contest, building a double-digit second-half lead before falling, 38-35. Sunday will mark the second time two teams that squared off in the last game of the regular season will engage in a Super Bowl rematch. The Cowboys' 27-10 win over the Broncos in Super Bowl XII came less than a month after Dallas had downed Denver, 14-6, on the final week of the 1977 regular season.
The Patriots (3-2 in Super Bowls) will make their sixth Super Sunday appearance, a mark that trails only that of Dallas (8), and is tied with Pittsburgh (6) and Denver (6) for the most all-time while New York is in the Super Bowl for the first time in seven years thanks to consecutive playoff road wins over the Buccaneers (24-14), Cowboys (21-17), and Packers (23-20 in overtime), and the Giants' 10 wins away from home in 2007 are an NFL record.
Historically, the Patriots have a 5-3 edge in their series with the Giants, and have won four straight since New York took down New England by a 13-10 count at Foxboro Stadium in 1990. As mentioned, New England was a 38-35 road winner when the teams last met, in Week 17.
After putting together a regular season compatible with his inconsistent four- year career, Eli Manning (3336 passing yards, 23 TD, 20 INT) has undergone a playoff revelation marked by sound decision-making and a minimizing of mistakes. The former No. 1 overall draft pick has completed 62 percent of his throws and not committed a turnover in New York's three postseason games. Manning's outstanding run actually began with a strong outing against New England in Week 17, when he went 22-of-32 for 251 yards and tossed four touchdown passes. Since an interception thrown by Manning late in that game, the Giants offense has gone 33 possessions and 194 plays without a turnover.
New York's receiving corps possesses a strong blend of size, experience and youth in the threesome of Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer and Steve Smith. The 6-foot-5, 232-pound Burress can be a matchup nightmare for opposing defensive backs, as Green Bay's Al Harris recently found out first-hand. Burress manhandled the Pro Bowl corner with an 11-catch, 151-yard performance in the NFC Championship and also caught two scoring passes from Manning in the Giants' 38-35 loss to the Patriots in late December. Toomer, one of only two remaining members from New York's 2000 Super Bowl squad, has compiled 196 yards and three touchdowns in this postseason. The rookie Smith has made up for an unproductive and injury- plagued regular season with nine playoff catches, including several key grabs.
The Giants will send out their "thunder-and-lightning" tandem of Brandon and Ahmad Bradshaw in hopes of keeping the Patriots' record-setting offense off the field as much as possible on Super Bowl Sunday. The 21-year-old Bradshaw has been the more effective member of the duo during the playoffs, having totaled a team-best 163 rushing yards on 39 carries, but Jacobs did put up a respectable 67 yards on 15 attempts against New England in the regular- season finale. The pairing will be running behind another unsung hero in fullback Madison Hedgecock, an early-season waiver claim whose powerful blocking has been essential to the team's proficiency in the ground game.
New England primarily uses a three-man defensive front, with Pro Bowler Vince Wilfork the middle and Richard Seymour and Ty Warren occupying the ends. Seymour, who has two sacks and a fumble recovery during his Super Bowl career, is often replaced by Jarvis Green in passing situations. The Patriots ranked near the bottom of the league with 4.4 yards allowed per carry during the regular season.
The Patriots have a pair of highly-decorated linebackers in the middle of their four-man group, with former Pro Bowlers Tedy Bruschi, and Junior Seau occupying those places. Seau and Bruschi are 1-2 on the team in stops during the postseason. Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas man the outside linebacker positions for New England, and are viewed by opponents as the team's most dangerous pass rushers. Vrabel will be making his fourth Super Bowl start as a Patriot. Thomas had New England's only sack of Manning in Week 17.
MVP Tom Brady (4806 passing yards, 50 TD, 8 INT) comes off one of the great statistical seasons in NFL history, though less focus will be on that fact than on Brady's gimpy right ankle. Brady was hurt in the third quarter of the Pats' AFC Championship win over the Chargers, and struggled during much of a performance in which he threw a season-worst three interceptions. Even with that showing, Brady (471 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT in the postseason) has a 105.7 rating in these playoffs. He's also 3-0 with six touchdowns, one pick, and 735 yards in three career Super Bowl appearances. Brady was 32-of-42 for 356 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants in Week 17.
One of the major storylines on Super Sunday will involve wideout Randy Moss (98 receptions, 23 TD), who will be appearing in his first career Super Bowl and trying to shake off a conspicuously quiet 2007 postseason to date. Moss has touched the football just three times in the playoffs, catching two balls for 32 yards and carrying once for 14 yards. Moss had six catches for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Giants in the regular season finale. Slot receiver Wes Welker has 16 catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the playoffs thus far, and logged 11 grabs for 122 yards versus the G-Men last time out. Donte' Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney both had their moments during the regular season, and have combined for nine catches totaling 117 yards in these playoffs.
Tight end Benjamin Watson, who has made two of his three catches in the playoffs to date count for touchdowns, remains a trusted red- zone target for Brady. Watson, who will be making his first career Super Bowl appearance, caught four balls for 38 yards against New York in Week 17. No. 2 tight end Kyle Brady will be appearing in his first career Super Bowl at the age of 36. Brady had nine catches (two for touchdowns) during the regular season, and has one grab in the 2007 postseason. Vrabel, who caught a touchdown pass against the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX, occasionally appears as a tight end in goal-line sets.
Running back Laurence Maroney has generated a major impact for the Patriots during the playoffs, carrying 47 times for 244 yards and two touchdowns in wins over the Jaguars and Chargers. In his last five games overall, Maroney has averaged 110 rushing yards and scored seven touchdowns. The second-year pro was held to 46 yards on 19 carries against the Giants in Week 17, but scored twice. Kevin Faulk, who led New England with eight catches for 72 yards in the AFC Championship win over San Diego, has 16 rushes for 95 yards and seven receptions for 45 yards during his Super Bowl career. Fullback Heath Evans, who comes in during short-yardage situations, has just three touches in the '07 playoffs to date.
Giants ends Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan and Justin Tuck have been wreaking havoc all year long, and the trio will be counted on to make Brady uncomfortable in the pocket for the Giants to have a chance to pull off the upset. The 36-year-old Strahan, one of only two players left from the Giants' 2000 NFC champion squad, has been the most productive of the group in the postseason. The seven- time Pro Bowler has compiled 18 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble in the three playoff games.
Though the Patriots have the edge in a majority of the above personnel categories, it's not a decisive edge on many counts. The Giants proved on Dec. 29 that they have the ability to make this a game, and it is difficult to envision a team that is playing with as much confidence and purpose as is New York to get run off the field in this one. The Giants are getting 12 points people and they can actually win this one if they play a perfect game. Take the points and take the Giants.
Until next time, may all your bets be winners.
Odds to Win 2008 Super Bowl XLII MPV
2008-01-24
2008 Super Bowl line moves and MVP betting odds available at Sportsbook.com
Using Sportsbook.com's “Betting Trends” as an indicator, it appears as if the betting public believes Super Bowl XLII will be a lot closer then the lines makers originally thought. Opening at New York +14 on Sunday evening, the line quickly moved to +12.5 by Monday morning thanks to all of the heavy action on red hot Giants. And the line hasn’t stopped heading south; thanks to the 82% of the bettors betting against the flawless Patriots, the line moved another ½ point to where it currently sits at the Giants +12.
To the casual observer this might seem unbelievable considering the Patriots are 18-0 and the rate at which they were pummeling their opponents early on. Through the first eight weeks of the season, the Patriots covered every game and won by an average of 25.5 points. Ever since, they covered just two of their last ten games with an average winning margin of 13.1 points.
The Patriots recent trend of failing to cover isn’t the only reason the betting public is on the underdogs. New York has been very generous to bettors this season; currently 13-6 ATS including 8-2 as an underdog and 9-2 away from home. Also, the G-Me, proved in Week 17 that they could go toe to toe with the seemingly invincible Pats. Despite being 13 point underdogs, the Giants had the Patriots on the ropes before finally losing by just 3 points.
“It’s early, but it is amazing how much the public is deviating from their normal betting behavior,” stated Sportsbook.com Spokesperson Dave Staley. “Usually you can count on the public backing the favorite especially when a double digit spread is involved. The Patriots made a lot of people a lot of money through the first half of the season but it looks as if the bettors are now on the Giants’ bandwagon. It will be interesting to see if and how much more this line moves.”
Check live odds to win 2008 Super Bowl MPV HERE
NFL - Jacksonville @ New England (8:00 PM ET – CBS)
2008-01-14
The Patriots achieved something not accomplished since ’72, a perfect regular season. However, it will all be for not if they fail to win Super Bowl XLII in four weeks. With that pressure looming, New England will host upstart Jacksonville to open a postseason run. The Patriots were as dominant as any team ever in going 16-0 SU & 10-6 ATS, scoring the most points in NFL history at 36.8 PPG and outscoring teams by 19.7 PPG. Incredibly, they are 12-2 SU & 8-5 ATS in the playoffs under HC Bill Belichick. The Jaguars meanwhile, are on the list of foes teams were hoping to avoid in January, having gone 12-5 SU & 11-6 ATS so far in ’07-08, playing efficient, yet physical football. They are returning to the site of their last playoff loss, a 28-3 decision in 2006.
JACKSONVILLE
The Jags have fallen on hard times in the NFL, earning just one playoff appearance in the past seven years (that one visit resulting in a 25-point Wild Card loss to New England in 2005). This year’s break from the trend is led by David Garrard. The prolific passer finished the regular season as the 3rd-ranked quarterback in the game (102.2 QB Rating) and has been the catalyst for victory both over Pittsburgh in the Wild Card round and during the regular season. Of course, the rushing attack, bolstered by the fleet-of-foot QB as well as veteran rusher Fred Taylor and star-on-the-rise Maurice Jones Drew, is key. This team averaged 149.4 rushing yards per game during the regular season (2nd in the league) and will have to reproduce such gaudy returns if the Jags hope to advance.
However, as the Pittsburgh victory showed, there is reason for concern. The J’ville defense may have held Pittsburgh to 43 total rushing yards, but the Steelers were missing their leading rusher (Willie Parker), offered a patchwork offensive line, and QB Ben Roethlisberger nearly 70% of his pass attempts for 8.0 yards per attempt. During the regular season, this unit held opposing QBs to a respectable 76.1 QB Rating (7th in the NFL). If those numbers can’t be translated into the postseason, the Jags are all but destined for trouble.
NEW ENGLAND
If you don’t know, you don’t like football. The Patriots sit on the precipice of greatness, a clear and present danger to any and every team that has ever earned respect as a roster worthy of debate as the best to ever grace the fields of the NFL. Turn this playoff campaign into a Lombardi Trophy and another gaudy set of Super Bowl rings and a world of respect and admiration will become an undeniable fact. It would be a perfect season (clearly marking this Patriot team as, at the very least, one of the two best teams in the history of the game) and the Patriots’ fourth Super Bowl title in seven seasons (clearly marking this team as one of the most powerful dynasties in the history of sports).
Tom Brady makes the offense go, working to complete one of the most dominating single-season campaigns as quarterback has ever seen. Only his favorite target, veteran WR Randy Moss, might prove worthy of challenging for title of most potent offensive weapon in the NFL. Second-year RB Laurence Maroney has surged in recent weeks and brought the only questionable facet of this offense to prominence. The defense has followed suit, holding opponents under 200 passing yards and 100 rushing yards per game.
Only three games stand between this team, perfection, and history.
Key Trend – Teams with the better straight-up record are 10-3 ATS the last three years in Conference semis.
Keys to the Game
This Saturday evening affair showcases the best team in football against the one nobody want to play. Jacksonville has many of the qualities teams that teams have had success against New England, in terms of moving the ball. The Jaguars unheralded offensive line has pushed around most teams this year in being second in the league in rushing yards. Maurice Jones-Drew is the perfect player to give New England fits both as a runner and receiver. David Garrard can beat you with his arm or legs and has played very calm. Jacksonville is 12-3 ATS after playing their last game on the road. For New England's players, in many ways the pressure is off until they get to Glendale. The perfect regular season has been accomplished and with two more wins, both at home, they arrive at there predetermined destination. As dangerous as the Jaguars appear, the fact Pittsburgh came back throwing the ball in both games in the second half, does not bode well against Brady, Moss and the rest of the pass catchers from New England. Look for Belichick to have his defensive backs lay the lumber to Jacksonville's ordinary receivers, with the hope of having them develop case of alligator arms. Pats are 22-9 ATS vs. good passing teams averaging seven or more passing yards per attempt in the second part of the season. Tough situation for the Jags playing their third straight road game.
StatFox Edge – Patriots cover
NFL - Seattle @ Green Bay (4:30 PM ET – FOX)
2008-01-14
Green Bay was one of the surprise stories of the NFL season in 2007. Looking to continue the magical run, the Packers will host Seattle in the divisional playoff round on Saturday. Ironically, the Seahawks were the opponent in Green Bay’s last home playoff win, after the ’03 season. HC Mike McCarthy’s team was 7-1 SU & 6-1-1 ATS at home this year, allowing just 14.4 PPG. At 13-3 SU & 12-3-1 ATS, they were also the league’s best pointspread covering team overall. Here they are an 8-point favorite against a Seattle team that has struggled on the road, going just 3-5 SU & ATS in ’07 and 11-22 ATS in its L33. For McCarthy, this is a first ever playoff game, for Holmgren, a 24th. The former Packer head man is 4-5 SU & 5-3 ATS in the postseason with Seattle.
SEATTLE
Give Seattle coach Mike Holmgren full credit. He is nothing if not consistent and efficient, for the Seahawks have advanced through the Wild Card round of the playoffs for the third consecutive season (the team’s fifth consecutive year of postseason eligibility), yet this time the deed was achieved through an offense of complete imbalance. As has been the case for much of the year, Shaun Alexander was entirely ineffective as the team’s primary rusher (averaging just 3.1 yards/carry against Washington, 0.4 yards/carry less than he posted through the regular season).
To get to this matchup with Holmgren’s former employer, the Seahawks relied on one of the most potent defensive efforts they have seen this season. Through the regular season, Seattle had allowed an average of 219.1 passing yards per game (19th in the NFL) but held opposing QBs to a paltry 73.0 QB Rating (2nd in the NFL). It was the defensive backfield, returning two interceptions for TDs, that brought the anvil to Washington’s playoff hopes in the Wild Card round, and it is that unit, along with a powerful group of linebackers led by Lofa Tatupu and Julian Peterson, that will be charged with halting one of the most powerful offensive units in the game if the Seahawks hope to advance to the Conference Championships.
GREEN BAY
With one of the greatest field generals the game has ever known at the wheel, the Packers enter the playoffs with hopes of shocking the world. The offensive charge has been nothing short of phenomenal, ranking #2 among all NFL franchises, averaging a whopping 370.7 total yards per game. Put the blame on future Hall of Fame QB Brett Favre, leading the Packers rank as the 2nd-best passing offense in the land (270.9 yards). Contributions from rushers Ryan Grant, rookie Brandon Jackson, and Vernand Morency have solidified offensive balance. The entire effort is pushed by one of the best offensive lines in the game, giving the Packers a unit that could compete with any team in the land.
The defense may not garner the attention or headlines, but their efforts should not be overlooked. The defensive backfield may be the most undervalued compilation of players in the league, led by veteran corners Charles Woodson and Al Harris, but secretly bolstered by the outstanding efforts of strong safety Atari Bigby. Nick Barnett may be the best playmaking linebacker few fans of the game recognize, wrecking havoc all over the field and supporting a defensive line the pressures the passer as well as any line in the game. If the Packers are going to advance deep in the playoffs, this defense will be the reason for that success.
Key Trend – In the divisional playoff round, the larger favorite in an NFC contest is 17-5-1 ATS.
Keys to the Game
Seattle comes into this contest feeling very confident with the ball in the hands of Matt Hasselbeck. The former Packer backup quarterback has a chance for redemption from the famous 2004 overtime coin toss in which he essentially guaranteed a win and ended up throwing game-ending interception. Hasselbeck might not the best names in the business to throw to of the eight remaining teams; however they have formed into a cohesive unit since Coach Holmgren gave the green light on pass first offense. The Seahawks receivers against the physical Packers corners will be REALLY interesting to watch. How the Packers safeties attack the deep in-route Hasselbeck like to throw, especially to Bobby Engram, is another fascinating aspect. Green Bay was 7-1 and 6-1-1 ATS at Lambeau Field, showing some of the old frozen tundra magic. This will be the fastest defense outside of Chicago the Packers have faced and they lost both of those games to the Bears. For Green Bay, it's a matter of running the slants they prefer inside the corners and setting up double moves by wide receivers to throw over the top of corners and in front of safeties. If Favre can create success in splitting safeties, this opens up Greg Jennings for the deep ball on the post.
StatFox Edge – Packers cover