Saturday NFLX Action (Aug 11)

Willie Bee · 08-11-07, 10:18 AM

Panthers -1 (-105) at New York Giants

Game Time: 08/11/2007 08:05 PM -
By: Marc Lawrence | playbook.com

The Panthers are one NFL team that takes preseason seriously, and they went 4-0 in 2006. Conversely, the Giants usually go through the motions, so take Carolina.

The Carolina Panthers take on the New York Giants at Giants Stadium in preseason play Saturday night.

The Panthers have been the most consistent preseason NFL team in the league, going a remarkable 15-2 straight up in their last 17 such contests, including a perfect 4-0 last year. On the flip side, the Giants are just 3-8 straight up and against the spread against NFC opposition in the preseason over the last 12 years.

With the Panthers going 12-3 ATS in those 15 victories, take Carolina at this modest price.

Free Pick: Panthers -1 (-105)

Willie Bee · 08-11-07, 10:20 AM

KC Chiefs +3 at Cleveland Browns

Game Time: 08/11/2007 07:30 PM -
By: Alex Smart | sportspic.com

Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards will have his defense ready to go tonight, and Kansas City also has a depth advantage. Cash on KC when the Chiefs play the Browns in Cleveland.

The Kansas City Chiefs' new defense-first mentality is a little hard to get used to, but Herm Edwards will make sure that his conservative style of play and 'Cover 2' system becomes common place this season and here in the preseason.

With that said, look for Edwards to continue to utilize a power running game that minimizes turnovers tonight and all season long. I also expect Edwards' rush offense to excel against a Browns rush defense that looked horrible last season and still remains vulnerable.

Edwards' opposing coach, Romeo Crennel of the host Cleveland Browns, will try to see if they can move the ball via the big play as new offensive cooridnator Rob Chudzinksi likes to push this type of aggressive offense. I, however, expect it will take time for the Browns to get untracked early this season as a lot of new faces among the coaching staff and inferior player personal will have this already wobly squad lacking cohesiveness out of the gate.

Play on Kansas City to cover (minimal wager).

Free Pick: Chiefs +3

Willie Bee · 08-11-07, 10:25 AM

Jaguars +1 at Miami Dolphins

Game Time: 08/11/2007 07:30 PM -
By: Jimmy the Moose | sportspic.com

Jacksonville has the edge at quarterback and running back this evening in their preseason opener at Miami. Jump on the Jaguars plus the points when they face the Dolphins.

Byron Leftwhich seems to have won the starting QB job in Jacksonville, but that job isn't very safe.

With Leftwhich, David Garrard, Quinn Gray and Tim Couch on the depth chart, all are expected to see playing time so look for Jacksonville to really take it to Miami. With the exception of Couch, the quarterbacks know the offense and will have no trouble vs. the Dolphis Defense, especially when the starters come out.

The Jaguars also have depth at running back and that will show tonight. Miami doesn't have the same depth as Jacksonville, so once the starters are out this shouldn't be very close. Jacksonville has easily won the last four preseason matchups and will take this one. Play on the Jaguars.

Free Pick: Jaguars +1

Willie Bee · 08-11-07, 10:26 AM

Pick Panthers at New York Giants

Game Time: 08/11/2007 08:00 PM -
By: LT Profits Sports Group | who2beton.com

This line is a mystery, as the Panthers are the best preseason team in football while the Giants are a team in transition at virtually every position, so take Carolina.

We were rather surprised to see the New York Giants open as a small favorite over the Carolina Panthers here, as we see a rather handy Carolina victory in this spot.

First of all, you would be hard-pressed to find a better preseason team in the NFL right now than the Panthers. Carolina went a perfect 4-0 straight up last season, their third undefeated preseason in four years, and they are now 15-2 in their last 17 exhibition games. They also added some depth at quarterback this year in David Carr, and he will most likely be throwing against the second string Giants defense.

On the other hand, the Giants are going though transitions at many key positions, and it will take some time for this team to gel. First of all, Brandon Jacobs, unproven as an every down running back, takes over for the retired Tiki Barber. As if that is not bad enough, Jacobs will be running behind a revamped offensive line. There was also quite a bit of shuffling on the other side of the ball, where Mathias Kiwanuke was moved from defensive end to linebacker, James Butler is the new starting free safety and Michael Strahan remains unsigned.

Furthermore, wide receivers Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer are both expected to sit this game out with injuries. If the Panthers match their preseason performances of recent years, we simply do not see how the Giants can keep up.

Free Pick: Panthers (Pick)

Willie Bee · 08-11-07, 10:28 AM

Cardinals and Raiders Under 35

Game Time: 08/11/2007 10:00 PM -
By: Alex Smart | who2beton.com

Arizona goes to Oakland Saturday night, the ninth time in 12 preseasons the two teams have met, but the first time under their new head coaches. Play the Under in this one.

The Cardinals travel to Oakland in Week 1 of preseason football and this will be the ninth time these two franchises have hooked up during preseason action in the last 12 years.

With new head coaches prowling both sidelines, look for plenty of changes in their playbooks. This preseason series has traditionally been low scoring with the Under a dominant 7-1 the previous eight encounters, including a perfect 4-0 in the last four.

Arizona is 0-4 O/U in Game 1 of preseason action. The Raiders have played under the total in eight of their last nine preseason contests and are 5-20 O/U covering the last six preseasons. Oakland is also 0-6 O/U as a preseason favorite and 1-5 O/U in Game 1 of the preseason. This has all the makings for a low scoring game backed by UNDER-whelming trends.

Free Pick: Cardinals-Raiders Under 35 (-110)