One of the newest Bowl competitions comes out to party on December 28th when the Rockets take on the Falcons in Washington D.C. at the Military Bowl. The game takes place in RFK Stadium and has been a fixture in December since 2008. The sports book usually has its eyes on the prize with Toledo at -3 and the over/under at 70.
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Toledo goes into action with an 8-4 total record and they lead the standings in the MAC West Division with a 7-1 record. The Rockets are 11th in total offense in the nation with a reasonably balanced run and pass attack. Toledo is losing in two competitions vs rated foes this year. Toledo finds themselves not just in a lame duck situation for a head coach, but in this case the duck already flew the coop. Tim Beckman has already left the squad in spite of just being hired by Illinois on December 9th. Offensive Coordinator Matt Campbell was at first promoted as Beckman’s replacement on an interim basis, but that jumped quite swiftly in the last handful of days following rumblings from Beckman to perhaps sway Campbell to join him in Urbana-Champaign were announced. Campbell’s promotion is now permanent and his trial by fire will be in Military Bowl.
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Air Force flies into play with a 7-5 total record and a discouraging 3-4 record in the MWC. Head coach Troy Calhoun is in his fifth year with an total record of 34-18. Their offense packs a wallop, putting up 458.8 total offense yards per game, which is great enough for 21st in the nation. The real meat and potatoes of the Air Force offense lies in the ground game, the Falcons average 320.3 rushing yards a game. Air Force is led by senior Qb Tim Jefferson Jr and he’s backed up in the backfield by senior RB Asher Clark. Clark is furthermore helped by junior FB Mike DeWitt and senior Wide receiver Zack Kauth is always a danger on 3rd down.
In the 1980′s and 1990′s, these 2 teams would have been a lock for a Fiesta Bowl or another BCS-type game but the BCS system was not in place in those days. These 2 teams can still put on one heck of a show despite the fact that players and systems may alter over the years. The Seminoles take on the Fighting Irish in the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando on December 29th. We have Jimbo Fisher versus Brian Kelly rather than Bobby Bowden versus Lou Holtz in what is sure to be an excellent game. The sports book appears to agree with Florida State at -3 and the over/under at 47.
College football odds
The Seminoles come into the Citrus Bowl with an 8-4 in total record and a 5-3 record in the ACC Atlantic Division. As mentioned, Jimbo Fisher is the future heir of Bobby Bowden and Fisher’s record currently sits at a decent 18-8 following 2 full seasons. FSU’s offense averages 31.7 ppg and the defense locked down rival teams, just permitting 15.2 ppg which ranks 4th in the nation. FSU’s passing game is managed by junior Quarterback E.J. Manuel.
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Averaging 30.5 ppg on offense and 20.9 ppg on defense, Notre Dame come into play with an 8-4 record as an independent. Brian Kelly is trying to strengthen on his legacy and the major successes than he’s experienced in Cincinnati and Grand Valley State.
Sophomore Quarterback Tommy Rees is at the lead of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Notre Dame reveals a bruising running game with the tandem of junior RB Cierre Wood and senior RB Jonas Gray. Junior WR Michael Floyd ranks 8th in the nation with 95 receptions, with shades of Irish legend Raghib Ismail. Junior TE Tyler Eifert is a effective and reliable 2nd option for Rees.
San Diego, California sets the stage when the Golden Bears take on the #24 ranked Longhorns on December 28th at the Holiday Bowl. These 2 squads who are evenly matched will slug it out and Qualcomm Stadium will be jumping. The Holiday Bowl has been a San Diego custom since 1978 and this year’s game looks to be a classic. The sportsbook has the line at Texas -3, with the over/under at 47 ½.
NFL odds
California is directed by junior Quarterback Zach Maynard and led in the backfield by junior RB Isi Sofele. The Golden Bear receiving corps is in great hands with sophomore Wide receiver Keenan Allen who rates 11th in the nation with 89 receptions. Senior Wide receiver Marvin Jones is a good alternative to double squads on Allen.
College football betting
The Longhorns enter into San Diego with the exact same 7-5 in total record and a frustrating 4-5 record in the Big 12. These are very bad numbers indeed for a coach of Mack Brown’s stature. Brown is in his 14th year in Austin, obtaining an impressive record of 140-36. Texas has also identical numbers in the points department, averaging 28.7 on offense and 23.3 on defense. The fact that the Horns come into play still ranked 24th on the polls whilst losing all four of their matches versus ranked opponents speaks volumes about the esteem of the Longhorns and the strength of the Big 12.
A youthful squad still coming to grips with the Brown program may explain the down year that the Longhorns have seasoned this year. Sophomore Quarterback Case McCoy and freshman Quarterback David Ash have both taken snaps this year in charge. Freshman RB Malcolm Brown has been the workhorse in the backfield whilst sophomore Wide receiver Mike Davis and freshman Wide receiver Jason Shipley have turned in remarkable performances over the year.
The match of the week in pro football is the Monday night event where the Falcons travel to play the New orleans saints in an legendary match up of division competitors. Both squads have a lot to play for in this one along with their basic hatred for each other although the Atlanta Falcons have little potential for catching the New orleans saints for the division crown.
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Inspiration
At 11-3, the New orleans saints have outpaced the 9-5 Atlanta Falcons to the point where the New orleans saints more or less have things concluded. But it would still be a good game even if the squads were losing. Fortunately, both squads are winning a lot and are actually highly enthusiastic for this one due to the fact of the playoff ramifications. The Atlanta Falcons are in great position in the wild card race, but they need to wrap it up. A win more or less does that. The New orleans saints, in turn, are trying to overtake the 49ers for the second seed in the NFC, a seed that would allow them a home game vs every team in the playoffs except the Packers.
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Streaking
Both squads come into the game streaking. The New orleans saints have taken 6 straight and the Atlanta Falcons have won 4 of 5. The defenses have proven vast improvement and the offenses of both squads are clicking. The question is, how do you determine who will win this match? The answer is uncomplicated. Pro football is established up as a quarterback league which will determine this match.
The New orleans saints have the god-like Drew Brees though the Atlanta Falcons have a pretty excellent quarterback in Matt Ryan. Brees should break Dan Marino’s record for yards in a season in this match, a record handful of thought may very well be broken. Ryan will give the New orleans saints all they’re able to handle, but Brees and the New orleans saints are not going to be beaten in New Orleans on a nationally telecasted Monday Night game. Sportsbooks have made the New orleans saints a 6.5 point fave. That seems just about appropriate.
If you’re an Nfl lover, this should be a solid contest to watch. In week 15 the Rams tumbled to the Bengals 20-13. On Monday the Steelers played like they were in the dark at Candlestick Park. They tumbled to San Francisco 20-3 simply managing a field goal in the 3rd quarter.
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Week 16 won’t be significant to the Rams year. It’ll be a different story for the Steelers. They’ve secured the playoffs, however they’re going to be battling to attain a greater seeding in the playoffs. In no way can they let up, as the Rams will have nothing to lose coming into this game. Squads that have nothing to lose usually play loose and come up with a big game.
Super Bowl betting
Injuries
could also play a part in this game. The Steelers qb Ben Roethlisberger is playing on an injured ankle. This might unquestionably impact his mobility. Seven participants were regarded as out or questionable as of December 17, 2011. Roethlisberger played Monday evening. It might have been a big threat for the Steelers. If he re-injures the ankle he may not make the playoffs. One of their best defensive participants Troy Polamalu is working with a hamstring muscle injury. If the hamstring is re-injured and he has to sit out, there will be a big hole in the defense. Therefore, there are many participants they should sit out for rest if the Steelers build a large lead against the Rams.
The sports books in this game just can’t keep the number still. They’ve ranged from St. Louis +7, Pittsburgh -7 up to St. Louis +16, Pittsburgh -16. So if you want to get some action on this specific game wait a little while longer and then find some great prospects. It should be an exceptional game.
Week 15 was the week of the enormous upsets in pro football and that means Week 16 is all about payback. This is unfortunate for the Chicago Bears who travel to Green Bay to play an humiliated Packers.
NFL odds
Packers Motivated
In among the greatest upsets of the last 10 years, the Packers saw their run to an ideal season ended when they lost in Kansas City to a Chiefs squad that was so bad it had already let go of its head coach. Now folks are saying the Chiefs put up a blueprint of how to defeat them as the Packers performed poorly on offense.
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Chicago Bears Declawed
Then we have the Chicago Bears. One time headed for the playoffs, the loss of quarterback Jay Cutler and the stud running back Matt Forte has rendered this squad impotent on offense. The Chicago Bears, sadly, have no one to replace backup quarterback Calib Hanie with. After suffering a back injury, wide receiver Johnny Knox is now out too.
Rivalry
Will there be any hope for the Chicago Bears in this match? Well, they still have a quite solid defense. The Packers are having offensive line problems and the Chicago Bears defensive line can get following the quarterback. The Chiefs took advantage of this, but one has to think the Packers will build a game plan that keeps in tight ends and running backs to help block.
I think the sportsbooks are being kind to have posted Green Bay as a 12 point fave. The Chicago Bears playoff desires are long gone as they are on a four game losing streak. While they are going to play for pride, you just know the Packers are going to emerge looking to make a point that their loss in Kansas City was an aberration and not a sign they might be defeated. Watch for this one to get unsightly early.
Week 16 of football season sees the Dolphins travel to New England to play the
New England Patriots. A resurgent Miami Dolphins squad will almost certainly give the New England Patriots all they want and more in this match, although a couple of weeks ago, this would’ve
looked like a snoozer of a game.
Football betting
Self-confident Teams
The Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots come into this match with a lot of
confidence. The New England Patriots are on the annual playoff run and are seeking to secure the number 1 seed in the AFC, which will give them home field
edge throughout the playoffs. The Miami Dolphins have turned things around
with a 5-2 run following they started the season with 7 straight losses.
Sportsbook
Game
The New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins in fact met in Miami in the first game of the 2011
season. New England won 38-24 in a game that wasn’t that close and Tom Brady threw for more than 500 yards. Don’t anticipate a repeat of that game. The squads come into this
match having advanced substantially over the prior sixteen weeks. Even though few realize it because of their record, the
Miami Dolphins defense has become among the best in the league. In turn, the
New England Patriots defense has become among the worst even though it has
improved a bit in the last couple of games.
On offense, the New England Patriots are still deadly. Tom Brady is competing like, well, Tom Brady. Nobody will shut down the New England Patriots, but the Dolphins defense is excellent enough to slow them down. This may very well be just
enough for the Miami Dolphins offense, which has been showing considerable
life in the last half of the season having won more than 30 points in four of their last
6 matches.
Will it be sufficient for the Miami Dolphins to pull the upset? Having posted New England as a 9.5 point fave,
the odds makers don’t manage to think so. In my
opinion, I favor the Miami Dolphins in this one and definitely to cover the spread.
Week 15 Monday Night Football is an awesome match up that will finish off a quality week of football. This match is between two playoff-bound teams that seem to be evenly matched.
College football odds
After going 9-1 in their first 10 matches this season, the san francisco 49ers have gone 1-2 in their last 3 matches. A week ago they lost a close game to a below average Cardinal squad and need to create some momentum in the last 3 matches of the season to set up themselves as one of the teams to defeat. Their last two matches will be against teams with weak records, so a victory on Monday night will help them get a bye in the first round of the playoffs. They have already secured their division and are contending with the New orleans saints for the 2nd top record in the NFC. The home crowd in San Fran will be in full support for their squad in this country wide aired game.
College football betting
The Steelers are 10-3 and have won their last 4 matches. They’re in a tie for first place in the North division with the Ravens. And together with the Texans and Patriots, they are in a 4 way tie for the top record in the AFC. There’s a great deal riding on this game for the Steelers. A possible bye in the first round along with home field edge in the playoffs. The Steelers will be attempting to finish the season strong as they have a lot of playoff knowledge and know the value of momentum.
As both teams are evenly matched in several categories, this is a hard game to analyze. Nonetheless the current performances of the Steelers have been better than the san francisco 49ers and this writer would offer Pittsburgh the edge. The starting line at the Internet sportsbook is -1. The Steelers could offer more benefit though this is near to being a coin flip.
This is probably not the most interesting match up of week 15 unless you’re a Tennessee Titans fan. The Tennessee titans are 7-6 and still in the playoff hunt. In the AFC they’re even with the Oakland raiders and the Bengals. All three teams are a match behind the Jets for the 2nd wild card placement. The Tennessee Titans have to win their last three matches of the year and hope the Bengals, Raiders, and Jets fall short. As the Colts have yet to win a match this year, Sunday’s game against the Colts appears to be an effortless one. Titan supporters can feel self-confident that their squad’s playoff hopes will be alive this time around next week when you add to this the reality that the Tennessee Titans beat the Colts effortlessly last October.
Football betting
The Indianapolis colts have been beyond disappointing this year. Even with Peyton Manning out for the year, most football supporters expected more from the team. They are presently rated last in defense versus scoring and their offense is rated close to the bottom. Their youthful quarterback, Curtis Painter, has demonstrated some ability, but after 13 matches, it has become evident that the indianapolis colts have more problems than lacking their starting quarterback.
College football odds
The question as to who will win this match has an clear answer; the Colts are most probably to be 0-14 on Monday morning. However the better question concerns the spread and whether it’s a good bet. The horrible Colts against the above average Tennessee Titans. The opening line was Tennessee Titans -6.5. At the time of this article, this number is still holding at -6.5 at the online odds makers. Although the Tennessee Titans are on the road, the Colts have no home field advantage having lost 13 matches consecutive this year. The Tennessee Titans will likely cover the spread, however the bet is totally for the Titan supporters.
Shifting into week 15 of pro football season the Chicago Bears are 7-6 and on paper, have a possibility to make the playoffs. The two squads that are presently the wild-card choices for the playoffs are the Falcons at 9-5 and the Detroit Lions at 8-5. They are just one game away from a wild-card. But they will need to win their last three games of the season and pray the Falcons or the Lions lose. The Cowboys and New York Giants are other squads that are 7-6. But they play each other in the last game of the season and the loser will have at least 7 losses.
Sports betting
The Chicago Bears have lost both their starting quarterback and their greatest running back, which is the bad news for them. Caleb Hanie has started for Jay Cutler at the quarterback position in the last three games and the squad has lost all three games. Forte has been injured since the 1st week of December and the latest news is that the Chicago Bears wide receiver, Sam Hurd, is currently in jail on drug charges. In the past three weeks this squad has been gutted, and what’s remaining is the equivalent of a squad that can’t win just one game.
College football odds
Seattle, for their part, has played excellent recent football. In total they’re 6-7, however they have won their last four out of 5 games. With the Chicago Bears in the shape they’re in, Seattle ought to be the fave, although versus a well Bear squad, the Seahawks would be competitive.
The starting line was Chicago Bears -4.5. It has since moved to -3.5 at the internet sports book. A wager on the long shot could be in order if the spread holds. Chicago Bears supporters will be longing for a victory, however the Seahawks are excellent enough to effortlessly eliminate a hurt Bear squad.
