Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting
02/17/2009 - West Lafayette, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The sixth-ranked Michigan State Spartans continue their quest for the Big Ten Conference regular-season title, and a win over the 19th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers on the road tonight would certainly help the cause.
Michigan State has won its last three games to move to 20-4 overall and 10-2 against league opponents. The Spartans have been idle since last Tuesday when they knocked off rival Michigan in a 54-42 final. They are a remarkable 7-0 in true road games this season, so don't expect the West Lafayette crowd to intimidate Tom Izzo's squad.
As for Purdue, it has won its last two outings to move to 19-6 overall and 8-4 in conference. A defensive battle ensued at Iowa on Saturday, and the Boilermakers escaped with a 49-45 triumph. The hope is that they will be able to improve their already impressive 12-2 home record this evening.
Purdue owns a 61-43 series advantage over Michigan State, and the teams will meet again in East Lansing to close out the regular season in a couple of weeks.
Michigan State is likely to have Raymar Morgan back in the lineup tonight, as he missed some time with a case of pneumonia. Morgan is the second-leading scorer on the team with 12.3 ppg, and he is second in rebounding as well (6.0 rpg). Kalin Lucas is netting 14.8 ppg to go along with 114 assists, but his 38.9 percent shooting from the floor could certainly stand some improvement. Overall, the Spartans are generating 74.6 ppg while limiting foes to 63.5 ppg on 41.4 percent field goal efficiency. Lucas scored 15 points for Michigan State in the win over Michigan last time out, and Delvon Roe pitched in with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Strong defense was the key to the triumph, as the Spartans limited the Wolverines to 34.8 percent shooting from the field. A 15-6 edge in points from the foul line also helped the cause.
Purdue was able to limit Iowa to 36.2 percent shooting from the floor on Saturday, including 2-of-19 from three-point range. The strong defense was clearly the most obvious reason that the Boilermakers were able to win the game. They were led by E'Twaun Moore, who came through with 16 points and 10 rebounds. JaJuan Johnson added 13 points and three blocked shots, while Robbie Hummel was held to two points in his return from injury. Overall this season, Moore is scoring 13.6 ppg, while Johnson adds 13.4 ppg and 6.0 rpg. Hummel provides 12.4 ppg and 7.3 rpg, but it may take a few games before he is back to normal. The Boilermakers have played strong defense all season, limiting opponents to 57.8 ppg on 37.3 percent field goal efficiency.
<< Golden Eagles and Pirates meet in Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 10th-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles will
try to add to their 16-game home winning streak tonight, as they welcome the
Seton Hall Pirates to the Bradley Center for a Big East affair.
The Golden Eagles cont
<< Wizards host Wolves at Verizon Center
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Seeking to put forgettable first halves of the season
behind them, the Washington Wizards and Minnesota Timberwolves begin their
post-All Star break schedules with a matchup tonight from the Verizon Center.
Washington, a t
<< Magic welcome Bobcats to Orlando
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of Southeast Division members will renew
acquaintances tonight at Orlando's Amway Arena, where the first-place Magic
host the improving Charlotte Bobcats in the first game for both teams
following the All-Star break.
<< Sixers, Pacers square off at Conseco Fieldhouse
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia 76ers will be hoping to pick up right
where they left off before the All-Star break when the resurgent club returns
to action tonight against the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse.
The 76ers won their f
Slumping Pistons host Bucks in Central clash >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Central Division rivals kick off the second half of the NBA
season Tuesday night, as the Detroit Pistons welcome the Milwaukee Bucks to
The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Detroit entered the All-Star break riding a three-game los
Rockets welcome Nets to town >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Rockets get back to business Tuesday when they
resume a six-game homestand by welcoming the New Jersey Nets to the Toyota
Center.
The Rockets opened the residency on February 11 when Yao Ming tallied ga
Jazz, Grizzlies square off in Utah >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Utah Jazz get back to work tonight, resuming a five-
game homestand with hopes of continuing their dominance over the Memphis
Grizzlies at EnergySolutions Arena.
Utah has topped Memphis eight straight tim
Lakers host Hawks at Staples Center >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NBA's best team hits the hardwood for the first time
since the All-Star break on Tuesday as the Los Angeles Lakers welcome the
Atlanta Hawks to Staples Center.
The NBA's mid-season classic had quite the Lakers
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.
Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.
Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.
Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.
All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.
A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.
For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.
2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award
Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1
Ron Brace (NE) 25/1
Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1
Darius Butler (NE) 40/1
Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1
Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1
Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1
Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1
Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1
Larry English (SD) 15/1
Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1
Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1
Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1
Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1
James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1
Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1
Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1
Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1
Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1
Roy Miller (TB) 20/1
Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1
Fili Moala (IND) 30/1
Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1
Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1
B J Raji (GB) 7/1
Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1
Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1
David Verkune (CLE) 20/1
Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1
Field (Any Other Player) 6/1
To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting