Futures/Saturday's Games
With Wild Card Weekend behind us, it is time to get serious about these playoffs. I went 3-1 on the Wild Card games so that was good. Now if only I could figure out college basketball. But first things first.
Before I get to Saturday’s games, I’d like to take a quick look at some playoff Futures odds. I hate to say it, but it looks like I’ll be taking all favorites for my Futures.
Super Bowl pick
Odds to win the AFC
Pittsburgh Steelers +165
Tennessee Titans +205
Baltimore Ravens +405
San Diego Chargers +425
Nobody is going to beat the Steelers at Heinz Field in these playoffs. Things could’ve gotten interesting had the Titans not drawn the Ravens in this round. I don’t see Tennessee beating the Ravens, who more and more are starting to resemble their 2001 Super Bowl team. They are so scary right now, that they could be a decent play here at +405. I’m going to stick with Pittsburgh at +165 and bite on my Terrible Towel like Jerry Tarkanian.
Odds to win the NFC
New York Giants +125
Carolina Panthers +155
Philadelphia Eagles +425
Arizona Cardinals +1415
It’s not the most exciting pick, but the Giants at +125 will be my play here. I really can’t see any of these other three teams even coming close to stealing a game at Giants Stadium. I sure wish I had this pick last year when it was worth around +900. Oh well I’ll take what I can get.
Odds to win the Super Bowl
New York Giants +305
Carolina Panthers +405
Pittsburgh Steelers +425
Tennessee Titans +545
Baltimore Ravens +725
Philadelphia Eagles +825
San Diego Chargers +1015
Arizona Cardinals +3250
Sticking with my parade of favorites, I’ll be playing the Giants to win it all. They were my first winner of the season when they beat the Redskins in a Week One Thursday game. Hopefully they will be my last cashed ticket as well. Did I mention that the Super Bowl is in my hometown (Tampa) this year and that it is on my birthday? Good fortune awaits me.
Several sportsbooks also offer odds on individual Super Bowl matchups. I’ll lay something small on NYG vs. Pittsburgh at +425, and might take a look at NYG vs. Baltimore at +825 as well. On to Saturday’s games!
4:30 Baltimore at Tennessee (-3, 35)
If you’ve been reading so far, you know how I feel about this game. Why stop with taking the three points? I feel so strongly that I’m playing the Ravens moneyline at +135. Have you seen this team play lately? They are scary to the point that kids might be waking up in the middle of the night looking for Ray Lewis hiding under their bed. Impressive scary.
Ray Lewis frightens me. But I like it!
In their last seven games, teams are only managing to score 10.4 points on them. That average is including the 24 that Dallas put up on them in Week 16. I said last week that Baltimore’s D could very well outscore Miami’s offense. They came close to doing just that as the amazing Ed Reed took a Chad Pennington pick back the distance. Sure, the best offense is a good defense, but these guys take it to the next level. It’s been a nice run for the surprising Titans, but I’m thinking that all ends here. They did beat Baltimore in Week 5, 13-10. They’ll be lucky to score 13 on Saturday.
The Ravens defense doesn’t just tackle hard, they slam people around. They’re going to make Kerry Collins throw like Joan Collins. They’re going to knock the grill out of Chris Johnson’s mouth. They might even smack the moustache off of Coach Jeff Fisher’s face for good measure. It’s going to get nasty. The only thing that worries me is if it comes down to a last second field goal. Titan’s kicker Rob Bironas is a weapon and should be kept at least 60 yards back at all times.
Speaking of Chris Johnson, he was on the sideline for the Liberty Bowl last week in support of East Carolina, where he played collegiately. During an interview, I had no idea what he was saying, but he seemed to be having a fun time so I guess that’s good?
8:15 Arizona at Carolina (-10, 48)
I honestly am not sure who I feel will win this game, let alone giving 10 points. Carolina scares me and it could be upset city, or the Panthers could win by 30. I’m clueless. What I do like is the Over here.
Whether scores are being traded, or Arizona is airing it out playing catch-up, there will probably be lots of clock stoppage and scoreboard changes. Arizona was 11-5 O/U in the regular season, and including their playoff win over Atlanta last week, the Over has hit four times in a row. The Over is 6-1 in Carolina’s last seven games. In the one Under there, the Panthers were still good for 30 points.
The matchup of these two high-flying offenses should please Over bettors. I’m just curious which team will advance to get beat by the Giants.
