On Thursday next, September 4, the new NFL regular season will begin with the Washington Redskin's trip to New York to take on the Giants.
The NFL currently consists of thirty-two teams from American cities and regions, divided evenly into two conferences - the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC) - of four four-team divisions. The regular season is a seventeen-week schedule during which each team has one bye week and plays sixteen games. This schedule includes six games against a team's divisional rivals, as well as several inter-division and inter-conference games.
New England are a best 7/2 with Boylesports to bounce back from their shock defeat to the New York Giants and win Super Bowl XLIII. The Patriots, winners in 2002, 2004 and 2005, lost 17-14 to the Giants in Phoenix where New York quarter-back Eli Manning hit Plaxico Burress with a 13-yard touchdown pass with just 35 seconds remaining to deny New England their perfect 19-0 season.
The Giants are 16/1 at Boylesports to retain their crown in Tampa in 2009 while the Irish layers make San Diego and Indianapolis joint 8/1 second favourites. However, bet365 see the Chargers as by far the biggest threat to New England and make San Diego 11/2, with Indianapolis 9/1.
Dallas range from 15/2 at Sportingbet to 11s at Boylesports while Green Bay are a top 16s with Sportingbet.
Jacksonville, 18/1 at Boylesports and Sportingbet, are the only other team to earn a quote under 20/1.
'America's Team', the Cowboys look an inviting betting proposition to break their play-off hodoo and regain the Superbowl crown. Expectations are high for the Cowboys, who finished 13-3 in 2007, finished first in the NFC East, earned home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, and then lost their first playoff game to the Giants. But there are indications that the Wade Phillips-coached side might prove stiffer opposition come the business-end of the season. Star quarterback Tony Romo should get better even though he threw for 36 TDs last year. The addition of Pacman Jones will eventually give the defence an opportunity to get Roy Williams off the field in pass situations. The Cowboys should win the division. The Cowboys have the talent of a Super Bowl team. All they need is for everyone- especially Tony Romo- to maintain the proper focus to perform at a high level through the postseason.

Tip
The Dallas Cowboys to win the NFC Championship (4/1) and to win Superbowl XLIII (10/1)

SHIMAH can land the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday for trainer Kevin Prendergast.
A winner of both her starts, Shimah will be stepping up to 7f for the first time. The Storm Cat filly, who trades between 12-1 and 16-1 for next year's 1,000 Guineas, missed the Phoenix Stakes this month because the ground was considered too fast. Trainer Prendergast said: "Shimah is in good shape and the weather forecast is encouraging. If it's right then she will turn up on Sunday. She doesn't want it too testing or too fast - if we get good or yielding ground, it would be fine for her."

Tip
Shimah to win the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday, 3/1, bluesquare and 888.com

Betting Update
Lee Westwood to be top Great Britain and Ireland player at US PGA: -€10
GAA Handicap Double: Kerry -3 to beat Galway (SFC 1/4 final) and Cork +3 to beat Kilkenny (SHC semi-final) -€10
Eircom League treble: Monaghan to beat Athlone Town, galway United to beat UCD, Shelbourne to beat Wexford Youths: -€10. Overall: Feruary-August: +€25.25

NB: Odds quoted are correct at the time of writing.