Luke’s Wagon Weekend Bets Part 8

The best betting blog in the world!

Well the name of this blog was a bit ‘tongue in cheek’ from my editor but I think I’m going to have to change it soon or have a comeback of Lazereth like proportions! Luckily I didn’t blog my thoughts regarding the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot yesterday, otherwise the hole we need to climb out of would be even bigger.

It sums things up at the moment that Somersby, the horse that loves to come second decided for the first time in his career to stick his neck out and put in a gutsy performance. Can someone please tell me how Finians Rainbow didn’t win? Yes, Somersby has all the ability in the world but I’ll be honest i was walking to collect when Barry popped the last with only Somersby to beat. Anyway not content with tipping up losers I’m now blogging about losers i didn’t put up… I need my head examining!

Here we go then – we have a mountain to climb but no time like the present and this evening’s NFL Conference match ups look sure to be high octane and unmissable.

NFL Big Bets

The early game see a one dimensional Baltimore travel to New England to take on the best post-season combo in the history of the playoffs: Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. If the Pats win tonight they will become the first Coach/QB combination to reach five Superbowls – yes five! That is simply incredible and I see no reason why the Ravens will be there instead of them.

There is a lot of nostalgia surrounding the Ravens with the great Ray Lewis coming towards the end of his career along with the ever young Ed Reed. However, punters shouldn’t get drawn into the fairytale ending idea, the likes of which Michael Strahan experienced with the Giants a couple of years back.

Brady and the Pats are a far more expansive team than the Ravens and if they hit the ground running like they did against the Broncos, they should post far to many points for Flacco and his offense to keep up with. The line is Patriots -7 and I thoroughly expect them to be too strong at Foxborough for the traveling Ravens. Go Pats, this run has to end soon.

Not only in my opinion will the fairy tale ending elude Mr Lewis and co, but also for the Hollywood writers and directors out there praying that both Harbaugh brothers end up going toe-to-toe in the Super Bowl. That said, although I expect John Harbaugh to fall short, his brother Jim and his 49ers side have everything needed to make it back to the promised land.

San Francisco Quarterback Alex Smith is currently living his own fairytale everyday. With the victory over the Saints last week under his belt, he will be full of belief and self confidence going into the weekend’s NFC Conference game. Smith outgunned Drew Brees last Sunday night with 299 yards and 3TDs, yet the key to the victory was no picks.

The 49ers host Eli Manning and the Giants this evening who, having dismantled the reigning champs the Green Bay Packers, will believe it’s their destiny to go on and take the crown. That said, the 49ers have home field advantage and an offense that should be capable of exposing the holes in the Giants defense, especially against the rush.

The name Frank Gore will be in the forefront of all the Giant’s defensive line and he will exploit any weaknesses in the line, with his direct aggressive running style. I’m going to keep it short and sweet, Frank Gore to rush more than 77.5 yards at 10/11 looks a gift, providing he doesn’t get injured and in doing so I expect him to lead the 49ers to the first Super Bowl since 1994, and they are 5/6 to do so.

My Big Bets

New England -7 @ 10/11 : 4 points win

San Francisco to win @ 5/6 : 4 points win

Frank Gore to rush more than 77.5 yards @ 10/11 : 7 points win