BetOnline's Blog
Posted Thursday, August 27, 2009 02:47 PM
If you follow NFL
odds, the words “questionable,” “doubtful,” “injured reserve” or
“physically unable to perform” keep you up at night, right? That’s
understandable – when star players get hurt, our favorite teams’ odds can shift
significantly. Who are the five most injury-prone players in the NFL?
Before we begin this list of NFL picks, you should know
that:
* “Nicked
up” guys don’t count. Ben Roethlisberger always has some sort of malady but
he rarely misses a game.
* Low-impact
players don’t count. So what if Willis McGahee is made of glass? He’s a
second-stringer at best on his team right now.
Let’s begin! Hopefully I don’t suffer an upper-body
injury while typing this list.
5. Brandon
Jacobs, halfback, New York Giants
When you’re 6’4” and 264 pounds, you run over
guys. But you’re also a huge target that can’t avoid taking big shots. Jacobs
gets battered and bruised every season and missed eight games over 2007 and
2008.
4. Steve
Smith, wide receiver, Carolina Panthers
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Posted Thursday, August 27, 2009 02:47 PM
A great draft can increase NFL
odds for a team…or you can be stuck with a Matt Leinart-like bust in the
first round. Here’s a look at who could be Leinart ’09.
Andre
Smith, Cincinnati
The former Alabama standout was taken sixth by the
bad-luck Bengals, and he was a consensus All-American last year. But he missed
the Sugar Bowl due to illegal agent activity, then he showed up to the NFL
combine out of shape. To top it off, Smith left the combine early and didn’t
tell anyone so he could go to Alabama’s Pro Day, but he was still overweight. He
still hasn’t signed with the Bengals either, meaning he’s behind on the
learning curve. This guy may make 1989 bust Tony Mandarich look like a
brilliant pick.
Darrius
Heyward-Bey, Oakland
The No.7 pick had a high of 786 yards in three seasons
at Maryland, and that came in his sophomore year, so yes, he took a dive in his
last year. But he’s really, really fast, as his 4.3 40-yard time was the best
at the combine. We’re betting management (specifically, Al “Speed
Kills” Davis) from Oakland fainted over that time and figured they had to have him.
The only possible win the Raiders can take from this is that Heyward-Bey is
signed, while Mich... [More]
Posted Thursday, August 27, 2009 02:46 PM
Forget the UFC 102 odds and the sportsbook
for a minute - let’s talk about who’s the best quarterback in the NFL. It’s an
ongoing debate that can go round and round, but here are my five picks for who
belong.
1. Tom Brady, New
England Patriots
Although Tom Brady missed almost the entire 2008 season, is
there any question that he’s the best quarterback in the league? He may not
always put up the stats of Peyton Manning or Drew Brees – even though we know
he’s capable of it – but Brady is always clutch. He has proven it time and time
again, and he’s reeled in more Super Bowls than any other current quarterback
in the NFL. If there is a crucial time in the game to make a key throw, he’s a
good NFL bet to get the job
done.
2. Peyton Manning,
Indianapolis Colts
If anyone has placed a sports bet
online, they know that Manning is the most trusted quarterback among NFL
bettors. In general, it’s hard to argue with that. He’s a virtual lock to for
4000 yards passing and 30 touchdowns every year but the only concern is the one
Super Bowl.... [More]
Posted Thursday, August 20, 2009 02:59 PM
The UFC
102 fight card is something special. It’ll give us something we fight fans
haven’t seen much of lately: upsets. UFC 100 and 101 were exciting but somewhat
predictable, as favorites like St-Pierre, Lesnar, Penn and Silva performed as
advertised. Looking at the five fights on the UFC 102 main card, however, I see
at least four upsets in the cards. Let’s examine the upset extravaganza known
as UFC 102.
Note the absence of Marquardt/Maia, as a win for
either guy wouldn’t really be an “upset” in that closely matched fight.
Randy
Couture (16-9) vs Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (31-5-1)
Favorite: Couture -180
WHY COUTURE IS THE FAVORITE: He’s a big name, an
American hero-type who has beaten some big, big men. Also, some online betting
sharps probably didn’t like what they saw from Nogueira when he got his clocked
cleaned by Frank Mir last December.
WHY NOGUEIRA WILL PULL OFF THE UPSET: When he lost
to Mir, he was recovering from a staph infection and hospital visit 20 days
earlier. He deserves a mulligan. He’s also 13 years younger than Randy and has
a much stronger chin. He can win via... [More]
Posted Thursday, August 20, 2009 02:58 PM
NFL
betting fans know that the Pittsburgh Steelers have dominated the AFC North
throughout the decade and have won two years running. Considering the Steelers
are the reigning Super Bowl Champions - and return with almost their entire
roster intact - they should make it a three-peat in the North by the end of
2009. Here’s a preview of the AFC North division:
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have the best chance to unseat the
Steelers in the North, but they have a few questions to answer after their
surprising 11-5 season. The Ravens lost defensive coordinator Rex Ryan to the
New York Jets and also standout linebacker Bart Scott. More importantly, they
didn’t get any additional weapons to help out Joe Flacco on offense. The sportsbook
odds makers believe the Ravens will finish second in this division, but they won’t
push the Steelers like they did last year.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have had a quiet offseason – believe
it or not. While most sports picks will expect them to be the same horrible
team again, the truth is that the Bengals have a healthy Carson Palmer, a
heal... [More]
Posted Thursday, August 20, 2009 02:58 PM
Before we get to the NFL Week 1 odds, there are a number of props
available, which includes picking division winners. Today’s look is at the AFC
East, where the former kings should bounce back to regain their crown.
New England is a massive online betting
favorite to win their seventh title since 2000 at -780, and it’s all about the
return of Tom Brady, who was the league MVP in 2007 but missed virtually all of
last season with a knee injury. Brady has looked great in the preseason, which
should mean a return to form for the Patriots’ offense, which actually didn’t
do too badly with Matt Cassel at the helm. The defense, which was 10th
in the league last year, is led by a strong front seven, but the secondary lost
Ellis Hobbs to Philadelphia.
Buffalo is next at +900, and the acquisition of Terrell
Owens gives the Bills a whole new outlook. They’ve even been experimenting with
the no-huddle offense, which the Bills used in their 1990s heyday, and it has
worked well in the preseason. The defense is powered by a solid and underrated
secondary, but they need to get more of a pass rush: Buffalo was 28th
in sacks in 2009.
The New York Jets are listed at +950 by ... [More]
Posted Thursday, August 13, 2009 03:08 PM
It’s that time of the year where NFL
betting and NCAA football betting start dominating the
ranks, so let’s get all up in the hype and preview the AFC South.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are once again a sleeper, but this time
there appears to be some merit. The Texans return their entire starting
offensive line for the first time in franchise history and could boast one of
the most explosive offenses in the league. With Steve Slaton running the ball
and plenty of premier weapons for Matt Schaub to use, don’t be surprised if this
team finally breaks out of its underachieving shell. The defense is also
up-and-coming.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have endured quite a bit of change on
their coaching staff but on the field, it’s business as usual. Peyton Manning
stills leads a lethal offense that should be able to run the ball significantly
better, whether Joseph Addai is healthy or not. On defense, the Colts will have
to prove that they can move on without the coaching of Tony Dungy and Ron
Meeks. Both of those coaches helped the unit overachieve, which led to a Super
Bowl. The Colts are still the m... [More]
Posted Thursday, August 13, 2009 03:08 PM
Last year, NFL
betting players may have been surprised to see San Diego in the playoffs,
but a late run combined with a Denver collapse handed them the keys to the
postseason. This year, they won’t even need that as they romp to a fourth
straight division crown.
The
Chargers (-700) have Shawne Merriman back and healthy,
which will help a defense that was 25th in the NFL last year.
Merriman’s pass-rushing abilities mean that the secondary won’t be hung out to
dry as much. Philip Rivers was the league’s top-rated passer in 2008, and while
he has a dependable target in perennial All-Pro Antonio Gates, those who are betting online
with San Diego will be eager to see if Vincent Jackson’s big season was a
fluke. Finally, LaDainian Tomlinson is making a final push to hold onto the
No.1 spot at running back with Darren Sproles hot on his heels.
Denver
(+450) had one of the craziest offseasons in recent memory,
as new coach Josh McDaniels ran quarterback Jay Cutler out of town (depending
on who you talk to), and Brandon Marshall also reportedly demanded a trade, but
he has no leverage with his legal woes. Champ Bailey is healthy again and
should help a defense that was 29th in the league last year, but the
front seven isn’t scaring anyone. Th... [More]
Posted Thursday, August 13, 2009 03:07 PM
As much as we love
NFL
betting, there’s something missing from it: that wacky sense of
“old-timeyness” that calls to mind press hats, flash bulbs and fedoras. For
whatever reason, baseball hasn’t lost that culture. When we see stuff like the
Blue Jays giving away Alex Rios, it reminds us that the boys of summer
sometimes make crazy decisions in the front office.
Presenting the top 10 wackiest baseball trades of
all time. This isn’t to be confused with the worst trades – Pierzynski for Nathan, Liriano and Bonser is safe.
We’re talking bizarre deals that rival little Johnny trading his pudding cup to
Stevey in the lunch room at school for two G.I. Joes and a bag of marbles
(Great job capitalizing on Stevey’s hunger at the trade deadline, Johnny).
10. Johnny
Mac for Johnny Mac
John MacDonald wasn’t the first ballplayer to be
traded for himself, but it was funny to see him get dealt to the Tigers for
future considerations, then find out that he
would turn out to be the future consideration.
9. John
Odom for 10 bats
Hey, you can’t go wrong with a bunch of good maple
bats, right? The Odom trade is low on this list simply because his team, the Calgary
Vipers, was cornered. He had a... [More]
Posted Wednesday, August 05, 2009 03:20 PM
Especially with futures, NFL
betting is like a minefield. Put too much weight in one spot – or too much
money on one team – and you could get mangled. Who are the top five trap teams
in the NFL this season?
5. Atlanta
Falcons
People are piling on the Matt Ryan bandwagon so
quickly that the wheels could break off at any moment. The Falcons have a
bright future with Ryan leading an offense that also features Roddy White, Tony
Gonzalez and Michael Turner, but they were a bit ahead of schedule last year.
Matt Ryan’s transition from NCAA football betting to the NFL was smooth –
a little too smooth. Just 11 INTs is a fluky-low number for a rookie. Also,
Roddy White is holding out and Tony Gonzalez joins an offense that doesn’t
feature tight ends prominently. The offense may take a step back and the
defense is mediocre. Another 11-win season seems unlikely.
4. Arizona
Cardinals
So many NFL predictions bash the Cardinals that they may go
full circle and become sleepers again before the season starts, but t... [More]
Posted Wednesday, August 05, 2009 03:19 PM
NFL
betting players look for variety in their wagering options, and coach of
the year is one of the many futures available in your offshore sportsbook.
Atlanta’s Mike Smith won in 2008 for his wizardly job with the Falcons, so who
will follow up?
Norv
Turner, San Diego
The Chargers were 8-8 last year, and still managed to
win the feeble AFC West. They’ll be better this year, especially with a healthy
Shawne Merriman back to aid a defense that was atrocious in 2008. The weakness
of the division may hurt his chances, but if the Chargers can win four more
games this year, he has to be considered in your offshore
sportsbook.
Marvin
Lewis, Cincinnati
Lewis’ job has been on the line for the last couple of
years, but this could be the year that the Bengals break out. Cincy won three
straight at the end of 2008 to finish 4-11-1, and they have Carson Palmer back
and healthy. Chad Ochocinco looks ready to avoid being a distraction, but only
time will tell in that respect. The defense was surprisingly good, and it’s
about time, seeing as how Lewis was a defensive genius in Baltimore.
Bill
Belichick, New England
Belichick fli... [More]