CFL Week 15: Teams caught in game of musical chairs
Football Betting Lines
10/07/2011 - Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With the CFL season coming to a close, playoff positions are far from being determined as the tables keep turning and each week a new team is atop the standings.
The way the standings have shifted over the past six weeks in the West Division, the word "wild" wouldn't begin to describe the incredible turnaround or demise of the B.C. Lions and Edmonton Eskimos.
Compared to the Wild West the East has been extremely predictable, yet for the first time in eight weeks, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are not in sole possession of the top seed and are at risk of not having a share of the lead for only the second time this season.
It goes without saying these last five weeks are crucial but while it appears to be a six team race, these final games may finalize some team's playoff aspirations.
Here's a look at how the Week 15 matchups breakdown.
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS AT HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
A classic meeting of two teams heading in opposite directions will ensue at Ivor Wynne Stadium to kick off the weekend.
There certainly aren't as many cheery folk in Swaggerville these days with the way the Blue Bombers have performed lately. Victims of back-to-back divisional losses, the Bombers find themselves in unfamiliar territory with the risk of falling out of the top seed.
Looking to climb out of the bottom playoff spot, the Ti-Cats will turn to a dynamic offense that has gained 912 total yards from scrimmage in the past two weeks. Though it may appear to be a tough week ahead for Hamilton - considering Winnipeg has allowed the second fewest points in the CFL this season - the opponents' defense has allowed an average of over 28 points per a game, a far cry from its average of 23 points per game prior to Week 13.
In the third and final meeting between these divisional foes, the Bombers still have the upper hand already having beaten the Cats twice this season; including on their home field opening day. In both of those games, Winnipeg managed to contain running back Avon Cobourne from breaking out and put the pressure on Hamilton quarterback Kevin Glenn to make a play, which often times ended in a turnover.
Whether Glenn will be able to overcome his early season miscues and perform like he has of late - orchestrating the offense to score on 13 of their last 29 drives - the defense will be counted on to capitalize on a Bomber team that has committed 20 turnovers in their last five games.
Though Buck Pierce is reportedly going to give his sore ribs a try, if he isn't able to finish the game, the Blue and Gold will have to turn to Alex Brink. And though he wasn't completely shell-shocked in his professional debut, the odds of pulling out his first victory are definitely stacked against him.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS AT B.C. LIONS
Just six weeks ago there couldn't have been anyone who thought this matchup would possibly determine the top-seed in the West Division - keep in mind the Stamps were 5-2 and the Lions 1-6.
Finally ridding the Eskimos atop the West Division, the Stampeders can possibly separate themselves from the pack and solidify a repeat as division champs. However, it won't be without a fight as the Lions come into the game as the hottest team in the entire league.
Behind the CFL's longest winning streak this season - six games - British Columbia has climbed up the rankings and become the league's most feared squad in the blink of an eye. The biggest change has to be on the defense, which is currently allowing the fewest points of any unit - 273 points against - after surrendering 161 points in the first five weeks alone.
Not to be outdone, the Stamps "D" came away with their best performance of the season in Week 14 when it held the Saskatchewan Roughriders to just three points. They'll need more of that against a Lions' offense that has averaged over 33 points per a game during their current winning streak.
If there's any consolation for Calgary it's that the game is being played on the road where it's strived all season, going 5-1 while its opponent have struggled in front of the home crowd sitting at a mediocre 3-3. Though the Lions opened their newly renovated stadium with a victory, it was the Horsemen who began the Leos home schedule with a loss.
Regardless, this will be the rubber match of the season series with B.C. taking the last meeting, and both teams in desperate need of obtaining the upper hand in the event of a tie at the conclusion of the regular season.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS AT MONTREAL ALOUETTES
It seems so fitting the Argos are in town as Anthony Calvillo is on the verge of setting another all-time CFL record.
Some may forget the Boatmen were the victims of the veteran quarterback setting the all-time mark in touchdowns and completions on two separate occasions earlier this year. Now, they are facing another scenario where their defense will be on the wrong side of history as the 16-year-pro vies for the most passing yards in league history.
Trailing Damon Allen by 258 yards, it's not inconceivable Calvillo reaches the milestone against Toronto, which would only characterize the disappointment this season has held for the Double Blue as being on the receiving end of a landmark achievement three times seems too harsh for even the most inept of clubs.
The way running back Brandon Whitaker - reigning offensive player of the month for September - has been performing of late, expect another big day against the Argos as last week they allowed the Ti-Cats to rush for a total of 192 yards.
If being a doormat isn't bad enough, the lowly Argonauts are now facing dissent within the ranks as a number of players have taken to the media in voicing their displeasure and it's from some voices many would least expect it. Veterans Jermaine Copeland and Cory Boyd have spoken out on their various concerns of the current situation, and if the leaders aren't buying in, there's little hope the miracle run into the postseason is upon us.
Unless Toronto can do something it hasn't been able to do all year - stop Calvillo - there's no reason Montreal won't be able to maintain its hold on the division and close out a fourth straight season with the division title.
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS AT EDMONTON ESKIMOS
There are no two teams more in need of a matchup against a weak and wounded opponent than both of these clubs - unfortunately they also fit that same description of an embattled squad.
The nightmare continues in Edmonton where a season that couldn't have begun any better seems a lifetime away from the current 2-6 slide. Despite trading the division lead with the Stamps throughout the season, the Eskis suddenly find themselves in a precarious position where the Lions can upheave any thoughts of an easy entrance into the postseason.
Though the Roughriders slim playoff hopes are still alive, they will need nothing short of a miracle to claim a spot in the second season with only five games remaining and three games separating them from the final seed.
Whatever hopes Saskatchewan may hold, it will need to muster more than the combined eight points it has scored in the past two weeks if it wants to defend its division title. It may bode well for the Riders that the Eskimos have surrendered more than 30 points in consecutive games and have struggled offensively as well.
If the Roughriders can solve running back Jerome Messam they may have a chance of stagnating the Eskimos offense, but it will be the matchup to look for as the Riders have failed to keep teams from getting big gains on the ground.
Arcadia, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Three-year-old colt Coil, winner of this year's Haskell Invitational, will bypass the Breeders' Cup Classic and participate in the Strub Series at Santa Anita Park. Trainer Bob Baffert feels Coil is not yet r
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Stockholm, Sweden (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mike Richards shined in his Kings debut.
The former Philadelphia captain scored the tying goal in the latter stages of
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Mayweather picked to beat De La Hoya
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA -- Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya and his rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. arrived at the MGM Grand here Wednesday amid the pomp and pandemonium befitting two of the biggest stars in the sport who are about to duke it out for the WBC super welterweight crown this Saturday (Sunday in Manila).
As of Wednesday, MySportsbook.com closed its book with Mayweather a favorite to defeat De La Hoya at -170 (a $100 bet wins $70), while De La Hoya is a +140 underdog (a $100 bet wins $140).
Mayweather arrived at about 11:30 a.m. on a big truck with his face and a big "World's Best Pound-for-Pound" sign scribbled across the vehicle. He was accompanied by his entourage made up of rappers and his training team.
A crowd of close to 3,000 eager fans packed the MGM Grand lobby, with their cameras in tow, all trying to vie for position to get a good angle at Mayweather, who is acknowledged as the world's best fighter pound-for-pound.
Eric Gomez, Golden Boy Promotions vice-president, described the fan turnout as "amazing" and swore he had never seen anything quite like this event.
"The crowd was fantastic. Everybody was just too eager to see the two fighters," said ALA manager Michael Aldeguer, who was among those who waited at the lobby together with his ward Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista and AJ Banal.
De La Hoya made his own grand entrance at the hotel lobby at around 12:30 p.m. accompanied by GBP chief executive officer Richard Schaefer and trainer Freddie Roach.
The same group of fans who trooped to see Mayweather also lingered around to get a close look at De La Hoya, who has been secretly working out at a Las Vegas gym for days after arriving from his main training camp in Puerto Rico.
The golden boy then took part in a closed-door afternoon workout with Bautista and Banal. The two, along with Aldeguer and wife Christine, as well as an HBO crew were the only ones allowed inside the gym.
De La Hoya and Mayweather take part in today's final press conference before the official weigh-in this Friday.
Ring Magazine, the acknowledged bible of boxing, reported in its June 2007 issue that 12 out of 20 boxing experts it interviewed have favored Mayweather to defeat De la Hoya, with only 8 favoring the latter.
But Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao said in a recent interview with The Freeman's Emmanuel Villaruel that De La Hoya will win by unanimous decision over Mayweather.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on boxing needs.
NFL Football Betting
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.