Packers/Bears selected for Sunday night; wild chase for playoffs

Football Betting Lines

12/26/2006 - New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NFL has moved this coming Sunday night's game between Green Bay and the Chicago Bears to 8:15 p.m. (et) as part of the flexible scheduling system.

There were other games moved back to later in the afternoon, as the NFL gears up for a frantic finish to the regular season. Incredibly, six teams are fighting for two playoff spots in the AFC and five clubs are battling for the final berth in the NFC.

Also as part of the flex scheduling, the Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts, and Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles games will move to 4:15 p.m. (et). All three of those contests have playoff implications.

Going into the final week, the New York Jets, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Jacksonville, Denver and Kansas City are all battling for the last two playoff spots in the AFC, although the Broncos and Jets control their own destiny.

Meanwhile, in the NFC, the New York Giants, Green Bay, Carolina, Atlanta and St. Louis are tangling for the final playoff spot, but New York holds a decided advantage going into Week 17.

The New Year's Eve battle at Soldier Field between the NFC North rivals could mark the final game for Packers quarterback Brett Favre, who still hasn't announced if he's decided to retire following this season.

The Bears have already clinched the division title and home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs, but the Packers could know by Sunday night if they're still in the postseason race. One of five teams at 7-8 in the NFC, the Packers need to win their final game, and get help elsewhere, to have a chance.

Considering the Packers were crushed, 26-0 at home by the Bears in the first week of the season, it could be difficult at best for Favre and company to pull out a win, although Green Bay has won its last three games.

Elsewhere in the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles control their own fortune to win the East following a 23-7 road victory Christmas Day over the Cowboys. The Eagles can win the division with a victory versus the Falcons, or if the Cowboys lose earlier in the day at home to Detroit.

Despite losing six of their last seven games, the Giants could get into the playoffs, likely with just a win over the Redskins. A New York triumph, plus a strength of victory tiebreaker over Green Bay puts the Giants into the playoffs. New York could still get in with a defeat, but only if Green Bay, St. Louis, Atlanta and Carolina all lose.

Most of Sunday's NFC playoff scenarios would be eliminated if the Giants simply win Saturday night. A New York triumph would knock out Carolina, Atlanta and St. Louis.

In the AFC, the Jets, coming off a 13-10 win at Miami Christmas night, can get a wild card berth with a home win over Oakland. If the Jets somehow lose to the 2-13 Raiders, they could still back in with losses from other teams.

Denver can also get a wild card spot with a home win over San Francisco or with a loss from the Chiefs.

That leaves Cincinnati, Jacksonville, Tennessee and Kansas City on the outside looking in. The Bengals need to win at home against Pittsburgh, and get a loss from the Jets to get in. Cincinnati can also make the postseason with a win, combined with loss from Denver and Jacksonville.

The Jaguars and Chiefs play each other in Kansas City, but the winner of that game would have to get losses from three other teams to have a shot at the playoffs.

The Titans, a dangerous team with six straight wins under the superior play of rookie quarterback Vince Young, have to win at home against the AFC East champion Patriots, and then get losses from Cincinnati, Denver and Jacksonville.

Playoff seed positioning is still up for grabs and it'll all be decided from the late afternoon games. At 13-2, AFC West champion San Diego is currently the top seed in the conference. A Chargers win at home against Arizona would secure that No. 1 seed, but a loss, combined with a Baltimore win at home over Buffalo would give the Ravens the top slot.

The AFC South champion Colts, losers in three of their last four games, still can get a first-round bye with a win, combined with a loss by the Ravens.

There are only two games the final weekend with no playoff implications: Cleveland/Houston, and Seattle/Tampa Bay. The Seahawks have already won the NFC West and cannot get a bye. Chicago and New Orleans have locked up first- round passes in the NFC.

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Pistons welcome Nets to The Palace >>
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(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Milwaukee Bucks open a three-game road trip tonight when they take on the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. Milwaukee has won a season-high four straight games and posted a 115-104 victory over the New Jersey Nets

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MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South


In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South.  Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC.  The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game.  For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft.  Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.

1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign?  New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1.  Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT.  Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.

Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami

2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season.  With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round.  LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems.  If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.

Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU

3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season.  The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach.  The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub.  High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career.  With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson. 

Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season.  The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age.  It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot.  This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.

Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas

It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season.  On the clock: the NFC North

Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2    

Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1

Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1

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