Favre, Packers kick off Week 3 preseason action
08/22/2007 08:39 AM
By: Chance Harper
Though we should see the starters playing more in Week 3, backup QBs are still going to be the focus in several games on Thursday and Friday. From Aaron Rodgers pushing Brett Favre in Green Bay to Daunte Culpepper rounding back into All-Pro form and about to snare the starting pivot job in Oakland, the competition is hot.
How long will it be before we’re calling Green Bay "Mr. Rodgers’ Neighborhood?"
Favre, Packers kick off Week 3 preseason action
He might not have a street named after him anytime soon, but Aaron Rodgers has brightened the spirits of Packers fans. He’s also been a key contributor to many a sharp handicapper’s bankroll. Green Bay is the only team in pre-weekend exhibition action to win both its games, cashing in both times.
Jacksonville at Green Bay (+2½)
Thursday, Aug 23, 8:00 p.m. (ET) FOX
Brett Favre has some nagging health concerns, but he did come out to play in Week 2, putting up some good numbers against the Seattle Seahawks. Once again, though, it was Rodgers standing tall, tossing a pair of TDs in a 48-13 rout. The Packers’ defense also found the end zone twice.
The more we see Rodgers, the more he looks and cooks like a quality QB. But the Jaguars also have a pretty good pair in Byron Leftwich and David Garrard, and even third-stringer Lester Ricard has impressed with a passer rating of 104.6. The Over is getting plenty of attention on the total of 39 -- Jacksonville has lifted the over to a 7-2-1 record in its past 10 exhibition contests.
New Orleans at Kansas City (-1½)
Thursday, Aug 23, 8:30 p.m.
This is not the QB battle the Chiefs had in mind. Both Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle have had their ups and downs thus far, leaving Kansas City 0-2 straight up and against the spread. They haven’t been helped by the absences of running backs Larry Johnson and Priest Holmes; neither is expected to play this Thursday.
The betting public appears to prefer the Saints in this matchup, with their offense rounding nicely into form after playing that extra Hall of Fame game. Kansas City, on the other hand, is on a 3-11 ATS slide.
Tennessee at Buffalo (-1½)
Friday, Aug 24, 7:00 p.m.
Friday’s first game is yet another feast of backup QBs. The Bills have to be the happier of the two teams after getting excellent results from third-round draft pick Trent Edwards (102.2 passer rating) and veteran clipboard-holder Craig Nall (93.8).
Vince Young will be playing just his second game after missing the opener and performing poorly in last week’s 27-24 win over New England. Week 3 is generally when we see the starters take the majority of the snaps, so Young can be expected to carry a little rust into this one. The total is 35; Buffalo has gone under at an 11-4 clip.
New England at Carolina (+1½)
Friday, Aug 24, 8:00 p.m., CBS
The Patriots are 0-2 SU and ATS, which probably doesn’t sit too well with coach Bill Belichick. Both he and the betting public expect better things in Week 3 with the first unit becoming more heavily involved.
Sharps aren’t quite as convinced. David Carr (108.0 passer rating) has been outstanding as he tries to put pressure on Jake Delhomme for that Panthers starting job. New England doesn’t have a battle behind Tom Brady, but recently signed Vinny Testaverde needs some playing time, just in case, and he’ll be even rustier than Vince Young.
St. Louis at Oakland (-1)
Friday, Aug 24, 10:00 p.m.
What else can we say about Daunte Culpepper? He’s been every bit his former Pro Bowl self since joining the Raiders, and is on the cusp of taking the starting job from Josh McCown. Oakland also picked up defensive tackle Gerard Warren on Monday in a rare trade with Denver, but Warren has yet to play this preseason and shouldn’t have much of an impact on Friday’s matchup.
The Rams have just one passing TD at this point, courtesy of Gus Frerotte (109.1), although starter Marc Bulger has completed over 73 percent of his attempts. Bettors appear to be pounding the Rams despite the heat-induced sluggishness St. Louis has displayed thus far.
08/22/2007 08:39 AM
By: Chance Harper
Though we should see the starters playing more in Week 3, backup QBs are still going to be the focus in several games on Thursday and Friday. From Aaron Rodgers pushing Brett Favre in Green Bay to Daunte Culpepper rounding back into All-Pro form and about to snare the starting pivot job in Oakland, the competition is hot.
How long will it be before we’re calling Green Bay "Mr. Rodgers’ Neighborhood?"
Favre, Packers kick off Week 3 preseason action
He might not have a street named after him anytime soon, but Aaron Rodgers has brightened the spirits of Packers fans. He’s also been a key contributor to many a sharp handicapper’s bankroll. Green Bay is the only team in pre-weekend exhibition action to win both its games, cashing in both times.
Jacksonville at Green Bay (+2½)
Thursday, Aug 23, 8:00 p.m. (ET) FOX
Brett Favre has some nagging health concerns, but he did come out to play in Week 2, putting up some good numbers against the Seattle Seahawks. Once again, though, it was Rodgers standing tall, tossing a pair of TDs in a 48-13 rout. The Packers’ defense also found the end zone twice.
The more we see Rodgers, the more he looks and cooks like a quality QB. But the Jaguars also have a pretty good pair in Byron Leftwich and David Garrard, and even third-stringer Lester Ricard has impressed with a passer rating of 104.6. The Over is getting plenty of attention on the total of 39 -- Jacksonville has lifted the over to a 7-2-1 record in its past 10 exhibition contests.
New Orleans at Kansas City (-1½)
Thursday, Aug 23, 8:30 p.m.
This is not the QB battle the Chiefs had in mind. Both Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle have had their ups and downs thus far, leaving Kansas City 0-2 straight up and against the spread. They haven’t been helped by the absences of running backs Larry Johnson and Priest Holmes; neither is expected to play this Thursday.
The betting public appears to prefer the Saints in this matchup, with their offense rounding nicely into form after playing that extra Hall of Fame game. Kansas City, on the other hand, is on a 3-11 ATS slide.
Tennessee at Buffalo (-1½)
Friday, Aug 24, 7:00 p.m.
Friday’s first game is yet another feast of backup QBs. The Bills have to be the happier of the two teams after getting excellent results from third-round draft pick Trent Edwards (102.2 passer rating) and veteran clipboard-holder Craig Nall (93.8).
Vince Young will be playing just his second game after missing the opener and performing poorly in last week’s 27-24 win over New England. Week 3 is generally when we see the starters take the majority of the snaps, so Young can be expected to carry a little rust into this one. The total is 35; Buffalo has gone under at an 11-4 clip.
New England at Carolina (+1½)
Friday, Aug 24, 8:00 p.m., CBS
The Patriots are 0-2 SU and ATS, which probably doesn’t sit too well with coach Bill Belichick. Both he and the betting public expect better things in Week 3 with the first unit becoming more heavily involved.
Sharps aren’t quite as convinced. David Carr (108.0 passer rating) has been outstanding as he tries to put pressure on Jake Delhomme for that Panthers starting job. New England doesn’t have a battle behind Tom Brady, but recently signed Vinny Testaverde needs some playing time, just in case, and he’ll be even rustier than Vince Young.
St. Louis at Oakland (-1)
Friday, Aug 24, 10:00 p.m.
What else can we say about Daunte Culpepper? He’s been every bit his former Pro Bowl self since joining the Raiders, and is on the cusp of taking the starting job from Josh McCown. Oakland also picked up defensive tackle Gerard Warren on Monday in a rare trade with Denver, but Warren has yet to play this preseason and shouldn’t have much of an impact on Friday’s matchup.
The Rams have just one passing TD at this point, courtesy of Gus Frerotte (109.1), although starter Marc Bulger has completed over 73 percent of his attempts. Bettors appear to be pounding the Rams despite the heat-induced sluggishness St. Louis has displayed thus far.