Philadelphia Sports Betting Roundup
These are dark days for Philadelphia sports bettors.
It's been a rough week for the city, watching the Phillies whiff against the San Francisco Giants in the NLCS last Saturday only to be kicked when it was down by the Tennessee Titans, who thumped the Eagles 37-19 on Sunday.
Luckily for Eagles backers, they have a week off to lick their wounds and prepare for Week 9's clash with the Indianapolis Colts. In the meantime, while you pick up the pieces of your shattered bankroll, look to the youth of Philadelphia to help you get back on your feet.
The bright-eyed college kids are the future – at least this week.
Things are getting very interesting with the Temple Owls' quarterback situation. After struggling under center to start the year, junior Chester Stewart may be bumped to the role of backup after what redshirt-junior Mike Gerardi has done the past two weeks.
Coach Al Golden gave Gerardi snaps against Bowling Green two weeks ago after Stewart struggled in the previous outing. Gerardi went 9 for 15 for 163 yards and two scores, earning him the starting job against Buffalo in Week 8.
He made the most of that opportunity, putting up another 9 for 15 performance for 131 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, leading the Owls to a 42-0 win as 8.5-point road favorites.
Golden told the media he's impressed with the poise and leadership shown by Gerardi, and that's all Temple really needs from its QB. With such a potent rushing attack (ranked fourth in the MAC), Gerardi simply must manage the game and not do more than he's asked.
Expect to see him back under center against the Akron Zips on Saturday. Oddsmakers have set the Owls as big 29.5-point chalk.
PA bragging rights
The Philadelphia Flyers renew their state rivalry with the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Consol Energy Center on Friday.
The Flyers spoiled the Penguins' Grand Opening of their new arena in the first game of the season, taking a 3-2 win as +154 road underdogs. Pittsburgh returned the favor earlier this month, dropping Philadelphia 5-1 at home on October 16.
The Flyers are coming off a 6-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday, improving to 4-4-1 on the season. Philadelphia has, however, struggled to produce on the road early this season, losing 2-1 in its last two away tilts.
Heat stroke
After watching the Miami Heat struggle against the Celtics in their season opener, 76ers fans knew their team would feel the wrath of LeBron, Wade, and Bosh. Miami rolled Philadelphia, winning 97-87 as an 8-point road favorite on Wednesday night.
The Sixers did show some gumption in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Heat 33-17 and getting a solid performance from rookie Evan Turner, who scored a team-high 16 points, dished out four assists, and grabbed seven rebounds off the bench.
Turner was expected to start at small forward this year but a poor preseason pushed the Ohio State product to the bench. Turner may get a shot at the starting five when the 76ers host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.