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08/20/2010 - Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Fire travel to take on Houston for their second Major League Soccer fixture in three days on Saturday night.
The Fire are coming off a 2-1 win over New England at Toyota park on Wednesday, and are hoping to build on the effort on the road even though they will be on short rest.
Calen Carr scored the game winner five minutes from time on Wednesday in his first game of the season for the Fire (6-5-6).
"It was great," Carr told mlssoccer.com. "Right after I scored, I just kind of ran and wanted to celebrate with my teammates and then just kind of let it soak in. To get a win and to score in my first game back after what was a really difficult road is a great feeling."
The goal was set up by the recently acquired Freddie Ljungberg, who is making an impact with his new team after being traded from Seattle Sounders FC.
"Freddie is a player that any coach in the league would want," Fire coach Carlos de los Cobos told mlssoccer.com. "I am very happy with him and the commitment he has shown to this team."
The Fire's other designated player, Nery Castillo, lasted only 45 minutes in his first MLS start as he continues to adjust to his new surroundings.
"I still need to work on my fitness and to find my rhythm, but I felt good playing a half," he told mlssoccer.com. "I will admit I got tired, and so I asked to be taken out to give the opportunity to someone who was in better shape than me because we knew this was a must-win game for us."
The Dynamo (5-10-5) are currently in the midst of a 10-game winless run, which makes getting a result on its home field on Saturday that much more important. It is second-from-the-bottom in the Western table, and in real danger of falling to last place.
The team is still adjusting to the transition of losing a number of regulars, especially from the midfield, over the past couple seasons.
"I think in the past we have had guys on the field who had played with each other for five-plus years," Dynamo forward Brian Ching told mlssoccer.com. "This year that isn't the case, and I think the more games we get under our belt, the more positive and the more confident we are going forward."
<< Bucks sign Boykins
Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Milwaukee Bucks announced Friday they
have signed guard Earl Boykins.
Boykins, 34, spent the 2009-10 season with Washington and averaged 6.6
points and 2.6 assists in 67 games. He previously
<< Marseille signing Remy has heart problem
Marseille, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Marseille revealed Friday that striker
Loic Remy, acquired on Thursday from Nice, has a heart condition and will not
make his debut Saturday.
Marseille acquired Remy, a 23-year-old who has played twi
<< Twins' Punto heads back to DL
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Twins have placed infielder
Nick Punto back on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left
hamstring.
Punto aggravated the injury in the fifth inning of Thursday's game again
<< Tigers recall Figaro, option Weinhardt
Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Tigers recalled pitcher Alfredo
Figaro from Triple-A Toledo and optioned pitcher Robbie Weinhardt to the same
club Friday.
Figaro has appeared in one game this season for the Tigers. The righ
Marlins' Paulino suspended, placed on restricted list >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Florida Marlins catcher Ronny Paulino has
received a 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug
Prevention and Treatment Program.
The team placed Paulino on the restricted lis
Union continue quest for first shutout at United >>
Washington, D.C. (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Union earned their first-
ever Major League Soccer win over D.C. United, and could produce another first
against the struggling four-time champions Sunday afternoon at RFK Stadium.
The Uni
NBA hands down 10-game suspension for Delonte West >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The National Basketball Association has
suspended guard Delonte West for 10 games without pay for pleading guilty to
carrying a concealed weapon and wearing, carrying, and transporting a handgun,
in viol
Serena withdraws from U.S. Open >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Serena Williams has withdrawn from the U.S.
Open because of a right foot injury she sustained last month.
The world No. 1 cut her foot on broken glass in a restaurant in July, an
injury that required
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
“You play to win the game!”
Those are the words of notoriously intense head coach Herman Edwards. Unfortunately, from a bettors’ perspective, most coaches don’t feel that way about the NFL preseason. August is a time to evaluate young players, finalize the depth chart and pray your star players stay healthy.
The trick to making money during the exhibition schedule is identifying coaches – like Edwards – who can’t stand losing even when there's nothing on the line.
The New York Jets betting won 15 of 21 preseason games and went 14-7 against the spread (ATS) during Edwards’s five-year tenure with the club. In his first season as the Kansas City Chiefs field boss, the team improved from 0-4 to 2-2.
Identifying win-a-holics like Edwards is a good start if you plan betting the preseason – even though most say you shouldn’t ... but what the hell do they know anyway?
Here’s a brief rundown of two teams that have a habit of winning during the second-stringers’ season, and another club that has a good chance of exceeding this year.
Playing in the media hub of North America can be stressful but the press can’t write anything negative about the way Tom Coughlin’s boys play in the preseason. The Giants won and covered all four games last summer, improving their record to 7-1 both straight up (SU) and against the spread over the last two years.
Coughlin has shown he’s not afraid to give his starters more time in the second preseason game than most of his colleagues, no doubt one of the reasons his team has been so dominant.
Bettors can count on America’s team early on. The Cowboys are 14-6 both SU and ATS since 2002 in warm-up contests. Former coach Bill Parcells, the coach of the team the last four years, has an intimidating, in-your-face presence – surely a reason Dallas has had so much early success.
The Big Tuna won’t be strolling the sidelines with looks of disgust, but new coach Wade Phillips will be anxious to make a good first impression for owner Jerry Jones.
Dallas plays the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos before things get serious. They then face the Houston Texans in their third contest (the game starters see most game time) and finish off with the Minnesota Vikings.
Expect a Dallas team able to walk away with another 3-1 preseason record.
This team scored a league-worst 12 offensive touchdowns last season, so the rookies and veterans each have something to prove. There’s a bounty of first-unit jobs up for grabs and plenty of bodies competing for those slots.
First-time head coach Lane Kiffin will be eager to impress an owner who employs the philosophy, “Just win, baby!”
The 32-year-old Kiffin has to command respect from a locker room full of players older than him. All of these factors should lead to purpose in preseason.
Don’t forget: before playing like a team that belonged in NFL Europe, Oakland went 4-1 (both SU and ATS) in exhibition games.
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