Betting Overview:

The NFL betting experts did not give the Oakland Raiders much of a chance for success this season. But as we round up the NFL scores from week 10 and head into week 11, the Raiders are in first place in the AFC West, tied at 5-4 with the Kansas City Chiefs. It is certainly not the start everyone was expecting, but it is one that the Raiders and head coach Tom Cable will take.

The NFL predictions for the Pittsburgh Steelers were mixed in the preseason. When it became known that the Steelers would have to be without starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the first four games of the season, most people were expecting the Steelers to be 0-4 when Big Ben came back. But with some good coaching by Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin, and steady play by three backup quarterbacks, the Steelers handed a 3-1 team to Big Ben when he returned. The Steelers are 6-3 and are one of the top teams in the AFC.

Offense:

The thing that makes the Steelers a great offense is also the thing that makes them an unpredictable offense. That thing would be Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers quarterback is a nightmare for his offensive linemen as Ben will hold that football forever until he either finds a receiver or gets sacked. Roethlisberger is not the kind of quarterback that will start running if he sees daylight. The New England Patriots gave everyone a preview of how to limit the Steelers offense when they beat Pittsburgh in week 10. The Pats got out in front of the Steelers early, forcing the team to limit the carries for running back Rashard Mendenhall. Once the ball was in Ben’s hands, all the Patriots had to do was get to the quarterback to limit the Pittsburgh offense. While the strategy had limited success, Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense still found ways to put points on the board.

Quarterback Jason Campbell is finally delivering like the Raiders had hoped he would. In the Raiders week nine win over the Chiefs that put Oakland into first place in the AFC West, Campbell threw for 229 yards and one touchdown. But it was the way he efficiently ran the offense that got the Raiders excited about their future. Running back Darren McFadden is still racking up rushing yards and is an integral part of the Raiders offense.

Defense:

The Oakland Raiders have the sixth ranked defense in the NFL, but that number is a bit misleading. The Raiders live on their persistent pass rush that has resulted in the second ranked pass defense in the league. But the Raiders give up an average of 125 rushing yards per game which ranks them 24^th. If the Steelers can soften up the Raiders defense with Mendenhall, then Big Ben could pick them apart.

The Steelers learned a lot in their loss to the Patriots. One of the things they learned is that over-pursuing and being too aggressive on defense is a bad thing against a quarterback like Tom Brady. Jason Campbell is no Tom Brady, but look for the Steelers to play smarter defense against the Raiders.

The Bottom Line:

As game as the Raiders have been this season they are still 1-3 on the road. The Steelers need to win this game, and they will pull out every stop they have to send the Raiders home empty handed.

Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers

Overview:

There were a lot of NFL betting experts that were betting on the AFC South to be an extremely competitive division. Some of the NFL predictions had the Indianapolis Colts winning the division, some had the Tennessee Titans winning it while others had gone so far as to say that the NFL scores would favor the Houston Texans. So far the AFC South has been a battle, and the Tennessee Titans sit right on top of the heap as the division leaders.

The Miami Dolphins were expected to be chasing the New England Patriots and the New York Jets for the AFC East division title. Miami is third in the division, but with the Patriots losing to the Cleveland Browns in week 10 the landscape of the division begins to change. If Miami can put together consecutive wins then they may have a chance at pulling out a wild card berth as the Patriots fall to ninth in the conference. That is contingent not only on the Dolphins winning but the Patriots losing as well. It is extremely difficult to bet that New England will keep losing key games this season.

Offense:

The Tennessee Titans offense is first in the league in scoring points by putting up an average of 28 points per game. The passing game is struggling a little regardless of whether or not Kerry Collins or Vince Young is playing. Running back Chris Johnson and the Tennessee running game are ranked 10^th in the league averaging 123 yards per game on the ground. Johnson already has eight touchdowns this season and is a major reason why the Titans running attack is still able to spread out the field for the passing game.

The Dolphins still use the wildcat as one of their primary offensive formations, but head coach Tony Sporano is starting to understand the value of having a quarterback like Chad Henne and a wide receiver like Brandon Marshall. Henne has thrown for 1,900 yards this season and eight touchdowns. Marshall and wide receiver Davone Bess are his primary targets as the two have combined for 1,100 receiving yards this season. Even with the wildcat the Dolphins running game is only ranked 16^th in the league. Defenses are catching on to the wildcat, and that is why you will see more of Henne and Marshall as the season wears on.

Defense:

Miami has the 13^th ranked defense in the league allowing an average of 321 yards per game. The good thing about the Dolphins defense is that it is balanced. They are effective against the run and against the pass. That will come in very handy against a Tennessee team that has a balanced offense.

The Titans are strongest against the run, but they have been having problems against the pass all season long. This would be one of those games where the Dolphins leave the wildcat in the locker room and use some of those offensive weapons they have.

The Bottom Line:

The Dolphins are an average team with a well-balanced defense. If the Titans are going to crack they will usually crack early. If the Dolphins can shut down Chris Johnson and keep the Titans passing game under control then Miami can win this game.

Pick: Miami Dolphins

Betting Overview:

Now that the football betting world has had eight weeks to watch the San Diego Chargers (3-5) and the Houston Texans (4-3) in action, there are some interesting conclusions being drawn.

The Chargers lack the basic discipline necessary to stay in football games, and their special teams are awful. That is the only real way to explain how a team that has the number one ranked offense and defense cannot win games. The Chargers take bad penalties at bad times and they cannot seem to do anything right on special teams. This is a team where special teams has cost them at least two games and has come close to costing them more.

The Houston Texans are a good football team, and they are much improved over last season. The Texans may even make the playoffs this year. But their Monday Night loss to the Indianapolis Colts shows that the Texans just do not have the experience to beat a veteran quarterback who is determined to win. Peyton Manning had to work without running back Joseph Addai and tight end Dallas Clark, but he still managed to beat the Texans in a critical divisional game.

Offense

A lot of the preseason NFL predictions had the San Diego Chargers playing in the AFC Championship game. The Chargers have the best offense in the league averaging 427 total yards per game. Philip Rivers has been averaging 315 yards per game in the air and that also leads the league. The Chargers can score points on the ground and in the air, but they can also shoot themselves in the foot with a bad penalty that takes them right out of a drive.

The Texans still have the potent combination of quarterback Matt Schaub throwing to receiver Andre Johnson. But Johnson has been hobbled with a bad ankle all season long, and he aggravated that ankle in the game against Indianapolis. Running back Arian Foster has had a great season so far, but the Colts showed that when you blitz linebackers you can shut down the Texans running game.

Defense

The Chargers defense has been incredible this season. It is ranked first overall allowing an average of only 260 total yards per game, and it is ranked first in the pass allowing only 177 yards per game. It looks like the Chargers will be waiving linebacker Shawne Merriman this week, but that will not affect the way that the Chargers defense plays.

The Houston Texans, by contrast, have the worst defense in the league. They are ranked last in overall yards allowing an average of 404 yards per game, and they rank last against the pass allowing 299 yards per game. At some point, the short-comings of the Houston defense will start to catch up with the team and become a thorn in the Texans’ side.

The Bottom Line

Number one offense versus last-ranked defense. Not even the San Diego Chargers could penalize or punt their way out of this win.

Pick: San Diego Charger

With the NFL betting and college football just around the corner, sports enthusiasts are already looking ahead to the 2010 season, with an eye on how at least a few of the top teams in at both the school and professional levels will perform. One of the most popular conferences among online sports betting enthusiasts during the football year is the Big Ten, where hundreds of thousands of plays are made every month.

Leading the Big Ten in to the 2010 season is the Ohio State Buckeyes, which has 15 starters returning from the team that went 7-1 in conference play in 2009, and 11-2 overall. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor will once again be the key to this team’s success, as he aims to build on the 2800 total yards he gained throwing and rushing a year ago. The two-headed monster made up of Brandon Saine and Dan Herron at running back is arguably one of the best in the country, and while the Buckeyes should be able to move the ball on the ground, wide receiver Devier Posey keeps defenses honest with his big play capabilities. This season will be about more than just the returning stars however, as Ohio State brought in some of the top recruits in the country to help complete their roster. All the talent that this team has collected and developed over the past couple of years should keep them at the top of the Big Ten conference, with the real goal being the chase for a national title.

The NCAA college football betting team that the sports books have projected as having the best chance of challenging Ohio State for Big Ten seniority is the Iowa Hawkeyes, which return 14 starters of their own from a roster that went 11-2 overall, and finished just one game back of the Buckeyes in overall conference record. Quarterback Ricki Stanzi is back under center, which should keep the Hawkeyes’ offense rolling, while a strong defensive line that features defensive tackle Karl Klud and defensive end captain Adrian Clayborn will help Iowa take its game to the next level and challenge for top spot.

Penn State finished with the same record as the Hawkeyes both within the conference and overall, but their outlook heading in to 2010 is much dimmer given that the Nittany Lions lost close to half of their starting roster. True freshman Paul Jones is expected to start at quarterback when the bet on sports online games get underway, and will be tested by a deep group of defensive units at the top of the Big Ten. Rounding out the conference is Wisconsin, Northwestern, and Michigan State, each of which have odds available to win the national title, but without massive development from last season in several key areas don’t stand a chance to challenge Ohio State. Purdue, Indiana, Minnesota and Illinois will all be battling just to stay close to .500 during the regular season, and despite improvements, it could be another couple of years before any of them is ready to compete.

Super Bowl MVP odds are probably the best prop bet on play during the big game on Sunday, and this year’s list is headed by the most important players in the game, the quarterbacks. The men under center have won this award on 22 occasions, including this year’s favorite.

Super Bowl MVP odds – Sunday, February 7, 6:20 PM ET

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis (-180)

Manning won this award four years ago when he led the Colts to a Super Bowl win over Chicago, and another win would put him up there with the all-time greats of the game. No one has control over their offense the way Manning does, and his pre-snap reads make him a danger no matter how much time on the clock, and no matter where the Colts are on the field.

Drew Brees, New Orleans (+260)

Brees finished second to Manning in the regular-season MVP race, but he was the spark of the No.1 offense in the league all season. Brees is the leader of this team, and even though he’s not a physical monster like Manning, Brees may be the most accurate quarterback in the league, and he can go deep, or work the underneath route. Also, his footwork in the pocket is very underrated.

Reggie Bush, New Orleans (+950)

Saints fans would love to see the Bush that was a one-man wrecking crew against Arizona in the NFC divisional round, as he broke two big runs for touchdowns, including a punt return late to seal the deal. Bush is probably the most electrifying player on either team, and his open-field ability is second to none, but he has to be more consistent if his Saints are going to overcome these bookmaker odds (bookmaker reviews).

Pierre Garcon, Indianapolis (+1500)

Garcon broke out in the AFC championship game against the New York Jets, catching a record 11 passes for 151 yards and a score. The Jets decided that they were going to take away Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, which left Garcon and Austin Collie to run wild through the secondary. If the Saints try a similar gameplan, Manning now has faith in his young receivers.

Darren Sharper, New Orleans (+2500)

The darkhorse of this race, Sharper tied for the league lead with nine picks, returning three for touchdowns, and then he’s been a force in the playoffs, recovering a fumble against Arizona, and making a team-high 11 tackles against Minnesota, along with countless blitzes of Brett Favre. He’ll have a big hand in their gameplan against Manning.

Super Bowl betting pick: The Colts should be able to come away with the win, and if they do, Manning will be the man to take them there.

New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts

Bodog Odds: Colts -6

Last week’s initial Super Bowl betting odds have surprisingly held steady in the first 60 hours since the Indianapolis Colts revealed (on Sunday) that defensive end Dwight Freeney had a third-degree low ankle sprain, which means a complete tear of the ligament in his right ankle. One would have expected the Colts – six-point favorites over the New Orleans Saints – to become a less convincing favorite, but that hasn’t yet happened. Let’s look at how this final installment of NFL betting picks shapes up.

What the Saints need to do to win

Play their very best game on offense. Yeah, one could say New Orleans will have to contain Peyton Manning, but the likelihood of that happening is low to nonexistent. This contest figures to be a shootout, especially now that Freeney – the best defensive player on the whole field – has been damaged. The Saints – equipped with a flotilla of fleet-footed flankers and other weapons coming out of the backfield – must simply throw a bunch of haymakers on the offensive side of the ball and force the Colts to land even more punches.

Drew Brees and the rest of the Saints were thoroughly contained for most of the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings, particularly in the second half. An offense that stayed ahead of the NFC for most of the season got punished in the trenches by the physically superior Vikes. Limited to just 257 yards, the Saints struggled against Minnesota because their receivers generally couldn’t shake free from the Vikings’ corners. On the few occasions when Brees had an open man downfield, he normally air-mailed the pigskin and showed a little too much adrenaline. The only reason New Orleans scored 31 points was that the Saints started two second-half touchdown drives at the Minnesota 37 and (on another drive) the 7-yard line as well. Assuming that Manning doesn’t give the Saints a number of gift turnovers, Brees and teammate Reggie Bush will have to operate at the very height of their powers.

What the Colts need to do to win

Get first-rate cornerback play.

Dwight Freeney’s health is a huge worry for this team, but if there’s another major reason for the Colts to be nervous heading into Super Bowl XLIV, it’s the experience level of Indy’s cover corners. Jacob Lacey, a rookie from Oklahoma State, got toasted in the AFC Championship Game by New York Jets receiver Braylon Edwards. Indianapolis continuously surrendered big plays because its back line of defense got sucked toward the line of scrimmage by New York’s play fakes and disguised looks. Only when Peyton Manning gave the Colts a 10-point lead (27-17), thereby forcing the Jets to throw midway through the second half, did Indy manage to contain New York’s not-very-explosive offense. New Orleans’ offense, on the other hand, is truly scary. A wounded Freeney plus young corners should cause a little uneasiness in the Colts’ camp.

Indianapolis has an offense that should not be a source of concern. Manning is a thoroughly prepared on-field coach, as close as anything pro football has ever seen to a coordinator in a helmet and pads. It’s on defense where Super Bowl XLIV will be won or lost for the AFC champs. As long as Lacey and the rest of the back line don’t get burned deep, it will be hard to see how the NFC champions can outscore Manning.

Sportsbook Outlook & Pick

Indianapolis should still win this game with Peyton Manning, but the loss of Dwight Freeney certainly helps New Orleans to attack the Colts’ defense. Perhaps the spread is staying at six points because the Saints’ defense looked pedestrian against Minnesota, and because Manning is playing at such a high level. Those are good reasons to stick with the Colts. Nevertheless, it’s not an exaggeration to say that Freeney’s drastically reduced effectiveness will matter a great deal in this game. Indianapolis will need to generate a first-rate pass rush, and with Freeney being limited, New Orleans can double-team Robert Mathis and force the Colts to blitz. This will enable Drew Brees to make hot reads and involve Reggie Bush as a pass catcher coming out of the backfield. Before the Freeney injury, the Colts were a great bet giving six points. Now, there’s a good chance that the Saints might score that extra garbage touchdown needed to make this game 41-38, Indianapolis, instead of 41-31.

Bodog Reviews Picks: Saints +6

While everyone is gearing up to do their Super Bowl betting, it is time for some proposition picks. The Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints are expected to put up some big numbers, and that will have a big effect on betting lines and payouts. That being said there are some interesting prop bets to be taken advantage of.

Shockey vs Clark – Who will have more pass reception yards

Those looking for head-to-head Saints Colts betting will like this matchup. Jeremy Shockey and Dallas Clark are big time threats and integral parts in the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts offensive schemes. Shockey, while limited this post season by a nagging knee injury, will no doubt be in the line-up and putting himself on the line. He was on the sideline while his New York Giants won Super Bowl XLII after suffering an injury so you can bet he will not sit out another one. Finishing the season with 48 receptions and 569 yards he is a long-shot to outgain Clark. The Colts tight-end amassed 100 receptions for 1,106 yards and while slowed in his last game against the New York Jets, he should rebound against the much weaker Saints defence. In his two post season games this year Clark caught 11 passes and 94 yards, while below his average of over six receptions and nearly 70 a game it still better then Shockey’s four snags for 45 yards in the past two contests.

Pick: Dallas Clark

Total gross passing yards by Manning

In his two playoff games this season, Peyton Manning is averaging 311.5 yards a game including 377 yards against the top ranked Jets defence. In the regular season he threw for over 299 yards 10 different times and realistically did it over 14 weeks since he did not play complete games in the last two weeks. In a game against a notorious shoot out style team, in the Saints, the Colts quarterback should easily rack up big numbers again. New Orleans gave up 266 yards to a Kurt Warner/Matt Leinart combination and 310 to Brett Favre led offences that finished well back of the Colts. While thinking Manning will explode for 400 yards is not an obscene estimate, he put up 458 against Denver in the 2005 playoffs and has eight career games of over 400, it is highly unlikely.

Pick: 320+ yards

Touchdown passes by Brees

Drew Brees has been on fire this post season, averaging three touchdowns a game and should be looked upon as set to do it again. Even in the conference final against Minnesota when held to just 197 passing yards, he was able to find the end-zone. During the regular season, he threw for three or more touchdowns six different times and going up against a 14th ranked Indy pass defence, he should add another big number. In four of his five career playoff games Brees has thrown for two or more touchdowns, and while the Colts have only allowed two passing scores, their two games were against the 16^th and 29^th ranked teams in passing touchdowns. This game is pegged to be a shootout, that means touchdowns and with 34 of the Saints total 55 regular season touchdowns coming through the air, it is a good sports betting tip that the trend will continue.

Pick: 3+ Passing TD’s

Total Receptions by Reggie Wayne

Coming off a game that he was held to just three receptions, the experts at US Sportsbook Reviews know that Reggie Wayne will be looking to explode in the Super Bowl. Hauling in 100 receptions over the regular season and a playoff average of 5.1 receptions in 15 career playoff games, most of which as a second option behind Marvin Harrison, it is highly unlikely that he will put up two bad games in a row. Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter are not in the same calibre of cornerback as Darrelle Revis which points to Wayne having an easier time getting open and with a quarterback like Manning he will be found if open.  This all points to Wayne putting up numbers closer to his regular season average of six receptions a game.

Pick: 7+ receptions

The AFC and NFC champions have been decided, the Super Bowl odds are set, and all eyes are on Manning and Brees as they lead the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints into Miami.

There is, however, one last game before Super Bowl XLIV to occupy the legions of hungry football fans. The NFL has moved both the location and the time of their All-Star game to fill in the void left by two weeks of Super Bowl preparation. For the first time since 1980, the game will not be held in Honolulu. Instead the Pro Bowl finds itself at Land Shark Stadium in Miami on Sunday January 31^st, one week prior to the Super Bowl.

Rosters are now finalized, as many players have been pulling out with injuries, and two teams won’t be sending any players at all. With the Saints and Colts still alive, the AFC will lose Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and Dallas Clark, among others.  The NFC meanwhile will be without seven Saints, including Drew Brees,  and safety Darren Sharper.

Many other key players have had to step out or decline an invitation due to injury, including Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, Larry Fitzgerald, Stephen Jackson, Wes Welker, and Philip Rivers.

So who is playing?

Well, there will still be plenty of big stars on the field. Two key replacements come in on the NFC side that should give them the advantage.  Tony Romo and Donovan McNabb, taking the places of Brett Favre and Drew Brees, are two gunslingers who have always played under pressure in towns where they are expected win. They are more talented and accomplished than their AFC counterparts, Vince Young and David Garrard.  Aaron Rodgers will start for the NFC, going against Matt Schaub of the Houston Texans.

All three quarterbacks for the AFC  are replacing players who are cannot play and were not chosen initially.

The NFC also boasts a younger, and fast receiving core.  When youth comes a greater desire to play, impress, and generally show off.  Miles Austin, Desean Jackson, Sidney Rice, and Steve Smith of the Giants will all look for big plays. The running game often takes a backseat to the pitch and catch nature of the match.

The AFC wide outs meanwhile, contain several of the NFL’s more outspoken and controversial players. Brandon Marshall may have a tough time getting motivated when he has at times not geared up for a regular season tilt. Ochocinco meanwhile will care much more about on the field antics than making big plays.

Despite the ever changing rosters and the inability to quantify motivation, the Pro Bowl is not immune to sports betting. In fact, there is a good chance at great success in this all-star affair. Kickoff goes at 7:20 EST.

Betting Lines:

The AFC team is favored on the Super Bowl betting odds but the Pro Bowl is another story. The NFC has opened as the favourite by 2-3 points depending where you look, which looks like a good bet when you consider the Pro Bowl isn’t about who is the most talented, but who wants to play hard and show off.

The NFC has the more explosive players, the bigger arms, and some of the more care free players. Moreover, they have won three of the last four meetings by a combined 27 points. The one game they lost was by three points. The over/under sits around 58 points, and with this being the year of the quarterback, and with many defensive stars sitting out due to injury or the Super Bowl, this should be a high scoring affair.

Bookmaker Review Pick: NFC