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Bettors and fantasy football players were shocked when they found out Adrian Peterson was inactive versus the Chicago Bears. And we all see how well the offense runs without Peterson.
But there are signs the superstar running back could return. Despite his knee and thigh issues, interim head coach Leslie Frasier said the team won’t be shutting Peterson down this season and called him day to day. But the Vikings are still going to be cautious.
“If he can go, then he'll get a chance to go, but if not, if there are any inhibitions, we won't put him at risk,” Frazier said.
Although no line has been posted, the Vikings will need Peterson to have any shot at covering the spread versus the Eagles, the No. 1 total offense in the NFL. It doesn’t help that they could be without Brett Favre — again — and Tarvaris Jackson is on the IR. It could be up to quaterback Joe Webb, who looked shell-shocked versus Chicago, to lead the offense.
The Vikings don’t have the defense to keep Philly at bay either. Most of their elite defensive stats from last season are down this year, and Chicago dropped 40 points on them on Monday night.
Expect the spread on this game to go up fairly late with the status of Favre and Peterson unknown.
The gameplan will likely be focused on rookie backup Toby Gerhart if both are out.
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But there are signs the superstar running back could return. Despite his knee and thigh issues, interim head coach Leslie Frasier said the team won’t be shutting Peterson down this season and called him day to day. But the Vikings are still going to be cautious.
“If he can go, then he'll get a chance to go, but if not, if there are any inhibitions, we won't put him at risk,” Frazier said.
Although no line has been posted, the Vikings will need Peterson to have any shot at covering the spread versus the Eagles, the No. 1 total offense in the NFL. It doesn’t help that they could be without Brett Favre — again — and Tarvaris Jackson is on the IR. It could be up to quaterback Joe Webb, who looked shell-shocked versus Chicago, to lead the offense.
The Vikings don’t have the defense to keep Philly at bay either. Most of their elite defensive stats from last season are down this year, and Chicago dropped 40 points on them on Monday night.
Expect the spread on this game to go up fairly late with the status of Favre and Peterson unknown.
The gameplan will likely be focused on rookie backup Toby Gerhart if both are out.
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A possible Super Bowl preview – and the only game with two 10-win teams — is the best matchup of Week 16 when the New York Jets visit the Chicago Bears, with Chicago opening as a slight favorite on Bodog’s NFL odds. There will be live play-by-play betting available on this game.
The Jets aren’t officially in the playoffs yet but they will be with just one more win. And two of their key offensive players are hurting for this one. An MRI this week revealed a cartilage tear in the throwing arm of quarterback Mark Sanchez. He might not be 100 percent on Sunday but says there is no way he isn’t playing. Sanchez’s backup is the ageless Mark Brunell. Meanwhile, top Jets receiver has a turf toe issue. He also might not quite be 100 percent but also will play. Sanchez didn’t turn the ball over last week against Pittsburgh but has been very turnover-prone. Chicago ranks third in NFL with 31 takeaways after forcing a season-high five last week.
The Bears clinched the NFC North on Monday night in the win over the Vikings. But they still have something to play for: the No. 2 seed in the conference and a first-round bye. They can get that this week with a win and losses by the Eagles and Giants.
Jets coach Rex Ryan has already said his team will not be kicking to Chicago’s Devin Hester, who set the NFL record with his 14 return touchdown on Monday night. But sometimes kicking away from someone is easier said than done, which Giants fans know.
The Chicago offense has really improved since it became more balanced. The Bears have 211 rushing attempts and 204 pass plays in the past seven games after relying heavily on pass in early going. Despite QB Jay Cutler having possibly the strongest arm in the NFL, the Bears rely mostly on a short passing game. Quarterbacks facing the Jets have the lowest completion percentage in the NFL on throws of 10 yards or fewer, but they also have thrown 14 touchdowns with only two interceptions. That +12 differential is tied for the third-worst in NFL. Cutler, by the way, has said he won’t purposely steer clear of star Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis on Sunday.
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The Jets aren’t officially in the playoffs yet but they will be with just one more win. And two of their key offensive players are hurting for this one. An MRI this week revealed a cartilage tear in the throwing arm of quarterback Mark Sanchez. He might not be 100 percent on Sunday but says there is no way he isn’t playing. Sanchez’s backup is the ageless Mark Brunell. Meanwhile, top Jets receiver has a turf toe issue. He also might not quite be 100 percent but also will play. Sanchez didn’t turn the ball over last week against Pittsburgh but has been very turnover-prone. Chicago ranks third in NFL with 31 takeaways after forcing a season-high five last week.
The Bears clinched the NFC North on Monday night in the win over the Vikings. But they still have something to play for: the No. 2 seed in the conference and a first-round bye. They can get that this week with a win and losses by the Eagles and Giants.
Jets coach Rex Ryan has already said his team will not be kicking to Chicago’s Devin Hester, who set the NFL record with his 14 return touchdown on Monday night. But sometimes kicking away from someone is easier said than done, which Giants fans know.
The Chicago offense has really improved since it became more balanced. The Bears have 211 rushing attempts and 204 pass plays in the past seven games after relying heavily on pass in early going. Despite QB Jay Cutler having possibly the strongest arm in the NFL, the Bears rely mostly on a short passing game. Quarterbacks facing the Jets have the lowest completion percentage in the NFL on throws of 10 yards or fewer, but they also have thrown 14 touchdowns with only two interceptions. That +12 differential is tied for the third-worst in NFL. Cutler, by the way, has said he won’t purposely steer clear of star Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis on Sunday.
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It’s probably fair to say that no game in NFL history between a 5-9 team and a 6-8 team has had so much playoff significance, but that’s where we are with Sunday’s game between the 49ers and Rams, with St. Louis a 2-point favorite on Bodog’s NFL odds.
St. Louis and Seattle are tied atop the NFC West, with the Niners a game back. After this game with San Francisco the Rams close with the Seahawks. A three-way tie in the division, which is eminently possible, would mean the Niners would win the division despite starting 0-5. No team with a losing record has ever made the NFL playoffs in a non-strike season with a losing record.
The Niners and Rams met in San Francisco back on Nov. 14, a 23-20 overtime victory for the 49ers. Troy Smith passed for a career-high 356 yards while leading two late scoring drives in the win, so perhaps that’s why San Francisco coach Mike Singletary is going back to Smith this week after he sat the previous two weeks for Alex Smith, who struggled mightily in last week’s blowout loss to San Diego. However, Troy Smith’s performance started going way downhill after that Rams game. He had four TD passes and three INTs with a 52.4 completion percentage in five games.
In that first meeting, Rams rookie QB Sam Bradford was 30 of 42 for 251 yards and a touchdown. But he may have hit the rookie wall as Bradford has thrown no touchdown passes and seven interceptions over the last three games. He also has been sacked eight times in those games. Bradford is still one of six quarterbacks in the NFL to take every snap this season.
San Francisco has won five straight against St. Louis. The Rams can win the West even if they lose this week, as long as they beat the Seahawks next week and the 49ers lose at Arizona in Week 17.
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St. Louis and Seattle are tied atop the NFC West, with the Niners a game back. After this game with San Francisco the Rams close with the Seahawks. A three-way tie in the division, which is eminently possible, would mean the Niners would win the division despite starting 0-5. No team with a losing record has ever made the NFL playoffs in a non-strike season with a losing record.
The Niners and Rams met in San Francisco back on Nov. 14, a 23-20 overtime victory for the 49ers. Troy Smith passed for a career-high 356 yards while leading two late scoring drives in the win, so perhaps that’s why San Francisco coach Mike Singletary is going back to Smith this week after he sat the previous two weeks for Alex Smith, who struggled mightily in last week’s blowout loss to San Diego. However, Troy Smith’s performance started going way downhill after that Rams game. He had four TD passes and three INTs with a 52.4 completion percentage in five games.
In that first meeting, Rams rookie QB Sam Bradford was 30 of 42 for 251 yards and a touchdown. But he may have hit the rookie wall as Bradford has thrown no touchdown passes and seven interceptions over the last three games. He also has been sacked eight times in those games. Bradford is still one of six quarterbacks in the NFL to take every snap this season.
San Francisco has won five straight against St. Louis. The Rams can win the West even if they lose this week, as long as they beat the Seahawks next week and the 49ers lose at Arizona in Week 17.
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Manne wrote:
It’s probably fair to say that no game in NFL history between a 5-9 team and a 6-8 team has had so much playoff significance, but that’s where we are with Sunday’s game between the 49ers and Rams, with St. Louis a 2-point favorite on Bodog’s NFL odds.
St. Louis and Seattle are tied atop the NFC West, with the Niners a game back. After this game with San Francisco the Rams close with the Seahawks. A three-way tie in the division, which is eminently possible, would mean the Niners would win the division despite starting 0-5. No team with a losing record has ever made the NFL playoffs in a non-strike season with a losing record.
The Niners and Rams met in San Francisco back on Nov. 14, a 23-20 overtime victory for the 49ers. Troy Smith passed for a career-high 356 yards while leading two late scoring drives in the win, so perhaps that’s why San Francisco coach Mike Singletary is going back to Smith this week after he sat the previous two weeks for Alex Smith, who struggled mightily in last week’s blowout loss to San Diego. However, Troy Smith’s performance started going way downhill after that Rams game. He had four TD passes and three INTs with a 52.4 completion percentage in five games.
In that first meeting, Rams rookie QB Sam Bradford was 30 of 42 for 251 yards and a touchdown. But he may have hit the rookie wall as Bradford has thrown no touchdown passes and seven interceptions over the last three games. He also has been sacked eight times in those games. Bradford is still one of six quarterbacks in the NFL to take every snap this season.
San Francisco has won five straight against St. Louis. The Rams can win the West even if they lose this week, as long as they beat the Seahawks next week and the 49ers lose at Arizona in Week 17.
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Thinkin the 49ers here, they just seem to be a step away from being a good team
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2009/08/23
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The Indianapolis Colts enter this matchup in control of their own playoff destiny while the Oakland Raiders need to win out and get a ton of help to reach the postseason. Indy opened as a 3-point favorite on Bodog’s NFL odds.
As long as the Colts win out, the will take the AFC South for the seventh time in the division’s nine-year history. Actually, all they need to do is simply mirror what the Jacksonville Jaguars do in the final two games and they are in. Oakland must win out and have the Chiefs lose this week (Oakland faces Kansas City in Week 17) and the Chargers lose once.
Indianapolis lost its second-best receiver, Austin Collie, for the season earlier this week after he suffered his second concussion of the season last week. But Indy could get a huge boost as starting running back Joseph Addai is expected to play. He has missed the past eight games with nerve damage in his shoulder. The Colts average 95 yards rushing with Addai and 78 without him. However, Addai might be a backup now as Donald Brown is coming off a career-best 129-yard performance last week.
The Raiders are a totally ground-based team. Darren McFadden has 1,112 yards rushing this season; he had 856 yards combined in his initial two years since being selected fourth overall in the 2008 draft. And McFadden’s breakout season has come despite him missing two games with an injury. He has scored 10 total touchdowns and is averaging 5.2 yards per rush with 13 runs of 20-plus yards and four of more than 40 yards. Overall the Raiders average 157.5 yards per game.
Indy is lousy against the run, allowing 135.8 yards per game. But the Colts shut down what had been a dominant Jacksonville running attack last week, holding the Jags to a season-low 67 yards rushing.
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As long as the Colts win out, the will take the AFC South for the seventh time in the division’s nine-year history. Actually, all they need to do is simply mirror what the Jacksonville Jaguars do in the final two games and they are in. Oakland must win out and have the Chiefs lose this week (Oakland faces Kansas City in Week 17) and the Chargers lose once.
Indianapolis lost its second-best receiver, Austin Collie, for the season earlier this week after he suffered his second concussion of the season last week. But Indy could get a huge boost as starting running back Joseph Addai is expected to play. He has missed the past eight games with nerve damage in his shoulder. The Colts average 95 yards rushing with Addai and 78 without him. However, Addai might be a backup now as Donald Brown is coming off a career-best 129-yard performance last week.
The Raiders are a totally ground-based team. Darren McFadden has 1,112 yards rushing this season; he had 856 yards combined in his initial two years since being selected fourth overall in the 2008 draft. And McFadden’s breakout season has come despite him missing two games with an injury. He has scored 10 total touchdowns and is averaging 5.2 yards per rush with 13 runs of 20-plus yards and four of more than 40 yards. Overall the Raiders average 157.5 yards per game.
Indy is lousy against the run, allowing 135.8 yards per game. But the Colts shut down what had been a dominant Jacksonville running attack last week, holding the Jags to a season-low 67 yards rushing.
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The Jacksonville Jaguars can ill afford to lose no Sunday if they want to make the playoffs, but beating Washington could get much tougher without star running back Maurice Jones-Drew. Bet on this game at Bodog’s NFL odds.
Jones-Drew, who is having an MVP-type season (he won’t win it, but still), didn’t practice all week because of a knee injury and is listed as doubtful against the Redskins. That means there’s only a 25 percent chance he plays.
Coach Jack Del Rio the Jaguars are "going to monitor his condition throughout the weekend" but it does appear Jones-Drew will sit.
Jones-Drew has had knee issues all season but this latest one cropped up after his sixth consecutive 100-yard game, Dec. 12 against Oakland. He missed two days of practice last week, and Indianapolis held him to 46 yards on the ground. Jones-Drew has rushed for 1,324 yards and five touchdowns while also catching 34 balls for 317 yards and two more scores. The Washington defense is terrible, allowing 163.6 rushing yards per game since the team’s bye week.
The bad news doesn’t stop there for Jacksonville. Starting receiver Mike Sims-Walker has an ankle injury that kept him out of practice until Friday. He is questionable to play and definitely won’t start even if he does. Sims-Walker has 42 catches for 531 yards and seven touchdowns. But he is averaging just under three catches for 25 yards per game this season at home. Jason Hill will start in his place.
As for the Skins, they again start Rex Grossman at quarterback, with Donovan McNabb now relegated to third string (John Beck would replace Grossman if he’s injured). Grossman started a bit shaky but he led the Redskins’ offense scored touchdowns on three consecutive second-half drives. Grossman completed 25-of-43 passes for 322 yards and four touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions and fumbled once. He was sacked five times. The Jaguars enter the game with the league’s 27th-ranked pass defense, allowing an average of 255.6 yards per game.
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Jones-Drew, who is having an MVP-type season (he won’t win it, but still), didn’t practice all week because of a knee injury and is listed as doubtful against the Redskins. That means there’s only a 25 percent chance he plays.
Coach Jack Del Rio the Jaguars are "going to monitor his condition throughout the weekend" but it does appear Jones-Drew will sit.
Jones-Drew has had knee issues all season but this latest one cropped up after his sixth consecutive 100-yard game, Dec. 12 against Oakland. He missed two days of practice last week, and Indianapolis held him to 46 yards on the ground. Jones-Drew has rushed for 1,324 yards and five touchdowns while also catching 34 balls for 317 yards and two more scores. The Washington defense is terrible, allowing 163.6 rushing yards per game since the team’s bye week.
The bad news doesn’t stop there for Jacksonville. Starting receiver Mike Sims-Walker has an ankle injury that kept him out of practice until Friday. He is questionable to play and definitely won’t start even if he does. Sims-Walker has 42 catches for 531 yards and seven touchdowns. But he is averaging just under three catches for 25 yards per game this season at home. Jason Hill will start in his place.
As for the Skins, they again start Rex Grossman at quarterback, with Donovan McNabb now relegated to third string (John Beck would replace Grossman if he’s injured). Grossman started a bit shaky but he led the Redskins’ offense scored touchdowns on three consecutive second-half drives. Grossman completed 25-of-43 passes for 322 yards and four touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions and fumbled once. He was sacked five times. The Jaguars enter the game with the league’s 27th-ranked pass defense, allowing an average of 255.6 yards per game.
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The Seattle Seahawks hold their playoff destiny in their own hands, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to win their final two games and get a minor miracle to reach the postseason. Tampa Bay is a 6-point favorite on Bodog’s NFL odds.
The Seahawks, who would win the NFC West if they win this game and then beat the Rams in Week 17, enter off back-to-back blowout losses to San Francisco and Atlanta. But the past two times the Seahawks lost consecutive games they followed with a victory. Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck has been struggling as he has 13 turnovers (10 picks, three fumbles) the past four games. But he will reach 3,000 yards passing for the seventh time in his career. The Seahawks are next to last in rushing in NFL at 85.2 yards per game, while the Bucs are 29th in the NFL in rush defense and have been gutted on the ground in the past two weeks – allowing 369 yards rushing on 56 carries, a 6.6 yards-per-carry average.
The Bucs suffered a crushing home loss to the Detroit Lions last week, which ended the Lions’ NFL-record 26-game road losing streak. Second-year QB Josh Freeman has shown signs of becoming a star. Freeman has thrown at least one TD pass in 11 consecutive games, the Bucs’ longest streak since Brian Griese had a 12-game streak in 2004-05. He’ll reach 3,000 yards passing in this game and has 18 TD passes and just six interceptions. Only the Patriots’ Tom Brady (0.9) and Chiefs’ Matt Cassel (1.3) have a better interception percentage than Freeman (1.4). Seattle’s defense has given up a combined 74 points in the past two games and an average of 32.0 while dropping six of eight.
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The Seahawks, who would win the NFC West if they win this game and then beat the Rams in Week 17, enter off back-to-back blowout losses to San Francisco and Atlanta. But the past two times the Seahawks lost consecutive games they followed with a victory. Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck has been struggling as he has 13 turnovers (10 picks, three fumbles) the past four games. But he will reach 3,000 yards passing for the seventh time in his career. The Seahawks are next to last in rushing in NFL at 85.2 yards per game, while the Bucs are 29th in the NFL in rush defense and have been gutted on the ground in the past two weeks – allowing 369 yards rushing on 56 carries, a 6.6 yards-per-carry average.
The Bucs suffered a crushing home loss to the Detroit Lions last week, which ended the Lions’ NFL-record 26-game road losing streak. Second-year QB Josh Freeman has shown signs of becoming a star. Freeman has thrown at least one TD pass in 11 consecutive games, the Bucs’ longest streak since Brian Griese had a 12-game streak in 2004-05. He’ll reach 3,000 yards passing in this game and has 18 TD passes and just six interceptions. Only the Patriots’ Tom Brady (0.9) and Chiefs’ Matt Cassel (1.3) have a better interception percentage than Freeman (1.4). Seattle’s defense has given up a combined 74 points in the past two games and an average of 32.0 while dropping six of eight.
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You know things are going bad when they don’t even let you finish you the last week of the season.
After losing 25-17 and getting into a shouting match with yet another player, it appears the Niners big wigs have had enough of head coach Mike Singletary, kicking him to the curb before being allowed to finish the job. Although it’s been a bad job — Singletary finishes 18-22 in his career and 5-10 on the season — generally a team will let a coach stay until the end. He must have really ticked some people off. Reports state that Singletary refused to resign.
The Niners were in the worst division in football all season and still struggled against Seattle, Arizona, and St. Louis. The defense was solid at times but the offense was ranked 28th in scoring. All while Singletary would get into it with his quarterback every week. It appears his in-your-face style isn’t what the Niners needed after all.
Singletary wasn’t even able to help the Niners become a consistent team against the spread. They finish 5-10 ATS as well.
According to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area, DL coach Jim Tomsula will be interim coach against the Cardinals. The Niners have opened as 6.5-point favorites in that game, and could have a solid outing which generally happens when a team knows heads are about to roll.
The Niners have tons of talent on offense and defense, but a coach has yet to show that he can mold it into at least a division winner.
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After losing 25-17 and getting into a shouting match with yet another player, it appears the Niners big wigs have had enough of head coach Mike Singletary, kicking him to the curb before being allowed to finish the job. Although it’s been a bad job — Singletary finishes 18-22 in his career and 5-10 on the season — generally a team will let a coach stay until the end. He must have really ticked some people off. Reports state that Singletary refused to resign.
The Niners were in the worst division in football all season and still struggled against Seattle, Arizona, and St. Louis. The defense was solid at times but the offense was ranked 28th in scoring. All while Singletary would get into it with his quarterback every week. It appears his in-your-face style isn’t what the Niners needed after all.
Singletary wasn’t even able to help the Niners become a consistent team against the spread. They finish 5-10 ATS as well.
According to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area, DL coach Jim Tomsula will be interim coach against the Cardinals. The Niners have opened as 6.5-point favorites in that game, and could have a solid outing which generally happens when a team knows heads are about to roll.
The Niners have tons of talent on offense and defense, but a coach has yet to show that he can mold it into at least a division winner.
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zjohnzzz wrote:
Thinkin the 49ers here, they just seem to be a step away from being a good team
49ers are done
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When Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith was hired, he said his first two priorities were to win the NFC North and beat the Green Bay Packers. Well, that could be put to the test on Saturday as the Bears already have won the division and probably won’t have anything to play for in Sunday’s game with the Pack. Bet on this game with Bodog’s NFL odds.
Chicago (11-4) is guaranteed no worse than the No. 2 seed in the conference, but if the Falcons are stunned at home by Carolina and the Saints lose at home to Tampa Bay, then Chicago can take the No. 1 seed by winning. And both the Falcons and Saints play at 1 p.m. so the Bears will know where they stand when they take the field for this 4:15 p.m. ET game. Green Bay clinches the final wild-card spot and a trip to Philadelphia for the first round of the playoffs. But a Packers loss puts them in jeopardy depending on what the Giants and Buccaneers do.
"I expect to be playing the whole game. That's how I am preparing at this point," Bears QB Jay Cutler said Wednesday, and Smith has said his guys will be playing to win. Even Packers coach Mike McCarthy says he expects the Bears’ best effort.
The Packers (9-6) have already said they won’t be kicking to Bears return star Devin Hester. Hester, who holds the NFL record with 14 career returns for touchdowns, had a 62-yard punt return for a score against the Packers in Week 3. That play gave the Bears a 14-10 fourth quarter lead and was key in their 20-17 victory.
After returning from a concussion, Aaron Rodgers was brilliant in last week’s blowout of the Giants, going 25-for-37 for 404 yards and four TDs to be named NFC Offensive Player of the Week. In that first meeting with Chicago, Rodgers threw for 316 yards but just one touchdown. But Green Bay self-destructed in that game with a team-record 18 penalties.
The Bears are tied for the best road record (6-1) in the NFL and are 4-2 at Lambeau Field under Smith.
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Chicago (11-4) is guaranteed no worse than the No. 2 seed in the conference, but if the Falcons are stunned at home by Carolina and the Saints lose at home to Tampa Bay, then Chicago can take the No. 1 seed by winning. And both the Falcons and Saints play at 1 p.m. so the Bears will know where they stand when they take the field for this 4:15 p.m. ET game. Green Bay clinches the final wild-card spot and a trip to Philadelphia for the first round of the playoffs. But a Packers loss puts them in jeopardy depending on what the Giants and Buccaneers do.
"I expect to be playing the whole game. That's how I am preparing at this point," Bears QB Jay Cutler said Wednesday, and Smith has said his guys will be playing to win. Even Packers coach Mike McCarthy says he expects the Bears’ best effort.
The Packers (9-6) have already said they won’t be kicking to Bears return star Devin Hester. Hester, who holds the NFL record with 14 career returns for touchdowns, had a 62-yard punt return for a score against the Packers in Week 3. That play gave the Bears a 14-10 fourth quarter lead and was key in their 20-17 victory.
After returning from a concussion, Aaron Rodgers was brilliant in last week’s blowout of the Giants, going 25-for-37 for 404 yards and four TDs to be named NFC Offensive Player of the Week. In that first meeting with Chicago, Rodgers threw for 316 yards but just one touchdown. But Green Bay self-destructed in that game with a team-record 18 penalties.
The Bears are tied for the best road record (6-1) in the NFL and are 4-2 at Lambeau Field under Smith.
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The Jacksonville Jaguars must beat the Houston Texans on Sunday and hope the Indianapolis Colts are upset at home by Tennessee for the Jags to win the AFC South and reach the playoffs, but Jacksonville will have to handle Washington likely without its two best offensive players. Bet on the game with Bodog’s NFL odds.
For sure out is Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard. He hurt his right middle finger two games ago against the Colts but played through it last week in a crushing loss against the Redskins and struggled, throwing two interceptions, including a killer late one, and fumbling twice. Garrard had surgery on the finger and wouldn’t even be able to return should the Jags make the playoffs. So that means Trent Edwards, who was claimed off waivers from Buffalo in late September, will start. He has appeared in two games for the Jaguars, throwing for 140 yards and two interceptions.
And to make matters worse, star Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew is doubtful to play. He missed last week’s loss with a knee injury that will require offseason surgery. MJD has rushed for 1,324 yards this season. That means Rashad Jennings would start again and he was ineffective against the Skins, carrying 15 times for just 32 yards.
Houston has zip to play for and this is expected to be the final game for Coach Gary Kubiak. The Texans have won just once since their Week 7 bye and enter on a four-game skid. They can still score with anyone, although top WR Andre Johnson is iffy for this game, but the Texans' defense is terrible, with the pass defense ranking by far last in the league. It was that pass defense that caused a loss to the Jags in Week 10 as Garrard’s 50-yard Hail Mary as time expired won it for Jacksonville.
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For sure out is Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard. He hurt his right middle finger two games ago against the Colts but played through it last week in a crushing loss against the Redskins and struggled, throwing two interceptions, including a killer late one, and fumbling twice. Garrard had surgery on the finger and wouldn’t even be able to return should the Jags make the playoffs. So that means Trent Edwards, who was claimed off waivers from Buffalo in late September, will start. He has appeared in two games for the Jaguars, throwing for 140 yards and two interceptions.
And to make matters worse, star Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew is doubtful to play. He missed last week’s loss with a knee injury that will require offseason surgery. MJD has rushed for 1,324 yards this season. That means Rashad Jennings would start again and he was ineffective against the Skins, carrying 15 times for just 32 yards.
Houston has zip to play for and this is expected to be the final game for Coach Gary Kubiak. The Texans have won just once since their Week 7 bye and enter on a four-game skid. They can still score with anyone, although top WR Andre Johnson is iffy for this game, but the Texans' defense is terrible, with the pass defense ranking by far last in the league. It was that pass defense that caused a loss to the Jags in Week 10 as Garrard’s 50-yard Hail Mary as time expired won it for Jacksonville.
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If there’s one blatant mismatch in the final week of the NFL’s regular season it would have to be this game, where 12-3 Atlanta hosts 2-13 Carolina. The Falcons have opened as 15-point favorites on Bodog’s NFL odds, by far the biggest spread on the board.
Carolina already has locked up the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft and this will be the final game for Coach John Fox on the Panthers’ sideline. Fox’s contract is up Feb. 1 and will there has been no official announcement, even he admits he’s not coming back.
“This is not new news,’’ Fox said. “It's a finishing. It's kind of been knowledgeable for a couple years."
The Falcons simply need to win and they are the NFC South champs and the No. 1 seed in the conference, meaning they may not have to play outdoors again this season. And Matt Ryan is money in a dome. However, Atlanta does enter off a 17-14 home loss to New Orleans. It was just Ryan’s second home loss in his career.
Ryan has 26 touchdown passes this season, which are tied for the third-most in franchise history with former QB Chris Miller, who tossed 26 in 1991. Steve Bartkowski has the two highest totals, with 31 TD passes in 1980 and 30 in 1981.
Atlanta traveled to Carolina just three weeks ago and had no trouble in a 31-10 victory. Michael Turner was the star that day with 112 yards rushing and three touchdowns. He has averaged 111.3 yards while scoring eight TDs in his last four games against the Panthers. Carolina rookie QB Jimmy Clausen struggled that day as he has all season, going 14-for-24 for 107 yards with a pick. The Panthers, who did run well in the first meeting with Atlanta behind Jonathan Stewart, have lost their seven road games this season by a combined score of 180-98.
Carolina already has locked up the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft and this will be the final game for Coach John Fox on the Panthers’ sideline. Fox’s contract is up Feb. 1 and will there has been no official announcement, even he admits he’s not coming back.
“This is not new news,’’ Fox said. “It's a finishing. It's kind of been knowledgeable for a couple years."
The Falcons simply need to win and they are the NFC South champs and the No. 1 seed in the conference, meaning they may not have to play outdoors again this season. And Matt Ryan is money in a dome. However, Atlanta does enter off a 17-14 home loss to New Orleans. It was just Ryan’s second home loss in his career.
Ryan has 26 touchdown passes this season, which are tied for the third-most in franchise history with former QB Chris Miller, who tossed 26 in 1991. Steve Bartkowski has the two highest totals, with 31 TD passes in 1980 and 30 in 1981.
Atlanta traveled to Carolina just three weeks ago and had no trouble in a 31-10 victory. Michael Turner was the star that day with 112 yards rushing and three touchdowns. He has averaged 111.3 yards while scoring eight TDs in his last four games against the Panthers. Carolina rookie QB Jimmy Clausen struggled that day as he has all season, going 14-for-24 for 107 yards with a pick. The Panthers, who did run well in the first meeting with Atlanta behind Jonathan Stewart, have lost their seven road games this season by a combined score of 180-98.
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There is just one winner-take-all game in the NFL’s final week of the regular season, and that comes in Seattle in what has to be called the worst division-clinching game in NFL history when the 7-8 St. Louis Rams visits the 6-9 Seattle Seahawks. Bet on this prime-time game with Bodog’s NFL odds.
Whichever team wins has to be the worst playoff team in NFL history. If Seattle wins it will be the first team to ever win a division with a losing record. The Seahawks really don’t deserve a playoff shot. They have been outgained by an average of 85 yards per game (380.9 to 295.5) and have lost their past three games by a combined score of 112-54. And Seattle won’t even have starting QB Matt Hasselbeck on Sunday after he strained an abdominal muscle in last week’s loss to Tampa Bay. Backup Charlie Whitehurst will get the call and he has started one game in his five-year NFL career, throwing for just 113 yards with two interceptions and a touchdown in a 41-7 home loss to the Giants. Last week he relieved Hasselbeck with Seattle up 7-3. Seattle had one first down on its first six possessions after he entered the game, and Whitehurst didn't complete a pass longer than 15 yards.
As for the Rams, they are at least on the way up under rookie QB Sam Bradford. If they win they would become the third 8-8 team to win a division. Bradford, trying to become first QB selected No. 1 overall to start playoff game in rookie season, needs 84 yards to move into second for most yards passing by rookie. He already has a rookie record 335 completions. But really the key to that St. Louis offense is RB Steven Jackson, who surpassed 1,000 yards this season for the sixth straight year. Seattle defensively is giving up 123.7 yards a game rushing, 22nd in the league. Jackson has never rushed for over 100 yards against the Seahawks in his seven-year career.
Prior to the Rams’ 20-3 win over Seattle back in October, the Seahawks had won 10 of the past 11 in this series.
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Whichever team wins has to be the worst playoff team in NFL history. If Seattle wins it will be the first team to ever win a division with a losing record. The Seahawks really don’t deserve a playoff shot. They have been outgained by an average of 85 yards per game (380.9 to 295.5) and have lost their past three games by a combined score of 112-54. And Seattle won’t even have starting QB Matt Hasselbeck on Sunday after he strained an abdominal muscle in last week’s loss to Tampa Bay. Backup Charlie Whitehurst will get the call and he has started one game in his five-year NFL career, throwing for just 113 yards with two interceptions and a touchdown in a 41-7 home loss to the Giants. Last week he relieved Hasselbeck with Seattle up 7-3. Seattle had one first down on its first six possessions after he entered the game, and Whitehurst didn't complete a pass longer than 15 yards.
As for the Rams, they are at least on the way up under rookie QB Sam Bradford. If they win they would become the third 8-8 team to win a division. Bradford, trying to become first QB selected No. 1 overall to start playoff game in rookie season, needs 84 yards to move into second for most yards passing by rookie. He already has a rookie record 335 completions. But really the key to that St. Louis offense is RB Steven Jackson, who surpassed 1,000 yards this season for the sixth straight year. Seattle defensively is giving up 123.7 yards a game rushing, 22nd in the league. Jackson has never rushed for over 100 yards against the Seahawks in his seven-year career.
Prior to the Rams’ 20-3 win over Seattle back in October, the Seahawks had won 10 of the past 11 in this series.
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It’s pretty simple for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday: Beat the Tennessee Titans and they win the AFC South yet again and will host a home game next weekend in the wild-card round. But if the Colts are upset and the shorthanded Jacksonville Jaguars manage to win in Houston, then Indy will be watching the postseason. Indy opened as a 10-point favorite on Bodog’s NFL odds.
If the Colts do make the playoffs it would be for the ninth year in a row, tying the league record Dallas set from 1975-83. Meanwhile, Colts QB Peyton Manning can make history on Sunday. For sure he will break Gene Upshaw's league record for most consecutive regular-season starts to open a career, with the two currently tied at 207. If Manning throws for 300 yards, he would have 64 career 300-yard games, one more than Dan Marino's NFL record. And if Manning throws three TD passes, he will join Marino and Brett Favre as just the third member of the 400 TD club.
As good as Manning is, it has been a resurgent running game that has helped Indy win three games in a row and average 32 points during that run. Indy as averaged 144 yards rushing per game and 4.6 yards per carry in wins over Tennessee, Jacksonville and Oakland. That has lessened the pressure on Manning, who has thrown seven touchdown passes with just two interceptions in the win streak.
Look for Manning to go deep on the Titans fairly often. In Tennessee’s past three games against Manning on throws of 15-plus yards, the Titans have allowed a completion percentage of 84.6 (as opposed to 47.8 against everyone else), 24.9 yards per attempt (compared to 13.1) and a perfect passer rating of 158.3 for Manning (as opposed to 82.6). s passes. In the Colts’ 30-28 win at Tennessee in Week 14, Manning threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns and was 5-for-5 on throws of 15 or more yards. Tennessee’s Chris Johnson and Kerry Collins were bright spots in that loss. Johnson rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown and caught eight passes for 68 yards. Collins had his best game of the year, going 28-for-39 for 244 yards with three TDs.
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If the Colts do make the playoffs it would be for the ninth year in a row, tying the league record Dallas set from 1975-83. Meanwhile, Colts QB Peyton Manning can make history on Sunday. For sure he will break Gene Upshaw's league record for most consecutive regular-season starts to open a career, with the two currently tied at 207. If Manning throws for 300 yards, he would have 64 career 300-yard games, one more than Dan Marino's NFL record. And if Manning throws three TD passes, he will join Marino and Brett Favre as just the third member of the 400 TD club.
As good as Manning is, it has been a resurgent running game that has helped Indy win three games in a row and average 32 points during that run. Indy as averaged 144 yards rushing per game and 4.6 yards per carry in wins over Tennessee, Jacksonville and Oakland. That has lessened the pressure on Manning, who has thrown seven touchdown passes with just two interceptions in the win streak.
Look for Manning to go deep on the Titans fairly often. In Tennessee’s past three games against Manning on throws of 15-plus yards, the Titans have allowed a completion percentage of 84.6 (as opposed to 47.8 against everyone else), 24.9 yards per attempt (compared to 13.1) and a perfect passer rating of 158.3 for Manning (as opposed to 82.6). s passes. In the Colts’ 30-28 win at Tennessee in Week 14, Manning threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns and was 5-for-5 on throws of 15 or more yards. Tennessee’s Chris Johnson and Kerry Collins were bright spots in that loss. Johnson rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown and caught eight passes for 68 yards. Collins had his best game of the year, going 28-for-39 for 244 yards with three TDs.
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The Cleveland Browns can play major spoilers on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in what is likely to be the final game for Browns coach Eric Mangini. However, Pittsburgh has opened as a 6-point favorite on Bodog’s NFL odds.
If the Steelers win or Baltimore loses at home to Cincinnati, then Pittsburgh wins the AFC North and claims the No. 2 seed in the conference. But if the Browns can pull this upset and Baltimore wins as expected, the Steelers drop to a wild card and will open the playoffs next week on the road.
Pittsburgh has owned this rivalry, winning 13 of the past 14 meetings. But that one loss was costly as the 13-6 setback last year basically kept the Steelers out of the playoffs. Only one time since 1969 have the Steelers blown a division lead held late in the season. That came in 1990 when they lost a season finale to the Houston Oilers and finished behind them in the wild-card tiebreaker.
A win over Pittsburgh would improve the Browns to 6-10, a game better than last year, and make Mangini 11-21 in his two seasons. But it’s expected that team president Mike Holmgren will make a change no matter what happens here. Cleveland apparently will have star running back Peyton Hillis despite the fact he hadn’t practiced through Friday. Hillis was injured in last week’s loss to Baltimore but Mangini thinks he can play. Hillis has rushed for 1,164 yards this season, but the Steelers have the NFL’s No. 1 rushing defense.
In Pittsburgh’s 28-10 win over Cleveland in Week 6, Hillis was held to 41 yards on 12 carries. Browns QB Colt McCoy made his NFL debut in that one, going 23-for-33 for 281 yards with a TD and two picks. And Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger made his season debut from suspension that day, going 16-for-27 for 257 yards with three TDs and an interception. Roethlisberger, who is 11-1 vs. Cleveland in his career, needs 80 yards passing to surpass 3,000 for fifth straight season.
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If the Steelers win or Baltimore loses at home to Cincinnati, then Pittsburgh wins the AFC North and claims the No. 2 seed in the conference. But if the Browns can pull this upset and Baltimore wins as expected, the Steelers drop to a wild card and will open the playoffs next week on the road.
Pittsburgh has owned this rivalry, winning 13 of the past 14 meetings. But that one loss was costly as the 13-6 setback last year basically kept the Steelers out of the playoffs. Only one time since 1969 have the Steelers blown a division lead held late in the season. That came in 1990 when they lost a season finale to the Houston Oilers and finished behind them in the wild-card tiebreaker.
A win over Pittsburgh would improve the Browns to 6-10, a game better than last year, and make Mangini 11-21 in his two seasons. But it’s expected that team president Mike Holmgren will make a change no matter what happens here. Cleveland apparently will have star running back Peyton Hillis despite the fact he hadn’t practiced through Friday. Hillis was injured in last week’s loss to Baltimore but Mangini thinks he can play. Hillis has rushed for 1,164 yards this season, but the Steelers have the NFL’s No. 1 rushing defense.
In Pittsburgh’s 28-10 win over Cleveland in Week 6, Hillis was held to 41 yards on 12 carries. Browns QB Colt McCoy made his NFL debut in that one, going 23-for-33 for 281 yards with a TD and two picks. And Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger made his season debut from suspension that day, going 16-for-27 for 257 yards with three TDs and an interception. Roethlisberger, who is 11-1 vs. Cleveland in his career, needs 80 yards passing to surpass 3,000 for fifth straight season.
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Sunday’s Tampa Bay at New Orleans game is one of only three in Week 17 that features two teams with playoff aspirations (Rams-Seahawks and Bears-Packers being the other). However, the Bucs need a minor miracle to get in. Bet on this game at Bodog’s NFL odds.
New Orleans has clinched a playoff spot but still has an outside chance at the NFC South title and the No. 1 overall seed in the conference. For that to happen the Saints must win this game and have Atlanta lose at home to a 2-13 Carolina team. So that’s probably not going to happen. The Bucs need a win (or tie) and losses by Green Bay against Chicago and the Giants at Washington. If that happens, Tampa Bay would be the NFC’s final wild-card team.
The Bucs may catch one break in that Saints top receiver Marques Colston could sit out. He had an arthroscopic procedure on his knee Tuesday and has not practiced this week. Coltson, who played in Monday’s win over Atlanta, emerged from the game with soreness. He is listed as questionable. Colston has 84 catches for 1,023 yards and seven touchdowns.
Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman has passed for 3,196 yards with 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. His 93.6 passer rating ranks ninth in the league and is 1.4 points higher than Drew Brees of the Saints. Brees, meanwhile, joins Eli Manning as the only QBs with 30 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.
The Bucs are 0-5 against teams with winning records. That includes a 31-6 home loss to New Orleans in Week 6. Brees threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns that day. The Bucs rushed for just 42 yards that day but hadn’t yet introduced rookie LeGarrette Blount, who is the NFL’s leading rookie rusher with 941 yards and six touchdowns.
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New Orleans has clinched a playoff spot but still has an outside chance at the NFC South title and the No. 1 overall seed in the conference. For that to happen the Saints must win this game and have Atlanta lose at home to a 2-13 Carolina team. So that’s probably not going to happen. The Bucs need a win (or tie) and losses by Green Bay against Chicago and the Giants at Washington. If that happens, Tampa Bay would be the NFC’s final wild-card team.
The Bucs may catch one break in that Saints top receiver Marques Colston could sit out. He had an arthroscopic procedure on his knee Tuesday and has not practiced this week. Coltson, who played in Monday’s win over Atlanta, emerged from the game with soreness. He is listed as questionable. Colston has 84 catches for 1,023 yards and seven touchdowns.
Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman has passed for 3,196 yards with 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. His 93.6 passer rating ranks ninth in the league and is 1.4 points higher than Drew Brees of the Saints. Brees, meanwhile, joins Eli Manning as the only QBs with 30 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.
The Bucs are 0-5 against teams with winning records. That includes a 31-6 home loss to New Orleans in Week 6. Brees threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns that day. The Bucs rushed for just 42 yards that day but hadn’t yet introduced rookie LeGarrette Blount, who is the NFL’s leading rookie rusher with 941 yards and six touchdowns.
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It appears Jeff Fisher will continue as head coach of the Tennessee Titans and Vince Young will not be the quarterback.
Titans owner informed Titans fans and staff that Young would not be returning to the Titans in the 2011 season.
“Today, I informed our general manager Mike Reinfeldt to move forward with plans to begin the process of identifying the next quarterback for our franchise,” Adams said in a statement. “He will inform Vince Young’s agent that Vince will not be on our roster next season.”
Young leaves Tennessee after an up and down career as the team’s QB, which ended abruptly after injuring his throwing had, throwing his pads in the stands and mouthing off Fisher in front of his team.
The question now is who will be the next Titans QB?
Names like Andrew Luck from Stanford, Ryan Mallet of Arkansas and Jake Locker of Washington quickly jump off the draft list. However, if Cam Newton of Auburn explodes in the BCS National Championship game like Young he could be too could for Tennessee to pass up at No. 8.
But then there’s also free agency. Names like Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb and Kyle Orton quickly come to mind, however there’s a lot of time between now and the 2011 season.
No NFL odds yet in the Bodog Sportsbook on what the Titans will do next but stay tuned.
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Titans owner informed Titans fans and staff that Young would not be returning to the Titans in the 2011 season.
“Today, I informed our general manager Mike Reinfeldt to move forward with plans to begin the process of identifying the next quarterback for our franchise,” Adams said in a statement. “He will inform Vince Young’s agent that Vince will not be on our roster next season.”
Young leaves Tennessee after an up and down career as the team’s QB, which ended abruptly after injuring his throwing had, throwing his pads in the stands and mouthing off Fisher in front of his team.
The question now is who will be the next Titans QB?
Names like Andrew Luck from Stanford, Ryan Mallet of Arkansas and Jake Locker of Washington quickly jump off the draft list. However, if Cam Newton of Auburn explodes in the BCS National Championship game like Young he could be too could for Tennessee to pass up at No. 8.
But then there’s also free agency. Names like Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb and Kyle Orton quickly come to mind, however there’s a lot of time between now and the 2011 season.
No NFL odds yet in the Bodog Sportsbook on what the Titans will do next but stay tuned.
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The NFL playoffs are just a couple of days away but right now the league is feeling the buzz of the NFL coaching carousel.
In Dallas, the Cowboys named Jason Garrett as head coach. Garrett earned the job by leading the ‘Boys to a 5-3 record straight up and a 6-2 record against the spread over the final eight games. Before Garrett took over the Cowboys were 1-7 SU under Wade Philips.
With such a big turnaround Garrett earned the chance to jump from offensive coordinator to head coach.
“He's truly one of our own,” team owner Jerry Jones said of Garrett. “We know him well for the qualifications that he has for this position, and I know that he has spent his entire life preparing for this day. He's well qualified.”
In the Jim Harbaugh sweepstakes there are more rumors flying around than the front page of TMZ. Earlier today the news was that the Miami Dolphins were the front runners for the heralded college coach, but more recent reports say he is lukewarm about the situation there. Unlike LeBron James we guess Harbaugh isn’t swayed by South Beach.
Another rumor popping up on NFL radars is that Harbaugh is getting looks from the Denver Broncos as well. Whoever he decides to sign up with expect him to make a impact on the team’s NFL odds.
Speaking of Broncos, former Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels is being rumored as a candidate for OC for the Minnesota Vikings. The young coach had a troubled tenure in Denver, but was able to make chicken salad out of an offense that lacked talent. He could have a big betting impact in the 2011 season if he is signed by Minnesota.
In Dallas, the Cowboys named Jason Garrett as head coach. Garrett earned the job by leading the ‘Boys to a 5-3 record straight up and a 6-2 record against the spread over the final eight games. Before Garrett took over the Cowboys were 1-7 SU under Wade Philips.
With such a big turnaround Garrett earned the chance to jump from offensive coordinator to head coach.
“He's truly one of our own,” team owner Jerry Jones said of Garrett. “We know him well for the qualifications that he has for this position, and I know that he has spent his entire life preparing for this day. He's well qualified.”
In the Jim Harbaugh sweepstakes there are more rumors flying around than the front page of TMZ. Earlier today the news was that the Miami Dolphins were the front runners for the heralded college coach, but more recent reports say he is lukewarm about the situation there. Unlike LeBron James we guess Harbaugh isn’t swayed by South Beach.
Another rumor popping up on NFL radars is that Harbaugh is getting looks from the Denver Broncos as well. Whoever he decides to sign up with expect him to make a impact on the team’s NFL odds.
Speaking of Broncos, former Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels is being rumored as a candidate for OC for the Minnesota Vikings. The young coach had a troubled tenure in Denver, but was able to make chicken salad out of an offense that lacked talent. He could have a big betting impact in the 2011 season if he is signed by Minnesota.
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Of all the current head coaching openings in the NFL, it seems the Cleveland Browns have been the quietest team out there. Team president Mike Holmgren fired Eric Mangini on Monday after the Browns put up back-to-back 5-11 seasons, including losing his final four games this season.
Bodog offers a prop on the Browns’ next head coach, and Holmgren himself is the favorite. Of course Holmgren reached two Super Bowls with Packers, winning one, and also reached a Super Bowl in his time with the Seattle Seahawks. Perhaps why all the rumors around the Browns are quiet is because many expect Holmgren to return to the sideline. Earlier this week, Holmgren didn’t rule it out and he is the 3/1 favorite (along with the field) to take over.
"To tell you right now that I will never coach again, here or anyplace, I probably wouldn't be honest," Holmgren said. "But as of right now I am the president of the Cleveland Browns and my job is to find the best coach available. And that does not include me right now.”
The second-favorite is Marty Mornhinweg, the current Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator and former Detroit Lions head coach. Mornhinweg, who opened at 5/2 on Bodog’s odds, has ties to Holmgren (they also share same agent) and Browns GM Tom Heckert. And Mornhinweg is a West Coast offense guy, which is what Holmgren wants the Browns to install. But Mornhinweg certainly wouldn’t excite the fans as he went 5-27 in two years as a Lions coach. And he’s perhaps best known for winning the toss in a 2002 overtime game against Chicago and taking the wind instead of the ball. Of course the Bears then kicked the winning field goal.
The third-favorite is a big name who would excite fans: Jon Gruden. The former Tampa Bay Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach opened at 7/2 to take this job. Gruden grew up in Ohio and as a Browns fan, plus he has a long relationship with Holmgren. But Gruden has already turned down offers from other teams in seemingly better situations, including reportedly $7 million a year from the Miami Dolphins. He has long said he is happy in the broadcast booth in ESPN.
Bodog’s other candidates are: John Fox (5/1), Pat Shurmur (15/2), Brad Childress (10/1), Jim Zorn (15/1) and Bill Cowher (15/1).
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Bodog offers a prop on the Browns’ next head coach, and Holmgren himself is the favorite. Of course Holmgren reached two Super Bowls with Packers, winning one, and also reached a Super Bowl in his time with the Seattle Seahawks. Perhaps why all the rumors around the Browns are quiet is because many expect Holmgren to return to the sideline. Earlier this week, Holmgren didn’t rule it out and he is the 3/1 favorite (along with the field) to take over.
"To tell you right now that I will never coach again, here or anyplace, I probably wouldn't be honest," Holmgren said. "But as of right now I am the president of the Cleveland Browns and my job is to find the best coach available. And that does not include me right now.”
The second-favorite is Marty Mornhinweg, the current Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator and former Detroit Lions head coach. Mornhinweg, who opened at 5/2 on Bodog’s odds, has ties to Holmgren (they also share same agent) and Browns GM Tom Heckert. And Mornhinweg is a West Coast offense guy, which is what Holmgren wants the Browns to install. But Mornhinweg certainly wouldn’t excite the fans as he went 5-27 in two years as a Lions coach. And he’s perhaps best known for winning the toss in a 2002 overtime game against Chicago and taking the wind instead of the ball. Of course the Bears then kicked the winning field goal.
The third-favorite is a big name who would excite fans: Jon Gruden. The former Tampa Bay Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach opened at 7/2 to take this job. Gruden grew up in Ohio and as a Browns fan, plus he has a long relationship with Holmgren. But Gruden has already turned down offers from other teams in seemingly better situations, including reportedly $7 million a year from the Miami Dolphins. He has long said he is happy in the broadcast booth in ESPN.
Bodog’s other candidates are: John Fox (5/1), Pat Shurmur (15/2), Brad Childress (10/1), Jim Zorn (15/1) and Bill Cowher (15/1).
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The Chiefs obviously know that the San Diego Chargers won on Thursday night and are just a half-game back so the Chiefs can ill afford a loss here because Kansas City would lose a tiebreaker if it finishes the season tied with the Bolts. The Chiefs then finish with home games against Tennessee and Oakland and should be favored in both. The Rams, meanwhile, are tied atop their division with Seattle despite a 6-7 record. It’s quite possible, if not likely, the winner of the NFC West finishes with a below-.500 record.
The big story heading in is the status of Kansas City starting quarterback Matt Cassel, the NFL’s fifth-highest rated passer. He missed last week’s loss to San Diego after undergoing an appendectomy. Cassel was limited in practice Friday as he was all week and is officially questionable but in fact will be a game-time decision. The Chiefs said the team’s medical staff will evaluate Cassel before making a final decision. If Cassel can’t go that means Brodie Croyle, who is 0-10 as a starter in his career, gets the call. Against the Chargers last week Croyle was just 7-for-17 for 40 yards. Kansas City was held to just 67 total yards, five first downs and was 0-for-11 on third-down conversions.
The Rams hadn’t won a home game since about halfway through the 2008 season entering this year but are 4-2 at the Edward Jones Dome this season and are giving up just 16.2 points per game defensively in home games, the fifth-best mark in the NFL. Rams QB Sam Bradford, the likely Offensive Rookie of the Year, needs 116 yards passing to become third rookie in NFL history with 3,000 yards. St. Louis has been outscored 30-0 in the past three first quarters of games.
Kansas City has a nine-game winning streak vs. NFC West teams dating to 2002, including 3-0 this year.
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