Never Enough NFL
By David A Lane Predictem.com
Rare are the instances in life where something is so enjoyable that upon its completion our thirst for it remains unquenched and our appetite for it insatiable. Some of them are ridiculously obvious- The most excellent food like lobster with garlic butter or steak cooked just right, driving a really fast car like a Chevy Corvette or a Porsche Boxster, and/or a 'perfect' relationship with a very sexy someone you just can't enough of who fulfills your every desire but leaves you- while others are maybe not quite so obvious. Certainly for me and many others, NFL football belongs high up on the list as well especially during this portion of the season when the excitement is heightened by a teams' whole season being on the line game in and game out.
It's hard to deny the fact that playoff football's hard hitting action brings fans a product whose level of intensity, strategy, and drama, is unmatched among all other major team sports. The 'Win or Go Home' slogan used by the NBA in its mostly best of seven game formats has nothing on the NFL's system where if a team doesn't win any one game it truly does go home. The only other major sport that shares this 'one and done' philosophy ironically and strangely enough is college hoops 'March Madness' 64 team tournament- perhaps the next greatest sporting event to the Super Bowl coincidentally- where the winner literally must win six straight games over the best teams in the country before earning the right to be national champion. Arguably, the format and the door it opens which give underdogs a chance to win it all are what contributes the madness.
Players that had been mostly in the shadows well hidden from the limelight during the regular season find a new stage with which they can forge a name for themselves and possibly a bigger contract as well. Timmy Smith who was a rookie tailback for the Washington Redskins definitely fits that bill coming out of virtual obscurity to set a Super Bowl record 204 yards rushing in 1986- a record that still stands and may for some time to come. One has to wonder if the New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree who made such a huge and game changing reception during the Super Bowl last year might be the next most recent example of a guy who stepped up at the right time and maximized from it through a sudden demand in ads and appearances that far surpassed his regular season salary.
As is in other sports, teams instead of players, develop a reputation for success or lack of it in the post-season. Like the Houston Rockets and Guard Tracy McGrady are known for futility in the playoffs, the Dallas Cowboys in their early years were as well losing big game after big game until finally putting that notion to rest in 1972 by defeating the Miami Dolphins in the Super Bowl. Another analogy would be Alex Rodriguez' well documented lack of clutch hits in the post-season playing for the New York Yankees to the Philadelphia Eagles of late who have been in the playoffs seemingly every year- seven of the last nine years- but have gotten as far as the Super Bowl once and have a loss to show for it.
Playoff football certainly has led more than one coach to "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" with Robin Leach's premier example here being Bill Parcells who has turned two Super Bowl victories (NY Giants 1986,1990) into millions of dollars- granted he has turned quite a few bad teams around in the process to earn it. Among the others who prospered from being assistant coaches with great organization's like Bill Walsh's San Francisco 49'ers while winning Vince Lombardi Trophy's were Mike Holmgren, Andy Reid, Jon Gruden, and Jeff Fisher, who have all obviously grabbed the proverbial ball and run with it. Success has bred success at least in this case as no other 'coaching tree' will ever has as much impact on the league as this one has.
Watching these teams fight on while individual players are turning up their games make each contest all the more enjoyable for viewers. Unfortunately like anything else that we can't get enough of, they won't last forever as the number of games left on the schedule soon will be able to be counted on one hand. By the way, enjoying anything these days tends to be short but sweet in nature because any good meal can be overcooked and ruined, a fast sports car will net so many tickets your driver's license gets suspended, and then when you find out that 'perfect relationship' you regretted losing turns out being a crack whore you wouldn't sick on your worst enemy, the NFL schedule remains consistently something we can look forward too watching and wagering on each and every season.
A bet makes watching football games even more exciting. The best online sportsbook for those new to football gambling is Sportsbook.com where you can deposit using your Visa card and they give you a 10% bonus on the money you deposit!
Editor's Picks - Each week our in house pro's tackle the week's card and make predictions on the week's games ATS! Best bets, top plays, premium selections, etc. FREE!
Expert Picks - Free premium plays from the "real" expert handicappers from around the web. Don't fall for second rate picks from ESPN, the NFL Network, Hank Goldberg or the screaming touts on TV.
Underdog of the Week - We pick out the loudest barking dog of the week. Expect a 60% winning percentage with these selections.
Favorite of the Week - We examine "the chalk" and determine the safest bet in which who you should lay the points with.
Over/Under of the Week - Our in house cappers report which NFL game is most likely to go over or under the posted total.
The Armchair Quarterback - ACQ makes an appearance at Predictem to give out his much coveted troika of free weekly NFL picks. Put your helmet on and tackle your bookie with these sick picks. He is simply FLAT NASTY!
Line Movement Plays - We report all the major line moves from the gridiron and distinguish whether it's public money or sharp action causing the move.
NFL Consensus Picks - See what the general public is betting on. We use this info to fade the public to the tune of big profits over the course of the season.
NFL Trends - Don't ever let anybody tell you that the trend is your friend. These picks make great fades which is exactly what we do with them.
Monday Night Football Picks - The ultimate bailout play. Our MNF picks are golden and have hit 62% or better the past 3 years. Did we mention that their FREE?
Superbowl Predictions - Our take before the season on who we think will win Superbowl XLIV. We'll update with a final pick based on the actual remaining teams a week prior to the big game at Dolphins Stadium on February 7th, 2010.
Super Bowl Picks - Everybody here in the Predictem office takes their best preseason shot at predicting the winner Superbowl 44. Pride is on the line here! Oh, and LOOT too! Picks will be updated a 2nd and final time two weeks before the Super Bowl plays.
2009 NFL Predictions - David Lane focuses on the new coaches in the league and gives predictions on how they'll do this season.
Free UFL Picks - Point spread predictions for the new United Football League each week of their season (starting in October).
Sportsbook - Tired of deposit hassles? This place has a 90% acceptance rate of accepting credit cards. Even from Americans!
5Dimes - 15 team parlays! 20 point teasers! Pleasers and huge point buying opportunities as well!
Sportbet - Bet NFL games at -105 odds up to $500 when making your bets on Tuesday's!
PlayersOnly - Offers progressive parlays in which you can have losers on your card and still cash in!
Statless NFL Handicapping - The quick, easy way and yes, it's effective!
Betting NFL Underdogs - It's the first thing you should consider every Sunday. We explain why.
Choosing an Online Sportsbook - We talk about things to consider before you commit to play at one.
Famous Football Quotes - From the inspirational to the greatest touchdown calls of all time. We've got them!
Pro Football Hall of Fame - A full list of NFL players who have been inducted into the NFL HOF.
The Spread NFL Football - Offers free game predictions, matchups, stats including both offensive and defensive and more!
Fantasy Football Sites - Get recommendations on where to find weekly updated player news, depth charts and legit websites that offer the best stat and record tracking for your fantasy football league.
