Falcons’ stock continues to slide

The legal troubles of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick have changed the landscape of the NFC South.

At least in the minds of oddsmakers.

The Falcons, who have a rookie coach in Bobby Petrino and a new quarterback in Joey Harrington (who failed to distinguish himself in Detroit and Miami), have replaced Tampa Bay as the longshot to win the division.

On the website Sportsbetting.com, Atlanta is 5-1 and the Buccaneers, who have upgraded themselves at quarterback with Jeff Garcia, are 4-1. New Orleans, which went from last to first in the South a season ago and came within one victory of reaching the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history, is the 6-5 favorite to repeat.

What could work against the Saints in 2007 is a tougher schedule and the fact some teams who have an unexpected resurgence often regress the following year. Carolina, which was the consensus favorite in the South a year ago and the pick of numerous experts to reach its second Super Bowl, is the 9-5 second choice.

Injuries hampered the Panthers during their 8-8 season and it would help if their main offensive weapon -- receiver Steve Smith -- stayed healthy.

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Baseball

The best news for favored Florida entering its game against Houston -- besides the fact the Astros are one of the worst road teams in the National League -- is that Jason Jennings will be pitching for the visitors rather than pinch-hitting.

Jennings, who had a game-winning pinch single Thursday night against Atlanta, will be making his first start since he gave up 11 runs in less than one inning last weekend against San Diego. The former Colorado right-hander had an earned-run average of 11.35 in his five July starts.

The American League Central hasn’t looked like the best division in baseball in recent days.

Detroit, Cleveland and Minnesota, the three contenders, have all done more losing than winning of late, but the defending AL champion Tigers are hoping to get well during an 11-game homestand that began Friday.

The Tigers, who will continue a three-game series against Chicago today, will play Tampa Bay and Oakland before going on the road again.

Still, Detroit, which is -155, could be in trouble today with Jeremy Bonderman pitching against Chicago’s Javier Vazquez. Bonderman has been lit up in his last two starts, giving up 15 earned runs in his last 9 1/3 innings, including 10 in a little more than two innings against the Angels last Sunday in Anaheim.

Meanwhile, Vazquez has been sharp, winning five of his last six. Though he is only 2-5 against Detroit in his career, the right-hander is 1-0 this year.

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bob.mieszerski@latimes.com