The Detroit Lions have a lot of reasons to be optimistic heading into this season, but they need to be careful not to grow up too fast and avoid pressing the fast forward button. The Lions are coming off one of their best NFL drafts in recent memory thanks to the absence of former Team President Matt Millen. Following up on the selection of quarterback Matthew Stafford with the top overall pick a year ago, Detroit added All-American defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and running back Javid Best in the first round and may have very well added a couple more starters in the process. Time will obviously tell if any of those players go on to become All-Pros and lead the Lions back to the playoffs, but right now they simply need to focus on getting a little better game by game. Considering they have only won two games combined over the last two years, topping that number should be a goal that is certainly within reach to achieve this season.
Continue reading “2010-11 Detroit Lions Betting Odds & Schedule Analysis”
We’ll take a brief look here at three of the favorites upcoming games.
Even with preseason NFL games, nothing can be easy. This past weekend proved no exception. I e-mailed a friend of mine who covers an NFL team and wanted to get a gauge on the state of the team going into the Giants-Ravens game. “Why would you bet on these preseason games?” was his response. Quite frankly, I replied, that if you pick your spots, you can find some good spots. Unfortunately, he was no help with his game. I was on my own to pick out some good plays. As usual, the NFL serves up more ups and downs than your county fair roller coaster.
For the first time in 34 years Bobby Bowden will not be patrolling the sidelines for Florida St, after “retiring” (or being forced out by the boosters after two disappointing seasons if you want to be honest) last season. Jimbo Fisher takes over the Seminoles, but Bowden left him with the talent to compete for a conference title. Clemson and Boston College are expected to be their main competition. Here is a look at the teams in the Atlantic Division. Odds to win the division and conference are in parentheses from Bodog.
Toronto fell 6-2 in the series opener against the Rays at Tropicana Field, with a costly error by second baseman Aaron Hill proving too difficult to fight back from. “I’m not going to fault my guys for playing hard,” Monday night’s starter Brett Cecil said. “I’ve got to take it upon myself.” The Blue Jays had won four straight against the Rays in the season series, but now trail 7-6 with last night’s loss. Offensively, the team has been led by outfielder Jose Bautista, recently named AL Player of the Week for August 23-29. Over those seven days, he hit .500 with eight extra-base hits and four home runs. Bautista currently leads the majors with 42 home runs. The club owns a 33-36 mark away from the Rogers Centre this season, including a 12-11 record on the road. Toronto is a disappointing 7-13 as a road underdog of +125 to +150 this season (-360) and the total is 10-9 O/U in those contests.
