Jets keep hope alive in Minnesota

Football Betting Lines

12/20/2006 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - "Just when I thought that I was out, they pull me back in."

There is not much to like, or remember, about Godfather III, but Michael Corleone's signature line in that movie pretty much sums up my feelings towards the New York Jets.

The Jets were left for dead last week with regard to the playoff picture in the AFC after giving a half-hearted effort in a home loss to the Buffalo Bills. But with their season on the line and their backs against the wall, the Jets, as they have done all year under first year head coach Eric Mangini, bounced back on the road and defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 26-13, at the Metrodome.

"I was very proud of the way our team prepared this week," said New York head coach Eric Mangini. "I was proud of the approach they took and the energy level we had going into the game. To come out and have the early strip-sack and get the early touchdown, we really put that adversity behind us and played pretty good football from there on in."

As bad as New York quarterback Chad Pennington was in the loss to Buffalo, he was that good on Sunday against the Vikings. The oft-criticized signal caller completed 29-of-39 passes for a career-high 339 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

"Kudos to our team for really bonding together and coming together this week after a tough loss last week," said Pennington, who had fumbled on the second play from scrimmage. "We put together a winning effort, and that's what it's all about. This game is such a team game and it takes everyone involved. This win started on Wednesday with a really good day of practice, and then we kept practicing better and better throughout the week. The guys were really honed on what we needed to do to get a win."

Now, if the Jets win their final two games, they should get into the playoffs. Of course they could win out and still miss out on the postseason, but a lot of other things would have to happen for that to occur.

New York, which is 5-2 this season on the road, will finish its season with a stop in Miami on Christmas night and a home tilt with the hapless Oakland Raiders on New Year's Eve.

NO COLES IN PRO BOWL?

Laveranues Coles continued to make his case to be on the field in Hawaii on February 10, as he hauled in a career-best 12 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings. Nonetheless, Coles was not on the AFC roster when the Pro Bowl teams were announced on Tuesday.

"I thought Laveranues' performance was outstanding, Mangini said of Sunday's game. "It's very typical Laveranues; he comes out and plays incredible. Each week he makes tough catches - that's what you love about the guy."

Coles, who is seven catches away from breaking Al Toon's mark for a single season, is now second in the AFC with 87 catches, and his 1,065 yards are sixth best in the conference.

Another Jet who was snubbed for Pro Bowl honors was rookie center Nick Mangold, who has been absolutely tremendous this season and could realistically get some consideration for AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Mangold, though, suffered a scare on the play that Pennington fumbled, as his leg twisted awkwardly and had to be helped from the field. He was fine and did not miss a play.

Return man Justin Miller was the only Jet to be named to the AFC roster, though more New York players, including perhaps Coles and Mangold, could end up in the game as others around the league drop out due to injury.

NUGENT GETTING HIS KICKS IN

Jets' kicker Mike Nugent has put his early-season struggles behind him. In Sunday's win, Nugent matched a career-best with four field goals, including one from 52 yards out that looked like it could have been good from at least 60.

Nugent, who missed two field goals and an extra point in his team's first game of the year, has now made 13 straight field goals and has connected on 18 of his last 19 attempts. He is also good on 2-of-3 from 50 yards or more this season.

QUICK HITS

-Coles and Jerricho Cotchery (6 catches, 56 yards) combined for 18 receptions for 200 yards versus Minnesota. On the season, they now have 158 catches combined, tied for the highest single-season total for a tandem in Jets history. Keyshawn Johnson and Wayne Chrebet combined for 158 in 1998

Coles now has 502 career receptions and 320 as a Jet, which is eighth on the team's all-time list.

-Jonathan Vilma was credited with three tackles, giving him 100 on the season. He is the first Jets LB since Kyle Clifton (1984-86) with at least 100 tackles in his first three seasons.

-In four career games in domed stadiums, Pennington is 85-for-115 for 968 yards with 9 TD, 2 INT and a 117.6 passer rating. He also started his 14th game of the season, which is a career-best.

-The Jets have now won three straight road games for the first time since ripping off five in a row away from home to begin the 2001 season.

-Mangini improved to 4-0 against fellow rookie head coaches this season.

UP NEXT

The Jets' push for the postseason continues on Christmas night when they head to South Beach for a crucial AFC East battle with the Miami Dolphins. The Jets hold a 42-38-1 lead in their all-time series with Miami, including a 20-17 home victory when the teams met in Week 6. New York has now won four of the last five in the series, with the Dolphins' only win over that stretch coming at home (24-20) last season. The Jets' most recent win in Miami occurred in 2004.

Wwwtreasuredome Football Betting News

<< Nets continue homestand vs. Cavs
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Jersey Nets continue their homestand tonight as they welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers to town for a battle at Continental Airlines Arena. New Jersey is 1-1 on its four-game homestand and defeated Golden State by a

<< Bobcats, Knicks battle at MSG
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Knicks continue their homestand tonight when they welcome the Charlotte Bobcats to Madison Square Garden. New York is 1-1 on the homestand and defeated Utah, 97-96, in overtime on Monday night. Stephon Marbu

<< Status Quo for Lions
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Lions have never beaten Brett Favre in Lambeau Field, and despite the veteran quarterback's three interceptions, nothing changed this past Sunday. Detroit lost for the 12th time this season (and seventh time in se

<< Streaking Mavs wrap up road trip in Seattle
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The streaking Dallas Mavericks close out a three-game road trip when they visit the struggling Seattle SuperSonics tonight at KeyArena. Dallas enters tonight's contest on a four-game winning streak. All-Star Dirk Nowit

<< Pats' quick draw stops Texans in their tracks
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Finally, for the first time in a month, New England played the elusive near-flawless game. The 40-7 blowout may have come against the four-win Texans, but the NFL will allow Bill Belichick's team to list the game in the left

G-Men are down, but not out >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Philadelphia entered the Meadowlands on Sunday and punched the Giants square in the mouth, beating them at their own game. Even Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said during a radio interview on Monday that stopping the run i

Eagles prepare for Christmas showdown >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The last time Philadelphia and Dallas met on a holiday was almost 20 years ago, on Thanksgiving. The Eagles were donning their popular Kelly green uniforms on November 23, 1989, and smacked the Cowboys around to the tune o

No end in sight for LT's dream season >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - LaDainian Tomlinson has been busy shattering records all season long, but this year it is clear that the superstar running back's ambitions go well beyond personal achievements. Tomlinson's legend is growing with each pass

Man U inks Saha to four-year deal >>
Manchester, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Despite his current contract not expiring for another two full years, Manchester United forward Louis Saha signed a deal on Wednesday that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2010, further

Leinart loses battle of rookie quarterbacks >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Arizona's Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler of Denver will probably be compared to each other for years to come. Both were taken in the first round of the 2006 draft; Leinart was grabbed 10th overall, Cutler one pick later. N

Terrell Owens could return for Cowboys next game
A bye week will allow Terrell Owens broken hand to recover just in time for the next game the Dallas Cowboys are slated to play, according to reports. MySportsbook.com, an football sportsbook, has posted football betting lines on TO playing.

Owens broke the bone leading to his right ring finger Sunday night and had a plate surgically attached to it Monday. Although Owens' hand was swollen and aching Wednesday, Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said he's optimistic the receiver will be back at work next week and catching passes a week from Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

MySportsbook.com online sportsbook listed Terrell Owens with odds of 7-2 (or $7 paid out for every $2 bet) to return back for the game against Tennessee.

"I certainly wouldn't rule it out now," Parcells said, referring to Terrell Owens immediate return. "Maybe five days from now I might, but I wouldn't rule it out now. ... I know we're looking to try to get him moving around pretty good in the next day or so. So we'll see where we are."

Owens did not speak with reporters Wednesday, but said Sunday he'd be out two to four weeks. A return against the Titans would be 13 days after the surgery. The Cowboys were listed as an early -7 1/2 favorite vs. the Tennessee Titans for Week 4 at MySportsbook.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Mastercard needs.

Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

Bet on NFL

Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

Bet on NFL

Mysportsbook.com online online sportsbook accepts Visa & Mastercard