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The two-time defending Super Bowl champions, who kicked off the 2005 campaign with an impressive 23-13 victory at Cincinnati on Friday despite not playing their top two quarterbacks, return home to entertain the Saints in a nationally televised exhibition clash.
New England is a 3 1/2-point favorite with the total at 38?. The Patriots won outright as 2?-point underdogs last week, while New Orleans failed to cover as a two-point home favorite in a 34-15 loss to Seattle.
Quarterback Tom Brady, who sat out the preseason opener, will start tonight for New England. Brady is expected to play at least the first quarter and be followed by Doug Flutie, who also didn?t play against the Bengals. Both Flutie and Brady took the majority of snaps in practice this week. Rookie Matt Cassel, who worked with the third team on Tuesday, is expected to take over for Flutie, followed by Rohan Davey. Cassel, who saw little playing time in his college career at Southern Cal, was sharp in his NFL debut last week, completing 13 of 21 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown, and even rushing for 46 yards on just five carries. Meanwhile, Davey was 4-for-7 for just 42 yards with an interception.
Running back Corey Dillon, who rushed four times for 26 yards in the opener, is questionable for the contest after missing practice most of the week for the birth of his second child. And with Cedric Cobbs still sidelined by injury, returning NFL Europe standout Kory Chapman?s workload could increase. Linebacker Mike Vrabel, who injured his ankle in the Bengals game and didn?t practice this week, is not expected to play tonight. New England?s defense limited Cincinnati to just 227 total yards and forced three turnovers in Friday?s game.
Pats coach Bill Belichick denied a broadcast report that said he and Saints coach Jim Haslett had an agreement to play their starters into the third quarter tonight. ?I haven?t talked to Jim since the owners meetings in Hawaii [in late March], so that?s news to me,? Belichick told New England reporters. Haslett has confirmed that his starters will play three quarters tonight, as he and his staff attempt to evaluate a lot of new personnel, including a retooled offensive line.
New Orleans certainly has a lot to improve on following its blowout loss to Seattle in last week?s exhibition opener. In that game, the offense committed three first-half turnovers that led to 21 Seahawk points, while the defense surrendered 216 rushing yards (though much of that was giving up by the second- and third-team units). Quarterback Aaron Brooks wasn?t very sharp, hitting on 5 of 9 passes for just 14 yards in five series (four of which were three-and-outs). Backup Todd Bouman was even worse than Brooks, turning the ball over on two of his first five snaps behind center. Kliff Kingsbury (4-for-7, 73 yards) and rookie Adrian McPherson (3-for-7, 28 yards; 4 rushes, 25 yards) were decent in mop-up action. Running back Deuce McAllister carried nine times for 38 yards against Seattle and should touch the ball even more tonight. While the Saints? offense committed three turnovers, the defense didn?t force any against the Seahawks. New Orleans has few healthy pass-catchers, as wideout Az Hakim and tight ends Ernie Conwell, Shad Meier and Boo Williams are all ailing. The offensive line is also nursing several injuries. The two teams meet again in the regular season in Foxboro on November 20.
So how does the outcome look? Considering the Pat?s 2nd and 3rd string took apart Cincy plus the fact Brady and Flutie will go tonight at home, well take a guess. OK so you want to be careful then buy the hook and sit back and watch the Champs do their thing. The Under looks good too.
Enjoy the excitement of betting pre-season football online or by phone with a company that prides itself on offering great bonuses, fast payouts and the best customer service in the industry at BETONLINE.COM ... guaranteed!
You have my personal promise that you?ll have an enjoyable experience with us this year and beyond.
Thanks, Tom
BETONLINE.COM
The two-time defending Super Bowl champions, who kicked off the 2005 campaign with an impressive 23-13 victory at Cincinnati on Friday despite not playing their top two quarterbacks, return home to entertain the Saints in a nationally televised exhibition clash.
New England is a 3 1/2-point favorite with the total at 38?. The Patriots won outright as 2?-point underdogs last week, while New Orleans failed to cover as a two-point home favorite in a 34-15 loss to Seattle.
Quarterback Tom Brady, who sat out the preseason opener, will start tonight for New England. Brady is expected to play at least the first quarter and be followed by Doug Flutie, who also didn?t play against the Bengals. Both Flutie and Brady took the majority of snaps in practice this week. Rookie Matt Cassel, who worked with the third team on Tuesday, is expected to take over for Flutie, followed by Rohan Davey. Cassel, who saw little playing time in his college career at Southern Cal, was sharp in his NFL debut last week, completing 13 of 21 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown, and even rushing for 46 yards on just five carries. Meanwhile, Davey was 4-for-7 for just 42 yards with an interception.
Running back Corey Dillon, who rushed four times for 26 yards in the opener, is questionable for the contest after missing practice most of the week for the birth of his second child. And with Cedric Cobbs still sidelined by injury, returning NFL Europe standout Kory Chapman?s workload could increase. Linebacker Mike Vrabel, who injured his ankle in the Bengals game and didn?t practice this week, is not expected to play tonight. New England?s defense limited Cincinnati to just 227 total yards and forced three turnovers in Friday?s game.
Pats coach Bill Belichick denied a broadcast report that said he and Saints coach Jim Haslett had an agreement to play their starters into the third quarter tonight. ?I haven?t talked to Jim since the owners meetings in Hawaii [in late March], so that?s news to me,? Belichick told New England reporters. Haslett has confirmed that his starters will play three quarters tonight, as he and his staff attempt to evaluate a lot of new personnel, including a retooled offensive line.
New Orleans certainly has a lot to improve on following its blowout loss to Seattle in last week?s exhibition opener. In that game, the offense committed three first-half turnovers that led to 21 Seahawk points, while the defense surrendered 216 rushing yards (though much of that was giving up by the second- and third-team units). Quarterback Aaron Brooks wasn?t very sharp, hitting on 5 of 9 passes for just 14 yards in five series (four of which were three-and-outs). Backup Todd Bouman was even worse than Brooks, turning the ball over on two of his first five snaps behind center. Kliff Kingsbury (4-for-7, 73 yards) and rookie Adrian McPherson (3-for-7, 28 yards; 4 rushes, 25 yards) were decent in mop-up action. Running back Deuce McAllister carried nine times for 38 yards against Seattle and should touch the ball even more tonight. While the Saints? offense committed three turnovers, the defense didn?t force any against the Seahawks. New Orleans has few healthy pass-catchers, as wideout Az Hakim and tight ends Ernie Conwell, Shad Meier and Boo Williams are all ailing. The offensive line is also nursing several injuries. The two teams meet again in the regular season in Foxboro on November 20.
So how does the outcome look? Considering the Pat?s 2nd and 3rd string took apart Cincy plus the fact Brady and Flutie will go tonight at home, well take a guess. OK so you want to be careful then buy the hook and sit back and watch the Champs do their thing. The Under looks good too.
Enjoy the excitement of betting pre-season football online or by phone with a company that prides itself on offering great bonuses, fast payouts and the best customer service in the industry at BETONLINE.COM ... guaranteed!
You have my personal promise that you?ll have an enjoyable experience with us this year and beyond.
Thanks, Tom
BETONLINE.COM
