Gaborik, Drury Injured In Loss

by Best Betting on October 15, 2010

Chris Drury breaks finger once again

As if giving the Toronto Maple Leafs their fourth consecutive win to start the season wasn't bad enough, the New York Rangers watched in horror as two of the most significant components of their team left the game with injury.

After missing much of preseason and the first few games of the regular season with a broken finger, Rangers captain Chris Drury broke the same finger in a different location on Friday night, resulting in what will likely be an extended stay on the injured reserve. Initial estimates suggest that Drury could miss as many as six weeks recovering from the set back.

Though his offensive production has dipped in recent years, his leadership on and off the ice has always been valuable for a Rangers team that just barely missed the post-season in 2009-10.

The team will also struggle to cope with the loss of the offensive output produced by Marian Gaborik, who was rushed into the boards by Toronto's Colby Armstrong. Gaborik separated his left shoulder on the play and is expected to miss two to three weeks.

For a player with such an injury-ridden past, such an avoidable incident is tough to watch. It also throws another wrenchin the winger's plans to top the 80-point mark for the second year in a row.

With just 50/1 odds of winning the Stanley Cup, according to the Bodog Sportsbook, the Rangers are far from playoff locks, but the fact that they came so close last year combined with the development of their young core indicates that this may be their year.

But unfortunately for New York, if one thing is certain, it's that their chances of getting there are significantly improved with Drury and Gaborik in the line up. Here's hoping they make a quick and easy recovery.

For NHL futures, player props and individual game odds, check out the Bodog Sportsbook.

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NFL Betting Odds: Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles

by Best Betting on October 15, 2010

Michael Vick will not start against his former Atlanta team as Kevin Kolb gets the call for the second week in a row for the Eagles, with Philly a 3-point favorite on Bodog’s NFL odds.

Vick took snaps with the scout team Friday but is not ready to return to the starting lineup. He will miss his second consecutive start because of damage to his rib cartilage. Kolb played well in  leading the Eagles past the 49ers last Sunday, going 21 of 31 for 253 yards and a touchdown for a QB rating of 103.3. Already ruled out Sunday for Philadelphia are left tackle Jason Peters and defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley.

Atlanta’s defense has been playing well as it leads the NFL with 10 interceptions while collecting three fumbles and holding opposing QBs to a 72.5 rating. The Falcons lost their opener at Pittsburgh but now are trying to win five straight for the first time since tying a franchise record with a nine-game run to close out 1998. The Falcons are ranked 17th in the league with 4.1 yards per carry but and second in yards per game (148.8). RB Michael Turner had 140 yards against Cleveland last week with a 7.4-yard average; he is the NFL’s sixth-leading rusher. And when QB Matt Ryan has at least a 100 passer rating, the Falcons are 11-0. .

Both teams are among the NFL's best at creating turnovers — Atlanta's 13 are tied for second-most in the league and the Eagles have 11. The Falcons are 19-1 under coach Mike Smith when leading at halftime but  just 9-10 on road under Smith. The Eagles have won an NFL-best 21 straight games when leading at halftime.

The Eagles lead the all-time series 14-10-1 and crushed Atlanta 34-7 last season.

You a watcher or player? If it’s the latter, then you need to bet on this game at Bodog

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New York Yankees Rally For Game 1 Win

by Best Betting Sports News on October 15, 2010
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Derek Jeter and the Yankees have won the first game of the ALCS

Half way through the first game of the American League Champion Series, the Texas Rangers looked pretty good. They were up as much as 5-0 against the New York Yankees despite the fact that Yanks ace C. C. Sabathia was the man on the mound.

But then it all went down hill from there.

It started in the seventh inning when New York hero Robinson Cano came through just as he has all season long. A near-400 foot bomb to right gave the Yankees their first run of the ball game, providing a perfect segue into what was about to unfold in the eighth.

The Rangers went through five pitchers in the eighth inning, all while trying to desperately hang on to a lead they established in the first and fourth frames. The win, however, was not meant to be, as a series of doubles and singles proved to be deadly, resulting in five more runs and a New York lead.

From that point on a loaded bull pen was all the Yankees needed, eventually using the services of both Kerry Wood and legendary Mariano Rivera.

Now, despite home runs from both Josh Hamilton and Michael Young, the Rangers will have to dig deeper in time for Game 2. The two teams square off in Texas tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 EST.

For individual game odds, for either the ALCS or the Phillies and Giants in the NLCS, be sure to check out Bodog.com. Player props and MLB futures are also available to players who want to bet now.

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NFL Football Betting: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

by Best Betting on October 15, 2010

Could the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints actually lose their third game in the past four and fall to .500 after six games? When looking at the schedule in the preseason this Sunday’s game at Tampa seemed like a sure win but now not so much. The Saints are 4.5-point favorites on Bodog’s NFL odds.

New Orleans was stunned last week in Arizona, 30-20, as Drew Brees threw three interceptions, with two of those being turned into touchdowns by the Cardinals. New Orleans was one of the best teams when reaching the red zone last year but is near the bottom in 2010 – the Saints made four trips there last week and managed just one touchdown. This season, New Orleans has just seven touchdowns in 19 red zone appearances.

And the Saints will again be without their two top running backs. Reggie Bush is a few weeks away, while Pierre Thomas will  miss his third consecutive game because of a sprained left ankle. The Saints are second-to-last in the NFL in rushing. Cornerback Randall Gay also has been ruled out. In nine career starts vs. Tampa Bay, Brees has completed 68 percent of passes for 2,228 yards and 18 TDs with seven interceptions. But Brees has five interceptions over the last three games — he had just two at this point last year.

The Bucs are a fairly shocking 3-1 after pulling a rabbit out of the hat last week at Cincinnati. Tampa Bay scored 10 points in the final 1:26  and already has as many wins as it had all of last year.  The Bucs have won five of their last seven games dating back to last year, and one of those was a 20-17 overtime victory at the Superdome – although New Orleans had nothing to play for in that one.

The finished last season at plus-8 turnover margin. This season, New Orleans is minus-1. The three wins by the Bucs are over teams with a combined record of 3-12.

You a watcher or player? Bet on Saints-Bucs at Bodog if it’s the latter.

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Maple Leafs Top Rangers, Advance to 4-0-0

by Best Betting on October 15, 2010

Luke Schenn was three years old the last time the Leafs started 4-0-0

The Toronto Maple Leafs have done it again, although it took them an extra frame this time, to dispose of the New York Rangers. Despite giving up a two-goal lead, the Leafs managed to secure a 4-3 victory in overtime thanks to a Phil Kessel winner.

At first the late game heroics didn't appear necessary, but then Rangers enforcer Brian Boyle struck, putting home a pair of unlikely goals to tie the score at three.

With the win, the Leafs advance to 4-0-0 for the first time in 17 years, back when Kessel was six years old, Luke Schenn was three, and the Stanley Cup drought was a mere 26 years.

With the win, the Leafs are one of five undefeated teams in the NHL, but the only to begin the campaign with four consecutive Ws. As a result, they sit atop the entire NHL with eight points.

It may not last long, as the Bodog Sportsbook gives them 50/1 odds of wining the Stanley Cup, but for now it will have to do. It is a significant improvement over last season's first month. The 2009-10 Maple Leafs went 0-7-1 before finally tallying their first win of the season.

Though the Leafs won't play on Saturday, they'll host a presumably healthy John Tavares and the New York Islanders at home. Given the Islanders' 100/1 shot of winning the Stanley Cup, 5-0-0 is well within reach for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

For all individual games, Toronto versus New York included, as well as NHL futures and player props, be sure to check out the Bodog Sportsbook. You can't win if you can't play, and if the Leafs have proved nothing else this October, it's that everybody can someday be a winner.

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NFL Week 6 Odds: San Diego Chargers at St. Louis Rams

by Best Betting on October 15, 2010

That the San Diego Chargers are 2-3 shouldn’t surprise anyone, but the way the Bolts are getting beaten on the road this season is a bit of a concern as they head to St. Louis on Sunday. San Diego is an 8.5-point favorite on Bodog’s NFL odds.

Actually it’s not like the Chargers are getting routed on the road, but they have lost at Kansas City, Seattle and Oakland – all non-playoff teams last season. Last week’s 8-point loss to the Raiders ended the Chargers’ 13-game domination of that series. It’s certainly not the offense’s fault, which is No. 1 in the NFL. QB Philip Rivers has been the QB in the league so far. He leads the league in passing yards (1,759), is first in yards per game (351.8) and first in average per attempt, 9.6. He's tied for first in passing touchdowns (11) with Peyton Manning and is first in completions of 20 or more yards (32). And his blind-side blocker will be back Sunday. Left tackle Marcus McNeill, a two-time Pro Bowler, missed all of OTAs, training camp and the first five games of the season before signing his one-year restricted free agent tender. Sunday will be his first game action in nine months. Meanwhile, Chargers tight end Antonio Gates has at least one TD catch in the past nine games, an NFL record for a tight end.

The Rams used to be the worst home team in the NFL but have won their past two in St. Louis after losing their past 14. However, the Rams reverted to their one-win form of last year when losing 44-6 at previously winless Detroit last Sunday. The Rams had not allowed more than 17 points in a game this season. And St. Louis lost leading receiver Mark Clayton for the season in that game. Clayton had 23 catches, 306 yards and two touchdowns. Danny Amendola will become Sam Bradford’s top target now; Amendola was targeted a whopping 19 times last week, finishing with career highs in catches (12) and yards (95). Rams running back Steven Jackson needs 141 rushing yards to surpass Eric Dickerson's franchise record total of 7,245 yards from 1983-87.

Will the Chargers drop to 0-4 on the road? Be a player and bet on San Diego-St. Louis at Bodog!

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NFL Week 6 Odds: Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears

by Best Betting on October 15, 2010

The Chicago Bears managed to beat the Carolina Panthers last week despite getting a 6.2 rating and four interceptions from then-starting quarterback Todd Collins, but the Bears shouldn’t have to worry about numbers like that this week as Jay Cutler is back and will start against Seattle. Chicago is a 7-point favorite on Bodog’s NFL odds.

Cutler missed the first game of his NFL career last week with a concussion but has been practicing all week and will go. A story this week reported that this was actually Cutler’s fifth concussion going all the way back to his days at Vanderbilt, but Cutler vows not to play any different. Cutler has a 102.2 passer rating and has thrown six touchdown passes while taking a league-high 17 sacks. The Bears passed for all of 51 yards in the win over Carolina.

Cutler’s line will look a bit different. Former first-round pick Chris Williams returns after missing three games with an injury but will move from left tackle to left guard because Roberto Garza is out. Frank Omiyale will remain at left tackle, while the right side of the Bears’ line tackle J'Marcus Webb and guard Edwin Williams, has all of four combined career starts.

Perhaps the Seahawks’ best offensive threat is actually Leon Washington returning kicks. He leads the NFL with a 40.4 yard kickoff return average. He ran back two kicks for touchdowns (101 yards, 99 yards) against the San Diego Chargers on Sept. 26.  Seattle will debut running back Marshawn Lynch on Sunday as they acquired Lynch from the Bills during its bye week. Lynch and Justin Forsett figure to split carries against a Chicago defense ranked third against the run.

The Seahawks have been terrible on the road of late, as they have lost 17 of their last 20 road games, with two of those wins coming in St. Louis. This year Seattle has lost both road games in routs, getting outscored 51-17 (including in St. Louis). They haven't won over any non-West Coast team on the road other than the Rams since winning in Philadelphia in December 2007. Seattle has averaged only 8.5 points for its last four road games.

Can Seattle win a rare road game east of the Mississippi? Be a player and bet on Seahawks-Bears at Bodog!

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NFL Football Betting: Detroit Lions at New York Giants

by Best Betting on October 15, 2010

Arguably no team has looked as good in the past two weeks as the New York Giants, as they have beaten current first-place teams Chicago and Houston by a combined score of 51-13. So it seems they wouldn’t have much trouble with the Lions on Sunday as Detroit looks to avoid its 24th consecutive road loss – which would tie their own NFL record. New York is a 10-point favorite on Bodog's NFL odds.

The Giants had 10 sacks — including an NFL-record nine in the first half — in a 17-3 win over visiting Chicago on Oct. 3 and then limited Houston to a franchise-low 24 rushing yards in last Sunday's 34-10 road win. New York is allowing a league-low 244.6 yards per game, is tied for the NFL lead with eight forced fumbles and is third in sacks.

But could this be a bit of a trap game? A big matchup with Dallas awaits the Giants a week from Monday. As mentioned, if the Lions lose, they will tie their own NFL record with 24th straight setback on the road – they set the mark in the 2001-03 seasons.

But Detroit is “hot” right now. The Lions enter off a 44-6 win over St. Louis, their first victory by more than a touchdown in almost three years and its most lopsided win in 15 seasons. The Lions had lost their previous 10 games. Even though Matthew Stafford did practice a bit Friday, it appears Shaun Hill will make his fifth start in a row at quarterback. He had three touchdown passes last week and has played pretty well – he has completed 61.1 percent of his passes and has thrown eight TDs with seven interceptions. Star wide receiver Calvin Johnson is nursing a shoulder injury and says he probably won’t know until Saturday whether he can play.

Be a player and bet at Bodog on whether the Lions can pull the big upset in New York

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NCAA Football Betting: No. 1 Ohio State at No. 18 Wisconsin

by Best Betting on October 15, 2010

Ohio State just ascended to the top spot in the polls this week, but the Buckeyes’ stay could be short with a very big challenge on Saturday night at Wisconsin. OSU is a 4-point favorite on Bodog’s NCAA odds.

Camp Randall Stadium is one of the toughest places to play as it is, but even more so at night. Wisconsin is 40-4 there in the past six years and 25-3 in night games. However, one of those losses came two years ago to Ohio State when then-freshman Terrelle Pryor led a late Buckeyes game-winning touchdown drive. OSU is 8-3 in Big Ten night games on the road under Coach Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes are 66-11-1 all-time as a No. 1 team.

Speaking of Pryor, he says he is 100 percent recovered from a strained quad that limited last week against Indiana. Ohio State didn't call one running play for Pryor against the Hoosiers – he completed 24 of 30 passes for a career-high 334 yards. Pryor is averaging 254.6 passing yards per game in his five home games this season, but threw for only 76 yards in the Buckeyes' lone road game — a 24-13 win at Illinois.

The Badgers will no doubt try to control the game on the ground with running backs John Clay and James White. That duo has combined for 178 carries for 1,177 yards with just one fumble. The Badgers haven't committed a turnover in four games. But Ohio State leads the Big Ten in turnover margin, forcing 17 of them.

Ohio State, which has the nation’s second-longest winning streak at 12, is 21-6 ATS in its past 27 road games and 10-3-1 in its past 14 as a road favorite. Wisconsin is 1-5 ATS this season and 0-3 ATS in its last three meetings with the Buckeyes. Ohio State has won its last eight Big Ten road games against AP Top 25 opponents.

You a watcher or player? Bet on this key Big Ten battle at Bodog

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NCAA Football Betting: No. 12 Arkansas at No. 7 Auburn

by Best Betting on October 15, 2010

As usual, the game of the day in college football resides in the SEC between two highly ranked teams – this time it’s Arkansas at Auburn in a huge game between West Division contenders. The Tigers are 3.5-point favorites on Bodog’s NCAA odds and there will be live betting available.

Arkansas needs this more in a way because the Hogs already have a conference loss – to Alabama – while Auburn is still unbeaten. Certainly a second SEC loss rules the Hogs out of the conference title game with how deep the West is.

This should be one of the highest-scoring games of the day with two of the nation’s best quarterbacks – both of whom originally started at other schools. Arkansas has prototypical pocket passer Ryan Mallett, a transfer from Michigan, who leads the SEC and is second in the nation in averaging 349.6 passing yards per game. Then there’s Auburn’s Cameron Newton, who a former Florida player who arrived via junior college. Incredibly, he is the SEC's top rusher and the nation's No. 2-rated passer. He has accounted for 21 of Auburn’s 28 touchdowns. These are the top two offenses in the SEC.

Because the offenses are so prolific, it probably comes down to which defense plays better. Auburn ranks 40th in the nation in total defense at 334.8 yards per game and Arkansas is 19th at 302.4

Auburn leads the all-time series 10-8-1, but the Hogs beat an unbeaten Auburn team 44-23 last year. The Razorbacks have beaten the Tigers three of last four years and were underdogs in all of the wins. This is the first time the teams have met with both ranked.

Be a player and take advantage of live betting on the Hogs-Tigers at Bodog

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