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09/18/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Not even a serious injury to a teammate could will the Buffalo Bills to a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers this past Sunday at Heinz Field.
With reserve tight end Kevin Everett laid up in a Buffalo hospital bed after a serious spinal cord injury suffered in Week 1, his teammates were a few hours away getting their behinds kicked around by the Steelers.
This game wasn't even close, as the Bills watched Mike Tomlin's Steelers race out to a 12-0 lead on four straight field goals by Jeff Reed. Buffalo would stop the bleeding with a field goal of its own, but Pittsburgh was too much on defense and continued to plug away for a 26-3 victory.
After losing in the final seconds to the Denver Broncos in Week 1 , Dick Jauron's Bills failed to establish the run game and quarterback J.P. Losman was sacked four times.
Buffalo's offensive line failed to provide the holes necessary for rookie running back Marshawn Lynch to run through on Sunday. Instead, the first-year player out of Cal was held to 64 yards on 18 carries.
Lynch is the future of the Bills, and when he is taken out of the game it's up to Losman to find the creases in the defense. Losman couldn't find Lynch at times, as he connected with his running back just once for 21 yards.
"We had guys open sometimes and (the Steelers) did some things to confuse us in the pass game and in pass protection," said Losman, who ended 15-of-25 passing for 154 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
The offense recorded just 223 total yards, while the defense couldn't stop Steelers running back Willie Parker. Parker had 126 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries and burnt Buffalo's front four and linebacker corps all day. The Bills have allowed 100 or more rushing yards in 11 straight games dating back to last season, and also permitted more than 400 yards of offense for the second straight week.
Bills rookie linebacker Paul Posluszny finished the day with a game-high 12 total tackles in his homecoming.
"It was great being home, seeing the city and seeing the area," the Penn State product and Western Pennsylvania native said. "The game didn't turn out anything like we wanted it to be. Winning the game would have made this weekend a lot better."
Posluszny has been one of the lone bright spots on Buffalo's defense this year, with 23 tackles over the first two games.
With the Bills without injured defenders Ko Simpson, Coy Wire and Jason Webster on Sunday, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger picked apart Posluszny and the depleted Buffalo secondary by hitting nine different receivers and throwing for 242 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
WHEN WILL LOSMAN BREAK OUT?
After throwing for 200 or more yards in three straight games to close out the 2006 season, Losman has yet to pass for more than 154 yards in 2007.
Losman has been a project for offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild after enjoying a solid '06 season -- his first full year as a starter. But this year Losman has failed to establish a connection with star wide receiver Lee Evans.
Losman, who has one more year remaining on his contract, must prove to his coaches that he is the quarterback of the future. Even owner Ralph Wilson stated that Losman must improve each week and show some consistency. The only thing he is consistent at right now is producing mediocre numbers and being streaky. If there was an Allan Houston of the NBA, Losman would be a strong candidate.
I'm not sure how many chances Losman will get until the Bills work rookie quarterback Trent Edwards, who was selected in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft, into the lineup. Going to Edwards right away is the wrong choice, but when Week 8 rolls by and Losman is still missing receivers with inaccurate throws and making poor decisions, expect Jauron and Fairchild to start grooming Edwards.
"I think we are throwing the ball effectively, when we get those plays called," Losman said after the Pittsburgh loss. "Certain things are hindering us, like penalties and some protection issues. But we'll get those corrected. We understand we are 0-2 at this point. We understand the offense has gotten off to a slow start. We also understand we've played two great defenses so far."
Sounds like somebody has the case of the excuse bug. If Losman can't shoulder the blame and be the leader most NFL quarterbacks are, he can start getting re-acquainted with the clipboard he held so dearly his first few seasons.
UP NEXT: BILLS HEAD TO NEW ENGLAND
Losman will have a chance to quiet his critics when he leads the Bills against the New England Patriots this weekend in Foxborough. It's not an easy task going to Gillette Stadium and coming out on top. Just ask the high-powered San Diego Chargers, who were handed a 38-14 loss by the Pats on Sunday night.
If San Diego's Phillip Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson had trouble against the Patriots, imagine what kind of success Lynch and Losman will have. It certainly doesn't look good for Buffalo, but stranger things have occurred.
New England has won 12 of the last 13 matchups with the Bills, including sweeps in the 2004, 2005 and 2006 seasons.
<< Defense bails out defending champion Colts
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Even though Peyton Manning played up to his usual standards
on Sunday, it was the Indianapolis Colts' defense that saved the day in a
22-20 win over the AFC South-rival Tennessee Titans at LP Field.
Colts defensive coordin
<< Sean Burke announces retirement from NHL
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Longtime goaltender Sean Burke announced his
retirement from the National Hockey League on Tuesday.
The well-traveled Burke appeared in 820 games over his 19-year career with the
New Jersey Devils, Hartford
<< Browns experience offensive explosion against Bengals
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Brady Quinn era might have to wait a little longer in
Cleveland.
After a disappointing opening-week loss to Pittsburgh, the Browns capped a
strange week with an unbelievable 51-45 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Fo
<< Give some love to the Sun Belt
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - There were more important games played
this past week than Oklahoma State at Troy and Minnesota at Florida Atlantic,
such as Kentucky topping Louisville and USC demolishing Nebraska, but the
number one story
Schaub, defense lead Texans to 2-0 start >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - There's a buzz going on right now in Houston and it has
nothing to do with the Astros on the cusp of missing the postseason for a
second consecutive year.
It's too early to start talking playoffs in the NFL, but the Housto
King ousts Bartoli in Kolkata >>
Kolkata, India (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - American Vania King upset top-seeded
Marion Bartoli in first-round action Tuesday at the $175,000 Sunfeast Open.
The 18-year-old King dismissed the Wimbledon runner-up Bartoli in 6-1, 7-5
fashion
Hester not slowing down in year two for Chicago >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sometimes when you cage the beast, the beast gets angry.
Words of wisdom from perhaps a famous general, a ruthless dictator, or maybe
even a high-energy athlete?
Actually, it was Wolverine (played by Hugh Jackman) from X
Bammer, Zvonareva win openers in Slovenia >>
Portoroz, Slovenia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Second-seeded Austrian Sybille Bammer
and fifth-seeded Russian Vera Zvonareva were among Tuesday's first-round
victors at the $145,000 Slovenia Open.
Bammer blew past her countrywoman Yvonne Me
Matt Kenseth And Kevin Harvick Favorites To Take NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship
(September 15)—The NASCAR season has hit the homestretch with the opening event on this year’s Chase for the Cup taking place this weekend at the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. With 10 races remaining to determine the Cup Series champion, leading online sportsbook MySportsbook.com today announced odds on all 10 Chase qualifying drivers capturing the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.
One of the largest sportsbook sites on the Internet, MySportsbook.com currently lists the top two drivers in the point standings as the early favorites to win the Nextel Cup. Entering the Chase for the Cup with a slim five-point lead in the point standings, 2003 NASCAR champ Matt Kenseth has been made a slight favorite to win his second Cup at 7/2 betting odds. 2001 Cup Rookie of the Year Kevin Harvick has betting odds listed at 5/2 and four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon is listed at 6/1 to capture the Nextel Cup this year.
Hoping to follow in the footsteps of his legendary father who won six NASCAR titles, Dale Earnhardt Jr. stands at 8/1 to breakthrough with his first Cup victory. Staying with the family theme, MySportsbook.com lists 2005 Rookie of the Year Kyle Busch at 14/1 to succeed big brother Kurt’s 2004 NASCAR title. While Kasey Kahne was the final driver to qualify for the Chase with a third place finish last week, the oddsmakers give him a fighting chance at 10/1 mainly due to several mile-and-a-half tracks remaining on the schedule. Despite going winless on the NASCAR circuit this season, Jeff Burton enters the Chase at 5/1 to capture the Cup title. Meanwhile, rookie Denny Hamlin is 4/1 to win the championship, while veteran driver Mark Martin enters the Chase for the Cup as a 15/1 long shot to win his first NASCAR title in his 24th and final season.
MySportsbook.com will offer comprehensive Nascar betting lines on every race remaining on the Nextel Cup series including driver match-ups, props and odds to win each race. For a complete list of NASCAR odds, please visit www.MySportsbook.com.
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The Indianapolis Colts know that winning the Super Bowl last season put a huge target on their backs, and they expect opponents to go all-out to knock them from the top of the mountain.
They’ll get their first test from the New Orleans Saints this Thursday night. The defending champs had nothing but good things to say about the New Orleans defense this past week, praising their opponents’ pass rush and run-stopping abilities.
"They play very aggressively," head coach Tony Dungy told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "They play a lot of man-to-man coverage, and they come after you. They have good pass rushers, and they're going to try to pressure us, I'm sure."
Both center Jeff Saturday and quarterback Peyton Manning gave New Orleans’ front four props, admitting keeping guys like Will Smithand Charles Grant contained would be a tall task for the offensive line.
New Orleans ranked second in total defense during the preseason at a sportsbook, allowing just under 233 yards per game. Last season, the defense finished 11th in the league after giving up 307.3 yards and 20.1 points per contest.
Not so sound on the ground
If Indianapolis' efficient offense has a weakness it has to be its running attack. The Colts one-two-punch of Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai is no longer, leaving the bulk of the carries to Addai, the second-year back out of LSU.
Former Saskatchewan Roughrider Kenton Keith was named Addai’s backup this week after beating out DeDe Dorsey for the second-string position. Indy has only three backs on the roster right now, including fullback Luke Lawton, and coach Dungy is aware of the thinness of his ground game. Sports Betting lines on the game can be found at BettingExpress.com
“We’ll continue to look. Luke Lawton’s done a good job for us too. So probably getting a third true tailback is something that we’d like to do,” Dungy told the Indiana Tribune-Star.
Last season, Addai rushed for over 1,000 yards in his rookie campaign and scored seven touchdowns on the ground.
Brees says bring it on
Opening the season on the road against the defending Super Bowl champions is not the way most teams would like to kick off their year – unless you’re the New Orleans Saints or their quarterback Drew Brees. This internet Sportsbooks had the Saints as the favorites.
Brees told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that he is excited to get the regular season started and the Colts are a great challenge for him and his teammates. The 28-year-old QB, entering his second season with the Saints, is expecting a wild environment in the RCA Dome this Thursday when the franchise celebrates its 2007-2007 championship.
Brees said he sees the opening game scheduling as an honor and a testament to how well New Orleans did last season. The Saints missed facing the Colts in the Super Bowl by one game, losing to the Chicago Bearsin the NFC Championship game.
"I mean, people think we can hang with these guys," Brees told reporters. "Even if they didn't, it wouldn't matter what they thought because as a team we're very confident. We know what we can do. We're not satisfied where we finished the season last year. And we've been looking forward to this opportunity for a long time."
SportsBooks ready for a shootout
Oddsmakers are preparing for some fireworks this Thursday when the NFL season kicks off. online Sportsbooks have Thursday’s total set at a whopping 52 points, accounting for two of the league’s most explosive offenses.
“This is like must-see TV,” Saints cornerback and former Colt Jason David told the Baton Rouge Advocate. “It’s two exciting offenses with great players. You’ve got a lot of star power on offense. At any given time a big play can happen. If I was a fan, I wouldn’t miss a snap.”
New Orleans, who ranked No.1 in total offense last season, can go blow-for-blow with the Colts’ attack. Head coach Sean Payton’s offensive schemes will get even better production out of Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and receiver Marques Colston now that they’ve each had a season of playing together under their belts.
The Saints and Colts were the top two passing teams in the NFL last year, but while Indianapolis managed to put up almost 27 points per game, New Orleans struggled to capitalize on their efforts. The Saints ranked fifth in points per game.
“Yards are great,” running backDeuce McAllister told reporters, “but to be able to score more touchdowns would be important for us.”
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