NHL Pay Head News: Original Six Clash Closes Out Shortened Week

An Original Six showdown between the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday will highlight a shortened week in the NHL. While the Red Wings are flying high at the top of the Western conference, the Canadiens are barely alive in the Eastern conference and fighting for something to hold on to. If Montreal is going to have any chance at turning their season around they will need to go on an extended run, and stringing together consecutive wins against Original Six opponents before the All Star break is a good place to start.

NBA Betting News: Lakers, Clippers Meet For Second Time Wednesday

The battle of Los Angeles has heated up in recent weeks with the Clippers emerging in the Western conference ahead of the Lakers, and with the two set to meet for a second time this Wednesday, it should get a ton of attention. Kobe Bryant’s 42 points weren’t enough for the Lakers in the first meeting between these teams, a 102-94 win for the Clippers, and Bryant will need his teammates to step up in a major way if they are going to have a chance to win the second meeting. A couple of other intriguing matchups for this week include the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics meeting for the second time this week on Thursday, and the New York Knicks heading to South Beach to take on the Miami Heat Friday.

Super Bowl Odds News: Patriots, Giants Rest With Pro Bowl Sunday Upon Us

While all of the coverage will be focused on a Super Bowl rematch between the New England Patriots and New York Giants, there will be over 100 of the most talented NFL players gathering in Honolulu, Hawaii for the 2012 Pro Bowl this Sunday. The Patriots and Giants will use this week to rest and get some practice in after New England opened up as three-point favorites for the biggest game of the year, and other than something noteworthy happening a those practices the line shouldn’t change much as weather conditions will not have an effect on the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. There should be more prop bets made available as the week progresses.

College Basketball Betting News: Tar Heels Host Wolfpack For In-State Showdown

The ACC schedule will feature an in-state showdown between the No. 8 North Carolina Tar Heels and North Carolina State Wolfpack on Thursday as two of the four one-loss teams in the conference meet for the first time this season. The Tar Heels bounced back from a devastating loss to the Florida State Seminoles with a win over Virginia Tech, but they lost Donald Strickland in that game with a torn ACL, and he will be out for the remainder of the season. North Carolina has the depth to push forward without him, and should be a good test for a Wolfpack team that has yet to play any of the other top four teams in the ACC.

It’s no BetOnline scam if you find your sportsbook to be hoops-heavy this week as basketball takes over the landscape until the NFL playoffs resume on the weekend. The Los Angeles Lakers will bookend the week, while a state rivalry brews in college hoops and a few interesting storylines converge in New York.

Monday – Mavericks Lakers Odds, 10:30 PM ET

Lamar Odom returns to Los Angeles after a messy offseason split with the Lakers, and some sportsbook.com reviews will point out that this is the first meeting for the two since the Mavericks steamrolled the Lakers in a sweep en route to the title. Kobe Bryant has scored 40 points or more in four straight games, so the Mavericks have to figure out a way to slow down the Lakers’ superstar.

Tuesday – Michigan State Michigan Odds, 7:00 PM ET

These two may have been looking forward to this game as the Spartans lost at Northwestern, while the Wolverines were stunned at Iowa. Still, players that work with sportsbook software should check out this rivalry game as the Big Ten is up for grabs; Ohio State isn’t running away with the conference like most people expected, so not only are bragging rights on the line, but a chance to move up in the Big Ten as well.

Wednesday – Suns Knicks Odds, 7:30 PM ET

This matchup is interesting because New York coach Mike D’Antoni is under fire due to his team’s ineffectiveness, and he is also a former coach of the Suns. Phoenix’s Steve Nash is probably the only player in the league that could help the Knicks out of their funk as New York is falling out of favor with those that work with price per head sports software.

Thursday – Lakers Heat Odds, 8:00 PM ET

The game of the week comes from Miami, where there will be a slew of stars on the court, even though the Heat could be without the injured Dwyane Wade. It’s always an occasion when Bryant and the Heat’s LeBron James are on the court at the same time, and this will be advertised as a possible NBA Finals preview.

Friday – Lakers Magic Odds, 8:00 PM ET

Finally, the Lakers end a tough week in Orlando, where the storyline will surround Dwight Howard. The big center has been rumored to be on his way to Los Angeles for a while now, but the Magic held fast with their trade demands and now Howard is reportedly off the table, although we’re they could be talked into a deal if the Lakers made an offer. The matchup in the middle between Howard and the Lakers’ Andrew Bynum should decide this sport betting contest.

Toronto FC fans will have to fill their wagering void in other ways until their MLS season begins again, and there is plenty worth watching right now; the NBA hasn’t even started back yet,  but this week there is some NFL to check out in your sportsbook, along with college hoops and the NHL.

Monday

Chargers Jaguars Betting (8:30 PM ET): San Diego is a 3-point favorite in their Monday night trip to Jacksonville, but a BetOnline.com review of the Chargers might be titled “Dead Man Walking” as it is being speculated that Norv Turner will be fired at the end of the season. They’ll be facing a Jacksonville team that fired Jack Del Rio and replaced him with Mel Tucker, who was the coordinator of a defense that can give any team trouble.

Tuesday

Memphis Miami Odds (9:00 PM ET): The Tigers have fallen twice in neutral-site games, and now they’ll have their first true road games when they head to Miami to face the Hurricanes, who are looking to show bookies who use price per head companies that they can be a darkhorse in the ACC. Memphis beat Miami by four points at home last season, and the Hurricanes could have revenge on their mind on Tuesday.

Wednesday

Xavier Butler Odds (9:00 PM ET): The Bulldogs have reached the national-title game in each of the last two seasons, but Butler has gotten off to a rough start. They can redeem themselves a little in the eyes of those who use bookie software when they welcome a ranked Xavier team to town. These two have met in three straight years, with Butler winning twice, but Xavier won by two points at home last year. None of the three games have been decided by nine points or less, and the last two games by two points or less.

Thursday

Browns Steelers Betting (8:20 PM ET): Cleveland have dropped games against Cincinnati and Baltimore, and they’re 14-point underdogs on the road in their third AFC North game on the road. The Steelers have won seven of their last eight and are trying to keep pace with the Ravens, who are tied with Pittsburgh at the top of the division, but Baltimore has a pair of wins over the Steelers this season, so every win counts.

Friday

Maple Leafs Capitals Odds (7:00 PM ET): Washington will still be getting used to the way Dale Hunter does things after the firing of Boudreau, and they’ll host Toronto to end the week. The Maple Leafs have been a big surprise this season and are looking to sustain their solid play, while the Capitals needed to make a huge move to shake things up and stay in the minds of those who bet on sports.

NFL fans will get to check out a clash between the top two teams in the NFC South this weekend, as New Orleans heads to Atlanta with a half-game lead over the Falcons, who have won three in a row.

Saints Falcons Odds – Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

The Saints (6-3) stayed unbeaten at home in a 27-16 win over Tampa Bay, and New Orleans’ BetOnline odds will definitely rise if they can run the ball as they did against the Bucs, racking up 195 yards on the ground. Drew Brees was 27-of-36 for 258 yards, two touchdowns and a pick, but a running game makes him even more dangerous and that makes the Saints a threat in the NFC. One major issue was the discipline of the defense, who gave Tampa Bay five first downs because of penalties and those are exactly the type of things that the Saints will be looking to avoid on the road. They also allowed Josh Freeman to make some plays in the fourth quarter to pull Tampa Bay back into the game, but a late field goal by the Saints put it out of reach.

The Falcons (5-3) raced out to a 21-0 lead and never looked back in a 31-7 win in Indianapolis, and it was a no-nonsense performance against the worst team in the league. Matt Ryan was 14-of-24 for 275 yards, three touchdowns and a pick, while Michael Turner (71 yards, one touchdown) led a rushing attack that posted 163 yards. Price per head players like to see these type of efforts from good teams as the Falcons went on the road and took care of business with no fuss, and coming off a bye, it was like an extra week of practice; you know the Falcons had to have one eye on the Saints.
Price per head sports odds have this game as a pick’em as it’s too close to call between these two division rivals. The Saints may actually have a small edge as they’re 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS in their last five trips to the Georgia Dome, with three games falling under the posted total. This game is huge not only in the standings, but as a statement to show that the winner is the best team in the NFC South. The two will meet again on Boxing Day and that will likely have a lot more on the line, but this is a solid appetizer until that game, and the edge has to go to New Orleans, but it’ll be close as the Falcons have played a lot better as of late. Still, roll with the Saints in your sports betting picks.

Those watching NFL betting lines may be better served to check out the NCAA, which will kick off in September, and here is a look at the top five stories that you should keep an eye on during the road to the BCS title.

Ohio State

Coach Jim Tressel and quarterback Terrelle Pryor are no longer in Columbus after a massive violations scandal, and now the Buckeyes are just a mid-pack team in the Big Ten instead of a BCS title favorite. Can Ohio State keep their head above water and more importantly, can they beat Michigan for the eighth straight year?

Conference Expansion

Sports betting players watched the Big Ten and Pac-10 expand to 12 teams, although only the Pac-12 changed their name. Instead, the Big Ten broke their conference up into the Legends and Leaders division in one of the most laughable moves of the offseason.

SEC Domination

The SEC has won the last five national titles and furthermore, the crown hasn’t left the state of Alabama in two years as Auburn followed their state rivals with last season’s win. Oklahoma is the preseason No.1 pick, but expect the Crimson Tide to be a factor, along with LSU, Arkansas and Georgia.

NCAA Violations

This has been the story of the offseason as Ohio State suffered, North Carolina continue to suffer from last year and Oregon (who lost to Auburn in last year’s BCS title game) could be in huge trouble next. Keep an eye on the news, because violations are popping up all over.

Did Andrew Luck Make The Right Decision?

Luck was slated to be the No.1 pick in the draft, but decided not to follow coach Jim Harbaugh to the NFL. Jake Locker made a similar decision last year and it was the wrong choice. While Luck may not be the top pick next year, it bodes well for Stanford’s 2011 sports betting odds.

While Cam Newton may have come more or less out of nowhere to win the 2010 Heisman Trophy as college football’s top player, most winners enter the season as established, well-recognized stars. With three of the four finalists for last year’s trophy returning to school – Newton became the number-one pick in the NFL draft – there will likely be some familiar faces invited to New York this December.

While every college football season has its share of breakout stars expect to see these names in the mix come awards – and bowl – season.

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

As the consensus No.1 pick in the 2011 Draft, luck turned down millions of dollars to return to Standford for his junior season and a shot at Heisman glory. Some scouts have called him one of the best prospects they’ve ever assessed; Trent Dilfer thinks he could be one of the best professional quarterbacks in history. Despite all this, he’ll suit up for the Cardinal once again, a year after leading them to the first BCS bowl in the history of their football program. If the Cardinal find themselves playing in January once again, there’s a very good chance they’ll be doing so with a Heisman winner under centre.

LaMichael James, RB, Oregon

James finished third in the Heisman balloting in 2010 and capture the Doak Walker Award as the country’s best running back. As the best weapon in coach Chip Kelly’s spread-option offence, he accumulated nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage with 24 scores as the Ducks enjoyed the best season Eugene has ever seen. If Darron Thomas improves as a passer in his second season as starter, James should see even greater opportunities to unleash his impressive speed and quickness.

Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

Moore is the latest Broncos quarterback to put up incredible numbers on the blue turf of Boise – and he might just be the best. Named the number-one player in college football by The Sporting News, Moore has a chance to cement his legacy as one of the best college quarterbacks in history. He’s tossed 97 football scores, and despite losing his top receivers to the pros, should add at least another 30 to that tally. He might not be the NFL prospect that Luck is, but he could be the best signal-caller in the NCAA.

Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan

Robinson electrified college football early in the 2010 season, setting several Michigan records with his rushing performances. A Bet Online scam? Not likely. Injuries slowed him midway through the year, but he still finished with the first 1,500 yards passing/1,500 yards rushing season in NCAA history. How the Wolverines offence changes with Brady Hoke taking over as head coach after the dismissal of spread-option guru Rich Rodriguez remains to be seen, but Robinson will find a way to change the game with his speed no matter what style Hoke chooses to play.

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Now that the 2011 NFL Draft has come and gone, complete with plenty of boos and awkward handshakes, the cottage industry of draftniks has taken to predicting who’s going to get hot and who’s going to flame out. And they love comparing future busts to ones that have come before. So as a favour to all the wannabe Mel Kipers and Todd McShays, here’s a brief rogues gallery of NFL embarrassments that they can compare Cam Newton to.

- JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders

Probably the closest comparison – and worst-case scenario – for Newton, JaMarcus Russell is as big a bust as he is a person. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound QB out of LSU came into the league with one of the most powerful arms in football. Al Davis, tempted as always by fantasies of an explosive vertical passing offense, picked the big man first overall. The trouble started shortly after, as Russell held out through training camp before signing a monstrous $68.5-million contract in the first week of the season.

It proved to be the biggest waste of money since the Virtual Boy. Russell threw for 18 scores in his three seasons with the Raiders, eventually being benched for the thoroughly mediocre Bruce Gradkowski and released. He showed no pocket awareness, couldn’t run, and often looked out of shape. Since leaving the NFL, he’s also been arrested for downing purple drank.

A real winner.

-Ryan Leaf, San Diego Chargers

Thanks to the obnoxious, lazy disappointment that is Ryan Leaf, Russell might not even be the biggest QB bust of all time. Leaf was picked one spot after Peyton Manning, who went on to become arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history. Talk about your study in contrasts. While Peyton was a maniacal hard worker, Leaf didn’t even bother showing up to a rookie symposium. Manning was – and remains – a leader in his locker room. Leaf preferred to use it as a venue to scream at reporters. He was such a petulant weasel that even Rodney Harrison, not exactly known as the most pleasant player in history, called him “a nightmare.”

Somehow, Leaf was just as bad on the field. In the third game of his rookie season, he went 1 for 15 for only four yards while fumbling the ball three times. So…yeah. Ryan Leaf sucked.

-Lawrence Phillips, St. Louis Rams

Any GM considering overlooking “character concerns” would be well-served to look back on the odyssey of Lawrence Philips. Coming out of Nebraska, he was almost unanimously considered the most talented player in the draft, but slipped to sixth on account of serious worries about his behaviour.

You can probably imagine how this story ended. A rap sheet longer than his stat sheet, stints in NFL Europe, the CFL, and Arena Football, more arrests, and now a 31-year prison sentence.

-Tony Mandarich, Green Bay Packers

Described by Sports Illustrated as “The Best Offensive Line Prospect Ever”, Oakville’s own Tony Mandarich was a larger-than-life character in his heyday, and with that big personality came a big appetite for alcohol and attention. His on-field performance never materialized, and he was released by the Packers after three lacklustre seasons.

In the years following his football career, he’s spoken candidly about his steroid use and addictions, and had a successful stint as an NFL analyst with The Score television network in Canada.

-Brian Bosworth, Seattle Seahawks

With his hulking physique and ridiculous blonde Mohawk, “The Boz” looked more like a WWE character than an NFL player. And he had the personality to boot. He once called the NCAA the “National Communists Against Athletes,” sued the NFL as a rookie so he could wear #44 (it didn’t work out), and flew to practice in a helicopter.

Of course, his on-field play never lived up to his off-field antics, and he was forced to retire two games into the 1989 season following a shoulder injury. He would go onto a longer, though no less embarrassing, career in Hollywood action films.

Super Bowl betting players are almost ready to make their big picks for Sunday’s showdown between Pittsburgh and Green Bay, and here is some final news to check out before heading to your sportsbook.

Steelers Packers Betting – Sunday, 6:00 PM ET

There are still conflicting reports on the health of center Maurkice Pouncey, whose ankle has been one of the leading storylines this week, Pouncey’s sprain is said to have improved, but is it improved enough to put him in the lineup against Green’s Bay B.J. Raji? As of Friday at 12:00 PM ET, Pouncey had to get through practice in order for coach Mike Tomlin to give the okay to his Pro Bowl rookie, so keep checking for news.

The Packers held veteran wide out Donald Driver out of practice on Thursday, but coach Mike McCarthy said it was more for precautionary reasons and that Driver would be ready to go on Sunday. Driver hurt his quadriceps on Wednesday, but was ready to practice on Thursday if it were up to him. McCarthy decided to keep his 12-year veteran on the sideline and not risk any further strain.

Green Bay is still a 2.5-point favorite heading into the Super Bowl, and the main factors remain the same? Which of these similarly-run defenses will play better? Can the Packers bring down Ben Roethlisberger? Can the Steelers deal with Aaron Rodgers when he spreads the field out? Can Rashard Mendenhall grind out yards on the ground and keep Rodgers on the sideline? We think that is the most important thing to look at, and the main reason why we would lay a sports bet on Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Super Bowl betting players figure Bill Belichick would rather be in Dallas preparing for the Super Bowl, but instead the New England coach will be leading the AFC for the third time in the Pro Bowl, which comes back to Hawaii in its new spot before the Super Bowl.

Pro Bowl Odds – Sunday, 7:00 PM ET

Belichick won’t have his guy, Tom Brady, but he’ll be reunited with Matt Cassel, who will likely be behind Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers. The AFC is also deep at running back with Arian Foster, Chris Johnson and Jamaal Charles. Defensively, Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs will represent Baltimore, while Darrelle Revis and Nmandi Asomugha will get a chance to show they’re the best corners in the league.

Atlanta’s Mike Smith will make his Pro Bowl coaching debut, and he’ll have nine of his Falcons on the team, including Matt Ryan, but it is Michael Vick who will start at quarterback for the NFC. The offense may have to step up because there are a lot of injuries on the defensive side of the ball, including Ndamokung Suh, Patrick Willis, Asante Samuel and the Chicago duo of Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher.

The NFC opened as 1.5-point Pro Bowl betting favorites, but the game is down to a pick’em. The AFC has won six of the last 11 Pro Bowls, and there has been an average of almost 74 points scored in a game that will get competitive in the second half. We’re putting our money with the AFC as Belichick has been here before and he knows how to split up the reps, while this will be new for Smith. Put the AFC in your sports online betting picks this weekend.

When comparing the offenses of the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers it is easy to note stylistic differences. The Packers are led by their passing game, helmed by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, while the Steelers put an emphasis on the running game and ball control, relying on broken play heroics by their pivot Ben Roethlisberger, when necessary. With both teams preparing to put up points in Super Bowl XLV, it will be interesting to see what changes, if any, are made to their respective schemes. Rodgers is playing at an incredibly high level and with the game set to be played in Texas Stadium’s climate controlled dome setting; an air show is expected from the Pack. Pittsburgh will counter with their traditional smash-mouth approach; after all, it has won them two trophies.

After starting running back Ryan Grant was injured in the first game of the season, Green Bay became almost exclusively a passing team. With Rodgers, a strong offensive line and a deep receiving core, few teams could be as well suited as Green Bay was to become a strictly vertical attack. The Packers finished fifth in passing yards and Aaron Rodgers elevated himself to elite quarterback status, carrying the offense almost single-handedly. In the
playoffs, Rodgers has been untouchable, completing over %70 of his passes, including a spectacular performance against Atlanta on the NFL schedule in the Georgia Dome in which the quarterback complete %86 of his passes for 366 yards and 3 scores. Rodgers operates mostly out of shotgun with sets of three to four wide receivers. The Packers have four capable wide outs in Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones and Jordy Nelson. Each receiver is different. Driver is a veteran, all-around receiver who is adept at medium routes to pick up first downs, Jennings is a speedy deep threat who is one of the league’s best at burning defensive backs downfield, Jones is a sharp route runner with the size and strength to make tough catches and lastly, Nelson is a shifty slot receiver whose skills at running after the catch stem from his time spent as the team’s kick returner. Rodger’s clever pre-snap recognition allows him to determine which of his four options will be best positioned to make a catch and the combination of his elusiveness and the Green Bay offensive line gives him time to make the play. Though Grant will not be in the lineup come Super Bowl Sunday, the Packers’ running game will still be effective. Coach Mike McCarthy had been using a running back-by-committee approach for the entire season but it was only in the wild card round against Philadelphia that he discovered his number one back. Brandon Jackson has proved worthy as an outside runner and receiver and John Kuhn has impressed in his role as a halfback-fullback combo but rookie James Starks seems to be the choice as the team’s top ball carrier. Starks’ size, at 6’2 218 lbs allows him to break away from tacklers and the rookie has also shown great vision and cutting ability as well.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are again vying for a Super Bowl trophy after another successful season at the top of the NFL standings. The Steelers’ way has not changed: run the ball, play defense. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians lives in the shadow of his Coach Mike Tomlin and defensive guru Dick LeBeau, but every year he manages to organize one of the league’s most effective units. The Steelers’ approach starts with the offensive line, which could be depleted for the championship game. Guards Chris Kemoeatu and Ramon Foster have had good years but their success has been aided by rookie center Maurkice Pouncey, who left the AFC Championship game with a high ankle sprain. That interior of the line will be crucial in creating holes for running back Rashard Mendenhall, who seems to be growing stronger as the season continues after he gashed the harrowed New York Jets defense for 107 yards on Sunday. If Mendenhall can get going against the Packers it will free Roethlisberger to make more plays in the passing game. Much of the Steelers’ aerial attack is based on Big Ben’s ability to extend the play so that receivers Hines Ward, Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders can free themselves from coverage. Pittsburgh’s receivers are small, speed wide outs who are excellent at creating separation and running after the catch – skills that match perfectly with Roethlisberger’s broken, yet big, play ability.Still, the weakness of Packers’ defensive coordinator Dom Capers’ 2-4-5 scheme is covering the tight end position. The last time these two teams faced, Roethlisberger put up 500 passing yards mostly through completions over the middle of Green Bay’s defense, a tactic he will try again with tight end Heath Miller who made several crucial catches on Sunday.

Much will be made about the teams’ defenses leading up to the Super Bowl, with the age-old adage “defense wins championships” being muttered extensively. Still, viewers want to see offensive football and both these squads are capable of producing big plays. Rodgers and the Packers will come out throwing, looking to put up points early through the air, while Roethlisberger and the Steelers will control the ball from the jump, attempting to establish a grinding pace. Whoever wins the tempo battle will be in the driving seat for this game, but with two great quarterbacks armed with big game receivers in Ward and Driver, nothing will be settled until the clock hits zeroes.