Can Baltimore Ravens make the point spread against Pittsburgh Steelers
Published November 18, 2012 | 
Will the Baltimore Ravens make the point spread against the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 11?
This week the AFC North matchup between the Baltimore Ravens against the Pittsburgh Steelers is shaping up to be a big game for both football teams.
Both teams are wanting this win really bad and fortunately for Pittsburgh, running back Rashard Mendenhall will start the game Sunday night. This may be the boost that the Steelers need, and with Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman both playing well the past few weeks they will likely have a fair game on the ground.
But they will have to do so without starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, out for a sholder injury. The Steelers will face a larger difficulty than they would by having him on the field. The odds on this game at most of the online sportsbooks have the Ravens picked as 3 point favorites.
If Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco can continue hitting on 60% or more and hit his preferred wide receiver Torrey Smith as well as tight end Dennis Pitta and others then they may be difficult for the Steelers to conquer.
I think a lot of the game will hinge upon how effective the Ravens can stop Pittsburgh on the ground and how big of a game that Mendenhall has and whether backup quarterback Byron Leftwich can hit his receievers and can do so without throwing interceptions.
A tough call but I do believe the Ravens may well win the game but it might be difficult for them to make the point spread. so if you’re planning on betting on the Ravens, take the under.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers overtime in week 11
Published November 18, 2012 | With only seconds left Tampa makes a two point conversion and ties the game with Carolina Panthers and force an overtime game
Tampa wins the toss and elects to recieve. They start from the 20.
Two carries by Doug Martin and the Buccaneers are inside the 45 of the Panthers. josh Freeman has settled down and like he played the last part of regulation time, has been making his throws count. They get another first down inside the 20.
A short pass to Dallas Clark and Tampa wins the football game in overtime with a final score of 27 Tampa to 21 Carolina.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers 2nd Half week 11
Published November 18, 2012 | Will the Carolina Panthers keep their lead against Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half of week 11?
Tampa Bay gets off to a slow start in the 2nd half and punts without doing much of anything on their first possession.
A false start on the 1st down backs the Panthers up. Then on a 1st and 15 the Buc’s get the sack and brings up a 2nd and 15. On a 3rd and 17 the pass is complete but short of the 1st so the Panthers go 3 and out. Carolina tries a fake and the play is broken up and Tampa takes over on downs.
The 3rd quarter has been a trade of possessions. On 1st down Tampa attempts a pass deep in their own territory but the pass is picked off and Carolina gets the ball back. Tampa manages to stop the drive so they will get another shot to get the lead back.
Unable to get the first down again Tampa must punt giving the Panthers the ball back around their own 16 yard line. Once again on a 3rd and 1 Cam Newton keeps the football and gets the 1st. Like I had predicted on this week’s “Offsides” article I suggested that Tampa would need to try and contain Newton. Tampa does make the stop and Carolina punts again.
Back to back first downs for Tampa and they are getting close to mid field. As we reach the end of the 3rd quarter Tampa get’s the first down in Carolina territory with the score still at Carolina 14 to Tampa 10.
Tampa decides to go for it on 4th and short. On the run in to the end zone the ball is fumbled just as he crosses the goal line so it goes up to the replay booth to determine if it was a touchdown before the fumble. Since the ruling on the field was a fumble recovered by a touchback, there was not enough evidence to overturn the play so the Panthers get the ball back.
Capializing on Tampa mistakes the Panthers are quick to get back to mid field. The Panthers get into the end zone again and take the score to 21 Carolina to Tampa 10.
Down by 11 points Tampa must be very careful with both the clock and their play calling. They make it into Panther territory but are forced to go for it on 4th down from the 40 after an incomplete pass on 3rd. They get the 1st on the 30 yard line so they are inching closer to striking distance.
They must convert on this drive since a field goal would still have them down more than a touchdown. They find themselves in a 4th down situation and opt for the kick and it is good. this takes the score to 13 Buccaneers to Panthers 21.
With 4 minutes left in the game the Panthers only need to keep control of the ball and wind the clock down. Tampa needs to concentrate on trying to force a turnover.
On a risky 3rd down play by Carolina, they get the 1st down just before mid field with a pass play. At the two minute warning it is 3rd and 12 with ball on the 42 yard line. even if Tampa has the opportunity to get the ball back they are short on time and have no time outs left.
Tampa will get the ball back with just under a minute left in the game having used all their time outs. They will start the drive from the 20.
With 20 seconds left they get the first down on the 24. On the next play Vincent Jackson catches it in the end zone so Tampa has no choice but to attempt a 2 point conversion to tie the game and force an overtime. They get the conversion so this game goes into overtime.
Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1st Half week 11
Published November 18, 2012 | Will Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Carolina Panthers and keep their playoff hopes alive?
The Panthers get the first possession of the game but are unable to do much with it and punt the ball. This has been a normal start for the Panthers since they have struggled most of theis season with their offense especially in the early parts of their games.
Tampa’s first possession stalls and goes 3 and out which is actually uncharacteristic for them this season. Tampa punts the ball and on the return the Panthers give up the ball and the Buc’s recover so they have the ball back and get a turnover early in the football game.
Tampa gets the touchdown so they are first with points on the board with a pass to Nate Byham in the end zone. Although they had a slow start on their first drive, the turnover resulting in a touchdown is the confidence boost they needed.
Again Carolina is unable to get anywhere with their drive and they must punt from their own red zone giving Tampa great field position. The Buccaneers will start their next drive from the 48 yard line. Unable to get in for 6 points ion this drive Tampa takes the field goal and extends their lead. The score is now Tampa 10 to Carolina 0.
On a 3rd and 15 the Buccaneers get a sack and force the Panthers to punt from deep in their own territory which gives Tampa the ball back with great field position from just about mid field.
A great play by the Panther defense and they get an interception and run the ball back for a touchdown. This puts Carolina back within 3 points and the score is now Tampa 10 to Carolina 7.
Just as the 1st quarter ends Tampa has gotten a first down and have the ball on their own 40 yard line with a 3 point lead over the Panthers.
So far in the second quarter the Panthers have had a good bit more momentum. The drive is doing well and they have a 1st down just outside the 10 yard line. On a 3rd down pass in the end zone they draw the pass interference call and get the first down on the 1 yard line. The Panthers push their way in and get the points and take the lead away from Tampa taking the score to 14 to 10.
The momentum that the Panthers picked up early in the quarter continues and they stop the drive of Tampa and force them to punt. Tampa’s defense must get to work and stop the next drive and get their offense back opn the field.
True to form Cam Newton, quarterback for the Panthers runs 10 yards for a first down. Newton is a very mobile quarterback and ona 3rd and 13 when it appears the play is falling apart he manages to come out of the pocket and makes the yards right up the center and makes the first down keeping the drive alive.
A nice pass to Greg Olsen and the Panthers get a first down on the 13. Michael Bennett gets the sack and brings up a 3rd and 9. A penalty on the next play negates a touchdown and brings up 3rd and 19. An incomplete pass and the Panthers must attempt a filed goal but is unsuccessful so the Buccaneers will get the nall back with just over 2 minutes left in the first half.
Just short of the 1st down on a 4th and short Tampa decides not to go for it, but before punting line up like they are in an attempt to draw the Panthers offsides. It doesn’t work and Tampa punts. The Panthers get the ball back with a minute left on the clock and 1 time out left in the half.
As the half ends the score still stands at Carolina 14 to Tampa 10.
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins 2nd Half week 11
Published November 15, 2012 | Starting down 9 points, Tampa Bay Buccaneers must play the 2nd half better against the Buffalo Bills
The half starts with the Bills getting the football first and sure enough, they give the ball to Spiller on the first 2 downs, and on the second one he gets the first down.
Buffalo is playing much better than I ever expected to see. They just seem to be slicing their way down the field. Miami is able to stop them from getting into field goal range so the Dolphins will get their first second half possession.
On a second and 10 Lee Smith stops Reggie Bush deep in the backfield for a big loss. Miami can not convert the 3rd and must punt the ball giving the Bills great field position on the 24.
Miami gets the sack on a 3rd and 8 so they force the Bills to punt. The Miami defense has done a fair job on stopping the Bills on a portion of their drives, the Dolphin offense has just not been able to do much with the ball when they did have it.
Miami will get the ball back around the 36 yard line. A decent pass to Brian Hartline and they get a 1st at the 45. The drive would have been over, but another penalty and Miami gets a first down.
A decent pass to Brian Hartline and they get a 1st at the 45. The drive would have been over, but another penalty and Miami gets a first down. Miami attempts a 50 yard field goal but it hits the upright so the Bills take over at mid field.
As the 3rd quarter ends, the score stands at Buffalo 19 to miami 7. Buffalo has the ball on a 3rd and 13 with ball on the 40. Buffalo does not get the 1st down and must punt.
Miami gets the ball back with decent field position. Miami has now gone 27 quarters without an offensive touchdown. They can not win many games with those kinds of stats from their offense. A first down by Reggie Bush.
A pass to Davone Bess and another 1st down and it’s first and goal with the ball on the 9. They really have to convert this drive into a touchdown. On a 2nd and goal with the ball on the 6 it appears that the Bills get the sack but instead it’s a facemask on Buffalo so they get the first down and spot the ball on the 6.
1 st down is a short loss and on 2nd down they push on the ground for a few yards. This brings up 3rd and goal from the 2. The pass in the end zone is ruled incomplete on the field but the challenge flag comes out so we wait for the replay officials’ ruling.
The ruling is overturned so the Dolphins get credit for the touchdown and we are back to a single score game. With the extra point the score is now Miami 14 to Buffalo 19.
Buffalo gets the ball back with a little over 8 minutes left in the football game with a 5 point lead. CJ Spiller again. What would have brought up 3rd and 10 another penalty, this time holding on Nolan Carroll and it gives the Bills a 1st down.
Miami is able to stop the next round of downs and the Bills bring out the punting team. The punt takes a Bills bounce and the football is spotted on the 1 yard line. Another drive that Miami must start from deep in their own territory.
On a 3rd and 2 Tannehill gets a 1st with a short pass on the left. And another first down, if they can keep this up they can get to mid field. As we hit the 2 minute warning the Dolphins have the ball and are in a must convert situation. A field goal is not good enough so they must get down field and into the end zone since they are down 5 points.
Instead of converting 2nd down into a 1st, the Bills intercept the ball. With under 2 minutes left in the game the Bills really only need to run a few plays, control the football and get a first down, and they can wind the clock down with the lead.
CJ Spiller gets 6 yards. Spiller gets 2 more yards right up the center. Miami stops them on the 3rd so they will get one more opportunity. The Dolphins get the ball back on the 15 yard line, but they are out of time outs with 1 minute and 24 seconds.
3 plays and 3 first downs but an offensive pass interference hurts the drive and they must replay the latest down, but they still have 43 seconds left with the ball on the 43. But on the next play Byron Scott intercepts the ball and the Bills win the game.
The final score Buffalo 19 to Miami 14.
Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills 1st Half week 11
Published November 15, 2012 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers meet the Buffalo Bills in week 11
The Dolphins start the game with the first possession and a short run by Reggie Bush and then a short pass to receiver Brian Hartline and it brings up 3rd and short, but they are unable to get the 3rd down conversion so the first drive goes 3 and out and it gives the Bills their first shot at the ball.
On the kick return Leodis McKelvin gets a good block and he runs the field and gets the touchdown on the return. The Bills are first to score and they lead 7 to 0 just minutes into the game. I certainly did not see the Bills scoring this quick and this certainly has the potential tochange the momentum of the game from the beginning.
A 15 yard penalty for a low block on Buffalo gives the Dolphins good field position. Buffalo is able to sack Miami on the next down and suddenly the Dolphins are working from a deficit and it is 3rd and 14. Nothing much happening and Miami has to kick again. This is certainly not a good start for the Dolphins.
Sometimes when games start out like this I often wonder how the oddsmakers at the sportsbooks feel about such big unexpected starts like touchdowns on kickoff returns and such. i would think that these kinds of big plays this early in the game would tend to increase the amount of in-play betting activity.
Two downs and 2 carries by CJ Spiller and the Bills get within a yard of the 1st down. On 3rd down a great stop by Reshad Jones and the Bills go 3 and out and must punt the football. Miami has a decent return and get good field position.
On the next play Brian Hartline coughs up the ball and the Bills recover and they have the ball back and another chance to extend their lead. The momentum is on the side of Buffalo so far this game.
On a 3rd and 10 after a false start penalty, the Bills get the 1st down. Another pass to receiver Steve Johnson and the Bills are well within Dolphin territory. Even though the Bills make it into the red zone Miami is able to shut down the 3rd down conversion but they do get the field goal. The Bills extend their lead and the score is 10 to 0.
And on the kick return Marcus Thigpen returns for Miami, breaks a tackle and runs it back 96 yards for the touchdown, so Miami cuts the lead and the score s now 7 Miami to Buffalo 10. There is just over 4 minutes in the first quarter.
A short screen pass to CJ Spiller and he gets the first down and the Bills are at mid field. Miami does keep them out of the end zone, but they do manage to get the field goal so the score is now 13 Buffalo to 7 Miami. The first quarter is just about to end.
The Dolphins were just unable to get past mid field on this drive and they bring out the punting unit. The Bills will start the next drive on their own 12 yard line.
Then on a 3rd and 5 a pass interference call on Miami gives the Bills a first down at mid field. On a 2nd and 10 the Dolphins break up the play and Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick runs it out for another first down. Another pass interfverence on Miami, on Nolan Carroll again, and the Bills get another big first down.
The Bills are in the red zone again. A good stop by Miami and they force the Bills into a field goal attempt. They get the points and the score is now Bills 16 to Dolphins 7.
After an incomplete pass deep in the secondary, a short pass to Reggie Bush and Miami gets a 1st down. Tannehill can not make it happen and Miami has to punt again. The Bills get the ball back at the 16 yard line with just over 6 minutes left in the first half.
Another pass interference call on Carroll, his 3rd of the game, and Buffalo gets the first down. A nice job on the Dolphin defense and they stop the 3rd down conversion and for the Bills to punt. The defense has actually played a decent enough game so far, but mistakes have given the Bills good field postion and a number of first downs.
Miami gets the ball back on their own 10 yard line with just over 3 minutes in the first half. This next possession is very important to miami since it gives them the opportunity to cut the 9 point lead to a single score game before the end of the half.
Buffalo stops them on their own 1 yard line and gets the sack. Miami must punt and Buffalo gets the ball back and will start from mid field at the 2 minute warning.
2 plays, 30 yards or so and 2 1st downs, Spiller is having a great game. He has 97 yards so far in the first half. A pass to Steve Johnson and they get the first down on the 4 yard line. Buffalo takes the field goal just as the half ends. The Bills take a 12 point lead into the locker room with a score of 19 to Miami 7.
Like I had predicted in the article I wrote yesterday here, while researching tonight’s game in advance, I knew that Spiller would be a threat that the Dolphins would have to try and contain. Miami will have to do a better job of stopping him. He has been doing a great job finding the hole and driving up the center, and he has caught a few passes and turned them into nice gains.
Will Tampa Bay Buccaneers meet the spread against the Carolina Panthers in week 11
Published November 15, 2012 | Can the Carolina Panthers beat the favorites Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Welcome to our weekly series of articles we call “Offsides”. This is a collective effort between us here at Football Betting World and Frank Benjamin over at OddsOnBetting. This week we take a look at the game between the Buccaneers and Panthers in week 11.
The sportsbooks have picked the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win by one point over the Carolina Panthers. To see the odds, just visit your favorite sportsbook or you can use our handy matchup tool which is located in the odds section in the left nav bar.
With the line at only one point the bookies really think that it will be a close game and that may be true so let’s take a look at why.
For one thing, the Bucs will have to keep an eye on running back Jonathan Stewart, but even more than that, quarterback Cam Newton, when forced out of the pocket has been very effective in rushing for a first down. In fact he has over 350 rushing yards this year.
While he is in the pocket he is also a threat if receivers Steve Smith or Brandon LaFell can get open and, they have to also keep track of tight end Greg Olsen since they are the most likely candidates that Newton will look for. This is what may tend to make it a closer game to predict.
But what the Panthers may not be expecting is that Michael Bennett will be there and be ready to take care of business. And he will not be alone; he will have plenty of help such as Ronde Barber and Mason Foster. These guys aren’t the only ones that the Carolina offense will have to contend with either. I could list more but would likely have to list the entire defensive roster.
Even though the Buc’s quarterback, Josh Freeman, has only been hitting about 56 percent he may be able to improve that number a bit on Sunday against the Panther defense. Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams are ready to step up and make it happen.
I haven’t even mentioned yet that this is not the first time these two teams have met this season. They played in the season opener at the beginning of the season. In that game, even though Cam Newton threw for over 300 yards, he also threw 2 interceptions. Tampa won that game 16 to 10.
Let’s not overlook the playoff hunt either. Tampa Bay is not quite out of it just yet, depending a lot on what happens this week. The amount of drive a team has to win, as well as a number of other factors can affect how much confidence players have before the football game starts.
Now Tampa’s hopes of reaching the playoffs are somewhat slim but it could actually happen in a few different scenarios. For them to accomplish this they will have to contend with Atlanta and that will prove to be difficult. It may be a long shot, but for this game what is important is that the fact that the possibility exists, could be the incentive boost that Tampa needs for Sunday’s football game.
I look for Tampa to do much better this week and for Josh Freeman to have a decent game like he did in the opener. The defense may not be able to count on the Panthers throwing 2 interceptions like in the first game so the Tampa defense will have to get in there and make the big plays and force the turnovers.
So yes, I think that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will meet the point spread, and in fact I think they will beat the spread and more.
For the opposing view on this game, be sure to visit OddsOnBetting to read the article by Frank Benjamin. Will the Carolina Panthers cover the spread against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Will the Buffalo Bills meet the spread against the Miami Dolphins in week 11
Published November 14, 2012 | Can Buffalo Bills meet the spread against the Miami Dolphins in week 11?
This week Miami Dolphins meet the Buffalo Bills. The sportsbooks are picking the Bills to win by a point. This is not much of a spread and when the books pick a game this close you can be sure they think it will be a close game for their bettors to pick too.
Originally when I first looked at this game to decide whether I thought the Bills could make the spread I realized that I was leaning toward the Dolphins not only stopping them but also winning the game.
Sometimes I question why I pick some teams other than gut feelings, but let me see if I can justify my pick to you. Plus if you consider how important this game is to them, they really need a win on Thursday, they have the extra incentive to try and play with fewer mistakes than the early part of their season.
Yes it’s true that the Dolphin offense isn’t exactly rated real high, but the defense of the Bills isn’t exactly rated real high either, in fact it is near the bottom of the league. This does not mean that anyone can take the night off either.
Reggie Bush one of the Dolphins’ top running backs will need to have a decent game, and protect the ball well. In addition, Daniel Thomas and Lamar Miller will likely see a fair amount of play. Even though they do not have a huge passing game, quarterback Ryan Tannehill has enough receivers to go to in the backfield that they would be able to fall back to the air game a bit to keep the Bill defense wondering.
I think the biggest threats to the game for the Dolphins will be containing running backs
CJ Spiller and Tashard Choice. In addition to the yards they can get on the ground, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has has been known to hustle and get a first down, but I think that Miami will be able to control that.
Even though they will have a bit of a battle on the ground I do think that the defense will be able to win that battle. So instead of the Bills making the spread I am picking the Dolphins to beat the Bills by 2.
Whether you agree with my pick or not, I encourage you to check out the odds on this game or any other with the odds tool in the left navigation of the site here at Football Betting World. If you are ready to place a bet try the sportsbook at BetOnline or Sportsbetting. All new players are offered a bonus with their first deposit.
Overtime in week 10 Pittsburgh Steelers vs Kansas City Chiefs
Published November 12, 2012 | Overtime in the Pittsburgh Steelers vs Kansas City Chiefs week 10
The Chiefs win the toss and recieve the ball. On the first play Matt Cassel throws an interception and the Steelers get the ball back and is within field goal range and are a kick away from winning the football game in overtime.
And just as quick as the Chiefs turn the lead around at the end of regulation time, the Pittsburgh Steelers put the points up on the board and win the game in 55 seconds.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Kansas City Chiefs 2nd Half week 10
Published November 12, 2012 | The 2nd half of the football game with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 10
On 3rd down the Chiefs get a sack and Pittsburgh go 3 and out to start the 3rd quarter and they punt the ball and the Chiefs start the first possession of the half on the 39. As the Cheifs offense takes the field we see Roethlisberger go the locker room with a possible injury to his arm.
Cassel in play action can’t seem to find a man open and he runs iut out and gets a first down. Then Charles runs it for 9 yards and they are close to another 1st down, sure enough after another run to the right.
The Chiefs are once again knocking on the door and another first down and they have the football on the 20. They just reported that the sholder of Roethlisberger is being looked at and that his return in this game is now questionable. The Chiefs need to attempt a field goal and they miss so the Steelers will get the ball back without their starting quarterback.
On the first snap this year by backup quarterback Byron Leftwich he takes a hit and is slow getting up. The next play the ball an incomplete pass but the Cheifs defense thinks it is fumbled and they run it in for what they think is a touchdown but the officials rules it incomplete pass.
The Steelers make it to mid field but they can’t get any more and they go for it on 4th and 4 and they don’t get it so the Chiefs get the ball back at the 49 yard line.
Pittsburgh is making them work for anything and they are in a 3rd and long situation. They do not convert the play and they must punt. The Steelers don’t get much on 1st and 2nd but on 3rd and 9 yards they have a short pass and run it’s 1st and 10 with the football on the 46 with about 2 minutes in the 3rd period.
They try an unsuccessful 15 yard pass and pass interference is called and they get the first down. At the end off the 3rd quarter the score is 10 to 10 and the Steelers have the football. Pittsburgh really needs to protect this drive and make it convert into pints, preferably a touchdown but if not they can not let the field goal get away from them.
The ball is on the 14 with a 1st and 10. You gotta give the Kansas City defense a hand since they are breaking up a number of plays and stopping the run from getting through on the outside. An incomplete pass on 3rd down and the Steelers take the field goal from the 31 yard line. Pittsburgh takes the lead at 13 to the Chiefs 10 and there is just over 12 minutes left in the game.
Pittsburgh breaks up a few plays of Kansas City and they have to punt and the Steelers get the ball back on the 21 with a little more than 12 minutes left in the football game.
A screen pass to Isaac Redmon and they get a first down. On 2nd and 10 Redmon runs it out and gets about 4 and it will bring up 3rd and 6. A run it is a few short so the Steelers must punt. The Chiefs will have another opportunity to either tie the score back up or take the lead on their next drive.
Pittsburgh stops the run on the right side and Kansas City has to kick and the Steelers will get the ball back on the 18 with about 7 minutes left in the game. They go 3 and out and kick again.
The Chiefs get the ball back and there is just over 5 mintes left. The Chiefs go 3 and out and the Steelers get the ball baclk again and there is just over 4 minutes left.
On 3rd and 7 Byron Leftwich makes a nice pass to Jerricho Cotchery and they get the ball to the 33. Another nice play by Pittsburgh and they are reaching the red zone and we are close to the 2 minute warning. With 2 minutes and 10 seconds left pittsburgh does not get the first down and they bring the kicking unit on the field and we have the 2 minute warning.
Kansas City is down by 3, out of time outs and get the ball on the 20. They get a 1st down and have to run a hurry up and no huddle offense, the next play is incomplete so the clock stops and its 2nd and 10.another first down at mid field.
Another first down but a Steeler down on the field so with an injury time out the clock stops. Chiefs get another first down and withing field goal range but holding on the Chiefs moves them back to the 50. Then it’s 4th and 15 with 22 seconds left. They need a first down and gets it they have to act quick and down the ball and have 3 seconds left to attempt a field goal to tie the score.
The 46 yard kick is good and the game goes to overtime. The end or regular time score of the game Pittsburgh Steelers 13 to Kansas City Chiefs 13.
