Jimmy the Moose
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Buffalo Bills
Neither team made the playoffs in the 2008 season and for the Bucs this season is the start of a rebuilding projects but for the Bills this is a season that they feel they should make the playoffs or big changes will take place in Buffalo.
The Bucs have a new head coach, a new starting QB and several new and young players on the team and it may take awhile before they get back to the playoffs. Raheem Morris is a young head coach that looks ready for this challenge and he’ll get this franchise back to their winning ways eventually. In their opener they lost 34-21 at home to the Dallas Cowboys. The offense lead by Cadillac Williams and Derrick Ward on the ground was good but the D really struggled and gave up some big passing plays to Romo and the Cowboys.
Tampa is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following an ATS loss and they are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU loss. In their last 6 overall the Bucs are 1-5 ATS and in their last 7 vs. a team with a losing record Tampa is 1-6 at the window.
The Buffalo Bills added Terrell Owens in the off-season to boast their offense and help this team get back to the playoffs after a lengthy absence. The Bills need to win games and make the playoffs or there’s a very good chance Dick Jauron will be out of a job. In the opener, on Monday night in New England the Bills gave the game away to the Patriots. Buffalo had this game won but ended up losing 25-24. Today’s game will show the character of this team and their ability to bounce back from that heart-breaking loss. TO only caught two passes in week 1 but expect him to be more busy this afternoon.
In their last 14 games played in week 2 the Bills are a money-making 11-3 ATS. Buffalo is a profitable 24-7-1 ATS in their last 32 games vs. a team with a losing record. In their last 17 home games vs. a team with a losing record the Bills are 13-4.
Look for the Bills to play a full 60 minutes in their home opener today and even their record a 1-1 to start the season.
Play on the Buffalo Bills -
Bob Balfe
Raiders/Chiefs Under 38.5
The Raiders offensive struggles will continue today as they will be playing in a tough stadium without kick returner Miller which will have them struggling with field position. Oakland has two young rookie receivers and a QB in Russell who just cannot adjust to NFL play. The Chiefs also did little offensively last week against the Ravens. The final score was not an indication of how they played offense. Look for both teams to run the ball a lot making this a quick moving game. Take the Under.
Roz Juarbe
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS / NEW YORK JETS
Take: NEW YORK JETS
Big rivalry game in the AFC East. The Patriots (1-0 SU/0-1 ATS) were delighted to get QB Tom Brady back after a year of rehabbing. The offense looked a bit rusty at times despite 451 yards (378 passing), but pulled off a remarkable comeback against the Bills, 25-24. The defense has new looks in the secondary. They have 2 new veteran cornerbacks in Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden, plus added rookies CB Darius Butler (UConn) and S Pat Chung (Oregon) with high draft picks. The Jets (1-0 SU/ATS) are going with a rookie QB and new coach Rex Ryan, but looked great in the opener, a 24-7 win at Houston as a dog. Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer wants to revert to the 2006 offense, which kept opponents off-balance with a myriad of formations, shifts and personnel packages. Rookie QB Mark Sanchez was terrific, 18-of-31 for 272 yards, 1 TD and one pick at Houston. They converted 10 of 18 on third down. Ryan's defensive stamp was all over the game: Houston's offense got past midfield just once in the first three quarters. The Texans were outgained 462-183, Steve Slaton was held to 17 yards rushing and Andre Johnson had 35 yards receiving. The running game has a one-two punch of Thomas Jones (107 yards, 5.4 ypc in the opener) and fast Leon Washington (60 yds rushing, 24 receiving), who is often used out of the backfield as a pass catcher. On June 4: Rex Ryan said, "I never came here to kiss Bill Belichick's rings. I came to win. So we'll see what happens. I'm certainly not intimidated by New England or anybody else. We are going to attack them, there's no question about that. I got confidence that we will give them everything that they want and maybe a little bit more." Expect a tough, hard fought contest here on Sunday. We'll take the home club here with Sanchez throwing the ball and Ryan's defense giving the Pats fits all day.