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Below is a listing of articles appearing on Doc’s site sorted by date.

Week 17 NFL Betting Causes Handicappers Serious Headaches
by Trevor Whenham - 12/30/2009

Betting on the NFL in Week 17 is, for the most part, a fool's game. I don't want to suggest that you shouldn't bet on the last week of the football regular season (though I usually don't), but if you approach this week with strategies that you use to handicap the rest of the weeks of the season then you are doomed for failure.
Read more about Week 17 NFL Betting.

AFC Playoff Picture
by Trevor Whenham - 12/29/2009

It's a wild and crazy playoff picture in the AFC heading into week 17. The playoff teams in the NFC are all set, and it's just a matter of jockeying for position. In the AFC, though, only the four division winners are set. The two wild card spots are wide open, and seven teams still have a shot at those spots. Here's a look at each team and what they need to do to play more than one game in January.
Read more about AFC Playoff Picture.

AFC Playoff Scenarios
by Max Powers - 12/28/2009

Entering the final week of the 2009 NFL regular season, seven teams have a chance to grab the final two sports in the AFC. The two teams that can control their own destiny are the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets. Both of these teams will be heavy favorites against weak opponents (Oakland) or teams with nothing to play for (Cincinnati).
Read more about AFC Playoff Scenarios.

NFL Free Prop Predictions - Week 16
by Jay Horne - 12/25/2009

Merry Christmas to everyone enjoying the holidays this week. After everyone finishes wrapping presents on Christmas Day, Week 16 in the NFL will kick off with the San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans in a Friday night special.
Read more about NFL Free Prop Predictions.

NFL Betting: Big Underdogs Still Barking Late in Season
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 12/24/2009

The dreaded two-touchdown NFL underdog; there always seems to be a few of them here and there early in the season but as the NFL regular season winds down, the point spreads begin to wind up in a lot of these scenarios.
Read more about Big NFL Underdogs.

NFL Handicapping: Time to Jump Ship on Vikings?
by Trevor Whenham - 12/23/2009

The honeymoon appears to be over in Minnesota. After Week 12 of the season Minnesota was at 10-1, there was talk of them possibly catching the Saints and earning the top seed throughout the playoffs, and Brett Favre was a legitimate MVP candidate. Now they have lost two of their last three, the offense is struggling, and their bickering has hit the front pages.
Read more about Vikings Struggles.

NFL Free Prop Predictions - Week 15
by Jay Horne - 12/18/2009

We kicked off the month of December with a bang last week posting a perfect 3-0 mark in our weekly prop bets action. After taking Week 13 off, we hit on a couple of winners and look to stay hot with just three weeks left in the regular season. There are a ton of big games this week, including a Saturday night special as the Dallas Cowboys try to foil the December slump and take down the undefeated New Orleans Saints.
Read more about Free NFL Props Predictions.

NFL MVP Predictions
by Trevor Whenham - 12/17/2009

The NFL MVP race this year is an interesting one. It's a close race with several possible winners still in the mix, but some of the guys who were expected to be serious challengers really aren't. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady were preseason co-favorites at +425. Manning is still at or near the top of the pile and could very easily win it, but Brady has long since dropped out of any serious contention.
Read more about NFL MVP Predictions.

AFC Playoff Picture: In and Out
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 12/17/2009

Unlike the situation in the NFC, the AFC playoff picture is completely up in the air. Six AFC teams are on the outside looking in right now but each of those teams is well within striking distance. In the NFC, however, only three teams have a chance of crashing the playoff party.
Read more about AFC Playoff Picture.

NFL Free Prop Predictions - Week 14
by Jay Horne - 12/11/2009

After a week off from our NFL prop selections, we are eager to get back to action heading into Week 14. The matchups each week have a lot more meaning as the playoff picture will continue to come together over the next four weeks of the regular season. Every team's destiny for the postseason can be won or lost over the next few games.
Read more about Free NFL Props Predictions.

Odds for Colts, Saints to Stay Unbeaten
by Matt Severance - 12/10/2009

The New Orleans Saints have no right being unbeaten (one could argue the Colts don't either, but the Saints really don't). The Washington Redskins had New Orleans beaten Sunday but every single break went the Saints' way. So are they good, lucky or both?
Read more about Colts Saints Unbeaten Odds.

NFL Handicapping: Can the Titans Make the Playoffs
by Trevor Whenham - 12/2/2009

A colleague of mine is pretty interested in the Tennessee Titans these days. On a whim he put a few bucks down on the Titans to win the Super Bowl when they were just starting to get things in order and the odds were at 400/1, and now, five wins later, he's dreaming of a five-figure payday.
Read more about Tennessee Titans Playoffs.

San Francisco 49ers League's Best ATS
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 12/2/2009

The Indianapolis Colts, the New Orleans Saints, the San Francisco 49ers and the Minnesota Vikings. Which one of these teams does not belong? Like the sore thumb of San Francisco linebacker Parys Haralson, the 49ers are the ones, at least in terms of wins and losses, who stick out.
Read more about 49ers NFL's Best Bet.

NFL Playoff Scenarios
by Trevor Whenham - 12/1/2009

I have watched enough sports on TV that I rarely get upset by anything that the commentators say. Many commentators are idiots, and even those that are good have to fill hours of time, so inevitably they are going to say things that don't make much sense.
Read more about NFL Playoff Scenarios.

NFL Free Prop Predictions - Week 12
by Jay Horne - 11/27/2009

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Day and I know I'm certainly thankful for putting that two week losing skid behind us last week as we bounced back in week 11 to go a profitable 2-1 in our free NFL prop picks.
Read more about NFL Free Prop Predictions.

Free NFL Prop Predictions - Week 11
by Jay Horne - 11/20/2009

Lightning struck twice last week as our prop selections took an unprofitable hit for the first time this year on back-to-back weeks. Peyton Manning rallied to post four touchdown passes in a comeback win for the Colts, beating out Tom Brady as predicted in passing scores and putting us at a disappointing 1-2 on the week.
Read more about Free NFL Prop Predictions.

NFL Handicapping: Vince Young Spearheading Titans Resurgence
by Trevor Whenham - 11/20/2009

It's too early to declare that Vince Young's career has been kick-started, but he's at least on the right track this time around. He was given the reins of the winless Tennessee Titans after their bye week, and Young has done nothing but win. He's won thee games in a row, and people are definitely taking notice - the Super Bowl future odds have fallen in half to 200/1 because of their play.
Read more about Vince Young.

NFL Handicapping: Another Denver Broncos Collapse?
by Trevor Whenham - 11/19/2009

Last year, the Denver Broncos waited until the last three games of the season to throw a solid start away. If they had won just one of those games then they would have made the playoffs and Mike Shanahan and Jay Cutler might still be in town. This year, Denver seems to be embarking on their destructive streak a couple of months sooner.
Read more about Denver Broncos Betting.

Passing Yards Key to ATS Success for NFL Teams
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 11/18/2009

It used to be in the NFL that if you could run the ball you could dominate your opponent. The teams atop the NFL rushing leaders list were the same team atop the NFL rankings. Things have certainly changed.
Read more about NFL Passing Attacks.

Buffalo Bills Fire Dick Jauron, Perry Fewell Expected Interim Replacement
by Trevor Whenham - 11/17/2009

The Buffalo Bills need to stop the bleeding in a hurry during this ugly season, so they have taken the obvious first step - they have fired head coach Dick Jauron after a 3-6 start. The interim replacement is expected to be defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. Jauron was reportedly caught totally off guard by the move, but given the Bills' play this year it was inevitable, and that that was at question was the timing.
Read more about Buffalo Bills Fire Dick Jauron.

Monday Night Football Preview: Ravens at Browns
by Matt Severance - 11/13/2009

It's too bad that "Monday Night Football" can't use flex scheduling, because this week's game between Baltimore (4-4) and Cleveland (1-7) looks like an absolute dud. The Ravens are 11-point favorites on BetUS against a team they have outscored 99-40 in the past three meetings.
Read more about Monday Night Football Preview.

Free NFL Prop Predictions - Week 10
by Jay Horne - 11/13/2009

Hopefully you took Week 9 off in our prop selections as we had the worst week of the year going 0-3 for the first time this season for these free sports picks. However, we warned it would be a difficult week in the NFL and are confident we can right the ship heading forward to Week 10.
Read more about Free NFL Prop Predictions.

2009 NFL Totals at Halfway Point
by Trevor Whenham - 11/12/2009

It's halfway through the NFL season, and from a betting perspective it's been a crazy one so far. Favorites jumped out of the gate strong, and oddsmakers couldn't make a lNFL betting line big enough for the underdogs to cover early on. That's bad news for the books, though they did much better last weekend.
Read more about NFL Totals Betting.

Five Biggest NFL Disappointments
by Trevor Whenham - 11/12/2009

For all but two teams in the NFL we are at the halfway point of the season. This is a good time for us to look at where we are at and how that compares to where we thought we would be at this point. Some teams - the Saints chief among them - have been very pleasant surprises. Others, though, aren't nearly as good as they are supposed to be.
Read more about NFL Disappointments.

Monday Night Football: Steelers at Broncos
by Matt Severance - 11/7/2009

Did the Baltimore Ravens expose the Denver Broncos in last week's 30-7 victory? It was Denver's first loss and first non-cover in its seven games, and oddsmakers at Bodog list the Broncos as three-point home underdogs for Monday's game against Pittsburgh.
Read more about Steelers at Broncos Monday Night Football Preview.

NFL Handicapping: Look at the Vikings for Second Half
by Trevor Whenham - 11/7/2009

Vikings' fans will tell you that they knew that this was what was going to happen all along - a 7-1 record, a stranglehold on the NFC North, and two offensive stars in the MVP picture. For those of us who don't wear purple glasses, though, you'd have to say that the results the Vikings have enjoyed are beyond what could reasonably have been expected.
Read more about Vikings Second Half.

Indian Cowboy NFL Research
by Indian Cowboy - 11/7/2009

I have become well known in part for my research that I provide daily and weekly on games. This has been a staple of my NFL handicapping and this research is what I base my selections off of. In this spot I have provided my NFL research for Week 9.
Read more about Indian Cowboy NFL Research.

Free NFL Prop Predictions - Week 9
by Jay Horne - 11/6/2009

Brett Farve led the Vikings over his former Packers last week for the second time this year as the Vikings took a stranglehold on the NFC North. Farve had yet another great game, throwing for 244 yards and four touchdowns. One of the lines we chose to play on last week included the under 250 yards passing from Farve and with just six yards of cushion that play helped us get back above the .500 mark at 11-10 on the year in our props predictions.
Read more about Free NFL Prop Predictions.

Remember Me? Old NFL Faces Get New Start
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 11/5/2009

Alex Smith, Ryan Moats and Vince Young. The group includes a former No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, the third overall pick in the 2006 draft and a third round pick in 2005. All three NFL players were all but forgotten about just a few weeks ago. Each has endured a rollercoaster ride during the early part of their career. And now last week all three impacted their respective games greatly.
Read more about NFL Player Resurgence.

Monday Night Football Preview: Falcons at Saints
by Matt Severance - 11/2/2009

Way to go, Reggie Bush. The former Heisman winner said this week he thought his Saints could go undefeated this season and that, you know, he would win an NFL MVP at some point. But that's not why I say the Saints are on upset alert on Monday Night Football against the Falcons. No, I would say they are because they were on this week's cover of Sports Illustrated (featuring a photo of Bush), and we all know about that jinx.
Read more about Monday Night Football Preview.

Free NFL Prop Predictions - Week 8
by Jay Horne - 10/30/2009

Michael Crabtree delivered in his much-anticipated debut last week, catching five passes for 56 yards as we expected. That helped our weekly prop bets get out of the negative on the season. Last week, our side action went 2-1 as we got back to 9-9 overall on the year as we look forward to getting above the .500 mark once again this week.
Read more about Free NFL Prop Predictions.

NFL Handicapping: To Early To Call Matt Cassel a Bust?
by Trevor Whenham - 10/30/2009

Before Brett Favre decided that he was going to be a diva again and Jay Cutler started to pout, the biggest news of the offseason was Kansas City's aggressive move to acquire Matt Cassel and pay him enough to make it clear that he was the quarterback of the future.
Read more about Matt Cassel Bust.

NFL Betting: Favorites Causing Big Headaches for Bookies
by Larry Fiske - 10/28/2009

Everyone from potato country in upstate Maine to the Marina district in southwest San Diego knows that parity is a thing of the past in the NFL, and betting lines are ever so slowly inching up as good teams continue to paste bad teams week after week. New England made a mockery of the 15.5 points it gave to both Tennessee and Tampa Bay, winning by a combined 94-7 and scoring 80 consecutive points in the process.
Read more about Bookies and Large NFL Lines.

The Ferringo NFL Report
by Robert Ferringo - 10/27/2009

After seven weeks of watching the biggest favorites clean up at the window, Vegas had to have bottomed-out last week when favorites went 10-2-1 against the spread with all of the biggest favorites covering easily. Not only did every square with a ticket likely cash in on Sunday, but also the lack of any true upsets outside of Arizona beating the Giants (man, did the books need that one) means that an overwhelming majority of teasers, parlays, and other high-odds tickets were punched.
Read more about Ferringo NFL Report.

Monday Night Football Preview: Eagles at Redskins
by Matt Severance - 10/26/2009

Seriously, do you realize every single team the Redskins have played this season had a zero in the win column? Obviously that counts the season opener, but you get my point. Of course the Skins have won only two of those games and have lost the past two, to Carolina and Kansas City.
Read more about Monday Night Football Preview.

NFL Betting: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings Preview
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 10/23/2009

This seems to be the year of the underappreciated, underdog, unbeaten team. The Denver Broncos have repeatedly found themselves as underdogs this season despite not losing a game. The Indianapolis Colts were underdogs against Arizona and, maybe even worse, were only favored by a field goal against winless Tennessee two weeks ago. Now this week the 6-0 Minnesota Vikings enter Pittsburgh's Heinz Field as 5.5-point underdogs.
Read more about Steelers vs. Vikings Preview.

NFL Handicapping: Time For Ravens to Panic?
by Trevor Whenham - 10/23/2009

After three weeks of the current NFL season it wasn't very hard to make the compelling argument that the Baltimore Ravens were the best team in the NFL. They had taken care of business, and they'd looked pretty good doing it. Fast forward just three weeks, though, and now they are at 3-3, riding a three-game losing streak, and down to third in the tough AFC North.
Read more about Baltimore Ravens Betting.

NFL Handicapping: Most Inconsistent Teams
by Trevor Whenham - 10/23/2009

There is nothing more frustrating for bettors than a team that can't decide how good they are. It's easy to bet on a team like the Rams who are consistently terrible, or one like the Saints which keeps winning and covering spreads thanks to solid defense and explosive offense. The teams that really raise the blood pressure as they deplete the bankroll, though, are the ones that win one week, and look brilliant doing it, and then lose the next week while looking like a bad high school team.
Read more about Inconsistent NFL Teams.

NFL Handicapping: How Teams Respond After One-Sided Games
by Trevor Whenham - 10/23/2009

Last week we witnessed one of the most epic beatdowns in the history of the NFL when the Patriots humiliated the Titans, 59-0. The game was ridiculous on absolutely every level, and it got me thinking about what comes next for both teams.
Read more about One-Sided NFL Games.

Free NFL Prop Predictions - Week 7
by Jay Horne - 10/22/2009

The Denver Broncos magic streak stayed alive last week, but QB Kyle Orton was just 15 yards shy of putting us back into the profit margin for the year. Our prop selections took another hit, falling one game under .500 on the year, but we look to right the ship this week. One of the big headlines heading into Week 7 will be the much-anticipated debut of San Francisco wide receiver Michael Crabtree.
Read more about Free NFL Props Predictions.

NFL Handicapping: Steam Pick of the Week
by Josh Nagel - 10/21/2009

Bears bettors, who evidently believe this is the time to back the erratic club against a similarly unpredictable Bengals club. History, of course, isn't on the side of the Bengals, who looked dreadful in the second half of last Sunday's 28-17 loss to the Houston Texans. However, this is a team that has wins over the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers to its credit.
Read more about NFL Steam Moves and Game Prediction.

NFL Handicapping: Bye Weeks
by Trevor Whenham - 10/20/2009

A funny thing happened in Week 5 of the 2009 NFL season - teams coming off of their bye weeks had a field day. All four teams coming back to work after a brief vacation won, and three of them covered the spread. The less far-sighted among us might embrace that as a trend and start to bet team coming off a bye with reckless abandon.
Read more about Handicapping NFL Bye Weeks.

High NFL Point Spreads
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 10/16/2009

With the way the NFL was shaking down this season, one had to figure this record would be broken eventually. Front office dysfunction, high turnover rates amongst coaches and plain old bad football moves seemed to be in style this year more than ever. And with that, now there is a group of NFL teams all contending to match the Detroit Lions' dubious distinction of a year ago.
Read more about High NFL Point Spreads.

Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks in 2014
by Trevor Whenham - 10/15/2009

There are an amazing number of good young quarterbacks in the league right now. Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan made a name for themselves last year. Mark Sanchez is off to a fast start this year, and Chad Henne showed him up last week. There are still a few veteran QBs at the top of the heap in the league, but they are being chased by the new guys. Since we still have a couple of days left until the next set of NFL games, I thought that it would be fun to look ahead a bit. Way ahead.
Read more about Top Future NFL Quarterbacks.

Free NFL Prop Predictions - Week 6
by Jay Horne - 10/15/2009

The New York Jets newly acquired Braylon Edwards kept us out of the "green" last week in our prop bet selections. Edwards had a fair opening night, catching five passes for 64 yards, which was just over what we expected. Our props went 1-2 for Week 5, knocking us back to even on the season. However, rest assured we will get back in the profit column again this week.
Read more about Free NFL Props Predictions.

NFL Handicapping: Steam Pick of the Week
by Josh Nagel - 10/15/2009

Steam moves in sports betting happen when large amounts of money come in on one side of a game, moving the line for that game collectively at sports books around the world. In this weekly feature we will examine an NFL game where a steam move took place and then give reasons to fade, or go against, the steam move.
Read more about NFL Steam Moves and Game Prediction.

NFL Handicapping: What Makes the Bad Teams Bad
by Robert Ferringo - 10/14/2009

Each week it's kind of amazing to watch football in this country sink to new depths and stumble to new lows. And if you're not sure what I'm talking about you haven't watched the Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, or several other teams take the field this year.
Read more about Bad NFL Teams.

The Ferringo NFL Report
by Robert Ferringo - 10/13/2009

Week 5 is in the books and I just want to echo what was the clear Story of the Week: congrats to Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer on the victory on Sunday and my sincere condolences for the loss of his wife. I had no idea on Thursday when I released my wager on Baltimore (as part of a teaser) that it had occurred.
Read more about The Ferringo NFL Report.

Monday Night Football Preview - Jets at Dolphins
by Matt Severance - 10/12/2009

Indeed, the Jets' Mark Sanchez, the early leading candidate for Rookie of the Year, and the Dolphins' Chad Henne, a second-round pick last year, have combined for just five starts total. So tonight's game could have some rough spots in the passing game and be rather low scoring. The Jets are three-point favorites on Bodog with the total at just 37.
Read more about Monday Night Football Preview - Jets at Dolphins.

NFL Futures That Hold Value Through First Quarter
by Larry Fiske - 10/9/2009

In the early fall of 1980 the Oakland Raiders were deader than Gary Coleman's acting career. The team that figured to contend for a Super Bowl berth had lost at home to Kansas City, its record dropping to 2-3, and starting quarterback Dan Pastorini was lost for the season when he suffered a broken leg in that game. Worse still, backup Jim Plunkett had come on for Pastorini and thrown five interceptions, opening the door to KC's 31-17 triumph.
Read more about NFL Futures Value.

Free NFL Props Predictions - Week 5
by Jay Horne - 10/9/2009

Brett Farve had a big Monday night performance that kept us from sweeping on our weekly prop selections. However, we were still good enough to get back in the green for the season and look forward to some more action heading into week 5. There have been some big storylines during the week including Braylon Edwards trade to the New York Jets along with the signing of Michael Crabtree is San Francisco.
Read more about Free NFL Props Predictions.

Denver Broncos Betting: Is Team Real Contender?
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 10/9/2009

They've been called the worst 4-0 team ever. They have been underdogs twice out of the first four games. They are underdogs again this week, at home. Oddsmakers put the season win total over/under at seven games.
Read more about Denver Broncos Betting.

Best and Worst ATS NFL Teams
by Trevor Whenham - 10/9/2009

To successfully handicap the NFL it is important to be constantly re-evaluating teams to understand how they are actually playing, and how they are performing from a betting perspective. If you don't do that then you can be betting based on how a team was performing, not how it is. That can be costly.
Read more about Best and Worst ATS NFL Teams.

NFL Handicapping: Undefeated Teams
by Trevor Whenham - 10/9/2009

Through four weeks of the regular season in the NFL there are still five undefeated teams remaining. The potential for a team to the run the table has always been compelling, and even New England's undefeated season two years ago hasn't dimmed that - especially because the Patriots stumbled in the Super Bowl that year. Football fans want to see another undefeated team badly. So, is there going to be another one this year? It's obviously not very likely, but let's take a look at the chances each squad has:
Read more about Undefeated NFL Teams.

Disappointing NFL Teams Against the Spread
by Trevor Whenham - 10/9/2009

Coming into each new NFL season I find it very valuable to look at the rosters, the schedules, and the intangibles to estimate how each team is going to play during the season. That gives you a baseline to start with to help you handicap the early season games. When you're right - like I was this year with San Francisco - then you have a jump on the betting public and you can make some real money.
Read more about Bad NFL Teams Against the Spread.

NFL Handicapping: Steam Pick of the Week
by Josh Nagel - 10/8/2009

Steam moves in sports betting happen when large amounts of money come in on one side of a game, moving the line for that game collectively at sports books around the world. In this weekly feature we will examine an NFL game where a steam move took place and then give reasons to fade, or go against, the steam move.
Read more about NFL Steam Moves and Game Prediction.

UFL Preview - United Football League Betting
by Trevor Whenham - 10/7/2009

Tired of trying to handicap football games with almost unlimited information available? Looking to really gamble? Well, then betting on the United Football League might be just what you are looking for. The UFL's inaugural season starts on Thursday with shockingly little fanfare. Maybe people are just skeptical about new football leagues after the debacle of the XFL.
Read more about United Football League Betting.

Monday Night Football - Packers at Vikings Preview
by Matt Severance - 10/5/2009

You may not have heard this, but there's a current Viking playing in a super-hyped game tonight against his former Packer team. I, of course, speak of Minnesota kicker Ryan Longwell. Supposedly there's some Favre guy who might see action tonight as well, with the Vikings five-point favorites on Bodog - as of this writing, approximately 64 percent of the betting public is leaning toward Minnesota, and that line has moved as much as two points at some books toward the Vikings since its open.
Read more about Packers at Vikings Preview.

Free NFL Props Predictions - Week 4
by Jay Horne - 10/2/2009

There were a lot of exciting headlines from last week, like Brett Farve the "magic man" clutch play against the 49ers and Detroit ending their 19 game winless streak to carry us forward. We have some exciting side action including Brett Farve's anticipated match-up with his former Green Bay Packers along with other profitable bets to consider heading into Week 4 of the NFL
Read more about Free NFL Props Predictions - Week 4.

Football Betting: Early Week Line Movements
by Robert Ferringo - 9/29/2009

And a very definitive theme is starting to develop in this space. The early college football movements once again got creamed last week, going just 1-5 against the spread. The NFL, however, softened the blow while posting a perfect 3-0 mark. For the season, the college early line movements are just 8-18 ATS while the NFL moves are a solid 6-2 ATS. Overall, the early big movers are just 14-20 ATS. Here is this week's action:
Read more about Football Betting: Early Week Line Movements.

NFL Handicapping: Can Winless Teams Rebound?
by Trevor Whenham - 9/25/2009

Some of these teams are going to continue their losing ways, but others are going to turn things around - the Chargers lost their first two last year and still won their division. This is how I would rank the nine winless teams in order of their likelihood of salvaging their season, and of presenting some real value for bettors as they do so:
Read more about NFL Handicapping: Can Winless Teams Rebound?.

Free NFL Props Predictions - Week 3
by Jay Horne - 9/24/2009

However, we will quickly turn our focus to this week's earliest betting lines and try and jump on some of the side action before they are no longer available with hopes to have another advantageous week against the books. Call this the "Yes Week" based on the predictions:
Read more about Free NFL Props Predictions - Week 3.

NFL Betting: Saints Soaring And Scoring
by Trevor Whenham - 9/24/2009

You don't have to dig very hard to find impressive statistics to show the strength of the New Orleans offense. The team has become the first since 2001 to open the season with 40 or more points in their first two games. No team has scored more than the 93 they have tallied in their first two games since 1968. It goes on and on.
Read more about NFL Betting: Saints Soaring And Scoring.

NFL Betting: Five Potential Turnaround Teams
by Trevor Whenham - 9/24/2009

Jumping to conclusions can be even more dangerous after two weeks because the public assumes that they are seeing trends, and that the teams really are what they have seen so far. Here's a look at five teams that can be quite reasonably assumed to be better than they have appeared so far this year. Because of the starts they have had the public should start to turn against them - at least relative to the support they normally get. That can create real opportunities for value seekers with a long term view.
Read more about NFL Betting: Five Potential Turnaround Teams.

Ferringo Report On NFL Week 2
by Robert Ferringo - 9/22/2009

Below is the Ferringo Report, which are my random and nonsensical ramblings about last week's action. I didn't break down all of the games this week (there were three two that I don't mention in here) but all of this should just give you a little bit of an idea of some of the things I noticed while either watching the games in real time or breaking down the tape on Monday.
Read more about Ferringo Report On NFL Week 2.

Monday Night Football Preview - Colts at Dolphins
by Matt Severance - 9/21/2009

Since the NFL went to a 12-team playoff format back in 1990, only 22 teams (13.7 percent) have reached the postseason after starting 0-2. Only 10 (6.3 percent) have won their division. But an 0-2 hole sure seems likely for Miami if it doesn't play better than last week's 19-7 road loss to Atlanta. Miami, which set an NFL record (matched by the Giants) with just 13 giveaways last year, turned the ball over four times last week, which lead to 10 Falcons points.
Read more about Monday Night Football Preview.

NFL Handicapping: Situations Where Alternate Lines Could Give an Edge
by Trevor Whenham - 9/18/2009

For most bettors, alternate NFL lines are viewed as the domain of crackpots. Lots of bettors don't even know that they exist, and if they do they don't see any good reason why you would bet them. The fact is, though, that in many situations, the alternate lines offer you a chance to get much more value from your bets than the regular NFL points spreads and money lines ever offer the casual bettor.
Read more about Alternate NFL Lines.

The Ferringo NFL Report
by Robert Ferringo - 9/18/2009

Well boys and girls, the Ferringo Report is back by popular demand. I will have my weekly nonsensical ravings and rants in this space for your viewing pleasure. Week 1 is in the books and, with few exception, things went pretty smoothly and according to script. Don't worry though: that will change soon enough.
Read more about The Ferringo NFL Report.

Rams Could Match Lions Record for Futility
by Trevor Whenham - 9/16/2009

The story we kept hearing coming into this season was that new coach Steve Spagnuolo had overhauled the attitude in St. Louis and had the team moving in the right direction. The story I am more interested in concerning the team after their brutal opening shutout to the Seahawks is whether the Rams can win a game at all.
Read more about Rams are a Very Bad Team.

How Major Defensive Injuries Will Affect Steelers-Bears Game
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 9/15/2009

Entering Soldier Field Sunday afternoon you have two teams notorious for vicious defenses but both missing the leaders of those defensive units. While it may seem like a similar situation, the reality is entirely different. The Bears' 31-year old middle linebacker, six-time pro bowler and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Brian Urlacher is out for the season with a dislocated wrist.
Read more about Steelers at Bears Preview.

NFL Handicapping: What McNabb Injury Means for Eagles Bettors
by Trevor Whenham - 9/15/2009

With one ill-conceived and totally unnecessary scramble by Donovan McNabb the Eagles found themselves with a gigantic headache - one that could linger for weeks. Up 31-10 against a painfully inept Carolina team, McNabb left the pocket to scramble three yards for a touchdown. As he entered the endzone a clean hit left him writhing on the ground in pain, grabbing his back.
Read more about Donovan McNabb Injury.

New NFL Coaches: Bad Results ATS
by Trevor Whenham - 9/15/2009

As has become the norm in professional sports these days there are a whole lot of new faces roaming the sidelines as head coaches this season. Eight head coaches made their debut with their teams this weekend, and six of them were coaching their first game. That's fully a quarter of the league that made a change.
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Five NFL Week 1 Dissapointments
by Trevor Whenham - 9/15/2009

We can spend all offseason analyzing the rosters and transactions a team makes, and how they play in the preseason, but we can't know for sure what a team has to offer until we see them play when the games matter. That means that how a team plays can often be significantly worse than we expect them to be. That was certainly the case this year, with several teams with high hopes posting disappointing performances.
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Cowboys Need Big Game Against Giants on Sunday
by Larry Fiske - 9/14/2009

Here's the good news for the Dallas Cowboys - they dodged a bullet in Florida and won a game that they should have won, keeping pace, at least temporarily, with Philly and the Giants in the NFC East. They open their brand-new stadium Sunday night against the Giants (Dallas gives three points on the NFL line with an over/under of 44) in a game in which television ratings will be through the roof, or at least as high as the new scoreboard.
Read more about Dallas Cowboys New York Giants Preview.

NFL Handicapping: Time to Panic for Bears Bettors?
by Matt Severance - 9/14/2009

I hate the cliché of a "must-win" game, but I would argue that's exactly what the Chicago Bears are facing this Sunday in their home opener against the Steelers - Pittsburgh is a three-point favorite on Bodog.
Read more about Chicago Bears Betting.

AFC East: Season Win Totals Predictions
by Dave Busk - 9/11/2009

New England gets Tom Brady back after he was lost for the season in the first game in 2008. As a result of that injury the Patriots missed the postseason for the first time in five years. I like their chances in 2009 mainly because of a weak division. New England just looks much better then the Jets and Buffalo -- two teams that I think will struggle.
Read more about AFC East Season Win Totals Predictions.

Worst NFL Teams Against the Spread
by Trevor Whenham - 9/10/2009

If you are like most typical NFL bettors then you probably don't really care how a team performs on the field. It's at the betting window (real or virtual) that really counts. Teams can have a pretty lousy season in terms of wins but be heroes against the spread. Others can be good, but not as good as people expected, and not good enough to cover spreads consistently.
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NFL Handicapping: Effect of Three Fired Coordinators
by Trevor Whenham - 9/10/2009

There is total lunacy going on in the NFL. Among the golden rules of the league was that coordinators simply did not get fired in the weeks before the season. Coordinators have so much responsibility for what a team does on the field that it makes little sense to disrupt a team by making a change like that.
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NFL Handicapping: Potential Turnaround Teams
by Trevor Whenham - 9/10/2009

The one thing we can be certain is going to happen every year in the NFL is that one or more teams is going to totally turn their season around - going from the cellar one year to full respectability the next year. Last year was a particularly strong year for the turnaround with Miami, Baltimore, and Atlanta all climbing into the playoffs from the depths of despair.
Read more about Potential NFL Turnaround Teams.

AFC South: Season Win Totals Predictions
by Dave Busk - 9/10/2009

The Colts have won 12 or more games in each of the last six years. They have one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but beyond that they have some question marks as they replaced both the offensive and defensive coordinators and promoted Jim Caldwell to head coach. While I don't think their defense is anything special this team and its schedule is just flat out weak.
Read more about AFC South Season Win Totals Predictions.

NFL Handicapping: Easiest and Toughest Schedules
by Trevor Whenham - 9/8/2009

As we get ready to handicap the NFL season there are so many different aspects we have to deal with - quarterback play, offensive line, defensive line, running game, secondary depth and on and on and on. One of the most important is the team's schedule. The importance of the schedule in the NFL can't be overstated - it is much easier for a team to beat a weak team than a strong one, obviously. That means that assessing a team's schedule is very important.
Read more about NFL Schedules.

Steelers Titans NFL Opening Game Preview
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 9/8/2009

The spoils are many with a Super Bowl win. One of the most overlooked benefits of capturing the Super Bowl Trophy is something that happens seven months after all the victory parades and trips to Disney World. Since 2004 the NFL has awarded the defending Super Bowl champions a home game to kick off the NFL season on the Thursday after Labor Day and two days before anybody else takes the field.
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NFL Totals Primer and Week 1 Predictions
by Larry Fiske - 9/8/2009

Bitter cold weather on Saturday gave way to heavy snow on Sunday last December when the Arizona Cardinals boarded buses at their hotel in Providence, Rhode Island, to make the 20-mile trek to Foxboro for their game against the Patriots. The game nearly screamed for the 'under' play as the teams would assuredly emphasize the running game and jostle for field position with receivers unable to make cuts in the muck.
Read more about NFL Week 1 Totals Predictions.

NFL Handicapping: Potential Breakthrough Running Backs
by Trevor Whenham - 9/8/2009

Every year there are a few running backs who post big statistical years without having done it before. In some cases it's a hot rookie who lands in a good spot and makes the most of it. Other times it's a veteran who benefits form a change of scenery, a new scheme, or a move up the depth chart. Last year guys like Michael Turner, Steve Slaton, and Matt Forte put up the big numbers when they weren't necessarily expected to.
Read more about Potential Breakout NFL Running Backs.

NFC North: Season Win Totals Predictions
by Dave Busk - 9/8/2009

A couple of weeks ago the Packers were listed at (8.5) -1.45 to go 'over,' now some money has pushed this line up. If I didn't take the (8.5) there is no way I will take the 'over' (9) and lay the same amount of juice, but in my option the Pack is back in 2009. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had some big shoes to fill replacing Brett Farve. Despite a 6-10 record in 2008, Rodgers still threw for more than 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Read more about NFC North Season Win Totals Predictions.

NFL Handicapping: Public Teams
by Trevor Whenham - 9/4/2009

No matter what sport you are handicapping you have to consider which teams are public teams, and what effect those teams will have on the lines of their games. Simply put, a public team is one which the public - generally the less sophisticated bettors - are likely to back basically regardless of the spread, their opponent, or the other usual factors that would affect the outcome of the game and the handicapping decisions.
Read more about NFL Public Betting Teams.

NFL Week 1 Highlights
by Trevor Whenham - 9/4/2009

We are now just days away from the start of the NFL season. After the long, dry football-less stretch of time known as the spring and summer any real, meaningful game will be welcome. Some of the games are obviously going to be better than others, though. As I look over the schedule and week 1 NFL odds - because I'd rather do that than watch a second of the Week 4 preseason games - there are seven games that jump out to me as being particularly interesting (odds are from Bodog):
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NFL Betting: Brett Favre Props
by Matt Severance - 9/4/2009

I don't know about you, but I am Brett Favre'd out! So the last thing I really wanted to do was write an article on the most wishy-washy player in NFL (and sports?) history. But Favre clearly drives the needle, so I feel compelled to hit on some Favre-specific prop options available on Bodog.
Read more about Brett Favre Betting Props.

NFL Betting: When Do Lions Break Through?
by Matt Severance - 9/4/2009

The Detroit Lions are on fire! Restore the Roar! They finished the preseason on Thursday night with a 3-1 record. So obviously the Lions must be a better club than last season's 0-16 regular-season club, right? Not so fast my friends!
Read more about Detroit Lions Season Betting Props.

NFL Handicapping: Quarterbacks That Could Drain Your Wallet
by Trevor Whenham - 9/4/2009

As we look towards the NFL regular season, wishing it would finally get here after an endless and mostly dull preseason, we have to look for ways to pass the time - I'm certainly not going to watch the final preseason games. To pass the time and get ready for the season I've been staring at stats until I'm almost blind.
Read more about Low Value NFL Quarterbacks.

2010 Super Bowl Predictions
by Trevor Whenham - 9/3/2009

Now is the time when anyone who writes about the NFL has to make their playoff and Super Bowl predictions. The biggest purpose of this, of course, is so that we can be mocked at the end of the season when teams we pick to go far end up with five wins. You have to be fearless, so here we go:
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NFL Injury Situations for Week 1
by Trevor Whenham - 9/1/2009

As we head into the NFL regular season, it's a good time to remind ourselves of the importance of injuries to our NFL handicapping. A key injury can turn a good bet into a bad one if it changes the complexion of the team, or it can make a good bet a great one if the public overcompensates for the injury and moves the betting lines in your favor. Here's a look at ten key injury situations that we will likely have to consider in the first week of the NFL season:
Read more about NFL Week 1 Injuries.

The Lowdown on Las Vegas Football Contests
by Vegas Sports Informer - 9/1/2009

The 2009-10 football season is here and the Las Vegas sports books are ready for the lines, smoke in the employee's eyes, and, of course, the influx of novice bettors. It's no secret that Las Vegas gears up for football season and not only do the books prepare for moths but the whole casino prepares.
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NFL Handicapping: Biggest Preseason Surprises
by Trevor Whenham - 8/27/2009

The NFL preseason seems to go on forever. A lot of what happens is either expected or not at all shocking. Every so often, though, I see something that seems honestly and truly surprising. Here's a look at nine such things so far this year:
Read more about NFL Preseason Surprises.

NFL MVP Predictions
by Trevor Whenham - 8/26/2009

Now is as good a time as any to look at the NFL MVP futures to see if there are any bargains to be had. Before we look too closely, though, keep one thing in mind - this is not a place to get fancy. Of the last 20 winners 14 have been quarterbacks, and the other six were running backs.
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NFL Handicapping: Final Two Preseason Games
by Trevor Whenham - 8/25/2009

We're about to enter an inner circle of hell - the last two NFL preseason games. I suppose that there are a couple of good reasons why these last two games exist, but by far the biggest is that it allows NFL owners to charge full price for two more games.
Read more about Handicapping NFL Preseason Games.

NFL Handicapping: Preseason Quarterback Concerns
by Trevor Whenham - 8/25/2009

Most teams come into the preseason with a pretty good idea of who their quarterback is going to be to start the season. There are exceptions, of course, like Arizona, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Minnesota and others this year, but for the most part the plan is set well before August. Where it can get really scary for teams and their fans, though, is when a designated starter doesn't play anything like a starter in preseason action.
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NFL Handicapping: High-Value Teams
by Trevor Whenham - 8/21/2009

Every year there are NFL teams that perform significantly better than they are expected to coming into the season. Two years ago, few people saw the Browns turning things around so dramatically. Last year Tennessee was a pleasant surprise. Being able to spot those teams that are better than expected is a good way to make your bankroll grow. Here's a look at five teams that have the potential to be surprisingly good:
Read more about NFL Betting Value.

NFL Preseason Totals Predictions for Week 2
by Robert Ferringo - 8/18/2009

A fellow handicapper at Doc's Sports sent me the following e-mail late Monday night: "They must have gotten burned with some overs last week, they are really bumping up the totals." The "They" in that sentence refers to our common mortal enemy: the sportsbooks. When I did my initial scan of the football odds for NFL Preseason Week 2 I did notice that the totals seemed high.
Read more about Week 2 NFL Preseason Totals.

Brett Favre Saga Continues
by Trevor Whenham - 8/18/2009

Call me naive, but I honestly thought that the Brett Favre saga was over. For a while, anyway. I was certain that he would flirt with a comeback again next year, and I even thought that a team or two would try to convince him back six weeks or so into the season if things were going badly, but I really didn't see him ending his retirement after just three weeks.
Read more about Brett Favre Saga.

NFL Handicapping: Jay Cutler Will Be Bears Bust
by Robert Ferringo - 8/17/2009

Four years ago I was writing on this very site that Dante Culpepper was the most overrated quarterback in the NFL. As you might expect, this statement was met with a waterfall of vitriol and was nearly as popular as Rick Pitino at a Birther's rally. After all, Culpepper had been to multiple Pro Bowls and was coming off a year in which he threw for 4,700 yards. He was the man, right? Well, not to me.
Read more about Jay Cutler.

Dave Busk: Thoughts on the Eagles and Vick
by Dave Busk - 8/14/2009

Signing Michael Vick was a very controversial decision made by the Philadelphia Eagles, but someone in the NFL was going to take this chance. According to an ESPN poll, close to 70 percent of the country thought this was a good move by the Eagles, but that is a much different than that of most of the tough Philly fans who were blindsided by this announcement on Thursday night during the Patriots/Eagles preseason game.
Read more about Michael Vick. and the Eagles.

Handicapping NFL Strength of Schedule
by Matt Severance - 8/10/2009

So much does NFL strength of schedule really matter when deciding to place those futures bets down on a certain team? Before I answer that, let me first give you statistical analysis, and maybe the correct response will present itself.
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Football Betting Money Management Tips
by Trevor Whenham - 8/7/2009

You've probably heard it a hundred times, but that's only because it's true - good money management is the single biggest factor in long term betting success. You can't win a bet if you can't afford to make it, and if you bet too much on games you're eventually going to go broke. There are a million different places to read about the basics of money management, so I will leave that to you. While you are thinking about how you will manage your money, though, there are some basic central questions you need to ask yourself. Here are six:
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NFL Handicapping: Unheralded Players
by Robert Ferringo - 8/7/2009

Brett Favre mows his lawn and it's front-page news. Chad Johnson changes his name and he ends up just chewing up airtime. Terrell Owens doesn't do something crazy and there are op-eds discussing his mental state. Well, Favre isn't playing this year. Johnson is a good receiver for a team that's won about five games per year the last two seasons. And Owens had nearly as many dropped passes (10) last year as his quarterback had touchdowns (11).
Read more about NFL Unheralded Players.

Four Key NFL Training Camp Storylines
by Trevor Whenham - 8/6/2009

Instead of focusing on individual players and out-of-context first hand reports from training camps what we can do now to evaluate storylines that are going to make a big impact on how the season turns out. Once those storylines are in place we can then start to apply what we see and hear to them and change the storylines as we need to. This will give you a framework for making your betting decisions - especially early in the season. Here are a look at four key storylines I see emerging as training camps get under way:
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Tips For Winning Your NFL Office Pool
by Trevor Whenham - 8/6/2009

A large percentage of people in the U.S. participate in some sort of office pool or pool with their friends, and it's a great way to make the already interesting NFL even more exciting. Winning the pool usually provides a good boost to your wallet, but that pales in comparison to all of the bragging rights that you get. Winning your pool requires a great deal of luck, but you can help to create some of that luck for yourself by developing a good strategy that will help lead you to a win.
Read more about T.O. Whenham.

Ben Roethlisberger Distraction Not Impacting Odds
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 7/31/2009

At Harvey's Casino in Lake Tahoe, Nevada a bettor can walk in and lay money down on the Pittsburgh Steelers to win a second consecutive Super Bowl. But something that allegedly happened across the street at Harrah's in Tahoe that might have you thinking twice about taking the +650 odds at Harvey's set for the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger.
Read more about Ben Roethlisberger Distraction Not Impacting Odds.

Weighing In On The Cutler-Orton Debate
by Trevor Whenham - 7/30/2009

One of the biggest debates heading into the 2009-10 NFL season is whether the Denver Broncos made the right move by trading away their Pro Bowl quarterback, Jay Cutler. Only time will tell for sure, but it certainly seems like a risky move. It's also a deal that puts Kyle Orton in a very difficult decision - through no fault of his own his every move will be dissected and compared to the man he is replacing.
Read more about Weighing In On The Cutler-Orton Debate.

NFL Preseason Betting Do's And Don't's
by Trevor Whenham - 7/30/2009

The preseason is the time when NFL players and teams try to get tuned up for a long, grueling season. The season is obviously far less physical for sports bettors, but it can be just as grueling - especially if you aren't prepared for it. Just like players and teams need to get into game shape before they can compete at their best, bettors need to use the preseason to get ready to win as much as they possibly can. To help you do that, here are some Do's and Don't's for the NFL preseason:
Read more about NFL Preseason Betting.

Las Vegas Football Futures
by Josh Nagel - 7/25/2009

A football futures bet can feel like a long-term lottery ticket. Whether you are simply betting your favorite team, or have put in extensive handicapping to determine the club you think has a chance at winning it all, a futures bet comes with a season's worth of action and anticipation.
Read more about Las Vegas Football Futures.

NFL Handicapping: Teams With QB Uncertainty
by Trevor Whenham - 07/15/2009

There are few things harder in the NFL than handicapping quarterbacks. A team obviously needs a quarterback to win, but the betting public pays far too much attention to the position. Trying to find the right balance of attention that the position deserves is a real challenge.
Read more about NFL Quarterback Questions

NFL Handicapping: Team Defense and ATS Results
by Trevor Whenham - 07/02/2009

We hear it all the time - defense wins championships. That's not a magic formula, but it's generally pretty true when it comes to the NFL. Last season, for example, the Steelers were at the top of almost every defensive statistical category, and they have a Super Bowl to show for it. Of more interest to bettors, though, is whether solid defense contributes to healthy payroll growth.
Read more about NFL Defense and ATS Results

NFL Handicapping: Correlation Between QB play and ATS performance
by Trevor Whenham - 06/25/2009

We are in the one true dead time in the NFL. Most teams are on a break before training camp, most of the significant roster moves have been made, and there is really not much to get excited about - unless you are one of the seven people who aren't sick of hearing about Brett Favre yet. Because there is not a lot of pressing news to absorb, now is as good a time as there is to look back at what happened last year to see what we can learn and apply to this year.
Read more about Quarterbacks and ATS Performance

Betting Impact Of Potential Favre to Minnesota Move
by Trevor Whenham - 06/18/2009

Brett Favre. Just the name is enough to make me feel a bit ill. I like drama as much as the next guy, but has taken creating drama to a new and obnoxious level over the last couple of years. Not since Mark McGwire have we seen a surefire hall of famer so determined to ruin his legacy and alienate the people who have supported him for so long.
Read more about Brett Farve and the Vikings

NFL Betting: Teams With The Best Offseasons
by Trevor Whenham - 05/15/2009

The NFL has no real offseason. The regular season leads to the playoffs. That's followed by coaching changes, then free agency, then the draft. After that there's a bit more player movement as teams fill out their rosters, mini-camps start, then it's training camp, preseason, and we're back to where we started again. Every year it gets easier and easier to follow every little detail of the offseason.
Read more about NFL Offseason

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