As the 2009 season is set for kick-off, bettors at online sportsbook SPORTSBETTING.com have been turning up the heat on getting their NFL future wagers in before the Thursday night opening game. One of the popular NFL betting options has been the Offensive Rookie of the Year future odd offering.

Quarterback Matt Ryan won the Offensive Rookie of the Year last season after leading the Falcons to the playoffs. Since 1957, when the award was first given, only three quarterbacks have won the award including Ryan, Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger in 2004 and Tennessee's Vince Young in 2006.

Ryan was a landslide winner in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. He collected 44 votes, far in front of Titans running back Chris Johnson with three.

This year the likelihood of a quarterback winning the award is high since both Mark Sanchez (NYJ) and the No. 1 overall pick, Mathew Stafford (Det) have earned starting jobs. Online sportsbook are offering 8-to-1 odds on either of the two rookie pivots to take the honor in 2009.

At SPORTSBETTING.com, Sanchez has been seeing steady betting volume the last two weeks, with him currently sitting at 16% of all the betting volume for this betting option.

More running backs have won the award than any other position and this year’s rookie class is complete with three top runners.

Knowshon Moreno (DEN) is the favorite, paying back 3-to-1, as the Broncos are expected to use the tailback as a major component of the offense. Denver’s offense is in dire need of a new identity after jettisoning QB Jay Cutler and will rely on Moreno to become a leader.

In his sophomore season at Georgia Moreno compiled 1,792 yards of total offense securing 1,400 rushing yards on 250 carries and 392 yards on 33 receptions while scoring 18 touchdowns.

The Arizona Cardinals selected running back Chris “Beanie” Wells (+400) from Ohio State with their first round pick and he has a good chance of putting up some big numbers in a weak NFC West. He will split carries with Tim Hightower but he will be a difference maker in the Cards offense.

Running back Donald Brown (+500) of the Indianapolis Colts will be splitting carries with Joseph Addai which could initially hamper his ability to match the numbers that Moreno or Wells will put up but he will also be a featured back in the passing game which should enhance his productivity.

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Matthew Stafford will have to put up numbers unseen before to win the award, as his team will be hard pressed to win more than five games. Usually the success of the individual is closely linked with the success of his team and it’s hard to see both Stafford and the Lions having the kind of success that would merit the recognition needed to win the award.

Sanchez has a great opportunity to win. The Jets are in the media capital of North America, which will result in a lot more media coverage and votes than the hinterland of Detroit or Denver. The Jets are also a fairly stable team that doesn’t require Sanchez to do much more than manage the offense. New York’s overall success this year hinges on its D.

The top wide receiver going into the draft was Michael Crabtree. Unfortunately, he is still embroiled in a contract dispute with the 49ers so there is no chance he will be considered. A receiver that might get consideration is Minnesota’s Percy Harvin (12-to-1) who will benefit from having Brett Favre throwing him the ball. Harvin had an outstanding career with the Florida Gators and is a threat to go the distance any time he touches the ball.

You can check out all the NFL betting Lines and join the biggest free football contest on the Internet at the trusted and secure online sportsbook SPORTSBETTING.com.

The best part of Week 4 preseason is the fact you can see the real season just over the fence...and in this case, we are less than a week away from betting into regular season NFL betting odds on the Week 1 matchups.

But there are still a handful of preseason games remaining. Let’s take a look at three of the matchups from Friday night.

All lines are courtesy online sportsbook SPORTSBETTING.com

NFL Picks.

Houston Texans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
NFL Lines: Houston: - 3
Over/Under: 34

Both teams are 1-2 going into the last preseason game. Houston will sit gimpy QB Matt Schaub to rest his ankle for the home opener against the Jets. Second-string quarterback Rex Grossman has a hamstring injury but will see limited duty. Dan Orlovsky will start and look to improve on his last performance against the Vikings in week three where he completed seven-of-11 passes for 74 yards, with an interception and no touchdowns. Keep an eye on WR Jacoby Jones to continue his strong preseason and rookie running back Arian Foster to get most of the carries. Rookie LB Brian Cushing could see his first preseason action.

Tampa Bay is entering this game after having fired Offensive Coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski and will look to open up the playbook to get better results than their first three games. The Bucs have named Byron Leftwich their starting QB and he will sit this one out handing the reigns over to highly touted rookie Josh Freeman. Luke McCown will also see some time as the Bucs have been quietly shopping him this week. Tampa will sit most of their starters and rely on a backfield of B.J. Askew and Clifton Smith.Small lean to the home team at +3.

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings.
Minnesota: - 3
Over/Under: 36

The Cowboys at 1-2 take on the Vikings in Minnesota who are looking to go 4-0 in preseason.

Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson and the rest of the Vikings starters are out. Tarvaris Jackson will start and word is the Vikes are shopping him around the league. Top wide-out Bernard Berrian is still out after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury.

Dallas is 1-2 in preseason and will likely rest all of their starters. Roy Williams will sit out to rest his sore shoulder. The Cowboys are looking to play most of the 3rd and 4th string players.
Proceed at your own risk.

San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers.
San Diego: - 3.5
Over/Under: 37

The last preseason game mercifully wraps up in San Diego with the Niners in town. San Francisco is 3-0 in preseason and the Chargers are 1-2. The Niners will likely go with fifth round pick Nate Davis at quarterback for most of the game. He led the 49ers on an 88 yard scoring drive last week against the Cowboys. His play resulted in the release this week of 12-year veteran Damon Huard. Alex Smith is out with a hand injury and starter Shaun Hill will see limited action.

Hill has completed 14-of-26 passes for 140 yards without a touchdown or interception during the exhibition period to date. The running game has been impressive gaining 5.0 yards per rush. Rookie Glen Coffee has 230 yards on 38 carries and free agent Kory Sheets has 144 on 33 carries and 3 touchdowns.

The Chargers are looking to get most of their starters in for one or two series. LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles will not play. Running back Michael Bennett has three td’s in the preseason and is making a strong push to make the 53-man roster.

Small lean to the Chargers.

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