NFL PING
FReepmail scott says to be added to, or to be taken off the NFL Ping list...
This is a fairly high volume ping list
Posted on 11/20/2007 5:48:19 PM PST by scott says
PHILADELPHIA -- Just three seasons after being separated by just three points in Super Bowl XXXIX, the gap between the Patriots and Eagles has widened to historic proportions: Philly is a 23½-point underdog.
That is the largest point spread for an NFL game that does not involve an expansion team, according to odds-making experts in Las Vegas.
On Dec. 5, 1976, the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers were 24-point underdogs to the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers covered easily, winning 42-0.
"Nowadays, you don't see too many spreads over 16 or 17 points," said Sean Van Patten, an oddsmaker at Sports Consultants in Las Vegas. "That's because most teams take their starters out in the fourth quarter of a lopsided game. The Patriots don't. I call this phenomenon The [Bill] Belichick Factor."
By continuing to pour it on the fourth quarter, Belichick is throwing Vegas out of whack. And making bookies run for cover.
It all started Sunday night after Belichick walked across the field at Ralph Wilson Stadium to shake hands with Buffalo Bills head coach Dick Jauron, an awkward moment captured on national TV after the Patriots annihilated the Bills 56-10.
"The line for the Patriots-Eagles game was immediately set at 17 points -- and the big bettors, the sports syndicate guys, jumped on it, bet it hard," said Brandon Lang, whose life was depicted by Matthew McConaughey in the movie "Two for the Money" and is regarded as the nation's leading sports handicapper.
According to bookies and oddsmakers, all the big money took the Patriots and gave the points. Why? Because Belichick has been running up the score.
"So the spread jumped all the way to 22 in a matter of minutes," said Lang.
"You add the fact that Donovan McNabb is injured and you have the perfect storm," said a bookie in South Philadelphia who asked not to be identified.
McNabb has a swollen thumb on his right (throwing) hand and a sprained ankle. He did not finish the game on Sunday, when the Eagles beat the Miami Dolphins in Philadelphia. On Monday, head coach Andy Reid said his franchise quarterback is day-to-day.
"McNabb is worth four more points, in my opinion," said Van Patten. "Which means if he doesn't play Sunday, the spread in this game could set the record."
If the record is not set in this game, Van Patten said, don't be surprised if it is threatened in two of the Patriots' upcoming games -- against the New York Jets on Dec. 16 or the Dolphins on Dec. 23.
"The Jets game is the one to watch," said Van Patten. "The perception, at least, is that Belichick is running up the score because he's angry over Spygate. And he was caught by the Jets back in the first week of the season. It's gonna be payback time."
"Whenever The Man makes it hard on a black QB like me by publishing an obscene point spread, I always comfort myself with a nice, hot bowl of Campbell's Chunky Soup™."
I don’t know what y’all’re putting in the water up there, but this is definitely your year for sports. I understand the Celtics are even turning around. What about the Bruins?
“McNabb is worth four more points” Ya, about 3 years ago. Might as well bring TY orKoy Detmer or Rodney Pete out of retirement! Pats by 75pts.
Bruins in 4th. They are even playing well.
They're worse than the Blue Jackets this year. I love it!
when he cuts a player he probably says,
You have failed me for the last time!
Watch the Eagles win straight up.
I feel bad for the other 31 NFL teams who must feel so humiliated everytime they are spanked by the Patriots.
The NFL commissioner ought to step in to stop the carnage. He should force the New England Patriots to don pink cheerleader uniforms everytime they go up more than 21 points. Furthermore, Brady should not be allowed to pass to Randy Moss. This is not fair to the other teams who cannot defend against this combination. Instead, if Moss is to get another pass, Belichick must be forced to run the halfback option or some other non-Brady combination.
The NFL has to take into consideration the self-esteem of the other 31 teams and level the playing field somewhat. Make the Patriots go 15 yards for a first down and give them only 3 plays in which to do so. For the Patriots, cut the end zone in half and raise the goalposts to double their normal height while shrinking their width by half. Make Tom Brady wear a hairshirt during games and clamp electrodes to his private area so the opposing coach can "shock" him during key plays. Make the Patriots play in cement shoes and everytime they score a touchdown, make Belichick go to the 50-yard line with a wireless mic and make him sing "I'm a little teapot" to the crowd. That should humiliate him some. Also, tell him he can't wear ratty sweatshirts during the game and instead, outfit him in a tuxedo two sizes too small so that he is wicked uncomfortable during the entire game.
Like Microsoft, Google and Hillary Clinton for President, the New England Patriots must be stopped. Make owner Bob Kraft dress like Dolly Parton and get a boob job - not because it would have any impact on the game but so that the TV audience at home can laugh at him and make fun of him. After all, they are so sick of seeing his constant smirk in the owner's booth all these years.
The New England Patriots are a threat to mom, apple pie and mini-vans. They must be stopped!
In the meantime, I'm taking the Pats this Sunday with the spread.
It won’t matter. Miami will beat the Patriots. You read that right, the winning streak will be ended by the worst team in the league.
Wow, how that would be fitting. lol You can bet in some way the patriots coaching staff are scared to death of that game. Stuff happens sometimes when you have the high flying team facing the worst.
Why? Does Miami think they're the Jets now?
Only if they use explosives
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