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10/23/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - On Sunday night the Denver Broncos faced one of the most unenviable situations in football: two weeks removed from the franchise's most disgraceful regular season home loss in recent memory, the Broncos went into a nationally televised primetime matchup knowing that at 2-3 they were as close to a must-win situation as a club can be prior to Halloween. Needing a win to snap a three-game losing skid and stay near the top of the AFC West, Denver --- armed with a front seven that, in the first five games, couldn't have stopped the run if had it been a front twelve --- squared off against a 4-1 Steeler team that seemed to be their foil in every which way. Pittsburgh --- which, like Denver, was coming off a bye --- entered the game with its typical ber effective rushing attack and suffocating defense. What's more, the Steelers had just gotten stars Hines Ward, Troy Polamalu, and Casey Hampton back healthy.
The Broncos, on the other hand, had just learned that leading receiver Javon Walker would be out for an extended period after undergoing a minor operation on his already surgically-repaired right knee. Earlier in the week they had placed the thought-to-be indestructible center Tom Nalen on injured reserve (biceps). And shortly before kickoff, it was determined that Champ Bailey's injured quad would need at least another week to fully heal (the low-30 degree game time temperature in the Mile High city didn't help his cause).
Yet with a bounty of factors working against them, the Broncos rode their young quarterback, Jay Cutler, on offense, rediscovered their intensity on defense, and relied upon their old sharpshooter, kicker Jason Elam, on special teams. The result was an unlikely 31-28 victory.
"Everybody was going into this game knowing it was a must win," said tight end Tony Scheffler, who caught five passes for 50 yards and a touchdown, and finally appeared to be fully recovered from a broken foot. "It wasn't talked about that much but if we go 2-4 with the rest of the AFC playing well...it was a must win."
Cutler's three touchdown strikes were the difference in Sunday's game, though his two interceptions could have easily garnered the same statement.
Fortunately for Denver, the defense elevated its play, forcing three turnovers of its own (one of which was a fumble recovery run back for a score by rookie Tim Crowder) and limiting Willie Parker to a tolerable 93 yards on the ground.
"Today we did an excellent job of containing Willie Parker. He had no explosive runs over 40 yards like we had against the Chargers," said cornerback Dre' Bly, who, like the rest of the Broncos, acknowledged that the defense still gave up more big plays than preferred.
Overall, the Broncos were solid because they committed to more eight-man fronts and got more big plays out of their defensive ends, particularly Crowder, Elvis Dumervil, and John Engelberger.
Still, Denver surrendered 14 points in the fourth quarter, which is why it took the usual game-winning drive from Cutler and game-winning field goal from Jason Elam for this team to win (such has been the scenario in all three of the Broncos' victories this season).
"That's what you want out of a quarterback -- you want a quarterback that's going to go out there and make some plays, and do what he did today: find a way to win," said Mike Shanahan of Jay Cutler. "Especially when they got the ball back for the last couple of drives, began controlling the tempo of the game and making a bunch of third downs. He kept his composure and made the plays he had to make."
And as for the estimable Elam, who kicked his 11th career walk-off field goal (this one being the longest, 49 yards), Shanahan remarked "That's why he's been in the league for so many years --- because he can do that."
WHO'S HOT
With top receiver Javon Walker out for at least a month --- and possibly the season --- up-and-coming wideout Brandon Marshall needs to step up and become the clear-cut No. 1 option in this offense. On Sunday night, Marshall did just that, catching a team-high six passes for 77 yards.
WHO'S NOT
Defensive end Simeon Rice was inactive for the second straight game Sunday night despite being fully healthy. The veteran sack artist is none too pleased with his role on the team, though given his performance early in the season, and the improved play of Denver's younger defensive linemen, don't expect much to change any time soon.
NEXT UP
The Broncos will remain in the primetime spotlight next week when they host the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. Expect the atmosphere in Denver to be electric that night. There is a strong likelihood that the Rockies will be hosting the Red Sox next door in Game 5 of the World Series.
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Visit Andy Benoit at www.benoitmedia.com
<< Thanks to Defense, Chiefs Sit Atop AFC West
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Considered to be among the riffraff of the NFL early in the
season, the 4-3 Kansas City Chiefs can now be thought of as one of the better
teams in the game. At least defensively.
After a 12-10 win at Oakland, Herman Edward
<< Things get worse in Miami
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Apparently things can get worse for the Miami Dolphins this
season.
As if a 49-28 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday, an 0-7 record and a
franchise-worst 10-game losing streak aren't enough, it was learned on Monda
<< Raiders Back In Familiar Territory
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It just feels right, doesn't it? Seeing the Oakland Raiders
in last place, that is. After a 2-2 start, the long-struggling Raiders were
sailing through the AFC West, jovially raising their wooden mugs and throwing
their bicor
<< Mistakes Haunt Bucs In Detroit Loss
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Four mistakes. Two on offense, two on special teams. That
was the story of Tampa Bay's 23-16 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, a
defeat that dropped the Buccaneers (4-3) a half-game back of idle Carolina in
the NFC South.
Rockford's Byfuglien wins AHL Player of the Week honors >>
Springfield, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The American Hockey League announced today
that Rockford IceHogs defenseman Dustin Byfuglien has been named the Rbk/AHL
Player of the Week for the period ending October 21, 2007. Byfuglien recorded
one goal, f
T-Jack's Dallas disaster sets Vikings back >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Adrian Peterson was the National Football League's leading
rusher entering last Sunday's game in Dallas. And, it was a homecoming of
sorts for the star rookie, who grew up about 90 minutes east of Texas Stadium
in Palestine a
Bush powers Saints to second straight victory >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After starting the season 0-4, the New Orleans Saints are
treating every game like a must-win.
That's just fine for Reggie Bush, who ran for 54 yards and added five
receptions for 19 yards and the game's biggest score as N
Falcons place OT Foster on injured reserve >>
Flowery Branch, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Falcons placed offensive
tackle Renardo Foster on injured reserve Tuesday.
Foster, an undrafted rookie free agent from Louisville, tore the anterior
cruciate ligament in his left kn
NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.
Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.
There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.
Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.
Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.
The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.
To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.
Albert Pujols to be This Year's Home Run Champ Says Online Sportsbook
Barry Bonds is a 50-1 long shot to be this year's home run champ odds. The favorite to be this year's home run champ is none other than Albert Pujols, however.
Now that Barry Bonds is signed and in Giants camp, it is on to his pursuit of all of sports most prestigious records: the all-time home run mark. Bonds sits just 21 homers shy of tying Hank Aaron for the career mark at 755. Word out of Giants’ camp is that Bonds is the healthiest he has been in a few years. Bonds is just two seasons removed from his injury riddled 2005 campaign where he played in only 14 games and hit only 5 home runs. He did come back last year and had a solid season hitting .270 with 26 bombs. All eyes will be on Bonds this spring and summer not only because of his home run chase but his highly publicized steroid abuse allegations. If and when Bonds breaks the record, he surely will not get the positive attention one should for breaking a record that was once thought of as “unbreakable”. Despite Bonds decent season last year, he is just 50-1 at MySportsbook.com to lead the MLB in long balls this season.
Not surprisingly, the favorites to go deep the most times this season are Albert Pujols 5-1, Ryan Howard 6-1, David Ortiz 8-1 and Alex Rodriguez 12-1. With 49 homers, Pujols finished second in the National League behind Howard (58). Pujols is considered the favorite due to the consistent power numbers that he has posted since breaking into the league in 2001. Also one must consider the fact that he played in 16 fewer games then Howard did due to an injury. Howard smashed 58 homers in his first complete season of big league play en route to the National League MVP odds award. He silenced his critics by successfully hitting left-handed pitching. Howard also displayed the ability to use his power to the opposite field. Two attributes which should keep Howard amongst the league leaders in long balls for years to come. From the American League representatives, David Ortiz leads the field. Ortiz was second in the majors last year with 54 home runs. Except for 1999 when he only played in 10 games, Ortiz has improved on his home run numbers each year he has been in the majors (1997).
Be sure to log onto online sports betting site MySportsbook.com to check out the odds for who will lead the MLB in home runs this season. Below is just a sample of the players listed. With the highest credit card rates in the industry, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on baseball this summer.
World Series odds
Adam Dunn 15-1
Albert Pujols 5-1
Alex Rodriguez 12-1
Alfonso Soriano 15-1
Andruw Jones 25-1
Barry Bonds 50-1
Carlos Delgado 40-1
David Ortiz 8-1
Jermaine Dye 40-1
Ken Griffey Jr. 100-1
Lance Berkman 40-1
Manny Ramirez 20-1
Richie Sexson 40-1
Ryan Howard 6-1
Travis Hafner 20-1
Vladimir Guerrero 40-1
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
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