Football Teams

The New England Patriots looked nothing like a team that had gone undefeated at home all season, let alone one of the dominant teams of the past few years. The Baltimore Ravens took advantage of a weak New England rushing defense and some untimely mistakes by QB Tom Brady to lead 14-0 just five minutes. They would end the first quarter up 24-0 and would never be seriously threatened as they coasted to a 33-14 victory in Sunday's NFL Wildcard game. Baltimore used 234 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns to force the Patriots to play from behind, and then let their defense do the rest.

NFL football betting enthusiasts who took Baltimore as +3' road underdogs were mentally counting their winnings before the end of the first quarter. The Patriots had dominated the head to head matchups with a 5-0 mark (4-1 ATS) and were undefeated at 8-0 (5-3 ATS) on their home field heading into this matchup. The 47 combined points scored went OVER the posted total of 43.

The Ravens took advantage of three first quarter turnovers by Tom Brady to build their insurmountable lead. Ricky Rice ran for an 83 yard touchdown on the Ravens' first place from scrimmage, but afterward refused to proclaim the New England era of dominance over for good:

"Their era is not over, they know how to win but for the Ravens, to beat the New England Patriots set a precedent. We'll always remember this win. One thing we said as an offense is we want to start games fast. I wanted to be the guy today to start fast, whether it was a 5-yard run or an 83-yard run. I wanted to be the guy to say this will be a fast-tempo game. We want the other team to play catch-up to us."

Baltimore certainly did that, forcing New England to play catch up from their first possession. From the beginning, things didn't go well as Tom Brady fumbled on the Patriots' first possession setting up another easy Ravens' TD. By the end of the first quarter, Brady and his teammates were hearing boos from the Gillette Stadium fans. For his part, Brady didn't blame them for their displeasure:

"I'd have been booing us, too, the way we played. Playing the way we played today, we weren't going to beat anybody."

New England is done for the year, while Baltimore will head to Indianapolis to take on Peyton Manning and the Colts on Saturday night. Indy has won and covered three straight against the Ravens, though Baltimore gave them a tough fight at home this season before losing 17-15 as a +1 home underdog. The NFL pointspread for this game has the Colts installed as -6' point home favorites with the total set at 45.

Ross Everett is a well known expert on sports handicapping and a widely published writer specializing in NFL football, auto racing, clogging and model railroading. He provides daily free sports picks to Internet and broadcast media outlets. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with three dogs and a retired racing wombat.

Tags: NFL Football by Ross Everett
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Until Sunday, it looked as if the return of Brett Favre to the NFL would have a storybook ending and propel the Minnesota Vikings to the Superbowl. Instead, the New Orleans Saints will be heading to the Superbowl for the first time in franchise history. Garrett Hartley nailed a 40 yard field goal in overtime to give the Saints a 31-28 victory in the NFC Championship game after Brett Favre was intercepted deep in Saints territory during the final seconds of regulation.

The Vikings did reward NFL betting fans who took them as +4 underdogs with a pointspread cover. Minnesota finished the season a solid 11-6-1 against the NFL pointspread while the Saints head into the Superbowl with a 9-9 ATS mark. The 59 combined points scored went OVER the posted total of 53'. The Saints went OVER for the second consecutive game after playing four straight UNDER verdicts to close out the regular season.

After the game, head coach Sean Payton drew an analogy to the city of New Orleans' recovery after Hurricane Katrina:

"This is for everybody in this city. This stadium used to have holes in it and used to be wet. It's not wet anymore. This is for the city of New Orleans."

Winning quarterback Drew Brees extended that same metaphor:

"In reality, we had to lean on each other in order to survive and in order to get where we are now. The city is on its way to recovery, and in a lot of ways has come back better than ever. We've used the strength and resiliency of our fans to go out and play every Sunday and play with the confidence that we can do it, that we can achieve everything we've set out to achieve."

Place kicker Hartley was low key despite securing the victory with his overtime field goal:

"Just helping my team get to Miami. Just doing my part."

Brett Favre didn't have much to say in defeat:

"I've felt better. It was a physical game. A lot of hits. You win that and you sure feel a lot better." Mississippi native Favre did throw his support behind the Saints:

"I would have loved to represent the NFC. But, as I told Sean throughout the year when we talked, if it's not us, I hope it's you guys."

The Vikings gave up a total of five turnovers including three fumbles. That, said running back Adrian Peterson, was the game:

"We really gave those guys the game. Too many turnovers. It's eating me up inside.

Ross Everett is a consulting handicapper for Oddsbay. He's a highly respected expert on soccer betting, as well as a published freelance writer specializing in sports betting, auto racing, karate and model railroading. He lives in Las Vegas with his Asian houseboy, three Jack Russell Terriers and a retired racing wombat.

Tags: NFL Football by Ross Everett
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I know T.O. is a very talented WR, but I think the Cowboys will be fine without him. Not all the pressure has to be on the WR's to make up for the loss of him. The Cowboys have 2 very good offensive TE's in Witten and Bennett, and have one of the best RB groups in the NFL. Getting Felix Jones back will play a big role in making up for T.O.'s production. Just keep all that in mind as you read this.

1. Roy Williams. He's no Terrell Owens in terms of flash, but he's easily one of the more capable wide receivers in the sport, and has always been viewed as a top receiver on a horrible team (the Lions). Health issues aside (he's generally known to miss a few games per year), Williams has as much raw talent as nearly any receiver in the game. As his chemistry with Tony Romo builds, I expect him to be a legitimate number one WR in Dallas.

2. Patrick Crayton Age:30 (6'0" 203 lbs 4.58 40 yard dash according to USA Today). I don't know about you, but when I think about Crayton, I have trouble getting over the dropped pass in the playoffs a couple seasons ago. But we have to put that behind us. He has good strength and hands, and has only missed 1 game the past 3 years. In those 3 years, he has been very consistent with his production. He has produced between 500 and 700 yards each season, while notching 15 touchdowns during in that time. I like Crayton, just not as the #2. I think he is the type of guy that is perfect for the slot. He can find the openings in defenses, and isn't afraid to go over the middle. If he can put up another 500 yard season, and get a few touchdowns, I think he has done his job well. Lets just hope he is still getting better at the age of 30. We may only have a couple seasons till he starts to decline, which isn't good for a guy who is a role player.

3. Miles Austin Age:25 (6'3" 216 lbs 4.47 40 yard dash). This kid has a ton of potential, let;s just hope he can utilize it now that we need him to. I have read reports that he is battling Crayton for the #2 spot, but he is currently splitting time as the #3 with Hurd. I would definitely like to see him lining up on the outside, with Crayton and Hurd handling the slots. He is widely considered the deep threat of this receiving group, which is a very accurate statement. He only had 13 receptions (in 12 games) last year, but they were for 278 yards and 3 touchdowns. His YPC last season was 21.4.

He is a legit deep threat. He very well could be the key to how successful the Cowboys receivers are this year. Hopefully he can turn into the type of threat that opposing defenses have to key on, giving Williams and others more opportunities underneath. I don't think a 1,000 yard season is out of the question, but he has to stay healthy, unlike last year.

4. Sam Hurd. A young wide receiver, just 24 years old, Hurd is making waves in training camp (just like he did in 2008). Many say that he's making great plays in practice and see this receiver coming into his own in 2009.

While he may just be a 4th receiver, Romo likes to spread the offense out, and I think he'll be a valuable role player in Dallas this season. I wouldn't be surprised to see about 30-40 yards per game, with a few touchdowns to go with it.

Short of these four wide receivers, I don't see anyone else at the position making much of an impact in Dallas next season. There's some talent to be tapped into, and a top NFL quarterback passing them the ball. Hopefully this will be enough to win some games.

To see more NFL previews, view discussions at the best Dallas Cowboys forum online, and play your hand at over 50,000 sports trivia questions, make sure to visit RootZoo.com.

Tags: NFL Football by Sandy Thompson
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The newest story in Green Bay involves the team's willingness to sign Michael Vick, fresh out of jail and looking for a way back into the NFL. While I despise Vick as a person for his disgusting behavior of a few years ago, his talent may help the cause of this packers team. Let's have a look at the pros and cons.

Pros: Michael Vick is a weapon, plain and simple. In addition to his status as a quarterback, he could easily be used as a running back in certain situations, and at the wide receiver position as well. He's genuinely one of the fastest players in the game, and the Packers playbook could see a major boost with both Vick and Aaron Rodgers on the field at once.

Vick in addition to being a WR in the wildcat he could also be a good option as a backup quarterback he had over 11,000 yards and 71 touchdowns as Falcon. Aaron Rodgers had a very good year last year but now teams have seen him and can plan against him, the Packers backups have not been proven in the NFL and having a player like Vick who has been in the NFL before will be a great help to the team. Rodgers have also had his share of injuries in his career and the Packers don't want to be stuck with an inexperienced quarterback in December. Adding Vick will also free up the option of trading Flynn or Brohm for a future draft pick.

Cons: One of the drawbacks with Vick is that he isn't a great quarterback. Even though he has 71 TDs he also has thrown 52 interceptions, and even though he is a mobile quarterback he was sacked 187 times when he was with the Falcons, he also averaged about 6 yards lost every time he was sacked, which no team including the packers want.

Vick's completion percentage was also low at about 54% in a west coast offense like Green Bay having a low completion percentage is not a good thing. Vick's quarterback rating is also 75.7 which is not a rating you are looking for in a west coast offense quarterback.

Yet another draw back that may come with Michael Vick is the negative media coverage his involvement could bring. With all of the Brett Favre drama of the past few years, the team and its fans are hungry for a break from the spotlight. This may bring the Packers back to the center of attention.

All in all, would the team be better off with Vick or without him? I'm inclined to say they should take the chance and go for it. The NFC North will be a competitive division this season, and any edge will help.

Then again, Green Bay is one of the smallest media markets in the country, so Vick may not attract the attention that he would in a major city. Perhaps we should really focus our attention on Aaron Rodgers, who may have the most at stake from a Michael Vick signing. Would the speedy quarterback help or hurt him?

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Tags: NFL Football by Fernando Roman
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After a decade of torture for any and all fans of the NFL's Detroit Lions, things might finally be headed in the right direction. Much of the Lions' failures over the past 10 years stems from the management failures of Matt Millen, who was finally given the boot last year in Detroit.

With a new GM Schwartz in the mix, the franchise has very aggressively done everything they can to erase the legacy of the past 10 seasons. Many players have been shipped out, and others shipped in.

New names like Stafford, Pettigrew, Selmas, Gronkowski, Foote, Peterson, Northcutt, King, Bryant Johnson, and so many others are a part of this team. More new names on a team than any I've seen in recent memory. Most importantly, the attitude at the Lions' training camp seems to be better than it's ever been.

Even the fans are excited. Many fans packed it in before sunrise to see what their newly formed team was up to. Almost seemed like the fans were more excited at training camp than they were at any game in 2008.

Nearly every single player at training camp put on a good performance, ready to meet the new football season with full enthusiasm. Between stars like Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith, and second and third string guys, everyone played their heart out for those who were there to witness it.

While most played, it was somewhat disappointing not to see new Lions Brandon Pettigrew and Larry Foote participating, due to some injury issues. They'll be fine for the regular season, but I was still excited to see them suited up in a Lions uniform. The quarterbacks all looked great, and Drew Stanton's level of play has been so impressive that many are speculating he has a chance to be the team's starter if he keeps it up. The team's running backs (Smith and rookie Brown) both looked to be in top notch shape, and rookie DJ Boldin should make an immediate impact at wide receiver.

The highlight of the training camp day was the end of it, as the team participated in a really exciting drill. Not only was the effort great (this was an endzone drill), but the teammates started joking around with one another, showing some great team chemistry and nice enthusiasm about the season to come.

Fans were high on their team too. One fan was approached by a journalist who wanted his prediction for the Lions in 2009. The fan replied with a 14-2 projected record. While those around him heckled, he was only half joking, as this team seriously believes it can string together a winning season.

Once the practice finished, I had the opportunity to meet a few of the team's players. Both Larry Foote and Jeff Backus were extremely friendly, and Foote is truly proud to be a Lion despite the fact that he left Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh. You'd truly never know this team was the joke of the NFL for the past 10 years. The Lions have begun a new life in Detroit.

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Tags: NFL Football by Todd Donald
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I can't believe we're almost done with yet another decade. In just several weeks, the end of the 00s will be behind us, and I'd like to take the time to look back at the decade that was, showcasing the best five NFL quarterbacks to have played football during these ten years.

My rankings factor in the overall performance over the last 10 years, rather than who may be better than who at present. Based on this, we're going to remember what's transpired in seasons past in determining who finished where on this list.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this, and I'd love to hear any feedback if you happen to disagree with me. Here we go.

The fifth spot in these rankings goes to Kurt Warner. While it's true that he was weak during the middle of the decade, he's been one of the strongest in the NFL during the beginning and at the end of this decade. Having led the Rams and the Cardinals to Super Bowls, he's been exceptional - especially when you consider the usual demise of both franchises.

Brett Favre. A better career QB than at least one of the guys (and arguably more) below him here, Favre's still going strong to close out the decade.

With 5 conference championship appearances on his resume, Donovan McNabb has done his share to earn a spot on this list. The Eagles have been perennially strong during this decade, thanks to a great defense and a top notch quarterback.

Tom Brady has been at the forefront of a Patriots dynasty during this decade, and his team has arguably been the most successful franchise of the last 20 years. His numbers have been exceptional and some more of his best days may still be ahead.

Peyton Manning has been consistently amazing throughout the course of his career. This decade was no exception, as the Colts have been a constantly competitive team and always a threat to win the AFC. Manning is one of those quarterbacks who only surfaces once or twice per generation.

This writer would be thrilled if you checked out his Rocket Spanish review.

Tags: NFL Football by Mark Hall
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