2010 NFL Predictions - San Francisco 49ers

The Arizona Cardinals have been the team to beat in the NFC West the last two seasons, but that could change this year. With future Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner deciding to hang it up, NFL lines makes are giving the San Francisco 49ers the edge in the division race, listing them as the -110 favorite to win the division. If the odds makers are correct, the 49ers will punch their ticket to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Offense: The offense struggled in 2009, scoring just 20.6 points per game (18th in the NFL). The 49ers finished 25th in rushing offense (100.0 yards per game) and 22nd in passing offense (190.8 yards per game). It was extremely difficult for the offense to sustain drives with its poor 29.8 percent third down conversion rate.

The biggest problem was a mediocre at best offensive line. Joe Staley and Eric Heitmann performed well, but the Niners knew they needed to add more talent up front. So they drafted tackle Anthony Davis and guard Mike Iupati in the first round. These two must be able to step in and perform right away.  The 49ers had a bit of misfortune with Heitmann fracturing his left fibula, but they are hoping to have him back by Week 2.

If the line can show improvement, Frank Gore could be poised for a monster year. Gore rushed for 1,120 yards and 10 scores in 2009, and he added 52 receptions for 406 yards and three more scores. The addition of former Eagles great Brian Westbrook should help keep Gore fresh.

The 49ers are a run-first team, but they have the potential to make big plays through the air with tight end Vernon Davis and wide receiver Michael Crabtree. Davis is coming off a career-year, catching 78 balls for 965 yards and 13 touchdowns. Once Crabtree's holdout was over, he wasted no time putting up big numbers, hauling in 48 passes for 625 yards in just 11 games.

It's been quite the process, but it appears Alex Smith is finally ready to be a starter in the NFL. After stepping into the role last season, he threw for 2,350 yards and 18 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. If he doesn't make the type of progress the Niners are expecting, former Texans starter David Carr will likely get the call.

Defense: Head coach Mike Singletary and defensive coordinator Greg Manusky have teamed up to put a solid defense on the field. This unit held opponents to only 17.9 points per game in 2009 (14th in the NFL).  Thanks to big nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin and stud linebacker Patrick Willis, the 49ers were among the best run-stuffing units in football, holding opponents to only 97.0 yards per game on the ground (6th in the NFL).

This unit was also very opportunistic in 2009. Its 33 forced turnovers tied for fifth-best in the NFL, and its 18 fumble recoveries tied for first.

While no player on the defense recorded more than 6.5 sacks, the 49ers tied for third in the NFL with 44 sacks. Defensive end Justin Smith, who has 13 sacks in two seasons with the Niners, brings the heat on a consistent basis.

If the 49ers can improve their 21st-ranked pass defense, they can really become an elite unit.  In order to do that, they'll need a bounce back season from Nate Clemens.

Prediction: 1st NFC West - Unless Matt Leinart completely surprises with a breakout season, I believe the 49ers will win the West, punching their first playoff ticket in nearly a decade. Be sure to check out my 2010 NFL predictions to see which teams I have winning the other seven divisions.

If you want winning NFL picks to beat the NFL odds this fall, then get signed up for one of the premium packages on my site.

Tips For Building Your Own Home Bar

Is your home the place where your friends and family tend to gather for sporting events, card games or just a great place to hang out on a Friday night? Why not consider building a home bar to add a little flare to your entertaining? Building a home bar is a great addition to any home, but deciding on building a bar is just the first step. Many decisions have to be made throughout the building process to determine what the bar will look like, where is will be located and just how much money you want to spend on such an endeavor.

In many homes the bar is located in the basement in a large rec room. If you have the space to do this, it makes sense to locate the bar there, but it is entirely up to you where you locate it. If you are not handy with tools, it's likely best to hire a contractor to build a proper home bar that you will be proud of, however if you do have some technical skill, building a bar doesn't have to be difficult. It is possible to even purchase a home bar kit that can make it much easier to build. Most people however prefer a more custom bar that fits in with their current decor

Many types of home bars exist to suit any decor including Tiki Bars, Tuscany Bars or a Renaissance Bar. For those in warmer climates, a home bar could even be installed outdoors, around a pool or on a deck. For most people that live in parts of the country that have cold winters, an indoor home bar may be more appropriate. Depending on the current decor of your home, some bars work better than others, but if you are looking to build a themed room, any style will work.

Once you decide on style, now comes the important decisions of what your home bar will include. A simple bar does not need to include electricity or water, but both these utilities will greatly improve what you can do with the bar. With electricity and water your home bar can include a sink, a beer fridge, an ice maker and even a kegerator. With all these elements you can have a fully stocked bar without having to make trips to the kitchen for ice, water or cold beer. For those that want to provide their guests with an authentic bar experience, installing an LCD TV on the wall can add to the ambiance and a pool table would also be nice if space allows.

Once your home bar is finished, all your friends will want to spend their spare time lounging around your bar, having great conversation. Of course during those big games like the Super Bowl or NHL Playoffs, your home bar is sure to make it a fun time with cold beer and good friends.

Building your own home bar can be as simple or as challenging as you would like. Consult tiki bar plans if you are interested in designing and building a world-class tiki bar. If you would rather purchase a tiki bar kit or need the right decor to complete your bar, check out the Tiki Bar Shop.

Dallas Cowboys Remain Strong Without Owens

Despite not winning a playoff game since Troy Aikman was quarterback, the Dallas Cowboys still manage to steal the spotlight in some way or another. The Dallas Cowboys moved into their coliseum for the start of the 09' season. With a larger "space ship like" stadium and a party atmosphere comes high expectations for the actual team. Jerry Jones isn't shy about spending money - hopefully the Cowboys on field achievements can equal that of the new stadium.

The Cowboys have a good quarter back in Tony Romo - who is prone to having a three interception game from time to time. Romo can make plays and has shown signs of a top quarter in the league. The running game of the Cowboys is fantastic, they are averaging around 200 yards per game. If they can keep averaging 200 yards per game remains to be seen - a valuable running game is a quarterbacks best friend.

The Cowboys defense will need to improve because even with QB Tony Romo, RB Marion Barber, RB Felix Jones, TE Jason Witten, WR Patrick Crayton, and WR Roy E. Williams - they may not be able to out score opponents every single Sunday.

The Cowboys play in the very difficult NFC East with the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles - playing these teams twice a year will show how worthy the Cowboys are to contend in the NFC.

The question the Cowboys need to answer is who are the locker room leaders. Romo will need to take the next step, manage the game and make plays when necessary and not be "Tony Turnover". The Cowboys have a very good, capable team that can win many games if they play up to their potential. Cowboys need to end their playoff drought - going over 10 years without winning a playoff game for the Dallas Cowboys in unacceptable.

Visit the Dallas Cowboys forum at RootZoo for some great conversations, in addition to lots of sports trivia.

Houston Texans 2010 Strength of Schedule, Futures Odds and Predictions

The Houston Texans had the best season in franchise history in 2009, finishing with their first winning record at 9-7 after back-to-back seasons at 8-8. Still, most around the team would consider it a disappointment because the playoffs were expected - Houston did have a chance to get in on the final Sunday of the 2009 season with some help but it didn't happen. The killer was a four-game losing streak starting in Week 9 and all to division opponents. Houston then ended the year on a four-game winning streak. The Texans were 5-3 on the road in 2009 but just 1-5 overall against AFC South foes.

The bright spot last year was definitely the passing game. Matt Schaub became a Pro Bowler for the first time and led the NFL in passing yards with 4,770 - including nine 300-yard games. He also completed 67.9 percent of his throws and had 29 touchdowns. And his favorite target, Andre Johnson, led the NFL in receiving yardage with 1,569 on 101 catches with nine touchdowns. The main problem on offense was a practically non-existent running game that ranked 30th. Steve Slaton was a stud as a rookie in 2008 in leading the AFC in yards from scrimmage. But then last year he kept fumbling, lost his confidence and the starting job and then suffered a neck injury. Thus, this season he will have to battle rookie Ben Tate and Arian Foster for the starting job, and reportedly Foster is in the leader entering camp. He had had 267 yards in the last two games of the 2009 season. In addition, star TE Owen Daniels, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last year, says he fully expects to be ready for the start of the season. He was on the way to a huge season with 40 catches for 519 yards and five touchdowns before going down in Week 8.

The Houston defense was middle-of-the-pack last year, ranking 13th overall (10th against run, 18th against pass). And that unit could struggle some in 2010 because the team's best cornerback, Dunta Robinson, left as a free agent. Thus, rookie Kareem Jackson may have to start. And Defensive Rookie of the Year Brian Cushing will miss the first four games after violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.

With Coach Gary Kubiak getting a contract extension after last year, nothing short of the playoffs will suffice in 2010. WagerWeb lists Houston's 'over/under' for NFL season win totals at 8.5. Let's break down the NFL picks and 2010 Houston Texans schedule (all times Eastern):

Week 1: Sunday, Sep. 12, Indianapolis, 1:00 PM
Week 2: Sunday, Sep. 19, at Washington, 4:15 PM
Week 3: Sunday, Sep. 26, Dallas, 1:00 PM
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 3, at Oakland, 4:05 PM
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 10, NY Giants, 1:00 PM
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 17, Kansas City, 1:00 PM
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: Monday, Nov. 1, at Indianapolis, 8:30 PM
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 7, San Diego, 1:00 PM
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 14, at Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 21, at NY Jets, 1:00 PM
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 28, Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Week 13: Thursday, Dec. 2, at Philadelphia, 8:20 PM
Week 14: Monday, Dec. 13, Baltimore, 8:30 PM
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 19, at Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 26, at Denver, 4:05 PM
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 2, Jacksonville, 1:00 PM

This schedule ranks as the co-toughest in the NFL in terms of opponents' 2009 winning percentage at.547 (140-116). Houston, which has seven games against '09 playoffs teams, has a team-record three prime-time games on the schedule; the Texans previously had never had more than two nationally televised games in one season (2005).

The Texans probably would like to open with anyone other than the Colts, but at least they can game plan for Indy all summer. Houston always seems to play the Colts tough - losing both games last year by a combined 11 points - but can never beat them. The Texans are 1-15 against the Colts, but I'm calling the upset in Week 1 even though Indy is a three-point favorite in the NFL betting lines.

Houston's questionable pass defense will definitely be tested in the first five weeks in having to face Peyton Manning, Donovan McNabb, Tony Romo and Eli Manning. Look at the NFL Power Rankings for more. And having to face two potential Super Bowl teams in Indy and Dallas in its first two home games will be no cakewalk for Houston. A 3-3 record at the bye wouldn't be a bad thing and 4-2 might be asking too much. That Dallas game will be crazy - already being called a scalper's holiday in Houston -- because the two teams haven't met at Reliant Stadium since the Texans' 19-10 upset in the first game in franchise history in 2002.

After their open date, the Texans have two stretches in which they play three of four on the road. Houston gets Indy after the bye week and on a Monday night, but the Colts are off the same week so really no benefit there. The next four games feature two more matchups against potential Super Bowl teams (San Diego and the Jets) before the quick turnaround for the Thursday night at Philly. Last season, the Texans finished 3-1 against the NFC for the third consecutive year.

Think the weather will be a factor for that Week 15 matchup in Nashville and Week 16 in Denver? Then the Texans should be able to close with a win over Jacksonville.

I think Houston is a playoff-caliber team, but this is a very tough schedule. Obviously it never helps having to play Indy twice a year. I would call this as a 9-7 team, which probably won't be enough to reach the postseason.

Doc Moseman is one of the pioneers of college football and the NFL handicapping industry. Check out his Web site for up-to-the-minute NFL Odds and his famous winning college football and NFL betting system.

Baltimore Ravens 2010 Strength of Schedule, Futures Odds and Predictions

The Baltimore Ravens entered the regular-season finale in 2008 needing a victory to reach the playoffs and last season was no different as an 8-7 Ravens team went to Oakland knowing a loss would keep them at home. Baltimore had little trouble in a 21-13 victory that got it a Wild-Card round matchup with New England.

And the Ravens then laid a 33-14 beat down on a Pats team that had been unbeaten at home in the regular season. Baltimore also snapped the Patriots' home playoff win streak at 11 games, handing New England its first home playoff loss since 1978. The Ravens did this despite Joe Flacco going 4-for-10 for 34 yards and a pick.

While Flacco was lousy in that game and then the following week in a loss to the Colts, he was very good during the season with 3,613 yards passing on 63.1 percent completions with 21 touchdowns and 12 picks. Pretty much all his numbers were up from his rookie year despite the lack of a true No. 1 receiver. The real star of Baltimore's offense last year and one of the NFL's breakout players was running back Ray Rice. The former Rutgers star joined Jamal Lewis as the only Ravens player in team history to have more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage. Rice rushed for 1,339 yards and caught 78 passes for 702 yards. But other than Flacco, Rice and to some degree Derrick Mason (73 catches, 1,028 yards, seven TDs) the Baltimore offense lacked playmakers.

Baltimore thinks it solved that problem with the offseason trade for Arizona WR Anquan Boldin and the signing of Donte Stallworth, who sat last season out due to suspension. Boldin should give the team the No. 1 threat it has lacked for years, but this still will be a running team.

The Ravens remain among the league's best defensive teams, ranking third overall last year and fifth against the rush. They have one of the best players in the league on the defensive line (Haloti Ngata), at linebacker (the ageless Ray Lewis), and in the secondary (Ed Reed). The only concern for this unit is whether Reed will miss the first six weeks, as he has hinted he may go on the PUP list as he recovers from offseason hip surgery. Certainly that would hurt this unit.

The experts list Baltimore's 2010 wins total at 9.5 and the Ravens as the AFC North favorites at -160.

Let's see how the 2010 Baltimore Ravens schedule breaks down:

Week 1: Monday, Sep. 13, at NY Jets, 7:00 PM
Week 2: Sunday, Sep. 19, at Cincinnati, 1:00 PM
Week 3: Sunday, Sep. 26, Cleveland, 1:00 PM
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 3, at Pittsburgh, 1:00 PM
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 10, Denver, 1:00 PM
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 17, at New England, 1:00 PM
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 24, Buffalo, 1:00 PM
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 7, Miami, 1:00 PM
Week 10: Thursday, Nov. 11, at Atlanta, 8:20 PM
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 21, at Carolina, 1:00 PM
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 28, Tampa Bay, 1:00 PM
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 5, Pittsburgh, 8:20 PM
Week 14: Monday, Dec. 13, at Houston, 8:30 PM
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 19, New Orleans, 1:00 PM
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 26, at Cleveland, 1:00 PM
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 2, Cincinnati, 1:00 PM

This schedule is ranked as the 12th toughest in the NFL, with an opponents' 2009 winning percentage of.508 (130-126). The Ravens don't have to worry much about travel, with 15 of their 16 regular-season games in the Eastern Time Zone for only the second time in team history so watch those NFL point spreads. And there are no West Coast trips, which is always a benefit.

If Baltimore can get to the bye week above.500 that would be a major accomplishment and set this team up nicely for an easier schedule post-bye. Four of the Ravens' first six games are on the road, including the first Monday night game (against the Jets) at the new Giants Stadium. That's the first time the Ravens will face former defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, New York's head coach. That game should be a bruising, low-scoring affair. The Jets have opened as three-point favorites. Then Baltimore gets a chance for revenge against a Bengals team that swept the Ravens last year, allowing Baltimore a total of just 21 points. Of course a former Ravens defensive coordinator also coaches Cincy: Marvin Lewis. It's the first time in franchise history that Baltimore opens with two road games - a split would be a great result.

The Ravens should handle Cleveland and then catch a huge break that they play Pittsburgh in Week 4 and not Week 5 because Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will be not allowed back until after four games. Thus a road win there could give Baltimore the early upper hand for the division. The Ravens will be solid favorites in home games against Denver and the Bills but a likely dog at a New England team that will be out for vengeance - if Pats WR Wes Welker goes on the PUP list, Baltimore would avoid him as it did in last year's playoff game.

Baltimore should beat Miami with a week off prior before facing three straight NFC South teams. That quick turnaround against the Falcons likely favors Atlanta because at least it's at home on the short week. And that tremendous Carolina ground game will challenge the Ravens. That game at Houston looks like a loss as Baltimore traditionally has not been a good team on Monday nights (5-8). The matchup against the Saints marks the fifth year in a row the Ravens face the reigning Super Bowl champions. That it's in the elements is a huge advantage for Baltimore. And really there's no reason the Ravens shouldn't win their final two games rather easily.

As an NFL handicapper, it looks like an 11-5 team to me and the AFC North champion. I hate to project much further, but the Ravens seem like excellent value to win the AFC at +600 as well as +1100 to win the Super Bowl. If everything breaks right and there are no major injuries (especially to Flacco, Boldin and if Reed gets 100 percent), there is no reason this team can't win it all.

Doc Moseman is one of the pioneers of college football and the NFL handicapping industry. Check out his Web site for up-to-the-minute NFL odds and his famous winning college football and NFL picks.

Steelers NFL Football

If there is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan in your life, there is a way to give them the perfect memorabilia gift. There are many things to choose from such as replica helmets, coffee cups, duffle bags, footballs and many others.

With the NFL season now in full swing, Pittsburgh Steelers memorabilia is a great way to give the perfect gift. A replica mini helmet from Superbowl 43 is a perfect gift, for example as it is proudly displayed in a clear case for years of protection from fading, handprints, etc.

Some other great Pittsburgh Steelers gifts include signed footballs from some of the greatest legends in Steelers history such as Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris and Joe Greene. There are several styles to choose from and other great football legends have also signed these footballs.

Game day programs from the Superbowl XL and XLIII are also available featuring the Steelers on the memorable days that they won the Superbowl games. This is a great gift that is very reasonably priced. You can also choose other gifts such as sunglass holders, lanyards and mini fans all proudly displaying the Steelers logo.

Have a Steelers fan with an office desk? A mini helmet that is encased in a clear protective box is a perfect selection to give. The recipient can display it on their desk or on a shelf, taking up little space but also displaying their favorite team.

Another really great gift is a set of five Steelers Superbowl steins. Each ceramic stein represents the five Superbowls won by the Steelers and shows their playoff scores from each game won on the back side while displaying the Steelers logo on the front. The Steelers duffle bag is a great gift for a man who works out at the gym. He can take the duffle bag to the gym and proudly display his team spirit for the Steelers.

There is a very good selection of Pittsburgh Steelers memorabilia for your gift giving needs. It is very easy to find the perfect gift. These gifts are great for birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas. It is also a great gift for an employee appreciation or work anniversary for the sports fan. You can find the perfect gift for that special Steelers fan.

http://steelersnflfootball.com

Saints Quickly Make Up For Lost Ground in 2009

The New Orleans Saints were the feel good story of the 2007 season. After having been the losers of the NFL for many years, the team suddenly found itself in the heat of a Super Bowl race in 2007, thanks in large part to Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, and Deuce McAllister.

Hopes were high for this New Orleans team in 2008. Drew Brees was with the team for yet another season, Marques Colston was in his second year, more polished and stronger, and the acquisition of tight end Jeremy Shockey made this team even more dangerous.

Somehow, the Saints lost any and all momentum they had established during the previous season. The team stumbled to an 8-8 finish, and missed the playoffs by a long shot. While their offense was effective, their defensive game was in shambles and something was missing from the team that had so powerfully established itself during the 2007 season.

To begin the 2009 season, the Saints were given a very easy opponent in the Detroit Lions. As expected, they went on to win this game rather easily.

Their week 2 matchup was somewhat tougher. Facing the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that had destroyed the Carolina Panthers in week 1, the team would be forced to play its best football if it wanted a chance of winning.

The Saints won this game 48-22. While the absence of Donovan McNabb played a part in the ease in which the Saints won, the Philadelphia Eagles defense looked nothing like its week 1 self. The Saints were just that good on offense once again.

Enjoy an awesome New Orleans Saints forum, at RootZoo Sports, home to the best football forum online.

NFL Week 3 Power Rankings

Here's a Ferringo's-eye view of Week 3 in the National Football League:

New England at Pittsburgh (-3)

Once again, the Patriots are involved in the Game of the Week. They're dogs entering the Steel City, and are going up against the best team in football right now. Ben Roethlisberger has a ridiculous 153.6 passer rating, which is nearly perfect. He's also 16-1 as a starter, which is nearly perfect and is looking to avenge the only loss of his pro career - a 41-27 blowout at the hands of the Pats in the AFC Title Game last January.

Pittsburgh is once again the top running team in the league, bruising its way to 170.5 yards per game (without their two best runners) and 4.7 yards per carry. The Steelers also rank fourth on defense, but are just 17th against the run. The Patriots, on the other hand, are only averaging 2.4 yards per carry, and they are the 12th-ranked defense in the NFL. In two games, they've yielded 23.5 points a game.

Per usual, Tom Brady will be the key to any upset chance that New England has. Brady's shoulder is officially listed as probable, and he'll be looking to avenge his poor performance (69.3 rating) against Carolina last week. That rating was the 17th worst of his 73 starts (in which he is 58-15). However, he's 10-4 in games following his previous 14 losses and has posted a passer rating close to 95 in those games.

Cincinnati (-3) at Chicago

The Pats and Steelers may be the Game of the Week, but I really think that this is the most intriguing matchup of Week 3. It pits two young, up-and-coming teams - one with a high-powered offense and one with a hard-hitting defense - each trying to make a name for itself among the top teams in their respective conferences.

In this corner, Cincinnati has been the "Best Team That Nobody is Talking About" thus far by demolishing Cleveland and Minnesota. The Bengals and their Big Three - Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson and Rudi Johnson - have led Cincy to the No. 1 offense in the league. They are averaging 462 yards per game, with 157 coming on the ground and 305 through the air. Palmer has been lights out (five TD's and a 107.8 rating), and is being backed by a defense that has already forced a ridiculous 10 takeaways.

And in this corner, Chicago has been the "Best Team that Everyone Forgot Existed" until they posted a 32-point win last week over the Lions. The Bears have gone back to their roots - run the ball (114 ypg, 4.1 ypc) and playing good defense (7th overall). This is a big spot for a team that's on the verge of having some confidence. If they can defend their turf they enter their bye week on a 2-1 roll with putrid Cleveland waiting on the other side.

But a win is far from given. Kyle Orton played well for Chicago last weekend (translation: no turnovers) and will again have to protect the ball against the Bengals.

Atlanta at Buffalo (2.5)

There are certainly quarterback issues for both of these teams. Mike Vick is listed as questionable this weekend with a sore hamstring, and J.P. Losman is unofficially questionable after getting benched last week for one drive against Tampa Bay. I would put Vick at about 85 percent to play. Also, Losman will again seize the reigns for Buffalo, and don't be surprised to see Mike Mularkey dig into his bag-of-tricks and pull out some gimmicks this weekend.

This game will be a slugfest. Atlanta is fifth in the league in rushing (157 ypg, 4.6 ypc) and Buffalo is 15th (100 ypg, 3.8 ypc). The Bills are second in the league in total defense, but are just 30th in rushing after getting rolled by Tampa Bay (191 rush yards) last Sunday. Atlanta, on the other hand, will most likely be without cornerback/kick returner Allen Rossum and defensive end Brady Smith, who are two key cogs. Rossum is particularly important because the Falcons are already without corner Kevin Mathis - leaving the secondary very vulnerable.

New York Giants at San Diego (-5.5)

I hope Eli brings his ear plugs. This will be Manning's first appearance in San Diego, the city that drafted him first overall in 2004 even though he said he wanted nothing to do with that organization. Also, Manning and the 2-0 G-Men will be rolling into the den of a team that, at 0-2, is desperate for a win.

Yes, the Giants are 2-0. But they are the fraudulent kind of undefeated. They tooled on the Cardinals (who doesn't?) and then topped an emotionally spent Saints club in a "road" game in Jersey. They have scored 69 points so far. Pretty impressive, right? But they're 26th in total offense and have run the second fewest plays (104) in the league. They've mostly been the beneficiary of special teams flukes and turnovers. Defensively, they're allowed 370 yards per contest.

San Diego, on the other hand, is playing well until it matters. Drew Brees and Co. were on their way to a crucial road win over Denver last weekend until Drew Brees threw a horrible INT that Champ Bailey returned for a touchdown. The week before, they had benched Antonio Gates and decided to give LaDainian Tomlinson only two touches in the fourth quarter of a four-point loss to Dallas. It's tough to have must-win games in September, but this is pretty close for the Bolts.

FREE PICK (YTD 0-1): This week I like Indianapolis to cover the 13.5 against the Browns. In 2004 the Colts had one of the Greatest Offenses Football Has Ever Seen. But over their last three games - dating back to the playoff loss in Foxboro - they've managed just 12 points per contest. I'm looking for them to break out in a big way at home against a Cleveland team that's 30th in the NFL against the pass. Also, I think the Brownies are due for a letdown after a tough road win in Lambeau last Sunday.

1) Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) - It's really tough to be picky about a team that's looked so good, but they are allowing the opposition to convert 48 percent of their third downs.

2) Indianapolis Colts (2-0) - This team has the purposeful look of a group on a Mission. It hasn't been smoke and mirrors, but good ol' fashioned toughness. Let's see if they can sustain it.

3) New England Patriots (1-1) - This game at Pittsburgh is part of their Murderer's Row schedule that has them hosting San Diego, at Atlanta, at Denver, bye, hosting Buffalo and hosting Indianapolis. But hey, according to every guffawing columnist across the country they're the Best Team Ever so it shouldn't matter, right?

4) Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) - The Bengals made one of the largest jumps from last week's Power Rankings (up eight slots from 12). But memo to Chad Johnson: don't call out Mike Brown (just ask Marcus Pollard). I hope my Bears knocks these guys back into the Dave Shula Days.

5) Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) - Despite their off-field issues, they already have a division road win and are averaging 161.5 yards per game on the ground. However, they are just 1-4 ATS in Denver, where they play on Monday.

6) Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) - McNabb and Owens share the cover on this week's Sports Illustrated. I don't buy the love fest. It's easy to get along when you're up 42-3 at home, but let's see what happens when they're in a tough spot.

7) Carolina Panthers (1-1) - Peter King said that Brees' interception against the Broncos last week was one of the worst he's ever seen. My vote goes to Jake Delhomme's toss to New England's Mike Vrabel, who returned it for a TD.

8) Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) - Losing safety Donovin Darius for the year is a huge blow. Also, Byron Leftwich is on his way to becoming the next Steve McNair - doesn't practice due to injury then steps up and plays/leads his team on Sunday.

9) Atlanta Falcons (1-1) - Backup QB Matt Schaub has been an All-World Preseason player the last two years, and there are actually some rednecks in Georgia that would love to see him get his own shot. Those same folks have an IQ lower than Vick's passer rating of 73.4. Atlanta is 2-11 in games that Vick hasn't started in the last three years.

10) Washington Redskins (2-0) - I really didn't think Mark Brunell could still throw it that far. I guess Roy Williams didn't think so either.

11) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) - They've only faced 32 rushing attempts in two games, but the Bucs defense is giving up only 40 yards per game on the ground and 2.5 yards per carry.

12) Dallas Cowboys (1-1) - Blame that loss on whichever linebacker that was that got juked by a 57-year-old Brunell on that 3rd-and-27 scramble.

13) Buffalo Bills (1-1) - Bills fans, this is what you get with a first-year QB. Trust me, I know. I'd be more worried about Willis McGahee dancing in the holes.

14) Seattle Seahawks (1-1) - Seattle is that quiet, shifty guy in the corner booth of the bar. He seems unassuming, but you keep looking over your shoulder because you don't know if he's going to snap and kill everyone or just get blasted and stumble home.

15) Chicago Bears (1-1) - Brian Urlacher has 15 solo tackles and three sacks in two games. Now where are all those ass-clowns that said he was overrated? Also, linebacker Lance Briggs has just been wrecking people.

16) Denver Broncos (1-1) - Remember how everyone ripped on them for picking up the Browns front four (worst in the league against the run in '04)? Well, Denver is currently 22nd against the rush (115 ypg) with K.C. rolling into town.

17) New York Giants (2-0) - If they go on the road and beat San Diego I still won't jump on the bandwagon - but I'll be very, very impressed.

18) New Orleans Saints (1-1) - After what they've been through and where they've been through over the last month (Oakland to Texas to Carolina to New York and now to Minnesota) Jim Haslett has a right to vent. That team just looked worn out in the fourth quarter of that MNF game.

19) New York Jets (1-1) - The good news is that Curtis Martin didn't tear any knee ligaments (MRI was negative). The bad news is that safety Erik Coleman just had thumb surgery and may not be available.

20) Detroit Lions (1-1) - Monday, Steve Mariucci says that the team has no interest in ex-Buc Shaun King. Tuesday, King and Jeff George worked out for the Lions. Tick-tock, Joey Harrington. Tick-tock.

21) San Diego Chargers (0-2) - This isn't a bad team at all. However they've absolutely given away two games already. Ah, Marty Ball.

22) St. Louis Rams (1-1) - I still don't think they're running the ball enough. However, they are third in the league in offensive time of possession (34:07 per game).

23) Oakland Raiders (0-2) - Despite playing two of the best rushing teams in the NFL, the Raiders D is giving up a paltry 3.0 yards per carry. However, they need to start pressuring quarterbacks. Their two sacks are tied for worst in the league.

24) Tennessee Titans (1-1) - Their win over Baltimore last week wasn't a fluke from the standpoint that while they don't have the depth to compete this season, they certainly have the talent to jump up and bite an unsuspecting team.

23) Baltimore Ravens (0-2) - Right now their run-pass ratio is almost 3-to-1, but not the way you'd expect. So far they've thrown 95 passes to go with only 34 rushes. Unreal.

26) Miami (1-1) - People are already calling Ronnie Brown (34 attempts, 94 yards, 0 TD's) a bust because he's not putting up the numbers that Cadillac Williams (54-276-2) is. I think it's way too early to be making those claims.

27) Minnesota Vikings (0-2) - Just a thought, but maybe it's not Randy Moss that they miss the most. Maybe it's former offensive coordinator Scott Linehan (now in Miami).

28) Cleveland Browns (1-1) - As bad as the Packers were, any time you go into Green Bay and get a win it's an accomplishment.

29) San Francisco 49ers (1-1) - They lost by 39 points, but I had to move them up one slot this week because the teams behind them looked that awful.

30) Arizona Cardinals (0-2) - Kurt Warner got sacked five times last week and was hit six others. If they can't get the running game going - Marcel Shipp will start this weekend - then they're going to get Warner killed. Their run-pass ratio is 37 rushes to 98 passes. Not good.

31) Green Bay Packers (0-2) - Wow. This team is a total mess, on all fronts, and shows no signs of improving. They just don't have the talent on either side of the ball.

32) Houston Texans (0-2) - Jason Babin and Philip Buchanon - a tandem whom the Texans traded a combined five first-day draft picks for the rights to - have both been benched.

Questions or comments for Robert? e-mail robert@docsports.com.

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Since 1971 Doc's Sports has been recognized as one of the leaders and most trusted names in sports handicapping information. Visit Doc's website for free college and NFL picks and predictions as well as updated articles and free game matchup reports.

Challenging Schedule For Patriots

The New England Patriots are favorites to win the AFC East this season, but they have the most difficult schedule of any team in the division. It is not going to be effortless for New England since they have the sixth-toughest schedule in the NFL this season.

The Patriots are favored in their opening game on September 12th as they host the Bengals. The New England Patriots will, in all likelihood, be road underdogs at the New York Jets in Week 2 before they go back home to host Buffalo in Week 3. They will have a challenging game in Miami in Week 4 after which they have their bye in Week 5.

After the bye week, the schedule is truly tough for New England. They've got a rematch with the Ravens who eliminated them in the playoffs last season, after which they go to San Diego for a challenging game vs the Chargers. They might get a break if Brett Favre stays retired, as they host the Minnesota Vikings. Games at Cleveland and Pittsburgh will not be effortless and then New England has their yearly fight with the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11. Since it is a substantial letdown match after facing the Colts and it is on Thanksgiving, the match vs Detroit in Week 12 should be effortless but could wind up being troublesome for the Patriots.

The New England Patriots find some added relaxation after that game and then confront the New York Jets on Monday night in Week 13. After that, they have tough games at Chicago and at home vs Green Bay in Weeks 14 and 15. The Patriots wrap up at Buffalo in Week 16 NFL and at home vs Miami in Week 17.

The Patriots will play eight games vs playoff teams from a year ago, but six of those games will be at home. New England has 4 prime time competitions including two on Monday night. They will play at least two games on Sunday night and possibly more as NBC has the right to change their agenda late in the season as warranted. The Patriots are anticipated to challenge for the AFC East championship this season but to do so they are going to have to navigate a pretty tough schedule.

In spite of their challenging schedule, the Patriots have been a pretty remarkable team in the last decade. From 2001 to 2005, they became the eighth team to win sequential Super Bowls and the 2nd team in NFL history to in 3 Super Bowls in 4 years. They've also compiled the longest winning streak consisting of regular season games and playoff games in NFL history, with a 21-game streak from October 2003 to October 2004.

Last season the New England Patriots had a 10-6 record that they will be looking to improve on this season. They still likely have a pretty good chance at making the playoffs again this year, and they have Tom Brady at quarterback and Bill Belichick as head coach. It only is still to be seen if they can their navigate this challenging schedule successfully.

Michael writes website articles discussing important trends in sports. These articles provide information for sports and gambling enthusiasts alike. He provides informative articles for the NFL Regular Season, MLB, and the NHL among other amateur and professional leagues. More articles can be found at his website: http://www.onlinesportsbook.cn

NFL Super Bowl 44

The premier association of professional American Football is the National Football League. The championship game of National Football League is the Super Bowl. Super Bowl is a most watched American broadcast. Most of the popular singers and musicians perform during the pre-game as well as half time ceremonies of the game. The SuperBowl game day is known as Super Bowl Sunday and it is considered as a de facto American national holiday. Next to Thanksgiving Day, SuperBowl Sunday is the largest U.S food consumption day.

The exclusive television broadcast rights for the SuperBowl Sunday rotate among the major American Television networks. The commercial airtime for the SuperBowl broad cast is the most expensive due to its high viewship. The companies regularly develop the best and expensive advertisement for this broad cast as it costs them the most. Another significant aspect of the event is the watching and the discussion of the broadcast's commercials.

The SuperBowl was started as a part of the merger agreement between NFL and the American Football League in January 15, 1967. There was a contract between the two league's that they would play in an AFL-NFL Championship Game until the merger completion, Each league became a "conference" after the merger of the two leagues in 1970 and the game was played between the conference champions. The name SuperBowl was coined by Lamar Hunt, the former owner of the Kansas City Chiefs and a founding member of the American Football League. He named it after watching his children playing with a Super Ball. Each game in Super Ball is identified with Roman numerals rather than the year in which it take place. In 1967, SuperBowl I was performed to resolve the champions of the 1966 regular season where as Super Bowl XLIV will be played to decide the 2009 regular season champion in 2010.

The Dallas Cowboys are honored to have appeared in the greatest number of Super Bowls, which is eight times. It is the Pittsburgh Steelers who won more Super Bowls than any other. They credit six victories in their graph. Of the 32 NFL teams, seventeen have won at least a single SuperBowl. Among the 32, 5 NFL franchises have not appeared in the SuperBowl. These five are the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans. But the Browns and Lions were the champions in the pre-Super Bowl era. After the kick off of the Super Bowl era, the Jaguars, Saints and Texans associated with the league.

The 44th annual edition of Super Bowl in American Professional football is the Super Bowl XLIV. Its venue is the Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It is the tenth time that South Florida hosts the Super Bowl. Five among the ten games were played in Dolphin Stadium where as the rest five were played at the Orange Bowl. The championship will be on February 7, 2010. The game will be telecast by CBS in the US with coverage of its 50th NFL season.

Rich Stephenson is in the web development field for a ticket broker that sells tickets to all sports, concert and theater events. Ticket broker also sells Super Bowl 44 Tickets as well as Cheap Football Tickets for and all other football games.

College FB Spread Notes

The anticipation was worth the wait. College football is in full swing and, as always, there have already been surprises, upsets, blowouts and thrillers. None was more thrilling than Oregon on Saturday, coming back from the dead in the last minute and a half to stun Oklahoma, 34-33. Several teams have even played consecutive overtime games (Buffalo, Boston College), a betting trend that is going to be interesting to follow. The world of football is as rough and violent as a Clint Eastward western. With that in mind, here's a quick look at some of the good, the bad and the ugly from college football's early season action.

The Good: Nevada, Louisville and Missouri offenses. A lot of folks wondered what Missouri would do without QB Brad Smith, who went to the NFL after four years as the Tigers starting quarterback. Well they are even better! Missouri (3-0) has been impressive, averaging over 223 yards rushing AND passing per game! The key is sophomore QB Chase Daniel. Head coach Gary Pinkel took some criticism last season for throwing Daniel into a few games, but it has already paid dividends. Daniel accounted for 332 yards of total offense in their 34-7 win over Mississippi. He just threw a fourth quarter touchdown to bail out Missouri in a 27-17 win over New Mexico Saturday. The team totaled 396 yards.

Nevada doesn't get a lot of ink, but Chris Ault's Pistol offense is unique and effective. The Wolfpack is 2-1 against the spread, losing at Fresno State and Arizona State before an easy win over Colorado State. The offense is balanced and has plenty of experience, led by QB Jeff Rowe. In their win Saturday Rowe completed 19 of 22 passes. By the way, Nevada plays at home this weekend and they are 12-2 SU, 11-2 ATS their last 14 home games.

Of course, no one has a more explosive offense than Louisville. Coach Bobby Petrino was interviewed by the Oakland Raiders this past offseason and word is he turned them down. Can you blame him? The Cardinals (3-0 SU/ATS) averaged 43 points and over 188 yards rushing and 293 passing per game last season and are even better this year. Louisville leads the nation with 563 yards of offense per game and an average of 50 points. They are off a huge win over No. 17 Miami on Saturday 31-7. The only tough game on the schedule remaining is West Virginia at home. The only concern is that they've already lost star RB Mike Bush for the season (ankle) and Saturday lost junior QB Brian Brohm for 4-6 weeks with a broken finger. Freshman quarterback Hunter Cantwell gets the nod for now. By the way, Louisville is 19-8 against the spread the last 27 games!

The Bad: Colorado and Florida State offenses. The Clemson Tigers limited FSU to 204 yards of total offense Saturday. FSU's running game entered the Atlantic Coast Conference showdown as the offense's Achilles' heel, and the offense looked lost as the Seminoles used all three of their first-half timeouts in the first 8:43 of the first quarter! Quarterback Drew Weatherford, under constant pressure most of the game, could only muster 102 yards passing, and finished 11 of 19 with no interceptions, getting sacked four times.

Colorado has a new coach in Dan Hawkins, who worked with that devastating Boise offense the last few years. It's clear you need talent on the field to run the playbook, because the Buffaloes have been awful. Colorado (0-3 SU/0-3 ATS) is averaging 7.7 points. And they didn't face great defenses, either, losing to Montana State, Colorado State and losing 21-3 at home to Arizona State Saturday. Colorado had an incredible 147 yards of TOTAL offense in its 14-10 loss to CSU.

The Ugly: The Florida Atlantic and Buffalo schedules, and Temple. Florida Atlantic has a positively brutal schedule. Florida Atlantic (0-3 SU, 0-2 ATS) opened at Clemson, a 54-6 loss, lost at Kansas State 54-0, and lost Saturday at Oklahoma State 45-8. Great for frequent flyer miles, sure, but hell on a football team. Head coach Howard Schnellenberger's offense is struggling under junior QB Sean Clayton, a former transfer from Michigan State, and he passed for just 112 yards against Clemson. The team is getting outscored by a 49-5 average. Florida Atlantic is also 1-11 SU, 3-9 ATS its last 12 as a dog.

Buffalo is 1-13 SU/5-9 ATS on the road the last two years and this week they play at Auburn! Who scheduled that one? Temple (0-3 SU, 0-2 ATS) is simply the worst football team in the country. The Owls are being outscored after three games by an average of 44-1! That's not a typo. They lost in overtime at Buffalo (scoring 3 points), then got annihilated vs. Louisville and Minnesota by 62-0 scores. Temple still hasn't scored a touchdown this season. Temple is 0-14 SU, 4-9 ATS their last 14 games. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

Al McMordie is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of his articles at [http://www.procappers.com/Al_McMordie.htm]

NFL Handicapper Minnesota Vikings

Finally Vikings moved themselves back into the winning side with a win of 24-10 over Detroit Lions on Sunday Football. The Lions vs. Vikings NFL Point Spread have the Vikings -11 at Online sportsbook.

There are still some issues the Vikings need to face for the next 5 weeks and could say a lot about the Vikings opportunity in this NFL Season.

Vikings defense is very good against the run, the problem Vikings come on the offensive line side as veteran, Brett Favre is having some problems understanding that he is the input of the Minnesota Vikings passing attack.

Vikings also need to be careful with the injuries their players are dealing with. Brett Favre is playing with a hobbled ankle and a stinger for Week three. Sidney Rice ( wide receiver ) with his underwent hip surgery, out until the middle of the season. Bernard Berrian's playing with a knee injury and his absence of action in the field, a noticeable issue for this player. Percy Harvin, soon will be out of the season for a while and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe with an injured in his hamstring while the Detroit's game.

Another important detail to remark for the Vikings is also the next teams Vikings will be playing against the field for the next six games. Vikings will be playing with the Jets, Cowboys, Packers, Patriots, Cardinals and the Bears. NFL handicappers believe Jets is a playoff team with a lot of potential.

Dallas will provided their charmed as a talented team of the NFL.

Green Bay with the quarterback key, Aaron Rodgers.

Patriots sports handicapper reviews announced this team to have one of the best offensive line.

Arizona is a good match up for the Vikings.

The Bears and their quarterback Jay Cutler work, could give a hard time to the Vikings.

Time has come to the Vikings in order to stay and make solid and further moves in this NFL Season.

Vikings are dealing with another issue like the age of certain players and those whom supposed to be the big players for the Vikings. NFL Handicapper knows the older players are exposed to suffer injuries easily with a possible long waiting time for those to come back in the field.

Vikings is also lack of cooperation from Phil Loadholt to Brett Favre. Sports handicapper reviews announced about Byrant Mckinnie returning back will balance the Vikings left side.

Betting Tips For Sports Bettors

Sports betting can add a little spice to any sports event you like to watch. It is a great way to add action to any game, but let's be honest, you want to win that bet too. In this article, we are going to take a look at some ways that you can increase your odds both of winning and of having fun while wagering on sports.

o Check your emotions at the door! No matter whether you are taking players in a fantasy pool or betting the money line in the playoffs, if you want to win you will probably have to leave your personal feelings out of things. It is very hard for a true sports fan to be a good sports bettor, simply because you WANT your team to win. It can feel disloyal or unfaithful to bet against them. Realistically, though, your team won't win every time. Look at things factually, not fanatically!

o Be prepared to lose: Never get in over your head when it comes to sports betting. Too many people make losing bets, and then "chase" that loss with more money in order to make it up. Some days, you will just have bad luck, no matter how knowledgeable you are about the game. This is true even of so called "professional" sports bettors. Set a limit for yourself, either in dollars or in games bet on (or both!) and stick to it. Anything else is a recipe for financial disaster!

o Do your homework: If you really want to be a successful when it comes to sports betting, then you want to be as knowledgeable as possible. That means doing your homework before placing a bet on a game. Know how well the team plays with certain players in certain positions, and take that into consideration as you wager. Injuries, past records against the other team, and a number of other factors will also all come into play. Knowing your stuff increases your odds of winning!

o Understand you are betting against other people, not on the team! One thing a lot of people fail to realize when it comes to betting on sports is that they are not actually betting on a team's odds of winning. They are called "odds", but in fact the numbers reflect the amount of people betting on a team and not the team's actual chances of winning a game. Thus, you could have a team that has lots of betting fans but which actually sucks, and they could look like the favorites. The sports books will reflect the betting fans and not the situation, which can mean you can find some sweet prospects if you know who the fan favorites are.

o Take advantage of different options: It's never a good idea to put all of your eggs in one basket as far as sports betting. Don't take just one Sunday night football game and wager your weekly stipend on the outcome of that spread. Instead, spread the money around a bit in order to compensate for bad luck.

o Avoid bad bets: Know when a bet is too steep to risk. For example, if everyone is betting the money line on one team, the proposed payout will go down considerably when compared to the actual bet. A big favorite may mean you have to bet $350 or more in order to win just $100. It's too big of a risk, and you stand to lose too much. Even if you feel sure, look elsewhere. Avoid sucker bets like the plague!

We can't guarantee that following all these tips will mean you make a pile of cash betting on sports events. What we can guarantee is that if you pay attention to what we said above, you stand a better chance of making some money, and keeping sports betting fun.

Hi my name is Shirley Durling and I am a sport betting enthusiast. I write articles and review products and services related to Sports Betting Systems and Sports Book's. Please see my blog at Sport Betting Store for more great information on sports betting.

Discipline Is a Talent

How many times have you heard some sports analyst say the following: "This team has the talent to win a championship, but they can't seem to put it together." Quite often, right? We hear it time and time again, especially in the NFL. Each year we hear about how the Cowboys have the talent to win a Super Bowl, yet they never get out of their own way when push comes to shove. How many times have the Chargers been picked to win a Super Bowl or a playoff game and then come up short? The post game reactions are always the same. We listen as pundits claim teams can win if they just stopped making dumb mistakes and showed some discipline, as if a lack of discipline is some small obstacle or inconvenience. But you are what you are, and discipline and focus have as much to do with winning football games as talent does.

I'm not breaking any new ground here by stressing the importance of mentality in sports. We hear the pundits cite these things week after week. However, it's rarely mentioned that these attributes are talents themselves. The ability to pay attention to details and to be sharp mentally can be the difference in whether a team wins or loses, or whether a player succeeds or fails.

During week 3 of the NFL season, no team displayed a lack of discipline as often as the New York Giants did against the Tennessee Titans. For those of you who didn't watch the game, you may be surprised to find out that statistically, New York outplayed Tennessee. Of course, one look at the score and this game looks like a blowout. In the end, The Titans won by 19. But the story of this game was how the Giants beat themselves over and over again. The G-Men turned the ball over twice in the red zone and missed two Field Goals. Making matters worse, they committed 11 penalties, 6 of which were personal fouls. And Special Teams were abysmal once again. The Titans are knows as a chippy team. They like to hit you hard, push and shove after each play, and get inside your head. Well, the Giants made it easy for them. Consistently throughout the game, New York took the bait and committed dumb penalty after dumb penalty. It's hard to make a case for this, but if you really watched this game, you came away thinking the Giants were the better team. But that really counts for nothing, zero.

Problems with discipline can be witnessed with other teams around the league as well. The San Diego Chargers have now lost two games in the first 3 weeks due to poor special teams play. In week one it was letting Dexter McCluster return a punt for a touchdown. In week 3, it was Leon Washington of the Seahawks torching them for 2 kickoff return TD's. Special teams plays are rarely determined by physical talent alone. They are as much about attention to detail and focus as anything. Another team, the Cowboys, beat a Texans team that many have started considering a Super Bowl contender. This is the great contradiction that is the Cowboys. They lose two games to start the season because of dumb penalties and turnovers but then beat what looks like one of the better teams in the NFL. It's no coincidence that the Cowboys and Chargers are always considered contenders but always end up disappointing their fans. Over the past 5 years, these have been two of the most talented teams on paper, but they have nothing to show for it. Again, discipline and focus aren't just small inconveniences that have to be overcome. They are specific talents that can define and be the difference between a contender and a pretender.

This issue can be extended to individuals as well, and I think the best example is the two recent quarterbacks from the University of Southern California. This would of course be Matt Leinart and Mark Sanchez. No question that Leinart had the more illustrious college career, collecting a Heisman Trophy and a National Championship in his glory days. To some, he was considered a can't-miss NFL quarterback. Sanchez, on the other hand, was a different story. Even though, he was considered an NFL talent, his own college coach questioned whether he was ready to leave school and enter the draft. How have these two panned out? Leinart has twice failed to win a starting job as a professional quarterback. As of now, he's considered a bust in the NFL. Sanchez, although still relatively early in his career, looks like he's going to be a good quarterback for a long time. That's not to say this can't change, but I really believe the difference between these two is mental discipline. Leinart thought he could mosey his way into the NFL and success would just happen. His talent would be enough. Sanchez knew he had to work for it and that his talent wasn't enough. After a rough regular season in 2009, he played well in the playoffs, and so far so good in 2010. Sanchez was able to battle through adversity. Leinart? He still hasn't figured it out. Again, discipline and focus are talents, and they make the difference between successful careers and disappointing ones.

For more sports news and analysis go to http://www.bigsportsballs.com.

Chicago Bears 2010 - Strength of Schedule, Futures Odds and Predictions

The usually frugal Bears, it has been said, didn't fire Coach Lovie Smith following last season's incredibly disappointing 7-9 season because the team didn't want to have to pay Smith to not coach for the next two years left on his contract.

But that theory went out the window when the Bears were uncharacteristically the big spenders in free agency by luring star defensive end Julius Peppers from Carolina, versatile running back Chester Taylor from Minnesota and blocking tight end Brandon Manumaleuna from the Rams.

The problems last year on this team were abundant. First and foremost Jay Cutler made some incredibly bad decisions in leading the NFL with 26 interceptions. That overshadowed a solid year yardage-wise (3,666) and in touchdown passes (27). In fairness, it wasn't all Cutler's fault. He didn't have a true No. 1 receiver to throw to and was sacked 35 times and hurried dozens more times behind an unispired offensive line. Second-year RB Matt Forte took a huge step back from a terrific rookie campaign as the Bears ranked 30th in the league in rushing. But, again, the offensive line had to take some blame for that.

The problems weren't limited to the offense. The defense was crushed when its heart and soul, linebacker Brian Urlacher, was lost for the season in the regular-season opener. The Monsters of the Midway ranked 29th in the league on defense, a slap in the face to Smith, a defensive coach who took over calls on that unit. The Bears couldn't get a consistent pass rush and the secondary was injury-prone and, frankly, not very good. So the Bears brought in Peppers to solve their pass rush problems and brought back safety Chris Harris in a trade with Carolina.

Taylor should help the offense - look for Forte to still be the starter but for Taylor to basically be 1A. And WR Devin Aromashodu emerged as one of the league's most productive receivers the last month of the '09 season. But no one is being counted on more than new offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who usually improves his quarterbacks and his offenses immediately but also sees his QBs get sacked more and throw more interceptions, which are the last things Cutler needs. Plus, the offensive line wasn't really addressed this offseason.

The 2010 Bears could win 12 games or lose 12 - it's a club that potentially has a high ceiling but a low floor. The oddsmakers list the Bears' NFL season win total right in between at 8. But anything less than 10 and a playoff berth means Smith is gone and so probably is Martz and GM Jerry Angelo.

Here's the 2010 Chicago Bears schedule (all times Eastern):

Week 1: Sunday, Sep. 12, Detroit, 1:00 PM
Week 2: Sunday, Sep. 19, at Dallas, 1:00 PM
Week 3: Monday, Sep. 27, Green Bay, 8:30 PM
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 3, at NY Giants, 8:20 PM
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 10, at Carolina, 1:00 PM
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 17, Seattle, 1:00 PM
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 24, Washington, 1:00 PM
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 7, at Buffalo, 1:00 PM (Toronto)
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 14, Minnesota, 1:00 PM
Week 11: Thursday, Nov. 18, at Miami, 8:20 PM
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 28, Philadelphia, 1:00 PM
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 5, at Detroit, 1:00 PM
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 12, New England, 1:00 PM
Week 15: Monday, Dec. 20, at Minnesota, 8:30 PM
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 26, NY Jets, 1:00 PM
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 2, at Green Bay, 1:00 PM

This is ranked as the 14th overall toughest schedule in the league with an opponents' 2009 winning percentage of.504 (129-127). There are eight games against playoff teams from last year, including four in the division.

The first thing one must notice is the Bears better start 9-3 or something close to that because the final four games are all against potential Super Bowl teams that were a combined 42-22 last year. And Chicago plays three of its first five on the road against possible playoff teams in Dallas, the Giants and Carolina. So the middle stretch of the season sees the NFL-odds.html">NFL odds as vital if the Bears are to have a decent winning streak.

Certainly Chicago should open with a victory against Detroit in the first opening game at Soldier Field since 2004. The Bears scored 85 points in sweeping the Lions last year, although certainly Detroit should be better. Chicago is 2-3 in its past five openers, all on the road of course.

Chicago has four home games before Nov. 1 this season after having only two such contests in 2009. And, really, the Bears probably need to win them all, although the Packers swept them last year.

That game with Buffalo after the bye is the first game outside the U.S. in Chicago's 90-year history. Yes, Toronto is 100 miles from Buffalo, but as well as Bears fans travel that should eliminate the fact it's technically a Bills home game. That short week game on Nov. 18 in Miami should benefit the Dolphins because they are home the Sunday before as well and thus don't have to worry about travel at all. It's a little strange that Chicago doesn't have consecutive road or home games following the bye.

To reach the playoffs the Bears probably need to go no worse than 7-1 at home and take winnable road games in Detroit, Miami and that Bills game in Toronto. I'm not sure the Bears can win seven of eight at home, however. This NFL Handicapper sees a 9-7 team that sits out the playoffs yet again and that probably means a coaching and front office overhaul in Chicago.

Doc Moseman is one of the pioneers of college football and the NFL Handicapping industry. Check out his Web site for up-to-the-minute NFL Odds and his famous winning college football and NFL picks.

Bo Jackson - Auburn

Bo Jackson is probably the best athlete to come out of Auburn University and is arguably one of the greatest athletes of the twentieth century. Were it not for a horrific January, 1991 hip injury the Heisman Trophy winner with world class sprinter speed who was an All-Star in both the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB) might have gone on to truly rewrite the definition of an all-around athlete. As an aside few people realize Jackson was also a state champion decathlete in his youth.

The Alabama native born Vincent Edward Jackson was described as a restless child with qualities not unlike those of a wild boar with an abundance of energy. Over time the comparison to a wild boar stuck and as Jackson aged the nickname was shorted simply to Bo. Growing up in McCalla, Alabama Bo excelled at sports with perhaps his most notable prep level accomplishment being that in his senior baseball season he hit an astounding 20 home runs in 25 games. Projected over a 162 game major league baseball season that rate would produce a mind blowing 130 home runs (roughly doubling the current record).

Despite being a second round draft pick by the New York Yankees right out of high school Bo Jackson instead chose to attend Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama located about 120 miles west of his McCalla home. During his stint at Auburn University from 1982 to 1985 Bo not only excelled at baseball (batting.400) and football (winning the Heisman Trophy) but even gave thought to becoming a member of the US Olympic track team when his times in the 100 meter dash indicated that he could have a promising career as a world class sprinter. Ultimately the notion of pursuing sprinting was dropped because it did not offer the same type of financial incentives as football or baseball.

After serving as an exceptional athlete at Auburn during the first half of the 1980s Bo Jackson would go on to take the professional sports world by storm throughout the remainder of the decade while playing baseball for the Kansas City Royals as an outfielder and football for the Oakland Raiders as a running back. The year 1989 was the pinnacle of the sports career of Bo Jackson when he was selected to the MLB all-star game (where he won the all-star game MVP award) and the NFL pro bowl in recognition of his accomplishments on the grid iron during the 1989 football season. Sadly a NFL playoff game hip injury on January 13, 1991 eventually resulted in the need for a hip replacement and although Bo made a short comeback in baseball for all intents and purposes the injury ushered in the end of what might have otherwise been the most prolific athletic career in history. Due to his career shortening injury Bo Jackson is often only a footnote in sports history but when considering his collegiate and dual sport professional success it is fair to say Bo Jackson was the American athlete of the 1980s just as Michael Jordan was of the 1990s and Tom Brady or Tiger Woods arguably were of the 2000s.

In May of 2009, twenty years after his illustrious 1989 sports year when Nike "Bo Knows" advertisements were everywhere, the Alabama son came home to Auburn to pass along the lessons he learned during his lifetime to a new generation by giving the commencement speech to the 2009 graduating class at Auburn University.

Rick finds stories like the tale of Bo Jackson's life to be amongst the most interesting in sports because his accomplishments, potential, and eventual fall from grace are so exaggerated that the story almost reads like a work of fiction. Rick honors the man who (along with Michael Jordan) arguably lifted Nike and sports advertising to a new level with Auburn University wallpaper on his computer screen background so that nostalgic pictures of the great two star athlete are never more than a mouse click away.

Rick asks all Bo Jackson fans to take a look at the Auburn wallpaper pictures on his webpage. Browsing the collection of photographs and forwarding this article to a friend will encourage future biographical pieces on sports stars of yesteryear.

Is the BCS Fair - Part 1

The title to this article asks, is the BCS Fair? The answer is no, they are not fair nor do they have any intentions of being fair.

As you read down through this article you will see the BCS- mid majors history that will bear that statement out.

The Sugar Bowl has put more egg on the face of the BCS.

Prior to the match up between Alabama and Utah the pundits and BCS supporters had the annual debate, does a mid major football program belong in a BCS Bowl.

Barry Switzer and his pack said no, they just are not good enough. Followed up with the traditional rhetoric, who did they play?

Utah as did Boise State before them, proved the pundits and BCS wrong.

The Utes manhandled The Crimson Tide from the opening kickoff to the final gun. Alabama was no match for The Utah Utes.

Bama had been ranked #1 in the nation for 5 weeks before falling to Florida. Their stingy defense allowed just 16 points per game. Utah hung 21 points on The Tide in the first quarter.

So much for the argument Utah was not good enough and could not hang with Bama.

The argument, who did they play is meaningless, Utah played and defeated everyone on their schedule. That included and Big 10's Michigan and two highly nationaly ranked conference mates, BYU and TCU.

The problem is, its not about who is good enough to be in the BCS Bowls, it's about money and the 6 BCS Conferences want it all to themselves.

In 2004 both Boise State and the Utah Utes were undefeated mid major teams, both were highly ranked, yet the BCS said they were not good enough and did not want to see either team humiliated playing in a BCS Bowl. Translation its our money and we are not sharing.

How ever when some one in Utah filed suit and Congress told the BCS fix it or they would, the clouds parted, rays of light poured forth bathing the BCS in wisdom.

They elected to put Utah into the 2005 Fiesta Bowl, declaring each year they would accept a mid major that had to be ranked in the nations top 12.

Since then there have been 4 BCS Busters in their games. Each season as the mid majors do better, the debate of do they or don't they belong starts again.

This season the debate has reached a new high with 3 mid majors ranked in the top 12 and above BCS teams like Ohio State, and Cincinnati, only Utah was selected.

Adding new fire to the debate was Boise State beating heavily favored Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl Jan.1,2007.

The Boise State Broncos not only won a come from behind game, they gave what is considered by many as the best bowl game finish in history, winning on a two conversion in overtime and finishing with a perfect record.

That started the new heated debate, should Boise with its perfect record been allowed to play for the National Title.

Utah destroying Alabama in this years Sugar Bowl has rekindled that debate. Prior to losing to Florida, Bama had been ranked #1 for 5 weeks, Florida has moved on to tonight's NC game.

In fairness to the BCS, they have stated in this most recent round of controversy, their goal is only to try to match up #1 vs #2 to determine a collegiate national champion. Yet tonight, Utah, the only undefeated team in college football will sit home and watch the game on tv. Just like Boise State did in 2007, when Florida played Ohio State in the 2007 NC Fiesta Bowl.

The BCS has said it is not their stated goal to put by virtue of national ranking the best teams in the remaining BCS Bowls as evidenced by taking Ohio State as an at large team over #9 Boise State or getting #11 TCU into a BCS Bowl.

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Minnesota Vikings History

All About the Epitomized Winner the Minnesota Vikings

In their opening game on September 17 1961, the Vikings presented their supporters surprisingly little taste of what the next 47 years is going to be like. Immediately after a time-consuming start rookie quarterback Fran Tarkenton jumped off the bench and started out working his magic. Tarkenton used four touchdown passes and ran for the next as he directed the Vikes to a 37-13 victory over the Chicago Bears.

In 1967, the Vikings brought in a absolutely new head coach. Bud Grant, a Minnesotan who was leading the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers to glory, arrived in the T win Cities and directed the striving Vikings into an on the spot champion. Just 2 yrs immediately after Grant came, the Vikes developed a spectacular ability of 11 division titles in 13 seasons.

The Vikings had victory during the NFL championship in 1969 and NFC titles in 1973, '74 and '76. From Ahmad Rashad to Cris Carter, from Jim Marshall to Randall McDaniel and from Matt Blair to John Randle, the Vikings are among the many fantastic teams ever to strap on the pads.

In 1986, specifically 25 years later on, Tarkenton would turn out to be the very first Vikings player to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

In the past 47 years, the Minnesota Vikings have outstanding winning. The Men in Purple have always been close to the top to be of the division standings. Only four NFL teams have played out in more Superbowls, and one the Dallas Cowboys, convey more playoff appearances.

Though the Vikings did not win in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX, and XI, few NFL teams can express that they have provided their admirers with additional pleasures, more thrills or more edge-of-your-seat exhilaration as opposed to Vikings.

For sure, part of definitely a Vikings admirer is having the potential to really feel relaxed on football's emotional roller coaster, however, if you are a Vikings fan, you obviously cannot at any time say you've been annoyed. In reality, from the time they first took the field, the Vikings began giving their lovers with unforgettable times which encouraged them to a spare their money to buy Viking tickets just to watch the game and render moral support to their most popular viking players.

Sam Curtis, freelance writer. He widely writes about National Football League Teams particularly Minnesota Vikings. For more information just visit Viking ticket.

Brief History of the Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos started to play in 1960 as a member of the AFC then later joined the National Football League as part of a NFL-AFL merger.

On August 14, 1959 The Denver Broncos was founded, when Bob Howsman then owner of of a minor league baseball team was granted the AFL charter franchise. The Denver Broncos won the Boston Patriots 13-10 in 1960 September 9th which was the first ever AFL game. The Broncos became the first ever American Football League football team to defeat an National Football League football team on august 5, 1967 after defeating the Detroit Lions by the score of 13-7 in a preseason football game. The Denver Broncos were not successful in the 60's after posting a record of 39-97-4 in the football league.

The Denver Broncos have played in the Super Bowl 6 times winning 2 of the Super Bowls in the 97-98 football seasons. The Broncos didn't manage to have a winning football season untill 1973 after having 13 years without a winning season. The Broncos in the football leagues first 10 year history were the only original American Football League team to have not played in a title game. In 1965 the Denver Broncos almost lost it's franchise, but then a local ownership took control of the football team that year and started to build the team.

The Broncos in 1977 under a Rookie Coach named Red Miller as well as the Orange Crush Defense a nickname they picked up from the early 70's and Craig Morton a aging Quarterback took the Denver Broncos to their first playoff game as well as their first Super Bowl but was beat by the Dallas Cowboys by a score of 27 to 10.

Quarterback John Elway a draft pick of the New York Yankees to play center field for the team who was also a pitching prospect. John Elway was also drafted by the Baltimore Colts as the first pick in the draft said he would leave football and play baseball if he was not traded from the Colts team. John Elway selected a list of football teams where he would be willing to go to and the Denver Broncos was one of those teams where he arrived in 1983. Before John Elway arrived in 83 the Broncos had over 24 starting quarterbacks in 23 football seasons. With John Elway as quarterback the Broncos played in 5 Super Bowl games and winning two of those Super Bowls. John Elway ended his career as the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIII, his last National Football League game. The Denver Broncos lost to the New York Giants, 39-20 in Super Bowl XXI, Washington Redskins, 42-10 in Super Bowl XXII, and to the San Francisco 49ers, 55-10 in Super Bowl XXIV, which were the most lopsided scoring differential in Super Bowl history.

The Denver Broncos debuted Terrell Davis rookie running back in 1995, where he would lead the Denver Broncos to their first Super Bowl win in 1997 against the Green Bay Packers, 31-24 in Super Bowl XXXII. Broncos John Elway had 22 passing attempts and only completed 12 of those also having one throwing interception and no touchdowns, but Terrell Davis had three touchdowns and rushed for 157 yards to earn the MVP honor this while he had blurred vision due to severe migraine headaches.

Rich Stephenson is in the web development field for a ticket broker that sells tickets to all sports, concert and theater events. Ticket broker also sells Denver Broncos tickets as well as Super Bowl tickets and all other football games.

How to Win Your March Madness Bracket

Are you sure that you completely understand the concept of brackets? The March madness bracket is a very serious betting endeavor. Before, professional and amateur bettors would only make brackets for professional leagues. This is because for professional leagues, there are after-season playoffs. This is an additional tournament conducted after the regular one is over. Brackets are used here because professional leagues are usually divided into two. For basketball there is the eastern and western conference. In baseball there are the American and National league games. Bracket betting is simply much more exciting because there are more games to bet and win from. There are different kinds of bracketing strategies for each kind of tournament.

A March madness bracket is like a diagram or representation of all the games played in the series or the tournament. These brackets are interlinking because they form the match-ups of the games. They actually look like the brackets used in language or mathematics, hence the name. Now you know what a bracket is, actually winning a March madness bracket is a completely different drift.

One thing you have to remember is that a March madness bracket is a betting contest. That means that you are not just playing to make the best looking bracket, but rather the best winning bracket. The game is played by selecting and predicting who the winner will be for each of the games that are projected in the season. Of course you begin with just the first few games and the bracket expands as the season progresses. This is because there are certain match-ups that are determined only after the win-loss record is already made and you, of course, bet before all the games begin. If you have lost the majority of the initial games, take this cue and use more statistically approved methods. Yes, betting on brackets still makes use of statistics. So if you want to win on the next rounds, better make your bets reliable and statistically based.

If you want to win in your March madness bracket bets, make sure that you take the time to look at the players' and teams' statistics, at least from last season. Since statistics are records of past games, match them with the current trend of the game. Important factors that you have to understand are the performance of the team and how they use their players. The coach is also very important. Also look at the injured players of the team and who will be taking their place. It is common for bettors to bet on Team B when Team A's star players are down. However, you still have to see who will take the injured players' place. This is because even if they may just be substitutes, they may be just as good as the players they are replacing and the coach is just not letting them play because they are still being broken in. Weighing in factors is important. If you couple this with the smart use of statistics, you will be sure that you'll always pick the winner.

Chris Grisham is the creator of Basketball Crusher, the premier website for making money betting online sports. He has successfully been beating sportsbooks for years using his proven system and top March madness bracket tips based on lines, trends, angles, and years of experience. Learn about his system for FREE at http://www.BasketballCrusher.com

2008 Dallas Cowboy Preview

A look back at the 2007 Dallas Cowboys can be summarized in a couple worlds, crushing, and disappointing. After looking poised to make a Super Bowl run with a 13-3 regular record, division title and first round bye the season ended chaos with another first round playoff loss. With poor finish Jerry Jones went to work in the off-season, and appears like he went all out this year in an attempt to return the Cowboys to the Super bowl.

During the offseason the Dallas Cowboys lost 6 key veterans in Akin Ayodele, LB; Keith Davis, CB; Anthony Fasano, TE; Jason Ferguson, DT; Julius Jones, RB; Jacque Reeves, CB and countered by adding veternas Adam Jones, CB; Cory Lekkerkerker, T; and Zach Thomas, LB

The Cowboys top 4 draft picks during the 2008 NFL draft were: 1 22 Felix Jones RB 6-0 200 Arkansas; 1 25 Mike Jenkins CB 6-0 200 South Florida; 2 61 Martellus Bennett TE 6-6 259 Texas A&M; 4 122 Tashard Choice RB 5-11 215 Georgia Tech

Keys and Questions to the 2008 season for the Dallas Cowboys:

1. Can T.O. keep his mouth shut and play?
2. Will Adam Pacman Jones help or hurt the Cowboys?
3. How will they handle all the distractions like Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson?
4. Will a poor start cost Head Coach Wade Philips his job?
5. Will having Jason Garrett looking over Coach Wades shoulder help or hurt? focused?

Oddsmakers have set the Dallas Cowboys 2008 season
To Win NFC East at Dallas Cowboys -150
To Win Superbowl at Dallas Cowboys +400

Prediction for the 2008 Dallas Cowboys is 11-5 and 2nd place in the NFC east as they should be the one of the most complete teams both offensively and defensively in the NFC this season. The Super Bowl drought may end this year but Wade Phillips has never handled the playoffs well. Look for a great regular season and another playoff flop.

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2010-11 NBA Picks Southeast Division Preview

NBA Picks insider reports that Eastbound and down (Southeast Division) could turn out to be the most intriguing conference in the entire league.

1. Can the Heat start planning their victory parade now? Judging by the hype and media coverage that has surrounded this team ever since LeBron took his talents to South Beach, you'd think they already had that worked out. Of course, a lot of us thought the same thing in 2003 when the Lakers added Gary Payton and Karl Malone to go along with Shaq and Kobe. For as much pressure in on LeBron, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh to get it done on the floor, the real heat could be on head coach Erik Spoelstra to find the right combination to put around them.

2. Could Orlando actually derail Miami's victory train? The Magic certainly aren't afraid, that's for sure. From the moment LeBron and company put ink to paper, Dwight Howard and his mates haven't blinked. After all, his team has been to two straight Eastern Conference Finals and an NBA Finals - something LeBron can't claim. But for it to happen, the Magic need three things: Jameer Nelson playing close to 82 games, Howard developing a well-rounded offensive game and more consistency from shooters like Mickael Pietrus and J.J. Redick.

3. Will Larry Drew bring change Hawks fans can believe in? If he does it will have to be of the emotional variety. This season's roster isn't much different than what Atlanta's had in the past. The issue under Mike Woodson was a seeming lack of caring in big situations. The past two playoff seasons featured some head-scratching blowout losses with super-talent Josh Smith pouting and the re-signed Joe Johnson taking potshots at Hawks fans. They're not good enough to be an NBA pick to win the division, but they're a solid #5 or #6 seed come playoff time.

4. Can the Bobcats keep moving forward? The Bobcats may stand to be hurt the most by the rest of the Eastern Conference loading up. After making the first playoff appearance in franchise history last year, the 'Cats didn't make any major splashes in the offseason. They drafted Kansas star Sherron Collins who will likely battle with Shaun Livingston to back up D.J. Augustin. But when you're a team that barely made the playoffs then stood pat while everyone around you got better, it's hard to envision a repeat visit to the postseason.

5. Are there enough shots to go around in Washington? And no, that's not a gun joke. But with Gilbert Arenas back in action, Nick Young and the top overall pick John Wall on the floor, someone may end up disappointed with their lack of scoring opportunities. Plus without a real interior presence, don't expect to take big strides with a team full of gunners. Okay, that was a gun joke.

Get your winning NBA Picks and NBA Predictions this 2010 season at http://www.jrtips.com/.

Sports Betting at the Intermediate Level

No matter what hobby, job, or task you pursue, everyone has one common goal: to get better. Sport betting is no different. You might have started to bet on sports for fun, or just to make a little more money. But, just like anything else, there will come a time when you want to step up to the next level with sports betting. In this article, we are going to take a look at what that next level looks like, what it means, and what sort of things to do when you get there.

Watch the lines and the spread

In our article for beginner sports bettors, we talked a lot about the money line and the point spread. These are the two most common types of bets that people place in sports betting; if you don't know what we are talking about go back to the beginner section and wait at least a year before attempting the next step in your sports betting career!

At the intermediate level, you need to be aware of more than just the definitions of the point spread and the money line; you need to understand what each means in terms of the money you stand to win or to lose.

Remember that both the point spread and the money line are reflections of betting action, not necessarily the skill of a team. This means that the more people who bet on one team, the more the bookmakers will shift the lines to favor the underdogs.

Let's take a regular season baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Florida Marlins as an example. Two days before the game, the books are putting out a line something like this:

Atlanta Braves -110
Florida Marlins +100

Over the course of the next two days, people find out that the Braves have changed their starting pitcher. Instead of the second best pitcher, the best guy is now on the mound. Moreover, the Marlins' top batter is out of the lineup with an injured thumb that day. Now, the lines look like this:

Atlanta Braves -130
Florida Marlins +110

The bookies have made a couple of changes. First of all, they are charging those who want to bet on the favorite Braves an extra $20 for every $100 they bet. They are also offering those betting on the underdog Marlins an extra $10 for every $100 THEY bet. It's a difference of $30.

That difference is because the public are betting even more money on the Braves after the news about the starting pitcher and the injured batter. Bookmakers are trying to balance the action by decreasing the value of a bet placed on the Braves. They will apply a similar strategy with the point spread in this and other sports.

That value is very important for anyone who wants to take the next step in sports betting. If you consider yourself to be at the next value, you will likely pass the re-worked lines up. Why? Because a fair value bet on the Braves, the original, has just been replaced with a poor value bet. The Braves might still win, but you can't be sure enough to risk an extra $20 for every $100 you hope to win. It's a bad return. Nor do you want to take the Marlins, who in all likelihood will still lose the game.

Different types of bets

In addition to watching the lines and the spreads a bit more carefully, intermediate sports betting involves a new range of available bets.

When you were just starting out, comprehending lines and spreads probably took up most of your time. Now that you are ready for a little bit more action, and have those two basic types down, it's time to look at a few more sports betting options. Here are some of your choices:

o Parlays: With a parlay card, you bet on several teams to win. You can bet up to 12 games on a parlay card, but every team must win in order for you to get your money back plus the payout. You have to know your sport pretty well, and even then parlays are a big risk. But, they generally offer a higher payout for less money.

o Teasers: If you don't like the points a book is offering on a spread, you can opt for a teaser. With a teaser, you bet on a couple of different teams, and you can take points from one and give them to another so that the spread is more favorable. Expect a lower payout, but some good manipulation will give you a higher chance at a win than if you took the original points offered by the book.

o Futures: If you REALLY know your game, you might consider making future bets. These are placed at the beginning of the season, or at the beginning of playoffs. You can bet on a team to place first in their division, conference, or even win the Big Prize at the end of the season. The more teams competing for placement (for example, less teams are trying to win the American League than are in the running for the World Series trophy) the higher the odds, and that means a better payout if you call it right.

With a higher level of understanding generally comes more money wagered. As always, remember to watch your bankroll. At the intermediate level you may wish to increase the amount of money you bet, but stay within a limit you set for yourself at the beginning of each betting season.

Hi my name is Shirley Durling and I am a sport betting enthusiast. I write articles and review products and services related to Sports Betting Systems and Sports Book's. Please see my blog at SportBettingStore/blog for more great information on sports betting.