The Bum's 2017 NFL Trends/Stats/News/Picks Thru The Super Bowl

[StarDust Bum]

NFL

Monday, September 25

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Monday Night Football Betting Preview and Odds: Cowboys at Cardinals
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Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals (+3, 46.5)

The optics that resonated from Ezekiel Elliott's lack of effort in chasing down defenders on a pair of interceptions painted a significantly worse picture than that of his career-worst eight-yard rushing performance. The 2016 NFL rushing leader aims to brush off that unattractive look on Monday as the Dallas Cowboys pay a visit to the Arizona Cardinals.

"I would say I was just very frustrated, but that's no excuse for the lack of effort I showed on tape," said Elliott, who was shown with hands on hips and walking in the other direction on one interception while remaining on the ground on another in Dallas' 42-17 loss to Denver last week. Elliott's lack of rushing (from scrimmage) played a significant role in Dak Prescott attempting a career-high 50 passes last week. While the Cowboys struggled on the road last week, the Cardinals are embracing the idea of playing their first home game since a preseason tilt on Aug. 19. "It seemed longer than that, too, but it's just good that we finally get a chance to play in front of our home crowd, on our grass. ... It's been a long four weeks, no doubt," Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer said.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

POWER RANKINGS: Cowboys (-4) - Cardinals (0.5) + home field (-3) = Cowboys -1.5

LINE HISTORY: The Cowboys opened as 3.5-point road chalk dropping to an even 3 on Monday and hasn’t moved since. The total hit the betting board at 47.5 and has been bet down a full point to 46.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Cowboys - CB Orlando Scandrick (Probable, Hand), QB Dak Prescott (Probable, Ankle), WR Terrance Williams (Questionable, Ankle), DT Stephen Paea (Questionable, Knee), CB Chidobe Awuzie (Questionable, Hamstring), CB Nolan Carroll (Out, Concussion).

Cardinals - LB Deone Bucannon (Probable, Ankle), TE Jermaine Gresham (Probable, Ribs), WR Jaron Brown (Probable, Knee), LB Karlos Dansby (Probable, Hip), WR J.J. Nelson (Questionable, Hamstring), T D.J. Humphries (Questionable, Knee), G Mike Iupati (Questionable, Tricep), WR John Brown (Out, Quadricep).

WEATHER REPORT:

Dome.

ABOUT THE COWBOYS (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS, 1-1 O/U): Tight end Jason Witten has been the primary beneficiary of Prescott's penchant to air it out this season, with the Dallas quarterback's 89 pass attempts trailing only Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers (92). The 35-year-old Witten leads the NFL with 17 receptions through two games and his two receiving scores are tied for second best in the league. Dez Bryant found the end zone last week and scored in each of his last two encounters with Arizona, although the wideout is expected to be shadowed throughout Monday's game by All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson. Orlando Scandrick is on pace to return after a one-game absence because of a broken left hand, perhaps just in time as fellow cornerback Nolan Carroll remains in the NFL's concussion protocol.

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (1-1 SU, 0-2 ATS, 1-1 O/U): Perhaps the comforts of home will alter the fortunes of Palmer, who has thrown just two touchdowns against four interceptions this season and is coming off being sacked four times in Arizona's 16-13 overtime win over Indianapolis. J.J. Nelson stepped up versus the Colts, reeling in five catches for 120 yards with a touchdown en route to being named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. The need for production from the Cardinals' passing game is underscored by the loss of the versatile David Johnson in the season opener. Veteran Chris Johnson, who showed a burst with 11 carries for 44 yards last week, is expected to receive a bigger workload at the expense of fellow running back Kerwynn Williams.

TRENDS:

* Cowboys are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games.

* Cardinals are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 Monday games.

* Under is 6-0 in Cardinals last 6 Monday games.

* Under is 10-2 in Cardinals last 12 home games.

* Home team is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 meetings.

CONSENSUS: The public is siding with the road chalk Cowboys Lions at a rate of 60 percent and the Under is picking up 53 percent of the totals action.

[StarDust Bum]

NFL Record For Sept......Based on 5 units ( Best Bets and Opinons )

09/24/2017...........16-6-0..............72.73%..........+47.00

09/21/2017.............0-2-0................0.00%...........-11.00

09/17/2017.............5-7-0..............41.67%............-13.50

09/14/2017.............0-2-0...............0.00%............-11.00

09/11/2017.............2-1-1..............66.67%...........+4.50

09/10/2017.............14-10-0...........58.33%..........+15.00

09/07/2017.............2-0-0..............100.00%.........+10.00


Totals...................39 - 28 - 1...........58.20%...........+ 41.00


Best Bets:

Date...........................ATS......TOTAL..... ..... ......O/U.......TOTAL..........TOTALS


09/24/2017.................5 - 1.....+19.50............3 - 1.........+9.50............+29.00

09/21/2017.................0 - 1.....-5.50...............0 - 1.........-5.50............. -.11.00

09/17/2017.................1 - 2......-6.00..............3 - 3........-1.50...............- 7.50

09/14/2017.................0 - 1......-5.50..............0 - 1........-5.50..............- 11.00

Best Bets Total.............6 - 5......+2.50............6 - 6.........-2.50................-0.50

Dog Of The Month........1 - 0

Total Of the Day...........1 - 0


MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

DAL at ARI 08:30 PM

DAL -2.5 *****

U 46.5 *****

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Dak Prescott shines in Cowboys' victory over Cardinals

The Dallas Cowboys' high-flying offense hit its stride in the second half of a 28-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night. Here's what we learned from the game:

1. Dak Prescott had one of his best games throwing on the run of his young career. The second-year passer connected twice with Brice Butler, first for a touchdown and later for a massive gain on a drive that ended in a touchdown run from Ezekiel Elliott that crushed Arizona's comeback hopes. Prescott also rushed for a touchdown, front-flipping over a defender and the goalline in one of his most complete games of the season. While other components of Dallas' offense (and defense) still work on putting things together, Prescott is showing his rookie season was no fluke.

2. Dallas found unusual success with base rushes against Arizona's offensive line, which struggled mightily on the edges and forced Palmer to constantly step up to avoid being sacked. Demarcus Lawrence was a terror off the edge, recording three sacks and getting to Palmer many more times than that. With 6.5 sacks in three games, Lawrence is in the middle of the race for the sack crown as we near the quarter pole. Maliek Collins was right behind Lawrence on Monday night with two sacks of his own.

3. Dallas' frequent pressure, which included six sacks was visibly affecting Palmer, who lofted a pass off his back foot with room to step into a third-down throw, underthrowing an open receiver. He was effective on a drive late in the fourth, despite the pressure, but the next possession went down in flames after a three-man rush got to Palmer on third down, effectively ending Arizona's comeback hopes. Another three-man rush ran right around Cardinals tackles John Wetzel and Jared Veldheer on the Cardinals' next drive, and a five-man attack resulted in another sack shortly thereafter on a night to forget for the two tackles.

4. Has Larry Fitzgerald aged at all? The wideout caught 13 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown, including an outrageous grab in which he took the ball from Orlando Scandrick in mid-air, bobbling it off his forearm before securing it once on the ground. The catch extended a Cardinals drive that resulted in a Phil Dawson field goal. The 34-year-old passed Marvin Harrison for eighth place on the NFL's all-time receiving yards list with his touchdown grab (hat tip, @NFLResearch) and was a frequent target of Palmer's, who is as Around the NFL's Marc Sessler tweeted one of the league's more entertaining quarterbacks to watch, win or lose. We'll miss Fitz once he hangs it up.

5. It might just be me (I don't think it is), but through three games, Ezekiel Elliott has looked a step slow. Save for a 30-yard run in the first half, he again struggled to get going until the fourth-quarter drive that put the game away. Elliott did look more like his rookie-season self on that drive, breaking tackles on his two carries inside the 15, first for seven yards and then for eight, with the latter finishing in the end zone. Elliott's top speeds -- 17.84 mph maximum, which came in Week 1, per Next Gen Stats -- seem to agree with this notion. His max speeds were up and down through most of last season (as expected), but he'd neared 19 mph by Week 3 of last season. In eight of those weeks, he was above 19. He hit a 17.69 maximum on Monday and hasn't cracked 18 so far this season, which has a lot to do with ...

6. The Cowboys' offensive line. This is a unit that just isn't where it was last season at this time, and misses Ron Leary and Doug Free. The hope is they'll get it going -- considering the talent that remains within the group, they will -- but right now, they aren't consistently creating opportunities for Elliott to run. Fortunately, they're protecting one of the better mobile quarterbacks who is improving by the week.

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NFL Record For Sept......Based on 5 units ( Best Bets and Opinons )

09/25/2017.............2-0-0............100.00%..........+10.00

09/24/2017...........16-6-0..............72.73%..........+47.00

09/21/2017.............0-2-0................0.00%...........-11.00

09/17/2017.............5-7-0..............41.67%............-13.50

09/14/2017.............0-2-0...............0.00%............-11.00

09/11/2017.............2-1-1..............66.67%...........+4.50

09/10/2017.............14-10-0...........58.33%..........+15.00

09/07/2017.............2-0-0..............100.00%.........+10.00


Totals...................41 - 28 - 1...........59.42%...........+ 51.00


Best Bets:

Date...........................ATS......TOTAL..... ..... ......O/U.......TOTAL..........TOTALS

09/25/2017.................1 - 0.....+5.00..............1 - 0........+5.00.............+10.00

09/24/2017.................5 - 1.....+19.50............3 - 1.........+9.50............+29.00

09/21/2017.................0 - 1.....-5.50...............0 - 1.........-5.50............. -.11.00

09/17/2017.................1 - 2......-6.00..............3 - 3........-1.50...............- 7.50

09/14/2017.................0 - 1......-5.50..............0 - 1........-5.50..............- 11.00


Best Bets Total.............7 - 5......+7.50............7 - 6.........+2.50................+9.00


Dog Of The Month........1 - 0

Total Of the Day...........1 - 0

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday’s six-pack

— Women can’t drive in Saudi Arabia? Insurance must be so much cheaper there.

— Ender Inciarte got his 200th hit last nite, the first Atlanta Brave since Marquis Grissom in 1996 to reach that milestone.

— Pirates 10, Orioles 1— Andrew McCutchen was 4-4 with 8 RBI.

— Rockies 6, Marlins 0— Everything stays the same in NL Wild Card race.

— In last 22 years, only 5 times has team with best record won the World Series.

— Eagles’ QB Carson Wentz said he’d give Jake Elliott his game check if he hit 61-yard FG to win Sunday’s game. Wentz’ game check is $97,798; Elliott made the kick.

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Wednesday’s List of 13: College hoop makes news, for the wrong reasons

13) What a year this has been.

If you read this site a lot, you know I love college basketball; this week, four assistant coaches at big schools (Arizona, Auburn, Oklahoma St, USC) were arrested by the FBI in connection with a federal corruption investigation, and that might only be the tip of the iceberg in a three-year FBI investigation that focused on coaches being paid tons of cash to steer NBA-bound players toward sports agents, financial advisers and apparel companies.

The scumweasel shit has hit the freakin’ fan. Oy.

12) This isn’t an NCAA thing, where the NCAA gets so mad at Kentucky that they put Western Kentucky on probation (to borrow an old Jerry Tarkanian line). This is serious.

This is the F. Bleepin’ I. As in unlimited resources to uncover whatever hideousness lies beneath the surface of the investigation. You can lie to the NCAA, but lying JUST ONCE to the FBI is a freakin’ felony, so the truth is going to come out and a lot of it will be ugly.

11) This is nothing new; what is new is the FBI being in charge of the investigation.

Spike Lee’s 1998 movie He Got Game showed a lot of this stuff; Nick Nolte was in Blue Chips in 1994, which touched on a veteran coach cheating to get better players.

This is nothing new except for the arrests and all that.

10) Six non-coaches were also arrested, including Jim Gatto, director of global sports marketing at Adidas, who helped funnel money to players’ families.

As Alfre Woodard’s character (mother of a big recruit) said to Nick Nolte in Blue Chips, “They may be the rules, but they’re not my rules.”

Recruits families have had their hands out for decades. What happens next? Stay tuned.

9) Of course, this all happens the day after my Blue Ribbon Yearbook shows up on my IPad; lot of it is going to be irrelevant, starting with the rumor than Rick Pitino may be gone at Louisville as early as Wednesday morning. Who knows what other schools will wind up getting torched by the scope of this investigation— the report was 100 pages long.

Part of the investigation centers on a players’ family asking for/getting $100K for their son to sign with the Cardinals.

8) From CBSSports.com:

“Andy Miller, a prominent agent with the company who represents Kristaps Porzingis, Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Myles Turner, Austin Rivers and many others, reportedly had his computer confiscated by the FBI.”

Christian Dawkins was fired by Miller’s agency in May; he is connected to many of the coaches who were arrested.

7) How did all this start? More from CBSSports:

“A financial advisor (now revealed as Martin Blazer, per multiple reports), who was charged in 2016 by the SEC with fraud, became cooperating witness after those charges were filed. The witness informed the FBI, as means of cooperation, that he could bring light to fraud and corruption in the world of college recruiting because said witness had been party to it in the past.”

In other words, if you’re a writer for the Showtime series Billions, you sit back with your feet up, hit copy/paste a few dozen times, change some names and you have a whole story arc for your show already finished. Real life is stranger than fiction.

6) Wonder how many college coaches had IT guys scrubbing their hard drives Tuesday. That goes for agents, investment weasels and I guess people who work for sneaker companies.

5) I watch a lot of late night TV: CSI, Law and Order, Billions, Ray Donovan. Once someone gets charged with a crime, he amazingly becomes much more willing to rat out others who might get his sentence lessened. Funny how that works.

Will be interesting to see how much farther this will go.

4) Some good news: Dallas Mavericks lent JJ Barea their team plane Monday so he could deliver supplies to storm-ravaged Puerto Rico. Barea is bringing his mother/grandmother back to this country. Good for Mark Cuban for doing that.

3) Random question; If Gregg Popovich ran for President in 2020, wouldn’t he win? He went to the Air Force Academy, he is a respected leader and a no-nonsense guy. I’d vote for him.

2) It was 89 degrees in beautiful upstate New York Tuesday; today it will once again approach 90, then things will go back to normal and it will get cool, as September ends.

2017 is going to go down as a year with a lot of news, but not a lot of it good news.

1) Carolina Panthers’ owner Jerry Richardson is a different guy; he fired his kids, he’s had a heart transplant, and now, he is the only NFL owner who isn’t supporting his players coming out and speaking about recent political events. The players aren’t happy; apparently there was a meeting in Charlotte about all this Tuesday.

Panthers have a minority QB and a minority coach who is the son of a military veteran; this will be worth watching. Things far less important than this have fractured teams.

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Players meet with Panthers owner
September 26, 2017

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Panthers team captains and other selected players met with owner Jerry Richardson at his home Tuesday to ''discuss social issues affecting the league and solutions moving forward.''

Carolina spokesman Steven Drummond said the conversations between the players and owner will remain private.

Richardson was one of the last NFL owners to release a statement in response to comments made by President Trump on Twitter regarding NFL players. The meeting was prompted by some players privately expressing frustration over not being able to express their views on social issues while playing for the Panthers for fear of potential repercussions.

A year ago, backup safety Marcus Ball raised his fist in support of Colin Kaepernick, who knelt during the national anthem to protect social injustices. The following week he was released by the Panthers.

While hundreds of players around the NFL protested Trump's tweets, none of Carolina's players participated in pre-game protests on Sunday except 17-year veteran Julius Peppers. Peppers decided to remain in the tunnel for the national anthem, but told none of his teammates of his plan.

The 81-year-old Richardson prefers to keep politics and sports separate.

Even when he did release a statement on Monday - a day after 30 other owners had spoken out - it didn't make much reference to Trump's comments.

''We are proud of the men we have on this football team. Our players have been active and impactful participants in making our community stronger,'' Richardson's statement read. ''From the first time I stepped into an NFL locker room at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore in 1959, I have lived and seen the sport's ability to bring people of all backgrounds together. Politicizing the game is damaging and takes the focus off the greatness of the game itself and those who play it.''

Richardson has remained largely private since his last press conference in January of 2011.

Peppers said Sunday he struggled with the decision to remain in the tunnel, but wanted to do something to support his NFL brothers.

He didn't tell his teammates of his plans because he didn't want others to feel pressured to do the same.

''I just thought it was appropriate to stay in because we know what went on this week with the comments that were made by the President and I felt like he attacked our brothers, my brothers in the league,'' Peppers said. ''So I felt like it was appropriate to stand up with them and stay in the locker room.''

Peppers said he knows that some may not appreciate his stance, even if he wasn't trying to show disrespect to the American flag.

''A lot of people might be upset about it and that's fine,'' Peppers said. ''I'm not living my life out there trying to make everybody happy. I'm doing things that I feel like are right and things that I believe in. There are only a few times in a man's life where you have the chance to stand up for something that you believe in and make a statement so today I thought was that chance and I took it.''

Several teammates hugged Peppers before the team's first defensive series.

When asked if he hoped an increase in demonstrations would increase dialogue about these issues, Peppers responded, ''I hope so.''

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Tomlin: We 'don't care' about politics
September 26, 2017

PITTSBURGH (AP) His players unable to reach agreement on how to respond to President Donald Trump's suggestion that NFL players who protest during the national anthem should be fired, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin signed off on their decision to remain in the tunnel before kickoff last weekend in Chicago.

The Steelers, in their words, were attempting to find middle ground. Turns out, there might not be any. And if Tomlin is being honest, he's no longer interested in the search.

''You're asking us about middle ground, you're asking us about right or left,'' Tomlin said Tuesday . ''We're a football group. That's what you guys don't understand.

''We don't care, largely, professionally speaking. We have personal opinions yes. Professionally, we're about to kick a ball off.''

And Tomlin would prefer to get back to doing his job, a concept complicated by the fallout from the visual of 52 of his 53 players remaining in the tunnel while the anthem played at Soldier Field as left tackle Alejandro Villanueva - a West Point graduate and former Army Ranger - stood alone with his hand over his heart on the fringe of the field as ''The Star-Spangled Banner'' blared.

Villanueva apologized on Monday for what he called the team's ''butchered'' plan to have him remain at the front of the line but still out of sight.

While longtime fans took to social media or inundated the team's headquarters with phone calls and emails in anger, the franchise tried to find a way to clearly explain its stance it stresses wasn't really a stance at all.

Villanueva, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and defensive end Cam Heyward went to great lengths on Monday to point out the team was not disrespecting the anthem by not participating but simply trying to extricate from the dilemma entirely.

Team president Art Rooney II released an open letter to fans on Tuesday to clear up what he called a ''misperception'' of the club's actions.

''The intentions of Steelers players were to stay out of the business of making political statements by not taking the field,'' Rooney wrote. ''Unfortunately that was interpreted as a boycott of the anthem, which was never our players' intentions.''

Tomlin pointed out the team has had ''100 percent participation'' during the anthem since the movement of some form of silent protest began with former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick last summer.

That threatened to change, however, following a speech by Trump last week in which he called for owners to deal with a protesting player by getting ''that son of a bitch off the field right now.''

''The statements made last week, that put potentially some of those attitudes we've been proud about (at risk),'' Tomlin said.

When asked which statements specifically, Tomlin added ''the SOBs statement. The statements that seemingly goad certain athletes into demonstrating.''

During a lengthy team meeting on Saturday night, several players expressed an interest in protesting in some fashion but no consensus could be reached so the Steelers tried to extricate themselves from the situation entirely.

''Things are happening around them that apply pressure to them,'' Tomlin said. ''Whether they feel like they're being goaded and that's your perception or there's another perception that those that oppose some of (Trump's) statements are applying pressure on players to demonstrate.

''I'm opposed to both factions to be quite honest with you. I'm an advocate for players. I'm an advocate for those that simply want to do their jobs.''

The Steelers plan to be on the field during the next Sunday when they play in Baltimore, though they're not sure whether they'll simply stand at attention or engage in some form of united expression of unity.

''It's not that we're not socially conscious, not that we're not community conscious,'' Tomlin said. ''We just don't believe in demonstrations. We believe in impact. So we give ourselves and free time in that area, Tuesdays (normally) being that day, not moments before kickoff.''

Roethlisberger and linebacker Arthur Moats hinted the emotions surrounding Trump's remarks and the ensuing internal discussion about how to handle the anthem may have played a role in Pittsburgh's 23-17 overtime loss to the Bears. Tomlin acknowledged the noise is difficult to drown out but added it's hardly an excuse.

''Hopefully we learn something from this week's past experiences in terms of being able to be singularly focused in the midst of a potential storm that's outside of our control,'' he said. ''Was it a distraction? I'm sure it was in a lot of ways but we still got a job to do and hopefully we learn from it.''

Tomlin was on the sideline during the anthem, away from his players, something he said he did to get comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings.

The Steelers plan to be next to him this weekend. Whatever the players may do, Tomlin doesn't really care so long as they do it together.

''We have nothing to hide,'' Tomlin said. ''We're just a group trying to play football and people are using us in these circumstances for their benefit and we resist it.''

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NFL notebook: President continues criticism of league
September 26, 2017

President Donald Trump continued his attack on the NFL on Tuesday, labeling the protests by teams and players as "disgraceful" and saying he was "ashamed" by what he witnessed.

Trump issued four tweets about the situation but made his strongest comments at a White House press conference in the Rose Garden. He said the Sunday and Monday protests were disrespectful to all Americans who have died or been injured while fighting for the United States.

"They were fighting for our country, they were fighting for our flag, they were fighting for our national anthem," Trump said. "For people to disrespect that by kneeling during the playing of our national anthem I think is disgraceful."

In one of his early morning tweets, Trump called for the NFL to outlaw kneeling during the anthem.

Trump issued two tweets that referenced the protest of the Dallas Cowboys prior to Monday night's football game against the Arizona Cardinals.

"The booing at the NFL football game last night, when the entire Dallas team dropped to its knees, was loudest I have ever heard. Great anger," Trump tweeted before adding the following 12 minutes later: "But while Dallas dropped to its knees as a team, they all stood up for our National Anthem. Big progress being made-we all love our country!"

--The widow of former NFL player and U.S. Army serviceman Pat Tillman told CNN in a statement that she doesn't wish for the memory of her husband to be politicized.

"As a football player and soldier, Pat inspired countless Americans to unify," Marie Tillman told CNN. "It is my hope that his memory should always remind people that we must come together. Pat's service, along with that of every man and woman's service, should never be politicized in a way that divides us. We are too great of a country for that.

"Those that serve fight for the American ideals of freedom, justice and democracy. They and their families know the cost of that fight. I know the very personal costs in a way I feel acutely every day."

Pat Tillman, a safety, elected to step away from his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals and join the U.S. Army in 2002. He was killed in action in 2004 at the age of 27.

--Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II issued an open letter to the team's fans two days after the club elected against taking the field for the national anthem.

"I want to reach out to you, the members of Steelers Nation, based on what I believe is a misperception about our players' intentions in not taking the field for the national anthem in Chicago," Rooney wrote in a letter that was published on the team's official Twitter account. "The intentions of Steelers players were to stay out of the business of making political statement by not taking the field. Unfortunately, that was interpreted as a boycott of the anthem -- which was never our players' intention."

--Players concerned with Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson's position on pregame protests are scheduled to meet with their boss to discuss those concerns.

According to a report in the Charlotte Observer, some Panthers fear repercussions if they join the growing number of NFL players demonstrating during the national anthem.

"Politicizing the game is damaging and takes the focus off the greatness of the game itself and those who played it," said Richardson, who is the only current owner to play in the NFL.

--New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham was penalized for excessive celebration Sunday and the New York Giants plan to address the situation with him.

Giants owner John Mara said he was displeased when Beckham mimicked a dog urinating to celebrate a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. The NFL loosened restrictive celebration rules in the offseason but any "bodily function" gestures result in a 15-yard penalty.

"I do not want to get into a discussion about this, but I will say that I am very unhappy with Odell's behavior on Sunday and we intend to deal with it internally," Mara told the New York Post in an email.

--The Kansas City Chiefs placed Cairo Santos on injured reserve and signed fellow kicker Harrison Butker off the Carolina Panthers' practice squad.

Santos, who was plagued by a groin injury during preseason, was a perfect 3-for-3 on field-goal attempts this season and made all 12 of his extra-point tries for the Chiefs (3-0).

--Veteran outside linebacker Lawrence Timmons was reinstated by the Miami Dolphins from an indefinite suspension, the team announced.

Timmons disappeared the night before the team's season-opening game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 17. He missed that contest and was subsequently suspended when his reasoning for going AWOL wasn't deemed sufficient by the club.

Timmons also missed this past Sunday's loss against the New York Jets. He is expected to play Sunday when the Dolphins play the New Orleans Saints in London.

--Running back Trent Richardson signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, the team announced Tuesday.

Richardson finished third in the 2011 Heisman Trophy voting while at Alabama, and he was the third overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.

Richardson played just three seasons in the NFL for Cleveland and Indianapolis Colts and was not as productive as expected in any of them. Richardson ran for 2,032 yards on 614 career carries, averaging just 3.3 yards per rush while playing in 46 NFL games, with 37 starts. He has not played in an NFL game since 2014.

[StarDust Bum]

Bears face dangerous Rodgers on short week
September 26, 2017

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Facing Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers is usually enough to put the Chicago Bears defense in panic mode.

Doing it on a short work week has become an undesired trend lately thanks to NFL schedule-makers, and doing it on the road Thursday again without the veteran presence of Quintin Demps at safety makes it an especially difficult proposition.

"There's not really much he can't do as a quarterback on the football field," Bears safety Adrian Amos said of Rodgers. "He can run, he can throw, he can throw on the run."

Rodgers did all of those against the Bears last year on one play when he scrambled and heaved a football 60 yards to a waiting Jordy Nelson and set up a game-winning field goal late in the fourth quarter.

Now the Bears secondary must figure a way to stop Rodgers in a short work week for the third straight year without 10-year veteran Demps, because of a broken arm. They signed Demps in free agency to help end their problems defending deep, but are back to relying on Amos at one safety spot.

Amos, who started in 2015 and 2016, will line up alongside rookie safety Eddie Jackson and it might seem an open invitation for the Packers to throw deep.

"Eddie Jackson, I think, is not your normal rookie in those areas," Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. "He's got good presence out there. Amos has played a lot. I think we'll be fine."

The two have one edge other Bears defenses haven't enjoyed in recent years: good pass coverage from cornerbacks.

Prince Amukamara played last week for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in Week 3 of preseason, and Fangio used him in a three-man rotation with Kyle Fuller and Marcus Cooper.

Bears cornerbacks had an unusually high six pass deflections last week against Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger.

Fuller, in particular, has been strong after being frustrated and missing last season with a knee that never healed following preseason arthroscopic surgery.

"I think anytime a player's injured, the frustration level mounts, and particularly for him," head coach John Fox said. "These guys work long and hard every season to prepare and get ready for a season and that's kind of the fun part. He wasn't able to do that physically. I don't think it was a matter of want-to. He just wasn't capable.

"He's worked very hard like a lot of guys coming off of injuries from a year ago and it's good to see him enjoying some success."

The Bears had an option year on Fuller's contract for 2018, but never exercised it. Now he might make them regret it.

"Nothing but a true pro, just how he's responding this year," Amukamara said. "With the team not picking up his option, you would think a guy would be down on himself and have no confidence, but he's coming out swinging.

"He's been playing real tough. It's one of the reasons we're in a three-corner rotation and I'm definitely proud of him."

Fangio said Amukamara's return last week was largely successful except for a 7-yard touchdown he allowed to Antonio Brown while playing eight yards off the receiver inside the 10. Also, the defense still has no interceptions after making a franchise low eight each of the past two years.

The extent of their cornerback rotation or who starts won't be known until just before the game.

"I think it's great to have all our best guys on the field and to have them fresh," Amukamara said.

Rodgers' mobility can force them to match up with defenders even if they're in a zone.

"You have to cover receivers longer," Amos said. "To cover receivers for seven, eight seconds is a long time. But I think our D-line will do a good job getting after him, and then when he does try to extend plays, we have to do a great job of plastering on receivers."

Secondary players say Rodgers has plenty of veteran tricks, like cadence changes while calling signals or catching opponents with too many on the field by getting it snapped while they're switching defensive personnel.

"I think everybody knows that's his little card in his back pocket," Amukamara said. "Even though teams know that, he still happens to pull it off. We definitely have to be cognizant of it."

The Bears rank 12th defensively after three weeks, despite playing three high-powered offenses: Atlanta in Week 1, Tampa Bay in Week 2 and Pittsburgh last week. They've done it despite losing linebacker starters Jerrell Freeman and Nick Kwiatkoski due to pectoral injuries.

"I think we've played the type of football that we're capable and are utilizing our talents, much like Game 1, to give us an opportunity to win," Fox said. "Unfortunately, in Week 1 we came up short. We gave ourselves no chance in Week 2. And in Week 3 we were able to get it done."

Doing this with a veteran safety out, after a short week of preparing for Rodgers on the road would go a long way toward earning much sought-after respect and their first winning streak since 2015.

[StarDust Bum]

Injuries hammer away at depth on Packers offensive line
September 26, 2017

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Injuries have hammered away at the offensive line depth of the Green Bay Packers.

Left tackle David Bakhtiari and fellow starter at right tackle, Bryan Bulaga, haven't played a game together since the second week of the preseason, a trend that could continue Thursday night against the Chicago Bears .

Bakhtiari and Bulaga were limited Tuesday in practice, which was scaled back because of injuries and the short turnaround from the overtime win Sunday against Cincinnati .

That both players practiced was key to their prospects for facing the Bears.

''If an individual doesn't get into the limited practice category today, I think he'd be hard pressed to play in the game Thursday,'' coach Mike McCarthy said before practice. ''That's about as good as I can give you based on the information that I have.''

Bulaga missed the first two games with an injured ankle but started on Sunday. However, he aggravated the injury in the fourth quarter and missed the last 23 snaps.

Bakhtiari missed the last two games with a hamstring injury sustained late in the Week 1 win over Seattle.

''I've been progressing every day since the injury,'' he said. ''That's important. We're taking the right steps and that's the most important thing.''

Versatile veteran Don Barclay injured an ankle in the preseason and was placed on injured reserve. Jason Spriggs, a second-round pick last year who was expected to be the swing tackle, injured a hamstring in the opener and was also placed on injured reserve.

That left Kyle Murphy, a sixth-round pick last year who played only eight snaps as a rookie, as the top backup.

Murphy replaced Bulaga in Week 1 and Bakhtiari in Weeks 2 and 3, but was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. He played all 70 snaps of the overtime victory against the Bengals despite a foot injury in the fourth quarter.

The revolving door has impacted the Aaron Rodgers-led passing attack, even though Rodgers has topped 300 yards in each game this season. Rodgers directed the Packers to the tying drive at the end of regulation and the winning drive in overtime against Cincinnati.

''Protection-wise, we have had to be smart about who's playing out there and what we can handle,'' Rodgers said.

''You're talking about two starters and then primary backups who've been out. So, it's been a work in progress, but those guys are playing hard.''

The best-case scenario would have Bakhtiari and Bulaga playing well on Thursday. The backup plans include Justin McCray, who played center and guard throughout the preseason but started at right tackle against Atlanta, and Adam Pankey, an undrafted rookie who started the season on the practice squad.

Ulrick John, a seventh-round pick by Indianapolis in 2014 who started three games at right tackle for Arizona last season, was signed off the Cardinals' practice squad on Tuesday.

Otherwise, the Packers appear to be in better shape than they were on Sunday, when six starters were inactive and Bulaga joined them on the bench.

Receiver Randall Cobb (chest), defensive tackle Mike Daniels (hip) and safety Kentrell Brice (groin), all of whom were inactive last week, were full participants in practice. So was outside linebacker Nick Perry, who wore a large cast on a surgically repaired right hand.

Running back Ty Montgomery (wrist), who leads the team in rushing and receptions, was also a full participant.

NOTE: Rodgers said the team would ask fans to join the Packers in locking arms during the national anthem on Thursday. Most of the Packers stood on the sideline and locked arms during the anthem before the Bengals game. ''We're going to continue to show love and unity, and this week we're going to ask the fans to join in as well and come together and show people that we can be connected and we can grow together.'' Rodgers said there has been some ''positive conversation'', but also ''a lot of hatred on my social media'' following the team's decision for the national anthem last week. He said the showing was about equality.

[StarDust Bum]

Trump says he's spoken with Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones
September 27, 2017

WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump says he has spoken to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones amid his extended attacks on NFL players for kneeling during the national anthem.

On Twitter Wednesday, Trump says the two spoke Tuesday. He says: ''Jerry is a winner who knows how to get things done. Players will stand for Country!''

On Monday night, Jones - a supporter of Trump - and his players knelt, arm-in-arm, before the anthem, then rose for the playing of the song ahead of the team's victory at the Arizona Cardinals.

Trump has spent days lashing out at players who kneel, a practice that started with a handful of players to protest racial issues, including police brutality.

Responding to Trump, hundreds of players have been sitting, kneeling, locking arms or remaining in locker rooms.

[StarDust Bum]

It was 'Poor Picks' instead of Pro Picks last week
September 27, 2017

Maybe all the displays of unity at NFL games last weekend also overshadowed an awful week for Pro Picks. We sure hope so: It was more like Poor Picks.

And that came with a rare win in a Thursday night game, Rams over 49ers. Hopefully, we can get it right with this week's opener, Bears at Packers, then follow it up with some more winners.

Green Bay struggled to beat lowly Cincinnati in overtime last Sunday, hours after Chicago stunned Pittsburgh, also in OT. Working extra time heading into a short week isn't exactly an ideal way to prep for a Thursday nighter.

The Packers were undermanned, particularly on the offensive line, against the Bengals and had to stage a big rally to win. The Bears used their impressive running game to overcome the Steelers.

With so little rest between outings, the disparity in talent can tend to get skewed a bit. Green Bay appears to be a Super Bowl contender when healthy. Chicago has the look of an also-ran in a tough division.

Still, this is Bears-Packers, one of the more emotion-packed series in pro sports.

The Packers, No. 4 in the AP Pro32, are 7-point favorites over their long-time rival Bears (No. 25).

PACKERS, 21-16

KNOCKOUT LEAGUE TIP

The Patriots made us sweat but survived as Houston couldn't make a third-and-1 conversion that might have clinched an upset. We'll go with SEATTLE to keep us going.

No. 17 (tie) Los Angeles Rams (plus 7 1-2) at No. 5 Dallas

Rams seem to be putting together nice offense. We already know Dallas has one of those.

BEST BET: COWBOYS, 30-19

No. 11 Tennessee (minus 2) at No. 21 Houston

It's early, but Texans loss would be very damaging in division.

UPSET SPECIAL: TEXANS, 20-17

No. 24 New Orleans (minus 3) vs. No. 22 Miami at London

Rebound time for Dolphins after that New Jersey fiasco.

DOLPHINS, 23-21

No. 9 Pittsburgh (minus 2 1-2) at No. 14 Baltimore

Best rivalry in football, nasty and physical, but clean.

STEELERS, 20-13

No. 6 (tie) Oakland (plus 2 1-2) at No. 6 (tie) Denver

Both teams come off offensive stinkers.

RAIDERS, 26-21

No. 17 (tie) Carolina (plus 8) at No. 3 New England

Both teams come off defensive stinkers.

PATRIOTS, 36-23

No. 13 Washington (plus 7) at No. 1 Kansas City, Monday night

Redskins might be better than we thought, can prove a lot here.

CHIEFS, 24-23

No. 15 Jacksonville (minus 3 1-2) at No. 29 New York Jets

Road favorites destroyed us last week. We barely learned a lesson.

JAGUARS, 19-17

No. 19 Buffalo (plus 7 1-2) at No. 2 Atlanta

Falcons have escaped twice on road, but routed Green Bay at home.

FALCONS, 22-16

No. 26 New York Giants (plus 5) at No. 20 Tampa Bay

Just a feeling Giants aren't bad enough to be 0-4.

GIANTS, 17-13

No. 12 Philadelphia (pick-em) at No. 27 (tie) Los Angeles Chargers

Just a feeling Chargers aren't bad enough to be 0-4.

CHARGERS, 27-23

No. 27 Cincinnati (minus 3) at No. 32 Cleveland

Just a feeling Bengals aren't bad enough to be 0-4.

BENGALS, 21-20

No. 31 San Francisco (plus 7) at No. 23 Arizona

Just a feeling ... oh, never mind.

CARDINALS, 20-16

No. 30 Indianapolis (plus 13) at No. 16 Seattle

Until Andrew Luck is behind center, staying away from Colts doing anything special.

SEAHAWKS, 22-6

No. 6 (tie) Detroit (no line) at No. 10 Minnesota

Really like what we have seen from Lions thus far.

LIONS, 24-20

---

2017 RECORD:

Last week: Against spread (5-9-1). Straight up (8-8)

Season Totals: Against spread (18-27-1). Straight up: (29-18)

Best Bet: 2-1 against spread, 2-1 straight up.

Upset special: 3-0 against spread, 3-0 straight up

[StarDust Bum]

'Dogs to Watch - Week 4
September 27, 2017


NFL Week 4 Underdogs to Watch

Week 3 was a great week overall for NFL underdogs as they had tremendous results both SU and ATS on the whole. Leading the charge in that regard were the “big” underdogs as all six teams that were getting 4 points or more managed to cover their spreads, and three of them won outright (Chicago, NYJ, New Orleans).

The other three were close to outright upsets as well with Houston, Cincinnati, and the New York Giants all losing either in the final minute of play or overtime. If you were ballsy enough to back the three teams (NYG, New Orleans, NYJ) on the ML I leaned towards last week you came out well ahead and I'm hoping for similar results this week.

However, bettors shouldn't expect the same type of overwhelming success from big underdogs this week, as we've got another six teams getting +4 or more to break down for the Sunday/Monday Action.

Odds per - BetDSI.eu

Underdogs that Qualify

Carolina Panthers (+9); ML (+350)
L.A Rams (+6); ML (+230)
Buffalo Bills (+7.5); ML (+320)
San Francisco 49ers (+7); ML (+260)
Indianapolis Colts (+13); ML (+625)
Washington Redskins (+7); ML (+230)

At first glance, this list of teams is quite a bit different then the ones we've seen in the first three weeks of the year, and we've even got four teams entering Week 4 action with a winning 2-1 SU record. Carolina, L.A, Buffalo, and Washington all have two wins under their belt and I would venture a guess that at least one of them wins this week.

Yet, to start, we've got the Indianapolis Colts as the biggest dog on the board as they go up to Seattle to face the Seahawks for SNF. The Colts managed to get their first W a week ago against Cleveland, but this is a huge step up in class for them this week, and with Seattle going through their fair share of struggles so far in 2017, expect the Seahawks to come out with their best game and win this one rather easily.

Another team that doesn't really have a great shot at winning outright is the San Francisco 49ers. San Fran does have the extra rest after playing last Thursday, and do catch an Arizona Cardinals team on a short week, but this 49ers team has been bad away from home the past couple of seasons and with Arizona frustrated with how they've played so far – similar to Seattle – this is a great opportunity for the Cardinals to get back on track with a big, convincing W. It might not play out that way and San Fran could take advantage of this scheduling spot that's in their favor and keep it close, but Arizona should be able to win this game at home.

That leaves us with the four 2-1 SU teams, and of the four I believe you can scratch the Carolina Panthers off the list in terms of a SU victory in Week 4. QB Cam Newton looks like he's severely declined since his 2015 MVP season, the Panthers offense has a whole has really struggled to put up points, and oh by the way, they are in Foxborough to take on Tom Brady and the Patriots. Carolina's offense could show some signs of recovering against a league-worst Pats defense, but it won't likely be enough in the end to keep up with the juggernaut that is the New England offense. Brady and company just don't lose at home too often, two scares already at home (one loss, one last-minute comeback) are likely enough to have New England sharp and focused this week.

The Buffalo Bills are in a similar position to Carolina in that they are out on the road in a non-conference game and up against a very explosive offense as well. The Bills trip to Atlanta this week isn't likely to end in an outright upset as the Bills don't have the weapons, nor the defense to keep pace with the high-powered Falcons. Buffalo took advantage of a Denver team that took them a little lightly a week ago and the Falcons aren't going to make that mistake here. Atlanta had their own scare a week ago like New England did, and just like their Super Bowl opponent from a season ago, the Falcons should rebound in a big way with a dominant win over this Bills squad.

With brings us to the L.A Rams and Washington Redskins. Both teams are road dogs with the Rams in Dallas, and the Redskins in Kansas City, and both teams have already seen some support on their spreads to push down their opening numbers.

LA might be the more popular pick of the two in terms of getting a SU victory, but I've got to side with the Redskins here. Washington looked great in dominating the Oakland Raiders in prime time a week ago, and while going into Arrowhead to face an undefeated Chiefs team has many viewing it as a scary situation for Washington, I can easily see QB Kirk Cousins and the rest of his teammates stepping up and coming away with the W.

This is another prime time game for Washington with it being on Monday night, and quite frankly I believe KC has been playing a bit over their heads so far in 2017. Kansas City has been outgained in total yards the past two weeks which isn't a great sign, and sooner or later not having S Eric Berry in the secondary is going to bite the Chiefs in the ass.

So for as good as the teams on this week's look record-wise, I don't see a whole lot of potential for outright upsets outside of the Washington Redskins (+230). With the great week NFL underdogs had in Week 3, I'm expecting many favorites to rule the yard in Week 4, and it likely begins with these big underdogs showing why oddsmakers have given them so many points this week.

[StarDust Bum]

Tech Trends - Week 4
September 26, 2017

THURSDAY, SEP. 28

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
CHICAGO at GREEN BAY (NFL, 8:30 p.m. ET)
Bears hanging around lately vs. Pack, split last four spread decisions with Fox. After 5-2-1 road dog mark in 2015, Fox 2-6 in role since. Pack also “over” 14-7 last 21.
Tech Edge: "Over," based on “totals” trends.

SUNDAY, OCT. 1

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
NEW ORLEANS vs. MIAMI at Wembley Stadium, London (FOX, 9:30 a.m. ET)
Saints 10-2 vs. line last 12 away from Superdome. NO also “over” 31-20 since 2014, Dolphins “over” 12-6 since LY.
Tech Edge: Saints and "over," based on “totals” trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
CAROLINA at NEW ENGLAND (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Cam 5-1 as road dog since 2014, also 9-2 overall last 11 as dog. Belichick “over” last seven since late 2016.
Tech Edge: “Over” and slight to Panthers, based on "totals" and team trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
L.A. RAMS at DALLAS (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Rams improved but still only 1-2 vs. line TY. Dallas on 3-7 spread skid since late 2016. Rams “over” first 3 and five straight since late 2016.
Tech Edge: “Over’ and slight to Rams, based on “totals” and team trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
DETROIT at MINNESOTA (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Lions won and covered both vs. Vikes LY. Vikes “over” 6-1 last seven.
Tech Edge: Lions and “over,” based on team and “totals” trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
TENNESSEE at HOUSTON (CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Texans had won five in a row SU and six in a row vs. line in series until losing reg.-season finale LY. O’Brien 10-6-1 vs. spread at home in reg. season since 2014. Also “under” 11-5 last 16 reg. season at NRG Stadium. But Mularkey “over” 8-3 last 11 away and series “over” 5-1 last six.
Tech Edge: Slight to Texans and “over,” based on team and “totals” trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
JACKSONVILLE at N.Y. JETS (CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Jags haven’t been road chalk since 2011! Jax “over” 23-12 last 35.
Tech Edge: "Over," based on Jags "totals" trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
CINCINNATI at CLEVELAND (CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Cincy has won and covered last five meetings and most have been thumpers, closest margin 13. “Under” 6-2 last eight meetings. Hue Jackson just 2-7 as home dog and 5-14 overall vs. spread since LY. Cincy “under” 9-1 last 10 since mid 2016.
Tech Edge: “Under” and Bengals, based on “totals” and series trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
PITTSBURGH at BALTIMORE (CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Ravens have now covered last three and 4-1-1 vs. line last six in competitive series, have also beaten Steel SU last four at M&T Bank Stadium. Steel “under” 10-2 last 12 on reg.-season road.
Tech Edge: “Under” and slight to Ravens, based on ”totals” and series trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
BUFFALO at ATLANTA (CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Falcs “over” 18-4 since LY, but 4-10 as home chalk since 2015 in regular season.
Tech Edge: “Over” and slight to Bills, based on “totals” and team trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
N.Y. GIANTS at TAMPA BAY (FOX, 4:05 p.m. ET)
Eli "under” 9-2 last 11 reg. season. Bucs 2-8 last ten home chalk.
Tech Edge: Giants and "under,"” based on team and “totals” trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
PHILADELPHIA at L.A. CHARGERS (FOX, 4:05 p.m. ET)
Bolts 4-12 vs. spread last 15 as host (Qualcomm & StubHub). Birds only 2-7 vs. line away since LY. Birds “over” 10-2 last 12 away.
Tech Edge: “Over,” based on “totals” trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
SAN FRANCISCO at ARIZONA (FOX, 4:05 p.m. ET)
49ers winless SU TY but are 2-1 vs. line for Shanahan and have covered 4 of last 5 since late LY. Cards only 6-11 as home chalk in reg season since late 2014.
Tech Edge: 49ers and “over,” based on team and “totals” trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
OAKLAND at DENVER (CBS, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Broncs 4-1 SU and vs. line last 5 at home vs. Raiders, but Oakland 9-2 last 11 as road reg. season dog. Denver "over" 5-2 last 7 as host, Raiders "over" 12-6 into last Sunday.
Tech Edge: Raiders and "over", based on team and "totals" trends.

NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
INDIANAPOLIS at SEATTLE (NBC, 8:30 p.m. ET)
Seahawks only 4-9 vs. points last 13 in reg. season. Indy was 7-4-1 as road dog entering TY but much of that with Andrew Luck.
Tech Edge: Slight to Colts, based on team trends.

MONDAY, OCT. 2
NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
WASHINGTON at KANSAS CITY (ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET)[/B]
Into last Sunday, Jay Gruden 15-7 vs. line last 22 reg season games, 8-2 last ten as road dog. Also “over” 18-5 last 23 since late 2015. Andy Reid only 4-8 last 12 as Arrowhead chalk.
Tech Edge: Redskins and “over,” based on team and “totals” trends.

[StarDust Bum]

NFL opening line report: Steelers take early money as road faves in Week 4
Patrick Everson

"The public will be all over Pittsburgh coming off its loss, and the early smart money has been too."

Week 3 of the NFL season was a huge one for the underdogs, who had gone 11-4 ATS heading into the Monday nighter, including seven outright winners. Will the pups keep it up in Week 4? We check in on the opening lines of four matchups, with insights from Scott Cooley, odds consultant for offshore sportsbook Bookmaker.eu.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (+2)

These two teams are coming off stunning losses in Week 3, heading into this clash of NFC North rivals at 1 p.m. ET Sunday. Pittsburgh, among the favorites to challenge New England for the AFC title, was on the road for the second time in three weeks and had another substandard showing against a subpar outfit. The Steelers (2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS) lost to Chicago 23-17 in overtime as a 7-point favorite.

It was arguably much worse for Baltimore, especially since the flight home was far longer. The Ravens (2-1 SU and ATS) went to Jacksonville’s second home – London – as a 3-point favorite and left on the very short end of a 44-7 trampling.

“The public doesn’t want to bet on Baltimore. The offense is mundane, and the squares don’t like to bet on good defenses,” Cooley said. “At some point, we’ll probably see some value players get behind a Ravens team that was absolutely embarrassed. The public will be all over Pittsburgh coming off its loss, and the early smart money has been too.”

Indeed, the number bumped to Steelers -2.5 Sunday night.

Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots (-8)

New England has played two games at home this season and is fortunate to have split those contests. The Patriots (2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS) got all they could handle from Houston on Sunday, needing a last-minute Tom Brady-to-Brandin Cooks 25-yard touchdown pass to post a 36-33 win as a heavy 13.5-point home chalk.

Carolina lost tight end Greg Olsen to a broken foot in Week 2, and the hits kept coming in Week 3 as Kelvin Benjamin left in the first half with a knee injury. Benjamin’s injury is not thought to be serious, but the Panthers (2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS) got drubbed by New Orleans 34-13 as a 5-point home fave.

“We were certainly going to be north of a touchdown, and this one could shoot up sooner rather than later,” Cooley said of the line for Panthers-Pats. “It will be interesting to see if the Panthers can get out of their offensive funk.”

Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos (no line)

Both these AFC West rivals were road favorites in Week 3 and ended up on the short side, on the scoreboard and for bettors. Oakland (2-1 SU and ATS) had its roll slowed at Washington in a 27-20 loss as a 3.5-point favorite, while Denver (2-1 SU and ATS) – coming off an impressive home win over Dallas – looked unimpressive in a 26-16 loss at Buffalo laying 3.5 points.

Since Oakland was in the Sunday nighter, Bookmaker.eu held off on setting a line, though Cooley had an opinion.

“Look for the Broncos to be short chalk at home,” he said. “Denver certainly has a distinct advantage at Mile High, but our ratings have the Raiders a few spots higher in the pecking order.”

Washington Redskins at Kansas City Chiefs (-7)

Kansas City is looking a lot like the team that went 12-4 SU in the regular season last year. For the second time in three weeks, the Chiefs (3-0 SU and ATS) won and cashed on the road, this time besting the Los Angeles Chargers 24-10 as a 3-point chalk.

Washington (2-1 SU and ATS) also looked plenty sharp in Week 3, knocking off Oakland 27-10 as a 3.5-point home underdog in the Sunday night contest.

“Again, we’ll make sure nothing significant occurs regarding injuries with Washington, but Kansas City will be a healthy favorite regardless,” Cooley said. “The Chiefs look to be one of the best teams in the league early in this season, and bettors are taking notice. We’ll open K.C. as 6- to 7-point chalk.”

Indeed, when the line opened for this Monday night contest it hit the board with the Chiefs installed as 7-point home favorites.