Five Things You Need to Know for Sun., Sept. 9
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Five Things You Need to Know in Sports
Want to start your sports day off right? Looking for some action and the most exciting matchups of the day? The NFL is on tap so let's get right to it. Here is a brief look at the top five important matchups of the day.
1)Washington at New Orleans, 1pmET, Superdome (FOX)
The Washington Redskins visit the New Orleans Saints in a game that could see the return of suspended players Jonathan Vilma and Will Smith, who are eligible to play this week. The more intriguing part is the debut of Robert Griffin III for Washington. This is the debut for interim head coach Aaron Kromer, who is taking over for assistant head coach Joe Vitt, who is suspended for the first six games. Saints are 12-1 ATS L13 home games. New Orleans is a 7.5-point favorite and the total is 49.5.
2)Buffalo at New York Jets, MetLife Stadium, 1pmET (CBS)
The Buffalo Bills visit the New York Jets in an AFC East battle. The Bills have high expectations with the additions of DE Mark Anderson and OLB Mario Williams. The Jets would like to score an offensive touchdown after a woeful preseason. Last year, the Jets won both games, beating Buffalo at home, 28-24, but not covering the 9. Both teams' offenses were brutal in preseason, but that's why they call it preseason. Bills are 6-1 ATS L7 in Week 1. New York Jets are a 3-point favorite with a total of 38.5.
3)Carolina at Tampa Bay, Raymond James Stadium, 4:25pmET (FOX)
The Carolina Panthers travel to take on the Tampa Bay Bucs in Week 1. The Panthers hope to compete for a playoff spot in Cam Newton's second season. They'll need to get better defensively to accomplish that feat. The Bucs bring a new coach in Greg Schiano from Rutgers and several new additions including WR Vincent Jackson. Tampa Bay is 1-5 ATS L6 in Week 1. Carolina is a 2.5-point favorite and the total is 47.
4)Seattle at Arizona, Univ. of Phoenix Stadium, 4:25pmET (FOX)
The Seattle Seahawks are in action against NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals. Last year, these two teams split with both games being pushes (3 point spreads). Arizona starts John Skelton at quarterback, while Seattle will go with rookie Russell Wilson. This was a tough decision for Coach Pete Carroll, as Seattle signed Matt Flynn from the Packers in the offseason. Seattle is 8-3 ATS L11 vs. NFC. The Seahawks are a 3-point favorite and the total is 41.
5)Pittsburgh at Denver, Sports Authority Field, 8:20pmET (NBC)
Pittsburgh visits Sports Authority Field in Denver to meet the Broncos at 8:20pm on NBC. The Broncos shocked the Steelers in the playoffs last year, 29-23 in overtime getting 8 points. Peyton Manning makes his regular-season debut for the Broncos and Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers. Pittsburgh has some questions at linebacker and in the running game as Rashard Mendenhall (knee) is still out. Denver is 14-5 OVER last 19 home games. Denver is a 2-point favorite and the total is 44.5.
Honorable mention: U.S. Open men's championship starts at 4pm on CBS. New York Yankees at Baltimore on TBS at 1:30pm for AL East lead.