Announcement

**StarDust Bum** · 10-31-2010, 09:30 AM

Garrard will start Sunday in Dallas

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-4)
at DALLAS COWBOYS (1-5)

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EDT, Line: Dallas -6.5, Total: 42.5

After missing last week’s game due to a concussion, Jaguars QB David Garrard practiced fully the entire week and will start in Sunday’s game at Dallas. The Cowboys will not have their starting signal caller, Tony Romo, for at least six weeks after he broke his collarbone in Monday night’s loss to the Giants. Veteran Jon Kitna will start at quarterback for Dallas. Kitna will do so behind a makeshift offensive line that will be without LG Kyle Kosier (Achilles) and Montrae Holland (groin).

******* take:
Garrard gives the Jags their best chance to win, but he is not a game-changing quarterback. His stats are very pedestrian this year (9 TD, 7 INT, zero 200-yard passing games) and Jacksonville ranks 28th in passing offense. RB Maurice Jones-Drew has also been very ordinary with 3.8 yards per carry and just one rushing touchdown in seven games. Jones-Drew has rushed for at least nine scores in each of his first four seasons, including last year’s career-high 15 rushing TD. The biggest problem in Jacksonville is the defense that has allowed 26-plus points in each of the past six games. The Jaguars rank 30th in total defense (382 YPG), 27th in passing defense (253 YPG) and 25th in rushing defense (129 YPG). Jacksonville also sports a league-worst minus-10 turnover margin.

Kitna did pretty well filling in for Romo last week. He only completed 16-of-33 passes, but still gained 187 yards with two touchdowns. For his 129-game career, Kitna has a 76.7 passer rating, 154 TD and 151 INT. For Dallas to actually win a game, it needs to get its running game in gear. The Cowboys have one game of 105-plus rushing yards this year and rank 30th in the league with just 86 rush YPG. Much of that has to do with an injured offensive line that has been left with very little depth. Dallas could also use some turnover help considering only five NFL teams have fewer than its nine takeaways.

Jacksonville has lost two of three road games in the series, but it has never played at the new Cowboys Stadium where Dallas is 0-3 this year. These two FoxSheets trends show why Jacksonville is the play on Sunday.

Play On - Road teams (JACKSONVILLE) - with a horrible scoring defense - allowing 27 or more points/game, after allowing 25 points or more in 2 straight games. (32-9 over the last 5 seasons.) (78%, +22.1 units. Rating = 3*).

Play Against - Home favorites (DALLAS) - average rushing team (3.5 to 4.5 YPR) against a team with a poor rushing defense (>=4.5 YPR), after gaining 75 or less rushing yards last game. (37-12 over the last 10 seasons.) (75.5%, +23.8 units. Rating = 3*).

The FoxSheets also side with the Under:

JACKSONVILLE is 14-3 UNDER (+10.7 Units) after allowing 175 or more rushing yards last game since 1992.The average score was JACKSONVILLE 17.1, OPPONENT 14.9 - (Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 10-31-2010, 09:31 AM

Steven Jackson will play against Carolina

CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-5)
at ST. LOUIS RAMS (3-4)

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EDT, Line: St. Louis -3, Total: 37

Two teams with injured star running backs meet in St. Louis on Sunday. Carolina’s DeAngelo Williams (foot) and Rams RB Steven Jackson (finger) have both fallen victim to the injury bug. Williams’ ailment is being reported as a sprained foot, which could keep him out a few weeks. The news on Jackson is much better, as the man who is now the Rams’ all-time rushing leader will play through the pain of his surgically repaired finger. Other injuries include Panthers WR Devin Thomas (groin) and LB Jamar Williams (spinal concussion) who will both sit out Sunday’s game. Rams WR Danario Alexander (knee) and RT Jason Smith (concussion) are also not playing Sunday.

******* take:
Williams is a great running back, but the Panthers don’t lose much with his backup Jonathan Stewart. Because Carolina has been trailing so often, Williams has yet to carry the ball 20 times in a game and has only one contest with more than 65 rushing yards this year (86 at New Orleans). Stewart had a tremendous 2009 season as the complement to Williams, rushing for 1,133 yards (5.1 YPC) with 10 TD. But like the rest of Carolina, Stewart has struggled this year to a 3.0 YPC average and just one touchdown in his 50 carries. The Panthers made a wise decision to re-insert QB Matt Moore as the starter last week, as he threw for 308 yards and two touchdowns in the win over San Francisco.

Jackson has been the best player in St. Louis for a while, and he is heating up lately, with 333 rushing yards in his past three games. He’ll need to be great again as Alexander’s injury further depletes a receiving corps that will not include the top three WRs when the season began. The Rams have been winning games mostly because their defense is much improved from last year. St. Louis is allowing only 18.7 PPG, good for eighth in the NFL, compared to its 27.3 PPG average in 2009.

Carolina is 6-2 ATS in its past eight road games and this highly-rated FoxSheets trend is another reason to pick Carolina.

Play Against - Home teams (ST LOUIS) - poor passing team (5.3-5.9 PYA) against a horrible passing team (<=5.3 PYA). (62-22 since 1983.) (73.8%, +37.8 units. Rating = 4*).

The FoxSheets show another four-star rated trend favoring the Over:

Play Over - Any team where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points (ST LOUIS) - in a game involving two average defensive teams (295 to 335 YPG). (78-28 over the last 5 seasons.) (73.6%, +47.2 units. Rating = 4*).

**StarDust Bum** · 10-31-2010, 09:32 AM

Carson Palmer will start Sunday vs. Miami

MIAMI DOLPHINS (3-3)
at CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-4)

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EDT, Line: Cincinnati -1, Total: 43.5

Despite missing Thursday’s practice with a hip injury, Bengals QB Carson Palmer will start in Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. WR Terrell Owens (hand) will also start, but LCB Johnathan Joseph, who missed last game with an ankle injury is questionable to play Sunday.

******* take:
Palmer picked apart an injury-depleted Falcons secondary last week (412 yards, 3 TD), but faces a tougher test against Miami, which is tied for 10th in total defense (317 YPG). If the Bengals are to snap their three-game losing skid, they must try to run the football more. Cincinnati has 67 rush attempts and 122 passing plays (65% of play selection) during these three losses.

Miami has also abandoned the run with just 81 rushing YPG in its past three losses. Although just 1-3 versus AFC teams this year, Miami has been a road warrior recently, winning five straight and eight of nine ATS on the road. QB Chad Henne will try to exploit the left side of the field with Joseph’s injury status. Henne has thrown for 289 YPG in his past four contests, but star WR Brandon Marshall only has one touchdown this season, despite 42 receptions and 72 targets.

Cincinnati has won the past two meetings (16-13 in 2004 and 38-25 in 2007), but these FoxSheets trends give three reasons to pick Miami.

CINCINNATI is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CINCINNATI 17.7, OPPONENT 17.1 - (Rating = 3*).

MIAMI is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in road games vs. good passing teams with a completion pct. of 61% or better over the last 3 seasons. The average score was MIAMI 21.1, OPPONENT 17.6 - (Rating = 2*).

Play Against - Home favorites (CINCINNATI) - excellent passing team (>=265 PY/game) against an average passing defense (185-230 PY/game), after gaining 7 or more passing yards/attempt last game. (33-9 over the last 5 seasons.) (78.6%, +23.1 units. Rating = 3*).

The FoxSheets show another highly-rated trend favoring the Under:

Play Under - Any team where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points (CINCINNATI) - in a game involving two average offensive teams (18-23 PPG), after a playing a game where 50 total points or more were scored. (97-46 since 1983.) (67.8%, +46.4 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 10-31-2010, 09:33 AM

Packers look to snap Jets' five-game win streak

GREEN BAY PACKERS (4-3)
at NEW YORK JETS (5-1)

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EDT, Line: New York –6, Total: 42

The Jets go for their first six-game winning streak in 12 years when they host the injury-laden Packers on Sunday. New York is also 5-0 ATS during the victory string and is well-rested after last week’s bye. The Packers snapped a four-game ATS losing skid (including two straight outright losses) when they defeated Brett Favre and Vikings on Sunday night.

This is not a good matchup for Green Bay, which has allowed 346 rushing yards in its past two games. The Jets are second in the NFL in rushing offense, racking up an impressive 159 yards per game on the ground this year.

Aaron Rodgers has had a terrible season for his lofty standards. After throwing for 58 TD to 20 INT in the previous two seasons, he has only 12 TD and nine interceptions this season. In contrast, Jets QB Mark Sanchez has had an excellent 9 TD/2 INT ratio in his second year, which is a big improvement from his 12-TD, 20-INT rookie season. Speaking of turnovers, the Jets lead the NFL with a +10 rating, having just four giveaways and creating 14 takeaways.

The Jets have won all three meetings since 2000, including two straight blowouts (38-10 in 2006 and 42-17 in 2002). Despite everything seemingly in the Jets’ favor, the FoxSheets lean heavily to the underdog Green Bay to at least cover, including this five-star whopper.

Mike McCarthy is 13-1 ATS (+11.9 Units) in a road game where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points as the coach of GREEN BAY. The average score was GREEN BAY 26.2, OPPONENT 18.7 - (Rating = 5*).

And this FoxSheets trend advises to play the Over.

Play Over - Road teams where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points (GREEN BAY) - off 1 or more straight overs against opponent off 2 or more consecutive overs. (42-15 over the last 5 seasons.) (73.7%, +25.5 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 10-31-2010, 09:35 AM

NFL Injury Report

NEW YORK (AP) -The updated National Football League injury report, as provided by the league:

MONDAY
HOUSTON TEXANS at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS -

TEXANS: DOUBTFUL: DT Earl Mitchell (ankle), DE Jesse Nading (knee). QUESTIONABLE: G Mike Brisiel (knee). PROBABLE: LB Xavier Adibi (hamstring), LB Kevin Bentley (knee), TE Owen Daniels (knee), WR Dorin Dickerson (knee), TE Garrett Graham (shoulder), WR Andre Johnson (ankle), CB Sherrick McManis (hamstring), CB Karl Paymah (wrist), LB Darryl Sharpton (ankle

COLTS: OUT: WR Austin Collie (hand), LB Kavell Conner (foot), DT Antonio Johnson (knee), S Bob Sanders (biceps). DOUBTFUL: RB Joseph Addai (neck). QUESTIONABLE: RB Donald Brown (hamstring), WR Pierre Garcon (hamstring), WR Anthony Gonzalez (ankle), CB Jacob Lacey (foot), CB Jerraud Powers (foot), WR Reggie Wayne (hamstring). PROBABLE: LB Gary Brackett (groin).

**StarDust Bum** · 10-31-2010, 09:36 AM

BC Lions CFL spread favorites at home

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are looking to snap a three-game losing streak when they take on the British Columbia Lions, who are still fighting for a spot in the playoffs. This Week 18 matchup is scheduled for Sunday, Oct 31 at Empire Field in Vancouver. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (PT).

Saskatchewan clinched a spot in the postseason a couple of weeks back and is still in prime position to host a game in the semifinal round of the playoffs, but it hardly looks like a team that can make a legitimate run at the Grey Cup with losses in its last three games. Last week the Roughriders fell to Edmonton 39-24 as a 2 ½-point road favorite. The total went ‘over’ the 51 ½-point line.

The loss dropped them to 9-7 straight-up and 8-8 against the CFL spread. They have locked up second place in the West Division but still need a win and a Toronto loss to secure home-field advantage for the first round of the playoffs. Saskatchewan is 3-5 SU and 4-4 ATS on the road this season. The total has stayed ‘under’ in six of its last eight games.

B.C. is still fighting for its postseason life but last week’s 36-31 win over Calgary was definitely a step in the right direction. The Lions were an 8 ½-point road underdog and the total went well ‘over’ the 55-point line.

The victory moved them to 6-10 both SU and ATS on the year. B.C. is currently tied with Edmonton for third place in the West and the final spot in the playoffs since five teams have already clinched a berth and Winnipeg has been eliminated. The Lions have not played well at home this season as they are just 2-6 SU and ATS. The total has gone ‘over’ in seven of their last nine games.

This will be the third meeting between these two teams this season with Saskatchewan looking for the series sweep. The Roughriders dominated the Lions in Week 2 by the score of 37-18. They covered as a two-point road underdog and the total went ‘over’ the 53-point line.

QB Darian Durant picked apart B.C.’s secondary, completing 18-of-29 attempts for 252 yards and one TD. RB Wes Cates added another 93 yards on the ground and one score. The game was close at the half, but Saskatchewan outscored the Lions 24-8 in the second to seal the win.

The second game in Week 7 was almost a carbon-copy of the first one with the Roughriders rolling to a 37-13 victory. This time Saskatchewan was an eight-point home favorite and the total stayed ‘under’ the 54 ½-point line. The game was never close as the Roughriders took control from the start by opening up a 15 point lead at the half that they never relinquished. Durant and Cates did most of the damage again; combining for four TD’s on the ground.

Sportsinteraction.com has opened the Lions as a four-point favorite and the ‘over/under’ line is set at 53 ½. Head-to-head, Saskatchewan has won four out of the last six games SU including the last three. The games were evenly split at 3-3 ATS. The home team is 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS in the last six meetings.

B.C. is not the same team that the Roughriders beat up on earlier in the season. The Lions are 3-2 SU in their last five games including two impressive road wins over Calgary. They have struggled at home this season, but with a playoff spot on the line take the Lions to cover the four points in this one.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-31-2010, 09:48 AM

NFL Underdogs: Week 8 pointspread picks

We’re only entering Week 8 of the season but I know I’ve already made my stupidest bet of the season.

I took the Bengals last Sunday thinking they could pull off an upset in Atlanta. They were coming off a bye, giving them an extra week to prepare for the Falcons.

What I saw in the first half of that game made me throw up in my chip bowl.

The Cincinnati Bengals are a bettor's worst nightmare. They are undisciplined, lazy and overrated.

Don’t believe me? Here’s a list of reasons why you might as well burn your money before you back the Bungles.

The Bengals were penalized twice for too many men on the field last week against the Falcons and one of those incidents came out of a timeout. Did I mention the Bengals were also coming off their bye?
Cincinnati’s defense, which was one of the league’s best a year ago, gave up 452 yards to Atlanta.
Dating back to last season, the Bengals are 1-9 against the spread the last 10 times they’ve been favored and 3-11 ATS in their last 14 overall.
Terrell Owens doesn’t know what his team’s record is - he just know it’s bad. Something tells me he cares more about his TV show’s ratings or who his next girlfriend will be than Cincy’s spot in the AFC North standings.
"I know a lot of people around us, if they haven't given up yet, they're about to give up on us," Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer told reporters after the 39-32 loss to Atlanta. "We're not going to do that. ... We expect to be written off, but we're not going to write ourselves off."

Yeah, count me as one of those people who are writing off the Bengals. I only wish I’d done it a week sooner.

The Dolphins, who visit Cincinnati Sunday, are 3-0 straight up and against the spread on the road this season. The Phins are also 9-1 ATS the last 10 games they were getting points.

Go Fish.

Pick: Dolphins (+1.5)

Seattle Seahawks (+2.5) at Oakland Raiders

Former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy says the Seahawks are the team to beat in the NFC. Does that mean the NFC is really, really bad or that Dungy had a little bit too much whiskey in his coffee mug on the set for Football Night in America? Probably a little of both.

Seattle is team to beat in the NFC West and is certainly better than the Raiders.

Oakland’s Darren McFadden ran wild on Denver but he’s not going to have the same success against the Seahawks. Pete Carroll’s club allows just 3.3 yards per carry to opposing offenses, second to only Pittsburgh.

Seattle offense is looking much better these days. Mike Williams is the real deal at receiver and Marshawn Lynch is picking up those first downs in short-yardage situations.

One more reason to fade the Raiders: Oakland hasn’t covered the spread in back-to-back weeks since Week 1 and 2 last season.

Pick: Seahawks

Pittsburgh Steelers (+1) at New Orleans Saints

This isn’t that tough of a pick. The Saints stink when they can’t run the ball and no team is better at taking away a rushing attack than Pittsburgh.

Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas are both ruled out for Sunday’s game, which means the Saints will send out Chris Ivory as their lead tailback.

As long as Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t fumble or get intercepted on every other Pittsburgh possession, the Gold and Black will leave the Saints black and blue on Halloween night.

Pick: Steelers

Last week: 2-2
Season record: 13-12

**StarDust Bum** · 10-31-2010, 09:50 AM

Where the action is: Sunday NFL line moves

Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers (-2, 42)

Line movement: We opened the 49ers as a pick'em and booked sharp action on the 49ers. We went to 49ers -1 and we're now dealing -2 on the game. Just over 60 percent of the action is on the 49ers. We opened the total at 42 and haven't moved off that number.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Dallas Cowboys (-6.5, 43.5)

Line movement: We opened Cowboys -6.5 and haven't moved off our opening number. We've seen slightly more money bet on the Cowboys, but nothing significant. Roughly 55 percent of the action is on the Cowboys.

Total: We opened the total at 42.5 and we've seen nothing but over money so far on this game. Nearly 75 percent of the money is on the over. We've gone to 43.5 because of all that over money and I believe we'll be going to 44 at some point.

Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions (-2.5, 45)

Line movement: We opened the Lions -1 and immediately booked sharp action on the home side. We went to Lions -1.5, then -2 and eventually -2.5, all that movement coming on Monday when we originally opened the game. So far we've booked this game dead even.

Total: We opened our total at 44 and, with over 70 percent of the action on the over, we're now dealing 45.

Green Bay Packers at New York Jets (-6, 42.5)

Line movement: We opened the Jets -6 and haven't moved off our opening number. We've booked this game dead even so far.

Total: As for the total, we opened 43 and booked a sharp bet under and went to 42.5. But since going to 42.5 we've seen mostly over money. So far 80 percent of the action is on the over and I think we'll eventually be going back to 43.

Carolina Panthers at St. Louis Rams (-3, 37)

Line movement: We opened the Rams -3 and haven't moved off our opening number. We've booked this game dead even and it's obvious that we've got the right number between these two teams.

Total: We opened 37 and we're still dealing that number. So far we've seen mostly over money and I suspect we'll be going to 37.5 at some point. Roughly 75 percent of the money is on the over.

Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals (-1, 43.5)

Line movement: We opened the Bengals -2.5 and immediately booked sharp action on the dog. We went to Bengals -2 and eventually Bengals -1.5. With the public also on the Dolphins we're now dealing Bengals -1 on this game.

Total: We opened 43.5 and have not moved off our opening number. We've seen mostly over money in this game, with about 75 percent of the action on the over.

Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs (-7.5, 46)

Line movement: We opened the Chiefs -7.5 and haven't moved off our opening number. So far we've seen more money come in on the favorite with just over 60 percent of the action on the Chiefs.

Total: We've seen a ton of line movement is on the total. We opened this total 43 and immediately booked sharp action on the over. We went to 44 and 45, before settling on 46. The reason for such an aggressive line move is that the sharps and public are both betting the over. Nearly 90 percent of the action on this total has been bet on the over.

Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers (-3.5, 44.5)

Line movement: We opened the Chargers 3.5 and have not moved off our opening number. We've booked this game very even so far and have not had to move off -3.5.

Total: We opened at 44 and, with over 80 percent of the money being bet on the over, we've gone to 44.5 on this game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals (-3 -120, 39)

Line movement: We opened the Cardinals -3 (-120) and have not moved off that number. So far the early money is on the Bucs, with about 65 percent of the action on the dog.

Total: We opened at 40 and booked sharp action on the under. We've gone to 39 and since going to 39 we've booked great, two-way action on this total.

Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Raiders (-2.5, 42)

Line movement: We opened the Raiders -1.5 in this game and most of the initial money was bet on the home side. We went to 2.5 on Tuesday and since going to 2.5 we've seen some Seahawk money start to show in this game. We've booked this game pretty even and as long as it doesn't land 2, we'll make money.
Total: We opened our total at 42 and have seen more money bet on the over so far. About 70 percent of the action is on the over.

Minnesota Vikings at New England Patriots (-5.5, 43.5)

Line movement: We opened this game briefly on Monday but with news that Viking QB Brett Favre ankle injury was more severe than first reported, we close the game immediately. We reopened this game Saturday morning knowing that Favre was probable and was most likely going to start. We opened the Pats -6 and went to -5.5 for a brief time, before going back to Pats -6. So far all the early money is on the Pats - nearly 80 percent of the action is on the Pats.

Total: We opened 43.5 and with nothing but over action, we've gone to 44.5.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-31-2010, 09:51 AM

Payoff pitch: Sunday's best MLB mound matchup

Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants vs. Tommy Hunter, Texas Rangers

Madison Bumgarner (7-6, 3.00 ERA)

Bumgarner has been a pleasant surprise for a young San Francisco pitching staff. The 21-year-old rookie southpaw compiled a 7-6 record with a stellar 3.00 ERA in 111 innings of work during the regular season. He had pitched just 10 innings with one start prior to this year.

Bumgarner has been similarly solid in the postseason. In Game 4 at Atlanta, he went six innings and gave up just two runs on six hits, good enough to get the win in the series-clincher. Bumgarner lasted just 4 2/3 innings in his lone NLCS start against the Phillies, but he bounced back for two innings of shutout relief work to help clinch Game 6 at Philadelphia.

Interestingly, Bumgarner was much better on the road than he was at home during the regular season. He was just 1-3 with a 4.60 ERA at AT&T Park, but he went 6-3 with a meager 1.91 ERA in 10 road starts. That appears to be good news for the Giants heading into Game 4.

Tommy Hunter (13-4, 3.73 ERA)

Not to be outdone by a pitcher three years his junior, Hunter was outstanding for Texas during the regular season. He rolled to an impressive 13-4 record thanks to a 3.73 ERA, no small feat especially in the American League. The righty improved in just about every statistical category from his first year to his second, including a drop in WHIP from 1.30 to 1.24.

Hunter’s first foray into the postseason has not gone as smoothly as it has for Bumgarner. In a potential Game 4 clincher against Tampa Bay, Hunter lasted just four innings and gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits while taking the loss. He exited after a mere 3 1/3 innings in Game 4 against the Yankees, but the Rangers’ bats erupted for a 10-3 win.

Something will have to give on Sunday because while Bumgarner is awesome on the road, Hunter is scary good at home. He compiled a perfect 7-0 record in 11 starts at the Ballpark in Arlington and boasted a 3.06 ERA.

Derek Holland, who has been a force in long relief work, was a contender for the Game 4 start admits Hunter’s postseason struggles. Manager Ron Washington had a decision to make. “It's a decision we have to wait and see, and see what they do,” Hunter told the Dallas Morning News last weekend. “Holland's been great in the bullpen, and a lot of things will factor into it. I really hope I get the ball, but if I don't, I understand.”

To Hunter’s delight, he will get the ball.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-31-2010, 09:53 AM

NFL Week 8's biggest betting mismatches

Green Bay Packers at New York Jets (-6, 42)

Packers run defense vs. Jets run offense

Last weekend, the Packers lost Cullen Jenkins to a calf strain before the game and Ryan Pickett seven plays into it because of a lingering ankle sprain. Mike McCarthy said they were forced to abandon their base defense and it appears neither of those defensive linemen will be available versus the Jets.

Playing against reserve defensive ends C.J. Wilson and Jarius Wynn, a rookie and second-year player, the Vikings rolled up 196 yards rushing last week. Green Bay currently ranks 23rd against the run, allowing more than 124 yards per game.

Behind LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene, the Jets pile up 159.2 yards per outing—the second-best mark in the NFL. Green Bay has already lost two starting linebackers this season so running against a ration of reserves could create some easy mismatches.

"There's no secret we have a very good offensive line, and it makes our job easier as running backs," Tomlinson said. "We're able to have one-on-one matchups with linebackers and safeties, and our job is to beat those guys.”

Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers (-3.5, 44.5)

Titans takeaway vs. Chargers giveaway

Tennessee has been accruing wins behind a defense that frustrates its opponent. Some have called it dirty, but there’s no arguing the fact that Jeff Fisher’s aggressive unit leads the league in takeaways with 18.

The Chargers have lost a game in about every way possible this season and the turnover bug has left its mark on a couple of those defeats. Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert have had trouble securing the rock at times and a depleted receiving corps has left inexperienced players susceptible to the strip.

San Diego has 18 giveaways in 2010, the most in the AFC, which has spawned a -7 turnover margin. Fisher likes to sub out defensive linemen with frequency so everyone stays fresh and that group could create some Chargers miscues Sunday.

Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals (-1, 43.5)

Dolphins pass offense vs. Bengals secondary

The Wildcat may be extinct in Miami but the offense is trudging along behind a better-than-average passing attack (217.3 ypg). Chad Henne is finally coming into his own as a quarterback and Devone Bess may be the best player on the cusp of the NFL superstar radar.

Cincinnati hasn’t duplicated its defensive effort from last season when it ranked fourth overall. The Bengals are positioned 20th this year and the pass defense gives up more than 220 yards a game.

Adam Jones was lost for the season after a neck injury while Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall didn’t practice most of the week. Reserve corner Morgan Trent along with safeties Chinedum Ndukwe and Roy Williams are less than 100 percent.

"We definitely have to do a better job at this point," Hall said. "There have been too many balls caught and too many yards after the catch that we have to crack down on."

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (-5.5, 50)

Texans pass defense vs. Peyton Manning

The Colts defense was thrashed by Houston in Week 1 but that didn’t keep Peyton Manning from throwing for 433 yards and three scores. In 17 career games against the Texans, Manning has registered 40 touchdown passes—the most against any team. He feasts on the Texans secondary at Lucas Oil Stadium, completing nearly 70 percent of his attempts for 21 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

Houston ranks last in the league in pass defense, surrendering more than 305 yards a game and 8.2 yards per completion. The Texans have yielded 14 touchdowns through the air while only recording four interceptions

**StarDust Bum** · 10-31-2010, 10:03 AM

WARRIORS
Curry doesn't travel to Los Angeles

10-30) 18:41 PDT -- As if playing the two-time-defending champs on their home court wasn't a big enough task already, the Warriors will face the Lakers tonight without starting point guard Stephen Curry.

After spraining his right ankle in three consecutive games, Curry didn't travel with the team to Los Angeles. Instead, he stayed in Oakland for four around-the-clock days of rehabilitation with designs on playing at home against Memphis on Wednesday.

"Considering I've done the same thing three games in a row, it's getting kind of frustrating," Curry said, wearing a walking boot Saturday. "I am being smart for the long term and trying to get 100 percent healthy so I don't have to worry about it all year."

Coach Keith Smart said he will start his hybrid backcourt in Curry's absence, using Reggie Williams as the offense initiator and giving Monta Ellis more ballhandling responsibilities.

There really aren't any other options since the Warriors' plan of transitioning Charlie Bell into a point guard has been a failure and undrafted rookie Jeremy Lin isn't ready to contribute major minutes.

"We're just going to go out, try to play and hope that guys can fill the role," Smart said.

Ellis had 11 assists in Friday's win over the Clippers, and Williams had eight assists in the preseason finale against the Lakers - a game Curry missed after initially spraining his ankle.

"We just need Monta Ellis, the basketball player," Smart said. The Lakers "don't have anyone else to target now - someone else who can take over games and make plays - so I think he has to be at a high level."

Williams had 27 points and eight assists to two turnovers in 49 minutes of the Warriors' 105-102 overtime loss to the Lakers in the preseason finale. Smart wants Williams to call the plays and initiate the offense but to turn back into his naturally prolific scoring self on his second touch of offensive sets. "That's when he can become Reggie, the stat guy," Smart said.

On Friday, Curry rolled his ankle hard as he bit on the first portion of Eric Gordon's crossover dribble while trying to avoid a Blake Griffin screen.

"My heel clipped (Griffin's) shoelace," Curry joked. "I watched it in slo-mo. It was just enough to get me off balance. Gordon's crossover was 20 percent, and Griffin's shoelace was the other 80."

Curry sat out four practices after the initial right ankle sprain and was healthy enough to play in the opening-night win over Houston. In the third quarter of that game, however, he twisted the ankle again when guard Aaron Brooks landed on him in the third quarter.

"I have been rehabbing to play in a game, rather than rehabbing to get 100 percent," Curry said. "I've changed my approach now."

**Kaptain** · 10-31-2010, 10:27 AM

give em hell today BUM

**StarDust Bum** · 10-31-2010, 10:45 AM

Good Luck to you also Kapt....and

DA MAN.....

HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!

BET THE ORANGE AND BLACK TODAY......

GO GIANTS & BENGALS......are they more?

**Spark** · 10-31-2010, 10:53 AM

Good Luck Bum

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