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Sunday NFL Football – Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

October 22, 2010 By

Sunday night’s matchup features the 2-3 Minnesota Vikings visiting the 3-3 Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. These two teams were the favorites to win the NFC North Division, however they’re both trailing the 4-2 Chicago Bears. The oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Vikings (+2.5) as 2.5 point underdogs for Sunday’s matchup against the Packers at Green Bay. The over/under is set at 44.5 points.

Favre returns to Lambeau to face his former team for the 3rd time, having won the past two trips there. This time he has Randy Moss with him, who’s got to be more comfortable with the offense coming up on his 3rd game with his new team.

For the Packers, injuries have decimated this team. Outside linebacker Clay Matthews, who missed Green Bay’s last game because of an aggravated hamstring injury, practiced Wednesday and Thursday in a limited capacity and is on track to return to the starting lineup this weekend. Matthews, not-incidentally, is the league’s sacks leader with 8.5 on the year, and they could certainly use him back to pressure Favre into making some bad throws.

The Packers have the NFL’s longest active streak of holding opposing backs without a 100-yard rushing performance at 19 games. However, they rank 21st against the run, allowing an average of 112.3 yards per game, and they were shredded for a season-high 150 rushing yards in Sunday’s overtime loss to the Dolphins. The Packers’ front 7 will have their hands full trying to contain Adrian Peterson.

The Vikings will need to continue their domination of Aaron Rodgers in the backfield. In the past 3 games, the Vikings have sacked Rodgers a whopping 18 times – all Vikings victories. The last two contests held 14 of those sacks. Putting pressure on Rodgers is the only way the Vikings are going to slow down the Pack’s offense, aside from the Pack themselves that is. Green Bay has to work out their penalty issues, especially on 1st and 2nd downs, as that seems to be a recurring theme.

Here are some trends to consider:

All games in this series since 1992
MINNESOTA is 19-18 against the spread versus GREEN BAY since 1992
MINNESOTA is 19-18 straight up against GREEN BAY since 1992
21 of 35 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL since 1992

Games over the last 3 seasons
GREEN BAY is 2-2 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 3-1 straight up against GREEN BAY over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

All games played at GREEN BAY since 1992
MINNESOTA is 11-8 against the spread versus GREEN BAY since 1992
GREEN BAY is 12-7 straight up against MINNESOTA since 1992
12 of 19 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL since 1992

Games played at GREEN BAY over the last 3 seasons.
GREEN BAY is 1-1 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
GREEN BAY is 1-1 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

Filed Under: football betting, matchups, sunday night football Tagged With: ,

Sunday NFL Football – Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings

October 14, 2010 By

Few expected the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings, both teams considered among the favorites for the NFC Championship, to be a combined 2-6 going into Week 6. Short of a tie, one of these teams will lose Sunday and that does not bode well for the loser’s playoff chances. The oddsmakers have the Cowboys (+1.5) as 1.5 point underdogs for Sunday’s matchup against the Vikings in Minnesota. The over/under is set at 44.5 points.

Penalties and turnovers have been the Achilles heel of the Cowboys thus far, despite leading the NFC in total offense and ranking 4th in defense. They’ve averaged over 9 penalties per game, and are minus-4 in the turnover margin.

Since 1990, 12 teams have made the playoffs after rebounding from at least three games under .500 at some point after Week 5. The 2008 Chargers were the most recent, bouncing back from a 4-7 start. The 2004 Packers won the NFC North after a 1-4 start. The 2002 Jets won the AFC East despite being 1-4 and 2-5. After watching both the Vikings and Cowboys play this year, I’m not sure I’d put any money on a similar recovery for either team, which means essentially this is an elimination game for the loser — at week 6.

Speaking of elimination, how secure do you think Wade Phillips’ job will be if they lose this game? I know I’ve ready my share of reports quoting, and conjecturing for, Jerry Jones’ plan to keep Phillips, but each mark in the Loss column tips that scale exponentially at this point. If Dallas loses, Phillips won’t sleep well, assuming he currently does.

So will the Cowboys go out and “win one for the gipper?” Not alot to show that will be the case. The Cowboys have an air of non-chalance about them it seems, and they’re definitely a team on the ropes this Sunday.

For the Vikings, this game is just as critical. Ownership has basically thrown everything in the pot for a SuperBowl this year. Moss adds a desperately needed deep-threat, but Favre’s immortality is wearing off finally. Tendinitis in your throwing arm means your accuracy and range are affected, and if Favre can’t throw down field to Moss, the whole point of the trade is moot. Throw in the off-field Favre issues and this team has a ton of pressure of it’s own to deal with.

This game might as well be a playoff game. Here are some trends to consider:

All games in this series since 1992
MINNESOTA is 7-3 against the spread versus DALLAS since 1992
MINNESOTA is 6-4 straight up against DALLAS since 1992
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL since 1992

Games over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 1-0 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 1-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

All games played at MINNESOTA since 1992
MINNESOTA is 5-1 against the spread versus DALLAS since 1992
MINNESOTA is 4-2 straight up against DALLAS since 1992
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL since 1992

Games played at MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 1-0 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 1-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

Filed Under: football betting, matchups, Sunday football Tagged With: ,

Sunday Night Football – Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers

October 6, 2010 By

The Philadelphia Eagles travel cross-country to Candelstick Park in San Francisco to take on the 49ers this Sunday night in a game the winless 49ers are surely considering a “must-win.” The oddsmakers have the 49ers (-3.5) as 3.5 point favorites for Sunday night’s matchup against the Eagles.

The 49ers come into this game at 0-4 two weeks after firing their offensive coordinator after Week 3′s loss to the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead. The 49ers lost a heart-breaker last week to Atlanta in the final seconds, having led the entire game until the last play. They are looking to rebound in a big way at home against a banged up Eagles team, trying desperately to avoid going 0-5. Frank Gore needs to get going early here and give the 9ers passing game some relief, allowing plays to develop down the field.

The Eagles will be without the services of Michael Vick, who’s out with broken rib cartilage. They also may be without running back LeSean McCoy, who’s also nursing a rib injury. Starter turned backup turned starter again Kevin Kolb will be at the helm of the Eagles offense trying to cement his spot as the starter once more. A solid outing here for Kolb will re-ignite the QB controversy in Philly.

49ers backup RB Brian Westbrook also faces his former team for the first time, however Westbrook won’t be on the field much unless Gore has to miss time. The 9ers defense has to be encouraged by their recent play, and if they can get a bit of help from their offense, San Francisco should be able to capitalize and finally break into the Win column.

Here are some matchup trends to consider:

Games played at SAN FRANCISCO over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 1-0 against the spread versus SAN FRANCISCO over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 1-0 straight up against SAN FRANCISCO over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

All games in this series since 1992
PHILADELPHIA is 8-4 against the spread versus SAN FRANCISCO since 1992
PHILADELPHIA is 7-5 straight up against SAN FRANCISCO since 1992
7 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL since 1992

Games over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 2-0 against the spread versus SAN FRANCISCO over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 2-0 straight up against SAN FRANCISCO over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

Filed Under: football betting, sunday night football Tagged With: ,

Monday Night Football – New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins

October 1, 2010 By

The 2-1 New England Patriots travel to Miami’s Sun Life Staduim Monday night to face the 2-1 Miami Dolphins in a game that has potential tie-breaker importance. The Patriots are riding an impressive 6-1 record on Monday night in their past 7 games. The oddsmakers have put the Patriots as 1-point favorites.

New England’s defense has struggled to contain opposing offenses so far this year, and they’ll have their hands full again against a Miami team that’s acquired Brandon Marshall, as well as seen their QB, Chad Henne further develop his passing game.

The Wildcat is still a possibility the Patriots have to plan for, but so far this year the Dolphins haven’t gotten much production out of their signature offensive formation. Ronnie Brown will still take a few direct snaps in this game, but Belichick won’t be caught off-guard again.

Marshall should have a great game against a suspect pair of right corner backs, with his size and strength outmatching Kyle Arrington and Darius Butler. Henne will have plenty of other options to exploit as well with Brian Hartline opposite Marshall, and Davone Bess in the slot — the Dolphin’s equivalent to Wes Welker.

Patriot’s QB Tom Brady will look to WR Randy Moss to stretch the field, opening up the middle of the field for Welker to go wild against a porous Dolphin’s linebacking core. Miami will have their hands full containing the Patriots’ offense in what should be a high-scoring affair.

Here are some matchup trends to consider:
All games played at MIAMI since 1992
MIAMI is 10-8 against the spread versus NEW ENGLAND since 1992
MIAMI is 12-6 straight up against NEW ENGLAND since 1992
10 of 18 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL since 1992

Games over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 3-1 against the spread versus NEW ENGLAND over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 2-2 straight up against NEW ENGLAND over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

Filed Under: football betting, matchups, monday night football Tagged With: ,

Sunday Night NFL – Chicago Bears at New York Giants

September 29, 2010 By

The Chicago Bears are 3-0 and the only unbeaten team in the NFC. The Bears, Chiefs and Steelers are the only remaining undefeated teams in the league. I fail to recall anybody calling out these three teams as undefeated going into Week 4. The Bears travel to New Giants Stadium for a Sunday night matchup with the Giants, looking to keep their undefeated title intact after their win against the Packers this past Monday night.

The Packers certainly helped the Bears by contributing more penalties (18 for 152 yards) than points (17). That stat, taken with the Lions’ Calvin Johnson non-touchdown in Week 1, may be why oddsmakers have the Bears as 4 point dogs against a reeling Giants team.

The Giants are looking to right their ship in a hurry, and they want to forget about last week’s game against Tennessee, where they out-gained the Titans by 200 yards, but had 11 penalties and 3 turnovers. The Giants have 10 turnovers on the year so far. They will need to pressure Jay Cutler into making hurried throws, which will bring out the Cutler of last year if they succeed. The Giants best receiver, Mario Manningham, is listed on the Giants injury report with a concussion and that will be a problem for the Giants as well if he can’t go.

Chicago’s return game got a boost when they moved Hester back to returning kicks, and he reinforced that view with a punt return for a touchdown Monday night. If the Bears’ receivers can continue to improve, and more importantly, the O-line continues to give Cutler time to make good throws, the Bears will be a force to be reckoned with in the NFC this year.

Here are some matchup trends to consider:
NY GIANTS are 1-8 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons

All games in this series since 1992
NY GIANTS is 4-2 against the spread versus CHICAGO since 1992
NY GIANTS is 4-3 straight up against CHICAGO since 1992
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL since 1992

All games played at NY GIANTS since 1992
CHICAGO is 2-0 against the spread versus NY GIANTS since 1992
CHICAGO is 3-0 straight up against NY GIANTS since 1992
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL since 1992

Filed Under: football betting, matchups, sunday night football Tagged With: ,

Monday Night NFL – Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

September 24, 2010 By

The undefeated Green Bay Packers travel to Soldier Field Monday night to take on the undefeated Chicago Bears. Chicago squeaked out a win against the Lions in week 1, and managed to defeat the Cowboys in Dallas week 2. The Packers handled the Eagles’ comeback, led by Vick, in week one and then solidly handled the Bills in week 2, scoring 21 unanswered in the 2nd half last week.

Jay Cutler is playing well for Mike Martz so far, drawing comparisons to Kurt Warner when the “greatest show on turf” was going on in St. Louis. Time will tell if the Bear’s o-line can continue to to give Cutler time to throw. Matt Forte isn’t drawing any comparisons to Marshall Faulk however – at least in the running game. Forte failed 4 times from goal-to-go against the Lions in week 1 and against the Cowboys ran for 29 yards on 10 carries.

The Packers passing game is close to where everyone thought it would be though they struggled a bit against the Eagles. Aaron Rodgers had no such trouble against the Bills. The bigger concern is the lack of a running game. With Ryan Grant out, Brandon Jackson failed to impress. The Packers are surely looking to acquire a back to bolster their run attack.

The offensive margins have narrowed between these teams, so much so that the key matchup will be Julius Peppers against LT Chad Clifton for the Packers. Clifton was only able to play part of the game against the Bills, leaving rookie Brian Bulaga to fill in. He did fine, but he won’t be at home Monday, and Peppers is a different animal.

Oddsmakers have made the Packers 3-point spread favorites for Monday’s game against the Bears (+3). Here are some matchup trends to consider:

GREEN BAY is 4-0 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
GREEN BAY is 3-1 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

Filed Under: football betting, matchups, monday night football Tagged With: ,

Sunday Night NFL – NY Jets at Miami Dolphins

September 22, 2010 By

Sunday night’s matchup between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium in Miami looks to be a key early matchup between AFC East rivals. The Jets could pull themselves into a tie for first place in the division with a win.

Darrelle Revis will not play according to Jets head coach Rex Ryan, who said Wednesday that Revis is out for Week 3.

“He’s itching to get back, but it’s too risky of a proposition to put him out there,” Ryan said.

This is a big developement for the Dolphins’ Brandon Marshall, the Dolphins No. 1 receiver, who in two games this year is leading the Dolphins with 12 catches for 124 yards. Marshall will likely be followed around the field by Antonio Cromartie in place of Revis.

For the Jets, Braylon Edwards’ DWI arrest early Tuesday morning will overshadow any momentum the team gained defeating the reigning AFC East Champion Patriots Sunday. Mark Sanchez thumped the Pats with 21/30 completions for 220 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The game also will undoubtedly have special meaning for Jason Taylor, former Dolphin linebacker now playing for the Jets. This will be Taylor’s first game against his former team.

Oddsmakers have made the Dolphins 1-point spread favorites for Sunday’s game against the Jets. Here are some matchup trends to consider:

MIAMI is 3-1 against the spread versus NY JETS over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 3-1 straight up against NY JETS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

Filed Under: football betting, matchups Tagged With: ,