Category: NFL

NFC Championship

We have Seattle in an 11-to-10 bet to win the NFC (took this right after they beat the Saints on MNF).  They have made the championship game, and now we have some great hedging opportunities with their opponent, the San Francisco 49ers (who I think are the most talented team left in this tournament, and have been my main bankroll builder in Dec/Jan).

My prediction?  SF 20, Seattle 17.

Bets include:

Super Bowl futures:

SF vs DEN +250

SF vs NE +600

Teaser:

SF (+3) and NE (+4)

SF (+3) and Under (40)

Lines:

SF ML +150

FYI……As a warning Sunday for those who wish to take the Broncos (-4):

https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/424307516734844928

https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/424941290657021952

UFC Fight Night 35

From Atlanta…Ric Flair is in the house WHOOOOO

Cole “Magrinho” Miller (from Augusta, GA) wins by inside distance +180, fight goes to decision +160

Yoel “Soldier of God” Romero Palacio wins by inside distance -150 (former Cuban Olympic Wrestler.  Guy is simply a beast)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQkoXcNtGcA

T.J. Dillashaw wins inside distance +180 (Duane “Bang” Ludwig fighters.  These guys just simply knock people out)

A shout out to Lou with his two NHL picks (BUF +180 at WAS, winning 2-1 in shootout, and TB +117 as well) that paid for my weekend football drinking.  We will continue our experiment tonight with a total: WAS at PIT Under 5.5 (+105).  The Capitals (22-16-8) have struggled on offense while dropping six of their last eight, including four games in which they managed only one goal.  These are also the two top teams in the East playing before the Olympics; it could be a “Playoff Style” game tonight.  NHL teams play 5-7 of these a year during their outrageously long (84 gm) regular season (most of the time for my Bruins, it is: PIT, MTL, NYR).

We’ll have NFL stuff later in the week, mostly having half of our bankroll on the 49ers in a hedge with our Seattle winning NFL (11-to-10) bet.  BTW our referees:AFC: Tony CorrenteNFC: Gene Steratore.

Saturday

Min post as I am out & about today. NHL Tampa +119

Divisional Degeneracy

And it’s the NFL’s Divisional Round….probably the one I do the worst in over time.  I’ve made such “lock” bets in the past in this round as:

– One way to lose money: betting Jake Delhomme, who was at home (Carolina) versus Arizona, coming off of a thrilling win vs Green Bay (who the oublic had 80% of the money on) the weekend before.  70% of the money was on the Panthers.  Our boy DaGowin, a Carolina fan, declared before the game: “Now ya’ll can see what it is like to watch a real professional football team play the game right”.  Jake Delhomme would go on to throw 4 picks and the Panthers lost 33-13.  He would never play for the team again and only had one more start in the NFL (with the Browns…and that kinda doesn’t count).

– Betting on Peyton Manning in games in this round is always shaky (we all know what happened last year).  I took the Colts vs the Chargers in 2007 (I was convinced that the Brady-Manning game would happen during the Patriots quest for an undefeated season, ala Magic vs Bird in 1986).  Billy Volek, who came in for an injured Phillip Rivers in the 2nd half, played the role of Rob Reed and the 1986 Houston Rockets to upset the Colts.  I also gave the points at home vs the Steelers (and some rookie named Ben Rapethelisburger) in 2005 (which means I didn’t learn my lesson).

It was also the game where this happened:

So my history is dicey in this round, but hey……you can’t correct that if you don’t play!

Saints +8 and in a Teaser with Under 45 at Seattle

I think everyone is a little too bullish on Seattle blowing out the Saints in this game.   Seattle’s offense is somewhat vanilla, and the Saints defense has improved over the last few weeks, and they (IMO) have the 4th best running game in the league (and if Seattle’s defense has one flaw; they can be run on).  The Saints also got their ass kicked the first time they went up there; it’s unlikely to happen again,  right?  What really killed the Saints were the unforced penalties and TOs; that stuff can be corrected.  I think Drew Brees and Sean Payton keep it close in the 1st half, but Marshawn Lynch steals the show and finishes out the game strong, along with some timely Wilson throws.  This bet is also part of a hedge I have with Seattle winning the NFC at 11-to-10.  It would be funny if we had a reverse situation like we had in 2011 (the 7-9 Seahawks faced the 11-5 Saints.  The Saints were an +11 favorite, and lost, mostly thanks to this run)…..bringing about the degen play of the week (brought to you by King Cobra) would be to take the Saints ML at +290.

49ers -3 (+120) at Carolina

I have been riding the 49er train the last few weeks and its helped my bankroll tremendously.   First, they are the best team in Madden 25 (2014)…always an important indicator for me.  Second, they travel well in any environment versus a variety of teams, because they do what good fundamental teams do well: run the ball and play defense.  Third, this will be Cam Newton’s first playoff game.  There might be a good chance he shits his pants.  Kaepernick isn’t the most accurate and a bit wild……but he is a clutch player with big play ability.  The under is at 41 here; considering these two defenses and the injury to Steve Smith I can see that…..but these teams’ defense also create turnovers as well (and good field position), so I’ll probably stay away there.

Plus how can you not be inspired by this guy:

NE vs Colts Under 51

Way too high considering there will be rain and 20-25 mph winds on Saturday night.  Add the fact the Pats will run to possess the ball (especially if they take an early lead), they can and will burn clock.  If the Colts keep it close, the will have to play defense and keep Brady and Co. out of the endzone.  This game could go 30-13 or 27-20.

We end on this nugget:

 

 

 

NFL Playoff Betting Notes

Three interesting nuggets here from the good folks at BetLabs:

And we’ll be taking Indy at that +2.5 now!  Any good reason to bet against Alex Smith and Andy Reid is a gambling opportunity that one must take!  I also like the “FG/Safety is the first score” prop at +135.

Good news for our SF (-3, +105…its now back at EVEN) bet……it also helps that Rodgers plays against Jay Cutler, who is Jeff George 2.0:

Useless Info

Iowa was a winner yesterday. Not getting a post up before the game but I have Oklahoma plus 17 tonight. No hockey games tonight unfortunately. Normal service to resume Monday

Sugar Bowl and Recon

I like Oklahoma’s toughness and they showed some meddle winning in the last seconds at Oklahoma St to win the Big8-12-whateveritis.  Alabama is also coming off that doozer of a loss to Auburn, so I expect a high scoring, fun, competitive game in New Orleans.  Plus, since this game basically means nothing, the players were probably drinking in New Orleans the night before.  I like OU at +17 and putting them in a teaser with the Over (53).

Early NFL Playoff recon:

SF -3 was EVEN on Monday…..it’s now at +105 and I’ll now have to “jump in it”.  More excited about this now since the weather might be at -10 on Saturday night, and that favors the better running team, which are the 49ers.   The under at 47 looks toasty, too.  I just don’t think the Packers have figured out the run defense to stop the zone-read attack of Kaepernick.  One also must wonder, despite his heroic performance in Chicago last Sunday (and covered the -3!), how Rodgers’ shoulder will hold up in the cold vs a physical defense.

Also will tease NO+3 with the Under at 60.  Passing spread teams in winter weather, rookie QB in playoff football, and the fact NO is always a tough “out”.  Foles might be gearing up for a Super Bowl run, though*

*I just wanted to type that up for the laugh :)

Failure Games

Went a paltry 3-10-0 last week (thought it was only 2 wins, but my drunken ass forgot I bet on the Giants +9.5 #thanksdarts).  My best weeks however are usually Weeks 1, 6, and 17.  This year a little more tricky, especially if i have to bet on the coaching decisions like below.

Guess who it is: Sean playing Madden DRUNK, or an NFL coach SOBER:

  • When you turn the game on, and you see fist/chest pumping furiously between HC and his assistants on the sidelines after the opposing defense commits an offside penalty with 4th-and-3 with 1:45 to go, tied 31-31, opposing team having no timeouts, on the center of the 7-yard-line…..I mean, game over, right?
  • Next play: HC/Off. Coordinator: “LETS RUN THE BALL straight up the middle on first down.” (Someone has Le’Veon Bell on their fantasy team!).
  • The defense, still playing hard (but not thinking; they didn’t get those scholarships in college for MATH), tackles the ball carrier at the 3-yard-line, stopping him short (and keeping the clock running; may the record show your honor that the defense just set 0:45 on fire). The optimal play on the defensive side is to let them score to get the ball back to try and win the game (see: Packers 1998 Super Bowl and Patriots 2011 Super Bowl…..both teams failed to score, but at least they had the opportunity.  Arizona’s Darnell Dockett is still slowly catching on to this).
  • Off Coordinator/HC: “Oh wait, you forgot last time to let him score?  FINE – LETS RUN THE BALL UP THE MIDDLE AGAIN“.  Has the offensive coaching been taken over by a combination of DaGowin and Steve Spurrier?  The defense and coach finally figure out this uncomplicated addition problem, and the offense scores a TD, making it 38-31 with 1 minute left to play (Merry fuckin’ Christmas to the offense bettors, we’re live baby)!
  • Special Teams Coach: “Instead of squid kicking on a dry, cold field………you know what we should do, up a TD with a minute left?  Let’s kick the ball deep to one of the best returners of the second half this year, that way he can get blocks setup to return the KO all the way to the 33-yard-line to setup a short field for a TD*.  Let’s make this exciting for the fans at home and those who stayed at the snowy confines of Lambeau Field”.  *Listen, Darts and Sean have the offense here…..they pay WAY too much rake to at least not deserve a sweat on these outstandingly mediocre shitty football teams.
  • Off Coordinator: “Then we’ll get ball all the way to the 4-yard-line, 0:30 seconds left, no timeouts.  You know what we should do?  Let’s run the ball up the middle out of the shotgun formation!  The Steelers, one of the best run defenses in the NFL, won’t see that coming!”
  • Everyone in America: “Dudes you HAVE NO TIMEOUTS!!!!!!11111″
  • Shit, of course a pre-snap penalty for false starts as the lineman tried to get a jump on the ball for a RUNNING PLAY.  But hey: sick sweat as the time runs off 10 seconds, and the clock starts at the whistle.  Gamblers hearts are flurry.  Surely the QB, Center, and coach are prepared to get 2, maybe 3 plays off……
  • …..Crickets.  I’m stunned.  Darts is finishing off a vodka nip stunned.  Everyone in the crowd, on the stands, the commentators, and worst of all: the most confused is the QB of the football team, Matt Flynn (who was signed by the Raiders for $6.5m/year), who had to be reminded by the referee that THE CLOCK HAS STARTED AT HIS WHISTLE.  Instead, a rushed hurried pass play occurs with 0:06 left, and throw a slant incomplete. The defense wins (by default).

Maybe they should have called the below, least he hits this guy in stride:

And remember, as Darts said (after Cleveland’s Grudzinski went for a 2 pointer up 12-3 in the 3rd quarter vs NE for no reason, other than the oracle of a premonition that he was going to lose the game by 1 point, 27-26): “How do these fucking guys have jobs? And get paid millions* to do this shit?” 

*Even Marvin Lewis doesn’t screw up that bad (BTW thanks for winning the AFC North division when I got it at +200, coach!).

On second though, I shouldn’t compare these clowns to Drunken Madden Head Coach Sean.  Could be onto something, its like Popeye and Spinach!  Get me a 12 pack and I turn into the Belligerent Bill Walsh!

NFL Picks: Despite the failure of Mike McCarthy above, taking the Packers -3 (-105) at Chicago.  Rodgers at 80% > Cutler at 100%.  Although watch Cutler get hurt, McCown wins the game, and Cutler gets let go by the Bears and goes and signs with the New York Jets for $80m/6 years!  Fun times!

Tampa at New Orleans Over 47.  Will also throw this in teaser with BUF at NE Under 53 (heavy ice/rain downpours are expected on Sunday afternoon, intensifying throughout the game).

Seattle vs St Louis Under 43.  Will also tease this with the line at -11 (St Louis defense is good, but not Arizona good, who might be in the best form in the league right now defensively.  Too bad Carson Palmer is their QB. Therefore……)

SF -1 (-105) Bet against Carson Palmer in a big game? Yes, plz.  Unless they put Patrick Peterson in the game at QB.  I might also take the under here, but that’s almost TOO cheeky, especially in the BioDome…..things happen.

KC at SD Over 45 The defensive guys will have been drinking the night before as this game means nothing.  Wouldn’t YOU also be drinking in San Diego?

UFC 168:

Uriah Hall vs Chris “The Crippler” Leben Fight goes distance +110 This is a “win-or-lose-your-job” match…and these tend to be close to the vest.  One guy is an somewhat over-the-hill former top prospect (who once fought Anderson Silva) and recovering opioid addict (Leben) who is fighting to hang on to his career.  The other (Hall)? A young-gun-hype-disappointment that was criticized by UFC President Dana White for being too nice in the ring when it came to hugs and such pre-round.  On the other hand, Hall did do this:

Fabricio “Morango” Camoes wins inside distance +650 Small speculative play; if he wins, it’s by submission.  Miller, who is a fun fighter to watch and a tough dude from New Jersey (whose brother also fights in the UFC), this will be his 4th fight of the year.  Fighters only win around 33-43% of those fights on average because of the wear-and-tear of not just the fights themselves, but mostly due to the training.  Probably harder than the fight most of the time, especially in the lower weight classes, because fighters must make weight which is very difficult.

Jim Miller vs Fabricio “Morango” Camoes – Total Rounds Under 2.5 (-115)  This could also be fight of the night (20-to-1) if it wasn’t for that Anderson Silva guy fighting.  Classic maniac striker (Miller) vs 3rd degree BBJ (Camoes).  Camoes also once fought Anderson Silva for 27 minutes…..with his BARE HANDS.  This is Camoes first fight in the UFC, despite being a MMA veteran.

Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier vs Diego “DB” Brandao Fight will not go 3 rounds -155 I just saw the weigh-ins, and these motherfucker DO NOT LIKE EACH OTHER.  So don’t the girls’ belt clash with Rousey and Tate, but with 10 straight 1st round arm bars for Rousey, that trend just means the line goes to -1400 (+575).

Anderson Silva -185 Why not?  He’s HOF, and it’s probably the lowest you’ll ever get him in a fight again, unless it’s Jon “Bones” Jones (who would probably be -125).

 

 

 

Positive Variance

Three sports and four winners yesterday made for a stark contrast to Thursday’s plays.  I even missed getting in a play on Dallas/San Jose which the Sharks won in a shootout.  Still a bit grouchy I didn’t get +175 on a coinflip, but the result worked out this time.

NFL today, Houston is the primary play this week at home to Denver +10.  Other leans are on Washington, Indy, Minnesota, Oakland and Tennessee.  I am going to take Indy with the line move +7.5. Indy/KC Over 47 is a close pass for me as well.

Nothing in NBA or NHL today and there is no college football.  College hoops has some totals action today:

Purdue/West Virginia Over 147.5 1u

E Washington/Penn St Over 141 1/2u

Boise St @ Hawaii Over 160.5 1/2u

Good luck today.

Week 16 Plays

New Orleans ML +155 (I figure the public would be heavy on CAR, plus their defense doesn’t do well against teams that spread it out.  Saints due for a road win here).

Teaser: Cleveland +10 and Over 33.5 (I can’t believe I just typed that lol.  Either way, someone wins this game 20-17)

Teaser: Seattle -10 vs ARI and Under 49.5

Denver at Houston Over 53 (These defenses stink)

Packers -1 vs PIT

San Diego -10 vs OAK (this is a hedge vs SD Under totals bet.  Darts might bets the Raiders here ;)