All 4 ESPNews analysts picked the Saints. Why are the Bears favored?
zef204
Posts: 4,742 ✭✭
in Sports Talk
Anyone have any insite on this? If the FB analysts all know the Saints are going to win, why would the Bears be favored?
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been the same. Seattle sucks and almost beat them. Saints are playing GREAT ball right. Bears are in for surprise!
JS
<< <i>The Bears have looked awful in recent weeks. Ever since the Bucs almost beat them with their 3rd string QB, they have not
been the same. Seattle sucks and almost beat them. Saints are playing GREAT ball right. Bears are in for surprise!
JS >>
So why are they favored? I don't disagree with SOME of what you said. If NO is so good and the Bears are so bad, why would Vegas still have them as the favorite?
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As for Colts-Pats only Jay Mariotti picked the Pats.
It is all guesswork. Playing outdoors in the cold and with home field advantage (does that really exist anymore?) I would think the
Bears would be favored but maybe not.
<< <i>"Around the Horn" was split 2-2.
As for Colts-Pats only Jay Mariotti picked the Pats.
It is all guesswork. Playing outdoors in the cold and with home field advantage (does that really exist anymore?) I would think the
Bears would be favored but maybe not. >>
I thought the Bears would be favored by 6 1/2 points in this game and posted that on another thread before the spread was released. Still it's all a guessing game, one "unusual" touchdown throws off the spread by 7 points.
And no, I don't think home field advantage exists anymore as far as weather, turf and other conditions are concerned. Home field advantage is there because of fan noise which can disrupt offensive plays. But players now have different shoes, cleats, warming devices and everything else needed to even out any advantages that existed in the past.
Baseball though is a different story because of different shapes and dimensions of a particular ball field in which players for the home team can be brought in to suit those dimensions such as Boston preferring power hitters for their ballpark versus the Dodgers preferring hitters for average. But of course the bookies know this also and any advantages are already reflected in the odds.
In basketball, for a losing team, the home court I think is actually a disadvantage because the fans are closer and the players can really "feel" those boos.
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<< <i>The Bears have looked awful in recent weeks. Ever since the Bucs almost beat them with their 3rd string QB, they have not
been the same. Seattle sucks and almost beat them. Saints are playing GREAT ball right. Bears are in for surprise!
JS >>
The Bears have played fine in the past few weeks, there are 5-1 since Dec started, with the one loss a meaningless game. It's Rex Grossman that has looked like crap. The Bears D will keep it close and eventually pull it out. All that Rex has to do is turn around and hand it to the RBs and throw to Desmond Clark. That should be enough to get the Bears over the hump.
The ESPN clowns all picked the Saints because it is the cute story. Everyone wants to act like the Saints are rebuilding New Orleans by themselves. I guess those thugs in the city must not have gotten the memo that you can't kill anyone when the Saints are winning.
<< <i>
<< <i>The Bears have looked awful in recent weeks. Ever since the Bucs almost beat them with their 3rd string QB, they have not
been the same. Seattle sucks and almost beat them. Saints are playing GREAT ball right. Bears are in for surprise!
JS >>
The Bears have played fine in the past few weeks, there are 5-1 since Dec started, with the one loss a meaningless game. It's Rex Grossman that has looked like crap. The Bears D will keep it close and eventually pull it out. All that Rex has to do is turn around and hand it to the RBs and throw to Desmond Clark. That should be enough to get the Bears over the hump.
The ESPN clowns all picked the Saints because it is the cute story. Everyone wants to act like the Saints are rebuilding New Orleans by themselves. I guess those thugs in the city must not have gotten the memo that you can't kill anyone when the Saints are winning. >>
The thugs have moved into the French quarter since their old stomping ground is still not rebuilt, the increase in crime has hurt with
most restaurants and other attractions closing early since nobody wants to be on the street at night. Mardi grau (sp?) is probably going
to be rather subdued this year.
The Saints have been successful against the spread for much of the season. In addition, they have a great W/L record of 6-2 on the road and an amazing 7-1 ATS away from home.
In an effort to try to get balanced action, the books make Chicago a FG favorite, but New Orleans bets have pushed it down to Chicago -1. When the line was pushed to Chicago -1 earlier in the week, it was immediately bet back to -2.5. At -2.5, the action has been balanced.
Actually if Chicago wins by 3, a margin they've won by 3 times this year, they book stand to lose a fortune as most of the Chicago action is at -2.5, while most of the Saints action is at +3.
<< <i>The Bears have looked awful in recent weeks. Ever since the Bucs almost beat them with their 3rd string QB, they have not
been the same. Seattle sucks and almost beat them. Saints are playing GREAT ball right. Bears are in for surprise!
JS >>
Yeah those Sucs were real season killers this year.
Saints, Bears, Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, Ravens, Seahawks all in the playoffs.
WooHOOOO, we're gonna dominate that "Third Draft Pick Coin Toss of Shame!"
WOOOOHOOO, bring on those Browns!!!
Defense wins coin tosses!!!
<< <i>Yeah those Sucs were real season killers this year.
Saints, Bears, Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, Ravens, Seahawks all in the playoffs.
WooHOOOO, we're gonna dominate that "Third Draft Pick Coin Toss of Shame!"
WOOOOHOOO, bring on those Browns!!!
Defense wins coin tosses!!! >>
Excellent insight regarding why the Bears are favored.
<< <i>
<< <i>Yeah those Sucs were real season killers this year.
Saints, Bears, Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, Ravens, Seahawks all in the playoffs.
WooHOOOO, we're gonna dominate that "Third Draft Pick Coin Toss of Shame!"
WOOOOHOOO, bring on those Browns!!!
Defense wins coin tosses!!! >>
Excellent insight regarding why the Bears are favored. >>
Is the spread a point and a half? That's not much of a favorite as far as the line goes. Home team usually gets more than that even, yes?
As for the analysts they seem to be relying on the Saints running game vs. the Bears run defense in the last few games, and the expected success of Brees against the Bears secondary. Maybe they see it as more of a toss up but don't want to go against the sentimental favorite.
I'm picking the Bears myself. They'll step up and find a way to win as they did against Seattle and in several late season games.
Also officials are less reluctant to throw flags in playoff games. I think this will take more away from NO since the Bears secondary likes to play physical.
<< <i>
<< <i>"Around the Horn" was split 2-2.
As for Colts-Pats only Jay Mariotti picked the Pats.
It is all guesswork. Playing outdoors in the cold and with home field advantage (does that really exist anymore?) I would think the
Bears would be favored but maybe not. >>
I thought the Bears would be favored by 6 1/2 points in this game and posted that on another thread before the spread was released. Still it's all a guessing game, one "unusual" touchdown throws off the spread by 7 points.
And no, I don't think home field advantage exists anymore as far as weather, turf and other conditions are concerned. Home field advantage is there because of fan noise which can disrupt offensive plays. But players now have different shoes, cleats, warming devices and everything else needed to even out any advantages that existed in the past.
Baseball though is a different story because of different shapes and dimensions of a particular ball field in which players for the home team can be brought in to suit those dimensions such as Boston preferring power hitters for their ballpark versus the Dodgers preferring hitters for average. But of course the bookies know this also and any advantages are already reflected in the odds.
In basketball, for a losing team, the home court I think is actually a disadvantage because the fans are closer and the players can really "feel" those boos.
- >>
I don't see how you could have thought this was going to be 6.5. If anything, I thought the Saints may be favored by 1-2. The Saints are the media darlings right now. Almost everybody is rooting for them. May play to the Bears favor...
In the AFC - the Patriots beat the Colts. The Colts may be the better team, but the Patriots have that intangible will to win. I'm not picking against that.
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Here are the trends from one of the casinos showing the percentages of people betting both the point spread and the money line on both games this week.
<< <i>The public has been betting the Saints, too, which is why the line has moved a little since it opened.
Here are the trends from one of the casinos showing the percentages of people betting both the point spread and the money line on both games this week.
Always makes me laugh when I see casinos offering "picks" and "analysis" when technically a bettor is trying to win their money. LOL
"How about a little fire Scarecrow ?"
<< <i>
Must be a conspiracy.
<< <i>
Gotta love Patrick!
Good luck to everybody!
<< <i>Professional bookmakers are not the same as TV sportscasters !!
First look at this:
Hey, ESPN, the Bears have a message for ya:
Remember these Chuck Norris Facts
1. When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn't lifting himself up, he's pushing the Earth down
2. According to Einstein's theory of relativity, Chuck Norris can actually roundhouse kick you yesterday
3. There are no such things as lesbians, just women who have not yet met Chuck Norris
Now I remember why I quit "playing" Football.
Congratulations to Da Bears
Dome teams' record playing outdoor Championship Playoff Games,
Not sure of the exact quote but I know this, 0-10.