Northcoast
3* Saints
3* Broncos
Al DeMarco
15 Dime St. Louis Rams
Anthony Redd
60 Dime Seahawks
Bob Valentino
60 Dime Athletics
Brandon Lang
20 Dime Broncos
Chris Jordan
300* Rays -1.5
300* Broncos
300* Blue Jays-Athletics Over
100* Cubs
100* Brewers
100* D'Backs
Chuck O'Brien
40 Dime Astros
Derek Mancini
30 Dime Angels
5 Dime Bills
Matt Rivers
150,000* Seahawks
50,000* Brewers
Scott Delaney
60* Dime Red Sox
Mike Davis
9* San Francisco 49ers
The Oakland Raiders (0-1) go on the road this week to face the San Francisco 49ers (0-1). Both teams are looking for their first victory of the preseason.
Oakland opened up the preseason with a home loss (18-24) to Arizona. Oakland allowed 400 total yards to a Cardinals team with a new starting quarterback and several unproven back-up quarterbacks. Oakland churned out 329 yards with solid play from their veteran stable of quarterbacks. However, it will not be that easy for the Oakland offense this week.
San Francisco's defense played fairly well last week against New Orleans in their 24-3 loss. They only allowed 288 yards to the powerful Saints offense. It was the offense that let the 49ers down last week. They were pathetic. They only had 10 first downs and the combination of Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick was less than stellar. I look for them to play much better vs. an Oakland defense that has little depth.
This play is based on more than numbers. Quarterback play is certainly a key factor in picking preseason football games. However, this one comes down to emotion and coaching. Jim Harbaugh will be making his home debut as the 49ers head coach and he will want to make a good first impression on the home crowd. After a less than stellar performance last week, I look for the 49ers' starters to play much longer Saturday night. Harbaugh is a damn good coach and he will have his team ready to play this week.
A motivated 49ers team will be tough to beat in their first home game. The defense will be swarming all night long and the offense will play much better. Emotion, emotion, emotion -- this is a situational play on the more motivated team.
9* Seattle Seahawks
The Minnesota Vikings (0-1) travel out west to face the Seattle Seahawks (1-0) in week 2 of the preseason. The Vikings are on the road for the second straight week while the Seahawks are playing their first home game of the preseason.
The Minnesota Vikings have problems and it starts on the offensive line. They allowed 4 sacks last week in a 14-3 loss against the Titans. That number could get a lot bigger this week as they travel to one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL (even in the preseason). As bad as their pass blocking is, their run blocking is worse. Adrian Peterson will earn every yard he gains this year on the ground. McNabb is a dump-down quarterback. He doesn't have the accuracy (anymore) to threaten a defense down the field. I look for he and the starters to play into the 2nd quarter and maybe til halftime. They may even have the lead at halftime.
The Seattle Seahawks are the defending NFC West champs, albeit with a 7-9 record. They will struggle to do that good this year. However, they are a good play in preseason football. The key to Seattle in the preseason is their energy and the way they compete. Pete Carroll is a "rah-rah" guy and he keeps his guys loose and convinces them that every game is important. On top of that, his 3rd string quarterback may be the best 3rd stringer in the league. Josh Portis is a rookie but he looked very good last week vs the Chargers in the 2nd half. He kept plays alive with his legs and he competed every single play. Charlie Whitehurst is the back-up QB in Seattle and he too looked good last week.
Bottom line: The Seahawks are a bad football team and they don't have a chance to make the playoffs this year. However, I like their back-up quarterbacks, their intensity, the way they compete, and the way their coach approaches preseason football. They may be down at the half (may not be) but they will certainly play all 60 minutes and cover the 3 point spread.
ATS Winners
6* Seahawks -2.5
4* Rams -3
4* Raiders / 49ers Under
4* Texans +3
King Creole
2* Vikings / Seahawks Over 36.5
KELSO
50 UNITS SF GIANTS
15 UNITS NY YANKEES
10 UNITS BOSTON RED SOX
3 UNITS TORONTO BLUE JAYS
3 UNITS MILWAUKEE BREWERS
10 UNITS OAKLAND RAIDERS
KELSO
10 Units Raiders +3
10 Units Broncos -4.5
Sports Bank
400* Buffalo