Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/11/2022

The Philadelphia Eagles have been a surprise dominant team and continue to etch their path toward the NFL Playoffs.  Taking no prisoners in what is probably the NFL's toughest division, the Eagles put another notch in their belt on Sunday.  On the road.  The Eagles took control early behind both MVP front-runner Jalen Hurts and Miles Sanders.  It was Sanders who the Giants couldn't stop.  Sanders scored the opening salvo with a TD in the first quarter and finished off the Giants with a TD early in the fourth.  By then, it was 41-14.  Overall Sanders ran unleashed for 144 yards on 17 carries and those two TDs.  The balance Sanders brings to the offense, with the playmaking ability of Hurts and a WR room the envy of Pro Bowl team or Hall of Fame wing.  The Eagles look poised for another Super Bowl title to follow up their 2017 title (just like the Houston Astros).  Led by Sanders, the Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/20/2015

The NFL season has been defined by the dominance of the Carolina Panthers and their leader Cam Newton continues to take over games.  To the tone of 14-0 and MVP favorite.  Newton went to the Big Apple as the Big Cheese, and returned with a Big Win.  He ended at 25-45 and 340 yards with five (count 'em five) touchdowns (that's a 116.9 passer rating if you're keeping score at hom).  But wait, there's more.  He also ran for a team-high 100 yards on eight scrambles, continually saving his team on critical downs.  And the Panthers needed every bit of it in a nail-biting 38-35 win over the New York Giants, including an 8 play, 49 yard FG drive at the final horn leaving no time for the Giants to come back.  That's how you win in the NFL, and Newton is making it look easy.  He is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 11/1/2015

There is a new legend among Sportsmen of the week, and his name is Drew Brees.  The ageless, undersized wonder did it again for the New Orleans Saints.  In what can only be described as an old fashioned New Orleans shootout, Brees bested the New York Giants Eli Manning with a 39-50, 505 yards, 7 TD performance.  The 7 TDs ties a single game record for TD passes, just another notch on the future Hall of Famer's belt.  And every bit of it required for his Saints to prevail over the Giants 52-49 at the final whistle. The game was crucial to the Saints fledgling playoff hopes as the win moved them to 4-4.  This is Brees's third Sportsman of the Week nomination, and second in 2015 tying him for the most ever.

Sportsman of the Week Ending 2/5/2012

While most people would go with the Super Bowl winning QB, I'm going to lean toward the trenchman who made two key plays that, in my opinion, decided the game. This week's Sportsman of the week is Justin Tuck. He definitely changed the complexion of the game, not only on the safety grounding call, but his handshake at the coin toss (you surely saw it). Then he secured the first two points, then his sack of Brady on 3rd down on the final drive, while not forcing the ball over right then, it put the Pats in a minus position that they didn't recover from. With all due respect to Manning, <300 yards on a porous defensive team and only one TD. This week's Sportsman of the Week is Justin Tuck!

Super Bowl Live Coverage

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Super Bowl Prediction

Betting information courtesy of 5dimes.com at the time of post (this blog has no affiliation with that site)

February 5, 2012: 18:29 EST
New York Giants (+2.5, +123) vs. New England Patriots (-2.5, -143) O/U 53.5
A rematch of the regular season and recent Super Bowl. The Packers unpredicted implosion withstanding, this matchup represents the best two teams right now. Statistically the two worst defenses in Super Bowl History (375+ yards given up per game). But the Manning/Brady rematch, New York vs. Boston sports rivalry, ghosts of David Tyree's catch, Manning's scramble, Brady's legacy all hang in the balance. But let's get to the X's and O's.

I have some concerns about the Gronkowski injury. That being said, Aaron Hernandez has stepped up and made plays all over the place. The Giants running game took a step or two forward a few weeks ago, but now looks lost again. I think Belichick can exploit this and formulate a game plan to slow the Giants offense. The real key to the game is Brady's protection against that determined Giants offensive line. And whether the Giants "bend but don't break" offense has success defending in the red zone. In the end, I think they do. Brady's been a little more sloppy with the ball than I've seen the past few years, and he's going to be getting off the turf a lot and maybe forcing the ball. Little Manning gets his second title and this is the last Brady appearance in the Super Bowl. Final Prediction: Giants 23, Patriots 21.

Gambling summary :

Week one moved my cash from 1200 (100 per betting prop) to 1470 (big $$ on the Broncos money line). Second week was a push ending at 1492. The next week was huge, hitting 5 of 6 props (up 324) on the Conference Championships moving to 1816. I'm tempted to introduce more props in lieu of Super Bowl tradition but will stick to the money line, ATS, and O/U. All New York, and under.

NFL Playoff Week Three Predictions

Betting information courtesy of 5dimes.com at the time of post (this blog has no affiliation with that site)

January 22, 2012: 15:00 EST
Baltimore Ravens (+7, +275) vs. New England Patriots (-7, -305) O/U 50.5
The seeds held form here on the AFC side of the ledger, I do think these were the best two teams at seasons end. The Patriots seem to be playing with an urgency (and a Gronkowski) that I haven't seen in years past. The Ravens, while good on defense, are looking old. They made plays against a rookie QB, but this is Tom Brady. And he has weapons. The X factor in this game is Ray Rice, if he gets going, the Ravens can keep the ball away from that potent offense and perhaps keep it within striking distance at the end. I'm going with the consensus here, though. Patriots year. Final Prediction: Patriots 27, Ravens 17.

January 22, 2012: 18:30 EST
New York Giants (+2.5, +118) vs. San Francisco 49ers (-2.5, -128) O/U 42
I've seen this movie before, the Giants on a mission. Eli Manning in a zone. Defense playing the best of the season. Offense making just enough plays to resemble a title team that wasn't evident at points in the regular season. I'm so hesitant to bet against the Niners, though. I called them underrated last week (knew it), picked against them, and they won. Same this week, how can I pick against this team? I just have to. Something about the Giants. I predict a rough day for the brothers Harbaugh (but nothing to apologize for). Final Prediction: Giants 23, 49ers 16.

Gambling summary :

Week one moved my cash from 1200 (100 per betting prop) to 1470 (big $$ on the Broncos money line).

Week two saw me drop deep in the hole, around 1185 after day one, then 1015 before the final contest. But hit all three props there (Giants S/U, Giants ATS, Over) and ended at 1492. A 0.8% profit (that's called breaking even, folks).

My 3-game parlays should be ignored, my confidence doesn't seem to be in line with what happens

But in case you are interested, best bets (for parlay)
Giants ATS
Giants S/U
Patriots ATS