The bum's 2012 nfl sept. Best bets !

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NFL | NEW ENGLAND at TENNESSEE
Play On - Underdogs or pick (TENNESSEE) first 2 weeks of the year, non-playoff team from prior season who won their last 2 games
25-6 over the last 10 seasons. ( 80.6% | 18.4 units )
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NFL | NEW ENGLAND at TENNESSEE
Play On - Home teams vs. the money line (TENNESSEE) first 2 weeks of the year, after closing out last season with 3 or more straight ATS losses
60-28 since 1997. ( 68.2% | 0.0 units )
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NFL | SEATTLE at ARIZONA
Play Over - Any team where the first half total is between 18 and 21 in conference games, first month of the season, after closing out last season strong with 4 or more wins in last 5 games
27-7 over the last 5 seasons. ( 79.4% | 19.3 units )

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Packers And 49ers Open Up At Lambeau Field

The Green Bay Packers hosting the San Francisco 49ers may not be the most watched game of NFL Week 1, but this 4:25 p.m. (ET) broadcast on FOX is definitely the best matchup.

The Don Best NFL odds screen opened Green Bay as solid 6½-point home favorites, but it has been quickly bet down to 4½-5. The total has gone in the other direction, currently at 46½-47 after starting at 45.

These are the two favored teams to win the NFC in the current future odds. The Don Best Linemakers Poll has Green Bay top-ranked in the entire league, followed by New England, Philadelphia and San Francisco (tied-for-fourth with Pittsburgh). However, the primetime Denver debut of Peyton Manning will beat this game in the ratings.

Green Bay had a perfect 13-0 record last year and looked headed towards its second-straight Super Bowl title. However a loss at Kansas City (19-14) on December 18 planted a seed of doubt and the Giants finished the job in the divisional round with a shocking 37-20 win at Lambeau.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers returns to the scene of the ‘playoff crime’ and brings the NFL’s top-ranked scoring offense with him (35.0 PPG). The passing game should continue to be great and the running game good enough with Cedric Benson the starter while James Starks (turf toe) is out.

The big offensive question is at left tackle (Rodgers’ blindside) where Marshall Newhouse is the full-time starter after Chad Clifton was released. The 49ers were tied-for-seventh in the NFL last year with 42 sacks and keeping Rodgers ‘clean’ is a huge concern this game.

The Packers defense was worst in the NFL last year at 299.8 YPG, but better in points at 22.4 PPG (ranked 19th). There was a big loss in training camp with linebacker Desmond Bishop (hamstring) out for the year and several rookies will have to make immediate contributions, starting with first-round pass rusher Nick Perry.

San Francisco came within a whisper of making the Super Bowl last year, but was undone by some Giants magic and two turnovers in the NFC title game.

Coach Jim Harbaugh proved the pro game was right up his ally after coming over from Stanford. He had no trouble building a ferocious defense that finished second in points allowed (14.3 PPG).

The offense is the big question mark, the opposite situation of Green Bay. Quarterback Alex Smith was almost a casualty of the ‘Peyton Manning sweepstakes,’ but he’s kissed and made up with the organization and has a couple of new toys in receivers Randy Moss and Mario Manningham. The 35-year-old Moss is looking to bounce back after sitting out all of last year.

Harbaugh is still going to pound the ball first with Frank Gore. Bruising Brandon Jacobs was signed to be another option, but he’s doubtful this week (knee). The question is whether Smith can make enough plays in the passing game to beat a great team like Green Bay on the road.

Some additional betting notes to watch: Green Bay has won 13-straight regular season home games (11-2 ATS). The ‘over’ is 11-2 in those contests and also jumped the total in the playoff defeat to the Giants.

Green Bay is also 5-0 SU and ATS in Week 1 games the five seasons.

This series has been owned by the Packers recently, winning the last eight (6-1-1 ATS) with the most recent in December 2010.

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Las Vegas Money Moves

September 6, 2012

Back in June, the Saints were 11-point home favorites over Robert Griffin III and the Redskins. That number slid down to -9 ½ by July, went to -9 on Monday and by Thursday evening, the Saints were only -7.

At one point, the Cardinals were 2 ½-point favorites, but the combination of Arizona's two quarterbacks looking awful in preseason while rookie Russell Wilson shined with the Seahawks has made Seattle the 2 ½-point road favorite with money being attached suggesting that a move to -3 is probable by gameday.

So what gives? Why all the respect for these two rookies? We asked Coast Resorts sports book director Bob Scucci the question and he was pretty straight and simple with his answer. “We have some pretty impressive rookies out there that have shown they can move the ball and have a quick understanding of their systems.”

Quarterbacks like Andy Dalton and Cam Newton proved last season that they could come right out of college and make things happen immediately which has kind of put the thought in the back of every coach’s mind that has a veteran QB who they’re not too sure if he’s the answer to their team’s Super Bowl dreams.

LVH Super Book vice-president Jay Kornegay has another take on why we’re seeing early success from the rookies QB’s and faith given to them by their coaches.

"The kids are better coached from a young age through high school," Kornegay said, "moreso than even 10 years ago. We’re seeing 10-year olds playing cover-2 defenses. The college programs are so much better as far as preparing kids for the next level between the system and getting enough pass reps. It doesn’t surprise me to see them have success at all, and I don’t think the trend is going to end anytime soon."

Andrew Luck showed during the preseason that he can move the ball and take command of the Colts offense and bettors have respected his maturity and leadership. The Bears have been 9 ½-point home favorites against the Colts since the LVH first opened NFL spreads in Las Vegas April 18 and it wasn’t until Thursday that the line went to -10.

While those three quarterbacks have been given the ultimate compliment from bettors, the other two have been picked on.

“Ryan Tannehill will probably struggle the most out of the five rookies just because he doesn’t have the supporting cast around him,” said Kornegay.

Kornegay said the LVH opened the Texans as a 6-point home favorite in April and they have been bet all the way up to -12, with the bulk of that action coming after the Dolphins announced Tannehill would start.

As for the Browns and Brandon Weeden, who the public has bet against taking the Eagles at -8 and pushing it up to -9, Kornegay sees the writing on the wall. "Cleveland has a problem."

One of the bigger moves not involving a rookie quarterback is the Bills action coming in for their game at the Jets. New York was once six-point favorites in the early spreads offered and now are as low as -2 ½ at the South Point.

“I was kind of surprised by that move,” said Scucci. “I don’t understand the large move myself, but we’ve taken a lot of sharp money on the Bills. This will be one of those games where the public will be on the Jets, but we’ll lopsided in Bills straight bets.”

Kornegay kind of understands the move from a psyche standpoint.

“The Bills are full of optimism about their season and bettors have seen that and been betting them to win the conference, Super Bowl and OVER on their season win totals. Whereas the Jets seem to have a little more pressure on them with the media and struggling in the preseason.“

The Jets' offense did struggle throughout the preseason, but there didn’t seem to ever be sense of urgency at any time from Jets coach Rex Ryan. They didn’t even run a Tebow-inspired play on offense during the preseason for fear of tipping off the Bills on how to stop it. Also, the Jets weren’t the only team to go 0-4 in the preseason. Buffalo matched their effort by going winless as well.

The Titans have seen a lot of action the last two days from sharp money across town in their home game against the Patriots. New England was favored by 6 ½-points and they are all the down to -5 ½.

"Despite the number move on the Titans, we’re still going to need the Patriots on Sunday just because they’re such a huge public favorite," said Scucci.

The last 13 Super Bowls losers have gone 2-11 SU and 1-11-1 ATS in their season opener the following season.

The Broncos-Steelers Sunday night game should attract the most action of the weekend and thus far it’s been evenly balanced with the Broncos holding at -1 ½.

“I think Denver should be 2 ½ or 3 in this game,” said Kornegay, “but we’ll let the action dictate where we go from here.”

The top sharp plays of the week around the city are the Rams, Raiders, Bills, Redskins, and Titans.

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Week 1 Tips

September 7, 2012

Week 1 of the NFL season will showcase plenty of new faces under center, including four rookies starting their career on the highway. Only one of these four teams is favored (Seattle), while Cleveland is receiving a touchdown at home with Brandon Weeden making his debut. Since 2008, rookie quarterbacks to start on opening day have been a coin-flip proposition, as Matt Ryan, Mark Sanchez, and Joe Flacco all won, while Cam Newton, Matthew Stafford, and Sam Bradford all lost. We’ll take a look at the five new quarterbacks and their chances on cashing tickets to start the 2012 season.

Colts at Bears (-10, 43) – 1:00 PM EST

The Peyton Manning era is finished in Indianapolis with top pick Andrew Luck taking over the Colts’ franchise. Indianapolis split its four preseason games, while covering three times, including as a four-point underdog at Pittsburgh. The Bears won and cashed their final three preseason contests after losing the exhibition opener to the Broncos.

Chicago finished 8-8 last season, as the Bears lost five of their final six contests after Jay Cutler suffered a season-ending thumb injury. Lovie Smith’s club went 4-4 SU/ATS at Soldier Field in 2011, but the Bears own a 1-4 ATS record at home since 2009 when laying at least six points. The Colts managed covers in four of their final five games last season, while going 3-5 ATS away from Lucas Oil Stadium (all three ATS wins as double-digit underdogs).

Eagles (-9, 43) at Browns – 1:00 PM EST

The Browns will be starting their fifth different quarterback in as many years on opening day as the Eagles invade Northern Ohio. Philadelphia's expectations went through the roof prior to last season, but Andy Reid's club stumbled to a 4-8 start before winning its final four games to finish at 8-8. The Eagles wrapped up the preseason at a perfect 4-0, while covering three times, while the Browns lost their final two exhibition games at home, including a 27-10 defeat to the Eagles.

Philadelphia cashed its last four games to conclude the 2011 season, as the Eagles are just 5-6 ATS the previous 11 contests as a road favorite. Cleveland begins the Weeden era with a 6-1 ATS run to end last season, while going 10-1-1 to the 'under' in the final 12 contests. The biggest issue for the Browns will be scoring, as Cleveland put up 17 points or less in 14 of 16 games last season.

Redskins at Saints (-7 ½, 50) - 1:00 PM EST

Robert Griffin III captured the Heisman Trophy last season, but the former Baylor standout becomes the first rookie to start at quarterback for the Redskins on opening day in the Super Bowl era. Washington heads to New Orleans, as the Saints look to get on track following a tumultuous offseason that included season-long suspensions of head coach Sean Payton and linebacker Jonathan Vilma, but the former University of Miami star will play on Sunday after a judge overturned the ban.

The Saints won and covered all nine games at the Superdome last season, including eight victories by double-digits. New Orleans has put together a tremendous 16-3 ATS record at home since 2008 against non-division opponents, while the 'over' is 11-8 in this span. When Mike Shanahan took over in Washington, the Redskins cashed in five of their first seven games as road 'dogs. However, the 'Skins went 2-4 ATS the final six opportunities when receiving points on the highway to wrap up last season.

Dolphins at Texans (-12, 42 ½) - 1:00 PM EST

Miami went through a preseason to forget at 0-4 SU/ATS, while scoring just 43 points. The Dolphins are turning to rookie Ryan Tannehill to reinvigorate this Miami franchise, even though the team didn't beat one playoff squad in a 6-10 campaign last season. Now, Miami heads to Houston for a battle with a Texans' club going for their second straight playoff appearance.

Houston cashed in 12 of 18 games last season, but four of their six non-covers came against teams that didn't qualify for the playoffs. The Texans may be without one of their top offensive weapons, Arian Foster, who is listed as "questionable" with a knee ailment. The Dolphins have moved forward from the Tony Sparano era onto Joe Philbin, but Miami owns a 19-7 ATS as a road underdog since 2008, including four straight covers to close last season.

Seahawks (-2 ½, 40 ½) at Cardinals - 4:25 PM EST

How rare is it that Seattle is laying points away from the Pacific Northwest? The Seahawks are road favorites for just the fourth time since 2008, while winning just six of their last 25 games on the highway in the last three seasons. Seattle trots out former Wisconsin (and N.C. State) quarterback Russell Wilson for his first regular season game against an Arizona club that won six of eight home contests last season.

The Cardinals had plenty of problems in the preseason figuring out their quarterback quandary, as John Skelton came out on top over Kevin Kolb, who is making the big bucks after getting picked up from Philadelphia prior to last season. Arizona split a pair of games with Seattle last season with the home team winning each time, while the only two losses at University of Phoenix Stadium came to the Giants and Steelers. Under Ken Whisenhunt, the Cardinals have covered four of five openers, including last season's Week 1 victory over Carolina.

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Gridiron Angles - Week 1

September 7, 2012

NFL ATS TREND:

-- The Raiders are 9-0 ATS (18.6 ppg) since November 01, 2009 as a dog vs a divisional opponent.

NFL OU TREND:

-- The Panthers are 8-0 OU (12.9 ppg) since January 01, 2006 as a road favorite vs a divisional opponent.

NCAA ATS PLAY ON TREND:

-- Alabama is 9-0 ATS (12.6 ppg) since September 19, 2009 when playing a non-conference game if they are not 43+ point favorites.

NCAA ATS PLAY AGAINST TREND:

-- Central Michigan is 0-14 ATS (-11.5 ppg) since December 2009 after a game where they allowed at least 24 points and weren’t more than 21 point dogs.

NFL SUPER SYSTEM OF THE WEEK:

-- Play on a team in week 1 which covered in no more than 1/3rd of their games last season – 45-29-1 ATS (60.8%). Active with Tampa Bay and St. Louis.

NFL BIBLE TREND OF THE WEEK:

-- The Colts are 12-0 ATS (+9.5 ppg) since 1996 when visiting a non-divisional opponent in September.

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Monthly money: Best and worst NFL bets in September

Handicapping NFL games in September can be tricky, especially for bettors have been anxiously waiting to place wagers on football after sweating out the dog days of summer.

Nonetheless, the London Olympics are in the books and the pig is in the air, meaning the sweltering days of summer will soon be history.

Let’s take a quick look at how teams in the NFL have fared during the opening month of September since 1990.

Listed below are the GOOD and BAD ATS (Against The Spread) September performers. Teams had to beat the spread 66.7 percent or more of the time, or lose to the spread 33.3 percent or less of the time, in order to qualify for the list.

All results were extracted from the 2012 PLAYBOOK Football Preview magazine.

SEPTEMBER GOOD MONTH PERFORMERS:

Dallas • 21-9 ATS as underdogs

The Cowboys are America’s team and almost always have enough talent to compete, if not win as often as their fans or oddsmakers think. Dallas is known for big plays and that is usually why they come through when catching points early in the season.

Kansas City • 22-10 ATS vs. division opponents

The Chiefs have long been known to focus their attention on AFC West encounters, both home and away. The rivalries in this division are about as fierce and full of hate as any in football and Kansas City has always made it their business to keep it personal.

Keep an Eye On:

Denver • 13-7 ATS as underdogs

The Broncos used to enjoy a tremendous home-field advantage, but have only had one winning regular season in Denver since 2006. They have been a much better wager when catching points.


SEPTEMBER BAD MONTH PERFORMERS:

Arizona • 10-21 ATS at home, 7-15 ATS when favored

The further Kurt Warner is removed from the Arizona franchise, the lower the Cardinals continue to sink. Even when the Redbirds had pretty good teams in recent years, they were slow out the gate, even at home.

Carolina • 7-14 ATS as favorites

John Fox was a successful head coach in Charlotte for the most part, but he was more known for how his teams closed the year than how they began them. Carolina has always been a far better road underdog than a favorite.

Cincinnati • 11-25 ATS at home, 10-20 ATS when favored

Bengals fans have been apathetic towards ownership, despite the team reaching the playoffs three times in the past seven seasons. The franchise averaged just over 49,000 patrons per game last season, last in the NFL. The days of the “The Jungle” are long gone and the Bengals’ home-field edge could bankrupt football bettors.

Cleveland • 2-5 ATS as favorites

When your talent level is in the lower 20 percent of the league, winning games is a problem. Positioning teams like this as favorites can be very profitable, as long as you are betting the other side. Cleveland does not deserve to be giving points to anybody at this juncture.

St. Louis • 13-26 ATS away

This is our second Kurt Warner reference, but it’s apparent what his impact was on two franchises after he departed. The Rams have assembled mediocre players for years and are clearly not capable of taking their act on the road in the first quarter of the season.

Keep An Eye On:

Chicago • 11-20 ATS as favorites

Previously, Chicago played more home games early in the season in order to have fewer cold-weather games in the northern part of the country. The Bears were often not equipped to handle being favored.

Oakland • 11-20 ATS vs. division opponents

The days of “Commitment to Excellence” with the Raiders went out like Al Davis’ leisure suits. AFC West rivals still derive pleasure from kicking Oakland’s posterior to this day.

Pittsburgh • 9-17 ATS as underdogs

The Steelers have been notorious slow starters, often peaking late in the season and taking a few early lumps since the Chuck Noll days in Pittsburgh.

St. Louis • 12-23 as favorites

Even when the Rams were the “Greatest Show on Turf” under Dick Vermeil, the St. Louis defense allowed too many points, making them a crummy choice as a favorite.

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NFL

Week 1

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49ers at Packers: What bettors need to know
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San Francisco at Green Bay (-5, 46.5)

Two teams coming off postseason disappointment face off in one of the premier games of the NFL's opening weekend when the San Francisco 49ers travel to Green Bay to face Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Green Bay is bent on redemption after squandering a 15-1 regular season by bowing out in its first playoff game, while the 49ers will try to make the next step this season after a 20-17 overtime loss to the Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the NFC title game.

It's also a matchup of contrasting quarterbacks, though both were effective in their own right in 2011. Rodgers had one of the best seasons in NFL history with 4,643 passing yards, 45 touchdowns against only six interceptions and a league-record 122.5 rating. San Francisco's Alex Smith also blossomed, but he did so by becoming an effective game manager, passing for 3,144 yards with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. The Packers lead the all-time series between the traditional NFL powers 30-25-1 and have won the past nine meetings, including all three under coach Mike McCarthy.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX.

LINE: Packers -5. O/U: 47.

ABOUT THE 49ERS (2011: 13-3): San Francisco upgraded Smith's receiving corps by adding Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and rookie A.J. Jenkins and added some depth in the backfield by signing Brandon Jacobs and drafting LaMichael James. The 49ers also return virtually everyone from a defense that ranked second in points allowed and fourth in total yards allowed last season.

ABOUT THE PACKERS (2011: 15-1): Green Bay didn't do much in the offseason, and it didn't need to. The Packers were dominant in 2011 until the playoffs, and they have the pieces in place to make a deeper playoff run this year. The Packers' biggest change was letting running back Ryan Grant go to free agency and replacing him with Cedric Benson, who is coming off his third consecutive 1,000-yard season.

TRENDS

* Packers are 5-0 ATS in their last five games in Week 1.
* Over is 4-0 in Packers’ last four games vs. NFC opponents.
* 49ers are 1-9-2 ATS in their last 12 meetings.
* San Francisco is 0-3-1 ATS in its last four games in Green Bay.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Packers have 52 wins on kickoff weekend, tied with Chicago for the most ever.

2. Smith has won 14 of his past 17 starts, and the 49ers are 10-0 when he has a rating of 100.0 or better.

3. The 49ers led the NFL with a plus-28 turnover margin last year, the second-best mark in the NFL since 1970.

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NFL

Week 1

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Sunday Night Football: Steelers at Broncos
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Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos (-1, 46)

Peyton Manning moving to the Denver Broncos and his recovery from multiple neck surgeries was one of the big stories of the offseason. On Sunday night, Manning and the Broncos will get a real look at just how far the four-time NFL MVP has come in his recovery when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers. This version of Denver, with Manning instead of Tim Tebow under center, is very different from the team that knocked the Steelers out of the playoffs last winter - at least offensively. The defense, which sacked Ben Roethlisberger five times and picked him off once, remains largely intact. The Steelers will throw a defense at Manning that led the NFL last season while surrendering only 171.9 passing yards per game.

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC.

LINE: Broncos -1. O/U: 44.5

ABOUT THE STEELERS (2011: 12-4): Pittsburgh finished 21st in scoring at 20.3 points in 2011 and let offensive coordinator Bruce Arians leave in the offseason, replacing him with former Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley. The first order of business for Haley will be protecting Roethlisberger and his running backs, who have been operating behind a line with several holes. Roethlisberger has been sacked 122 times in the last seasons. Haley has installed sets with two tight ends and a fullback to help with protection and provide extra weapons beyond wide receivers Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace. The defense returns intact and a year older, though starting free safety Ryan Clark will miss the opener due to a sickle-cell trait that is aggravated at high altitude.

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (2011: 8-8): Tebow provided plenty of excitement for Denver fans in 2011, but Manning brings the prospect of consistent production from the passing game. Wide receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas give Manning a strong set of targets while Willis McGahee and Lance Ball headline the running game. Thomas provided the picture that the Steelers saw all offseason, breaking for an 80-yard touchdown in overtime in the playoffs. The less-talked about addition to the Broncos was former Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio, who takes over as defensive coordinator. Del Rio has a pair of ends in Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil that combined for 21 sacks last season. Each pulled down Roethlisberger once in the playoff win.

TRENDS

* Steelers are 0-4 ATS in their last four road games.
* Under is 6-1 in Steelers last seven games overall.
* Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
* Underdog is 5-1 ATS in their last six meetings.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Broncos defense will not have LB D.J. Williams, who has been suspended six games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

2. Manning is 2-1 with six touchdowns and four interceptions in three career regular-season games against Pittsburgh.

3. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is 4-1 in season openers.

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Armadillo: Sunday's six-pack

Six most popular picks and six least popular picks in Hilton handicapping contest, which has 700+ contestants, all of whom who pick five NFL games a week against the spread. They put up $1,500 each, so these are serious handicappers........

6) Miami Dolphins, 93
5) Houston Texans, 96
4) Carolina Panthers, 126
3) Pittsburgh Steelers, 134
2) New Jersey Giants, 159
1) Kansas City Chiefs, 176

T27) Jacksonville Jaguars, 34
T27) Arizona Cardinals, 34
29) Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 28
30) Chicago Bears, 22
31) New Orleans Saints, 21
32) Cleveland Browns, 17

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Early Games:

Sunday, September 9

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Indianapolis - 1:00 PM ET Chicago -9.5 500
Chicago - Over 43 500

Jacksonville - 1:00 PM ET Jacksonville +3.5 500
Minnesota - Under 37.5 500

Buffalo - 1:00 PM ET N.Y. Jets -3 500
N.Y. Jets - Under 39.5 500

Miami - 1:00 PM ET Miami +13 500
Houston - Under 41.5 500

New England - 1:00 PM ET Tennessee +4.5 500
Tennessee - Over 48 500

St. Louis - 1:00 PM ET Detroit -9 500
Detroit - Over 45.5 500

Washington - 1:00 PM ET New Orleans -9 500
New Orleans - Over 50.5 500

Philadelphia - 1:00 PM ET Philadelphia -9.5 500
Cleveland - Under 43 500

Atlanta - 1:00 PM ET Kansas City +1 500
Kansas City - Under 42.5 500


Late Games posted later:

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Late Games:


San Francisco - 4:25 PM ET Green Bay -5 500
Green Bay - Over 46.5 500

Seattle - 4:25 PM ET Seattle -2.5 500
Arizona - Under 41 500

Carolina - 4:25 PM ET Carolina -2.5 500
Tampa Bay - Over 45.5 500

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Sunday Night Pick:

Pittsburgh - 8:20 PM ET Denver -2.5 500

Denver - Under 45.5 500

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NFL

Week 1

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Bengals at Ravens: What bettors need to know
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Cincinnati at Baltimore (-7, 41)

The Cincinnati Bengals made noise by becoming the third AFC North team to qualify for the playoffs last season. The Bengals will test their mettle right out of the chute on Monday when they visit Baltimore to open their season against the reigning division-winning Ravens. Quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green made the Pro Bowl after their stellar rookie campaigns. The two young guns will need to continue that chemistry if the Bengals are going to unseat the Ravens, who won both meetings between the clubs in 2011.

Baltimore saw its season end in heartbreaking fashion after former Pro Bowl kicker Billy Cundiff's 32-yard field-goal attempt went awry in the waning moments of the team's AFC Championship Game loss to New England. The Ravens will look to dust themselves off behind dynamic back Ray Rice, who led the team in both rushing (1,364 yards) and receiving (704) while leading the league in yards from scrimmage (2,068). For his efforts, he received a $40 million contract in the offseason. Coach John Harbaugh's club will begin the season with a heavy heart after longtime owner Art Modell passed away Thursday morning at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Modell moved the then-Cleveland Browns to Baltimore in 1996.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: Ravens -6. O/U: 41.

WEATHER: Forecasts are calling for clear skies and temperatures in the high 60s. Winds will be blowing lightly out of the north.

ABOUT THE BENGALS: Former New England running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis replaces Cedric Benson as the bell cow in the backfield. Green-Ellis, who has yet to fumble in his NFL career, rushed for 11 touchdowns last season and 24 since 2010. Dalton threw for a season-best 373 yards in Cincinnati's 31-24 loss to Baltimore on Nov. 20. In addition to Green, tight end Jermaine Gresham creates matchup problems for defenses and will look to build on his career-best six touchdown receptions last season.

ABOUT THE RAVENS: Veteran linebacker Ray Lewis continues to provide an imposing presence after leading the club in tackles (95) for the 14th time in his career. Speaking of veterans, safety Ed Reed has tormented the Bengals in his career by recording nine interceptions. The team, however, will need to overcome the loss of reigning Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs (career-high 14 sacks in 2011), who is sidelined with a torn right Achilles tendon.

TRENDS

* Bengals are 0-6-1 ATS in their last seven games vs. AFC opponents.
* Under is 4-0 in Baltimore’s last four home games.
* Bengals are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six meetings.
* Ravens are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six home games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Baltimore has high hopes for younger stars such as promising wide receiver Torrey Smith, who had a breakout game against Cincinnati. He amassed a season-best 165 yards on Nov. 20.

2. Cincinnati CB Dre Kirkpatrick, who was the 17th overall pick of the 2012 draft, will sit out with a bone spur near his right knee.

3. Ravens QB Joe Flacco doesn't put up gaudy numbers, but the young quarterback has won 44 of his 64 games that he has started since entering the league in 2008.

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NFL

Week 1

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Chargers at Raiders: What bettors need to know
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San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders (-1, 46.5)

The Oakland Raiders begin their latest quest for an elusive playoff berth under new coach Dennis Allen on Monday night when they host the San Diego Chargers in the season opener for both teams. Oakland has not reached the postseason since 2002, when it lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII. The Raiders went 11-5 that year, their last season with a winning record.

Oakland has shown improvement of late, going 8-8 each of the last two seasons following seven straight campaigns with fewer than six victories. It has won nine of its last 12 games against AFC West rivals but has had little success against San Diego recently, losing 14 of the last 17 overall meetings and seven of eight at home. The Chargers, whose 38-26 road triumph in the 2011 season finale cost the Raiders the division title, have missed the playoffs each of the last two years after claiming the AFC West four consecutive times.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: Raiders -1. O/U: 46.5.

WEATHER: Forecasts are calling for clear skies and temperatures in the low-60s Monday night in Oakland. Winds will be light out of the south.

ABOUT THE CHARGERS: Philip Rivers is the main factor for San Diego. Last season, the veteran joined Drew Brees and Peyton Manning as the only quarterbacks in league history to throw for 4,000 yards in four or more straight campaigns. However, he also threw a career-high 20 interceptions. Rivers has performed well against division rivals since becoming the club's starting QB in 2006, posting a 26-10 record. The Chargers hope to have running back Ryan Mathews in the lineup Monday. Mathews, who suffered a broken clavicle in the preseason, returned to practice Monday but has yet to be cleared for contact.

ABOUT THE RAIDERS: Full seasons from two key offensive players could help Oakland get back to the postseason. Quarterback Carson Palmer appeared in only 10 games last year after being acquired from Cincinnati, throwing for 2,753 yards and 13 touchdowns. Meanwhile, running back Darren McFadden was limited to seven contests in 2011 due to a foot injury. He has yet to play a full season since being drafted fourth overall in 2008. Defense was Oakland's sore spot last season as it became the sixth team since 1970 to surrender 2,000 rushing yards and 4,000 passing yards in one campaign.

TRENDS

*Chargers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 meetings in Oakland.
*Underdog is 6-0 ATS in their last six meetings.
*Over is 5-0 in the last five meetings between the teams in Oakland.
*Raiders are 4-0 ATS in their last four games in September.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Palmer's top two career passing performances have come against the Chargers. He threw for 440 yards versus San Diego in 2006 while with the Bengals and registered 417 yards in the 2011 season finale.

2. Oakland is 36-15-1 in home openers, the third-best mark in the NFL.

3. Rivers has thrown for 24,137 yards since becoming San Diego's starter, ranking behind only Brees (28,394).

[StarDust Bum]

MNF Doubleheader

September 9, 2012

Week 1 of the NFL wraps up with a doubleheader involving AFC divisional matchup on Monday night. The Raiders and Chargers wrap up the evening at the Black Hole in Northern California as the two AFC West rivals look to make a move up the division ladder this season. We'll start in Baltimore with a pair of playoff teams from last season hooking up, as Cincinnati plays with double revenge.

Bengals at Ravens - 7:00 PM EST

Baltimore staved off Cincinnati twice in the final seven weeks of last season, winning each matchup by eight points or less. The Ravens made it all the way to the AFC Championship before falling short in a 23-20 defeat at New England, as Baltimore had several late opportunities to tie and even win the game. John Harbaugh's team has huge expectations once again in 2012, while plenty of questions surround the Bengals to see if this team can duplicate last season's success.

Cincinnati seemed like it was headed for a last-place finish in the AFC North when Carson Palmer refused to report to camp. The Bengals turned to rookie Andy Dalton, who helped lead Cincinnati to its first playoff berth since 2009 with a 9-7 record. Most of the damage was done against non-playoff competition, as the Bengals went a perfect 9-0 in this situation. However, all eight (including playoffs) losses came to teams that qualified for the postseason, including the two defeats to the Ravens.

Baltimore finished a perfect 6-0 SU and 4-1-1 ATS against division opponents in 2011, as the lone 'push' came at home against Cincinnati. The Ravens led the Bengals, 31-14 with 14 minutes remaining in regulation, but Cincinnati scored the final 10 points of the game. In fact, Dalton took the Bengals down the field for a potential game-tying touchdown in the final minutes, but the Ravens' defense held for the win.

Six weeks later, Baltimore cashed as a three-point road favorite, 24-16 at Paul Brown Stadium in the last game of the regular season. Ray Rice broke off a pair of long touchdown runs, as the game went 'over' the posted total of 37 ½, the sixth 'over' in eight regular season road contests for the Ravens. The ATS loss as a home underdog was just the fifth in the last 15 for the Bengals, dating back to 2008.

Since posting a perfect 6-0 SU record in 2009, Cincinnati owns a 4-8 SU and 4-7-1 ATS mark against division opponents. Both victories last season inside the AFC North came against the lowly Browns, while getting swept by the Ravens and Steelers, both consistent playoff teams.

The Ravens are listed as seven-point home favorites, while the number is slowly rising to 7 ½ at several outlets. The total hasn't moved much since 41 was posted months ago, as it sits at 41 ½. The game can be seen at 7:00 PM EST on ESPN.

Chargers at Raiders - 10:15 PM EST

San Diego finished short of the playoffs for a second straight season after putting together an 8-8 campaign in 2011. The Chargers wrapped up last season with a victory over the Raiders, 38-26 as 2 ½-point road underdogs, as San Diego finds itself at the Black Hole to open up 2012. The Silver and Black went 8-8 for the second consecutive season, but will have Palmer for a full campaign under center after getting picked up last October from Cincinnati.

The Raiders split six divisional contests last season following a perfect 6-0 SU/ATS record in 2010 against AFC West rivals. All three losses inside the division came at home, all by double-digits to the Broncos, Chiefs, and Chargers. Following the defeats to Kansas City and Denver at O.Co Coliseum, Palmer picked up his first win in a Raiders' uniform at San Diego, a 24-17 victory as seven-point underdogs. That triumph jump-started a three-game winning streak for Oakland, but the Raiders stumbled to a 1-4 finish in the final five contests.

The last loss came to the Chargers, who managed to break the 30-point plateau for the fourth time in five games to conclude the season. Norv Turner's squad stumbled to a 6-10 ATS record, as the lone ATS cover as a road underdog for the Lightning Bolts came at Oakland (1-3 ATS in that role). In six Monday night games since 2009, the Chargers are 2-4 ATS and 3-3 SU, while failing to cover in each of the last four openers.

San Diego will be without running back Ryan Mathews, who suffered a clavicle injury early in the preseason. The Chargers were a middle of the road team in rushing last season (116.5 yards/game), while ranking 20th in rushing defense. The Raiders ran for 191 yards in the victory at San Diego last season, but Darren McFadden missed the game with a leg injury.

Oakland is listed as a one-point favorite at most outlets, but several books have the game listed as a pick-em. The total is set at 46 ½, as late kickoff comes at 10:15 PM EST and will be seen nationally on ESPN.