NFL 2012/13 General Discussion and Betting Thread

[Sheriff Fatman]

Started a new season thread for all the non-fantasy related chit-chat, and betting tips, rather than resurrecting last seasons.

Pre-season games are in the bag, rosters have been cut to 53 players and the big kick-off, thanks to Mr Obama wanting to make a speech, is rather bizarrely on Wednesday (Thursday morning our time) with Cowboys @ Giants.

I'm feeling quietly confident about the Eagles' chances this year, which probably means we're in for another media circus of mediocrity and an 8-8 record again this season.  Thankfully, we don't have Vince Young and the "dream team" tag he created for us last season.

In the AFC, it's hard to look past the Patriots who appear to have gotten stronger while traditional teams like the Steelers, Ravens, etc have been hit by injuries.

One thing's for sure, it will be awesome!

[TightEnd]

Some doubts about UK NFL TV this year

Sky Sports struggling to complete a deal with the NFL which would be horrible if they don't


If they do we'll get Thursday nights, some Saturday nights, 3 games on a Sunday and Monday night football on Sky, Ch4 and ESPN

Yes please!


My thoughts are the Eagles should be very strong. 49ers. Houston in the AFC (running game and defence) and the usual suspects in the AFC North

Bounce back team Kansas City Chiefs

Basement sides, Miami, Cleveland, Arizona


Pretty impossible to predict as usual though!

[Sheriff Fatman]

I've cross-posted this from the Fantasy League thread for the NFL fans/bettors who don't play in the league and presumably don't read the thread.  Sign up, sign up - the more the merrier, whether you want to play for free or for $20.

I've now set up 3 private leagues on ESPN's Pickem and Eliminator games.  Hoping to get a few more entries than last year, and this should appeal to the bettors out there!  Horneris bossed this last season, but there's enough talent on this forum to make this a really fun competition.

The 3 games are:

Pickskin Pickem - Straight:  A straightforward prediction game, just pick the winner of each game.
Pigskin Pickem - Spread: As above, but with a spread (i.e. one team is handicapped against the other).  Good practice if you like to bet in real-life, as chances are you'll be doing it against a spread.
Eliminator - Bit like the Last Man Standing football comp - pick one winner each week.  Get one wrong and you're out.

Happy to do it for bragging rights only, so anyone can join and play for free.  Optional entry fee of $20 for each if you fancy playing for money.

Links to the games are below.  Create an entry for each (you have to create a straight and a spread entry in Pigskin Pickem to play both versions) and then use the search function or the links to find the leagues as follows:

http://games.espn.go.com/nfl-pigskin-pickem/en/

http://games.espn.go.com/nfl-eliminator-challenge/en/


blondepoker - Straight     http://games.espn.go.com/nfl-pigskin-pickem/en/group?groupID=17206

blondepoker - Spread       http://games.espn.go.com/nfl-pigskin-pickem/en/group?groupID=17208

blondepoker - Eliminator     http://games.espn.go.com/nfl-eliminator-challenge/en/group?groupID=6939


Password is tikay for everything.

[Sheriff Fatman]

Some doubts about UK NFL TV this year

Sky Sports struggling to complete a deal with the NFL which would be horrible if they don't


If they do we'll get Thursday nights, some Saturday nights, 3 games on a Sunday and Monday night football on Sky, Ch4 and ESPN

Yes please!


My thoughts are the Eagles should be very strong. 49ers. Houston in the AFC (running game and defence) and the usual suspects in the AFC North

Bounce back team Kansas City Chiefs

Basement sides, Miami, Cleveland, Arizona


Pretty impossible to predict as usual though!

Didn't realise there was doubt over TV.  They've dropped the price of the Game Pass on nfl.com this year and I'd already signed up for it so have always got that to fall back on, but it's a commitment that will only be made by fans (£99 or £115 for the enhanced version) rather than casual viewers.

[TightEnd]

Yes Channel 4 is confirmed (and I think Mike Carlson is by far the best analyst on UK TV) but if there's no Sky I will be Game Passing too

[Sheriff Fatman]

Yes Channel 4 is confirmed (and I think Mike Carlson is by far the best analyst on UK TV) but if there's no Sky I will be Game Passing too

Carlson is brilliant and it's a shame he's hidden away in the late-night game these days.

I also really like Darren Fletcher on radio and the Inside the Huddle podcasts.  He has a good knowledge of the game, considering he's split across other sports too.

[LeKnave]

Been waiting too long for this, gamepass all ready to go.  I didn't know sky hadnt sorted still, pretty gash.

49ers to win it all @ 20/1
Skins to win it all @ 110.0
Bears to win NFC @ 20/1

Panthers win NFC South @ 11/2
Skins win NFC East @ 12/1

Murray most rushing yds @ 33/1 EW
Cutler most passing yds @ 66/1 EW
Decker most receiving yds @ 100/1 EW

[TightEnd]

Absolutely loving that Panthers bet

Atlanta lack a defense. New Orleans in turmoil, Tampa Bay too early

Panthers could go 12-4/11-5 in my opinion with Newton, a good running game and a defense significantly upgraded in the draft.

[LeKnave]

Absolutely loving that Panthers bet

Atlanta lack a defense. New Orleans in turmoil, Tampa Bay too early

Panthers could go 12-4/11-5 in my opinion with Newton, a good running game and a defense significantly upgraded in the draft.

all the bookies mugged me off and went 6/1 with them too after i got on when 1 firm had opened the book!

[bobby1]

simply cannot wait now.

Iv'e played two hcap bets so far, one I like v much and one that I am fully expecting to be painful to watch.

I like Oakland +1 1/2 v San Diego, I'm not really sure who is fav in this game so getting with the home team in a Monday night game in a ground that can be v intimidating against a team who have started v poorly in the last few seasons and miss their main rb looked a good place to start.

The other bet I am not as keen on simply because I am guessing a bit is Cleveland + 9. I am expecting Cleveland's O to be a little better, I need Richardson to be fit at rb and he seems likely to play now and Weedon to be ok at qb. 9 points is a nice start at home and if they are going to utilise Richardson a lot then the clock might keep on ticking and with 9 start you can win a good few ways. The Philly D looks to be improved and the O is very strong but 9 points, early season with Vick perhaps still not fully fit and wearing a flak jacket and a team who's O  might surprise a little this season was enough to get me in. Tho the D could easily get over run if it all goes wrong.

Have you bet any matches Dave?

[Horneris]

Follow the Harbaugh brothers to the superbowl.

San Fran v Baltimore. It probably should have been that last season, they will be even stronger this season. (Baltimore more so when Suggs is back).

[LeKnave]

Have you bet any matches Dave?

i managed to grab some 20/21 on seattle to beat arizona last week.  just got in there before the money came for them.

[bobby1]

Have you bet any matches Dave?

i managed to grab some 20/21 on seattle to beat arizona last week.  just got in there before the money came for them.

Nice work that.

Russell Wilson ftw.

[ChipRich]

Maimi Under 18.5 pts vs Houston 5/6

Will be totally and utterly stunned if Miami can score 19+


http://www.oddschecker.com/american-football/nfl/miami-dolphins-at-houston-texans/total-miami-dolphins-points

[Longy]

Ugh didn't realise the tv deal was in doubt, might have to invest in gamepass if it doesn't happen.

I am not optimistic at all about the Fins this year, we look worse than last year especially with a rookie qb (Tannehill). I thought watching Hard Knocks might get me a bit more excited about our chances but I am more pessimistic than I was a month ago.

Can we talk about college football in here as come October. I am going to want to talk about Oregon a lot more than i am Miami.

Got tickets to see the week 4 Sunday night football match up between the Eagles and Giants which i am pretty excited about (thought i would get a brag in).