NFL Preseason Betting News and Notes Week 4

DETROIT at BUFFALO
DETROIT: 7-0 ATS off non-conf game
BUFFALO: 12-3 Under off win by 6 pts or less

INDIANAPOLIS at CINCINNATI
INDIANAPOLIS: 0-7 ATS Away off BB home games
CINCINNATI: 22-9 Over as favorite

KANSAS CITY at GREEN BAY
KANSAS CITY: 0-6 ATS as underdog
GREEN BAY: 23-10 Over as home favorite

PHILADELPHIA at NY JETS
PHILADELPHIA: 2-8 ATS off home win by 10+ pts
NY JETS: 6-1 Over at home vs. Philadelphia

TAMPA BAY at WASHINGTON
TAMPA BAY: 2-8 ATS vs. conference
WASHINGTON: 1-12 ATS at home off Over

BALTIMORE at ATLANTA
BALTIMORE: 9-0 Under vs. NFC South
ATLANTA: 12-0 ATS off loss by 14+ points

ST LOUIS at JACKSONVILLE
ST LOUIS: 8-1 ATS vs. non-conference
JACKSONVILLE: 9-0 Over off BB ATS losses

DALLAS at MIAMI
DALLAS: 12-26 ATS off an Over
MIAMI: 4-1 Under in home games

NY GIANTS at NEW ENGLAND
NY GIANTS: 0-6 ATS playing w/ 6 or less days rest
NEW ENGLAND: 5-1 ATS off outright loss by 10 or more as favorite

PITTSBURGH at CAROLINA
PITTSBURGH: 5-1 Under if total is 35 or less
CAROLINA: 1-8 ATS vs. non-conference

HOUSTON at MINNESOTA
HOUSTON: 12-2 Over in non-conf road games
MINNESOTA: 6-1 Over after gaining 400+ yds last game

CLEVELAND at CHICAGO
CLEVELAND: 6-0 ATS after trailing last game by 14+ at the half
CHICAGO: 2-9 ATS after covering the spread in 2 out of their last 3 games

TENNESSEE at NEW ORLEANS
TENNESSEE: 16-6 ATS as road underdog
NEW ORLEANS: 6-0 Over vs. AFC

DENVER at ARIZONA
DENVER: 22-10 ATS off ATS loss
ARIZONA: 0-4 ATS off an Over

SAN FRANCISCO at SAN DIEGO
SAN FRANCISCO: 10-2 Under Away after scoring 14 pts or less last game
SAN DIEGO: 10-2 ATS off win by 6 pts or less

OAKLAND at SEATTLE
OAKLAND: 8-20 ATS vs. NFC West
SEATTLE: 6-0 ATS vs. AFC West

NFL Preseason Streakers
By King Creole

Number ONE rule for Week Four in the pre-season? Go LIGHT! Hopefully, we're up a little after three weeks... and we want to gear up for NFL Week One action in 8 days. I've had a little success playing pre-season Systems in our database... based on certain conditions and situations. So far, the success rate (11-6 ATS) is an indicator that history does indeed repeat itself in pre-season as well as regular season. A special thank you to all who have joined the King during our 65% pre-season!

Week Four STREAKS:

My first area of query in this week's database covers the STREAKY teams in the NFL. Teams who have won ALL their games (3-0 SU) in the pre-season... and teams who have lost ALL their games (0-3 SU). I also ran a query for teams on OVER / UNDER streaks (3-0 O/U / 0-3 O/U). Remember, when you see a number like 12-2 O/U... that means 12 'Overs' and only 2 'Unders'.

So, you've lost ALL 3 of your games thus far. How do teams do in their 4th pre-season game in this 0-3 hole?
7-16 ATS since 1993: All GAME FOUR road teams who are 0-3 SU in their last 3 games (Chiefs / Raiders / Colts). We also note if these teams are also 0-3 ATS in their last 3, the numbers improve to 3-16 ATS. So look to play AGAINST the Chiefs and Raiders this week.
*On a side note... for you Over / Under players: In the last 6 seasons, these games have also gone 1-9 O/U. Great LOW-scoring potential here.

Let's check into the OU Streaks. How about teams who went 'OVER the Total' in each of their first 3 pre-season games?
7-1 ATS last 4 years: All GAME FOUR home teams playing off BBB "Overs" (Bengals / Packers / Cardinals).
*Another OU side note: These games have gone 2-10 O/U when taking on an opponent ALSO off an "Over" in their last game (Bengals / Cardinals.

Now, it's time to look at the flip side. Teams who went 'UNDER' in each of their 3 pre-season games.
1-9 ATS since 2004: All GAME FOUR road dogs of < 8 points... playing off BBB "Unders" (Titans). These teams have also gone 1-4 O/U in the last 2 seasons.

DON'T PLAY ANY ROAD FAVS THIS WEEK!

That's because GAME FOUR road favorites have gone 3-19 ATS in the last 10 years... and a PERFECT 0-9 ATS in the last 4 years. So don't play on the Lions or Eagles this week.

Preseason Trends - Week 4
By Bruce Marshall

Following are some NFL preseason tech trends and angles for this week’s games. All games are Thursday except Oakland at Seattle, on Friday night...

Detroit at Buffalo...Lions 3-0 SU and vs. line this preseason, also “over” first three. Detroit has now covered 6 straight exhibition games, also “over” each of those, as 12-3 vs. number in preseason since 2008. Lions have also won and covered preseason finale vs. Bills the past three years. Slow going thus far for Bengals, 0-2 SU and vs. line this preseason. Chan Gailey now “over" 5-2 in preseason for Bills since 2010.

Indianapolis at Cincinnati...Indy earned its one preseason cover of the summer last weekend, Colts now 6-14 vs. number in exhibition play since 2007. Cincy has won this preseason finale vs. Colts each of the past four years, and Marvin Lewis has now won and covered four straight in preseason at home.

Kansas City at Green Bay...Chiefs continue their preseason drought, now 0-11 SU and vs. line for Todd Haley since 2009, and now 1-18 SU and vs. line in exhibitions since 2007. Pack 5-1 vs. spread last six in preseason at Lambeau Field (1-0 TY).

Philadelphia at NY Jets...Jets have won and covered the last four in this annual preseason finale vs. Philly. Andy Reid 2-7 vs. line on road in preseason since 2007.

Tampa Bay at Washington...The Shan is 3-0 vs. line in preseason this summer, now 8-4-1 vs. line his last 13 in exhibitions since 2007 at Denver. Bucs no covers last four in preseason after a SU win.

Baltimore at Atlanta...Falcon HC Mike Smith on verge of 0-4 SU and vs. spread preseason mark. Smith was 8-4 vs. spread in exhibition play prior to this season.

St. Louis at Jacksonville...Rams 3-0 SU this preseason, and Steve Spagnuolo has now won six in a row in exhibition play. Rams have also covered their last preseason game each of the past four years, and Spagnuolo 8-3 vs. line in exhibitions since 2009. Meanwhile, JV's Jack Del Rio on verge of 0-4 SU and vs. spread preseason mark this summer.

Dallas at Miami...Dallas has won and covered its last preseason game each of the past three years and is 4-1 vs. line its last five in summer away from home. Miami HC Tony Sparano “under” 11-4 in exhibitions since 2008.

NY Giants at New England...Belichick-Parcells connections everywhere, these two have split their annual preseason finales the past four years. Note Belichick no covers in last five after a preseason SU loss, and Patriots “over” 8-1 last nine in preseason. Tom Coughlin just 2-7-1 vs. number last 10 in exhibition play.

Pittsburgh at Carolina...Annual preseason finale has seen Steelers win and cover 3 of last 4 meetings. Panthers were just 4-12 vs. spread in preseason for John Fox the past four years and only 1-2 for Ron Rivera this season.

Houston at Minnesota...Houston HC Kubiak has won and covered all three in preseason this year, and he’s “over” 15-4 in exhibitions since 2007.

Cleveland at Chicago...Annual preseason finale between these two has seen “unders” 3 of last 4 meetings. Browns 1-2 vs. line for Pat Shurmur this preseason and only 5-10 vs. number in exhibition play since 2008.

Denver at Arizona..John Fox 2-1 SU and vs. line in preseason TY after covering only 4 of 16 the past four seasons with Carolina. Broncos “over” 6-1 in preseason since LY, Cards “over” all three in preseason this summer.

San Francisco at San Diego...In three of the past four years, this annual preseason finale has been decided by three points. Chargers had also won three straight in series before SF prevailed LY. 49ers “under” 7-4 in preseason since 2009.

Oakland at Seattle (Friday)...Seattle has won and covered this preseason finale vs. Oakland each of the past four years. Hue Jackson 0-3 SU and vs. line this preseason, Raiders now no covers last five in exhibition play. Raiders also “over” 5 of last 6 in summer, Pete Carroll “over” 5-2 in preseason since 2010.

Eagles Close Preseason At New York Jets
By: Michael Robinson

Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick won’t be backing up his shiny new contract on the field when the Eagles meet the New York Jets on Thursday night.

The Don Best odds screen has New York as 3-point home ‘dogs with a total of just 36 points. Kickoff from newly named MetLife Stadium will be at 7:30 p.m. (ET).

This is the final week of preseason with 15 games on Thursday and Oakland at Seattle finishing things up on Friday.

Vick just signed a six-year, $100 million contract, although exactly how much of that money he’ll receive is still in doubt. One thing fairly certain is he’ll rest on Thursday after going 10-of-18 for 98 yards last Thursday against Cleveland in a 24-14 home win.

The Eagles ‘covered’ that contest as 7-point favorites and are 2-1 straight up and against the spread this preseason. They did lose (24-14) the only road game at Pittsburgh, with Vick really struggling with three interceptions.

Vince Young and Mike Kafka are battling it out for the backup quarterback job and should split time on Thursday. Young played the entire second half against Cleveland (9-of-12 passing, 58 yards) and should start against the Jets.

Kafka is a second-year player from Northwestern and played well against both Baltimore and Pittsburgh this preseason (292 combined passing yards).

The Jets are playing just three days after meeting their co-tenant Giants at MetLIfe Stadium. That game was pushed back two days because of Hurricane Irene and ended with a 17-3 Jets win as 3-point favorites.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez played into the third quarter and still had just 64 yards passing. His development in his third year is the biggest factor whether New York can take the next step and make a Super Bowl – or even win one and finally keep one of coach Rex Ryan’s many promises.

Third-string quarterback Greg McElroy could play this entire game against Philly with backup Mark Brunell (calf injury) out. McElroy struggled early in the first preseason game versus Houston, but has progressed steadily. The Alabama product doesn’t have a great arm, but is a very heady player and a good leader.

The Jets are 2-1 SU and ATS this preseason. Ryan’s defense has been criticized some and it did allow a bunch of yards to the Giants in the first half. However, two picks off Eli Manning kept them out of the endzone. There is a question about a lack of a great pass rusher for the regular season, but Ryan likes to bring pressure from different areas and spread the sacks around.

Thursday’s game will see very limited minutes for starters, although there’s a better chance for some of the Eagles as they’ve at least had a week to rest. The Eagles also arguably have better overall depth than the Jets, which is another reason why they’re favored.

New York has dominated this annual preseason matchup going a mind-boggling 9-0 SU (7-2 ATS) against the Eagles in the preseason since 2002. The ‘over’ is 7-2 in those nine games, including the last three.

Philly is 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS in the five regular season meetings dating back to 1987.

Cincinnati Bengals Host Winless Indianapolis Colts
By: Dave Consolazio

The Indianapolis Colts will look for their first win of the preseason and stability at quarterback Thursday when they head to Cincinnati to finish up the preseason against the Bengals.

Thursday night’s game starts at 7:00 p.m. (ET), and will be televised on the NFL Network. Cincinnati is a 4-point betting favorite according to the Don Best odds screen, and the ‘total’ has been set at 35½.

Indianapolis (0-3) is no stranger to bad preseasons. The Colts finished 0-4 last year in the preseason, and have just four wins in their last 28 preseason contests.

One of the biggest storylines this offseason has been the health of Peyton Manning, and the question of whether or not he’ll be able to play when the regular season begins next week. As an insurance policy if Manning is not ready (or is forced to miss time later in the season), Indianapolis signed veteran Kerry Collins last week.

While many of the Indianapolis starters will be resting up for the regular season opener, Collins should receive a substantial amount of playing time this week. Collins didn’t take any snaps last week in his first game as a Colt, as Curtis Painter led Indianapolis to a cover as an 8-point underdog against the Green Bay Packers.

Painter finished the day 11-for-21 with 171 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Manning was activated from the PUP list earlier this week, but will not participate in Thursday’s game.

Cincinnati (1-2) started off the preseason with two terrible losses, getting outscored 61-10 over the two games against the New York Jets and Detroit Lions. Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton had no touchdown passes and three interceptions over that stretch.

Fortunately for the Bengals, Week 3 was much better on both sides of the ball. The defense surrendered only 13 points, and Andy Dalton led the Bengals to four scoring drives, putting up 24 points in the second quarter with a final passing line of 11-for-17, 130 yards and one touchdown.

The Bengals covered the 3-point spread, winning the game 24-13.

While many teams rest their starters in the final week of the preseason, Cincinnati will probably give their units extra playing time this week for the additional practice and experience. Dalton will be thrown into the fire this season in the AFC North, and can use all the additional work he can get.

Last week’s leading rusher, Cedric Benson, will not play Thursday as he began serving a 20-day jail term Tuesday. Bernard Scott will start in his place.

Both teams are 1-2 against the spread this preseason. Both teams have also trended ‘over’ despite their offensive struggles, with the total going ‘over’ in two of Indianapolis’s three games and all three of Cincinnati’s.

Packers Host KC Chiefs
By: Matty Simo |

The defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers will wrap up the 2011 preseason at home on Thursday night against the winless Kansas City Chiefs.

The Packers (2-1) earned a 28-20 victory against the Arizona Cardinals in their only game at Lambeau Field this preseason two weeks ago. They will be looking to take a three-game winning streak into their regular-season opener against the New Orleans Saints next Thursday night.

Green Bay is a 3-point favorite according to the Don Best odds screen with the total set at 38. Game time is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. (ET).

Despite coming off a successful regular season, the Chiefs (0-3) have lost five straight games both straight up and against the spread dating back to last year. The ‘under’ is 4-1 in those games, as they have totaled only 23 points this preseason.

Kansas City is the defending AFC West champion but has looked nothing like the team that won 10 games in 2010. A lot of that has to do with the lack of playing time for starters in the first three games, including quarterback Matt Cassel, running backs Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe.

Cassel has thrown just 27 passes while Charles and Jones have totaled 15 carries between them and Bowe has made four catches.

Bettors can expect more of the same in the preseason finale from both teams, with reserves logging most of the playing time to avoid injuries and give young players one last opportunity to win a spot on the final roster. Veteran quarterback Tyler Palko and rookie Ricky Stanzi figure to split the snaps under center for the Chiefs. The Packers will likely turn to Matt Flynn and Graham Harrell to run the offense in place of reigning Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers.

Green Bay wide receivers Greg Jennings and Randall Cobb did not play in last week’s 24-21 win at Indianapolis due to bruised knees, and both will probably rest again to get ready for the Saints. Neither of them was needed as the team rallied back from a 14-10 halftime deficit behind Harrell and kicker Mason Crosby, who connected on three field goals including the game-winner from 50 yards out as time expired.

Harrell had thrown a touchdown pass and converted a two-point conversion to Ryan Taylor with 35 seconds on the clock to tie the score at 21.

Rodgers did not play in last year’s preseason finale, and the NFL’s top-rated passer is expected to watch from the sideline this Thursday after spraining his foot against the Colts. He enjoyed a phenomenal preseason for the second year in a row, completing 34 of 43 passes for 375 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions to help the ‘over’ cash in all three of the Pack’s preseason games.

Detroit at Buffalo

In the fourth and final preseason game of 2011, Detroit Lions starters will play. Jim Schwartz said they won't play much, but they will see the field for a series or two as one final tune-up for the regular season. Both the Bills and the Lions only are expected to play their starters a series or two.

"We'll play them somewhere in that 6- to 10-play range," Gailey said. "You don't want them to go from last Saturday to two weeks plus a day without playing. So you let them play enough to have the feel of the game, so to speak."

Indianapolis at Cincinnati

Collins, 38, is in his 17th season. He has appeared in 195 games with five previous teams, 177 as a starter. But he has yet to take a snap from Saturday with a defensive line angrily poised. Everyone needs to get acquainted with how Collins runs things. That includes an offensive line that could have new starters at four spots from a year ago: rookie Anthony Castonzo at left tackle, Joe Reitz at left guard, Ryan Diem at right guard and Jeff Linkenbach at right tackle.

"I'm looking (at) giving him the experience of operating the offense in a game-type situation," coach Jim Caldwell said. "There are so many things you can simulate in practice, but it's a little bit different in a ballgame.

Don't expect Andy Dalton and the first-team offense to be on the field for an extended time, but the rookie can use all of the reps he gets. He was sharper last week against Carolina than the first two games, but there still is much progress to be made.

Kansas City at Green Bay

The starters’ role Coach Todd Haley indicated this week that the Chiefs’ starters would play more than usual during a team’s fourth preseason game, but he seems to remain committed to a strategy of preserving players’ health for the regular season. Many of Kansas City’s key players have played sparingly in three contests, and few have appeared comfortable in those abbreviated roles.

HALEY: “We have a plan. I’d rather not get into it fully, but I would say our core guys will have a good amount of playing time, according to how we laid things out this year, it may not be the same it’s always been.”

1. Individuals: That’s what coach Mike McCarthy will watch. That’s what the final preseason game is all about with starters getting limited time on the field. The plan is to turn over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Joe Philbin so McCarthy can focus on individuals in competition for final roster spots.

Philadelphia at New York Jets

Danny Watkins is expected to be the only starting offensive lineman to play in Thursday's preseason finale at the New York Jets. "I asked for it," Watkins said. The question is whether the rookie right guard beat his coaches to the punch. Watkins has struggled in three preseason games, and there's only one more game opportunity before the season opener Sept. 11. Center Jason Kelce, also a rookie, isn't expected to play Thursday. Eagles coach Andy Reid usually rests his starters in the fourth preseason game. But Watkins arrived at training camp a week late because of contract negotiations and is still relatively new to football.

Tampa Bay at Washington

Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris says his defensive starters will play “absolutely not one snap” against the Redskins. Quarterback Josh Freeman will sit out as well. Other starters will play sparingly, if at all.

John Beck and Rex Grossman will continue to try to one-up each other when they alternate against Tampy Bay (who will start the game also remains a mystery, by Coach Mike Shanahan’s design). They could duke it out all the way up until the eve of the Sept. 11 regular season opener against the New York Giants. For 2011, he’s done a 180. He feels his starters need the extra work to make up for the lost offseason practices caused by the NFL lockout. He’s treating this week the same as last week -- as another dress rehearsal for all. “It’s different than usual,” Kyle Shanahan said. “It’s the fourth preseason game, and we have not been playing football that long. The more playing time (for starters) is where I think it changes a little bit.”

Baltimore at Atlanta

With two starting positions still up for grabs, several players will get more playing time in Thursday finale than would normally be the case in an exhibition finale. Ryan and the majority of Atlanta' starters likely won't even see the field in this contest, with John Parker Wilson and undrafted rookie Adam Froman slated to get most of the snaps as the two compete to be the No. 3 quarterback behind Ryan and Redman.

The Ravens are expected to hold out several key players as well on Thursday, a list that may include quarterback Joe Flacco. Wide receiver Lee Evans won't play after sustaining a minor injury to his left foot in last week's tilt against Washington, while veterans such as center Matt Birk and cornerback Domonique Foxworth – both of whom are coming off knee surgeries – figure to be absent as well. Although the starters are expected to make a cameo at the Georgia Dome, Taylor will receive most of the work at quarterback and he understands the importance of what many fans consider a meaningless game.

St. Louis at Jacksonville

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo announced Tuesday that the starters would likely play the bulk of the first quarter against the Jaguars although it’s possible a few could be held out. MLB James Laurinaitis is one that is up for debate.

Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio will play running back Maurice Jones-Drew and defensive end Aaron Kampman for a limited number of snaps Thursday night against the St. Louis Rams. Asked if a total of 10 to 15 snaps was close, Del Rio said yes. “We’ll get them a little work and get them out,” Del Rio said.

Dallas at Minnesota

Cowboys third-string quarterback Stephen McGee will probably start and play most of Thursday's exhibition game against the Miami Dolphins. Dallas also wants to look at Tom Brandstater. The Cowboys left several veterans home for their trip to Miami, including running back Tashard Choice. Choice has a bruised knee. DeMarco Murray, Lonyae Miller and Phillip Tanner will get extended time in Choice’s absence. Choice injured his calf in the first training camp practice and didn’t return until Aug. 23. He played in last week’s preseason game, gaining 14 yards on three carries. Receiver Miles Austin (hamstring), cornerback Terence Newman (groin), linebacker Bradie James (foot) and guard Kyle Kosier (back) also stayed home.

New York Giants at New England

Last year, the Patriots suffered a last-minute loss to the Rams and rookie quarterback Sam Bradford in their third preseason game, and Bill Belichick made the unusual move of having his starters play in the preseason finale against the Giants. History could repeat itself tonight. After a humbling at the hands of the Lions last weekend, New England fans may get to see Tom Brady and the rest of the top-tier Patriots in uniform and on the field against New York. And for the offensive line, it could be another tough test.

Pittsburgh at Carolina

On how much the starters will play in the final preseason game: We'll get a feel for that as we get into the game. Obviously, we'd like to see a couple of really good series and then go from there. On what he is looking for in the last preseason game: As the young group of players go, those guys that are all in the heated battles for the second and third positions, we'd love to see somebody step up and really play well. I think it's time some of those guys separate themselves, and a lot of those guys will get some extended playing time and be given the opportunity to do that.

Charlie Batch will start at quarterback against the Panthers, and get work along with Dennis Dixon . The two players are battling for the back-up quarterback job with Byron Leftwich sidelined with a broken left arm. “We will have Charlie Batch start with the first group initially,” said Tomlin. “Dennis Dixon will play. We haven’t decided the distribution of reps. All we have decided is that Charlie will start first and Dennis will also play.”

Houston at Minnesota

Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder will get the start in Thursday's preseason finale against the Houston Texans, coach Leslie Frazier said after Monday's practice, marking the fourth straight week Ponder and Joe Webb will alternate positions on the depth chart behind Donovan McNabb.

Starters and some key reserves are going to sit out the Minnesota game after helping the Texans open the preseason 3-0 for the first time. They're preparing for the regular-season opener against Indianapolis on Sept. 11 at Reliant Stadium.

"I want to look at our young guys," Kubiak said. "Our veterans have had a good preseason. This turnaround from a San Francisco trip (Saturday) to a Minnesota trip has been very difficult on the guys. We haven't been able to do much leading up to this game.

"I want to keep some guys healthy, and I want to find out about the other guys. So with that in mind, you won't see many veterans play."

Cleveland at Chicago

Quarterback Colt McCoy and most of the other starters won’t play much, if at all. About 20 guys are fighting for the final six to 10 roster spots. Those jobs come with big-money salaries and a ton of perks. Running back, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker and secondary are the position groups with spots up for grabs.

“There’s numerous positions where we still need to see guys compete,” coach Pat Shurmur said.

Because coach Lovie Smith won't provide any real clues about who will sit out Thursday night's exhibition finale against the Browns at Soldier Field, you'll just have to guess.

The coach reiterated Wednesday "we're going to hold a few players out," meaning players other than those currently injured like linebacker Lance Briggs (knee), defensive tackle Anthony Adams and tight end Kellen Davis (back).

Tennessee at New Orleans

Many of the Saints starters will not play, including quarterback Drew Brees, who'll pass the duties over to third-stringer Sean Canfield. Coach Sean Payton said Wednesday that third-team quarterback Sean Canfield would start and get most of the reps tonight against the Titans, backed up by Chase Daniel.

"Our plan is somewhat similar to last year," Payton said. "We'll mix guys in there. There'll be some starters playing. There'll be some guys playing who aren't starters in the beginning part of the game. A lot of guys will get a lot of playing time.

Generally, the guys who have gotten the reps, like at quarterback just like the first game, I’m sure Matt (Hasselbeck) will get 10 snaps, eight snaps depending on what the drive is early. From there the offensive line is the same thing. You will probably get guys doing in that 15 play range. The offensive line may be affected by (Jake) Locker for a series or two with him. So I think in that area of first quarter, 15 snaps, and there are going to be some guys that you are going to want to play a little bit more than that that maybe haven’t been playing so you will get a mixture on Thursday night.

Denver at Arizona

And for the guys down the Broncos' depth chart, beyond the starters who likely will get tonight off, the preseason finale in Arizona against the Cardinals will be their last opportunity to make a good impression.

"You really try to just take it day by day," said undrafted rookie quarterback Adam Weber, who is expected to get his first game action with the Broncos tonight. "You can get called into the coach's office any morning. So you show up, ready to work, ready to get better and do that as many times as possible and try not to worry about the rest.”

Ken Whisenhunt said they will play more than starters usually do in the fourth preseason game. But if things go well, look for quarterback Kevin Kolb and receiver Larry Fitzgerald to be lifted early.

San Francisco at San Diego

He'll get his chance to show what he has learned Thursday since the Chargers' starters aren't expected to play much –quarterback Philip Rivers may not play at all. Broadway admits exuberance may have hurt him early on, when he tried to impress rather than fill his role within the defense.

Based on how the unit performed on Saturday, would you expect to approach the game on Thursday more as trying to get those guys more reps than they normally would in a typical fourth preseason game?

“I think it’s possible. We’re trying to really hit a count of close to 80 to 100 plays in the preseason. We can’t predict exactly how it’s going to go but it will be more predicated on that than anything else. Making sure these guys are ready to go as part of the plan. We’ve stayed healthy, that’s been a real positive. We’re reset right now mentally and physically to go forward. The next 12 days including this preseason game against San Diego, I’m looking forward to it.”

Just to clarify, are your starters going to play at least some of Thursday’s game?
“I anticipate our starters playing, yes. Always individual decisions you have to make for each guy.”

Oakland at Seattle

The fourth and final exhibition game is always important. The significance, however, is usually concentrated among those players fighting for roster spots and a future in the league. The Seahawks, however, aren't just sweating the final pieces of their 53-man roster this week. The offensive line remains very much a work in progress to the point that Seattle will deviate from standard-operating procedure of resting veterans for the exhibition finale. Seattle 's starters will play on Friday night against Oakland at CenturyLink Field. Coach Pete Carroll wouldn't say how much, but he implied the first unit is going to play. In fact, he was already fairly certain of that after Saturday's loss in Denver when he watched starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson get sacked five times.

"We still need to play," Carroll said after the game. "I'm not sure what the numbers will be, but we still need to play. We've got things we've got to get done."