NFL Handicapping Articles

NFL Odds: Props Predictions for 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year
by Alan Matthews - 5/9/2011

Since we may not see any NFL transactions for months, depending on a June 3 court hearing on the lockout, and with the draft still fresh in everyone’s memory, let’s take a look at one of the few NFL player props out so far this year: the 2011 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (check back at Doc’s for a story on the Offensive Rookie of the Year as well).

Handicapping Early NFL Week 1 Lines
by David Schwab - 5/3/2011

The on-again, off-again NFL owners’ lockout of the players is back on, and the prospect that the current labor situation delays the start of the regular season still hangs over the league’s head. Despite all the uncertainty, it is not too early to take a look at the opening lines for Week 1 in the NFL as released by Sportsbook.com because, as they say on Broadway, ‘the show must go on’.

How 2011 NFL Schedule Affects Super Bowl Futures Odds
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 4/29/2011

The release of the NFL schedule is a highlight of the year for most sports fans who can instantly start clearing out their fall and winter weekends and plan their sick days at work around their team's Monday Night Football games. It is also a chance to take a closer look at NFL futures odds, as some teams are dealt easier hands by the NFL schedule makers than others.

NFL Futures Odds: Super Bowl 46 Longshots
by Alan Matthews - 2/8/2011

There were no surprises when WagerWeb released its Super Bowl XLVI futures for next February’s game in Indianapolis – ah, another joyful week of weather likely awaits like what we saw in North Texas. The New England Patriots opened as +500 favorites for next season, and it’s hard to argue with the bookies on this one as the Pats have the reigning unanimous league MVP in Tom Brady and they had the NFL’s best record in 2010. They also have a ton of draft picks this year to add young talent to an already fairly young but talented team.

Odds Say NFL Lockout Likely
by Richard Gardner | Bodog Sportsbook Manager - 2/8/2011

Will there be football next season? That’s the big question everyone’s asking now that the Super Bowl is over and done with. The collective bargaining agreement between NFL owners and players expires March 3 and there’s still a wide gap in opinions to bridge.

Betting the NFL Pro Bowl – Tips and Advice
by T.O. Whenham - 1/27/2011

The Pro Bowl is, without a doubt in my mind, the most pointless event in sports. There isn’t a major sport that requires more practice, game planning and precision than football, so it is all but impossible to create a team that can play together effectively in just a week of practice. That means that offenses are simplistic, and defenses are vanilla. On top of that, most of the players in the game have been banged up during the year and are thinking more about taking a bit of time off than in risking injury by trying too hard in this game. It’s incredibly boring to watch, and largely uninteresting to bet on as well.

NFL Picks: Jets at Steelers Odds and Betting Predictions
by Robert Ferringo - 1/21/2011

I think that the tone of the New York Jets speaks volumes about how this weekend’s game is going to go. The Jets are traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers this Sunday in the AFC Championship Game. The game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. EST with the winner earning a trip to the Holiest of Holies – the Super Bowl.

NFL Picks: Free Props Predictions for Conference Championship Games
by T.O. Whenham - 1/20/2011

We did pretty well looking at prop bets last weekend, so it only makes sense to do it again. The bad news is that there are obviously two fewer games to choose from this weekend. Luckily, though, they make up for it by providing more options for each game. Here are the five NFL picks for props that stick out most to me from this weekend along with some free predictions:

NFL Picks: Packers at Bears Odds and Betting Predictions
by Robert Ferringo - 1/19/2011

The last few weeks we’ve heard a lot of chatter about rivalries in the NFL Playoffs. Well, I got news for you: there are few better rivalries in the entire sports world than the Green Bay Packers versus the Chicago Bears. Maybe it is the 21 combined championships. Maybe it is the 48 combined members in the Hall of Fame. Maybe it is the tradition or the at-its-roots nostalgia that these two ancient Midwestern franchises conjure up.

NFL Playoffs Predictions: ‘Over’ Top Trend for Championship Weekend
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 1/18/2011

This is a week when, historically, instincts lead many to anticipate a defensive battle. All week long the buildup to the game will revolve around defense. This year is no different. The four teams still playing also happen to rank 1-4 in total defense. Add on top of that the expected wintry conditions in frigid Soldier Field in Chicago and Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, and points would figure to be at a premium come Sunday.

NFL Picks: Where Will Donovan McNabb Play in 2011?
by Alan Matthews - 1/18/2011

Is there really any chance that Donovan McNabb remains with the Washington Redskins? Of course, McNabb was benched by Mike Shanahan for the final three games of the season. However, McNabb said he’d like to return to Washington next season. And Shanahan said he would welcome him back – as the backup. But McNabb’s agent blasted Shanahan and his offensive coordinator son Kyle for their handling of his client. Even Mike Shanahan acknowledged late in the season that things were like a "soap opera" and that essentially was a mistake for the Skins to have traded for him.

NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round Betting Trends
by T.O. Whenham - 1/14/2011

Last week we looked back at the recent history of the Wild Card round -- the last four years -- to see what trends emerged. It was very informative -- a profitable exercise. For example, we learned that home field advantage hadn’t been much of an advantage from a betting perspective,, so it didn’t need to be given a lot of credit. Road teams were 3-1 ATS last weekend.

NFL Picks: Ravens vs. Steelers Playoff Betting Odds and Predictions
by T.O. Whenham - 1/14/2011

This game, played Saturday, Jan. 15 at 4:30 p.m. EST in Pittsburgh, is what the NFL is all about -- the prototypical, near-perfect playoff matchup. It really has everything. Two excellent teams that really, really hate each other and have a long history of playing very good, very tight games against each other. Two strong quarterbacks -- one among the very best in the league, and the other improving every game. Two ridiculously stout defenses that thrive on punishing people. It’s got it all.

New York Jets at New England Patriots Predictions and NFL Odds
by Alan Matthews - 1/14/2011

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens have the NFL’s most physical rivalry. The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers can claim the league’s oldest rivalry. But the most entertaining rivalry in football? It has to be New York Jets vs. New England Patriots. All the entertainment usually flows from the New York side, and this week was no different.

Free NFL Picks: Handicapping Divisional Round Playoff Props
by T.O. Whenham - 1/14/2011

One of the best parts of the playoffs is the wide range of prop bets that are available for NFL handicappers. There aren’t as many in the earlier rounds as there are in the Super Bowl, but there are still a wide range of creative and thought provoking bets available. They often don’t offer much value, but they occasionally do, and they are fun, too. Here are two that stand out for each game this weekend:

NFL Picks: Packers at Falcons Odds and Betting Predictions
by Robert Ferringo - 1/13/2011

There is no more coveted regular season prize for an NFL team than the No. 1 conference seed and the first-round bye and home field advantage it comes with. The logic follows that this paves the easiest path to the elusive, and ultimate, prize: a Super Bowl championship.

Seahawks at Bears Predictions and NFL Betting Odds
by Robert Ferringo - 1/13/2011

I will fully admit that I was wrong about the Seattle Seahawks last week. I didn’t think they had a prayer at beating New Orleans and not only was I stunned, but it also cost me money in the form of a wager on the Saints. Now, that said, I still think that this is the worst NFL playoff team that I have ever seen and that one week of them playing out of their minds doesn’t erase the pathetic play that this team put on film this season.

NFL Odds: Betting on the Heavy Favorites for Divisional Round Playoffs
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 1/13/2011

The NFL postseason is only into its second round, but already we have seen three teams be pegged as nine-point or higher underdogs, according to the NFL lines. This week in the divisional round we have two heavy underdogs, including the Seattle Seahawks, who are catching 10 points for the second consecutive week.

NFL Playoffs Betting Trends: Home-Field Advantage and the Stadiums
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 1/13/2011

Home-field advantage takes on a different meaning come NFL playoff time. Just because a team may be dominant at home during the regular-season does not necessarily mean that same stadium is an intimidating place to play in the playoffs. Here is breakdown of the four host stadiums this weekend and how they rank in order of toughness for the opposition, starting with the weakest.

NFL Public Action Betting Report: Wild Card Edition
by T.O. Whenham - 1/7/2011

With only four games on tap in the NFL this weekend, you can be sure that the public will be throwing money heavily on to all of the games. Any time the public gets particularly heavily involved there is a lot to potentially be learned from looking at the line movement and betting distribution. Here’s a look at each of the four games: