Line of Scrimmage: Rating the Divisions
Football Betting Lines
11/17/2008 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The word "arguably" has been kicked around quite a lot by NFL pundits in recent weeks.
The Giants/Titans are arguably the best team in the league.
Kurt Warner/Adrian Peterson/Clinton Portis has arguably been the league MVP through the first two-and-a-half months of the season.
NFL officials arguably don't know their rear ends from a hole in the Texas Stadium roof when it comes to making an accurate roughing the passer call.
Actually, not many people would argue that last one.
The "A" word is also getting used a great deal when it comes to naming the best and worst divisions in the NFL this season, usually in conjunction with a soliloquy on the strength of the NFC East and NFC South, or weakness of the AFC West or NFC West.
Well, I've been accused of being a pundit, so it's time to make my argument on this topic.
A look at the best and worst divisions in the NFL in 2008, in highly dramatic, Casey Kasem-style descending order:
8. NFC West
The Cardinals (7-3) are going to win this division for the first time, and in fact, are going to be able to claim a division title for the first time since they won the NFL's Eastern Division, as the Chicago Cardinals, in 1947. The team's historic title is going to be pretty anti-climactic, though. Arizona could actually clinch the West as early as next Sunday, since the 49ers (3-7), Seahawks (2-8), and Rams (2-8) all appear headed to the Draft's lottery zone. But how good is Arizona, really? We might not know for sure until the playoffs. The four teams in the NFC West are a combined 6-18 when playing outside the division this year.
7. AFC West
This was already a two-horse race before the end of September, as the Raiders (2-8) and Chiefs (1-9) never looked like they were going to trouble the win column very often, and have lived up to that reputation. The Broncos (6-4) and Chargers (4-6) are better, but neither resides anywhere in the neighborhood of the NFL elite. Denver's defense is among the worst in the league, while San Diego's intensity level has never matched its talent. The winner of this division might be 9-7, and that means a tough first-round playoff assignment against the top Wild Card entry.
6. NFC North
Strange that a division without a winning team wouldn't fare worse on this list, especially considering it also harbors the only remaining winless club in the NFL, the hapless Lions (0-10). But the Bears (5-5), Packers (5-5), and Vikings (5-5) are all dangerous in their own way, and whoever emerges with the title will have the pleasure of hosting a playoff game in an environment that will not be much fun for the visitor. What's more, the three teams in the hunt all have a long, contentious history with one another, which will make the race for the division crown a heck of a lot of fun over the final six weeks.
5. AFC North
Back in the preseason we thought this had the potential to be a terrific four- team race, since the Steelers looked to be treading water, the Browns were supposed to be a serious playoff contender, and the Bengals looked like an "X" factor. But Cleveland (3-6) and Cincinnati (1-8-1) have both been major disappointments, and the only team threatening hit-or-miss Pittsburgh (7-3) is mildly surprising Baltimore (6-4). The Steelers look to have too many problems to be considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and the upstart Ravens may have shown their true colors with Sunday's blowout loss at the Giants. Overall, not a very scary group, though the top two teams do play some defense.
4. AFC South
This has been the most disappointing division in football. Remember that all four teams in the South had records of .500 or better last year, with the Colts, Jaguars, and Titans all making the playoffs, and it looked like the young Texans were on the verge of threatening that trinity this season. But other than the Titans (10-0), who have indeed been the AFC's most consistent, if not most complete, team, the other three clubs have underachieved. The Colts appear to be the only legitimate playoff contender apart from Tennessee, and this Indianapolis (6-4) team is not as powerful as those of years past. Jacksonville (4-6) has crumbled under the weight of injuries and internal bickering, while Houston (3-7) has proven it's not ready for prime time.
3. AFC East
On the flip side of the AFC South scenario is that of the AFC East, which looked to all the world like it would be the Patriots and the three dwarfs as the season kicked off. The Tom Brady injury changed that, though we now know that even if Brady had remained healthy, the division would have been light years better than it was a year ago. The Jets (7-3) have ridden Brett Favre and a revamped defense to the top of the division, Bill Belichick may be doing the best coaching job of his career with the still-relevant Patriots (6-4), the Dolphins (6-4) have undertaken one of the great one-year turnarounds in recent NFL memory, and the Bills (5-4) have struggled of late but would be good enough to win at least two divisions on this list. Like the NFC North, this division should be a blast to watch as the weather begins to turn colder.
2. NFC South
It doesn't have the national profile of the AFC East or NFC East, but what the NFC South does possess is four high-quality, well-coached teams that could all provide a difficult matchup come playoff time. The Panthers (8-2) haven't played inspired football against the Raiders or Lions the last two weeks, but have been solid for most of this season and look a real Super Bowl sleeper. The Buccaneers (7-3) are a veteran group that already has a blowout win of Carolina (27-3) on its resume. The Falcons (6-4) have been a pleasant surprise in the first year of the Mike Smith/Matt Ryan era, and it would be unwise to count out a Saints (5-5) team with the most prolific offense in the NFL. Maybe, unlike last year, this division will be deemed worthy of some Pro Bowl citations.
1. NFC East
OK, so it isn't the unstoppable collective force that it appeared to be through the season's first month, though at this moment, there are at least three teams here that will call their seasons a disappointment if they don't reach the Super Bowl. If the Giants (9-1) aren't the consensus top team in the NFL at this moment, then they're no worse than "1-a" behind the Titans. The Cowboys (6-4) haven't allowed their recent injury woes and on-field missteps to alter their goal of being a Super Bowl team, and the talent is there for them to make a similar run to that of the Giants last year. The Redskins (6-4) have some fade potential, but also look capable of beating anyone in the league from week-to-week. The odd team out in the division looks like it will be the Eagles (5-4-1), who looked awful in Cincinnati on Sunday and are already 0-3 in the division. Still, if you want confirmation that is the best division from top-to-bottom in the NFL, watch what happens when the worst team in the NFC East plays the best team in the NFC West on Thanksgiving night.
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Senators tonight at Madison Square Garden.
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<< Red Wings, Oilers clash in Motown
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MySportsbook.com: NBA Championship Odds
With the playoffs about two months away, the top two teams in the Western Conference are the clear cut leaders to win the NBA Championship. The Dallas Mavericks have the best record in the NBA (44-9) and have been absolutely scorching since the second week of the season. What makes the Mavs’ record more impressive is the fact that they dropped their first four games of the season. Currently they have won 17 out of their last 18 and are MySportsbook.com’s favorite (2-1) to win it all. Right behind the Mavs are the Pacific leading Phoenix Suns (39-13). Last season, the Suns lost in the Conference Finals to non-other then the Mavericks four games to two. Of course the Suns were without center Amare Stoudemire who has is averaging 19.9 PPG and 9.5 RPG since coming back from his knee injury. Unlike the Mavs, the Suns have struggled a bit lately having lost their last three and four out of their last seven. Of course the main reason for their three straight loses is due to the absence of two time MVP Steve Nash, who is out with a shoulder injury. Heads-up, the Mavs have beaten the Suns in both of their meetings this season.
In the Eastern Conference, the Pistons (32-19) are the favorites to win it all at 6-1. The addition of Chris Webber seems to have been a good move for the Pistons. Since coming over from the 76ers, Webber has averaged 13.1 PPG and 7.3 RPG and the Pistons are 11-4. Even though the defending champion Heat are currently on the playoff making cusp, they are the Eastern Conference team that is getting the most action to win it all (9-1). The fact that Shaquille O’Neal is back in the starting lineup after missing 39 games probably has something to do with this. No doubt, Shaq makes a difference when in the lineup as their winning six out of their last seven would indicate.
Just because it is the All-Star break doesn’t mean that you can’t bet on NBA hoops this weekend. Be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com to bet on who you think will cut down the nets this July. Also, be sure to check out all of the lines and props for All-Star weekend. With the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry, there are plenty of ways to cash in on the NBA this weekend.
MySportsbook.com’s NBA Championship odds:
Atlanta Hawks 1000-1
Boston Celtics 5000-1
Charlotte Bobcats 5000-1
Chicago Bulls 20-1
Cleveland Cavaliers 20-1
Dallas Mavericks 2-1
Denver Nuggets 25-1
Detroit Pistons 6-1
Golden State Warriors 250-1
Houston Rockets 12-1
Indiana Pacers 60-1
Los Angeles Clippers 45-1
Memphis Grizzlies 5000-1
Miami Heat 9-1
Milwaukee Bucks 1000-1
Minnesota T-Wolves 200-1
New Jersey Nets 50-1
New Orleans Hornets 150-1
New York Knicks 150-1
Orlando Magic 75-1
Philadelphia 76ers 1000-1
Phoenix Suns 5-2
Portland TrailBlazers 1000-1
Sacramento Kings 250-1
San Antonio Spurs 9-1
Seattle Sonics 5000-1
Toronto Raptors 35-1
Utah Jazz 20-1
Washington Wizards 25-1
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Police report: Terrell Owens hospitalized after attempt
Terrell Owens will address the media at a 3:15 p.m. ET news conference outside the Cowboys' practice facility after an internal police report indicated he tried to kill himself by overdosing on prescription pain medication, even putting two more pills into his mouth after a friend intervened.
The Dallas police report said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"
Owens left the hospital late Wednesday morning, giving reporters a "thumbs up" but making no comment as he was driven away in an SUV.
Michael Irvin said that Owens denied he attempted suicide and said he was rushed to the hospital as a result of an adverse reaction to medication. And a source close to Owens told Michael A. Smith that Owens wasn't attempting suicide.
NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders said he spoke with Owens shortly before his release from the hospital and that Owens was in good spirits.
"The fact that it has been reported a suicide attempt, he's laughed at that notion. It was a case that medication that was taken wasn't accepted well in his system with the other vitamins he's on," Sanders said.
The series of events began a little before 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Owens' publicist, Kim Etheredge, said she was at Owens' home when he took pain medicine for his broken right hand. Concerned by how he began acting, Etheredge said in various interviews Wednesday with Dallas-area media that she called 911. Owens was taken to a hospital, with Etheredge saying it was an allergic reaction to the medicine.
But early Wednesday, several media outlets received a police report -- that had yet to be released by the authorities -- saying Owens had attempted suicide by overdosing on the painkillers, even putting two more pills into his mouth after an unidentified friend intervened.
The police document, first reported by WFAA-TV, said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"
When officially released by police, about half the document was blacked out, including the phrases "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication" and "a drug overdose," as well as the details of Owens having two pills pried from his mouth and Owens saying "Yes" when asked if he intended to harm himself.
Etheredge, who said she was the friend cited in the police document, told Dallas-area media Wednesday that the police got the story wrong.
The tape of the 911 call could help clear things up. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get its contents, but fire department officials said it would not be available before late Wednesday.
The police report said the 32-year-old Owens told his friend "that he was depressed." Details of the police report were first reported by WFAA-TV.
The friend, who is not identified in the report, "noticed that [his] prescription pain medication was empty and observed [Owens] putting two pills in his mouth," the police report said.
Using her fingers, the friend attempted to pry them out of Owens' mouth. Owens told police he had taken only five of the 40 pain pills in the bottle he'd emptied before the incident.
Etheredge told the Star-Telegram that Owens was "fine."
Etheredge said she called 911 because Owens was groggy and lethargic. After taking some supplements "it kicked in a reaction" with the painkillers, she told the Star-Telegram.
"Here's a person whose body is so clean, it really had a negative reaction to the medication and supplements he was taking," Etheridge told The Morning News. "Thank goodness someone was there to call an ambulance."
Police Lt. Rick Watson said he could only confirm that paramedics called police to say they were taking Owens to the hospital. He said no more details would come from the police because no laws were broken.
It is not a crime in Texas for a person to attempt suicide.
"This is a high-profile person. We looked into it and we determined it is not a criminal offense," Watson said. "This a medical type of situation that occurred."
Watson and fire department spokesman Joel Lavender cited privacy laws for the lack of information they could provide. Lavender said more details could come from the 911 call. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get the contents of the call.
"Let's just look at the tape, review the tape," Lavender said. "I'll give you an honest answer once I know something."
At the police news conference, Watson released a version of the police narrative with certain sections blacked out. The full report was obtained by several news outlets and reported first by WFAA. The AP received the full version from WFAA.
According to the police report, Dallas Fire and Rescue was called regarding someone "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication." Officers arrived to find Owens being stabilized by ambulance workers, who then took him to Baylor University Medical Center.
Owens was hospitalized late Tuesday because of what his publicist said was an allergic reaction to pain medicine he was taking for a broken hand. Doctors reportedly tried to induce vomiting.
Owens, one of the league's top receivers during his 11-year NFL career, is best known for wild stunts on the field and other publicity-seeking antics off it.
When the Cowboys signed him to a $25 million, three-year deal in March, they said their background checks indicated no red flags. In fact, team consultant Calvin Hill -- who mostly deals with troubled players -- said during training camp that his department was not involved with Owens because he didn't have a history of those kinds of problems.
He missed most of training camp, and three of four preseason games, because of a hamstring injury. He was late for work during his recovery and was fined for it, but Owens laughed it off, saying he overslept. He said it had happened before, though not with Dallas, and would probably happen again.
Owens broke the bone leading to his right ring finger during a game a week ago Sunday. The next day, doctors screwed in a plate so the bone could heal without fear of further damage. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said last week that the pain medicine made Owens ill.
Owens had not practiced since the injury, but because Dallas had a bye this past weekend he did not miss a game. He was expected to practice Wednesday, and Parcells had said there was a chance Owens could play Sunday against Tennessee.
Owens had been especially looking forward to the Cowboys' game after that -- Oct. 8, in Philadelphia, against the team that dumped him midway through last season only months after he helped them nearly win the Super Bowl.
Owens was seen laughing and joking on the practice field Tuesday morning. He chatted briefly with reporters in the locker room in the afternoon and seemed fine. A 2-inch scar on the top of his hand was puffy but not wrapped, and he said the swelling was doing down.
While in the locker room, he took a pill from a white paper bag and looked at another medicine bottle that was in the bag. He also called a business partner about a towel-wrap venture they're starting and joked to TV cameras that he wasn't talking until Wednesday and it was only Tuesday.
"My little boy knows better than that," he said, laughing, as he plopped onto a sofa in the middle of the locker room.
Also Tuesday, Owens was involved in launching a national campaign for the National Alliance to End Abuse, an organization aimed at helping at-risk youngsters. He appeared at a high school Tuesday morning and was scheduled to visit others but had to cancel because of changes in the team's practice schedule.
Owens has played two games for the Cowboys, catching nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. For updated football betting lines and Dallas Cowboy Superbowl odds visit online sportsbook MySportsbook.com
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