Posts Tagged ‘pro football betting’

February 7th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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It's never too early to start looking at next season's NFL betting lines. The Superbowl XLV odds are already out just a day after the Green Bay Packers claimed glory. There are already some great lines to pick already, and today, we'll pick out the five best plays for the upcoming season.

Green Bay Packers 8 to 1 at SportBet: Why shouldn't we start right off with the team that just won the big one just recently. Think about it real quick. RB Ryan Grant and TE Jermichael Finley really didn't play at all this season, and they definitely had no impact on the playoffs whatsoever. Now all of a sudden, a team that had a fantastic defense this year looks like it is going to have an even deadlier offense… And we're talking about a team that scored 31 points in the Super Bowl and 48 points in the divisional round of the playoffs against the Atlanta Falcons. QB Aaron Rodgers isn't going to want to just settle for one ring in his career, as he wants to exceed the legacy of QB Brett Favre. We know that the Chicago Bears were a farce this year and the Minnesota Vikings aren't going to be making any noise any time in the near future, so the NFC North really should belong to the Pack this coming season. If the team could win the big one after playing three road games, imagine what type of title defense the Pack could mount playing just two home games?

Indianapolis Colts 14 to 1 at SportBet: How can we possibly forget about QB Peyton Manning and company? We know that the Colts had a rough year this year, as they knew that they were really behind the 8-Ball all campaign long. Manning looked mortal at times last season, and he really had some games that made us scratch our heads. However, he only had one player, WR Reggie Wayne in the fold for all 16 games this season offensively in terms of skill players. RB Joseph Addai should be back in the backfield, and WR Anthony Gonzalez and TE Dallas Clark should help out again in 2012. The AFC South really isn't as great as we once thought unless all of a sudden, someone comes from the depths to post a great challenge next year, and we certainly aren't ones to count out Manning and company in the postseason with home games, especially after suffering a bitter end to the campaign this year.

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San Diego Chargers 10 to 1 at SportBet: The Chargers were a statistical anomaly this year, as they ranked in the Top 5 in the league in both offense and defense. We know that that will get them back into the playoffs next year. You can bet that the drive for Head Coach Norv Turner and QB Philip Rivers is going to be amazing this year after missing the postseason this year, and you can bet that a lot of these games that were lost last year by stupidity with penalties and turnovers won't be again in 2011. The Chargers will be back atop a still weak AFC West this coming season, and that will put the Bolts in the driver's seat for a spot in the Super Bowl.


Philadelphia Eagles 20 to 1 at SportBet: 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.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 40 to 1 at SportBet: The Bucs are probably not actually going to be the team that wins the Super Bowl, but this is a tremendous number for a team that really should've made the postseason last year with 10 wins. Tampa Bay is on the verge, and though we tend to believe that this is a club that is still a year or two away, we know that QB Josh Freeman is a fantastic quarterback in the making, and the rest of this 'D' is going to be getting a lot better as the games go by. Take a chance here on Tampa Bay, and know that you are going to be thrilled come the end of the season when the Bucs are in the playoffs.

 
January 31st, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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The setting: My living room. The battleground: Madden 2011. The time is now for Superbowl betting action! The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers met at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX for the biggest game of the year, Super Bowl XLV, and here at Cappers Info, only we know exactly what's going to happen and how to make our Super Bowl predictions in this one based upon what happened in the simulation. Check it out before you even think about placing your Superbowl bets!

1st Quarter: It didn't take all that long for the Pittsburgh defense to flex its muscles. Good ol' QB Aaron Rodgers decided to make a real fool out of himself on the very first pass of the game, throwing a duck to S Troy Polamalu to set up the Steelers in terrific field position. After five solid plays to get the ball down to the Green Bay 14 yard line, QB Ben Roethlisberger hooked up with TE Heath Miller for the first score of the game. The Pack nearly blew it right away once again on the ensuing kickoff, but they were able to pick up their fumble to keep possession of the ball. However, they could do nothing with it and ended up going three and out. The Steelers picked up a first down on the first play of the drive on a great 14 yard run by RB Rashard Mendenhall, but a holding penalty set the drive back and caused a punt. Both teams did nothing more than exchange kicks to end the first quarter. Pittsburgh 7 – Green Bay 0

2nd Quarter: After several terrible drives, Rodgers finally decided to get the offense to show up, but in basically took abandoning in the running game to do so. He strung four first downs together on four consecutive passes, three of which went to WR Greg Jennings. The Pack tried to get back to the run, but RB James Starks just couldn't find any holes whatsoever, and a once promising drive ended in a K Mason Crosby field goal attempt. The attempt sailed wide, giving Pittsburgh solid field position on its own 31 yard line. Roethlisberger generated two first downs to get the Steelers in range for a field goal as well, but K Shaun Suisham came up just shy on a 48 yarder to give the Packers back possession of the pigskin with less than eight minutes to play in the first half. That's when insanity broke loose. Polamalu made yet another tremendous play in the secondary just three plays later, stepping in front of an out route, picking it off, and returning it 52 yards to pay dirt to give the underdogs on the Super Bowl odds a 14-0 edge. Rodgers was sacked twice on the next drive, setting up a 3rd and 26. Things definitely looked grim once again, as the former Cal Golden Bear was picked off a third time. However, he was bailed out by getting roughed, which not only gave Green Bay the ball back, but it got a first down in the tough spot as well. The very next play, Jennings got behind the defense and Rodgers found him for a long TD pass that cut the lead in half. The Steelers got into field goal range thanks to some great passing by Big Ben to extend the lead out to 17-7 at the break.Pittsburgh 17 – Green Bay 7

3rd Quarter: A great kick return by WR Antwaan Randle El gave the Steelers the ball to start the second half just inside Green Bay territory, and they would make no mistakes. Mendenhall had six carries on the drive and accounted for 31 yards, including the eight yard TD plunge to put the Packers on the verge of elimination. Needing a big drive, Rodgers was able to continue his great hookups with Jennings, finding him twice to get the ball out to midfield, but ultimately, the Packers had to kick it back to Pittsburgh. Again, it was Mendenhall that did the damage, but this time, he was used as a receiver. The former member of the Illinois Fighting Illini had a rare pass thrown his way, and he took the screen and scampered 51 yards with it to put Pittsburgh back in field goal range once again. Give credit to the Packers for holding firm at the goal line and holding the Steelers to just three points, but the damage was clearly already done towards the end of the third quarter. Pittsburgh 27 – Green Bay 7

4th Quarter: Head Coach Mike McCarthy decided that the start of the fourth quarter was a great time to start to play four down football, and he made the decision right away with his Pack facing a 4th and 3 from their own 40 yard line with just over 13:00 to play in the game. Rodgers converted on a scramble, but he was knocked out of the game on the play with a hamstring injury. QB Matt Flynn came into the game and promptly removed all doubts about the outcome, getting intercepted by DB Ike Taylor to give the black and gold the football back. Big Ben want back to work, running a clinical drive, accounting for three third down conversions in a stand that took over six minutes off the clock. Suisham was called upon for his third field goal of the day to push the lead to 23. Rodgers did come back in the game, but the Packers were eventually stopped on downs on the last competitive drive of the game. Mendenhall did the rest, running out enough of the clock to let Roethlisberger take a couple of knees to end Superbowl XLV betting action. Pittsburgh 30 – Green Bay 7

Recap: Roethlisberger didn't have the greatest game in the world, but he did throw for 176 yards and didn't turn the ball over once. Mendenhall was a real horse on the evening, leading the way for the black and gold with 142 yards and that TD. For the Packers, there wasn't all that much to be proud of. Rodgers only completed 16-of-37 passing on the night, and he was picked off twice and sacked five times. He did throw the one TD pass to Jennings, who had a fantastic day in defeat, catching 11 passes for 173 yards. However, the man that beat the Super Bowl MVP odds was clearly Polamalu, who had a sack, a forced fumble, and two picks, overcoming his injuries to lead the Steelers to victory.

Don't say we didn't warn you. The Steelers won this simulation with ease, 30-7, and you shouldn't be shocked if that is the exactly correct final score when push comes to shove on Super Bowl Sunday!

 
January 30th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor
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Superbowl Props are our specialty at Cappers Info, and this week, we have a list of all of the great props that are available for us to bet on at Sportbet Sportsbook! Check out the best Super Bowl picks you'll find on the internet!

Score in the First 6:30: Nerves in Super Bowl betting action are always high, and getting a score in the first six and a half minutes of this game, isn't going to be the easiest task in the world. When you're talking about a number like that, we also can hit the mark even with a drive ending in a punt, especially the way that these two teams have been using their running backs. We tend to believe that this is going to be a very short game from the standpoint of the clock moving all the time, and with that being the potential end result, there's a minimal chance that this one has a score this early. No Score in the First 6:30 +105 at Sportbet Sportsbook

Total Sacks Over/Under 5: If there is one prop that we are sure about in this one, it is that there are going to be a ton of sacks in this one. The Steelers picked up five sacks against the Baltimore Ravens, and they harassed QB Mark Sanchez as well in the AFC Championship Game. The bigger concern with this prop, though, is that the offensive line for Pittsburgh has been terrible. Now, three of the five offensive linemen are probably out of the fold in this one for the black and gold, and the Packers are going to take full advantage. Green Bay has a defensive front that doesn't ever let up, as LB Clay Matthews and company should be all over QB Ben Roethlisberger. Total Sacks Over 5 at Sportbet Sportsbook

Heath Miller Over/Under 39.5 Receiving Yards: Miller is the man that tends to make the big time plays in the big time situations for the Steelers, but that doesn't mean that he is going to have 40 yards through the air in this one. Miller really hasn't been targeted all that many times over the course of the last few weeks, as he only had two catches in the AFC Championship Game for 38 yards, and though this is a number that is getting relatively close to the number, we still think that, even if by just the smallest of margins, we'll keep him under the number to make successful Superbowl picks. Heath Miller Under 39.5 Receiving Yards at Sportbet Sportsbook

Total Punts Over/Under 9: Three and out. Get used to hearing those words. The Packers have a ton of confidence in P Tim Masthay, as they really used him a ton in situations last week when K Mason Crosby could have been called upon instead. The end result was a pick six for DT BJ Raji deep in Green Bay territory in the fourth quarter which really effectively put the Pack in the Super Bowl. Pittsburgh is already on kicker No. 2 of the season, as K Jeff Reed was dismissed and replaced by K Shaun Suisham. Suisham just doesn't have a tremendous leg, and getting the ball down to the Green Bay 35 might not ultimately mean that there will be a field goal attempt. Don't be shocked if both of these teams end up with at least five or six punts on the day. Over 9 Punts +115 at Sportbet Sportsbook

Score in the First 6:30: Nerves in Super Bowl betting action are always high, and getting a score in the first six and a half minutes of this game, isn't going to be the easiest task in the world. When you're talking about a number like that, we also can hit the mark even with a drive ending in a punt, especially the way that these two teams have been using their running backs. We tend to believe that this is going to be a very short game from the standpoint of the clock moving all the time, and with that being the potential end result, there's a minimal chance that this one has a score this early. No Score in the First 6:30 +105 at Sportbet Sportsbook

A Score in the Last 3:30 in the Game: We tend to believe that there should theoretically be a score in every game in the last few minutes of every Super Bowl, as we remember moments like QB Eli Manning to WR David Tyree or the K Adam Vinetiari field goals that have essentially ended two Superbowl betting affairs. However, don't be so sure that this is going to be a slam dunk. The Steelers have this tendency with a lead to be able to kill the clock like none other. That's exactly what they did against the New York Jets in the AFC Championship Game, and might be exactly what they end up doing in the Super Bowl as well. We also know that whomever has the ball last really could fail on their last drive, just like what we saw happen last week with the Chicago Bears against the Pack in the NFC Championship Game. No Score in the Last 3:30 +125 at Sportbet Sportsbook

 
January 27th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor
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The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers both have fantastic histories playing here in championship situations. However, one has to be the winner against the Superbowl XLV lines, while the other is going to be coming up just shy. Before you dare place a bet on the big game, be sure to check out our Super Bowl betting trends that cannot be missed!

We'll start with the Packers, who already have a 3-1 record in Super Bowls and have claimed 11 other NFL Championships from way back in the day. They've been smoking hot of late, particularly against teams with a winning record, as they really haven't looked back since getting QB Aaron Rodgers back in the lineup after suffering his concussion. The Pack are 5-0 SU in those games, and they are now 5-1 ATS in their last six overall, all of which came against teams that were in at least the final eight in the postseason, save the Philadelphia Eagles, whom they beat in the first round.

Also with the Packers, we have to keep in mind that they are 19-6-1 ATS in their last 26 games following one in which they held a foe to two TDs or fewer. They did a great job last week, albeit with some help from the injured QB Jay Cutler, and they are going to be riding high into this one against the Steelers. We also know that Green Bay has played well, going 8-3-1 ATS in its last 12 games played on field turf, something that it really hasn't had a chance to see all that often, save in games against the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions.

The bugaboo for the Packers is that they are used to being the hunter and not the hunted. They have been underdogs every step of the way in the postseason this year, until right now. Green Bay is a short favorite in this one, and it is just 2-5 ATS in its last seven playoff games as the choices of the oddsmakers.

The Steelers have been just as hot of late, as they have covered four games in a row dating back to Week 16 in the regular season as well. They are 5-1 ATS in their last six games after an outright win, and even more importantly, they are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games played in the playoffs, and the only loss was on the Superbowl lines against the Arizona Cardinals two years ago in the big game.

Pittsburgh isn't really used to being the underdog either in most of these big games, but whenever it has been a pup, it has really shined tremendously. The black and gold are 16-5-1 ATS in their last 22 games as underdogs of three points or fewer, and they are 34-16-1 ATS in their last 51 as underdogs overall.

In relation to the all time series, there isn't all that much to bank on. There are only eight games that these two teams have plays against each other since 1980. Pittsburgh has gone 6-2 SU and 4-4 ATS in these eight games. Last year, these two teams met in the regular season, and to the contrary of popular belief, they combined for a whopping 73 points in a 37-36 victory for the black and gold.

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

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Of all of the Pittsburgh Steelers that are going to be on the field on Super Bowl Sunday, there are five that we think are really going to stand out as the potential heroes of the game. Check out the men that we think can make the big difference against the Green Bay Packers and help you make successful Superbowl Picks!

Rashard Mendenhall: The one thing that you know about Mendenhall is that he is going to get the ball time and time again, and the Steelers are just not going to stop giving him the pigskin. He has touched the rock 371 times this year on the ground including the two postseason games, and even though he was really stuffed up against the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets for large chunks of the game, he was still able to keep going and putting together his stats. This is a man with a nose for the end zone as well, as Mendenhall has found pay dirt in 13 of the 18 Steelers games this year. Green Bay's rush defense can be had, and the former member of the Illinois Fighting Illini might be set to shine to help Pittsburgh beat the Super Bowl XLV odds.

Hines Ward: Remember when Ward was on the receiving end of one of the great trick plays in the history of the Super Bowl when he caught that long TD pass from WR Antwaan Randle El against the Seattle Seahawks six years ago? Ward is certainly a jack of all trades, as he was a quarterback in college and can certainly put the pill in the air if need be. Not only this, but he is arguably the best receiver that this team has ever had, and that's really saying something considering the names like Stallworth and Swann that are already in the Hall of Fame. All Ward does is stay consistent year in and year old, and he is one of the favorite targets of Big Ben. He could be in for another big day, maybe not on the stat sheet, but at least in terms of those impact plays that you remember in the game.

Ben Roethlisberger: Of course, someone has to be getting Ward and these other targets the football, and this is what Big Ben is going to be doing. The thing about Roethlisberger is that he has not played all that well in two previous Super Bowls, accounting for just one TD pass against three picks. However, he is the most likely man on the field to put together that moment like the QB Eli Manning to WR David Tyree catch in the Super Bowl three seasons ago. Roethlisberger will take a hit, roll out of trouble, and make something happen when need be, and when the game is on the line, Head Coach Mike Tomlin has all the confidence in the world that his signal caller will get the play in when he really needs it.

James Harrison: For as great as this Pittsburgh defense is, Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau will tell you that the unit really isn't anything without Harrison patrolling the field. He is the enforcer over the middle and the man that scares the daylights out of opposing quarterbacks. Harrison led the Steelers with 10.5 sacks this year, and he also jacked up a ton of unsuspecting receivers and running backs that crossed his path. This is the emotional leader of this defense, and Harrison is the one that is most likely to deliver the hit that you're going to remember most that can change the game. If not him than…

Troy Polamalu: … Polamalu is the man that can get the job done. We're not all that sure that the former USC Trojan really has been healthy over the course of these last few weeks, as he really hasn't looked the same in these postseason games against the Ravens and the Jets. However, there is no doubt that this is one of the best safeties, not just in the league, but that the league has ever seen, as Polamalu and his crazy hair have really redefined the safety position. With seven picks on the year, Polamalu led the team in that department, and you know that wherever the ball is, the crazy hair is going to be there with it. If Polamalu has a big, big game, there is no doubt that the Steelers are going to make for great Super Bowl XLV picks.

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

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One team has made the most trips to the Super Bowl and has the most Superbowl betting triumphs. The other has the most titles in the history of the professional football. That's what we're going to get when we analyze the Super Bowl XLV odds in the clash between the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Below you will find my anylasis and free Superbowl picks for 2011.

2011 Superbowl Matchup: Green Bay Packers @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: Sunday, February 6th, 6:25 ET
Location: Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, TX
Current Superbowl Spread: Green Bay -2.5
Over/Under (Total): 46

Packers Notes: At the start of the season, the Packers were considered the dark horse Superbowl picks, and though it wasn't the easiest road in the world to get there, they have gotten the job done and are well on their way to winning their fourth Super Bowl title. They are 3-1 all-time here in the Super Bowl, though two of those wins came way back in Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II. QB Brett Favre, the legendary future Hall of Famer, only took the Pack to two Super Bowls in his career, and he only won one of them, and it's amazing to think that QB Aaron Rodgers can basically duplicate Favre's production with just one more win. He's going to have to play a lot better than he did in the NFC Championship Game though, particularly in the second half. Rodgers only went 17-of-30 for 244 yards with two INTs on the day, but he also had 39 yards on the ground and a rushing score to boot. RB James Starks is going to be a real key to beat the Super Bowl XLV odds. After watching this rushing attack struggle all season long, Starks, a rookie, has chosen a great time to shine. He has at least 22 carries in all three postseason games, and he is the top rusher in the playoffs with 263 yards and a TD. The defense is going to be paramount as well. This unit has played some dynamite ball, holding teams to just 17.0 points per game in the playoffs and not allowing a single team to get beyond 20 points. Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers has put together a unit that has done a great job getting after the passer in this postseason, accounting for 10 sacks. DB Tramon Williams has three picks in the playoffs, while DB Sam Shields has two INTs, both of which came in the NFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. DT BJ Raji has the sixth forced turnover of these three games for the Packers, who now have 30 total INTs between the regular season and the playoffs. Two of those picks in the postseason have come back for TDs that essentially sealed up games.

Steelers Notes: The Steelers are back in the Super Bowl once again for the third time in the last six seasons. Head Coach Mike Tomlin is the youngest man to ever bring a team to the Superbowl betting festivities for a second time, and he brings a team with a ton of experience to the table in Big D. QB Ben Roethlisberger would love to claim a third ring in his career, and he would be one of the rare signal callers that actually missed a handful of games in a season to claim Super Bowl glory. Big Ben hasn't really had great games thus far in the postseason, as he only has thrown for 359 yards and two TDs against two picks in his two appearances. Still, this unit has gotten to 55 points in the two games without any legitimate superstars. Do keep an eye on RB Rashard Mendenhall, who really had a bust out season this year with 1,273 yards and 13 scores. He had 121 yards on 27 carries against the New York Jets in the AFC Championship Game, and if he can have that type of production against one of the fiercest defenses that the league has to offer, he can certainly do a lot of great work against the Packers as well if given the chance. Defensively, Pittsburgh ranked No. 1 in the league this year in scoring at 14.5 points per game, and this 'D' knows that the offense and special teams have really set it back to put a lot of points on the board that probably didn't deserve to be there. The unit has forced four turnovers and accounted for seven sacks in just two games in the playoffs as well, and you can bet that two weeks to prepare for Rodgers and company is going to be a very welcome thing.

The Final Word: We know that the Packers are really the choice du jour for the Super Bowl, as they really blew through the rest of the NFC by storm this year. And yes, it's also true that when push came to shove, they beat the New York Jets on the road and nearly took out the New England Patriots on the road with a backup quarterback. However, Pittsburgh provides a significantly different type of challenge. The Steelers have been there and done that, and they have a ton of Super Bowl experience, whereas there are only two players on the Packers that have ever played in this big game. It should be a great duel, but in the end, the black and gold will reign supreme and pick up their seventh title by beating the Super Bowl XLV lines.

Free Superbowl Picks: Pittsburgh Steelers +2.5
Super Bowl Prediction: Pittsburgh 24 – Green Bay 16

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

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The Green Bay Packers know that they have a great chance of snaring the Lombardi Trophy. The oddsmakers have lined them as 2.5 point favorites on the Super Bowl XLV lines. These are the five players that are going to be the keys to victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the biggest game of the year!

Aaron Rodgers: It almost seems like a foregone conclusion that Rodgers is going to have to play like a man capable of beating the Super Bowl XLV MVP odds for Green Bay to be able to win this one. He really had a terrible NFC Championship Game, especially after starting off 5-for-5 on the day. Rodgers ended going just 17-of-30 for 244 yards with two picks on the day, but he did account for 39 rushing yards and a TD. We know that he has the ability to be a hero, though. Just ask the Atlanta Falcons how they feel about his 31-of-36 game in which he accounted for four TDs and 366 passing yards. This is going to be a tough defense to try to crack, but Rodgers is going to be the top priority to beat the Superbowl lines.

James Starks: All of a sudden, the Packers absolutely unleashed a monster in the backfield, as Starks came out of nowhere to help a rushing attack that had really been crippled all season long. Though Green Bay is nowhere near a juggernaut now with a rookie taking control, it feels like a team that should be able to put up more than the 100.4 yards per game it averaged in the regular season if given the chances. Starks doesn't have a great yards per carry average in the postseason, as he is just at 3.76 YPC, but his 263 yards in three games has really struck some fear in the competition. It's not about Starks really getting the stats. It's just about him keeping the opposing defense honest to help give the Packers a 'W' on the Superbowl odds.

Tramon Williams: Williams had a relatively quiet third postseason game, but his first two were certainly ones to remember. He picked off QB Matt Ryan twice and QB Michael Vick once in the first two rounds of the postseason, giving him a total of eight picks including the regular season. We know that Williams is an explosive man when he gets the ball in his hands, and he has done a great job as a cover corner as well. This is also the team's punt and kick returner as well. Williams accounted for 1,010 yards between kick and punt returns on the campaign, and he is still waiting to really break his first one wide open. If he does, he could be the key to the game as well.

Clay Matthews: Matthews came out of the blocks like a house of fire this year, accounting for six sacks in his first two games. He did slow down over the course of the rest of the year, but there isn't a person that could deny that he was the defensive MVP for this team en route to Superbowl betting action this year. It almost seems like Matthews has been really, really quiet this year in the second season, but he does have 3.5 sacks and has at least gotten to the quarterback once in all three playoff games. It might not be what Matthews really does on the stat sheet either, but he is going to be able to force a lot of havoc in the backfield all night long.

Charles Woodson: Woodson is the forgotten man in the Packers' secondary, as he really hasn't had the season that he did last year when he was arguably the best player on one of the best defenses in the league. He only had two picks and two sacks this year, and he really hasn't made a huge impact like Williams or DB Sam Shields have, but he knows what it is like to play in Superbowl betting action, having done so with the Oakland Raiders against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Woodson is one of just two players on the active roster for the Packers that has Super Bowl experience, with the other being DT Ryan Pickett.

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

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We seem to think that it is pretty clear that the four teams left standing in the playoffs really aren't the best teams for NFL betting fans to back in 2010. However, with right combination of luck, skill, and timely plays, the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, and Pittsburgh Steelers have made it to the NFL's version of the Final Four, and one of the four teams will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy in February. Which team is the best of the bunch? We make our Superbowl picks and break down the key facets to the four teams still alive in the postseason.

Ranking the Passing Games: It probably would've taken us being in a bit of a parallel universe to think that both Mark Sanchez and Jay Cutler would be in the AFC and NFC Championship Games respectively, but that's exactly what has happened. We believe that Cutler is clearly the worst of the bunch, as he really doesn't have any major targets that he can throw to on a regular basis, and he still has that problem with throwing interceptions that turns up every so often. Names like TE Greg Olsen, WR Johnny Knox, and the likes just don't scare us. Sanchez has all of a sudden won four playoff games, all on the road, in the last two seasons, and he now has double the playoff wins in his career that any Jet quarterback has in team history. There is no doubt that we would rather have the combination of WR Braylon Edwards, WR Jerricho Cotchery, WR Santonio Holmes, and TE Dustin Keller than any other group in the league, but it clearly isn't enough to make up for the fact that Sanchez isn't even a Top 15 quarterback in the NFL today. The Packers clearly have the QB du jour right now, and the reason that many are making their Super Bowl XLV picks on them is because of Aaron Rodgers. Sure, we know that there isn't a player in the league that has made more plays than Rodgers in the playoffs, as he has thrown six TDs and has yet to be picked off. He is putting on a run that is nothing like we have ever seen from a Green Bay quarterback before, something that we never thought we would saying knowing that No. 4 isn't in town anymore. Rodgers has a great crop of receivers as well, but this unit would have looked a lot better with TE Jermichael Finley in the fold. All four of Donald Driver, James Jones, Greg Jennings, and Jordy Nelson had at least 75 receiving yards last week against the Atlanta Falcons as well. Our choice though, is the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that's in spite of the fact that this offensive line looks like Swiss cheese and got Ben Roethlisberger sacked six times against the Baltimore Ravens. There is no doubt that Big Ben is the man that we want making plays for us down the stretch, and he has a fantastic crop of receivers to work with as well, most notably Hines Ward. There's no glitz and no glamour, but there are two rings for this offense to flash right now, and that's something that we cannot ignore. Super Bowl Preview for Passing Games: 1) Pittsburgh 2) Green Bay 3) New York 4) Chicago

Ranking the Running Games: There isn't much that is all that flashy about any of these four ground games on the road to Super Bowl betting action. The Packers are clearly the worst of the bunch in spite of the fact that James Starks really has come out of nowhere to put up some great numbers. However, if you fed us the football 25 times in a game, we'd be able to come up with 60 yards just like Starks did against the Falcons as well last week. Chicago is in terrible shape right now with its ground game as well, as we aren't so certain that Matt Forte really has the ability to carry a team to beat the Superbowl lines. The Jets know that Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson have all sorts of ways that they can get yards and score, and we have to remember that this is really the only team in the bunch that utilizes the Wildcat look with WR Brad Smith if he is healthy. We know that New York has the toughest matchup this week, but we tend to believe that the Jets get the nod over Rashard Mendenhall and the Steelers ground game. Don't get us wrong. We absolutely love Mendenhall and think that Pittsburgh might have had the steal of the entire NFL Draft when it got the former Illinois Fighting Illini runner late in the first round of the draft two years ago. Still, LT looks like he has found the fountain of youth, and there are just more options for Head Coach Rex Ryan and company to rely on. Superbowl XLV Preview for Rushing Games: 1) New York 2) Pittsburgh 3) Chicago 4) Green Bay

Ranking the Defenses: Now is when we're really splitting hairs, as the argument could really be made that any of these defenses could be the best in the league, or the worst of the four. One thing is for certain, and that's that we have four of the Top 5 or 6 defenses in the entire NFL here left in the second season, and this road to Super Bowl XLV betting action is going to be gritty. The Packers might be the most notable bunch on paper thanks to LB Clay Matthews and the fact that Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers knows how to get after quarterbacks, but this is a unit that has really folded in close games at times this year. We know that DB Tramon Williams already has three picks, including the backbreaking pick six against the Falcons right before halftime, but there is just something about this unit that we don't like in the run to the Super Bowl. The Jets have had some stinker games as well, and we know that they can give up points in bunches at times. There isn't a more feared defense in the league than this one though, and it's really hard to argue with a unit that has kept QB Tom Brady and QB Peyton Manning, two future Hall of Famers and arguably the two best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL down to a total of 37 points in two games in the postseason. We know that Chicago has the most underrated unit in the bunch of these four, but we look at the job that these guys have done against Rodgers and the Packers this year and smile. There is a real argument that DE Julius Peppers could be the Defensive Player of the Year in spite of the fact that he only had eight sacks this year, but he is the most disruptive force in the league, bar none. LB Brian Urlacher and LB Lance Briggs know how to get this team to the Super Bowl, and they did it with QB Rex Grossman calling the shots. However, the staple of defenses in the NFL is that of the Steelers, and it isn't even close if Troy Polamalu is healthy. The former USC Trojan is all over the field 100% of the time, and there is no man that delivers more devastating blows that James Harrison. You can say that there were 22 points given up to the Jets earlier this season, but nine of those came via special teams or the offense, just as there were directly seven and indirectly three more points allowed to the Ravens last week thanks to poor play by the offense and the special teams. Preview for Super Bowl XLV Betting for Defenses: 1) Pittsburgh 2) Chicago 3) New York 4) Green Bay

 
January 17th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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In 2005, the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets played an epic overtime battle in the playoffs that was separated by just a matter of inches here at Heinz Field. In that NFL betting affair, the Steelers came away with a slight three point win. Will the same be able to be said now that the stakes are even higher in the AFC Championship Game? Find out right here with our AFC Championship Game picks at Cappers Info!

Matchup: New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: Sunday, January 23th, 6:30 ET
Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA
Game Line: Pittsburgh -3.5
Over/Under 38

Jets Notes: If you're a fan of the Jets right now, you have to be pleased with the fact that your team is still kicking in the second season after going through the gauntlet of both QB Peyton Manning and QB Tom Brady. It is really notable that New York has held these two future Hall of Fame signal callers to just 37 points between them in two games, and seven of those points really came in garbage time at the end of the duel on Sunday against the New England Patriots. A team that was perceived to be all talk and no walk has really been proven otherwise, as for the second straight year, Head Coach Rex Ryan and company have had the game to back up their mouths. QB Mark Sanchez and his offense did a great job of taking care of the pigskin on Sunday against the Pats, not turning the ball over a single time on the afternoon. That's the type of play that got this team to the playoffs, and this is exactly what the formula was for reaching the AFC Championship Game last year. Also, in games in which New York has scored a TD this year, it only has been beaten one time, that wild loss to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. There aren't really anymore eye popping stats that stand out for the Jets offensively, but the defense is doing its job as well. Brady was sacked five times on Sunday, and he was constantly under pressure, especially on blitzes right up the middle. Against a Pittsburgh team that often struggles to protect its quarterback, this could be a tremendous key to the game. LB David Harris became the first man to pick off a pass from Brady since October, and you can bet that he and his defensive mates are ready to rock and roll against Big Ben and company on Sunday in Steeltown.

Steelers Notes: There are some positive signs for the Steelers to rest on coming into the AFC Championship Game, but there are a heck of a lot of negative ones as well. We've already mentioned the biggest downer, and that's that QB Ben Roethlisberger is virtually always under the gun. He was sacked six times and pressured seemingly a zillion others against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday afternoon, and you know that the Jets are watching tape of that game and salivating right now. The ground game never really got its act together with RB Rashard Mendenhall either against the Ravens. This rushing defense is statistically stronger than that of the Ravens, though, as the Jets ranked No. 2 in the AFC and No. 3 overall in holding running backs down. In fact, the first time that they allowed a 100+ yard rusher in the Rex Ryan era was against this Pittsburgh team in Week 15. That's the brightest news that the Steelers have to look forward to in this one. Mendenhall had 19 carries for exactly 100 yards, and he gashed a ton of holes in this New York 'D' on that day, and this might set up to be another rock solid day for him as well. As always, the biggest thing that the Steelers have going for them is the fact that their defense is just downright nasty. They forced a few crucial turnovers against QB Joe Flacco and company over the weekend, and though allowing 24 points doesn't look like they had a phenomenal game, only 14 of it was the fault of the defense, as seven came directly from the offense, while another three came when Baltimore started a drive in field goal range thanks to special teams. We continue to preach how strong this team was this year against opposing ground attacks as well. Pittsburgh only allowed a miniscule 61.1 yards per game on the ground this year.

The Final Word: Hasn't this been a crazy year of NFL betting action? There is no doubt in our minds that these are not the four best teams left standing in the league this year, but these are the ones that are merely peaking at the right time. If that holds true, the Jets should be the winners in this one, as they are clearly in the best form right now in the AFC. Even if they don't walk out of the Steel City with a 'W', you'd like to think that these two are going to play a close enough game to bring that point spread into some consideration. We'll talk the Jets outright, but it wouldn't surprise us if this one came down to a last second kick or some OT, and if that's the case, we want all of the points that we can get.

Free Pro Football Picks: New York +3.5
Prediction: New York 16 – Pittsburgh 13

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

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After splitting the first two clashes of the year, the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears will be duking it out one final time this year at Soldier Field in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday afternoon. We have all of the action covered here at Cappers Info with our NFC Championship Game picks.

Matchup: Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears
Date: Sunday, January 23th, 3:00 ET
Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Game Line: Green Bay -3
Over/Under 44

Packers Notes: You won't find a more trendy team in NFL betting action right now than the Packers, as they have posted back to back tremendous victories in the Wild Card and Divisional rounds of the playoffs and have stormed into the NFC Championship Game as favorites. They were the trendy choice at the start of the year to win it all as well, and it almost seems like a distant memory that they had to beat these Bears in Week 17 just to get into the second season. As it is though, QB Aaron Rodgers is the hottest signal caller in the league, as he is completing 77.8 percent of his passes in the playoffs and has six TDs without throwing a pick. All four of his top receivers, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Donald Driver, and James Jones had at least 75 receiving yards against the Falcons on Saturday night, while RB James Starks had a second straight respectable game on the ground after not being heard from in the entire regular season. However, the key really has been the defense. We've always known that Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers in a genius on this side of the ball, and it is really showing this year. Capers' unit ranked No. 2 in the league in scoring at 15.0 points per game this year, and it was No. 5 overall in yardage at 309.1 yards per game. Those numbers have vastly improved in the second season. Green Bay allowed just 16 points to the Philadelphia Eagles, who had one of the best offenses in the league this year when QB Michael Vick was healthy, and it turned around just six days later and kept QB Matt Ryan, WR Roddy White, RB Michael Turner and company to just 194 total yards. The real impact play of the game was a 70 yard INT return for a TD by DB Tramon Williams. A game ball also went to LB Clay Matthews, who was arguably the best defensive player of the entire season this year. Matthews had four tackles, two sacks, and a fumble recovery as a part of the great effort against Atlanta.

Bears Notes: Are they really that lucky, or are they really that good? That's the question that has been surrounding the Bears all season long, and it is amazing that we are in the fourth weekend of January and still don't have an answer to that question. Beating up the Seattle Seahawks was nice in the Divisional round of the playoffs, but there isn't a person alive that didn't know that Head Coach Pete Carroll's men had the weakest side in the entire postseason from the get go. This was a game that was expected to be won by double digits, and that's exactly what happened. Chicago came out and dropped the first 28 points on the board before letting its foot up off the gas pedal just a tad. Though nothing was really proven, the confidence for QB Jay Cutler really has to be soaring after this one on Sunday. He threw for 274 yards and two long TDs, and he rushed for a pair of scores as well. The key though, was not turning the ball over. Chicago only had one turnover, and that was on a bad play call and poor execution on a halfback pass by RB Matt Forte. Cutler didn't play well in two games against the Packers this year, throwing for just 389 yards and one TD against two picks, and you can bet that the buzzards will once again be swarming in the Windy City about whether this is a man that can really bring this team to the Super Bowl if he doesn't have a good game against the Pack on Sunday.

The Final Word: For a good chunk of the season, we've been preaching that the Bears are a victim in NFL betting action. There really isn't a home team that should be an underdog at this juncture of the playoffs, particularly in a rivalry game like this. All you're going to hear all week long is that the Bears are a product of a weak schedule and a weak division, and that Cutler is only good enough to beat up the bad teams. Everyone will talk about how he is going to implode and throw three picks against the Packers, and how Forte won't be able to get anything going on the ground. Look, Green Bay is great. We know that. However, our first inclination in this one is that the Bears really do have the better defense. This unit really proved it this year when it held the Packers to just 27 points in two games. If Chicago flexes its muscles in this one, there is no reason that it can't go back to the Super Bowl for the second time in the tenure of Head Coach Lovie Smith.

Free NFC Championship Picks: Chicago Bears +3
NFC Championship Prediction: Chicago 20 – Green Bay 17