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February 26th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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NBA betting action doesn’t get any bigger than this on Sunday night in South Beach, as the Miami Heat play host to the new look New York Knicks. Here at Cappers Info, we have all of your best Knicks vs. Heat free picks and analysis for the biggest game of the weekend!

Matchup: New York Knicks @ Miami Heat
Date: Sunday, February 27th, 8:00 ET
Location: American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL
NBA Odds: OTB
Over/Under OTB

Knicks Notes: The Empire State is certainly still buzzing about Carmelo Anthony and the fact that he is now indeed a member of the New York Knicks. However, expert NBA handicappers have to be wondering whether or not this was really that great of a move for the men in blue and orange. Sure, Melo has looked great so far in a Knickerbockers outfit, scoring 27 points in each of his first two games and playing almost 40 minutes in both games. However, in spite of the fact that the team scored 114 and 109 points respectively in these two games, the Knicks are 1-1 SU and 0-2 ATS to show for that work. It’s not like these games were against world beaters either, as the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t exactly the crème de la crème of the Eastern Conference. The lack of defensive intensity is an awfully scary proposition for New York, as the team is already allowing 106.0 points per game this season, a mark which clearly isn’t getting any better with the defensive optional Anthony now in town. There is definitely a toughness missing, and this is something that will likely be exploited by every team that the Knicks run up against for the rest of this season. What has gotten lost in this shuffle about the Knicks is how well Chauncey Billups has really played since coming over to the Big Apple as well. He put up 21 against the Bucks and 26 against the Cavs, dishing out eight assists against just two turnovers in both games. He’ll be the key to holding onto the basketball and preserving possessions for Head Coach Mike D’Antoni and company.

Heat Notes: It doesn’t seem like it’s all that noteworthy right now, but Mike Miller is probably going to be back in the lineup on Sunday night after missing out on four games with an ear injury. Miller was probably Miami’s most tradable commodity at the deadline, but was not moved. He is averaging just 5.9 points per game this year, but he is really the fourth best option on this team at times. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are doing all of their scoring, as they are averaging 26.2 and 25.8 points per game respectively, and they are both triple-double candidates every single night, especially against a team like this one. Chris Bosh rebounded nicely from his 1-for-18 performance against the Chicago Bulls by scoring 15 points and dragging in eight boards in a win against the Washington Wizards on Friday night. The big man is going to be key going against Amare Stoudemire in the paint, one of the best players that the league has to offer. The Heat might be averaging 102.3 points per game this year, but the real key is defense. Seemingly no one scores 100 on this club, as it is surrendering just 94.4 points per game this season. Opponents are only shooting 42.7 percent from the field as well, No. 1 in the league.

The Final Word: Are there enough basketballs to deal with all of the stars that are on the court on Sunday? We know that it’s very likely that at least five different players score at least 20 points, something that you definitely don’t see every day. Still, when push comes to shove, the Heat can make defensive stops, something that we’re really not all that sure the Knicks can do, and that should make the difference in what could be a statement-making romp in South Beach.

Free NBA Picks: Miami Heat

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February 26th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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March Madness picks are nearly here, as we are just a couple of weeks away from the start of the big dance. Here at Cappers Info, we’re narrowing down some of the biggest teams that you might not be thinking about that can be the next Butler Bulldogs or George Mason Patriots to bust your bracket and to get into the Final Four.

Old Dominion Monarchs (200 to 1 @ Hollywood Sportsbook): The Monarchs were good enough to take down the Xavier Musketeers, Clemson Tigers, Richmond Spiders, Dayton Flyers, Cleveland State Vikings, and a ton of big time teams from the CAA, so there’s no reason that this team can’t do a heck of a lot of damage come the dance. The problem with the Monarchs is that they really don’t have that outrageous shooter that can just nail three pointer after three pointer against anyone in the land. However, this defense is as good as it gets in the nation, averaging 58.0 points per game allowed, No. 4 in the country.

Butler Bulldogs (200 to 1 Hollywood Sportsbook): We know that Butler has had a hellacious, rough season, probably due to the fact that they not only are the bosses in the Horizon League, but the national runner up from last season as well. Nine losses shows just that. However, there’s nothing that says that this year’s Bulldogs can’t be… well… the Bulldogs! Sure, it would’ve helped immensely had Gordon Hayward come back to school for his senior season, but there are still some great names hanging around on this roster like Shelvin Matt and Matt Howard that now have a ton of experience at this level. There really aren’t many of those “Wow Factor” wins on the slate, but when push really comes to shove, we know that this team can ball with the best. The Horizon League was significantly better this season than it has been in years past, and it might show come Selection Sunday. It’s not a slam dunk for Butler to be in the field, but if it gets there, look out!

Missouri State Bears (200 to 1 at Hollywood Sportsbook): The Bears are going to be hanging around the bubble for the rest of the season, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t believe in them. First off, there is probably about a 40% chance or so that they win the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, which would earn them an automatic bid to the dance, and as we saw last year with the Northern Iowa Panthers, just getting to the dance is good enough to do some real damage. Just like that UNI team that had a ton of sharpshooters from long range, so do these Bears. Kyle Weems, Jermaine Mallett, and Nafis Ricks can all shoot better than 40 percent from beyond the arc, and if that is what these guys are going to do in the dance, SMS is going to be a very, very difficult team to knock out.

Philadelphia Eagles 20 to 1 at Hollywood Sportsbook: The Eagles really had a coming of power this year, winning the rough and tumble NFC East and coming together with QB Michael Vick. RB LeSean McCoy had a great season to bust out as one of the best backs in the game, and we already know that WR DeSean Jackson and WR Jeremy Maclin are amongst the best in the fold in the division, the conference, and the game. There are still definitely some holes on this defense, but we know that Head Coach Andy Reid and company can get that shored up, both through the NFL Draft and just the general nature that this young unit is going to only get better and better. We have to think that there is better than a 20 to 1 chance that the Eagles are going to fly high and capture that elusive Super Bowl triumph.

BYU Cougars (30 to 1 at Hollywood Sportsbook): Sure, the Cougars aren’t exactly this surprise team to deal with, but if they can get past the San Diego State Aztecs either on Saturday on the road or in the MWC Tournament over the course of the next two weeks, there’s a pretty darn good chance that they are going to be a No. 1 seed in the tournament. Jimmer Fredette is the best scorer in America, and though he isn’t going to be sneaking up on anyone this season like he might have in years past, he is still going to put up his points and will be a crowd favorite wherever he goes. This BYU team is for real, and there is just no doubting that fact. Don’t be shocked if this is a Final Four team that legitimately can win the whole enchilada with ease.

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February 23rd, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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If it's a Thursday night, that means that it's time for NBA betting action once again! This week, in the final two duels before the NBA Trade Deadline, we make our free basketball picks on the clashes between the Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets.

NBA Matchup: Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls
Date: Thursday, February 24th, 8:00 ET
Location: United Center, Chicago, IL
NBA Odds: Miami -1
Over/Under (Total): 192

Injuries (or lack thereof) will be playing a key role in this NBA betting battle on Thursday. Joakim Noah should be back in the lineup on Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors, meaning that this should be the second straight game that he is sharing a lineup with Carlos Boozer, assuming that there are no setbacks on Wednesday night or unexpected trades between now and the 3:00 ET trade deadline. Of course, the Bulls would love to get another game out of Derrick Rose like they got just before the All Star Break, as he put up 42 points on 18-of-28 shooting, while both Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer went absolutely bananas. What we have to remember about Chicago though, is that there is still a huge interest in Courtney Lee, and if a deal gets done, it will likely shorten the bench quite a bit. Miami will certainly be without Mike Miller, who is dealing with an eye injury, though the prospects are there for him to be traded before Thursday's deadline as well. Still, we're talking about LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade, who combined for a whopping 76 points in Miami's last victory before the All Star break. These two teams have combined to win seven games in a row between them, but the Bulls are just doing better right now than the Heat are. Chicago has a win here already this season, a 99-96 triumph on January 15th, and it would love to make a statement in this potential playoff tussle against one of the best teams in the East.NBA Free Pick: Chicago Bulls +1

NBA Matchup: Boston Celtics @ Denver Nuggets
Date: Thursday, February 24th, 10:30 ET
Location: Pepsi Arena, Denver, CO
NBA Odds: Boston -3
Over/Under (Total): 204

This is definitely going to be a new look for the Nuggets on Thursday night, as they will be debuting Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov, and Wilson Chandler, their new acquisitions in place of the departed Carmelo Anthony . The team did alright even though it was really crippled without any of these players on Tuesday night, coming up with a big win, albeit against the Sacramento Kings. There is a real question about how these pieces to the puzzle are going to gel in Denver, but we tend to believe that transitioning over from the Knicks' up tempo system to this one won't be all that bad. Meanwhile, there is indeed a second team in this game, and it happens to be one of the best teams in the entire league. Boston smacked the Golden State Warriors 115-93 in the first game of the second half of the season, and it hopes that this road trip is one that goes as smoothly throughout as this first battle in Oakland did. Of course, when you get 23 out of Paul Pierce, 24 from Kevin Garnett, 18 from Ray Allen, and 19 from Rajon Rondo, you're going to win a heck of a lot of games. These four make up a cohesive package for certain, but if you're Head Coach George Karl for the Nuggs, this is the game that you can make your big time statement in. Many are just writing Denver out of the postseason right now thanks to this trade, but we're not so sure that that's the case. The Nuggets just might figure out how to pull off the upset in this one. Free NBA Pick: Denver Nuggets +3

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February 20th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Two teams that are in dire need of a big time victory to get some momentum going towards the NCAA Tournament meet up on Monday night in the City of Brotherly Love, as the Villanova Wildcats duke it out with the Syracuse Orange.

Matchup: Syracuse Orange @ Villanova Wildcats
Date: Monday, February 21st, 7:00 ET
Location: Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA
NCAA Basketball Odds: Villanova -3.5
Over/Under 135

Orange Notes: The question is whether the Orange are really back in the saddle or not. An 84-80 win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in overtime wasn't exactly what we were hoping to see from Syracuse over the weekend. However, it was the second straight win for Head Coach Jim Boeheim and company, something that shouldn't be taken for granted. There are four men that really lead the way for the 'Cuse, none of which are more important than Rick Jackson. Sure, Jackson isn't the biggest scorer on the club, as he is putting up 13.0 points per game, second on the squad, but he is the top rebounder at 11.2 boards per game and is the leader in blocks with 68 in total. Kris Joseph is the leading scorer at 15.0 points per game, but he just doesn't feel like he has been in his element since the beginning of this month. His 21 points and eight boards though, was an encouraging point from that game against Rutgers. Scoop Jardine and Brandon Triche are averaging 12.2 points and 11.4 points per game respectively. CJ Fair came up with 12 big points to help out off the bench against the Scarlet Knights, and he is the leader outside of the starting five at 6.5 points per game. The problem has been the defense, which is something that a Boeheim led team usually doesn't end up fretting about. Though things have generally been okay this year, giving up 80 to the Scarlet Knights and 90 to the Seton Hall Pirates is just another reminder that things aren't perfect in the eyes of the Orange as we head towards March.

Wildcats Notes: The good news for Villanova is that it is probably getting Corey Stokes back in the lineup on Monday after he missed out on Saturday's escape from the DePaul Blue Demons. The OT win over DePaul wasn't a thing of beauty by any stretch of the imagination, but just getting the road win was certainly good enough. Corey Fisher had a blast without his backcourt mate in the fold, scoring 34 points in the win, which raised his scoring average up to 16.3 points per game. Stokes will be a welcome addition back into the lineup again though, as he is averaging 14.6 points per game. He's also the man who you want to have the ball in his hands when the game is tight and you need some free throws. Not only does Stokes do a great job protecting the ball, averaging just under 1.5 blunders per game, but he is shooting 93.5 percent from the charity stripe on the campaign to boot. Antonio Pena is coming off of an absolutely horrid game against the Blue Demons, but he should be rebounding well against Syracuse. He is averaging 10.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Mouphtaou Yarou is a star as well, averaging 9.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

The Final Word: Neither one of these teams are really playing all that well right now, but the fact of the matter is that the Wildcats have been winning games on the road, something that is significantly harder than playing at home where the 'Cuse have struggled. Villanova should be reinvigorated with the return of Stokes and the fact that it is back at home for the first time in over a week, and it should be the victor on Big Monday in this big time battle.

Free College Basketball Picks: Villanova Wildcats

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February 19th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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If you're a fan of NBA betting action, Sunday night's clash at the Staples Center is one that you won't want to miss! The best and brightest stars of the Eastern and Western Conferences match up in an exhibition that should be a ton of fun. Check out our 2011 free NBA All Star Game picks!

Matchup: East All Stars vs. West All Stars
Date: Sunday, February 20th, 8:00 ET
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
All Star Game Odds: East pk
Over/Under 264

East All Stars Notes: The Eastern Conference really has a complete team, starting with a ton of guards, all the way down to some of the best bigs that the game has to offer. Though there is plenty of All Star Game experience, there really isn't all that much in terms of true veterans that have been in this game time and time again. It's hard to think that Dwyane Wade is one of the elder statesmen of this club, but he is. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen have been here several times before, as has Kevin Garnett. These three will be joined by Rajon Rondo off of the bench as well, making four members of the Boston Celtics that are on this team. When you're looking at dominance in the paint, it doesn't get much better than the East. Sure, the West has some young guns, but Dwight Howard and Amare Stoudemire are about as dominating as it gets. It's also not all that bad to know that LeBron James and Wade will get their boards, and that Chris Bosh, Al Horford, and KG are all good for eight boards on a regular basis when they're playing with their regular teams. Derrick Rose is going to be a really sneaky man to watch, as he is one of the best scorers and assist men on this team. Rose is lethal from all over the court, and if there is a man that can really come out of nowhere to steal the show on one of the biggest stages of the season.

West All Stars Notes: If you want the big time names and the big time scorers though, you have to come to the Western Conference. Kevin Durant is the top scorer in the league at 28.9 points per game this season, and though he is slacking by his own standards, he is still capable of going off for 20+ even in a game with a ton of superstars. Of course, the men that are really going to be shining are the two major hosts of this event, LA Lakers' Kobe Bryant and LA Clippers' Blake Griffin. Bryant has been named MVP of the All Star Game three times before, and he has a great history in this event. This is the first time that he is going to be able to shine on his home court. Kobe is putting up 25.1 points per game for the season, and he is sure to be a hero. Griffin is going to be the big man in the middle quite a bit, and you never know what you are going to get out of him in terms of picture perfect dunks that rattle the backboards and the entire crowd. He's no joke though, pulling down 12.6 rebounds per game, ensuring that no one confuses him with a novelty. Of course, he's going to be joined on the inside by the veteran Tim Duncan, who is the most experienced player on either roster, Dirk Nowitzki, who has also won an All Star Game MVP in the past, and Kevin Love, the league's leading rebounder at 15.5 per game. Pau Gasol, who also is co-hosting this game with Griffin and Kobe. Of course, the underlying issue within the All Star Game is whether or not this will be the last time that Carmelo Anthony, now a member of the Denver Nuggets, is playing his last game as a representative of the Western Conference.

The Final Word: The oddsmakers are having a hard time figuring out which team to line as the favorite on the NBA odds, but we have a great idea that the Western Conference is winning this game. Kobe and company will just refuse to lose, and when you're talking about a team that really has a complete package full of veterans at a pick 'em against a ton of inexperienced players in terms of the All Star Game, that's the direction you need to go.

Free NBA All Star Game Picks: West All Stars

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February 18th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Matchup: St. John's Red Storm @ Pittsburgh Panthers
Date: Saturday, February 19th, 12:00 ET
Location: Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Game Line: Pittsburgh -3.5
Over/Under 133

The Johnnies have had a history of slaying some real giants here at Madison Square Garden, and if they can pull this one off on Saturday afternoon, they'll surely be dancing regardless of what happens for the rest of the year. However, history really doesn't bode well in this one for the hosts. Pittsburgh has won and covered five in a row in this series. The two trips to MSG before that in 2005 and 2006 did end with St. John's upsets, but that doesn't mean that this is going to be the case again today. U-Pitt just doesn't have an immediate history of tripping up on the road, posting wins against the Villanova Wildcats and West Virginia Mountaineers there in recent weeks. Sure, St. John's now has two road wins after beating both the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Marquette Golden Eagles away from MSG over the course of the last few weeks, but that doesn't mean that Head Coach Steve Lavin's team is really ready for this challenge. You can bet that the Panthers have been watching intently as teams like the Duke Blue Devils and UConn Huskies have come in here and pulled off upsets. The oddsmakers are sure to not give us a break for backing the Red Storm, so we'll have no choice but to pull the trigger on the Panthers and hope that Brad Wanamaker can carry us to another victory since Ashton Gibbs is out of the lineup with an MCL sprain.

Free College Basketball Picks: Pittsburgh Panthers

Matchup: Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ West Virginia Mountaineers
Date: Saturday, February 19th, 1:00 ET
Location: WVU Coliseum, Morgantown, WV
Game Line: West Virginia -4
Over/Under 130

Home teams have had a fantastic history in this series, winning seven straight outright and nine out of the last 10 meetings dating back to 2004. Notre Dame has had a bit of a history of falling flat in games like this one, getting dropped by the St. John's Red Storm and the Marquette Golden Eagles on the road. Of course, since that point, the Irish are 7-0 SU and 6-1 ATS, and they are now in serious contention for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The 'Neers are coming off of a horrifying loss to the Syracuse Orange, their second straight road game in which they scored in the low 50s in points. However, one thing is for sure, and that's that Head Coach Bob Huggins isn't going to let Notre Dame drop three pointers all over the place on them, as demonstrated by last year's 53-51 win at Madison Square Garden in the Big East Tournament. WVU has a great team that matches up well with this Notre Dame squad, and the hosts badly need one more feather in their cap for the March Madness run. Don't be shocked if they get that feather on Saturday.

Free NCAA Basketball Picks: West Virginia Mountaineers

Matchup: Washington Huskies @ Arizona Wildcats
Date: Saturday, February 19th, 6:00 ET
Location: McKale Center, Tucson, AZ
Game Line: Arizona -2.5
Over/Under 157.5

If the Huskies are going to add a big time road win to their resume for the NCAA Tournament, this is where they're going to have to get it. Unfortunately, history really isn't on their side, as the home team is 6-2 ATS over the course of the last eight meetings, and the U of A will be a decided favorite on the college basketball odds. Washington was absolutely dreadful on the road on a trip that include a stop against the Washington State Cougars and two against the Oregon schools, going 0-3 SU and ATS even though it was a heavy favorite in all three games. Playing at home is just a different story. Arizona is playing significantly better ball right now, and it really should show up on the scoreboard on Saturday. The Cats would have no problem if they made it that they were the only Pac-10 team that got a bid to the NCAA Tournament, and if that happens to be the case, they could turn out to be a legitimate favorite to win the whole enchilada.

College Basketball Free Picks: Arizona Wildcats

Matchup: Utah State Aggies @ St. Mary's Gaels
Date: Saturday, February 19th, 9:00 ET
Location: McKeon Pavilion, Moraga, CA
Game Line: St. Mary's -4
Over/Under 136

Believe it or not, this BracketBusters showdown is the only battle of the entire day that pits a pair of teams ranked in the Top 25 against each other. The winner of this game is likely to keep their spot in the Top 25, though if the winner is St. Mary's, both might fall out. The Gaels have had a miserable week leading up to this point, as they were beaten down by the San Diego Toreros on Wednesday night in one of the biggest upsets of the entire season. This was a team that really should have been manhandled, and in the long run, if the Gaels don't end up making the NCAA Tournament, they can look back and shake their head at that loss as 17 point favorites to a team that won't finish with a Top 200 RPI ranking. Utah State suffered a similar loss two weeks ago against the Idaho Vandals, and this is their only chance to pick up an RPI Top 100 victory this entire season. They know that they aren't likely to get accepted to the dance in spite of the fact that they would have 27 wins under their belt without this win, and even then, the only sure route is going to be winning the WAC Tournament. This game means worlds more to Utah State than it does to St. Mary's, and we tend to believe that that will show on Saturday night. Will the Aggies pull off the upset? Probably not. But that doesn't mean they won't stick inside the number.

NCAA Basketball Free Picks: Utah State Aggies

Matchup: Texas A&M Aggies @ Oklahoma State Cowboys
Date: Saturday, February 19th, 9:00 ET
Location: Gallagher IBA Arena, Stillwater, OK
Game Line: Oklahoma State -2
Over/Under 127

It's a big, big day for the Pokes, as they really need this one to at least feel like they're on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble at the moment. They've dropped five of their last seven and seven of their last 10, but the good news is that the only home loss in this run has come to one of the best teams in the country, the Texas Longhorns. However, there's a point that we have to wonder whether this team is any good or not. After all, the Aggies slammed Okie State 71-48 back on January 12th in one of the worst beat downs of the season. The Cowboys were held to just 16-of-46 shooting from the field, and no one scored more than 11 points. The bench was kept incredibly quiet as well, so there were just no sparks that were able to fly. The scarier part about that win? Khris Middleton only had nine points and only took eight shots. Don't be surprised if the second verse goes the same as the first in this one, as the superior Aggies should be able to come into Stillwater and walk out victorious.

College Basketball Expert Picks: Texas A&M Aggies

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February 16th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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If it's a Thursday night, that means that it's time for NBA betting action once again! This week, in the final two duels before the NBA Trade Deadline, we make our free basketball picks on the clashes between the San Antonio Spurs vs. Chicago Bulls and the Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns.

NBA Matchup: San Antonio Spurs @ Chicago Bulls
Date: Thursday, February 17th, 8:00 ET
Location: United Center, Chicago, IL
NBA Odds: Chicago -2
Over/Under (Total): 190.5

Call this the Rodney Dangerfield game of the week. After all, in spite of the fact that these two teams are a combined 56 games over .500, they're both getting absolutely no respect! San Antonio is really playing well on this Rodeo Road Trip, and it all closes up after a 6-2 SU and ATS mark in the first nine games with this trip to the Windy City. The Spurs have to be lucky to dodge Joakim Noah in this one, as he is still out for at least this one last game before the All Star Break. If Noah and Carlos Boozer shared the court, Tim Duncan and whomever was in the post with him would really have their work cut out. Duncan can hold his own against Boozer, while Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker should be able to combine forces to outclass Derrick Rose, even though the youngster out of Memphis really has played some great ball of late. Chicago might be 24-4 at home this year, and it might have six straight wins in its back pocket, but San Antonio is 21-7 and certainly isn't one to mess with. This is the type of game that Head Coach Gregg Popovich figures out how to win to help carry his team into the break with some more big time momentum. There's a reason that this team is one of just a handful that has won 46 of its first 55 games and is on a pace for almost 70 wins this season. NBA Free Pick: San Antonio Spurs +2

NBA Matchup: Dallas Mavericks @ Phoenix Suns
Date: Thursday, February 17th, 10:30 ET
Location: US Airways Arena, Phoenix, AZ
NBA Odds: Phoenix -1
Over/Under (Total): 207

Again, we're not so sure why the road team from the Lone Star State isn't favored in this one. Sure, we'll give it up for the Suns. They've really played some tremendously better ball of late than they were playing before the trade with the Orlando Magic. However, it was only four days ago that this team lost at home to the Sacramento Kings. That's right. The Sacramento Freaking Kings. Phoenix just doesn't have the man power to be able to stand up to the mojo of the Mavericks. Here's a great stat for you to share around the bar on Thursday night when you take in this NBA betting affair. In games in which Dirk Nowitzki is in the lineup, Dallas is 36-9 on the campaign, a record that would be the second best in the league if prorated over the first 55 games of the season. Sure, we know that the Mavs are going to have a rough road ahead in this one, knowing that they have to play at home on Wednesday night against those same Sacramento Freaking Kings, but it's not like there is all that much to get ready for beyond this one. Dallas has won five of the last six in this series and has averaged dropping a whopping 113.8 points per game in this stretch against the "defenseless" Suns. If Peja Stojakovic can give the Mavericks anywhere near the 22 he had against the Houston Rockets a few nights ago, this one will be a romp. The wrong team is clearly favored in this one. Free NBA Pick: Dallas Mavericks +1

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February 13th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

Cappersinfo's College Football Top 25 Rankings

Our staff has developed college football power ratings with up to date rankings and how we as handicappers see these teams. We will list our NCAA football team rankings on a week by week basis and as much as possible. You can check this page for up to date NCAA football power ratings from Cappersinfo Sports Handicapping. Thanks for visiting and don't forget to check out all the free sports picks in the forums and free picks monitor, other sports betting information, and college football predictions for sports handicappers!

Cappersinfo Current NCAA Football Power Rankings
(Final 2011 Standings)

1: Auburn Tigers (14-0) – The Tigers did just about everything right this season, and they overcame some very close calls at the end of the year to ultimately end up with the National Championship in tote. It's going to be hard without QB Cam Newton and DT Nick Fairley next year, as both are potentially Top 10, and maybe even Top 5 picks in the NFL Draft, but Head Coach Gene Chizik has brought in a great recruiting class which could have Auburn sniffing around for another SEC title this coming season.

2: TCU Horned Frogs (13-0) – In other years, perhaps the Horned Frogs would have been good enough to be called BCS National Champions. They did snare a few first place votes in both polls, which really did help out the case for the little guys, but now, it's off to the Big East and away from the Mountain West. Unfortunately for Head Coach Gary Patterson, this could be a rebuilding year, as there are a ton of seniors that have left the program over the course of the last two seasons that badly need to be replaced. Still, this is a unit that, at least as members of the MWC, reloaded, not rebuilt. We'll have to see what happens now that the Horned Frogs are in a power conference.

3: Oregon Ducks (12-1) – Oregon is going to make a case to start off as the No. 1 team in the country next year, as a tremendous number of the key cogs of this offense, including Heisman Trophy runner up RB LaMichael James will be back next year. The Quack Attack came up just short when push really came to shove in the BCS Championship Game, but there was no shame in the way that the team played this entire season. There wasn't a squad that was more fun to watch than this one, and there is no doubt that Head Coach Chip Kelly is going to be looking for bigger and better next year.

4: Stanford Cardinal (12-1) – Had the schedule makers put the game against Oregon down on "The Farm," Stanford might be the team claiming glory right now. It just doesn't get much better than what Head Coach Jim Harbaugh did this year for this team, and no one should be shocked that he left in the offseason to head for the San Francisco 49ers. QB Andrew Luck would've almost certainly been the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, but he has elected to come back to school for his junior season, one which could be a banner year for the Cardinal.

5: Ohio State Buckeyes (12-1) – Hanging on to beat a very game bunch of Razorbacks in the Sugar Bowl was a big, big win for the Buckeyes to wrap up this season. Head Coach Jim Tressel has a big time challenge ahead to figure out whether his team is going to be ready to contend again next season, as QB Terrelle Pryor and four others have been suspended for the first month of the season. OSU has been one of the most consistent programs in the country over the course of the last decade or so though, and we don't doubt that this won't once again be one of the best teams in the Big Ten.

6: Oklahoma Sooners (12-2) – QB Landry Jones and WR Ryan Broyles hooked up more times this year than any quarterback to receiver combo in the land, and goodness knows that they'll be favored to do it again this coming season. The Sooners looked incredibly talented at times, but there were others that just made you scratch your head this year. Still, OU finishes up this year pretty much at No. 6 in every set of NCAA football power ratings you'll find, including here in this one.

7: Boise State Broncos (12-1) – We never really may know just how good Boise State really was last season, and we might not get the chance again this year either with it going to a shell of the MWC. The Broncos were only beaten once, and on the foot of a kicker at that, but they certainly stormed to their win early in the bowl season over the Utes, the team they're replacing in the Mountain West. It would've been a lot more fun to see these guys playing in the BCS this year, but that's the life of a mid major, where one loss really kills you.

8: Wisconsin Badgers (11-2) – There really wasn't all that much shame in losing to TCU in the Rose Bowl for the Badgers, as they really proved their worth in the Big Ten campaign this year. RBs Montee Ball, James White, and John Clay all had amazing seasons, and all three would have led a whole boatload of teams in rushing on the campaign. QB Scott Tolzien ended a number of straight seasons where the signal caller had to change in Madison, but this season, he'll be gone and someone else will have to take over.

9: LSU Tigers (11-2) – The win over the Crimson Tide in the regular season was great, but the victory in the Cotton Bowl over Texas A&M was perhaps even bigger. Head Coach Les Miles was dangling for the Michigan job for awhile, and he parlayed that into a(nother) raise at LSU. The Bayou Bengals will once again have great defense even though DB Patrick Peterson is moving on to the NFL Draft.

10: Oklahoma State Cowboys (11-2) – Who knows what would've happened with the Cowboys had they found a way to win Bedlam this year… We know that Head Coach Mike Gundy had a team that was underappreciated all season long, and having to play Arizona in the Alamo Bowl just wasn't right for the type of season that the Pokes had. Okie State will be back with most of the pieces to its exciting offensive puzzle, and it could once again find itself contending in the Big XII South.

11: Alabama Crimson Tide (10-3) – It wasn't quite another National Championship year for the Tide, but there is no doubt that they really proved their worth in that beat down of Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl. A bevy of talent is leaving the program this year, as names like QB Greg McElroy, WR Julio Jones, and RB Mark Ingram all move on to the next level, but there are a number of top recruits coming in as well that could really help turn the "tide" back in favor of Alabama in the SEC West this coming year.

12: Nevada Wolf Pack (13-1) – Hindsight 20/20, Nevada maybe should have been in the BCS this year instead of Arkansas. It's not that the Hogs weren't deserving, but this Wolf Pack club really was that good. A Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl win over Boston College was great over Boston College, but we want to know what a significantly better team would've done against QB Colin Kaepernick and company. It'll be tough to top what this graduating class did for Head Coach Chris Ault and company, as Nevada has to totally rebuild next season.

13: Arkansas Razorbacks (10-3) – Arkansas snuck into the back end of the BCS this year thanks to a win over LSU in the regular season finale, but it couldn't quite close out with a win over Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl. Losing QB Ryan Mallett is going to be a tough blow to take, as the junior leader of this team was really one of the best passers in the nation this season and will be sorely missed. Head Coach Bobby Petrino still has a great team to work with next year even though Mallett is gone, but in the SEC West, it's going to be hard to do any better than this.

14: Michigan State Spartans (11-2) – The Spartans either really weren't all that good this year, or they just never found a way to get off the bus in the Capital One Bowl, as they were absolutely railroaded by the Tide in arguably the biggest non-BCS bowl game of the year. QB Kirk Cousins led some miraculous drives, and there were a ton of very memorable plays in a season that not only might have saved Head Coach Mark Dantonio's job, but will really live in lore in East Lansing for quite some time.

15: Virginia Tech Hokies (11-3) – Give the Hokies a ton of credit for fighting back from an 0-2 start, including losses to Boise State and lowly James Madison. However, they have a lot of work to do this year to replace QB Tyrod Taylor, who wrapped up a great career by winning ACC Player of the Year honors. Unfortunately, a win wasn't in the cards to end the season against Stanford, but that was as tough of a task as any team had in America.

16: Florida State Seminoles (10-4) – Head Coach Jimbo Fisher did a great job this year not only restoring some order to the pride of Florida State, but also on the recruiting trail, nailing down what many consider to be the best recruiting class in the nation. The garnet and gold got a great glimpse of the future, as QB EJ Manuel prepares to take over the reins for the next two seasons in Tallahassee. Don't be shocked if the Noles are back in the Top 10 next year, and if they can beat Oklahoma at home, if they contend for the BCS Championship as well.

17: Mississippi State Bulldogs (9-4) – Head Coach Dan Mullen was right to stay at Mississippi State and forgo any potential opportunity to go coach at Florida when Head Coach Urban Meyer stepped down. We know that life is very difficult in the SEC West, and it's really hard to argue with a team who only lost to LSU, Alabama, Arkansas, and Auburn this year. Mullen realizes a good thing when he sees it, and he really had the better team than the Gators did when the two collided in Gainesville.

18: Missouri Tigers (10-3) – Without QB Blaine Gabbert, Head Coach Gary Pinkel probably isn't going to know what to do this coming season. Gabbert never really rounded into total form because of a concussion that he had in the middle of the season, but he was definitely the undisputed leader of this team. The 'Zou has been consistently in the Top 25 though, something that it has to be proud of, and if Gabbert was able to take over for QB Chase Daniel without a hitch, the next man in line might be able to do the job as well.

19: UCF Knights (11-3) – UCF posted the best season that it has ever had, and it snared its first bowl win as well in the ugly Liberty Bowl over Georgia. The Knights have a very big future in front of them with QB Jeff Godfrey calling the shots, and in Orlando, the media is already preparing for a season which really could result in a potential run towards the BCS. No one in Conference USA should be standing in UCF's way next season.

20: Texas A&M Aggies (9-4) – Head Coach Mike Sherman might have saved his bacon when he sat QB Jerrod Johnson down and turned the ball over to QB Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill was fantastic from the moment he got the pigskin, and though he didn't lead the team to a win in the Cotton Bowl, he knows that he really set the foundation for what could be a great year in College Station in 2011. The question is going to be whether or not this defense can keep it up to contend with teams like Oklahoma State and Oklahoma in the Big XII.

21: Nebraska Cornhuskers (10-4) – Big Red did a great job at the outset of the season, but all of a sudden, it felt like QB Taylor Martinez and the rest of the team just sort of fell off the wagon. The end result was a devastating loss in the Holiday Bowl to Washington, a team that it had killed up in Seattle in the first go around for these two. Now, Nebraska heads to the Big Ten, where it will take on a new set of challenges in a new conference, leaving behind a ton of history and tradition against a bunch of old rivals.

22: Maryland Terrapins (9-4) – You don't really think of Maryland as a team that really belonged in the Top 25 when push came to shove this year, but nine wins and a bowl victory in a power conference certainly was good enough for our standards. The Terps destroyed East Carolina in the Military Bowl to send out Head Coach Ralph Friedgen in style, but we can't help but wonder if karma is going to serve the university for essentially forcing Friedgen into retirement following a season in which he won ACC Coach of the Year, or if that same karma will come back to bite new Head Coach Randy Edsall, who left UConn without even taking the team charter home from the Fiesta Bowl.

23: Northern Illinois Huskies (11-3) – NIU had a great team this year, and it was the only club that was truly that notable in the MAC. The Huskies finished up strong by absolutely demolishing Fresno State in the Humanitarian Bowl. Head Coach Jerry Kill had a great team this year led by QB Chandler Harnish and RB Chad Spann, and the Huskies were certainly rewarded in spite of the fact that they weren't able to finish up the year with a MAC title after losing to Miami.

24: Tulsa Golden Hurricane (10-3) – When you can go into the Big Island and take care of Hawaii, even if it is in a bowl game, you're deserving of a spot in the Top 25. Head Coach Todd Graham is gone now, but he leaves behind a cupboard that is anything but bare. Graham did a great job keeping Tulsa relevant even though it is in Conference USA, and it should once again be able to challenge the likes of UCF and Houston next year.

25: South Carolina Gamecocks (9-5) – It was a rough end of the season for South Carolina. Getting beaten down by both Auburn in the SEC Championship Game and Florida State in the Chic-Fil-A Bowl wasn't anything to be thrilled with, but what we do need to remember is that this was a big time season of firsts for the Head Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier. He beat his old team for the first time, and he did so in Gainesville. That win put SC in the SEC Championship Game for the first time as well. Needless to say, South Carolina had a banner season in spite of those five losses, and Spurrier hopes there is better on the horizon next year.

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February 13th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor
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It's been a wild few weeks in NCAA basketball betting action, but we're finally getting closer to figuring out who the 68 teams will be in the field, while figuring out who will be left home in the NIT. Check out our Bracketology and our college basketball free picks through the conclusion of the games on Saturday, February 13th.

ACC

Locks: Duke Blue Devils
Almost There: North Carolina Tar Heels
Would Be In If The Tourney Started Today: Florida State Seminoles, Virginia Tech Hokies, Boston College Eagles
Just On The Outside: Clemson Tigers
Lots Of Work To Do: Maryland Terrapins, Miami Hurricanes
What To Expect: Eventually, the ACC really has to become a five bid league, right? We can't picture this conference doing less damage than that in the dance, but really, outside of Duke and Carolina, everyone else keeps finding ways to shoot itself in the foot. Florida State is going to have the resume to get into the dance, but Chris Singleton just fractured his foot in the win on Saturday. Clemson blew a chance to get into the dance as of right now by losing at home against UNC. Virginia Tech is in right now, merely because the Selection Committee will be okay with all of these injuries that Head Coach Seth Greenberg has had to endure, but when push comes to shove, 12-13 losses will certainly leave VT right there on the bubble again, a place where it has popped over the course of the last few seasons. Maryland and Miami are definitely on life support. If the Canes don't beat Duke on Sunday, their season is probably over.

Big 12

Locks: Kansas Jayhawks, Texas Longhorns
Almost There: Texas A&M Aggies, Missouri Tigers
Would Be In If The Tourney Started Today: Kansas State Wildcats, Baylor Bears
Just On The Outside: Oklahoma State Cowboys
Lots Of Work To Do: Colorado Buffaloes, Nebraska Cornhuskers
What To Expect: The Big 12 is a goofy conference right now because it just has a lot of mediocre teams and a few dynamos. Once A&M and Mizzou get to their 20th wins of the year, they'll be on the lock line for sure, but we aren't going to count out a late season collapse, especially for teams that are 6-4 and 5-5 in the Big 12 respectively. Baylor didn't do enough scheduling in out of conference play, the Selection Committee might ultimately frown upon that, but if it can get to 20 wins, thus giving it 10 in the Big 12, it would have no choice but to put the Bears in, especially after the Elite 8 run last year. K-State is only in the field right now based upon name and the fact that the tourney wants to see Jacob Pullen again. However, the prospects of finishing 7-9 in the Big 12 aren't good for this team. Okie State has the most average computer numbers in the world and is likely going to be one of the last four teams in or out no matter how to slice it come Selection Sunday. The Pokes have to get to 20 to have a chance. Colorado and Nebraska are both thinking the same thing, but getting to 20 might not be enough for either team.

Big East

Locks: Pitt Panthers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Georgetown Hoyas, Louisville Cardinals, Villanova Wildcats, Syracuse Orange, Connecticut Huskies
Almost There: West Virginia Mountaineers
Would Be In If The Tourney Started Today: Cincinnati Bearcats, St. John's Red Storm, Marquette Golden Eagles
Just On The Outside: None
Lots Of Work To Do: Providence Friars
What To Expect: We tend to believe that Marquette is going to get back in this tournament when it's said and done, and that the Big East will field a record 11 teams in the dance this year. They can all thank the Johnnies for that, as that win over Duke really gave the entire conference a shot in the arm. The problem that this conference faces is that it really won't be in a spot to have any No. 1 seeds if U-Pitt doesn't win the conference title (sorry, Notre Dame, we just don't buy you as a 1 seed). However, when you look at the No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 lines in this year's field, you're going to see a heck of a lot of Big East teams floating around. Providence really needs to find six wins in its last seven games to have a shot, but a loss on Sunday to UConn would pretty much be damning. The schedule isn't all that tough though, and it's not unbelievable to think that the Friars could get near 20 and make things interesting. It's amazing that there might be nine teams winning at least 20 games in this conference.

Big 10

Locks: Ohio State Buckeyes, Wisconsin Badgers, Purdue Boilermakers
Almost There: Illinois Fighting Illini, Minnesota Golden Gophers
Would Be In If The Tourney Started Today: Michigan State Spartans
Just On The Outside: None
Lots Of Work To Do: Michigan Wolverines, Northwestern Wildcats, Penn State Nittany Lions
What To Expect: Trying to get Northwestern or Penn State into March Madness is going to be awfully difficult, as these teams both have losing records in a conference that, outside of the very top, has been very iffy. Beating Wisconsin for any team in this conference looks a lot better now that the Badgers have beaten the Buckeyes. Illinois and Minnesota just need to hang in there, though both definitely have holes in their resumes right now. Michigan State really doesn't deserve to be here right now, as it really doesn't have the resume to go dancing. However, knowing Head Coach Tom Izzo, he'll figure out how to get the job done. What about Michigan, though? The Wolverines are probably the most interesting case here. Imagine what would have happened if Big Blue had beaten Jayhawks when they were ranked No. 1 in the land instead of losing in OT? Oh well. As it is, Michigan has the talent, but it just doesn't have the resume right now to get the job done.

Pac-10

Locks: Arizona Wildcats
Almost There: None
Would Be In If The Tourney Started Today: UCLA Bruins, Washington Huskies
Just On The Outside: None
Lots Of Work To Do: Washington State Cougars
What To Expect: It's not exactly a banner year for the Pac-10 once again, but at least Arizona is bringing a level of respectability to the conference that has been buried since UCLA was dominating. The Bruins won't be a Final Four team this year, but they really should get into the field of 68 relatively comfortably as long as they win a dozen games in conference and don't suffer an embarrassing first round defeat in the Pac-10 Tournament. Washington needs to be careful to not fall flat too many more times, just like its brethren did from Washington State when it lost at home to Stanford. There are only five games left in the regular season, and the only ways that Wazzu goes dancing is if it upsets Arizona on the road or wins its other four regular season games and makes a deep run into the Pac-10 Tournament. Anything less leaves the Cougs out without the auto bid from the league.

SEC

Locks: Florida Gators
Almost There: Kentucky Wildcats, Vanderbilt Commodores
Would Be In If The Tourney Started Today: Tennessee Volunteers, Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide
Just On The Outside: None
Lots Of Work To Do: Arkansas Razorbacks, Mississippi Rebels
What To Expect: This is probably the best case scenario for the SEC this year, as six teams seems to be the max that are getting in from this conference unless someone crops up and steals the league's auto bid. UF has definitely been head and shoulders above the rest of the field this year, while Kentucky has slacked off and legitimately has come down off of the lock line with two bad losses this week. Vandy has the better case right now to be certainly in. Both teams have work to be done. Tennessee, thanks to a great strength of schedule and that awesome win essentially on the road at Pittsburgh is the only 10 loss team that we feel good about right now, though these close losses in the SEC might come back to bite the boys from Rocky Top. Alabama is going to be an interesting case. It really is going to need to prove that it can beat some of the big boys from the East, as beating up on the lame West isn't going to get the job done. Arkansas and Ole Miss might both get to 20 wins, and even if they do, both might not even be on the bubble picture come Selection Sunday.

Atlantic 10

Locks: None
Almost There: Temple Owls
Would Be In If The Tourney Started Today: Richmond Spiders, Xavier Musketeers
Just On The Outside: None
Lots Of Work To Do: Duquesne Dukes
What To Expect: The A-10 is down this year, and it is really going to show come Selection Sunday when there are only three teams at best that end up getting into the field. Dayton has really played its way out with a 5-6 record in an iffy conference, while teams like Rhode Island and UMass are only living pipe dreams if they think that they're dancing. Temple and Xavier both have great cases, though we know that the Owls don't have the greatest computer numbers in the world. Still, winning a dozen games in this conference is usually good enough to get into the NCAA Tournament, and that's something that all three of these teams will do. Duquesne has no choice but to get to at least 21, maybe even 22 wins to get into the field, and that would mean 14 wins in total in conference play.

Colonial

Locks: None
Almost There: None
Would Be In If The Tourney Started Today: George Mason Patriots, Old Dominion Monarchs
Just On The Outside: VCU Rams
Lots Of Work To Do: Drexel Dragons
What To Expect: Realistically, probably only two of the three of George Mason, VCU, and ODU are going to get into the NCAA Tournament, and the only reason we leave Drexel on this list is because of that win over Louisville. All three of the big boys in the CAA have spotty resumes at best, but it's hard to argue the fact that all three already have 20 wins, and there are very few bad losses to talk about with the three of them. Virginia Commonwealth was dealt a horrifying loss at home to Old Dominion on Saturday which almost certainly put the Monarchs in as of right now. There are only four games left for the Rams, and a win over Wichita State in BracketBusters is an absolute must to be able to get into the field without a deep run into the CAA Tournament.

Mountain West

Locks: San Diego State Aztecs, BYU Cougars
Almost There: UNLV Rebels>Would Be In If The Tourney Started Today: Colorado State Rams
Just On The Outside: None
Lots Of Work To Do: New Mexico Lobos
What To Expect: History will tell us that the Mountain West is going to get shafted in the NCAA Tournament, which is why it really is going to be so important for one of these three bubble teams in the conference to win the league title. We tend to believe that UNLV will get in one way or the other, even though it lost a chance to really seal its dance ticket by losing to San Diego State this week. Colorado State and New Mexico have good chances to get in the field, but both still have horrifying schedules to deal with. The Rams won the bubble battle of these two teams on Saturday, and with a better resume with computer numbers, they're in good shape if they can pick up one or two of these big time scalps along the way.

Other Conferences

Locks: None
Almost There: Utah State Aggies, St. Mary's Gaels
Would Be In If The Tourney Started Today: Wichita State Shockers
Just On The Outside: Missouri State Bears, Butler Bulldogs, Belmont Bears, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Lots Of Work To Do: Memphis Tigers, UAB Blazers, UTEP Miners, Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles, Harvard Crimson, Princeton Tigers, Gonzaga Bulldogs
What To Expect: The good news is that we have to remember that a lot of these teams will win their conference crowns and take automatic bids, something that Utah State, Belmont, and Coastal Carolina should all do with ease. Beyond that though, the only lower level mid-major that looks to be in good shape is St. Mary's, and if it beats USU this coming weekend in BracketBusters, there is almost certainly no doubt. Utah State needs the win more than St. Mary's does from the standpoint that it now has a very glaring loss to Idaho on the resume and can't really afford too many more slips. We know that neither Princeton nor Harvard is getting into the field without the auto bid from the Ivy League, but both at least have remotely compelling resumes. Butler and Gonzaga have both become tourney mainstays, but the truth of the matter is if these two teams had any other names, they wouldn't even be in the discussion. Conference USA is very interesting, because we know that one of these four teams is probably going to take the league's automatic bid. All four make relatively compelling arguments to go dancing, but right now, none of them would make the cut. Wichita State and Missouri State will probably both end up in the dance if they can win out and meet each other in the MVC finale, but things aren't, by any means, certain for either one.

At Large Bid Breakdown (Note: There are 31 automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament)

ACC: 4
Big 12: 5
Big East: 10
Big 10: 5
Pac-10: 2
SEC: 5
Atlantic 10: 2
Colonial: 1
Mountain West: 3
Other Conferences: 0

Last Four In: Boston College Eagles, Marquette Golden Eagles, Michigan State Spartans, Colorado State Rams
First Four Teams Out: Clemson Tigers, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Missouri State Bears, Butler Bulldogs

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February 12th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

NFL Power Ratings

Our staff has developed NFL football power ratings with up to date rankings and how we as handicappers see these teams. We will list our NFL team rankings on a week by week basis and as much as possible. You can check this page for up to date NFL power ratings from Cappersinfo Sports Handicapping. Thanks for visiting and don't forget to check out all the free sports picks in the forums and free picks monitor, other sports betting information, and NFL Football predictions for sports handicappers!

Cappersinfo Current NFL Power Rankings
(Through the end of the 2010 NFL betting season)

1: Green Bay Packers (10-6) – It's really hard to argue with anything that the Packers did this season down the stretch, and what we have to remember about them is that they are only going to be getting more help back this coming season. TE Jermichael Finley was one of the better tight ends in the league before getting injured, and the loss of RB Ryan Grant left the team in shambles with its passing game. QB Aaron Rodgers was legitimately one of the best quarterbacks in the league this year, and he is only going to get better in this, his fourth straight year as the Packers' starting signal caller.

2: Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) – Hindsight 20/20, it wouldn't have made a bit of difference, but had QB Ben Roethlisberger actually played in the first four games of the regular season, perhaps the Steelers could have been even better than they already were. They'll get back both OT Willie Colon and OT Max Starks this year, and you can bet that the team will be searching for more offensive line help over the course of the offseason and in the NFL Draft. Could C Maurkice Pouncey be welcoming his brother, another Florida Gators standout to the Steel City? Don't be so sure that that won't be the case late in the first round of the draft.

3: New England Patriots (14-2) – Whatever Head Coach Bill Belichick seems to touch works, especially while he has QB Tom Brady calling the shots. Brady was the league's unanimous choice for MVP this year, and for good reason. New England is really a major wide receiver short of where it needs to be to get back to the form of the undefeated season, but aside from that, it really isn't all that far away from being truly dominating again. Things will get better next year for the Pats, who probably did have the best team in the entire NFL this season.

4: Baltimore Ravens (12-4) – No one will be able to convince us that the Ravens weren't one of the best five teams in the NFL this past season. They were unlucky not to win the AFC North, and who knows what could have happened at that point for the men in purple and black. You might think that this defense is aging with LB Ray Lewis and S Ed Reed, but we have to remember that DB Dominique Foxworth was out for the whole season, and men like LB Terrell Suggs and DT Haloti Ngata are still very young and very, very hungry. QB Joe Flacco isn't a tremendous gunslinger, but he just keeps finding ways to win games. He and RB Ray Rice should be in for big years again in 2011.

5: Atlanta Falcons (13-3) – When you think of tremendous offenses, you don't really think of the Falcons, but when push really comes to shove, the trio of QB Matt Ryan, WR Roddy White, and RB Michael Turner might be as good as it gets in this league. (Heck, we can throw TE Tony Gonzalez in there for the fourth too, if we want) There are still some secondary issues that really reared their ugly heads against the Pack in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, but if Head Coach Mike Smith gets that figured out, look out! Atlanta is a tough team to tame.

6: New York Jets (11-5) – Somehow, the Jets just keep finding ways to win games at the right time of year. They came up just short of the Super Bowl for the second straight season, but with each passing game, QB Mark Sanchez gets better and better. Odds have it, he won't have all of the same tools to work with, as either WR Braylon Edwards and/or WR Santonio Holmes will be gone, and there will still be questions as to whether RB LaDainian Tomlinson can keep going this year, but as long as that defense is intact, we aren't going to want to go against this team.

7: San Diego Chargers (9-7) – It seems a tad early to be putting a non-playoff team on this list, but the Chargers were absolutely the best team in the AFC West this year, and they were clearly one of the best teams in the whole league. We think that San Diego did right by retaining Head Coach Norv Turner this year, as it is clear that a team that outscored its foes by 119 points is going to be better than 9-7 again next year, especially knowing that there is a decent first round draft choice coming to town to boot. Watch out for QB Philip Rivers and company next year.

8: Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) – If something happens to QB Michael Vick again next year, there are going to be issues, as QB Kevin Kolb is clearly not going to be in town to help pick up the slack. However, had Vick started the season and stayed healthy, he really might have been the MVP of the league along with the league's Comeback Player of the Year. If the defense can shore up just a tad and the running game doesn't fall off with RB LeSean McCoy, Philly should fly to the top of the NFC East again in 2011.

9: New Orleans Saints (11-5) – Maybe we're shortchanging the Saints just a bit, but there is no doubt in our minds that this is a team that can win it all for the second time in three years next year. QB Drew Brees has all of the weapons in place to make things work, and inevitably, he won't suffer as many running back injuries as he did this year. The defense has been surprisingly solid under Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams, and you can bet now that he is certainly coming back for another season, that the black and gold will be contenders again in 2011.

10: Indianapolis Colts (10-6) – It took a lot of work this year for the Colts to wrap up the AFC South title, something that they have won virtually every season since it was formed. Indy knows that it has to find a way to stay healthy next year, as the injury problems both in the secondary and in the skill positions on offense were just not able to be overcome. QB Peyton Manning is still a proven winner, and he would love to capture yet another ring to go past his brother, Eli once again.

11: New York Giants (10-6) – Speaking of QB Eli Manning… The Giants were arguably a bad punt away from winning the NFC East and making the playoffs as the division winners instead of the Eagles. Manning didn't have all of his targets in place either for this whole year, and the injuries to a very deep defensive line finally took their toll at the end of the campaign. This is a make or break year for Head Coach Tom Coughlin, as the memories of that Super Bowl from all those years ago has been forgotten in the Big Apple.

12: Chicago Bears (11-5) – The Bears were one of the last four teams left standing in the playoffs this year, but we really still don't know how and why. Sure, they won the NFC North this season and were deserving of a first round home game in the playoffs, but to draw arguably the worst team that the postseason has ever seen was just a total gift. QB Jay Cutler was really exposed for being awfully soft in the loss to the Packers in the NFC Championship Game, and though this defense is fantastic, the offense is just beyond repair right now.

13: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6) – 2010 was supposed to be a year in which the Bucs took a big step forward. We didn't think that that meant that they were going to win 10 games and only be eliminated from the second season on the very last day of the regular season. QB Josh Freeman has absolutely proven that he was worth the first round draft choice two years ago, and a young defense which features a ton of starters under the age of 28 is only going to get better and better with time. Head Coach Raheem Morris should have this team in the playoffs next year.

14: Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) – We're not so sure whether Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis was that good, or whether QB Matt Cassel has all of a sudden really emerged as a starting quarterback at the NFL level. Cassel did look horrible in KC's first round postseason game against the Ravens, but a lot of QBs look terrible against the men in purple and black. The Chiefs took an amazing step forward this year, but this really might have been the ceiling for a team that never really felt like a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

15: Oakland Raiders (8-8) – Apparently, being the only team in the entire league to go 6-0 in division wasn't good enough to save the job of Head Coach Tom Cable from the wrath of Owner Al Davis. For whatever reason, Cable was dismissed after the best season that the silver and black have had since Bill Callahan finished ruining the franchise that Jon Gruden had built. QB Jason Campbell really showed some signs down the stretch of becoming a great signal callers, and the world now knows just how great RB Darren McFadden really can be.

16: Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8) – Eight wins was good enough for Head Coach Jack Del Rio, and it was probably good enough for QB David Garrard as well. However, these two have their jobs tied together at the hip, and if one goes, expect the other one to end up going as well. Getting close was acceptable this year, but anything less than a playoff bid next season will see both probably end up getting dismissed.

17: St. Louis Rams (7-9) – The most improved team in the league this year was clearly St. Louis, which went from having the worst record in the game at 1-15 to being just one win away from the postseason. QB Sam Bradford is going to be very special in due time, and Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo knows that his defense is going to get there eventually. One more solid NFL Draft choice is going to help bring the Rams that much closer to where they want to be.

18: Dallas Cowboys (6-10) – From the point that Head Coach Jason Garrett took over, the Cowboys all of a sudden became formidable again, and it is clear that the team is going to be a lot better next year with a healthy QB Tony Romo and the young gun in Garrett calling the shots. The only question is whether it was just a luster from Garrett being the new guy, or whether Big D is really ready for this era to begin with a bang.

19: Miami Dolphins (7-9) – This is going to be a very interesting offseason for the Fish. Head Coach Tony Sparano was clearly set to get fired if Jim Harbaugh was ready to come to town, but when that wasn't the case, Sparano kept his job. This could lead to some interesting power struggles in the locker room with a coach that might be a lame duck. Sparano took over a team that went just 1-15. He might leave the team in the same spot, especially if QB Chad Henne doesn't prove to really be a viable option as a starting quarterback. Don't be shocked if the Fins take their QB of the future in the first round of the NFL Draft this Spring.

20: Detroit Lions (6-10) – The poor Lions were really, really close last year. Had QB Matt Stafford stayed healthy for more than the equivalent of about a couple games on the season, perhaps they really would have had a chance to compete for a playoff spot. The team is clearly improving, and Head Coach Jim Schwartz has a great plan of action to get the team there. DT Ndamukong Suh wasn't just the best rookie defensive player this year. The argument could have been made that he was the league's best lineman.

21: Seattle Seahawks (7-9) – A playoff win over the defending Super Bowl champs validated the fact that the Seahawks deserved their spot in the playoffs, but all that we really learned about this team this year, we really weren't fond of. QB Matt Hasselbeck still doesn't really have it, and RB Marshawn Lynch wasn't really the answer that the team was looking for at tailback. The defense is improving, something that should come with the influence of Head Coach Pete Carroll, but there is still a lot of work to be done to get this team back in the playoffs this year.

22: Houston Texans (6-10) – Yeah, but… That was theme for the Texans this year, as they just lost heartbreaking game after heartbreaking game this year. Head Coach Gary Kubiak was retained for some unknown reason, and unless he gets to the playoffs, and maybe wins a game when he gets there, he is going to be out the door. Getting back LB DeMeco Ryans will help, as will avoiding injuries and suspensions for LB Brian Cushing. A real star emerged this year in RB Arian Foster on the other side of the ball, giving Houston arguably the best trio of QB, WR, and RB in the land with Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. The pieces are in place. The question is whether Kubiak can do anything with them or not.

23: San Francisco 49ers (6-10) – This is where we're going to figure out whether the Niners really made the right choice by throwing oodles of money at Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh was the hottest commodity on the coaching market this year, but he inherits a team that really has underachieved now for three straight seasons. The mistake of drafting QB Alex Smith instead of QB Aaron Rodgers has now officially blown up in their face now that Rodgers has a ring on his finger, and this franchise is probably going back to the drawing board at the NFL Draft for another young signal caller to groom.

24: Minnesota Vikings (6-10) – It was just a weird year for the Vikes, as they lost QB Brett Favre towards the end of the year and lost chunks of their dome to Mother Nature as well. Minnesota should be much improved this season with new Head Coach Leslie Frazier taking over, but there is still a real question whether there is a commitment that is going to be made to QB Tarvaris Jackson or not. We know that RB Adrian Peterson is going to be run into the ground this year one way or the other, as the rest of the options just aren't there on this defense.

25: Washington Redskins (6-10) – Head Coach Mike Shanahan didn't do that great of a job this year with his new arsenal, and the fact that he benched QB Donovan McNabb for a two minute drill and then again at the end of the season really did cause a ruckus. This is a franchise that is really in shambles right now, as DT Albert Haynesworth is still causing some friction in the locker room as well. The former Denver Broncos coach probably only has one more year to turn this around, or he is going to be put back out into the cold.

26: Arizona Cardinals (5-11) – The good news is that the Cardinals really might be just one player away from competing once again in the NFC West. The bad news is that the NFC West is still atrocious and that that one player needed is a quarterback. Figure that there is only one more year to find that signal callers as well, or WR Larry Fitzgerald is probably bidding the desert adieu. If that's the case, Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt might be on the chopping block as well even though he really reformed this team into a contender from a pile of nothingness a few years ago.

27: Cleveland Browns (5-11) – Head Coach Eric Mangini finally got the axe, but there were definitely some things to be proud of it you were a fan of the Browns this year. RB Peyton Hillis is one of the best power backs in the game, and QB Colt McCoy really might be the real deal at this level. DB Joe Haden helped out a defense that was absolutely an abomination two years ago, but there are still approximately 10 more holes to fill on that side of the ball. Head Coach Pat Shumur has a lot of work to do.

28: Tennessee Titans (6-10) – Head Coach Jeff Fisher was dismissed, and it appears as though QB Vince Young might be as well. The Titans were ruined last year when Young was put on IR, as they really had no chance of challenging for a playoff spot, which really ultimately proved to be the demise of the longest tenured coach in the game. There's no telling where Tennessee is turning next, but we know that the AFC South isn't going to be doing it any favors in the near future.

29: Buffalo Bills (4-12) – The Bills are making a real mistake if they get rid of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick this year. No, the Ivy Leaguer isn't going to ultimately bring this team to the Super Bowl, but he proved to be a heck of a lot better than QB Trent Edwards was, and he could be the bridge quarterback to get this team back in competition again in the AFC East. RB CJ Spiller proved to be a total bust this year, and Head Coach Chan Gailey really is to blame. Still, Buffalo showed some spunk at times in the second half of the season, and it might find a way to inch closer to .500 next year with some help acquired in the offseason.

30: Denver Broncos (4-12) – If you really doubted QB Tim Tebow before this season, you probably aren't doubting him that much anymore. The man from the University of Florida won two games down the stretch on a team that was dreadful this year. However, there are reasons to be optimistic in the Rockies. Head Coach John Fox has a proven track record as a winner, though his last year with Carolina was a real stinker, and this defense had a ton of injuries last year that are bound to not happen again in 2011. The AFC West is still lousy and is there for the taking if the Chargers slip up as they did this year.

31: Cincinnati Bengals (4-12) – QB Carson Palmer wants a trade, but the Bengals are trying to not give one to him. New Offensive Coordinator Jay Gruden is going to try to smooth over the waters between the team and Palmer, but it is still unknown whether he is going to be able to get the job done or not. One thing is for sure, and that's that this team has a lot of holes to plug in a hurry on both sides of the ball, and a top pick in the NFL Draft isn't going to cure all of what ails it.

32: Carolina Panthers (2-14) – How this team ever won two games is beyond us. In fairness to the Panthers, they did have a lame duck head coach all season last year with John Fox, and they knew that they weren't going to be all that good. QB Matt Moore didn't work out, and QB Jimmy Clausen looked like a deer in headlights. It seemed like a foregone conclusion that QB Andrew Luck was going to be a Panther this coming year, but he's heading back to Stanford. It's anyone's guess what Carolina is doing from here, though there is no doubt that there are plenty of different names that could be called to help out with the first pick of the NFL Draft.

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