Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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08-20-23 | Saints v. Chargers OVER 37.5 | 22-17 | Win | 100 | 20 h 32 m | Show | |
Off wins in Week One of the NFLX, the Saints face the Chargers on Sunday. Both teams had fine offensive numbers in their first games. The Chargers put up 34 points vs the Rams, including a surprising 200 yards from the run game. We didn't see any of Justin Herbert and likely won't this week. Stick played well last week and is expected to have the bulk of the time. Rookie Duggan will see time as well. The Saints managed 26 points vs the Chiefs. Look for Carr and first line receivers to possibly get extra playing time to familiarize Carr with the Saints offense. New Orleans also allowed 24 points to the Chiefs rookies and hopefuls. Look for a focus on the New Orleans pass offense, for Stick and Duggan to duke it out while attempting to prove themselves, and for a continued attempt by the Chargers to establish their run game. The best bet for this game? Take the Chargers and Saints to go over the total. |
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08-27-22 | Bucs v. Colts OVER 41 | Top | 10-27 | Loss | -110 | 19 h 4 m | Show |
It sounds as if the game between the Bucs and Colts could be a real tune-up with most starters including Brady and Ryan involved. The Colts' starters are projected to play at least a half, while Tampa Bay's plans are a little less certain. Will we see much of Brady or more of Trask? Trask did not impress last week, but he did put up some yards in week one. We will see the starting Buccaneers' running backs on Saturday. |
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08-26-22 | Seahawks v. Cowboys OVER 37.5 | 26-27 | Win | 100 | 9 h 49 m | Show | |
The Cowboy aren't usually competitive in the preseason, and likely won't play their starters today but are at home. That rare preseason win last week featured a pair of TDs from special teams. The Seahawks are taking the preseason seriously, but haven't looked sharp. With Lock returning from Covid protocols, the expected QB duel for starter will take place, so the Seahawks will be all out on offense today. They have not looked good on defense, so I also expect the Cowboys to make some headway in this game. The Total is lowish. Take the Seahawks and Cowboys to go over. |
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08-23-19 | Bills v. Lions UNDER 42 | Top | 24-20 | Loss | -107 | 14 h 32 m | Show |
The set-up: Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott has his team 2-0 in the preseason after going 3-5 under his tenure over the previous two seasons. Matt Patricia is now just 1-4 in the preseason as head coach of the Lions after starting the season 0-2. With most of Detroit’s starting offense sitting this one, I have a hard time seeing the Lions getting much production tonight. Detroit starting QB Matthew Stafford is expected to see extreme limited time and the back-ups for the home side have so far struggled to find consistency (original backup Tom Savage is injured with concussion and David Fales and Josh Johnson have both been poor thus far.) The pick: Buffalo has gotten strong play from its QB’s (Josh Allen, Matt Barkley), but I’m expecting a more conservative game tonight from the visitors (keep your eyes on Buffalo RB’s Tyree Jackson, LeSean McCoy and TJ Yeldon. The stage is set for a defensive battle in my opinion, as I’m expecting this total to stay well below the posted number once it’s all said and done. 10* TOTAL COACH’S CORNER on the under Bills/Lions. |
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08-17-19 | Lions v. Texans UNDER 42.5 | Top | 23-30 | Loss | -108 | 127 h 10 m | Show |
The set-up: These clubs have been practicing against each other all week and I believe that’s going to lead to some heated rivalry in this Week 2 action. Detroit got humiliated at home in Week 1 by the Patriots and they’ll be out to atone for that performance. Especially on the defensive side. In all the Lions offense mustered just a field goal in last week’s loss and I think the unit will have a difficult time moving the chains this weekend as well. Since Matt Patricia took charge in Detroit the Lions are now just 1-4 SU/ATS. Once again starting QB Matt Stafford is expected to see limited to no tie in this one. Houston lost in Green Bay last week. The Texans will be amped up here to play their first game in front of the home town crowd. The pick: Houston won’t be playing much (if any) of starting QB DeShaun Watson today either. The Texans are down to third string QB right now after AJ McCarron went down with a thumb injury. This one has “chess match” written all over it. Detroit Lions/Houston Texans UNDER 10* play |
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08-15-19 | Eagles v. Jaguars OVER 34.5 | Top | 24-10 | Loss | -110 | 71 h 49 m | Show |
The set-up: This is an interesting Week 2 preseason matchup, as it pits Jacksonville’s newly acquired QB Nick Foles vs. his former team in which he won a Super Bowl with and was named the MVP in 2018. Foles is only expected to see limited time today, as is Eagles’ starter Carson Wentz, but there’s still going to be a very competitive atmosphere surrounding this contest. And in my opinion, that’s going to lead to this one to be more of a high-scoring “shootout” than a lower-scoring “chess match.” The pick: The Jaguars went through the motions in their 29-0 Week 1 loss in Baltimore, electing to sit out 30 players in that one. Jacksonville’s full compliment is expected to see action at some point today thug, so look for the home side offense to be much better this time around. When you add it all up, I do indeed feel that this number is a little low. Jacksonville Jags/Philadelphia Eagles OVER 10* play |
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08-08-19 | Patriots v. Lions UNDER 36.5 | Top | 31-3 | Win | 100 | 72 h 39 m | Show |
The set-up: Detroit head coach Matt Patricia was the Pats defensive coordinator, but his first year with the Lions didn’t go as he planned. Patricia is on “hot seat” as he enters the 2019/20 season and I believe he’s going to have his team ready to play vs. his former boss and the defending Super Bowl champs. Note that when the Patriots came to Detroit in Week of the regular season last year, Detroit pulled away for an impressive 26-10 victory, as the Lions held the Pats to 12 first downs and 209 yards. The pick: New England isn’t expected to play any of its star players on either side of the ball. Detroit has many new faces on both sides of the ball, which leads to chemistry issues obviously. In this meaningless contest, I believe the offenses take a back seat and that the defensive units become the main story lines in tomorrow’s summaries. This number is high. NE Patriots/Detroit Lions UNDER 10* play |
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08-26-18 | Cardinals v. Cowboys OVER 40.5 | Top | 27-3 | Loss | -101 | 31 h 30 m | Show |
The set-up: Two teams that find themselves at the opposite ends of the spectrum early collide in Week 3 of the NFLX preseason. The Cards are 2-0 after beating the Saints 20-15 last week, while the Cowboys are 0-2 after falling 21-13 at home to Cincinnati in Week 2. I think Dallas is going to open up the playbook tonight though and with the Cards matching pace, I look for this total to sneak over before the end. The teams: Sam Bradford started for the Cards last week and he went 6 for 6 for 61 yards. Rookie Josh Rosen then went 10 of 16 for 107 yards and a TD. Chad Kanoff took over at the end and he went 5 of 10 for 43 yards. The defense looked sharp, but note that New Orleans’ star QB Drew Brees did not receive a single snap as the veteran wasn’t risked in the meaningless contest. I think Arizona will have a much more difficult time against a first string offense this week. Dak Prescott was 10 of 15 for 88 yards a TD last week for the Cowboys, while Mike White was 8 of 16 for 76 yards. Note that RB Ezekiel Elliot is expected to see some time tonight as well. Clearly the Cowboys would love to get off the schneid with a victory tonight for the home town crowd. The pick: I’m not convinced whatsoever that the Cards are as good as their 2-0 record would indicate and I don’t think the Cowboys are as bad as their 0-2 mark would point to either. But I do think that Dallas puts the foot on the gas from start to finish and with the visitors needing to match pace, expect this total to eclipse the number sooner, rather than later.
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08-25-18 | Titans v. Steelers UNDER 44 | Top | 6-16 | Win | 100 | 17 h 38 m | Show |
The set-up: Tennessee enters off a 30-14 home loss to Tampa Bay, while Pittsburgh comes in off a humbling 51-34 road loss in Green Bay. Both teams looked horrible defensively last week and despite each side starting most of their main offensive players today, I think we’re going to see a lower-scoring “under” once it’s all said and done. The teams: The Titans will be eager to reverse their fortunes in the all important Week 3 contest, as they’re so far 0-2 in the pre-season. QB Marcus Mariota has been solid in his limited time by going 4 of 7 for 80 yards and TD, while backup Blaine Gabbert has 116 passing yards and one TD. With the first team defense on the field today, I’m expecting a much more concerted effort on that side of the ball this week (and that goes for both teams.) Steelers’ backup QB Mason Rudolph was 5 of 11 for 47 yards, one TD and one INT last week. WR James Washington had four catches for 92 yards. RB James Conner was a standout as well with 57 yards on five carries. Clearly the defense was a disaster, but as mentioned off the top, I’m expecting a much better effort overall from this talented first team Steeler defensive unit. The pick: Two teams hungry for a win and off an embarrassing blowout loss from the week before? I love the under here.
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08-31-17 | Seahawks v. Raiders OVER 40 | Top | 17-13 | Loss | -110 | 77 h 29 m | Show |
The set-up: This Week 4 game at the O.co Coliseum in Oakland features a game between the Seahawks and Raiders. Both were playoff teams in 2016, with Seattle going 10-5-1 in winning the NFC West. Seattle beat Detroit in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs but then lost to the Atlanta Falcons in the Divisional Round. The Raiders finished 12-4, giving them a second-place finish in the AFC West (ending a 13-year playoff drought) but with QB Derek Carr sidelined, they lost in the Wild Card Game to the Texans. However, as both teams wrap up their respective preseasons, the Seahawks are 3-0 SU & ATS, while the Raiders are 0-3 & 0-3 ATS. Seattle: The Seahawks have beaten the Chargers 48-17, the Vikings 20-13 and the Chiefs 26-13. QB Russell Wilson was sharp the last two weeks and went 13-of-19 for 200 yards and a TD against KC. Seattle has looked impressive in the preseason due in no small part to its deep group of players. The Seahawks escaped Week 3 with no new injuries. Oakland: It's been a lost preseason for the Raiders, as they've lost 20-10 to the Cardinals, 24-21 to the Rams and 24-20 the Cowboys 24-20. Against Dallas, QB Derek Carr got a nice workout, going 13-of-17 for 144 yards with two TDs. The pick: As the teams' respective record reveal, Oakland doesn’t care much about winning preseason games, while Pete Carroll tends to treat every game like a playoff game. Most of the starters will be sitting out Game 4 but I expect many of the backups going all out, in extended action. The over/under is way too low here, with Seattle averaging 31.3 PPG this preseason. Make the Over an 8* play. |
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08-26-17 | Chargers v. Rams UNDER 41.5 | Top | 21-19 | Win | 100 | 19 h 27 m | Show |
The set-up: Here in LA circa 2017, it's "Back to the Future." When the AFL was formed back in 1960, the Chargers were located in LA, before moving to San Diego in 1961 and remained there when the leagues merged in 1970. The Rams began in Cleveland but moved to LA in 1946. The Rams left the West Coast to relocate in St. Louis in 1995 and just returned to LA for the 2016 season. Lo and behold, the Chargers moved north to LA after last season and now the Rams and Chargers are both LA-based teams once again. The Chargers have opened 0-2 SU & ATS (lost 48-17 to Seattle in Week 1 and then 13-7 loss to the Saints in Week 2. Meanwhile, the Rams who are coming off a 4-12 season in the team's first year back in LA, have begun their preseason 2-0 SU & ATS, edging the Cowboys 13-10 in Week 1 and the Raiders 24-21 in Week 2. LA Chargers: Philip Rivers sat out last week, with Kellen Clemens seeing a good amount of action. However, he completed 10 of 17 passes for only 99 yards without a TD or INT. Cardale Jones went 7 for 15 with 61 yards and an interception in the loss. RB Melvin Gordon only had three carries for eight yards last week. The Chargers could get nothing going on the ground last week, rushing for a team total of only 66 yards (29 carries) and finished the game with only 158 total yards and 13 FDs. The offense wasn't much better in Week 1 (14 FDs on 322 yards), although the defense rebound by allowing just 13 points after giving up 48 points in Week 1. LA Rams: Jared Goff was sharp in last week's three-point win over the Raiders, completing 16 of 20 for 160 yards and a TD. Sean Mannion was also very good, throwing for 132 yards and a touchdown on 15 of 22 passing. Mannion got most of the work in LA's 13-10 Week 1 win over Dallas, completing 18 of 25 for 144 yards (no TDs or INTs). The Rams' D allowed 21 points but just 261 yards against Oakland, which followed them holding Dallas to just 10 points on 248 yards (just 9 FDs) in Week 1. The pick: That Rams' D is the key to this play, as I've been very impressed. Yes, the Rams will see more of Rivers (he was 5 of 6 for 56 yards and one TD in Week 10) and also RB Gordon but the Chargers are averaging only 12.0 PPG through their first two. Goff and Mannion have looked good so far for the Rams but here, that duo will see much more defensive regulars than they have in the first two weeks. Remember, the Rams averaged an NFL low 14.0 PPG in 2016. Make the Under an 8* play. |
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08-25-17 | Chiefs v. Seahawks OVER 43 | Top | 13-26 | Loss | -110 | 79 h 26 m | Show |
he set-up: The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off an impressive 30-12 win last week in Cincinnati, evening their record at 1-1 (lost 27-17 at home in Week 1 to the 49ers). The Chiefs travel to CenturyLink Field in Seattle Friday for an ESPN televised game with the 2-0 Seahawks, who crushed the LA Chargers 48-17 in Week 1 and then handed the Vikings a rare preseason loss last Friday night at home, 20-13. These teams used to be division rivals (AFC West) but since 2002 have played in opposite conferences. Kansas City: Alex Smith completed eight of nine passes for 83 yards and one TD in last week's win plus rookie Patrick Mahomes II threw for 88 yards and two TDs. KC's offense was hitting on all cylinders against the Bengals, as Charcandrick West topped 100 rushing yards (113 yards on just seven carries), a feat not often accomplished in the preseason. The Chiefs out-gained the Bengals 410-257 in total yards in the contest, won the FD battle 22-13 and controlled the time of possession battle by a 34:17 to 25:43 margin. Seattle: The Seahawks have had little trouble moving the football and scoring in this preseason. Seattle exploded for 48 points (458 yards) in Week 1, as Russell Wilson played just one series (3 of 4 for 41 yards). However, Seattle's starting QB looked to be in regular season form after completing 13 of 18 passes for 206 yards and two TDs in last Friday's win. Seattle only scored 20 points against the Vikings but did roll up 406 yards. The Seattle D has also looked good (backups and all), allowing 15.0 PPG in its two wins. The pick: It’s a Week 3 preseason matchup, so expect the starters to play "serious minutes" for both team, as they try to find a groove. Smith is looking over his shoulder for KC, as Mahomes has shined in back-to-back games. Both QBs will be looking to impress, testing Seattle's D. As noted, Seattle's offense is clicking on all cylinders making this a 10* play on the Over. |
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08-19-17 | Panthers v. Titans UNDER 40.5 | Top | 27-34 | Loss | -110 | 18 h 56 m | Show |
The set-up: The Carolina Panthers opened with a 27-17 home win over the Texans last week and will be in Nashville Saturday afternoon to take on the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. The Titans opened their 2017 preseason by scoring just three points and a modest 223 gaining yards in a 7-3 loss against the NY Jets. The Panthers entered 2016 as the defending NFC champions (15-1 regular season) but stumbled to a 1-5 start that eventually doomed them to a 6-10 finish and last place in the NFC South. It was Carolina’s first missed postseason since 2012. The Titans are off a 9-7 season last year, when they lost the AFC Central title to Houston in a tie-breaker. |
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08-13-17 | Seahawks v. Chargers UNDER 37.5 | Top | 48-17 | Loss | -110 | 152 h 7 m | Show |
The set-up: The Seattle Seahawks will be in Los Angeles Sunday night, as the now-LA Chargers begin a new era in "The City of Angels (AFL fans may remember that the Chargers began in LA back in 1960, before moving to San Diego the in their second season of 1961). The Seahawks won the AFC West at 10-5-1 and reached the divisional round before falling to the eventual NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons. The Chargers hope to turn things around in their new home, after finishing dead last in the AFC West with a 5-11 record in 2016. While the Chargers have been to the playoffs just once in the last seven season, the Seahawks enter the 2017 season having played in the postseason six times over that same seven-year span (two SB appearances, including one win). |
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08-10-17 | Saints v. Browns OVER 37.5 | Top | 14-20 | Loss | -110 | 80 h 58 m | Show |
The set-up: The New Orleans Saints face off against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night at Cleveland in Week 1 NFL preseason action. Led by Drew Brees, the Saints have owned one of the NFL's best passing offenses for more than a decade. However, the Saints have added RB Adrian Peterson and for the first time, A.P. will dress in gold and black. As for the Browns, they will enter the 2017 season off a 1-15 season last year, the team's ninth consecutive losing one. The Browns have averaged a modest 4.2 wins per season in that nine-year run and also take a 14-season playoff drought into 2017. New Orleans: The Saints continue to rely on the ageless Drew Brees, who completed 70.0 percent of his passes for 5,208 yards with 37 TDs and just 15 interceptions in 673 throws at age 37 last season. Brandin Cooks was traded to the New England Patriots but the Saints still have Michael Thomas (92 catches for 1,137 yards and nine TDs as a rookie last season) and Willie Snead (72 catches, 895 yards, 4 TDs) plus free agent acquisition Ted Ginn Jr. (he'll love Brees!). New Orleans finished 7-9 last season, as while they were the NFL's second-highest scoring team (29.3 PPG), the Sainst also allowed 28.4 PPG (31 of 32 teams). New Orleans gave up at least 34 points in six games last season. Cleveland: The Browns bumbled their way to a 1-15 mark last season, giving them the top pick in the NFL Draft. They selected DE Myles Garrett from Texas A&M. The Browns also went out and picked up the versatile Jabrill Peppers from Michigan along with TE David Njoku from Miami (FL) in the first round. However, the Browns still have plenty of question marks to address, as they finished next to last in the league in scoring offense (16.5 PPG) and third-worst in scoring defense (28.3 PPG) in 2016. Cleveland didn’t score more than 28 points in a game last season while allowing at least 30 points on seven occasions. The pick: No position has been seen greater turmoil in Cleveland than at QB. Cody Kessler (128 of 195, 1380 yards, six TD, two INT, 0-8 as a starter) is the de facto #1 on the depth chart but Cleveland also picked up Brock Osweiler (301 of 510, 2957 yards, 15 TDs, 16 INTs for Houston) in a salary dump deal that netted the Browns a pair of picks and drafted DeShone Kizer from Notre Dame in the second round. Osweiler will get the start in this one but expect to see all three. Plenty of players will see action tonight but it's hard to see how either team will have much trouble putting points on the board. Make the Over a 10* play. |
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08-09-17 | Texans v. Panthers UNDER 36.5 | Top | 17-27 | Loss | -115 | 56 h 39 m | Show |
The set-up: Week 1 of the 2017 NFL preseason begins early, as the Houston Texans visit the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte tonight. The Texans finished 9-7 and won the AFC South division in 2016. They then won the franchise's first-ever playoff game, beating the Raiders 27-14 in the wild card round (Houston had lost its first playoff game in three previous postseason appearances). However, the Texans lost 34-16 at New England the Divisional Round to the eventual champion Patriots. The Panthers went 15-1 in 2015 and made it to the Super Bowl, before getting shut down by Denver's dominating defense. Then in 2016, Carolina stumbled to a 6-10 record, becoming the first team in NFL history to go 15-1 and miss the playoffs the next year. Houston: The Texans are beginning the franchise’s 16th season and fourth under head coach Bill O’Brien, but will see a few new faces. Offensive coordinator George Godsey is gone, following a 29th overall finish in total yards last year. The one year Brock Osweiler 'experiment' is over, as Tom Savage opens the preseason as the team's No. 1 QB, although Clemson's Deshaun Watson has made quite an early impression on O'Brien, early on. Veteran WR Andre Johnson officially retired in April, leaving a hole in the receiving corps. DeAndre Hopkins (a budding star) and Will Fuller were to be the team’s top receivers but Fuller suffered a broken collarbone during training camp and will be out 2-3 months. Houston added WRs Dres Anderson and Devin Street but are they enough? Lamar Miller is the team's No. 1 RB, backed by Alfred Blue. Houston is one of the NFL's best defensive teams when J.J. Watt is 100%. He missed 13 games last season with a back injury and has been eased into action during training camp. Watt likely won’t play in this contest. Carolina: The Panthers averaged 31.3 PPG in 2015 but the Cam Newton-led offense fell off to just 23.1 PPG in 2016. Newton owns reliable receiving threats in Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess and TE Greg Olsen plus Stanford rookie RB Christian McCaffrey is considered a pass-catcher of the first order. RB Johnathan Stewart continues as a solid backfield presence. The Carolina defense struggled last year, allowing an average of 25.1 PPG (26th) and after forcing a league-high 39 turnover in 2015 (plus-20 TO differential), , had just 27 in 2016 (minus-2 differential). The pick: Watson is turning heads at training camp, fresh off a National Championship with Clemson. However, don't expect much here. Don't expect to see much of Newton either and this game has 'under' written all over it. Make it an 8* play. |
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08-25-16 | Cowboys v. Seahawks UNDER 44 | Top | 17-27 | Push | 0 | 12 h 8 m | Show |
The set-up: The 1-1 Dallas Cowboys will travel to Seattle to take on the 1-1 Seahawks Thursday night. Dallas rookie Dak Prescott (Miss. St.) has been outstanding in his first two appearances, completing 22 of 27 attempts (81.5%) for 338 yards with four TD passes and not a single INT. Romo saw his first action of the preseason in Week 2, completing four of five passes for 49 yards. Dallas’ expected featured RB, Alfred Morris (formerly of Washington), also saw his first action last week, rushing for 85 yards on 13 carries while scoring once. While the Cowboys have scored 65 points in their first two games, the Seahawks have just scored only two TDs in their first two games and both of those TDs have come in the fourth quarter. The pick: The Cowboys’ OL is the team’s strength and has made Prescott look good but Romo will be playing behind the first-team OL for more time this week and let’s see how Prescott fares later in the game. Will Dallas really risk Romo for two quarters or more (typical for Week 3’s ‘dress rehearsal’ game) with his injury history against a quality Seattle defense? Meanwhile, Seattle’s first-team offense and QB Wilson in particular, has really struggled. During the first two weeks so far, Seattle has scored just six points (two FGs) before the fourth quarter. The team’s two TD drives have been led by rookie QB Boykin, one coming on the game’s final play of regulation in Week 1. Carroll’s impressive preason ATS record of 25-15-3 makes it difficult to bet against the Seahawks but the under sure looks like a strong play. make it a top rated 10*. |
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08-20-16 | Panthers v. Titans UNDER 41.5 | Top | 26-16 | Loss | -110 | 74 h 28 m | Show |
The set-up: The Titans are committed to becoming a more physical team and that was on full display in the team's 27-10 Week 1 win at home over the Chargers. DeMarco Murray had 93 rushing yards on only six attempts plus Heisman-winner and Alabama rookie Derrick Henry added 74 yards on 10 attempts. However, the Titans are not at home this week, rather they are playing on the road vs the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers, coming off a 15-1 regular season. Establishing the run will not go as easily in this game. The Panthers lost their Week 1 game 22-19 at Baltimore and while the Patroits visit Carolina in Week 3, it’s hard to make a strong case for a look-ahead in the preseason. The pick: These two teams met in Week 10 of the 2015 regular season, with the Panthers coming in 8-0 and the home team Titans 2-6, on their way to a three-win year. The Panthers likely took the Panthers lightly, leading just 14-10 at the half. However, Carolina turned up the ‘heat’ in the second half, shutting the Titans out in a 27-10 victory. There’s no real urgency for Carolina to be trying to run up the score in a preseason game but off a loss and knowing the Titans ran for 288 yards last week, should get Carolina’s attention. Speaking of a potent ground game, Carolina owns one of the best, averaging 142.6 YPG on the ground in 2015 (2nd in the NFL), while tying for the NFL lead in rushing TDs (along with Buffalo and Kansas City) at 19. Expect a low scoring game and make the under an 8* play. |
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08-19-16 | Cardinals v. Chargers UNDER 40.5 | Top | 3-19 | Win | 100 | 57 h 39 m | Show |
The set-up: San Diego lost 27-10 to Tennessee in Week 1, as the Titans did exactly what the team wanted to do. That was; establish a run-first, power-football offense behind DeMarco Murray and Alabama rookie Derrick Henry (last year’s Heisman winner). When all the dust had cleared, San Diego’s rush defense had been run over for 288 yards, as the Titans averaged 8.7 YPC. Murray had 93 yards in just six carries and Henry 74 yards on 10 attempts. Arizona lost its Week 1 game 31-10 but a closer looks reveals that Carson Palmer led the Cards to a FG in his lone series but his backups were horrible, combining to complete just 12 of 35 passes, while throwing two INTs. The game: Arizona’s defense was very effective in Week 1, holding Oakland to just 10 FDs and there is zero possibility that Arizona's weak running game will have anywhere near the kind of success that Tennessee had running against the San Diego defense. As for San Diego’s offense, Rivers’ three backups were unimpressive last week, combing to complete 13 of 29 passes with two INTs. The Cardinals have made back-to-back playoff appearances, only the second time that’s happened since the team mover from St. Louis to Phoenix. This team owns a talented roster and there is likely very little urgency in the team's preseason game plans. This one should be a ‘sleeper’ to watch. The under is a 10* play. |
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08-13-16 | Cowboys v. Rams UNDER 35.5 | Top | 24-28 | Loss | -110 | 102 h 60 m | Show |
The set-up: The Rams left LA after the 1994 season for St. Louis but return to Southern California in 2016. This makes the team’s first appearance as the home team in LA, since. The opponent will be the Dallas Cowboys, once known as ‘America's Team.” Dallas was at one time but the team has missed the postseason 12 times in the 20 years since it’s last Super Bowl win (to cap the 1995 season). It’s taken 22 years but Jerry Jones has finally admitted he let his ego play a role in the end of the Dallas Cowboys' glory days. Jones and former coach Jimmy Johnson ended their relationship after consecutive Super Bowl wins in 1992 and 1993. Neither man had accepted responsibility for the demise of their relationship. "I lost my tolerance for a lot of things," Jones recently told KTCK-AM 1310. "I probably should have had a little more tolerance with Jimmy Johnson. Seriously." Barry Switzer replaced Johnson and took the Cowboys to the NFC Championship Game in 1994 and a Super Bowl in 1995. They won another division title in 1996 but Switzer resigned after the 1997 season. Since then, Jones has hired five coaches who have delivered just two playoff wins. The game: The NFL returning to LA is a big deal but while the fans should be excited, don’t expect much from either team. QB Tony Romo is coming off another injury-plagued season and he’ll see limited action. Also, backup QB Kellen Moore has been lost to a season-ending ankle injury, leaving Dallas with rookie Dak Prescott (Ole Miss) and second-year player Jameill Showers (UTEP). LA’s QB position is no better, with top-pick Jared Goff likely to see limited action. He’s backed up by the brutal Case Keenum and inexperienced QBs Mannion and Thompson. The pick: Jason Garrett owns one of the NFL’s worst ATS preseason record (6-15), so I want no part of Dallas. However, the under is a safer play. Make it an 8* play . |
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08-12-16 | Dolphins v. Giants UNDER 36.5 | Top | 27-10 | Loss | -107 | 78 h 48 m | Show |
The set-up: The Giants will open the 2016 season without Tom Coughlin as their head coach for the first time since 2003. Former OC Bem McAdoo is the new coach and he inherits a team looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since the Giants won the Super Bowl in the 2011 season. QB Eli Manning and WR Odell Beckham Jr. remain the key players for the Giants. Miami can feel the Giants’ pain, as the Dolphins haven’t been to the playoff since 2008 and haven’t won a playoff game since the 2000 postseason. Miami will open 2016 with yet another new head coach, Adam Gase, who despite being the OC of a Chicago Bears team which was just 6-10 last year (finished 21st in total offense), was one of the or the ‘hottest’ coaching candidates last off season. The game: These two teams have met six times in the preseason in their histories with the Dolphins winning all six games (four of the six have been decided by six points or less). Both head coaches are making their respective debuts but for the Giants, McAdoo’s debut will come at home. The pressure will surely be on him to make a good “first impression.” I noted that Gase got the head coaching job at Miami despite coming off a 6-10 season as Chicago’s OC in the set up but let me add this here. How many guys (meaning McAdoo) get promoted from OC to head coach after the team went 6-10 SU in each of the two seasons in which he was coordinator? As for Gase, he takes over a Miami team which was full of dissension on both sides of the ball in 2015. The recent coaching regimes weren’t able to figure things out in “South Beach” and it stands to reason that Gase and his staff will need time. The pick: My lean is to the Giants but what I like more here is the under, as both teams will struggle to put points on the board in this first contest, one in which the regulars will receive limited reps. top-rtaed 10* play on the UNDER! |
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09-03-15 | Arizona Cardinals v. Denver Broncos OVER 38 | Top | 22-20 | Win | 100 | 9 h 35 m | Show |
The Denver Broncos wrap up the pre-season at home against Arizona, and the bookmakers have opened with an extremely low total for this game. While both teams are likely to sit their starters, the second string offenses should be able to score a few points on the backup defenders. |
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08-23-15 | Green Bay Packers v. Pittsburgh Steelers OVER 41 | Top | 19-24 | Win | 100 | 105 h 56 m | Show |
It is no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers are coming into the 2015 season looking to lean heavily on their offense. The days of the Steel Curtain defense are over, and the Steelers are going to need to put up a lot of points in order to win games this year. They have all the tools to do just that, and we should see a shootout in Pittsburgh on Sunday with the Packers in town. |
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08-20-15 | Buffalo Bills v. Cleveland Browns UNDER 40 | Top | 11-10 | Win | 100 | 40 h 56 m | Show |
The Buffalo Bills will be in Cleveland on Thursday night, playing their second pre-season game against the Browns. Buffalo has already suffered a big blow losing LeSean McCoy to an injury, and Rex Ryan is even considering bringing in Ray Rice. The Browns are coming off a home loss to Washington in the first week of exhibition, so they should be eager to get a positive result here at home tonight. Selection: This is a play on BUF@CLE to go UNDER the total (10*) |
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08-16-15 | Indianapolis Colts v. Philadelphia Eagles OVER 41.5 | 10-36 | Win | 100 | 10 h 7 m | Show | |
The Philadelphia Eagles will open the pre-season with a home game against Indianapolis, and we might see some fireworks. Both teams have plenty of weapons, and history suggests that this game should see a lot of scoring. Selection: This is a play on the Colts@Eagles to go OVER the total (10*) |