THE ODDS MUST BE CRAZY: Betting on this week’s NFL games

JESSY SANDHU
VANCOUVER DESI

With Wild Card Weekend around the corner, there are some great odds being offered. In the three-option Oddset Menu, the Seahawks, with Russell Wilson at quarterback, are paying 1.95. Kevin Casey/Getty Images

Instead of getting in our wagers during the week, a mass majority of us enjoy heading down to our local gas station and filling in our Sports Action slips just before kickoff.  Maybe it’s because we’re waiting to hear the latest injury reports, or maybe because it’s we’re looking forward to meeting the strangers who are there every Sunday morning to get some “sleeper” picks.

Whatever the reason, the Sunday morning runs to Chevron just before kickoff is by far the best of the weekly football routine.

Now, if you don’t wager on games, please do not take this as a reason to begin.  In fact, no need to read on.  For those out there who enjoy wagering, continue reading and join the conversation, please.

This NFL season has been especially profitable as the Sports Action odd makers have been very generous.  We junkies have been presented regularly with nearly 2 to 1 odds for games, which seem like “gimmies.”

With Wild Card weekend around the corner, there are some great odds being offered.  In the three-option Oddset Menu, the Seahawks are paying 1.95 and the Green Bay Packers are paying 1.45.  With only 4 games to choose from, I’d stick to two games. Playing the Seahawks and Packers in a three outcome oddest menu, the payout is 2.82.

Speak to any financial investor and they’ll jump at the opportunity to multiply their investment by 2.82.

Unfortunately, there are no guarantees when it comes to the NFL, especially on Wild Card Weekend, so wager carefully.

The Seahawks are the most complete team in the NFL.  Their running game will pound the Redskins defense; which will eventually open up their pass attack.  Russell Wilson shouldn’t have a difficult time against the sieve-like defense of the Redskins.

I’m sure RG3 fans will disagree because of the season he has had and the successes Washington has had the last half of the season.  Some will also argue that the Seahawks are not reliable on the road.  But it all comes down to defence and Seattle’s defense will be more productive than Washington’s.

The Packers are at home against the Vikings and I don’t see an Aaron Rodgers-led team losing two in two consecutive weeks to the Minnesota Vikings.  Adrian Peterson and the Vikings have had a great run, but it’s time for the Packers to show their dominance of the NFC North.  The Packers will pull away by more than three at Lambeau Field.

For those that like to wager less and increase their payouts by increasing the number of games to wager on, how about adding the Houston Texans to the wager?  The Texans are at home against the Bengals and although both teams are headed in different directions (the Bengals have won 7 of 8, and the Texans have lost 3 of 4) you have to believe that the Texans at home will go back to their winning ways.  They’ve only lost at home twice this season and 1.80 for a team that came out of the gates at 11-1 is not a bad bet.

Remember, increasing the payout by adding games also increases your chances of losing your wager.  2 games is safer than 3.  I’m sticking with the Seahawks and the Packers this week.

Now I know that some of you out there are cashing in as well, let’s use this as a platform to share some of our knowledge and let’s share our “gimme’s” each week.  Whether your wagering on the line, over/under, or oddest, let us know what your feeling are on this weekend’s games.

Enjoy the games this week, and good luck.  And remember, when gambling “know your limits, and play within it.”

If you need assistance with gambling, please visit http://gamesense.bclc.com/finding-help/

Jessy Sandhu writes for the Jamestown Sun and is the founder of www.fantasymoves.com Here is a link to this week’s article for the Jamestown Sun http://www.jamestownsun.com/event/article/id/176801/publisher_ID/10/

Tags: BCLC, NFL, Packers, Seahawks, Sports Action, Wild Card, Wild Card Weekend 2013