Friday Preseason Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The second set of preseason games in the NFL takes place on Friday night with a six-pack of contests. Both New York teams are in action on the road, while the Chiefs look to end their preseason woes at home against the Cardinals. We'll begin this preview in the Sunshine State with two new head coaches getting their first crack at a victory.
Buccaneers at Dolphins (-3, 33½)
Miami has moved on from the Tony Sparano era to former Packers' assistant Joe Philbin to take over the reins. The Dolphins are still undecided on their quarterback situation, as David Garrard is listed atop the depth chart, followed by incumbent Matt Moore and rookie Ryan Tannehill. The Bucs started last season at 4-2, but ultimately dropped their final 10 games, costing head coach Raheem Morris his job. Ex-Rutgers coach Greg Schiano replaced Morris on the Tampa Bay sidelines, as the Bucs try to improve on impressive preseason record as an underdog.
Josh Freeman will play the first couple of series for the Bucs, while Dan Orlovsky and Brett Ratliff will see most of the action at quarterback in the second half. Tampa Bay has cashed in three of the last four preseason games in the 'dog role, while the Dolphins covered all three times as a favorite in the 2011 preseason. These two teams normally don't score many points in the preseason, hitting the 'under' in four straight August meetings.
Jets at Bengals (-1½, 34)
The much-anticipated debut of Tim Tebow in a Jets' uniform comes at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati as New York goes for its first win in a preseason opener in Rex Ryan's four-year tenure. The Bengals found a way to qualify for the playoffs in 2011, but now the target is on them heading into this season. The Jets are normally must-watch television just to see what will happen, as Mark Sanchez is tabbed as the starter again at quarterback, followed by Tebow and Greg McElroy. Tebow will see plenty of time, as the former Broncos' signal-caller will likely play two quarters.
Andy Dalton will begin the game under center for the Bengals, while Bruce Gradkowski and Zac Robinson also are slated to take snaps for a majority of the game. The Jets have been a solid preseason 'over' play in Ryan's tenure by cashing in eight of 12 opportunities. Marvin Lewis is a coin-toss proposition in the exhibition season, posting an 18-18 ATS record, but the Bengals just 3-6 ATS the last two preseasons.
Browns at Lions (-3, 36)
The team with potentially the worst quarterback situation in the league resides in Cleveland, who is banking on former Oklahoma State standout Brandon Weeden. After Cleveland's offense scored 17 points or less in 14 of 16 games last season, the Browns will start Weeden against the Lions, followed by Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace. Detroit is coming off its first postseason appearance since 1999, as Matthew Stafford is set to play a handful of series on Friday. Shaun Hill and former Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore will see plenty of time, as the Lions have won and covered seven straight preseason contests.
The Browns compiled a 1-3 SU/ATS record in Pat Shurmer's first season at the helm in 2011, while Cleveland cashed the 'over' three times. Jim Schwartz is out to win games in the exhibition season, by going 10-2 SU and 9-3 ATS in his four years at the helm of the Lions. Detroit is no stranger to the end zone under Schwartz in the preseason by scoring 25 points or more in six of the last seven contests.
Giants at Jaguars (-2½, 35)
New York begins its title defense in North Florida, although this preseason game means very little to Tom Coughlin's team. Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning will be on the field for a series or two before giving way to another former top pick in David Carr. Behind Carr is ex-LSU standout Ryan Perrilloux, who spent time on the Giants' roster last season on the practice squad. Jacksonville is competing with Cleveland for worst compilation at the quarterback position as Blaine Gabbert, Chad Henne, and Nathan Enderle all will take snaps. Maurice Jones-Drew will not suit up for the Jags, as the Pro Bowl running back is still in the midst of a holdout.
Jacksonville failed to cover in four preseason games in 2011, as Mike Mularkey has taken over as head coach. Mularkey cashed the 'under' in six of eight preseason contests as coach of the Bills from 2004-05, while the Jags are winless in their last three exhibition openers. The Giants have won only two of the last six road games in the preseason, as one of those victories came against the rival Jets in the opening game at Met Life Stadium in 2010.
Cardinals at Chiefs (-2½, 34½)
Kansas City has been a great preseason 'fade' over the last few seasons, covering just once in the last 20 games since 2007. In this stretch, the Chiefs are 3-17 SU, which went though both Herm Edwards and Todd Haley as the head coach. Romeo Crennel replaced Haley for the final three games of last season, while beating the Packers and Broncos as underdogs. The Chiefs begin the preseason against the Cardinals, who have plenty of questions at the quarterback position.
John Skelton and Kevin Kolb will battle it out for top signal-caller in Arizona, as Skelton will play with the first team against Kansas City. Past Kolb, Ryan Lindley will see some second half action as the Cardinals own a 7-13 SU and 8-11 ATS under Ken Whisenhunt in the preseason. The Chiefs trot out Matt Cassel as their starting quarterback, while Brady Quinn will make a push as the second-stringer.
Vikings at 49ers (-3, 34½)
San Francisco sat a few plays away from making the Super Bowl in January, but came up short in overtime against New York. The Niners begin their second campaign under Jim Harbaugh, who went 3-1 to the 'under' in four preseason contests last season. San Francisco is relying on former top pick Alex Smith at quarterback, followed by Colin Kaepernick and Josh Johnson, who are expected to get a majority of the snaps.
The Vikings turned into a disaster last season by winning only three games, while losing star running back Adrian Peterson to a torn ACL in a Week 16 win at Washington. Peterson will not play at San Francisco, but is aiming to return later in the preseason. Christian Ponder leads a Minnesota trio of quarterbacks who haven't been consistent starts in the league, as Joe Webb and Sage Rosenfels also will see time at Candlestick Park. The Vikings have covered five of eight preseason games under Leslie Frazier, while allowing 14 points or less in three exhibition contests last season.
NFL Preseason Week 1 Preview: Tampa Bay at Miami
NFL Preseason Week 1 Preview: NY Jets at Cincinnati
NFL Preseason Week 1 Preview: Cleveland at Detroit
NFL Preseason Week 1 Preview: NY Giants at Jacksonville
NFL Preseason Week 1 Preview: Arizona at Kansas City
NFL Preseason Week 1 Preview: Minnesota at San Francisco
ATSSportsline.com has been providing winning sports picks since 1992. Want more from ATS Consultants? Free NFL Football Picks delivered directly to your inbox with no obligation!
NFL: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions
Cleveland Browns on a massive youth movement get to showcase first-round selection QB Brandon Weeden and it's other prized rookie RB Trent Richardson when they open preseason against Lions at Ford Field. Head coach Pat Shurmur has officially declared Weeden as his No. 1 signal-caller for this game with QB Colt McCoy slated to see about one quarter's worth of snaps with the first-team offense. With the two QB's taking shots at a Detroit secondary minus injured free safety Louis Delmas, cornerback Chris Houston and not having to deal with pass rusher Cliff Avril (just reported after holding out) the Browns have a solid chance at ending Lions stretch of seven consecutive victories in it's exhibition schedule. Friday's tilt marks the 11th consecutive time the teams have met in preseason each winning five with Lions holding a 6-4 edge at the betting window.
What Bettors Need to Know: Friday's NFL Preseason Action
By Covers.com
Football bettors can choose from six games on the NFL preseason schedule Friday.
Here’s a quick look at each of the matchups and their odds and trends.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins (-3, 33.5)
Coach Joe Philbin declined to announce his plan at quarterback this week, but if he stays true to the depth chart veteran David Garrard will get the start. Matt Moore and Ryan Tannehill will likely see action as well. Miami will also debut its 4-3 scheme under new defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle.
The Buccaneers were atrocious defensively last season, finishing 30th in yards allowed (394.4 per game) and last in points surrendered (30.9). Tampa added cornerback Eric Wright via free agency to help tighten up the secondary. Wide receiver Vincent Jackson will also make his debut with the club, adding another offensive threat besides Mike Williams to the receiving corps.
New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals (-1.5, 35.5)
It’s Tebow time in New York. The pivot has practiced as the second-team quarterback thus far in training camp and has only taken a few snaps with the first squad, none of them of the wildcat variety. The Jets will feature several young receivers due to the injuries to Santonio Holmes and Jeremy Kerley. Rookies Stephen Hill, Patrick Turner, and Chaz Schilens will see significant time running routes in the preseason opener.
Brandon Tate is listed first on the depth chart at wide receiver when the Bengals open their preseason against the Jets. Finding a complement to receiver A.J. Green is one of Cincinnati's priorities this preseason. Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis will make his Bengals’ debut after signing a three-year, $9-million deal in the offseason.
Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions (-3, 36)
Browns rookie running back Trent Richardson won’t suit up for the club’s preseason opener, but team officials hope he’ll make a speedy recovery from knee surgery and be available in Week 1. Head coach Pat Shurmer has named Brandon Weeden the starting quarterback Friday. Shurmer doesn't have extensive experience in the NFL as a head coach, but he went 1-3 SU and ATS in his preseason debut last year.
Lions head coach Jim Schwartz was a perfect 4-0 SU in the 2011 preseason. He’ll have a gaping hole at running back for the preseason opener because of injuries to his top two backs—Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure. Third-string halfback Kevin Smith should get the majority of the carries. Matt Stafford will see limited time at QB, but all five of the club’s top five receivers are healthy and ready to go.
New York Giants at Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5, 35)
Hakeem Nicks, Terrell Thomas, Jacquain Williams, Chris Canty, and Michael Boley are among 11 Giants players that will sit out the preseason opener with injuries. New York’s first unit is expected to only play about three possessions tonight before the second unit takes the field.
The Jaguars remain in turmoil with star running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who's seeking a lucrative raise over his current 2012 salary of $4.45 million after leading the NFL in rushing a year ago. However, Jacksonville was able to reach a pact with rookie wide receiver Justin Blackmon, who will make his NFL debut tonight, on a four-year deal Monday.
Arizona Cardinals at Kansas City Chiefs (-3, 34.5)
Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is calling quarterback Kevin Kolb's injury minor and expects the quarterback to play in Friday's exhibition game against Kansas City behind starter John Skelton. Arizona activated running back Beanie Wells from the physically unable to perform list Tuesday, but he’s unlikely to suit up in the club’s second preseason game.
Kansas City welcomes the return of running back Jamaal Charles, tight end Tony Moeaki, and safety Eric Berry for the first time since all three blew out their ACLs last season. All three players are expected to see time Friday.
Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers (-3, 34.5)
The Minnesota Vikings are hoping that star running back Adrian Peterson can return to practice next week. The coaching and medical staff will evaluate Peterson’s left knee after the Vikings return from their preseason opener against the 49ers. Quarterback Christian Ponder says he is more comfortable and confident in the offense than he was as a rookie in camp last season.
The big story of the game is the return of wide receiver Randy Moss. He’s resurfaced after signing a one- year contract with the 49ers in March and is expected to start tonight. Moss has been mentoring San Francisco’s revamped receiver corps — Mario Manningham, Michael Crabtree, Ted Ginn Jr., Kyle Williams and first-round pick A.J. Jenkins of Illinois — all offseason.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh has declined to state how long his starters will play.