NFL Conference Finals

SAN FRANCISCO AT ATLANTA, Sunday, 20:00 (GMT)

Sunday night saw the progression of quarterback from ordinary guy to superhero, a kind of Kaep Crusdaer (sorry). Last weekend Colin Kaepernick showed he was the man for the role with a masterful performance as the Green Bay Packers had no answer for a San Francisco offence that ran in 45 points.

Coach Mike Nolan has at least got the experience as he worked with the 49ers between 2005 and 2008 and brought many of the current San Francisco team to the club. The Falcons will need to have a gameplan though and an undersized defence missing key pass rusher John Abrahams might struggle to continue the 49ers and the Kaeped Crusader.

San Francisco must defend better then they did against Green Bay though as the Atlanta offence for three quarters against Seattle looked excellent. The Falcons got themselves in and out of trouble against the Seahawks but they can not give San Francisco the same chances as they will be punished.

In terms of the game I lean towards the 49ers though odds of 5/9 (william hill) look a little short while the Falcons are a best priced 7/4 (boylesports) and the point spread is around 4 with most bookmakers.

Last weekend I was big on the chances of Michael Crabtree in the anytime touchdown scorer market and he duly obliged grabbing two which was the third time in four games he had grabbed two touchdowns. Take him at evens (general) in the anytime market here and have a small play on the 5/1 Skybet are offering in the two or more market. Despite his off-field problems Crabtree still remains a favoured option for Kaepernick on the offence.

BALTIMORE AT NEW ENGLAND, Sunday, 23.30 (GMT)

I have to confess for the last two weeks I have said that the Ravens are set to lose and they have made me look stupid so I am brave/stupid enough to take them on a third time? Well yes I am.

Bookmakers have New England as short as 2/7 (boylesports/BetVictor/You Win) to win this game while Baltimore are a best priced 10/3 (Stan James). I am comfortable that the Pats will win this it is just whether they are value to cover the spread which is set at eight with most bookmakers. Coral though are asking New England to cover just six at Evens which is a great price. Not only do the Patriots have the best quarterback in Tom Brady, they also have the home advantage and even more crucially the fresher legs. Baltimore have played two energy sapping games in a row while New England had a week off before a comfortable victory over Houston.

Finally I just wanted to throw in a quick overview of the prices on the outright markets. New England are the 11/10 (general) favourites to claim the SuperBowl while San Francisco are 21/10 (Boylesports/BWin/Coral), Atlanta are available at 13/2 (pinnacle) while Baltimore are the outsiders at 9/1 (ladbrokes).

YouWin should be applauded for going a step further and producing a name the finalists market where it is 90/100 it is between the Patriots and 49ers. Falcons and the Patriots to do battle is 5/2, 49ers and Ravens to compete is 23/4 while Falcons and Ravens is the outsider at 23/2.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: New England to beat Baltimore with -6 on point spread, evens (Coral)
SILVER: Michael Crabtree to score anytime, evens (general)
BRONZE: Michael Crabtree to score two or more, 5/1 (Skybet)

Go To bet365

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20/01/2013     © Frixo 2024