December 6th Superbowl news ... With the multitude of betting options come super bowl odds, you need to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profits.
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2009 Super Bowl Odds
2021-02-05
The paint is barely dry on the New York Giants stunning Super Bowl upset over the New England Patriots, and is already turning its attention to next year.
Here is a look at the 16 favored teams for 2009, with a look at the ‘long shots’ coming out next week. Odds to win the 2009 Super Bowl are listed in parenthesis
New England Patriots (5:2)
The Patriots have the necessary talent to win the whole thing next year, but how will their mental state be after losing the perfect season? The fallout from ‘Spygate’ is another consideration.
Dallas Cowboys (7:1)
Quarterback Tony Romo is still dating Jessica Simpson, but the critics won’t complain if he can deliver a Super Bowl title next year. If he doesn’t, it could be the last season for Coach Wade Phillips.
Indianapolis Colts (8:1)
There is no hotter football family than the Manning’s, and Eli’s brother Peyton hopes that 2009 is his year to step back into the spotlight. The return of Coach Tony Dungy will help matters.
San Diego Chargers (8:1)
Philip Rivers showed a lot of guts in their playoff loss to New England and he hopes to be healthy by training camp. This is a very hungry team and the Chargers look to be undervalued at these odds.
New York Giants (12:1)
Not a ton of respect here for the defending Super Bowl champions, but it might take another ‘perfect storm’ to deliver another title. That said, we have learned never to count this team out.
Green Bay Packers (14:1)
Brett Favre and the Pack are one of several teams still trying to figure out what went wrong in the playoffs. This young team should get better at most positions, but it will still come down to the play of #4 at quarterback.
Jacksonville Jaguars (15:1)
This fearless Jaguars’ team has everything going for it with the exception of being stuck in the same division as Indianapolis. If they can somehow win the AFC South, then look out in the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Steelers (20:1)
Head Coach Mike Tomlin acquitted himself nicely in his first season, although you never want to lose a playoff game at home. Look for a good year from this perennial AFC contender.
Chicago Bears (30:1)
The Bears found out last year how hard it is to return to the Super Bowl. The big question on this team continues to be at quarterback as free agent to be, Rex Grossman may not be the long term solution.
Denver Broncos (30:1)
Mike Shanahan is considered the Broncos ‘coach for life’ but he must help improve a defense that ranked 19th in the NFL last year. A quicker maturation of quarterback Jay Cutler would help too.
Seattle Seahawks (30:1)
Coach Mike Holmgren is returning to the team after contemplating opening a bookstore and selling muffins. With an attitude like that, expect this to be Holmgren’s last season.
Philadelphia Eagles (30:1)
Quarterback Donovan McNabb should be back with the team, but there are still some trade rumors out there. If McNabb returns, this is a potential sleeper team on this list.
Minnesota Vikings (30:1)
Minnesota started last season at 3-6, won their next five games, and then lost their last two to finish out of the playoffs. Look for Tarvaris Jackson to remain the starter at quarterback.
Cincinnati Bengals (40:1)
Wide receiver Chad Johnson wants to be traded and the defense is still one of the worst in the NFL. That makes these odds overly optimistic even with an offense that will always put up its share of points.
Cleveland Browns (40:1)
The other Ohio team just missed making the playoffs this year, and they should be a team to be reckoned with next season. Signing coach Romeo Crennel to an extension was a solid decision.
Arizona Cardinals (40:1)
The Cardinals had an up and down year under first year coach, Ken Whisenhunt. To make the playoffs, the team really needs Matt Leinart to stay healthy and claim the quarterback position all year long.
The Biggest Game of the Year
2021-01-31
Championship Round Recap
Picks – Giants Football Live Betting Odds nfl football betting Online Sportsbook +7 at Packers
Result – Win
Amount - 50 units
Season Bankroll - +$600
If you have listened to me this season, you have made money. Period. It’s that simple. Specifically, if you listened to me during the playoffs this year, then you have made a LOT of money. Now comes your last chance. One game left, the Super Bowl. If you are down for the year, it is your chance to double down and salvage the season. If you are up, then it’s time for one last score. And it will be a good one, Patriots and Giants, this Sunday, with everything on the line. The New England Patriots are 60 minutes from the first 19-0 season in NFL history, with the New York Giants seeking to ruin that run at perfection with a monumental upset on Sunday. But would it be monumental? I’ve been riding the Giants since the playoffs started folks and this time, they are getting a whopping 12 points. So let’s take a closer look at this one shall we?
As everyone knows by now, this game is a rematch from week 17 of this season. The Giants took New England to the wire in that contest, building a double-digit second-half lead before falling, 38-35. Sunday will mark the second time two teams that squared off in the last game of the regular season will engage in a Super Bowl rematch. The Cowboys' 27-10 win over the Broncos in Super Bowl XII came less than a month after Dallas had downed Denver, 14-6, on the final week of the 1977 regular season.
The Patriots (3-2 in Super Bowls) will make their sixth Super Sunday appearance, a mark that trails only that of Dallas (8), and is tied with Pittsburgh (6) and Denver (6) for the most all-time while New York is in the Super Bowl for the first time in seven years thanks to consecutive playoff road wins over the Buccaneers (24-14), Cowboys (21-17), and Packers (23-20 in overtime), and the Giants' 10 wins away from home in 2007 are an NFL record.
Historically, the Patriots have a 5-3 edge in their series with the Giants, and have won four straight since New York took down New England by a 13-10 count at Foxboro Stadium in 1990. As mentioned, New England was a 38-35 road winner when the teams last met, in Week 17.
After putting together a regular season compatible with his inconsistent four- year career, Eli Manning (3336 passing yards, 23 TD, 20 INT) has undergone a playoff revelation marked by sound decision-making and a minimizing of mistakes. The former No. 1 overall draft pick has completed 62 percent of his throws and not committed a turnover in New York's three postseason games. Manning's outstanding run actually began with a strong outing against New England in Week 17, when he went 22-of-32 for 251 yards and tossed four touchdown passes. Since an interception thrown by Manning late in that game, the Giants offense has gone 33 possessions and 194 plays without a turnover.
New York's receiving corps possesses a strong blend of size, experience and youth in the threesome of Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer and Steve Smith. The 6-foot-5, 232-pound Burress can be a matchup nightmare for opposing defensive backs, as Green Bay's Al Harris recently found out first-hand. Burress manhandled the Pro Bowl corner with an 11-catch, 151-yard performance in the NFC Championship and also caught two scoring passes from Manning in the Giants' 38-35 loss to the Patriots in late December. Toomer, one of only two remaining members from New York's 2000 Super Bowl squad, has compiled 196 yards and three touchdowns in this postseason. The rookie Smith has made up for an unproductive and injury- plagued regular season with nine playoff catches, including several key grabs.
The Giants will send out their "thunder-and-lightning" tandem of Brandon and Ahmad Bradshaw in hopes of keeping the Patriots' record-setting offense off the field as much as possible on Super Bowl Sunday. The 21-year-old Bradshaw has been the more effective member of the duo during the playoffs, having totaled a team-best 163 rushing yards on 39 carries, but Jacobs did put up a respectable 67 yards on 15 attempts against New England in the regular- season finale. The pairing will be running behind another unsung hero in fullback Madison Hedgecock, an early-season waiver claim whose powerful blocking has been essential to the team's proficiency in the ground game.
New England primarily uses a three-man defensive front, with Pro Bowler Vince Wilfork the middle and Richard Seymour and Ty Warren occupying the ends. Seymour, who has two sacks and a fumble recovery during his Super Bowl career, is often replaced by Jarvis Green in passing situations. The Patriots ranked near the bottom of the league with 4.4 yards allowed per carry during the regular season.
The Patriots have a pair of highly-decorated linebackers in the middle of their four-man group, with former Pro Bowlers Tedy Bruschi, and Junior Seau occupying those places. Seau and Bruschi are 1-2 on the team in stops during the postseason. Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas man the outside linebacker positions for New England, and are viewed by opponents as the team's most dangerous pass rushers. Vrabel will be making his fourth Super Bowl start as a Patriot. Thomas had New England's only sack of Manning in Week 17.
MVP Tom Brady (4806 passing yards, 50 TD, 8 INT) comes off one of the great statistical seasons in NFL history, though less focus will be on that fact than on Brady's gimpy right ankle. Brady was hurt in the third quarter of the Pats' AFC Championship win over the Chargers, and struggled during much of a performance in which he threw a season-worst three interceptions. Even with that showing, Brady (471 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT in the postseason) has a 105.7 rating in these playoffs. He's also 3-0 with six touchdowns, one pick, and 735 yards in three career Super Bowl appearances. Brady was 32-of-42 for 356 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants in Week 17.
One of the major storylines on Super Sunday will involve wideout Randy Moss (98 receptions, 23 TD), who will be appearing in his first career Super Bowl and trying to shake off a conspicuously quiet 2007 postseason to date. Moss has touched the football just three times in the playoffs, catching two balls for 32 yards and carrying once for 14 yards. Moss had six catches for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Giants in the regular season finale. Slot receiver Wes Welker has 16 catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the playoffs thus far, and logged 11 grabs for 122 yards versus the G-Men last time out. Donte' Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney both had their moments during the regular season, and have combined for nine catches totaling 117 yards in these playoffs.
Tight end Benjamin Watson, who has made two of his three catches in the playoffs to date count for touchdowns, remains a trusted red- zone target for Brady. Watson, who will be making his first career Super Bowl appearance, caught four balls for 38 yards against New York in Week 17. No. 2 tight end Kyle Brady will be appearing in his first career Super Bowl at the age of 36. Brady had nine catches (two for touchdowns) during the regular season, and has one grab in the 2007 postseason. Vrabel, who caught a touchdown pass against the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX, occasionally appears as a tight end in goal-line sets.
Running back Laurence Maroney has generated a major impact for the Patriots during the playoffs, carrying 47 times for 244 yards and two touchdowns in wins over the Jaguars and Chargers. In his last five games overall, Maroney has averaged 110 rushing yards and scored seven touchdowns. The second-year pro was held to 46 yards on 19 carries against the Giants in Week 17, but scored twice. Kevin Faulk, who led New England with eight catches for 72 yards in the AFC Championship win over San Diego, has 16 rushes for 95 yards and seven receptions for 45 yards during his Super Bowl career. Fullback Heath Evans, who comes in during short-yardage situations, has just three touches in the '07 playoffs to date.
Giants ends Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan and Justin Tuck have been wreaking havoc all year long, and the trio will be counted on to make Brady uncomfortable in the pocket for the Giants to have a chance to pull off the upset. The 36-year-old Strahan, one of only two players left from the Giants' 2000 NFC champion squad, has been the most productive of the group in the postseason. The seven- time Pro Bowler has compiled 18 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble in the three playoff games.
Though the Patriots have the edge in a majority of the above personnel categories, it's not a decisive edge on many counts. The Giants proved on Dec. 29 that they have the ability to make this a game, and it is difficult to envision a team that is playing with as much confidence and purpose as is New York to get run off the field in this one. The Giants are getting 12 points people and they can actually win this one if they play a perfect game. Take the points and take the Giants.
Until next time, may all your bets be winners.
NFL - San Diego @ Indianapolis (1:00 PM ET – CBS)
2021-01-14
The defending champion Colts begin postseason defense of the title when they host the Chargers in an AFC Divisional Playoff. The Colts swept through four playoff games a year ago, both SU & ATS, and are an 8-1/2 point favorite against a San Diego team off its first postseason win since ’94 last week vs. Tennessee. HC Norv Turner’s Chargers are the hottest team in football, having won seven straight games outright & ATS. They’ve been far from dominant though, as the offense gained over 350 yards just once in that span and they’ve been the beneficiary of a 23:7 turnover ratio. Indy turned the ball over more than once on just two occasions in ’07, en route to a 13-3 SU & 9-7 ATS finish. Amazingly, San Diego is 5-2 SU & 6-1 ATS in its L7 trips to Indianapolis.
SAN DIEGO
The Chargers have been a picture of inconsistency all season long, a trend that came to fruition once again in their Wild Card victory over the Tennessee Titans. The team’s prolific offensive leader, LaDainian Tomlinson, was rendered all but useless in the first half as the Bolts’ top receiving option, Antonio Gates, was lost to an undisclosed toe injury (his status for the coming week at the time of print is unknown). The entire offense, which has to be ranked as one of the major disappointments of the 2007 season (averaging just 315.3 total yards per game, 20th in the NFL), struggled to perform, somewhat understandable against the Tennessee defense, ranked 5th in the NFL, but a significant worry with Indianapolis (the NFL’s 3rd-ranked defense) laying in wait.
While the San Diego defense has certainly been a point of contention all season long, the players and ability to rise to the occasion are there. Hybrid LB Shawne Merriman is as talented as any pass rusher in the league and leads a unit that held opposing QBs to a paltry 70.0 Rating (1st in the NFL). However, they have yet to face a team as potent through the air as Indianapolis while stopping the run (allowing 107 rushing yards per game) has been a struggle.
INDIANAPOLIS
How does a team, serving as the league’s defending champion, enjoy a level of success worthy of high praise that never comes? It may be the expectation for the Colts (or it may be the headline-hogging Patriots), but the work this team has done is as impressive as any this season. Indy has suffered through with troubling injuries throughout the year, namely to veteran WR Marvin Harrison and both offensive tackles. However, the leadership of QB Peyton Manning, the long-overdue explosion of WR Reggie Wayne, and various contributions from other key ingredients (including rookie WR Anthony Gonzalez and RB Joseph Addai) has put the Colts in the best position to battle with the mighty Patriots for league supremacy.
As is often the case, a team doesn’t reach this level of power without the contributions of a strong (and often undersold) defense. Indianapolis is no exception. This unit has held the opposition to just 279.7 total yards per game (3rd in the NFL). Safety Bob Sanders (97 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 interceptions) may be the league’s most influential defenseman, capable of turning any game in favor of the Colts and providing the lift this defense needs to achieve their full potential. However, it may be LB Gary Brackett (116 tackles, 4 interceptions) that truly puts this unit on the map. Those two players could put any opposing offense on their heels and in trouble.
Key Trend – Teams that scored 20 or less in the previous playoff win are 15-25-2 ATS in their next game.
Keys to the Game
San Diego has gained a great deal of confidence in winning seven straight encounters, covering each and everyone. The Chargers have beaten Indianapolis already this season when Peyton Manning was playing short-handed with receivers and threw a season high six interceptions. Even then the Colts should have won the game with Adam Vinateri missing an easy field goal. Both teams are quite different from the last time they met with the Chargers more versatile on offense and defense and the Colts having most offensive weapons in place, and maybe slightly weaker on defense. San Diego has played often enough over the years at the RCA Dome and is 5-2 and 6-1 ATS in recent visits. Their speed off the edges is accentuated on the carpet and they now have corners that can really cover. The health of Antonio Gates will play big part in the outcome of this contest, though San Diego is 21-7 ATS in dome games. Tony Dungy has correctly picked his spots to prepare his club for this contest, playing them just hard enough. The Colts game plan has to include keeping the corners and safeties busy, throwing outside the numbers, with the idea of opening up the middle for tight end Dallas Clark and Joseph Addai. If they can accomplish this and fluster Rivers, they should improve 13-3 ATS in home games revenging a same season loss against opponent in all games Dungy has coached.
StatFox Edge – UNDER
2021-02-05
The paint is barely dry on the New York Giants stunning Super Bowl upset over the New England Patriots, and is already turning its attention to next year.
Here is a look at the 16 favored teams for 2009, with a look at the ‘long shots’ coming out next week. Odds to win the 2009 Super Bowl are listed in parenthesis
New England Patriots (5:2)
The Patriots have the necessary talent to win the whole thing next year, but how will their mental state be after losing the perfect season? The fallout from ‘Spygate’ is another consideration.
Dallas Cowboys (7:1)
Quarterback Tony Romo is still dating Jessica Simpson, but the critics won’t complain if he can deliver a Super Bowl title next year. If he doesn’t, it could be the last season for Coach Wade Phillips.
Indianapolis Colts (8:1)
There is no hotter football family than the Manning’s, and Eli’s brother Peyton hopes that 2009 is his year to step back into the spotlight. The return of Coach Tony Dungy will help matters.
San Diego Chargers (8:1)
Philip Rivers showed a lot of guts in their playoff loss to New England and he hopes to be healthy by training camp. This is a very hungry team and the Chargers look to be undervalued at these odds.
New York Giants (12:1)
Not a ton of respect here for the defending Super Bowl champions, but it might take another ‘perfect storm’ to deliver another title. That said, we have learned never to count this team out.
Green Bay Packers (14:1)
Brett Favre and the Pack are one of several teams still trying to figure out what went wrong in the playoffs. This young team should get better at most positions, but it will still come down to the play of #4 at quarterback.
Jacksonville Jaguars (15:1)
This fearless Jaguars’ team has everything going for it with the exception of being stuck in the same division as Indianapolis. If they can somehow win the AFC South, then look out in the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Steelers (20:1)
Head Coach Mike Tomlin acquitted himself nicely in his first season, although you never want to lose a playoff game at home. Look for a good year from this perennial AFC contender.
Chicago Bears (30:1)
The Bears found out last year how hard it is to return to the Super Bowl. The big question on this team continues to be at quarterback as free agent to be, Rex Grossman may not be the long term solution.
Denver Broncos (30:1)
Mike Shanahan is considered the Broncos ‘coach for life’ but he must help improve a defense that ranked 19th in the NFL last year. A quicker maturation of quarterback Jay Cutler would help too.
Seattle Seahawks (30:1)
Coach Mike Holmgren is returning to the team after contemplating opening a bookstore and selling muffins. With an attitude like that, expect this to be Holmgren’s last season.
Philadelphia Eagles (30:1)
Quarterback Donovan McNabb should be back with the team, but there are still some trade rumors out there. If McNabb returns, this is a potential sleeper team on this list.
Minnesota Vikings (30:1)
Minnesota started last season at 3-6, won their next five games, and then lost their last two to finish out of the playoffs. Look for Tarvaris Jackson to remain the starter at quarterback.
Cincinnati Bengals (40:1)
Wide receiver Chad Johnson wants to be traded and the defense is still one of the worst in the NFL. That makes these odds overly optimistic even with an offense that will always put up its share of points.
Cleveland Browns (40:1)
The other Ohio team just missed making the playoffs this year, and they should be a team to be reckoned with next season. Signing coach Romeo Crennel to an extension was a solid decision.
Arizona Cardinals (40:1)
The Cardinals had an up and down year under first year coach, Ken Whisenhunt. To make the playoffs, the team really needs Matt Leinart to stay healthy and claim the quarterback position all year long.
The Biggest Game of the Year
2021-01-31
Championship Round Recap
Picks – Giants Football Live Betting Odds nfl football betting Online Sportsbook +7 at Packers
Result – Win
Amount - 50 units
Season Bankroll - +$600
If you have listened to me this season, you have made money. Period. It’s that simple. Specifically, if you listened to me during the playoffs this year, then you have made a LOT of money. Now comes your last chance. One game left, the Super Bowl. If you are down for the year, it is your chance to double down and salvage the season. If you are up, then it’s time for one last score. And it will be a good one, Patriots and Giants, this Sunday, with everything on the line. The New England Patriots are 60 minutes from the first 19-0 season in NFL history, with the New York Giants seeking to ruin that run at perfection with a monumental upset on Sunday. But would it be monumental? I’ve been riding the Giants since the playoffs started folks and this time, they are getting a whopping 12 points. So let’s take a closer look at this one shall we?
As everyone knows by now, this game is a rematch from week 17 of this season. The Giants took New England to the wire in that contest, building a double-digit second-half lead before falling, 38-35. Sunday will mark the second time two teams that squared off in the last game of the regular season will engage in a Super Bowl rematch. The Cowboys' 27-10 win over the Broncos in Super Bowl XII came less than a month after Dallas had downed Denver, 14-6, on the final week of the 1977 regular season.
The Patriots (3-2 in Super Bowls) will make their sixth Super Sunday appearance, a mark that trails only that of Dallas (8), and is tied with Pittsburgh (6) and Denver (6) for the most all-time while New York is in the Super Bowl for the first time in seven years thanks to consecutive playoff road wins over the Buccaneers (24-14), Cowboys (21-17), and Packers (23-20 in overtime), and the Giants' 10 wins away from home in 2007 are an NFL record.
Historically, the Patriots have a 5-3 edge in their series with the Giants, and have won four straight since New York took down New England by a 13-10 count at Foxboro Stadium in 1990. As mentioned, New England was a 38-35 road winner when the teams last met, in Week 17.
After putting together a regular season compatible with his inconsistent four- year career, Eli Manning (3336 passing yards, 23 TD, 20 INT) has undergone a playoff revelation marked by sound decision-making and a minimizing of mistakes. The former No. 1 overall draft pick has completed 62 percent of his throws and not committed a turnover in New York's three postseason games. Manning's outstanding run actually began with a strong outing against New England in Week 17, when he went 22-of-32 for 251 yards and tossed four touchdown passes. Since an interception thrown by Manning late in that game, the Giants offense has gone 33 possessions and 194 plays without a turnover.
New York's receiving corps possesses a strong blend of size, experience and youth in the threesome of Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer and Steve Smith. The 6-foot-5, 232-pound Burress can be a matchup nightmare for opposing defensive backs, as Green Bay's Al Harris recently found out first-hand. Burress manhandled the Pro Bowl corner with an 11-catch, 151-yard performance in the NFC Championship and also caught two scoring passes from Manning in the Giants' 38-35 loss to the Patriots in late December. Toomer, one of only two remaining members from New York's 2000 Super Bowl squad, has compiled 196 yards and three touchdowns in this postseason. The rookie Smith has made up for an unproductive and injury- plagued regular season with nine playoff catches, including several key grabs.
The Giants will send out their "thunder-and-lightning" tandem of Brandon and Ahmad Bradshaw in hopes of keeping the Patriots' record-setting offense off the field as much as possible on Super Bowl Sunday. The 21-year-old Bradshaw has been the more effective member of the duo during the playoffs, having totaled a team-best 163 rushing yards on 39 carries, but Jacobs did put up a respectable 67 yards on 15 attempts against New England in the regular- season finale. The pairing will be running behind another unsung hero in fullback Madison Hedgecock, an early-season waiver claim whose powerful blocking has been essential to the team's proficiency in the ground game.
New England primarily uses a three-man defensive front, with Pro Bowler Vince Wilfork the middle and Richard Seymour and Ty Warren occupying the ends. Seymour, who has two sacks and a fumble recovery during his Super Bowl career, is often replaced by Jarvis Green in passing situations. The Patriots ranked near the bottom of the league with 4.4 yards allowed per carry during the regular season.
The Patriots have a pair of highly-decorated linebackers in the middle of their four-man group, with former Pro Bowlers Tedy Bruschi, and Junior Seau occupying those places. Seau and Bruschi are 1-2 on the team in stops during the postseason. Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas man the outside linebacker positions for New England, and are viewed by opponents as the team's most dangerous pass rushers. Vrabel will be making his fourth Super Bowl start as a Patriot. Thomas had New England's only sack of Manning in Week 17.
MVP Tom Brady (4806 passing yards, 50 TD, 8 INT) comes off one of the great statistical seasons in NFL history, though less focus will be on that fact than on Brady's gimpy right ankle. Brady was hurt in the third quarter of the Pats' AFC Championship win over the Chargers, and struggled during much of a performance in which he threw a season-worst three interceptions. Even with that showing, Brady (471 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT in the postseason) has a 105.7 rating in these playoffs. He's also 3-0 with six touchdowns, one pick, and 735 yards in three career Super Bowl appearances. Brady was 32-of-42 for 356 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants in Week 17.
One of the major storylines on Super Sunday will involve wideout Randy Moss (98 receptions, 23 TD), who will be appearing in his first career Super Bowl and trying to shake off a conspicuously quiet 2007 postseason to date. Moss has touched the football just three times in the playoffs, catching two balls for 32 yards and carrying once for 14 yards. Moss had six catches for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Giants in the regular season finale. Slot receiver Wes Welker has 16 catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the playoffs thus far, and logged 11 grabs for 122 yards versus the G-Men last time out. Donte' Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney both had their moments during the regular season, and have combined for nine catches totaling 117 yards in these playoffs.
Tight end Benjamin Watson, who has made two of his three catches in the playoffs to date count for touchdowns, remains a trusted red- zone target for Brady. Watson, who will be making his first career Super Bowl appearance, caught four balls for 38 yards against New York in Week 17. No. 2 tight end Kyle Brady will be appearing in his first career Super Bowl at the age of 36. Brady had nine catches (two for touchdowns) during the regular season, and has one grab in the 2007 postseason. Vrabel, who caught a touchdown pass against the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX, occasionally appears as a tight end in goal-line sets.
Running back Laurence Maroney has generated a major impact for the Patriots during the playoffs, carrying 47 times for 244 yards and two touchdowns in wins over the Jaguars and Chargers. In his last five games overall, Maroney has averaged 110 rushing yards and scored seven touchdowns. The second-year pro was held to 46 yards on 19 carries against the Giants in Week 17, but scored twice. Kevin Faulk, who led New England with eight catches for 72 yards in the AFC Championship win over San Diego, has 16 rushes for 95 yards and seven receptions for 45 yards during his Super Bowl career. Fullback Heath Evans, who comes in during short-yardage situations, has just three touches in the '07 playoffs to date.
Giants ends Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan and Justin Tuck have been wreaking havoc all year long, and the trio will be counted on to make Brady uncomfortable in the pocket for the Giants to have a chance to pull off the upset. The 36-year-old Strahan, one of only two players left from the Giants' 2000 NFC champion squad, has been the most productive of the group in the postseason. The seven- time Pro Bowler has compiled 18 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble in the three playoff games.
Though the Patriots have the edge in a majority of the above personnel categories, it's not a decisive edge on many counts. The Giants proved on Dec. 29 that they have the ability to make this a game, and it is difficult to envision a team that is playing with as much confidence and purpose as is New York to get run off the field in this one. The Giants are getting 12 points people and they can actually win this one if they play a perfect game. Take the points and take the Giants.
Until next time, may all your bets be winners.
NFL - San Diego @ Indianapolis (1:00 PM ET – CBS)
2021-01-14
The defending champion Colts begin postseason defense of the title when they host the Chargers in an AFC Divisional Playoff. The Colts swept through four playoff games a year ago, both SU & ATS, and are an 8-1/2 point favorite against a San Diego team off its first postseason win since ’94 last week vs. Tennessee. HC Norv Turner’s Chargers are the hottest team in football, having won seven straight games outright & ATS. They’ve been far from dominant though, as the offense gained over 350 yards just once in that span and they’ve been the beneficiary of a 23:7 turnover ratio. Indy turned the ball over more than once on just two occasions in ’07, en route to a 13-3 SU & 9-7 ATS finish. Amazingly, San Diego is 5-2 SU & 6-1 ATS in its L7 trips to Indianapolis.
SAN DIEGO
The Chargers have been a picture of inconsistency all season long, a trend that came to fruition once again in their Wild Card victory over the Tennessee Titans. The team’s prolific offensive leader, LaDainian Tomlinson, was rendered all but useless in the first half as the Bolts’ top receiving option, Antonio Gates, was lost to an undisclosed toe injury (his status for the coming week at the time of print is unknown). The entire offense, which has to be ranked as one of the major disappointments of the 2007 season (averaging just 315.3 total yards per game, 20th in the NFL), struggled to perform, somewhat understandable against the Tennessee defense, ranked 5th in the NFL, but a significant worry with Indianapolis (the NFL’s 3rd-ranked defense) laying in wait.
While the San Diego defense has certainly been a point of contention all season long, the players and ability to rise to the occasion are there. Hybrid LB Shawne Merriman is as talented as any pass rusher in the league and leads a unit that held opposing QBs to a paltry 70.0 Rating (1st in the NFL). However, they have yet to face a team as potent through the air as Indianapolis while stopping the run (allowing 107 rushing yards per game) has been a struggle.
INDIANAPOLIS
How does a team, serving as the league’s defending champion, enjoy a level of success worthy of high praise that never comes? It may be the expectation for the Colts (or it may be the headline-hogging Patriots), but the work this team has done is as impressive as any this season. Indy has suffered through with troubling injuries throughout the year, namely to veteran WR Marvin Harrison and both offensive tackles. However, the leadership of QB Peyton Manning, the long-overdue explosion of WR Reggie Wayne, and various contributions from other key ingredients (including rookie WR Anthony Gonzalez and RB Joseph Addai) has put the Colts in the best position to battle with the mighty Patriots for league supremacy.
As is often the case, a team doesn’t reach this level of power without the contributions of a strong (and often undersold) defense. Indianapolis is no exception. This unit has held the opposition to just 279.7 total yards per game (3rd in the NFL). Safety Bob Sanders (97 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 interceptions) may be the league’s most influential defenseman, capable of turning any game in favor of the Colts and providing the lift this defense needs to achieve their full potential. However, it may be LB Gary Brackett (116 tackles, 4 interceptions) that truly puts this unit on the map. Those two players could put any opposing offense on their heels and in trouble.
Key Trend – Teams that scored 20 or less in the previous playoff win are 15-25-2 ATS in their next game.
Keys to the Game
San Diego has gained a great deal of confidence in winning seven straight encounters, covering each and everyone. The Chargers have beaten Indianapolis already this season when Peyton Manning was playing short-handed with receivers and threw a season high six interceptions. Even then the Colts should have won the game with Adam Vinateri missing an easy field goal. Both teams are quite different from the last time they met with the Chargers more versatile on offense and defense and the Colts having most offensive weapons in place, and maybe slightly weaker on defense. San Diego has played often enough over the years at the RCA Dome and is 5-2 and 6-1 ATS in recent visits. Their speed off the edges is accentuated on the carpet and they now have corners that can really cover. The health of Antonio Gates will play big part in the outcome of this contest, though San Diego is 21-7 ATS in dome games. Tony Dungy has correctly picked his spots to prepare his club for this contest, playing them just hard enough. The Colts game plan has to include keeping the corners and safeties busy, throwing outside the numbers, with the idea of opening up the middle for tight end Dallas Clark and Joseph Addai. If they can accomplish this and fluster Rivers, they should improve 13-3 ATS in home games revenging a same season loss against opponent in all games Dungy has coached.
StatFox Edge – UNDER