Sunday's Preseason Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Chargers at Vikings (-4, 41½)
San Diego
Head Coach: Mike McCoy (6-8 SU, 8-5-1 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Philip Rivers, Kellen Clemens, Mike Bercovici (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Michael Gehlken
Rivers sat out San Diego’s second preseason game, as the Lightning Bolts scored a defensive touchdown and kicked four field goals in a 19-7 victory over the Cardinals last week. San Diego’s rushing attack was anything but by accumulating 46 yards on 27 carries, including 18 yards on three attempts from Melvin Gordon. Rivers and Gordon hooked up on San Diego’s only offensive touchdown of the preseason in a Week 1 loss at Tennessee. The Chargers’ rushing defense stepped up after allowing 288 yards to the Titans by limiting the Cardinals to 63 yards on the ground.
Minnesota
Head Coach: Mike Zimmer (10-1 SU, 9-2 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Teddy Bridgewater, Shaun Hill, Joel Stave (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Chris Tomasson
The Vikings have been nearly automatic in the preseason under Zimmer, winning all but one game since 2014 in the exhibition season. Adrian Peterson hasn’t played yet in the preseason, as the Vikings’ running back will not see a snap until Minnesota’s season opener at Tennessee. Bridgewater missed last week’s victory at Seattle as the former first round pick will play on Sunday. The Vikings escaped past the Seahawks, 18-11 on a late interception return for a touchdown in spite of racking up 258 yards on offense. Minnesota owns a perfect 4-0 SU/ATS record at home under Zimmer in the preseason, while winning both of the “dress rehearsal” contests.
Cardinals at Texans (-1, 41½)
Arizona
Head Coach: Bruce Arians (6-8 SU, 7-6-1 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton, Matt Barkley, Jake Coker (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Kent Somers
The Cardinals’ offense hasn’t produced many points through two preseason losses, posting 13 points in defeats to the Raiders and Chargers. Arizona outgained Oakland in the exhibition opener, 383-322, but the Raiders took advantage of three Cardinals’ turnovers. The Cardinals’ defense held the Chargers’ offense out of the end zone last week, but Arizona’s offense put up only 209 yards, including 37 passing from Palmer. Arizona has not been listed as an underdog yet this preseason, but the Cardinals have been successful in this role since 2014 by going 4-0-1 ATS when getting points in the exhibition season.
Houston
Head Coach: Bill O’Brien (6-4 SU, 6-4 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Brock Osweiler, Tom Savage, Brandon Weeden
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Aaron Wilson
The Texans look to capitalize off an AFC South title last season as Houston has jumped out to a 2-0 record in the preseason after victories over San Francisco and New Orleans. In last Saturday’s 16-9 triumph over the Saints, Osweiler hit Will Fuller for a 19-yard score for the only touchdown in the game, as the Texans created three takeaways in the win. Since O’Brien took over in 2014, the Texans have cashed the UNDER in nine of 10 preseason contests, while winning both of their Week 3 games, including a 27-13 victory at New Orleans last August.
Bengals at Jaguars (-1½, 43)
Cincinnati
Head Coach: Marvin Lewis (29-26 SU, 29-25-1 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Andy Dalton, A.J. McCarron, Keith Wenning, Joe Licata (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Jim Owcazarski
After dropping a one-point decision to Minnesota in its preseason opener, Cincinnati rebounded in a big way in last week’s 30-14 rout of Detroit as two-point road underdogs. The Bengals have held each of their first two opponents to 17 points or less, while taking an interception back for a score against the Lions. Cincinnati is riding a 6-2 SU/ATS stretch in the last eight preseason contests, including back-to-back wins in the “dress rehearsal” game.
Jacksonville
Head Coach: Gus Bradley (4-10 SU, 6-8 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Blake Bortles, Chad Henne, Brandon Allen (Rookie), Max Wittek (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Ryan O’Halloran
The Jaguars squandered a 10-0 lead in a preseason opening loss to the Jets, while scoring only seven second half points in a 27-21 defeat to Tampa Bay last week. Bortles threw a pair of touchdown passes in limited action against the Buccaneers, but Jacksonville’s offense mustered only 209 yards, while one of their three touchdowns came on a pick-six. The Jags have slumped to a 4-10 preseason record since 2013, including an 0-3 record in Game 3’s.
Sunday's NFL Week 3 Preseason Betting Preview
By Covers.com
San Diego Chargers at Minnesota Vikings (-6, 41.0)
One thing we know for sure when it comes to the Chargers' preseason Week 3 matchup against the Vikings - No. 3 overall pick Joey Bosa will not be on the field for San Diego. In addition to Bosa, guard D.J. Fluker will also miss Sunday's game with a foot injury and wide receiver Stevie Johnson will miss the entire season with a knee injury. The rest of the starters will be on the field for the Chargers for, at least, the entire opening half - and maybe a bit more.
The Vikings will finally swing open the doors of their shiny new US Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The crowd will be amped up for the conclusion of this stadium saga that has been ongoing for a decade in the twin cities - expect the rare occurrence of crowd noise being a factor in a preseason game. As is his preseason tradition, Adrian Peterson will not play Sunday or any of the preseason. "AD" is feeling great and will be carrying a regular work-load into Week 1 of the regular season. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been dealing with some shoulder soreness that forced him to miss preseason Week 2, but he will be on the field Sunday against the Chargers. The Vikings' game plan will likely be to take it easy on Bridgewater's shoulder and get his some first half reps before handing the game over to backup Shaun Hill at some point in the second quarter - that is the report but that could change as the game starts flowing.
Arizona Cardinals at Houston Texans (pick, 41.0)
Safety Tyrann Mathieu will see his first game action since tearing his ACL in December. Mathieu will certainly not be in full "dress rehearsal" mode as the plan is only to get him 10-15 snaps. When asked how much first round pick DT Robert Nkemdiche would play, head coach Bruce Arians said, "A lot." Nkemdiche has been out of action with an ankle injury. Starting quarterback Carson Palmer will likely play the opening quarter, and perhaps a bit into the second, before handing the reigns over to Drew Stanton and Matt Barkley - who have both looked horrible thus far in the preseason.
Of course, there will be no J.J. Watt for the Texans on Sunday. Most people believe that Watt will miss some regular season games following back surgery, but reports this week revealed that his is back to running and may be ready to return to the starting lineup for Week 1 - we'll see. Quarterback Brock Osweiler, and the rest of the Texans' starters, will see plenty of snaps Sunday and are likely to still be on the field into the second half.
Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars (-1.5, 43.0)
There is no early word on how much time the Bengals' starters will see on the field Sunday night in Jacksonville. Potential No. 2 wide receiver Brandon LaFell has a ligament injury in his hand but he will test it out in game action tonight. If it doesn't feel right it may mean season-ending surgery for the former New England Patriot. The Bengals will be without star TE Tyler Eifert who will miss 4-6 weeks of the regular season after offseason ankle surgery.
Jags' left tackle Kelvin Beachum will make his preseason debut Sunday night. Beachum has been out since suffering a torn ACL as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. Added strength to the offensive line will only help starting quarterback Blake Bortles, and the rest of the offensive starters, as the expectation are beginning to grow. The Jaguars are expected to be one of the league's most improved teams this season but they must prove it on the field - a nationally televised Sunday night game is a good place to start. The starters on both offense and defense are expected to play into the third quarter.