Super Bowl XLII Odds: Record wagering?

The Patriots are good for business. With Super Bowl XLII likely to draw record ratings with New England going for perfection against the Giants, sports books also could see unprecedented numbers.

The Las Vegas sports books' record handle of $94.5 million came in 2006, when the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL, but many expect this Sunday’s game to surpass $100 million wagered there on the game.

Other than the New England factor, there is the big-city New York factor and the fact that Phoenix is close to Vegas, giving fans even more reason to bet.

Chuck Esposito, assistant vice president of race and sports book operations at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, said a number of factors could take this year's Big Game over the $100 million mark.

"First, you have the popular Pats with a chance to make history by going 19-0," Esposito said. "We also have the whole New York versus Boston sports rivalry, which became popular in baseball but now has carried over to football."

And we aren’t even talking about the amount of take offshore online books such as WagerWeb.com will take in.

Generally, 80 percent of the action typically takes place in the two days before the game, but Giants fans already have brought the line down to around 12 from a start of around 14. In general, sports books hope the line eventually will rise back to 13 or beyond, because history has shown that casual bettors – who typically bet in the final few days before the game - overwhelmingly favor the favorite."I think there were some professional handicappers who saw [the line] as high as it was going to go and took a stand at 14 and knocked it down to 12," said Tony Sinisi, odds director at Las Vegas Sports Consultants. "I would not be surprised to see it end up at around 13. I think your casual bettors are going to be more New England bettors."

The Patriots have been a particularly frustrating team for Las Vegas this season, with the books losing on as many as 14 of the 18 games they have played. After they failed to cover against the Eagles, people began wagering against the Patriots, who proceeded to go 2-7 against the spread in their final nine games.

The Pats, incidentally, were the last Super Bowl team to come in as a double-digit underdog, 14 points to St. Louis in 2002, before the Super Bowl XXXVI upset that launched the New England dynasty. And the previous time before that, in 1998, defending champion Green Bay was a 12-point favorite before losing to John Elway's Denver Broncos 31-24.

If the line continues to drop, to, say, 11 1/2 or 11, it could create a "middle" opportunity for some bettors. That is, someone who had the Giants at 13 ½ could then take the Patriots at 11, hope the Patriots win by 12 or 13 and cash both tickets. Such a scenario is bad for the sports books because they have to pay out on both sides.

The most famous example, sometimes called "Black Sunday," took place in 1979 when the Steelers played the Cowboys in Super Bowl XIII. The Steelers were favored, with the line fluctuating between 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 in most places before finally settling at 4. The Steelers won 35-31, and Vegas was hit hard.

Robert Walker, sports book director for MGM Mirage, expects more Patriots support to show up in the last couple of days, moving the line back to 12 1/2 or 13 and leaving the books covered.

"The money will come in on the Patriots," he said. "The people are waiting to see how low it will go and then they'll jump in on them."

Bet on Super Bowl XLII at WagerWeb.com

Super Bowl XLII Odds: Strahan glad he came back

Arguably the face of the New York Giants during Super Bowl week in Arizona (no one was more popular with reporters during Media Day), defensive end Michael Strahan almost wasn’t a Giant this season.

During the summer, Strahan, 36, pondered retirement after 14 seasons despite coming off a season with nine sacks. In fact, he missed all of training camp, spending most of the time in Hermosa Beach, Calif., enjoying the sun and the sand.

Strahan wasn't happy with his contract, and General Manager Jerry Reese wasn't going to give him a raise.

So Strahan stayed away, racking up fines from the club, fielding calls from Reese and text messages from teammates and coaches, asking him when he was going to show up.

”I was enjoying myself on the beach,” Strahan said. “My offseason was phenomenal. I had a great time. I did not regret or miss not being at camp one bit.”

There were reports that a messy, public, expensive divorce may have been the motivation for Strahan eventually returning (it reportedly cost Strahan around $15 million).

Strahan says his motivation to play this year was as simple as wanting to finish his career upright and healthy and to have a chance at playing in his second Super Bowl.

And played well, part of a defense that led the NFL with 53 sacks. Strahan finished the regular season with nine sacks, third on the team behind fellow defensive ends Osi Umenyiora, who had 13, and Justin Tuck, who had 10.

”We compete against each other so if somebody gets a sack, the other guys want to get two. We compete against each other and that's why I think we've had the season we've had together,” Strahan said.You're talking about a 15-year veteran who still plays the game at a high level of skill,' linebacker Antonio Pierce said. 'He's a Pro Bowler, a future Hall of Famer. He's been a big influence on the young guys, especially on the defensive line.'

Strahan, whose 141.5 career sacks lead all active players and rank fifth on the NFL’s all-time list, is one of two Giants (Amani Toomer) who played on New York’s Super Bowl XXXV team, which lost 34-7 to the Ravens.

”It’s a different type of happiness than it was the last time. Last time was probably giddiness. This is, “I’m just happy to be here,” and I realize that we still have one step to take.”

If the Giants were to pull the upset, Strahan hasn’t said whether he will take the route of John Elway or Jerome Bettis and retire while on top.

”I think if you start to think like that, it takes away from your season, it takes away from your preparation for that year and especially a game like this,” said Strahan. “It’s the last thing on my mind.”

”I just want a ring. ... (and) you know what’s he said, laughing. “If I would have stayed retired, they wouldn’t be here. We all know that.”

Bet on Super Bowl XLII at WagerWeb.com

Super Bowl XLII: Pats' Bruschi an inspiration

While you will hear players from both the Patriots and Giants say how glad they are to “be here” at Super Bowl XLII, you can bet no player is more happy to “be here” than New England linebacker Tedy Bruschi.

On Feb. 16, 2005, only 10 days after Bruschi's interception of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb helped seal a 24-21 New England victory in Super Bowl XXXIX and only three days after the lone Pro Bowl appearance of his 12-year career, Bruschi suffered a stroke, which severely impaired his vision and affected his motor skills.

"Before I could sit back and enjoy that win, I was fighting for my life," Bruschi said.

In May of that year, Bruschi acknowledged that he was uncertain he would ever play again (he had to relearn to walk after leaving the hospital), and in September 2005, Bruschi announced that he intended to return to the Patriots for the 2006 season. And then, on Oct. 16, only eight months after the stroke, he said he would come back for the remainder of the 2005 season.

Two weeks later, in a 21-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills, he recorded 10 tackles in his return performance.

"It sounds ludicrous to play football after a stroke," Bruschi said. "The sentence is just not used a lot."

”What we've done is sport, not real life," safety Rodney Harrison said. "What Tedy has accomplished is pretty much a miracle."

Win or lose, Bruschi will appreciate this Super Bowl more than any of the others.”I hold every Super Bowl with a special place in my heart," he continued. "But to help this team to get back to this point is sort of a victory for me in itself. I've been working with the American Stroke Association a lot and I know this is a victory for all stroke survivors. I realize the whole grasp of things I've been able to accomplish. People have told me about being an inspiration to them. I respect that and I am humbled by it. It's something I'm proud to call myself -- a stroke survivor. "Every day means a lot to me."

Despite leading New England in tackles for a second consecutive season, the soon-to-be 35-year-old may well retire on top after Sunday’s game.

Bruschi, who could cap his career with a title in the same state in which he starred in college (at Arizona), said he hasn't made a decision.

"I'm 34 years old. I'm in my 12th year. After every season, I sort of reassess things," said Bruschi. "I look at people who put it off to this offseason already. What they do is they sit back, they sort of reassess and make decisions with their families. That's what I'll do."

Bruschi still hears from fans who have been inspired by his courageous comeback or are going through a similar situation.

"Constantly," he said. "Letters, fan mail, e-mails. They tell me their story and how (mine) relates to them. My doctors tell me that their patients light up every time they tell somebody, 'This is the same thing Ted Bruschi went through. If he can get back to playing professional football, then you can be a normal, functioning human being also.' "

Bet on Super Bowl XLII at WagerWeb.com

Superbowl XLII: The business of TV

With the New England Patriots going for history in Super Bowl XLII on Sunday against the New York Giants, it's good to be an executive at Fox.

The network is hopeful that this will be the most-watched Super Bowl in history - the record currently is 94.08 million viewers who watched the Dallas Cowboys beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in January 1996.

"This has a very good chance (of breaking the record)," said Brad Adgate, research chief for the Madison Avenue firm Horizon Media.

After all, the NFC Championship Game between the Giants and Green Bay Packers had the biggest audience for that game since 1995. And the Patriots-Giants regular season finale was seen by 34.5 million people, the most-watched NFL regular season game since 1990.

The best thing for Fox would be a close game with the Giants leading, but the Patriots still with a chance at the end.

With such an expected bonanza of viewers, Fox is charging a record $2.7 million for a 30-second ad, and that price isn't scaring many away. In fact, many advertisers are banking more than ever on the Super Bowl as the writers' strike has interrupted hit TV
shows.

As is typical, Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., has spent heavily on this year's game, with seven spots planned, according to AdAge.com. Other companies making repeat appearances include PepsicoCareerBuilder.com.Super Bowl after long absences. Audi, a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, is coming back to the game after nearly 20 years, with a Godfather-themed spot. And Coca-Cola Co., whose main brand was back in the game last year for the first time since 1998, will have three or four spots this year.

Another theme cropping up again this year is amateur talent. The NFL itself ran a contest among fans last year to come up with ad ideas, and this year solicited league players to pitch ideas for a spot based on how they got into the sport. Likewise Doritos, which charmed viewers last year with spots made by amateur filmmakers, is running a contest where undiscovered musicians submit video performances of original songs. And Pepsico used its own employees in its Super Bowl ad.

Interestingly, companies that have advertisements run during the course of the 3-plus hour Super Bowl telecast have seen their stock prices top the Standard & Poor's 500 10 of the last 12 years, according to a recent study.

The study, done by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, indicates shares of businesses that ran ads during the 1996-2007 Super Bowls outperformed S&P 500 stocks by almost 1.3 percent the week before and the week after the big game.
Inc.'s Frito Lay, Kraft Foods Inc.'s Planters nuts division and

Superbowl XLII: Plaxico Burress predicts 23-17

Attention bettors: New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico BurressSuper Bowl XLII will be: 23-17, G-Men.

Despite his club being a 12-point betting underdog, Burress isn't lacking confidence - and while he stopped short of a guarantee, well he wasn't backing off his prediction.

"Are predictions guarantees?" he said. "We want to win this game."

"Why come in with a negative attitude?" Burress said at media day. "We've got to take a back seat to them because they are 19-0? The goal is to win the football game."

Burress says the Giants aren't just at the Super Bowl to play, and he says if they do what's necessary to win, they'll come out on top.

"I am going to say it again: the goal is to win the football game," Burress said. "It is not to come here and just play. The goal is to come here and win. That's why we are here."

As for the score? "My high school basketball number was 23," said Burress, who wears No. 17.

New York coach Tom Coughlin was a little taken aback to hear his star receiver make that proclamation, saying "That's not the way we have done things all season."

Yet Burress isn't the only one feeling confident. Giants co-owner Steve Tisch has also predicted tha this team would upset the Patriots. And defensive end Michael Strahan told reporters "history will be ours."

When told of Burress' prediction, Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas just shrugged it off.

"One thing I've learned this year more than anything else is none of that matters," Thomas said. "Nothing that you do in the press conference matters. The only thing that matters is how you play on Sunday."Burress also had this to say about Pats QB Tom Brady, who called the Giants "probably the hottest team in the NFL right now."

"That's a bunch of crap," said Burress. "He doesn't believe that. He's a Michigan guy. He's supposed to say things like that."

Of course, Burress went to Michigan State, so he automatically harbors ill will toward Wolverines.

REMATCH BOWL: This will be the 12th time that the Super Bowl will be a rematch of a regular season game; the team that lost the regular season game is 6-5 in the Super Bowl rematch.

This is the third time in the Giants' four Super Bowl appearances that they are facing a team that they played in the regular season. All three regular season games were played in Giants Stadium.

In 1986, the Giants defeated Denver on Nov. 23 then beat the Broncos in Super Bowl XXI, 39-20. Four years later, the Giants lost to the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 15, but topped the Bills in Super Bowl XXV, 20-19.

The New England Patriots also played two rematch Super Bowls. In 1985, the Patriots lost to the Chicago Bears early in the season and were then routed in Super Bowl XX. Six years ago, New England lost at home to St. Louis on Nov. 18. The Patriots never lost again and beat the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI, 20-17. knows what the final score of

NCAA Odds: Kansas vs Kansas State

No. 2 Kansas' unbeaten record could be in severe jeopardy on NCAA basketball Wednesday night when the Jayhawks (20-0, 5-0 Big 12) travel to Manhattan, Kan., to play the young but rising No. 22 Kansas State Wildcats (14-4, 4-0).

Superstar Wildcats freshman center Michael Beasley has led KSU to nine wins in the past 10 games, but KU has won an incredible 24 consecutive games in Manhattan and beaten KSU in 35 of the past 36 meetings; Kansas State last beat Kansas at home during the 1983-84 season.

That didn't stop Beasley from basically guaranteeing a season sweep of Kansas before the season even began.

"We're going to beat Kansas at home. We're going to beat them in their house. We're going to beat them in Africa," Beasley said then. "Wherever we play, we're going to beat them."

The Streak, insists coach Bill Self, is the furthest thing from the Jayhawks' minds.

"This is a game that's going to mean an awful lot to a lot of people," he said. "Our players could care less what happened (in past years). Their players could care less, too. But because there's so much interest, our players feed off the interest level, which makes the game so much bigger."

This is the first time the rivals have met as ranked teams in nearly 50 years, when the No. 10 Jayhawks upset No. 1 Kansas State in Manhattan in March 1958. "This will certainly be the toughest test we've had to date, without question," Self said. "It could be as hard a test as we have this year. Hopefully, we'll be prepared. We'll find out a lot more about ourselves from a poise standpoint."

Through four games of conference play, Kansas State's average margin of victory is 16 points, with its best win against then-No. 9 Texas A&M; through five games of conference play, Kansas has an average margin of victory of 23.2 points, but no victories against ranked teams.

Another impressive stat for both teams is defense. In conference play, Kansas State is allowing just 62.2 points per game, compared to Kansas' 58.2.

Kansas hasn't opened a season with 21 consecutive wins since its 22-0 start in 1996-97; the Wildcats will be just the second ranked team Kansas has faced this season. The Jayhawks won 59-55 at Southern California -- which had also been No. 22 -- on Dec. 2.

KSU, meanwhile, has started its Big 12 schedule with four consecutive wins for the first time since 1988 but it hasn't beaten a team ranked as high as No. 2 since the 1993-94 season, when it won at then-No. 1 Kansas 68-64.

"Either you are going to rise to the occasion or you're going to fall," Walker said. "We plan on rising."

NBA Odds - Celtics vs. Heat

Tuesday night's Celtics-Heat game in Miami would appear to be a severe mismatch between a Boston team with the best record in the NBA and a Miami club that just ended a 15-game losing streak.

However, Boston is only a 6.5-point favorite on WagerWeb.comKevin Garnett again Tuesday. Garnett, who averages 19.2 points and a team-leading 9.9 rebounds, is still day-to-day with a strained abdominal muscle suffered during an 87-86 win over Minnesota on Friday.

The injury forced him to miss a game for the first time this season on Sunday, and Boston lost 96-93 at Orlando.

Garnett tried to convince coach Doc Rivers to allow him to play in Sunday's game, but Rivers wouldn't budge. And Rivers said it's unlikely Garnett will play against the Heat.

"That muscle in the stomach is not anything you play with," Rivers said. "From the history of other players that have had it, he can actually be injured and be out for a while. We're lucky that he caught it early enough.

"He may play Tuesday [at Miami], may. But I doubt that. I just think we go day to day with it. It's just not worth taking a chance."Boston is only 6-5 against teams from Miami's Southeast Division but is 2-0 against the Heat this year. Garnett had 26 points and 11 rebounds in a 92-91 home victory over Miami on Nov. 16 before scoring 23 points and grabbing nine boards in a 95-85 road win on Nov. 30.

"Obviously Kevin is the heart and soul of what we do," said Celtics guard Ray Allen.

The potential absence of Garnett means Allen and Paul Pierce will try to carry the scoring load. Pierce scored 24 points Sunday, but that was just the second time in 11 games he's had more than 20 and he is 5-for-18 from 3-point range over the last four games.

During that same span, Allen has been held to an average of 16.3 points while shooting 35.8 percent from the field.

So Boston may need James Posey to again pick up the slack. The forward, averaging 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds and shooting 40.4 percent from 3-point range in 22.7 minutes per game, had had 16 points, nailed 4 of 6 3-pointers, and grabbed 6 rebounds in 26 minutes in Sunday's loss.

The 9-33 Heat are coming off a 98-96 victory over Indiana on Saturday that ended their 15-game losing streak.

Dwyane Wade scored 35 points in that game and will need to carry the load with Shaquille O'Neal sidelined. The All-Star guard is averaging 32.6 points over the last five games.

The last time Miami recorded consecutive victories was Dec. 9-10.

Bet on the NBA at WagerWeb.com because it likely will be without MVP candidate

NHL Odds - Ducks get Selanne back

The NHL drops the puck on the second half of its season on Tuesday night, and the defending Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks

That's because the Ducks got word that Teemu Selanne is ending his five-month pseudo-sabbatical because "this team has all the tools we need" to win another Stanley Cup.

The Ducks filled their need for a top-six forward by signing the 37-year-old for the balance of the season.

Anaheim is 27-20-6 entering the second half and currently sits fourth in the Western Conference with 60 points. The Ducks are one point behind Pacific Division co-leaders San Jose and Dallas.

Selanne scored 48 regular-season goals and five more in 21 playoff games last season en route to the Ducks' first Stanley Cup title. The 1999 Maurice (Rocket) Richard Trophy winner, Selanne has scored 540 goals and 595 assists in his 15-year career.

"The only reason why I came back is that I really felt that I wanted to play hockey again," Selanne said.

"That's why I'm here. I'm not expecting everything to happen automatically right away. You have to patient a little while, but I'm expecting to feel better everyday. That's what I'm looking forward to."

Selanne has been working out aggressively throughout his unofficial retirement, and he practiced with the team Monday. He accompanied the Ducks on their eight-game, 15-day road trip. He won't play Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild, but he's not ruling out making his debut Friday against the St. Louis Blues."We are ecstatic," Anaheim general manager Brian Burke said. "He provides proven goal-scoring and leadership, and we believe he will give us a boost for the stretch run."

The Ducks are hoping that Selanne can lift the spirits of a team that went into the All-Star break with three consecutive losses.

"It'll be nice," winger Chris Kunitz said. "We usually have a fairly quiet locker room. With him back, it'll be vocal."

WINGS STAR IMPROVING: Detroit left wing Henrik Zetterberg, who missed the final two games of last week's road trip because of a sore lower back, then didn't go to the All-Star Game Sunday in Atlanta, practiced Monday and might play sometime this week.

"I felt all right," said Zetterberg, who completed the practice Monday, only slowing slightly at the end.

"It's been a few days since I've skated. I skated pretty good. It's definitely going in the right direction.

"I kind of held back (at the end of practice), but it's natural to do that with so many days off. If it keeps going the way it's going, I'm real positive about (playing) Wednesday (against Phoenix), but we'll make a decision (Tuesday) or Wednesday."

Wings coach Mike Babcock said the decision to play could largely depend on Zetterberg, who leads the team in goals (28) and points (61).

"Whatever he decides," Babcock said.

The Red Wings have a commanding points lead in the Western Conference (and for the Presidents Cup) even though Zetterberg has been dealing with back issues through the season.

Bet on the NHL at WagerWeb.com already are a better team than before the All-Star break.

NFL Odds - Super Bowl - Pats' overlooked star

How often can a player who tied for the NFL lead in catches and also had more than 1,000 yards receiving be overlooked on his own team?

Well, on the perfect 2007 New England Patriots he can.
With Randy Moss and his 98 catches for 1,493 yards and an NFL-record 23 touchdowns in the regular season stealing all the headlines with Tom Brady, Wes Welker just stayed in the slot and kept catching those short, boring passes from Brady to the tune of 112 receptions for 1,175 yards and 8 touchdowns (all career highs).

And while Moss has struggled in the two playoff games with a total of two catches for 32 yards, Welker, acquired last offseason in a trade with the Miami Dolphins, has 16 receptions for 110 yards and two TDs.

And he blocks, too: "I know he caught 112 balls, but he made some big-time key blocks," says Patriots VP of player personnel Scott Pioli. "He's been one of the best blocking wide receivers in the league this year, if not the best. He's tenacious. And there's times when he'll run into guys and bounce off them, too."

But all you will hear about this week is how New York will gear up to stop Moss, who burned the Giants for two touchdowns (including a 65-yarder) and 100 yards receiving in Week 17. Does anyone remember that Welker had 11 catches for 122 yards in that same game?"Pound for pound, Wes is probably the toughest football player in the league," said Chargers linebacker Junior Seau. "There are different types of players in the league. There are guys who want to be great and there are guys who need to be great. He's one of the need guys."

Welker doesn't let his 5-foot-9, 185-pound frame limit him.

"Nothing really bothers me," Welker said. "I know my capabilities and I think the coaches know. We try to play to those strengths and from there I just go out there and execute my plays. I don't really worry about the size, the speed, anything else. It's a matter of me going out there and executing, and making sure I'm doing my job."

Brady definitely knows where his bread his buttered when he needs a big catch.

"When the game is on the line, that's who I'm throwing to," Brady said of Welker. "Wes is fearless going over the middle. I don't remember any matchups where we didn't have an edge with his quickness."

Welker, who was undrafted out of Texas Tech and waived by the Chargers a game into his rookie season in 2004 (he signed with the Dolphins a week later), believes the 12-point underdog Giants won't make the same mistake as others have, believing that Moss is the be-all and end-all of the Patriots' attack.

"I think they know it's a one-game season at this point, and they've played up to it," he said. "They're playing physical out there and their special teams have been excellent, their defense is playing really well and their offense kind of speaks for itself. It's definitely going to be a great matchup for us."

Bet on Super Bowl XLII at WagerWeb.com

NFL Odds - Super Bowl - Pats' rejuvenated Maroney

During the regular season, the AFC champion Patriots were no question a passing team. Tom Brady set the NFL record for touchdown passes, while Randy Moss did the same for TD catches. There were many games where it didn't even appear New England bothered to investigate its own ground game.

That has changed appreciably.

Running back Laurence Maroney has rushed for 122 yards in each of the playoff wins against Jacksonville and San Diego as Brady and the passing attack have come back to earth.

After being limited to just 17 yards on seven carries in the first half of the AFC title game, Maroney powered through the Chargers for 105 yards after the intermission. He was a big reason the Patriots were able to control the ball in the second half, especially the fourth quarter.

"There were a lot of critics talking about our running game and the productivity of our game early in the season," said Maroney, a second-year pro. "So it felt good to go out there and run the clock out with the running game.

"It's a lot of excitement flowing through my body and my mind right now," Maroney said. "I've never been to a Super Bowl and never played in one. I'm just trying to stay calm right now."Maroney has scored six TDs in his last five games, including at least one in each contest. Before that Maroney had scored just two touchdowns all year. Also in those past five games, Maroney has carried 106 times (an average of slightly more than 21 times per game) for 550 yards (110-yard average). And he hasn't fumbled, which he never does.

Over a two-year career during the regular season and postseason in which Maroney has 496 total touches on rushes, receptions and kickoff returns, he has one fumble.

"He's come up with big games at the right time," fullback Heath Evans said of Maroney. "He's doing great, great things. The last couple of weeks, you've seen that shoulder pad go down (to run over defenders).

He's always had it in him. We saw film of him in college. He was running people over, as well as showing his speed. We forget sometimes that he's young. He's two years (in the league), but he really hasn't played two years because of different knickknack injuries.

"The kid's hitting his stride at the right time."

As further proof that Bill Belichick is relying more on his backs, the Pats have recorded 49 percent of the playoff first downs on running plays.

In the AFC title game, the Patriots had five third-down plays on which they needed to gain 2 yards or fewer for a first down. They successfully converted all five. Maroney carried the ball on three of those plays and Evans carried on the other two, and the gains went for 3, 8, 4, 5 and 5 yards, for an average of 5 yards per carry.

You can bet the Giants will be aware of all those numbers.

Bet on Super Bowl XLII at WagerWeb.com

NFL Odds - Super Bowl - Giants' playoff MVP?

You've no doubt heard how the Giants' surprising playoff run has been mostly credited to QB Eli Manning, who has been turnover-free in the postseason.

But cornerback Corey Webster might well be the biggest reason New York is in Super Bowl XLII to face the heavily favored New England Patriots - who are -12 (53.5) on WagerWeb.com.

Webster, a 2005 second-round pick out of LSU, began the season as a starter but was eventually demoted to nickel cornerback, then to the bench, then to watching in street clothes.

However, with starter Kevin Dockery hurt, Webster climbed back into the cornerback rotation against the Bills in Week 16. And all Webster did was return an interception for a touchdown in that 38-21 win over Buffalo, which clinched a playoff spot for New York.

Then, when cornerback Sam Madison was injured in Week 17 against the Patriots, Webster became a starter. And in the playoff opener in Tampa, he had an interception as well as a fumble recovery on special teams. He held Bucs No. 1 receiver Joey Galloway to one catch for 9 yards.

In the playoff win against Dallas, Webster helped slow Terrell Owens to four catches for 49 yards.

The capper came in the NFC title game, when Webster picked off Brett Favre on the second play of OT, setting up the game-winning field goal. That was his third pick in five games after having only one in his first 39 NFL games.

"What he's done in the last few weeks, after all he's gone through, it's amazing," Madison said. "All the things we've all worked on this season ... He's always had the talent. He just finally pulled it out.""It's a pretty great feeling, after all the ups and downs," Webster said after the Green Bay win. "Through the whole season, there were some tough times. But it feels great now."

Now Webster likely will get the primary task of covering Randy Moss, who only set the NFL record for touchdown catches in a season this year.

"It just takes confidence," linebacker Antonio Pierce said. "He got beat up for two years by our former defensive coordinator (Tim Lewis) and other people. He stayed strong. Everybody's been positive with him regardless of the circumstances. And I have to give my hat off to him."

GOOD TYNES: Apparently, it wasn't Giants coach Tom Coughlin's decision alone to attempt the game- inning field goal in overtime against the Packers in the NFC title game.

With the score tied Sunday night at Lambeau Field, Coughlin said he wasn't sure whether to go for it on fourth down at the Green Bay 29 or attempt to kick, so he looked to kicker Lawrence Tynes, who had missed two fourth-quarter field goals badly.

To Coughlin's surprise, he found Tynes not on the sideline but standing on the field, preparing for a 47- ard field-goal attempt. Tynes had not waited for Coughlin, or anyone else, to send him into the game.

He just ran onto the field. And when Coughlin saw that, he knew what to do.

"We don't do a lot of talking, anyway. But you could tell that he was very confident that he was going to make that kick. And when he started out on the field and that was the very strong impression that he made upon us, there was no question - OK, let's go make it," Coughlin said.

Tynes had acted so swiftly he left holder Jeff Feagles in the bench area, too."I saw Lawrence out there, and I was like, 'O.K., let's go,' " Feagles said. "You could see he was ready."

The rest, of course, is history.

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NBA Odds - Injuries Hit Cavs, Mavs

Two potential NBA finalists are awaiting results of readed MRI results after each lost a key contributor o an ankle injury on Sunday.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, the reigning Eastern onference champions, are hitting their stride. Coming off Sunday’s win over the Lakers, they have won four straight road games and have won at Dallas and at San Antonio in the past month.

A big part of that resurgence - an Eastern Conference-best 11-3 since Christmas - has been forward/center Anderson Varejao, who is averaging 8.0 points and a team-leading 8.7 rebounds.

However, with 3:12 left in the third period of Sunday’s game in L.A., he suffered a left ankle sprain when he when he accidentally stepped on Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic's foot.

X-rays were negative for a break, but doctors at Staples Center diagnosed Varejao with a Grade-2 sprain, which is a partial tearing of a ligament. He was to see Lakers team doctor Steve Lombardo on Monday and have an MRI to confirm the diagnosis.

It is a low-ankle sprain, not a high-ankle sprain like Varejao suffered his rookie season, costing him 17 games. He is likely going to be out at least a few weeks, however.

'We know he's going to be out a few games,' LeBron James said. 'We're going to need a few guys to step up.'Varejao doesn’t start but is the Cavs’ best interior defender, and the club is 14-9 with him in the lineup this season. Donyell Marshall is likely to see more time in his absence.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks are also playing well and will go for their fourth straight win Monday night against Memphis.

They will do so without starting point guard Devin Harris, who left Sunday night’s game against Denver with his own sprained ankle and didn’t travel with the team to Memphis.

"It's a bad sprain," Harris said as he left the arena Sunday following the Mavs' 90-85 victory over Denver. "We'll know more when I get re-evaluated."

After a driving layup with 7:53 remaining in the game, Harris crash-landed into several cameramen and immediately grabbed for the same ankle he had sprained against the Lakers on Friday.

Harris said X-rays were negative, but he is also likely to miss significant time.

"We hope to get some good news after the MRI," coach Avery Johnson said.

Harris was in the midst of perhaps his best stretch of the season, averaging 16.2 points and 5.7 assists over the past 11 games.

His absence will likely move Jason Terry back as the starting point guard and increase playing time for second-year player J.J. Barea.

"We have guys that can step in and fill it up," said Josh Howard.

Bet on the NBA at WagerWeb.com

College Basketball Odds - Louisville at UConn

Two surging Big East teams meet for the only time in the regular season on Monday night when Louisville (15-5, 5-2) travels to Connecticut (14-5, 4-3).

UConn has won three games in a row, two of them against ranked teams in Marquette and, on Saturday, Indiana.

"I think that raised an eyebrow for everybody," Louisville center David Padgett said. "They're probably playing as well as anybody in the conference and maybe the country."

UConn coach Jim Calhoun called the Indiana victory, which snapped the Hoosiers' 29-game home winning streak, one of the signatures wins in his career.

"The win over Indiana certainly speaks volumes for us," Calhoun said. "We're going to have to obviously do more [to get into the NCAA Tournament], but I would think we'll move up a bit now."

The game meant a lot to Calhoun because UConn played without starting guard Jerome DysonDoug Wiggins, who will continue to serve indefinite suspensions due to an undisclosed team rules violation. Both players didn't practice Sunday and won't be at Monday's game. Calhoun has yet to decide the two sophomores' fate going forward.

Four of Connecticut's starters logged at least 32 minutes against Indiana; guard A. J. Price vomited twice, and forward Stanley Robinson suffered from cramps. Thus, the Huskies could be on fumes with a short bench and short rest from Saturday.But Louisville coach Rick Pitino isn't buying it.

"In the short haul, for two or three games you're a better basketball team because the other players have the wounded tiger syndrome," he said. "You're wounded, so you have to play better. You're a little shorthanded and everybody really steps it up."

His Cardinals have won 10 of their past 12 games and four of their last five on the road. And Louisville swept UConn last year, including a 76-69 victory in Hartford.

"You can't compare last year to this year because they're a totally different basketball team and Thabeet is a totally different player," Pitino said.

Pitino is referring to 7-foot-3 UConn sophomore Hasheem Thabeet, who had nine blocks in two games last season against the Cardinals. A project last year, he has blossomed into a more polished offensive player who now contributes at both ends of the floor. He is averaging 11.3 points per game and leads the conference with 72 blocks.

"He's a great shot-blocker," Louisville's Derrick Caracter said. "He's so tall and long. I just have to try different moves, go up and under and just try to go around him."

Both teams have stellar defenses - UConn ranks 11th in NCAA Division I in field-goal percentage defense at .375. The Cards are just behind at .376.

Both teams also have balanced scoring attacks -- U of L has five players averaging double-digit points, and UConn boasts four without Dyson.

Bet on Louisville-UConn at WagerWeb.com
(who leads the team in scoring at 14.3 points per game) and top reserve

NBA Odds: Nuggets vs Mavericks

The NBA matchup of the day Sunday would appear to be in the evening in Dallas, where the Mavericks, with the NBA's fifth-best record, host the Northwest Division-leading Denver Nuggets.

Denver has a chance to beat Dallas in consecutive meetings for the first time since Dec. 26, 1995. The Nuggets beat the Mavs 122-109 this past Dec. 6 – but that was with Carmelo Anthony, who may or may not play tonight.

Anthony, who sprained his ankle on Monday against the Lakers and has missed two games, wouldn't completely rule himself out for the Dallas game, but he sounded more optimistic about returning Monday from a left ankle sprain to play at New Orleans. (NBA Injury Report)

"I don't think I'm going to be able to go," Anthony said after Saturday's practice. "It will give me one more day of rest, and hopefully be back on Monday against New Orleans. If not (today), then definitely Monday."

Said Nuggets coach George Karl: "From what he did (Saturday), I'd say doubtful."

Allen Iverson has stepped up in Denver's last two games, scoring 30 points in Friday's 100-85 win over the New Jersey Nets and 29 in Wednesday's 107-100 win over the Atlanta Hawks.Linas Kleiza, who is averaging 12.0 points, started the last two games for Anthony, and scored 23 points in each contest. Kleiza, a 6-8 forward, has averaged 17 points per game in nine starts and posted three consecutive games of 21 points or more.

"We've got so many guys banged up . You just have to have guys suck it up,' Iverson said.

Anthony, who named an All-Star starter this week, was averaging 30.4 points - 4.9 points better than his season average - in his five games before the injury.

Without Anthony, winning Sunday seems unlikely for Denver, as the Nuggets are getting outscored by an average of 13.2 points during a season-high four-game road losing streak. They have not lost five straight road games in a single season since dropping eight in a row Dec. 17, 2004-Jan. 17, 2005.

The Mavericks, meanwhile, have the league's best home record at 19-3, and have won six straight at American Airlines Center by an average of 13.0 points.

Dallas has found its groove in January and not just because of Dirk Nowitzki. Much is due to point guard Devin Harris, who has averaged 16.3 points and 5.5 assists in January, and the Mavericks are 9-2 for the month.

And in the past three games, Josh Howard has averaged 26.3 points and 9.7 rebounds.

Horse Racing Betting - Horses to Watch

Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should do well next time out or improve considerably, won nine races, ran second four times and finished third twice times since Dec. 26.

AQUEDUCT

Martha’s Mandate: Raced seven lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied from fourth to make up 4 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a neck at six furlongs on Jan. 25; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

FAIR GROUNDS

Iron Works Pike: Brushed on both sides at break, raced third early, dropped to fourth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied outside from third in stretch, made up three lengths and finished second by five lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 21.

GULFSTREAM PARK

Heavenly Answer: Raced more than four lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, steadied on far turn to avoid fading rival and rallied to finish third by a neck at 1 1/6 miles on Jan. 25; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 30.

LAUREL PARK

Coal Valley: Trailed early in seventh, advanced to sixth more than 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, made up more than 6 ¾ lengths in stretch and finished second by a neck at six furlongs on Jan. 24; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.OAKLAWN PARK

Chin High: Broke 11th and last, trailed by more than 16 lengths after a half-mile, rallied four wide into the lane, made up 4 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/6 miles on Jan. 21.

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Jorkat Slew: Broke 10th and last, raced ninth early, dropped to 10th more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground advancing to fourth in stretch, closed with good energy inside to make up 7 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 23.

SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

Spending Time: Bumped at break, checked early, advanced from 12th and last to eighth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, raced very wide on turn, rallied to make up 3 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 20.

SANTA ANITA

Smart Hit: Raced eighth more than 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came out on turn, rallied from sixth to second in stretch, made up three lengths and gained second by a length at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 21.

TURFWAY PARK

Pennyroyal: Sprinted clear by five lengths after a half-mile, set pace, drew off in stretch under mild urging and won by 10 lengths ridden out at six furlongs on Jan. 18.

TURF PARADISE

David’s Pride: Raced 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after three-eights of a mile, saved ground entering stretch, finished well making up more than 4 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on Jan. 23.

Tennis Odds - Aussie Open - Men's final: Tsonga vs. Djokovic

Well, it's the Australian Open men's final that everyone was expecting: Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal wait, you mean it's the two players who vanquished tennis' two top guns instead?

Yes, on Sunday in Melbourne (Saturday night in the U.S.), it's third-seeded Novak Djokovic, who shocked world No. 1 Federer in straight sets in the semifinals, against unseeded, relative unknown Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who swept away Nadal in the semis, for the season's first Grand Slam title.

Which upset was more stunning? Was it Djokovic's, who handed Federer his first straight-sets loss since losing to Gustavo Kuerten in the 2004 French Open?

Maybe not, since the Serb is No. 3 in the world, after all, and the Aussie Open is his fourth straight Grand Slam semifinal.

Then it's likely Tsonga's rout of Nadal. The Frenchman came into Melbourne ranked 38th in the world, but I challenge you to find anyone outside of Bud Collins who knew of this guy. He has become a crowd favorite by doing a little jig after big points, and he doesn't expect his run to stop in the final.

"I will do my best on the court, so I know it's going to be difficult to beat me," said Tsonga, who also has beaten seeded players Andy Murray, Richard Gasquet and Mikhail Youzhny in this tournament.

"I saw him play against [Richard] Gasquet and I just loved the way he changed the pace of the ball up," former world No. 1 Pat Rafter said. "He did a lot of slow, sort of looping balls. I thought he could play from all court - baseline, at the net . big serve, big athlete, big kid."But these days, you never see anyone change the pace of the game. No one does the slice backhands or the loopy stuff any more, and he does that."

It's not as if Tsonga's rise is completely surprising - as junior, he won the 2003 U.S. Open (over Marcos Baghdatis) and finished the year ranked No. 2.

But injuries, especially a bulging disc in his back in 2005, slowed his rise into the pros.

"When I was treated for a herniated disc, that was the worst," said Tsonga, who some say resembles in style and looks a young Muhammad Ali. "Everything I did hurt, even the smallest thing. I cried the day I asked the doctor if I'd be able to play again, and he said, 'It will be tough.' "

After languishing above 200 in the rankings in 2005 and 2006, he began to fulfill his promise last year, ending up No. 43. He got into the 2007 Australia Open only through an exchange of wild cards between French and Australian officials. And now his first career final comes in a Grand Slam.

"I have a feeling that I'm made for the big matches on the big stadiums," Tsonga said. "That's where I'm at my best."

On Sunday, Djokovic and Tsonga will attempt to win their first Grand Slam title in their first career meeting. The last time two players attempted to win their first major was at the 2005 French Open when Nadal defeated Mariano Puerta.

Bet on this match at WagerWeb.com

College Basketball Odds - Gonzaga at Memphis

No. 1 Memphis puts its unbeaten record on the line Saturday afternoon in what should be one of its toughest remaining regular-season games as Gonzaga (15-4) comes to town.

The Tigers (18-0) took over the top spot in the rankings this week for the first time since 1983 and are coming off a 56-41 win at Tulsa, but Gonzaga is very familiar with top 10 teams.

Memphis will be the third top 10 team the Zags have played this season. They previously lost to No. 6 Washington State 51-47 and to No. 3 Tennessee 82-72.

Gonzaga's other losses this year are to good teams Texas Tech and Oklahoma.

"We'll have to play just about perfect," Gonzaga coach Mark Few said of Memphis. "You are dealing with one of the best accumulations of raw, physical, athletic talent in the last 10 years."

Chris Douglas-Roberts, a 6-foot-7 junior guard, leads a balanced Memphis attack with 16.6 points per game.

Point guard Derrick Rose, a 6-3 freshman who appears destined to be the No. 1 overall NBA draft pick, averages 14.1 points and 4.2 assists. Joey Dorsey, a 6-9, 265-pound senior forward, averages 7.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots.

"We can't simulate (at practices) that kind of athleticism, that kind of talent, that kind of ferociousness with which they attack the offensive glass and block shots," Few said.

The Zags, who have won six games in a row, likely will need a big game from their lone semi-big name: Josh Heytvelt. The 6-foot-11 junior missed the first 11 games this season due to a stress fracture in his foot and was starting to play well before a six-point outing in Monday's win against San Francisco."We're going to chalk it up to him being sick," Few said of Heytvelt, who had the flu. "He was awful. He wasn't running and his legs still aren't completely back under him yet."

Few said that Heytvelt still isn't moving as if he's 100 percent and doesn't have his athleticism back, especially after losing 15 pounds with the bout with the flu.

"He's showed flashes, but the thing he gives us anyway is that he's skilled," Few said of Heytvelt, who is averaging 11.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game after 15.5 and 7.9 averages last year.

Both teams block shots well: The Tigers average 6.6 blocked shots per game and have nearly twice as many blocks as their opponents (118-61). Gonzaga leads rivals 91-67 in blocks.

One flaw for Memphis, which averages 81 points per game, could be that it shoots only .585 as a team free-throw line, although that is brought down big time by Dorsey, who only shoots 35.8 percent.

The only other time the Gonzaga squad has faced No. 1 was against Cincinnati in a 75-68 loss on Dec. 4, 1999. Memphis leads the series with Gonzaga 2-1. Last season, the Tigers won 78-77 in overtime in Spokane.

Memphis and Gonzaga have two common opponents this season. Memphis defeated Oklahoma 63-53 and Connecticut 81-70; Gonzaga lost to Oklahoma 72-68 and beat Connecticut 85-82.

Bet on this game at WagerWeb.com

Australian Open Odds: Federer vs Djokovic

If Roger Federer is to be stopped from winning a third consecutive Australian Open, it likely will have to come in Friday's semifinals (Thursday overnight in the U.S.) in Melbourne by third-seeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

With unseeded (albeit impressive) Jo Wilfried-Tsonga of France waiting in the finals, it would seem Djokovic presents the last able challenger, although he is a sizable underdog at WagerWeb.com.

However, Federer is entering his record 15th straight Slam semifinal (five more than any other player in history) and looks to have his game righted after straight-set victories over Tomas Berdych and James Blake; he has won 19 straight matches in Melbourne. And Djokovic is only 1-5 career against the No. 1 player in the world, including a 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 in last year's Aussie Open Round of 16 after Djokovic predicted Federer would "go down."

'It's a question as to whether or not Djokovic really believes deep down that he can beat him," the Tennis Channel's Justin Gimelstob said. "When the pressure builds, Federer responds like no other player and the other guys tend to slip. That's what Djokovic has to show, that when the big points come, that he can bring out his best and respond in the clutch."

Federer is confident as always.

"I don't look forward to playing my best tennis about Novak Djokovic," he said. "I look forward to playing to win. That's what my mindset is, really."

However, Djokovic beat Federer in the Rogers Cup final in Montreal in August - 7-6 (2), 2-6, 7-6 (2) – while Federer got all he got handle from Djokovic in a tough U.S. Open final 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2), 6-4 after having five sets points in the opening set and two more in the second.Djokovic has not lost a set in reaching the semifinals, his fourth in a row at a Grand Slam event. He overpowered fifth-seeded David Ferrer 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 to reach these semifinals.

"I even surprised myself the way I played in the first two sets,' Djokovic said. `I'm happy I'm performing my best tennis at the major events.'

"He's done a phenomenal job," Federer said yesterday. "Four Grand Slam semifinals, I was never close to that at his age."

Djokovic says he is up for their semifinal match.

"They say the year after the breakthrough [going from No. 16 to No. 3 in 2007] is the most difficult but I'm feeling really, really good," he said. "I worked on my skills the past couple of weeks and changed my [racquet] strings. I'm playing with a lot of confidence."

"I think he's got a good shot," analyst Patrick McEnroe said of Djokovic. "The court is slow so that makes it tough for Roger."

Former U.S. Open champ Patrick Rafter agrees.

"I say he'll be a No. 1 player at some stage in his career," he said of Djokovic. "I've seen Federer play better, but these (Plexicushion) courts are probably not suiting him quite so much. ... You'd probably still put your money on Roger to win, but I think Djokovic has a really good chance."

NCAA Basketball Odds: Duke vs. Virginia Tech

Fourth-ranked Duke (15-1, 3-0) is the only ACC team still unbeaten in conference play, but it travels to face a Virginia Tech (11-7, 2-2) team Thursday night that traditionally has given the Blue Devils trouble.

Duke leads the series with Virginia Tech 32-7, but has lost two of the last four meetings, including a 67-65 defeat in Blacksburg on Feb. 17, 2005, and one in Cameron Indoor Stadium last year.

Duke has won five games in a row since its lone loss, in overtime against Pittsburgh, while the Hokies are 7-0 at home this season. The Blue Devils are 9-point betting favorites on WagerWeb.com.

Duke assistant coach Chris Collins is expecting a close game on Thursday.

"Certainly we know we have our hands full this week," Collins said. "Playing at Virginia Tech is always a tough place to play. They've played us extremely well the last couple of years, and last year they were able to come into Cameron and beat us."

That 69-67 home loss to the Hokies last year began a downward spiral for Duke's 2006-07 team. That squad was 13-1 when it lost to Virginia Tech on Jan. 6; Duke would finish 22-11 finish and suffered its first opening-round NCAA tournament loss in a decade.

"We're not getting ahead of ourselves at all," sophomore guard Jon Scheyer said. "We've been successful so far, but we have a long way to go, and for us, to experience the losses we had last year, we know (how quickly) it can change."

Virginia Tech will be without a key player tonight in freshman forward Jeff Allen.

Allen bumped an official Saturday against Georgia Tech and was suspended for two games. Allen leads the Hokies in rebounding (8.1 rpg) and field-goal accuracy (51.4 percent) and is No. 2 in scoring (12.8 ppg). On the season he has scored 230 points in 18 games - the first Hokie freshman to eclipse the 200 point mark since Deron Washington scored 238 during the 2004-2005 season. Allen has scored in double figures in 15 of 18
games.J.T. Thompson will likely take Allen's place in the starting lineup. His most important task will be replacing Allen's team-high rebounding as Virginia Tech has exceeded expectations in the ACC in part because of its plus-5.8 rebounding margin during league games, second in the conference.

With Allen not available, look for Virginia Tech to rely heavily on Deron Washington and A.D. Vassallo to handle the scoring load. The duo combined for 23.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game last season, and have upped those totals this year. In four ACC games Washington and Vassallo are combining for 28.8 points and 16.6 rebounds per game.

Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg, the 2005 ACC coach of the year who has gone 78-63 at Virginia Tech since taking over the program in 2004, had a contract extension through the 2012-13 season announced Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Duke has struggled some on the road this season. In their last three outings away from Cameron, the Blue Devils have gutted out close wins against Temple and Florida State and suffered their only loss of the season against Pittsburgh in Madison Square Garden.

The arrival of freshmen Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith and Taylor King has given the Blue Devils the depth to run a more up-tempo offense. Duke ranks second to North Carolina in the ACC with 85.0 points per game and is third in the nation with an average scoring margin of 20.9 points.

"It's been more fun just because transition basketball has been something that I've played my whole life," guard Gerald Henderson said. "Just getting out on the break and stuff like that, we didn't really do that last year, and that's something that we've added."

All those freshmen contributing has led to balance: six players average at least nine points, with captain DeMarcus Nelson (14.1 ppg) leading the way, and five players have two or more 20-point games.

But the Blue Devils don't have a lot of size and Clemson outrebounded the Blue Devils 42-26 on Saturday, but Duke converted 21 turnovers into 37 points and pulled out a 93-80 win.