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12/20/2006 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Lions have never beaten Brett Favre in Lambeau Field, and despite the veteran quarterback's three interceptions, nothing changed this past Sunday. Detroit lost for the 12th time this season (and seventh time in seven tries on the road).
"The effort and the energy was there, the execution was not," Lions coach Rod Marinelli said. "It was not good enough."
That has been the theme in Detroit this year. In fact, with this being the sixth consecutive double-digit-loss season, that has been the theme since basically the start of the millennium (or "Millen-nium").
Jon Kitna threw a pair of interceptions and has now thrown a pick in 12 straight games - seven of which were multi-pick games.
The running game seems to have gone on Injured Reserve along with Kevin Jones and his Lisfranc foot injury. Ex-Ram Arlen Harris (and ex-Lion, too - he was initially cut after training camp) carried the ball nine times for 18 yards. Harris was able to catch five balls for 33 yards, but that had a lot to do with the Lions' inability to get the rock downfield to the receivers. Harris is expected to start the final two weeks of the season.
"It's terribly frustrating," Kitna said. "You play this game and every week the only goal is to win. And when you're not doing it, the frustration mounts. It's just...what can you say? It's frustrating. You can't let it crush you."
MIKE WILLIAMS SHOWS UP
In a classic example of looking on the bright side, it can be noted that Lions fans watching the game Sunday finally got to see glimpses of former first- round pick Mike Williams. The 6-4, 229-pounder from USC was the oversized target wearing No. 88 who beat Charles Woodson over the middle on more than one occasion.
"About the last four weeks, I thought each week in practice he's been getting better," said Marinelli of Williams. "How he's doing and how he's performing. As he grows you can see the impact he can have for us.
"I mean, that's a positive today. I just want to keep encouraging him to get better, to do things right every day, how he practices and prepares. As he can see, we need him."
Heading into Sunday, Williams had been active for just five games and had registered one catch on the year. Against the Packers, he had three receptions for 42 yards, and also drew a pass interference penalty.
Mike Martz has not been fond of the ex-Trojan's practice habits or lack of professionalism and the Lions offense demands more speed at the wideout position than what Williams offers. But after watching Williams work the middle against Green Bay, it is obvious that he possesses certain skills that you want on the field. One can't help but wonder if a move to the tight end position wouldn't be a bad idea. The problem there, however, is that Williams probably cannot be counted on to learn new assignments (he has struggled with the ones he has as it is), and he would almost certainly be a liability as a blocker.
The Lions will have a chance to evaluate Williams and get a better feel for what he is able to do over the final two weeks of the season. His outing in Week 15 was a good start.
NFL SUSPENDS ASSISTANT FOR ONE GAME
Lions defensive line coach Joe Cullen has been suspended by commissioner Roger Goodell for one game for what was described as "conduct detrimental to the team." Cullen made headlines back in the preseason for going through a Wendy's drive-thru sans clothing. Eight days after that citation, he was arrested for driving under the influence.
The Lions had already suspended Cullen earlier in the season but he was permitted to work with the defensive line throughout the week. In this instance, he cannot.
"The league had previously informed us of this possibility, so this was not unexpected," Marinelli said in a statement. "I do want to say that I am really proud of how Joe has responded to his mistake. He has been getting treatment and has done a commendable job in dealing with his problem. He has definitely learned from his mistake and has moved forward in a very positive manner."
WHO'S HOT
Linebacker Paris Lenon had a nice showing against his former Packer team. Lenon intercepted a Brett Favre pass in the end zone, and also led Detroit with eight tackles on the afternoon.
WHO'S NOT
Quarterback Jon Kitna struggled working behind a very sub-par offensive line. Kitna was 16-of-26 for 135 yards, with zero touchdowns, and three turnovers (two interceptions, one lost fumble).
NEXT UP
The Lions host the Chicago Bears on Christmas Eve. This potential massacre should be watered down by the fact that the Bears have clinched homefield advantage throughout the playoffs and thus will have nothing to play for.
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Andy Benoit is the author of Touchdown 2006: Everything You Need to Know About the NFL This Year. For more information or to contact Benoit, visit www.touchdown2006.com.
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(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Denver Nuggets are hopeful that they will have Allen
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(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Jersey Nets continue their homestand tonight
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Airlines Arena.
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(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - "Just when I thought that I was out, they pull me back in."
There is not much to like, or remember, about Godfather III, but Michael
Corleone's signature line in that movie pretty much sums up my feelings
towards the New Y
G-Men are down, but not out >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Philadelphia entered the Meadowlands on Sunday and punched
the Giants square in the mouth, beating them at their own game.
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that stopping the run i
Eagles prepare for Christmas showdown >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The last time Philadelphia and Dallas met on a holiday was
almost 20 years ago, on Thanksgiving.
The Eagles were donning their popular Kelly green uniforms on November 23,
1989, and smacked the Cowboys around to the tune o
The AFC South and the NFC East are the favorite divisions to have the next Super Bowl champ among them in the NFL betting odds. But more down to the point, these football odds are in favor of the Indianapolis Colts, by far the strongest team in the AFC South, and the Dallas Cowboys of the NFC East.
Most sports fans would agree that these two teams top the list to win it all before the season even begins. In the BetUS Sportsbook football futures, the Colts are +800 in the odds to win the Super Bowl, while the Cowboys are sitting at +1000 and the Super Bowl XLIV champions New Orleans Saints at +900. In the AFC South, the Colts won the division for five straight years after the 2002 realignment, before the Tennessee Titans won it in 2008. But the Colts came back strong in 2009 to win the division again en route to the Super Bowl. The Cowboys are the favorite to win the NFC East, as well as to advance far into the post season. The Cowboys won the division last season before their horrendous loss in the NFC Divisional playoff to Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. But the ‘Boys will take that loss humbly and be ready for the playoffs this time around.
The NFC South is also very strong, at +600 in the NFL futures, considering that it is home to the defending Super Bowl champions. However, some predictions have the Atlanta Falcons with possibilities of claiming the divisional title this season in place of the Saints, as no team has won back-to-back division championships since the division realignment took place. Let’s not overlook the AFC North at +500. As TO goes to Cincinnati to join Chad OchoCinco and Adam “Pac-Man” Jones, this team looks to claim the division title again. And it is likely they will do so. The Bengals lost in the AFC Wild Card spot in a hard-fought battle against the New York Jets last season. Lest not forget the Pittsburgh Steelers, the XLII Super Bowl Champions… All these teams present interesting odds and matchups for the upcoming season, but the safest and surest bet seems to be with the Colts in the AFC South and the Cowboys in the NFC East. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.
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Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.
NFL Betting
After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."
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