NFL Is Back
As the new NFL season approaches spread punters will be anticipating another fierce competition. Spread buyers looking for early value in Sporting Index's outright win index will be aware that plenty of sides are talking up their chances of making it to Miami on February 7th 2010 for Super Bowl XLIV. The Pittsburgh Steelers won their sixth Super Bowl in Florida last year and look strong again. Sellers of the Steelers' outright spread will have noted that only twice in ten years has a team successfully defended their crown, the Denver Broncos in 1998 and 1999 and the New England Patriots in 2004 and 2005. The Sporting Index traders have priced the Steelers as third favourites at 34-38pts (Winner - 100pts, Runner-up 70pts, Lose Conference Championship - 50pts, Lose Divisional Playoff - 33pts).
Great news for buyers of the Patriots' outright index spread is that Tom Brady is back from injury and looks as good as ever after pre-season. The Patriots with a fit Brady are an altogether different side and spread bettors can expect them to be fighting well into January. Bill Belichick's men are the Super Bowl favourites and their outright win index can be bought at 48pts. Spread buyers will be hoping for a return to the kind of form that gave them a 16-0 regular season record in 2007. The San Diego Chargers are second favourites with a spread of 36-40pts and buyers will be delighted that Shawne Merriman has recovered from his serious injury. Quarterback Philip Rivers will again be integral to the Chargers' chances but he will be backed up by the lighting quick running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles.
The Indianapolis Colts will have to adapt to life without Tony Dungy but spread punters will not altogether desert the Colts as long as three-time MVP Peyton Manning is in the side. Sellers of their spread of 24-28pts will however be hoping life without Marvin Harrison will prove a stumbling block. The Philadelphia Eagles have caused a real stir of late by signing Michael Vick and those spread buyers looking at their outright win index (25-29pts) will be intrigued to see how the controversial figure will settle after his stint in prison for involvement with an illegal dog-fighting ring. The return of Assante Samuel will be a huge boost to spread buyers as he will add to their already impressive secondary defense.
Plenty of buyers of the Baltimore Ravens' outright spread have been attracted by their tough tackling defense. Punters looking for a spread bet on the Ravens will remember their impressive season last year, eventually losing in the conference title game to the Steelers. However sellers will point to the fact they've lost some key men including defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, Bart Scott and Jim Leonard to the NY Jets.
Many of the NFL's other leading stars are highlighted in Sporting Index's player markets including the Passing Yard and Rushing Yard title outright index spreads. New Orleans Saints' quarterback Drew Brees is favourite in the passing market with his spread of 26-29pts (50pts to winner, 30pts to runner-up etc.) after passing 5069 yards in 2008. In the rushing market Minnesota Viking Adrian Peterson is the spread favourite at 27-30pts after he accumulated 1760 yards last campaign.
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