NFLX Thursday... Card Is Final!!!

2-0 (+6 Units) in the Preseason so far. I hope to keep it going this week. Normally through the year I will have write-ups for just my top plays but i did write 2 plays for Google News so that is why one of my lesser plays has a writeup. 

TOP PLAYS

3 UNIT PLAYS

San Diego/ Green Bay Under 38: Google News Play  We all know that both of these offenses can score a ton of points, but really the first team offenses won't be out there much in this one. SD is even missing backup Charlie Whitehurst, so once Rivers is gone I just don't see SD putting up very many points. Green Bay's offense is one of the best in the league and they have very little question marks on that side of the ball, so expect minimal snaps for their first team offense as well. Defense is where these teams need to concentrate. The Pack was at or near the bottom of many defensive categories and they used their first 6 draft picks on that side of the ball, sio I really expect McCarthy to concentrate on the defense in this one. The Chargers had a down year defensively as well and used their first 3 picks on defense, so I expect Turner to worry more about that side of the ball in this one as well. Very hard to see either team hitting 20 points in this one as this game is played in the lower 30's. 

New England/ New Orleans Over 19 (1st Half): Something I will attempt this year is 1st half totals. I haven't done it before, but I'm always looking to try/ learn new things. This one really caught my eye. Last week the Saints had a great opening drive vs Arizona, while backup QB Chase Daniel had a very good showing as well and I expect more of the same vs a defense that was 2nd to last in the NFL in passing defense. The Pats did use their first 6 draft picks on defense, but it may take sometime for the new players to gel. The Saints defense played well vs the Cardinals, but the Pats first team offense is much more prolific and the Saints are a bit thin in the secondary for this one. Behind Brady we should see Ryan Mallet for much of the first half and he had an excellent preseason last year, plus he is in a heated battle with Brian Hoyer for the number 2 QB spot. The Saints 2nd team offense with Chase Daniel was very good last week and they will be going up against a weaker defense this week, while the Pats Hoyer and Mallet should have some good success early vs the Saints depleted defense. All we need is 3 TD's in the first half of this one and I just don't see how that doesn't happen.  

Buffalo/ Washington Over 34.5:  Time for Shanahan and the Skins to unleash their new toy on the NFL. RG3 has had a very good camp so far and Shanahan has stated that he will get 18-20 snaps which should be good for 2 maybe 3 series'. Robert has been chomping at the bit to showcase his talents and  he will get his chance. The Bills defense looks to be solid and could be the strength of this team, but you can't really game plan for a QB or an offense you haven't seen before, plus we could see a mistake or two by Robert which could lead to a quick score or a short field for Buffalo. Offensively the Bills should have a better year than last year as CJ Spiller is now in his 3rd year and the OL was upgraded with the drafting Cordy Glenn. Last year the Bills passed for 232 ypg and with the addition of WR T.J. Graham, to go along with Steve Johnson they could have a better year this time around. Fitzpatrick and backup Vince young should be able to generate points in this one.  Both teams are high on their defenses, but it'll be the offense that steals the show in this one. 

OTHER PLAYS

2 UNIT PLAYS

PHILADELPHIA -1 over Pittsburgh: Google News Play Philadelphia had a very strong finish to their year and would like to start strong in the preseason here. Big Ben will be limited for Pittsburgh and Wallace is holding out, so there goes a big part of their early offense. Defensively the Eagles had a great end to their year, allowing11.5 ppg in their alst 4 games and they used their first 3 draft picks on defense and you can bet that those guys will get plenty of looks in this one. THe Eagles defense is very strong and DEEP and should handle a depleted Pitt offense in this one. Philly's offense is in good hands at the start with Vick, but the backups have all had very good camps and will get a quarter each to showcase their stuff. The Pitt Defense is depleted as well with Harrison out as well as NT Casey Hampton, plus Troy Polamalu isn't expected to play much at all, so they will have problems stopping the Eagles here. The Eagles are paying with heavy hearts for Andy Reid and the loss of his son, plus they have more depth than Pittsburgh and I believe all that will carry them to the win here. 

Baltimore/ Atlanta Under 34.5