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.

Click here to bet on the NFL Pro Bowl!

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 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.

Thursday night the Pittsburgh Steelers crossed the Ohio River to play the Cleveland Browns.  They barely got back across alive.  The Browns who were beginning to think they would never beat the Steelers again sacked Big Ben 7 times in route to a 13-6 victory.  The game was a matter of pride to the Browns but to the declining Steelers it may have meant the end of their playoff hopes.  The Steelers dropped their 5th game in a row. When you average it out, the Steelers lost all 7 games by 4pts each.  The Steelers left Cleveland with their tails between their legs and a lack of leadership and vision.

Both the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints won today to take their league leading records to 13-0.  The Minnesota Vikings destroyed the Cincinnati Bengals to clinch a playoff spot.  The Dallas Cowboys lost at home to the San Diego Chargers who have won 7 straight.  The New England Patriots skipped by the Carolina Panthers and the Washington Redskins blew out the Oakland Raiders.

The Tennessee Titans beat up the St Louis Rams and the Houston Texans put it on the Seattle Seahawks.  The Buffalo Bills slid by the Kansas City Chiefs while the Baltimore Ravens wiped up the field with the Detroit Lions.   The New York Jets,  Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers also took home victories.

Tonight the Philidelphia Eagles take on the New York Giants in a key eastern division NFC match up.  The Eagles could take sole pocession of the lead.  Tomorrow night the Arizona Cardinals take on the San Francisco 49ers.  Look for the Eagles and the Cardinals to win.  The odds seem to lean towards a Saints/Colts Superbowl.  I am not so sure.  Don’t rule the Vikings or the Chargers out of the hunt just yet.  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.