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
11/14/2008 - Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) -
EDMONTON ESKIMOS (11-8) AT MONTREAL ALOUETTES (11-7)
DATE & TIME: Saturday, November 15th, 1 p.m. (et).
GAME NOTES: The CFL's top two passing games will be front and center Saturday when Edmonton and Montreal meet in the East Division final.
Edmonton had the league's most potent passing attack, averaging 335 yards per game as quarterback Ricky Ray was the league's top passer with 5,663 yards. The receiving corps, even with the loss this season of star slotback Jason Tucker to a neck injury, still featured the likes of Kamau Peterson (101 catches, 1,317 yards, four touchdowns), Kelly Campbell (54 catches, 1,223 yards, seven touchdowns) and Fred Stamps (50 catches, 751 yards, six touchdowns).
Montreal's second-ranked aerial attack is anchored by veteran quarterback Anthony Calvillo, who was second overall in passing with 5,633 yards despite sitting out the club's season-ending loss to Edmonton. Jamel Richardson was the club's leading receiver with 98 catches for 1,287 yards and a CFL-high 16 touchdown grabs. Slotback Ben Cahoon, a finalist again as top Canadian, had a league-best 107 catches for 1,231 yards and seven touchdowns while Kerry Watkins added 84 receptions for 1,178 yards and 10 touchdowns.
And the expectation is footballs will certainly fill the air as this game will be played indoors at Olympic Stadium, meaning weather won't be a factor for either team.
If Montreal has an edge offensively, it's along the offensive line.
Center Brian Chiu and guard Scott Flory were both named to the CFL's All-Star team this week and are the lynchpins for an offensive line that allowed a league-low 22 sacks. Flory is also the East Division nominee for the league's outstanding lineman award.
But Montreal's front line can do more than just pass block. The Als averaged 113 yards rushing per game, a decent figure considering the club's reliance on the passing game. Tailback Avon Cobourne is expected to return to the lineup after missing time down the stretch due to injury.
Earlier this season, Cobourne was threatening to become the first CFL player ever to amass 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. Injuries prevented that from happening but Cobourne still ran for 950 yards (6.6-yard average) and accumulated more than 600 yards receiving. He is certainly a double threat for the Als.
Running the football wasn't something Edmonton did well this year.
The Eskimos finished last in the CFL in rushing, averaging just 85 yards per game. A.J. Harris did run for two touchdowns but was the club's leading runner in its 29-21 East Division semifinal win over Winnipeg with just 33 yards on 13 carries. Calvin McCarty, the other tailback, finished with minus-two yards on just one carry.
Meanwhile, Ray finished 27-of-37 passing for 303 yards, with Campbell accumulating 111 yards on five receptions.
The numbers: Edmonton was 3-6 on the road during the regular season and 5-3 against East Division teams. Montreal was 7-2 at home but 3-5 versus Western competition.
Keys to the game: With weather not being a consideration, the emphasis will be on both defenses doing what they can to shut down the other's passing attack.
Montreal's defense was the CFL's second-toughest to score against, allowing just 23.5 points per game. But the Alouettes were ranked seventh against the pass, giving up 318 yards per game.
However, the Als were able to get pressure on the quarterback, finishing second in the CFL in sacks recorded with 43.
Edmonton was ranked third in the CFL against the pass, allowing 277 yards per game but sixth in rushing yards allowed, giving up 113 per game. However, the Eskimos did have 23 interceptions, leaving them tied for second overall.
And both defenses were pretty good when it came to forcing turnovers. Montreal was third in takeaways with 48, four more than Edmonton.
What's more, the two teams split the season series, with the home club winning each time. But Edmonton's victory came with the Als sitting a number of their starters. Even with this game being played indoors, Montreal would appear to have just a bit more firepower.
Sportsbook Betting Lines Predicted Outcome: Montreal 27, Edmonton 24.
BRITISH COLUMBIA LIONS (12-7) AT CALGARY STAMPEDERS (13-5)
DATE & TIME: Saturday, November 15th, 4:30 p.m. (et).
GAME NOTES: The Calgary Stampeders will look to do something that's pretty incredible: Beat the B.C. Lions for the fourth time this season.
The Stampeders swept the three meetings in the regular season, but will have to make it 4-for-4 to continue toward a Grey Cup title after B.C. advanced to the division final with an impressive 33-12 West Division semifinal win over Saskatchewan. The Lions forced seven turnovers in that game, including a 54- yard interception return for a touchdown by defensive back Ryan Phillips.
Then again, that was nothing new this year as the Lions were the CFL's best at pressuring the quarterback and forcing turnovers. They led the league in sacks (68), interceptions (27) and turnovers (60, including 24 fumble recoveries, another league high).
Defensive end Cameron Wake had a league-best 23 sacks this year, with tackle Aaron Hunt finished second overall with 11 sacks and end Brent Johnson being tied for third with 10. Safety Barron Miles was tied for the CFL lead in interceptions with nine.
But Calgary presents a big challenge for the Lions because of its offensive versatility. The Stampeders have the CFL's top receiver in Ken-Yon Rambo (100 catches, 1,473 yards, eight touchdowns), the leading rusher in Joffrey Reynolds (1,310 yards, 10 touchdowns) and the top scorer in kicker Sandro DeAngelis (217 points, good on 50-of-58 field goal tries).
But the man who makes the unit go is quarterback Henry Burris. Burris established career highs this year in yards passing (5,094) and touchdowns (39), and was also the league's top-rushing quarterback with 595 yards. That mobility will be key in this game because if Burris can escape the Lions' contain, he will have the time to look further downfield or simply take off and make plays with his legs.
Buck Pierce will get the start for B.C. but has been playing through an ankle injury. Pierce threw for 2,917 yards with 19 touchdowns and just nine interceptions despite the wonky ankle. If he aggravates the injury, then Jarious Jackson (2,008 yards, 17 touchdowns, 10 interceptions) will step into the quarterback role.
While Reynolds gets all the notoriety when it comes to the running game, B.C. counters with rookie Stefan Logan, who had 889 yards rushing this year with a solid 7.3-yard average per carry. Logan had 153 yards on 18 carries in the Lions' semifinal win over Saskatchewan.
The numbers: B.C. was 5-4 on the road during the regular season but 4-6 within the West Division. Calgary was 7-2 at home and 6-4 against division rivals.
Keys to the game: The Lions have to find a way to not only contain Burris but get pressure on him. Despite Burris' brilliant regular-season numbers, he has always struggled in the playoffs. Get to him early and maybe B.C. can force that doubt to creep back into Burris' mind.
But for all the publicity B.C.'s defense gets, it was Calgary's unit that was the CFL's toughest to score against, allowing just 21.5 points per game. The Stampeders will also be looking to get to Pierce and either force him to run on the bad wheel or at least throw the ball before he's settled.
However, the presence of both Logan and Reynolds means the defenses have to respect the other's running game, too.
Weather could also be a factor, with winds up to 15 miles an hour.
Both teams have a lot going for them heading into this game, but it's hard to imagine a team being able to beat a rival four times in the same season. The law of averages has to swing into B.C.'s favor some time, and here's figuring it does Saturday.
Sportsbook Betting Lines Predicted Outcome: B.C. 23, Calgary 21.
Last week's record: 1-1; Season record: 42-32.
<< Chelsea's Drogba charged with violent conduct
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chelsea striker Didier Drogba was charged
with violent conduct Friday by the Football Association for throwing an object
at Burnley fans during a mid-week Carling Cup match.
Drogba could yet face poli
<< Blues recall Woywitka
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Blues have recalled defenseman
Jeff Woywitka from Peoria of the American Hockey League.
Woywitka has played in 87 NHL games, all with St. Louis, and has registered
three goals with 14 assi
<< Second-ranked Huskies open up in Storrs against Catamounts
Storrs, CT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The second-ranked Connecticut Huskies begin
their quest for a national championship tonight, as they welcome the Western
Carolina Catamounts to Gampel Pavilion for a non-league showdown.
The Huskies once again w
<< Rockets begin season against 19th-ranked Gators
Gainesville, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 19th-ranked Florida Gators open the
2008-09 season this evening as they welcome the Toledo Rockets to Gainesville
as part of the O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic.
Gene Cross enters his first season as th
Roma's De Rossi fractures wrist in training >>
Rome, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi is major doubt
for Sunday's Rome derby after fracturing his wrist during training on Thursday.
The Italy international was expected to be the heartbeat of Luciano Spalletti's
m
Els, Dyson lead suspended Singapore Open >>
Singapore (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ernie Els and Simon Dyson held a share of the
lead Friday when the second round of the Singapore Open was suspended due to a
lightning storm.
Els completed his first round in the morning -- play was also
Van Nistelrooy pledges to return from injury >>
Madrid, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is
confident he will be able to return to action after his latest serious knee
injury.
The 32-year-old Dutchman has been ruled out for the rest of the season
Oilers place Smid on IR >>
Edmonton, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Edmonton Oilers have placed defenseman
Ladislav Smid on injured reserve because of a concussion.
Smid was hurt during a November 5 game against Columbus and has missed the
last four games. He has t
Recently I had an email debate with an angry reader who said I did not understand "the science of oddsmaking", as he called it.
He said I was wrong for suggesting oddsmakers care about who wins or loses games.
"Oddsmakers only care about splitting the betting public 50/50 on both sides of the line and keeping the commission (a.k.a. juice)," he wrote.
He might have been right about not understanding "the science of oddsmaking". After all, I'm not an oddsmaker. That said, I stick to my assertion that oddsmakers (a.k.a. sportbooks) often do care about who wins games.
Granted, as a general rule, sportsbooks try to balance their action so that they're not exposed to big losses. However, there are times when this is difficult to pull off, regardless of how much a line has moved. There are also times when that general rule is ignored and a book pursues risk.
Generally speaking, it's safe to say the books in Vegas are risk-adverse. Unlike in the past when the wise guys ruled the town, Vegas is now corporate and the goal of most casinos is to make as much money as possible with as little risk as possible.
Thus, Vegas sportsbooks try everything in their power to balance the action. They're satisfied simply collecting the juice. But these profits are small, especially compared to the take from other casino games, namely slot machines.
Because the profits at Vegas sportsbooks are so small, you could argue that many casinos operate sportsbooks simply as a novelty to keep the tourists happy.
With a growing aversion to risk, it should come as no surprise that Vegas bookmakers have been panicking this NFL season.
Despite huge pointspreads, a disproportionate percentage of bettors are still laying their money on favorites like the Eagles, Colts, Pats and Vikings rather than the dogs (a common trend for the largely recreational bettors that visit Vegas).
And much to the dismay of the books, those favorites are finding ways to cover the thick chalk. In fact, prior to Week 7, the four teams listed above are a combined 16-2-2 (88 percent) against the spread. (The tables turned dramatically in Week 7, but more on that later.)
The result has been an early-season beating for the books, and a bonanza for bettors.
While Vegas increasingly hates risk, it's no longer a major player in the sports betting world. Most of the betting action now takes place offshore where sportsbooks are not as obsessed about balance. In fact, some books encourage exposure to risk because the rewards can be so much bigger.
Consider MySportsbook.com. On its website, the book has odds pages which actually display the amount of action it's getting on games. In other words, you can see how much action the book is taking on both sides of a pointspread, moneyline or over/under.
One look at these numbers and it's obvious MySportsbook.com does not balance every game. In fact, far from it.
Take last weekend's matchup between St. Louis and Miami. By game time on Sunday, 83 percent of the betting action at MySportsbook.com was on the Rams; only 17 percent was on Miami.
What's interesting is that MySportsbook.com opened the pointspread with Miami at +6 1/2. By game time, the spread had lowered to +5.
That goes contrary to the balancing theory. If MySportsbook.com had wanted to balance the action, it would have given Miami more points; instead, it took away 1 1/2. World Series odds are now up as well.
MySportsbook.com exposed itself to even more to risk, and rolled the dice on the underdog Dolphins. Why? I contacted a representative with the book to find out. His answer was simple.
"The line moved early based on 'smart money' from sharp players," said Jeff Gilroy, a spokesperson for the book. "We also knew from early in the week that we would need Miami, therefore (we dropped) the spread to encourage Rams money.
"At the end of the day, we liked the home team."
So the conclusion is this: MySportsbook.com respected the sharp action, and gambled that the sharp bettors had a better take on the game than the recreational bettors, who were hammering the visiting Rams.
In the end, the gamble paid off. Miami, desperate for a win in front of its home fans, pounded the overrated Rams, who are terrible on the road and even worse on grass. Final score: 31-14 Fish.
MySportsbook.com was also heavily exposed on numerous favorites in Week 7, including Philadelphia, Seattle and Denver. All three failed to cover.
The fact that sportsbooks are exposed to risk on certain games is really nothing new. The fact, that Sportsbook.com is willing to show the public where it's exposed is intriguing.
Armed with this type of information, bettors can make more educated wagers. They can get an idea where the sharp money is going and conversely where the public money is headed.
MySportsbook.com is opening up its cashbox, letting bettors look inside and challenging them to take their best shot at grabbing the cash.
To visit this online football betting got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting odds needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Two playoff teams from 2007 take center stage on the NFL Network Sunday night in a Week 2 NFL betting match-up when the (0-1) New England Patriots betting head south to Florida for a contest with the (1-0) Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
New England HC Bill Belichick couldn’t care less about the way his team plays in the preseason. With a chance to tie last week’s game with the Baltimore Ravens betting, He elected to go for the two-point conversion and outright victory. The conversion failed, and the Pats ended up falling to the Ravens by a 16-15 final count.
New England rolled off twelve unanswered points to give it a chance at securing the victory, but it never threatened to cover the 3.5-point spread. NFL bettors saw this one coming, as they bet the Ravens down from +6 to +3.5 as the week progressed. QB Tom Brady didn’t take part in the Patriots first preseason clash, but could see action this weekend.
His three replacements all put up embarrassing numbers. They went a combined 17 for 33, and threw three interceptions and no touchdowns. The New England defense was encouraging, as they held the Ravens to 2/12 third down conversions and surrendered just ten first downs. That ‘D’ should be bolstered with the addition of former Bucs and Denver Broncos betting safety John Lynch, who could make his Patriots debut on Sunday against his former mates.
HC Jon Gruden had to be impressed with the way his Bucs played on both sides of the ball in their dominating 17-6 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 1’s NFL pre-season betting action. Bucs bettors were quite happy with the effort, as they made a mockery of the fact that they were underdogs in the game.
The logjam at the quarterback position didn’t get any easier to separate for Gruden, as all four of his QBs had positive experiences in the first exhibition of 2008. The four combined to complete 28 of their 40 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown, and that was without starting QB Jeff Garcia in the lineup.
RB Michael Bennett had 19 carries and four receptions, totaling 90 yards and a touchdown. Expect to see more of Bennett, Kenneth Darby, and Earnest Graham, as they all compete for playing time with Warrick Dunn in the backfield this season. Defensively, the Bucs recorded four sacks and held the Fins offense in check all day.
First round draft pick Aqib Talib was impressive in the secondary, recording a tackle and two pass defenses in his debut. Don’t be surprised to see Talib in the starting lineup opposite Ronde Barber for the Bucs in ’08.
The betting trends suggest that NFL bettors should be backing the Bucs in this intra-conference exhibition.
These two teams hooked up last year in Tampa Bay, with the Bucs winning that game 13-10. The Buccaneers have only lost one preseason game at home dating back to the beginning of the ’05 preseason. The Patriots have had a mixed bag of results in their recent exhibitions. They have gone 2-2 ATS and SU each of the last three years.
New England currently sits as modest 1-point favorites in this preseason showdown with the ‘total’ now sitting at 34.5.
You can find these lines and all of the NFL betting lines , so be sure to login and get your wagers down before kickoff!
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting lines .
To visit this sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs. Mysportsbook.com online sports betting
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