OC Dooley
Bills / Chiefs Over 39.5
It was for the most part business as normal during the preseason for Kansas City who with Todd Haley as head coach (1-11 SU/ATS) have been a disaster for bettors. In the just completed 2011 exhibition campaign the Kansas City offense averaged just above 10 points per contest which has helped deflate this particular total which at most offshore locations opened up at the 42 point mark. One of the reasons why the Chiefs struggled so mightily to put points on the scoreboard had to do with coach Haley’s military mindset of scheduling and order which was lost due to the lockout. Haley also is a big believer in offseason conditioning which also fell victim to the lockout. Haley mentioned right from the beginning of training camp that the team’s emphasis will be on preparing for today’s regular season opener where full game-planning has finally be implemented. Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel’s touchdown-to-interception ratio was ranked #2 last year right behind a star named Tom Brady. The Chiefs duo of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones gained the most rushing yards (2,363) than any other NFL combination in 2010. Both head coaches involved in this contest are former successful OFFENSIVE coordinators including Buffalo’s Chan Gailey who a year ago installed an aggressive “spread” passing attack which often featured four-wideout sets. For the first time in recent memory Buffalo comes into a season with a clear #1 starting quarterback and Ryan Fitzpatrick’s numbers in 13 chances a year ago (3,000 yards, 25 touchdowns) were solid. While Fred Jackson ran for nearly 1,000 yards, one has to feel the Bills will take the wraps off now second-year player C.J. Spiller (283 yards) who can also catch passes out of the backfield. According to the Buffalo head coach (former Cowboys offensive coordinator) his offense is more advanced than one year ago at this time
Michael Alexander
Atlanta Braves vs. St Louis Cardinals
Play: Atlanta Braves
The Cardinals have made things interesting in the wildcard putting Atlanta's playoff berth in question.
Today the Braves have a top quality starter with Tim Hudson on the mound who checks in with a 3.14 ERA in 29
The Cardinals are a losing proposition at home and starter Jake Westbrook checks in with a rather high 4.65 ERA.
Atlanta sports a 12-3 record in road day games vs. righthanders scoring 5.2 runs per game
Frank Jordan
Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals
Play: Arizona Cardinals -6.5
Carolina took Cam Newton with the top pick in the draft as they need a big time quarterback which has eluded them of late. Arizona needed the same thing after a year of a ? at quarterback. They have one in Kevin Kolb. Look for Arizona to take advantage of Carolina being young and having to fly cross country as they beat up on them and win easily going way. Play Arizona
Bryan Power
Red Sox @ Rays
PICK: Under 7
The Red Sox are struggling right now w/ a 2-8 record in the month of September. We have an excellent pitching matchup this afternoon w/ Jon Lester for Boston taking on James Shields for Tampa Bay. Both hurlers have been outstanding last three starts. Lester has a 1.00 ERA while Shields has been even stronger at 0.69. With Shields on the mound, you never have to worry much about the bullpen imploding as his 10 complete games lead MLB and are the most by any pitcher in one season since 1999. Lester has allowed 3 ER or less the last five times he's faced Tampa Bay. The Rays are a light hitting team at Tropicana Field, look no further than their 3.7 rpg average here at home. Shields has seen the Under cash 19 of 28 starts this season. That includes 18-5 when the total is 7 to 8.5 and 13-4 on turf. The team has gone Under in 21 of 26 home games when the total is 7 or 7.5. They are also 29-15 Under at home vs. lefties. Boston is 10-2 Under on Sunday.
Hollywood Sports
Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals
Prediction: Carolina Panthers
Given the lockout, we are skeptical of any team being able to cover a touchdown spread as we expect plenty of close games in the opening week of the regular season. The Cardinals really have no business laying 6.5 to 7 points with offensive and defensive units that ranked 31st and 29th in the NFL respectively last season. And their new quarterback Kevin Kolb has only had the playbook for a little over a month. The Panthers may be the consensus choice to be the league's worst team -- which provides point spread value in this spot. While just 2-14 last year, this club did suffer from a -8 turnover margin last year which makes them a prime candidate for some regression with those breaks. Remember, this is a franchise just two years removed from an 8-8 season. With a solid defense as well as two very capable running backs in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, new head coach Ron Rivera has a capable formula for success that can help put rookie quarterback Cam Newton in a position to succeed. Arizona has failed to cover the spread in 17 of their last 25 home games when favored by 3.5 to 10 points. Take Carolina plus the points.