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 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.

Tonight the New York Jets take on the Buffalo Bills in Toronto, Canada.  That’s right, Canada.  It is part of a 5 year plan to build Bills fans from just across Lake Ontario.  The first game was played there last year in December when the Bills lost 16-3 to Miami.  This year the Bills are 4-7 and have already fired thier head coach Dick Jauron.  Rumour has it they are stalking former Denver Bronco head coach Mike Shanahan as his replacement.

The Jets are 5-6 this season that has been full of ups and downs.  The Jets have worked hard all season to break in their rookie QB Mark Sanchez.  It is a work in process.  The Bills are coming off of a big win over Miami while the Jets faired well against the Carolina Panthers as well.  These two teams faced off in October with the Bills winning in overtime.  The Jets are favored by 3.

I have to mention the upcoming game between the Titans and the Colts.  Although the Colts are 11-0 and favored by 7 they take on division rival Tennessee who has won 5 straight games with Vince Young at QB.  This might be a good one.  But look for the Colts to put an end to Youngs winning streak.

The Dallas Cowboys and the Giants face off in New York in what should have been a humdinger.  However, the Giants are struggling and will have to rely heavily on their running game.  The Giants defeated the Cowboys in their first matchup in September 33-31.  The Cowboys are favored by 2.5 and stand the chance of winning by much more.

The Minnesota Vikings take on the Arizona Cardnals Sunday night in what could be a great game.  However, Arizona is not sure who will be starting at QB yet so no one is likely to set odds here soon.  The Vikings have the complete package and will beat the Cardnals hands down.

The Baltimore Ravens are 6-5 and will be seen on Monday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers who are 7-4.  If the real Packers show up for this game they should beat the Ravens.  The Pack is favored by 3.  In other games look for the Steelers to get back to their winning ways against the Raiders.  The Bengals should have no trouble in Detroit and the Patriots will extend the Dolphins losing ways.  Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.

The hype is growing in reference to the Monday night match up between the 10-0 New Orleans Saints and the 7-3 New England Patriots.  This one is going to be an old west shootout but which gunslinger will walk away successful into the sunset.

The New England Patriots are no strangers to Monday Night Football.  Tonight will be their 39th appearance and although overall their record has been suspect, (17-21) they have won 6 straight Monday night games dating back to 2005.  Furthermore, Patriots QB Tom Brady is 8-3 on Monday Nights.

The Patriots have already faced one undefeated team this year, the Indianapolis Colts and lost.  Now they travel to the Super Dome to face another in the Saints.  The Saints are as explosive offensively as any team in the NFL and the Patriots know it.

Tom Brady knows a little about offense himself.  He has thrown for over 3000 yards once again this season and has 20 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.  Saints QB Drew Brees has worked wonders down in New Orleans.  His team is scoring an amazing 36.9 points per game this year and they should set a record for points scored during a season.  Brees has thrown for almost 2800 yards and has thrown 22 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.

The Patriots have faced the Saints 3 times in the Super Dome and have won all 3 times.  However, it should be noted that none of these wins were against Drew Brees at Quarterback.  The Saints are a much better team than the one the Patriots faced last in the Super Dome in 1998.

This game should be entertaining to say the least.  The Saints are favored by 2 but you can tell the experts were weak at heart when predicting this one.  It is hard to count Tom Brady out when it comes to a shootout, but then again he lost one to Peyton Manning a few weeks ago.

The Saints may outscore the Patriots tonight but something tells me it is going to be a knockdown, drag out fight to the finish.  This one may come down to which teams defense makes the big play when it has too.  This match up is what the NFL is all about.  Enjoy it.  Until we meet again, may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.

Tomorrow is the Thanksgiving Holiday; a time to show thanks for all of your blessings.  It should be a magical time for family and friends.  A day of feasting and of course; a day of NFL Football.  No less than 3 games will be on national TV this Turkey Day.  All 6 of these teams have something to be thankful for in 2009.

The first game will be between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers.  The Lions are 2-8 this season but they should be thankful to have won a game this year.  Last year they went 0-16.  They should also be thankful that rookie QB Matthew Stafford is still able to play after the abuse he has taken.  The Green Bay Packers are 6-4 and should be thankful they are still in contention for a playoff spot considering the way they have played at times.  Da Packers will win this one.

The Dallas Cowboys take on the Oakland Raiders.  The Cowboys are 7-3 and lead the NFC East and they should definately be thankful for that.  They pulled out a boring 7-6 win over the Redskins last Sunday and have played some pretty awful football at times for a division leading team.  The Raiders upset the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday 20-17 in OT.  The Raiders should be thankful to even be 3-7 at this point though.  They will be more thankful when they get a new QB.  The Cowboys win here.

The Denver Broncos square off against the New York Giants in this battle of the 6-4 teams.  The Broncos started off the season 6-0 before being shocked at their own demise.  They should be thankful they are still in contention with the AFC West leading San Diego Chargers.  The Giants are struggling as well.  They need to be thankful that after 10 games they are still in the running with the Cowboys and the Eagles.  The Giants will be thankful on Turkey day with a victory here.

The two biggest match-ups of the week will be on Sunday and Monday Night Football.  On Sunday the Pittsburgh Steelers try to bounce back against the Baltimore Ravens.  The Steelers are 6-4 and the Ravens 5-5.  The Ravens are a 2.5 point favorite.  Both teams are struggling to find their identity this year.  The Steelers cannot afford to lose this game and expect to reach the playoffs in 2009.  It will be a close one but I like the Steelers by 7.

On Monday Night the New England Patriots meet up with the New Orleans Saints.  The Saints are 10-0 while the Pats are 7-3.  The Saints are favored by 3.  I am one of those people who is yet to be convinced that the Saints are well balanced even though they are undefeated.  However, I think they will pull this one out by the 3 points.

The Saints should be thankful to be 10-0 and the Pats should be thankful they have Tom Brady and a division lead at this stage.  The Steelers need to be thankful that they are still in contention and that they have Big Ben.  The Ravens should give thanks that the Steelers are struggling as well and have left the door open for their playoff hopes.  Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.  Happy Thanksgiving my friends.  Enjoy it with your family, friends and NFL Football.

Yesterday was a wild day in the NFL.  A few of the obvious contenders were stunned by teams that they should have easily beaten.  A few others continued their winning ways on the road to fulfill Super Bowl expectations.  Tonight the Titans take on the Texans in a battle of two struggling Texas teams.  The latest odds do not favor either one of these teams reaching the Super Bowl.  The Texans hold 60-1 odds of getting there while the Titans are 200-1 longshots.

The Indianapolis Colts  slid by the Baltimore Ravens 17-15.  The Colts are now 10-0, leading the AFC South.  The Colts  have 3 -1 odds of winning it all.  The Ravens come in with 50-1 odds.  The Bengals fell to the Raiders 20-17 in overtime but held on to their AFC North Lead with a 7-3 record.  The Bengals hold 12-1 odds of going all the way.  The Steelers fell to 6-4 in the AFC North when they lost 27-24 to the Chiefs in overtime.  The Steelers are still 12-1 favorites of winning it all again.

The New England Patriots beat the New York Jets yesterday 31-14 to improve their AFC East leading record to 7-3.  The Pats hold 4.5 – 1 odds of winning the Super Bowl in February.  The San Diego Chargers demolished the Denver Broncos 32-3 to secure first place in the AFC West with a 7-3 record.  The Chargers hold 8-1 odds of winning the big one.  The Broncos have fell to 75-1 odds.

The Dallas Cowboys improved their record to 7-3 in the NFC East defeating division rivals, the Washington Redskins, 7-6.  The Cowboys hold 20-1 odds of taking the championship this year.  The Giants are actually 25-1 favorites while the Eagles are carrying 20-1 odds like the Cowboys.

The Minnesota Vikings are riding high in the NFC Central.  Their record is now 9-1.  They hold 4-1 odds of finally winning a Super Bowl.  The New Orleans Saints are the other unbeaten team in the NFL with a 10-0 record.  They hold 4.5 – 1 odds of winning their first Super Bowl as well.  The Arizona Cardinals improved their record to 7-3 and hold 15-1 odds of winning what they lost last year.

Therefore, if these odds were to hold up we would be looking at a Indianapolis Colts/Minnesota Vikings Super Bowl with the Colts and Peyton Manning taking home thier second trophey.  However, there are still 6 hard fought games left to play.  If yesterday proved anything it displayed that anything can happen on any given sunday.  Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.

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The playoff bound football teams are finally starting to separate themselves from the rest around the NFL.  Although it is only Week 11 there are some teams that look certain to reach the post season.  The Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints are the only 2 undefeated teams left with 9-0 records.  The Colts take on the  5-4 Ravens in Baltimore this coming Sunday.  The Colts are favored by 1.  Someone is giving the up and down Ravens more credit than they deserve.  The Ravens just beat the Browns 16-0, big deal.  They won’t have it so easy with the Colts.  I pick Peyton Manning and the Colts 27-17.

New Orleans, who almost lost to the Rams last week, take on the 1-8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.   The Saints are favored by 11 and should win by at least that much.  The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-3 and they travel to Kansas City to take on the 2-7 Chiefs.  The Steelers are favored by 10 and will win by 15.  Big Ben will bounce back and have one of his best games of the year.

The Cincinnati Bengals are 7-2 and they shoot to the west coast to battle the Oakland Raiders who are struggling at 2-7.  The Bengals are the surprise of the season and are favored to win this one by 9.5.  I cannot see any reason why they should not win by more.  The battle between two 4-5 teams takes place in Charlotte, North Carolina where the Panthers host the Miami Dolphins and their wildcat offense.  This should be a dandy.  The Panthers look much improved and Chad Henne the QB for the Dolphins had been a surprise blessing in Miami.  The Panthers are favored by 3 and will win it 21-17.

For the latest playoff odds check NFL betting!

In other games the Lions will win again against the Browns, The Jags will beat the Bills, the Giants will beat the Falcons, the Packers will over come the 49ers, the Vikings will win over the Seahawks, the Cowboys over the Redskins, my upset of the week Rams over the Cardinals,  Patroits over the Jets, the Eagles over the Bears and the Texans over the Titans on Monday Night.  Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.

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There are some teams in the NFL that are hard to predict.  One week they play well and the next week they fall on their face.  In my last blog I wondered who would stand up and establish a reputation, a presence and respect.  Yesterday there were a few teams that certainly answered the call.

The Indianapolis Colts squared off against the New England Patriots last night in a game designated at the biggest rivalry of the decade.  It was prime time for two of the NFL’s best Quarterbacks to get their game on.  Peyton Manning of the Colts and Tom Brady of the Patriots did not leave us down.  At one time late in the game the Colts were behind 31-14 and it seemed like there would not longer be an undefeated team in the AFC.  When the final second ticked off the clock the Colts had come back and beat the Patriots 35-34 in one of the most memorable comebacks in recent times.  The Colts are now 9-0 while the Pats fell to 6-3.

The Cincinnati Bengals traveled up the Ohio River to take on their division rivals and reigning Super Bowl Champs the Pittsburgh Steelers in a battle for top seed in the AFC North.  Although this game was not full of thunder and lightning the Bengals sent a message to the rest of the NFL.   That message was “We are for real”.  The Bengals shocked the Steelers 18-12 sweeping them this season.  The Bengals have also swept the Baltimore Ravens, their other division rival.  Perhaps the Bengals are not completely where they would like to be but they have proven they have earned their spot at the top of the AFC North.

The San Diego Chargers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 31-23 yesterday, which allowed them to creep into a tie for first place in the AFC West with the slumping Denver Broncos who fell to the Washington Redskins 27-17.  When the season began many sports writers chose the Chargers as a surefire contender for the AFC Crown.  Perhaps they were right.

The New Orleans Saints just got by the 1-8 St. Louis Rams yesterday 28-23.  This game was much to close for a team that is 9-0 and the supposed cream of the crop for the NFC.  The Rams gave them all they wanted and more and placed their undefeated season in distress right down to the last second. For the latest NFL odds check NFL betting!

The NFC East leading Dallas Cowboys fell to 6-3 after losing to the now 5-4 Green Bay Packers.  The Eagles  are  5-4 along with the New York Giants in that division.  The question has to be asked, “Will the real contender please stand up”?  As of now the NFL Division leaders are the Patriots, Colts, Bengals and Broncos in the AFC and the Cowboys, Vikings, Saints and Cardinals in the NFC.  However, the season is not over until its over.  Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.

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The NFL season through the first 8 weeks has come down to this… you never know which team is going to show up on Sunday.  Last week the Eagles blew out the New York Giants but earlier in the season lost to the Raiders.  The Cardinals were looking good until Warner had 5 turnovers on Sunday against the previously helpless Panthers.

You can find examples of this all over the league.  Many of the teams that were expected to flourish this season have had up and down seasons like the Ravens for instance.  Every year the experts pick them to win the division.  They lost to the Steelers 3 times last year and have struggled to get to 4-3 this year.

Okay, the Patroits look good but they have stumbled on occasion this year as well.  Lets face it that division does not offer alot of challenges.  The Colts have managed to stay undefeated but have been threatened.  The Broncos were undefeated but were destroyed by the hapless Ravens.

The Bengals are not consistent but the Steelers who lost both of their games by 3 points have not trailed by more than 3 points all year.  They are 5-2 and are still the strength in that division.  The Giants, Eagles and Cowboys are all fighting for that division and again you never know which team is going to show up. For the latest NFL odds check NFL betting!

The Vikings have looked good even though they fell to the Steelers they did bounce back to embarrass the Packers in Green Bay.  The Saints are still undefeated but they tend to give up as many points as they score.   Championships are won with defense.

Don’t think so…ask Dan Marino if he would not have desired a better defense in Miami or Dan Fouts a better defense in San Diego.  Those offenses put up the numbers with no Super Bowl to show for it.

We can only wonder which teams will show up as contenders in Week 9.  This week the Ravens are favored by 3 over the Bengals.  You can flip a coin on this one but I believe the Ravens might be waking up.  The Ravens will win.

The Texans have battled back to contender status but face the Colts this weekend in a key division match up.  The Colts are favored by 9 but look for this one to be closer than that.  The Colts will win.

The Cowboys travel to Philadelphia this week.  This is a crucial division match up as well with both teams coming off of big wins.  But who will show up?  The Eagles are favored by 3 but I like the Cowboys.

Monday night the Broncos take their 6-1 record to Pittsburgh.  They will leave steel town with a 6-2 record.  The Steelers are favored by 3 but will win by more.  Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.

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The Phillies were not very good house guests last night when they stunned the New York Yankees at home 6-1.  Phillies pitching ace Cliff Lee looked like he could have pitched 27 innings without breaking a sweat and the Yankees modern day murders row turned out to be quite harmless.  In game 2 the Yankees will try to get back on track with A.J.  Burnett while the Phillies rely on Yankee nemisis Pedro Martinez.  This should be a barn burner.  The reigning world champion Phillies are off to a great start.  The Yankees will have to overcome the Philadelphia pitching if they want to win it all for the 27th time.

For the latest playoff odds check Baseball betting

The Denver Broncos have to be reciting the famous phrase by commedian Rodney Dangerfield ” I get no respect I tell Ya, No respect”.  Denver travels to Baltimore for a major NFL matchup.  The Broncos are 6-0 this season and the Ravens are a dismal 3-3 and hardly living up to their expectations and yet the Ravens are still favored by 3.  This means that Denver has yet to convince anyone they are for real.  This game is going to be hard fought but I am afraid Denvers luck is about to run out.  My pick:  Baltimore 20-13

The New York Giants take a little trip down to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles.  The Giants are 5-2 while the Eagles are 4-2.  This one will depend a lot on which teams show up.  Both have looked very good and then very bad.  It is going to come down to who wants it more.  The Giants are favored by 1.  This one will be decided in the trenches.  I like the Giants 17-14

Monday night the Atlanta Falcons journey to New Orleans to take on the 6-0 Saints.  The Falcons are 4-2 and on paper you might think this will be a fair matchup.  The Saints are favored by 10 but have the capability of blowing this one out.  I like the Saints 35-21

I saved the best for last.  Brett Farve and the Minnesota Vikings slide over to Green Bay at frigid Lambeau field to take on da Packers.   There is going to be a rumble in cheese town.  Farve is going home to Green Bay but it is not to a ticker tape parade.  Fresh off of their defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers last sunday the 6-1 Vikings need this victory against their division foes the 4-2 Packers.  The Vikings are still the real deal.  The Packers are getting there.  The Pack is favored by 3 but I like the Vikings 24-20

I also like the Texans over Buffalo, the Bears over the Browns, the Cowboys over the Seahawks, the Rams over the Lions, the Colts over the 49ers, the Dolphins over the Jets, the Chargers over the Raiders, the Jags over the Titans and the Cardinals over the Panthers.  Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.

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