Last week we tried to give you some solid punting advice, and hopefully lots of you took it.
The Jets were never in the hunt against a slick ‘9ers outfit, and while we couldn't split our two betting options, we hope you took both! Their 34-0 win meant that both the 49ers at the minus and the under 41 points got up, while the over 53 points in the Packers/Saints game got us paid as well. (Let’s just not mention that we also tipped the Giants, albeit in a coin flip, to get up over Philly..)
STEEL YOURSELVES FOR AN EAGLES/PITTSBURGH CLASSIC
On to the NFL Week 5 action, and with the Cardinals losing in the early game, the Falcons and Texans are fighting to keep the only undefeated records alive. We think that both sides will manage to do just that, Atlanta ($1.65) against the Redksins ($2.30) and Houston on prime time Monday night… but more on that later! In our minds, the Steelers & Eagles is the game of the round. Live on ONE HD at 4am Monday, the beauty of this game is that you will be awake at the end of it to phone in sick for work at a reasonable time, and reposition yourself on the couch to watch the Broncos/Pats! Since 2001, Pittsburgh have lost at home to NFC teams just twice, and only once with Ben Roethlisberger directing traffic. For that one, you have to head all the way back to 2008 when the Giants claimed the spoils. Meanwhile, the Eagles are 0-9 under Andy Reid on the road against AFC teams that went to the playoffs, and from those stats alone you would think that is just a case of turning up for Ben & his merry men. Put simply, that is just not the case. The Eagles win against the Giants last week moved them to 3-1, a pretty nice spot to be when you are the first to admit that you haven’t really hit your straps yet. Michael Vick’s game here is just oh so important, as the Eagles try and keep winning ugly. The Steelers sack count has been atrocious this season, and they know that on his day Vick can certainly make them pay. The return from injury of Troy Polamalu & James Harrison is crucial as they try and heap pressure on Vick, while the rest of the squad should be revitalized after a week off. The Eagles are $2.48 for this one, and the Steelers $1.57, with a 3.5 line (with the minus for Pittsburgh paying greater odds). We think that this game will see a lot more on offense than the market suggests, and direct you to the Over 43.0 @ $1.90. Click here to see our Eagles v Steelers market.CRANK OUT YOUR ZIMMERFRAMES, IT’S AN OLD MAN CLASSIC
Two veteran QB’s, and possibly the greatest two Quarterbacks of a generation, Peyton Manning (36) and Tom Brady (35) hold the keys to the intriguing encounter between the Patriots and the Broncos in New England. Both sides have started the year 2-2, and the Broncos especially know that they need to keep in touch with their Divisional rivals, with Philadelphia already creeping ahead in their group. Last year, the Broncos were the top-ranked rushing team in the league, but the introduction of the elder Manning has seen them become a more balanced outfit. They have an up-tempo, no-huddle, precise-strike attack that was very impressive in last week’s drubbing of the Raiders, but they know that they are in for a much tougher challenge against a Pats side who racked up 52 points against local rivals Buffalo last week. The Patriots may be trailing in the series history, but they have won 3 of the last 4 against Denver by an average of 29 points. We don’t expect that much of a bloodbath, but they go into the game deservedly short at $1.35, with the Broncs at $3.30. Denver face a trip to the extreme opposite corner of the 48 contiguous states when they go to San Diego next up, and they simply cannot afford to drop both these games. They will be looking to secure a win on their travels first up, and there is also the possibility of a personal record for Peyton; if he leads a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime, he will tie with Dan Marino for first all-time with 47. If it’s tight near the close, don’t rule it out, but we think that the Pats will be too strong in front of their adoring home fans. Take them at the line, -6.5 for $1.94, and count your coins as they roll in. Click here to see our Patriots v Broncos market.ARE THE TEXANS THE REAL DEAL?
Sitting at 4-0 and priced an incredibly short $1.24 for their trip to New York to face the Jets, you would think so. They have been impeccable so far in season 2012, and have been smashed into $5.75 favourtism in the Super Bowl market as well! The Jets weren’t as bad as the scoreline suggested against San Francisco last week; the 49ers were just so good (and therefore justify their status as second favourites on the Super Bowl market at $7!) The Jets were inept offensively though and faded badly, and the pressure is loading up on QB Mark Sanchez to deliver the sort of performance that will justify him keeping Tim Tebow out of the starting spot. There is no bigger stage for Sanchez than prime time Monday night, as the Jets seek to move to a positive winning record. Houston’s start is the best that this franchise has ever produced, and they know that the ball is now purely in their court as they try to secure an eventual first-round bye in the AFC (yes, we are talking Playoffs fixturing already!!) They have never actually beaten the Jets, who lead the series 5-0, but they will likely enter the game with a three-game lead in the AFC South and can enjoy a pressure-free environment, in stark contrast to their opposition. JJ Watts will be breathing down Sanchez’s neck all game following an NFL-leading 7.5 sacks in the first four weeks, while the Jets must try and do it without Darrelle Revis & Santonio Holmes. The Jets are priced at $4.20 for this one, but we suggest that you leave that well and truly alone! The Over 41.0 @ $1.94 looks the bunsen burner (nice little earner!) that we are after here. Click here to see our Texans v Jets market.SUPER BOWL FUTURES MARKET – THE WEEK’S MOVEMENT
So while the Texans and 49ers head up the Super Bowl market, there are still three other single figure prices on offer. The Patriots are into $7.50 from $9.50 from last week, the Falcons $11.00-$8.50 and the Ravens steady at $9.50 The Packers eased slightly to $10, but with an easy win against the Colts predicted, will be back into single figures in no time! Then there is a break before we hit the Bears at $19 (in from $26), the Cardinals at $21, and the Giants, Eagles & Chargers all at the same price. Of the other teams to have won three, the Bengals have been $67 into $41, while the Minnesota Vikings are finally into double figures, $151 into $67. The Steelers are precariously placed at $29, the Broncos $23 and the Cowboys $31, while the Seahawks defeat to the Rams sees them drop from $29 to $61. Has the bubble burst in Seattle? The Jaguars bring up the rear at a massive $1001, while the Colts & Raiders have joined Cleveland on $501. Click here to see our Super Bowl market.Make sure you tune in Betstars & Stripes from 8pm every Sunday evening on www.sen.com.au or 1116 SEN (AM) - a brand new show hosted by Ed Wyatt, Betstar's Alan Eskander and punting legend Doctor Turf! The boys are giving away an NFL Season Premium Game Pass every week with their Who Am I competition. Join the conversation with us on Twitter, like our page on Facebook and post your comments below this article – we will endeavour to respond to each and every one of you! Head to betstar.com.au or betstar.mobi, where you can save our page to your home screen. It takes just 3 minutes to sign up with Betstar, and you can get a $50 free bet every time you refer a friend to join!
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