AFC Preseason Betting Tidbits
By Teddy Covers
Teddy spends every Sunday typing furiously at his laptop as he watches the games, giving you the key info that the box scores and game recaps simply don’t have. This week he fills you on the AFC’s preseason storylines.
Trent Edwards is no Jim Kelly
This offense is a disaster area right now. Offensive coordinator Turk Schonert's no huddle attack doesn't change the worst kept secret in Buffalo - this front five can't block anybody. Trent Edwards is struggling as well, throwing a bad interception for the second straight week.
Things to do in Denver when the Broncos are dead
Kyle Orton had four interceptions in the preseason heading into this game, and he threw a sure-fire pick on his first drive here, but it was dropped. Denver exclusively used a ball control offense, taking no shots downfield at all.
Starting guard Chris Cooper went down with an injury Sunday. He’s the only guard in the league who didn’t allow a sack last year. Check his status – any kind of serious injury would be a major loss for Denver
Too many Indians, not enough Chiefs
This is the worst offensive line I've seen all preseason, including the Lions and Bengals. CB Brandon Flowers looks like a legitimate playmaker in the secondary, something the Chiefs haven't had in recent years. That being said, Seattle had open receivers running downfield all evening long, and KC had all kinds of problems getting off the field on third down, allowing a whopping eleven conversions. Ten fumbles in the first nine quarters of the preseason gives us an idea of how bad this offense really is right now.
Airborne Jags
This team is opening up the offense and taking shots downfield, something they rarely did last year. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter called an aggressive game, a positive sign for a team that needs to work on its passing game.
I’m not overly impressed with the front four on defense. They were unable to generate any sort of pressure when they weren't blitzing.
Defensive decline in Baltimore?
This team is so strong in the trenches -- this offensive line was completely re-built last year and it's paid enormous dividends. The addition of Matt Birk at center is only going to help.
But this defense seemed a tad bit sluggish. How much are they going to miss Rex Ryan and Bart Scott? If there is any sort of real defensive decline, there will be a ton of value betting the over on this squad.
Collins steadying force for Tennessee
Kerry Collins had plenty of time to throw behind the first-string offensive line, but not many open targets downfield for him to throw to. Nate Washington is hurt already -- would his presence on the field make a significant difference?
If the Titans can't run the ball down their opponent's throat, they'll have a hard time scoring. And don't ask this team to rally back from any serious deficits -- the offensive weapons simply aren't there. Still, it’s nice knowing you don't worry about Collins making a bunch of bad throws. His accuracy is tremendous and the guy doesn't make many poor decisions.
We can expect ball control once again this year -- look for Tennessee to own the time of possession battle and gradually wear down opposing defenses in the second half.