Archive for August, 2010

2010 NFL Betting: Preseason Top 10 ATS Power Rankings

August 14th, 2010 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in NFL Football   Comments Off on 2010 NFL Betting: Preseason Top 10 ATS Power Rankings
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The 2010 NFL betting campaign is just around the corner! In order to keep you up on all the action, Bankroll Sports has listed the Top 10 ATS teams from 2009, their 2010 Super Bowl odds, and our NFL predictions for them for this season!

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#1 Green Bay Packers (+1000 to win Super Bowl XLV at JustBet Sportsbook): The Pack posted the best marks in the league last year for NFL betting fans, going 11-4-1 ATS. They are going to be back with a fantastic offense loaded with talent. QB Aaron Rodgers is likely to reach the 4,000 yard barrier for the third straight season to start his career, which is a feat that even some of the greatest in NFL history never even remotely came close to. If DC Dom Capers’ defense can keep its head on straight and post some of the best numbers in the league once again, there’s no reason to think that the Green Bay won’t once again be on top of the NFL ATS power ratings.

#2 Atlanta Falcons (+2500 to win Super Bowl XLV at JustBet Sportsbook): It’s impressive to think that the Falcons followed up a playoff campaign in 2008 with a non-playoff one in 2009 but still went a lofty 11-5 ATS. Could that bode even better for this year? HC Mike Smith thinks he has a winning formula, so he brought back the majority of players from last year’s 9-7 team. The only real key additions were LB Sean Weatherspoon, acquiring in the first round of the NFL Draft, and DB Dunta Robinson, who was picked up via free agency from the Houston Texans. Picking up Robinson was key, as it was the pass defense that really hurt this team late in games last season. Asking for 11 covers again this season might be a bit much, but Atlanta should post another great record this year.

#3 Indianapolis Colts (+600 to win Super Bowl XLV at JustBet Sportsbook): As long as #18 is roaming the sidelines for the Colts, they are going to be a difficult team to bet against. One would figure that the oddsmakers would be incredibly tough on them week in and week out, but in spite of the fact that their numbers are almost always at least a tad inflated, they went a rock solid 10-5-1 ATS in 2009. This could be the year that Indy snaps back to earth if the NFL spreads keep as high as they have been in recent seasons. It has a brutal schedule, and QB Peyton Manning is going to have to contend with a new offensive coordinator, as Tom Moore has retired.

#4 San Francisco 49ers (+3000 to win Super Bowl XLV at JustBet Sportsbook): This is probably a make-or-break season in the coaching career of Mike Singletary. No man asks for more from his team, nor will anyone get more from his players than does Singletary. Still, in spite of the fact that he went an awesome 9-4-3 ATS in last year’s regular season, Singletary has still yet to take this team to the playoffs. With a quarterback rotation set in stone and one of the most talented offensive lines in the game, the 49ers have no excuses this year. As long as the oddsmakers don’t start putting up unrealistically high numbers on it, San Francisco is going to be a great bet, particularly as underdogs this season.

#5 Cleveland Browns (+10000 to win Super Bowl XLV at JustBet Sportsbook): The Browns closed out last season by winning four straight games both SU and ATS to finish the year at 10-6 ATS. The turnaround was sparked by the addition of GM Mike Holmgren to the staff. Holmgren decided to retain HC Eric Mangini, but he dumped both of his quarterbacks. If QB Jake Delhomme can reinvent himself and the Browns play as hard as they did down the stretch last season, they could challenge for a playoff spot in the AFC. The Steelers, Bengals, and Ravens need to be very careful when this team turns up on the schedule. The end result should be covers galore!

#6 Minnesota Vikings (+1000 to win Super Bowl XLV at JustBet Sportsbook): This is a team that is probably damned if it does and damned if it doesn’t. If QB Brett Favre does come back to Minnesota, it will likely be overinflated in most every game it plays due to the fact that Favre had an epic season last year. If he doesn’t come back, the oddsmakers are still probably going to overrate this team due to the fact that Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels flat out stink. Duplicating last year’s 9-6-1 ATS mark is going to be virtually impossible unless someone comes up with a truly Herculean effort.

#7 Philadelphia Eagles (+3000 to win Super Bowl XLV at JustBet Sportsbook): Fly Eagles, fly! Philly could be an interesting team to back this year if QB Kevin Kolb can step right into the role that QB Donovan McNabb vacated when he was traded to the Washington Redskins in the offseason. The Eagles could have a porous defense which holds them back this year though, which could make that 9-7 ATS mark from 2009 difficult to repeat. Still, a lot of NFL lines are going to be tight when this team takes on its competitors, so if you think Philadelphia can win nine games, you probably think it can cover nine spreads as well.

#8 New York Jets (+1200 to win Super Bowl XLV at JustBet Sportsbook): Last season, the Jets fooled a lot of teams, and the end result was a stellar 9-7 ATS mark. They marched all the way to the AFC Championship Game on the back of a strong defense and a rushing attack that ranked first in the NFL. Conventional wisdom suggests that the additions of DB Antonio Cromartie and DB Kyle Wilson could make this defense even more frightening, especially now that DT Kris Jenkins is healthy. Still, it’s going to take QB Mark Sanchez improving his game for New York to put up these types of results again.

#9 Denver Broncos (+6500 to win Super Bowl XLV at JustBet Sportsbook): Though many are down on the Broncos this year, we have to remember that most of the pieces to this puzzle are once again back in place. The big losses are WR Brandon Marshall, TE Tony Scheffler, and LB Elvis Dumervil. Dumervil, who led the team with 17 sacks last year, might be able to play at the end of this season after tearing a pectoral muscle in the preseason. However, the oddsmakers are seemingly making huge adjustments to this team. Yes, the Broncos collapsed down the stretch last year, but losses don’t mean failed covers. If the numbers get too large, improving on a 9-7 ATS record from ’09 is doable.

#10 Carolina Panthers (+5000 to win Super Bowl XLV at JustBet Sportsbook): The same could be said about the Panthers and their 9-7 ATS record from last year. Losing QB Jake Delhomme might be addition by subtraction, as both Matt Moore and rookie Jimmy Clausen can’t do much worse than the former Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajun did last year. This season will once again revolve around the defense and running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. The Panthers might be able to surprise, as several are down on their chances of making the postseason in what could be the final year for HC John Fox.

2010 NFL Week 1 Preseason Lines; Quick Breakdown

August 10th, 2010 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in NFL Football   Comments Off on 2010 NFL Week 1 Preseason Lines; Quick Breakdown

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Complete List of Week 1 NFL Preseason Lines Can Be Found Below

NFL preseason betting action started last Sunday with the Hall of Fame Game, as the Dallas Cowboys knocked off the Cincinnati Bengals 16-7. The other 30 teams kick off their season this week, as NFL wagering warriors have a full slate of 16 games to sink their teeth into.

As always, the oddsmakers are having a tough time deciding which team to favor and by how many points in the first week of preseason action. Thirteen of the 16 home teams are favored this week, but none by more than 3.5 points. The only teams that are underdogs at home are the Indianapolis Colts and the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals are playing against the perennial preseason powers, the Houston Texans. The quarterback rotation for the Texans might not be superior to that of the Cardinals, but in the end, the depth that Houston has at its disposal is just better than Arizona’s, which is why the oddsmakers have installed them as slender one point choices.

As for the Colts, they are sluggish during every preseason, as QB Peyton Manning rarely plays and his reserves are basically commanded to try to make the game go by as quickly as possible. When you’re as good as Indy is, you don’t need four preseason games to figure out what your rotation is going to look like in the regular season. You know that #18 is going to be chucking the pigskin all over the field, and everything else will typically work itself out.

The most intriguing game on the slate this week comes between the Minnesota Vikings and St. Louis Rams. Both teams are going to have a fierce battle for the starting quarterback position. The Vikes, mired in the Brett Favre saga, are going to enter battle in the preseason with Tarvaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels, and Joe Webb battling to become the successor to the great #4 in purple. The city of St. Louis should enjoy the debut of QB Sam Bradford, the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft from this year. Along with Bradford though, HC Steve Spagnuolo is going to have AJ Feeley, Keith Null, and rookie Thaddeus Lewis to take a look at.

That Vikes/Rams duel on Saturday night has the lowest posted ‘total’ on the board at 31.5. The highest ‘total’ is only 35, with that coming on the first game of the first full week of play in the preseason between the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots.

2010 NFL Preseason Football Week 1 Lines & Odds @ BetUS Sportsbook (as of 8/10/10):
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251 – New Orleans Saints +1.5
252 – New England Patriots -1.5
Over/Under 35

253 – Carolina Panthers +3 (ev)
254 – Baltimore Ravens -3 (-120)
Over/Under 34

255 – Oakland Raiders +3 (-105)
256 – Dallas Cowboys -3 (-115)
Over/Under 34

257- Jacksonville Jaguars +3
258 – Philadelphia Eagles -3
Over/Under 33

259 – Buffalo Bills +3 (+105)
260 – Washington Redskins -3 (-125)
Over/Under 32

261 – Kansas City Chiefs +3 (ev)
262 – Atlanta Falcons -3 (-120)
Over/Under 34

263 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers +3 (ev)
264 – Miami Dolphins -3 (-120)
Over/Under 33.5

265 – Detroit Lions +2.5
266 – Pittsburgh Steelers -2.5
Over/Under 33.5

267 – Houston Texans -1
268 – Arizona Cardinals +1
Over/Under 33

269 – Minnesota Vikings pk
270 – St. Louis Rams pk
Over/Under 31.5

271 – Cleveland Browns +2.5
272 – Green Bay Packers -2.5
Over/Under 34

273 – Chicago Bears +3
274 – San Diego Chargers -3
Over/Under 33.5

275 – Tennessee Titans +3 (ev)
276 – Seattle Seahawks -3 (-120)
Over/Under 33.5

277 – San Francisco 49ers -3 (-120)
278 – Indianapolis Colts +3 (ev)
Over/Under 34

279 – Denver Broncos +3.5
280 – Cincinnati Bengals -3.5
Over/Under 32.5

281 – New York Giants +1.5
282 – New York Jets -1.5
Over/Under 33.5

Brett Favre Retiring, 2010 Minnesota Vikings Odds

August 3rd, 2010 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in NFL Football   1 Comment »

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Brett Favre has decided to retire. The former gunslinger of the Minnesota Vikings told the team on Tuesday his intentions to not come back this year following a season in which he led the team to the NFC Championship Game.

The Vikings are now in trouble at the quarterback position, as the only viable options seem to be Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson.

Jackson was the backup to Favre last year, and he filled in admirably when called upon in mop up duty. He threw for 201 yards and a TD without throwing a pick. Over the last two seasons, the former Alabama State quarterback has completed 102-of-170 passes (60.0%) for 1,257 yards with ten TDs against just two INTs. He has also only been sacked 14 times and lost three fumbles. For that reason, HC Brad Childress is probably more inclined to put Jackson back under center once again.

Jackson was the signal caller for the team down the stretch in both 2007 and 2008. As a starting quarterback, he has struggled, completed just 57.6 percent of his passes for an average of 164.1 yards per game with 18 TDs and 17 INTs. Jackson also has rumbled for four scores on the ground. He guided the Vikings to the playoffs in 2008. The Philadelphia Eagles knocked off Minnesota in the first round 26-14.

Rosenfels has never been asked to be a full-time starter, and he has never started in Week 1 for a team coming out of training camp. In just 12 career starts, the 32 year old is averaging just 203.0 yards per game. Rosenfels has tossed 13 TDs against a woeful 20 INTs and has fumbled eight times in those 12 games. Part of what Childress loved about Favre last year was that he kept his turnovers low, throwing just seven INTs. Rosenfels clearly doesn’t have that type of capacity. He also hasn’t taken a snap since 2008 with the Houston Texans.

Prior to the announcement of Favre’s retirement, the Vikings were the second choice on the board on the NFC North odds at +145. Though we expect to still see Minnesota only behind the Green Bay Packers in this division at the outset of the season, the Pack could very well become odds on favorites.

Minnesota was tabbed to win 9.5 games on the pro football odds and was lined at +1200 to win Super Bowl XLV.

2010 MLB Trade Deadline Report Cards

August 2nd, 2010 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in MLB Baseball   Comments Off on 2010 MLB Trade Deadline Report Cards
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The MLB non-waiver trade deadline came and went on Saturday at 4:00 PM, and though there was a flurry of action right before the wire, several teams were left out in the cold in their quest to better themselves for the rest of this season. Check out how we graded the teams in the hunt for October at Bankroll Sports!

Atlanta Braves: The only move the Braves made during this trade season was picking up SS Alex Gonzalez from the Toronto Blue Jays. How has that move worked out so far? Gonzalez is batting .259 with six extra base hits, one homers, and three RBIs in 15 games with Atlanta. The man he was traded for, SS Yunel Escobar is batting .323 with three dingers and nine RBIs. We won’t mention the two prospects that the Braves gave up in this deal as well. Oops. Look out from behind Atlanta, as the pack is coming to get you in the NL East. Final Grade: D-

Philadelphia Phillies: Give some props to the Phils for going out and getting their man in RHP Roy Oswalt. This is clearly a sign that the boys from the City of Brotherly Love are going for gold once again in the National League. However, this could be a case of too little, too late. The Phils are 3.5 games out of the Wild Card in the race in the NL and are 2.5 back of the Braves. Giving up LHP JA Happ and some prospects to take on all that payroll is risky, but the move worked last year with LHP Cliff Lee. It could work again this year. We love the guts, but aren’t so sure it will be worth the glory. Final Grade: B-

New York Mets: The Mets badly needed to add at least 1-2 starting pitchers at the trade deadline and missed out on everyone. At 6.5 games out from the NL East race and 7.5 back with a trillion teams to hop in the NL Wild Card, the season appears to be over in the Big Apple. GM Omar Minaya badly needed to make a move and failed miserably. Final Grade: F

St. Louis Cardinals: The brass of the Cardinals made a bold move by giving up OF Ryan Ludwick and some minor league prospect talent to get RHP Jake Westbrook from the Cleveland Indians. We aren’t so sure about bringing in a guy who didn’t pitch at all last season and is only 6-7 with a 4.65 ERA this year, but Westbrook does bring some valuable experience. He could be a great fourth pitcher in the postseason behind Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, and Jamie Wright. Final Grade: B

Cincinnati Reds: The Reds really didn’t do much at the trade deadline, and they really didn’t seem all that active on the phones either. There’s a reason for that. Though Cincinnati is in position to make the playoffs now, it is also in a spot to be able to make a run at a number of NL Central titles in the future and everyone knows it. There was no reason to tinker with what was going on. Final Grade: A

San Diego Padres: Hats off to the Padres for getting this trade deadline exactly right. The pitching staff as a whole needed no tweaking whatsoever, as this has been arguably the most consistent unit 1-12 in the majors all season long. A bat would come in handy though in the NL West race, and that’s exactly what San Diego got with OF Ryan Ludwick. Ludwick has all sorts of pop in his bat and has already blasted 11 homers in 77 games this season. Look for him to help boost an offense that struggles at times. Picking up SS/3B Miguel Tejada brings a veteran leader into a very young clubhouse. The Padres are clearly going for glory this year and we love it. Final Grade: A

Los Angeles Dodgers : Someone was going to be trading for Chicago’s LHP Ted Lilly, but at least the Dodgers didn’t give up the farm to get him. Giving up on Blake Dewitt might come back to bit LA in the butt, but at least it acquired handy utility man Ryan Theriot in this deal as well. The Dodgers are 6.5 games behind the playoff chase, but this should at least help a bit in the quest to get back in it. Adding OF Scott Podsednik and RHP Octavio Dotel might help as well. This might not be enough to get the job done, though. Final Grade: B+

Colorado Rockies: Shame on you, Colorado. The Rockies badly needed to go out and find a bat for the middle of the lineup and they failed to do so. Is this a sign on giving up on the season? Didn’t we learn anything last year from the hunt for Rocktober??? Final Grade: F

San Francisco Giants: San Fran had plenty of chances to go out and get a bat in the outfield to improve the team, but the Giants felt the need to stand pat instead. We can’t blame them. This is probably the best chance the team has had to win in years, and the squad has a nice chemistry. 61 wins is tied for the NL lead. Final Grade: B

New York Yankees: The Bronx Bombers added three key pieces to the puzzle on the final hours before the trade deadline, picking up OFs Lance Berkman and Austin Kearns as well as reliever Kerry Wood. Leave it up to GM Brian Cashman to make the moves to make the Yankees win now, but the future seemed to be mortgaged just a bit by giving up a slew of prospects. Final Grade: B-

Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays badly needed a bat, but instead, GM Andrew Freidman elected to go with a bullpen arm instead. He clearly bought RHP Chad Qualls at a cheap price, as his ERA was over 8.00 with Arizona this year. Two seasons ago, the team made a similar move by picking up RHP Chad Bradford at the deadline, and he helped pitch Tampa Bay to the World Series. Could this be the same sort of situation? We’re not ones to doubt the cash strapped Rays. Final Grade: B

Boston Red Sox: If the Red Sox thought they were buyers at the trade deadline, why didn’t they take a chance at giving up some of their pitching in the minors for a quality bat? If they thought they were sellers, why not try to move some of these older pieces to the puzzle that aren’t going to be used in the future? We’re certainly puzzled at the fact that there was no activity in Beantown at the gun. Final Grade: D

Chicago White Sox: They needed a bat, but the White Sox grabbed a great arm instead in the form of RHP Edwin Jackson. Jackson will step into the rotation in the place of RHP Jake Peavy, who has been shut down for the year. With postseason experience, Jackson might be just the man to help pitch the Pale Hose into the second season in spite of the fact that he has had a miserable year. Being back in the AL should help where he thrived with Detroit and Tampa Bay the last two seasons. Final Grade: B+

Minnesota Twins: Yikes. Giving up on the best catching prospect in baseball for Matt Capps? We understand that Capps has had a good season as the Nationals closer, but do the Twinkies really need him? This is a troubling and puzzling move for Minnesota, which didn’t help out its situations in the outfield or in the starting rotation either. Final Grade: F

Detroit Tigers: GM Dave Dombrowski must have thought his Tigers were out of it, as they are currently seven games back in the AL Central. He’s probably right. Final Grade: C

Texas Rangers: The AL West race was probably all but over the day that LHP Cliff Lee was inked by the Rangers. As a team in bankruptcy, Texas certainly did a heck of a job making moves at the trade deadline, bolstering an offense as well that was already potent. With an eight game pad in the AL West, we have to give this team the best grade of any team at the deadline. Final Grade: A+

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Ok, so the Halos are probably out of the playoff race, but that doesn’t mean that they didn’t have a great trade deadline. Picking up RHP Dan Haren from the dismal Diamondbacks was a great move to make, not just for this season, but for the future. Haren is young and is still a great arm at the front end of any rotation. Giving up on a Sabermetric nightmare in LHP Joe Saunders was a very small price to pay. Final Grade: A