Vikings-Saints: Great way to get going
Football Betting Lines
09/08/2010 -
Maybe this time Brett Favre won't get picked off with victory in his grasp.
In as juicy a season opener as the NFL could provide, Favre marches the Minnesota Vikings into New Orleans on Thursday night for a reprise of January's NFC championship game.
The Saints and their long trod-upon fans get the opportunity to celebrate the franchise's first Super Bowl title, then the New Orleans defense tries to batter Favre the way it did in the 31-28 overtime win that sent the former Aints to the Super Bowl.
Favre sort of retired in the offseason before having left ankle surgery in May, then balked again about returning to Minnesota when the recovery was slower than he wanted.
But retirements never really last with the 40-year-old quarterback, and he's back behind center, making the Vikings one of the conference favorites.
The Saints are 4 1/2-point choices in this one. It should be a lights-out shootout if Favre still has the touch and Minnesota can protect him. The Saints don't have any such questions about their offense, led by Drew Brees throwing to a deep assortment of wide receivers, tight ends and running backs.
This could be the most emotional game in the Louisiana Superdome since the Saints returned a year after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. Yes, even more emotional than the game Favre gave away 7 1/2 months ago.
The result?
SAINTS 35-28
Miami (minus 2) at BuffaloBeware the road favorite early in the season? Not in this matchup, where Miami going to Orchard Park late in the season would be an equalizer, but not in September.
BEST BET: Dolphins 21, Bills 10
Baltimore (plus 3) at New York Jets (Monday night)The Jets talk about Super Bowls. The Ravens play like a team headed to a Super Bowl.
UPSET SPECIAL: RAVENS, 17-13
Dallas (minus 3) at WashingtonIs Donovan McNabb still haunted by visions of the Dallas defense after moving from Philly to DC? His last two games with the Eagles were lopsided losses to the Cowboys. This should be closer.
COWBOYS, 20-16
Cincinnati (plus 6) at New EnglandFans of playmaking wideouts have to love a matchup of T.O. and Ochocinco against Randy Moss and a stunningly fit Wes Welker coming off major knee surgery.
PATRIOTS, 31-28
Indianapolis (minus 3) at HoustonConcerns about the offensive line and the defense as a whole in Indy are offset by the Colts' dominance of this rivalry. Peyton Manning heads for a fifth MVP trophy.
COLTS 30-20
Green Bay (pick) at PhiladelphiaAre these teams headed in opposite directions? Green Bay has a chance to be special this year, while the Eagles are in something of a transition.
PACKERS 21-14
Atlanta (pick) at PittsburghFirst match of the critical four-game stretch for the Steelers without Ben Roethlisberger. Can the Steelers at least go 2-2 in that span? Tough way to start.
FALCONS, 14-10
San Francisco (minus 1) at SeattleUnder normal circumstances, Pete Carroll gets his players all fired up. In his return as an NFL head coach, the Seahawks could take off over Puget Sound by themselves.
SEAHAWKS, 21-20
San Diego (minus 5 1/2) at Kansas City (Monday night)Chargers could be vulnerable - in another division. But this won't be a rout.
CHARGERS 22-17
Carolina (plus 7) at New York GiantsPanthers tend to play very well in Meadowlands against Giants, but Big Blue is officially opening Big Gray - the New Meadowlands Stadium (until a sponsor claims naming rights to the $1.6 billion venue).
GIANTS, 17-16
Detroit (plus 7) at ChicagoSo tempting to go with Lions here against a troubled Bears squad. Detroit's last road win was in October 2007 - at Soldier Field.
LIONS, 20-7
Cleveland (plus 1) at Tampa BayNot so tempting with the Browns in matchup of coaches on the hot seat.
BUCCANEERS, 10-6
Denver (plus 1 1/2) at JacksonvilleHow much action does Tim Tebow get in his hometown in his NFL debut? Not enough to make a difference.
JAGUARS, 13-10
Oakland (plus 7) at TennesseeTitans believe they are ready to make noise again after a streaky 2009. Better start with a W here.
TITANS, 23-17
Arizona (minus 3 1/2) at St. LouisCardinals suddenly seem like Team Turmoil. They're still far too good for Rams.
CARDINALS, 20-3Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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NFL Football Betting : Odds on NFL Division to Win the Super Bowl
The AFC South and the NFC East are the favorite divisions to have the next Super Bowl champ among them in the NFL betting odds. But more down to the point, these football odds are in favor of the Indianapolis Colts, by far the strongest team in the AFC South, and the Dallas Cowboys of the NFC East.
Most sports fans would agree that these two teams top the list to win it all before the season even begins. In the BetUS Sportsbook football futures, the Colts are +800 in the odds to win the Super Bowl, while the Cowboys are sitting at +1000 and the Super Bowl XLIV champions New Orleans Saints at +900. In the AFC South, the Colts won the division for five straight years after the 2002 realignment, before the Tennessee Titans won it in 2008. But the Colts came back strong in 2009 to win the division again en route to the Super Bowl. The Cowboys are the favorite to win the NFC East, as well as to advance far into the post season. The Cowboys won the division last season before their horrendous loss in the NFC Divisional playoff to Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. But the ‘Boys will take that loss humbly and be ready for the playoffs this time around.
The NFC South is also very strong, at +600 in the NFL futures, considering that it is home to the defending Super Bowl champions. However, some predictions have the Atlanta Falcons with possibilities of claiming the divisional title this season in place of the Saints, as no team has won back-to-back division championships since the division realignment took place. Let’s not overlook the AFC North at +500. As TO goes to Cincinnati to join Chad OchoCinco and Adam “Pac-Man” Jones, this team looks to claim the division title again. And it is likely they will do so. The Bengals lost in the AFC Wild Card spot in a hard-fought battle against the New York Jets last season. Lest not forget the Pittsburgh Steelers, the XLII Super Bowl Champions… All these teams present interesting odds and matchups for the upcoming season, but the safest and surest bet seems to be with the Colts in the AFC South and the Cowboys in the NFC East. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.
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