Tag: NFL football

LeBron James calls 48-46 49ers-Saints game ‘best of the year’

LeBron James has a game later today, but he was able to watch what he called the “best game of the year” earlier on Sunday.

LeBron James is only home for a few more days before he and the Los Angeles Lakers hit the road again, but even though he has a game later today, he was able to enjoy a regular Sunday watching football at home before taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves. It also just so happened that his regular Sunday featured what James and many believe to be the best game of the season in the NFL as the San Francisco 49ers outlasted the New Orleans Saints in a classic, 48-46.

James doesn’t tweet often but he was moved to go to twitter following the conclusion of the game, which ended on a game-winning field goal by the 49ers as the clock expired.

James wasn’t the only football fan who thought that Sunday’s Saints-49ers game was classic, but he definitely got a little excited. However, it’s unclear if LeBron is playing in the fantasy football playoffs these days. While he was in a high stakes league with some other NBA people, he reportedly quit that league after a bad season.

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Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills Week 14 NFL matchup, with NFL betting odds, picks and best bets.

Winners of their last eight games, the Baltimore Ravens (10-2) will visit the surging Buffalo Bills (9-3) on Sunday afternoon. It’s a big game for both teams with the Ravens eyeing a No. 1 seed and the Bills hoping to take over the AFC East from the Patriots.

Kickoff from New Era Field will be at 1 p.m. ET.

Ravens at Bills: Week 14 preview, betting trends and notes

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  • Baltimore is 5-1 against the spread in its last six games. The only loss came last week against the 49ers when the Ravens won 20-17 but failed to cover the 6-point spread.
  • The Bills are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five games, including 3-0 in their last three. They are 4-1 straight up in that stretch.
  • The Ravens are 5-3 all time against the Bills, outscoring Buffalo by an average of 22.5-14.
  • The Ravens are 4-1 ATS when facing a team with a winning record.
  • Buffalo is 5-0-1 ATS in its last six games as an underdog and 5-2 ATS against teams above .500.
  • The total has gone under in four of the Bills’ last five games.

Ravens at Bills: Key injuries

Bills T Ty Nsekhe is unlikely to play on Sunday as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.

Ravens at Bills: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated on Thursday at 5:15 p.m. ET

Prediction

Ravens 24, Bills 17

Moneyline (?)

The Ravens and Bills are two of the hottest teams in the league right now, but Baltimore has been steadier all season and has beaten better opponents. They’ll keep that up this week against a surprisingly tough Bills team that just beat the Cowboys in Dallas on Thanksgiving.

Bet the RAVENS (-250) to win outright despite being on the road. They have a great chance to win this game, because Buffalo’s offense will have trouble keeping up.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Ravens to win would return a profit of $4.

Against the Spread (?)

The Ravens are 5.5-point road favorites, which suggests the oddsmakers are confident that they’re the better team. Baltimore has been somewhat underwhelming against the spread (6-5-1) this season, but they’ll cover in this one.

Take the RAVENS (-5.5, -110) to cover and win by a touchdown, if not more. Unless Buffalo’s defense shuts down Lamar Jackson, the Bills won’t be able to score enough to match the Ravens.

Over/Under (?)

The over/under of 43.5 points may not seem like a high number for the league’s No. 1 scoring offense in Baltimore, but Buffalo’s defense is legit. The Ravens won’t put up 35+ like they have in four of their last five games, nor will the Bills light up the scoreboard.

Bet the UNDER 43.5 (-110) in this matchup, even as tempting as it is to take the over with the Ravens playing.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Philadelphia Eagles at Miami Dolphins odds, picks and best bets

Previewing the Eagles at Dolphins Week 13 NFL matchup, with NFL betting odds, picks and best bets

The Philadelphia Eagles (5-6) look to right the ship for a December run as they travel to play the Miami Dolphins (2-9) at Hard Rock Stadium at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.

Philadelphia at Miami: Week 13 preview, betting trends and notes

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  • Scores in Eagles games have hit the under in four of the last five games.
  • Miami is 2-5 at home against the spread in its last seven home games.
  • The Dolphins have a better record ATS (5-6) than the Eagles (4-7).
  • Philadelphia is 2-4 against the moneyline in its last six games, while Miami is 2-12 against the moneyline in its last 14 games.
  • The Dolphins have the NFL’s 30th-ranked offense and 30th-ranked defense.

Philadelphia at Miami: Key injuries

Eagles TE Zach Ertz was held out of practice after suffering a hamstring injury. RB Jordan Howard still hasn’t been cleared for contact with a shoulder injury. WR Alshon Jeffery (ankle) returned to practice, but was limited.

In Miami, all of the Dolphins practiced Wednesday, but WRs Allen Hurns (ankle) and Albert Wilson (hip/chest), CBs Ken Webster (ankle) and Ken Crawley (shoulder), and S Steven Parker (groin) were limited.

Philadelphia at Miami: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 4 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Philadelphia 31, Miami 10

Moneyline (?)

This has all the makings of a college moneyline with Philadelphia (-455) a massive favorite over Miami (+340). As much as Philly’s offense has struggled and been missing key weapons to the offense for the last month, -455 is a stiff price to pay to get such little return. While we would avoid this one for obvious reasons, if you were to make a bet, the only one that makes sense is a small wager on Miami on the off chance of Fitzmagic from QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Against the Spread (?)

The Dolphins have been ugly all season, which is why they’re a 9.5-point home dog (-110 on each team). If the Eagles can’t blow this one out, they don’t deserve to be in the playoffs. Including the Dolphins, four of the Eagles’ final five games are against teams currently 2-9 (Miami, New York Giants and two against Washington). This is a statement game for the Eagles – good or bad – and we think it’s going to be an aggressive statement for a team with a fresh ring. LAY THE 9.5 POINTS.

Over/Under (?)

The O/U is 44.5 points (-115 on the over, -106 on the under). Miami is last in the league in points allowed, giving up 31.5 per game. But the Eagles defense, despite an anemic showing from the Philly offense, held Tom Brady and Russell Wilson to 17 points each in their last two games. Miami’s offense? Fitzpatrick is going to be under attack all day. He may not get 10 points. TAKE THE UNDER … but not by much.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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LeBron James tweets support for Colin Kaepernick before open workout

LeBron James sent his support for former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick before his open workout in the Atlanta area on Saturday.

LeBron James, like many in the sporting community and those who have become invested in the story of Colin Kaepernick and his exile from the NFL, expressed his support for the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback before taking part in a workout on Saturday afternoon in Atlanta that was initially scheduled by the NFL.

Teams are reportedly in Atlanta for the workout, which just began a few minutes ago in metro Atlanta after originally being scheduled for the practice facility of the Atlanta Falcons. Concerns about an uncommon waiver from the NFL and a lack of media availability pushed Kaepernick’s reps to move the workout to another location. Several NFL scouts were spotted at the workout location on Saturday.

But no matter what happens on Saturday, and whether the NFL is truly serious about giving Kaepernick a chance, LeBron James wanted Kap to know that he’s special regardless what happens.

Obviously James and several football fans would love to see Kaepernick back on the field, only six years removed from playing in a Super Bowl, especially as back-up quarterbacks have seen the field in astonishing numbers this NFL season. But even if he doesn’t, James wants Kaepernick to know that his sacrifices were worth it no matter what happens next.

 

LeBron James on he and Tom Brady: ‘We’re gonna play until we can’t walk’

LeBron James was asked if he thought about the end of his career and compared himself 42-year old New England Patriots star Tom Brady.

The Los Angeles Lakers have raced to a 9-2 record thanks to their defense and in particular, a revived LeBron James on the defensive end, who said that he’s much healthier this season. Now that he’s healthy once again and leading the NBA in assists for the first time in his career, he doesn’t see an end in sight for his NBA career, seeing himself like a basketball version of Tom Brady.

James made the Brady comparison during Friday’s Lakers shoot around ahead of their game later this evening against the Sacramento Kings. James was asked if he could envision the end of his career, spurred by last night’s news that Carmelo Anthony would sign with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Video via Kyle Goon of the Southern California News Group

Last season was the first time we saw James seriously injured in his career as he missed 17 straight games. But after the longest offseason of his career, which included filming Space Jam 2, James is also enjoying major help on both ends from superstar Anthony Davis. If he can continue to get support from Davis, as well as the other Lakers role players like Danny Green, that can only help LeBron’s hopes to play at a high level into his 40s.

Georgia football has the most NFL players nominated for sportsmanship award

The NFL recognized four former UGA football players on Thursday, the most of any other program.

Recently, the NFL announced the nominees for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, and four former Georgia football players made the cut.

Among the finalists were former Dawgs Nick Chubb (Browns), Matthew Stafford (Lions), Thomas Davis (Chargers), and Ben Jones (Titans). The award considers a players sportsmanship to opponents on the field as well as things like community service and impact.

The Dawgs had far and away the most candidates of any single college. In fact, the only other school that had multiple finalists was Alabama, as former players Julio Jones and Dalvin Tomlinson were finalists.

This recognition further proves the unparalleled level of activism and community reach that has been and continues to be preached in the Georgia program. Congrats to these Dawgs!