NFLX HANDICAPPING TIP #5 – STARTERS MOTIVATION
Today’s NFLX Handicapping Tip is:
Play ON a team with its top units off a horrible showing.
In Preseason play, it is more important to look at how the respective top two units played than the actual final score. It is always important to keep a close eye on teams whose first and second string players were on one side of a dominating performance. So often such will effect how much work the key players will get the following week. If it were the primary players who were humiliated, they are the ones who will be out to make amends in the next game.
This was exactly the case last year with Baltimore and why we backed them as a 2’-point underdog at New Orleans in strongest play of the Preseason – a 5 STAR SELECTION. Our GAMEDAY INVESTMENT e-LERT noted:
“While the Saints figure to have a letdown off their win over the Super Bowl champs, the Ravens should certainly show up with a great deal of urgency…it is very important to look at how the respective top two units played in their previous game. If a veteran first unit was dominated, there is a great chance they will have a fire lit under them. For the record, the Eagles' starters defeated the Ravens' starters 17-0 last week. Billick and his boys are determined for a much better showing this time out, and they are catching the Saints at the perfect time.â€
Chester Taylor scored on a long TD run the first time he touched the football, as Baltimore’s starters got off a great start and led the Ravens to an easy 21-6 victory over the Saints. This situation can also work in reverse. If a veteran first unit outscored their foe 14-0 one week, there is a good chance that they be given little work the next week and may be vulnerable against a motivated opponent.