Ted Sevransky is a Professional Sports Handicappers and One of the Most Recognized Arena Football Experts Known – Click Here to Buy Ted’s Expert Sports Betting Advice

The single biggest turnaround in the AFL this season has come from the New York Dragons. The Dragons went 1-4 to begin the season, with starting quarterback Aaron Garcia languishing on the sidelines in street clothes. Since Garcia returned to health, the Dragons have reeled off four straight wins and covers. But it’s been much more than Garcia – the Dragons defense has keyed their turnaround, holding each of their last five opponents to 47 points or less, the best ‘D’ in the league during that span.

Dragons head coach Weylan Harding: “The guys are getting a sense of themselves and their potential. All of the guys are starting to believe in each other and believe in what we have here. That’s the product of their hard work. The scariest thing is that we can still be so much better. They have a world of potential.” Quarterback Aaron Garcia: “The guys have really stepped up and done a great job… In football terms, every game is important. We’re chasing two teams in our division that are undefeated. We have to keep fighting and keep pushing to get up to the top.”

The Tampa Bay Storm snapped their five game losing streak with an impressive win on the road in the Jungle at Orlando last week. After going an AFL record 21 quarters (more than five full games) without forcing a single turnover, the Storm recovered three fumbles and picked off two Predators passes. Watch out for the Storm down the stretch. Last year, Tampa Bay started 1-6, but reeled off eight victories in their final nine games of the regular season (7-2 ATS) to make the playoffs.

Tampa Bay head coach Tim Marcum gave me my favorite quote of the year, following the win. The Storm had been in control of the game, but the Predators scored a touchdown with under three minutes to go to cut the deficit to seven. Then, they recovered an onside kick, giving them a chance to tie the game or take the lead. Marcum: “I was thinking, ‘Well, here we go again.’ It’s kind of like wiping your butt with a bicycle tire. The stuff just keeps coming around. Except this time we made a change. We made a play.” Kind of like wiping your butt with a bicycle tire – thanks for the laugh, Tim!

The Utah Blaze dropped to 0-9 with a loss at New Orleans (1-7-1 ATS) but embattled head coach Danny White hasn’t lost his cool. White: “That’s what we have to try to do now, is keep the morale up, keep the chemistry going with rally caps and whatever we have to do to keep from going out on the field expecting something bad to happen.”

Blaze defensive back Damon Mason, an 11-year veteran said he has been amazed at how the even-keeled the coaching staff has remained while suffering loss after loss. Mason played for volatile Orlando coach Jay Gruden for six years and said the atmosphere in Salt Lake City has been entirely different. “You imagine the things you would hear from a guy like Jay Gruden with (winless) team. So, I commend Coach White and the way he has handled things. He comes in with a smile every day. . . You talk about being a pro. . . He’s not walking around telling guys they are going to be fired. That’s a good thing.”

Last year, the San Jose Sabercats were mediocre at best through the first half of the season, just 3-3 after six games. Then, the Sabercats got hot, reeling off ten straight wins to close out the regular season and three wins in the playoffs to win the Arena Bowl title. The Sabercats spent the first seven weeks of this season looking mediocre at best, just 3-4 SU, 2-5 ATS, losing twice on one of the strongest home fields in the league. But if the last two weeks are any indication, Darren Arbet’s squad looks poised for another second half turnaround.

The Sabercats scored a season high 70 points against LA this past weekend, their highest point total of the year, and the first game all season where they didn’t commit a single turnover. But it’s the San Jose defense that has opposing teams running scared right now. Two weeks ago, San Jose recovered three fumbles, notched two sacks and got an interception while holding Utah to a season low 212 yards and 40 points. The ‘D’ was every bit as good this past weekend, forcing five turnovers against LA in their 28 point victory over the Avengers.

The most disappointing team in the AFL this year has to be the Georgia Force , a squad that went 14-2 last year and made it to the National Conference championship game. At 3-5, off back-2-back losses, head coach Doug Plank is searching for answers. “We’re just not playing very well right now… The turnover ratio is not in our favor. Our scoring is down, and what’s really hurting us right now is our kick coverage. … The lack of consistency in our receiving corps and defensive backs are hurting our production right now…. This one (loss to Arizona) could not be blamed on offense, defense or special teams. Every aspect of our team contributed to this loss.”

Georgia has had numerous injuries to their receiving corps and their secondary since the start of the season. Star receiver Troy Bergeron did not play at Arizona due to his deep thigh bruise, and defensive back Willie Gary also was out with a thigh injury. Both are question marks for Saturday night’s home game against New Orleans. Plank: “It’s been kind of musical chairs back there (in the secondary). We want to get three guys back there and try to simplify things – eliminate the thought process and let those guys go out and play…. We haven’t really seen a healthy Troy Bergeron this season. We almost plan on not having him [Saturday]. That way, we won’t be disappointed.”

Last, but not least, don’t ever be fooled by AFL passing yardage statistics – it’s an irrelevant stat in this league. I use QB rating and touchdowns per ‘meaningful’ possessions as a much better indicator of offensive capabilities. The numbers don’t lie. Four AFL quarterbacks threw for more than 300 yards last week: Joe Germaine (Utah), Chris Greisen (Georgia), John Dutton (Colorado) and D Bryant (Kansas City). Those four teams went 0-4 SU, 0-4 ATS….

MLB Expert Pick: Chicago White Sox @ Minnesota Twins o9.0 (-115)
Wed April 30 ’08 1:10p – Click Here for MLB Betting Odds
Middle reliever Nick Masset gets the spot start for Chicago this afternoon because Ozzie Guillen declined not to use Mark Buehrle or John Danks on three days rest after they played a doubleheader against the Orioles on Saturday. This will be the second start of his young career after making his first against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley field last season. Look for Masset to work no more than 75 to 80 pitches, and probably no more than five innings.

Opposing him will be the Twins Nick Blackburn who’ll be making his sixth start of the season. He comes into this start sporting a 1-1 mark with a 3.45 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. He’s allowed 39 hits and 12 ER’s with an impressive K/BB ratio of 15/4 in a shade over 31 total innings pitched. He’s thrown better than his 1-1 mark, but he’s had trouble avoiding the big inning in two of his last three starts. He faced the White Sox earlier this month, but got tagged with a no decision after they roughed up his bullpen to pull out the 7-4 come from behind victory. He threw five innings of two-run ball striking out five while walking two, and could better those marks at home where he’s 1-1 with a miniscule 0.69 ERA in two starts this year.

The White Sox are a moneymaking 9-1 in day games this season, while the Twins have only brought home the cash in 3 of their 9 day games this season. The White Sox have played to the over in 7 of their 12 games against divisional opponents, and it’s 10-6 this year when they’ve squared off against a right-hander. The over is also 5-2 the L/7 times these clubs have squared off in the Metrodome.

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MLB Free Pick: Milwaukee Brewers @ Chicago Cubs Under 9.5
Wed April 30 ’08 8:05p – Click Here for MLB Odds
Jeff Suppan (1-0, 3.38 ERA) the Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher for Wednesdays tilt against the Chicago Cubs, has pitched very well this season , allowing 2 or less ERs in 4 of his 5 starts . In his L/11 starts dating back to last season, the Brew crew righty is 5-1 along with a 3.69 ERA. I expect he will continue his recent consistent ways with another top quality effort in this spot. His pitching opponent from the Cubbies, Ryan Dempster (3-0, 2.90 ERA)is also in top form, and will go against a Milwaukee offense that has struggled against right handers like him for a lowly .208 BA in the visitors role this season. With two capable hurlers on the hill tonight, and decent bull pens supporting them, I expect the total combined runs, will fail to eclipse the number. Final notes & Key Trends: Under is 21-7-1 in Brewers last 29 road games vs. a right-handed starter . Under is 5-0 in Suppans last 5 road starts vs. a team with a winning record. Under is 11-4 in Cubs last 15 vs. a team with a winning record . Play under

Alex Smart is a Professional Handicapper at Touthouse.com – Click Here to Buy His MLB Picks

Free MLB Pick: Chicago White Sox @ Minnesota Twins u9.0 (-120)
Tue April 29 ’08 8:10p – Click Here for Current MLB Betting Odds
Getting the starting nod for the visitors will be Gavin Floyd who pitched in last Thursday night’s rain soaked affair against the NY Yankees at US Cellular Field. He surrendered five runs on five hits over six innings striking out four and walking four. He finished with a no-decision, and watched his string of 17 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run come to an end. He’ll look to get back to his earlier form in this spot, but that will be real tough for him considering the Twins have hit him hard the only two times they’ve seen him. Floyd’s 0-2 with a 7.94 ERA and 1.940 WHIP in his two career starts against the Twins. Combined, he’s allowed 15 hits (5 HR) and 10 earned runs in just over 11 total innings of work vs. Minnesota.

Opposing him will be the Twins Boof Bonser who comes into tonight’s contest sporting a 1-4 mark with a 4.34 ERA. Bonser hasn’t pitched nearly as bad as his 1-4 mark would indicate. He’s been the victim of poor run support from his line-up. The Twins have scored three runs or fewer is his last five starts overall. He’s allowed three or less earned runs in four of his five starts this year, and he’s made it through the sixth inning over that same stretch. The Twins are 3-2 whenever Boof has squared off against Chicago, but he owns a personal mark of 1-2 with a 3.19 ERA and 1.290 WHIP against the White Sox.

The White Sox have had the Twins number of late winning 7 of their L/10 meetings overall, but they’re 1-5 in Floyd’s L/6 road starts as an underdog. The Twins are a perfect 4-0 with a days rest this season, but they’re 0-7 in Bonser’s L/7 starts as a home chalk in the “Metrodome”. ‘Total’ players take note: the under is 8-2 in Floyd’s L/10 starts as an underdog, and 9-4 in Bonser’s L/13 starts as a home favorite between –110 and –150.

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We cashed a ‘tap-in’ winner Saturday on the Nuggets/LA Lakers game ‘under’ the total of 230, as the Lakers embarrassed the Nuggets in Denver 102-84. That runs our playoff record to 4-2 and a 10-3 run overall including the last week of the NBA regular season. With over 60% success this season in the NBA, we’ll look for more ‘green’ today with some solid playoff situations. And with games 5-6-7 in some remaining series in round 1, we’ll have additional positive profiles that have proven profitable in the NBA playoffs.  Once we get to round 2 in the Western Conference with some of these ‘Class A’ match-ups, we’ll ‘shoot’ for even more ‘green’ with our proven profitable playoff plays.

With a 3-0 series lead, the Lakers can sweep Denver out of the playoffs and get the rumblings rolling in Denver for even more coach Karl questioning. Hardly an inspired effort from the Nuggets on their home floor after trailing the series 2-0. And the post-game comments really showed Denver’s frustration. “We quit,” Carmelo Anthony said. “Everybody, from the coaches to the players. And I said it. And I’m not pointing the fingers at anybody because we all sucked. I didn’t play worth a damn tonight.” Anthony continued, “These last three games, we haven’t just been losing, we’ve been getting the (expletive) beat out of us.” Allan Iverson played just one minute in the fourth quarter and was personally insulted and ‘shocked’ at coach Karl’s decision. “I’ve been in a lot of playoff series,” Iverson said, “and I don’t think I’ve ever been this frustrated.”

From a historical perspective, don’t expect Denver to turn it around in an elimination Game 4. NBA playoff teams that lead a series 3-0 are a profitable play in Game 4, getting the money at approx. a 60% clip. Also, these games have gone ‘over’ the total at a profitable rate since 2003 when a team leads a series 3-0. When the team leading the series 3-0 is a home favorite or a road ‘Dog, we have an even stronger situation to support with the road underdog proving to be especially profitable when going for the series sweep. Yes, that situation pops today on the San Antonio Spurs +4 at Phoenix.

Recent 3-0 series situations showed the Detroit Pistons up 3-0 at Orlando in last years opening round, and the Pistons won Game 4 by a 97-93 score but just failed to cover as 4.5 favorites. The next series, Detroit led Chicago 3-0, but were beaten badly in Game 4 at Chicago as a 3-point favorite. Notice the line adjustment in both situations last year with Detroit leading 3-0. The Pistons were a 2.5 favorite in Game 3 at Orlando and won/covered. Then the Pistons were pushed to a 4.5 favorite and won but just failed to cover. In Game 3 at Chicago and leading the series 2-0, Detroit was a 2.5 underdog and won outright, but then became a 3-point favorite and lost big in Game 4, and then lost again as an 8-point home favorite in Game 5. However, remember that Chicago was up 3-0 in their opening series last year against the defending NBA Champs Miami Heat. In Game 4 at Miami, the Bulls eliminated the Heat 92-79 as a 4.5 underdog. The LA Lakers have gone from a 1-point underdog in game 3 to a 4.5 favorite in game 4. I won’t be ‘laying it’ with the Lakers and the line move, but I cannot support the Nuggets who hardly appear ready to rally.

Many people including myself thought the Spurs – Suns series would be one of the best of the first round. Instead, Phoenix is ‘soul-searching’ and trying to find an answer for San Antonio’s pick-and-roll set. With Tony Parker piling up a career-high 41 points in game 3 and ‘chippin-in’ 12 assists, it appears the Suns have nobody capable of slowing him down after using Steve Nash, Boris Diaw and Grant Hill on him during game 3. Hill is doubtful for game 4 with abdominal and groin injuries, although he fought through them to play in games 2 and 3.

While I’m not convinced that San Antonio will make it back to the NBA Finals, it’s hard to argue with their performance against Phoenix and the psychological edge they now hold. Phoenix looked so solid in game 1, but couldn’t close the deal before losing in double OT and now must be wondering what it will take to beat the defending champs. San Antonio was an ordinary offensive team this season, and that’s being kind. The Spurs averaged just 95 ppg, no. 28 in the league. Yet San Antonio shot 56% and scored 115 points on the road against a top team in Phoenix with the Suns desperate and seemingly in a spot where their intensity would be the greatest facing a Spurs team that was just 3-11 SU on the road against West playoff teams. Phoenix shot a league-best 50% on their home floor this season, and while they hit 49% in game 3, their defense never showed. Phoenix has allowed the Spurs to score over 100 points and shoot better than 48% in all three contests. With Phoenix unable to deliver or recover during game 3 in desperation mode, it will come as no surprise if the ‘Sun’ doesn’t shine today and the Spurs sweep the series.

Article Courtesy of Ben Burns – Click Here to Buy Ben Burns Expert Sports Betting Advice 

Some folks looked at the Orlando Magic in Game 3 and thought, “A three point dog? They just whipped Toronto twice!” And the same was true for the Cavaliers/Wizards Game 3. “Cleveland is a 4-point dog? After dismantling the Wizards in Games 1 and 2?” The majority of bettors, however, didn’t take the bait. The money came in on the home teams with the Raptors closing as a 4-point favorite and the Wizards bet up to five and 5½.

Ignoring matchup angles, coaching and emotion for a moment, the difference was simply home court. Cleveland shot 52% in Game 2, winning by 30 points. Their defense was top notch, holding the Wizards to 86 points in each of the first two games. Dominance by the defending Eastern Conference champs! Then in Game 3, they looked like Eastern Conference chumps, losing at Washington 108-72.

The difference? Home court. The Wizards set a league record for largest margin of victory after losing by 30 or more points in the previous game. Go figure. After shooting 37% and 40% in the first two games, Washington shot 52% in Game 3. The first half was when the Cavs’ defense, which led them in the first two games of this series, failed miserably. The Wizards made uncontested jump shots, got free passes to the basket and scored 18 points off Cavs’ turnovers. ‘We feed off our crowd when we’re at home because of the atmosphere and the intensity,’ Daniel Gibson said. ‘They fed off their crowd and did exactly what they needed to do.’

Another factor added to home court to take into account this time of the season is desperation. Teams down 2-0 can’t afford a loss and often (not always!) play with immense intensity. In my pregame analysis of the Game 3 contest I wrote, “Washington is down 0-2, back on their home floor for a must-win game, I expect the Wizards to be at their very best. While LeBron James is obviously the best player on the floor, when playing their game, with a lineup that features Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas, the Wizards have the more complete team. More often that not, they do manage to ‘play their game’ at home, as they’ve won four straight (and eight of 10) games here. Note that each of those four victories came by a minimum of seven points and by average of nearly 13.

“The Wizards are 8-2 ATS when playing with two day’s rest in between games and have shown an ability to bounce back from a big loss, going 12-7 ATS after a double-digit loss this season. Conversely, the Cavs are just 2-8 ATS when coming off a double-digit victory. Note that the Cavs were below .500 on the road and that they finished the season with just three wins their last dozen games away from Cleveland. The Wizards won both meetings here this season, with the wins coming by an average of 10.5 points. Look for them to snap their playoff losing streak against the Cavs, covering the relatively small number along the way.”

While it hasn’t been a particularly strong start to the playoffs (we’ve got a long way to go!) that particular selection, my “Main Event,” resulted in an easy winner, as the Wizards rolled. Remember that the Cavaliers have won only three games on the road since the blockbuster trade in February: against the lowly Charlotte Bobcats, New York Knicks and a controversial win in Philadelphia on April 14. This Cleveland squad is one team at home but often a very different group away. “The Wizards were the aggressors,” Cleveland coach Mike Brown said. “They came out with the right mind-set. They got energized and juiced by the crowd.”

North of the border the Raptors were staring at a 0-2 deficit when Orlando came to town, a team with sizzling 27-14 road record. Didn’t matter, as the Raptors won and covered with ease, 108-94. Toronto has now won eight of its last nine games against the Magic in its building. A re-energized T.J. Ford was brilliant in an 18-point first half, Jose Calderon shredded the Magic for 18 points and 13 rebounds and the Raptors came out swinging and never took a step back.

Home teams went 2-1 SU/ATS again last night, with both Dallas and Philadelphia protecting their homecourts. The Suns, on the other hand, got blown out by the Spurs, falling to 0-3. They are now in serious trouble. I split with my sides (won with Dallas lost with Phoenix) yesterday but unfortunately came up short with my lone total selection, rather than sticking with my original idea of backing all three home teams.

Home teams have now won 18 of the first 23 playoff games. That even includes the Jazz/Rockets series, where the visiting team won the first 3 games. Still, the home team started 16-7 against the spread. Toronto’s Jamario Moon said after the Game 3 win, “I didn’t know this place could get this loud. I could feel the court shaking a little bit.” Toronto coach Sam Mitchell added, “Playing in front of the home fans makes you keep digging a little deeper, no matter how tired you get.”

While visiting teams should eventually start to improve their performance at the betting window, make sure to never underestimate the power of homecourt. Enjoy the games and best of luck with all your wagers this weekend…Ben Burns

Free MLB Pick: Colorado Rockies @ San Francisco Giants u7.0 (100)
Tue April 29 ’08 10:15p – Click Here for MLB Betting Odds
San Francisco Giants starter Tim Lincecum has some of the best stuff in baseball, which is why he has managed to go 4-0 with very little run support. Aaron Cook of the Colorado Rockies has been no slough himself however, so we feel that the Under is the play here. Lincecum would be a Cy Young candidate if he played for a winning team, and he may be yet considering he manages to get wins anyway. He has allowed a grand total of three runs in four starts this year, which has overcome the fact that the woeful Giants offense scored three runs or less in three of them. He has tossed 13.1 scoreless innings over his last two outings, and he now has a whopping 36 strikeouts in 29.1 innings overall this season. Don’t forget about Colorado starter Aaron Cook here either, as he has reeled off four straight Quality Starts since allowing four runs in six innings in his seasonal debut. Cook has a fine 2.91 ERA in his own right, to go with an outstanding 1.03 WHIP over 34 innings. Also, the last time he faced the Giants, he tossed a Complete Game while allowing one run and just five hits last season.  Finally, neither of these offenses is exactly tearing up the baseball either, which was apparent in the Giants 4-0 win last night. Do not expect that to change tonight given this pitching matchup.

MLB Free Pick: Rockies, Giants Under 7 (+100) – Click Here for More Free Handicappers Picks from LT Profits

Free NBA Pick: Philadelphia 76ers @ Detroit Pistons u178.0 (-110)
Tue April 29 ’08 7:00p – Click Here for Updated NBA Basketball Odds
The Detroit Pistons and the Philadelphia 76ers have gone Under in three of the first four games of this series, and we expect more of the same tonight. The Pistons seem to play best defensively when their backs are against the wall, and after losing the first and third game of this series, they responded by holding Philadelphia to 84 and 88 respectively in the following games. In fact, the Under is 6-2 in Detroit’s last eight games overall, and all six of those Under saw less than 178 points scored. Then again, this is nothing new for this team with loads of post-season experience. The Pistons have now played 112 playoff games since 2003, with the Under going 63-46-3, 57.8 percent and those contests averaging just 175.0 points. The Sixers blew a chance to take control of this series when they blew a 10-point halftime lead in Game 4 and were in fact dominated in the second half. Philadelphia’s youth and playoff inexperience may have benefitted them earlier in the series, but those things are now a detriment in crunch time. The 76ers are averaging 89.3 points per game over the first four games, and we don’t think they will reach even that modest number now that the Detroit defense has gotten its wake-up call. Look for this game to top out in the low 170’s, with a final in the 160s more likely.

NBA Free Pick: 76ers, Pistons Under 178 – Click Here for More NBA Picks from LT Profits

MLB Free Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers (-130)
Tue April 29 ’08 7:10p – Click Here for Current MLB Betting Odds
Reason: The Marlins starter Andrew Miller (1-2, 7.94 ERA) is showing his age (22) and still learning on the job. He has looked very unsure of himself on occasion, with Motown in 2006 and 2007 garnering 6.10 and 5.63 ERAs and again this year with the Florida .In my humble opinion, this youngster should be honing his pitching skills down in the minors and not in the major leagues. Note: The Dodgers have hit lefties like Miller, for a hefty .296 BA this season. His pitching opponent , veteran hurler Derek Lowe (2-1, 2.45), has pitched well this year, and is ready to come back firing in this spot, despite of some elbow stiffness last time out. I expect the South Florida weather will, do his joints some good, and he will be running on all cylinders against a Marlins team that has lost 16 of their 21 against NL west opposition. Note: The Dodgers are 11-4 in Lowes L/15 starts as a favorite of -110 to -150. Play on the Dodgers

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Ted Sevransky is a Professional Sports Handicapper. Click Here to Buy His Expert Arena Football Betting Picks

When the undefeated Patriots met the undefeated Colts in Week 9 of the 2007 NFL season, it was hyped as the biggest NFL regular season game ever. And frankly, the hype was well deserved with two marquee franchises, the best two quarterbacks in the league, and both teams outclassing the rest of the league (at the time).

I don’t make many comparisons between the NFL and Arena Football, but this is one time where comparisons make perfect sense. When the Dallas Desperados travel to Philadelphia to take on the Soul, Monday Night in an ESPN2 showdown, it will mark the first time in 22 years of the AFL in which two undefeated teams will meet this late in the season (ironically, also in Week 9).

Oddsmakers have Philadelphia set as a 5 1/2-point favorite with the total at 104 1/2.

Philadelphia has been truly special this season on both sides of the football, right from the opening weekend of action. The Soul have won seven of their eight previous games by eight points or more. In the only game that they didn’t dominate from start to finish, Philly rallied from 26 points down on the road against the defending Arena Bowl champs San Jose to earn a one point victory. And the Soul haven’t just been feasting on patsies either, with double digit victories over Orlando, Chicago and New York, three rock solid playoff caliber teams from their own conference.

The Soul’s 66 points per game average leads the league by a wide margin. Even more impressively, Philly has managed to put up these impressive numbers despite suffering an injury to their starting quarterback, Tony Graziani. Graziani’s backup, Matt D’Orazio has been nothing short of stellar, entering Monday Night’s game with the AFL’s second best QB rating, while Graziani ranks third.

Graziani returned last weekend against Columbus only to tweak his injured knee. D’Orazio came on in relief and led the Soul to victory yet again. It looks as if Graziani will be healthy enough to start again this week, but there’s absolutely no drop-off in Philly’s offense if he can’t finish the game for whatever reason. The two quarterbacks split reps in practice this week.

Dallas, too, has suffered through a serious quarterback injury. QB Clint Dolezel, the AFL’s career leader in touchdown passes, got hurt in Week 1, replaced in the starting lineup by Chris Sanders. There was a clear drop-off offensively for the Desperados with their backup QB in the lineup, but Dallas was able to remain undefeated by virtue of their stellar defense, allowing a league low 42 points per game.

Dolezel is 100% healthy now, leading Dallas to victories over Cleveland and New Orleans since returning. With a strong performance here, Dolezel will become the AFL’s all time leading passer – he’s thrown for more than 42,000 yards in his 13 year career.

Dallas has won 15 consecutive regular season games dating back to last year’s remarkable 15-1 season. They’ve only been underdogs twice during that span: a three point win at Philly last year as one point dogs, and a three point win at San Jose this year as four point dogs. Clearly, this veteran team has the capacity to beat quality foes on the road in hostile environments.

Philadelphia normally plays their games at the Wachovia Center, home of the Flyers and 76ers. With the Flyers in action for a home playoff game on Monday Night, the game has been moved to the legendary Spectrum. Quotes from the Dallas players and staff indicate that Dallas is not enamored with the change of venue.

Head coach Will McClay: “The Spectrum is one of those places that set the stage for the Broad Street Brawl. You go in there and it’s an older place that has a lot of history to it. The ceiling is low and it gets loud in there. To us and what we know about Philadelphia, that place is Philadelphia. It’s grimy and one of those loud places that is going to be tough to play in.” Clint Dolezel, speaking tongue in cheek: “I think its cheating, first of all. It’s kind of like going into New York or some of the other stadiums where they funnel in all of that noise.”

Unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to release a play for my AFL clients in this Monday Night battle. Basically, I’m unwilling to bet against either one of these squads, without a doubt, the two best teams in the league. Philly scored a touchdown on every single meaningful possession last week despite playing both quarterbacks, truly an offense that is clicking on all cylinders. Dallas hasn’t been as pretty to watch as Philadelphia this year, but the Desperados defense is the best in the league, capable of stopping even the most potent attack. That makes this game very difficult to call, either side or total. Great game to watch; tough game to bet on…