Alex Smart
Cincinnati Bengals +14.0
The Cincinnati Bengals(0-2) and their hosts the defending champion NY Giants(2-0) , are currently performing at the opposite end of the proverbial performance spectrum.
The Giants won their opening game of the season,defeating the Redskins 16-7 on national tv on opening night, and than last week took advantage of a horrendous St.Louis Rams team, beating them senseless in front of their own town fans, for a lopsided 41-13 decision.
Meanwhile, The Bengals, lost to the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 in their opener ,before struggling again last week in a windy 24-7 loss at home in Paul Brown Stadium to the Tennessee Titans.
Needless to say, because of those above mentioned results, just about everyone and his dog has piled on the Giants band wagon,despite of the hefty number the books are asking bettors to cover. It is obvious, the media pundits, have been swayed by the defending champs early season performances after doubting their abilities early on, and are currently bombarding the public, with over whelming praise for the Gmen . I however, am still stubbornly not completely sold, on the Giants premature early season coronation. With that said, Im willing to make a contrarian bet, that the desperate 0-2 underdog Bengals, still have enough pride, talent and determination to make a game out of this.
Final notes & Key Trends: The Giants L/22 regular season games, have seen them ring up a positive 16-6 ATS mark, BUT the average margin of victory clicks in at only 3.6 PPG. Giants HC Coughlin, has seen his team fail to cover 15 of his L/19 after two straight covers.
Play the Bengals
LT Profits
Minnesota Vikings -3.5
The Minnesota Vikings are making the quarterback switch to Gus Frerotte this week, and we feel that should be enough to get a handy win over the Carolina Panthers here.
Considering that the Vikings should have beaten the Indianapolis Colts even with the beleaguered Tarvaris Jackson at QB last week, and that they were not embarrassed by the Green Bay Packers opening night, we see this move as a positive.
After all, Frerotte has the ability to convert third-and-mediums, unlike Jackson who has missed several wide open receivers this year, and Frerotte has the smarts not to turn he ball over. When you can hand the ball off to Adrian Peterson in the backfield, all the Vikings need from their quarterback is to not lose the game for them. Jackson did just that vs. the Colts.
While Gus is an upgrade, Minnesota still figures to feed the ball to AP often, as the Panthers currently rank 15 in the NFL against the run and they made Matt Forte look like Walter Payton last week. The difference will at quarterback will become noticeable on third down however.
Now Carolina is 2-0 and they get their top receiver Steve Smith back this week. That may be a moot point though if Jared Allen visits Jake Delhomme in the backfield as much as he did with Peyton Manning last week. Also, the Panthers should have trouble running here, which would make them a one-dimensional offense.
Finally, the Vikings had division title aspirations before this season, making this a must-win game for them after an 0-2 start. We feel they will break through with the change under center.
Pick: Vikings -3.5
Miami Dolphins +12.5
The New England Patriots made a statement by beating the New York Jets without Brady last week, but a letdown is inevitable here vs. the Miami Dolphins, and truth be told, the Patriots were not really that impressive in that win.
Sure, the defense was great for the most part in the 19-10 triumph, but the Pats were also helped by some questionable play-calling when the Jets got inside the five-yard line, as one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, Brett Favre, was not allowed to throw any passes from that area. Some more imaginative calls may have resulted in a different ending.
Nonetheless, New England earned the win by throwing everything they had at he Jets defensively. Keep in mind that this is an old defense however, and the secondary is a tad shaky for the first time in memory. It is doubtful that this unit can match that same intensity two weeks in a row, especially vs. the hapless Dolphins.
Now Chad Pennington does not have a powerful arm for Miami, but he does manage a game well and he has had some good game vs. New England in the past while with the Jets. As long as he could keep the Dolphins out of third-and-long situations, they could shorten this game with some time-consuming drives.
If that comes to fruition, taking these double-digit points becomes even more valuable, not to mention the fact that the New England offense is not explosive with Matt Cassel at the helm.
Pick: Dolphins +12.5
Ted Sevransky
Tennessee Titans -4.5
Hurricane Ike might not have destroyed a city like Hurricane Katrina did two years ago, but it certainly has had a tremendous impact on every resident of Houston and the surrounding area. Millions (literally) are still without power, and the distractions for any sports team are most certainly significant. To prove this, all we need to do is look at the results for every sports team from Houston since the hurricane hit.
In college football, we’ve seen the Houston Cougars lose straight up and ATS as a favorite twice. It’s the same story for the Rice Owls – 0-2 SU and ATS since the hurricane hit. The Houston Astros were within two games of the wild card berth before the hurricane hit, the hottest team in baseball. After the hurricane devastated their homes and families, the Astros lost five straight, getting only 16 hits in the process. That’s the fewest hits in any five game span in the history of the franchise. They beat the lowly Pirates on Friday, but went back to their losing ways again on Saturday.
Texans tight end Owen Daniels: “It was weird being away from football for three or four days and really having your focus be completely off of it. I couldn’t help but not think about football because I had to think about fixing my house and making sure my neighbors were alright. ….It’s a mess. I have big holes in my ceilings (and) the carpet’s ruined. I’d say I really don’t like (hurricanes).” A giant pine bashed into defensive end Mario Williams’ new home and the roof of his mother’s home in blew off. Wide receiver Andre Johnson: “It was bad, worse that what I thought it would be. It’s a devastating time.” Quarterback Matt Schaub: “It’s going to be very challenging for us.”
Given the track record of every other team from Houston, and the personal crisis of the Texans players over the past two weeks, this pointspread looks awfully low. And when we consider that the Titans enjoyed two of their three highest scoring games last year in a pair of wins over the Texans, this one becomes a no-brainer. Take the Titans.
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Cleveland Browns
A big battle in the AFC Central Division takes place in Baltimore today when the Ravens play host to the Cleveland Browns. Aside from the Brownies owning a 5-0 ATS mark in this series, they are 3-0 ATS in Game Three of the season under head coach Romeo Crennel. With all the need on Cleveland's side, look for Baltimore to slip to 1-6 ATS as division favorites in September. Grab the points with the Browns.
Jimmy The Moose
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens
Prediction: Cleveland Browns
The Browns are too good of a team to start the season at 0-2 and won't fall to 0-3. After losing to the Cowboys and Steelers Cleveland will be glad to see a weaker opponent in the Baltimore Ravens. In their last 12 games vs. a team with a winning record the Browns are 11-1 ATS. Cleveland is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. AFC team's. The Browns are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games overall. The Ravens are 4-14 ATS in their last 18 games. In their last 14 conference games the Ravens are 3-11 ATS. Baltimore is 0-5 ATS in the last 5 meetings between the clubs. Play on the Cleveland Browns +.
Dave Malinsky
Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens
PICK:4* CLEVELAND/BALTIMORE Under
After playing some of the highest scoring games of any team in the NFL LY, the Browns have opened with a pair of dead Under’s. Yes, the weather in Cleveland on Sunday night played a big part, but there is more to it than those conditions, and we believe that the markets are still not in the right place with this team.
Derek Anderson was thought of as being little more than a journeyman QB before those early-season explosions in 2007. The addition of Jamal Lewis was not considered to be all that major, because he was getting on in years and appeared to have lost a step. But after that surprising beginning to the campaign the wheels came off for Anderson, Lewis and the entire offense down the stretch, and this season has started the same way. Anderson sports a 57.1 passer rating, with only one touchdown pass in 56 attempts, while Lewis has mustered just 3.1 per attempt overland, which includes a 24 yard run. Take that burst away, and he is at 76 yards in 31 carries. Ouch. And yes, those numbers came against quality defenses, but the Baltimore unit that they face this week is even better, and our sources tell us that the Browns are likely to be without both Braylon Edwards and Donte Stallworth. That makes it even more difficult to stretch the field to open running room for Lewis, and it means another long day for the offense.
The flip side is that we do believe the Cleveland defense will be much tougher up front over the course of the season with the added presence of Shaun Rogers, and he is a significant factor against a Baltimore team that will try to work between the tackles as much as possible, taking pressure away from Joe Flacco. The Ravens ran the ball on 61.3 percent of their snaps in that opening win over Cincinnati, and many of the passes that were thrown was short ball-control tosses, with six of Flacco’s 15 completions going to the running backs. The focus here will be much more on managing the game and avoiding early mistakes, instead of trying to make plays, and that helps to set the proper early tone for a game that we believe never will speed up.
Craig Trapp
Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Redskins
Play: Arizona Cardinals ML
Wow like this underdog. ARI has been very explosive offensively this year. WAS pulled one out late last week but was done going into the last quarter. Like ARI to win easily here. Expect a big offensive output from ARI might score in the 40's. This is a statement game for ARI if they get to 3-0 with everyone else in there division having trouble. SCORE ARI 40 - WAS 17
Brian Graves
Chicago vs. Kansas City
Pick:White Sox -150
It seems like neither Minnesota or the White Sox want to win the Central, but the good news for the White Sox is that they'll never get a better pitching matchup. If the White Sox don't feast on Brandon Duckworth today then I wouldn't be surprised if they wind up blowing this lead, but I don't see that being the case so play the Sox and lay the number!
Jimmy Thompson
Miami vs. New England
Pick:New England -12.5
The Patriots demise has been somewhat exaggerated and as the season goes along they'll open the playbook more and more for Cassel. The fact of the matter is the Pats could sign Rick Mirer, Cade McNown, Ryan Leaf and Akili Smith and have them all alternate quarters and they'd still beat this team by double digits!
Jimmy Moore
Arizona @ Washington
Pick:Washington -3
Take the Redskins to get the win and cover against Arizona who is terrible ATS coming off of 2 consecutive wins.
Scott Ferrall
NFL Totals:
Ravens/Browns UNDER 38.5
Denver/ Saints UNDER 51
Carolina/ Minnesota OVER 37
TB / CHI UNDER 35.5
NFL First half Totals and Lines:
PITT / PHILLY UNDER 23
DENVER -3 to Saints
NFL Money Lines:
Chicago -150
Vikings -200
NFL Sides:
Falcons -5 to Chiefs
Raiders +9.5 from Bills
49er's -4 to Lions
Seahawks -9.5 to St. Louis
Broncos -5.5 to Saints
MLB
YANKEES -230 over Baltimore--Pettitte finally wins and NY isn't losing the last game played EVER in Yankee Stadium--COUNT ON IT--they finsih off the SWEEP of the Orioles
Cleveland -140 over the Tigers--Detroit is playing like shit to end the season
TAKE THE CUBS OVER THE CARDS AT WRIGLEY (NO EARLY LINE)--DEMPSTER DOESN'T LOSE AT HOME
Matt Cain +160 at LA--The Giants want nothing more than to hurt the Dodgers--they UPSET Lowe at the Revine
Philly -115 at Florida--The Phils have to win, so Moyer will step up and cool off the sizzling Marlins
Colorado +130 over Arizona--The D'Backs aren't going to make the playoffs. The Rockies jump on dan Haren
Frank Jordan
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Atlanta Falcons
Play:Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City is 0-2 after the home loss to Oakland. Atlanta lost to Tampa Bay after an opening home win over Detroit. Look for Kansas City and new quarterback Tyler Thigpen to get the Chiefs their first win of the year at the expense of the Falcons. Play Kansas City
John Fisher
Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers
Play:Detroit Lions
I like the Lions match up with skilled WR's vs. a young 49er secondary. Hopefully Kitna does not hand the Niners the farm this time. A good back and forth game with Detroit winning straight up. Lions 27 49ers 24
Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans
Play:Tennessee Titans
Titans arent a glamourous team but just wear down opponents. Lead the league in points against at 8.5 and are stout against the run 60ypg. Plus the Texans have been without a home since hurricane IKE. 2 STAR FREE PLAY on Titans: 20 10
Sportsbettingstats
Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles -3.5
Coming into this big cross-conference battle the Steelers won their last game beating the Browns 10-6, exciting game, while the Eagles lost a barnburner to the Cowboys 41-37. This game will feature 2 teams that are playing great football and feature 2 QB's that are at the top of their game. However, Ben Roethlisberger has a sprained shoulder and that may affect the outcome. The Eagles are led by the resurgent Donovan McNabb (642 yds 4 TD), who is playing like he did in his prime. His main targets are WR's DeSean Jackson (12 rec 216 yds) and Greg Lewis (8 rec 140 yds). The Eagles rushing attack is led by Brian Westbrook (149 yds 3 TD). The Steelers are led by QB Ben Roethlisberger (323 yds 3 TD), who is the top rated QB in the NFL. His main targets are WR's Hines Ward (11 rec 135 yds 3 TD) and Santonio Holmes (7 rec 113 yds). The Steelers rushing attack is led by Willie Parker (243 yds 3 TD).
Staff Pick: Pittsburgh is winning with their defense, which ranks 4th in the NFL. It is interesting that even though Roethlisberger is the NFL's top rated QB and RB Parker has the 3rd most rushing yards that the Steelers offense is only ranked 23rd. While the Eagles have the 3rd ranked offense their D has been sketchy. Well, at least their passing defense. The Eagles have the 11th ranked D in the league, but have given up the fewest yards rushing (52 ypg), but have given up an average of 221 yards passing for their first 2 games. The Eagles will have to pressure Roethlisberger and if they don't he will pick apart their secondary much like Tony Romo did last week. The one main weakness of the Steelers is their offensive line and they will have to step up against a tough front line D of the Eagles. Donovan McNabb is playing great and looks like he did a few years back when he was one of the premier QB's in the league. He will have to play a great game against the tough D of the Steelers. Look for a close game and for the Eagles to pull one out in the end, as they will win this game and cover the spread.
Eagles 27 Steelers 20
Dallas Cowboys -3 at Green Bay Packers
In a huge game that will show which team is the team to beat in the NFC the cowboys come in after beating the Eagles 41-37, while the Packers come in after beating the Lions 45-28. So far both of these teams have looked awesome, especially on offense. The Cowboys are led by QB Tony Romo (632 yds 4 TDs 2 INT) and his main targets are WR Terrell Owens (8 rec 176 yds 3 TD) and TE Jason Witten (13 rec 206 yds). Dallas no longer uses a 2 RB system as Marion Barber III (143 yds 3 TD) is now the main man in the backfield. Green Bay is led by 1st year starter Aaron Rodgers (506 yds 4 TD), who is coming off his best game as a pro against the Lions last week. His main targets are Greg Jennings (11 rec 258 yds) and Donald Driver (11 rec 90 yds 1 TD). The Green Bay rushing attack is led by Ryan Grant (112 yds).
Staff Pick: Both offenses are on fire and a key to this game may be which D can put pressure on the opposing QB. Dallas ranks 10th on defense and Green Bay ranks 22nd. The Cowboys have a legit D, especially against the run, but they were torched last week as the Eagles put up 37 points against them. This is Rodgers biggest game as a pro, but he has passed the test so far in taking over for Brett Favre. Rodgers is the 5th rated QB in the NFL. Packers RB Grant has to have a good game and if he can't pick up some yards the Dallas D will stack the front line and put a lot of pressure on Rodgers. The Packers will run a 3 and 4 WR spread offense, but the Packers offensive line has to give Rodgers time. Green Bay is not particularly strong up front and they have had trouble stopping the run. If the Packers D focuses too much on Romo, Barber III may have a big day. A HUGE advantage for the Packers is that they are playing at home and Lambeau Field is never an easy place to play. However, the forecast is for mild weather, too bad for the Packers, so the elements will not favor the Pack like they do later in the season. Look for a high scoring game but for the Cowboys to exploit Green Bay's D, as they will win this game, cover the spread, and show the league that they are the team to beat in the NFC.
Cowboys 28 Packers 23
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
PIT +3.5 vs PHI
Those that were willing to stay up late on Monday night and who wouldn't have for one of the best match-ups on Monday night Football this season witnessed the Eagles get into an amazing battle with the Cowboys down in Dallas. We feel strongly that the crazy, back and forth 41-37 loss is going to leave the Eagles gasping for air in this week's game. It's tough to go down to Dallas, play such a tough game and than have to come back on a short week to play a very physical Pittsburgh team. The Steelers have looked very good in their first two games and they battle hard with the Browns in Cleveland on Sunday night in what was truly a tough situation. They have got their running game going early this season and that is going to create problems for an Eagles team that has been known for it's struggles against the run in recent seasons. Also, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has looked good early this season and he can take advantage of some of the same holes in the Eagles secondary and that QB Tony Romo and the Cowboys did on Monday night! Also, on the other side of the ball it is quite likely that the Eagles offense will struggle with a bend but don't break defense of the Steelers that has allowed a total of just 23 points so far in their first two games of the season! The Eagles are coming off of a physical brawl with the Cowboys that's going to make it very tough for them to come up with the physicality necessary to turn away a Steelers team that relies on their own aggression in the trenches as a strength! The Eagles did manage to win the next game after playing Dallas in each instance last season. However, this is the exception rather than the norm. In the prior two seasons the Eagles failed to cover all four games in the week after playing the Cowboys. It?s such a huge rivalry it just doesn't leave Philly with much left in the tank and Pittsburgh is the play on Sunday afternoon!