Tuesday Morning Quarterback
It?s Not So Much The Heat, But The?..
By SPORTSBETTING.COM
The last week of the NFL pre-season is in the rearview mirror, some might say FINALLY!!, and now we have nothing but month after month of pigskin excitement laying out before us.
Let?s look at a couple of topics as we head for the kick-off.
Topic No. 1: The heat is on
The season is set to begin and things are getting hot for coaches in Cleveland and New York, but nobody has anything on Jacksonville HC Jack Del Rio.
In this case, it?s not Del Rio?s job we?re talking about. That topic has been slowly roasting since the Jags were swept by Houston last fall. This is about real heat, or more specifically humidity, and it?s something everyone should keep an eye on this week before making any plays in the Tennessee/Jacksonville game.
Weather is a factor that most football bettors are aware of, but it is usually thought of in December for games at places like Soldier Field and the Vet in Philly. New England and Green Bay are often considered harsh domains, too, and who can forget the swirling winds in Buffalo that have helped make the Bills one of the No. 1 ranked special teams units in the league.
There is a condition, however, that most players will tell you they enjoy playing in much less than wind and snow and this week the forecast in northeastern Florida is calling for it in big doses. It?s that warm, sweaty, sticky air that teams take great measures to avoid during training camp and chances are, it?s going to affect the Titans a whole lot more than it does the Jags.
Jacksonville is 16-5-1 ATS at home in September, including a pair of wins last year over Dallas and Pittsburgh, and the Jags are currently riding an eight-year win streak ATS on opening day. There?s always gotta? be a but, though, and in this instance it?s a big one.
Three of those five losses by the Jags were to the Titans.
The Jags host Atlanta next, a dome team that loves its air conditioning, so clip this and keep it somewhere for Week 2
Topic No. 2 ? Line moves and notable absentees for Week 1
Lines for the first games of the season by far have the longest shelf-life of all weeks, surfacing at some books as early as June, yet the amount of movement for the card is no different than a standard week throughout the season.
Atlanta has seen itself go from a pick to +3 and back down again, changing with the tides of Michael Vick?s status, but the jury has returned a verdict on replacement QB Joey Harrington and the agreement seems to be about a +2.5, which is where it currently sits at SPORTSBETTING.COM
Bettors are slowing starting to believe in the dream of a better Texans team this year, edging Houston up in their opener vs. Kansas City, but with Larry Johnson back onside don?t expect that line to go any higher than three.
There has also been some movement toward Dallas on the Sunday Night game and the theme present in all three of these games is the same: money is pouring in on the favorites.
Most of the injuries for Week 1 have already been accounted for in these lines but it still might be worth some time to check the status of key players on Thursday, when all teams are required to have their status reports filed by.
Green Bay is keeping a watchful eye on WR Donald Driver, not to mention both of its projected starters at half-back for their game vs. Philly. Another RB, Frank Gore in San Francisco, is critical to the Niners game vs. Arizona. And even though he?s ?just a kicker,? as Rod Woodson would say, you can bet that Dallas is a little worried after listing PK Martin Gramatica on injured-reserve Saturday afternoon. The Cowboys are expected to go with rookie Nick Folk as Gramatica?s replacement.
You can check out all the lines for Week 1 at SPORTSBETTING.COM
Here we go?the best time of the year is upon us?enjoy the ride.
It?s Not So Much The Heat, But The?..
By SPORTSBETTING.COM
The last week of the NFL pre-season is in the rearview mirror, some might say FINALLY!!, and now we have nothing but month after month of pigskin excitement laying out before us.
Let?s look at a couple of topics as we head for the kick-off.
Topic No. 1: The heat is on
The season is set to begin and things are getting hot for coaches in Cleveland and New York, but nobody has anything on Jacksonville HC Jack Del Rio.
In this case, it?s not Del Rio?s job we?re talking about. That topic has been slowly roasting since the Jags were swept by Houston last fall. This is about real heat, or more specifically humidity, and it?s something everyone should keep an eye on this week before making any plays in the Tennessee/Jacksonville game.
Weather is a factor that most football bettors are aware of, but it is usually thought of in December for games at places like Soldier Field and the Vet in Philly. New England and Green Bay are often considered harsh domains, too, and who can forget the swirling winds in Buffalo that have helped make the Bills one of the No. 1 ranked special teams units in the league.
There is a condition, however, that most players will tell you they enjoy playing in much less than wind and snow and this week the forecast in northeastern Florida is calling for it in big doses. It?s that warm, sweaty, sticky air that teams take great measures to avoid during training camp and chances are, it?s going to affect the Titans a whole lot more than it does the Jags.
Jacksonville is 16-5-1 ATS at home in September, including a pair of wins last year over Dallas and Pittsburgh, and the Jags are currently riding an eight-year win streak ATS on opening day. There?s always gotta? be a but, though, and in this instance it?s a big one.
Three of those five losses by the Jags were to the Titans.
The Jags host Atlanta next, a dome team that loves its air conditioning, so clip this and keep it somewhere for Week 2
Topic No. 2 ? Line moves and notable absentees for Week 1
Lines for the first games of the season by far have the longest shelf-life of all weeks, surfacing at some books as early as June, yet the amount of movement for the card is no different than a standard week throughout the season.
Atlanta has seen itself go from a pick to +3 and back down again, changing with the tides of Michael Vick?s status, but the jury has returned a verdict on replacement QB Joey Harrington and the agreement seems to be about a +2.5, which is where it currently sits at SPORTSBETTING.COM
Bettors are slowing starting to believe in the dream of a better Texans team this year, edging Houston up in their opener vs. Kansas City, but with Larry Johnson back onside don?t expect that line to go any higher than three.
There has also been some movement toward Dallas on the Sunday Night game and the theme present in all three of these games is the same: money is pouring in on the favorites.
Most of the injuries for Week 1 have already been accounted for in these lines but it still might be worth some time to check the status of key players on Thursday, when all teams are required to have their status reports filed by.
Green Bay is keeping a watchful eye on WR Donald Driver, not to mention both of its projected starters at half-back for their game vs. Philly. Another RB, Frank Gore in San Francisco, is critical to the Niners game vs. Arizona. And even though he?s ?just a kicker,? as Rod Woodson would say, you can bet that Dallas is a little worried after listing PK Martin Gramatica on injured-reserve Saturday afternoon. The Cowboys are expected to go with rookie Nick Folk as Gramatica?s replacement.
You can check out all the lines for Week 1 at SPORTSBETTING.COM
Here we go?the best time of the year is upon us?enjoy the ride.
