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11/11/2011 - Homestead, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, will serve as Grand Marshals for the November 20 Sprint Cup Series season-ending race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The two women will offer the most famous words in racing, "Gentlemen, start your engines."
As part of their Joining Forces initiative, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden will recognize service members and military families from the local community during pre-race ceremonies for the Ford 400 and at a special luncheon.
The crowd will consist of 5,000 active duty and retired military personnel and families. Obama and Biden will invite a military family to join them in the command to start engines.
"We are honored that First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will be joining us as we crown the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion,"track president Matthew Becherer said in a statement released on Friday. "Most importantly, we are pleased that they are both coming to Homestead-Miami Speedway to personally thank the men and women who sacrifice so much to ensure our freedom and allow us to enjoy events like Ford Championship Weekend."
The 400-mile race at Homestead will likely feature a showdown between Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart for the 2011 Sprint Cup championship. Heading into Sunday's penultimate event of the season at Phoenix International Raceway, Edwards holds just a three-point lead over Stewart.
<< Eagles' Allen, Mathis ruled out
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Philadelphia Eagles safety Nate Allen and
offensive guard Evan Mathis have been ruled out for Sunday's game against the
Arizona Cardinals.
Allen suffered a concussion in a loss to the Bears this past
<< Steelers LB Woodley ruled out
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr
Woodley will miss Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals due to a
hamstring injury.
Woodley, who also missed last Sunday's contest against the R
<< Giants RB Bradshaw to miss second straight game
East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Giants will be without
running back Ahmad Bradshaw for a second consecutive week on Sunday against
the San Francisco 49ers.
Bradshaw hasn't been able to practice since suffering a
<< Federer gets 800th win; Murray falls at Paris Masters
Paris, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former world No. 1 great Roger Federer
captured his 800th match win, while second-seeded Andy Murray lost and
reigning top-ranked star Novak Djokovic withdrew from his scheduled
quarterfinal bout because of a
Cardinals QB Kolb questionable vs. Eagles >>
Tempe, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb will
return to Philadelphia on Sunday, but could be a spectator against his former
team.
Kolb missed last Sunday's overtime win over the Rams due to turf toe an
NCAA places Oklahoma hoops on 3-year probation >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Oklahoma has received three years of
probation and a $15,000 fine, among other penalties, for major violations in
its men's basketball program.
The NCAA announced Friday that the case revolved
Mercer unveils stadium plans at groundbreaking >>
Macon, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mercer University unveiled plans for its new
6,000-seat football and lacrosse complex during a groundbreaking ceremony on
Friday.
Mercer disbanded its football program in 1941, but will restart it in 2013 on
the
Texans WR Johnson to miss sixth straight game >>
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson will
not play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Johnson will miss his sixth consecutive game since suffering a right hamstring
injury during the Texans' Week 4
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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