The Bum's National Football Leagues Trends-News- Picks !!

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Trends To Watch - September

September 9, 2015


The pig is finally in the air.

That means it is now September and with it an array of NFL handicapping team trends are suddenly in play for fans and ‘players’ alike.

Listed below are some of the best and worst team performances during the opening month of September. Team breakdowns include records at home, away, as a favorite, as an underdog, and in division games. All results are ATS (Against The Spread) unless noted otherwise.

Remember, as the late, great Howard Cosell once said, “What’s right isn’t always popular. What’s popular isn’t always right.”

Play accordingly.

HOME TEAMS

Keep an eye on (Good): Detroit has been notorious fast starters for years and is 29-16 ATS on a field where Eminem calls home. The lone home game will not be easy, facing Denver.

Baltimore is still a respectable 28-16 ATS at home, but is not as strong under coach John Harbaugh. Let's see if they flex their muscles against Cincinnati on the 27th of the month.

Keep an eye on (Bad): Arizona is just 14-23 ATS in the desert this month and has home games against New Orleans in Week 1 and San Francisco in Week 3. Definitely worth watching.

The New York Jets have Ryan Fitzpatrick as their signal caller for now. Cleveland is in New Jersey for the season lid-lifter and Philadelphia two weeks later as the Flyboys try and improve on 18-28 ATS mark the first month of the season at home.

Cincinnati is a miserable 15-25 ATS this month and probably fortunately just has San Diego in Week 2 on the banks of the Ohio River.

Washington has been laboring at home for years and is 16-27 ATS before the home crowd. Having Miami and St. Louis the first two weeks, we will find out quickly if Robert Griffin III is really is among the best quarterbacks in the NFL as he recently proclaimed, or whether Kirk Cousins is really the answer.

AWAY TEAMS

Keep an eye on (Good): Kansas City is money on the road to begin the season at 30-17 ATS and has two chances to better that record: In the opener at Houston and the Week 3 Monday nighter at Lambeau.

Dallas was 8-0 and 7-1 ATS last season in away outings, which helped build a recent 29-16 ATS mark. That makes the Week 2 battle at Philly worth waiting for.

Keep an eye on (Bad): It has never made sense why a franchise as consistently good as Pittsburgh struggles early on the road and is a dismal 15-29 ATS. They might catch a bit of a break being in New England for Game 1 of the season. Seventeen days later they will be in St. Louis.

Speaking of the Rams, they are only marginally better at 15-28 ATS, but found a home team as bad as they are in Washington, leaving football bettors to choose the lesser of two evils.

FAVORITES

Keep an eye on (Good): Seattle is a rock solid 29-16 ATS favorite, however, like usual will be tested at St. Louis in the opener. Two weeks later they will likely have an easier time facing Jay Cutler and the Bears.

Bad: With the Cardinals a lousy home team, it stands to reason they would be a mediocre favorite. At 7-18 ATS in September, this is as bad as it gets, so let's see of the Saints and Niners can expose them again as frauds in that role.

If you have too much money, we have a perfect solution... bet Carolina as favorites this month. The Panthers are 8-18 and should be favored in all three games in September!

St. Louis fits the bill also at 12-25 ATS, however, we know they will not be a favorite against Seattle in the first contest and chances are will not being handing out points at the Redskins or home to Pittsburgh. Watch the numbers and keep this in mind.

UNERDOGS

Good: The Dallas Cowboys thrive in this role at a sensational 26-12 against the number. Their Week 2 showdown at Philly will be their lone chance to improve on record.

Keep an eye on (Good): With road games at Houston and Green Bay, Kansas City will be an underdog and seeking to improve on 27-17 ATS. In between those contests is a home date with rival Denver and based on the past two years in this matchup at Arrowhead, the Chiefs might actually not be favored until their fifth contest.

Bad: We already mentioned the Steelers slow starts and they are 10-21 ATS when catching points this month. They are underdogs at New England, with a Week 3 nonconference clash at St. Louis to be determined later.

DIVISION

Good: The Chiefs home opener will on Thursday night against Denver on the 17th and K.C. is a dandy 23-11 ATS in that role.

Keep an eye on (Bad): With New England's quarterback situation temporarily settled with Tom Brady back, we’ll see whether the added weight and the bull eye of being defending Super Bowl champs weighs on the Pats disappointing 16-24 ATS vs. the AFC East.

Cincinnati is a fairly disheartening 13-20 ATS against the AFC North early on, and its first division confrontation of 2015 will be at Baltimore.

I’ll be back next month with our review of NFL trends for October.

Good luck this month.

[StarDust Bum]

NFL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Sunday, September 13

Packers @ Bears-- Green Bay won nine of last ten series games, winning last five series games, four by 7+ points. Pack started 0-1 last three years, giving up 30+ points in all three- seven of their last nine road openers went over total. Chicago has new coach in Fox; since '12, they're 1-5 as home underdogs, 9-16-1 as a single digit dog. Bears won five of last six home openers; three of last four went over total. Green Bay beat Bears 38-17/55-14 LY; they averaged 10+ yards/pass attempt in both games. Since '07, Pack is 22-17 as road favorites, 13-7 vs NFC North rivals. How much will Rodgers miss Jordy Nelson, his #1 WR who is out for the year?

Chiefs @ Texans-- Curious if addition of WR Maclin will help KC passing game; Chief WRs had zero TDs LY. Houston won last five home openers, covering four of them; four of the five wins were by 10+ points. Seven of last ten home openers stayed under. Chiefs lost seven of last nine road openers, but Reid won five of his last six. Chiefs are 2-2 here, with last visit in '10. Home side won last three series games; last two were decided by total of five points. Hoyer gets nod as Houston's QB; they weren't decisive in choosing him. Over is 10-6 in Houston home games the last two years, 23-15-1 in KC road games in last five years.

Browns @ Jets-- Cleveland is 1-15 in last 16 season openers, with only win in 2004- they're 3-6-2 vs spread as a dog in road openers. Over is 10-4 in their last 14 road openers. Jets have a new coach, Fitzpatrick at QB; they are 18-27 as home favorites since '07, but won last four home openers, three by 5 or less points. Five of their last seven home openers stayed under total. Browns lost by 6-11 in last two games vs Jets; they were 5-1-1 as road dogs in first year under Pettine. Under is 19-13 in Cleveland road games the last four years. Cleveland suspended its OL coach because of a DUI (not his first) so that is a problem.

Colts @ Bills-- After four years as Ravens' backup, Tyrod Taylor makes first NFL start here for Bills. Indy lost last four Week 1 road openers, are 1-4 in last five road openers, with seven of last ten staying under total, but they added Frank Gore/Andre Johnson; should have damn good offense. Colts won seven of last eight games vs Buffalo-- average total in last four, 33.5. Bills won five of last seven home openers, covered 10 of last 13 as home dog; Rex Ryan was 6-2 as a home dog last two years with Jets. Last three years, Indy is 8-3-1 as road favorite, 13-9-1 vs spread in games where spread was 3 or less points. Over is 33-22-1 in their last 56 road games.

Panthers @ Jaguars-- Carolina covered just two of last eight as a road favorite; underdogs are 17-7 vs spread in its road games last three years. Jacksonville is 2-6 in last 8 home openers, losing last three by combined score of 99-26. Home side won four of last five series games; three of last four were decided by 6 or less points. Panthers lost by 10-31 points in their two visits here. Jaguars are 8-23-1 as home underdog since '10 (5-16 in non-divisional games); under is 20-12 in Jax home games last four years. Over is 20-12 in Carolina road games the last four years. Carolina lost Benjamin for year; what WRs will step up and replace his production?

Dolphins @ Redskins-- Washington's summer was a total mess; Cousins gets start at QB- they need a win to shut critics up. Home side won last seven series games; Miami lost last three visits here by 20-11-3 points- their last win here was in '84. Dolphins are 2-9 in last 11 road openers; under is 16-5 in their last 21, including last six in row. Washngton is 4-7 in last 11 games as a home dog; they're 8-13 in last 21 games where spread was 3 or less. Since '06, Skins are 10-22-2 vs spread in non-divisional home games. Miami is 15-10 in last 25 games in which spread was 3 or less. Redskins scored 31.8 ppg in last four home openers but still split the games (over 4-0).

Seahawks @ Rams-- Seattle is 17-3 in last 20 series games, 2-3 in last five visits here; Rams used two great fake punts to upset the Seahawks LY. How much will addition of star TE Graham bolster Seattle's offense? Rams are 2-6 in last eight home openers, 1-4 vs spread as an underdog- over is 11-6-1 in their last 18. Seattle lost seven of last eight road openers (1-4 vs spread if favored); since 2010, they're 2-5 as a divisional road favorite. Rams are 7-6 in last 13 games as a home dog; over is 19-12-1 in their home games last four years. Average total in last ten series games is 32.4. Since '02, Super Bowl loser is 2-11 vs spread in its opener the next season.

Saints @ Cardinals-- Arizona won eight of last nine home openers covering three of last four; last three stayed under total. Cardinals are 12-3-1 in last 16 games where spread was 3 or less. How much will loss of TE Graham make Saints more of a running team? Home side won last five series games; Saints lost three of last four visits here, with losses by 2-24-10 points. NO is 13-24-1 vs spread last five years on road, 10-14 SU last three years- they covered once in last eight road openers, with six of last seven going over. Arizona is 7-2-1 as home favorites under Arians.

Lions @ Chargers-- Home side won eight of last ten series games; San Diego won six of last seven, winning last four here, three by 6 or less points. Detroit is 4-9 as road dogs since '12, 5-10 in last 15 non-divisional road games; under is 12-4 in Lion road games last two years, 19-12 in San Diego home games last four years. Since '10, Chargers are 10-4 as non-divisional home favorite; they're 8-13 in games with spread of 3 or less. Detroit is 3-11 in road openers last 14 years (4-10 vs spread); under is 3-1-1 in last five- they won in Week 1 in each of last four years- three of those were home.

Titans @ Buccaneeers-- Couple of rookie QBs starting here, with solid defensive coaches on other side. Home side won nine of last ten series games, with Titans winning six of last seven vs Bucs. Tennessee is 1-2 here, with last visit in '07. Tampa Bay lost seven of last nine season openers; under is 8-3-1 in their last 12. Bucs scored 16-14-14 in last three home openers but they have an OC this year (Tedford was ill LY). Titans are 8-12 as road underdogs since '12, 7-14-2 in games with spread of 3 or less points. Bucs are 6-12 as favorites since '11, 5-11-2 in last 18 games where spread was 3 or less points.

Bengals @ Raiders-- Oakland lost last five times they opened at home; last Week 1 home win was in '02. Raiders lost by 8-4-5 in last three season openers; underdogs are 3-0-1 in last four. Silver and Black are 15-22 as home dogs since '06, 5-10 as non-divisional home dog since '10. Home side won last five series games, with Oakland 4-2 in last six; Bengals lost last ten visits here, but their last visit here was in '09 (they were 1-3 vs Raiders in LA back in day when Raiders lived there). Cincy covered once in last six tries as road favorite; under is 14-8-1 in their last 23 road games.

Ravens @ Broncos-- Kubiak is Denver's HC; he was Ravens' OC LY, so their defense will know what to see from Broncos. Denver is 23-3 SU in last 26 home openers, 10-4-1 vs spread in last 15; they scored 37 ppg in Week 1 in three years Manning has been here. Broncos are 16-7 as home fave in Manning era, 10-4 in non-division games. Ravens lost three of last four road openers but are 5-2 vs spread as a dog in road openers; over is 9-6-1 in their road games last two years. Over is 28-12 in Bronco home games last five years. Ravens lost four of last six in Denver, but won playoff game here in '12; they're 4-8-1 vs spread in last thirteen games as a road underdog. Lot of inexperience on Denver OL, bad news if you have an immobile QB.

Giants @ Cowboys-- Dallas won last four series games, with 55.2 average total in last five series games. Cowboys are 8-24 as home favorites since 2010, 3-9 in divisional games; they covered once in last six tries as a favorite in home opener. Giants are 7-9 as a dog since '13; they lost 36-31/31-21 in last two visits here- in last eight seasons, they're 14-10 vs spread in NFC East road games. Over is 10-1 in Giants last 11 road openers, 1-3 in Dallas' last four home openers. Big Blue will be without four of top five tacklers from LY and their safeties were crippled by injury this summer. Dallas averaged 10.7/9.5 ypa vs NYG LY.

Monday, September 14
Eagles @ Falcons-- Philly won last six road openers, winning SU as dog last two years; three of their last five were decided by 3 or less points. Under Kelly, Eagles are 9-7 vs spread on road, 11-4 in games where spread was 3 or less points. Falcons won last two vs Philly 35-31/30-17; average total in last three series games is 53.7. Over is 11-5 in Eagle road games under Kelly. Atlanta is 4-10 in last 14 games where spread was 3 or less; they're 9-5 as home dog since '08. Falcons went 10-22 last two years so they made change on bench; new OC Kyle Shanahan is familiar with Eagles from his days in Washington.

Vikings @ 49ers-- Peterson back for Minnesota; he last played in LY's opener. Lot of changes with 49ers, few for better; they were 44-19-1 under Harbaugh. 11 of 22 starters from LY are gone now. Niners won last four openers and scored 28+ in all four- they're home underdog for first time since 2011. Home side won 10 of last 11 Viking-Niner games; Minnesota lost eight of last nine visits here; they're road favorite for first time since '12, 12-5 in last 17 games where spread was 3 or less. Vikings are 4-10 in last 14 road openers, with eight of last 11 staying under total. Since 2007, 49ers are 3-11-3 as an underdog of 3 or less points; 11 of their last 16 home games stayed under total.

[StarDust Bum]

NFL

Sunday, September 13

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Sunday's Week 1 NFL betting cheat sheet
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Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears (+6.5, 49)

* Quarterback Jay Cutler will be in the eye of the storm following a season in which he threw for a career-best 28 touchdowns but was also intercepted 18 times and lost half of his 12 fumbles. Cutler is 1-11 in his career against Green Bay, including the postseason.

* Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers finished with 38 touchdowns versus five interceptions last season and he fattened those numbers in the two drubbings of Chicago, throwing for 617 yards with 10 scoring passes and zero picks.


Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans (-1.5, 40.5)

* Kansas City hopes it has upgraded on offense by adding Maclin, who had 85 receptions for 1,318 yards and 10 TDs with Philadelphia a year ago while Chiefs wideouts failed to catch a single touchdown pass. They have the edge when it comes to the men on the sidelines, as Chiefs bench boss Andy Reid is 5-0 all-time against the Texans.

* Houston has won five straight season openers, the longest active streak in the NFL.


Cleveland Browns at New York Jets (-3.5, 39.5)

* Journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, starting in place of Geno Smith, who suffered a broken jaw in training camp after getting punched by a teammate, is currently the focal point for a team that ranked sixth in the league in total defense a year ago but couldn't make up for its extreme deficiencies on offense.

* A week ago, Cleveland shockingly traded running back Terrance West, who led the team with 673 rushing yards last season, giving Isaiah Crowell the inside track to carry the bulk of the load in the backfield. While the Browns are forecast to have one of the best offensive lines in football, they were just average rushing the ball last season and McCown was a disaster in Tampa Bay, throwing just 11 touchdowns passes and winning just once in 11 appearances.


Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills (+2.5, 45)

* Indianapolis is breaking in a pair of rookies along that line in defensive end Henry Anderson and tackle David Parry while hoping outside linebacker Robert Mathis continues to defy Father Time. “These guys are going to go and they’re going to play hard and they’re going to play tough and they’re going to play damn smart,” head coach Chuck Pagano told reporters regarding Anderson and Parry. “Feel great about that group.”

* Bills QB Tyrod Taylor is capable of making plays with his legs as well as his arm but should have both McCoy (hamstring) and rookie Karlos Williams (undisclosed) available to take on some of the pressure in the running game. "I feel like the medical staff has done a good job of preparing me so far,” McCoy told reporters. “Practicing, I’ve just been doing light loads, each day doing more and more. I feel comfortable. I’m not sure if I’ll be exactly 100 percent (on Sunday), but I feel good enough to go out there and compete.” McCoy ran for 2,962 yards and 14 TDs in his final two seasons with Philadelphia while adding 80 receptions.


Miami Dolphins at Washington Redskins (+3.5, 43)

* Ryan Tannehill has a few new weapons at his disposal as Miami welcomed the arrivals of Kenny Stills (New Orleans) and tight end Jordan Cameron (Cleveland) to add to emerging star Jarvis Landry and Rishard Matthews. With veteran wideout Mike Wallace shuffled off to Minnesota, coach Joe Philbin is hoping his quick-strike offense will lead to the team's first postseason appearance since 2008. Lamar Miller amassed nearly 1,400 yards from scrimmage last season, with a career-high 1,099 coming on the ground.

* Washington WR DeSean Jackson expects to play despite being plagued by a sprained right shoulder in the preseason.


Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars (+3, 41)

* The Jaguars expected tight end Julius Thomas to be a big part of their offense when they signed him away from Denver in the offseason, but Thomas underwent surgery on his finger Monday and will miss at least three weeks.

* The Panthers lost star wideout Kelvin Benjamin in the preseason, leaving the receiving corps suspect at best. Rookie Devin Funchess could emerge as a top target but he's been hampered by a hamstring injury throughout the preseason, leaving veteran Ted Ginn Jr. and tight end Greg Olson as key cogs.


Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams (+4, 40.5)

* Seattle has won 17 of the last 20 meetings with St. Louis, but the three losses have come in its last five visits to St. Louis.

* St. Louis Rookie running back Todd Gurley's ailing knee will make him a spectator on Sunday and Tre Mason (hamstring), last season's leading rusher, could follow suit, leaving Benny Cunningham and Isaiah Pead to face Seattle's fearsome front seven. The going should be tough as the Rams mustered a season-low 42 yards in the most recent meeting against the Seahawks.


New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals (-2.5, 48.5)

* The real question with the Saints often has been the performance of the defense, which ranked 31st in total yards (384 per game) and 28th in scoring (26.5) a year ago and will have a number of rookies in key roles.

* Carson Palmer is 16-6 as a starter with Arizona, including 6-0 last season, and has won 10 of his 12 home starts with the team.


Detroit Lions at San Diego Chargers (-3, 46)

* Rivers, who has started 145 consecutive games, has been sacked at least 30 times in five straight seasons. San Diego is hoping to end that streak as it helped shore up its offensive line with the additions of tackle Joe Barksdale (St. Louis) and guard Orlando Franklin (Denver).

* Detroit, which led the league in rush defense (69.3 yards) and was second in total defense (300.9) in 2014, added defensive lineman Haloti Ngata from Baltimore, but the five-time Pro Bowler battled hamstring issues in the preseason.


Tennessee Titans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3, 41)

* Heading into their matchup with rookie quarterback Jameis Winston's Bucs, Titans defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's defenses are 26-3 against rookie quarterbacks since 1995. Those defenses have allowed 24 touchdown passes, 37 interceptions while limiting the signal callers to a .551 completion percentage during that span.

* Winston could use some help from a running game that finished 29th in the league with an average of 85.9 yards last season and an offensive line breaking in a pair of rookie starters. “The linemen we’ve got, those are the linemen we’ve got,” offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter told reporters. “Shoot, I think they’re all five going to the Pro Bowl.” Running back Doug Martin gained just 494 yards while missing five games last season but once again is atop the depth chart at the position.


Cincinnati Bengals at Oakland Raiders (+3, 43)

* Jeremy Hill is coming off a season in which he registered four games with at least 140 rushing yards, joining Hall-of-Famers Eric Dickerson (five) and Curtis Martin as the only rookies to accomplish the feat. Dalton, meanwhile, became the third quarterback in NFL history to both pass for at least 3,000 yards (Peyton Manning and Cam Newton) and lead his team to the playoffs (Joe Flacco and Otto Graham) in each of his first four seasons.

* The Raiders have won six straight and 14 of 15 overall home meetings with the Bengals, including the postseason.


Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos (-4, 47.5)

* "I'm not really worried if it's first game, last game," Baltimore cornerback Jimmy Smith told ESPN of the 39-year-old Manning, who has thrown 31 touchdowns against one interception in outdoor contests in September since joining Denver in 2012. "He's going to be dangerous. He's still Peyton Manning, no matter what." Manning (4,727 yards, 39 TDs in 2014) and the high-octane offense barely missed a step over the last two seasons until a torn quad in the final month forced Denver to rely on C.J. Anderson and its running game.

* Joe Flacco (3,986 yards, 27 TDs) saw free-agent wideout Torrey Smith head to San Francisco in the offseason while first-round selection Breshad Perriman already has been ruled out of Sunday's tilt with a sprained right knee. Flacco still has grizzled veteran Steve Smith (79 receptions, 1,065 yards, six touchdowns), who believes he has more left in the tank as he enters his 15th season.


New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (-6, 51.5)

* Then-rookie wideout Odell Beckham made a national name for himself with a highlight-reel one-handed touchdown grab in the second meeting against Dallas that nearly blew up the Internet. Fellow wide receiver Victor Cruz, who suffered a torn patellar tendon last season, is unlikely to play while dealing with a calf injury, so the Giants may rely on their own backfield triumvirate of Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams and free-agent acquisition Shane Vereen. Manning threw for 30 TD passes and 4,410 yards last season to quell fears after his dismal 27-interception campaign of 2013.

* The Cowboys will sport a different look after running back DeMarco Murray, who ran away with the league rushing title last season, signed with hated rival Philadelphia in the offseason. Joseph Randle, Murray's backup, is expected to head a committee that includes former Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden.

[StarDust Bum]

NFL

Sunday, September 13


Cold, rain, wind expected when Bills host Colts

Weather forecasts predict temperatures in the low-60s with a 61 percent chance of rain in Buffalo when the Bills host the Indianapolis Colts at Ralph Wilson Stadium Sunday afternoon.

Furthermore, gusts of wind at around 13 miles per hour are expected in the direction of the southeast end zone.

The Bills are currently 2.5-point home underdogs for their season opener.


Chance of rain when Jets host Browns Sunday

According to weather forecasts, there is around a 53 percent chance of showers at MetLife Stadium when the Cleveland Browns visit the New York Jets Sunday afternoon.

Temperatures in Carlstadt are expected to be in the mid-to-high-70s during gametime with wind blowing across the field at around just five miles per hour.

At present, the Jets are 3.5-point home faves and the total is 39.5.


Cutler a horrible bet under center versus Packers

It is well documented that Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has had a rough history when facing the Green Bay Packers, but those poor performances have spilled over to the betting window as well.

Cutler has posted a 1-11 record straight up (including the postseason) in 12 career games against the Packers. Against the spread, Cutler-led teams have gone just 2-10.

The last time Cutler defeated Green Bay was back on Sept. 27 of the 2010 season when he led the Bears to a 20-17 win at Solider Field, covering the spread as 3-point pups.

He went 2-0 ATS versus the Packers that season as Green Bay triumphed in the regular season finale by a score of 10-3, but the Bears cashed as 11-point road dogs.

Cutler will give it another shot at home Sunday afternoon in their season opener. The Bears, who opened as 5-point home dogs, are presently +7.


Texans are used to winning in Week 1

The Houston Texans have won five straight season openers, the longest active streak in the NFL.

They've recorded a record of 4-1 against the spread over that stretch with their only ATS loss coming in the 2013 curtain raiser when they defeated the San Diego Chargers 31-18 but failed to cover as 5-point road faves.

They have a tough task in Week 1 this year as Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs are in town. Reid is 5-0 all-time versus the Texans.

Books opened the Texans as 1.5-point home faves but that is down to -1.

[StarDust Bum]

NFL

Friday, September 11


Bears have been a terrible bet against the Packers

The Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers rivalry has been pretty lopsided in recent years which has translated to the betting window.

Chicago is a measly 1-8 ATS in their last nine meetings with the Pack. The Monsters of the Midway specifically haven't put up much of a fight at home against Aaron Rodgers and company, failing to cover the spread in five-straight tilts with the green and gold at Soldier Field.

Oddsmakers initially opened the Pack as 5-point favorites but that's since risen to -6.5. The total is currently sitting at 49 at most books.


Giants WR Cruz, LB Beason ruled out vs. Cowboys

Wide receiver Victor Cruz has been ruled out of the New York Giants' season opener at the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night due to a calf injury that has plagued him since the middle of August.

Cruz has yet to resume running and coach Tom Coughlin declined to speculate on when Cruz may return to the field.

"He's getting better, he's getting better. He's improved, no doubt," Coughlin said. "As soon as he's ready to go, he'll be on the field and practicing. Until that time, we're all trying to figure out when exactly he'll be ready. "

Linebacker Jon Beason has also been ruled out due to a knee injury.

"He just didn't get any better," Coughlin said. "Didn't get to the point where he felt he could play, and play the way he would like to. And the medical people agreed."


Bucs WR Evans questionable to face Titans

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially listed wide receiver Mike Evans as questionable for Sunday's season opener against the Tennessee Titans due to a hamstring injury.

Evans took part in limited practice Friday for the first time all week. He first injured the hamstring during an Aug. 24 preseason game.

"He was able to run around a little bit, didn't have any pain or anything like that, so we are on the road to recovery," Bucs head coach Lovie Smith said. "How soon he gets back full speed and how soon he’s ready to actually play, each day will tell us a little bit more."

Evans said, "There is no official ruling yet. I hope I'm playing. I'll leave it up to (Smith, though."

Defensive end T.J. Fatinikun (shoulder) was listed as out, while cornerback Mike Jenkins (hamstring) is questionable and defensive end George Johnson (illness) is probable.

Nose tackle Sammie Lee Hill was ruled out by the Titans due to a knee injury.


RG3 cleared, but Gruden mum on Redskins backup QB

Robert Griffin III was listed as probable on the Washington Redskins' injury report Friday, but coach Jay Gruden declined to say whether he will serve as starter Kirk Cousins' primary backup in Sunday's regular-season opener against the Miami Dolphins.

RG3 has been recovering from a concussion suffered during the preseason and was cleared medically to participate in contact drills, but Colt McCoy received the bulk of the playing time during the exhibition season.

"I'm probably the only coach in the league that gets questions on their 46-man roster on a Thursday," Gruden said when asked if RG3 will be Cousins' backup. "We have until Sunday afternoon to turn in our 46-man roster and we're going to do that with everybody."

Gruden said RG3 has been taking part in individual drills and some team activity on the field and there is nothing physically that would prevent him from playing Sunday.

[StarDust Bum]

Team Open Line Movements Current Moneyline Halftime Scores

1:00 PM EDT

463 GREEN BAY PACKERS -5 -6 -15 / -6.5 -05 / -6.5 -11 -6.5 -290
464 CHICAGO BEARS 50 49u15 / 49 / 48.5 48 +230

GB-WR-Randall Cobb-Probable | GB-WR-Jordy Nelson-OUT | TV: FOX, DTV: 709 | MOSTLY SUNNY, WEST WIND 6-11. GAME TEMP 65, RH 44%

1:00 PM EDT

465 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 42 PK +09 / PK +05 / PK -1 -120
466 HOUSTON TEXANS -1 40.5 / 41 / 41u12 41 +100

HOU-RB-Arian Foster-OUT | TV: CBS, DTV: 706 | MOSTLY SUNNY, EAST WIND 5-10. GAME TEMP 81, RH 37% HEAT INDEX 80

1:00 PM EDT

467 CLEVELAND BROWNS 41 39 / 39.5 / 39 39 +165
468 NEW YORK JETS -2.5 -3.5 -15 / -3 -30 / -3 -25 -3.5 -185

NYJ-QB-Geno Smith-OUT | TV: CBS, DTV: 707 | MOSTLY CLOUDY, 30% CHANCE LIGHT SHOWERS. WEST WIND 6-11. GAME TEMP 74, RH 59% HEAT INDEX 77

1:00 PM EDT

469 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS -2.5 -2.5 / -2.5 -15 / -1 -15 -1 -05 -115
470 BUFFALO BILLS 47 45.5 / 45 / 45u12 44 -105

BUF-RB-LeSean McCoy-Probable | BUF-QB-Tyrod Taylor-Probable | TV: CBS, DTV: 705 | CLOUDY, 60% CHANCE LIGHT RAIN. WEST WIND 10-15. GAME TEMP 58, RH 72%

1:00 PM EDT

471 MIAMI DOLPHINS -2.5 -3 -26 / -3.5 -05 / -3.5 -3.5 -185
472 WASHINGTON REDSKINS 44 43 / 43o15 / 43 46 +165

WAS-QB-Kirk Cousins-Probable | TV: CBS, DTV: 708 | MOSTLY CLOUDY, 30% CHANCE LIGHT SHOWERS. NORTHWEST WIND 10-15. GAME TEMP 70, RH 50%

1:00 PM EDT

473 CAROLINA PANTHERS -4 -3 -05 / -3 EVEN / -3 -3 -15 -165
474 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 42.5 41u14 / 40.5u14 / 40.5 40 +145

JAC-TE-Julius Thomas-OUT | TV: FOX, DTV: 710 | MOSTLY SUNNY, NORTH WIND 5-10. GAME TEMP 82, RH 42% HEAT INDEX 82

1:00 PM EDT

475 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS -3 -30 -4 EVEN / -4 -05 / -3.5 -3.5 -05 -175
476 ST. LOUIS RAMS 43 41.5 / 41 / 40.5 41 +155

TV: FOX, DTV: 711 | Dome

4:05 PM EDT

477 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 47 47.5 / 48 / 48.5 48 +125
478 ARIZONA CARDINALS -2.5 -15 -2.5 / -2 / -1.5 -2.5 -145

TV: FOX, DTV: 712 | PARTLY CLOUDY, 30% CHANCE SHOWER/STORMS. WEST WIND 5-10. GAME TEMP 100, RH 23% HEAT INDEX 100 (UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX STADIUM ROOF MAY CLOSE IN WET WEATHER)

4:05 PM EDT

479 DETROIT LIONS 45.5 45.5u12 / 45.5 / 45 45.5 +170
480 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS -2 -3 / -3 -15 / -3.5 -15 -3.5 -05 -200

TV: FOX, DTV: 713 | MOSTLY SUNNY, WEST WIND 5-10. GAME TEMP 82, RH 54% HEAT INDEX 84

4:25 PM EDT

481 TENNESSEE TITANS 42 41u11 / 41 / 40.5 41 +135
482 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS -3 -3 +02 / -3 +05 / -3 +04 -3 -05 -155

TV: CBS, DTV: 716 | MOSTLY CLOUDY, 60% CHANCE SHOWER/STORMS. NORTHWEST WIND 5-10. GAME TEMP 82, RH 69% HEAT INDEX 87

4:25 PM EDT

483 CINCINNATI BENGALS -3 -20 -3 / -3 -05 / -3 EVEN -3 -05 -155
484 OAKLAND RAIDERS 44 43.5 / 43 / 43.5 43 +135

TV: CBS, DTV: 715 | PARTLY SUNNY, WEST WIND 10-15, GUSTY. GAME TEMP 70, RH 65% HEAT INDEX 71

4:25 PM EDT

485 BALTIMORE RAVENS 52 49 / 48.5 / 48 47 +180
486 DENVER BRONCOS -4 -5.5 / -5 / -4 -4.5 -210

DEN-WR-Emmanuel Sanders-Probable | TV: CBS, DTV: 714 | SUNNY, NORTHWEST WIND 6-11. GAME TEMP 90, RH 10% WIND CHILL 0

8:30 PM EDT

487 NEW YORK GIANTS 49.5 51.5 / 51.5u12 / 51.5 52 +235
488 DALLAS COWBOYS -6 -6 / -6 -15 / -6 -6.5 -04 -285

NYG-WR-Victor Cruz-OUT | TV: NBC | MOSTLY FAIR, SOUTH WIND 8-13. GAME TEMP 83, RH 29% HEAT INDEX 81 (A T and T STADIUM ROOF MAY CLOSE IN HOT WEATHER)

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NFL MONEYLINE

NFL > (475) SEATTLE@ (476) ST LOUIS | 2015-09-13 13:00:00 - 2015-09-13 13:00:00
Play ON SEATTLE using money line in all games where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points
The record is 11 Wins and 1 Losses for the last three seasons (+10 units)

NFL > (481) TENNESSEE@ (482) TAMPA BAY | 2015-09-13 16:25:00 - 2015-09-13 16:25:00
Play AGAINST TAMPA BAY using money line in all games where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points
The record is 1 Wins and 9 Losses for the last three seasons (-10.5 units)

NFL > (469) INDIANAPOLIS@ (470) BUFFALO | 2015-09-13 13:00:00 - 2015-09-13 13:00:00
Play ON INDIANAPOLIS using money line in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points
The record is 17 Wins and 5 Losses for the last three seasons (+13.45 units)

NFL > (465) KANSAS CITY@ (466) HOUSTON | 2015-09-13 13:00:00 - 2015-09-13 13:00:00
Play AGAINST HOUSTON using money line in all games
The record is 11 Wins and 21 Losses for the last three seasons (-21.4 units)

NFL > (463) GREEN BAY@ (464) CHICAGO | 2015-09-13 13:00:00 - 2015-09-13 13:00:00
Play ON GREEN BAY using money line as a favorite
The record is 13 Wins and 1 Losses for the last two seasons (+11.4 units)

NFL > (467) CLEVELAND@ (468) NY JETS | 2015-09-13 13:00:00 - 2015-09-13 13:00:00
Play AGAINST CLEVELAND using money line in all games where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points
The record is 2 Wins and 11 Losses for the last three seasons (-11.1 units)

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NFL FIRST HALF

NFL > (475) SEATTLE@ (476) ST LOUIS | 2015-09-13 13:00:00 - 2015-09-13 13:00:00
Play ON ST LOUIS ?>in the first half as an underdog vs. the 1rst half line
The record is 10 Wins and 1 Losses for the last two seasons (+8.9 units)

NFL > (471) MIAMI@ (472) WASHINGTON | 2015-09-13 13:00:00 - 2015-09-13 13:00:00
Play AGAINST WASHINGTON ?>in the first half versus the 1rst half line in home games
The record is 2 Wins and 13 Losses for the last three seasons (-12.3 units)

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NFL TOTALS

NFL > (479) DETROIT@ (480) SAN DIEGO | 2015-09-13 16:05:00 - 2015-09-13 16:05:00
Play UNDER DETROIT on the total in games where the 1rst half line is +1.5 to -1.5
The record is 0 Overs and 8 Unders for the last two seasons (+8 units)

NFL > (473) CAROLINA@ (474) JACKSONVILLE | 2015-09-13 13:00:00 - 2015-09-13 13:00:00
Play OVER JACKSONVILLE on the total in non-conference games
The record is 8 Overs and 0 Unders for the last three seasons (+8 units)

NFL > (463) GREEN BAY@ (464) CHICAGO | 2015-09-13 13:00:00 - 2015-09-13 13:00:00
Play OVER CHICAGO on the total in September games
The record is 8 Overs and 0 Unders for the last three seasons (+8 units)

NFL > (467) CLEVELAND@ (468) NY JETS | 2015-09-13 13:00:00 - 2015-09-13 13:00:00
Play UNDER NY JETS on the total as a home favorite of 2 to 3.5 points vs. the 1rst half line
The record is 10 Overs and 31 Unders for the since 1992 (+20 units)

NFL > (489) PHILADELPHIA@ (490) ATLANTA | 2015-09-14 19:10:00 - 2015-09-14 19:10:00
Play OVER ATLANTA on the total against conference opponents
The record is 10 Overs and 1 Unders for the last three seasons (+8.9 units)

NFL > (469) INDIANAPOLIS@ (470) BUFFALO | 2015-09-13 13:00:00 - 2015-09-13 13:00:00
Play UNDER BUFFALO on the total in all games
The record is 3 Overs and 13 Unders for the last two seasons (+9.7 units)

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NFL TOP POWERLINES

NFL > (469) INDIANAPOLIS @ (470) BUFFALO | 2015-09-13 13:00:00 - 2015-09-13 13:00:00
Line: BUFFALO1 BTB PowerLine: BUFFALO-8
Edge On: BUFFALO (9)

NFL > (463) GREEN BAY @ (464) CHICAGO | 2015-09-13 13:00:00 - 2015-09-13 13:00:00
Line: GREEN BAY BTB PowerLine: GREEN BAY15
Edge On: GREEN BAY (9)

NFL > (475) SEATTLE @ (476) ST LOUIS | 2015-09-13 13:00:00 - 2015-09-13 13:00:00
Line: SEATTLE BTB PowerLine: SEATTLE8
Edge On: SEATTLE (5)

NFL > (473) CAROLINA @ (474) JACKSONVILLE | 2015-09-13 13:00:00 - 2015-09-13 13:00:00
Line: CAROLINA BTB PowerLine: CAROLINA9
Edge On: CAROLINA (6)

NFL > (467) CLEVELAND @ (468) NY JETS | 2015-09-13 13:00:00 - 2015-09-13 13:00:00
Line: NY JETS-3.5 BTB PowerLine: NY JETS-7
Edge On: NY JETS (3.5)

NFL > (465) KANSAS CITY @ (466) HOUSTON | 2015-09-13 13:00:00 - 2015-09-13 13:00:00
Line: KANSAS CITY BTB PowerLine: KANSAS CITY1
Edge On: KANSAS CITY (2.5)

NFL > (481) TENNESSEE @ (482) TAMPA BAY | 2015-09-13 16:25:00 - 2015-09-13 16:25:00
Line: TAMPA BAY-3 BTB PowerLine: TAMPA BAY-11
Edge On: TAMPA BAY (8)

NFL > (483) CINCINNATI @ (484) OAKLAND | 2015-09-13 16:25:00 - 2015-09-13 16:25:00
Line: CINCINNATI BTB PowerLine: CINCINNATI7
Edge On: CINCINNATI (4)

NFL > (487) NY GIANTS @ (488) DALLAS | 2015-09-13 20:30:00 - 2015-09-13 20:30:00
Line: DALLAS-6 BTB PowerLine: DALLAS-11
Edge On: DALLAS (5)

NFL > (491) MINNESOTA @ (492) SAN FRANCISCO | 2015-09-14 22:20:00 - 2015-09-14 22:20:00
Line: SAN FRANCISCO2 BTB PowerLine: SAN FRANCISCO-5
Edge On: SAN FRANCISCO (7)

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nfl rated games:

*****.......................................... 0 - 0
double play................................2 - 0
triple play..................................0 - 0
blow out.....................................0 - 0
gom..............................................0 - 0
goy............................................... 0 - 0
totals.........................................0 - 0

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Green Bay - 1:00 PM ET Green Bay -6 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Chicago - Over 48 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Kansas City - 1:00 PM ET Houston +1 500 *****

Houston - Under 40.5 500 *****

Cleveland - 1:00 PM ET N.Y. Jets -3.5 500 *****

N.Y. Jets - Under 39.5 500

Indianapolis - 1:00 PM ET Buffalo +1 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Buffalo - Under 44.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Miami - 1:00 PM ET Miami -4 500

Washington - Over 45.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Carolina - 1:00 PM ET Carolina -3 500

Jacksonville - Over 40.5 500

Seattle - 1:00 PM ET St. Louis +3.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY

St. Louis - Under 41.5 500 *****

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udates on late games up in a bit

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4:05 PM EDT

477 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 47 47.5 / 48 / 48.5 48 +115
478 ARIZONA CARDINALS -2.5 -15 -1.5 / -2.5 / -2 -2 -15 -135

TV: FOX, DTV: 712 | PARTLY CLOUDY, 30% CHANCE SHOWER/STORMS. WEST WIND 5-10. GAME TEMP 101, RH 23% HEAT INDEX 101 (UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX STADIUM ROOF MAY CLOSE IN WET WEATHER)

4:05 PM EDT

479 DETROIT LIONS 45.5 45 / 45.5 / 44.5 45 +160
480 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS -2 -3 / -3 -15 / -3.5 -15 -3.5 -05 -180

TV: FOX, DTV: 713 | MOSTLY SUNNY, WEST WIND 5-10. GAME TEMP 85, RH 49% HEAT INDEX 87

4:25 PM EDT

481 TENNESSEE TITANS 42 41 / 41u14 / 40.5 40 +130
482 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS -3 -3 +04 / -3 -05 / -3 EVEN -3 -05 -150

TV: CBS, DTV: 716 | MOSTLY CLOUDY, 30% CHANCE SHOWER/STORMS EARLY. NORTHWEST WIND 5-10. GAME TEMP 82, RH 69% HEAT INDEX 87

4:25 PM EDT

483 CINCINNATI BENGALS -3 -20 -3 +05 / -3 / -3 -15 -3 -160
484 OAKLAND RAIDERS 44 43.5 / 43 / 43.5 43 +140

TV: CBS, DTV: 715 | PARTLY SUNNY, WEST WIND 10-15, GUSTY. GAME TEMP 73, RH 59% HEAT INDEX 75

4:25 PM EDT

485 BALTIMORE RAVENS 52 48.5 / 48 / 47 46 +185
486 DENVER BRONCOS -4 -4 / -4.5 / -4.5 -21 -4.5 -05 -215

DEN-WR-Emmanuel Sanders-Probable | TV: CBS, DTV: 714 | SUNNY, NORTHWEST WIND 6-11. GAME TEMP 90, RH 10% WIND CHILL 0

8:30 PM EDT

487 NEW YORK GIANTS 49.5 51.5u12 / 51.5 / 52 51.5 +230
488 DALLAS COWBOYS -6 -6 -15 / -6.5 -04 / -6 -6 -15 -280

NYG-WR-Victor Cruz-OUT | TV: NBC | MOSTLY FAIR, SOUTH WIND 8-13. GAME TEMP 83, RH 29% HEAT INDEX 81 (A T and T STADIUM ROOF MAY CLOSE IN HOT WEATHER)

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NFL Consensus Picks

SIDES (ATS)

Time Away Line Picks Pct Home Line Picks Pct Detail Odds

4:05 PM New Orleans +2 1459 35.26% Arizona -2 2679 64.74% View View

1:00 PM Cleveland +3.5 1592 39.05% N.Y. Jets -3.5 2485 60.95% View View

4:25 PM Baltimore +4.5 1614 39.35% Denver -4.5 2488 60.65% View View

8:30 PM N.Y. Giants +6 1791 44.71% Dallas -6 2215 55.29% View View

4:25 PM Tennessee +3 1829 46.50% Tampa Bay -3 2104 53.50% View View

4:05 PM Detroit +3.5 1879 47.61% San Diego -3.5 2068 52.39% View View

1:00 PM Kansas City -1 2380 56.33% Houston +1 1845 43.67% View View

1:00 PM Seattle -3.5 2460 58.22% St. Louis +3.5 1765 41.78% View View

4:25 PM Cincinnati -3 2363 58.32% Oakland +3 1689 41.68% View View

1:00 PM Indianapolis -1 2699 62.46% Buffalo +1 1622 37.54% View View

1:00 PM Carolina -3 2583 62.74% Jacksonville +3 1534 37.26% View View

1:00 PM Green Bay -6 3001 69.29% Chicago +6 1330 30.71% View View

1:00 PM Miami -4 3052 71.33% Washington +4 1227 28.67% View View


TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)

Time Away Total Over Pct Home Total Under Pct Detail Odds

1:00 PM Cleveland 39 930 31.49% N.Y. Jets 39 2023 68.51% View View

1:00 PM Kansas City 41 1126 39.32% Houston 41 1738 60.68% View View

1:00 PM Seattle 41.5 1163 40.65% St. Louis 41.5 1698 59.35% View View

4:25 PM Tennessee 40.5 1119 41.00% Tampa Bay 40.5 1610 59.00% View View

1:00 PM Carolina 41 1129 41.08% Jacksonville 41 1619 58.92% View View

1:00 PM Miami 45.5 1286 45.60% Washington 45.5 1534 54.40% View View

1:00 PM Indianapolis 44.5 1515 52.82% Buffalo 44.5 1353 47.18% View View

4:25 PM Cincinnati 43 1377 52.92% Oakland 43 1225 47.08% View View

4:05 PM New Orleans 48 1500 54.23% Arizona 48 1266 45.77% View View

1:00 PM Green Bay 48.5 1671 56.30% Chicago 48.5 1297 43.70% View View

4:25 PM Baltimore 47 1596 56.80% Denver 47 1214 43.20% View View

4:05 PM Detroit 45 1691 61.36% San Diego 45 1065 38.64% View View

8:30 PM N.Y. Giants 52 1833 63.65% Dallas 52 1047 36.35% View View