Squares Wanted
5-Units San Diego -11
The end of week 1 is here and surprises in the NFL have become all to common in determining which teams were ready and which team were obviously ill-prepared. Yet, the age old question remains, what do you get when you cross Phillip Rivers, L.T., and one stellar defense? Well, the obvious answer is a Superbowl contender if they remain healthy, which is always the great unknown. When you add in the fact that San Diego is arguably in the weakest division in the league, the assessment of their true potential and strength always comes with an astrick. Nevertheless, where some match ups may have a glimmer of an upset, this match up doesn't nearly come close to give a speck of a glimmer. The caliber of the San Diego Chargers is something will diminish the likelihood of upsets this season, in particularly on the first game of the season. The Chargers have not lost to Oakland in the last 11 games they have played each other. More importantly, San Diego is 11-1 ATS in the last 12 games played against Oakland. The last two instances San Diego has traveled to Oakland, they have trounced the Raiders by 10 and 13 points respectively. In some cases one can expect a reasonable upset. This is definitely not one of those cases. Expect the Chargers to come out to make a statement, not only to their division but the entire league. Oakland may have made some adjustments under Tom Cable; however, the sad reality is Oakland is outmatched at every position despite such adjustments. As such, the Recession Monday Play of the Day is San Diego (-11)!!!
Buffalo vs New England
Play 5* Over 47
Now that Tom Brady is back you will see this explosive offense like it should be, Wes Welker and Randy Moss are known for their YAC and both of them will show why against this Bills defense. This preseason Brady showed he was back in true form, dont let that little shoulder problem worry you. It wouldn't be news if he wasn't a superstar and the face of the league. Even without Brady last year, this team was 5th in Total Offense; this team has a system that works. The last two times these teams faced the Patriots outscored the Bills 94-17, with Terrel Owens now with the Bills I expect a little more scoring from this team. Trent Edwards had a great start last season and now with T.O. to throw to should improve the scoring on this offense. This team has lacked a number one receiver. Even if Owens doesn't have a big game, Lee Evans is one of the better slot receivers in the league. Now that he doesn't have to be the #1, he could go off. The Patriots defense lost a substantial amount of talent this offseason Mike Vrabel, Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison, and Richard Seymore to name a few, that should help the Bills get some scores. On top of that, this is the first game for that brand new defense. I expect some confusion and missed assignment. I know that some of you are wondering if the Bills can run the ball without Star Back Marshawn Lynch who is suspended for the first four games. If you don't know his backup Fred Jackson, you will by the nights end. This kid can run the ball right down teams throats, and without Seymore, I expect him to exploit this team between the tackles. Jackson had 4.4 yards per carry, which is actually more than Lynch average last season. This game is going to be a shoot out so like John Wayne, don't be to slow to draw on this pick.
Al DeMarco
Monday's Play 5 Dime Two-Team Teaser
New England & San Diego - Reduce the price you're laying with both favorites
The Patriots are laying between 11 and 12 points. Using the standard six points you get in a 2-team teaser, reduce them to a favorite of between 5 and 6 points.
The Chargers are favored by around 10 to 11 at Oakland. Reduce them to -4 to -5 versus the Raiders.
As for New England, this is a team that has won 11 in a row SU in the series, going 9-2 ATS in that period with five consecutive covers. And, the Patriots have held Buffalo to an average of 6.6 points a game in the last five meetings.
While this game marks the return of Tom Brady and the additions of Fred Taylor and Joey Galloway to an already explosive New England attack, it also represents the debut of a Buffalo no-huddle offense now under the direction of former Bills back-up QB Alex Van Pelt, who became offensive coordinator less than two weeks ago.
The Bills made the change in coordinators in large part because its first-string offense managed a paltry three points in 15 preseason possessions, prompting numerous complaints from players. But the coaching change will not overcome the fact that top running back Marshawn Lynch opens the season on the suspended list.
New England -11 was appealing; the Patriots laying significantly less because of the teaser is an even more attactive proposition.
Much as the Pats have dominated Buffalo in the AFC East, the Chargers have done the same versus Oakland in the AFC West. San Diego has won the last 12 meetings SU, covering 11 of those encounters. And the Bolts have reeled off ATS wins in each of their last seven visits to Oakland.
Norv Turner decided to play his veterans more this preseason than in previous years to avoid a slow start to the regular season. And a quick jump out of the gate is vital considering San Diego has Baltimore, Miami and Pittsburgh up next on the docket.
LT, who normally doesn't play in exhibition games, even saw August action. He's owned the Raiders during his career, averaging 119 yards a game against the Silver and Black.
In terms of pointspread analysis, the most relevant item pertaining to the Raiders is the fact they've dropped 30 of their last 41 home games to the oddsmakers. Getting double digits tonight would normally be a concern going against them, but reducing the price by six points via the teaser makes San Diego the choice in this contest
Northcoast
2* NE
Marquee SD Ov
Sports Unlmited
3* NE Under
KBHoops
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5* Baltimore UNDER 9.5 **POD**
5* Colorado +1.5 -141
4* Cincinnati +1.5 -139
4* Arizona +1.5 -160
3* Baltimore +1.5 -128
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2* New England UNDER 47.5
2* Chargers -10
Ben Burns
AFC Total of the Week - Patriots under
Ben Burns
AFC Total of the Week - Patriots under
Main Event Raiders
Overthespread
50 Dimes New England -11
Kirkwins
3* Pats over 47.5
2* Raiders +10
Insider Sports Report
4* Tampa Bay Rays -125 over Baltimore Orioles
3* Houston Astros -125 over Cincinnati Reds
3* San Diego Chargers/Oakland Raiders OVER 43
BRUCE MARSHALL
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Chargers at Raiders
Pick: Chargers -9
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It’s not hard to identify the pattern in recent meetings between old AFL rivals Oakland and San Diego, who do battle again Monday night at the Coliseum. The Chargers have been dominant, winning the last 12 meetings and covering 11 of those, as well as covering 7 straight visits to the East Bay.
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Expect more of the same Monday, with Norv Turner going to great lengths in the preseason to make sure that the Bolts hit the ground running after some slow regular-season starts the past few seasons. Meanwhile, the Raiders appear to be stuck in quicksand once more, with QB JaMarcus Russeell still very much a work in progress, the defense still inept vs. the run, and distractions on the sidelines caused by HC Tom Cable's reported scuffle with assistant Randy Hanson in August. Moreover, Oakland stands a woeful 11-30 vs. the line its last 41 as host! 'Nuff said! Play Chargers
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
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San Diego vs. Oakland
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For a number of different reasons I feel the value is on the "under" in this situation: I'm expecting the Chargers to set the tone early with the running game as they look to get their star RB involved, however they'll be facing a revamped Raiders defense; the Raiders led 15-0 at halftime the last time San Diego visited Oakland, and they just traded for a top defensive player to shore up the league's worst run defense over those six dreadful seasons. Of course, Richard Seymour hasn't reported yet, which puts his status for Monday's game in doubt, at least for now. The Raiders defense also added veteran end Greg Ellis. Looking back till last year we find that Oakland has seen the total go under the posted number in four of its last six at home and in six of its last nine when playing San Diego. They've had tremendous success against them recently, but San Diego understands it's facing a better Oakland team this year: “I think they’re a team that’s on the up,” LaDanian Tomlinson said. “They’ve added some players. Obviously Richard Seymour being there now, they’re going to be that much tougher. They scare me. We’re going to have to be ready to play.” The Chargers saw the total go under the number in three of their four preseason contests and I'm looking for this trend to continue. When taking all of the above factors into consideration I feel we're getting good value on the UNDER!
Rob Homyak
San Diego vs. Oakland
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San Diego has beaten the Raiders 11 straight times (10-1 ATS)
The Chargers are on ATS runs of 21-7-4 against division rivals and 19-7-1 against the AFC. Oakland ATS 17-35-1 at home, 7-19 as a home ‘dog, 0-7 on Mondays and 0-4 in season openers.
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The Raiders are 0-6 in San Diego since last winning there in 2002.
Turner is 5-1 all-time against his former employer the Raiders, including 4-0 since coming to San Diego. Oakland's Cable is 0-1 against both Turner and the Chargers as a head coach. Take San Diego.
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5 Units San Diego
Rocketman
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Arizona vs. San Diego
Play: 3* San Diego
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Arizona comes in with a 62-82 record this year while San Diego is actually a little better with a 65-79 record on the season. Arizona is 2-10 in September this year and have lost 9 of last 10 and 3 in a row. San Diego is 29-21 this year when the total is 8 to 8 1/2. San Diego is 8-3 in September this year. Arizona has scored only 4.1 runs per game on the road and has a batting average of only .237 in road games this season. San Diego bullpen has a 2.81 ERA at home this year. Billy Buckner is 2-6 with a 7.38 ERA in all games this year, 2-6 with a 6.70 ERA in all starts this year and 0-2 with a 7.98 ERA his last 3 starts. Kevin Correia is 10-10 overall this year, has a decent 3.68 ERA at home and is 2-0 with a 3.10 ERA his last 3 starts. Buckner is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA overall vs San Diego since 1997. We'll play San Diego for 3 units tonight!
Lenny Del Genio
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20* AFC West Game of the Month
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The Chargers have absolutely dominated the Raiders ever since the Silver and Black's Super Bowl season of '02-'03 (remember that?!), winning the last 11 head-to-head meetings SU. Since that same season, Oakland has gone a pitiful 13-33 ATS in the home dog role, a big reason why we've seen this line moe so much. Amazingly, during their 11-game losing skid to San Diego, the Raiders have covered the spread just once, suffering eight double-digit losses during that span. They have opened 2 of the L3 seasons as the 2nd game of the MNF doubleheader and were blown out both times, 27-0 by San Diego in '07 and 41-14 by Denver last year. Both games, like this one, were at home. The Raiders come off a terrible camp where their HC Tom Cable got into legal trouble. They have no threats at WR and for some ungodly reason released their best QB, Jeff Garcia. Then you have the Richard Seymour debacle. Oakland DC John Marshall calls a lot of blitzes, which will leave the defense open to allowing big plays. On offense, the Raiders will look to throw the ball long against a great Chargers secondary, so look for a lot of 3rd and longs in this game. After going 8-8 SU last year, San Diego won't be screwing around with the division crown this year. San Diego is our 20* AFC West Game of the Month.