Houston at Carolina Preview
Atssportsline.com
Houston at Carolina
Current line: Carolina (-3/35.5)
Houston meets Carolina on Saturday from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.at 7pmET. These two teams faced each other in the regular season last year and Carolina shocked the Texans on the road, 28-13 getting 6.
The Texans are coming off a 10-6 SU season, they were 11-5 ATS and 5-11 Under. Last year, they went 3-1 ATS in the preseason. Gary Kubiak is 13-11 SU, 13-8-3 ATS and 16-7-1 Over in preseason. Carolina is coming off a 6-10 SU season, and they were 9-6-1 ATS and 10-6 Over. Last year, they went 1-3 ATS in the preseason. Ron Rivera, in his second season, is 1-3 SU, 0-4 ATS and 2-2 O/U.
The temperature is expected to be 73 degrees and with a slight chance of thunderstorms in Charlotte.
The Texans are looking for bigger and better things in 2012. They accomplished a lit last year considering QB Matt Schaub suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury in Week 10 and had to go into postseason with T.J. Yates at quarterback. With Schaub, Arian Foster (1,224yds) and a healthy Andrew Johnson, who missed nine games with hamstring injuries, the Texans could rival the Patriots in the AFC. They ranked in the top five in pass and rush defense without injured LB Mario Williams, who is off to Buffalo in free agency. They just need to stay healthy which means playing their stars sparingly in preseason. Carolina made some huge strides under QB Cam Newton, who actually struggled in preseason. They added some help with the addition of RB/FB Mike Tolbert but it's the defense that needs the most help. LB Luke Kuechly from Boston College, will have to help right away. WR Steve Smith (79 for 1394yds) was rejuvenated last year. Defensively, they were 25th against the run and 24th against the pass last year.
Houston starts with Schaub and Yates is the second quarterback, followed by John Beck and Case Keenum. Carolina starts with Newton, followed by Derek Anderson and Jimmy Clausen.
The Texans' key injuries include: WR Andre Johnson (groin). OT Duane Brown (leg) is dbtful. Carolina: LB Jon Beason (Achilles) is dbtful. LB Thomas Davis (knee/calf) is out.
Preseason Trends:
Carolina is 2-8 Under last 10 games.
Carolina: 14-31 ATS vs. non-conference opponents
Houston: 12-3 Over away vs. non-conference opponents
QB Rotations:
Houston
Matt Schaub
T.J. Yates
John Beck
Case Keenum (R)
Carolina
Cam Newton
Derek Anderson
Jimmy Clausen
NFL Preseason Logs Last 6 Years
Houston
2006 Results
Kansas City W -2’ 24-14 o35’
at St. Louis W +3 27-20 o37’
at Denver W +5 14-17 u39’
Tampa Bay N -3 16-13 u35
2007 Results
Chicago L -2 19-20 o33
at Arizona W +3 33-20 o35’
Dallas W +2’ 28-16 o40
at Tampa Bay L +3 24-31 o37
2008 Results
DENVER N -3 19-16 o34'
New Orleans W +3 31-27 o37
at Dallas W +5 22-23 o42
T. BAY L -1 6-16 u36
2009 Results
at Kansas City W +2 16-10 u37’
NEW ORLEANS L -3 14-38 o38’
MINNESOTA L -3 10-17 o39
at Tampa Bay W +3 27-20 o33’
2010 Results
at Arizona L -2’ 16-19 o33
at New Orleans L +1’ 20-38 o41
DALLAS W -5’ 23-7 u41’
TAMPA BAY L -2’ 17-24 o36’
2011 Results
NY JETS W -2’ 20-16 o35
NEW ORLEANS W +2’ 27-14 p41
at San Francisco W -4’ 30-7 o36
at Minnesota L +3’ 0-28 u37’
CAROLINA
2006 Results
BUFFALO L -3' 14-13 u35'
at Jacksonville W +2' 17-10 u34'
MIAMI W -4 19-10 u36'
at Pittsburgh L -3 15-13 u33'
2007 Results
at NY Giants W -1 24-21 o34
at Philadelphia L +3 10-27 o35
NEW ENG. L -1 7-24 u37'
PITTSBURGH L -3' 3-19 u34'
2008 Results
INDY (OT) L -4 23-20 o35'
at Philadelphia L +3 13-24 o36
WASH. W -3 47-3 o36'
at Pittsburgh W +3' 16-19 u35'
2009 Results
at NY Giants L +3 17-24 o32’
at Miami L +3 17-27 o33’
BALTIMORE L -3 13-17 u36
PITTSBURGH L -3 10-21 u33’
2010 Results
at Baltimore L +4’ 12-17 u34
NY JETS L -1’ 3-9 u33’
TENNESSEE W -3 15-7 u37
at Pittsburgh L +6’ 3-19 u37’
2011 Results
NY GIANTS W -2’ 20-10 u33
at Miami L +6 10-20 u34
at Cincinnati L +3 13-24 o34
Pittsburgh L -2’ 17-33 o34
Tennessee at Seattle Preview
Atssportsline.com
Tennesee at Seattle
Current line: Seattle (-3/35.5)
Seattle hosts Tennessee on Saturday night at 10pmET from CenturyLink Field in Washington. Matt Hasselbeck makes his return to Seattle as the Tennessee quarterback.
The Titans are coming off a 9-7 SU season, they were 7-9 ATS and 6-10 Under. Last year, they went 2-2 ATS in the preseason. Mike Munchak, in his second season, is 3-1 SU, 1-3 ATS and 1-3 Under in preseason. Seattle is coming off a 7-9 SU season, and they were 9-5-2 ATS and 9-7 Over. Last year, they went 3-1 ATS in the preseason. Pete Caroll is 13-12 SU, 13-10-2 ATS and 12-13 Under.
The temperature is expected to be 70 degrees and clear in Seattle.
The Titans are looking for an improved season, but first, they need to find a quarterback. Hasselbeck will get the start on Saturday night for the Titans (3,571yds) and is coming off a strong season, but is 37. He will go about 12-15 plays and then Jake Locker will take over. The Titans need a big season from RB Chris Johnson, who has been all talk and no show since his 2,000-yd season in 2011. The Titans also have issues at WR where Kenny Britt (knee) might be suspended due to another off-the-field incident. The defense was 24th against the run last year (128.3ypg). They add LB Zach Brown, a second-round pick from North Carolina and DT Mike Martin. Seattle also has quarterback issues as Matt Flynn takes over as the starter, at least for the first game, with Tarvaris Jackson and rookie Russell Wilson also in the mix. RGB Marshawn Lynch (1,204yds) is coming off a big year but they need more at receiver, That's why they signed Terrell Owens after releasing Mike Williams. On defense, DE Bruce Irvin was drafted in the first round to help the pass rush. FS Earl Thomas leads an underrated defense.
Tennessee will start off with Hasselbeck, followed by Locker and then Rusty Smith and maybe Nick Stephens. Seattle will start Matt Flynn. Tarvaris Jackson might not play and they could go with Russell Wilson as the backup.
The Titans' key injuries include: WR Kenny Britt (knee) is out. Seattle: DE Red Bryant (knee) is ?
Preseason Trends:
Tennessee is 17-6 ATS as a road underdog
Seattle is 24-11 Over as a favorite
Seattle is 5-2 ATS at home last 7 preseason games.
QB Rotations:
Tennessee
Matt Hasselbeck
Jake Locker
Rusty Smith
Nick Stephens (R)
Seattle
Matt Flynn
Tarvaris Jackson
Russell Wilson (R)
Josh Portis
NFL Preseason Logs Last 6 Years
Tennessee
2006 Results
New Orleans L -3 16-19 n35
at Denver L +5’ 10-35 o36
Atlanta L P 6-20 u38
at Green Bay W P 35-21 o36
2007 Results
Washington L -3 6-14 u35
at New England W +5’ 27-24 o35
at Buffalo W +1’ 28-17 o36
Green Bay W -7 30-14 o37
2008 Results
ST. LOUIS W -3 34-13 o33
OAKLAND L -4 17-16 u35
at Atlanta L +3 3-17 u35
at Green Bay L -6' 23-21 o36
2009 Results
Buffalo T -3 21-18 o32
(at Canton, OH)
TAMPA BAY W -4 27-20 o35
at Dallas L +3 10-30 o38’
at Cleveland L +1 17-23 u37’
GREEN BAY W -3’ 27-13 o36’
2010 Results
at Seattle W +3’ 18-20 o35
ARIZONA W -3’ 24-10 u37’
at Carolina L +3 7-15 u37
NEW ORLEANS OL -7’ 27-24 o41
2011 Results
MINNESOTA W -3 14-3 u34
at St. Louis L -3’ 16-17 u37
CHICAGO L -3 14-13 u37
at New Orleans W -1 32-9 o36
Seattle
2006 Results
Dallas L -3 3-13 u35’
at Indianapolis W +2’ 30-17 o38’
at San Diego L +3’ 20-31 o37
Oakland W -3 30-7 o36’
2007 Results
at San Diego W +3’ 24-16 o36’
at Green Bay L +3 13-48 o35’
Minnesota W -7 30-13 o38
Oakland W -3 19-14 u37’
2008 Results
at Minnesota W +3 34-17 o34
CHI. (OT) W -1 29-26 o36
at San Diego W +6 17-18 u38
OAKLAND W -3 23-16 o36
2009 Results
at San Diego W +3 20-14 u36
DENVER W -3 27-13 o36’
at Kansas City W +2’ 14-10 u39
OAKLAND W -3 31-21 o36
2010 Results
TENNESSEE L -3’ 20-18 o35
GREEN BAY L -2’ 24-27 o40’
at Minnesota L +4’ 13-24 u39
at Oakland P +3 24-27 o38
2011 Results
at San Diego W +3 24-17 o35
MINNESOTA L -3 7-20 u37’
at Denver W +5’ 20-23 o37
OAKLAND W -3’ 20-3 u37
Saturday Doubleheader
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The Saturday NFL card showcases only a pair of games, but involving interconference matchups. Underdogs managed a 4-1-1 ATS in the Thursday action, but the favorites came through with a 4-2 ATS mark in last night's games. Both the Buccaneers and Browns managed straight-up victories as three-point road underdogs, while cashing on the money line at +150. Tonight's action includes only one team that qualified for the playoffs last season, as the Texans take a trip to Carolina.
Texans at Panthers (-3, 35½)
Houston is fresh off its first playoff appearance in franchise history, as the Texans are the favorite to win the AFC South for a second consecutive season. The quarterback situation became interesting following Matt Schaub's foot injury in Week 10 at Tampa Bay last season. After one start by Matt Leinart, rookie T.J. Yates started the final seven games, including a pair of playoff contests. Schaub retains the starting job, while Yates is the primary backup heading into the season.
The Panthers are set with their quarterback scenario as last season's top pick Cam Newton threw for 4,051 yards in his rookie campaign. Carolina scored plenty of points down the stretch by hitting the 'over' in five of the final seven games, while compiling a 5-2 ATS record as a favorite. Newton will likely play several series against the Texans, followed by Jimmy Clausen and Derek Anderson. Both Clausen and Anderson have prior starting experience, including Anderson leading the Browns to a 10-6 campaign in 2007.
Both teams will be slowed down in the vertical game as Andre Johnson and Steve Smith are each dealing with injuries. Johnson suffered a groin injury in training camp, while missing nine games last season with a hamstring injury. The former University of Miami is listed as 'out' against Carolina, as his status moving forward will be week-to-week. Smith is 'questionable' after bruising his left knee in practice, as there is a chance he would see one series at most on Saturday.
The Texans are a solid 17-7 to the 'over' in Gary Kubiak's 24 career preseason contests, including three of four 'overs' last season. Houston has won three of its past four preseason openers, while beating the Jets, 20-16 as 3 ½-point favorites in 2011. Carolina finished at 1-3 SU/ATS in Ron Rivera's first season as head coach, as the lone victory came over the Giants as short home 'chalk' in a 20-10 triumph.
Titans at Seahawks (-3, 35½)
Tennessee makes the long trip to CenturyLink Field as Matt Hasselbeck comes back to Seattle for the first time since getting released by the Seahawks in 2011. Hasselbeck guided the Titans' to a respectable 9-7 record in the AFC, while Tennessee finished the season cashing the 'under' in eight of the last 10 games. The Titans aren't ready to turn things over to last season's top pick Jake Locker, as the former Washington standout will back up Hasselbeck in his return to Seattle.
The Seahawks made noise in the offseason with several signings, including the acquisition of former Packers' quarterback Matt Flynn. In spite of limiting playing time in Green Bay, Flynn impressed in the final regular season against Detroit by tossing six touchdowns and 480 yards. Seattle inked veteran wide receivers Terrell Owens and Braylon Edwards over the last few weeks, as the Seahawks had one receiver that racked up over 500 yards. Pete Carroll will split time at quarterback against the Titans with Flynn starting the first half and rookie Russell Wilson will play the second half.
Carroll is 15-9-1 ATS in his preseason career, including a 3-1 ATS mark in 2011. The Seahawks are 1-3 ATS since 2010 as a home favorite in exhibition play, while splitting a pair of games against the Vikings and Raiders last season. The Titans cashed in three of four preseason contests in 2011, including covers as a road underdog at St. Louis and New Orleans.
What Bettors Need to Know: Saturday's NFL Preseason Games
By Covers.com
Football bettors can choose from two games on the NFL preseason schedule Saturday.
Here’s a quick look at each of the matchups and their odds and trends
Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers (-3, 35.5)
The Houston defense had a huge turnaround from the 2010 season going from one of the worst units in the league to ranking second in total defense last season.
Inside linebacker Brian Cushing has spent two nights in the hospital with a viral infection this week, but coach Gary Kubiak won’t rule him out of Saturday’s preseason opener. Quarterback Matt Schaub will play 12 to 15 snaps at Carolina. T.J. Yates and John Beck will take over from there and finish the game, according to Kubiak.
It has been a turbulent training camp for the Carolina Panthers.
Offensive tackle Jeff Otah’s contract with the Panthers was terminated after he was dealt to the New York Jets, failed his physical and was sent back to Carolina, where he once again failed another physical.
Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn has been feuding with wide receiver Steve Smith and Jonathan Stewart after they took issue with his physical style of play in camp. Munnerlyn’s competition at corner, Brandon Hogan (knee)and Josh Norman (hamstring), are already missing time due to injury.
The pressure will once again fall on Cam Newton and the rushing attack of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart this season.
Tennessee Titans @ Seattle Seahawks (-3, 33.5)
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will be the starter when the Titans open the preseason against the Seahawks, coach Mike Munchak informed the media Thursday.
Hasselbeck will play 10-15 snaps and then Jake Locker will take over until halftime. Rusty Smith and Nick Stephens are expected to share snaps in the second half.
NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport reporter earlier this week that Chris Johnson looked like the "Chris Johnson of old," referring to his effort in 2009 where he rushed for over 2,000 yards.
The Seahawks signed wide receiver Terrell Owens on Monday to a one-year deal reportedly worth $1 million.
“His workout and work ethic was extraordinary,” head coach Pete Carroll said via Twitter earlier this week. “He has a chance to start over here, and that’s pretty cool.”
Seattle's three-way quarterback competition begins on Saturday. Matt Flynn's been promised the first half and Russell Wilson the second.