Okay, so who are you betting this week in the NFL playoffs?
Arizona Cardinals (11-6) at New Orleans Saints (13-3). The odds at most sportsbooks are the Saints -7. Obviously the Saints would be favored here. The public loves them, they’re at home, and they’re really F-ing good. The Cardinals also got lucky last week, winning in overtime. That game could have gone either way. Also teams that lose the Super Bowl the year before really perform well the next year. Arizona seems to be bucking that trend, but I would not expect to see them in Miami Florida this year, home of Super Bowl XVIV 2010.
Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts. Joe Flacco and the Ravens travel to Indianapolis to take on Payton Manning (Super Bowl MVP) and the Colts (who won the Super Bowl the last time it was in Miami). Right now, the line can vary between sports books. If you like the Colts, you can bet them -6 at a few places. If you like Balimore, you can get them at +7 a few place. I think that this is a better match up than the line shows. Of course, I’m not sure that I can bet agianst the Colts, but if I do make a bet on this game, it’ll probably be on the Baltimore Ravens plus 7. I might also bet the total, and I’m leaning toward the over. Ray Rice is sick and Joseph Iddai can still run, but I expect these teams to throw more than usual today.
On to Sunday’s games –
Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings. I actually really like Tony Romo and crew against old man Brett Farve and Adrian Petterson this weekend. The Cowboys are current getting 3 points (+3), and they looked great last weekend. I remember a lot of people were picking them to win the Super Bowl this preseason, and they are now on their way. Miles Austin and Roy Williams make a good pair of wide outs, and Romo is passing well. Both teams have tough defesnes, but I see Dallas edging out the Vikings here. Of course Minnesota has had an extra week to prepare, so that should also weigh in on your thought process before placing a bet. Anyway, my money will be on Dallas, and I might also bet on the over (because betting the over is more fun).
The second game on Sunday…
New York Jets at San Diego Chargers. Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez is going up against Philip Rivers and rest on the Charges. This is an interesting game in that both teams have great running games (and based on that fact alone, I’m considering betting on the under). The Jets have a good pair of running backs in Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene. Rex Ryan’s team also has the best shut down corner in the league with Darrelle Revis. (I don’t see Philip Rivers throwing too much.) The Charges also have a great pair of running backs in LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles. Of course LT should get most of the carries. The odds at most sportsbooks is the Charges -7 over the Jets. The spread actually opened at 9, and all the sharp betters (the guys with a lot of miney whobet early in the week) jumoed all over the Jets. Las Vegas actually had to move the line from 9 to 8.5 to 8 to 7.5 to 7 before they finally started getting even action. Based on that, it seems like the Jets might make a good bet. I also mentioned that I was thinking of betting the under, but a friend just called me and told me one of the best handicappers in the business is pciking the over as the play, so I wouldn’t just follow me (or him), but think about this game and pick the best total bet for you.
On a side note, I would love to see the Jets in the Super Bowl. I think the rookie quarterback and great defense would make a great story. I think people would really turn in to watch the big game, especially if it was against Dallas. New York vs Dallas. That’s who I want to see in the 2010 Super Bowl!
If you want to make a Super Bowl bet now, these are the current odds on teams to win the NFL Super Bowl at Bodog Sportsbook.
Odds to win the 2010 Super Bowl XLIV
Arizona Cardinals 14/1
Baltimore Ravens 12/1
Dallas Cowboys 6/1
Indianapolis Colts 3/1
Minnesota Vikings 6/1
New Orleans Saints 4/1
New York Jets 14/1
San Diego Chargers 10/3
Thanks for stopping by Bet the NFL Super Bowl, and good luck this weekend!
