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.

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.

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.

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.

All eyes are on Wimbledon as Rafael Nadal holds the tennis world in suspense while he makes the heart wreching decision if he will participate when the action begins on Monday.  If today play was any sign of things to come don’t hold your breath.  Rafael played Lleyton Hewitt in an exhibition today and lost both sets 6-4 and 6-3.  He is supposed to announce on Friday if his injured knees will allow him to compete.  Todays loss was his first since he dropped one to Roger Soderling in the fourth round of the French Open.  Nadal is riding 7-2 odds if he competes at Wimbledon.  Nadal is due to play another exhibition match against Stanislas Wawrinka on Friday.  He has said he will make his decision after that match.  Nadal was diagnosed with tendinitis last November and missed the Davis Cup soon after.  The mens field at the 2009 Wimbledon is strong with Roger Federer coming in at 2-3 odds looking for no less than his 6th Wimbledon Title and his 15th Major.  Andy Murray has 3-1 odds while Andy Roddick is a 18-1 favorite.  The world and the field will have to wait as one to see what role Nadals knee will play in the outcome.

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Today in Farmington, New York the U.S. Open Golf Tournament got under way.  However, the only thing falling into the holes was rain.  Tiger Woods barely finished his 7th hole when rain postponed the event being held at Bethpage Black Golf Course.  Tiger finished the day at 1over par.

In world soccer the USA took a sound beating by Brazil in the Confederations Cup in Pretoria, South Africa.  The USA team was beaten soundly 3-0 and have proved that they are far from ready to compete in next years World Cup.  The USA is 0-2 in the Confederation Cup and things are not looking like they will get any better.

In the National Football League Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth was suspended indefinately today for driving drunk in Miami and killing a pedestrian.  It is not known if indefinately will mean forever or just until the courts are finished with him.  Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf made it clear today that the future of Brent Farve in a Vikings uniform is up to Farve.  Farve announced on HBO recently that if his arm was ready the Vikings were the only team he has spoke too.  We still may see Farve come out of retirement one more time.  Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Matt Ryan looked pretty darn good as a rookie last year.  His teammates said he will be even better in 2009.  The Cinncinati Bengals Quarterback seems to be back to his old self.  He has not been the same since his knee injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers back in the 2004 playoffs.  With all the coaching changes and player shifts this year should prove to be pretty interesting to say the least.

The action never stops in the world of sports.  The competition only gets better.  This only enhances the games that we the fans pay to enjoy.  Until we meet again remember to always be a good sport.