The Bum's 2016 NFL Sept. Best Bets, Opinions, Trends, News !

[StarDust Bum]

Monday’s six-pack

Six most popular selections for Week 2 in the NFL Super Contest at the Westgate Casino in Las Vegas:

6) Carolina Panthers, -13.5 (397)- W

5) Cincinnati Bengals, +3.5 (401)- L

4) Kansas City Chiefs, +3 (419)- L

3) Jacksonville Jaguars, +3 (426)- L

2) Green Bay Packers, -2.5 (507)

1) Seattle Seahawks, -4.5 (541)- L (Ha!!!!)

Top 6 season record: 4-7


Monday’s List of 14: Wrapping up an NFL Sunday

Titans 16, Lions 15–Detroit blew 21-3 lead last week, rallied to win; they led this game 15-3 after 3rd quarter. Tennessee has allowed one offensive TD in two games. 79-year old Dick LeBeau is the Titans’ DC; he played his whole 14-year career in the Motor City.

Texans 19, Chiefs 12–KC has been outscored 34-6 in first half of its two games; they didn’t score a TD here. There have been 63 offensive TDs scored this week with 65 FGs tried, compared to 77 TDs LW, with 65 FGs tried. Favorites are 7-7 vs spread so far this week.

Patriots 31, Dolphins 24– Jimmy Garoppolo posted a 21-0 lead before he hurt his shoulder and left for the day. Rookie Jacoby Brissett took over; Miami stormed back but couldn’t catch up, so now heading into a Week 3 Thursday game with Houston, the Patriots have a rookie QB and no one to back him up- by time you read this, they’ll probably have signed someone.

Garoppolo’s stint as the #1 QB may be over, unless he can play in Week 4; Brady returns October 9 in Cleveland.

Ravens 25, Browns 20– Cleveland took a 20-0 lead with its third TD of the day with 4:34 left in first quarter; Luke McCown looked like Frank Ryan or Brian Sipe, but Ravens blocked the PAT, ran it back for two points, and the Browns never scored again.

Gut-punch loss for young Browns, who will get a big boost in Week 5 when their best WR (Josh Gordon) returns from a suspension. Ravens were 10-16 on 3rd down in this game.

Steelers 24, Bengals 16– Rained during this game; Bengals threw for 366 yards, ran for only 46, making their 2-game totals 690 passing yards, 103 on the ground– not nearly balanced enough. Of course, Cincy hasn’t played a home game yet either.

Cowboys 27, Redskins 23– Cousins threw an end zone pick with Redskins up 23-20 with 10:35 left, then rookie QB Prescott led Dallas to the winning TD, driving 80 yards in 11 plays (5:50). Cowboys are now 9-4 vs spread in their last 13 NFC East road games. When you start the season with two home games and are 0-2, no bueno.

Giants 16, Saints 13– Last year Denver won two games without scoring an offensive TD, the only two NFL games to end that way all year. So far this year, there have been three– Minnesota LW and Giants/Rams this week.

Last year, Saints beat Giants 52-49 in Superdome; this game had one TD on offense, and Giants scored a TD on blocked FG which obviously was a huge factor in the game. New York won with a -3 turnover ratio, and that is pretty rare in the NFL.

Panthers 46, 49ers 27– Weird game; 7 turnovers, 7 TDs, 6 FGs tried. Total yardage was 529-302 Carolina. Over is 8-6 so far this week; of the 63 TDs this week, 18 came on plays of 20+ yards (28.6%), compared to 17 of 77 last week (22.1%).

Cardinals 40, Buccaneers 7– Awful game for Tampa Bay; they turned ball over five times, averaged 4.0 yards/pass attempt- they have to be happy to be 1-1 going into their home opener next week. Arizona has long trip to Buffalo next week (better September than December) in its road opener.

Rams 9, Seahawks 3– Russell Wilson is playing thru a high ankle sprain; he cannot run well and until he can, Seattle’s offense is in trouble- they scored one TD in their first two games.

As for the Rams, typical Jeff Fisher; beat the good team (Seattle), lose to the cruddy 49ers. LA has not scored a TD yet, though the offense had nice drives in this game which flipped field position and took pressure off the defense, which was excellent here.

Winning is better than losing, especially when 91,000 people showed up for the home opener. But rookie QB Jared Goff will play soon and rookie WRs Spruce and Cooper have to get into the lineup too.

It was a happier day at Armadillo World Headquarters.

Broncos 34, Colts 20– Denver scored two defensive TDs, held Colts to 253 yards (Andrew Luck was only 21-40 passing). Indy is 0-2, allowing 73 points in two games.

Was reading something on the Interweb last week, debating Luck vs Cam Newton as a QB; put me down for Newton, no doubt about it.

Falcons 35, Raiders 28– Atlanta averaged 11.1 yards/pass attempt, losing despite a 9-yard edge in average field position. Oakland is only NFL team that shares its home field with a big league baseball team- they allowed 69 points in splitting their first two games.

Chargers 38, Jaguars 14– San Diego blew a 21-0 lead LW, had a 35-0 lead in this game; that’s impressive. Chargers drove 75 yards for a TD on their first drive of both games this season- that’s good coaching and a veteran QB who is one of the best.

[StarDust Bum]

NFL Today, Week 2
September 19, 2016

SCOREBOARD

Monday, Sept. 19

Philadelphia at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. EDT. The Eagles' Carson Wentz, the No. 2 overall draft pick, looks to build off an impressive NFL debut in which he threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns in his debut against Cleveland, completing 22 of 37 passes in a turnover-free performance. Jay Cutler and the Bears, meanwhile, will try to avoid an 0-2 start for the second straight season.

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STARS

Passing

- Cam Newton, Panthers, threw for 353 yards and four touchdowns in Carolina's 46-27 win over San Francisco in its home opener.

- Matt Ryan, Falcons, passed for 396 yards and three scores, helping Atlanta past Oakland 35-28.

- Philip Rivers, Chargers, matched his career high with four touchdown passes, including two to Travis Benjamin, in a 38-14 victory over Jacksonville.

- Eli Manning, Giants, had 368 yards passing with no TDs or turnovers in New York's 16-13 victory over New Orleans.

- Carson Palmer, Cardinals, tossed three touchdown passes and finished with 308 yards in Arizona's 40-7 rout of Tampa Bay.

- Dak Prescott, Cowboys, ran for a 6-yard TD and went 22 for 30 for 292 yards, helping Dallas beat the Washington Redskins 27-23.

- Sam Bradford, in his Minnesota debut, completed 22 of 30 passes for 286 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers to lead the Vikings to a 17-14 victory over the Packers

.

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Rushing

- Isaiah Crowell, Browns, ran for 133 yards, including an 85-yard touchdown, on 18 carries in Cleveland's 25-20 loss to Baltimore.

- LeGarrette Blount, Patriots, had 123 yards rushing and a TD to help lead New England past Miami 31-24.

- Fozzy Whitaker, Panthers, rushed for a career-best 100 yards on 16 carries after Jonathan Stewart left with a hamstring injury in a 46-27 win over San Francisco.

- DeAngelo Williams, Steelers, ran for 94 yards on a career-high 32 carries in Pittsburgh's 24-16 victory over Cincinnati.

- Melvin Gordon, Chargers, had a career-high 102 yards rushing and a score to help San Diego top Jacksonville 38-14.

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Receiving

- Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers, had seven receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns in Carolina's 46-27 win over San Francisco, his second game back from ACL surgery that cost him all of 2015.

- Jarvis Landry, Dolphins, caught 10 passes for 137 yards in Miami's 31-24 loss at New England.

- Travis Benjamin, Chargers, caught six passes for 115 yards and two scores as San Diego topped Jacksonville 38-14.

- Marvin Jones, Lions, had eight catches for 118 yards in Detroit's 16-15 loss to Tennessee.

- Sterling Shepard, Giants, caught eight passes for 117 yards in New York's 16-13 win over New Orleans.

- Stefon Diggs, Vikings, caught nine passes for 182 yards and a touchdown in a 17-14 win over Green Bay.

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Special Teams

- Tavon Young, Ravens, scooped up the ball after Lawrence Guy got a hand on Patrick Murray's extra point and returned it for a 2-point defensive conversion in Baltimore's 25-20 win at Cleveland.

- Greg Zuerlein, Rams, kicked three field goals - the longest a 47-yarder in the fourth quarter - and Los Angeles defeated the Seattle Seahawks 9-3.

- Janoris Jenkins, Giants, returned Johnathan Hankins' block of a field goal attempt 65 yards for a touchdown in New York's 16-13 victory over New Orleans. Josh Brown kicked a 23-yard field goal as time expired in his first game after returning from a one-game suspension.

- Nick Novak, Texans, booted field goals of 32, 24, 31 and 43 yards, helping Houston top Kansas City 19-12.

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Defense

- Von Miller, Broncos, had three sacks, including a sack-strip of Andrew Luck that was recovered by Shane Ray and returned for a touchdown that sealed Denver's 34-20 win over Indianapolis.

- Marcus Cooper, Cardinals, intercepted two passes and returned one 60 yards for a touchdown in Arizona's 40-7 rout of Tampa Bay.

- Shaq Thompson, Panthers, scored his first career touchdown when he scooped up Carlos Hyde's fumble and returned it 9 yards to give Carolina a 7-3 lead in a 46-27 victory.

- Aqib Talib, Broncos, returned an interception 46 yards early in the fourth quarter of Denver's 34-20 win over Indianapolis.

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STARTS

Victor Cruz, who had a winning fourth-quarter touchdown catch against Dallas last week, hauled in a 34-yard third-down pass from Eli Manning to set up Josh Brown's winning 23-yard field goal as time expired. The Giants got off to their first 2-0 start since 2009 with a 16-13 win over New Orleans Saints on Sunday. ... Indianapolis is off to its third straight 0-2 start after a 34-20 loss at Denver.

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MILESTONES

New Orleans' Drew Brees (61,589) threw for 263 yards against the New York Giants and passed Dan Marino (61,361 yards) for No. 3 in NFL history. The Giants' Eli Manning passed for 368 yards, giving him 44,762 and moving him past Drew Bledsoe (44,611) for 10th place. ... Houston's J.J. Watt finished with 1 1/2 sacks against Kansas City to give him 76 in his 82nd career game. He's the second fastest in NFL history to reach 75 sacks behind Hall of Famer Reggie White, who did it in 65 games. ... Houston rookie receiver Will Fuller finished with four receptions for 104 yards to become the first rookie drafted in the first round with consecutive 100-yard receiving games to start his career. The 21st overall pick in this year's draft had 107 yards receiving in his NFL debut last week. ... Aqib Talib's interception return for a touchdown in Denver's 34-20 win over Indianapolis was the ninth score of his career and fifth with the Broncos, a team record.

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STREAKS & STATS

New England is 21-1 at home vs. the AFC East since 2009 after beating Miami 31-24. It was the Patriots' eighth straight home victory over Miami (0-2). ... Dallas won for only the second time in its past 16 games without Tony Romo - and both of those victories came at Washington, including a 27-23 win Sunday. ... With a 25-20 victory, Baltimore improved to 15-2 against Cleveland under coach John Harbaugh. ... Isaiah Crowell's 85-yard TD run was the second-longest scoring run in Cleveland history, with Bobby Mitchell's 90-yarder in 1959 the only one to top it. ... Jacksonville fell to 2-11 on the West Coast and 0-4 in San Diego. The Jaguars haven't won on the West Coast since 2004 and have been outscored 260-93 during an eight-game losing streak, falling by double digits in seven of those.

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SWINGS

Cleveland took a 20-2 lead against Baltimore, the Browns' largest lead after one quarter since Dec. 3, 1961, when they led Dallas 21-0 en route to a 38-17 win. But the Ravens rallied back, helped by a returned blocked extra point, and won 25-20. ... The usually reliable Stephen Gostkowski missed a 39-yard field goal with 1:08 to play. The 2015 All-Pro was 33 for 36 on field goals last year, making all 17 from 39 yards or closer. Last week, he went 3 for 3 against Arizona.

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STEPPING IN

Jimmy Garoppolo had three touchdown passes before leaving in the second quarter with a right shoulder injury as the New England Patriots outlasted the Miami Dolphins 31-24 on Sunday. Garoppolo was replaced by rookie Jacoby Brissett, who led New England to a touchdown on its first possession of the second half. Brissett was 6 of 9 for 92 yards.

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WELCOME BACK

The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Seattle Seahawks 9-3 on Sunday, a game that marked the return of pro football to the nation's second-largest market for the first time in nearly 22 years. There was an announced crowd of 91,046 on a searing day at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where the Rams marked the long-awaited occasion by wearing blue-and-gold throwback uniforms for their regular-season home debut.

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STUD DUD

The expected duel between star wide receivers Antonio Brown and A.J. Green never materialized in Pittsburgh's 24-16 win over Cincinnati. Brown caught just four passes for 39 yards for the Steelers, and even had a rare drop while running free in the middle of the field in the first half. A week after dominating Darrelle Revis for 12 catches and 180 yards and a touchdown against the Jets, Green had just two receptions for 38 yards.

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SLOPPY

For the first three quarters, it looked as though Tennessee and Detroit might threaten a 65-year-old NFL record. The Lions finished with 17 penalties for 138 yards, and the Titans were flagged 12 times for 83 yards. The record is 37 penalties by Cleveland (21) and Chicago (16) on Nov. 25, 1951. The Lions and Titans were nearly halfway there after two quarters, having combined for 18. They were at 26 by the end of the third.

In 1937, Detroit was called for only 19 penalties for 139 yards all season - two records that still stand. The Lions nearly reached both of those totals in one game Sunday.

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FAMILIAR FACES

Detroit's Anquan Boldin had a touchdown catch in the Lions' 16-15 loss to Tennessee, joining Terrell Owens as the only players in NFL history to have at least 1,000 career receptions and a touchdown catch with four teams. Boldin has played for Arizona, San Francisco, Baltimore and Detroit.

In that same game, Tennessee's Andre Johnson caught the winning touchdown with 1:13 remaining. He has 1,057 career catches and has a TD reception with three teams (Houston, Indianapolis, Tennessee), joining Boldin, Owens, Jerry Rice and Cris Carter to accomplish the feat.

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DO-EVERYTHING JOHNSON

Tampa Bay held Arizona's David Johnson to 45 yards rushing in 12 attempts, but he caught three passes for 98 yards. The longest came on a check-down from Carson Palmer, a play that went for 58 yards.

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BIG TARGETS

Carolina's Greg Olsen had a 78-yard touchdown catch and San Francisco's Vance McDonald had a 75-yarder in the Panthers' 46-27 win over the 49ers, marking the first game in NFL history in which a tight end on each team had a touchdown catch of at least 75 yards.

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SIDELINED

Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson limped off in the third quarter of a win over Green Bay with a right knee injury. He had to be helped to the locker room. ... New England quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was knocked out against Miami on Sunday with a shoulder injury, meaning the highest-profile replacement in the NFL needed a replacement of his own. Garoppolo - filling in for suspended quarterback Tom Brady - took a big hit from Miami's Kiko Alonso in the second quarter of the game against the Dolphins on Sunday and left for further evaluation. The Patriots did not disclose the severity of the injury, but said Garoppolo was ruled out for the rest of the game. The Patriots held on to beat the Dolphins 31-24. ... Cornerback P.J. Williams of the New Orleans Saints needed to be placed on a backboard and taken off on a cart after he took multiple blows to the head while trying to make a tackle in his team's game against the New York Giants. Fox Sports reported that Williams was moving his extremities at a nearby hospital and was being evaluated for a concussion. ... Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware broke his right forearm early in the third quarter against Indianapolis. Coach Gary Kubiak said the team will see the extent of the injury on Monday morning and ''whether we think it's something he can play with or something that has to be fixed.'' ... Danny Woodhead left in the first quarter of San Diego's game against Jacksonville with an apparent right knee injury, and was taken off the sideline on a cart on his way to further evaluation. ... After a 1-yard gain on Tampa Bay's first play of the second quarter, running back Doug Martin left with a hamstring injury. ... Cleveland center Cameron Erving left the Browns' stadium by ambulance as a precaution, the team said. Erving cramped late in the game and had discomfort in his upper body. The Browns said he's been diagnosed with a pulmonary contusion and he will remain in the hospital overnight for observation. ... Lions defensive end Ziggy Ansah left in the first quarter against Tennessee with a left ankle injury. Detroit also lost running back Ameer Abdullah and tight end Eric Ebron in that game, one in which the Lions wasted a 15-3 lead and lost 16-15. ... Dolphins running back Arian Foster left the game in New England with a groin injury and was ruled out for the second half. ... Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart was taken to the locker room after suffering a hamstring injury in the first quarter against San Francisco.

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SPEAKING

''Everybody thinks we're in the morgue or something. We're not dead, by no means.'' - Washington's Josh Norman on the Redskins' 0-2 start.

[StarDust Bum]

MNF - Eagles at Bears
September 18, 2016

The Eagles and Bears wrap up Week 2 of the NFL card at Soldier Field in Chicago on Monday night. Both these teams aren’t expected to be playoff squads in the NFC, but Philadelphia is hoping that its building a solid quarterback situation with rookie Carson Wentz. The Bears finished last season at 6-10, the third straight year in which Chicago has failed to bust the .500 mark.

LAST WEEK

Philadelphia put together an impressive season opening victory over Cleveland, 29-10 to cash as four-point home favorites. Wentz completed 22-of-37 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Mathews rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown, while Jordan Matthews hauled in seven receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown for Philadelphia. The Eagles finished last season with a 3-5 SU/ATS record at Lincoln Financial Field, but improved to 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS in the past six season openers.

Chicago jumped out to a 14-10 advantage at Houston in Week 1, but the Bears fell short in a 23-14 setback at NRG Stadium. Houston covered as a 5 ½-point favorites, as the Texans held the ball for over 36 minutes, compared to nearly 24 minutes for the Bears. Jay Cutler put together an average performance by throwing for 216 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. The bright spot offensively for Chicago was wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who pulled in 105 yards through the air after playing in nine games last season (807 yards, 4 TD’s).

SOLDIER STRUGGLES

The Bears haven’t defended their home field very well, losing seven of eight contests at Soldier Field in 2015. Dating back to December 2014, Chicago owns a dreadful 1-10 SU and 3-8 ATS in the last 11 games in the Windy City. The only home victory in John Fox’s first season as Bears’ head coach came in a 22-20 triumph over the Raiders as three-point underdogs, as Chicago kicked a field goal in the final seconds for the win. In 10 of the 11 games in this disastrous stretch, the Bears have allowed at least 20 points, while being listed as a favorite only twice (losing to Washington and San Francisco in 2015).

FLY EAGLES FLY

Philadelphia has profited as a road underdog the last three seasons, posting an 8-5 ATS record. The Eagles picked up away victories in this role against the Jets, Patriots, and Giants, while their final four road contests of 2015 all sailed OVER the total. Since 2009, Philadelphia has won six of its previous seven road openers, with the lone loss in this stretch coming at Atlanta as three-point favorites last season, 26-24.

MONDAY NIGHT MAGIC

Under Chip Kelly, the Eagles compiled a strong 4-1 SU/ATS record in Monday night contests since 2013. Kelly is long gone to San Francisco, but the Eagles won two of those games in the away ‘dog role at Washington in 2013 and Indianapolis in 2014. The Bears have won seven of their last nine Monday nighters since 2011, as five of those victories came away from the Windy City. The last time Chicago hosted a Monday night contest came in 2014, losing a 31-15 decision to New Orleans.

SEESAW BATTLES

The Bears and Eagles have split their last four matchups since 2009. Philadelphia ripped apart Chicago in their previous meeting in 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field, 54-11 as 2 ½-point favorites. The Eagles racked up over 500 yards in that blowout, as Nick Foles threw two touchdown passes, while LeSean McCoy rushed for a pair of scores. Philadelphia is making its first trip to Soldier Field since 2010 when the Eagles dropped a 31-26 decision as three-point road favorites. Cutler tossed four touchdowns as Chicago built a 31-13 advantage before Philadelphia scored 13 points in the final quarter to make the score closer.

LINE MOVEMENT

Chicago opened up as 2 ½-point favorites when lines were released by CG Technology in late April and there hasn’t been great movement since then. The Bears have jumped to three-point favorites, but the juice is -115 or -120 at many books currently. The total is sitting at 42 ½ at most outlets, as Chicago had only one total at 42 ½ or lower last season, which was an UNDER against Denver in a 17-15 defeat on a 41 total.

[StarDust Bum]

Opening Line Report - Week 3
September 18, 2016

There are three games on the NFL’s Week 3 card that could easily show up again during the AFC playoffs: Texans at Patriots, Broncos at Bengals, and Jets at Chiefs. The NFC slate, meanwhile, is dotted with several key division battles, as well as intra-conference showdowns featuring the Vikings at Panthers and Bears at Cowboys.

Here are Week 3 betting lines, with early moves and differences between Las Vegas sports books noted. Numbers are the Las Vegas consensus as of Sunday night at about 11 p.m. ET.

Thursday, Sept. 22

Houston Texans (-2.5/-120) at New England Patriots

With rookie Jacoby Brissett expected to start for Jimmy Garoppolo, the Patriots open in the unfamiliar role of home underdogs. If the spread holds, it will be the first time New England catches points in Foxboro since it hosted the Broncos in November 2014.

The change from Garoppolo to Brissett has a huge impact on the betting line.

“If Garoppolo was healthy, we’d probably be looking at (New England) -4.5,” said Ed Salmons, oddsmaker at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.

While one school of thought says Bill Belichick’s Patriots are just fine no matter who plays quarterback, Salmons stresses Brissett’s lack of experience and the short week to prepare.

“It’s going to be difficult for him,” he said.

Salmons, meanwhile, isn’t quite sold on the Texans.

“They’re decent defensively, but Chicago led that (Week 1) game and let it get away, and Kansas City – as crappy as they played last week and got that lucky win (against the Chargers) – they made sure they didn’t win (Sunday). They really played a bad game. I mean, they turned the ball over and just played really stupid football.”

Early bettors, though, backed the Texans, grabbing opening numbers of -1.5 (CG Technology) and -2 (Westgate).

Sunday, Sept. 25

Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5/even)

The Broncos are off to a 2-0 start, but open as road underdogs against a perennial playoff team that’s extremely difficult to beat at home. Is this the spot for Trevor Siemian and Co. to come down to earth?

“That was our thought process in putting the game up at 3.5,” Salmons said. “Denver is winning with their defense right now. You keep thinking that at some point, you need some kind of offense, but they really haven’t so far. … It’s hard to go too overboard on Denver, but they keep winning.”

There was a small early move on the Broncos, who were bet from +3.5 to +3.5 (-120) on Sunday night.

Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans (pick ‘em/-110)

Oakland opened -1 at the Westgate, with the game moving to a pick ‘em after about an hour of wagering. Last year’s meeting between these teams, at Tennessee in Week 12, featured a similar point spread, the Raiders winning 24-21 as 1-point chalk.

Arizona Cardinals (-5/-115) at Buffalo Bills

There was some variance around Las Vegas with this opening number, as CG Technology hung Arizona -4 and the Westgate went -5.5

Baltimore Ravens at Jacksonville Jaguars (pick ‘em/-110)

Baltimore overcame an early 20-point deficit in Cleveland for the 25-20 win and cover (according to closing lines) to start their season 2-0. While victories over the Browns and Bills won’t convince many bettors, another beatable side awaits the Ravens – the 0-2 Jaguars, who weren’t exactly competitive in San Diego on Sunday.

This line ranged from Baltimore -1 to Jacksonville -1 on Sunday night.

Cleveland Browns at Miami Dolphins (-7/-105)

Miami hasn’t been a favorite of a touchdown or more since 2014. A home date against the Browns changes that.

Washington Redskins at New York Giants (-4/-110)

The 2-0 Giants open as solid favorites against an 0-2 team they have dominated in recent seasons. New York lost the most recent meeting (20-14 at Washington in November) but won the previous five, including going 3-0 SU and ATS at home vs. the Redskins.

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (-8)

An 18-16 win as 10.5-point dogs at Green Bay in Week 10 began last season’s turnaround for Detroit, which finished the season on a 6-2 run, both SU and ATS. But just as you were thinking the Lions were back to being a factor, they come up empty as 6-point home favorites against Tennessee on Sunday.

Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers (-6.5)

The Panthers are 8-2 ATS when laying points at home since the start of last season, including Sunday’s 46-27 win as 12.5-point faves against the Niners. But the Vikes have an answer for that trend: they have covered the spread in their last eight games as road underdogs, as well as 10 of their 11 in the role.

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (-10/-110)

Seattle opened -11 at the Westgate on Sunday before a 1-point move during the first hour of wagering in the 49ers’ direction. Through two weeks, the Seahawks have scored a total of 15 points and scored just one touchdown. At least they get an easy one at home next week. Right, Mr. Salmons?

“I don’t think anything’s easy with Seattle with the way they play offense,” Salmons said. “Their offensive line is just dreadful. They simply can’t score.”

Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Bucs (-4/-110)

Early bettors were eager to lay the points with Tampa Bay, despite a lackluster showing at Arizona on Sunday, pushing the opening number of -3.5 up a half point at multiple Las Vegas shops.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-5.5/-110) at Philadelphia Eagles

While this line was posted before oddsmakers had a chance to watch Philly play its second game of the season, there are reasons the Steelers are laying a number this large on the road. According to Salmons, those reason are the way Pitt has looked through two weeks, the Eagles playing on short rest and a rookie QB (Carson Wentz) going up against what evidently is an excellent defense.

Also, the Westgate anticipates public money on the favorite, especially since it’s a late kickoff.

“The public’s going to be betting Pittsburgh in that game, there’s no doubt about that,” Salmons said.

New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5/-110)

Despite Salmons’ aforementioned misgivings about the Chiefs, his shop opened Kansas City -4 vs. the Jets, before moving to -3.5 and then to -3.5 (even). At the Wynn, K.C. opened -3.5 and were bet to -3.

San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5/even)

The Colts opened -3 (even), a number snapped up by underdog bettors at multiple Vegas casinos, as it’s clear who has been the better team through two weeks of the season.

Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys (-4/-110)

William Hill and Coasts both opened Dallas a tick higher, at -4.5. Dak Prescott continues to impress, and Salmons has noticed the Cowboys have dominated time of possession (they held the ball for 35 minutes against Washington and 36 minutes against the Giants).

“Their ball possession has been amazing, but their defense is spotty,” he said.

“Prescott is playing great,” Salmons added. “His running is adding a different dimension that teams have to account for, and they have to double (Dez) Bryant and it’s opening up the run. Prescott has looked great so far.”

Monday, Sept. 26

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (-3/-120)

The Westgate opened New Orleans -3.5, adjusting downward during early wagering, while CG Technology stuck at 3.5 as of this writing. The Saints appear to have a fine opportunity to get their first win of the season – they are 15-5 overall and 8-2 at home against Atlanta since Drew Brees arrived in 2006, a trend that will entice favorite bettors at a field goal or less.

[StarDust Bum]

NFL BEST BETS:

WLT PCT UNITS

ATS Picks 40-50-3 44.44% -7500

O/U Picks 42-46-4 47.73% -4300

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Betting Recap - Week 2
September 19, 2016


Overall Notes

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE WEEK 2 RESULTS

Wager Favorites-Underdogs
Straight Up 10-5
Against the Spread 9-6
Wager Home-Away

Straight Up 10-5
Against the Spread 9-6

Wager Totals (O/U)
Over-Under 8-7

The largest underdogs to win straight up

Titans (+6, ML +220) at Lions, 16-15
Rams (+5.5, ML +200) vs. Seahawks, 9-3
Falcons (+4, ML +170) at Raiders, 35-28

The largest favorite to cover

Panthers (-12.5) vs. 49ers, 46-27

Ram Tough

-- The Los Angeles Rams laid an egg in Week 1, getting blanked in San Francisco on Monday night. However, they rebounded rather nicely with a 9-3 win over the rival Seattle Seahawks. While Todd Gurley and company are still searching for their first touchdown of the season, they used outstanding defense to clamp down on the Seahawks and confuse them all day. The 'under' is 2-0 for each of these sides. We'll find out how tough the Rams are in Week 3 when they traverse the country for a road date with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, with the Bucs opening as a four-point favorite.
Steel Resolve

-- The Pittsburgh Steelers staved off the AFC North Division rival Cincinnati Bengals by 24-16 score. The Steelers improved to 13-5 SU and 12-5-1 ATS in their past 18 against the Bengals, and they're now 13-1 SU and 10-4 ATS in its past 14 home openers dating back to the start of the 2003 regular season. The Steelers have won and covered in the first two games of RB Le'Veon Bell, who will return in Week 4. That's bad news for the rest of the NFL.

Total Recall

-- The 'over' edged the 'under' 8-7 in 15 games heading into Monday night's battle along the shores of Lake Michigan between the Philadelphia Eagles-Chicago Bears. In games featuring two AFC teams, the 'over' went 5-2, and is 7-3 through the first two weekends. In games featuring two NFC teams, the 'under' is 5-3 through the first eight games, while AFC vs. NFC games ended up 1-1 in Week 2, and 6-5 in favor of the 'over' through two weeks.

-- The two games with the highest totals each cashed 'under' this week after hitting the 'over' in both games in Week 1. The New Orleans Saints-New York Giants (54.5) game was expected to be a track meet, but instead it was an unexpected defensive slog, 16-13. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Arizona Cardinals (49.5) game wasn't as sure of a thing, with the home team Cards coming up with a 40-7 victory. That's two games and two 'unders' for the Cards.

-- The two games with the lowest totals on the board split 1-1 in Week 2. The Seattle Seahawks-Los Angeles Rams contest (38) had the lowest total and the 'over' was never challenged. The 'under' is now 2-0 in two games for both sides, and the Seahawks have averaged 7.5 points per game (PPG) on offense, and they're allowing just 9.5 PPG. For the Rams, they've averaged just 4.5 PPG while allowing 15.5 PPG. The Thursday night contest between the New York Jets-Buffalo Bills had a line of 40.5, but both teams scored into the 30's.

-- The 'over/under' went 1-1 in the first two primetime games in Week 2. Officially, the 'over/under' is 3-3 (50.0%) through 6 games under the lights. In 2015, the over finished 20-28-1 (41.7%) in 49 primetime games. In 2014, the over went 33-17 (66%) in primetime games, and the over was 28-22 (56%) in 2013.

Injury Report

-- Buccaneers RB Doug Martin (hamstring) suffered what he said was a minor tweak of his hamstring, and he might have simply been lifted from the game at Arizona due to the lopsided score.

-- Chargers RB Danny Woodhead (knee) checked out of the win against the Jaguars. He was carted off after being unable to put weight on his right leg. He is scheduled for an MRI Monday.

-- Dolphins RB Arian Foster (groin) was knocked out of the Week 2 loss at New England due to a groin injury, and he might be forced to miss time.

-- Lions RB Ameer Abdullah (foot) was in a walking boot after leaving the Week 2 game against Tennessee.

-- Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart (hamstring) is nursing an injury and cannot be counted on in Week 3 against Minnesota.

-- Patriots QB Jimmy Garoppolo (shoulder) sustained a sprained AC joint to his shoulder, and he is expected to miss the Week 3 game against Houston Thursday. Rookie QB Jacoby Brissett is expected to make his first NFL start.

-- Seahawks RB Doug Baldwin (back, knee) suffered a back and knee injury at Los Angeles. He will go for an MRI on his injured knee, and he is also dealing with back spasms.

-- Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (knee) left the Week 2 game against the Green Bay Packers due to an injury to his right knee, and he was assisted from the field by the training staff and he could not put any weight on the leg. According to a source, Peterson might have some ligament damage in his knee. He will have an MRI Monday.

Looking Ahead

-- The Packers and Lions will each be looking to rebound after Week 2 losses. These sides are 3-3 SU/ATS over the past six meetings, splitting in each of the past three NFL season.

-- The Giants will host the Redskins, who just cannot seem to find a way to get it done against Big Blue. Washington is 1-5 SU/ATS in the past six meetings in this series.

-- The Seahawks host the 49ers in a key NFC North battle, as Seattle looks to shake out the cob webs and get untracked. Seattle has won seven of the past eight from San Francisco straight up, and the 'under' is 6-1 in the past seven meetings, and 8-2 over the past 10.

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SuperContest Picks - Week 2
September 19, 2016

The Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest is the biggest, most prestigious, challenging pro football handicapping contest in the country. The fees are $1,500 per entry.

Contestants must pick 5 pro football games against the spread each week for the entire 17-week season. The individual that has the best record after the season will be deemed the winner.

The LVH Casino at Westgate Las Vegas Resort is a hotel, casino, and convention center, which is located in Las Vegas, Nevada. LVH SuperBook vice-president Jay Kornegay is in charge of the SuperContest.

This year's contest has 1,854 entries, which is an all-time record.

Each week throughout the season, we'll post the Top 5 Consensus Picks in the SuperContest on Saturday afternoon and list all of the selections for each matchup.


Week 2

1) Seattle -4.5 (541) LOSS
2) Green Bay -2.5 (507) LOSS
3) Jacksonville +3 (426) LOSS
4) Kansas City +3 (419) LOSS
5) Cincinnati +3.5 (401) LOSS


SUPERCONTEST WEEK 2 MATCHUPS & ODDS

Away Team Selections Home Team Selections

N.Y. Jets (-1) 141 Buffalo (+1) 94
Tennessee (+6) 395 Detroit (-6) 191
Kansas City (+3) 419 Houston (-3) 304
Miami (+6.5) 329 New England (-6.5) 242
Baltimore (-6.5) 208 Cleveland (+6.5) 350
Cincinnati (+3.5) 401 Pittsburgh (-3.5) 222
Dallas (+2.5) 207 Washington (-2.5) 329
New Orleans (+4.5) 224 N.Y. Giants (-4.5) 277
San Francisco (+13.5) 144 Carolina (-13.5) 397
Tampa Bay (+7) 332 Arizona (-7) 229
Seattle (-4.5) 541 Los Angeles (+4.5) 133
Indianapolis (+6) 303 Denver (-6) 277
Atlanta (+5) 258 Oakland (-5) 284
Jacksonville (+3) 426 San Diego (-3) 239
Green Bay (-2.5) 507 Minnesota (+2.5) 319
Philadelphia (+3.5) 252 Chicago (-3.5) 296

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ON FOOTBALL: From top to bottom, teams already feeling pain
September 19, 2016

From the top of the NFL to the bottom of the heap, teams are already feeling the pain.

From injuries.

Key performers are dropping like they've been through two months of the season, not two weeks. The latest: Adrian Peterson , Jimmy Garoppolo, DeMarcus Ware, Josh McCown, Danny Woodhead, Jonathan Stewart and Arian Foster.

The Patriots, perhaps the league's best team, appear to be down to their third QB. The Browns, possibly the NFL's worst team, also is might be working on No. 3.

Most worrisome, though, is Peterson, the 2012 league MVP and Minnesota's cornerstone on offense. He has remarkable recovery skills - Peterson tore the ACL in his left knee in the second-to-last game of the 2011 season, then played all of 2012 and rushed for more than 2,000 yards. But this is four years later, it's the other knee, and he was unable to put pressure on his leg as he hobbled off the field. Then Peterson needed helped getting to the locker room.

He was on crutches after the game, wearing a brace on his right leg. Coach Mike Zimmer said he was told the injury had ''calmed down.''

''He might miss a week. I don't know if he will or not,'' Zimmer said.

Garoppolo hardly is a star with two pro starts in his resume. But he sure was doing a nice imitation of Tom Brady while the four-time Super Bowl champion is serving his four-game ''Deflategate'' suspension.

Now Jimmy G's immediate future is in doubt after taking a monstrous hit from Miami linebacker Kiko Alonso on a second-quarter pass play. Garoppolo barely was able to move his shoulder as he walked off the field.

As usual, Patriots coach Bill Belichick wasn't supplying much info on his third-year quarterback, saying only the team will take a day-to-day approach. Rookie Jacoby Brissett finished off the win.

''This game is a 100 percent injury rate,'' Patriots receiver Julian Edelman said. ''It's football and everyone's just gotta do their job a little bit better.''

Cleveland lost starting quarterback Robert Griffin III last week with a shoulder problem. Now McCown is plagued by the same kind of hurt, though he finished Sunday's 25-20 loss to Baltimore.

Unable to lift his left arm after the game, McCown said he plans to play next week at Miami. With only rookie Cody Kessler on the roster for the position, maybe a one-armed McCown, 37, is a better choice for the woeful Browns.

''We will see,'' he said. ''My mindset is that everything will be all right and we will move ahead business as usual.''

Denver's superb defense isn't anchored by the 34-year-old Ware, but he's an important component. The linebacker/pass rush specialist broke his right forearm against Indianapolis.

No one in Denver was sure if Ware would require surgery, could heal without it, or might even be able to play with the injury.

Losing Ware isn't a deal breaker for the Broncos, but the defending champions recognize their defense must stay strong and deep for them to contend again.

Of the three significant injuries to running backs, Woodhead's seems to be the worst. The versatile Chargers sparkplug was taken off the sideline on a cart with an apparent right knee issue.

In their opener, the Chargers lost top wideout Keenan Allen for the year. Philip Rivers could be without two of his most dependable sidekicks, although it's helped San Diego that 2015 first-round pick Melvin Gordon has emerged at running back.

Miami's Foster went down with a groin injury. He already was struggling with a hamstring issue and is coming off surgery to repair his Achilles tendon.

Stewart, Carolina's workhorse back, was hurt in the Super Bowl and it damaged the Panthers' attack in February. Although coach Ron Rivera claims his team is deep at the position, Stewart is a mainstay. If his hamstring injury is a major one, it's a blow to the NFC champs.

As Edelman said, injuries are unavoidable in pro football. Often, the healthiest team when winter hits winds up playing for and probably walking off with the Lombardi Trophy.

Most troubling, though, is when the injury bug hits so soon. Many a team's talented roster has been torn asunder by a lack of health, including Baltimore and Dallas a year ago. It's important, yet difficult, to avoid thinking that if September is so hurtful, what will the rest of the schedule be like?

But the approach has to be a positive one, even when untested quarterbacks are calling signals and Hall of Fame caliber running backs are hobbled.

[StarDust Bum]

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL BEST BET:


MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

PHI at CHI 08:30 PM

CHI -3.0

U 42.5

[StarDust Bum]

Monday night no longer sure thing for star-crossed QB Cutler
September 20, 2016

CHICAGO (AP) It was bad enough that the quarterback on the other side made him look like the rookie.

That it happened on Monday night might have made it sting even more for star-crossed Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. And that was even before the Eagles added injury to insult, forcing him out of the game with a bad thumb on his throwing hand late in the third quarter of a 29-14 loss to the Eagles .

Cutler couldn't pinpoint when his thumb began to hurt, but acknowledged ''trouble'' gripping the ball from early on in the game. The injury was aggravated as he tried to plant his right hand and break his fall on a strip-sack by Philadelphia's Destiny Vaeao in the third quarter.

Even though he played two more offensive series after the fumble, Cutler watched Eagles linebacker Nigel Bradham step in front of an underthrown pass intended for Alshon Jeffery another 10 yards up the field and decided to exit and begin treatment in the locker room.

''I couldn't get as much on it as I wanted,'' he said about the interception. ''I knew that I was putting the team, especially the offense, in jeopardy at that point. My day was done.''

But first, Cutler had to endure a dressing down on the sideline from injured teammate Pernell McPhee.

''He's a passionate guy,'' Cutler said, shrugging off the brief spat. ''No one likes to lose in that type of fashion.''

The strange thing is, Monday nights had been one of the few reliable bright spots for Cutler and the Bears. While Chicago has struggled to hit the .500 mark more often than not in his seven seasons here, they were 8-2 in his previous Monday night appearances.

That was no coincidence. Cutler threw 20 touchdowns, averaged better than seven years per attempt and posted a 95.5 rating in those games. His numbers in this one weren't even close. He finished 12 of 17 for 157 yards, no touchdowns, an interception and fumble and a passer rating of 74.9.

Bears coach John Fox said the turnovers forced the Bears into some tough situations against Eagles rookie QB Carson Wentz.

''He obviously has a lot of great football ahead of him,'' Fox said.

In the home locker room, though, teammates wondered how much more of this season Cutler can play.

''It's never good to lose your franchise quarterback, whether it's for a play, a game or possibly even longer,'' Bears tight end Zach Miller said. ''Especially when you know how much work he's put in.''

Chicago's 0-2 start could be even worse than it looks. Tests are scheduled for tomorrow on Cutler's hand, but the Bears also lost linebacker Lamarr Houston (left knee), nose tackle Eddie Goldman, (ankle) and safety Adrian Amos and cornerback Bryce Callahan (concussions). The team already is struggling with a patchwork offensive line and the departure of steady all-purpose running back Matt Forte, who often served as Cutler's safety valve.

''It's tough,'' Fox conceded. ''If it was easy anybody could do it. ... Right now all our focus very quickly will go to Dallas to go on the road Sunday night. And we have a lot of proving to do.''

Some of it will no doubt begin with Cutler. After the game, Bradham said ''Our game plan this week was pretty much to frustrate the quarterback.''

It worked well enough.

''I think everyone was probably a little taken back by what happened,'' Cutler said. ''We've got to figure it out obviously.''

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Monday's Sports in Brief
September 20, 2016


PRO FOOTBALL

RENTON, Wash. (AP) Seattle coach Pete Carroll was fined $200,000 and the Seahawks have been fined $400,000 and will lose a fifth-round draft choice for violating the NFL's work rules on contact in the offseason.

The Seahawks will forfeit the draft pick in 2017 and also lose a week of organized team activities for allowing excessive contact in an OTA on June 6. That is prohibited by the labor agreement with the players' union.

Seahawks players will be paid for the canceled sessions in 2017.

The league cited Carroll as ''responsible for maintaining appropriate control over practices and intervening if prohibited conduct occurs.''

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has a torn meniscus in his right knee, coach Mike Zimmer said.

The Vikings are still evaluating the injury and have not yet determined how much time he will miss. Zimmer initially announced the nature of the injury while recording his weekly appearance on a local radio show and told KFXN-FM that he has not yet ruled out Peterson for the game on Sunday against Carolina.

Peterson was meeting with team doctors and athletic trainers to discuss his options, which include surgery to address the injury.

Peterson, the 2012 NFL MVP, was injured in the third quarter of Minnesota's 17-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night on a 5-yard run, his longest of the night. He needed crutches to exit U.S. Bank Stadium, but it does appear Peterson will be able to return at some point this season after initial fears that he tore his ACL.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk says the NFL fined the team's owners for not conforming to the league's majority ownership rules.

Strunk confirmed to The Tennessean after the Titans' 16-15 win in Detroit that the NFL levied the fine when she took over as controlling owner for her sister, Susie Adams Smith, in March 2015. The six-figure fine was reported by CBSSports.com.

She and her sister each own 33 percent of the franchise founded by their father, the late Bud Adams. The remaining third is split among other family members.

Strunk told The Tennessean, ''We don't think there's anything wrong with our structure, so that's where we differ.''

The NFL declined to comment on the fine.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

NEW YORK (AP) - Ten bus-loads of Army cadets attended funeral services for teammate and classmate Brandon Jackson, the sophomore cornerback remembered for his uplifting smile, quiet confidence and for a life filled with ''promise and purpose.''

Hundreds gathered to mourn Jackson, killed in a single-car crash, at the Greater Allen A.M.E Cathedral in Jamaica, Queens, not far from the St. Albans neighborhood where Jackson grew up. Among those who spoke were U.S. Military Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, football coach Jeff Monken and team captain and linebacker Andrew King.

The fatal accident occurred in the early morning hours of Sept. 11, about 20 miles south of the West Point campus in Westchester County, according to police and the Academy. The crash, which remains under investigation, happened several hours after Army had defeated Rice in the Black Knights' home opener at Michie Stadium.

OLYMPICS

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Brazilian justice has blocked assets of the company that serves as the host broadcaster organization for the Olympic Games.

The decision impacts any financial resources, trucks, equipment and furniture used in Brazil by Spanish-based company Olympic Broadcasting Services, known as OBS.

The objective of Brazilian authorities is to assure ''compensation for possible damages to workers hired by OBS'', the ruling says. The company can still appeal the decision.

Investigators that moved the suit claim that OBS has to pay damages to overworked employees of its operations at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic and Paralympic Games, which ended on Sunday.

OBS is a company created by the International Olympic Committee in 2001. It produces and transmits live radio and television coverage of every sport from every venue.

BASEBALL

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) - For sale: Tim Tebow jerseys, by the New York Mets.

There's an array of Tebow apparel being offered through the Mets' website, ranging from $29.99 for T-shirts to $119.99 for a replica big league jersey.

Tebow had his first workout with the Mets' instructional league team. He says he's aware the Mets were planning to sell shirts with his name on the back. Majestic, the uniform provider for Major League Baseball, tweeted an image of the jersey.

The Mets' site said two of the five offered Tebow items were among the current top sellers as of early Monday evening.

Tebow said his appearance at instructional league wasn't a stunt. The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback has a book scheduled to be released next month.

[StarDust Bum]

Adrian Peterson has torn meniscus
September 19, 2016

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has a torn meniscus in his right knee, coach Mike Zimmer said Monday.

The Vikings are still evaluating the injury and have not yet determined how much time he will miss. Zimmer initially announced the nature of the injury while recording his weekly appearance on a local radio show and told KFXN-FM that he has not yet ruled out Peterson for the game on Sunday against Carolina.

Peterson was meeting with team doctors and athletic trainers to discuss his options, which include surgery to address the injury.

''We are going through the evaluation process to figure out what the next procedure will be,'' Zimmer told reporters during his weekly news conference. ''We are still going through all the options.''

Peterson, the 2012 NFL MVP, was injured in the third quarter of Minnesota's 17-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night on a 5-yard run , his longest of the night. He needed crutches to exit U.S. Bank Stadium, but it does appear Peterson will be able to return at some point this season after initial fears that he tore his ACL.

Peterson has long had a reputation as a fast healer, which was never more clear than when he tore the ACL in his left knee with two weeks to play in the 2011 season and still made it back to start the 2012 season. A torn meniscus is considered much less serious than a torn ACL, but it still often calls for several weeks of rehab before a player is ready to take the field again.

''Anytime you have a guy like that in a leadership role that does go down, obviously everyone kind of takes a step back,'' defensive captain Brian Robison said. ''You never want to see guys go down like that. But at the end of the day you understand that there is still a task at hand. This is the NFL and that's going to happen.''

The Vikings (2-0) have three more games before their bye week.

Peterson has rushed for just 50 yards on 31 carries in the first two weeks.

''We're going to keep plugging away and keep doing our best to find a way to win,'' Zimmer said.

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Broncos DE DeMarcus Ware out 5 weeks
September 19, 2016

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) DeMarcus Ware will undergo surgery Tuesday on his broken right forearm and is expected to miss four or five weeks, coach Gary Kubiak said.

A lumbar disk problem kept Ware out of five games last season before he returned for the playoffs and had a dozen quarterback hits.

Ware was held out of all but the final few days of training camp to protect his balky back.

He was hurt when he ran into Von Miller while chasing down Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck on Sunday.

Kubiak said tight end Virgil Green is day to day and right tackle Donald Stephenson is expected to miss some time. Both suffered calf injuries in Denver's 34-20 win over the Colts.

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Browns QB McCown out, Kessler starting
September 19, 2016

BEREA, Ohio (AP) The Browns are down another starting quarterback.

Three weeks into the season, they're on No. 3.

Josh McCown will miss at least one game with a ''deep sprain'' in his left shoulder, an injury that will force Cleveland coach Hue Jackson to play rookie Cody Kessler this week at Miami- the team's 26th starter since 1999.

''Sometimes it doesn't matter if you're ready or not,'' Jackson said. ''In this situation right now, you've got to play.''

McCown showed toughness by staying in Sunday's 25-20 loss to Baltimore despite getting hurt in the first quarter and taking several hard shots.

The 37-year-old was filling in for Robert Griffin III, who broke a bone in his left shoulder in the season opener and will miss at least eight games - and maybe more.

Jackson was evasive about the extent of McCown's injury. He said the 37-year-old will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis. Jackson eluded to McCown having a partially broken bone.

In the meantime, Kessler, a third-round pick from USC, will start against the Dolphins. Jackson said the team will look to add a veteran to its roster, but the job for now belongs to Kessler, who struggled during training camp and the exhibition season.

The Browns would prefer to bring Kessler along more slowly, but that luxury is gone.

''I wouldn't want it to be this way, but it's going to be good to get out and see him play,'' Jackson said. ''At the same time, it's been two weeks and there's two different quarterbacks going down.

''Like I said, pretty soon maybe I'll be playing. But at the same time, you don't want it to be this way. But that's the nature of the sport. Sometimes things just don't go your way.

''So we've got to fight like heck to get it back our way. We're going to get a chance to see Cody play, and we wish it wasn't like this, but this is how it is.''

The Browns are the first team since the 2008 Kansas City Chiefs to start three QBs in the first three weeks.

Kessler was a surprise pick by the Browns, who also lost starting center Cam Erving (bruised lung) and rookie defensive end Carl Nassib (broken hand) against the Ravens.

Erving was released from the hospital following an overnight stay. Nassib will undergo surgery, but Jackson said it's possible the former Penn State standout may be able to play in the future with a protective cast.

With Erving out, John Greco will slide over from right guard to center. There's also a chance the Browns will add a veteran center.

McCown became emotional in his postgame news conference while addressing his reasons for not coming out of the game. McCown's two sons, who are both playing quarterback in middle school, were in attendance at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The 14-year veteran landed hard several times on his shoulder and he couldn't lift his left arm as he entered the trainer's room following his news conference. The pained expression on his face hinted at the severity of his injury.

Kessler is next on the depth chart. He twice warmed up on the sideline Sunday, but McCown stayed on the field, exhibiting toughness that wasn't lost on his coaches or teammates.

''He has the complete trust and respect of the locker room because of what he does and how he goes about it and he'll fight to the bitter end,'' Jackson said.

''We know that and that's what this sport is about. You got to be a fighter and you've got to be able to get off the ground every now and then and keep playing.''

When the Browns selected Kessler in the draft, Jackson tried to ease any anxiety Cleveland fans had over the pick by saying, ''trust me'' about taking Kessler.

Jackson laughed when reminded about his comment.

''Well, you're going to trust me this weekend,'' he said. ''Here we go, right? So trust me, here we come. We'll see what that statement was all about.''

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Bolts RB Woodhead done for season
September 19, 2016

SAN DIEGO (AP) The San Diego Chargers have placed versatile running back Danny Woodhead on season-ending injured reserve with a torn ACL in his right knee.

Woodhead was hurt when he was tackled after a catch in the first quarter of a 38-14 victory against Jacksonville on Sunday.

Woodhead also missed most of the 2014 season with a broken ankle.

He led the Chargers last season with 80 catches for 755 yards and six scores, while rushing for 336 yards and three scores.

It was the second season-ending injury to a Chargers playmaker in as many games. Wide receiver Keenan Allen suffered the same injury as Woodhead in a season-opening loss at Kansas City.

Also Monday, safety Jahleel Addae was undergoing surgery for a broken left collarbone.

Woodhead was replaced on the active roster by former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Griff Whalen.

[StarDust Bum]

Falcons WR Jones' calf injury not serious
September 19, 2016

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) Falcons coach Dan Quinn says All-Pro receiver Julio Jones had an MRI on his right calf but is expected to be full speed for next Monday's game at New Orleans.

Jones was hurt when cornerback Sean Smith and safety Reggie Nelson fell on him after a 20-yard catch in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 35-28 win at Oakland. He did not play on Atlanta's final possession.

Jones injured his left ankle in the third week of preseason. Quinn said he isn't concerned about his calf because ''it's not a recurring injury.''

Jones has nine catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns this year.

The Falcons (1-1) return to practice Thursday.

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Pack look to get offense back in sync
September 19, 2016

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Aaron Rodgers has a few words of advice for those who are concerned about the Green Bay Packers' struggling offense early in the season.

''We're not going to overreact. It's been two weeks,'' Rodgers said after the Packers lost 17-14 to the rival Vikings in Minnesota on Sunday night.

Still, the Packers are faced with trying to remedy an offense that has been out of sorts in their first two games.

After overcoming communication snafus to eke out a close win on the road against Jacksonville to start the season, Green Bay fell short against the Vikings because of sloppy play that included four fumbles and two late turnovers by Rodgers.

''Whatever term you want to use to describe it, it wasn't good enough last night,'' coach Mike McCarthy said Monday.

The Packers gained just 263 yards, as Rodgers was sacked five times and couldn't connect with his receivers on a number of throws.

''We just didn't really have anything going for us,'' veteran guard T.J. Lang said.

Despite the abundance of miscues against a Vikings team that played their first regular-season game at noisy U.S. Bank Stadium, the Packers had chances to even the score or go ahead toward the end.

But after Green Bay retained possession on its first three fumbles of the game, a strip-sack by Brian Robison in Vikings territory resulted in Minnesota's first of two key takeaways in the fourth quarter.

Rodgers' pass to Davante Adams on third-and-long was picked off by Trae Waynes past midfield with less than two minutes left, preserving Minnesota's three-point lead.

Adams, who had a fumble on Green Bay's first play of the game, felt the offense hurt itself by not finding its rhythm until those late drives that ended with the costly giveaways.

''We've got to find a way to make the plays that are there, not try to do too much,'' Lang said. ''Everybody just take ownership of what they have to do, do their job and find a way to execute.''

The Packers also failed to convert a fourth-and-2 run play inside the Vikings 20-yard line earlier in the second half.

Rodgers completed only 20 of 36 for 213 yards Sunday.

And he acknowledged afterward that it's taking some time to get the offense settled after the return of trusted deep threat Jordy Nelson and the offseason addition of veteran tight end Jared Cook.

Nelson missed the 2015 season because of a knee injury and didn't play in the preseason last month, while Cook missed time early in training camp after undergoing foot surgery.

''I don't think we're that far off,'' Rodgers said. ''It's getting (Nelson) back in the mix and Jared Cook back in the mix. There's some moving pieces right now.''

Rodgers hopes the Packers' home opener Sunday against the Detroit Lions, another division rival, is the start of getting the offense back in sync.

''I don't think this is anything to get super crazy about,'' Rodgers said.

And McCarthy said the improvements that are needed on offense started right away Monday, when the players came back to work for video review of the game.

''Mindset is important, so we're going to stay on the balls of our feet and punch like hell,'' McCarthy said.

Along with that, McCarthy wants to get what he called his excellent 1-2 punch of Eddie Lacy and James Starks at running back more involved after they combined for just 19 carries for 53 yards Sunday.

''Our perimeter players, we need to get them more opportunities, too,'' McCarthy said.

NOTES: McCarthy had no update on DT Letroy Guion (knee) and S Morgan Burnett (hamstring). Both starters suffered injuries in Sunday's game and didn't return. LB Clay Matthews, who went off the field near the end of the game, also was being evaluated. ''He's got some things we're looking at there,'' said McCarthy, who added there's no initial concern about Matthews' status. ... McCarthy said CB Sam Shields (concussion) had a workout Monday morning after the veteran starter missed the game.

[StarDust Bum]

Vikings help Books win Week 2
September 19, 2016

Bettors had the Las Vegas sports books on the ropes in Week 2 NFL action, but let them off the hook in a few of the late games and then really gave away their entire wad of cash won on the day by jumping on board the Packers party wagon with everyone else.

However, the "Sharps" liked the Vikings and were correct again in Minnesota's 17-14 win as a two-point home underdog in its brand new $1.1 billion U.S. Bank Stadium.

"The Packers-Vikings game was all or nothing for us," said Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook VP Jay Kornegay.

"The total in the game (43) was a minimal decision, but we were dead even on the day going into the Sunday night game."

Bettors were cashing three and four-team parlays often in the morning games as some their favorite teams performed extremely well.

The Patriots (-5.5) rolled to 31-24 home win over the Dolphins and the total went 'over' (45) to help get the fun started for many. Yep, they're the same Patriots with or without quarterback Tom Brady as long as head coach Bill Belichick is running the show. And he'll have to really be on point this week as Jimmy Garoppolo injured his shoulder and will be 'out' for their Thursday night home game against the Texans.

Houston is also a team bettors are starting to trust and they did well in the 19-12 win over the Chiefs, a team Houston lost twice to last season, including a 30-0 playoff loss. Between the steady defense and Brock Osweiler running the offense, Houston is now 2-0 against the spread with both its games staying 'under' the total.

The Steelers were laying -3.5 at home against the Bengals, a number higher than all three meetings last season. The value appeared to be with Cincinnati, but most of the parlays wagered laid the points and they cashed in the Steelers 24-16 win.

The biggest parlay differential of the morning was with Dallas who were getting +3.5 at Washington. More straight bets were on Washington, but the parlay wagers with Dallas was off the charts and they cashed in a 27-23 outright win that also paid +165 on the money-line. It was the sixth straight time the road team has won in this rivalry.

Parlay bettors also went with Cam Newton and the Panthers to bounce back after a Week 1 loss at Denver, and they didn't care that they had to lay -14, and they were right in Carolina's 46-27 win. They had to sweat a little bit in the fourth quarter as the 49ers pulled within 34-27, but then the Panthers went for the kill and covered.

The early games had the sports books looking at some massive risk heading in to the five afternoon games. The most popular plays were Seattle, Arizona, Denver and Oakland and the books managed to split those getting two outright underdog wins by the Rams and Falcons.

The biggest help of all was Seattle losing 9-3 as 6-point favorites at Los Angeles. The Rams didn't score a point last week at San Francisco, and they didn't score a touchdown Sunday, but fans attending the first Los Angeles home football game since 1994 got a treat.

Man, do those Eric Dickerson uniforms look sweet, and I don't think I've ever seen the LA Coliseum that packed before. Jeff Fisher has now beaten the Seahawks in four of the last five meetings between the pair, including a sweep last season. He's got their number for sure, but bettors sided with Seattle because they believe in what they saw last and the Rams looked real bad on Monday at San Francisco.

"The Raiders not covering helped us," said Kornegay. After Oakland's gutsy win last week at New Orleans, bettors trusted them as five-point home favorites against the Falcons, but Atlanta won 35-28 and paid +180 on the money-line.

So after sweating out decisions for most of the first 13 games, the bookmakers around Las Vegas basically got a push and had to rely on the final game to try and make some money for the day, and it was a whopper too.

Between parlay risk carrying over on the day and bettors pressing their winnings, the Packers were looking as a high six-figure loss for every sports book. Minnesota's defense looked outstanding and new QB Sam Bradford was sharp in their 17-14 win, one of two games that landed on 3 for the day, which deserves a mention just because no Week 1 games landed on 3, the most key number in the NFL.

So yes, in the end, the books come out a winner again, but the bookmakers lost some weight from sweating so much and hair from pulling it throughout the day. Favorites went 8-6 ATS with four underdogs winning outright and the totals went 7-7.

Now it's back to the drawing for everyone for week 3.

Good luck!

[StarDust Bum]

Betting Recap - Week 2
September 19, 2016


Overall Notes

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE WEEK 2 RESULTS

Wager Favorites-Underdogs

Straight Up 10-5
Against the Spread 9-6

Wager Home-Away
Straight Up 10-5
Against the Spread 9-6

Wager Totals (O/U)
Over-Under 8-7

The largest underdogs to win straight up

Titans (+6, ML +220) at Lions, 16-15
Rams (+5.5, ML +200) vs. Seahawks, 9-3
Falcons (+4, ML +170) at Raiders, 35-28

The largest favorite to cover

Panthers (-12.5) vs. 49ers, 46-27


Ram Tough

-- The Los Angeles Rams laid an egg in Week 1, getting blanked in San Francisco on Monday night. However, they rebounded rather nicely with a 9-3 win over the rival Seattle Seahawks. While Todd Gurley and company are still searching for their first touchdown of the season, they used outstanding defense to clamp down on the Seahawks and confuse them all day. The 'under' is 2-0 for each of these sides. We'll find out how tough the Rams are in Week 3 when they traverse the country for a road date with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, with the Bucs opening as a four-point favorite.
Steel Resolve

-- The Pittsburgh Steelers staved off the AFC North Division rival Cincinnati Bengals by 24-16 score. The Steelers improved to 13-5 SU and 12-5-1 ATS in their past 18 against the Bengals, and they're now 13-1 SU and 10-4 ATS in its past 14 home openers dating back to the start of the 2003 regular season. The Steelers have won and covered in the first two games of RB Le'Veon Bell, who will return in Week 4. That's bad news for the rest of the NFL.

Total Recall

-- The 'over' edged the 'under' 8-7 in 15 games heading into Monday night's battle along the shores of Lake Michigan between the Philadelphia Eagles-Chicago Bears. In games featuring two AFC teams, the 'over' went 5-2, and is 7-3 through the first two weekends. In games featuring two NFC teams, the 'under' is 5-3 through the first eight games, while AFC vs. NFC games ended up 1-1 in Week 2, and 6-5 in favor of the 'over' through two weeks.

-- The two games with the highest totals each cashed 'under' this week after hitting the 'over' in both games in Week 1. The New Orleans Saints-New York Giants (54.5) game was expected to be a track meet, but instead it was an unexpected defensive slog, 16-13. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Arizona Cardinals (49.5) game wasn't as sure of a thing, with the home team Cards coming up with a 40-7 victory. That's two games and two 'unders' for the Cards.

-- The two games with the lowest totals on the board split 1-1 in Week 2. The Seattle Seahawks-Los Angeles Rams contest (38) had the lowest total and the 'over' was never challenged. The 'under' is now 2-0 in two games for both sides, and the Seahawks have averaged 7.5 points per game (PPG) on offense, and they're allowing just 9.5 PPG. For the Rams, they've averaged just 4.5 PPG while allowing 15.5 PPG. The Thursday night contest between the New York Jets-Buffalo Bills had a line of 40.5, but both teams scored into the 30's.

-- The 'over/under' went 1-1 in the first two primetime games in Week 2. Officially, the 'over/under' is 3-3 (50.0%) through 6 games under the lights. In 2015, the over finished 20-28-1 (41.7%) in 49 primetime games. In 2014, the over went 33-17 (66%) in primetime games, and the over was 28-22 (56%) in 2013.

Injury Report

-- Buccaneers RB Doug Martin (hamstring) suffered what he said was a minor tweak of his hamstring, and he might have simply been lifted from the game at Arizona due to the lopsided score.

-- Chargers RB Danny Woodhead (knee) checked out of the win against the Jaguars. He was carted off after being unable to put weight on his right leg. He is scheduled for an MRI Monday.

-- Dolphins RB Arian Foster (groin) was knocked out of the Week 2 loss at New England due to a groin injury, and he might be forced to miss time.

-- Lions RB Ameer Abdullah (foot) was in a walking boot after leaving the Week 2 game against Tennessee.

-- Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart (hamstring) is nursing an injury and cannot be counted on in Week 3 against Minnesota.

-- Patriots QB Jimmy Garoppolo (shoulder) sustained a sprained AC joint to his shoulder, and he is expected to miss the Week 3 game against Houston Thursday. Rookie QB Jacoby Brissett is expected to make his first NFL start.

-- Seahawks RB Doug Baldwin (back, knee) suffered a back and knee injury at Los Angeles. He will go for an MRI on his injured knee, and he is also dealing with back spasms.

-- Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (knee) left the Week 2 game against the Green Bay Packers due to an injury to his right knee, and he was assisted from the field by the training staff and he could not put any weight on the leg. According to a source, Peterson might have some ligament damage in his knee. He will have an MRI Monday.

Looking Ahead

-- The Packers and Lions will each be looking to rebound after Week 2 losses. These sides are 3-3 SU/ATS over the past six meetings, splitting in each of the past three NFL season.

-- The Giants will host the Redskins, who just cannot seem to find a way to get it done against Big Blue. Washington is 1-5 SU/ATS in the past six meetings in this series.

-- The Seahawks host the 49ers in a key NFC North battle, as Seattle looks to shake out the cob webs and get untracked. Seattle has won seven of the past eight from San Francisco straight up, and the 'under' is 6-1 in the past seven meetings, and 8-2 over the past 10.