DAQ at the NFL 31 October
Here’s a piece of advice for nothing writes Simon Milham. If you are down in the dumps, a few bets perhaps gone west, still married, or you put the Denver Broncos’ defence in your fantasy team last week, let me provide you with the perfect pick-me-up. Interview Marisa Miller, pictured, (below not left !).
On Thursday, I did just that. It worked a treat. Here’s the skinny, just in case your name is Nick Halling and you’ve never heard of her: Stunning Californian swimsuit model. Very articulate and charming. Won’t do photo shoots of her hands due to scars from boxing in the gym. Loves the 49ers, Frank Gore especially. Hasn’t been proposed to this week (mercifully, I put that right). Thinks London is cool, people are polite (“Yes,” she insisted, “London, England!”) and she’s isn’t sure who’ll win at Wembley on Sunday – “The Raiders threw me a loop beating the Broncos the way they did,” she said.
The future Mrs Milham should join the club.
On the ever-growing list of the lunacy that masquerades as this NFL season, the nine-point underdog Raiders spanked the ponies 59-14 – in Colorado. Denver were totally curb-stomped by the Oakland Raiders. At home. And I’m not even lying.
The Halloween Wembley match-up between the Broncos (2-5) and the 49ers (1-6) is, sadly, something of a thriller in vanilla. More trick than treat.
But don’t worry NFL bods, we’re British. We don’t mind. We’re made of sterner stuff. In previous wars we endured rationing and even pretended Bob Hope was funny.
Heck, we’d even take the Jaguars or Bills franchise off your hands if we could watch live football every other week. Okay, so that may be stretching the point, but you get the drift.
Head coach Mike Singletary still insists the 49ers can make the playoffs. In other news, rain is wet and fire is hot. We think Mike means this season, so best ask for clarification.
San Francisco will start Troy Smith at quarterback after Alex Smith’s untimely shoulder injury picked up in the 23-20 defeat at previously winless Carolina.
He teams up with former Ohio State Buckeyes teammate Ted Ginn, the receiver whom the Dolphins should never have allowed to leave. His speed means he has the ability to stretch the field and has scored a touchdown at Wembley before – his first in the NFL – when the Fins lost to the Giants.
The 49ers are one-point Betdaq favourites and you can see Singletary’s reasoning by playing Smith over David Carr. His mobility could be a key factor and it would not be a complete surprise if he scored a touchdown with his legs.
As a contest it is ho-hum. But the lovely Marisa Miller has already provided me with enough beauty in the bleakness, and there are probably better trading opportunities.
Miami were very unfortunate to lose 23-22 at home to Pittsburgh, but they are unbeaten on the road and that streak may extend to four games when they head to Cincinnati.
Historically, the Dolphins have a fantastic record on the road in Cincy, winning on seven of their last 10 visits and the Bengals are horrible favourites. They have covered the handicap as a jolly just twice in their last 14 attempts. Cincinnati have scored 24-plus points only once in their last 15 games and the Dolphins are 14-4 against the handicap on the road under Tony Sparano. Care to go against those stats? Be my guest. Marisa was just leaving anyway.
Carolina are not as bad as their record suggests and while the St Louis Rams are favoured for the first time in any game since late 2007, they have overachieved thus far.
While the Rams are 3-1 at home the Panthers have been a very solid play as road dogs in recent times, covering eight of their last 11.
With wide receiver Steve Smith back in the line-up and Matt Moore looking sharp last week against San Francisco, the Panthers might cause a surprise. They are asked to give up three points at Betdaq and the Rams can be laid at 2.17.
One home favourite that appeals is Dallas. We know that teams in ‘must-win’ situations are seldom a good wagering value for a number of reasons. The public ‘knows’ the team is in this situation and the linemakers respond accordingly.
But they have faced Tennessee, Minnesota and the New York Giants in the last few weeks. That’s hardly a cherry pie schedule.
The Cowboys are 13-2 against the handicap in their last 16 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game, and the Jaguars are 1-5 against the handicap on the road in their last six. Dallas are always over-bet at home, but they should win by a touchdown at least and the Jaguars can be laid at 2.06 giving up 6.5 points with this great firm.
Suggestions:
Miami +2.5
Carolina +3.5
Dallas -6.5
Stunning picture. Great NFL articles. Tipping has been excellent until last week, too. Keep it up.
Posted by: Martin McGhee | October 30, 2010 at 13:24