Kansas City's offense scored all of two touchdowns in the preseason and still won't have Larry Johnson at full speed this Sunday. Take the Houston Texans at home as small favorites.
It's a classic battle of two teams headed in opposite directions when the Chiefs travel to Houston for their season opener against the Texans.
The Kansas City offense struggled at times down the stretch last season and things are not about to get any better just yet. After scoring just two touchdowns the entire preseason, and still not having a game-ready Larry Johnson to fall back on, you can expect the Chiefs' offensive woes to continue on Sunday. Meanwhile the Texans are ready, willing, and able to take on any challenge this Kansas City team can put forth. Lay the short number with the home side.
As mentioned the preseason was not a very successful one for the Chiefs, and while little stock should be put into the exhibition results, there are a few key things that teams do like to accomplish prior to playing 'for real.' Kansas City did not do that. The starting units had very little time together, the offense struggled, and nobody really knows what to expect when these guys take the field in Week 1.
Herm Edwards has always been known as a defense-first type of coach, and with that in mind it would be shocking to see this unproven bunch light up the scoreboard against a very solid Houston defensive unit. That's a defensive unit that is expected to be much improved this year as a few of the younger stars mature. Further adding fuel to the Texans' fire is the fact that LJ lit them up for more than 200 yards the last time these teams met in a regular season contest. That will not be the case here.
Matt Schaub is said to be fitting in nicely as the new Texans' starting quarterback, and added weapon Ahman Green will certainly help make the transition easier. In a game that will feature two solid defenses, the edge goes to the Houston team who will simply outscore the Chiefs' offense. Of course being at home in front of the faithful doesn't hurt either.
KC was 0-4 ATS in the preseason, and have failed to cover each of their last five spots as an underdog (pre and reg season). Shocking as it may sound, Houston can run it's regular season, home winning streak to three with a victory over the Chiefs. They'll do just that and they'll also make us a few bucks along the way. Play on Houston.
Game Time: 09/09/2007 08:15 PM -
By: LT Profits Sports Group | who2beton.com
The Cowboys have Super Bowl dreams this year, but the Giants are 4-0-2 ATS in the last six meetings and Eli Manning could exploit a suspect secondary, so take the points.
This looks like an inflated line given the intensity of the rivalry between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys.
In fact, it is the Giants that are 4-0-2 against the spread in the last six head-to-head meetings, and in the last three meetings here in Dallas, New York won two games outright and lost the other by three points in overtime! Sure the retirement of Tiki Barber hurts, but it is just now coming out that Tiki may not have been the most popular teammate around, and his departure may actually boost morale somewhat.
We also expect the Giants to have success passing the ball in this game. Eli Manning had a great preseason, and the return of wide receiver Amani Toomer opposite of primary target Plaxico Burress is certainly a positive. Do not forget that the G-Men also have one of the best receiving tight ends in football in Jeremy Shockey.
That passing combination should have success vs. a Dallas secondary that has some issues. Sure the Cowboys are tough against the run, but the defensive backs allowed a lot of big plays due to coverage breakdowns last season, and we simply do not see that much help coming in.
Look for Manning and Company to exploit that weakness all night long to match Dallas all night long, and if the Giants do not pull off the upset, we do not see them losing by more than a field goal here.
Game Time: 09/10/2007 09:00 PM
By: Dividend Doug | dividenddoug.com
Dividend Doug never minces his words, and that's especially true in his Week 1 NFL picks as the sarcastic soothsayer dumps on Tom Coughlin, Matt Leinart and a few others.
Houston -3 vs. Kansas City: The Chiefs refusal to deal for a competent NFL signal caller will be their downfall this season. Third round draft pick WR Jacoby Jones will electrify in his NFL debut.
Buffalo +3 vs. Denver: Buffalo’s underrated defense combined with a Denver offense requiring patience will prove a bump in the road for Coach Mike Shanahan. A late Lee Evans TD should prove the difference.
Cleveland +4½ vs. Pittsburgh: The Steelers’ new 'spread no huddle' experiment will need a tune-up after its debut in a sloppy low scoring affair.
Jacksonville -6½ vs. Tennessee: QB Vince Young’s growing pains continue in a hostile environment with Maurice Jones-Drew showing the masses why he got screwed out of last year’s Rookie of the Year award.
St. Louis -1 vs. Carolina: Marc Bulger starts fast and outlasts Jake Delhomme in a gun slinging affair. WR Steve Smith shows us why he is the NFL’s most talented athlete albeit in a losing cause.
Green Bay +3 vs. Philadelphia: Brett Favre has a nice day to begin his final season in the NFL! Mr. Donovan McNabb has a decidedly different performance as he struggles to overcome a knee injury.
Atlanta +3 vs. Minnesota: Coach Bobby Petrino shows Atlanta fans that dogfighting might have saved the franchise. Other than a stellar debut by rookie RB Adrian Peterson, the Vikes won’t put up much of a fight.
Miami +3 vs. Washington: The Dolphins in a field goal game between two teams going nowhere.
New England -6½ vs. New York Jets: Tom Brady tosses four TDs and Randy Moss demonstrates how to play possum.
Tampa Bay +5½ vs. Seattle: The Bucs are this season’s comeback kids and this is where it all gets started.
Chicago +6 vs. San Diego: The Bears give the Chargers everything they can handle and Rex Grossman actually plays well in Week One with a long TD bomb to Bernard Berrian.
Oakland -2 vs. Detroit: The Raider defense befuddles Jon Kitna and Lane Kiffin wins first time out of the gate.
Dallas -6 vs. New York Giants: Tom Coughlin sucks as an NFL coach. How do he and Matt Millen still cash a paycheck?
Cincinnati -2½ vs. Baltimore: The Bengals cover in a tight, hard fought affair. Ocho Cinco in a memorable performance.
San Francisco -3 vs. Arizona: Matt Leinart is a weasel and what goes around, comes around for this single dad who makes Britney Spears look like a parent of the year candidate.
Game Time: 09/09/2007 04:15 PM -
By: Mike Rose | who2beton.com
In what could very well be a Super Bowl preview, the Bears and Chargers meet this Sunday in San Diego, and the Bolts at home with their explosive offense is the way to play it.
One of the premiere matchups of Week 1 pits the defending NFC Champion Chicago Bears against the San Diego Chargers. Being a Bears fan, I can’t tell you how nervous I am for this contest.
I’ve got a sick feeling in my stomach that keeps telling me we’re going to get rolled up and smoked in this spot. I just don’t like the vibe I’ve gotten out of Halas Hall throughout the entire offseason, and I’m starting to believe we’re going to be in for a very trying season, a la Seattle in ’06. From the Tank Johnson situation, to Lance Briggs saying he’ll never play for us again, then re-signing for a year, and then abandoning his Lamborghini in the city after he drunkenly wrapped it around a telephone poll. Then QB Rex Grossman’s slippery hands followed up by our prized #1 draft pick hurting his knee in the last preseason game when he should have been resting with the bulk of the starters. I just don’t like it!
San Diego returns almost completely intact, save for Marty Schottenheimer, and you can find LaDainian Tomlinson on the cover of ESPN the Magazine chirping that in order for him and his teammates to be remembered, they have to win a Super Bowl. Well, the test if they can pull off such a feat starts Sunday afternoon, and they’re getting one of the best the NFC has to offer in their own house. No better time than now to start making people remember you.
The Chargers have covered 12 of their last 15 home openers ATS, and the Bears are a woeful 4-9 ATS their last 13 away vs. the AFC. Lay the points with the Chargers as the Bears fail miserably on the West Coast year in and year out, and the loser of the Super Bowl is a glaring 0-7 ATS the last seven years. Why go against that streak now?
Game Time: 09/09/2007 01:00 PM -
By: LT Profits Sports Group | who2beton.com
The Patriots may very well end up in the Super Bowl this year, but this is not the best of spots. With Randy Moss hobbled vs. an inspired rival, take the Jets as a home dog.
Many people are already putting the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl after strengthening their receiving corps, but this is still too many points to be giving on the road inside the division.
Besides, wide receiver Randy Moss missed the entire preseason with a hamstring injury, so he will not be 100 percent even if he does play, and he did not get a chance to get his timing down with Tom Brady in the offense. This is not to say that they will not be a lethal combination come playoff time, but we do not expect many big plays here at the outset.
The Jets also improved themselves in the off season by acquiring running back Thomas Jones from the NFC Champion Chicago Bears. The Jets struggled to run the ball last season when using a back-by-committee system, but Jones gives them just the threat they need to balance their offense. He will also allow the Jets to run more of a ball control offense here, keeping Brady and Company on the sidelines.
The Jets will certainly have motivation after getting eliminated by these Patriots 37-16 in the playoffs last season, and we look for them to give an inspired performance as a decided home underdog in this spot.
Game Time: 09/09/2007 08:15 PM -
By: Jeff Alexander | procappers.com
Wade Phillips and the Cowboys want to get off to a rousing start, especially at home with the crowd behind them. Lay the points on Dallas Sunday night vs. the New York Giants.
The Dallas Cowboys will prove to be at another level above the New York Giants this season.
Dallas has won 10 of 15 games against the Giants at home the last 15 seasons and this season we are expecting a clean sweep by the Cowboys as the Giants lack the defensive fire power to stop this talented and versatile offensive team. The Boys are 18-7 against the spread in home games when they outgain their opponents by 50-100 yards since 1992. Based on our projections, this is what we see happening.
Make a small wager on the Cowboys at home in the Sunday Nighter.
Game Time: 09/09/2007 04:15 PM -
By: Steve Zukiel | procappers.com
The Buccaneers have been all over the map recently while the Seahawks have been enjoying the comforts of home. Side with Seattle on Sunday versus Tampa Bay.
In this contest, my money is on the Seattle Seahawks as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a poor traveling situation. Including preseason, this will be the Bucs' third road game in the last four weeks and now they are travelling cross country. For Seattle, this will be their third home game in the last four weeks.
Many are making a big stink about Jeff Garcia as the Bucs new starting QB, but let's remember something here. As magical as Garcia was last year, he did have a whole lot of talent in the supporting cast in Philly. The same can't be said about this Buccaneers team. They are bad.
Seattle is healthy offensively and will be taking on a patch-work Tampa defense that will be starting two new linebackers and a rookie end who is replacing Simeon Rice. Take the Seahawks in this one.
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