David Malinsky
4* DALLAS over HOUSTON
We have no problem taking a sauna here, with so much steam created on the Texans early today that there is outstanding value to go the other way. Yes, 0-2 teams playing at home have been decent pointspread propositions in the pre-season in the past, but only up to the point at which the natural market corrections take place. As such, consider what we are looking at tonight –
The Cowboys plan to play their starters as long as the Texans, both going into the third quarter. And Dallas is deeper. So the personnel realities make this similar to a regular-season game. So now for the contrast – while Houston is solidly in the -5 range now for this one, in two weeks we already see the Texans as +2 on this field vs. the Colts in key precincts, when they start playing for real. That creates an idea of how over-adjusted this one is.
Houston has a first-rate passing game, but the Texans are not in the NFL’s elite in the other key areas, especially in terms of toughness and depth. We saw evidence of the latter in last week’s ugly 38-20 loss at New Orleans, when the Saints rambled for 198 rushing yards. And two weeks ago the second-unit defense gave away a win at Arizona. So yes, there may be a stated focus here to make amends for those embarrassments, but while the sound bytes have led to a gold rush to the windows in the morning markets, the reality is that they are the weaker team in this matchup and do not bring the kind of control to simply go out and get what they want. And Gary Kubiak has already tried to take some pressure off of this scoreboard result - "Winning is always important, hell, that's why we play, but as I said all along you got to keep in perspective all the people you're playing, too."
The Dallas defense has a chance to be the NFL’s best this season, only allowing one score in the first half through three pre-season games. Wade Phillips put them through a lighter practice week than usual to keep them fresh for this one, and with his starters on the field as long as the Texan starters, and a better reserve cast, it would be no surprise for the Cowboys to get the outright win, with the generous line being offered a nice cushion.
Coach K
2* Texans -3.5
2* 49ers +1
2* Bears/Cards Over 38
2* Texans/Cowboys Over 40.5
2* Bucs/Jags Over 37
1* Seahawks +5.5
1* Lions/Browns Under 38
Freddy Wills
5* Rangers -146 (5-Dime POD)
2* Braves -118 (2-Dime Oddsline Error)
Tommy Gun
3* Padres -127
2* Yanks -133
2* 49ers +1
Adam Nichols
5* Pads -130
5* Rays -122
Wayne Root
No Limit GOY - Texans
Mike Neri Sports
1 Unit NY Mets -168
1 Unit LA Angels -165
LT PROFITS
4* 49ers
3* Bills
2* Browns
Teddy Covers
SD Padres
Boston Red Sox
Lions Over
SPORTS UNLIMITED
3* Colorado Rockies
TIM TRUSHEL
Atlanta Braves Under
Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles F5 Innings
Tony George
SD Padres -126
Cheap Cheap number for a red hot pitcher in Garland backed by an excellent bullpen. Not sold on Blanton in this one at all, and the Phillies are hit and miss at best right now. Off a loss against Oswalt who finally showed up last night, I like the bounce back spot here for the hometown team. Last 18 innings Garland has pitched, he has a 0.98 ERA. Great Spot for the Padres to even the slate on Saturday, I am all over them. Play 1 Unit on the Padres
Bill Marzano
Seahawks at Vikings
Pick: Seahawks +6
I like Seattle + the points in this game vs Minnesota...this is a very interesting matchup and I think a much more important game for the Seahawks than the Vikings...I made the mistake of laying the wood in the Patriots game the other night knowing how well dogs have played in the preseason listed as +6 or more...the Vikings are having some problems with injuries right now and look for them to try to stay healthy for as much of the remaining preseason as possible...take the points.
LENNY STEVENS
10* Texans
10* Bears
Power Play Wins
New York Yankees -133