Sports Betting – Texas Teams Roundup

While most people are focused on the Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl odds while the NFL betting season is winding down, here’s an update of what three other Texas teams are up to:

Dallas Mavericks (25-13, 1^st in Southwest)

It was a tough week for the Dallas Mavericks as they started off well, winning in San Antonio, but then lost at home to Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers.

The Mavericks continue to be very much a Jekyll and Hyde. At times, they look like they could be a decent playoff contender and then at other times, they can’t figure out how to compete against the best in the West.

At this point, the Mavericks can’t be trusted in the West playoff race. They look like they might be ripe for the picking once again in the first round of the playoffs.

Dallas Stars (19-16-11, 4^th in Pacific)

While the Mavericks appear to be fading, so are the Dallas Stars. They have fallen to 11^th in the Western Conference and those who bet on the Stars to make the playoffs at their local sportsbook (sportsbetting.com sportsbook reviews) are really regretting those bets.

If there is one bright spot, it’s that the Stars are consistent on the road. Unfortunately, it’s not the good type of consistent.

The Stars are simply brutal on the road nowadays and there doesn’t appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel. The Stars have just one road win in their last 12 tries, and they have more road games upcoming.

On the year, they are 12-5-5 at home but are just 7-11-6 on the road. If they want any hope of making the playoffs, they’ll have to turn this around in a hurry.

Rangers News After the Jump

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Sports Betting – Dallas, Texas Team Roundup

Sports Betting – Texas Teams Roundup

Dallas Mavericks (22-9, 1^st in Southwest)

The Dallas Mavericks had a productive week with an important win, but sports wagering fans should be cautious putting too much faith into it.

The Mavericks returned to the scene of last year’s crime in Denver and they came up with a big 104-96 win. That handed the Nuggets just their second home loss of the year.

But keep in mind that Nuggets floor general Chauncey Billups did not play in the game, which obviously is a big factor. It’s a good win for Dallas nonetheless but be cautious overestimating this victory.

Dallas Stars (17-11-11, 4^th in Pacific)

If you’re looking for a simple sports betting tip, here’s one: bet on the Dallas Stars to get to overtime and lose.

The Stars have been close but no cigar several times this year with a new coach and a new system but they have still resulted in more misses than hits. The Stars lead the NHL in overtime losses with 11 and added three more this week.

The overtime losses really inflate a team’s record as 17-11-11 – or 4-3-3, as the Stars are in their last 10 games – looks much better than 17-22 or 4-6.

As mentioned, the Stars have been close in a number of games but they need to start turning those overtime losses into wins if they hope to make the playoffs.

Of note, Mike Modano scored his 549^th goal this week in his 1600^th NHL game.

Texas Rangers (Offseason)

Outfielder Marlon Byrd had a career-year with the Texas Rangers this year in his first year of more than 500 Major League at-bats but he’ll be playing for a different club next year. The Rangers decided to let Byrd walk via free agency and he signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.

The Rangers have seen this type of performance before and it’s simple sportsbook 101: decent player has a breakout hitting year in a contract year in Texas, then gets a big contract and flops elsewhere.

It would have been nice if the Rangers could have kept Byrd but it’s not a big concern. David Murphy, who has shown flashes of being a regular starter, will get the opportunity to play full time, which may alleviate some of the consistency problems he’s suffered from.

Of interesting note more to the fanatics than the regular internet gambling crowd, Michael Young’s 1,351 games played in the 2000’s is the most by any Rangers player in any decade.

Cowboy Corner – Week 8 Betting Advice

NFL Week 8 | Cowboys-Seahawks Betting Advice

This week’s NFL odds for Week 8’s matchup are heavily backing the Cowboys against a visiting Seattle team coming off a bye week with something to prove. Can the ‘Boys make it three in a row?

NFL Week 8 – SEATTLE SEAHAWKS @ DALLAS COWBOYS

Sunday, November 1, 1:00 PM ET

Favorite: Dallas -9.5

Cowboys offense vs Seahawks defense

The Cowboys are second in the league in offense, and they’ve looked excellent as of late, especially Tony Romo, who has two 300-yard games in a row. The Romo-to-Miles Austin duo has been an unlikely killer, and Austin has pushed Roy Williams down the pecking order, even behind Patrick Crayton, who returned a punt back against Atlanta after complaining about his role in the offense. Romo threw for 331 yards and three touchdowns in last year’s 34-9 win over the Seahawks in Dallas, and Seattle is 16^th against the pass this year.

Cowboys defense vs Seahawks offense

The Seahawks are coming off a 27-3 loss to Arizona, so you know that Matt Hasselbeck will be eager to get back on track after the bye week. The Cowboys are 22^nd in the league in pass defense, but they did well against Matt Ryan and a very good Atlanta offense, holding them to 298 yards while sacking Ryan four times. The Seahawks may need to step their rushing attack up, as they had only 80 yards on the ground in last year’s loss to the Cowboys, and Dallas is 16^th in the NFL in that category.

Cowboys-Seahawks Outlook

These two have played eight times since 1992, splitting them at four apiece, but the Cowboys have won three of the meetings in Dallas. The Seahawks have had recent struggles on the road with eight losses in their last 10, which is why they’re such an underdog in your sportsbook. The Seattle offense will come out with fire, but Romo and the Cowboys are on a roll right now, and the Seahawks won’t have the defense to keep up with them in a high-scoring affair. Go with the Cowboys in your NFL picks.

Cowboy Corner – Week 7 | Betting Advice

Sportsbooks like BetOnline.com are rapidly downgrading the Cowboys’ odds to win it all this season. Let’s face it – America’s Team is a “weak” 3-2 compared to, say, the Philadelphia Eagles, who have the same record. For the Cowboys to get taken seriously again as playoff contenders, they’ll have to overcome a tough test against the Falcons this weekend.

NFL Week 7 – ATLANTA FALCONS @ DALLAS COWBOYS
Sunday, October 25, 4:15 p.m. ET
Favorite: Cowboys -4

Cowboys offense vs Falcons defense

As defendants, the Falcons have been pushed around like scared criminals on their first day in prison when it comes to the running game. Atlanta allows close to 120 yards per game and the Cowboys, whose offensive bread and butter has arguably been the running game in 2009, should have a big day. The Cowboys will throw a bit of everything at the Atlanta D-line: Marion Barber for power, returning Felix Jones for explosiveness and versatile Tashard Choice for a bit of everything.

No quarterback has totally torched the Atlanta pass defense but everyone has at least moved the ball decently, so Tony Romo’s NFL odds of succeeding are solid. Atlanta’s pass rush is puppy-dog-weak, so Romo should have plenty of time to hit Miles Austin downfield, as he did against the Chiefs two weeks ago.

Cowboys defense vs Falcons offense

There’s definitely reason to panic here. The Cowboys rank in the NFL’s bottom half in total defense, run defense and especially pass defense. That’s after facing Tampa Bay, Carolina and Kansas City plus the Giants and Denver. Arguably, the Giants are the only prolific offense Dallas has played; the Broncos rock but have dominated primarily through defense. If the Cowboys struggle to stop weaker offenses, it’s scary to imagine what the high-octane Falcons can do.

The Cowboys have lost their pass rushing ability after leading the league in that regard last season. If any Joe Blow Fafone can throw on the Cowboys, Matt Ryan could put on a show with favorite targets Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White. If the Cowboys’ pass defense buckles down – and it has in recent weeks – Ryan can still hand off to bruising Michael Turner. Dallas needs its best defensive performance of the season to stay competitive.

Outlook

In this disappointing season, the Cowboys need to earn back our trust. Unfortunately, the Falcons look like a better football team right now – just like the Yankees’ World Series odds over the Angels. I think they’ll edge Dallas in a hard-fought affair this Sunday with Matt Ryan making the difference.

Spread provided by BetOnline.com

COWBOY CORNER – WEEK 3 vs Panthers – Odds and Lines

The Cowboys’ NFL odds are up in the air a bit after Eli Manning’s heroics stole the first game at Cowboys Stadium in front of 100,000-plus fans. Tony Romo had “one of those games,” throwing three interceptions as Dallas fell to 1-1. This week, the pressure is on again in Monday Night Football, but the sports picks expert prognosis is much more positive for America’s Team against a mentally wounded Carolina squad.

Week 3 – CAROLINA PANTHERS @ DALLAS COWBOYS
Monday, September 28, 8:35 p.m. ET
Favorite: Cowboys -8.5

Cowboys offense vs Panthers defense

Whoever starts at halfback for the Cowboys will lick his chops right through to Monday’s kickoff. The Panthers’ run defense is porous, allowing 168 yards per game so far this season. Backs of all shapes and sizes – from Brian Westbrook to Michael Turner – have gashed Carolina. Even if Marion Barber can’t play, Tashard Choice excelled against elite run defenses late last season, so he’s more than ready to dominate. Same goes for Felix Jones, who has a good chance of hitting a home run Monday night.

Romo should also have a much easier time Monday, as the Panthers’ pass rush has been kitten-like, recording just two sacks in two games. Julius Peppers has drawn major criticism for his poor play. Romo should have time to spread the ball out to Jason Witten, Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton.

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THE RANGERS REPORT – September 22 2009

NFL Week 3 matchups look more tempting every week for Dallas Sports fans, as the book is pretty much closed on the Texas Rangers’ season. Even though a playoff berth is highly unlikely now – the Rangers are seven games back of Boston – 2009 was a success for Texas, as some good young arms finally emerged to complement the big bats. Lets’ catch up with our boys.

Current record: 82-67
AL West rank: 2
World Series odds: 200 to 1

THE LINEUP

It’s tough for Texas to stay in the playoff hunt when two of its key contributors are sitting out September. Josh Hamilton is on the verge of being shut down for the year with a pinched nerve in his back. After an MVP-caliber 2008, Hamilton looks like he’ll finish 2009 with a .270 average, 10 homers and 49 RBI in 326 at-bats. The numbers are disappointing but the Rangers hope he can carry his strong August, in which he hit .342, into next season.

Michael Young remains shelved and his career year is on hold. Overall, the Rangers can hang their hat on Nelson Cruz this season. The RBI total isn’t there but he’s shown legit big-league power with 32 homers so far this year.

THE ROTATION

In his win Monday night – just his second since July 20 – Kevin Millwood surpassed the 180-inning mark for the year, triggering a vesting option in his contract that will give him $12 million next season. Thanks to the emergence of Scott Feldman and Tommy Hunter and the promise flashed by Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz, the Rangers may wish they hadn’t structured Millwood’s deal that way.

THE BULLPEN

Like the Cowboys’ Week 3 NFL betting line now that Marion Barber is out, Neftali Feliz looks shaky of late. The flamethrowing rookie is finally allowing runs and may simply be tiring from his first Major-League work. Perhaps the Rangers will shut him down for the season.

Frank Francisco has a good shot to remain Texas’ closer next season. He’s saved 23 of 27 games, struck out 50 batters in 45.2 innings and held opponents to a .215 average. He’s a legit stopper.

OVERALL OUTLOOK

The Rangers are inching toward “nothing left to play for” territory and I’m betting management may shut down several of their young arms as they prepare for the winter. Chins up, Rangers – better times lie ahead.

Busy Offseasons For Texas NBA Teams

The NBA season has been finished for about and you would think people would be more interested in Wimbledon odds, since tennis’ preeminent Grand Slam is underway or Super Bowl odds, since the season is rapidly approaching, but all of the water cooler chatter has been regarding the NBA offseason.

The Texas teams are right in the thick of things, including the San Antonio Spurs, who pulled off a blockbuster trade on Tuesday.

The San Antonio Spurs shipped off some spare parts in the form of Fabricio Oberto, Kurt Thomas and Bruce Bowen to the Milwaukee Bucks to get Richard Jefferson.

Jefferson fills a huge void for the Spurs in so many ways, which should make them a real threat once again in the Western Conference. I’m betting management was thrilled with the deal considering they didn’t have to trade away any of their core.

For starters, the Spurs do get a starter in return for three bench players. Jefferson will add a legit 20-point scorer to go with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, who is off a career year.

While the Spurs first moves have made their Southwest Division cohorts kind of nervous, the other teams don’t figure to stand pat.

The Dallas Mavericks have been linked to Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Anderson Varejao, are in the thick of a lot of rumors. Reports indicate that they tried to ship out Josh Howard for the fifth pick overall but the Washington Wizards were not interested. The Mavs have also been linked to Shaquille O’Neal, although he isn’t exactly a team priority. A player the Mavericks are more likely to move is Jerry Stackhouse.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks have already made before the start of the draft, shipping off the 22nd pick in the draft to Portland. The Trail Blazers traded three picks to move up two spots and now own the Mavs 22nd pick. Meanwhile, the Mavs moved back two spots to No. 24 and received Portland No. 56 pick and another second-rounder in 2010.

Apparently the Trail Blazers are interesting in international player Omri Casspi and were worried that the Sacramento Kings might take him with the 23rd pick in the draft.

As sports wagering experts know, the draft is a hectic time when teams reshape themselves. Keep an eye on Thursday to see what else the three Texas teams pull off.