well, we're all back for another season of pigskin!...first, i just want to say good luck to everyone and second, like my bookie says, "bet with you wallet, not with your heart".
(lines as at saturday morning)
OAKLAND RAIDERS @ K.C. CHIEFS
Line: Raiders -3
O/U: 43
The O/U line here looks like the best and most tempting play. With 43 pts staring at me, I like the UNDER play a lot. 43 pts for one of the best rivalries in the NFL, in one of the toughest divisions, and one of the loudest places to play? The UNDER play looks very promising.
With new QB Green taking the snaps for his new team, I see the Chiefs playing a very conservative, ball controlling game. The running game should improve this year with the addition of Priest Holmes at RB. HC Vermeil will want to get QB Green to feel comfortable, especially in this tense divisional rivalry game. Another factor will be WR Derrick Alexander, who is nursing an ankle injury, but is expected to play. WR Alexander's injury should help eliminate some of the deep plays.
In the preseason, the Men in Silver & Black worked hard on their ground game. The addition of RB Garner is huge for the Raiders who lost Napoleon Kaufman to retirement. The Raiders should be running the ball a whole lot in this game for the pure fact that they are playing at rowdy Arrowhead and the success that they had with the ground game in preseason.
To back the pick on the Chiefs at +3 (and only at +3 or higher) is the fact that I see this game being very close because of the rivalry, Arrowhead, and the reputation of Chiefs DC Greg Robinson, who is known to always produce a very stingy defense.
Take the home dog at a field goal (or higher)plus the under, as this game will be determined on the ground.
Play: CHIEFS +3 (or higher)
Play: UNDER 43
DETROIT LIONS @ G.B. PACKERS
LINE: Packers -5
O/U: 41 1/2
This is another one of those divisional rivalries that will end up to be a in your face-trash talkin' dog fight, and that usually prompts me to an UNDER play.
The Lions seem to always produce a respectable defense, and this year won't be any different. The problem here is the losses of FS Schulz (back) and CB Westbrook (achilles) to injuries. This won't matter a whole lot with always ready to play CB Terry Fair and the off-season pick up of stable CB Todd Lyght. The DB's will be able to handle the Packers WR's, especially with WR Freeman still a little woozy from the concussion he got almost 3 weeks ago.
Both teams will try to establish the running game, especially the Packers. Also, with the Packers only having made three significant changes to their starters, this Detroit team should be very comfortable with their opposition. Luckily the game is in September and not in mid-winter in Wisconsin.
Play: UNDER 41 1/2
ATLANTA FALCONS @ S.F. NINERS
LINE: Niners - 3 1/2
O/U: 46
There seems to be a trend this week, as it turns out that I like a lot of divisional matchups.
If the line stays at 3 1/2, I like the Black Birds to cover. With a healthy lineup to start the new season, the Falcons will be somewhat competitive. QB Chandler and a healthy RB Jamal Anderson will be key. In my mind, Jamal is a excellent back still, that can run with an average O-line in front of him.
Take what the Falcons can do on offense and an above average secondary with CB's Ambrose and Buchanan, and the Falcons should come out to give the Niners some problems.
The Niners have RB Hearst back this year, but can he get back to 100% and run like he did before blowing out his knee? He probably can, but I still find the Niners and QB Jeff Garcia to be a little overrated.
Take the Black Birds, as they will try and hold onto the ball for a long time. Look for Jamal to have a pretty decent day, as he has looked good so far. One other factor that the Falcons have going for them is the fact that they will play both QB's Chandler and Vick in the game, which should give the Niners problems, as the two have totally different styles.
Play: FALCONS +3 1/2
Other plays:
Pittsburgh +3
Miami +6
Minnesota -10
[This message has been edited by Da_Insider (edited 09-08-2001).]
(lines as at saturday morning)
OAKLAND RAIDERS @ K.C. CHIEFS
Line: Raiders -3
O/U: 43
The O/U line here looks like the best and most tempting play. With 43 pts staring at me, I like the UNDER play a lot. 43 pts for one of the best rivalries in the NFL, in one of the toughest divisions, and one of the loudest places to play? The UNDER play looks very promising.
With new QB Green taking the snaps for his new team, I see the Chiefs playing a very conservative, ball controlling game. The running game should improve this year with the addition of Priest Holmes at RB. HC Vermeil will want to get QB Green to feel comfortable, especially in this tense divisional rivalry game. Another factor will be WR Derrick Alexander, who is nursing an ankle injury, but is expected to play. WR Alexander's injury should help eliminate some of the deep plays.
In the preseason, the Men in Silver & Black worked hard on their ground game. The addition of RB Garner is huge for the Raiders who lost Napoleon Kaufman to retirement. The Raiders should be running the ball a whole lot in this game for the pure fact that they are playing at rowdy Arrowhead and the success that they had with the ground game in preseason.
To back the pick on the Chiefs at +3 (and only at +3 or higher) is the fact that I see this game being very close because of the rivalry, Arrowhead, and the reputation of Chiefs DC Greg Robinson, who is known to always produce a very stingy defense.
Take the home dog at a field goal (or higher)plus the under, as this game will be determined on the ground.
Play: CHIEFS +3 (or higher)
Play: UNDER 43
DETROIT LIONS @ G.B. PACKERS
LINE: Packers -5
O/U: 41 1/2
This is another one of those divisional rivalries that will end up to be a in your face-trash talkin' dog fight, and that usually prompts me to an UNDER play.
The Lions seem to always produce a respectable defense, and this year won't be any different. The problem here is the losses of FS Schulz (back) and CB Westbrook (achilles) to injuries. This won't matter a whole lot with always ready to play CB Terry Fair and the off-season pick up of stable CB Todd Lyght. The DB's will be able to handle the Packers WR's, especially with WR Freeman still a little woozy from the concussion he got almost 3 weeks ago.
Both teams will try to establish the running game, especially the Packers. Also, with the Packers only having made three significant changes to their starters, this Detroit team should be very comfortable with their opposition. Luckily the game is in September and not in mid-winter in Wisconsin.
Play: UNDER 41 1/2
ATLANTA FALCONS @ S.F. NINERS
LINE: Niners - 3 1/2
O/U: 46
There seems to be a trend this week, as it turns out that I like a lot of divisional matchups.
If the line stays at 3 1/2, I like the Black Birds to cover. With a healthy lineup to start the new season, the Falcons will be somewhat competitive. QB Chandler and a healthy RB Jamal Anderson will be key. In my mind, Jamal is a excellent back still, that can run with an average O-line in front of him.
Take what the Falcons can do on offense and an above average secondary with CB's Ambrose and Buchanan, and the Falcons should come out to give the Niners some problems.
The Niners have RB Hearst back this year, but can he get back to 100% and run like he did before blowing out his knee? He probably can, but I still find the Niners and QB Jeff Garcia to be a little overrated.
Take the Black Birds, as they will try and hold onto the ball for a long time. Look for Jamal to have a pretty decent day, as he has looked good so far. One other factor that the Falcons have going for them is the fact that they will play both QB's Chandler and Vick in the game, which should give the Niners problems, as the two have totally different styles.
Play: FALCONS +3 1/2
Other plays:
Pittsburgh +3
Miami +6
Minnesota -10
[This message has been edited by Da_Insider (edited 09-08-2001).]
