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free nfl picks Pittsburgh at Denver 8-29-10

August 29, 2010

A symbol of the Broncos’ 2009 implosion will be back at Invesco Field at Mile High on Sunday night, when Denver welcomes the Pittsburgh Steelers to town in the third preseason outing for each team.

It was Nov. 9, 2009 when the Broncos – then 6-1 and among the most surprising stories in football at the time – hosted Pittsburgh in a nationally-televised Monday night affair. The Steelers outclassed the Broncos, 28-10, extending a slide that saw Denver lose eight of its final 10 games.

Josh McDaniels’ team hasn’t made significant progress in the 2010 preseason, at least in the won-loss column. The Broncos have dropped warm-up contests to the Bengals (33-24) and Lions (25-20) thus far, and have struggled with injuries to key players.

A highlight for Denver has been the play of quarterback Kyle Orton, who has completed 24-of-35 passes for 261 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. Orton, who was recently rewarded with a contract extension, is expected to play into the third quarter on Sunday along with the rest of the Denver first-team.

The Broncos will be without a number of other notables, however, including first-round wideout Demaryius Thomas (foot) and pass rusher Elvis Dumervil (pectoral). The likes of running back Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) and quarterback Tim Tebow (ribs) are question marks.

The Steelers have managed wins in each of their first two preseason games, downing the Lions (23-7) and Giants (24-17), but a great deal of uncertainty surrounds Mike Tomlin’s team as well.

Quarterback Byron Leftwich (9-of-16 passing, 138 yards, 1 TD), who was widely expected to start during the minimum four-game stretch when Ben Roethlisberger is serving a suspension, has been outplayed during the preseason to date by Dennis Dixon (13-of-15, 210 yards, 1 TD, 58 rushing yards).

Roethlisberger will start on Sunday, but Dixon is expected to see some time with the first team. A strong performance from the former Oregon star could conceivably alter the depth chart at QB heading into the Week 1 opener.

Cornerback Bryant McFadden (pectoral) will likely not play on Sunday, and safety Ryan Clark will be held out for precautionary reasons related to a sickle-cell trait.

The Steelers and Broncos will be meeting in a preseason game for the first time.

As mentioned, the teams last met in meaningful play in Week 9 of last season, with Pittsburgh traveling to Denver and handing the Broncos a 28-10 setback in a Monday night contest.


FREE NFL PICKS: Denver  +2.5

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free nfl picks dallas at houston 8-28-10

August 28, 2010

The Houston Texans will take the Reliant Stadium field for the first time in the 2010 preseason on Saturday night, when they welcome the in-state rival Dallas Cowboys to town for what should effectively be a Week 1 dress rehearsal.

Fresh off their first winning season in franchise history, the Texans have thus far endured preseason losses to the Cardinals (19-16) and Saints (38-20), and will hope that a little home cookin’ can help the team be a bit more consistent.

One Texan who hasn’t had trouble with consistency is quarterback Matt Schaub, who boasts a 138.3 passer rating that is among the best in the NFL this preseason. Schaub has connected on 13-of-16 passes for 195 yards in the two contests, including a 44-yard touchdown pass to wideout Andre Johnson against the Saints.

Schaub, Johnson, and the Houston first-string should play most if not all of the first half on Saturday, in keeping with third game of preseason tradition.

Also worth watching for Texans fans will be the ongoing battle between kickers Neil Rackers (2-2 FG) and Kris Brown (3-3 FG), both of whom have been perfect in the preseason to date.

Among the injured Texans heading into the Dallas game are tight end Owen Daniels (knee) and rookie return man Trindon Holliday (thumb).

The Cowboys, meanwhile, will be trying to bounce back from an uneven 16-14 loss to the San Diego Chargers last week. Quarterback Tony Romo was just 4-of-11 passing for 30 yards with an interception in the defeat, though he did throw a nine-yard touchdown pass to wideout Miles Austin in the second quarter.

Romo is still without rookie wideout Dez Bryant (ankle) and offensive linemen Marc Colombo (knee) and Kyle Kosier (knee), none of whom are expected to play on Saturday night.

Linebacker Keith Brooking (shoulder) and safety Gerald Sensabaugh (shoulder) are unlikely to be available for the Dallas defense.

The Cowboys lead the all-time preseason series with the Texans, 3-2, breaking a deadlock in the series with a 23-22 home win in the last such matchup, prior to the 2008 season.

The teams will also meet in meaningful play in Week 3 of the 2010 regular season, when the Cowboys again visit Reliant Stadium.


FREE NFL PICKS: Houston -5

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free nfl picks Cleveland at Detroit 8-28-10

August 28, 2010

The Detroit Lions will make their first Ford Field appearance of the 2010 preseason on Saturday evening, when they welcome the Cleveland Browns to town in the third game of the warm-up period for each club.

The Lions, who are looking to rebound from a two-year stretch that has produced a combined 2-30 record, opened the preseason with a loss at the Steelers (23-7) and win at the Broncos (25-20). A 25-yard touchdown scramble by backup quarterback Drew Stanton in the closing moments gave Detroit the win in Denver last week.

But it was the play of Matthew Stafford and the first-team offense that yielded the most encouraging signs. The second-year pro completed 13-of-18 passes for 130 yards in the win, including a 20-yard touchdown pass to top wideout Calvin Johnson.

First-round rookie running back Jahvid Best, who will make his first appearance before the Ford Field faithful on Saturday night, led all rushers with eight carries for 49 yards.

The team’s other 2010 first-rounder, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, will also be making his Motor City debut on Saturday.

On the injury front for Detroit, defensive end Jared DeVries (knee) and kicker Jason Hanson (knee) are among the notables who are expected to be absent, though safety Louis Delmas (groin) could see some time after missing the first two games of the preseason.

Like the Lions, the Browns are hoping to see continued good things from their first-team offense. Quarterback Jake Delhomme has been excellent during his first preseason in a Cleveland uniform, completing 18-of-23 passes (78.3 percent) for 193 yards and a touchdown during the warm-up period.

Delhomme and the first-string should play at least the first half before yielding to backups.

Running back Montario Hardesty (knee) and ex-Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (ankle) are among the Browns who are not expected to play on Saturday.

The Lions hold a 21-19-1 edge in their all-time preseason series with the Browns, but were 27-10 losers when they visited Cleveland prior to last season.

The teams also met in meaningful play last Nov. 22nd at Ford Field, a game won by Detroit, 38-37, thanks to a last second touchdown pass from Stafford to tight end Brandon Pettigrew.


FREE NFL PICKS : Under 40

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free nfl picks colts at packers 8-26-10

August 26, 2010

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will look to continue his letter- perfect preseason on Thursday night, when Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers welcome the Indianapolis Colts to Lambeau Field in the third preseason outing for each team.

Rodgers has a 154.0 passer rating in the warm-up period, completing 20-of-24 passes for 275 yards with three touchdowns and zero turnovers. Two of the three touchdown strikes came in last Saturday’s 27-24 win at the Seattle Seahawks, with tight end Jermichael Finley and fullback John Kuhn both notching scoring grabs for the Pack.

Among players with 10 or more passing attempts in the preseason to date, Rodgers is the NFL leader in passer rating. He is expected to play about a half on Thursday, in keeping with third-game-of-preseason tradition, before yielding to backup Matt Flynn.

Running back Brandon Jackson also comes off a solid outing against the Seahawks, as Ryan Grant’s backup carried 11 times for 80 yards in the contest.

Green Bay has some injury concerns at linebacker, where Nick Barnett (knee), A.J. Hawk (ankle), Brad Jones (shoulder) and Clay Matthews (hamstring) all missed last Saturday’s game and are question marks for the Indianapolis game.

The Colts, meanwhile, will come into Thursday’s contest seeking something that has been most-elusive for their franchise – a preseason win. Last Thursday’s 34-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Toronto dropped Indy to 4-20 in warm-up games since 2005, and a loss to Green Bay would guarantee a sixth consecutive losing preseason. Indianapolis hasn’t missed the playoffs since 2001, however, so another defeat would probably not incite panic in Hoosier country.

Quarterback Peyton Manning, who should play the first half on Thursday, was 8- of-15 for 91 yards, including an interception and a 21-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jacob Tamme, against the Bills. A 17-yard TD run for Joseph Addai was another of the offensive highlights for Indy.

The attack should get a boost on Thursday, as wideout Pierre Garcon, who has missed the first two preseason games with an undisclosed injury, is expected to suit up. We have free nfl picks all season so check us out.

Elsewhere on the injury front for Indianapolis, tight end Dallas Clark (left leg), center Jeff Saturday (knee) and cornerback Jerraud Powers (foot) are not expected to participate against the Packers.

The Colts lead the all-time preseason series with the Packers, 5-3, including a 20-6 home victory in the last such meeting, prior to the 1996 season.

The teams last met in meaningful play in 2008 at Lambeau Field, a 34-14 Packers victory.


FREE NFL PICKS: Colts  +3.5

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free nfl picks St. Louis at New England 8-26-10

August 26, 2010

Rookie Sam Bradford will get the start behind center on Thursday night, as the No. 1 pick of the St. Louis Rams leads his team into battle against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Check out our free nfl picks all season long.

Bradford will be making his third appearance of the preseason, but will open a game for the first time after relieving A.J. Feeley in a loss to the Vikings (28-7) and win over the Browns (19-17). Feeley injured his elbow and thumb in the Cleveland win, and will miss at least one game.

Bradford, the former Oklahoma star and Heisman Trophy winner, has struggled thus far during the warm-up period, completing 12-of-27 passes (44.4 percent) for 81 yards, a 51.6 passer rating, and four sacks absorbed. The rookie, who inked a contract guaranteeing him $50 million earlier this summer, is expected to work the first half before giving way to Keith Null.

The story on defense for the Rams will be the play, and health, of the secondary as they face one of the league’s top passing attacks. Cornerbacks Kevin Dockery (hip), Justin King (calf), Jerome Murphy (ankle) and safeties James Butler (knee) and Kevin Payne (knee) all missed the Cleveland win and another cornerback, Ron Bartell (neck) was injured in the contest.

The Patriots, meanwhile, will be trying to keep their collective foot on the gas after opening the preseason with encouraging wins over the Saints (27-24) and Falcons (28-10).

Quarterback Tom Brady has been razor-sharp in a couple of warm-up outings, completing 15-of-20 passes for 152 yards with a touchdown and no turnovers in his two appearances.

Adding to the optimism in last week’s win over the Falcons was the on-field presence of wide receiver Wes Welker, who caught two passes for 20 yards roughly seven-and-a-half months after suffering a major knee injury in the Pats’ regular season finale against the Houston Texans. There had been speculation following the injury that Welker would not be ready for the start of the 2010 regular season.

Brady and the New England starters should play about a half on Thursday, in keeping with third-game-of-preseason tradition, before Brian Hoyer and the second-team takes over.

Also expected to play for the Pats against the Rams is recently-acquired offensive lineman Quinn Ojinnaka. Ojinnaka, who appeared in 39 games with the Falcons from 2006-09, starting 12, is trying to fit in on a decimated trench group. Right tackle Nick Kaczur could miss the season after undergoing recent back surgery, and Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins is embroiled in a contract holdout with the team and looks no closer to reporting to the team.

Cornerback Leigh Bodden (knee) is among the Patriots’ injury question marks for Thursday.

The preseason series between the Rams and Patriots is knotted, 4-4, with New England evening the series by virtue of a 28-10 win in the last such meeting, in Anaheim prior to the 1994 campaign.

The teams last met in meaningful play in 2008 at Gillette Stadium, a 23-16 Patriots victory.


FREE NFL PICKS: Rams  +7.5

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free nfl picks Detroit at Denver 8-21-10

August 21, 2010

Fans will show up at Invesco Field at Mile High hoping to get a glimpse of Tim Tebow on Saturday night, when the Denver Broncos welcome the Detroit Lions to town in the second August tune-up for each team.

Tebow, the Broncos’ 2010 first-round quarterback choice, was expected to make his live Denver debut against the Lions. But a wrench was thrown into those plans in last week’s 33-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, when the former Florida star suffered injured ribs on a touchdown run that have limited him in practice this week.

Tebow completed 8-of-13 passes for 105 yards in Cincinnati, though his biggest highlight came on the seven-yard scoring run in the closing seconds.

Kyle Orton (8-of-13, 84 yards, 2 TD) will start the game for the Broncos, and another Denver newcomer, Brady Quinn (6-of-16, 68 yards, 1 INT), should play as well after struggling in Cincinnati.

In addition to Tebow, the Broncos are contending with injuries to notables such as running backs Knowshon Moreno (hamstring), LenDale White (leg), Correll Buckhalter (neck), and first-round wideout Demaryius Thomas (foot).

With the spate of running back injuries, recently-signed ex-Raider Justin Fargas could be in line for a wealth of carries on Saturday.

The Lions, meanwhile, will be looking for a more consistent effort after opening the preseason with a 23-7 loss at the Steelers last week.

There were encouraging signs from the Detroit first-string, including quarterback Matthew Stafford (8-of-11, 61 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) – who threw a touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson – and from rookie running back Jahvid Best (6 rushes, 29 yards).

Three Lions newcomers – recently-acquired defensive end Lawrence Jackson (ex- Seahawks), cornerback T.J. Rushing (ex-Colts), and kicker Steven Hauschka (ex- Ravens and Falcons) – could all be in uniform for Detroit on Saturday.

The all-time preseason series between the Lions and Broncos is knotted, 2-2, with Detroit evening the series by virtue of a 20-13 home victory in the last such meeting, prior to the 2006 season.

The most recent meaningful matchup between the teams took place during the 2007 regular season, a 44-7 Lions rout at Ford Field.


FREE NFL PICKS: Lions +3

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free nfl picks Giants at Jets 8-16-10

August 16, 2010

The annual preseason battle for Big Apple bragging rights will have a special magic on Monday night, when the New York Giants “visit” the New York Jets in the first football game at sparkling new Meadowlands Stadium.

The 82,556 seat stadium, which was built at a cost of $1.6 billion, will house both the Giants and Jets. The facility has hosted concerts as well as lacrosse and soccer matches since being unveiled in April, but Monday night’s contest will be the first football event in the venue.

As they adjust to their new surroundings, both teams will be trying to get some important work done as they kick off the preseason.

The Giants are seeking to rebound from last year’s disappointing 8-8 season, and Big Blue fans will get their first look at a revamped defense on Monday night.

The shift starts up front, where first-round end Jason Pierre-Paul (South Florida) and the occasionally disgruntled Osi Umenyiora will be among those looking to make strides in new coordinator Perry Fewell’s defense. If this group gets in step early, things will be easier for a linebacking corps that should include the likes of fourth-round rookie Phillip Dillard (Nebraska) and veteran acquisition Keith Bulluck (ex-Titans) at various times on Monday.

On the back end, the Giants are looking for big things out of $37 million safety Antrel Rolle (ex-Cardinals) and will be eager to gauge how well former first-rounder Kenny Phillips can rebound from a career-threatening knee problem. Phillips’ status for Monday is in question as he continues to recover from the injury.

Offensively, quarterback Eli Manning’s reps will likely be limited against the Giants, which will give the team and their fans plenty of opportunity to assess the work of backups Jim Sorgi and Rhett Bomar.

Meanwhile, expectations are sky-high for the 2010 Jets, but unforeseen struggles during the preseason could alter that thinking.

Offensively, new backup QB Mark Brunell can be expected to see more time on Monday than starter Mark Sanchez, but the Shonn Greene/LaDainian Tomlinson/Joe McKnight running back triumvirate could garner more of the headlines.

On defense, Jets supporters will keep an eye on disappointing former first- round pick Vernon Gholston, who is transitioning from outside linebacker to defensive end. In the secondary, where All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis is a conspicuous holdout, first-round rookie Kyle Wilson (Boise State) and fellow newcomer Antonio Cromartie (ex-Chargers) will get a chance to display their skills on Monday.

The two occupants of the new Meadowlands facility traditionally meet each summer, with the Jets leading the all-time preseason series with the Giants by a margin of 22-18-1. The AFC team was a 27-25 victor in last year’s exhibition and has won three in a row over its NFC counterpart in the preseason.


FREE NFL PICKS : Giants  +3

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free nfl picks Detroit at Pittsburgh 8-14-10

August 14, 2010

Ben Roethlisberger will be back in uniform for the first time since his turbulent offseason on Saturday night, when the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback and his Pittsburgh Steelers play host to the Detroit Lions in the preseason opener for both teams.

Roethlisberger made headlines of an unwanted kind in March, when a 20-year-old college student accused the quarterback of raping her in a bathroom at a Milledgeville, GA bar. No charges were filed against Roethlisberger, but the allegations and surrounding controversy led the NFL to suspend him for six games as a result of his violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. Roethlisberger could have his suspension dropped to four games if he complies with certain provisions set forth by the commissioner.

Roethlisberger is eligible to play against the Lions and in all of the team’s preseason contents, though it as yet unclear how the suspension might affect his playing time. Byron Leftwich, whom the team re-acquired in a trade with the Buccaneers during the offseason, is the odds-on favorite to win the starting job in Week 1. Veteran Charlie Batch and second-year-pro Dennis Dixon, both of whom have starting experience with the Steelers, will also be in the mix during the preseason.

Elsewhere on offense, Pittsburgh needs to make sure it has the receivers to assist all of its QB’s, so the likes of Mike Wallace, Antwaan Randle El (ex- Redskins), Emmanuel Sanders (3rd Round, SMU), and Arnaz Battle (ex-49ers) will look to impress on Saturday. Additionally, an offensive line that has already lost right tackle Willie Colon for the season due to injury will need to assess the work of newcomers Flozell Adams (ex-Cowboys), Jonathan Scott (ex- Bills) and first-round rookie Maurkice Pouncey (Florida), among others.

The Lions, meanwhile, will be looking to make strides in the preseason after going a combined 2-30 over the past two years. The effort will start with fixing the NFL’s worst defense, and in that respect head coach Jim Schwartz will be looking for an impact out of new defensive line lynchpins Ndamukong Suh (1st Round, Nebraska) and Kyle Vanden Bosch (ex-Titans).

Also on Saturday, a crowded cornerback picture comprised mainly of castoffs (Dre’ Bly, Dante Wesley, Chris Houston, Jonathan Wade) could begin to solidify.

Offensively, the Lions require continued progress from quarterback Matthew Stafford, though he and the first-team attack are not expected to see much time in the preseason opener.

Among the notable newcomers expected to make their debut in Lions uniforms are rookie running back Jahvid Best (1st Round, California), wideout Nate Burleson (ex-Seahawks), and tight end Tony Scheffler (ex-Broncos).

The Lions hold a 10-7 edge in their all-time series with the Steelers, including a 27-21 home victory in the last such meeting, prior to the 2004 season.

The teams also met in meaningful play last Oct. 11, a 28-20 Pittsburgh win at Ford Field.


FREE NFL PICKS: Lions  + 2.5

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free nfl picks Cowboys vs Bengals 8-8-10

August 8, 2010

CANTON, Ohio — Call them America’s Team’s expatriates.

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Terrell Owens, Pacman Jones and Tank Johnson are among the former Dallas Cowboys who now reside in Cincinnati. The Bengals and Cowboys will meet Sunday night in the Hall of Fame game, and while T.O. and the other veterans might not spend much time on the field, they will draw plenty of attention when they are in the lineup.

Owens, of course, always gets the spotlight, whether he’s with the 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys, Bills or, now, the Bengals.

“I’m a playmaker,” Owens said. “I know Michael Irvin has adopted that title, but that’s what I do and have done throughout my career is make plays. The coaches know what I’m capable of once the ball is in my hands. They’re going to get all of Terrell on the field.

“I’m glad to be with my new team and we’ll see where it takes us.”

For now, it’s taken them to Canton’s Fawcett Field, where Owens will get some time with the regulars early in the first preseason game. He’s never caught passes from Carson Palmer against an opposing defense, and while it’s too soon to expect that connection to click precisely, it’s never to soon to begin the process.

“I think the opportunity to play against other people is always good,” Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. “I don’t know if it’ll affect Terrell and Carson as much since Terrell’s learning on the move. He’s a veteran player. There are things he has done that maybe we coach a little differently. The terminology may be different in some instances, but he’s basically carrying what he already knows.”

What Owens also knows is that he belongs in the Hall of Fame, saying earlier this week all he lacks is the bust.

Pacman Jones hardly is in that class.

The defensive back was out of the NFL last season, none of the 32 teams willing to sign him after his repeated off-field problems, including a run-in with a bodyguard that cost him his job in Dallas. The Bengals, known for giving second chances, twice worked out Jones before signing him in May.

Sunday night, he returns to the NFL on national television — against the Cowboys.

“Whoever it was it would have been special,” Jones said. “I haven’t played a real game in a whole season.

“I have a lot of friends on the Cowboys. I talk to those guys all the time. It was no love lost when I left there. People have to make business decisions, and it is what it is. I’m happy to be a Bengal.”

Johnson merely is happy to be healthy after a right foot injury limited him last year. Johnson served an eight-game suspension in 2007 for off-field issues, but had no such problems with the Cowboys or last season with Cincinnati.

“Injuries or not, I’ve been able to play through stuff most of the time,” Johnson said. “Being able to feel good going into a game rather than having to get injections just to make yourself feel good is a plus.”

Starters rarely go more than two series in this game. Lewis and Cowboys coach Wade Phillips admitted that’s likely to be repeated Sunday night.

Still, when the former Cowboys, particularly Owens, are on the field, interest will be high.

“That’s the Cowboys North,” Dallas wide receiver Patrick Crayton said.

“It will be good to see him again,” he added about Owens. “Him and a couple of other guys that were here and stuff. It’s always good to see old friends and old teammates.

“Is there anything about facing (Owens)? I never even thought about facing him, because I don’t have to stick him.”

Tony Romo, who had his ups and downs throwing to T.O. over three seasons, won’t carry any bitterness toward the former Cowboys into the game.

“I know. Dallas No. 2,” he said with a chuckle about the Cincinnati roster that also includes safety Roy Williams and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who have strong ties to the Cowboys. “Those guys are all good guys and we enjoyed having every one of them. It allowed us to have great success when we were here, in a lot of ways. It’ll be good to see them and say hi and wish them good luck, hopefully not quite as good against us. I root for them.”


FREE PICK: Bengals  -2.5

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Free Pick New Orleans Saints vs Indianapolis Colts 2-7-10

February 7, 2010

Well people this is it, the big game is here.  This is what we have all been waiting for.  The New Orleans Saints vs the Indianapolis Colts.  The Colts in this game are a 4 point favorite, although the line has fluctuated all the way up to 6 in some casinos at times throughout the past two weeks.  That line movement looked like it was going to sit right around 5.5 or 6 until the new of D Freeney’s injury and now the latest scare with R Wayne’s knee.  It should stay at 4 no matter what as the game approaches.

Across America it seems as if about 65% of the gambling public is on the side of the Colts.  It is hard to bet against Peyton Manning and the Colts in this game.  However, there is another quality team out there that wants to hoist that trophy up as well.  The New Orleans Saints are a very dangerous team with a lot of weapons on offense and defense.  Imagine for a second, just humor me, that Peyton Manning was not the quarterback and it was, let’s say Phillip Rivers, another top quarterback in the league but not near the level of Peyton.  How would we view the game then?  I believe people would view the Saints as the favorite if that was the case.  Of course, the Colts do have Peyton Manning so therefore the line is what it is.

All this being said I think we are in for a great Superbowl.  I believe the Saints could win outright but I think strongly that this will be a field goal game no matter what.  Go with the Saints in this one and don’t be afraid to take them for the money line either.  That’s right, you heard it here.  Saints outright winner.

Free Pick:  Saints +4.5

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