NFL - 403 Cleveland Browns @ 404 Baltimore Ravens
(Single Dime) Game will be played @ 26.09.2010, 19:00 CET
The difference between these two teams is huge, as well as expectations, so anything but a double digit win for the Ravens is a surprise in this game. Hosts didn't start the season the way they wanted to because they're only 1-1 after two weeks, while they're definitely contenders for the Superbowl this season. They were horrible offensively last week against Bengals away from home and it may concerns them, especially that QB Joe Flacco ain't consistent and experienced yet, to have quick bounce back after such a game. Fortunately, it's a terrific spot for this team and I predict they'll do everything they want on the field. Browns are really mediocre, their defense is allowing 300 yards per game and that's why Flacco ought to have an easy job. He's got WR Anquan Boldin and few other rock solid receivers plus RB Ray Rice on the ground, so a lot of points for the hosts are expected.
Browns are already 0-2 for the season and in fact there're no signs of hope because they trailed against two very average teams - Buccaneers and Chiefs, so I suppose this season is already lost for them. Both games were really tight (14-16 and 14-17 losses), so they're in the letdown spot as well. What's the worst they won't have any offensive weapons to score against very solid Ravens defense because besides the fact they generally suck, they won't have starting QB Jake Delhomme active again, while back-up QB Seneca Wallace isn't a player, who has the shoot to danger Ravens. He threw two interceptions last week and I suppose he'll have much worse opponents than Chiefs right now. WR Joshua Cribbs won't be enough to cover the spread though he's a great player and my projected score in here is 24-7 for the Ravens.
Pick: 3 units on 404 Baltimore Ravens (-10) @ -119 / 1.840 on Pinnacle
NFL - 409 Atlanta Falcons @ 410 New Orleans Saints
NFL - 409 Atlanta Falcons @ 410 New Orleans Saints
(Single Dime) Game will be played @ 26.09.2010, 19:00 CET
I'm kinda surprised that public loves Falcons more than Saints because generally Superbowl champions are always overhyped in the beginning of the season. In that case, I suppose they're underrated (?!) and will try them with short -3 spread, which dropped during the week. They haven't been looking as great as last season in first two weeks but they did what they had to, winning both games and I must say that their opponents were very tricky. Both Vikings and 49ers started season with 0-2 record but they're both dangerous and I appreciate these wins. QB Drew Brees is a beast and however 19.5 points per game for the Saints so far ain't impressive considering their last season statistics but they're doing very good job and seem to balance more between defense and offense now. Brees has alone 491 yards and 3 TD without an interception and it's great, no matter how it looked on the field.
Falcons boosted their confidence and hype after big win over Cardinals 41-7 but to be honest Arizona is a mediocre team this season after huge changes and I'm not buying that win at all. Of course their offense is looking very good this season (as it used to be in latest years) with QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner, RB Jason Snelling and WR Roddy White but I think that people are underestimating Saints defense. They'll get their points but it won't be as easy as it was against Cardinals. What's more people forget that Falcons lost first game against Steelers 15-9 in overtime. I do think it'll be a shootout but Saints are better balanced and should get the win at the end. My projected score is 30-24 for the hosts, so both Saints -3 and OVER 49 are my plays.
I'm kinda surprised that public loves Falcons more than Saints because generally Superbowl champions are always overhyped in the beginning of the season. In that case, I suppose they're underrated (?!) and will try them with short -3 spread, which dropped during the week. They haven't been looking as great as last season in first two weeks but they did what they had to, winning both games and I must say that their opponents were very tricky. Both Vikings and 49ers started season with 0-2 record but they're both dangerous and I appreciate these wins. QB Drew Brees is a beast and however 19.5 points per game for the Saints so far ain't impressive considering their last season statistics but they're doing very good job and seem to balance more between defense and offense now. Brees has alone 491 yards and 3 TD without an interception and it's great, no matter how it looked on the field.
Falcons boosted their confidence and hype after big win over Cardinals 41-7 but to be honest Arizona is a mediocre team this season after huge changes and I'm not buying that win at all. Of course their offense is looking very good this season (as it used to be in latest years) with QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner, RB Jason Snelling and WR Roddy White but I think that people are underestimating Saints defense. They'll get their points but it won't be as easy as it was against Cardinals. What's more people forget that Falcons lost first game against Steelers 15-9 in overtime. I do think it'll be a shootout but Saints are better balanced and should get the win at the end. My projected score is 30-24 for the hosts, so both Saints -3 and OVER 49 are my plays.
Pick: 3 units on 410 New Orleans Saints (-3) @ -112 / 1.893 on Pinnacle
Pick: 3 units on 409/410 over 49 points @ -106 / 1.943 on Pinnacle
NFL - 407 Cincinnati Bengals @ 408 Carolina Panthers
NFL - 407 Cincinnati Bengals @ 408 Carolina Panthers
(Single Dime) Game will be played @ 26.09.2010, 19:00 CET
This game will be definitely tricky because Panthers were underachieving so far but I'm aware of that fact and still thinking they'll go to miserable 0-3 after this week. Starting QB Matt Moore has been simply horrible so far and that's why team made a desperate move to start with rookie QB Jimmy Clausen today. He might be a great prospect but he ain't prepared yet to play as a starter. What's worse for him he'll face a tough defense, which bounce back very well after loss against Patriots (24-38) and stopped Ravens just to ten points (15-10). Clause won't help this mediocre offense, while RB DeAngelo Williams isn't type of player who could win the game alone. Panthers struggled against Buccaneers and Giants a lot, so very same is expected against Bengals.
Gusts have got huge expectations and although I don't like QB Carson Palmer, I think they're a complete team and definitely a postseason contender. Their offense is full of starts, having WR Terrell Owens, WR Chad Ochocinco and RB Cedric Benson, so average hosts defense will have full hand of job. They won't stop them most probably, especially that both Ravens and Patriots didn't at all. Bengals are leading in most statistics over Panthers (f.e. total yards, yards passing, yards allowed, pass yards allowed), so I'd be really surprised if guests don't win. Surprisingly public isn't all over Bengals today, line didn't change and it might be a good sign. My projected score is 17-27 for the Bengals.
This game will be definitely tricky because Panthers were underachieving so far but I'm aware of that fact and still thinking they'll go to miserable 0-3 after this week. Starting QB Matt Moore has been simply horrible so far and that's why team made a desperate move to start with rookie QB Jimmy Clausen today. He might be a great prospect but he ain't prepared yet to play as a starter. What's worse for him he'll face a tough defense, which bounce back very well after loss against Patriots (24-38) and stopped Ravens just to ten points (15-10). Clause won't help this mediocre offense, while RB DeAngelo Williams isn't type of player who could win the game alone. Panthers struggled against Buccaneers and Giants a lot, so very same is expected against Bengals.
Gusts have got huge expectations and although I don't like QB Carson Palmer, I think they're a complete team and definitely a postseason contender. Their offense is full of starts, having WR Terrell Owens, WR Chad Ochocinco and RB Cedric Benson, so average hosts defense will have full hand of job. They won't stop them most probably, especially that both Ravens and Patriots didn't at all. Bengals are leading in most statistics over Panthers (f.e. total yards, yards passing, yards allowed, pass yards allowed), so I'd be really surprised if guests don't win. Surprisingly public isn't all over Bengals today, line didn't change and it might be a good sign. My projected score is 17-27 for the Bengals.
Pick: 3 units on 407 Cincinnati Bengals (-3) @ -109 / 1.926 on Pinnacle
NFL - 405 Pittsburgh Steelers @ 406 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(Single Dime) Game will be played @ 26.09.2010, 19:00 CET
It won't be an ugly game at all because both teams are interesting after going 2-0 after first two weeks, which was rather unexpected but I suppose there won't be many points on the scoreboard because both teams will find it difficult to get every first down today. Steelers have got the best defense in the league for this season - at least they've been surely the best so far in two weeks, looking like beasts in every single action. They allowed just nine points against Falcons (24-9 after OT) and only eleven versus Tennessee on the road, including last minute, meaningless TD (19-11). S Troy Polamalu is making amazing plays, including sacks, interceptions, tackles but generally he isn't alone as whole defense is great. Unfortunately, they're still without QB Ben Roethlisberger and their passing game simply doesn't exist. They're trying to win games by the defense plus running game, especially that even back-up QB Dennis Dixon is hurt as well and they have to start with third QB Charlie Batch. They'll run the clock and try to win in lowscoring fashion definitely.
Buccaneers two wins were even more surprising because no one though about them as a solid team. Their young QB Josh Freeman was really good so far but he's got quite low 55.8% completion percentage and I think he'll be interception prone against Polamalu and Steelers defense. He's still young and not too sharp and that's why I suppose he'll be also scared and try to play with runningbacks more. What's surprising Bucs were defensively rock solid as well, averaging just half of a point more than Steelers (10.5 ppg allowed), stopping both Panthers and Browns in nice fashion. These teams are mediocre but so is Steelers offense now. I think that a win is a coin toss but one thing is sure - these two teams won't explode offensively and my projected score is 13-15 for the guests.
It won't be an ugly game at all because both teams are interesting after going 2-0 after first two weeks, which was rather unexpected but I suppose there won't be many points on the scoreboard because both teams will find it difficult to get every first down today. Steelers have got the best defense in the league for this season - at least they've been surely the best so far in two weeks, looking like beasts in every single action. They allowed just nine points against Falcons (24-9 after OT) and only eleven versus Tennessee on the road, including last minute, meaningless TD (19-11). S Troy Polamalu is making amazing plays, including sacks, interceptions, tackles but generally he isn't alone as whole defense is great. Unfortunately, they're still without QB Ben Roethlisberger and their passing game simply doesn't exist. They're trying to win games by the defense plus running game, especially that even back-up QB Dennis Dixon is hurt as well and they have to start with third QB Charlie Batch. They'll run the clock and try to win in lowscoring fashion definitely.
Buccaneers two wins were even more surprising because no one though about them as a solid team. Their young QB Josh Freeman was really good so far but he's got quite low 55.8% completion percentage and I think he'll be interception prone against Polamalu and Steelers defense. He's still young and not too sharp and that's why I suppose he'll be also scared and try to play with runningbacks more. What's surprising Bucs were defensively rock solid as well, averaging just half of a point more than Steelers (10.5 ppg allowed), stopping both Panthers and Browns in nice fashion. These teams are mediocre but so is Steelers offense now. I think that a win is a coin toss but one thing is sure - these two teams won't explode offensively and my projected score is 13-15 for the guests.
Pick: 3 units on 405/406 under 34 points @ -110 / 1.909 on Pinnacle
NFL - 411 San Francisco 49ers @ 412 Kansas City Chiefs
(Single Dime) Game will be played @ 26.09.2010, 19:00 CET
These two teams are in totally different directions after first two weeks and it's huge surprise because they weren't expected to have records they've got now. The Chiefs are 2-0 after first two games and actually I'm not surprised too much about this fact, however they were underdogs in both games, while managed to win. Home win over Chargers was lucky and they were outplayed on field actually, while Browns suck and it was a mugfest. QB Matt Cassell is solid but he lacks good wide receivers, so adding the fact rushing ain't too good as well, it's a miracle they won two straight games. It won't happen again but they're at home, being without loss, so I understand why they're rated that high. It's time to fade them because they won't get that much credit in this season anymore. Their defense was horrible so far allowing 344 yards per game, so I expect guests to score a lot.
49ers were quite unlucky so far - they're 0-2 because: struggled to lead 21-0 against Seahawks and instead were leading 3-0, then were totally outplayed AND lost against Superbowl champs last week cause of last drive TD by high octane Saints defense. That's bad but they've got potential to overturn this record. QB Alex Smith is their biggest concern because he's mediocre, inconsistent and not too sharp but he's got RB Frank Gore, who's great and it should be the key. What's more passing game wasn't actually bad because Smith already has 500 yards (Cassell only 244), so the only thing Alex has to change is number of interceptions (he's got 1 TD and 4 INT). I think that average Chiefs defense won't hurt him much and he'll finally develop. 49ers defensive line is quite average as for league standards but ought to be enough against one-dimensional Chiefs offense. Their rushing defense ain't bad and I think it's another X-factor. My projected score is 14-27 in here, so -1 is a steal.
These two teams are in totally different directions after first two weeks and it's huge surprise because they weren't expected to have records they've got now. The Chiefs are 2-0 after first two games and actually I'm not surprised too much about this fact, however they were underdogs in both games, while managed to win. Home win over Chargers was lucky and they were outplayed on field actually, while Browns suck and it was a mugfest. QB Matt Cassell is solid but he lacks good wide receivers, so adding the fact rushing ain't too good as well, it's a miracle they won two straight games. It won't happen again but they're at home, being without loss, so I understand why they're rated that high. It's time to fade them because they won't get that much credit in this season anymore. Their defense was horrible so far allowing 344 yards per game, so I expect guests to score a lot.
49ers were quite unlucky so far - they're 0-2 because: struggled to lead 21-0 against Seahawks and instead were leading 3-0, then were totally outplayed AND lost against Superbowl champs last week cause of last drive TD by high octane Saints defense. That's bad but they've got potential to overturn this record. QB Alex Smith is their biggest concern because he's mediocre, inconsistent and not too sharp but he's got RB Frank Gore, who's great and it should be the key. What's more passing game wasn't actually bad because Smith already has 500 yards (Cassell only 244), so the only thing Alex has to change is number of interceptions (he's got 1 TD and 4 INT). I think that average Chiefs defense won't hurt him much and he'll finally develop. 49ers defensive line is quite average as for league standards but ought to be enough against one-dimensional Chiefs offense. Their rushing defense ain't bad and I think it's another X-factor. My projected score is 14-27 in here, so -1 is a steal.
Pick: 3 units on 411 San Francisco 49ers (-1) @ -110 / 1.909 on Pinnacle
NFL - 401 Buffalo Bills @ 402 New England Patriots
(Single Dime) Game will be played @ 26.09.2010, 19:00 CET
This match-up is extremely easy to be predicted and I suppose that Patriots will totally cruise past pathetic Bills, winning with margin of 20-27 points in here. They're 1-1 so far, after having really tough schedule and I expect them to perform the way they did against Bengals (38-24) and quickly bounce back after hurting loss against Jets (14-28) last week. Their offense is definitely one of the best in the league, so they'll score A LOT against horrible guests defense. QB Tom Brady is terrific player and he knows how to bounce back from bad performance, so with addition of few great WR's, he'll be gaining lots of yards through the air. Patriots defense is young and rock solid, so they should be motivated to show that mediocre performance against Jets were an accident. This sentence is greatly summing it up - after a disastrous finish against their archrival, there may be no opponent they'd rather see than the sputtering Bills.
Guests are pathetic and they've got no weapons to deal with such opponents on both ends of the field. Their defense allowed already 49 points, so they won't stop Brady SURELY. What's worse, their offense with QB Trent Edwards and mediocre WR's and RB's is the worst in the league. Generally Bills might be the worst this season and I hardly see them winning more than one/two games. They gained only 176 yards per game so far and there's no chance of improvement I think. I'm surprised they keep the game against Dolphins (10-15) close but last week road performance against Packers (7-34) was significant and showed how they perform against top teams away from home. My projected score is exactly 34-7 as well.
This match-up is extremely easy to be predicted and I suppose that Patriots will totally cruise past pathetic Bills, winning with margin of 20-27 points in here. They're 1-1 so far, after having really tough schedule and I expect them to perform the way they did against Bengals (38-24) and quickly bounce back after hurting loss against Jets (14-28) last week. Their offense is definitely one of the best in the league, so they'll score A LOT against horrible guests defense. QB Tom Brady is terrific player and he knows how to bounce back from bad performance, so with addition of few great WR's, he'll be gaining lots of yards through the air. Patriots defense is young and rock solid, so they should be motivated to show that mediocre performance against Jets were an accident. This sentence is greatly summing it up - after a disastrous finish against their archrival, there may be no opponent they'd rather see than the sputtering Bills.
Guests are pathetic and they've got no weapons to deal with such opponents on both ends of the field. Their defense allowed already 49 points, so they won't stop Brady SURELY. What's worse, their offense with QB Trent Edwards and mediocre WR's and RB's is the worst in the league. Generally Bills might be the worst this season and I hardly see them winning more than one/two games. They gained only 176 yards per game so far and there's no chance of improvement I think. I'm surprised they keep the game against Dolphins (10-15) close but last week road performance against Packers (7-34) was significant and showed how they perform against top teams away from home. My projected score is exactly 34-7 as well.
Pick: 3 units on 402 New England Patriots (-13) @ -110 / 1.909 on Pinnacle
NFL - 415 Dallas Cowboys @ 416 Houston Texans
NFL - 415 Dallas Cowboys @ 416 Houston Texans
(Single Dime) Game will be played @ 26.09.2010, 19:00 CET
This game is extremely difficult to be predicted when it comes to a winner because both teams performed very well so far but are in totally different mood. Cowboys, though performed really solid, are 0-2 after losses against Redskins and Bears, while high-octane Texans defense made them 2-0 after thrilling win over Redskins and great performance against Colts. Cowboys were huge expectations before the season, especially after being 11-5 last year, because their stadium will host Superbowl this season. Unfortunately they were unlucky, losing both games after tight affairs and to be honest I was surprised that they managed to do that, having QB Tony Romo in such a good form. He's already got 626 yards and it's terrific, especially that it's even better than Matt Schaub, who has 604 yards and there's a lot of talk about his amazing effort. In fact they have to perform better in the red zone and if they do it, they ought to put up a lot of points.
Texans defense ain't special and Cowboys know their only chance to win this game is to outscore opponents. Texans defeated both Colts and Redskins offensively but were struggling when defending, allowing 25.5 points per game. They'll also make this game a shootout because offense is the only but REAL weapon. QB Matt Schaub is a beast, so is WR Andre Johnson and RB Arian Foster, so touchdowns should be scoring often. 34-24 and 30-27 are the scores of their games and I've got no circumstances to think they won't combine 50 points with their opponents, especially that Tony Romo is opposing quarterback. My projected score is 30-27 for either team.
This game is extremely difficult to be predicted when it comes to a winner because both teams performed very well so far but are in totally different mood. Cowboys, though performed really solid, are 0-2 after losses against Redskins and Bears, while high-octane Texans defense made them 2-0 after thrilling win over Redskins and great performance against Colts. Cowboys were huge expectations before the season, especially after being 11-5 last year, because their stadium will host Superbowl this season. Unfortunately they were unlucky, losing both games after tight affairs and to be honest I was surprised that they managed to do that, having QB Tony Romo in such a good form. He's already got 626 yards and it's terrific, especially that it's even better than Matt Schaub, who has 604 yards and there's a lot of talk about his amazing effort. In fact they have to perform better in the red zone and if they do it, they ought to put up a lot of points.
Texans defense ain't special and Cowboys know their only chance to win this game is to outscore opponents. Texans defeated both Colts and Redskins offensively but were struggling when defending, allowing 25.5 points per game. They'll also make this game a shootout because offense is the only but REAL weapon. QB Matt Schaub is a beast, so is WR Andre Johnson and RB Arian Foster, so touchdowns should be scoring often. 34-24 and 30-27 are the scores of their games and I've got no circumstances to think they won't combine 50 points with their opponents, especially that Tony Romo is opposing quarterback. My projected score is 30-27 for either team.
Pick: 3 units on 415/416 over 46.5 points @ -110 / 1.909 on Pinnacle
