If you would have told me prior to the Super Bowl that Colts QB Peyton Manning would throw an interception for a touchdown in the 4th quarter I would never have believed it.  Peyton is the ultimate field general but on this night in Super Bowl XXIV he threw a pass he will never forget.

The Indianapolis Colts jumped off to a 10-0 lead over the New Orleans Saints Sunday night and sudden doom seem to linger in the air for Saints QB Drew Brees and his teammates.  By half time the Saints managed a couple of field goals to get back into the game.  The rock group ‘Who’ bellowed out some old ballads at half time but when the final 2 quarters ended no one would be asking the Saints ‘Who Dat?’ anymore.

Payton, Sean not Manning, showed his coaching vigor by opening the second half with an gutsy onside kick which the Saints recovered.  The Saints and Sean Payton made the right decision and 6 plays later Brees threw a 16 yard TD pass to give New Orleans their first lead.  Peyton Manning and the Colts bounced right back as they marched 76 yards for a score to regain the lead 17-13.  The Saints answered with a field goal closing the gap to 17-16.

Suddenly the Saints defense had come alive.  They would not allow Manning or the Colts to score again.  The Saints marched down to score again and then hit on a 2-point conversion as well to take the lead they would never give up 21-17.  Then the Saints added another field goal to make it 24-17.  With the final minutes ticking down Peyton was given the opportunity to pull off another great come back like he has done numerous times in his career.

This time it was not to be.  Peyton rushed a throw under the pressure of a Saints blitz.  He tried to force it into the capable hands of Reggie Wayne but instead Tracy Porter picked it off and returned it over 74 yards for a touchdown making the final score 31-17.  The Saints had won their first ever Super Bowl and in New Orleans the ultimate party had begun.  Congratulations to the Saints.

Another great NFL season is in the history books.  For some it is merely a game where grown men run around a field and play with a ball.  But for avid football fans it is much more than a game.  It satisfies our most primitive emotions for pure strength, speed and supremacy.  It is over for now but not for long.  Before you know it the 2010 season will begin.  Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.

Thirty-two hours from now Super Bowl XLIV will commence sparking what shows promise of being a tremendously entertaining match-up.  The Indianapolis Colts take on the New Orleans Saints in what most reassuringly will be a fierce air battle in the skies over Miami.

It is the last day before the biggest sports event of the year.  The media hype has been raging unrelentingly for two weeks now.  There has been much talk but now it is time for action.  Avid NFL football fans know what these two offensive powerhouses are capable of.  But what will they do tomorrow in the game of games.

The Colts were 9th in the NFL in offense establishing 363 yards per game.  The Saints however were number 1 displaying 403.  The Colts and QB Peyton Manning were 2nd overall in passing offense averaging 282 yards per game.  The Saints and QB Drew Brees were 4th at 272 yards per game.  A big difference to watch for is that the Colts were ranked 32 in rushing with only 80 yards per game while the Saints were ranked 6th with 131.

The Saints scored an average of 31 points per game while the Colts averaged 26.  Defensively speaking the Colts gave up an average of 19 points per game while the Saints gave up 21.  Don’t allow those numbers to be misleading however because both of these teams have opportunistic defenses that make plays when they have too.

The hype surrounding this game has been incredible.  By now everyone should know that Peyton Manning’s father Archie was a beloved QB for the Saints for a decade and a half.  Peyton and little brother Eli, QB for the New York Giants, grew up around the Saints.  That was then, this is now.  Peyton is now a legend in Indianapolis and Drew Brees is the hero in the ‘Big Easy”.

The bottom line is this.  Peyton would love nothing more than to earn his second Super Bowl ring.  Drew Brees would like nothing better than to win his first and the first for a NFL franchise that has been yearning for a championship since, well, forever.  The Saints fans are devoted to their team and no doubt the city of New Orleans needs the lift.  In the end only one team will walk off the field tomorrow night victorious.  That team will be the group that let’s their actions do their talking on the field.  Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.

For the first time in NFL history the Pro Bowl will be held before the Super Bowl Odds and considering how things have gone so far it might be the last time. This is the first time in 30 years the NFL Pro Bowl has not been held in Honolulu, Hawaii and even though many of the best players in the league are not there, the crowd will be large and the controversy surrounding the game has attracted a lot of attention.

The NFC is a 2-point favorite with a total of 57 at SBG Global.

Since the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints are playing in the Super Bowl, their players will not be in the game. In addition to those players, a large number of other players have backed out. In fact, there have been a record 33 changes to the Pro Bowl rosters already.

The players are not happy, some of the NFL betting coaches are not happy but NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is optimistic and that might be all that matters. “We’ll see what works, and what doesn’t.” Goodell said, “We’ll talk to the players and other participants and try to figure out what the best approach will be.” The next two years the game will be held in Hawaii but future plans for the Pro Bowl have not been announced.

The AFC and NFC teams are going to look nothing like true Pro Bowl rosters. Yes, there will still be players like Tennessee’s Chris Johnson and Jacksonville’s Maurice Jones Drew, but other players like Jacksonville’s David Garrard and Chicago’s Johnny Knox have no business being at the Pro Bowl Odds. If the game were being held in Hawaii then perhaps there would not have been as many defections. “Personally, I like it better over there,” said Denver safety Brian Dawkins, “This is not truly a getaway. But it’s still special. I appreciate this too much to take it for granted. So if I could play, I was going to play. A lot of people would love to do what I do for a living. I will never take this for granted.”

With all of the changes to the rosters and despite the game not being held in Hawaii, the game is sold out and will have the highest attendance since 1959.

The NFC has won three of the last four Super Bowls and has a very slight 20-19 all-time edge. The NFC is a slight favorite this year simply because their quarterback rotation and their depth looks better than the AFC’s. Aaron Rodgers, Donovan McNabb and Tony Romo are the three NFC quarterbacks while Matt Schaub, David Garrard and Vince Young are the three AFC quarterbacks.

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On February 7th in Miami, Florida Super Bowl XLIV will be played signaling a climax to another great NFL Football season.  It seems like only yesterday that we were teased by mini camps and the exhibition games.  I can still feel the excitement that was building when the season kicked off in September.  Now it is drawing to a close.

As a die hard football fan I look forward to the Super Bowl and yet it sends those unwanted signals to my brain that the long hard summer without the game is approaching.  I will have to live off the tidbits of anticipation presented by the trades and rumors of trades in the off season.  I will have to find satisfaction in watching the draft and then survive until the mini camps start once again.

I am not certain who will win Super Bowl XLIV.  I only hope that the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints provide us with a game for the ages.  In my heart I need an NFL transfusion that will sustain me through the off season.  I need a knock down, drag out war in the trenches that will satisfy my need for gridiron action.

I have been wondering who wants to win the Super Bowl more.  Peyton Manning, the Colts QB, would like to win his 2nd.  Drew Brees, the Saints QB, would like to win the first one for the city of New Orleans, which has seen its share of agony.  Manning will no doubt go down in NFL lore as one of the greatest field generals to ever step on the field.  Brees could very well cement his role in legend by leading his team to victory.  All I ask for is a game.  Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.

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The battle for the Super Bowl XLIV crown in Miami is set.  This war will be fought on land and air as the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts compete for NFL supremacy.

The Indianapolis Colts finished the year at 14-2 and left no doubt that they were the cream of the AFC.  The team probably could have went undefeated but chose to keep their players healthy once they clinched the number one seed.  Indy Quarterback Peyton Manning is the ultimate field general.  He is a master at picking apart NFL defenses.  If Manning has time it will be a long day for the Saints.

The New Orleans Saints stumbled a bit towards the end of the season but still achieved the number one seed in the NFC.  Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is a gunslinger.  He leads a very potent offensive attack that can bury an opponent quickly.  The Saints have never been to a Super Bowl let alone winning one.  This is a major mile stone for the city of New Orleans.   Do not under estimate the spirit of New Orleans.

This Super Bowl should be a shootout, an all out air war between two of the best Quarterbacks in the NFL.  As with any good football game the difference between victory and defeat will be decided int the trenches.  The Quarterback that has the time will be decisive.  The line that opens the holes will succeed in the running game.  No great secret here just plain old fashioned punch in the mouth gridiron action.

This should be a humdinger of a Super Bowl.  The Colts are favored by 5.5 points mostly due to the post season experience that the team and Peyton Manning have achieved.  Both offenses are powerful and both defenses have stepped up to the plate when necessary.  This will be a fun one to bet on.  My pick:  Colts 27-24. Until we meet again, may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.

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There were a few stunners in last weeks NFL playoff action.  I did not expect the New York Jets to man handle the San Diego Chargers the way they did.  The Chargers led by QB Phillip Rivers had proven to be a very productive offensive team throughout the season.  The Jets defeated the Chargers 17-14 in Sunny California.  Are the Jets for real?  First the Bengals and now the Chargers but next weekend should be a little tougher.

The Indianapolis Colts crushed the Baltimore Ravens 20-3 last weekend in a game where Colts QB Peyton Manning spent the day wondering if the Raven defense was even rushing him.  The Colts move on easily to face the surprising Jets in next weekends AFC Championship.

The Jets are off to Indy for the AFC Championship match up with the Colts.  It has been a heck of a ride for the Jets but I believe the bus will stop in Indy.  The odds makers have the Colts winning by at least 7.5 points.  The Colts should be moving on to the Super Bowl but the Jets will not go down without a fight.

Last weekend the Dallas Cowboys traveled to Minnesota to take on the Vikings.  The anticipation for this game was intense and the disbelief in reference to its conclusion was even greater.  The Vikings demolished the Cowboys in a 34-3 whipping that even made me cringe.  Like most I felt the Vikings would win but I assumed the Cowboys would at least put up a fight.  It was not to be and the Vikings move on to face the Saints in New Orleans in the NFC Championship next weekend.

It was hyped up to be the next Battle of New Orleans but when the Arizona Cardinals faced off against the Saints last weekend it wasn’t even a good skirmish.  The Saints destroyed the Cardinals completely in a 45-14 route.  The Saints were now one step closer to an NFL Championship.  Now they will have to host the Vikings fresh off of a Cowboy whipping party.

Perhaps the true Battle of New Orleans will be next weekend when the Saints host the Minnesota Vikings and their ageless QB Brett Farve.  The Saints are picked to win by 4 here but this could turn into a real shootout.  Both teams have fought hard to get to this game.  Both cities deserve a Super Bowl.  This will be the game to see.  Look for the Vikings and the Colts in Super Bowl 44.  Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.

On a cold Saturday afternoon in Cincinnati the Jets brought the heat and eliminated the Bengals from their fairy tale AFC North accomplishments.  Led by rookie Quarterback Mark Sanchez the Jets defeated the less than energized Bengals 24-14.  Sanchez did not play like a rookie and the Bengals did not look like AFC North Champions.  Next weekend the Jets travel to San Diego to face the number two seed in the AFC.  The Chargers finished the season with an 11 game winning streak and would like nothing better than to extend it right through the playoffs.  The Chargers are favored by 7.5 points and should win this one at home.

In the NFC the Dallas Cowboys put the Philadelphia Eagles out of their misery Saturday night in a decisive 34-14 whipping Texas style.  Tony Romo seems to have finally slid into his role as Quarterback and the Cowboys are looking like the real deal.  However, next weekend they are off to the frozen tundra to face the Minnesota Vikings.  Lucky for Dallas they have a dome there.  The Vikings are only favored by 2.5 which tells you this one should be close.  Although the Vikings should win on paper it will come down to which team ultimately wants it more.

On Sunday the Baltimore Ravens simply embarrassed the Patriots in New England 33-14.  New England did not look like a team that had won 3 Super Bowls in the last decade.  The Ravens did not look like a team that drifted into the playoffs with a 9-7 record.  Baltimore dished out more on both sides of the ball then New England could handle and that was the difference.  Next week the Ravens move on to face the number one seed in the AFC.  The Indianapolis Colts finished the season at 14-2 and could have easily finished 16-0 but decided to rest their starters.  The Colts are favored by 6.5 and if the team is still in tune they should win this one as well.

The shootout in Arizona on Sunday was not at the OK Corral but in Phoenix where the Cardinals outlasted the Green Bay Packers 51-45 in overtime.  Both teams gave it all they had but in the end it seemed the Cardinals were destined for victory.  Even a botched 34 yard field goal by the Cards with seconds left in regulation did not seal their defeat.  The Packers won the toss in OT and elected to receive.  Then Packer QB Aaron Rodgers fumbled the ball and the Cards took it to the promised land.  Although Rodgers was pulled down by the face mask the penalty was over looked and the Packers luck ran out.  Next week the Cardinals move on to New Orleans to face the number one seed in the NFC.  The Saints are favored by 7 points but this one could be a repeat shootout and come down to the very last play.  Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.

The Houston Texans and the Miami Dolphins are both 7-7 and fighting for a playoff birth in the AFC.  Sunday they will have the opportunity to increase their chances when they face off in Miami.  The Texans can have an explosive offense but have not been consistent.  The Dolphins have looked very good and then not so good.  The Dolphins are favored by 2.5 points and I will give them the edge at home.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are 7-7 as well and they travel to New England to take on the 9-5 Patriots.  The Pats are favored by 9 points and should win this one by at least that much.  The Jaguars are too unpredictable even though they too are fighting for a playoff birth.

Perhaps the best game of the week will be played in Pittsburgh where the 7-7 Steelers host the 8-6 Baltimore Ravens.  This division matchup is crucial for both teams if they hope to catch a playoff birth.  The Ravens defeated the Steelers by a field goal when they meant earlier in the season.  The Steelers are coming off an exciting victory over the Green Bay Packers but the Ravens have been on a roll.  The Steelers are favored by 3 points even though they lost 5 out of their last 6 games.  The Steeler defense has been on a vacation of sorts but the offense can be over powering.  I like the Steelers in a must win game.

The Denver Broncos are 8-6 and trying to clinch a playoff birth but to do so they have to win against the Philadelphia Eagles who are 10-4.  This is not likely.  The Eagles have been soaring and feel the heat of the Dallas Cowboys behind them.  The Eagles are favored by 7 points and will win by more.

The New York Jets have the number 1 ranked defense in the country and are 7-7 seeking a chance at the playoffs.  Unfortunately they are going to try to obtain that chance in Indianapolis against the Colts who are 14-0.  The Colts are favored by 5.5 points and the odds makers were being nice here.  The Colts win this one going away.

The Dallas Cowboys are fresh off a victory over the previously undefeated New Orleans Saints.  They are 9-5 and looking to go far into the playoffs behind a reenergised QB Tony Romo.  This week they travel to Washington to take on their division rival Redskins who are a dismal 4-10 but have been playing tough as of late.  The Cowboys are favored by 7 and should win here in true Cowboy fashion.

Monday Night the Minnesota Vikings, still licking their wounds after a defeat to the Carolina Panthers, take their 11-3 record to Chicago to face the 5-9 Bears.  QB Jay Cutler has not been the answer in Chicago and Farve is still the savoir in Minnesota.  The Vikings are favored by 7 but will double that in this game.

This one is for you Jerry.  The 3-11 Cleveland Browns will defeat the 5-9 Oakland Raiders in California in a game that has little to do with anything other than pride.  The Browns have been improving.  Both of these teams clipped my Steelers.  The Browns will deliver you a delayed Christmas present in this game where they are favored by a field goal.  Until we meet again, may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.

The Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League won their record 6th Super Bowl last February.  The Steelers are a blue collar football team that has long been known for hard hitting, bruising and down right pain inducing defense but this season all of that has changed.

The 7-7 Steelers are holding on to their playoff hopes by a thread and the defense has nothing to do with it.  Last Sunday it was the Steeler offense that once again saved the day in their 37-36 win over the Green Bay Packers who were 9-4 entering the game.  The Steelers won the game on the last play when Steeler QB Big Ben threw a 19 yard TD pass to WR Mike Wallace with time running out.

With 3:58 left in the game Steeler Coach Mike Tomlin attempted an onside kick with the Steelers leading 30-28 at the time.  This shocked everyone in the stadium and in living rooms around the world.  Steeler fans everywhere tried to determine his reasoning.  The Steelers did not retrieve the onside kick and the Packers marched down for a quick TD and a 36-30 lead.

With only a few precious moments left Big Ben had the duty to strike back and carry the Steelers to victory.  It took every second of regulation but the result was successful.  In the end Coach Tomlin’s decision to try for an onside kick told us what we already knew.  He lacked confidence in a defense that could not stop the Packers.

Over the past 2 seasons the Steelers have led the league in defense.  But this year something went very wrong.  Safety Troy Palamalu went down with a knee injury early and DT Aaron Smith followed suite.  In the last 6 games the once pressing defense had produced no picks.  Not one safety had intercepted a pass all season long.  To top it off the Steelers have given up 121 points in the 4th quarter alone, second in the league, showing their defense could no longer close a game out as in seasons past.

The once feared Steeler defense has been but a shadow of it’s once famous steel curtain.  If the Steelers will survive this season it will have to rely on it’s offense.  Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.

The reigning Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers have all but allowed themselves to be eliminated from the possibility of repeating after dropping 5 games in a row.  It is one thing to lose games when your team basically, well, bites but when you have the talent the Steelers have you expect more.  Tomorrow the Steelers host the 9-4 Green Bay Packers and somehow have managed to become 2 point favorites with their pitiful 6-7 record.  The Steelers cannot afford to lose another game and should beat the spread.

The Chicago Bears are 5-8 and they take on the Baltimore Ravens who are 7-6.  The Steelers need the Ravens to drop one here but it isn’t likely unless the Bears can take on the role of a spoiler.  The Ravens are 11 point favorites and that might win by a whole lot more.

The Cincinnati Bengals are 9-4 and leading the AFC North.  They travel to sunny San Diego to take on the 10-3 Chargers.  Both teams are trying hard to lock up their divisions.  The Chargers are favored by 7 but have all the makings of blowing this one out.

The Minnesota Vikings are 11-2 and have already clinched a playoff spot.  They travel to Charlotte to take on the Panthers who are 5-8.  The Panthers are playing for pride now.  They have kept most of their games close but are hurting at Quarterback.  The Vikings are favored by 9 and should come away with a victory.

The Monday night game pits the New York Giants at the Washington Redskins.  This NFC East rivary is big but could have been a lot bigger but both teams have let some big games slip away.  The Redskins 4-9 have been playing tough and the Giants who are 7-6 have been inconsistent to say the least.  The Giants are still in the race but they need this victory badly.  The Giants are favored by 3 points and depending on what team shows up, they should win.  Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.