Superbowl Betting
Odds to Win 2008 Super Bowl XLII MPV
2021-01-24
2008 Super Bowl line moves and MVP betting odds available
Using “Betting Trends” as an indicator, it appears as if the betting public believes Super Bowl XLII will be a lot closer then the lines makers originally thought. Opening at New York +14 on Sunday evening, the line quickly moved to +12.5 by Monday morning thanks to all of the heavy action on red hot Giants. And the line hasn’t stopped heading south; thanks to the 82% of the bettors betting against the flawless Patriots, the line moved another ½ point to where it currently sits at the Giants +12.
To the casual observer this might seem unbelievable considering the Patriots are 18-0 and the rate at which they were pummeling their opponents early on. Through the first eight weeks of the season, the Patriots covered every game and won by an average of 25.5 points. Ever since, they covered just two of their last ten games with an average winning margin of 13.1 points.
The Patriots recent trend of failing to cover isn’t the only reason the betting public is on the underdogs. New York has been very generous to bettors this season; currently 13-6 ATS including 8-2 as an underdog and 9-2 away from home. Also, the G-Me, proved in Week 17 that they could go toe to toe with the seemingly invincible Pats. Despite being 13 point underdogs, the Giants had the Patriots on the ropes before finally losing by just 3 points.
“It’s early, but it is amazing how much the public is deviating from their normal betting behavior,” stated Spokesperson Dave Staley. “Usually you can count on the public backing the favorite especially when a double digit spread is involved. The Patriots made a lot of people a lot of money through the first half of the season but it looks as if the bettors are now on the Giants’ bandwagon. It will be interesting to see if and how much more this line moves.”
Check live odds to win 2008 Super Bowl MPV HERE
NFL - San Diego @ Indianapolis (1:00 PM ET – CBS)2021-01-14The defending champion Colts begin postseason defense of the title when they host the Chargers in an AFC Divisional Playoff. The Colts swept through four playoff games a year ago, both SU & ATS, and are an 8-1/2 point favorite against a San Diego team off its first postseason win since ’94 last week vs. Tennessee. HC Norv Turner’s Chargers are the hottest team in football, having won seven straight games outright & ATS. They’ve been far from dominant though, as the offense gained over 350 yards just once in that span and they’ve been the beneficiary of a 23:7 turnover ratio. Indy turned the ball over more than once on just two occasions in ’07, en route to a 13-3 SU & 9-7 ATS finish. Amazingly, San Diego is 5-2 SU & 6-1 ATS in its L7 trips to Indianapolis.
SAN DIEGO
The Chargers have been a picture of inconsistency all season long, a trend that came to fruition once again in their Wild Card victory over the Tennessee Titans. The team’s prolific offensive leader, LaDainian Tomlinson, was rendered all but useless in the first half as the Bolts’ top receiving option, Antonio Gates, was lost to an undisclosed toe injury (his status for the coming week at the time of print is unknown). The entire offense, which has to be ranked as one of the major disappointments of the 2007 season (averaging just 315.3 total yards per game, 20th in the NFL), struggled to perform, somewhat understandable against the Tennessee defense, ranked 5th in the NFL, but a significant worry with Indianapolis (the NFL’s 3rd-ranked defense) laying in wait.
While the San Diego defense has certainly been a point of contention all season long, the players and ability to rise to the occasion are there. Hybrid LB Shawne Merriman is as talented as any pass rusher in the league and leads a unit that held opposing QBs to a paltry 70.0 Rating (1st in the NFL). However, they have yet to face a team as potent through the air as Indianapolis while stopping the run (allowing 107 rushing yards per game) has been a struggle.
INDIANAPOLIS
How does a team, serving as the league’s defending champion, enjoy a level of success worthy of high praise that never comes? It may be the expectation for the Colts (or it may be the headline-hogging Patriots), but the work this team has done is as impressive as any this season. Indy has suffered through with troubling injuries throughout the year, namely to veteran WR Marvin Harrison and both offensive tackles. However, the leadership of QB Peyton Manning, the long-overdue explosion of WR Reggie Wayne, and various contributions from other key ingredients (including rookie WR Anthony Gonzalez and RB Joseph Addai) has put the Colts in the best position to battle with the mighty Patriots for league supremacy.
As is often the case, a team doesn’t reach this level of power without the contributions of a strong (and often undersold) defense. Indianapolis is no exception. This unit has held the opposition to just 279.7 total yards per game (3rd in the NFL). Safety Bob Sanders (97 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 interceptions) may be the league’s most influential defenseman, capable of turning any game in favor of the Colts and providing the lift this defense needs to achieve their full potential. However, it may be LB Gary Brackett (116 tackles, 4 interceptions) that truly puts this unit on the map. Those two players could put any opposing offense on their heels and in trouble.
Key Trend – Teams that scored 20 or less in the previous playoff win are 15-25-2 ATS in their next game.
Keys to the Game
San Diego has gained a great deal of confidence in winning seven straight encounters, covering each and everyone. The Chargers have beaten Indianapolis already this season when Peyton Manning was playing short-handed with receivers and threw a season high six interceptions. Even then the Colts should have won the game with Adam Vinateri missing an easy field goal. Both teams are quite different from the last time they met with the Chargers more versatile on offense and defense and the Colts having most offensive weapons in place, and maybe slightly weaker on defense. San Diego has played often enough over the years at the RCA Dome and is 5-2 and 6-1 ATS in recent visits. Their speed off the edges is accentuated on the carpet and they now have corners that can really cover. The health of Antonio Gates will play big part in the outcome of this contest, though San Diego is 21-7 ATS in dome games. Tony Dungy has correctly picked his spots to prepare his club for this contest, playing them just hard enough. The Colts game plan has to include keeping the corners and safeties busy, throwing outside the numbers, with the idea of opening up the middle for tight end Dallas Clark and Joseph Addai. If they can accomplish this and fluster Rivers, they should improve 13-3 ATS in home games revenging a same season loss against opponent in all games Dungy has coached.
StatFox Edge – UNDER
NFL - Jacksonville @ New England (8:00 PM ET – CBS)2021-01-14The Patriots achieved something not accomplished since ’72, a perfect regular season. However, it will all be for not if they fail to win Super Bowl XLII in four weeks. With that pressure looming, New England will host upstart Jacksonville to open a postseason run. The Patriots were as dominant as any team ever in going 16-0 SU & 10-6 ATS, scoring the most points in NFL history at 36.8 PPG and outscoring teams by 19.7 PPG. Incredibly, they are 12-2 SU & 8-5 ATS in the playoffs under HC Bill Belichick. The Jaguars meanwhile, are on the list of foes teams were hoping to avoid in January, having gone 12-5 SU & 11-6 ATS so far in ’07-08, playing efficient, yet physical football. They are returning to the site of their last playoff loss, a 28-3 decision in 2006.
JACKSONVILLE
The Jags have fallen on hard times in the NFL, earning just one playoff appearance in the past seven years (that one visit resulting in a 25-point Wild Card loss to New England in 2005). This year’s break from the trend is led by David Garrard. The prolific passer finished the regular season as the 3rd-ranked quarterback in the game (102.2 QB Rating) and has been the catalyst for victory both over Pittsburgh in the Wild Card round and during the regular season. Of course, the rushing attack, bolstered by the fleet-of-foot QB as well as veteran rusher Fred Taylor and star-on-the-rise Maurice Jones Drew, is key. This team averaged 149.4 rushing yards per game during the regular season (2nd in the league) and will have to reproduce such gaudy returns if the Jags hope to advance.
However, as the Pittsburgh victory showed, there is reason for concern. The J’ville defense may have held Pittsburgh to 43 total rushing yards, but the Steelers were missing their leading rusher (Willie Parker), offered a patchwork offensive line, and QB Ben Roethlisberger nearly 70% of his pass attempts for 8.0 yards per attempt. During the regular season, this unit held opposing QBs to a respectable 76.1 QB Rating (7th in the NFL). If those numbers can’t be translated into the postseason, the Jags are all but destined for trouble.
NEW ENGLAND
If you don’t know, you don’t like football. The Patriots sit on the precipice of greatness, a clear and present danger to any and every team that has ever earned respect as a roster worthy of debate as the best to ever grace the fields of the NFL. Turn this playoff campaign into a Lombardi Trophy and another gaudy set of Super Bowl rings and a world of respect and admiration will become an undeniable fact. It would be a perfect season (clearly marking this Patriot team as, at the very least, one of the two best teams in the history of the game) and the Patriots’ fourth Super Bowl title in seven seasons (clearly marking this team as one of the most powerful dynasties in the history of sports).
Tom Brady makes the offense go, working to complete one of the most dominating single-season campaigns as quarterback has ever seen. Only his favorite target, veteran WR Randy Moss, might prove worthy of challenging for title of most potent offensive weapon in the NFL. Second-year RB Laurence Maroney has surged in recent weeks and brought the only questionable facet of this offense to prominence. The defense has followed suit, holding opponents under 200 passing yards and 100 rushing yards per game.
Only three games stand between this team, perfection, and history.
Key Trend – Teams with the better straight-up record are 10-3 ATS the last three years in Conference semis.
Keys to the Game
This Saturday evening affair showcases the best team in football against the one nobody want to play. Jacksonville has many of the qualities teams that teams have had success against New England, in terms of moving the ball. The Jaguars unheralded offensive line has pushed around most teams this year in being second in the league in rushing yards. Maurice Jones-Drew is the perfect player to give New England fits both as a runner and receiver. David Garrard can beat you with his arm or legs and has played very calm. Jacksonville is 12-3 ATS after playing their last game on the road. For New England's players, in many ways the pressure is off until they get to Glendale. The perfect regular season has been accomplished and with two more wins, both at home, they arrive at there predetermined destination. As dangerous as the Jaguars appear, the fact Pittsburgh came back throwing the ball in both games in the second half, does not bode well against Brady, Moss and the rest of the pass catchers from New England. Look for Belichick to have his defensive backs lay the lumber to Jacksonville's ordinary receivers, with the hope of having them develop case of alligator arms. Pats are 22-9 ATS vs. good passing teams averaging seven or more passing yards per attempt in the second part of the season. Tough situation for the Jags playing their third straight road game.
StatFox Edge – Patriots cover