Tower Gaming Nation » Sports: Other

NFL Week 1 Predictions

Olivers Corner — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:12:05 +0000

Sunday’s once again have meaning!

The NFL season kicks-off Thursday night with the defending Super Bowl champion Saints taking on the Minnesota Vikings in a rematch of that classic NFC Championship game of a year ago. We all remember that game, right? Brett Favre threw away Minnesota’s best chance to win, tossing an interception deep in New Orleans territory in the closing seconds of regulation. Then the Saints won the coin toss and ended it on Hartley’s kick 4:45 into OT. The Saints went on to capture their first Super Bowl title in their history and Brett Favre retired, then unretired, then…OK, enough of that. On to the picks!

New Orleans Saints v Minnesota Vikings

Each of the last 10 Super Bowl champions have opened their title defense with a victory. I can’t see Brett Farve having a season like he did last year, especially with Rice out and Harvin battling migraines. The Vikings have 7-9 written all over them. Pick: Saints.

Buffalo Bills v Miami Dolphins

The Bills suck. As a kid I was forced to watch Bills games because they were the only team that I could get (this was back in the day before the NFL Sunday ticket). I will never forgive them for that. Objectively, the Dolphins have one of the best running backs combos in the league with Brown and Williams. This game will be won on the ground since both QB’s are not to be trusted. This game will be low-scoring and ugly. Pick: Dolphins.

Chicago Bears v Detroit Lions

Jay Cutler + offensive coordinator Mike Martz = deadly. The Bears are going to score a lot of points this season. They might not have the defense they once did, but they won’t need it against the hapless Lions. I think the Lions will be improved, but I don’t see them opening with a win in Chicago. Pick: Bears.

Tennessee Titans v Oakland Raiders

I can’t believe the Titans are only favoured by 6.5 at home against the Raiders. The RAIDERS! Chris Johnson is going to run circles around the Raiders less than stellar defense and since he’s on my fantasy team, I can’t wait to see the carnage! Pick: Titans.

New England Patriots v Cincinnati Bengals

This game should be a fun one to watch. Two high-powered offenses and no defensive play-makers on either side should give us plenty of points on the board. The Bengals will have a down year after falling out of the playoffs after a great regular season. Also, having TO on your team is like having cancer. I like the Pats to get the win at home and get back to level of football they played in 2007. Pick: Patriots.

New York Giants v Carolina Panthers

The Giants are going to have a really good season or really bad one. If the Giants defense can find their form after a disastrous season a year ago, this team will be playoff bound. They have one of the deepest front fours in football and their safety combo of Phillips and Rolle is one of the best in football. If they stay healthy, they’ll be a contender. I like the G-Men to get off to a great start at home against the Panthers. Pick: Giants.

Pittsburgh Steelers v Atlanta Falcons

Everyone’s high on the Falcons this season. They have a great young defense, Michael ‘the burner’ Turner at tailback and Matt Ryan entering his third season at QB. I must say, I’m buying the hype too. Pittsburgh will be starting third string QB Dennis Dixon as Ben Roethlisberger is suspended and Byron Leftwich went down in the preseason. The Falcons will have the edge in the passing game, which will be the difference. Pick: Falcons

Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Cleveland Browns

This game is why you get the NFL package, especially if you live in either Cleveland or Tampa Bay. Two of the worst teams last season go head-to-head in the Week 1 game no one will be watching. Since it’s in Tampa Bay, I’m taking the Bucs. Pick: Buccaneers.

Houston Texans v Indianapolis Colts

From one of the worst games of the week, to one of the best. The Colts and Texans always seem to have their games go down to the wire and this one should be tight as well. I expect Peyton Manning to be lights out this season after ending last year’s Super Bowl with an interception that Tracy Porter took to the house to seal the Saints’ win. Go with Indianapolis. Pick: Colts.

St. Louis Rams v Arizona Cardinals

The experience of the Cardinals should be too much for the Rams, especially rookie QB Sam Bradford. Derek Anderson is replacing Kurt Warner under centre for the Cards and will have plenty of talent to help him out around him. I think Beanie Wells is ready for a breakout season and Tim Hightower gives Arizona a nice one-two punch. And, don’t forget about the best wide-out in football – Larry Fitzgerald. Pick: Cardinals.

Philadelphia Eagles v Green Bay Packers

The post Donovan McNabb era begins in Philadelphia with Kevin Kolb taking over for the former all-pro. Kolb looked shaky in the preseason but has some great weapons. DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Brent Celek should take some of the pressure off Kolb as will the daunted Eagles D. The Packers could have one of the most potent offenses in the NFL this season with Aaron Rodgers starting to come into his own. However, including a postseason loss in 2004, the Packers have lost nine straight games at Philadelphia. Pick: Eagles.

Seattle Seahawks v San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers go into Seattle with a large amount of hype and expectations that they have not had in a very, very long time. Seattle have a new coach in Pete Carroll and a new, winning attitude. The offensive line has improved and the competition for receptions in the preseason and training camp has bred an urgency that could benefit the team going forward. I like Seattle at home in this one with nothing to lose. Pick: Seahawks.

Washington Redskins v Dallas Cowboys

It’s been a messy start to Mike Shanahan’s tenure as head coach of the Redskins, but everything appears to be settled as Washington prepares for their opening game against the Cowboys. The Cowboys are once again a favourite in the NFC and many think they’ll be playing in the Super Bowl at Cowboys Stadium. These two teams always play each other tough and this game shouldn’t be any different. But, I can’t see McNabb clicking right away and Tony Romo and the Cowboys have too much firepower for the ‘Skins D to handle. Pick: Cowboys.

New York Jets v Baltimore Ravens

This will be the hardest hitting game of Week 1. The Jets and Ravens both have top 5 defenses and this game will be fierce! The Ravens and Jets are both playoff caliber teams, but the Ravens are a more balanced team on offense. I think Joe Flacco is ready for a breakout year at the QB position, Ray Rice is a premier back and the Ravens have vastly improved at the WR position by picking up Anquan Boldin and TJ Houshmandzadeh. Pick: Ravens.

Kansas City Chiefs v San Diego Chargers

The Kansas City Chiefs will be one of the most improved teams this season. Matt Cassel will have one more year experience, the running back combination of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones should terrorize opposing defenses and their young defense should be improved. However, they’re not there yet. The Chargers are an experienced bunch and are once again the best team out west in the AFC. Have to go with the experience of Rivers and San Deigo. Pick: Chargers.

Those are my Week 1 Picks.

Think you can pick ‘em all? If you can correctly pick all 15 games I’ll give you a $10 free bet for next weekend’s games.

Just write down your picks in the comment section and I’ll award everyone who goes perfect with a free bet. Just make sure to use your Tower Gaming username.

Enjoy the games!

Oliver

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Tour de France: Basically a two-horse race

Oliver — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:22:43 +0000

The race is yet to reach halfway but barring accidents or illness, the winner of the 2010 Tour de France will either be Andy Schleck or Alberto Contador.

You don’t have any other options if you are to bet now.

Contador should stand on top of the cycling world again

Contador is still the favourite by a significant margin even though Schlek took over the overall leader in stage nine. Schleck has a 41 second advantage over his rival from Spain, but with 11 stages to go, the ’10 tour has to be considered Contador’s once again.

Contador has odds of 1.54 to win his third Tour de France title and second consecutive.

Schleck has the second lowest odds on the board at 2.74.

The third lowest odds on the table belong to Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez. He’s 2 minutes and 45 second back of Schleck, but his odds are a massive 80.00 to win the title. He’s going to need both riders ahead of him to crash and burn, literally, if he’s going to win.

Even though Schleck holds the yellow jersey, it’s going to be Contador who wins the title in the end.

Schleck wasn’t able to overcome Contador a year ago, finishing second, and won’t be able to hold off the Spanish racer in the end again.

This is Contador’s title. Bet on him now before the odds go even lower.

Tomorrow: Stage 10 – Chambery to Gap

Click here for all the Tour de France betting odds

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British Open Betting Preview

Oliver — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:05:53 +0000

The 2010 British Open returns to St. Andrews this Thursday, which is good news if your name is Tiger Woods. Woods has won the Open the last two times it has been at St. Andrews. In 2005, Woods shot -14 to win his 2nd (he won in 2006 at Royal Liverpool, which was his third) and he lifted the Claret jug in 2000 at St. Andews, winning by eight strokes.

Woods enters this year’s Open as the favourite, but he’s only the favourite based on history and certainly not based on his recent form. He’s entered six tournament so far in 2010. He finished 4th at the Masters, missed the cut at Quail Hollow, withdrew at the Players Championship, 19th at the Memorial, 4th at the US Open and finished a disappointing 46th in his last tournmant, the AT&T National. I would not recommend betting on Tiger Woods to win the Open this year at St. Andrews, but here’s who I think has a chance at capturing the third major of the season.

Lee Westwood

Westwood has played solid golf on the PGA tour this year and should be poised to make a run at his first Open title of his career. In nine events, Westwood has 5 top 10 finishes, one title and one runner-up finish. In his previous four majors, he’s finished tied for third twice, second and 16th. The #3 player in the world is due for major title. At odds 19.00, he’s a great bet.

Ernie Els

Els is back in form and loves playing links style golf. Since winning the Open in 2002, Els has made the top-three six times, the top-ten 11 times, and never finished worse than 34th. This season on the PGA tour, he’s been dynamite. Els has two wins to date, leads the FedEx points standings, he’s the money leader on tour and has the lowest scoring average. Els’ odds of 19.00 make him a nice pick to lift the Claret jug for the second time in his career.

Stewart Cink

Last year’s champion enters the tournament at odds 100.00 and if the recent trend continues, he should lift the trophy for the second straight year. After all, Woods captured the title in 2005 and 2006. Then Padraig Harrington won in 2007 and 2008. Cink won last year so if history repeats he will win again.

Justin Rose

Rose has been hot in recent weeks. He’s won two of his last three tournaments and blew a huge lead in the other. He has two top-15 finishes in the last three Opens and should be a threat to win his first Open title. His odds of 23.00 are decent and worth a shot.

Retief Goosen

Goosen is always in the hunt at the Open and should be considered a potential winner at St. Andrews. He has nine top-15 finishes in the Open, including fifth both last year and at St Andrews in 2005. He’s been very consistent this season, finishing in the top 10 in six of 11 tournaments. He hasn’t won on tour in some time, but perhaps a trip to St. Andrews might be what he needs to find himself at the top of the leaderboard come Sunday. Odds of 50.00 for Goosen make him an attractive play.

Players to Avoid

As I said above, Tiger Woods is to be avoided. I would also avoid betting on Phil Mickelson. Lefty has never done well overseas and I can’t see him getting his putter to work. I would also advise going with Harrington. The two-time winner has seemed to have lost his swing and he’s been very inconsistent of late.

Those are my best bets for the Open this weekend. Who are yours?

For all betting on the Open, go here.

Good Luck!

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Longest Tennis Match in History

Oliver — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:51:11 +0000

This story in unreal.

If you’re an amateur tennis player, like myself, you know how grueling it can be to play three sets at your neighbourhood tennis court against your buddy. That would be a walk in the park for American John Isner and Frenchman Nicolas Mahut.

Isner and Mahut are currently deadlocked at 59-59 in the fifth set of their first-round match at Wimbledon. 59-59!

The match has been delayed because of the darkness not once. No. It has been delayed because of darkness twice!

The freakin’ match started on Tuesday! It’s now Thursday! (sorry for all the exclamation points, but this is insane!!)

The match has taken 10 hours, 163 games and almost 1,000 points, so far. In last year’s Wimbledon final, Roger Federer and Andy Roddick had a 16-14 final set. This match blows last year’s epic final out of the water.

The longest previous set at Wimbledon lasted 46 games. Isner-Mahut didn’t just shatter the record, they obliterated it.

Here are some other stats from the match:

— It’s the longest match in tennis history: 10 hours. The previous record was 6 hours, 33 minutes.

— Longest set in tennis history: 118 games.

— Most games in tennis history: 163 (previous record was 112).

— Both players broke the ATP record for most aces in a match. Isner had 98, Mahut hit 95. The previous record was 78. Combined, the two had 193 aces, more than double the old record of 96.

— Mahut had just three break points during the entire match.

— The first four sets took 2 hours, 54 minutes. The fifth set is at 7 hours, 6 minutes and counting.

— Mahut won 448 points to Isner’s 428. Isner had more winners: 333 to 318.

— The final set is longer than the previous longest match in tennis history. That was 6 hours, 33 minutes.

— Isner had four match points, one at 11-10, two others at 33-32 and another at 59-58. The first and last match points came nearly six hours apart.

— At 50-50, Mahut had two break points and Isner promptly served a 134 mph ace.

— With Mahut serving at 52-53, the pair exchanged a 16-shot rally which ended with a Mahut forehand winner. It was the longest rally of the match. On the next point, Mahut dove for a backhand at the baseline following another long rally.

— The players took their first bathroom break at 58-58. While walking in the tunnel, they exchanged pleasantries, the first time they had spoken all evening.

— The match is almost two hours longer than the longest Major League Baseball game in history (an 8:06 game between the White Sox and Brewers in 1984).

— The scoreboard stopped working at 47-47.

This match is set to resume Thursday afternoon. However, they might want to keep the court available through the weekend.

(ESPN)

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The Hottest World Cup Girls

Oliver — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:17:58 +0000

We could choose the winner of the World Cup based on history, statistics and/or form, but I would rather pick the winner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup based on the hotness of each of the favourites best World Cup girls.

You can never go wrong by following boobs and in the case of picking the winner of the World Cup, we’re going to follow the best boobs to the title.

I’m going to show you some of the best football fans supporting their country and based off this, it will lead us to the winner. How could these countries not perform well with these women on their side?

Here’s the formula I’m working on:

football team + best looking female supporters = World Cup title

Even Einstein couldn’t formulate such a brilliant equation.

And away we go!

Spain

The European champions are the favourites to win the World Cup in South Africa. Spain had some of the best looking women working their magic behind the scenes at Euro 2008. It wasn’t Villa or Torres that led them to the title, it was their women. Look how concerned and focused they are. Watch out Group H!

Odds to Win the World Cup: 5.00

5.70

fancy toilet seats, six playstations and 14 different kinds of salads that he wants at his South Africa hotel.

Click on the betting slip to make your bet!

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Müller Schiess Zentrum is German for – ‘Shooting range on testosterone-injected crack’

ChromeDome — Tue, 25 May 2010 17:46:39 +0000

As you recall my gloating on a similar subject; I am literally an ace when it comes to shooting weapons: Dual double barrel shotguns, a la pistol grip, .50 cal sniper, carbine alien rifle, BFG’s… I’m a pro-with them all ! But seriously, if i was a gun aficionado, this would be the ultimate haven. Beyond that, I do believe this is how John Rambo, and James Bond would envision Heaven. Hell, throw in a leather couch, a big screen, an xbox, and a bar… and this is MY Heaven!

14:30 – Schalke 04 v Werder Bremen – Bundesliga 1 – Schalke are even with Bayern Munich for top spot in the Bundesliga. Each club have two matches remaining. Bayern have a massive advantage in goal difference. Schalke will most likely have to win their last two matches and see Bayern drop points in one of their last two matches. Schalke will have their hands full against third-place Werder Bremen. Schalke defeated Werder Bremen 2-0 the first time around. They’ll need to complete the double to have a chance at a Bundesliga championship. “We want to win to maybe still be able to catch Bayern,” said Schalke manager Felix Magath. “I believe that the guys from Munich are still going to slip-up in the run-in.”

15:00 – Manchester City v Aston Villa – English Premier League – Villa and City are chasing that final Champions League spot. Currently, Tottenham hold that fourth and final spot, but Villa and City are hot on their heels. City and Spurs have a game in hand on Villa. But, good news for Villa, City and Spurs will play that match against each other next Wednesday. City and Villa drew 1-1 back in October. This is a massive game for both teams. It should be an intense atmosphere at Eastlands.

19:00 – Villarreal v Barcelona – La Liga Primera Division – Barcelona need to put their Champions League defeat behind them as they have a massive match against Villarreal. Barcelona hold a one point lead over Real Madrid for first-place in the league. With four matches remaining in the season, Barcelona will need to be perfect. Neither Barca or Real can afford to drop any more points. Barca and Villarreal played to a 1-1 draw in their first league match this season at the Camp Nou. Barcelona need the points at El Madrigal on Saturday.

Sunday

13:30 – Liverpool v Chelsea – English Premier League – Chelsea hold a one point lead over Manchester United with two matches to go. Chelsea have lost only twice in their last six League visits to Anfield. They have won three and drawn one of the other four. But, overall, they have won only eight times in 66 visits to Liverpool. Liverpool suffered a disappointing loss to Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the Europa League. Can they overcome that tough loss and hand Chelsea a crushing defeat?

16:00 – Sevilla v Atletico Madrid – La Liga Primera Division – Atletico Madrid squeaked past Liverpool midweek and booked a ticket to the Europa League final. Sevilla can overtake Mallorca for the final spot in next year’s Champions League with a victory. Atletico defeated Sevilla 2-1 in their first league match. Sevilla will be at home for this match, which is good news considering they have lost just twice at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. This match should be very wide-open and high scoring. That’s always fun.

19:45 – Lazio v Internazionale – Serie A – Jose Mourinho and Inter are happy, to say the least, after advancing to the Champions League final in Madrid on May 22nd. Inter have the chance to win the treble this season. They will play for the Champions League title, next week they’ll play Roma in the Coppa Italia final and they sit 2 points clear of Roma with three matches remaining in the league. Lazio coach Edy Reja has insisted that they will go for a win against Inter Milan, despite knowing that a victory would boost Roma’s chances of winning the Scudetto. I’m not so sure about that, Edy.

Enjoy the weekend!

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The Weekend Viewing Guide: April 10-11

Oliver — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 01:26:19 +0000

This is my ultimate sports watching weekend. Please bless the person who put a satellite in the sky and started beaming sports from around the world to my television.

Saturday

12:15 – Celtic host Ross County in a Scottish Cup semi-final.

+ beer + sports = perfect saturday afternoon

14:30 – Schalke 04 need a win in the Bundesliga to keep pace with Bayern Munich. Schalke will be away to Hannover 96. Bayern have a tough matchup on the road against Bayer Leverkusen. Schalke are just a point back of Bayern for first-place. Call up Alex Ferguson and see what his thoughts are on the German style of play.

16:30 – Quickly run to pick up some beer from the shop. Perhaps stop for a schwerma along the way home from purchasing beer. But, beer first.

17:00 – FA Cup semi-final. Chelsea take on Aston Villa. Chelsea just crushed Villa three weeks ago. That was a demolishing. Look for another Chelsea victory.

21:00 – The biggest game of the weekend is in Spain. El Clasico. Real Madrid at home to Barcelona. This should be a good one. This might be the best rivalry in sport. And, there’s some guy named Messi playing in this game. He’s pretty good.

23:00 – The third round of the Masters is winding down. The last parings should be finishing up within the hour. Woods is in the hunt. Enjoy the beauty of Augusta National.

Sunday

01:00 – NHL. The Montreal Canadiens are home to the Toronto Maple Leafs in one of the best rivalries in hockey. The Habs are chasing a playoff spot and the Leafs have been eliminated from playoff contention, but the Leafs would love to knock Montreal out of the race. That is for sure.

03:00 – Go to bed. Or, sleep on couch. Whichever is easiest at the time.

11:30 – PSV want to claim a place in the Champions League next season. They have a huge match in the Dutch Eredivisie against Feyenoord.

13:30 – Manchester United can’t afford any slip ups if they want to win their 19^th title. They have a tricky match against Blackburn at Ewood Park. How will they respond after that Champions League heartbreak against Bayern? Maybe getting away from the scene of the crime wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

this guy is the star of United fans' nightmares this weekend

16:00 – The other FA Cup semi-final. Spurs and Pompey at Wembley. Tottenham should win, but you can’t count out a team with nothing to lose. It should be a better game than most people think.

19:00 – Have you checked your beer supply? No? Go check. All out? Go get some more. Probably get some snacks, too.

20:03 – Catch the end of the Cavaliers and Magic in the NBA. Try to decide which one of these two teams will win the NBA Eastern Conference. Can’t go against LeBron James.

21:00 – Watch Tiger Woods win the Masters. What sex scandal?

Follow this prescribed sports regiment this weekend. Then repeat in one week time.

-Oliver

Related posts:

Tower Gaming Nation » Sports: Other

NFL Week 1 Predictions

Tour de France: Basically a two-horse race

British Open Betting Preview

Longest Tennis Match in History

The Hottest World Cup Girls

Spain

Odds to Win the World Cup: 5.00

Odds to win the World Cup: 7.40

12.00

Odds to win the World Cup: 26.00

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Müller Schiess Zentrum is German for – ‘Shooting range on testosterone-injected crack’

Sunday

The Weekend Viewing Guide: April 10-11