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09/08/2007 - New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Major League Baseball conducted a series of coin tosses Friday to determine the sites for various potential two-team tiebreakers that would impact the 2007 postseason.
This was the first series of coin flips. Teams within five games of a respective postseason berth were included in this flip. Additional coin flips will be conducted when necessary.
Tiebreaker scenarios:
AL wild card: Mariners at Yankees; Tigers @ Yankees; Mariners @ Tigers
NL East: Mets @ Phillies
NL Central: Brewers @ Cubs; Cubs @ Cardinals; Cardinals @ Brewers
NL West: Padres @ Diamondbacks; Dodgers @ Diamondbacks; Rockies @ Diamondbacks; Padres @ Dodgers; Rockies @ Padres; Dodgers @ Rockies
NL wild card: Dodgers @ Padres; Phillies @ Padres; Padres @ Rockies; Cubs @ Padres; Padres @ Brewers; Phillies @ Dodgers; Dodgers @ Rockies; Cubs @ Dodgers; Dodgers @ Brewers; Phillies @ Rockies; Cubs @ Phillies; Phillies @ Brewers; Rockies @ Cubs; Brewers @ Rockies; Brewers @ Cubs
It is important to note the following when it comes to the tiebreaker scenario: If two clubs from the same division are tied but both are assured of participating in the postseason, then the first tiebreaker to determine which club is the division champion and which club is the wild card would be their 2007 season-series record.
If three clubs finish the season with the same winning percentage and one team will be a division winner and another will be the wild card, the two teams tied for the division lead will play the one-game tie-breaker, with the winner being declared the division champion. The losing team will then play the club from the other division for the wild card.
If three clubs are tied for first place in the Division with an identical winning percentage at the end of the regular season, then the tie is broken by designating the Clubs as "A," "B," and "C," with selection of those designations based on the Clubs' records against one another, and playing tie- breaking games as Club A would host Club B on Monday, October 1st. The winner of the A vs. B game would then host Club C on Tuesday, October 2nd. The winner of the A/B vs. C game would be declared the division champion.
<< Braves' Renteria activated
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Braves activated shortstop Edgar
Renteria from the 15-day disabled list Friday prior to the team's game against
Washington.
Renteria has been sidelined since August 3 with a sprained right an
<< Reds' Jorgensen suspended 50 games
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Cincinnati Reds catcher Ryan Jorgensen
has received a 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's Joint
Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Jorgensen has just 19 total at-bats in
<< Johnson leads Hendrick sweep of Cup qualifying
Richmond, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Defending series champion Jimmie Johnson
captured the pole for Saturday night's Nextel Cup "regular" season finale at
the Richmond International Raceway. The No.48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
driver
<< Orioles pick up Santos from Reds
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Baltimore Orioles purchased right-handed
relief pitcher Victor Santos from the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.
Santos went 1-4 with a 5.14 ERA in 32 appearances for the Reds this season,
making the club
Trio leads suspended event in Arkansas >>
Rogers, AR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kristy McPherson, formerly of The Golf Channel's
"Big Break" television show, Teresa Lu and Katherine Hull all shot rounds of
six-under 66 on Friday to share the lead during the suspended first round of
the ina
Langham alone in first in Utah >>
Sandy, UT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Overnight co-leader Franklin Langham shot a four-
under 67 on Friday to take the second-round lead at the Utah Energy Solutions
Championship.
He finished two rounds at 12-under-par 130 and is one shot clear
Griffey homers to help Reds down Brewers >>
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ken Griffey Jr. hit career home run No. 593
and finished with three RBI, guiding the Cincinnati Reds to an 11-4 rout of
the Milwaukee Brewers in the first of a three-game set at Great American Ball
Park.
Granderson makes history as Tigers beats Mariners >>
Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Curtis Granderson made major league history by
belting his 20th homer of the season as Detroit downed Seattle, 6-1, in the
opener of a crucial three-game set at Comerica Park.
With the home run, Granderso
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
In terms of sports wagering, the NFL is "the most popular game in town." The explanation behind that is easy.
It is called the "pointspread."
Many years ago, NFL games, as well as the more popular college games, used straight odds as a vehicle for betting. For example, if the Bears were playing the Giants, and it shaped up as a competitive contest, the Bears might be, say, a 7/5 favorite. If they were playing an also-ran, it might be 10/1. Well, there is a point where a line becomes prohibitive, as far as betting the favorite. And who would waste money betting an underdog that has virtually no chance? Such a setup did not contribute to promoting betting action.
But in modern sports betting, a "pointspread" is used.
A NFL pointspreads are exactly that, a pre-established point difference between the two sides that will, for all intents and purposes, create a handicap that evens things out, and in doing so, produces comparable wagering activity on both sides of that proposition. So in lieu of a odds figure in which to bet the team to win outright, the Bears might be a three-point favorite over the New York Giants, and a 17-point favorite over the also-ran. Now that the team that is the underdog can "get" points, there can be equal action on both sides.
In sportsbooks, this is usually done with efficiency by charging the losing bettors 10% extra - in effect, bettors are laying 11/10 on those games. So they are actually betting $110 to win $100. If they lose, they pay the "vig." If they win, they simply collect.
The establishment of the pointspread as the corner stone around which team sports like football can be wagered upon was truly what brought gridiron betting into the stratosphere for online football betting .
Don't believe it? Just take a look at what happens around the Super Bowl.
Stay with us here as we take you through the best in NFL action on a consistent basis, with advice columns as well as handicapping selections. If you're looking for college football betting, that's in our NCAA section, which you can reach by clicking here. And if you're looking for a different kind of football, such as the Canadian Football League, which we'll deal with occasionally, or the Arena Football League, which we really like, you can find it in our Miscellaneous section by clicking
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting odds .
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