armadillo
09-18-2004, 06:24 PM
Denver (1-0) @ Jacksonville (1-0)- Denver covered six of last seven as favorite in road opener; they scored 32 ppg in last four road openers. Teams met five times, twice in playoffs, with home side winning four; Denver lost previous only visit here, 27-24 five years ago. Broncos had excellent balance last week, with 202 yards on ground, 22 in air; they even scored 17 points in each half. Jags pulled out win last week, despite gaining just 225 yards and converting 2 of 13 on third down.
Pittsburgh (1-0) @ Baltimore (0-1)- Steelers won 17 of last 22 series games, covering last five, and are 6-1 SU in last seven visits to this site, but Pitt dropped last four road openers, getting outscored in last three by combined margin of 92-37. Ravens won three of last four home openers; they were minus-3 in turnovers last week and ran ball for just 88 yards. Steelers were outgained by 121 yards, but used four takeaways to edge Oakland. Four of last five series totals are 47+ .
Houston (0-1) @ Detroit (1-0)- Lions' first road win since '00 should fuel home crowd here, even with WR Rogers gone for year. Detroit covered six of its last eight home openers, three of four when favored. These teams have yet to face one another. Texans coughed ball up four times last week, and Chargers converted 9 of 15 on third down, converting two short TD drives in their upset win at Houston. Lions were just 2 for 14 on third down last week, but had blocked FG for TD and had four takeaways.
Indianapolis (0-1) @ Tennessee (1-0)- Pillar injury forces rookie into Titan OL; both teams on extra rest; Indy swept series last year, after having lost six of previous seven in series. Titans won six of last seven home openers, with six of last nine going over total; they held Miami to 263 yards last week, 65 on ground. Colts gained 446 yards in Foxboro but had three empty red zone trips, two on James' fumbles, so they lost despite rushing for 202 yards and converting 8 of 13 on third down.
Chicago (0-1) @ Green Bay (1-0)- Packers won last seven games vs ancient rival, scoring 34 ppg in last four. Bears lost nine of last eleven visits to this site, losing last three, all by 10+ points. Last four series totals were all 50+ , but Bears scored just 16 points last week, as four turnovers undid 342 yards of offense. Pack was 10 for 16 on third down Monday. Bears scored just 9 ppg in last three road openers, but Packers are just 1-4 vs spread in last five Lambeau openers.
San Francisco (0-1) @ New Orleans (0-1)- Hurricane Ivan has Saints practicing in San Antonio this week; they were awful vs Seattle, outgained 281-415, converting 3 of 14 on third down, running ball for 74 yards. Both 49er QBs were banged up in Atlanta loss; Dorsey expected to start here. Niners outgained Falcons 359-227, held Birds to 1 for 11 on third down, but Rattay threw key goal line pick that allowed Atlanta to open 21-6 lead, then failed on game-tying 2-point play in final moments.
Rams (1-0) @ Atlanta (1-0)- Rams pounded Vick-less Falcons 36-0 in Monday nighter last year; would expect energetic effort from Atlanta squad. Mora knows Rams well from his days as 49er aide, and St Louis O was weak in red zone last week, scoring 17 points despite gaining 448 yards. Vick struggling with West Coast offense; he completed just one pass in second half last week; Falcon D had key goal line pick that proved to be difference vs 49ers. Rams won only Super Bowl title on this field five years ago.
Carolina (0-1) @ Kansas City (0-1)- Panthers only ran ball 13 times Monday night, converted 3 of 10 on third down, and were minus-2 in turnovers, as they looked like anything but NFC champs. Chiefs once again allowed 413 yards, 202 on ground, so expect Carolina to run Davis more and try to eat clock. Panthers won last three road openers, allowing 12 ppg (they even won the road opener the year they went 1-15!!!). Under is 7-0 in last seven Carolina road openers, 10-1-2 in last 13 openers at Arrowhead . Smith, Davis, two Carolina sparkplugs on offense, will both miss this game.
Washington (1-0) @ NY Giants (0-1)- Giants on nine-game losing streak; they allowed 454 yards in Philly last week, as slowish LBs got exposed. Underdogs 9-1-1 vs spread in last eleven series games, with six of last nine totals 36 or less, including last four at this site. Redskins held Tampa to 169 yards, only 30 on ground. Coughlin covered six of last eight home openers with Jaguars. Giants allowed just 14.5 ppg in last four home openers. Brunell and Coughlin were not best of firends when they were together in Jacksonville.
Seattle (1-0) @ Tampa Bay (0-1)- Buccaneers lost last two home openers in OT; they ran ball for just 30 yards last week, and only TD came on fumble return, while Seahawks were smacking Saints all over Superdome, but Alexander tweaked knee late in game and is doubtful here. Tampa is last in NFL in total yards (169) and allowed four sacks, with 3 for 13 on third down. Nine of last twelve Tampa home openers stayed under the total. Seattle won their last two visits to this site.
Cleveland (1-0) @ Dallas (0-1)- Browns had Ravens pinned back in their own territory whole first half last week, but had only one first down on their first four possessions. Dallas gained 423 yards at Metrodome last week and converted 8 of 15 on third down, but two lost fumbles hurt them. Brownie offense does not come near Viking firepower. Would expect better balance from Dallas than last week's 21 rushes, 52 passes. Vinny passed for 352 and was sacked just once last week.
New England (1-0) @ Arizona (0-1)- Emotional game here, in first Cardinal home tilt since Pat Tillman passed away in spring (is it a coincidence that they're playing 'Patriots'?), but Arizona has covered just two of last 16 home openers, allowing 30.8 ppg in last five. Pats won last three series games, last two by combined score of 58-3; they covered five of their last seven before a bye. Arizona allowed 448 yards last week in St Louis, 176 on ground, and were rare NFL loser with plus-3 turnover ratio. Major trap for Belicheck.
Buffalo (0-1) @ Oakland (0-1)- First time Bills are on this field in 27 years. Raiders are 13-3 in last sixteen home openers, winning last six, and scoring 30.7 ppg in last three. Last four Buffalo road openers went over; they scored 36.3 ppg in last three. Bills held Jaguars to 225 yards last week, but 80 of them came on game's final drive, when 7-yard TD pass on game's final play ruined Mularkey's debut as coach. Raiders outgained Pitt 358-237, but four giveaways spelled doom.
NY Jets (1-0) @ San Diego (1-0)- Chargers were 9 for 15 on third down last week and plus-4 in turnovers; last time they played Jets, two years ago, Bolts lost 44-13 as 8-point fave, and haven't recovered. Jets averaged seven yards a play last week, converting 8 of 12 on third downa and gaining 219 yards, both on ground and in air. Brees was 17-24/202, so Chargers can move ball, but they've failed to cover last five tries as home opener underdog.
Miami (0-1) @ Cincinnati (0-1)- Dolphins are 12-1 last thirteen series games, winning last nine, including last five at this site; Fish also covered 13 of last 16 road openers and are 7-1 as dog in road openers. Bengals allowed four TDs on nine possessions last week, yielding seven yards a play, will be interesting to see how Miami does, as they ran for just 65 yards last week, and averaged four yards a pass attempt. High expectations for Bengals; they need to win this game.
Minnesota (1-0) @ Philadelphia (1-0)-- Two best teams in NFC? Could be, as Vikings averaged almost eight yds a play last week; they also covered last five tries as dog in road opener. Andy Reid is new King of Monday night, so this is tough call, for sure. Faves covered last four series games, but this is Vikings' first visit to Philly in dozen yrs. McNabb passed for 313 last week, but that was vs New York, while Vikings riddled Dallas, a better defense
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Pittsburgh (1-0) @ Baltimore (0-1)- Steelers won 17 of last 22 series games, covering last five, and are 6-1 SU in last seven visits to this site, but Pitt dropped last four road openers, getting outscored in last three by combined margin of 92-37. Ravens won three of last four home openers; they were minus-3 in turnovers last week and ran ball for just 88 yards. Steelers were outgained by 121 yards, but used four takeaways to edge Oakland. Four of last five series totals are 47+ .
Houston (0-1) @ Detroit (1-0)- Lions' first road win since '00 should fuel home crowd here, even with WR Rogers gone for year. Detroit covered six of its last eight home openers, three of four when favored. These teams have yet to face one another. Texans coughed ball up four times last week, and Chargers converted 9 of 15 on third down, converting two short TD drives in their upset win at Houston. Lions were just 2 for 14 on third down last week, but had blocked FG for TD and had four takeaways.
Indianapolis (0-1) @ Tennessee (1-0)- Pillar injury forces rookie into Titan OL; both teams on extra rest; Indy swept series last year, after having lost six of previous seven in series. Titans won six of last seven home openers, with six of last nine going over total; they held Miami to 263 yards last week, 65 on ground. Colts gained 446 yards in Foxboro but had three empty red zone trips, two on James' fumbles, so they lost despite rushing for 202 yards and converting 8 of 13 on third down.
Chicago (0-1) @ Green Bay (1-0)- Packers won last seven games vs ancient rival, scoring 34 ppg in last four. Bears lost nine of last eleven visits to this site, losing last three, all by 10+ points. Last four series totals were all 50+ , but Bears scored just 16 points last week, as four turnovers undid 342 yards of offense. Pack was 10 for 16 on third down Monday. Bears scored just 9 ppg in last three road openers, but Packers are just 1-4 vs spread in last five Lambeau openers.
San Francisco (0-1) @ New Orleans (0-1)- Hurricane Ivan has Saints practicing in San Antonio this week; they were awful vs Seattle, outgained 281-415, converting 3 of 14 on third down, running ball for 74 yards. Both 49er QBs were banged up in Atlanta loss; Dorsey expected to start here. Niners outgained Falcons 359-227, held Birds to 1 for 11 on third down, but Rattay threw key goal line pick that allowed Atlanta to open 21-6 lead, then failed on game-tying 2-point play in final moments.
Rams (1-0) @ Atlanta (1-0)- Rams pounded Vick-less Falcons 36-0 in Monday nighter last year; would expect energetic effort from Atlanta squad. Mora knows Rams well from his days as 49er aide, and St Louis O was weak in red zone last week, scoring 17 points despite gaining 448 yards. Vick struggling with West Coast offense; he completed just one pass in second half last week; Falcon D had key goal line pick that proved to be difference vs 49ers. Rams won only Super Bowl title on this field five years ago.
Carolina (0-1) @ Kansas City (0-1)- Panthers only ran ball 13 times Monday night, converted 3 of 10 on third down, and were minus-2 in turnovers, as they looked like anything but NFC champs. Chiefs once again allowed 413 yards, 202 on ground, so expect Carolina to run Davis more and try to eat clock. Panthers won last three road openers, allowing 12 ppg (they even won the road opener the year they went 1-15!!!). Under is 7-0 in last seven Carolina road openers, 10-1-2 in last 13 openers at Arrowhead . Smith, Davis, two Carolina sparkplugs on offense, will both miss this game.
Washington (1-0) @ NY Giants (0-1)- Giants on nine-game losing streak; they allowed 454 yards in Philly last week, as slowish LBs got exposed. Underdogs 9-1-1 vs spread in last eleven series games, with six of last nine totals 36 or less, including last four at this site. Redskins held Tampa to 169 yards, only 30 on ground. Coughlin covered six of last eight home openers with Jaguars. Giants allowed just 14.5 ppg in last four home openers. Brunell and Coughlin were not best of firends when they were together in Jacksonville.
Seattle (1-0) @ Tampa Bay (0-1)- Buccaneers lost last two home openers in OT; they ran ball for just 30 yards last week, and only TD came on fumble return, while Seahawks were smacking Saints all over Superdome, but Alexander tweaked knee late in game and is doubtful here. Tampa is last in NFL in total yards (169) and allowed four sacks, with 3 for 13 on third down. Nine of last twelve Tampa home openers stayed under the total. Seattle won their last two visits to this site.
Cleveland (1-0) @ Dallas (0-1)- Browns had Ravens pinned back in their own territory whole first half last week, but had only one first down on their first four possessions. Dallas gained 423 yards at Metrodome last week and converted 8 of 15 on third down, but two lost fumbles hurt them. Brownie offense does not come near Viking firepower. Would expect better balance from Dallas than last week's 21 rushes, 52 passes. Vinny passed for 352 and was sacked just once last week.
New England (1-0) @ Arizona (0-1)- Emotional game here, in first Cardinal home tilt since Pat Tillman passed away in spring (is it a coincidence that they're playing 'Patriots'?), but Arizona has covered just two of last 16 home openers, allowing 30.8 ppg in last five. Pats won last three series games, last two by combined score of 58-3; they covered five of their last seven before a bye. Arizona allowed 448 yards last week in St Louis, 176 on ground, and were rare NFL loser with plus-3 turnover ratio. Major trap for Belicheck.
Buffalo (0-1) @ Oakland (0-1)- First time Bills are on this field in 27 years. Raiders are 13-3 in last sixteen home openers, winning last six, and scoring 30.7 ppg in last three. Last four Buffalo road openers went over; they scored 36.3 ppg in last three. Bills held Jaguars to 225 yards last week, but 80 of them came on game's final drive, when 7-yard TD pass on game's final play ruined Mularkey's debut as coach. Raiders outgained Pitt 358-237, but four giveaways spelled doom.
NY Jets (1-0) @ San Diego (1-0)- Chargers were 9 for 15 on third down last week and plus-4 in turnovers; last time they played Jets, two years ago, Bolts lost 44-13 as 8-point fave, and haven't recovered. Jets averaged seven yards a play last week, converting 8 of 12 on third downa and gaining 219 yards, both on ground and in air. Brees was 17-24/202, so Chargers can move ball, but they've failed to cover last five tries as home opener underdog.
Miami (0-1) @ Cincinnati (0-1)- Dolphins are 12-1 last thirteen series games, winning last nine, including last five at this site; Fish also covered 13 of last 16 road openers and are 7-1 as dog in road openers. Bengals allowed four TDs on nine possessions last week, yielding seven yards a play, will be interesting to see how Miami does, as they ran for just 65 yards last week, and averaged four yards a pass attempt. High expectations for Bengals; they need to win this game.
Minnesota (1-0) @ Philadelphia (1-0)-- Two best teams in NFC? Could be, as Vikings averaged almost eight yds a play last week; they also covered last five tries as dog in road opener. Andy Reid is new King of Monday night, so this is tough call, for sure. Faves covered last four series games, but this is Vikings' first visit to Philly in dozen yrs. McNabb passed for 313 last week, but that was vs New York, while Vikings riddled Dallas, a better defense
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