BetUS Sportsbook has posted propositions involving quarterback vs. quarterback touchdown totals for the wagering pleasure of its fans who follow pro football. So who's going to throw the most TD passes? These are not children's games here; they involve some handicapping. You're not "drafting" players, you are betting on them.
Today, we'll look at a mixed bag of matchups, a couple of which feature Tom Brady, the "other" quarterback in that Super Bowl game last season. And where the hell is Brodie Croyle in these props? Chris Redman? Kyle Boller? C'mon guys - where's your imagination?
BetUS Player Proposition Odds
Who will have more touchdown passes?
TOM BRADY -7.5 -120
CARSON PALMER +7.5 -110
-- If the coaching staff at New England feels that somebody like Lamont Jordan can legitimately add to the depth in the backfield, you'll probably find Tom Brady throwing less. How much less is a good question, but 50 touchdown passes is not going to be reached again. I'm reasonably confident the Pats are going to have a working running game, when you consider the presence of Jordan, Lawrence Maroney, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, et al. I'm not as sure about Cincinnati, because the Bengals seem to be relying on a healthy and productive return from Rudi Johnson. If he isn't as effective as they hope he'll be, that forces Palmer to the air a lot more. And he has the receivers to make things happen. And I wouldn't be too concerned with the departure of Chris Henry. Between rookies Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson, he'll find himself a third receiver.
PLAY: PALMER
TOM BRADY -6.5 -120
DREW BREES +6.5 -110
Sure, there are some question marks surrounding Brees and the New Orleans passing game. But Sean Payton would seem to be an artful architect of an offense. The Saints don't necessarily have an explosive wide receiver to complement Marques Colston, but they have a serviceable veteran in David Patten and should get some usefulness out of rookie Robert Meacham. Reggie Bush could find himself turned into a slot receiver more often than not, and Jeremy Shockey is going to become an important safety valve for Brees, who threw for 27 touchdowns over the last 12 games of 2007.
PLAY: BREES
PEYTON MANNING -1.5 -190
TONY ROMO +1.5 +155
Peyton Manning has thrown for 31 touchdowns in each of the last two seasons, after tossing 28 in 2005. He won't have the same Marvin Harrison he was used to throwing to for so many years, and that might affect his TD total. So might an improved running game, which we anticipate might happen. Romo has another weapon at his disposal this year in the person of rookie Felix Jones. Of course, the challenge will be in developing a dangerous wide receiver on the other side of Terrell Owens. But Romo will find Jason Witten plenty, and the two connected on seven TD's last season. With 36 TD passes last season, Romo is a solid underdog against just about anybody.
PLAY: ROMO
DAVID GARRARD -1 +105
DONOVAN McNABB +1 -135
We've only got one full season to judge Garrard on, and that was 2007, when he threw for 18 touchdowns with only three interceptions. He did throw for more than one touchdown in five of his last six starts. Perhaps that indicates coach Jack Del Rio is ready to trust him with opening up the offense a little more. But I still think it's more about protecting the ball in Jacksonville more than it is in Philadelphia, where McNabb is playing in a West Coast offense. We are certainly worried about McNabb holding up over a full season, but there is more statistical upside with him than with Garrard.
And finally, as promised......
ELI MANNING +7.5 -125
PEYTON MANNING -7.5 -105
Think these guys discuss this proposition when they attend the family quarterback camp in the off-season? Over the last three years, Eli has thrown 24, 24 and 23 touchdown passes, with Peyton tossing 28, 31 and 31. That's an average of 30 over those seasons for Peyton, and just under 24 for Eli. So it would appear that Eli could sneak right inside this spread on that basis. Of course, we know that Peyton has demonstrated more upside in the past with his 49-TD total in 2004. So it depends on whether you think last year's drive to the Super Bowl provides the kind of confidence boost that could bring Eli to the next level. To me, this is a virtual toss-up, so maybe I'd rather be laying less of a price.
PLAY: PEYTON -105
The 2008 NFL betting season is here! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The BetUS sportsbook has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to Super Bowl XLIII and beyond!