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12/30/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - An eerie silence pervaded Heinz Field as Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was being strapped to a backboard in the second quarter of Pittsburgh's eventual 31-0 thrashing of the Cleveland Browns.
There was concern for Roethlisberger, who it turned out had suffered a minor concussion and, luckily for all involved, not the more serious injury that a call for immobilization of the head and neck generally indicates.
There were also whispers about head coach Mike Tomlin's decision to use the oft-battered Roethlisberger in a game that meant absolutely nothing for the Steelers, who were locked into the No. 2 playoff slot in the AFC.
Generally speaking, the worst-case scenario when a star player participates in a meaningless game such as this one is just such an injury, and many Steelers fans may have wondered if the team's Super Bowl hopes were flashing before their eyes as Roethlisberger was being removed from the sandlot-quality Heinz Field playing surface.
Tomlin said after the Cleveland win that he was hopeful Roethlisberger would play when the team hosts a Divisional Playoff game on Jan. 11, and on Tuesday told reporters that the former Pro Bowler was "doing better."
Roethlisberger's status is bound to be a topic of conversation and media speculation in advance of the Steelers' playoff date with the Dolphins, Chargers, or Colts...though should it?
Sure, the former first-round pick has a Super Bowl win on his resume, has topped 3,000 passing yards in each of the past three seasons and is undeniably talented, but let's not pretend he's the first, second, or third reason that Pittsburgh is a 12-4 division-winner in 2008.
Though a weak offensive line is largely to blame, Roethlisberger hasn't posted a triple-digit passer rating since Week 7, threw a scant eight touchdown passes versus 12 interceptions over his final 10 games, and presides over the NFL's No. 22 offense (311.9 yards per game) and No. 17 passing offense (206.3 yards per game).
Does anyone think Byron Leftwich - who has looked at ease in two games of extended relief this season - would fail to live up to those lofty numbers?
The truth is that the Steelers continue to win in spite of their offense, not because of it, and it is the defense that will have to carry Pittsburgh if the team wishes to raise the Lombardi Trophy in a month's time.
The Black and Gold finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the league in total defense (237.2 yards per game), scoring defense (13.9 points per game), and passing defense (156.9 yards per game), and finished a close second in NFL rushing defense (80.2 yards per game) behind only the Minnesota Vikings.
Three Steelers defenders were named to the Pro Bowl (Troy Polamalu, James Farrior, James Harrison), one more should have been (LaMarr Woodley), and cases could be made for at least two others (Casey Hampton, Aaron Smith).
Meanwhile, neither Roethlisberger nor a single member of the Steelers offense either received or was worthy of a Pro Bowl citation.
That's not meant as a knock, but rather an illustration of how dominant the Steelers "D" has been this year, most recently in a game in which they allowed all of 20 passing yards, eight first downs, and 126 total yards to the hapless Browns offense.
In other words, Pittsburgh's loyal fan base need not fret as they ring in the New Year, as long as the only injury news they have to hear about involves a guy wearing No. 7, and not No. 43.
BENGALS: In years past, a large selection of Bengals fans might throw up their hands and bemoan how their team's jump from 0-8 irrelevance to 4-11-1 irrelevance had cost the franchise a top-five Draft pick.
But in the NFL circa 2008, and with signing bonuses for top-five picks being what they are, every win that the Bengals posted during their respectable late-season run meant a couple less million they would have to pay to an untested college superstar next summer.
And given the franchise's reputation for provoking player unrest due to a penchant for tossing around nickels like manhole covers, fans need to recognize that a spot outside the 2009 Draft's top five can only be a good thing.
With the No. 6 pick, Cincinnati should have no trouble finding the offensive or defensive lineman so sorely needed to help turn the organization's flagging fortunes around, and shouldn't find it impossible to locate the dollars to pay him, either.
With Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson presumably back and healthy in 2009, and with Cedric Benson coming in on the heels of a breakout half-season in the Bengals backfield, there is reason for optimism that the team can turn its fortunes around quickly next year.
The team's seeming stronger attitude during the second half of 2008 also speaks to the notion of a team on the cusp of good things.
"I think we found at the end of the season that guys who want to play are going to be better than guys who aren't quite sure whether they want to play," said head coach Marvin Lewis, who will be back for a seventh season in 2009. "If you have 11 guys out there wanting to play and wanting to get it done correctly, you have a chance to be more productive. I think that's important and a good lesson."
BROWNS: For a time, the 2008 Cleveland Browns were considered a disappointment because they failed to live up to the immense promise that followed them into the season.
Then, in the final six weeks of the campaign, the 2008 Cleveland Browns morphed from a disappointing team into one of the most punchless, uncompetitive clubs in the organization's long history, perhaps matched only by the team's "expansion" season of 1999.
The Browns, who entered the season with Pro Bowlers or former Pro Bowlers at quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, running back, and left tackle, somehow managed to go their final 24 quarters of the year without scoring an offensive touchdown, an NFL record for futility. Romeo Crennel's squad was outscored by a margin of 129-31 during its season-ending 0-6 stretch, with four different starting quarterbacks presiding over that run. The Browns were shut out in each of their final two games, against the Bengals (14-0) and Steelers (31-0), falling into sole possession of last place in an AFC North that many had them winning entering the year.
In all a dismal, confounding performance, one that cost both Crennel and general manager Phil Savage their jobs soon after the final second had ticked off the Heinz Field clock this past Sunday.
Team owner Randy Lerner called Crennel, who fashioned a 24-40 record in four seasons on the job, a "gentleman through and through" and did not rule out a future position for Crennel in the organization.
Of Savage, Lerner noted, "We talked about change and about strengthening the organization. It became very clear that our management styles were not going to be adequately compatible going forward."
Lerner immediately commenced the general manager and coaching search, receiving permission to interview Patriots' personnel executive Scott Pioli to start what is expected to be an extensive process.
The Browns are 54-107 (.335) since returning to the NFL in 1999, and have made only one playoff appearance (a loss to the Steelers in 2002) over that span.
RAVENS: As it turns out, a sprint to the finish is the only thing that would have put the Baltimore Ravens into the playoff bracket in 2008.
Two weeks ago, after a heartbreaking loss to the Steelers sent John Harbaugh's team to 9-5, team leaders such as Ray Lewis spoke of the need to get to 11-5 and not put the Ravens' playoff fate in anyone else's hands.
The team got the message, as wins over the Cowboys (33-24) and Jaguars (27-7) raised the mark to 11-5, and gave Baltimore the No. 6 and final seed in the AFC playoff bracket thanks to a better conference record than the similarly 11-5 New England Patriots.
The Ravens will travel to meet AFC East Champion Miami for a Wild Card round game this Sunday, and will have a chance to win the franchise's first playoff contest since it defeated the Dolphins back in the 2001 Wild Card round.
All for a team coming off a last-place, 5-11 finish a year ago, one with a rookie quarterback, head coach, and a ton of uncertainty in the eyes of those who failed to predict big things for Baltimore heading into 2008.
"That tells you what everybody who plays or coaches in the league already knows," said Harbaugh on Monday. "It's amazing to me that observers of the league don't realize this. Predictors and prognosticators make such bold statements about who's going to do what. There's no way to make those predictions in this league. Everybody in this league is really good. [Each team has] really good coaches, really good players, and any team from one year to the next can rise up and have a good year. There's a real fine line. It's different in college football. There's a fine line in the NFL because everybody is professional and they're at the top of the game, without question."
<< Barcelona's in a Liga of its own
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Barcelona resumed training Monday
following Spain's short winter break, and captain Carles Puyol downplayed the
jaw dropping four-month run that capped 2008.
"I think we need to improve, and that's what we
<< Own goal hands Villa win against Hull City
Hull, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kamil Zayatte scored an own goal in the 88th
minute, helping Aston Villa edge Hull City 1-0 on Tuesday to move into fourth
place in the English Premier League.
Villa ran its unbeaten streak to eight match
<< NFC East: Eagles receive perfect holiday gift
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Eagles began the final day of the NFL's
regular season in an anxious state of uncertainty, not knowing whether their
tenuous playoff chances would remain intact when they took the field for last
Sunday's mid-
<< NFC South: Changes in store for Bucs following collapse
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) -- Four straight losses to end the regular season have the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers missing out on the NFC's postseason parade, an idea that
seemed rather far-fetched entering the month of December. That startling and
epic cave-in
Utah's Boozer to have knee surgery >>
Salt Lake City, UT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer will
undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and is out indefinitely.
Boozer, who has been out since November 19 after suffering a left quadricep
injury, wil
NFC West: Despite inexperience, Cards know what is at stake >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Needless to say there aren't many people associated with
the current Arizona Cardinals that remember the last time they hosted an NFL
playoff game. After all, the contest took place in 1947.
Though Arizona might not be thi
Jose Mari seals exit from Real Betis >>
Seville, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Real Betis has reached agreement with Jose
Mari to terminate the contract of the experienced striker.
The 30-year-old still had 18 months to run on his contract with the
club but agreed to a
Toffees still seeking buyer >>
Liverpool, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chairman Bill Kenwright has vowed to
continue his search for the right custodian of Everton despite so far failing
to attract a new buyer.
Kenwright will celebrate 10 years at the helm of the c
MySportsbook.com Week 1 odds:
Saints +6 @ Colts -6
Falcons @ Vikings (pick ‘em)
Panthers @ Rams (pick ‘em)
Broncos -3.5 @ Bills +3.5
Chiefs -1 @ Texans +1
Dolphins +3 @ Redskins -3
Patriots -5 @ Jets +5
Eagles -3.5 @ Packers +3.5
Steelers -4 @ Browns +4
Titans +6 @ Jaguars -6
Bears +6 @ Chargers -6
Lions +3 @ Raiders -3
Bucs +6.5 @ Seahawks -6.5
Giants +4 @ Cowboys -4
Ravens +3 @ Bengals -3
Cardinals +3 @ 49ers -3
Super Bowl line (2008)
NFC +6.5 vs. AFC -6.5
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Will Ohio State continue to run the table in College Football betting odds?
MySportsbook.com favors Buckeyes, Fighting Irish and Golden Bears in this weekend's big games.
NEW YORK, NY, Sept. 21 - My Sportsbook NCAA football fans: things are beginning to get really interesting on college football's national stage. Following last weekend's "Separation Saturday", which included five teams ranked in the top 15 dropping games, the BCS Championship picture is beginning to take shape - with Ohio State leading the charge. And, according to odds makers at MySportsbook.com, the number-one-ranked Buckeyes will continue their winning ways this weekend.
Revenge will be the name of the game in Columbus this Saturday, as Ohio State looks to even the score following last season's loss to Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions. Although Penn State are listed as 16.5 point underdogs, they are 11-10 all-time versus the Buckeyes. Paterno and the Lions, however, will have to shut down Heisman Trophy favorite Troy Smith who has thrown for 769 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Speaking of revenge, Notre Dame will be out for some against Michigan State, following last year's 44 - 41 overtime loss to the Spartans in South Bend. The thirteenth-ranked Irish, listed as a 3-point favorite, will also be looking to avenge last Saturday's thrashing from the Michigan Wolverines. The Spartans, meanwhile, have won seven of the last nine match-ups against Notre Dame and are coming off an impressive 38-23 victory over Pittsburgh.
Out west, 22nd-ranked Arizona State will be battling for their first victory over 21st-ranked California since 2000. Although the Golden Bears are listed as 7.5-point favorites, the Sun Devils are 3-0, lead the nation in sacks with 18 and possess the Pac-10's leading passer in sophomore quarterback Rudy Carpenter.
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NCAA Football betting lines (home team in CAPS)
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Date Favorite Opponent Point Spread
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Sept 21 GEORGIA TECH Virginia 17
Sept 22 NEVADA Northwestern 6.5
Sept 23 MICHIGAN Wisconsin 14
Sept 23 Minnesota PURDUE 3
Sept 23 SYRACUSE Miami (Ohio) 6.5
Sept 23 MISSOURI Ohio 21.5
Sept 23 Louisville KANSAS STATE 14
Sept 23 TENNESSEE Marshall 22
Sept 23 CLEMSON North Carolina 16.5
Sept 23 FLORIDA Kentucky 24
Sept 23 Iowa ILLINOIS 20.5
Sept 23 FLORIDA STATE Rice 30.5
Sept 23 AUBURN Buffalo 41.5
Sept 23 BOWLING GREEN Kent 7
Sept 23 NAVY Tulsa 4.5
Sept 23 VIRGINIA TECH Cincinnati 27
Sept 23 BYU Utah State 29
Sept 23 OHIO STATE Penn State 16.5
Sept 23 TEXAS Iowa State 25
Sept 23 Washington State STANFORD 10
Sept 23 CALIFORNIA Arizona State 7.5
Sept 23 UCLA WASHINGTON 3
Sept 23 INDIANA Connecticut 1.5
Sept 23 Central Michigan EASTERN MICHIGAN 4
Sept 23 WYOMING Air Force 1
Sept 23 UTEP NEW MEXICO 9.5
Sept 23 West Virginia EAST CAROLINA 21
Sept 23 Boston College NORTH CAROLINA STATE 7
Sept 23 GEORGIA Colorado 27
Sept 23 ARKANSAS Alabama 1.5
Sept 23 BAYLOR Army 11
Sept 23 WESTERN MICHIGAN Temple 28
Sept 23 MISSISSIPPI Wake Forest 2.5
Sept 23 KANSAS South Florida 5.5
Sept 23 TEXAS A&M Louisiana Tech 23.5
Sept 23 UAB Mississippi State 9.5
Sept 23 LSU Tulane 36
Sept 23 Utah SAN DIEGO STATE 6.5
Sept 23 BOISE STATE Hawaii 15
Sept 23 Notre Dame MICHIGAN STATE 3
Sept 23 USC ARIZONA U 22
Sept 23 Oklahoma State HOUSTON 1
Sept 23 OREGON STATE Idaho 23
Sept 23 OKLAHOMA Middle Tennessee State 29
Sept 23 MARYLAND Florida International 18.5
Sept 23 AKRON North Texas 17.5
Sept 23 SOUTH CAROLINA Florida Atlantic 29.5
Sept 23 NEBRASKA Troy 23
Sept 23 SMU Arkansas State 6
For complete NCAA football odds and World Series odds please visit MySportsbook.com
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