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12/30/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - An eerie silence pervaded Heinz Field as Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was being strapped to a backboard in the second quarter of Pittsburgh's eventual 31-0 thrashing of the Cleveland Browns.
There was concern for Roethlisberger, who it turned out had suffered a minor concussion and, luckily for all involved, not the more serious injury that a call for immobilization of the head and neck generally indicates.
There were also whispers about head coach Mike Tomlin's decision to use the oft-battered Roethlisberger in a game that meant absolutely nothing for the Steelers, who were locked into the No. 2 playoff slot in the AFC.
Generally speaking, the worst-case scenario when a star player participates in a meaningless game such as this one is just such an injury, and many Steelers fans may have wondered if the team's Super Bowl hopes were flashing before their eyes as Roethlisberger was being removed from the sandlot-quality Heinz Field playing surface.
Tomlin said after the Cleveland win that he was hopeful Roethlisberger would play when the team hosts a Divisional Playoff game on Jan. 11, and on Tuesday told reporters that the former Pro Bowler was "doing better."
Roethlisberger's status is bound to be a topic of conversation and media speculation in advance of the Steelers' playoff date with the Dolphins, Chargers, or Colts...though should it?
Sure, the former first-round pick has a Super Bowl win on his resume, has topped 3,000 passing yards in each of the past three seasons and is undeniably talented, but let's not pretend he's the first, second, or third reason that Pittsburgh is a 12-4 division-winner in 2008.
Though a weak offensive line is largely to blame, Roethlisberger hasn't posted a triple-digit passer rating since Week 7, threw a scant eight touchdown passes versus 12 interceptions over his final 10 games, and presides over the NFL's No. 22 offense (311.9 yards per game) and No. 17 passing offense (206.3 yards per game).
Does anyone think Byron Leftwich - who has looked at ease in two games of extended relief this season - would fail to live up to those lofty numbers?
The truth is that the Steelers continue to win in spite of their offense, not because of it, and it is the defense that will have to carry Pittsburgh if the team wishes to raise the Lombardi Trophy in a month's time.
The Black and Gold finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the league in total defense (237.2 yards per game), scoring defense (13.9 points per game), and passing defense (156.9 yards per game), and finished a close second in NFL rushing defense (80.2 yards per game) behind only the Minnesota Vikings.
Three Steelers defenders were named to the Pro Bowl (Troy Polamalu, James Farrior, James Harrison), one more should have been (LaMarr Woodley), and cases could be made for at least two others (Casey Hampton, Aaron Smith).
Meanwhile, neither Roethlisberger nor a single member of the Steelers offense either received or was worthy of a Pro Bowl citation.
That's not meant as a knock, but rather an illustration of how dominant the Steelers "D" has been this year, most recently in a game in which they allowed all of 20 passing yards, eight first downs, and 126 total yards to the hapless Browns offense.
In other words, Pittsburgh's loyal fan base need not fret as they ring in the New Year, as long as the only injury news they have to hear about involves a guy wearing No. 7, and not No. 43.
BENGALS: In years past, a large selection of Bengals fans might throw up their hands and bemoan how their team's jump from 0-8 irrelevance to 4-11-1 irrelevance had cost the franchise a top-five Draft pick.
But in the NFL circa 2008, and with signing bonuses for top-five picks being what they are, every win that the Bengals posted during their respectable late-season run meant a couple less million they would have to pay to an untested college superstar next summer.
And given the franchise's reputation for provoking player unrest due to a penchant for tossing around nickels like manhole covers, fans need to recognize that a spot outside the 2009 Draft's top five can only be a good thing.
With the No. 6 pick, Cincinnati should have no trouble finding the offensive or defensive lineman so sorely needed to help turn the organization's flagging fortunes around, and shouldn't find it impossible to locate the dollars to pay him, either.
With Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson presumably back and healthy in 2009, and with Cedric Benson coming in on the heels of a breakout half-season in the Bengals backfield, there is reason for optimism that the team can turn its fortunes around quickly next year.
The team's seeming stronger attitude during the second half of 2008 also speaks to the notion of a team on the cusp of good things.
"I think we found at the end of the season that guys who want to play are going to be better than guys who aren't quite sure whether they want to play," said head coach Marvin Lewis, who will be back for a seventh season in 2009. "If you have 11 guys out there wanting to play and wanting to get it done correctly, you have a chance to be more productive. I think that's important and a good lesson."
BROWNS: For a time, the 2008 Cleveland Browns were considered a disappointment because they failed to live up to the immense promise that followed them into the season.
Then, in the final six weeks of the campaign, the 2008 Cleveland Browns morphed from a disappointing team into one of the most punchless, uncompetitive clubs in the organization's long history, perhaps matched only by the team's "expansion" season of 1999.
The Browns, who entered the season with Pro Bowlers or former Pro Bowlers at quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, running back, and left tackle, somehow managed to go their final 24 quarters of the year without scoring an offensive touchdown, an NFL record for futility. Romeo Crennel's squad was outscored by a margin of 129-31 during its season-ending 0-6 stretch, with four different starting quarterbacks presiding over that run. The Browns were shut out in each of their final two games, against the Bengals (14-0) and Steelers (31-0), falling into sole possession of last place in an AFC North that many had them winning entering the year.
In all a dismal, confounding performance, one that cost both Crennel and general manager Phil Savage their jobs soon after the final second had ticked off the Heinz Field clock this past Sunday.
Team owner Randy Lerner called Crennel, who fashioned a 24-40 record in four seasons on the job, a "gentleman through and through" and did not rule out a future position for Crennel in the organization.
Of Savage, Lerner noted, "We talked about change and about strengthening the organization. It became very clear that our management styles were not going to be adequately compatible going forward."
Lerner immediately commenced the general manager and coaching search, receiving permission to interview Patriots' personnel executive Scott Pioli to start what is expected to be an extensive process.
The Browns are 54-107 (.335) since returning to the NFL in 1999, and have made only one playoff appearance (a loss to the Steelers in 2002) over that span.
RAVENS: As it turns out, a sprint to the finish is the only thing that would have put the Baltimore Ravens into the playoff bracket in 2008.
Two weeks ago, after a heartbreaking loss to the Steelers sent John Harbaugh's team to 9-5, team leaders such as Ray Lewis spoke of the need to get to 11-5 and not put the Ravens' playoff fate in anyone else's hands.
The team got the message, as wins over the Cowboys (33-24) and Jaguars (27-7) raised the mark to 11-5, and gave Baltimore the No. 6 and final seed in the AFC playoff bracket thanks to a better conference record than the similarly 11-5 New England Patriots.
The Ravens will travel to meet AFC East Champion Miami for a Wild Card round game this Sunday, and will have a chance to win the franchise's first playoff contest since it defeated the Dolphins back in the 2001 Wild Card round.
All for a team coming off a last-place, 5-11 finish a year ago, one with a rookie quarterback, head coach, and a ton of uncertainty in the eyes of those who failed to predict big things for Baltimore heading into 2008.
"That tells you what everybody who plays or coaches in the league already knows," said Harbaugh on Monday. "It's amazing to me that observers of the league don't realize this. Predictors and prognosticators make such bold statements about who's going to do what. There's no way to make those predictions in this league. Everybody in this league is really good. [Each team has] really good coaches, really good players, and any team from one year to the next can rise up and have a good year. There's a real fine line. It's different in college football. There's a fine line in the NFL because everybody is professional and they're at the top of the game, without question."
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In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South. Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC. The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game. For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft. Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.
1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign? New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1. Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT. Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.
Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami
2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season. With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round. LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems. If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season. The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach. The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub. High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career. With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson.
Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season. The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age. It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot. This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.
Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas
It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season. On the clock: the NFC North
Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2
Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1
Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1
To visit this sportsbook get to MySportsbook.com for all your online sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
NEW YORK (AP) -By staying away from the cupcakes, Southern California earned itself a slim new ranking.
No. 1 always seems to fit USC.
Southern California jumped two spots to No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 on Tuesday, rewarded by voters for opening the season with a dominant performance on the road against a BCS conference opponent.
Georgia and Ohio State, the preseason Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, started their seasons with glorified scrimmages at home against FCS (formerly I-AA) teams. USC, however, traveled across country to face Virginia and could not have been more impressive in a 52-7 victory.
Georgia fell to No. 2 and Ohio State to No 3.
"We realize that rankings so early in a season are certainly fluid. But rankings do help establish a pecking order for things later in the season," USC coach Pete Carroll said in a statement. "As for moving into the No. 1 spot, it's nice to know that people think highly of our team."
Since reaching No. 1 on Dec. 7, 2003, the final-regular season AP poll of that season, USC has been No. 1 in 39 polls, by far the most of any team during that time.
"Some have said the voters are taking our schedule into consideration," Carroll said. "Our philosophy has always been to schedule outstanding opponents. We need to play challenging games like we just did, traveling across the country to open the season at Virginia. Games like that bring out our best and make us stronger as a team."
The latest voting was close. USC received 21 first-place votes and 1,539 points from the 65-member media panel. Georgia had 20 first-place votes and 1,506 points. Ohio State got 15 first-place votes and 1,497 points.
"I'd say we've evolved as pollsters," said Stewart Mandel of SI.com, who moved USC up to No. 1. "In the past, voters just kind of automatically moved teams up and kept teams where they were if they won."
Georgia beat Georgia Southern 45-21 on Saturday and Ohio State opened with a 43-0 win over Youngstown State.
"There's a bit of a growing backlash for the amount of teams that open with I-AA cupcakes," said Mandel, whose book "Bowls, Polls and Tattered Souls" chronicles college football's controversies. "To see a team [USC] go on the road and play a New Year's Day bowl team from last season, and not only play them but destroy them, how could you not reward that team?"
USC also jumped past Georgia to No. 1 in the USA Today coaches' poll, which has the same top five as the AP poll.
"It's definitely a privilege to be No. 1. But it's not heartbreaking to me if we drop," Georgia offensive lineman Josh Davis said. "It doesn't matter right now what we're ranked. What matters is our next game and right now, that's Central Michigan. The only time the polls matter is in December. That's when the polls matter."
While the Bulldogs opened easy, their schedule ultimately should be as difficult as any team's. Georgia's big nonconference test is at No. 15 Arizona State on Sept. 20. The Bulldogs also face six Southeastern Conference rivals that've been ranked in the first two polls.
As for Ohio State, the Buckeyes play at USC on Sept. 13 before getting into the Big Ten schedule.
But of the teams in this week's top 10, USC and Texas are the only ones that don't play an FCS opponent, and the Trojans are the only team that doesn't play a team from a non-BCS conference.
Get the latest 2009 BCS Championship odds at MySportsbook.com.
The last team to drop from No. 1 after a victory was USC last season. LSU jumped from No. 2 to No. 1 when it beat Tulane 34-9, the same week the Trojans edged Washington 27-24 on the road.
The last preseason No. 1 team to lose the top spot after winning its opening game was Florida in 2001. The Gators beat Marshall 49-14, but preseason No. 2 Miami opened with a 33-7 victory over Penn State and the Hurricanes jumped to No. 1 with Florida slipping to second.
The next four teams in the new Top 25 stayed the same: No. 4 Oklahoma (two first-place votes), No. 5 Florida (five first-place votes), No. 6 Missouri (one first-place vote), No. 7 LSU (one first-place vote) and No. 8 West Virginia.
No. 9 Auburn and No. 10 Texas each moved up a spot, taking advantage of Clemson's big drop. Clemson, ninth in the preseason, fell out after losing 34-10 to Alabama on Saturday.
Also falling out after losses were Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh and Tennessee.
Moving into the rankings were No. 21 Fresno State, No. 22 Utah, No. 23 UCLA and No. 24 South Carolina.
Alabama moved up 11 spots after its big victory over Clemson.
The second 10 started with No. 11 Wisconsin, followed by Texas Tech, Alabama and Kansas. BYU and Arizona State were tied for 15th. Rivals BYU and Utah are both ranked for the first time since 1996.
South Florida was No. 17, ahead of Oregon, Penn State and Wake Forest at No. 20.
The final five were all the teams to move into the ranking, except for Illinois, which dropped four spots and tied South Carolina for No. 24.
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