|
 NFL betting enthusiasts are counting down the days as the first round of the playoffs kick off on Saturday January 8, 2011. In one of the most highly anticipated football betting matchups, the New York Jets take on the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis, in a repeat of the 2009-10 AFC final. The game has the potential to either be one of the highest scoring games or an absolute nail biter decided by a last minute field goal. Here is a preview of the game.
Last season the 11 and five wild card New York Jets went on an improbable playoff run, in which they grossly overachieved. After defeating a banged up Cincinnati Bengals squad, and an overrated San Diego Chargers squad, the Jets met AFC powerhouses the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC final. However, it was Peyton Manning and company proving that veteran experience was key in winning a pivotal game, en route to being the runner's up to the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl.
This season at 11 and five, the New York Jets narrowly missed out on a first round bye, if not for being bested by AFC East Champion New England. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts nearly missed out on the playoffs, as they needed week 17 to win the AFC South Championship.
Going into Saturday's game, on paper, the Jets once again face a banged up squad in the first round of the playoffs. Last season, the Jets faced an injury riddled Cincinnati Bengals squad, who despite losing the game gave the Jets all they could handle. Saturday's game, has Peyton Manning and the Colts in a similar situation. Only, the Colts have to worry about how much Peyton has left. Throughout this season for example, Manning has set career highs in interceptions. If he continues that streak on Saturday, the Jets should have an easy time winning the game.
|
|
|
 To say that the 2010-11 NFL betting regular season has been bizarre would be a giant understatement. From Buffalo Bills losing their first eight games to suddenly go four and two over their next six, to only four of a possible 10 playoff seeds being determined, football betting fans have seen it all this season. With only two weeks remaining in the NFL regular season, here is an update on the playoff race.
This past weekend, fans handicapping the NFL saw four teams officially clinch berths into the playoffs. In the AFC, the New England Patriots and their astonishing 12 and two records, clinched the East division title and first round bye with a come from behind win over the depleted Green Bay Packers.
Then despite loss to the Wild Card hopeful New York Jets, the Pittsburgh Steelers were able to clinch the AFC North division with a record of 10 and four. Although losing, the Steelers were still able to clinch the North division crown, because the Baltimore Ravens lost a heart breaker to defending Super Bowl champs, the New Orleans Saints. The Ravens also are aiming at a Wild Card berth, despite having a 10 and four record, same as the Steelers. What's more, the Steelers won the division, because they own the tie breaker between themselves and the Ravens.
Meanwhile, in the NFC, the Chicago Bears clinched the North division title, after destroying the Minnesota Vikings 40 - 14, (and that is no betonline com scam). The Bears with an overall record of 10 wins and four losses, showed the rest of the NFL that the second time is the charm, as they had a chance to clinch the North in week 14, but were destroyed by the New England Patriots.
Joining the Bears as the only other team in the NFC to clinch a playoff berth, was the surprise team of the year, the Atlanta Falcons. At 12 and two, the Falcons share both the league's best record with the New England Patriots, and the best odds to win the 2011 Super Bowl. |
|
 The 2010/2011 NFL betting season can best be described as insane. From awful coaching decisions to players putting themselves ahead of their teams, football betting fans have seen it all. With the season entering its 12th week this weekend, here are some of the worst decisions made by both players and coaches this season.
- Panthers Quarterback Options - Prior to the season the Carolina Panthers let long time starting quarterback Jake Delhomme go. The move sparked interest from around the league, as many speculated that the Panthers were finally going to sign a marquee free agent quarterback. Instead they went with the tandem of long time back up Matt Moore and rookie Jimmy Clausen. The plan initially was to groom Clausen so that he would take a few years before becoming the starter.
However, Matt Moore has proven one thing to all of us, Jake Delhomme should have remained a Panther. Moore not only averages more interceptions than Delhomme, but rather he also has been knocked out of several games forcing Clausen to come in.
- Marvin Lewis Still Has A Job - Going into 2010/2011, this was supposed to be the best Cincinnati Bengals team since the late 1980s Boomer Esiason led squads. Instead, a team with so much offensive promise has flopped like the Akili Smith led Bengals. The Bengals currently sit at two wins and eight losses, with the most recent shocking loss to the lowly Buffalo Bills.
When a team with this much flare flops, it comes back to the coach. Marvin Lewis has been the Bengals coach for the last eight years and has made the playoffs twice, while winning the coach of the year award once. However, the Bengals have yet to make it past the first round of the playoffs and team is grossly underachieving. We expect Marvin to be let go by the end of the season, as Bengals ownership will be looking to rebuild. |
|
|
Before the NFL betting season started, the Colts were a fave sleeper pick of mine. After a 12-4 season, they somehow fell under the radar entering 2009. Here was a team that won nine straight to end the year last season, had the league MVP as its quarterback and quietly allowed the seventh-fewest points in the league. They entered 2009 with a new future star No. 2 wide receiver in Anthony Gonzalez and solid running back to spell Joseph Addai in rookie Donald Brown.
Even though the Colts are 2-0, I’m souring on them. Gonzalez played about one second in Week 1 before hurting his knee. Now, Peyton Manning has to depend only on Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, as he can’t expect rookies Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon to shoulder the load. Bob Sanders remains out for Indy and the defense has suffered; in fact, it appears Indy’s trademark soft run defense is back plaguing them again.
Indy still has a handful of difficult matchups left on the schedule – in Arizona, in Tennessee, in Houston, and home matchups against the Patriots and Jets. The Colts should make the playoffs again but I’m suddenly worried about their prospects as true Super Bowl sleepers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
