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Week 11 Sunday night football betting preview

Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins are just a slim favorite against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, even though they have been trending in a much more positive direction.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

Washington is listed as the three-point favorite against visiting Green Bay with a 50.5 total. The Packers are listed at -125 to cover, while the Redskins pay +105 if they reward backers by beating the spread. Washington has won four of their last five games and Green Bay, conversely, has lost four of five, but the Redskins are only 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 games as the favorite.

The Packers, who are 4-5 straight-up and 3-5-1 ATS, have had by far the better of this matchup with a 7-1-1 ATS record in their last nine games against Washington. That includes a wild-card playoff win at FedExField last season.

Raiders bets may continue despite team’s potential Vegas move

There’s a small chance that Raiders games will be taken off Las Vegas betting boards—even if the NFL franchise moves to the state, according to the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC).

Now, Raiders officials or even the league itself can cite the state’s Regulation 22 to ask the gaming commission for a wagering prohibition on the team. However, NGC chairman Tony Alamo believes that scenario is unlikely.

“The fact that the Raiders come from Oakland to Las Vegas doesn’t move my needle in any direction in terms of should we allow that to be on a sports book board or not. Nothing changed for me,” Alamo told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

NFL, which is still working to keep the team in Oakland, has yet to indicate if it would challenge betting on Raiders games if ever the move occurs. Still, Alamo said the commission will consider any request the team or the NFL will make.

Week 11 Thursday night football betting preview

With Drew Brees going against Cam Newton and the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers each being porous against the pass, there is anticipation that the Thursday Night Football betting matchup could be a shootout.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

The Panthers are listed as the 3.5-point favorite against the Saints with a 52.5 total. Carolina is even money to cover with the Saints, who are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven games against their NFC South counterparts, listed at -120 to cover.

The teams have combined for an average of 64.5 points in their last four meetings.

Week 11 Thursday night football betting preview

With Drew Brees going against Cam Newton and the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers each being porous against the pass, there is anticipation that the Thursday Night Football betting matchup could be a shootout.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

The Panthers are listed as the 3.5-point favorite against the Saints with a 52.5 total. Carolina is even money to cover with the Saints, who are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven games against their NFC South counterparts, listed at -120 to cover.

The teams have combined for an average of 64.5 points in their last four meetings.

NFL Power Rankings Week 11

We finally have a new number-one! And it’s exactly who you’d expect it to be! After the top two teams in each conference, however, things start to get real murky. By this time of the year we should have a clearer picture of what’s to come in the post season, but parity has been truly ugly this year.

The playoff picture in the AFC is a lot clearer, with basically the AFC West filling up the wild card. That leaves Baltimore and Pittsburgh in a dead heat for the division title and just about everyone else on the outside looking in. I want to say that something will change, but nobody looks like they want to seize this crazy season by the horns.

The NFC is even muddier. Nine teams are separated by one win for the last two wild card spots. Nine! So if you’re just as confused as I am, kick back and let’s try and wade through this together. There’s still five great weeks of betting left, and if things keep projecting out like this, Week 17 might actually be killer.

1. Dallas Cowboys (8-1 SU and ATS)

World Cup round up: Germany remains unbeaten

Lee Davy takes a look at Week 4 of the FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers including the reigning champions Germany blitzing San Marino, England beating Scotland and more points dropped by the Welsh.

The Germans are the reigning FIFA World Cup Champions and the favourites to defend their title in 2018 and with good cause. Joachim Low’s side’s 8-0 demolition of San Marino means they have now won all four of their opening matches, and if you look at their competition, you can see them doing what England did in the 2016 Euros qualifying campaign, flying through unbeaten.

The victory over San Marino was Low’s 95th win as coach of the German national side after taking over from Jurgen Klinsmann in 2006, making him the most successful German manager of all time. Germany has had ten different managers since 1926 including Franz Beckenbauer, Berti Vogts and Rudi Voller.

The star of the show was Serge Gnabry. The former Arsenal midfielder, now Werder Bremen star, became the first debutant to score a hat-trick since Dieter Muller in 1976. Sami Khedira, Kevin Volland, Jonas Hector (2) and an own goal completed the rout.

Mayweather-Pacquiao 2 Odds – Would You Bother Watching?

It’s happening. At least, that’s what the rumors suggest. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are apparently in advanced discussions for a rematch. There’s lots of evidence and chatter to suggest that it will become a reality. It would be a truly special moment in sports…but do you even care?

AREN’T THESE TWO RETIRED?

As nobody ever says, “retirement’s for chumps”.

Floyd Mayweather supposedly retired following his (thought to be) final bout with Andre Berto on September 12th, 2015. As you’d expect, he won the fight via unanimous decision bringing his record to 49-0. That was supposed to be the end of it – a somewhat quiet ending to a legendary career that never quite captured the imaginations of fans the way it probably should have.

England and Scottish FAs Vow to Ignore FIFA Poppy Ban

Both the English and Scottish Football Associations are promising to defy orders from FIFA to not let their players wear poppies on their kit despite the possible threat of points deductions.

With the UK voting to leave the European Union (EU) and the American people choosing Donald Trump as their President I am getting the distinct impression that people don’t like people, particularly if those people look, behave or talk differently.

It’s a thought that is rather depressing, like realising there are no more seasons of Mr Robot. I reassure myself by remembering that times have not changed. This fear of people has touched my life ever since I have been born and football has been the biggest divisor of all.

As England prepares to take on Scotland in the first of two World Cup qualifying clashes on Friday night, it got me thinking about my experiences north of the border. On the two occasions, I visited Inverness I narrowly escaped getting my head caved on both occasions because I was a ‘Chinky looking Sassenach.’

Week 11 EPL Review: Liverpool Go Top

Liverpool go top of the English Premier League after another resounding victory this time at home to Watford; Arsenal and Spurs in London Derby stalemate and Sunderland finally win.

Liverpool knocks Man City off the top of the English Premier League for the first time this season after rattling six past a hapless Watford side at Anfield.

It’s the first time Liverpool have climbed to the summit of the world’s toughest league since they went a point clear of Man City in May 2014. Back then, they were a one man band with Luis Suarez holding all of the instruments. Today, there are goals everywhere you look.

Philippe Coutinho, Emre Can, Roberto Firmino, Georginio Wijnaldum, and Sadio Mane (2) grabbed the goals as they destroyed Watford. Daryl Janmaat scored a late consolation goal, his first since joining the club from Newcastle.

Champions League Round-Up: City Beat Barcelona

Lee Davy brings you an update on Match Day 4 of the UEFA Champions League including a defeat for Barcelona, another win for Arsenal, and the Leicester dream lives on.

Barcelona is still the bookmakers favourite to win the UEFA Champions League despite a humbling 3-1 defeat away to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

City put four past West Brom, at the weekend, to signify the end of a six-game winless run. Ilkay Gundogan, who scored twice in that match, told the press afterwards, ‘this is where our season begins.’

It was a bold statement from Gundogan. City’s next fixture was against Barcelona.

Week 9 Sunday Night Football Betting Preview

For the first time since 2002 – the last time they were in the playoffs – the Oakland Raiders meet the Denver Broncos in a second-half game where both AFC West teams have a winning record. Fittingly for a game between teams with the same record, the Sunday Night Football matchup has the host Raiders as slim 1-point favorites with a total of 44.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

The Raiders are 6-2 straight-up and against the spread, largely on the strength of a prolific offense led by third-year QB Derek Carr. It goes without saying that the Broncos defense – with sack-master OLB Von Miller and CB Aqib Talib and CB Chris Harris manning up on Oakland WRs Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper – is the best Oakland has faced.

The Raiders have allowed a league-low nine sacks, but Miller has helped the Broncos amass a league-most 26. For the Raiders to improve on their trend of being 2-5 SU and 0-7 ATS in their last seven home games, they need to give Carr time to let downfield routes develop.

Champions League Round-Up: City Beat Barcelona

Lee Davy brings you an update on Match Day 4 of the UEFA Champions League including a defeat for Barcelona, another win for Arsenal, and the Leicester dream lives on.

Barcelona is still the bookmakers favourite to win the UEFA Champions League despite a humbling 3-1 defeat away to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

City put four past West Brom, at the weekend, to signify the end of a six-game winless run. Ilkay Gundogan, who scored twice in that match, told the press afterwards, ‘this is where our season begins.’

It was a bold statement from Gundogan. City’s next fixture was against Barcelona.

NFL Power Rankings Week 9

By now there should be a semblance of reasonable consistency within the league. We can forgive a loss here or there if it’s honorable, but we should have a fix on who the best teams in the NFL are. And we don’t. Which is awesome because this stuff is supposed to surprise us a little bit.

If you’re not leaning hard on teams like Dallas, Atlanta, Denver and New England then you’re simply doing it wrong. All those teams have been incredibly reliable, and the 28 other teams after them have been the opposite. Let’s try to continue to make sense of it all, shall we?

1. New England Patriots (7-1 SU and ATS)

There’s no better way to celebrate a revenge win over your division rival than by trading away your best defensive player.

Week 9 Thursday Night Football Betting Preview

Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons’ NFL-leading offense are up against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team which was torched for 513 passing yards in its last outing.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

Atlanta is listed as the four-point favorite against Tampa Bay with a total of 51.5 in the Thursday Night Football betting matchup. The Falcons are the -200 favorite on the moneyline, with the Buccaneers at +170.

While the Falcons lead the NFC South and are 5-3 straight-up and against the spread this season, they still face skepticism. That stems from the Falcons being 2-6 SU and 1-7 ATS in their last eight games as a favorite of four or fewer points. Atlanta is also 3-0 SU when Julio Jones has fewer than four receptions, so Ryan will have other outlets if CB Brent Grimes and Tampa Bay’s pass defense takes away his best receiver.

Week 10 EPL Review: City, Liverpool & Arsenal Joint Top

Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool are all on 23-points after all three of them hit their teams for four during Week 10 of the Premier League campaign.

The Manchester City crisis is over.

Pep Guardiola’s run of six barren games without a win ended with a resounding 4-0 victory at The Hawthorns keeping them at the top of the Premier League on goal difference and at the head of the bookmakers pecking order at 6/5 to recapture the title they last won in 2013/14.

West Brom boss, Tony Pulis, told reporters that his goal was a place in Europe after signing a new one-year deal midweek. His rebuilding plans were always going to have to wait until after this game. West Brom had lost the previous nine times they had faced the blue half of Manchester.

Week 8 Sunday Night Football Betting Preview

Being favored at home is a bad omen when the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles clash.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

Boosted by rookie-of-the-year favorite Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys are the 4.5-point favorite against the Eagles. The total is 43.5 for their Sunday Night Football betting matchup. The visiting team has won the last six matchups between the NFC East rivals.

The Cowboys come out of their bye week 5-1 straight-up and 5-0-1 against the spread. Dallas is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games at home after winning their two most recent home games. However, they were an underdog before defeating the Green Bay Packers in Week 6, and are 7-2 SU in their last nine games after winning as an underdog.

Week 9 EPL Review: City Winless in Five

Man City is now winless in five; Arsenal and Liverpool join them at the top of the league; Sunderland records their worst start to a Premier League campaign ever.

Pep Guardiola’s failure to beat Southampton at the Etihad means he is currently in the midst of his worse run of results during his illustrious managerial career.

Five games without a win.

Five.

Week 9 EPL Review: City Winless in Five

Man City is now winless in five; Arsenal and Liverpool join them at the top of the league; Sunderland records their worst start to a Premier League campaign ever.

Pep Guardiola’s failure to beat Southampton at the Etihad means he is currently in the midst of his worse run of results during his illustrious managerial career.

Five games without a win.

Five.

The UFC 205 Main Event Preview – Building The Monster Draw

It’s finally happening. Dana White has brought the Ultimate Fighting Championship to one of the most hallowed sports venues on the planet. Madison Square Garden will host the biggest and best card that the UFC has ever put forth, and it’s headlined by a Champion-vs-Champion title fight featuring Conor McGregor and Eddie Alvarez.

From top to bottom, UFC 205 has it all. Three title fights serve as the headliners, with three more fights featuring Cerrone, Weidman and Meisha Tate. On top of that the preliminary card has names like Frankie Edgar, Rashad Evans, Jim Miller, Thiago Alves and Jeremy Stephens. It simply doesn’t get better than this.

But the main event is Eddie Alvarez defending his lightweight title against Conor McGregor, and it’s a matchup that could absolutely set up an even bigger, monster draw for Dana White and the UFC. It’s a well planned, no-lose strategy to build for things further down the road.

I’ll have a full main card preview next week, but for now I need to focus on this tantalizing main event. It’s just so intelligently put together that I must marvel in all its glory.

NFL Power Rankings Week 7 – After Six Weeks We Only Know One Thing

Last weekend was a pretty rigorous reminder that the best team doesn’t always win. As much as we like to pretend that we know teams, things change drastically from week to week. Now, Roethlisberger is out, the Packers are in a free fall, Denver has lost two games and Carolina’s only won one. Making sense of how all this shakes out is no easy task. Frankly, the only thing that we know for sure is that New England is undeniably the best team in the league. After that, the waters get really, really muddy.

1. New England Patriots (5-1 SU and ATS)

Bill Belichik has said that he’s done with the Microsoft Surface tablets, which I find absolutely hilarious. It would be perfect if he showed up with an iPad next week and then offered no explanation in the press conference.

Next Game: New England -7.0 at Pittsburgh