Monday Trends and Indexes 10/29

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Trends and Indexes
Monday, October 29

Good Luck on day #302 of 2007!

NOTE:
As information becomes available, we will attempt to post the trends and indexes as soon as possible.
Information is posted from what we believe are reliable sources.


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Six-pack for Monday

-- Another dreadfully boring World Series. Rockies were a big disappointment, after their huge 21-1 run got them in. I really thought they'd give Red Sox a run for their money; speaking of money...........

-- Texas Rangers are off hook for $21.3M, since scumweasel agent Scott Boras is having Alex Rodriguez test market for free agency. Big day in Arlington - they should spend all that money on pitching help in coming seasons.

-- How was Tony Pena not a serious candidate for manager job in Bronx? He got an interview, but only because he is a minority. Pena led the Royals to 83-79 record in 2003-- thats a stronger mark than Girardi's 77-85 mark with Florida in '06.

-- One more indication that the new leaders in the Bronx are clueless; why not bring Larry Bowa in to at least get some feedback on his opinions? Wouldn't that be a wise thing?

-- Navy is 3.5-point underdog at Notre Dame last week; the Middies lost 59-52 to I-AA Delaware Saturday- they have not beaten Notre Dame since Roger Staubach was their QB

-- Good news for the Rams, Dolphins-- they both have next week off. First week this season neither one will lose.

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Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up an NFL Sunday........

13) I saw an opening line of Patriots -3.5 for their game next week at Indianapolis; an hour later, it was already NE, -4.5, as their amazing streak (8-0 vs spread) has people thinking they are a sure thing.

12) Rams jumped to 14-0 lead in two drives with Jackson back at RB; then he got hurt, and Rams lost 27-20- they head into their bye 0-8, a woeful team with a glum second half looming.

11) They're really no worse than Miami or the Jets, but those teams can look forward to young QBs Beck/Clemens seeing action late this season, which provides hope. Right now, with a hideous front office, the Rams don't have a bright future.

10) The schedule maker put Colts at Jacksonville on Monday, then at Carolina six days later, very tough spot. Winning 31-7 at Carolina without Marvin Harrison was an impressive feat.

9) Patriots had 34 first downs Sunday, more than combined total of both teams in four other games this week.

8) Here are three starting QB's stats from Sunday
-- E. Manning, NYG-- 8-22, 49 net yards
-- V. Young, Tenn.-- 6-14, 26 net yards
-- Q. Gray, Jax-- 7-16, 86 net yards.
Oh yeah, all three of these guys won their games.

7) The team with less turnovers was 9-0 Sunday. The favorite won the two games where turnovers were even (Eagle-Viking game was a pick 'em).

6) Rams, Buccaneers were only teams to score 20+ points and lose Sunday; neither team forced a turnover.

5) Jets just got swept by Buffalo team that is 1-4 against rest of the NFL; time to change QB's, no?

4) Steelers have now won in Cincinnati the last seven years.

3) When he bought the Cowboys in 1989, Jerry Jones paid a whopping $150M; they're worth $1.3B now.

2) Favorites were 6-5 Sunday; over/under was a 6-6 split.

1) After watching the Chargers play I think this; they're going to be either the 3 or 4 seed in AFC playoffs. No way would I want to face them in the AFC semifinals, even if it was on my home field. They're a dangerous team from here on in.

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National Football League - Dunkel Index

NFL
Dunkel Index

MONDAY, OCTOBER 29

Game 229-230: Green Bay at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: Green Bay 131.769; Denver 128.577
Dunkel Line: Green Bay by 3; 46
Vegas Line: Denver by 3; 41
Dunkel Pick: Green Bay (+3); Over

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National Football League – Long Sheet

NFL
Long Sheet


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Monday, October 29
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GREEN BAY (5 - 1) at DENVER (3 - 3) - 10/29/2007, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 35-18 ATS (+15.2 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1992.
GREEN BAY is 40-23 ATS (+14.7 Units) in road games in games played on a grass field since 1992.
DENVER is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in home lined games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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National Football League - Short Sheet

NFL
Short Sheet


Monday, October 29th

Green Bay at Denver, 8:30 ET ESPN
Green Bay: 51-30 Over after having 75 or less rushing yards
Denver: 4-12 ATS vs. NFC North opponents

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National Football League – Write up

NFL
Write-up


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Monday, October 29
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Packers (5-1) @ Broncos (3-3) —Second straight night home game for Denver, but Rockies could be playing Game 5 of World Series two miles away at same time, which should distract locals. Broncos have allowed 23-38-41-28 points in last four games and three of those were at home- they’ve allowed 13 TD’s on foes’ last 28 drives. Pack’s only loss was 27-20 home night game vs Bears, game they led 17-7 at half. AFC teams are only up 14-12 vs NFC after seven weeks, closer than recent years. Team that won battle for field position has won every Packer game. Last five Denver games went over total, as did four of last five Green Bay tilts. Broncos have three wins, by 1-3-3 points.

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National Football League - Tips & Trends

NFL


Monday, October 29

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Tips and Trends
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Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos (ESPN | 8:30 PM ET)

Green Bay has the worst rushing attack in the NFL, averaging just 65.7 yards per game. However, Denver has the worst run defense in the NFL, surrendering 176.2 yards per game. If the Packers can exploit that weakness, they can take some pressure off QB Brett Favre, who is throwing a league-high 68.1 percent of the time this season. That will be essential for Favre going up against one of the top secondaries in the NFL. SLIGHT EDGE: PACKERS
Denver QB Jay Cutler is coming off one of the best performances of his young career last Sunday night against Pittsburgh, completing 22-of-29 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-28 win over the Steelers. "Instead of going up a notch, he went up two notches," Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan said. "He played the No. 1 defense in the NFL, found a way to move the ball in the fourth quarter, found a way to win. You're hoping your quarterback does for you." EDGE: BRONCOS
Favre is 17-15 SU all-time on Monday Night Football but has lost in his last five appearances. Denver is one of just three cities where he has not thrown a touchdown pass. EDGE: BRONCOS
The Broncos have won in their last two Monday Night Football appearances at home, where they have also won 10 of 13 overall. EDGE: BRONCOS
The Packers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog.
The Packers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win.
The Broncos are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games against a winning team.
The Broncos are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games following a SU win.
Home team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.

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National Football League – Preview

NFL

Monday, October 29

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NFL Preview
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Monday Night Football Preview

The Denver Broncos will be looking for a second straight victory when they play host to Brett Favre and his 5-1 Green Bay Packers at Invesco Field on Monday Night Football.

The Broncos improved to 3-3 on the season by slipping past the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-28 at home last Sunday night. Jay Cutler went 22-of-29 for 248 yards passing versus Pittsburgh, with three touchdown strikes and two interceptions. That improved the young QB's rating to 84.2 on the season; he's thrown for seven scores and eight picks.

Travis Henry ran for 51 yards on 17 carries for Denver before leaving that game with bruised ribs. Cutler added 41 rushing yards of his own. Brandon Marshall led the team with 77 receiving yards off of six catches, while each of Brandon Stokley, Tony Scheffler, and Cecil Sapp had TD grabs. Javon Walker missed the Steelers game with his knee injury, and he's been ruled out for Monday and the next several weeks as well.

The Broncos also picked up their first against-the-spread win of the season against the favored Steelers. Denver lost each of their first five games of the year ATS, to the Bills, Raiders, Jaguars, Colts, and Chargers. The combined 59 points scored on Sunday night went OVER the posted total of 38 points; Denver is now 4-1-1 on the OU this year.

Green Bay had a bye in Week 7, so their most recent action was their 17-14 home win over the Washington Redskins in Week 6. Despite the victory Brett Favre had a poor outing on that day, completing just 19-of-37 pass attempts for 188 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Favre's QB rating is now down to 87.0 on the year.

DeShawn Wynn rushed for 37 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries versus the 'Skins, and he's now the confirmed starter at running back. Donald Lee caught three passes for 75 yards in the victory, while Charles Woodson returned a fumble for the winning score.

Green Bay had been listed as a three-point favorite against Washington, so they pushed the spread. The Packers won each of their first four games of the season ATS before stumbling against the Bears in their fifth outing; that puts Green Bay at a healthy 4-1-1 ATS this season. The Packers are also 4-2 on the OVER/UNDER in six contests.

Who do the oddsmakers like on Monday night? The 3-3 Broncos opened as a 1-point favorite in this home game, but that line had increased to 3 points over the 5-1 Packers by the end of the week. The game's OVER/UNDER has been listed by the books at 42.

Denver and Green Bay haven't met on the gridiron since December 2003, with the Packers cruising to a 31-3 win at Lambeau Field on that day. Green Bay was favored by 10 points and easily covered the spread, while the combined score was an UNDER result. The Broncos beat up the Packers 31-10 in Denver way back in October of 1999.

Here are the official injury reports for both the Packers and the Broncos for Monday . . .

Green Bay Injuries
Will Blackmon CB Out Week 8 (foot)
Bubba Franks TE Out Week 8 (knee)
Justin Harrell DT Out Week 8 (ankle)
Frank Walker CB Doubtful Week 8 (knee)
Junius Coston T Questionable Week 8 (ankle)
Cullen Jenkins DE Questionable Week 8 (ankle)
Ruvell Martin WR Questionable Week 8 (back)
Al Harris CB Probable Week 8 (back)
Mike Montgomery DE Probable Week 8 (knee)
Vernand Morency RB Probable Week 8 (knee)
Scott Wells C Probable Week 8 (eye)
Charles Woodson CB Probable Week 8 (foot)
DeShawn Wynn RB Probable Week 8 (neck)

Denver Injuries
Rod Smith WR P-U-P List (hip)
Javon Walker WR Out Week 8 (knee)
Champ Bailey CB Questionable Week 8 (quadricep)
Travis Henry RB Questionable Week 8 (ribs)
Hamza Abdullah S Probable Week 8 (hip)
Dre' Bly CB Probable Week 8 (shoulder)
Tony Scheffler TE Probable Week 8 (knee)

Denver will hit the road in Week 9 for a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, while Green Bay will be playing at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium. Both start at 1pm.

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National Football League – Additional Preview

NFL

Monday, October 29

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Added NFL Preview
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Preview: Green Bay at Denver

GAME: Green Bay Packers (5-1) at Denver Broncos (3-3)
DATE/TIME: Monday, October 29 - 8:30 PM ET
SPREAD: Denver -3 TOTAL: 43

The Green Bay Packers have been one of the most surprising teams in the NFL. They've climbed to the top of their division in spite of having a one-dimensional offense.

Following their bye week, Brett Favre and the NFC North-leading Packers look to continue their early season success and win for the first time in Denver when they visit the Broncos on Monday night.

After going just 1-4 before its bye week last season, Green Bay (5-1) has jumped out to its best start since winning eight of its first nine games in 2002.

The Packers have managed to win despite having a rushing offense that is last in the league in yards per game (65.7), 30th in yards per attempt (3.3) and tied with Detroit for last in attempts per game (20.2). Green Bay may have a chance to get its running game on track against Denver, which is allowing a league-worst average of 176.2 rushing yards a game."

I guess there's two ways to look at it. We're buying time, we're hanging on by a thread," Favre said. "Then again, if we do come together more as a team and correct the mistakes that we're making, we can make it easier on ourselves.

"We could very easily be sitting here today 6-0. We very well could be, what, 3-3 or whatever. I'm not complaining."

As a result, the offense has turned to Favre, passing the ball 68.1 percent of the time this season, the most in the NFL.

He's been a huge reason for the Packers' success. Favre has 1,715 yards passing with nine touchdowns and six interceptions, and became the NFL's career leader in touchdown passes (423), attempts (8,470) and wins by a starting quarterback (152) this season.

The three-time league MVP, however, is looking to bounce back from his worst game of the season.

Favre was 19-for-37 for a season-low 188 yards with two interceptions in Green Bay's 17-14 win over Washington on Oct. 14. His two picks came on badly underthrown deep passes."

I can honestly say that in my career it hasn't happened many times ... I thought it was actually going to be overthrown and it ended up 10 yards shorter than where I had intended," Favre said. "Why? I have no idea."

For all of us, consistency is the No. 1 thing we're looking to achieve week in and week out. And we haven't got to that point yet."

Favre is 17-15 all-time on Monday nights, but has lost his five appearances.

The 38-year-old is 3-1 all-time against the Broncos in the regular season, throwing for 751 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions in those games.

In his only career game at Denver on Oct. 17, 1999, Favre went just 7-for-23 for 120 yards and three interceptions of a 31-10 loss. Denver is one of just three cities where the future Hall of Famer has not thrown a TD pass. Pittsburgh and Baltimore are the others.

The Packers have not had any better luck in Denver, losing all five of their visits.

The Broncos (3-3) are coming off a 31-28 home victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday night, as Jason Elam connected on a 49-yard field goal as time expired.

The victory ended a three-game slide, and helped erase the bitter memory of a 41-3 loss to San Diego on Oct. 7 - the franchise's worst home defeat in its 41-year history - from before its bye week.

"It's a huge win for us and hopefully a big confidence builder for us," said Elam, who has kicked the game-winner in all three of Denver's wins. "We were starting to maybe doubt a little bit. To beat a team like Pittsburgh is going to do wonders for our confidence."

Second-year quarterback Jay Cutler had one of the best games of his brief career. Although he threw two interceptions, he completed a career-high 75.9 percent of his passes (22-of-29) for 248 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. He also directed a seven-play, 44-yard drive to set up the winning score.

"Instead of going up a notch, he went up two notches," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said of Cutler's progression through the team's first six games. "He played the No. 1 defense in the NFL, found a way to move the ball in the fourth quarter, found a way to win. You're hoping your quarterback does for you."

This will be Cutler's first start against Green Bay and first Monday night game.

The Packers won the last meeting against the Broncos on Dec. 28, 2003, as Favre passed for 116 yards, one touchdown and had one pick in a 31-3 victory at Lambeau Field.

The Broncos have won two straight Monday night games at Invesco Field, and 10 of their last 13 Monday home games. They have played four of their six games at home this season, splitting those games.

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National Football League – Notes

NFL
Notes


Monday, October 29

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What bettors need to know: Packers at Broncos

Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos (-3, 42 ½)

All up in the air

The Packers like to throw the ball. That is no surprise considering that their rush offense is last in the NFL in yards per game and 30th in yards per attempt on the ground (3.3).

No wonder Green Bay turns to quarterback Brett Favre to get points on the board.

"I guess there's two ways to look at it. We're buying time, or we're hanging on by a thread," Favre told The Associated Press. "Then again, if we do come together more as a team and correct the mistakes that we're making, we can make it easier on ourselves.

"We could very easily be sitting here today 6-0. We very well could be, what, 3-3 or whatever. I'm not complaining."

In fact, the Packers are 5-1 and sit on top of the NFC North. Favre has 1,715 yards passing with nine touchdowns and six interceptions, and became the NFL's career leader in touchdown passes (423) this season. But he might not enjoy the same level of success in Denver.

The Broncos’ pass defense is second only to Indianapolis Colts this season, allowing just 164.7 yards per game. It has managed 13 sacks and boasts former Pro Bowlers Dre Bly and Champ Bailey – both of whom recovered from injury this week.

Denver is one of three cities where Brett Favre has never thrown a TD pass, while the Broncos as a whole have lost five straight there.

Cutler goes up a notch or two

Denver comes into Monday’s game on the back of a 31-28 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The game was won on a last-minute field goal, but the Broncos can thank second-year quarterback Jay Cutler for putting them in a position to win the game.

"Instead of going up a notch, he went up two notches," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said of Cutler's progression in an AP interview. "He played the No. 1 defense in the NFL, found a way to move the ball in the fourth quarter, found a way to win. You're hoping your quarterback does that for you."

The win was one of the best performances of Cutler’s short career. He threw for 248 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. He completed 75.9 percent of his passes on the day, despite throwing two interceptions. His biggest achievement in the game was a seven-play, 44-yard drive to set up the winning score.

“It's how you handle pressure," Shanahan added when asked by the Rocky Mountain News what makes a good QB. "That's the profession for all of us, but people look at the quarterback a lot more than some others. I like how he (Cutler) handled himself at Vandy. That wasn't a negative to me, I like what he did when faced with difficulties."

This is a week of firsts for Cutler – his first game against the Packers and his first Monday Night Football appearance.

Robinson likely to play some part

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy could give receiver Koren Robinson some playing time on Monday. Robinson returned to practice this week after serving a one-year suspension for repeated violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy. He also served time in jail for a driving offense.

"It's a combination of (a lot of) things," McCarthy told AP after Friday’s practice. “He looked better out there today, but it was a (modified) practice, too. I'll talk to him again in the morning, and we'll see where he is physically."

The first round pick and former pro bowler ran for 896 yards and four TDs in his first NFL season (2003), when he featured mostly as a punt returner for the Seattle Seahawks. His numbers gradually worsened in the following seasons as his personal problems influenced his form, but the Packers are hopeful he can get back to where he was.

"He makes people miss, runs through tackles, he's a strong guy and he has great speed," special teams coordinator Mike Stock told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "We think it would benefit us. We're prepared do whatever we need to do. If he's dressed (on Monday) it would be a bonus, it would help us.”

The Packers may use Robinson because No. 4 receiver Ruvell Martin is questionable with a sore lower back.

Henry could feature

Broncos running back Travis Henry took part in practice on Saturday and is hopeful he can play against Green Bay. Henry suffered a rib cartilage injury against the Steelers last week and missed most of this week’s practices. He will receive a pain-killing injection before Monday’s game.

"Better than I did yesterday and the day before," Henry told the Rocky Mountain News on Friday when asked how he felt. "Game-time decision, you know. Go in Monday early and do what I got to do.

“I plan to (play), I want to play. I've got to pass a couple tests they want me to pass before they clear me. I'll do all the shots and (the Broncos) have to test me out, see if I can take a lick."

Henry has rushed for 549 yards and one touchdown this season and is a major part of Denver’s ninth-ranked rush offense.

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National Football League – Underdogs

NFL
Underdogs


Monday, October 29

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NFL underdogs: picks
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NFL underdogs: Week 8 picks

Green Bay at Denver – Packers +3

This one’s as complicated as you make it. Brett Favre coming off a bye on a Monday Night Football stage against a defense that’s giving up more than 27 points a game this year? I’ll take it.

Last week’s record: 2-1
Season record to date: 11-9-1

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[pm530]

NFL Today - October 29

NFL Today, Week 8 Review

SCOREBOARD
Monday, Oct. 29

Green Bay (5-1) at Denver (3-3) at 8:30 p.m. EDT. The Packers have won nine of last 10 and have intercepted a pass in 12 consecutive games. The Broncos' three wins all came on late field goals by Jason Elam.

STARS

Passing

-Tom Brady, Patriots, was 29-of-38 for 306 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two more scores in a 52-7 win over Washington.

-Drew Brees, Saints, was 31-of-39 for 336 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-10 win over San Francisco.

-Derek Anderson, Browns, was 18-of-25 for 248 yards and three TDs in a 27-20 win over St. Louis.

-Jon Kitna, Lions, was 24-of-35 without an interception for 268 yards in a 16-7 win over Chicago.

-Donovan McNabb, Eagles, was 23-of-36 for 333 yards and one TD in a 23-16 win over Minnesota.

Rushing

-Joseph Addai, Colts, ran for 100 yards and two TDs and caught a scoring pass in Indianapolis' 31-7 win over Carolina.

-Willie Parker, Steelers, ran for 126 yards and a TD in Pittsburgh's 24-13 win over Cincinnati.

-LenDale White, Titans, ran for a career-high 133 yards in Tennessee's 13-9 win over Oakland.

-Brandon Jacobs, Giants, ran for 131 yards - the second straight week he's hit a career high - in a 13-10 win over Miami.

Receiving

-Marques Colston, Saints, had three touchdown catches in a 31-10 over San Francisco.

-Antonio Gates, Chargers, caught touchdown passes of 49 and 31 yards in a 35-10 win over Houston.

-Braylon Edwards, Browns, caught two TD passes and tied a career best with eight catches for 117 yards in a 27-20 win over St. Louis.

Special Teams

-Jason Hanson, Lions, made field goals of 52, 26 and 20 yards to help Detroit beat Chicago 16-7.

-Matt Bryant, Bucs, kicked field goals of 44, 22 and 42 yards in a 24-23 loss to Jacksonville.

Defense

-Antonio Cromartie, Chargers, recovered a fumble for a touchdown and had two interceptions, one of which he returned 70 yards for another TD.

-Mike Vrabel, Patriots, forced three fumbles by quarterback Jason Campbell that led to 17 points, and caught a TD pass in a 52-7 win over Washington.

-Leigh Bodden, Browns, intercepted Marc Bulger with 38 seconds remaining to preserve Cleveland's 27-20 win over St. Louis.

-David Harris, Jets, had 17 tackles, including 10 solo, and a sack in a 13-3 loss to the Bills.

MILESTONES

Peyton Manning's second touchdown pass, a 59-yard strike to Reggie Wayne late in the third quarter of a 31-7 win over Carolina, was the 288th of his career. That broke Johnny Unitas' team record for career scoring passes. ... After beating St. Louis 27-20, Cleveland is 4-3 and above .500 for the first time since finishing 2002 at 9-7, the Browns' last winning season. ... Quinn Gray, making his first NFL start, threw an 8-yard TD pass with 11:37 left to lift Jacksonville over Tampa Bay, 24-23. ... Jacksonville RB Fred Taylor moved within 73 yards of becoming the 21st player in NFL history with 10,000 yards rushing.

SHOWDOWN

The Patriots (8-0) and the Colts (7-0) both have perfect records going into next Sunday's game at Indianapolis.

SIBLINGS

Peyton Manning's 59-yard TD pass to Reggie Wayne in Indianapolis' 31-7 win over Carolina, equaled the total passing yards by his brother, the Giants' Eli Manning, who was 8-of-22 for 59 yards in a 13-10 win over Miami at Wembley Stadium in London.

STREAKS

Indianapolis became the first team since the 1929-31 Green Bay Packers to win their first seven games three straight seasons, after beating Carolina 31-7. ... The Jets (1-7) have lost five in a row and are off to their worst start since going 0-8 to open the 1996 season. ... Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia had his passes-without-an-interception streak ended at 217 when Aaron Glenn picked off a second-quarter pass and returned it 28 yards for a TD. ... Tom Brady extended his NFL record to eight games at the start of a season with at least three touchdown passes. ... Miami fell to 0-8 and kept 0-16 very much in play for the season on this, the 35th anniversary of their perfect, 17-0 season in 1972.

STATS

The Raiders and Titans combined for only 453 yards of total offense, 133 on 25 carries by Tennessee running back LenDale White. ... The Panthers' put together a team record-tying 18-play scoring drive on their opening possession against Indianapolis. It took more than 11 minutes, the longest by time in the NFL this season. ... New England has scored at least 34 points in each of its seven games and has won by at least 17 points, outscoring opponents by an average of 41.3 to 15.9. ... The Redskins, 52-7 losers to the Patriots, sustained their worst loss since 1961 when the New York Giants beat them 53-0.

SWINGS

The Saints, who started the season 0-4, have won three in a row to move within one game of the AFC South lead. ... The 49ers, who started the season 2-0, have dropped five in a row. ... San Diego beat Houston 35-10 to win its third straight and go over .500 for the first time since opening day.

SWITCHES

The Jets changed quarterbacks late in the game, with Kellen Clemens replacing an ineffective Chad Pennington with 3:32 left in a 13-3 loss to the Bills. ... The Bills were forced to change quarterbacks when J.P. Losman replaced an injured Trent Edwards, who left in the third quarter with what appeared to be a right hand injury. ... Pats backup Matt Cassel replaced Tom Brady midway through the fourth quarter and ran 15 yards for a score to put New England ahead 52-0 with 5:53 left in the game.

SLOPPY

Titans quarterback Vince Young was only 6-of-14 for 42 yards, but had a 44-yard gain wiped out by a pass interference call and three passes dropped that could have been touchdowns. ... The Browns were penalized 14 times for 102 yards in a 27-20 win over St. Louis. ... Chicago's Brian Griese threw four interceptions and got picked off three times in the end zone by Detroit in a 16-7 loss. ... Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia was 19-of-41 for 267 yards and was sacked twice. ... The Giants and Dolphins, playing at Wembley Stadium in London, combined for 492 yards, only 187 passing - numbers single teams often put up by themselves in a single game. They combined for seven fumbles, two missed field goals and 14 penalties.

SACKS

Travis LaBoy had two of Tennessee's five sacks in a 13-9 victory over Oakland. The fourth-year pro out of Miami had only two sacks through the first seven weeks.

SIDELINED

Matt Schaub, Texans, left in the second quarter after his second interception. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation, although the exact nature of the injury was unknown. ... Panthers QB Vinny Testaverde left Carolina's 31-7 loss to Indianapolis in the third quarter with tendinitis in his right Achilles' tendon, and was replaced by David Carr. ... Rams RB Steven Jackson, who returned to the lineup after missing a month with a groin injury, scored his first touchdown of the season before leaving in the first quarter with lower back pain. ... The Minnesota Vikings were down to their No. 3 quarterback by the end of a 23-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Kelly Holcomb, in relief of deactivated Tarvaris Jackson, was knocked out of the game in the third quarter on a sack by Juqua Thomas. Holcomb's head slammed hard against the turf and he injured his neck. Backup Brooks Bollinger came out for the next series.

SPEAKING

''Go, Chargers, go!'' - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after flipping the coin and thanking the firefighters prior to the start of San Diego's game against Houston at Qualcomm Stadium.

''That's why they're 5-2 and we're 2-5. Good teams put it in the end zone. Teams like us kick field goals.'' - T.J. Houshmandzadeh after Cincinnati opted for a chip-shot field goal and the Steelers answered with a touchdown on the way to a 24-13 win.

''In hindsight, we probably should have gone for it.'' - Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis.

''If I tie my career high, whoop-dee-doo, the big thing is we got the win. We've got our heads above water for the first time in a long time.'' - Cleveland's Braylon Edwards, who had two TD catches in the Browns' 27-20 win over St. Louis and put Cleveland (4-3) above .500 for the first time since 2002.

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Hockey – Long Sheet

NHL
Long Sheet


Monday, October 29

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TAMPA BAY (5-3-0-1, 11 pts.) at NY RANGERS (3-6-0-1, 7 pts.) - 10/29/2007, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 47-95 ATS (+168.9 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.
TAMPA BAY is 172-225 ATS (-69.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
TAMPA BAY is 75-115 ATS (-45.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 121-131 ATS (+121.0 Units) as a home underdog of a half goal or even on the puck line since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 169-183 ATS (+169.0 Units) as a home favorite of a half goal or even on the puck line since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 194-221 ATS (+194.0 Units) in home games against the puck line since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 50-78 ATS (-69.5 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 159-246 ATS (-106.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY RANGERS is 4-4 (+0.1 Units) against the spread versus TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 4-4-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)

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WASHINGTON (4-6-0-0, 8 pts.) at TORONTO (5-4-0-3, 13 pts.) - 10/29/2007, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 67-78 ATS (-67.2 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
TORONTO is 14-22 ATS (-9.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 7-15 ATS (-14.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 5-3 (+4.4 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 5-3-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

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SAN JOSE (5-5-0-1, 11 pts.) at DALLAS (5-3-0-2, 12 pts.) - 10/29/2007, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 13-21 ATS (-17.2 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 27-9 ATS (+13.6 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 9-7 (+2.3 Units) against the spread versus SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 9-7-0 straight up against SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.4 Units)

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[pm530]

National Hockey League – Write up

NHL
Write-up


Sunday, October 28

Today's NHL analysis

Hot Teams
-- Toronto won consecutive games for first time all season, but are just 3-5 at home.
-- Dallas Stars won three of their last four games.

Cold Teams
-- Tampa Bay lost four of last five games. Rangers lost five of last six games, scoring seven goals.
-- Washington lost five of its last six games.
-- San Jose lost last two games, scoring one goal in each; they are 4-1 in game after a loss, however.

Series Records
-- Home aide won five of the last six Tampa-Ranger games.
-- Washington won four of last six against the Maple Leafs.
-- Dallas won three of last four against Sharks; teams split last eight meetings in this building.

Totals
-- Under is 8-1 in last nine Ranger games, 0-5 in last five Tampa Bay games.
-- Eight of last ten Toronto games went over the total.
-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Dallas games.

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