What Bettors Need to Know: NFL Preseason Wednesday
By Jon Campbell
Covers.com
New England Patriots vs. New York Giants (+2, 41)
We wrote last week that the Pats are more concerned with evaluating new players than wins right now. So it’s tough to say how much Bill Belichick is going to play the starters on Thursday after the Pats saw some nice performances out of backups like QB Ryan Mallett and a number of others on the D-line. The Pats haven’t covered a spread yet in the preseason (0-3) but don’t expect that to keep Belichick up at night.
Tom Coughlin likes to play his first string into the third quarter by this point in the preseason, but he might take a different approach Thursday. Coughlin pulled his starters at halftime last week in a 20-17 loss to the Bears due to some key injuries. He may take a cautious approach this week, though he has promised some snaps to star receiver Hakim Nicks, who appears fully healed from a broken foot in the spring.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Washington Redskins (-4, 40)
This might be an even tighter turnaround for the Bucs than for the Redskins, even though they had an extra day to prepare. Tampa Bay had to cancel its Monday practice due to Hurricane Isaac and the team travels Tuesday to Washington. New head coach Greg Schiano is trying to instill a sense of urgency with his team, which we saw with a number of blitzes and pressure defenses in a win over the Pats on Friday. With that in mind it’s possible we may see the first team play a bit more than with other squads on Thursday.
Washington head coach Mike Shanahan appears to be shutting things down after giving his first team plenty of time through the first three preseason games. Kirk Cousins will start at QB in place of RG3 and though Shanahan won’t say for how long, Cousins said on Monday he’ll be in for about a half. The first team sounds like it’s starting to prepare for Week 1 against the Saints after a strong 30-17 win over the Colts last week.
Miami at Dallas (-2.5, 37)
The Dolphins are 0-3 straight up and against the spread in a preseason that’s been a mess so far. This week appears no different after starting left tackle Jake Long suffered a sprained MCL in practice that will likely keep him out a few weeks. Cornerback Vontae Davis was traded this week in a move that shocked some in the Miami locker room and it leaves the secondary with question marks. Ryan Tannehill will start at QB but some wonder if that’s a good move with the rookie slated to start in Week 1.
The Cowboys are coming off what the team felt was its best performance of the preseason in a 20-19 win over the Rams as 5.5-point faves. It was so good that most of the starters won’t play Wednesday against the Dolphins.
2012 NFL Preseason Preview Week 4: New England at NY Giants
Atssportsline.com
NY Giants vs. New England
Current Line: New York Giants (-2/40')
New England visits MetLife Stadium on Wednesday night to face the New York Giants at 7pmET from East Rutherford, N.J. The Pats are 1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS in the preseason after falling at Tampa Bay last week, 30-28. The Giants are 1-2 SU and 2-1 ATS after losing to Chicago, 20-17 at home last week. Last year, the Giants beat New England on the road, 18-17 laying 8 in the final game of the preseason.
Weather: 74 degrees and clear
Outlook: The two combatants of Super Bowl XLVI will be going head- to-head for the first time since that memorable title bout in Indianapolis back in February, though neither the stakes nor the intensity will be anywhere near as high when the New York Giants and New England Patriots square off this time around.
The majority of the star players on both sides will certainly either see minimal playing time or be held out entirely for Wednesday's clash at MetLife Stadium, the final preseason test for each. That may be particularly true in the Giants' case, with the defending world champions kicking off the 2012 regular season exactly one week later with a showdown against NFC East rival Dallas.
Quarterback Eli Manning, who orchestrated the late touchdown drive that lifted New York to its 21-17 ousting of the Pats in Indianapolis and took home his second career Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award in the process, did not participate at all in last year's warm-up finale against New England. It's possible he'll make a brief cameo in this one, though he got extensive prep work in last Friday's 20-17 home loss to Chicago.
Manning was sharp while operating the first-team offense all of the first half, completing 17-of-21 passes for 148 yards and connecting with roster- bubble wideout Ramses Barden on an 11-yard touchdown.
Rookie running back David Wilson also had an impressive performance for the Giants, with the 2012 first-round pick gaining a game-high 49 yards on just five carries subbing for returning leading rusher Ahmad Bradshaw (wrist).
Bradshaw is one of a host of New York players almost certain to be inactive for Wednesday's contest, a list that also includes linebackers Michael Boley (hamstring) and Mathias Kiwanuka (groin), defensive tackle Chris Canty (knee), offensive tackle Will Beatty (back) and cornerbacks Terrell Thomas (knee), Prince Amukamara (ankle) and Jayron Hosley (turf toe). Kiwanuka and Amukamara sustained their injuries in the Chicago game.
One key New York offensive starter who may be on the field is Hakeem Nicks. The big-bodied wide receiver has yet to see action this preseason while recovering from a fractured foot, but returned to practice last week.
The Patriots did use Tom Brady some in last year's preseason meeting with the Giants, with the two-time league MVP playing the first quarter in New England's 18-17 loss that night. It's more likely he'll be sidelined for this matchup, however, after competing the first three periods of last Friday's outing at Tampa Bay.
Brady went 13-of-20 for 127 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the Patriots' 30-28 setback to the Buccaneers before giving way to second-year pro Ryan Mallett, who tossed a pair of scoring passes in the final five minutes.
Stevan Ridley, the projected primary running back for New England's Sept. 9 opener at Tennessee, tuned up for that game by rushing for 87 yards and a touchdown on 16 attempts.
Backfield mate Shane Vereen exited Friday's game with a foot injury and is a candidate to miss the finale, with safety Patrick Chung (shoulder), cornerback Kyle Arrington (back) and offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer (back) all possibilities as well.
New England will actually be seeking to avenge three losses to the Giants last season. In addition to the Super Bowl and the preseason meeting, in which New York scored 15 unanswered fourth-quarter points to prevail, the Patriots dropped a 24-20 decision to Big Blue at Gillette Stadium during Week 9 of the 2011 regular season. The Giants also rallied to victory that day, with Manning hitting tight end Jake Ballard for a short touchdown pass with 15 seconds left to play for the deciding margin.
Ballard is now a member of the Patriots, having been claimed off waivers from New York in June, but will begin the season on the physically unable to perform list while making his way back from a torn ACL he suffered in Super Bowl XLVI.
These teams have faced one another in the preseason every year since 2005 and 21 times overall. The Giants have won the last two encounters to extend their lead in the series to 13-8.
Preseason Trends
New England: 1-5 ATS off a non-conference game
NY Giants: 10-3 Over off a loss by 3 points or less
QB Rotations:
NY Giants
Eli Manning
David Carr
Ryan Perrilloux
New England
Tom Brady
Ryan Mallett
Brian Hoyer
NFL Preseason Logs Last 6 Years
New York Giants
2006 Results
at Baltimore W +3 17-16 u34
at Kansas City W -3 17-0 u36
at NY Jets W -4 13-7 u36
New England W -3 31-23 o35
2007 Results
Carolina L +1 21-24 o34
at Baltimore W +3’ 13-12 u33’
NY Jets L +2’ 12-20 u36’
at New England L +3’ 20-27 o36
2008 Results
at Detroit L +2' 10-13 u31'
CLEVE. W -2 37-34 o36
at NY Jets N +3 7-10 u38
NEW ENG. W -2' 19-14 u35'
2009 Results
CAROLINA W -3 24-17 o32’
at Chicago L +2 3-17 u34’
at NY Jets L -3 25-27 o36’
at New England L -3 27-38 o36
2010 Results
at. NY Jets W +3 31-16 o33’
PITTSBURGH L +6 17-24 o34
at Baltimore L +3’ 10-24 u38’
NEW ENGLAND P -3 20-17 u38
2011 Results
at Carolina L +2’ 10-20 u33
CHICAGO W -4’ 41-13 o35
NY JETS W +2’ 3-17 u34’
at New England L -8 18-17 u39’
2012 Results
at Jacksonville W +2 31-32 o35
at NY Jets W +1' 26-3 o37
Chicago L -3 17-20 u41
New England
2006 Results
at Atlanta N +3 23-28 o35’
Arizona W -3; 30-3 u37
Washington W -3’ 431-0 o35
at NY Giants L +3’ 23-31 o35
2007 Results
at Tampa Bay L +2’ 10-13 u33
Tennessee L -5’ 24-27 o35
at Carolina W +1 24-7 u37’
NY Giants W -3’ 27-20 o36
2008 Results
BALTIMORE L -4 15-16 u34
at Tampa Bay L +2 10-27 o34
PHILADELPHIA L -3 17-27 o37
at NY Giants L +2' 14-19 u35'
2009 Results
at Philadelphia W +3 27-25 o33
CINCINNATI L -6’ 6-7 u36
at Washington L -3’ 27-24 o37
NY GIANTS W +3 38-27 o36
2010 Results
NEW ORLEANS W -1’ 27-24 o35
at Atlanta W +3 28-10 o37’
ST. LOUIS L -8 35-365 o38
at NY Giants P +3 17-20 u38
2011 Results
JACKSONVILLE W -3’ 47-12 o35
at Tampa Bay W +1 31-14 o38
at Detroit L -3’ 10-34 u44’
NY GIANTS L -8 17-18 u39’
2012 Results
New Orleans L -4' 7-6 u37'
Philadelphia L +3' 17-27 o40
at Tampa Bay L -7 28-30 o44
NFL Preseason Week 4 Preview: Tampa Bay at Washington
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Tampa Bay vs. Washington
Current line: Washington (-4/40)
Tampa Bay takes on Washington from FedEx Stadium on Wednesday night in Landover, Md at 7pm. The Bucs defeated New England last week to go 1-2 in the preseason. Washington beat Indy to go 2-1 SU and 1-2 ATS. Last year, Washington defeated Tampa Bay in the preseason finale, 29-24 at home, giving 7.
Weather: 74 degrees and clear
Outlook: Robert Griffin III's home debut turned out to be well worth the wait for fans of the Washington Redskins. Backers of the Burgundy and Gold will have their next opportunity to witness the dazzling rookie quarterback in person delayed for a little while, however.
Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan announced after Saturday's 30-17 victory over Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts that Griffin will not play in Wednesday's preseason finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from FedEx Field. The No. 2 overall choice of this past draft's next game action will come when Washington opens its 2012 regular-season schedule at New Orleans on Sept. 9.
Washington's first home game of the regular season won't take place until Week 3, a Sept. 23 matchup with Cincinnati. The Redskins also face the Buccaneers in Tampa the following Sunday, which may have played a part in Shanahan's decision.
Griffin performed well in his highly touted showdown with Luck, taken by the Colts with the top pick in April's draft. The 2011 Heisman Trophy recipient completed 11 of his 17 passes for 74 yards and directed a touchdown drive near the end of the first half in which he capped by finding wide receiver Santana Moss for a four-yard score.
The 22-year-old finishes the preseason with 193 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions on 20-of-31 passing (64.5 percent).
With Griffin being rested, fellow first-year pro Kirk Cousins may draw the start against the Buccaneers. The 2012 fourth-round pick has also impressed in his chances, having hit on 27-of-46 throws for 338 yards and three touchdowns with one interception over the first three outings.
While Griffin was the headline attraction, it was another Washington rookie that stole the show in Saturday's win. Running back Albert Morris, a sixth- round selection out of Florida Atlantic, rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown on only 14 carries.
Morris' strong showing has put him in the mix to be the lead ball-carrier to start the season, with holdovers Tim Hightower, Evan Royster and Roy Helu also possibilities. Hightower, who missed most of last year with a torn ACL, gained 28 yards on five attempts against the Colts in his first action of this preseason, while Royster (knee) and Helu (Achilles) were held out with injuries.
The Redskins did make a decision on who'll be their kicker on Monday, signing former Baltimore Pro Bowler Billy Cundiff shortly after he was released by the Ravens. Veteran free-agent pickup Neil Rackers and incumbent Graham Gano had been competing for the position, but both were let go after Cundiff's addition.
Washington also announced on Monday that starting right tackle Jammal Brown will begin the season on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing hip surgery last week.
Tampa Bay is also holding a fierce competition at running back, one in which well-regarded rookie Doug Martin may have taken the lead after a solid showing in last Friday's 30-28 win over New England. The first-round choice started the contest and ran for 53 yards and a touchdown on 13 rushes while adding three receptions totaling 12 yards.
Martin is contending with one-time 1,000-yard rusher LeGarrette Blount, who managed just 22 yards on seven carries against the Patriots and has averaged a pedestrian 2.9 yards per attempt thus far in the preseason.
Safety Mark Barron, Tampa's other Day 1 selection in this most recent draft, made his mark as well by intercepting New England's Tom Brady and returning the pick 22 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter.
Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman played into the second half of Friday's triumph and threw for 102 yards on 10-of-19 passing. The fourth-year pro is expected to work only a handful of snaps this week to sharpen up for the team's Week 1 lid-lifter against Carolina.
Tampa Bay did suffer a big injury loss in the game, with Pro Bowl right guard Davin Joseph tearing his patella tendon late in the first half. He'll be placed on season-ending injured reserve, with Ted Larsen the favorite to take over.
Preseason Trends:
Tampa Bay: 5-1 ATS as an underdog
Washington: 2-13 ATS at home off an Over
QB Rotations
Tampa Bay
Josh Freeman
Dan Orlovsky
Brett Ratliff
Washington
Robert Griffin III (R)
Rex Grossman
Kirk Cousins (R)
Jonathan Crompton
NFL Preseason Logs Last 6 Years
Washington
2006 Results
at Cincinnati L -1 3-19 u35’
NY Jets L -3’ 14-27 o33’
at New England L +3’ 0-41 o35
Baltimore L +1 10-17 u33
2007 Results
at Tennessee W +3 14-6 u35
Pittsburgh W +2’ 10-12 u33’
Baltimore (cancelled) 3Q 13-7
at Jacksonville L +3’ 14-31 o35
2008 Results
Indianapolis W -4' 30-16 o31'
(at Canton, OH)
BUFFALO L -4 17-14 u36
at NY Jets W +2' 13-10 u35
at Carolina L +3 3-47 o36'
JACK. L -3 3-24 u34
2009 Results
at Baltimore L +3 0-23 u31’
PITTSBURGH W -3 17-13 u33
NEW ENGLAND W +3’ 24-27 o37
Jacksonville L +6’ 17-24 o35
2010 Results
Buffalo W -4’ 42-17 o34
BALTIMORE L -3 3-23 u37’
at NY Jets W +6 16-11 u35
at Arizona L +4 10-20 u37
2011 Results
PITTSBURGH W -2’ 16-7 u33
at Indiananpolis W -5 16-3 u37’
at Baltimore W +6 31-34 o33’
TAMPA BAY L -7 29-24 o35’
2012 Results
at Buffalo L -2' 7-6 u34
at Chicago L +1' 31-33 o38
Indy W -3 30-17 o41'
Tampa Bay
2006 Results
NY Jets W -3’ 16-3 u33’
Miami L -2’ 10-13 u34’
at Jacksonville L +3 18-29 o33’
at Houston N +3 13-16 u35
2007 Results
New England W -2’ 13-10 u33
at Jacksonville L +4’ 19-31 o35
at Miami W -2 31-28 o34
Houston W -3 31-24 o37
2008 Results
Miami W +2 17-6 u32
NEW ENG. W -2 27-10 o34
JACK. L +3 17-23 o35
Houston W +1 16-6 u36
2009 Results
at Tennessee L +4 20-27 o35
at Jacksonville W +3 24-23 o34
MIAMI L -2’ 6-10 u37
HOUSTON L -3 20-27 o33’
2010 Results
at Miami W +3’ 7-10 u33’
KANSAS CITY W -2 20-15 o33’
JACKSONVILLE L +3 13-19 u37
at Houston W +2’ 24-17 o36’
2011 Results
at Kansas City W -2’ 25-0 u32’
NEW ENGLAND L -1’ 14-31 o38
MIIAMI W -3’ 17-13 u36
at Washington W +7 24-29 o35’
2012 Results
at Miami W +3 7-20 u33
Tennessee L -2 7-30 u38
New Engl. W +7 28-30 o44
NFL Preseason Week 4 Preview: Miami at Dallas
Atssportsline.com
Miami vs. Dallas
Current Line: Dallas (-2.5/37)
Miami takes on Dallas from Cowboys Stadium in Arlington at 8:30pmET from Cowboys Stadium on Wednesday night. Miami has lost all 3 preseason games including last week's 23-6 loss to Atlanta. Dallas beat St. Louis last week, but didn't cover the 6. They are 2-1 SU in preseason. Last year, Miami beat Dallas, 17-3 in the final preseason game.
Weather: 85 degrees and clear.
Outlook: Ryan Tannehill gets one final rehearsal before officially beginning his run as the Miami Dolphins' starting quarterback, while the rookie's team attempts to avoid its first winless preseason since he was an infant when it hits the road for a matchup with the Dallas Cowboys.
Tannehill, taken by the Dolphins with the eighth overall pick of April's draft, beat out veterans Matt Moore and David Garrard to earn the nod for the club's Week 1 opener at Houston, though the promising youngster showed he's still a work in progress after a rough performance in Friday's game against Atlanta. He completed just 11-of-27 passes for 112 yards and an interception in Miami's 23-6 loss, while failing to lead the offense to a touchdown.
Though that shaky showing hasn't changed Tannehill's status atop the depth chart, offensive coordinator Mike Sherman indicated over the weekend that the 24-year-old will likely receive some snaps in Wednesday's contest to prepare for his first career regular-season start.
Tannehill has gone 36-of-71 (50.7 percent) for 379 yards with one touchdown and one interception through the first three games, hardly stellar numbers but still superior to those of Moore. The onetime Cowboy and Miami's main man under center for most of last season has hit on a woeful 41 percent (16-of-39) of his throws with no touchdowns and one interception.
Garrard, the most experienced member of the group, has been sidelined the entire preseason after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee earlier this month.
While Wednesday's clash will serve as a homecoming of sorts for Tannehill, a Lone Star State native who played collegiately under Sherman at Texas A&M, it may be a more important one for Moore. Due a $2.5 million salary that becomes guaranteed if he makes the Week 1 roster, the 12-game starter in 2011 may not have secured a spot on the team following a dismal 4-of-12, 49-yard relief stint against the Falcons.
The Dolphins managed just 246 total yards and were a subpar 3-of-15 on third- down conversions under the two quarterbacks in last week's defeat, and have scored only 30 points over their three games.
Miami hasn't gone 0-4 in preseason play since 1989, when Tannehill was just a year old.
The Dolphins may have an opportunity to earn their first victory for new head coach Joe Philbin this week, with the Cowboys certain to rest a number of big names in hopes of getting healthy for their Sept. 5 regular-season clash with the NFC East rival New York Giants. Dallas' expected inactives for Wednesday's tilt include wide receivers Miles Austin (hamstring) and Dez Bryant (knee), tight end Jason Witten (lacerated spleen), outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (hamstring) and nose tackle Jay Ratliff (ankle).
Ratliff sustained a possible high ankle sprain in Saturday's 20-19 win over St. Louis, an injury that threatens his availability for the season opener. Witten is also questionable to suit up against the Giants.
Tony Romo may also be held out of this week's test as purely a precautionary measure. The Dallas quarterback did not appear in his team's 17-3 loss to the Dolphins that concluded last year's exhibition schedule, and showed he's already in regular-season form by throwing for 198 yards and a pair of long touchdown strikes to wide receiver Dwayne Harris in only one quarter's worth of time. He made good on 9-of-13 passes before exiting.
Harris, one of several players contending to be the Cowboys' No. 3 receiver, made a strong case by burning the Rams for 118 yards on just three catches. His main competition is coming from holdover Kevin Ogletree, who came up with a team-best five receptions totaling 75 yards in the win, and undrafted rookie Cole Beasley (10 catches, 144 yards this preseason).
Stephen McGee and Rudy Carpenter, battling to stick as the third quarterback behind Romo and veteran Kyle Orton, could each see extensive playing time on Wednesday. McGee, the incumbent at the position, completed 21-of-25 passes for 233 yards with an interception in last year's preseason meeting with the Dolphins.
Dallas, which edged the Dolphins by a 20-19 count at Cowboys Stadium in a Thanksgiving Day regular-season bout last November, has won four of the six preseason games between these teams.
Preseason Trends:
Miami: 9-3 ATS playing on artificial turf
Dallas: 3-12 ATS off a win by 6 points or less
QB Rotations:
Miami
Matt Moore
Ryan Tannehill (R)
David Garrard (inj.)
Pat Devlin
Dallas
Tony Romo
Kyle Orton
Stephen McGee
Rudy Carpenter
NFL Preseason Logs Last 6 Years
Miami
2006 Results
Jacksonville L -1’ 26-31 o33
at Tampa Bay W +2 13-10 u34’
at Carolina L +4 10-19 u36’
St. Louis W -3 29-9 o35’
2007 Results
Jacksonville W +1’ 18-17 o34
at Kansas City W +3 11-10 u34
Tampa Bay L +2 28-31 o34
at New Orleans L -1 0-7 u38
2008 Results
TAMPA BAY L -2 6-17 u32
at Jacksonville W +3' 19-14 u35
K. CITY W -3 24-0 u34
at New Orleans W +1 14-10 u35
2009 Results
JACKSONVILLE T -3 12-9 u33
CAROLINA W -3 27-17 o33’
at Tampa Bay W +2’ 10-6 u37
at New Orleans W +3 10-7 u36’
2010 Results
TAMPA BAY L -3’ 10-7 u33’
at Jacksonville W +1’ 27-26 o35’
Atlanta L -2’ 6-16 u38’
at Dallas L -3 25-27 o37
2011 Results
at Atlanta W +2 28-23 o33’
CAROLINA W -6 20-10 u34
at Tampa Bay L +3’ 13-17 u36
DALLAS W -3’ 17-3 u36’
2012 Results
Baltimore L -1 17-31 o35
Cincinnati L -4' 19-24 o38
Atlanta L +3 6-23 u42'
DALLAS (AT)
2006 Results
at Seattle W +3 13-3 u35'
at New Orleans W -3 30-7 o35'
(at Shreveport, LA)
SAN FRAN. W -7 17-7 u36
MINN. (OT) L -6 10-10 u34'
2007 Results
INDY W -5 23-10 u34
DENVER W -5 31-20 o35
at Houston L -2' 16-28 o40
at Minnesota L +2' 14-23 o36'
2008 Results
at San Diego L +3 17-31 o35'
at Denver L +2’ 13-23 u37
HOUSTON L -5 23-22 o42
MINN. W -3 16-10 u34
2009 Results
at Oakland L +2 10-31 o34’
TENNESSEE W -3 30-10 o38’
SAN FRANCISCO L -6’ 13-20 u38
at Minnesota W +3 35-31 o36
2010 Results
#Cincinnati W +3 16-7 u33’
at Canton, Ohio
OAKLAND L -3 9-17 u33’
at San Diego W +2’ 16-14 u35’
at Houston L +5’ 7-23 u41’
MIiami W +3 27-25 o37
2011 Results
DENVER L -3 24-23 o34
SAN DIEGO L -1 7-20 u37’
at Minnesota W -1 23-17 o36’
at Miami L +3’ 3-17 u36’
2012 Results
at Oakland W +1 3-0 u34
at San Diego L +3' 20-28 o39'
St. Louis L -6 20-19 u36'