Brad Wilton
My comp play for Saturday will come in preseason football as I expect the points to be limited in the Jags-Jets game.
Maurice Jones-Drew is expected to see his first action of the practice season, but how much of a difference to you think he will really make in his limited reps?
Jacksonville scored just 3 points in their home opener last Friday night against Miami, so do not expect too many more than that this evening when they hit the road for the first time this August.
As for the Jets, you really have to wonder if Rex Ryan is going to make it through this season?
I just don't see a whole lot of talent on this squad, especially offensively, and while they scored 17 points last week in their road loss at Detroit, I feel sure they will be hard-pressed to score that many again tonight.
Mark Sanchez will get the start, with the "brutal" Geno Smith set to try an impress the coaching staff after Sanchez departs.
The total stands around 39 points as I type this selection, but I don't see this game having much more than 35 total points scored once it is all said and done.
4♦ JACKSONVILLE-N.Y. JETS UNDER
Brett Atkins
Yesterday my free play was on the New York Yankees in their opening game with the Boston Red Sox. Tonight my free play is on the Red Sox in game two of the series, and I want you listing both pitchers: John Lackey and Hiroki Kuroda.
It's safe to say that as much as ace C.C. Sabathia has struggled this season, it's been Hiroki Kuroda who's picked up the slack. Truth be known, he's been brilliant all season, and has been the Yankees' ace hurler. He comes in after a stellar start against the Angels, who he limited to three hits in eight scoreless innings. And while I know he hasn't allowed more than three runs in a start since June 30, this is a revenge game in a very important series.
Lackey, who is looking for his first win since July 12, lost to the Yankees on July 20, when he was tagged for 10 hits and four runs over 6-1/3 innings in a loss. Needless to say the right-hander has been looking for this game - this matchup - probably since that setback. And since Lackey is 4-2 with a 2.15 ERA in eight Fenway starts this season, I like him to dominate today.
List both and play the Red Sox.
2♦ BOSTON
Chris Jordan
My free winner for Saturday night is on the Over in the Denver Broncos/Seattle Seahawks clash, as a pair of old division rivals get together in the Pacific Northwest. And I love the number I'm seeing with a pair of potentially explosive offensive units that could very well throw a 50-spot up tonight.
As impressive as Denver's aerial game is, there wasn't much to brag about last week against San Francisco. This week I expect so much, especially since the Seahawks return home after an impressive showing in San Diego and will want to demonstrate how good things will be this season, for the home crowd.
And make note, as clock-controlling as a rushing game can be, I'm still very impressed with Seattle and how deep it is with power backs who can rumble at free will.
Second-year back Robert Turbin and rookie Christine Michael will take plenty of pressure off Marshawn Lynch, and believe me, both are impressive once they get past the line of scrimmage for both short and long bursts. And lest we forget about quarterback Russell Wilson, and his two backups: Tarvaris Jackson and Brady Quinn.
Last week against San Diego, Jackson threw two touchdown passes Quinn threw for another score while Wilson played the first three series, passing for 23 yards and ran for 9 as the Seahawks beat San Diego 31-10. I expect nothing less this week.
The Broncos' offense is now under the direction of 35-year-old Adam Gase, a coordinator who has plenty to prove with a guy like Peyton Manning under center. And after last week's lackluster performance against the 'Niners, I suspect we're going to see Manning looking to hook up with receivers Wes Welker, Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decke while they're on the field.
And don't be surprised if these offenses strike quickly. The Broncos have to avoid slow starts and build consistency in the running game and must be more productive on early downs.
And believe me, this is every bit of a Super Bowl preview as last week's game between Denver and Frisco. The Broncos are around 6-1 favorites to win the Super Bowl this season, while the Seahawks are listed at 12-1 odds. I expect this one to be a high-scoring game.
4♦ Denver/Seattle OVER
Scott Delaney
My free winner for Saturday is on the Tampa Bay Rays minus the money against the Toronto Blue Jays in American League East action at Tropicana Field.
I'm not going to bother listing pitchers in this one, as I think the momenum is in Tampa Bay's favor in this game. I may talk a little about the starters, but don't get confused - I want you playing straight action.
The Rays have won three straight and lead the the season series 9-5 after last night's 5-4 victory. Toronto hasn't won a series in Tampa Bay since taking two of three back on April 4-6, 2007. And even further, the Rays - as a team - are batting .412 against Toronto starter J.A. Happ over his career.
Make note that Happ is winless in his last seven appearances and comes into this one 0-1 with a 10.97 ERA in 10-2/3 career innings against Tampa Bay. Toronto's veteran hurler Roberto Hernandez comes in off back-to-back subpar starts, and this is a good chance for him to step up.
Play the Rays no matter who is going for either team, as they make it four in a row and improve to 10-5 against Toronto this season.
5♦ TAMPA BAY
Harry Bondi
SEATTLE (-5.5) over Denver
Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll loves to win in the pre-season. Seattle under Carroll is 8-1 ATS the last 2+ years and with former division rival and one of the NFL's best teams coming to town tonight we expect Carroll to use it as a test of where his team stands at this point of the pre-season. This is also Seattle's first game at home, albeit a pre-season one, since their great year in 2012. Finally, we have a very competitive competion in Seattle for the backup QB spot behind Russell Wilson between veterans Tarvaris Jackson and Brady Quinn. Like last night's FREE WINNER on New Orleans, Vegas seems to be also be sensing a blowout. They are begging you to take the underdog here as this line is high for a pre-season game between two even, some may even argue that Denver is better, teams. Lets not fall into the trap and back the Seahawks tonight.
Allen Eastman
Seattle / Texas Under 8
This play has a lot to do with Texas. Seattle hasn't announced a starter yet, but it won't make a big difference in the result. All of the possible starters Seattle will go with are strong right now. But the main story right now is Texas. Their lineup is not what it once was. They have had trouble scoring runs all season long, and they have been the best 'under' bet in baseball. The Rangers are just 43-71-6 against the total this year! That is unheard of! The Rangers are just 17-38 against the total at home, and the public just hasn't caught up to this trend yet. Texas is going to go with lefty Martin Perez. The young southpaw has been improving a lot and faces a Mariners team that struggles against left-handed pitching. Perez has posted three straight quality starts and has just a 1.57 ERA in those games. The 'under' is 5-1 in his last six starts, and I think this will be another low-scoring affair. Take 'under' here.
Joe Gavazzi
Miami Dolphins vs. Houston Texans
Play: Houston Texans -3
We won with both of these teams last Friday night but in divergent fashion. Miami’s 27-3 victory came with a game under their belt against a rebuilding Jacksonville team under a new head coach. But the Dolphins actually got outrushed 126-106 but made the most of a +3 in the turnover margin. The Texans dominant 2nd half vs. the Vikings resulted in a 27-13 workmanlike victory in which Houston dominated the stats 439-296 including 133-51 overland. Easy call at a bargain price on the home field of a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAY
HOUSTON -3 Over Miami: Houston's 1st team offense didn't play all that well last week and you can bet that Kubiak will be looking for a better effort from them in this game. Maim is playing their 3rd preseason game and all three have been on the road, an even though this is preseason, that has to take a toll on a team. I look for Houston to win by at least 7 points in this one.
2 UNIT PLAY
Dallas/ Arizona Under 41.5: The Dallas offense hasn't looked good at all in the preseason so far and part of that reason is a non-existent run game. The Cowboys do plan on working on that run game in this one and that should eat some clock. Still, they will be going up against a tough defensive Arizona team that held the Packers in check last week. Sure the Packers were missing some key offensive people, but it was really no fluke as Arizona will have a much improved defense this year. The Arizona Offense isnt great and could only put up 17 points on a depleted Packers defense and Dallas has played some good defense in the preseason. I expect this game to be played in the mid 30's at best.