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NFL
Monday, September 14
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What bettors need to know: Monday NFL doubleheader
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Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (-11, 47)
Offensive issues
Do the Bills (7-9 straight up, 7-9 against the spread in 2008) have enough offense to trade scores with the explosive Patriots? This is the primary concern for Buffalo entering their regular season opener after the struggles of the offense in the preseason.
In 15 offensive series, the first team offense was limited to just a field goal during exhibition action. The club promptly fired offensive coordinator Turk Schonert at the end of the preseason.
Buffalo will stick with their new no-huddle offense on Monday, much to the chagrin of new wide out Terrell Owens. The controversial playmaker initially told Boston reporters he was not enjoying the hurry-up offense. He tried to downplay his comments afterwards.
“No, it’s all right, it just gets you a little winded, and for myself I haven’t really practiced much the last few preseason games so I’m still trying to get myself into shape and that’s coming around.”
The trade of All-Pro offensive tackle Jason Peters to the Eagles has left a void up front and the Bills also won’t have their top best running back with Marshawn Lynch serving the first of a three-game league suspension.
The offense will also be seeking to secure the ball better in 2009 after leading the conference in lost fumbles a year ago with 15.
It’s been such a long time
All eyeballs will be glued on Tom Brady’s every move Monday night. The three-time Super Bowl winner hasn’t played a down since the first half of the Pats’ first game last season. New England’s success in 2008 will largely depend on whether Brady can return to his 2007 MVP form, or close to it – especially with some many question marks on the defensive side of the ball.
Last week's controversial trade of defensive lineman Richard Seymour to the Raiders is just the latest example of the turnover in the defense. Mike Vrabel, Teddy Brushci, Rodney Harrison and Ellis Hobbs are also no longer with the Patriots. New England was tenth in the league in total defense in 2008.
“A lot of years of experience have walked out the door in the last couple years,” Brady told the Boston Globe over the weekend. “It’s kind of the evolution of it. The turnover we’ve had is significant. But coach (Bill) Belichick coaches us all the same way.”
Line movement
The Patriots opened as a 9.5-point favorite in the contest with a total of 46.5. New England is now an 11-point choice in the matchup.
Trends
Bill Belichick is 16-2 (13-5 ATS) against the Bills since becoming the head coach of the Patriots in 2000. New England has won the last 11 meetings in the series. The Patriots are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 home games (playoffs included). The under is 19-7 in the Bills/Patriots series since 1996.
San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders (+9.5, 43)
What to expect from LT?
While winning the AFC West for the fifth time in the last six years appears to be a forgone conclusion for the Chargers (8-8, 7-8-1 ATS in 2008) in 2009, their season will ultimately be defined in January.
On offense, the focus is on 30-year-old star runner LaDainian Tomlinson. After his rushing average dropped from 4.7 yards per carry in 2007 to 3.8 in 2008, there are questions about Tomlinson's ability to dominate again at a young man's position.
While LT could be on the decline, QB Phillip Rivers is just coming into his own after leading the NFL in quarterback rating in 2008.
Under pressure
SD’s defense (25th in NFL in total defense in 2008) is hoping that the return of linebacker Shawne Merriman will enable the unit to rebound in 2009. Despite registering 39.5 sacks in his first three years in the league, there are questions about his future in San Diego after last year's injury and his off-field antics.
More of the same?
The dysfunctional Raiders (5-11, 7-9 ATS in 2008) may have given their fans a preview of things to come in the most significant game of the preseason. In the traditional warm up game for the regular season, the Raiders entertained the Saints in Week 3 of the exhibition slate. Oakland's starters were promptly outscored (31-0) and outgained (344-60) in a brutal half of football.
The NFL's worst passing offense in 2008 isn't likely to be much better in 2009. QB JaMarcus Russell doesn't appear to be ready to live up to the expectations of being a first overall draft pick three years ago.
Rookie Darrius Heyward-Bey will improve a marginal group of receivers, but the offense will rely on the ground game in 2009. Second-year tailback Darren McFadden has supplanted Justin Fargas as the starter to begin the year.
“I just think everything he is in terms of being multiple, running the football and catching the football,” Raiders head coach Tom Cable told the San Francisco Chronicle.
After working out some personal issues, Seymour is expected to be on board in Oakland for the opener. The veteran duo of Seymour and Greg Ellis will be counted on to strengthen a defensive line that struggled to stop the run in 2008 (last in AFC in rushing defense).
The secondary, led by star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, should also benefit from an improved pass rush up front.
Line movement
San Diego opened as a touchdown favorite with a total of 44. The Chargers are now favored by 9.5 points while the over/under is down to 43.
Trends
The Chargers are 11-0 (10-1 ATS) in the last 11 meetings in the series. Oakland's 24-72 record since 2003 is the worst in the NFL.
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Monday, September 14
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What bettors need to know: Monday NFL doubleheader
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (-11, 47)
Offensive issues
Do the Bills (7-9 straight up, 7-9 against the spread in 2008) have enough offense to trade scores with the explosive Patriots? This is the primary concern for Buffalo entering their regular season opener after the struggles of the offense in the preseason.
In 15 offensive series, the first team offense was limited to just a field goal during exhibition action. The club promptly fired offensive coordinator Turk Schonert at the end of the preseason.
Buffalo will stick with their new no-huddle offense on Monday, much to the chagrin of new wide out Terrell Owens. The controversial playmaker initially told Boston reporters he was not enjoying the hurry-up offense. He tried to downplay his comments afterwards.
“No, it’s all right, it just gets you a little winded, and for myself I haven’t really practiced much the last few preseason games so I’m still trying to get myself into shape and that’s coming around.”
The trade of All-Pro offensive tackle Jason Peters to the Eagles has left a void up front and the Bills also won’t have their top best running back with Marshawn Lynch serving the first of a three-game league suspension.
The offense will also be seeking to secure the ball better in 2009 after leading the conference in lost fumbles a year ago with 15.
It’s been such a long time
All eyeballs will be glued on Tom Brady’s every move Monday night. The three-time Super Bowl winner hasn’t played a down since the first half of the Pats’ first game last season. New England’s success in 2008 will largely depend on whether Brady can return to his 2007 MVP form, or close to it – especially with some many question marks on the defensive side of the ball.
Last week's controversial trade of defensive lineman Richard Seymour to the Raiders is just the latest example of the turnover in the defense. Mike Vrabel, Teddy Brushci, Rodney Harrison and Ellis Hobbs are also no longer with the Patriots. New England was tenth in the league in total defense in 2008.
“A lot of years of experience have walked out the door in the last couple years,” Brady told the Boston Globe over the weekend. “It’s kind of the evolution of it. The turnover we’ve had is significant. But coach (Bill) Belichick coaches us all the same way.”
Line movement
The Patriots opened as a 9.5-point favorite in the contest with a total of 46.5. New England is now an 11-point choice in the matchup.
Trends
Bill Belichick is 16-2 (13-5 ATS) against the Bills since becoming the head coach of the Patriots in 2000. New England has won the last 11 meetings in the series. The Patriots are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 home games (playoffs included). The under is 19-7 in the Bills/Patriots series since 1996.
San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders (+9.5, 43)
What to expect from LT?
While winning the AFC West for the fifth time in the last six years appears to be a forgone conclusion for the Chargers (8-8, 7-8-1 ATS in 2008) in 2009, their season will ultimately be defined in January.
On offense, the focus is on 30-year-old star runner LaDainian Tomlinson. After his rushing average dropped from 4.7 yards per carry in 2007 to 3.8 in 2008, there are questions about Tomlinson's ability to dominate again at a young man's position.
While LT could be on the decline, QB Phillip Rivers is just coming into his own after leading the NFL in quarterback rating in 2008.
Under pressure
SD’s defense (25th in NFL in total defense in 2008) is hoping that the return of linebacker Shawne Merriman will enable the unit to rebound in 2009. Despite registering 39.5 sacks in his first three years in the league, there are questions about his future in San Diego after last year's injury and his off-field antics.
More of the same?
The dysfunctional Raiders (5-11, 7-9 ATS in 2008) may have given their fans a preview of things to come in the most significant game of the preseason. In the traditional warm up game for the regular season, the Raiders entertained the Saints in Week 3 of the exhibition slate. Oakland's starters were promptly outscored (31-0) and outgained (344-60) in a brutal half of football.
The NFL's worst passing offense in 2008 isn't likely to be much better in 2009. QB JaMarcus Russell doesn't appear to be ready to live up to the expectations of being a first overall draft pick three years ago.
Rookie Darrius Heyward-Bey will improve a marginal group of receivers, but the offense will rely on the ground game in 2009. Second-year tailback Darren McFadden has supplanted Justin Fargas as the starter to begin the year.
“I just think everything he is in terms of being multiple, running the football and catching the football,” Raiders head coach Tom Cable told the San Francisco Chronicle.
After working out some personal issues, Seymour is expected to be on board in Oakland for the opener. The veteran duo of Seymour and Greg Ellis will be counted on to strengthen a defensive line that struggled to stop the run in 2008 (last in AFC in rushing defense).
The secondary, led by star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, should also benefit from an improved pass rush up front.
Line movement
San Diego opened as a touchdown favorite with a total of 44. The Chargers are now favored by 9.5 points while the over/under is down to 43.
Trends
The Chargers are 11-0 (10-1 ATS) in the last 11 meetings in the series. Oakland's 24-72 record since 2003 is the worst in the NFL.
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