Ultra Sports Bet

I like Saturday’s games way more than I like Sunday’s. That doesn’t mean that I am going to be original, though – it’s going to be all about the chalk today. I don’t love being in line with the public, but I can’t justify going another way here.
Washington (+3.5) at Seattle – The Redskins have been playing with emotion and determination. The Seahawks really haven’t. Washington matches up well on the run against the Seattle front line, and should be able to score. If Seattle wins they should win a close game, and my guess is that they won’t even …read more

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The Poinsettia Bowl is the most exciting game tonight in my mind, but then I’m a bowl junkie. While tonight’s NFL game isn’t as exciting, it is an interesting puzzle:
Pittsburgh (-7.5) at St. Louis – Normally, I would love to find a way to pick against the Steelers. They are playing poorly in recent weeks and I haven’t had a lot of faith in them all year. The problem, of course, is that they are playing the Rams. St. Louis has found all sorts of ways to be pitiful, their quarterbacking situation is one big uncertainty, and they don’t …read more

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As I said on Friday, I am not particularly thrilled with the NFL these days. Finding value this week was a mind-numbing challenge. There are so many games that are automatic passes, and a couple of the interesting games have lines that are pretty tight. I only found three games this week that I will be taking a piece of. They are the best of the week, but in all of them there is still a bit of a reason to be nervous about the team I am backing. It’s also a bit odd that I am on three road …read more

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Dear NFL,
I think it’s time we see other people. We have had a long relationship, and we have had lots of good times, but I just don’t love you like I used to. Oh yeah, and it’s not me, it’s you.
When we first got together you seemed so fresh and exciting. I got excited each week about what was coming, and I was never disappointed. You provided what I needed. You completed me. Recently, though, I can’t help but notice that you are letting yourself go. Too many of your teams don’t care any more – it’s like they are …read more

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Maybe I am just turning into an old coot, but I find this Thursday night to be as frustratingly bad as last week. Denver and Houston does not make for an intriguing game. At all. I guess I like Denver, but neither team has a consistent offense or consistency anywhere else. Another NFL game not worth watching or betting on. Is it just me, or has that been a bit of a trend this year?
College basketball does precious little to offer a respite – there are only two games with a line. Davidson, the best 3-5 team in college basketball …read more

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In perhaps the craziest news to come out of the NFL in a crazy season, Bobby Petrino has resigned from the terrible Falcons to reportedly take the job at Arkansas. He clearly belongs in college, or at least deserves a better spot than the hopeless mess that wasn’t his creation in Atlanta. Still, coaches just don’t quit like this. That means that a directionless team now has too finish the season with two interim coaches. How in the world do you handicap them now? Will they quit because this is the final blow in a terrible year, or will they …read more

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The Patriots opened as 27 point favorites against the Jets. That’s ridiculous. It’s especially ridiculous that it’s hard to make a solid case for the underdog in the game with the biggest NFL spread in history. Hopefully it goes without saying by now, but I won’t be betting on this game.

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Five games strike my fancy today. The New England game is not one of them, but I will obviously be watching with interest. My feeling is that this is the game where the Pats get back into spread covering form. I don’t particularly believe in the Steelers, especially on the road. I don’t have enough faith in that particular conviction to bet on it, though. Here are the five:
Oakland (-11) at Green Bay – I can’t believe I am actually going to take the Raiders, but it’s true. I think that 11 points is too many here. The Raiders …read more

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Normally in this spot I would make a write up and a pick for the Thursday night NFL game between Chicago (+3) and Washington. I absolutely refuse to do it. This is a truly and utterly awful game, and I am not going to watch it because I don’t want the NFL to think I approve. I will come back to the NFL when they start showing better games (like Sunday – this isn’t a long strike), but I refuse to be part of such terrible football. In a pinch I guess I would lean towards Washington, but none of …read more

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What an interesting start to the betting on Sunday’s game between the Patriots and the Steelers. All year the Pats have been the ultimate public team and money has been pouring in on them at ridiculous rates. They covered any number early in the season, but the last couple of weeks they haven’t even come close. Not only that, but they have looked vulnerable two weeks in a row in nationally televised games and they are now playing the best opponent they have played since Dallas. Suddenly, no one wants to bet on the Pats. Two thirds of the early …read more

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