NFL Betting Tutorial –How to Use the Revenge Factor

Revenge is the one of the most misused handicapping tool by NFL bettors but also one of the most hyped about for the masses. You hear it all of the time from die hard fans and handicappers that a certain NFL team will win because they are out for revenge.

The theory that a team will play better or with more motivation if they lost the previous matchup against their current opponent simply doesn’t make sense. This is especially true in the NFL (compared to College Football), where division foes play each other twice during the regular season.

There are some times where revenge does make sense as a motivational factor, but it doesn’t occur very often. Using revenge as a motivational factor should only apply in two major instances – the first being if one team was eliminated from the playoffs by their current opponent. The second is if a big favorite was embarrassed by an inferior team within their division.

A perfect example of this happened last year when the Cleveland Browns came into Cincinnati for a Thursday night game. The Browns were a big underdog on the road but upset the Bengals 24-3 while holding Cincinnati to 165 total yards. The Bengals returned the favor a few weeks later by shutting out the Browns 30-0 , holding Cleveland to just 107 total yards in the blowout win and cover. That was by far Cincinnati’s best game of the season and their biggest margin of victory for the year.

This week, Denver hosts Cincinnati as the best sports betting software and sportsbook list Denver as a two and half point favorite. The first matchup between these teams was memorable as the Broncos returned a fumble for a game-winning score (with 21 seconds left. Many NFL bettors will back Kansas City this Sunday because they are playing with revenge, and while the Chiefs might cover the spread, the numbers point in a different direction. Since Peyton Manning joined the Broncos, Denver has won all seven meetings against the Bengals with all seven victories coming by at least seven points.

 In the three games Kansas City faced a Manning-led Broncos team while playing with in-season revenge, they have lost by margins of 35, 7, and 13 points – failing to cover the pointspread in all three games. This history hold far more weight than backing Kansas City simply because they lost the previous matchup.

According to most sportsbook pay per head provider, There are far more valuable statistics to look at when handicapping the second matchup of the season. Researching how teams succeeded or failed in both rushing and passing yards is a good indicator on how the teams will game plan for the second matchup, and how successful those game plans will be.

Also be sure to account for any injuries to key players (for example, Kansas City had RB Jamaal Charles in that first matchup, but will not have him for this Sunday’s game). Revenge is useful when applied correctly, but statistics tend to be a more accurate indicator. Keep this in mind when going over your NFL handicapping this weekend!

The Al Hamilton’s All-Africa Sports Awards is back

The All-Africa Sports Awards is back after a decade long hiatus and will take place in Accra on November 11, 2017.  The award was created by Al Hamilton, a Jamaican-born British journalist who wanted to honor African athletes around the world.  

The first award All-Africa Sports Awards was given in Ghana and since then had received endorsements from the Association of National Olympic Committee (ANOCA) and the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF).

Unfortunately, the awards had to be placed on hold in 2010 due to Hamilton being involved in a fatal accident that affected his activities.  

Now, the All-Africa Sports Awards is back and Mr. Hamilton is keeping the venue a secret until the official launch of the awards’ ceremony next month.

Some betting software websites are actually considering placing odds on where the venue will be held according to SportsbookSOS, a sportsbook review website. 

“The venue will remain a secret until the launch next month when we will know who the partners will be, who the sponsors will and all other issues related to the event”.

During the press interview that was held at the African Regent Hotel in Accra last Tuesday, Mr. Hamilton said that “The All-Africa Sports Awards took a very serious part of Ghana at 50 (anniversary celebrations) and it was our intention to follow up but the accident curtailed things somewhat.”

The All-Africa Sports Awards has the full backing of NanaAkufo-Addo, the president of Ghana and of Ghanaat 60 Secretariat.

Al Hamilton is also credited with also founding the Commonwealth Sports Awards in 1980.  An award meant to honor the best athletes and administrator in all 71 Commonwealth nations.  In addition, Mr. Hamilton is also famous for promoting boxing in Ghana saying that “the sport needs young and energetic Ghanaians to galvanize the sport”.