Announcement

**StarDust Bum** · 09-07-2015, 01:17 PM

NFL Week 1 Essentials

September 7, 2015

The season is here. Let’s rejoice and get into thought process mode on these Week 1 morsels:

Thursday, Sept. 10

Pittsburgh at New England:

Do Steelers receivers Antonio Brown and Markus Wheaton have game-breaker in them here? Without suspended playmakers Le’Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant, it’s going to be easier to account for those two than it would’ve been, which means a Dri Archer or Darrius Heyward-Bey is going to have to emerge. Tom Brady didn’t look great in August’s games and didn’t enjoy a normal preseason, but he’ll have Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman to make him look good. They’ve gotten plenty of work in during practices, so even if the Patriots look flat, “Deflategate” drama be used as an excuse. At least not accurately.

Sunday, Sept. 14

Green Bay at Chicago:

With Jordy Nelson out for the year, expect Randall Cobb to make good on his vow to play through shoulder trouble, but he isn’t likely to be 100 percent. The Packers offensive line has also had health issues over the past month, so there’s a chance they’ll be vulnerable. The Bears have beaten their arch rival in only three of the last 15 games since 2008 and haven’t won in Soldier Field in five seasons, but they’ve never had John Fox at the helm. Whether that changes anything remains to be seen, but it’s probably not great that Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay hung 43 on the only occasion in Fox’s Denver tenure that they faced off.

Kansas City at Houston:

The Chiefs were perfect in the preseason and actually completed passes to receivers who physically reached the end zone. With Jamaal Charles liking the look of this year’s offensive line, he’s going to get a great litmus test as to just how good they are facing Houston’s front. Jadeveon Clowney is set to be out there after missing the entire preseason, so if he’s set on making up for lost time, the Texans are going to be remembered for more than Hard Knocks this season. Their personnel is sublime.

Cleveland at N.Y. Jets:

Browns head coach Mike Pettine worked as the Jets defensive coordinator for years under Rex Ryan and is going to be reliant on that side of the ball if he’s to have a victorious return. We can’t count on Geno Smith to complete a few passes to Joe Haden, so this one is actually wide open. Veteran QBs Josh McCown and Ryan Fitzpatrick will try to avoid miscues while fully aware that there are an abundance of sharks in the sea. Every pass will be up for grabs, so it will be interesting to see who throws more. Prediction: the team that passes it most will lose.

Indianapolis at Buffalo:

Newly acquired RB LeSean McCoy is supposed to see his first game action since the preseason opener, but if that hamstring is not 100 percent and he tries to gut it out, this might wind up being a really long night for the home team. Of course, it could swing the other way completely and expose the Colts as a team on the decline due to management’s inability to build an offensive line worthy of protecting Andrew Luck. The Bills are definitely built to take advantage and Ryan is going to have tricks in store.

Miami at Washington:

Backup QB Robert Griffin III might be glad he’s on the sidelines since Ndamakong Suh will be roaming the field for the Dolphins in a game that counts for the first time. Since he bothered to be pretty great in preseason, it’s a safe bet Kirk Cousins will be hunted on every snap. He’s going to have to avoid long-developing plays and give Jay Gruden exactly what he wants, a game manager who can keep a team on task and make plays from the pocket. Since there won’t be a hostile crowd to deal with -- at least initially – Cousins has a chance to prove he’s the right choice after all.

Carolina at Jacksonville:

Losing Kelvin Benjamin threatened to spoil the Panthers plans before the season even started since they have no one to adequately replace him, so we’ll see if Devin Funchess or the newly acquired Kevin Norwood can pay immediate dividends for Cam Newton. Another worry in this sneaky tough road game lies in how Blake Bortles looked in the preseason, clearly exhibiting a firmer grasp of what it takes to succeed at this level. Of course, it’s a different world now that we’re playing for keeps, so we’ll see how he responds here. It would lessen his burden if DT Star Lotulelei sits, but that looks like it’s headed for being a game-time decision.

Seattle at St. Louis:

The Legion of Boom isn’t the same without Earl Thomas, so news that he’s been practicing without restrictions for well over a week means a team that’s one bad decision away from being two-time defending champs is nearly whole. Safety Kam Chancellor remains a holdout, so Nick Foles won’t get the full experience, but the new Rams quarterback will be facing the NFL’s elite secondary for the first time. He also won’t have No. 1 running back Todd Gurley, who isn’t quite ready post-ACL tear, so this will really be some coming out party if he pulls a home upset.

New Orleans at Arizona:

The Cardinals welcomed back Carson Palmer for a few preseason cameos and he’s displayed a pretty deep ball and an ability to move the offense. With Drew Brees not locking in on Jimmy Graham, won’t he be better? With Brees not having Graham to lock in on in the red zone, won’t he be less productive? We’re getting a road game and a terrific defense with which to start finding out.

Detroit at San Diego:

Effectively replacing Suh hinges on how healthy and prepared Haloti Ngata is after missing all of training camp healing up a hamstring and getting refreshed following his trade. If he’s still a force at 31 and can help replace all the beef the Lions lost up front, there’s a formidable team around him. The Chargers couldn’t get their ground game off the ground all spring and go into the season opener hoping Melvin Gordon was just saving his energy over the past month.

Tennessee at Tampa Bay:

Let’s not do the thing where we let this first game between Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota dictate who gets to be deemed better for the next decade. It’s simply bragging rights. Winston has better receivers. Mariota has the better o-line. It’s one game though. Game on.

Cincinnati at Oakland:

The Raiders look improved. That much is clear. How much better they are will hinge on how well they fare at home in what looks like their final season playing in the bay area. Because of that late run they went on last season, Oakland has a three-game winning streak there, which is saying something since they had lost nine straight. The Bengals have to make sure their prosperity doesn’t continue, because it’s time for them to take that next step forward as an elite team. It would be a bad look to lose this one. No other road team is under more pressure to win Week 1.

Baltimore at Denver:

The Ravens arrive in Denver unsure if rookie Breshad Perriman will be available, which means it could be the Steve Smith show. He’s definitely competent, but putting it all on his shoulders is a lot to ask. Peyton Mannning no longer has the burden all on his now that Gary Kubiak’s zone blocking system is in place, so we’ll see how he balances a reduced role while maintaining his rhythm for when they need his arm.

N.Y. Giants at Dallas:

The last of the day’s three divisional battles will test which of these NFC East powers can be ready to play shorthanded. New York’s Victor Cruz isn’t likely to play, Jason Pierre-Paul is finally ready to show his face after his July 4 fun with fireworks, and there are other Giants banged up. The Cowboys have to survive without Greg Hardy and Rolando McClain for four games and Orlando Scandrick the rest of the season. Sean Lee and Morris Claiborne just got back into the daily grind, so it’s on Eli Manning to make sure the Giants take advantage of an early opportunity to turn around the franchise’s momentum.

Monday, Sept. 15

Philadelphia at Atlanta:

Head coach Chip Kelly has handed the keys to his Eagles exclusively to Sam Bradford, so the mission to keep him upright begins. Philly can fly high if he’s healthy and would be grounded by Mark Sanchez if he’s not. Bradford could get a valuable weapon back if TE Zach Ertz is available, while the Falcons have Roddy White attempting to make it back from elbow surgery. Atlanta is also in search of an offensive line combination that can look better than what it showed in preseason, but is certainly cutting it close. New coach Dan Quinn won both home preseason games and wants this one badly.

Minnesota at San Francisco:

It’s fitting that we have to wait until this last contest to finally see Adrian Peterson. The Vikings have kept him under wraps and you imagine him locked in a hyperbaric chamber at night, getting those legs ready to rush for 2,500 yards. The NFL’s other new head coach, Jim Tomsula, is also a home underdog opening on a Monday night, but bears no scrutiny since all eyes are on Colin Kaepernick and his expected improvement.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-07-2015, 01:21 PM

NFL
Long Sheet

Thursday, September 10

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PITTSBURGH (11 - 6) at NEW ENGLAND (15 - 4) - 9/10/2015, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ENGLAND is 167-128 ATS (+26.2 Units) against conference opponents since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ENGLAND is 1-0 against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
NEW ENGLAND is 1-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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Sunday, September 13

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GREEN BAY (13 - 5) at CHICAGO (5 - 11) - 9/13/2015, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GREEN BAY is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
GREEN BAY is 3-1 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
GREEN BAY is 3-1 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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KANSAS CITY (9 - 7) at HOUSTON (9 - 7) - 9/13/2015, 1:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 1-0 against the spread versus KANSAS CITY over the last 3 seasons
KANSAS CITY is 1-0 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CLEVELAND (7 - 9) at NY JETS (4 - 12) - 9/13/2015, 1:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY JETS is 1-0 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
NY JETS is 1-0 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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INDIANAPOLIS (13 - 6) at BUFFALO (9 - 7) - 9/13/2015, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANAPOLIS is 25-11 ATS (+12.9 Units) as a road favorite of 3 points or less since 1992.
INDIANAPOLIS is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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MIAMI (8 - 8) at WASHINGTON (4 - 12) - 9/13/2015, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 44-65 ATS (-27.5 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1992.
WASHINGTON is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 74-104 ATS (-40.4 Units) in home games since 1992.
WASHINGTON is 74-104 ATS (-40.4 Units) in home lined games since 1992.
WASHINGTON is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 74-104 ATS (-40.4 Units) in home games in games played on a grass field since 1992.
WASHINGTON is 12-27 ATS (-17.7 Units) in home games in September games since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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CAROLINA (8 - 9 - 1) at JACKSONVILLE (3 - 13) - 9/13/2015, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
JACKSONVILLE is 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) in September games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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SEATTLE (14 - 5) at ST LOUIS (6 - 10) - 9/13/2015, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in all games where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 143-180 ATS (-55.0 Units) in all games since 1992.
ST LOUIS is 143-180 ATS (-55.0 Units) in all lined games since 1992.
ST LOUIS is 102-142 ATS (-54.2 Units) against conference opponents since 1992.
ST LOUIS is 24-43 ATS (-23.3 Units) in September games since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 2-2 against the spread versus SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 3-1 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NEW ORLEANS (7 - 9) at ARIZONA (11 - 6) - 9/13/2015, 4:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 1-0 against the spread versus ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 1-0 straight up against ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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DETROIT (11 - 6) at SAN DIEGO (9 - 7) - 9/13/2015, 4:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 77-104 ATS (-37.4 Units) in road games since 1992.
DETROIT is 77-104 ATS (-37.4 Units) in road lined games since 1992.
SAN DIEGO is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in September games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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TENNESSEE (2 - 14) at TAMPA BAY (2 - 14) - 9/13/2015, 4:25 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TENNESSEE is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TENNESSEE is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
TENNESSEE is 42-24 ATS (+15.6 Units) in non-conference games since 1992.
TAMPA BAY is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) against AFC South division opponents since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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CINCINNATI (10 - 6 - 1) at OAKLAND (3 - 13) - 9/13/2015, 4:25 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 37-71 ATS (-41.1 Units) in games where the line is +3 to -3 since 1992.
OAKLAND is 8-20 ATS (-14.0 Units) as a home underdog of 3 points or less since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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BALTIMORE (11 - 7) at DENVER (12 - 5) - 9/13/2015, 4:25 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 1-0 against the spread versus BALTIMORE over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 1-0 straight up against BALTIMORE over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NY GIANTS (6 - 10) at DALLAS (13 - 5) - 9/13/2015, 8:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 3-1 against the spread versus NY GIANTS over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 4-0 straight up against NY GIANTS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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Monday, September 14

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PHILADELPHIA (10 - 6) at ATLANTA (6 - 10) - 9/14/2015, 7:10 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) in road games when playing on Monday night since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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MINNESOTA (7 - 9) at SAN FRANCISCO (8 - 8) - 9/14/2015, 10:20 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN FRANCISCO is 29-10 ATS (+18.0 Units) when playing on Monday night since 1992.
SAN FRANCISCO is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in all games where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-07-2015, 01:22 PM

NFL
Short Sheet

Week 1

Thursday - Sept, 10

Pittsburgh at New England, 8:30 EST
Pittsburgh: 1-7 ATS in September games
New England: 167-128 ATS against conference opponents

Sunday - Sept, 13

Green Bay at Chicago, 1:00 EST
Green Bay: 9-2 ATS in games played on a grass field
Chicago: 0-6 ATS in home games in the first half of the season

Kansas City at Houston, 1:00 EST
Kansas City: 94-68 ATS in the first half of the season
Houston: 44-24 OVER in games where the line is +3 to -3

Cleveland at New York Jets, 1:00 EST
Cleveland: 70-42 UNDER in games where the line is +3 to -3
NY Jets: 37-46 ATS in the first month of the season

Indianapolis at Buffalo, 1:00 EST
Indianapolis: 25-11 ATS as a road favorite of 3 points or less
Buffalo: 10-2 UNDER in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points

Miami at Washington, 1:00 EST
Miami: 210-164 UNDER in all lined games
Washington: 7-18 ATS as an underdog

Carolina at Jacksonville, 1:00 EST
Carolina: 84-59 UNDER as a favorite
Jacksonville: 0-8 ATS in September games

Seattle at ST Louis, 1:00 EST
Seattle: 20-8 ATS against conference opponents
ST Louis: 102-142 ATS against conference opponents

New Orleans at Arizona, 4:05 EST
New Orleans: 11-3 UNDER in road games against conference opponents
Arizona: 10-3 ATS in games where the line is +3 to -3

Detroit at San Diego, 4:05 EST
Detroit: 77-104 ATS in road lined games
San Diego: 7-0 ATS in the first month of the season

Tennessee at Tampa Bay, 4:25 EST
Tennessee: 42-24 ATS in non-conference games
Tampa Bay: 2-10 ATS against AFC South division opponents

Cincinnati at Oakland, 4:25 EST
Cincinnati: 8-1 UNDER in road lined games
Oakland: 8-20 ATS as a home underdog of 3 points or less

Baltimore at Denver, 4:25 EST
Baltimore: 40-30 ATS in the first month of the season
Denver: 155-102 OVER as a favorite

New York Giants at Dallas, 8:30 EST
NY Giants: 31-14 UNDER on road where the total is greater than or equal to 45.5
Dallas: 12-4 ATS in the first half of the season

Monday - Sept, 14

Philadelphia at Atlanta, 7:10 EST
Philadelphia: 15-5 ATS in road games when playing on Monday night
Atlanta: 4-10 ATS in games where the line is +3 to -3

Minnesota at San Francisco, 10:20 EST
Minnesota: 23-39 ATS as a road favorite
San Francisco: 29-10 ATS when playing on Monday night

**StarDust Bum** · 09-07-2015, 01:22 PM

NFL

Week 1

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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Thursday, September 10

8:30 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. NEW ENGLAND
Pittsburgh is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against New England
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New England's last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 11 of New England's last 15 games at home

Sunday, September 13

1:00 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 6 games on the road
Kansas City is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games
Houston is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games at home

1:00 PM
GREEN BAY vs. CHICAGO
Green Bay is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing Chicago
Green Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Green Bay
Chicago is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Green Bay

1:00 PM
MIAMI vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games
Miami is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Washington is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games at home

1:00 PM
INDIANAPOLIS vs. BUFFALO
Indianapolis is 5-18 SU in its last 23 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
Indianapolis is 4-11-1 ATS in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
Buffalo is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Buffalo's last 8 games

1:00 PM
CAROLINA vs. JACKSONVILLE
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Carolina's last 8 games on the road
Carolina is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Jacksonville's last 7 games at home
Jacksonville is 5-19 SU in its last 24 games at home

1:00 PM
CLEVELAND vs. NY JETS
Cleveland is 5-20 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Jets last 6 games at home
NY Jets are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games at home

1:00 PM
SEATTLE vs. ST. LOUIS
Seattle is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing Seattle

4:05 PM
DETROIT vs. SAN DIEGO
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 gamesThe total has gone UNDER in 12 of Detroit's last 16 games
San Diego is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home
San Diego is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home

4:05 PM
NEW ORLEANS vs. ARIZONA
New Orleans is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Orleans's last 5 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing New Orleans
Arizona is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing New Orleans

4:25 PM
CINCINNATI vs. OAKLAND
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 6 games when playing on the road against Oakland
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cincinnati's last 9 games
Oakland is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Oakland's last 7 games when playing Cincinnati

4:25 PM
TENNESSEE vs. TAMPA BAY
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Tennessee's last 9 games on the road
Tennessee is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at homeTampa Bay is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games

4:25 PM
BALTIMORE vs. DENVER
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore's last 5 games when playing Denver
Baltimore is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Denver is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
Denver is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games

8:30 PM
NY GIANTS vs. DALLAS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the NY Giants last 5 games when playing Dallas
NY Giants are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games when playing Dallas
Dallas is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing NY Giants
Dallas is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against NY Giants

Monday, September 14

7:10 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. ATLANTA
Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

10:20 PM
MINNESOTA vs. SAN FRANCISCO
Minnesota is 2-14-1 SU in its last 17 games ,on the road
Minnesota is 2-6-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Francisco's last 7 games
San Francisco is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

**StarDust Bum** · 09-07-2015, 01:24 PM

NFL Opening Line Report: Brady-led Patriots touchdown favorites vs. Steelers

Over the past 10 seasons, the Pats have won 83 percent of their home games straight-up.

When federal judge Richard Berman overturned Tom Brady’s four-game suspension last week, it was the metaphorical shot heard ‘round the world. And it was particularly loud and clear in Las Vegas, where the line on Thursday night’s Pittsburgh Steelers-New England Patriots game jumped by as much as a touchdown at some sportsbooks.

Yes, the defending Super Bowl champions will have their superstar quarterback under center when the 2015 season opens. And in the wake of the ruling that cleared Brady’s way, Patriots money flooded the books – rightly so, according to Johnny Avello, executive director of race and sports for Wynn Las Vegas.

“I don’t put the opening-week NFL lines up until the preseason is over, and this game in particular plays into the reasons why,” said Avello, who now has the Patriots (15-4 SU, 11-8 ATS in 2014) as 7-point favorites. “Tom Brady is worth approximately 6 to 7 points, and now that I know he’s in, a full touchdown is a good starting point for betting purposes. Over the past 10 seasons, the Pats have won 83 percent of their home games straight-up, and bettors will need to decide if the 7 points will come into play in this excellent NFL opener.

At offshore site bookmaker.ag, John Lester said his operation played it close to the vest while the Brady case made its way through the legal process.

“Obviously, this line has been all over the place due to the Deflategate saga, but we protected ourselves a bit by pulling it during most of camp and the preseason,” said Lester, who also had the Pats at -7. “I feel that the Steelers are a tad overhyped heading into this season, and not having LeVeon Bell (suspension) in this one will hurt. The Pats are perennially slow starters, but more often than not, when drama surrounds them, they use it as motivation. “

Along with Bell’s two-game suspension, Avello also cautioned bettors on the Steelers (11-6 SU, 9-8 ATS in 2014) being without center Maurkice Pouncey, who is expected to miss 10 weeks with a broken leg.

Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos (-4)

Two of the last three AFC champions collide in this Sunday matchup, with both teams holding high hopes for the 2015 season. And as much as two perennial playoff contenders can, Lester says the Ravens (11-7 SU, 9-8-1 ATS in 2014) and Broncos (12-5 SU, 8-9 ATS in 2014) are perhaps a little overlooked, and he likes the visitor in this contest.

“Here we have two very good teams that seem to be flying under the radar a bit, Baltimore more so than Denver,” Lester said. “I expect our sharper clients will let the public drive this spread up even further than it’s moved thus far, and then take a shot with the Ravens. They are very live dogs, in my opinion.”

Avello expects a good game but seems to have a bit more faith in Denver.

“The Broncos have only two home losses in the last three years and therefore one of the strongest home-field advantages in the NFL,” he said. “They may not be as strong offensively as they have been in the past, but may have their best defense during Manning’s tenure in Denver.

“The Ravens always put a quality team on the field but have traditionally been slow starters.”

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (-5)

Bettors get a clash of NFC East rivals right out of the gate, and in the Sunday night prime-time spotlight, no less. New York was a dismal 6-10 SU, 7-9 ATS last year, while Dallas reached the second round of the playoffs in going 13-5 SU, 11-7 ATS. Avello expects more Cowboys money on this game in the coming days.

“New York Giants fans like myself haven’t had a lot to root for the past two years, and this season, at least on paper, doesn’t look that promising. Eli Manning has been inconsistent over that time period, and the offensive line probably plays a big part in that,” Avello said. “The Cowboys, who are coming off their best season in a decade, should compete for at least the division title. They’ve beaten the Giants four straight, and I expect the money will show up on them come Sunday night.”

Lester, who pegged the Cowboys a 6-point chalk, echoed Avello’s sentiments

“Some people believe in the Giants this year, but I am not one of them. The defense is a glaring concern,” he said. “This number seems about right, and the minimal line movement over the last couple of months has supported that. The Cowboys are the most public team we have.”

Seattle Seahawks (-3) at St. Louis Rams

The Seahawks (14-5 SU, 10-8-1 ATS in 2014) have been to the past two Super Bowls, and if not for a horrible play call, they’d be the two-time defending champions. But they start the season with an NFC West road game against what is expected to be an improved Rams squad (6-10 SU, 7-9 ATS in 2014).
That said, Lester still finds the number curiously low.

“Bettors who have any sense are going to look at this line and see that it reeks of fish stench,” Lester said. “St. Louis usually plays Seattle tough (3-0 ATS last three at home), and Rams coach Jeff Fisher should be preaching to his players that this is a statement game to start the season. The squares will be all over Seattle at this short price.”

Avello, who put Seattle at -4, also expects the Fisher-led rams to make this interesting.

“St Louis stayed competitive in 2013 and ‘14 after losing quarterback Sam Bradford, and I attribute much of that to Coach Fisher, because I believe he’s one of the best in the league,” Avello said. “In the last three meetings at St Louis, the Rams have won twice and lost the third by five points, so going to Missouri hasn’t been a cakewalk for the Seahawks.

“Seattle will certainly be in the hunt to win it all again, but we’re talking Game No. 1 of the season here.”

**StarDust Bum** · 09-07-2015, 01:32 PM

Browns wondering just good they are

BEREA, Ohio -- Mike Pettine is about to embark on his second regular season as Cleveland Browns head coach. If he stopped to think about it he'd realize he needs to win only four games to become the team's third winningest coach since the Browns returned in 1999.

Pettine did not get all his questions answered in preseason, but he learned enough to have his team ready to face the New York Jets on Sept. 13 in the season opener at MetLife Stadium.

Still unknown is what kind of player Terrelle Pryor will be. Pryor, intriguing because he is trying to convert from quarterback to wide receiver, did not catch a single pass in preseason. He missed the first three games with a hamstring injury.

When Pryor did get his chance against the Chicago Bears in the fourth preseason game, all he did was line up at quarterback twice to run the wildcat. He handed off once and the other time ran for seven yards around left end.

"I still can't open up," Pryor said. "There's something keeping me out of the last couple gears. I can't take off like I want to."

Pryor also lined up as the personal protector for punter Andy Lee. Just having him doing that will make opponents have to spend time planning for a possible fake.

Whether wide receiver Dwayne Bowe starts against the Jets remains to be seen, but he better be saving his best for the regular season or the Browns are in trouble. Bowe, in his first year with the Browns after nine seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, missed the first two preseason games with a hamstring injury. He was targeted three times and didn't make a catch against Tampa Bay on Aug. 29. He was targeted twice and made one catch for eight yards on Thursday in the preseason finale against the Bears.

Pettine did get clarity on some issues. Midway through the preseason he wasn't sure who would win the starting job at running back, but he has settled on Isaiah Crowell over Terrance West. Crowell is a more decisive runner and runs with more power.

"Terrance has had his - it's been well documented - ups and downs," Pettine said. "He flashes at times just brilliance and then other times where he gets a minus on the grade sheet, and that's always been, some of the issues that we've had with him. We know he can do it. It just has to be on a more consistent basis. That's one of the reasons why we felt like he needed to get a good amount of work last night."

Those words were a sign of what was to come as West was traded Sunday to Tennessee for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2016 draft.

Pettine is hopeful the run defense will carry the improvement it showed in training camp and preseason into the regular season beginning with the Jets. Veteran defensive lineman Phil Taylor was cut when rosters were reduced to 75 on Sept. 1, but Pettine is confident Jamie Meder, originally signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted rookie in 2014, will more than adequately replace Taylor as a backup to rookie nose tackle Danny Shelton.

Meder showed Pettine's faith was justified by making four tackles in the final preseason game - the most of any Browns player in the front seven.

--The Browns' first three opponents - the Jets on the road and then the Titans and Raiders at home - won a combined seven games last season. The Jets were 4-12, the Titans 2-14 and the Raiders 3-13. The Browns were 7-9.

--Quarterback Johnny Manziel's sore right elbow has improved to the point where the Browns decided they needed only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster - starter Josh McCown and Manziel. Pat Devlin was cut and the contract of veteran Thad Lewis was terminated on Sept. 5.

--Offensive linemen Cameron Erving was the only backup lineman on the 53-man roster set Sept. 5. The rookie first-round draft choice can play right guard, left tackle or center. The Browns were then awarded tackle Austin Pasztor on waivers from Jacksonville the next day.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-07-2015, 01:34 PM

New tone set by Jets head coach Bowles

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- As is usually the case for the New York Jets, there was plenty of chaos surrounding the franchise during training camp. But the Geno Smith and Sheldon Richardson headaches aside, the Jets enter the regular-season opener against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium in the process of carving out a new identity under the new regime of head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan; one of no-nonsense accountability that was often missing under former head coach Rex Ryan and ex-general managers Mike Tannenbaum and John Idzik.

Bowles began setting the tone July 31, the day after news broke of Richardson's arrest following a high-speed car chase in Missouri. The Jets found out about the incident, in which he was charged with resisting arrest and other traffic violations after being clocked at 143 mph, via news reports hours after Richardson, who was suspended for four games by the NFL earlier in July following repeated failed marijuana tests, reported to training camp.

While Bowles expressed great concern for Richardson's well-being - "Right now I'm just worried about getting him help" -- he also made it clear the Jets weren't going to wait around for the third-year defensive end to get his life in order.

"We can win without him," Bowles said. "It would probably be more fun with him, but we're prepared to win without him."

Bowles further put his stamp on the Jets following the most embarrassing moment of the summer: the locker-room fight Aug. 11 in which Smith had his jaw broken in a locker room fight with former linebacker IK Enemkpali over money Smith owed Enemkpali.

Hours later, Bowles -- as understated behind a podium as Ryan is verbose -- said plenty without saying a lot.

"The whole thing was childish,"? Bowles said. "It was tit for tat. He say, she say. Some high school stuff they could have handled better than they handled it."

Jets players followed Bowles' lead in decrying the role of both players in the incident. There was none of the winking "boys will be boys" attitude so regularly exhibited by Ryan, whose new employer, the Buffalo Bills, claimed Enemkpali off waivers less than a day after he was dumped by the Jets.

"My answer is to not let it get to that situation," cornerback Darrelle Revis said. "Obviously, to get to that point, something had to be going on. Gene and IK should've handled themselves as men."

Later in August -- after a pair of fight-filled practices and a 30-22 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 21 in which the Jets committed 17 penalties -- Bowles instituted a new policy: The Jets would run "gassers" if they are penalized more than five times in a practice.

"I know professional guys don't want to run," Bowles said.

Ryan's solution to sloppy practices? Having everyone in and out of uniform do pushups. And when his response was decidedly different than Bowles' when the Jets committed a franchise-record 20 penalties in a win over the Bills on Sept. 22, 2013.

"I love the fact that our team found a way to win," Ryan said, "Take away all the other stuff; we found a way to persevere and we won and that is really encouraging to me."

Of course, it remains to be seen if the new approach translates into the regular season. And there is still potential for chaos within the ranks. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall has specialized in generating distractions throughout a nine-year career in which he's played for three teams, none of whom have made the playoffs.

But with Ryan Fitzpatrick, with none of Smith's tools but all the maturity the 25 year old lacks, behind center and Richardson out of sight and out of mind as he begins serving what will be at least a four-game suspension, Bowles has made it clear: The adults are in charge now.

"We're not where we want to be yet," Bowles said. "But we're not where we were, so we're making good progress."

--After spending the final three weeks of the exhibition season looking for a more experienced backup quarterback than rookie Bryce Petty, the Jets' backup quarterback to open the regular season will be ... Bryce Petty.

Neither transaction was a surprise. Matt Flynn, who had a hamstring injury when he signed with the Jets on Aug 18, nor Josh Johnson who signed Aug. 27, saw game action until the preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles last Thursday. The Jets could choose to sign Flynn, Johnson or another veteran following the regular-season opener, after which salaries are not fully guaranteed.

Still, there is an element of risk involved in rolling with Petty as the backup to Ryan Fitzpatrick, even just for one game. There was little evidence during the preseason -- when Petty was 27-of-45 for 260 yards and one touchdown -- that the fourth-round pick was ready to handle any sort of regular-season action.

Such rawness from Petty, who is transitioning into a pro-style offense following his collegiate career at Baylor, was expected when the Jets selected him last spring.

"We are trying to develop him," head coach Todd Bowles said May 2. "Obviously when he gets in here you have to change foot mechanics and different schemes."

Now the Jets have to hope Petty's development doesn't get dramatically hastened.

--The day after final cuts is always the cruelest day for those who believe they made the opening-week roster, only to lose their spot during what ex-Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum used to call "the mini-draft." But even by those standards, the twist of fate experienced over the weekend by safety Rontez Miles seemed particularly unkind.

Miles, who played one game with the Jets in 2013 and suffered a freak leg injury two days after being promoted from the practice squad last December, appeared to make the Jets as a backup safety after leading the team with 23 preseason tackles and scoring a touchdown on a fumble return. He even Tweeted his appreciation later Saturday.

But Miles was cut Sunday, when the Jets claimed safety Ronald Martin off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks. Miles still has practice-squad eligibility, so could re-sign with the Jets if he clears waivers.

"Whatever happens, I just thank the Jets and the coaching staff for even letting me play," Miles said following the preseason finale against the Eagles. "(I had the) second-most reps this preseason. In the previous two years, I barely got half of that. So the fact that I got this many reps, I'm comfortable. I've got tape and I know I can play."

--The day after cutdown day was considerably kinder to wide receiver Chris Owusu, who was released Saturday by the Jets but re-signed Sunday after he cleared waivers. Owusu, whose exhibition season was interrupted by a concussion, will likely serve as the Jets' final wide receiver and kickoff returner. He had five catches for 72 yards and a touchdown in the preseason and averaged almost 32 yards per kickoff return.

Oft-injured cornerback Dee Milliner will begin the season on injured reserve, designated for return.

Milliner suffered a broken right wrist during practice on Aug. 6. The designation means Milliner must sit out until at least the ninth week of the season, when the Jets host the Jacksonville Jaguars. By that point, he will have missed 23 out of 39 games as a professional.

Milliner, who underwent five surgeries prior to being drafted by the Jets in the first round of the 2013 draft, suffered a high ankle sprain last summer that cost him the season opener before tearing his Achilles tendon on Oct. 12.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-07-2015, 01:35 PM

2015 Raiders most stable in years

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders finished their preseason with three consecutive defeats, averaged 71.5 yards per game on the ground and ended up cutting two players whose bonus money suggested they were projections for the eventual 53-man roster.

Yet, as head coach Jack Del Rio rested most of his starters in a 31-21 loss to the Seattle Seahawks before making final moves to shape the 2015 team, most, if not all, was right with the world.

"It's been a real productive camp, a productive preseason in terms of being able to evaluate and establishing certain things we're going to be about as a football team," Del Rio said. "Now we put that to rest and get ready for Cincinnati coming in."

With health being the No. 1 priority for NFL teams during training camp and the preseason, the Raiders lost just one player -- first-team right tackle Menelik Watson, who will spend 2015 on injured reserve rehabbing a torn Achilles.

Although the won-loss record doesn't show it, the Raiders enter the season with a higher level of stability under Del Rio compared to what was seen under his recent predecessors.

While there were switches at quarterback in each of the last two seasons (Terrelle Pryor for Matt Flynn, Derek Carr for Matt Schaub), Carr enters this season as the most established starter since Rich Gannon in 2004.

Carr got the night off against Seattle, and the number of players who joined him as spectators speaks to a level of confidence in the talent on hand as opposed to the mad scrambles of Dennis Allen the last three seasons to formulate a roster for the regular season.

Matt McGloin won the backup quarterback job by clearly outperforming Chrstian Ponder, or for that matter, the starter Carr.

Against Seattle, McGloin was 16 of 24 for 186 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions despite no running game and a persistent pass rush. He was 11 of 15 for 114 yards and a touchdown against Arizona and finished the preseason completing 73.4 percent of his passes with a passer rating of 110.6.

An undrafted free agent out of Penn State in 2013, McGloin beat out fourth-round pick Tyler Wilson to make the roster as a rookie and ended up starting six games, including a win in his first start.

This season, he beat out Ponder, who had an 81.2 passer rating and in most other seasons would have held on to his job as a backup.

"It's not my decision," McGloin said. "Every day I focus on showing up, working hard in the film room, working hard in the weight room and doing my best on the practice field to be ready to play if they want me to play."

Del Rio said McGloin made the decision an easy one.

"He just really was the better guy in our evaluation," Del Rio said. "We appreciated the effort and the healthy competition that they had, but in the end we felt it was the right choice for us to go with Matt."

Also sitting out the preseason finale were starting receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, running backs Latavius Murray and Marcel Reece, tight end Lee Smith, center Rodney Hudson, guards Gabe Jackson and J'Marcus Webb and tackle Donald Penn.

On defense, strong-side linebacker/defensive end Khalil Mack, tackles Dan Williams and Justin Ellis, end Justin Tuck, middle linebacker Curtis Lofton and linebackers Ray-Ray Armstrong and Malcolm Smith did not play. Neither did three of the four secondary starters -- safeties Charles Woodson and Nate Allen and right cornerback T.J. Carrie.

"I think it's important to keep perspective this time of year," Del Rio said. "We have prepared our team well. We had one significant injury and that was unfortunate. We have made a lot of improvement."

Del Rio said from the outset roster spots would be determined by performance, and in two instances, players who appeared to be fairly assured of a role were let go.

Running back Trent Richardson, the former No. 3 overall pick of the Cleveland Browns, was released despite a $600,000 signing bonus. Ponder received a $1.5 million bonus and was let go in favor of McGloin despite a prior relationship with offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave with the Minnesota Vikings.

--Raiders owner Mark Davis is adamant about his wishes to keep the franchise in Oakland, but has seen no progress on that happening beyond the expiration of the current lease.

The Raiders remain on a "parallel track" while pursuing a Carson project along with the San Diego Chargers, but that deal, while far from a sure thing, is on firm ground compared to the Bay Area.

"In six months, we've purchased a parcel of land, we've gotten the financing, we've got through the development process and worked with the political people," Davis told the San Jose Mercury News. "In 10 years with Oakland, we don't even have a parcel of land that we know for sure is the placce we can build. We don't have one person we know that can make a deal. We don't even know who we're supposed to talk to. We don't know who to negotiate with. I'm serious."

Notes: Safety Keenan Lambert was claimed off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks, with the Raiders releasing undrafed free-agent cornerback SaQwan Edwards. ... Wide receiver Andre Holmes, out with a broken bone in his hand for three weeks, was practicing Sunday as the Raiders met to begin preparing for the season opener. ... Interior offensive lineman Matt McCants made the 53-man roster despite having a very difficult game against Seattle in the preseason finale. ... Fullback Jamize Olawale missed much of training camp and the preseason with a foot injury but secured a spot on the 53-man roster, largely due to his play on special teams. ... Safety Brandian Ross, who had considerable playing time the past two seasons, was placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. ... Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, signed the week of the final preseason game, made the 53-man roster in a reserve role and to play on special teams.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-07-2015, 01:37 PM

Retooling Titans banking on Mariota's quick development

NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Titans head out of the preseason and into the regular season still in flux.

They solved the quarterback position, which was a carousel last year, by drafting Marcus Mariota. Elsewhere, questions abound, even leading up to the start of the regular season.

The Titans went 2-2 in preseason games and were somewhat inconsistent. They can't write all of that off to not game-planning, but if you're looking at the 2-2 as a glass half full, the play of Mariota was pretty solid throughout.

Other than two turnovers early in the preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons, Mariota looked good in his decision-making and throwing the football.

Case in point, his first and only touchdown of the preseason, which came in the finale, Mariota looked off his first read and found Harry Douglas on a shallow cross for a 59-yard catch and run.

"(Harry) was actually the second receiver coming into my vision. The first was coming out of the backfield and they ended up covering that really well and Harry kind of ran a shallow and was open," Mariota said. "We kind of knew going in that they had some hard time following the shallow wraps and Harry just made a great play."

It is a sign that Mariota could be maturing quicker than the Titans had expected when they drafted him, even though there will still be growing pains.

The question is what the Titans are doing around him. The shape of the roster, especially on offense, is still in transition as the Titans kept only four wide receivers and five tight ends initially, though they trimmed that number to four on Sunday when Chase Coffman was released.

Mariota will have a mix of veterans like Douglas and Kendall Wright as well as disappointing Justin Hunter and rookie Dorial Green-Beckham, who had to sit out the 2014 season at Oklahoma due to NCAA transfer rules.

Against the Bucs in the opener, the Titans probably will take a somewhat conservative approach, as the roster on offense almost dictates that, as the pass game would now seem to flow through tight end Delanie Walker and Wright, who is best on underneath and sideline-type routes, rather than being a deep threat.

Even the run game and offensive line, which was revamped in camp with Byron Bell moving from right tackle to left guard and Jeremiah Poutasi moving in at right tackle.

Running back is a question mark too, as the Titans traded for Terrance West and now try to fit him into a crowded backfield with Bishop Sankey, Antonio Andrews and Dexter McCluster.

Defensively, the Titans were a mixed bag in the preseason. Obviously, veteran defensive mind Dick LeBeau didn't show all his cards, but at times it appeared as if the Titans had trouble winning one-on-ones at the point of attack either fighting off blocks or in pass coverage.

Now that the regular season is here, LeBeau should be able to mask some of that with scheming and game-planning, but there are still questions, especially in the back seven as to how quickly those units can jell in the second year of learning the 3-4.

NOTES: RB Terrance West was acquired from the Browns for a conditional draft pick. The Titans also placed rookie running back David Cobb on injured reserve with a designation to return in that process. ... TE Chase Coffman was released after initially making the Titans' 53-man roster. There was the chance he could be brought back to the team after he had a strong preseason. ... LB David Bass was claimed off waivers from the Chicago Bears after final cuts. The Titans waived Jonathan Massaquoi to make room. ... LB Steven Johnson was claimed off waivers from the Denver Broncos. To make room, the Titans waived linebacker Justin Staples.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-07-2015, 01:38 PM

Giants DE Pierre-Paul expected to take physical

New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul is expected to meet with the team and take a physical Monday.

NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported that JPP is flying to New York to meet with Giants medical personnel in East Rutherford, N.J., to determine when he might be able to play.

Pierre-Paul lost his right index finger, broke his thumb and suffered severe burns on his hands after a fireworks accident on the Fourth of July near his home in south Florida.

The 26-year-old two-time Pro Bowler refused to meet with Giants doctors after the accident and has kept his distance from the team since then, which upset the Giants' owners.

Pierre-Paul currently is not under contract with the Giants, who used a franchise tender on him during the offseason worth $14.8 million that he hasn't signed. He has been seeking a long-term contract but the five-year veteran now is prohibited from signing a long-term deal until after the 2015 season concludes.

Before signing, Pierre-Paul wants to make sure the Giants won't place him on the non-football injury list, according to ESPN.com. If the Giants put Pierre-Paul on the NFI List, they could elect not to pay him for games missed. The NFI list requires a player to miss at least six games.

Pierre-Paul started all 16 games for the Giants last year and made 77 tackles with 12.5 sacks.

The Giants open the regular season in Dallas against the Cowboys on Sunday night.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-07-2015, 01:39 PM

Many changes, but Broncos remain upbeat and confident

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Considering that the Denver Broncos are a Super Bowl contender laden with veterans that includes the league's oldest active starting quarterback, the amount of change and uncertainty that surrounded the team as the preseason ended was surprising.

But the Broncos seem mentally prepared for a hiccup or two early as they adapt to new schemes on offense and defense, an overhauled offensive line and the use of Peyton Manning under center more often than at any point in recent years.

Their first task before getting ready for the Ravens was to pare their roster to 53 players, and their 20 cuts included inside linebacker Steven Johnson, a core special-teamer who started seven games at linebacker last season after Nate Irving tore his medial collateral ligament. Johnson struggled in pass coverage, but was a solid run defender who worked with the first team throughout the summer while Brandon Marshall recovered from foot surgery.

"There were some tough, tough decisions," Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak said.

Keeping just four inside linebackers was among them. Although the Broncos managed to slip training-camp standout Zaire Anderson to the practice squad as one of six players they brought back Sunday, the waiving of Johnson and 2014 fifth-round pick Lamin Barrow left the Broncos with just two inside linebackers on the 53-man roster behind Marshall and Danny Trevathan: Corey Nelson and Todd Davis. Davis played extensively after both were injured late last year, so he has experience, but Nelson was a bit player last year.

If the recoveries of Marshall and Trevathan hit a snag, those backups will have to produce. But general manager John Elway did not seem too concerned.

Marshall and Trevathan did not see any preseason game action together until Aug. 29 against San Francisco, but their work that night -- as well as in training-camp practices -- convinced Elway that he didn't need to keep extra reserves.

"We feel like they’re healthy and ready to go," he said. "That was definitely a consideration, but we felt that they were healthy and, as I said, ready to go. There are always going to be -- knock on wood -- bumps in the road that we’re going to have to deal with as they come at us, but where we sit right now with the 53, I feel pretty good about them."

Despite the changes, the Broncos should still be in good shape. They lost Ryan Clady to a torn ACL in May, but landed Evan Mathis to help shore up the offensive line three months later. The roster has nine players who were selected for the Pro Bowl last season with another, T.J. Ward, returning from a one-game suspension Sept. 14.

Their pass rush averaged one sack every 7.0 pass plays in the preseason, the best in the league. Shaquil Barrett and Shane Ray showed enough speed and explosion rushing off the edge to be viable options when Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware need rest. Denver's first-team defense did not surrender a touchdown in nearly four quarters of work in the preseason, and its offense appears to battle-hardened, if a work in progress, from facing its defense daily.

Teams will try to attack rookie center Matt Paradis and left tackle Ty Sambrailo. They will attempt to put Marshall and Trevathan in situations where they have to cut and cover. But the roster is so deep that the Broncos should be able to compensate in a big way.

"We’ve got a good group of guys," Kubiak said. "It’s time to go to work. We’ve got a tough early schedule here. Nothing is bigger than what we’ve got going on next week."

--Running back Montee Ball's descent from Week 1 starter last year to the waiver wire Sunday afternoon was stunning on the surface, but predictable given where he eventually fell among the Broncos' running backs.

By the end of the preseason, he was fourth on the depth chart behind C.J. Anderson, Ronnie Hillman and Juwan Thompson, who factors into the mix as a short-yardage back and prominent member of multiple special-teams units. Ball struggled to 27 yards on 16 carries in the preseason finale, and even though he had little room to navigate -- he was met in the backfield on nine of 16 attempts -- he didn't show the same spark the other running backs did.

Ball survived the Saturday cut, but not the Sunday moves after the Broncos claimed center James Ferentz and tight end Mitchell Henry off waivers. That left the Broncos with just three running backs, but given that they are only likely to activate three on the 46-man game-day roster, it was not a surprise.

Despite playing the last two seasons, Ball still has practice-squad eligibility under the NFL's tweaked practice-squad rules. But it seems likely that he would not pass through waivers unclaimed, even though the Broncos' reported attempts at trading Ball proved fruitless.

Ball represents the biggest miss of general manager John Elway's tenure. He's the only first- or second-day pick of Elway's to be placed on waivers. The emergence of Anderson as a Pro-Bowl running back from the undrafted ranks of the 2013 class ensured that Ball's struggles didn't help them, but with just two of seven 2013 picks still on the roster, that class represents Elway's most fallow crop to date.

--By the time the Broncos' roster moves this weekend were done, 60 percent of their first-team offensive line when training camp began was no longer with the team.

One day after guard Ben Garland was among 20 players waived, the Broncos waived center Gino Gradkowski after they were awarded James Ferentz off waivers from Houston. Garland and Gradkowski began camp as the first-teamers at left guard and center, respectively, but were demoted to the second team after five days of practice in favor of Max Garcia and Matt Paradis.

Those moves, paired with the Aug. 31 trade of tackle Chris Clark to Houston, revealed the fluidity of the Broncos' line, which has been a question mark since Ryan Clady tore his anterior cruciate ligament during the first practice of OTAs.

Despite the instability, general manager John Elway wasn't worried about whether the line would find cohesion -- even though starting left guard Evan Mathis did not arrive until the morning of Aug. 26 and only began receiving full practice repetitions last week.

"We think that he’ll be fine," Elway said of Mathis. "We brought him in because of not only his physical ability, but also what he can do with his experience. Max will be right in the middle of it, too. I think that it’s been a good preseason, especially with the youth that we have there and the first time that really a lot of them have worked together.

"They’ve adjusted very well and I think we’ll hit the ground running that first week."

The emphasis could be on "running," since the line has already congealed as a run-blocking unit. Its pass blocking, however, needs some work, and the 49ers used timely blitzes to sack Peyton Manning three times during the first half of their Aug. 29 preseason game.

--T.J. Ward could not hide his frustration at the news that he would serve a one-game suspension as punishment for a May 2014 incident at a Denver strip club in which he was charged with assault after he allegedly threw a glass mug at a bartender.

Ward accepted community service in exchange for having the charges dropped and said in a statement that he took full responsibility for his actions. But despite that and the fact that the incident was caught on videotape, he protested the suspension.

“I feel it’s really unfair,” Ward said after the preseason finale. “I’m getting punished for being accused of doing something. Not doing something, but being accused. And I’ve got to pay the consequences."

The Broncos are expected to use special-teams captain David Bruton Jr. in Ward's place during the regular-season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-07-2015, 01:41 PM

Very little going well for Steelers

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the preseason searching for a defense and its identity and carrying over its entire offense that was so dominant in 2014. It ended the preseason having regressed on offense and with little more knowledge about what its young defense might hold in 2015.

On offense, the Steelers lost All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey to a broken fibula for at least half the season and probably more, along with two suspended players - All-Pro halfback Le'Veon Bell (two games) and dynamic young wide receiver Martavis Bryant (four games).

Veteran DeAngelo Williams, who spent his first nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers, will start the first two games for Bell. Veteran wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, a former first-round pick of the Oakland Raiders, moves up to No. 3 to replace Bryant after he made the Steelers roster last season as No. 5.

Their defense remains a work in progress or perhaps one in regress because they took few steps forward in that ongoing transition from their outstanding veteran-laden defenses through most of the 21st century. One of the holdovers from those defenses, 37-year-old James Harrison, led them with two sacks in the preseason but he will open behind young Jarvis Jones, who remains a riddle at right outside linebacker entering his third season.

They have no depth behind their two good defensive ends, Cam Heyward and second-year player Stephon Tuitt. Their secondary is a mess. They were hoping cornerback Cortez Allen, who signed a big contract with them one year ago and then was benched by mid-season, would show them something this summer. He has not. They picked up two cornerbacks, Brandon Boykin in a trade with Philadelphia early in camp and Ross Cockrell, Buffalo's fourth-round pick in 2014 who was cut a week ago.

Another young player they were counting on, safety Shamarko Thomas, lost the starting job handed to him when Troy Polamalu retired. That now will go to old vet Will Allen, at least for the opener at New England Thursday. Allen was signed and re-signed as a steady hand who could back up both safeties. Thomas was drafted in the fourth round in 2013 after the Steelers traded their 2014 third-rounder to, of all teams, AFC North rival Cleveland so they could draft Thomas from Syracuse.

He has been hurt and now he could not hang onto a job in his third season. It does not bode well for his future or the Steelers present on defense.

One young defender who does seem to be fulfilling his expectations is inside linebacker Ryan Shazier, a first-round draft pick in 2014. Shazier's rookie season was thrown off kilter by ankle and knee injuries. He has been one of their most active defensive players this summer and led them in tackles.

--Three players made the 53-man roster after converting from other positions in college. Rookie Tyler Murphy, Boston College's starting quarterback, made the team as a wide receiver. First-year pro Roosevelt Nix, a defensive end with 24 sacks in four years at Kent State, made it as a fullback. Alejandro Villanueva, who served three tours of duty and saw combat in Afghanistan as an Army Ranger who earned the Bronze Star, made it as the team's No. 3 offensive tackle. Villanueva started at tackle as a junior and then wide receiver as a senior at West Point and was signed by the Eagles last season as a defensive end.

--The Steelers, never much in wheeling and dealing, made three trades during the preseason. They sent a sixth-round draft choice to Jacksonville for kicker Josh Scobee after their first two kickers were injured in the preseason and went on injured reserve: Shaun Suisham (ACL) and Garrett Hartley (hamstring). They received a conditional seventh-round draft pick from the New York Giants for punter Brad Wing. Early in camp, they traded a conditional fourth- or fifth-round pick to the Eagles for cornerback Brandon Boykin.

--Center Maurkice Pouncey, who missed virtually the entire 2013 season with a torn ACL, will miss at least half of this one after going on the reserve/injured, designated for return list following surgery for a broken lower fibula.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-07-2015, 01:42 PM

Newton healthy, but several key Panthers aren't

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers' only injury concern going into Week 1 last year was at quarterback. This year, as Carolina gets ready to open in Jacksonville, quarterback Cam Newton is healthy, but many of his teammates aren't.

Receivers Kelvin Benjamin and Stephen Hill, plus defensive end Frank Alexander, were lost to season-ending injuries during the first three weeks of August.

Three-quarters of the starting defensive line barely played during the preseason, and the top two cornerbacks were in the concussion protocol a week before the regular year.

Injuries affect every team, but it's been a particularly painful month and a half for the two-time defending NFC South champions.

"We've got to get some guys back healthy; I think that's been the story of the preseason," tight end Greg Olsen said.

"What we have on paper, you want to make sure that's the team we roll out there with. If you can go into this first game with as full of a roster as you can, you give yourself a chance."

Exiting the preseason finale in Pittsburgh, the Panthers' injury list looked like this: receiver Jerricho Cotchery (groin), tight end Richie Brockel (shoulder), center Ryan Kalil (knee), defensive end Charles Johnson (calf, trap), defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (foot), cornerback Josh Norman (concussion), cornerback Charles Tillman (concussion), cornerback Teddy Williams (groin), defensive back Colin Jones (groin).

But there are at least signs most on the long injury list could return to play the Jaguars, including Kalil.

"We'll be there with the guys," Kalil said. "That's the plan."

When the Panthers beat the Bucs behind backup quarterback Derek Anderson last year, it was the first time head coach Ron Rivera had won an opener in his four seasons.

It also helped Carolina get off to a 3-2 start, a sizable improvement from its previous 1-5, 1-5 and 1-3 beginnings.

Starting in Week 6, the Panthers face a brutal stretch featuring the Seahawks, Eagles, Colts and Packers.

Before that gauntlet, it's the Jaguars, Texans, Saints and Bucs. So even if the Panthers aren't at full strength in September, another above-.500 start is essential.

"We better be ready," Newton said. "There's a lot of anticipation going into Week 1. We have to have a great week of practice to carry over the things that we've been building up to this point -- from great OTAs and a great training camp. We need a lot of guys ready to go."

Notes: Running back Brandon Wegher, who played at Morningside College last fall after he was out of football for three years, is one of two undrafted free agents on the Panthers' final roster. The other is safety Dean Marlowe, who played for James Madison in the FCS. ... Defensive tackle Star Lotulelei hasn't been on the field since he suffered a stress reaction in his foot during the first week of camp, but the Panthers hope he will return to practice this week. ... Cornerback Josh Norman could miss the early part of the week after suffering a concussion against the Steelers. The early sense is he has a good chance to be on the field in Jacksonville. ... Cornerback Charles Tillman, who has been in the concussion protocol since the third preseason game against the Dolphins, is expected to be cleared this week.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-07-2015, 01:44 PM

Ravens' revamped secondary bracing for Broncos

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens trimmed their roster down to 53 players with an emphasis on defense and special teams as they turn their focus to the Denver Broncos and the regular-season opener Sept. 13.

The team kept 27 players on defense and 23 on offense. Safeties Anthony Levine and Brynden Trawick, both of whom serve primarily on special teams, made the final cut. Baltimore also kept two additional linebackers -- Albert McClellan and Zachary Orr -- because of their prowess on special teams.

The Ravens' defense will have to be clicking on all cylinders against Peyton Manning and the Broncos. The team's revamped secondary will likely be challenged most of the game.

"One of the things we've talked to our guys about is the fact that you put so much work into building up to the first game, the first regular season game," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. It seems like a pinnacle - it seems like an end - and you're wondering what kind of a team you have, and you're looking forward to seeing it. I know the fans are (excited), and we are, too."

One of the most notable cuts was cornerback Asa Jackson, who was expected to be the primary kick returner. Jackson, however, struggled over the final preseason games and was cut Saturday. As of now, the Ravens will go with Michael Campanaro as the punt returner, but he missed significant time last season and over this year's training camp with injuries. Wide receiver Steve Smith and cornerback Lardarius Webb are potential returners. The team will also likely scan the waiver wire for other options before the season opener.

On offense, Baltimore will open its sixth straight season with just two quarterbacks. Joe Flacco has yet to miss a start in his career, and the front office is sold on Matt Schaub being a viable backup.

One of the lingering questions entering the season is the depth of wide receiver and who will step up to be the main playmaker. The Ravens kept six wide receivers -- Kamar Aiken, Marlon Brown, Steve Smith Sr., Breshad Perriman, Darren Waller and Campanaro.

Perriman is expected to be the main downfield threat. However, he has not practiced since injuring his knee the first day of training camp July 30. Harbaugh still has not ruled him out for the opener.

"I think he has a chance" Harbaugh said. "But whether it's to what degree, that's wide open right now. I don't know."

If Perriman can't go, Aiken or Brown will start opposite Smith. It could be an uphill battle if Flacco is forced to get into a shootout with Manning and his many weapons.

-- Center Nick Easton, an undrafted free agent from Harvard, was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2016. Easton will serve as the primary backup to Marcus Martin.

San Francisco had planned on Daniel Kilgore being the starter. But he is still recovering from a second procedure on his left fibula. Ravens coach John Harbaugh pulled Easton out of practice to deliver the news of the trade.

"I knew it was kind of in the works," Harbaugh said. "I wasn't sure if it was going to happen. (Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome) came out (to practice) and let me know it happened, so I went over to pull Nick out of the drill and tell him. He's in the middle of a drill! He was actually getting ready to take his rep in there, and they were yelling for him, 'Nick get in here!' I was like, 'No. He's not in. He doesn't play for us anymore.' I didn't say that."

Baltimore is content to open the season with Jeremy Zuttah as the starter and John Urschel as the backup at center.

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