While NCAA football odds will grab some bettors’ attention this week, NFL fans want to get their last preseason picks in to tune up for the regular season. Here’s a parlay to consider during Thursday night’s heavy schedule if you like to sports bet online. Baltimore Ravens +3 to beat Atlanta Falcons
Both teams have high expectations for 2009 and both teams will likely rest their starting players. Offensively, the Ravens have a few backups who could surprise in Atlanta on Thursday. Former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith isn’t ready to be a starting NFL quarterback and may never be, but he’s capable enough that he could make a few plays against Atlanta backups. The Ravens are also very deep at running back, meaning third-stringer Willis McGahee could get a decent amount of work. He should have no problem running through the Falcons’ B-squad.
New Orleans Saints -3 to beat Miami Dolphins
Few offenses exploded like the Saints’ group this preseason and that includes the backups. Mark Brunell has been a throwback to his old Jacksonville glory days, picking defenses apart and hooking up with fellow second-stringer Robert Meachem for big plays. No. 3 running back Mike Bell has run with purpose all preseason and should do the same as the Saints romp at home on Thursday. I’m betting management is careful with both Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, so Bell could see a heavy workload.
Arizona Cardinals -3.5 to beat Denver Broncos
The nightmare just keeps getting worse for the Broncos and the latest humiliation could be a beating on their home turf in the preseason finale. Arizona’s Matt Leinart has flashed his old Heisman Trophy-winning form over the last few weeks. On Aug. 28, Leinart threw for 360 yards and three scores…in two quarters. He threw a ridiculous 38 passes in that one half of football and completed 63.2 per cent of them. It’s scary to think about what he could do this week against Denver backups as he spells Kurt Warner again. I like Arizona’s chances to win as much as I like its NFL week 1 odds to beat San Francisco.
