Raiders, Lions inspire little faith
Analyzing the odds for upcoming games and events.
Given recent history, it isn’t surprising that the Oakland Raiders have the lowest listed win total of any team in the NFL on the website VegasInsider.com for the upcoming season.
The magic number in 2007 for the Raiders, who have fallen on hard times since a crushing loss to Tampa Bay in Super Bowl XXXVII, is five. Bettors who think the Raiders will win fewer than five games would take the under. Those who believe the Raiders will be rejuvenated with rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell and young Coach Lane Kiffin might be tempted to take the over.
Of course, Oakland could have some sort of renaissance this season and still fall short of five victories. After all, the Raiders won only twice a year ago.
The team VegasInsider.com has closest to Oakland on its list is Detroit, a franchise that has been equally inept in recent seasons and hasn’t made the playoffs since 1999.
Earlier in the year, quarterback Jon Kitna predicted the Lions would win at least 10 games this season, which is 4 1/2 more than their listed figure on VegasInsider.
It can be said with near certainty, however, that either the Raiders or Lions will have at least one win in 2007. The two powers will open the season against each other Sept. 9 at Oakland. It would somehow be fitting if the game ended in a tie, which would be the first in the NFL since Pittsburgh and visiting Atlanta finished 34-34 on Nov. 10, 2002.
Undoubtedly the stronger conference, the AFC has the top three teams in terms of win totals on the website. Defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis is listed at 11 1/2 wins and San Diego, which won 14 games a year ago before losing to New England in its first playoff game, and the Patriots are at 11 victories.
All three teams won their respective divisions in 2006, as did Baltimore, which won the AFC North with a 13-3 record. Losers to the Colts in the playoffs, the Ravens are listed at 10 wins.
Two teams that could take a step back this season are Tennessee and Kansas City. The Titans, who rallied in the second half of 2006 behind quarterback Vince Young to finish 8-8, will be without suspended cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones and also suffered some key losses to free agency. Their listed win total is 6. The Chiefs, who qualified for the playoffs as a 9-7 wild card in Herm Edwards’ first season as coach, are at 7 1/2 victories.
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The Odds
Example of a -140 favorite: In order to win $100, you would have to bet $140. Example of a +130 underdog: A $100 bet would win you $130.
Major League Baseball
National League
*--* Favorite Underdog Arizona -115 at Chicago +105 at Florida -145 Cincinnati +135 Colorado -135 at Washington +125 Houston -120 at Pittsburgh +110 at Atlanta -145 St. Louis +135 at Milwaukee -145 San Francisco +135 at San Diego -130 Philadelphia +120 New York -130 at Dodgers +120
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American League
*--* Favorite Underdog at Detroit -210 Kansas City +190 at Boston -220 Chicago +200 at Toronto -110 Seattle +100 at New York -300 Tampa Bay +250 Angels -140 at Minnesota +130 Cleveland -160 at Texas +150 Baltimore -120 at Oakland +110
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Copyright 2007 World Features Syndicate, Inc.
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