NFL Betting – NFC East Up For Grabs

The World Cup is over, there is no Basketball, and no Hockey – time to think about some NFL betting futures. The NFC East offers possibly the most interesting yet unpredictable NFL betting opportunities. Dallas appears to be the class of the division with the Giants, Eagles and Redskins all looking to make some waves. With six divisional games for each team, anything can happen and it probably will.

NFL betting futures odds:

Dallas Cowboys: +125

The Dallas Cowboys are NFL Betting darlings who are favored to win their division and why not? They appear to be the most complete team in the division. But can the NFL betting public trust the chronic underachievers or is 2010-2011 the year that they finally break through?

The Cowboys were strong on offense last year and appear to have only gotten better in the off season. Felix Jones appears to be in line for an increase in carries while Marion Barber and Tashard Choice are more than capable backups for the main man. Promises of a more focused running game have been heard before, but haven’t been realized.

Dallas’ 2nd ranked offense and defense should be good again this year. The offense added uber-talented Dez Bryant in the draft to play alongside Miles Austin, Jason Whitten and Roy Williams. DeMarcus Ware and the rest of the defense should once again terrorize opposing offenses.

Dallas should win the division this year and is one of two or three teams that are a legitimate pre season Super Bowl favorite. At +125, they are surprisingly good value in the NFC East.

New York Giants: +275

The New York Giants are only a few years removed from a Super Bowl Championship and Eli Manning has quickly developed into one of the most reliable signal callers in the NFL. So why do oddmakers have them +275 to win their own division. Maybe it is because of a lack of a 1000 yard rusher from last year and maybe it is because of the competition within their division.

The Giants will be better this year – the ownership, the players and the NFL Betting world demand it. Dominic Hixon was lost for the season but Eli Manning still has emerging star Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Hakeem Nicks and Kevin Boss at his disposal.

The Giants defense was a mess last year but with the departure of some, the retirement of others and the drafting of future stars such as Defensive End Jason Pierre, they appear to be moving in the right direction.

The Giants are still the Giants. They are a good team but may just need another year or two in order to seriously contend for the NFC East crown. Their schedule is brutal this season and the division has gotten a whole lot better. Some may see the +275 as good value for an elite status team, but in a division full of “haves”, they are destined for a second place finish.

Philadelphia Eagles: +270

The Philadelphia Eagles finally made the long awaited break up with Donovan McNabb and now put the ball in the hands of Kevin Kolb. DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Brent Celek are weapons indeed but their success relies on the effectiveness of a Quarterback that has never played even half of a full season. Kolb is a huge question mark and is a huge risk in terms of NFL Betting.

The Eagles will also turn to a young Running back, LeSean McCoy after Brian Westbrook was released.

Philadelphia is the quintessential team in transition. They could win the NFC East and they could finish dead last. Their schedule is tough, their offense is unproven and their psyche may just be affected by the two humiliating losses they suffered to the Cowboys at the end of last season. Winning the division appears out of the question – a .500 season and a third place NFC East finish seems more realistic.

Washington Redskins: +550

Those of you putting your NFL betting faith in the Washington Redskins had better give their heads a shake. Sure they brought in a Hall of Fame Coach and a Stud Quarterback, but there are too many missing pieces for the Skins to be considered contenders. There were as many bad acquisitions as there was good ones in DC this past offseason – Larry Johnson is not the answer.

Washington promises to be the weak link in a strong division once again. Sorry Skins fans, it’s going to be another long year.

The NFC East could be the most interesting race to watch this season and has potential to provide a surprise or two to the NFL betting world. Dallas is a decent bet at +125 but if you are looking for an underdog, the Giants and Eagles are OK value to pull off an upset.

Top 5 MMA Pound-For-Pound Heavyweights

MMA has become a global phenomenon in recent years, with an endless number of promotions beginning to take flight, and divisions being established amongst their rankings.

The heavyweight class has been one of the most competitive over that time, with different champions rising in different countries throughout the world, only to fall to the next big thing.

Ranking the top heavyweight fighters regardless of where they fight can be a difficult task, particularly when they haven’t faced the same competition throughout. However, based on status, record, and quality of opponents that they have faced, we have compiled a list of the top five heavyweight fighters in the world today. 

[Offtopic: by the way, do you want to get a 60% bonus on your first deposit here at BetOnline? Find out more exciting details HERE.]

5. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (UFC)

Despite losing two of his last three fights, Nogueira remains widely respected, and given that he has beaten a list including Randy Couture, Werdum, Tim Sylvia, and Heath Herring, it is easy to understand why. 

4. Fabricio Werdum (Strikeforce)

His win over Emelianenko was his third straight, helping him improve to 14-4-1. With wins over Antonio Silva, Alistair Overeem, and Emelianenko, Werdum has to be considered one of the top three in the sport. 

3. Fedor Emelianenko (Strikeforce)

Regarded in some circles as being the best there is right now, that label will not be given to him by this publication until he starts getting in the octagon with some better competition. Despite his 32-2 record, Emelianenko was submitted in just the first round by challenger Fabricio Werdum, and has yet to fight many of the top names in the sport. 

2. Shane Carwin (UFC)

One of the most dominant fighters to ever step in to the octagon, Shane “The Engineer” Carwin knocked out each of the first 12 opponents he faced before submitting to Lesnar at UFC: 116, a fight in which he dominated for the entire opening round before simply running out of gas. What is even more impressive, is that those 12 wins were all tallied in the first round, over names including Frank Mir, Gabriel Gonzaga, and Neil Wain. 

1. Brock Lesnar (UFC Heavyweight Champion)

Despite losing to Frank Mir in his UFC debut back in February of 2008, fans were given warning of what was to come in the future for Brock Lesnar based on the way he dominated that fight early on. Experience and patience was all that was needed for the 32-year old, who has won all five contests he has taken part in since, including getting revenge against Mir with a second round total knock out victory two years later. In between his battles with Mir, Lesnar beat Heath Herring by unanimous decision, then took the UFC Heavyweight Championship from the legendary Randy Couture.

Despite being away from the octagon for nearly a year while battling an illness that landed him in hospital, and getting brutalized by Shane Carwin in the ugliest first round of his career, Lesnar found a way to persevere and beat Carwin by submission to retain his title at UFC: 116 this past weekend. The win proved just how far he has come as a fighter, and at only 32, there remains room for improvement. 

Sunday MLB Parlay Pick – Wilson, Arieta Take Mound as Rangers Host Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles will look to upset the Texas Rangers and take the finale of a four-game set when they square off against the Rangers at Rangers Ballpark this afternoon at 3 PM ET.

Sunday, July 11, 3:05 PM ET
Rangers Ballpark, Arlington, TX

TV: MASN 2 HD, TXA-21 HD
Radio: Sirius 180 XM

Baltimore (25-56 SU, 33-44-4 O/U, 34-47 RL)
Texas (48-33 SU, 38-39-4 O/U, 40-41 RL)

Here is a look at the key trends for each team heading into Friday night’s Game 2 matchup, followed by my in-depth analysis and MLB Free Picks.

• Orioles are 16-36 in their last 52 vs. American League West.
• Orioles are 11-44 in their last 55 road games.
• Rangers are 20-8 in their last 28 overall.
• Rangers are 24-10 in their last 34 home games.

 

The Starters: The Orioles will hand the ball to talented rookie right-hander Jacob Arieta (2-2, 4.96 ERA) while the Rangers counter with their own gifted rookie in southpaw hurler C.J. Wilson (7-4, 3.24 ERA).

Arrieta turned in one of the best outings of his young career the last time out, limiting the Detroit Tigers to just one earned run on seven hits in 6.1 stellar innigns of work on Tuesday. The 24-year-old struck out four and walked two in the no-decision.

Wilson was dominant in his last start against the Indians, allowing just one run on two hits with four strikeouts in six innings on Tuesday. Wilson has not allowed more than two earned runs in six straight starts and has compiled an impressive 6-1 mark with a 3.38 ERA in 64 innings in 10 starts at Rangers Ballpark.

Analysis: I’ve got to say MLB online betting enthusiasts, that I am very impressed with Baltimore’s Jacob Arieta. Sure the young hurler doesn’t have the most impressive record or ERA in the world, but what do you expect when he’s playing for the miserable Orioles?

Having said that, I think pro baseball betting buffs can see that the right pick here is to play the hard-hitting Texas Rangers and red-hot hurler C.J. Wilson.

The left-hander has tossed at least five innings in each of his last seven starts, while allowing three runs or less and no more than six hits in every single outing.

The Orioles have compiled an absolutely pitiful 11-44 record in their last 55 road games while the Rangers have gone a blistering 24-10 in their last 34 home games.

I say, play the Rangers and the Under for this contest as I don’t expect Wilson and Arieta to give up too many runs in this one.

MLB Free Picks: Texas Rangers SU Win/Under Set O/U Total

Bank on Spain to beat the World Cup odds in Sunday Tile match!

The 2010 World Cup will come to a close on Sunday afternoon at Soccer City Stadium, as Holland and Spain battle it out for the right to be called champions of the world. BetOnline Sportsbook has all of the World Cup odds for this match that will be available to you right up until kickoff time in South Africa.

The Dutch reached this point in the tournament by dismissing Uruguay 3-2 in a match that was far more lopsided than the final score indicated. Spain made it to the finale with its third straight 1-0 win in the knockout rounds of this tournament.

Regardless of who wins this match, a first time winner will be crowned. Neither team has ever played in the World Cup finale.

Holland vs. Spain

Game Date/Time: Sunday, July 11th, 2:30 PM ET
Game Location: Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
TV/Radio Broadcast: ABC, ESPN360, XM

World Cup Odds

Holland                  +270                      +0.5 -120
Spain                     +110                      -0.5 +110
Draw                          +250
Total                           2 over -110              2 under -110

Odds to Win World Cup
Spain -175
Holland +155

Goodness knows where Holland would be in this tournament if not for the play of F Wesley Sneijder. The hero for the Dutch has scored five goals in this World Cup, tying him for the lead in the Golden Boot chase. He scored his third goal of the knockout rounds of this tournament in the 70th minute in the semifinal against Uruguay, the goal that proved to be the match winner.

F Arjen Robben is a man to watch as well, as he scored for the second time in this tournament just three minutes after Sneijder struck. Robben started off this tournament with a hamstring concern that has since been remedied. La Oranje are clearly at full strength just in time to make a march on the title.

Spain will stand in their way, though. La Roja have a five-goal scorer of their own in this tournament, as F David Villa has lit up the scoreboard a handful of times as well.

Villa was the lone goal scorer in both victories over Portugal and Paraguay in the first two knockout rounds. The hero on Wednesday in Durban though, was D Carles Pujol. Pujol scored from just inside the box with a lethal header off of a corner kick. He is now one of three men to score for Spain in this tournament, with the third being M Andres Iniesta.

World Cup Insider Tip: The Spaniards haven’t given up a goal in the World Cup since the final match of the group stage.

That defense will ultimately make the difference. We aren’t so sure that the Spanish are going to figure out how to score in the first 90 minutes either, but at some point, they will strike and take down the tournament, making themselves heroes back in Madrid and all across the country.

Bank on Spain to beat the World Cup odds on Sunday.

My World Cup Prediction: Spain to Win the World Cup -175

LeBron’s Decision: What It Means For the Eastern Conference

It’s one thing to talk about the Miami Heat, the franchise that’s a few good role players away from being the Eastern Conference favorite. What about the other teams that are competing with Miami for supremacy in the East, and a likely date with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2011 NBA Finals?

The team in the East that has naturally taken the biggest tumble, and therefore cannot be expected to compete for a championship, is Cleveland. The Cavaliers depended too much on James for their offensive production in the first place, so with LeBron James no longer around, it’s going to be a work in progress for the Cavs to reclaim a lofty place in the standings. There just isn’t enough star quality to compensate for King James’ absence. Perhaps the team chemistry and balance will improve, but this team’s firepower isn’t lethal anymore. Dan Gilbert – who ripped LeBron in a memorably scathing letter late Thursday night – will need to work doubly hard to bring in a quality supporting cast for his remaining players. All in all, the Cavs are behind the eight ball.

The Atlanta Hawks have basically taken themselves out of the running for the Eastern Conference crown. This franchise has made no significant moves, save for the absurd max-deal signing of free agent guard Joe Johnson. The contract was pegged at roughly $123 million, a terrible waste of money for a player who can be brilliant at times, but is also a streaky shooter and a man whose defense is less than imposing, to put it charitably. Johnson –  the big name kept in the Atlanta stable – will eat up so much cash that the Hawks can’t do much else in the marketplace. Johnson is hardly worthy of a max deal, and he sits on a team that embarrassed itself with its lay-down-and-die “performance” in the second round of the 2010 playoffs against the Orlando Magic. The Hawks –  like the Milwaukee team they barely beat in round one of the NBA postseason this past spring – won’t be able to penetrate the upper tier of the East.

If one wanted to pick the four best teams in the East at this point in time, the likely quartet would be Chicago, Orlando, Boston and Miami. Chicago owns a terrific blend of pieces and sports the blessing of an elite point guard in Derrick Rose. However, Chicago will be undersized, and it remains to be seen if the Bulls’ wings can handle a LeBron-Wade combo from Miami Heat or Orlando’s army of 3-point shooters. Orlando’s big trump card is Dwight Howard, who can be contained by Boston and Chicago but will run wild against a Miami team that currently lacks a beefy big man. Boston is experienced and deep, but the Celtics lose their defensive architect, Tom Thibodeau, who is now coaching the Bulls. Moreover, Boston’s old lineup isn’t getting fresher; any injury concerns would sink the Celtics’ ship.

In many ways, the East will likely depend on matchups. If Miami can avoid Orlando, it will be in good shape. If Chicago can avoid Miami, it will have to like its chances more. If Boston manages to find itself in the half of the bracket that’s opposite Chicago, it will sigh in relief. If Orlando avoids its nemesis from Boston, it will have reason to smile. In all likelihood, Chicago’s not powerful enough and Orlando showed too much mental weakness this past spring against Boston. The Celtics probably deserve to remain the favorite by a scant margin over Miami, but that could change if the Heat’s supporting cast for the Big Three turns out to be better than expected.

World Cup Final Betting – Holland vs. Spain

A clash of the Titans, but a clash never seen before that features Holland facing Spain for the first time in a World Cup this Sunday at Soccer City at 2:30 PM ET.

This BIG final that will give one of these two countries their first World Cup title. One Dream, one Game, one Champion.

Spain arrives to this game as a favorite, as they have been for the entire tournament, but this time really confident after they eliminated Germany in the semifinals in such a strong way that left the whole world speechless.

Holland, on the other side, got here after suffering a lot to beat Uruguay.

World Cup Odds:

Spain +115

Draw +225

Netherlands +240

O/U 2

The Spanish game is pretty simple to decode but it’s really hard/nearly impossible to stop.

They control the ball and the tempo of the game because their playmakers are designed to not loan the ball to the opponent.

Most of then –Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets, Pedro, Pique- play together at Barcelona which makes their chemistry so much easier.

Soccer betting fans, believe me when I say this, it is really TOUGH to steal the ball from them.

In addition, if a team gets back to defend their goal like Germany did, Spain doesn’t get desperate at all because they know that with movements and a good passing game they will find a hole at some point.

The key for Holland in this match will be both Mark Van Bommel and Nigel De Jong, as they are the midfield defenders in charge of stopping the Spanish playmakers.

To be honest, if Holland wants to win, these two will need some help from Wesley Sneijder and Dirk Kuyt to stop the Spanish attack.

I think Holland won’t be as easy an opponent as Germany was for Spain, but there is something in me that feels the Dutch are here for a reason, especially after taking a good look at Sneijer’s goals against Brazil and Uruguay, as both were really lucky.

The safe bet here is Spain, but I’m not up for that. Holland pays more and they have a real shot of beating Spain, especially because a final is so different than the rest of any tournament.

Simmons’ soccer betting pick: Holland +240