NFL Regular Season
Five weeks into the 2009-2010 NFL season, five teams are undefeated and four teams are winless. The Colts, Broncos, Vikings, Saints and Giants are all finding ways to win every game they’ve played so far and all look to be well on their way to the playoffs. On the other end of the spectrum, the Titans, Chiefs, Rams and Bucs can’t find a way to win even one game so far and the only question between them seems to be who will have the first pick in the 2010 NFL draft. The season is young and there are many games to go before we reach the post-season, and as anyone who has watched the NFL knows, anything can happen. But you have to like the odds for the top teams to reach the post season. Perhaps this will even be the year we finally see the mythical Manning versus Manning SuperBowl. Based on the first five weeks of the season, there are certainly worse bets you could make.
That said, it’s a bit early to start crowning a champ. The Bengals look to have turned their franchise around after two dreadful seasons and the defending champion Steelers won’t need to go undefeated in order to repeat last year’s success. At this early stage of the season, it would be unwise to dismiss any team as a contender, with the exception of the obvious dogs. The Raiders have won a game, but don’t look for them to win too many more after being drubbed by the Giants last week 44-7. Even the Lions managed to break their historic, if somewhat ignominious, 19 game losing streak recently. Anything can happen right? Well almost anything that is. Don’t look for the Lions, Raiders, Browns, Bills or the as of yet winless teams to do anything but continue to lose this year. On the other hand, the Patriots, Eagles, Falcons and Bears are all looking strong. Indeed, at this point in the season, the majority of the league is still in contention. Regardless of what you may feel for Bret Favre and his on again, off again romance with the NFL, you have to like his chances of steering the Vikings deep into the playoffs. In the AFC, it appears that the firing of Hall of Fame coach Mike Shanahan and the alienation of Jay Cutler in Denver may have been just what the Broncos needed. Time will tell and we all know how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL. Be sure to check in with us as the season progresses so you can stay up-to-date on all the latest NFL scores and odds throughout the year.
NHL Season Preview
The 2009-2010 NHL season is just a few short weeks old and a new quest for the Stanley Cup is well under way. The Penguins are on fire, starting off the season in the style you would expect from a defending champion. There can be no doubt that a repeat is the franchise’s solitary goal and the team appears to be doing whatever it takes to win in the early stages of this hockey season. The Avalanche look very good so far this year and appear to have a very good shot at making a run for the Cup as well.
The Rangers are playing even better than they did last year in the early stages of the season, but will need to beware of another mid-season collapse if they want to have a chance at a championship this year. Despite doubts about his durability, Marian Gaborik may be the missing piece to the Rangers roster that will put them over the top this season. His talent is undeniable. The only question mark is whether or not the hip surgery he underwent last year will end his long history of injury. If Gaborik can stay healthy this year, the Rangers will be a dangerous team.
The Blackhawks continue to improve each season and seem to be firing on all cylinders, making them a solid bet for the Stanley Cup this year. With the free agent signing of Marian Hossa this off-season, the Blackwings have added a potent weapon to their arsenal. Unfortunately he will not be available to play until late November, as his rehab from rotator cuff surgery will need to be complete before he returns to the ice. Hossa scored 40 goals for the Redwings last season and the Blackhawks, who are playing well without him, will likely need his offense down the stretch in order to make a solid run at the Cup.
The season is young and as with any sport, fortunes can change in the blink of an eye. But early on these teams all appear to be on the right track and poised to make a strong showing in the post-season. Check with us often for the latest developments around the league so you can make the most of your wager.
NBA Season Preview
The 2009-2010 NBA season is almost upon us and the stage is set for another exciting year of high caliber basketball. I suppose a good starting point would be with the defending champion L.A. Lakers and their chances of a repeat. With the crucial resigning of Lamar Odom and the addition of Ron Artest, the Lakers appear to have strengthened their organization and will be a favorite to win the finals again this season. The biggest question mark is how Artest will gel with the team, particularly with the mercurial Kobe Bryant. Artest will be a valuable asset, provided he can remember that the Lakers are Kobe’s team. Only time will tell, but on paper the Lakers are stacked and will be a tough team to beat.
The Denver Nuggets will be looking for a way to find enough grit to get past the Lakers in the playoffs this year and will almost certainly pick up where they left off last season. Look for Carmello Anthony to have another fine season with the help of the Birdman and Chauncey Billups, who should benefit from having his first year on the Nugget’s roster behind him. The Nuggets will likely be the stiffest competition the Lakers will have in the Western Conference Finals this year. The Spurs, although they are an aging team, should make a strong run in the playoffs as well with the addition of Richard Jefferson and the benefit of a strong draft.
In the East the Cavaliers are still the team to beat. The addition of Shaq, while not the threat he used to be, will certainly do nothing but improve the strength of the team and perhaps provide the missing piece they will need to go all the way this year. The signing of Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker this off-season should put them over the top and will likely translate into the Cavs owning the top record in the NBA again this season. We’ll have to wait and see if they can get the job done in the post-season this year and they will have to beware of another post-season fade if they plan to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy this year.
The Celtics made it deep into the playoffs last season without Kevin Garnett and will be a dangerous team to contend with this season with the addition of Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels. If Garnett can stay healthy all season, the Celtics will be tough to beat down the stretch. Of course you have to like the chances of the Magic getting to the finals as well, but a big question mark for the team is whether or not Vince Carter can fill the shoes of Hedo Turkoglu. We will keep you posted as the season progresses.
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