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While most of the talk this week has been about the Super Bowl odds, there is a hardcore contingent of NFL fans, whom combined with a few front office executives, are not happy about the Pro Bowl happening this week. The NFL has moved the Pro Bowl to the week before the Super Bowl instead of the week after, which has created a little bit of a firestorm. The NFL is still forcing the players who were selected to show up at the game – even if they are not playing – which means that a number of players from the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints still have to go to the game and show up even though they are not playing. Furthermore, it throws off the preparation for the Super Bowl when they have to go and take time out of their busy schedule as is. Nonetheless, for people actually betting the game, keep in mind that the AFC will be without its top three quarterbacks in Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Philip Rivers. Instead, Matt Schaub, Vince Young and David Garrard will be making their first starts. Expect all three of those guys to be far more excited to play than the latter three would have been, which means we should see a better effort out of them. When handicapping All-Star games, its generally tough to find something to hang on but this is good enough to make a small sprinkle on the AFC as an underdog. Pick: AFC +2 |
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The Patriots Saints betting may be the story of the week but the return of Vince Young has been the story of the year. Is there a bandwagon at all for Vince Young to win the MVP? If not, let’s start it. Anyone who does NFL picks can tell you that the Tennessee Titans were one of the worst teams in the NFL to start the season. While many people touted them as “the best 0-6 team ever”, it was hard to believe after watching them get dismantled 59-0 by the New England Patriots. But ever since the Titans made the switch to Vince Young at quarterback, they have been a completely different team. The Titans made the switch after their bye week and now they have won four straight games since. Young isn’t the only Titans player that is performing like an MVP. Running back Chris Johnson and the turnaround of the defense has been the difference. Regardless, the change has been wholesale and now the Titans are once again playing like a competitive team. Beyond that, they are hot and they can’t lose right now with Young at quarterback. Want a betting tip? Stick with the Titans the rest of the way. Whatever the spread is, keep backing them as all Vince Young does is win and cover for his backers. |
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Thursday’s free sports betting pick comes from the National League East, where the New York Mets will try to turn their season around, starting with a four-game series at Turner Field against the Atlanta Braves. Mets Braves Odds – Thursday, July 16, 7:00 PM ET Oliver Perez (2-2, 8.78) earned the win as the Mets beat the Dodgers 5-4 at home, but it was far from a spectacular performance as he allowed a pair of runs on four hits over five innings, to go with a whopping seven walks. This was his first start back after a minor-league trip was supposed to work on his mechanics, but at least he got a win, which could be good for his confidence. Perez is 6-4 in 14 starts against the Braves with a 3.46 ERA, but his game still isn’t where it needs to be. Derek Lowe (8-7, 4.39) won for the first time in six starts by giving up a single run on four hits over six innings of a 4-1 victory in Colorado, along with five strikeouts and a walk. A win against the Mets earlier this year bumped his record up to 2-2 in nine appearances (three starts) and a 6.75 ERA. The Braves are a -175 favorite at home, where they’ve beaten the Mets in seven of their last 10 meetings. The Mets have won both of their trips to Turner Field this year, but with a pitcher still working to get back to previous form, and a host of injuries to outfield players, it’ll be a tall order for the Mets to continue their two-game winning streak that began before the break. Free sports betting pick: Atlanta Braves |
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There’s plenty of free sports betting picks floating out there on the internet but just because it’s free doesn’t mean it’s right. Free sports betting picks have to be accurate or it won’t make any difference whether you paid for it or not. Here’s one for you: bet the Saints to win the Super Bowl. It might sound like a bit of long shot but there is plenty of good reasoning for it. We all know the Saints have the offense to do it. Even with a marginal running game, they are capable of putting the game in quarterback Drew Brees’ hands and having him win it. With Marques Colston, Jeremy Shockey, Lance Moore and Reggie Bush, there is no shortage of weapons. But it’s the changes on defense that make the sense a smart pick. Their secondary was deplorable last year but they added Darren Sharper and Jabari Greer in free agency, they spent their first-round pick on cornerback Malcom Jenkins, and they are banking on the growth of young starting prospects like Roman Harper and Tracy Porter. That’s a big change. On top of that, if Charles Grant and Will Smith – who may be suspended for four games because of the Starcaps issue – were banged up all season last year. They only combined for six sacks. But if they are healthy, combined with impressive rookie Sedrick Ellis, the Saints will have a vastly improved defense. Don’t be surprised if this team is representing the NFC in the Super Bowl. That’s my free sports betting pick for you. |
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Atlanta Braves at Chicago Cubs – 2:20 PM ET Kenshin Kawakami (4-6, 44.6) gets the ball for the Braves to take on Carlos Zambrano (4-3, 3.50), who is coming off a dominating performance against Milwaukee. Zambrano is 2-2 in 10 career starts against the Braves with a 4.62 ERA, while Kawakami has only faced the Cubs once, taking a no-decision last month. Kansas City Royals vs Detroit Tigers Zach Greinke (10-4, 2.00) hasn’t been the monster that he was earlier in the season, having lost two of his last four starts, but against the Tigers in 2009, he’s been nothing short of cash in the bank, winning both of his starts with an unbelievable 0.50 ERA. However, this could be a different story as both of those outings came at home. Greinke will go up against Luke French (0-0, 2.35), who is making only his fourth appearance in the majors, and his second start. This could push the MLB odds in the Royals’ favor. New York Yankees vs Minnesota Twins A.J. Burnett (7-4, 3.83) has won five of his last seven starts, and he pitched well to take a no-decision against the Twins back in May, although he did have six walks to go with his seven strikeouts. Glen Perkins (4-4, 4.38) has won three of his last four outings, but against the Yankees throughout his career, he hasn’t been that good with a 1-3 record in four starts and a 7.11 ERA. |
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