Monday, Sept. 8
Here is my first look at the Week 2 NFL card.
Steelers-Ravens (Thursday) - Hard to lay points when all but one of the last six games in this series have been decided by a field goal or less. Cleveland scoring 24 points in the second half with a no-huddle offense behind Brian Hoyer raises red flags about Pittsburgh's defense.
Lions-Panthers - The flair of hosting an opening night Monday game could fade fast for Detroit traveling on a short week. The Lions are 3-8 SU and ATS in their last 11 road games. I'm expecting Cam Newton to play.
Dolphins-Bills - Both teams off impressive upset victories. The Dolphins manhandling the Patriots could serve notice, although the Bills swept this series last year for the first time since 2007. Maybe E.J. Manuel plays better with the specter of Kyle Orton looming over his shoulder.
Jaguars-Redskins - Jacksonville has a JV offense. Washington's defense appears better. Considering under on the Redskins until RGIII starts figuring out how to be a pocket passer, which might be never.
Cowboys-Titans - Jerry Jones might think defense next time instead of face lifts, or posing for lewd pictures. Jake Locker has some very underrated receivers. Ken Whisenhunt is a definite upgrade on Mike Munchak.
Cardinals-Giants - Will know more after tonight. This I can tell you: The situation is horrible for the Cardinals traveling cross country on a short week with an early start time.
Patriots-Vikings - Matt Cassel versus his old team. Minnesota's first game at TCF Bank Stadium - which is outdoors. Is New England's now-healthy defense overrated? Yes, that means you, too, Darrelle Revis.
Saints-Browns - Have to sort out all of Cleveland's skill position injuries, but Saints don't have a good track record in this type of setting failing to cover in six of their last seven regular season outdoor games. They are averaging 18.5 points in their last eight away matchups.
Falcons-Bengals - Given time, Matt Ryan proved once again he can fling with the best of them. Weird to watch football without seeing Tony Gonzalez anymore. Bengals probably too physical for the Falcons, who may have lost Jake Matthews on their already thin offensive line.
Rams-Buccaneers - Josh McCown is back to being Josh McCown pre 2013. Tampa Bay's offensive line has yet to jell and now Logan Mankins is hurt. The Rams already could be on their third-string quarterback. Their offense is built for the run yet they averaged just 3.3 yards per rush against the Vikings, who no longer have the Great Williams Wall.
Seahawks-Chargers - The Seahawks haven't just been great at home. They have won 10 of their last 13 games on the road or at a neutral site going 11-2 ATS. The Seahawks are thin at corner, though, losing nickel back Jeremy Lane.
Texans-Raiders - Maybe Matt Schaub can earn some of the money the Raiders wasted on him by filling the coaching staff on all he knows about his ex-team. Then again Oakland's coaching staff and management are so clueless they probably would misuse the information. The Jets outrushed the Raiders, 212-25, and their inexperienced cornerbacks didn't allow Oakland's wide receivers to get much separation. Derek Carr isn't the problem. His offense is.
Jets-Packers - The Jets are 5-1-1 ATS as a 'dog of 7 or more points since 2012. But now they go from home against Derek Carr to on the road against Aaron Rodgers, off an embarrassing national televised defeat.
Chiefs-Broncos - Jamaal Charles touched the ball 11 times against the Titans. The result was a predictable Chiefs loss. Peyton Manning doesn't need Wes Welker. He has a 19-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio without him. The Chiefs better hope their special teams performers can play linebacker.
Bears-49ers - This is the Sunday night game and the 49ers' first regular season game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. I'm wondering if that will prove to be a distraction for the 49ers? Nah. The 49ers seem to have distractions every day between Jim Harbaugh rumors and players getting into trouble with the law. Hard to trust the Bears, who were 1-6 ATS as underdogs last season under Marc Trestman. That lone cover was against Green Bay when the Packers lost Aaron Rodgers.
Eagles-Colts (Monday) - Andrew Luck is moving into Top-5 territory sparking the Colts despite a makeshift offensive line and no ground game. Since Luck came aboard, the Colts are 14-3 SU, 12-4-1 ATS at home.
On the handicapping front, I already have found two Week 2 NFL plays strong enough to rate Triple Star status one of which I have released. This is one key reason why it is advantageous to lock into a season subscription in order to beat the marketplace and get the best of the number. I am 20-9 on my last 29 Triple Stars winning my lone Triple Star on Sunday with the underdog Titans beating the Chiefs by 16 points. My NFL season package is still available at the lowest price offered but only through today. It can be found here: /pregamepros/pro-bettor/bettor.aspx?id=7746#capper.
I am passing on the two NFL games tonight. I won my lone baseball play on Sunday with the underdog Royals and may have a baseball play today.
As always, no bad luck!