Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting
05/27/2010 - Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Dynamo host the expansion Philadelphia Union on Saturday night in Major League Soccer action at Robertson Stadium.
The Dynamo (5-4-1) will be gunning for their first winning streak of the season after alternating wins and losses since April 1. The club is coming off a 2-0 win over D.C. United last weekend.
"We needed that win," Houston's Danny Cruz told mlssoccer.com after the win. "It was real important to get those three points and jump hopefully back up the table, depending on other results. I
Cruz, a 20-year-old, scored his first MLS goal in the win, which was also his first MLS start.
"It was important to me, obviously, to come out and hopefully show that I can play with everybody," he said. "It was a team effort, obviously, and the three points are huge."
"I'm proud of him, and it's good to see," Houston veteran defender Eddie Robinson told mlssoccer.com of Cruz. "Danny did what Danny does every day. He works harder than anybody on the field and he picks up things and he learns every single day. It's great to see, and he certainly deserves it. He deserved to be out there. He earned it, and he deserved to score a goal."
The Union (1-5-1) has its hands full on Saturday against what forward Alejandro Moreno describes as one of the class team's in the league.
"[We will face] a lot of fight and a lot of tactical discipline," he told mlssoccer.com. "They are a team that's going to be organized and physical and [will] disrupt the rhythm on the field. It's a group of guys that have been together for a while and that have been successful in this league for a while."
The Union will be trying to earn its first win in its last six league fixtures, although it snapped a four-game losing streak with a draw vs. Dallas on May 15 in its last MLS match.
Philly is relatively healthy after two-week break in action. Defender Toni Stahl is the only name on the injury report, and he is expected to be available.
The Dynamo's only injury is to central midfielder Geoff Cameron, who will not play on Saturday.
<< 'Quakes put streak on line vs. TFC
Santa Clara, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Jose Earthquakes put a four-game
unbeaten run on the line when they host Toronto FC in Major League Soccer
action at Buck Shaw Stadium on Saturday night.
The 'Quakes are coming off a 1-0 at
<< Dallas, Chicago battle to draw
Bridgeview, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - FC Dallas and the Chicago Fire battled to a
1-1 draw in Major League Soccer action at Toyota Park on Thursday night.
The draw was the sixth in 10 games to start the season for the Hoops (2-2-6),
who close
<< Oakland scores five in eighth to nip Orioles
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kevin Kouzmanoff's bases-clearing double
keyed a five-run eighth inning, as the Oakland Athletics rallied late for a
7-5 victory over Baltimore in the rubber match of a three-game series at
Camden
<< Cardinals avoid sweep by Padres
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brendan Ryan finished with a season-high four
hits, including a home run, as the St. Louis Cardinals avoided getting swept
by the San Diego Padres with an 8-3 win.
Padres pitching had held the Cardinals to
Langer, Freeman share Senior PGA lead >>
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - World Golf Hall of Famer Bernhard Langer fired a
six-under 66 Thursday to join Robin Freeman in the lead after the opening
round of the Senior PGA Championship.
Langer, who has topped the Champions Tour
DeJesus helps Royals edge BoSox >>
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - David DeJesus went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI,
including the eventual game-winner in the sixth, as the Royals slowed down the
surging Red Sox, 4-3, in the opener of a four-game set.
Boston came into the game
Report: Two UConn assistants resign >>
Storrs, CT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The University of Connecticut has called a news
conference for 10 a.m. (et) Friday at Gampel Pavilion, when the school is
expected to disclose its review of possible recruiting violations in the men's
basketb
Artest beats buzzer with put back, Lakers steal Game 5 >>
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ron Artest caught Kobe Bryant's air ball
and put in the winning shot at the buzzer, lifting the Los Angeles Lakers to a
dramatic 103-101 win over Phoenix in the pivotal Game 5 of the Western
Confere
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.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting