Week 2 Trends , Notes and Thoughts :

[Kramer]

This week I'm going to separate my thread into a couple of different posts for easier reading due to the length :


First part will be trends , then notes and other stuff : Hope you enjoy :



Whenever favorites go 10-6 against the spread, you know the books lost a bunch of money. Key losses for the house occurred when the Giants, Steelers, Eagles, Jets, Saints, Cardinals and Cowboys covered. The books recouped some money with the Falcons, Ravens, Panthers and Bears, but it wasn't enough. However, usually Vegas will allow the public to build their bankrolls, giving bettors confidence, which would set up big losses down the road.

That would explain why there were so many soft lines (Giants -4.5, Cardinals -2.5, Saints -3, etc.) The public could go down this weekend.


Tread carefully.


The absence of Brady is reflected in the line. Last season the Jets began the season at home against the Patriots and were 6 1/2-point dogs. New York opened as three-point favorites for the rematch at the Meadowlands.


This despite the fact New England has won eight of its last nine road meetings with the Jets and cashed nine straight.

The Patriots have also 'covered' eight of their last 11 road openers while New York has floundered at a 2-13-1 clip in its last 16 home debuts.
The Jets have cashed seven of their last nine as a division host, but they are a dismal 8-23-2 as home favorites in September.
New York has eclipsed the 'total' in 12 of its last 17 games during the first half of the season and New England has followed suit in 27 of 41 as dogs.


Trends and angles for the remainder of the Week 2 schedule appear below.


NEP is 6-2 ATS L8 vs. NYJ... NEP is 9-0 ATS L9 at NYJ... NEP is 5-2 ATS L7 vs. AFC East... NEP is 1-4 ATS L5 home games...

NYJ is 3-0 ATS L3 vs. AFC East... NYJ is 2-8 ATS *** home openers... NYJ is 4-2 ATS L6 games... NYJ is 5-1 to the UNDER L6 home games


New England 5-1 Game Two… BELICHICK: 11-2 vs div opp off SUATS win
NY JETS SERIES: 2-6 L8 / 0-9 L9 H / Series Host 3-16… SEPT: 1-7 H off SUATS win
NEW ENGLAND is 36-20 ATS (+14.0 Units) in road games versus division opponents since 1992.
NEW ENGLAND is 70-43 ATS (+22.7 Units) as an underdog since 1992
NY JETS are 6-19 ATS (-14.9 Units) in home games in September games since 1992

RAIDERS at CHIEFS


The road team has held the upper hand in this AFC-West rivalry, getting the cheese in 15 of the past 19 meetings.


Kansas City has won 27 of its last 36 against Oakland and 'covered' 23 of 35.

The straight up winner is a dominating 28-4-1 ATS.


The Raiders won at Arrowhead in their final visit last year, 20-17.

They are 4-16 ATS on the road versus an opponent with revenge.

The Chiefs have ducked 'under' in 21 of their last 27 home games in September. Oakland has been on the low side in 12 of 18 as underdogs of three points or less.


OAK is 4-1 ATS L5 at KC... OAK is 5-3-1 ATS L9 road openers... OAK is 1-4 ATS L5

games... OAK is 5-1 to the UNDER L6 vs. KC... KC is 0-10 SU *** games... KC is 4-6 ATS *** games... KC is 2-4-2 ATS L8 home openers... KC is 5-1 to the OVER l5 at home
Oakland 4-16 A vs opp w/rev…1-4 Game Two
KANSAS CITY SERIES: 1-4 L5 H / series host 0-9… 4-1 Game Two


OAKLAND is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in games where the line is +3 to -3 over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 66-92 ATS (-35.2 Units) against conference opponents since 1992.
KANSAS CITY is 37-20 ATS (+15.0 Units) in September games since 1992
These teams hate each other and will be looking to get out of a possible 0-2 situation. The difference is, while the Chiefs played well in the public's eye, the Raiders were humiliated on national TV
Chiefs were 1-6 ATS at home in 2007
Chiefs have won 9 of the last 10 meetings

TITANS at BENGALS



The favorite is 11-2 SU and 9-3 ATS in this series. Cincinnati is 15-32 ATS at home in September and 7-18 as home dogs off a road game. The Bengals have bounced 'under' in 12 of 16 after losing SU as a favorite.



They slipped below the 'total' in all six games as a dog in 2007. Tennessee has gone 'under' in eight of 11 as road favorites of 3 1/2-points or less.


TEN is 4-1 ATS L5 on turf... TEN is 15-8 ATS L23 as dogs... TEN is 5-2 ATS L7 September games... TEN is 6-3 to the UNDER L9 road games... TEN is 4-1 to the UNDER L5
games...


CIN is 5-10-1 ATS L16 games... CIN is 4-8-1 ATS L13 games at home vs. TEN... CIN is 9-11 ATS L20 games as favs... CIN is 4-1 to the UNDER L5 home games... CIN is 4-1 to the OVER L5 vs. TEN


Tennessee 5-0 RD’s off SU dog win… SEPT: 6-1 off div game vs opp off SU loss… 2-6 Game Two
CINCINNATI 0-6 H vs non div opp off SU win… 0-5 AFC favs off DD ATS loss… LEWIS: 0-7 fav off DD SU loss…2-6 O/U Game Two
***Cinci is 8-21 ats at home first month of season since 1992

COLTS at VIKINGS


Minnesota has been a solid play as home dogs, getting the green in 21 of 31.

However, Indianapolis can easily trump that. The Colts are 12-4 as road favorites in September and 15-6 as non-conference chalk. They have also cashed at a 9-4-2 clip in their last 15 road openers. Indianapolis has zipped 'over' in 15 of its last 20 against NFC foes and at a 22-10-2 clip after losing SU as favorites.


IND is 1-3 ATS L4 vs. MIN... IND is 8-2 ATS *** vs. NFC... IND is 5-3 ATS L8 September games... IND is 10-7 to the UNDER L17 road games... MIN is 4-1 ATS L5 home openers... MIN is 6-1 ATS as 'dogs off division game... MIN is 4-9 ATS L13 home games... MIN is 6-1 to the OVER L7 home games


Indianapolis SEPT: 6-0 RF’s vs non div opp…9-1 bef Jaguars
MINNESOTA SERIES: 3-1 L4…9-0 HD’s w/rev off div game…1-8 O/U Game
More than nine-tenths of the public is on the Colts, yet this line is only -2, and has even dropped to -1 at some books. If this doesn't tell you that the Vikings are the right side, I don't know what will.


Minnesota defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier coached the Colts in 2005 and 2006. What does this mean? Well, siding with a coach who recently was with the opposition is a very lucrative strategy in the NFL.

There are countless examples of this, ranging from Ken Whisenhunt beating the Steelers last year, to Rod Marinelli dominating a Buccaneers playoff team a few weeks later. Indianapolis hasn't had much turnover since 2006, so Frazier's presence on the Vikings is a huge edge for the team.



SAINTS at SKINS


New Orleans has 'covered' in eight of its past 10 road openers. Washington is 7-21 ATS at home in September.


The Saints have sailed 'over' in 12 of 17 following a SU win.
NO is 4-1 ATS L6 at WAS... NO is 9-6 ATS L15 as 'dog... NO is 8-5 ATS L13 off division game... NO is 4-1 to the OVER L5 vs.


WAS... WAS is 2-6-2 ATS *** home openers... WAS is 0-3 ATS L3 in 1st of BB home games... WAS is 8-11 ATS L19 as 'dogs... WAS is 5-1 to the UNDER L6 Sept games.
WASHINGTON is 7-21 ATS (-16.1 Units) in home games in September games since 1992.
Saints are 39-26 ATS on the road since 2000.
Redskins are 2-9 ATS in September home games since 2001.

PACKERS at LIONS


The home team is 27-7 SU and 24-8 ATS in this heated NFC-North rivalry. Green Bay is 11-4-1 ATS on the road. Detroit lost both meetings with the Packers by double-digits in 2007. The Lions are 20-6 ATS at home in double revenge mode. Six of the past nine tussles in Motown have ducked 'under.' However, Green Bay has topped the 'total' at a 23-5-1 pace on artificial turf. Detroit has been on the high side in 11 of 16 after allowing 28 points or more and in 14 of 21 off a SU loss.


GB is 4-0 ATS L4 vs. DET... GB is 3-1 ATS L4 at DET... GB is 10-3 ATS L13 games... GB is 5-0 to the OVER L5 games... GB is 6-2 to the OVER at DET... DET is 1-7 ATS L8 games... DET is 3-8 ATS L11 vs. NFC North... DET is 8-13 ATS L21 dome games... DET is 6-2 to the OVER L8 September
games



GREEN BAY is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in games where the line is +3 to -3 over the last 2 seasons.
GREEN BAY is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons
GREEN BAY is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
Packers have won 13 of the last 15 meetings.
Packers are 20-10 ATS after Monday Night Football in the previous 30 instances.

BEARS at PANTHERS


Carolina is 6-12 as non-division home favorites. The Panthers have knuckled 'under' in 14 of 20 games as home favorites during the first four weeks of the season and in nine of 13 off a SU win. Chicago has slid below the number at a 12-26-1 pace on the road outside its division, but it has eclipsed the 'total' in 19 of 25 conference tests.



CHI is 4-1 ATS L5 games... CHI is 3-5 ATS L8 September games... CHI is 1-3 ATS L4 road games... CHI is 4-2 to the UNDER L6 road games... CHI is 19-6 to the UNDER L25 vs. NFC...



CAR is 3-1 ATS vs. CHI... CAR is 5-10 ATS L15 home games... CAR is 8-16 ATS L24 games on grass... CAR is 15-9 to the UNDER L24 vs. NFC... CAR is 6-1 to the UNDER L7 home games


Carolina sucks at home. I don't know why, but John Fox's squad always comes up short as a host. The Panthers are 15-25 against the spread at home since 2003. Moreover, Delhomme is 9-18 against the spread as a home favorite


***Statfox Trend: Coaches favored after coming off a 1-3 point road win are 17-38 ATS in Weeks 2-10 since 2000 (John Fox 0-2)

GIANTS at RAMS



The New York Giants have cashed 14 of their last 16 against NFC rivals on the road. The defending champs have floundered in 18 of 27 as road favorites of three points or more. St. Louis has dropped 22 of 32 spread decisions off a SU and ATS loss. The Rams have dipped 'under' in their last eight September scrapes.


NYG is 4-0 ATS L4 vs. STL... NYG is 4-2 ATS L6 road openers... NYG is 7-0 ATS L7 games... NYG is 8-0 ATS L8 road games... NYG is 9-4 to the UNDER L13 vs. STL... STL is 0-4 ATS L4 games... STL is 1-4-1 ATS L6 home openers... STL is 2-6 ATS L8 Sept games... STL is 12-6 to the OVER L18 dome games.

Giants are 15-4 ATS on the road since 2006
The Rams should be a good be a great fade until Week 6, which happens to be their first winnable game (at Washington). Until then, feel free to go against them.
the Rams were also abysmal on defense. They managed no sacks, and corner Tye Hill was burnt so much he was benched


BILLS at JAGUARS


Jacksonville is 15-7-1 ATS at home in September and 28-14 as home favorites of seven points or less.

The Jaguars have also 'covered' at a 9-2-1 pace in their last dozen home openers and they are 28-11-1 outside their division. Buffalo is 15-7-1 ATS after scoring 30 points or more. The Bills have stormed 'over' in 21 of 32 after winning SU as a dog and in 13 of 18 on the road off a double-digit win.



BUF is 10-4 ATS L14 games... BUF is 7-17 ATS L24 road games... BUF is 15-9 ATS L3Y vs. AFC... BUF is 4-1 to the OVER L5 vs. AFC South... BUF is 11-5 to the UNDER L16 road games... JAC is 3-1 ATS L4 home openers... JAC is 9-2 ATS L11 at home vs. non-div opp in Sept... JAC is 11-5 ATS L16 home games... JAC is 17-9 to the OVER L26 vs. AFC.

FALCONS at BUCS



The favorite is 13-3 SU and 12-4 ATS in the past 16 series scuffles. Tampa Bay won both meetings last season. Atlanta is 12-3 ATS on the road with double revenge. The Falcons have gone 'under' in 12 of 17 as road dogs of seven points or more and in 13 of 16 after winning SU as dogs.


The Bucs have dribbled 'under' in 18 of 24 as home favorites.
ATL is 2-5 ATS L7 vs. NFC South... ATL is 2-5 ATS L7 road games... ATS is 5-5 ATS *** road openers... ATL is 10-3 to the UNDER l13 away games... TB is 3-1 ATS L4 home games... TB is 2-4 ATS L6 home openers... TB is 10-5 ATS L15 vs. ATL... TB is 6-1 to the OVER L7 games.
The Buccaneers won't like going to 0-2.
The public is backing the Falcons after their impressive win
Buccaneers have won 11 of the last 15 meetings

49ERS at SEAHAWKS


Seattle has cashed 18 of its last 25 as home chalk, but it has come up short in 11 of 12 as favorites of less than 10 off a double-digit spread setback. San Francisco is 11-21 as dogs after failing to 'cover' as pups. The Seahawks and 49ers have stayed 'under' at a 2-7-1 pace in the last 10 encounters. San Francisco has taken the low road in 19 of its last 24 on turf.



SF is 1-4 ATS L5 vs. NFC West... SF is 2-8 ATS *** vs. SEA... SF is 2-4 ATS L6 at SEA... SF is 3-9 ATS L12 games... SF is 4-1 to the UNDER L5... SEA is 16-4 ATS L20 home games... SEA is 5-0 ATS L5 games. SEA is 5-0 ATS L5 vs. NFC West... SEA is 4-1 to the UNDER L5 vs. NFC West.

Seahawks have won 8 of the last 10 meetings
Seahawks are 11-2 ATS in September home games since 2000.


49ers have always been conservative on the road

DOLPHINS at CARDS


Arizona has dropped seven straight spread decisions at home when facing an AFC opponent.

The Cardinals have also failed to get the green in seven straight as home favorites of 7 1/2 to 14 points.

Conversely, Miami is 15-3 as non-division dogs of five points or more and 8-4-1 as dogs versus NFC opposition. Arizona has bounced 'under' in 12 of 18 off a SU division road win.


MIA is 0-10 SU, but 4-4-2 ATS *** away games... MIA is 3-1 ATS L4 vs. NFC West... MIA is 5-10-2 ATS L17 games... MIA is 5-0 to the OVER L5 vs. NFC West... ARI is 1-4 ATS L5 vs. AFC East... ARI 8-4 ATS L12 games... ARI is 7-3 to the OVER *** games.
Dolphins are 29-18 SU in September since 1994.

RAVENS at TEXANS



Baltimore has lost 20 of 27 on the road and failed to cash 21 of 27 and it was 0-8 ATS on the highway in 2007. The Ravens have come up short in their last seven ATS versus AFC-South foes and in 18 of 23 ATS after playing at home. Houston is 16-23-1 ATS against non-division foes. Baltimore has snuck 'under' at a 7-19-3 pace in September and it has strayed below the 'total' in 34 of 50 as road dogs of seven points or less.



BAL is 4-12 ATS L16 road games... BAL is 0-3 ATS L3 vs. AFC South... BAL is 1-6 ATS L7 road openers... BAL is 6-3 to the OVER L9 road games... HOU is 1-3 ATS L4 home openers... HOU is 8-2 ATS *** home games... HOU is 4-2 ATS L6 vs. AFC North... HOU is 7-1 to the UNDER L8 vs. AFC North.
BALTIMORE is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons
Baltimore is 0-7 ats l7 vs vs AFC South Div Opp


CHARGERS at BRONCOS



The public is backing Denver a bit after watching them to destroy the Raiders on Monday night.
Yet, the line is moving in San Diego's direction.
Home Team has won 10 of the last 14 meetings
Chargers have won the last 4 meetings.
Since 1999, teams are 30-15 ATS after a 17+ point win on MNF.

San Diego has bounced back off a SU loss to 'cover' at a torrid 12-3-2 clip and it is 16-5-2 ATS after losing SU as a favorite.



In addition, the Chargers are 13-4 as road chalk of 3 1/2-points or less. The series favorite is 17-5 SU and 14-6 ATS in this AFC-West rivalry. Denver is 10-6-2 ATS at home versus San Diego.


The Broncos have also cashed at a 30-19-1 pace as underdogs. Seven of the last 11 meetings at Mile High have skipped 'under.' Denver topped the 'total' in all six games as conference home favorites last season.


SD is 3-0 ATS L4 on the road... SD is 10-10 ATS L20 on the road... SD is 4-0 ATS L4 vs. DEN... SD is 3-1 to the OVER L4 vs. DEN... DEN is 2-10 ATS L12 vs. AFC West... DEN is 4-1 ATS L5 home games... DEN is 5-2-1 ATS L8 home openers... DEN is 11-22 ATS L33 games... DEN is 12-4 to the OVER L16 home games


DENVER is 11-22 ATS (-13.2 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons
SAN DIEGO is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) as a road favorite of 3 points or less since 1992

STEELERS at BROWNS


Pittsburgh has won nine straight and cashed eight of nine against Cleveland. The Steelers are 6-1-2 ATS versus the Browns on the road and 19-7-2 ATS on the highway against division foes overall.


Cleveland is 15-2 ATS after allowing 27 points or more and it has cashed 17 of its last 26 as dogs in September.


Nine of the past 11 series struggles have been on the high side. The Browns have drifted 'under' at a 5-12-1 clip as both division home dogs and in September.


PIT is 8-1 ATS L9 vs. CLE... PIT is 5-0 ATS L5 at CLE... PIT is 2-5 ATS L7 road games... PIT is 6-3 ATS L9 vs. AFC North... PIT is 5-1 to the OVER vs. CLE.


CLE is 7-1 ATS L8 home games... CLE is 5-2 ATS L7 in 2nd of BB home games... CLE is 4-1 ATS L5 vs. AFC North... CLE is 10-6 to the UNDER L16 home games
PITTSBURGH is 74-45 ATS (+24.5 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1992
Pits is 12-2 L14 games as home fav 3.5-10 pts

EAGLES at COWBOYS



Philadelphia has come away with the cash in nine of 12 visits to Dallas. The Eagles have also 'covered' 20 of their last 30 on the road versus division rivals and eight of their last nine as road dogs. The SU winner is 29-4-1 ATS in this series. Philadelphia has zipped 'over' in 16 of 21 as dogs. But the Eagles have headed in the opposite direction in 14 of 18 after scoring 28 points or more and in 14 of 21 as division dogs on the highway.



PHI is 5-3 ATS L8 road openers... PHI is 3-1 ATS L4 vs. DAL... PHI is 3-1 ATS L4 at DAL... PHI is 2-5 ATS L7 vs. NFC East... PHI is 6-2 to the UNDER L8 vs. NFC East...
PHI is 9-5 ATS L14 as road 'dogs on MNF...
DAL is 5-10 ATS L15 as home favs on MNF...
DAL is 0-4 ATS L4 vs. NFC East. DAL is 4-6 ATS *** home games...


DAL is 4-2 to the UNDER L6 home games
PHILADELPHIA is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 119-84 ATS (+26.6 Units) against conference opponents since 1992

[PhillyPride76]

what are your opinions on the games tomm.. Kramer- im sure i speak for all of us here, we all love your insights and trends. keep it up. thanks again.

[g_rock65]

Love the trends. Good reading material.

[Kramer]

Chicago (1-0) at Carolina (1-0), Sunday, 1:00 (Carolina -3)

Panthers will play their second of two games minus wide receiver Steve Smith, who is suspended due to a preseason altercation with teammate Ken Lucas...Carolina receiver Muhsin Muhammad, who played for the Bears from 2005 through 2007 and made disparaging remarks about the team in the offseason, will likely start against Chicago...

Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme makes his first home start since last Sept. 16...
Delhomme last won a home start on Nov. 19, 2006, against the Rams...


Bears end Adewale Ogunleye was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after posting three tackles for loss in last week's 29-13 win over the Colts...


Panthers tight end Dante Rosario set career-highs for catches (7) and receiving yards (96) last week, and his 14-yard touchdown catch as time expired lifted Carolina to a 26-24 win at San Diego...

Carolina was just 2-6 at home last season...Bears (in 2006) and Panthers (in 2003) both eventually reached Super Bowl the last time they started 2-0.


Jake Delhomme's 54.2 passer rating against the Bears on Nov. 20, 2005, is the lowest such mark in his last 23 regular season outings

Tennessee (1-0) at Cincinnati (0-1), Sunday, 1:00 (Pick)

Titans try to avenge a 35-6 loss in Cincinnati last season...
Tennessee quarterback Vince Young (sprained MCL) will not play on Sunday, and will be replaced by 35-year-old veteran Kerry Collins...
Bengals still seeking first offensive touchdown of the season after scoring only on defense in last week's 17-10 loss at Baltimore...


Titans signed ex-Buccaneer Chris Simms as Collins' backup on Wednesday...Cincinnati wide receiver Chris Henry will serve the second game of a four-game NFL suspension...




Bengals end Antwan Odom, a Titan from 2004 through 2007, will face his former team..


.Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer posted the lowest passer rating of his career last week (35.3)...


Titans last started 2-0 in 1999, when they finished 13-3 and reached the only Super Bowl in franchise history...Bengals attempting to avoid first 0-2 start since 2003, their first year under head coach Marvin Lewis.


Kerry Collins has never played against the Bengals in 169 games as a pro, the only NFL team he has never faced in the regular season or playoffs


Green Bay (1-0) at Detroit (0-1), Sunday, 1:00 (Green Bay -3)
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers makes the first road start of his NFL career... Green Bay running back Ryan Grant (hamstring) expected to play on Sunday...

Lions allowed a Week 1-worst 318 rushing yards in last week's 34-21 loss at Atlanta...Detroit rookie running back Kevin Smith, who rushed for 48 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown against the Falcons, makes his formal Ford Field debut...


Did you know ?
Packers have won 13 of their last 15 against Lions...
The home team is 27-7 s/u and 24-8 since 1992
Detroit wideout Calvin Johnson posted a career-best 107 receiving yards versus Atlanta last week...


Green Bay cornerback Charles Woodson expected to play despite a broken toe..
.Lions placed tight end Dan Campbell (hamstring) on injured reserve earlier this week and signed wide receiver Brandon Middleton...



Packers wideout James Jones (knee) slated to make his 2008 debut, but Ruvell Martin (hand) and center Scott Wells (back) are regarded as questionable.


The last Packers quarterback other than Brett Favre to win in Detroit was Don Majkowski, who threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns in a win at the Silverdome on Sept. 30, 1990.

Buffalo (1-0) at Jacksonville (0-1), Sunday, 1:00 (Jacksonville -5 1/2)


Bills defensive tackle Marcus Stroud faces his former team for the first time since being dealt by Jacksonville in the offseason...


Buffalo left tackle Jason Peters, who recently returned to the team following a contract holdout, expected to make his 2008 debut this week...


Jaguars lost starting guards Vince Manuwai (knee) and Maurice Williams (biceps) for the season in last week's 17-10 loss to the Titans, and signed ex-Texan Milford Brown and former Raider Chad Slaughter to help replace them...Jags center Brad Meester (biceps) also remains out..


.Jacksonville wideout Jerry Porter (hamstring) could make his 2008 debut...Jaguars rushed for just 33 yards against the Titans last Sunday...


Jacksonville defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who will make his home debut with the Jags, was head coach of the Bills from 2001 through 2003...


Jacksonville trying to avoid its first 0-2 start since 2003, when it finished 5-11.

The Bills have missed the postseason the last two times they've started 2-0 (2003, 2000).


Oakland (0-1) at Kansas City (0-1), Sunday, 1:00 (Kansas City -3)

Chiefs look to snap a franchise-worst 10-game losing streak dating back to last season...
Kansas City trying to avoid a third straight 0-2 start, Oakland its fourth consecutive 0-2 hole..
.Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell makes the first road start of his NFL career..
. Oakland allowed an NFL-worst 41 points during Week 1...Veteran Damon Huard will start for Kansas City after Brodie Croyle separated his throwing shoulder in last week's 17-10 loss to the Patriots...Raiders left tackle Kwame Harris (knee) expected to play...
Wide receiver Javon Walker (hamstring) considered questionable to make his Raiders debut..


.Chiefs running back Larry Johnson has rushed for over 100 yards in his last four outings against the Raiders...


Oakland, which snapped a nine-game losing streak to the Chiefs with a 20-17 win at Arrowhead Stadium last Oct. 25th, seeking their first back-to-back wins over Kansas City since the 2001 season.


The Chiefs last recorded a win last October 21st, when they defeated the Raiders, 12-10.
The road team is 15-4 ats since 1998 in this series ...
The Raiders wered humiliated on tv and Herm is Herm
If I had to bet I'd take the Raiders only because no one in the public will and they play better on the road


Indianapolis (0-1) at Minnesota (0-1), Sunday, 1:00 (Indianapolis -2)

Defensive end Jared Allen and wide receiver Bernard Berrian make formal home debuts with Vikings...

Indianapolis trying to avoid its first 0-2 start since Peyton Manning's rookie season of 1998


...Colts tight end Dallas Clark (knee) considered questionable after exiting early in last week's 29-13 loss to the Bears...
Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie will miss his second of four games due to an NFL suspension, and his replacement, Artis Hicks (elbow) is expected to play despite leaving Monday's 23-19 loss to the Packers in the third quarter...



Colts defensive tackle Ed Johnson will not play on Sunday after being arrested for marijuana possession on Wednesday...
Vikings last started 0-2 in 2005...



Indianapolis head coach Tony Dungy played college football at the University of Minnesota and was Vikings defensive coordinator from 1992 through 1995...


***Vikings are 17-4 in home openers since 1987...Safety Madieu Williams (neck) remains out for Minnesota


***A road team hasn't won a game in the Colts/Vikings series since 1966, when the then- Baltimore Colts prevailed in Minneapolis.

N.Y. Giants (1-0) at St. Louis (0-1), Sunday, 1:00 (N.Y. Giants -8)


Rams return home after suffering the NFL's most lopsided loss (38-3 to the Eagles) during Week 1..


.St. Louis was also the only NFL team without a touchdown in Week 1...
Giants take a 10-game road winning streak into St. Louis, with their last loss away from the Meadowlands coming in Dallas in Week 1 of last season..


.St. Louis defensive end and No. 2 overall Draft pick Chris Long will make his formal home debut, and second-round choice Donnie Avery (knee) has a chance to play as well after missing Week 1...Giants end Mathias Kiwanuka (ankle) considered questionable for Sunday...Rams this week signed veteran Eddie Kennison, who played for St. Louis from 1996 to 1998, to help make up for absence of Drew Bennett (broken foot)...


Did You Know?
Rams are 10-3 in home openers since 1995

...St. Louis has lost five in a row dating back to last season...Kicker Lawrence Tynes (knee) expected to remain out for the Giants, with veteran John Carney again taking his place.

The Giants are 2-5 in the state of Missouri since 1987, including 1-3 against the Rams.


New Orleans (1-0) at Washington (0-1), Sunday, 1:00 (New Orleans -1)


Redskins head coach Jim Zorn makes his home debut, and Washington defensive end Jason Taylor makes his formal FedEx Field debut in a Redskins uniform...Saints wide receiver Marques Colston (thumb) expected to miss at least a month...Washington looking to avoid its second 0-2 start in the past three years...New Orleans placed defensive tackle Hollis Thomas (triceps) on season-ending injured reserve earlier this week...Deuce McAllister (knee) could return to the New Orleans lineup after missing Week 1...With Colston's injury, 2007 first-round draft pick and wide receiver Robert Meachem could make his first active appearance as a Saint...Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs (shin) considered questionable after missing last week's 16-7 loss to the Giants...Washington tight end Chris Cooley (quadriceps) expected to play, and rookie wideout Malcolm Kelly (knee) is questionable.

Did You Know?
The road team has won the last five installments of the Saints/Redskins series, with a 1992 New Orleans win at the Superdome ranking as the last matchup won by the host.

San Francisco (0-1) at Seattle (0-1), Sunday, 4:05 (Seattle -7)

49ers quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan makes the first road start of his NFL career...
Seahawks wide receiver Nate Burleson (knee) and guard Rob Sims (pectoral) were both lost for the season in last week's defeat at Buffalo, wide receiver Bobby Engram (shoulder) and running back Maurice Morris (knee) will be out, and wideout Deion Branch (knee) is questionable... Running back Julius Jones will make his formal Qwest Field debut for Seahawks...San Francisco running back Frank Gore totaled 151 combined yards in last week's 23-13 loss to the Cardinals... Seahawks cut punter Ryan Plackemeier earlier in the week and signed ex-Packer Jon Ryan to take his place...Seahawks also added wideouts Billy McMullen and Samie Parker on Wednesday...Veteran Isaac Bruce did not have a catch in his debut with the 49ers last week... Niners placed former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith (shoulder) on season-ending injured reserve last week and signed veteran Jamie Martin to back O'Sullivan and No. 2 QB Shaun Hill
***The Seahawks have never made the playoffs after starting a season 0-2.

Atlanta (1-0) at Tampa Bay (0-1), Sunday, 4:05 (Tampa Bay -7 1/2)

Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia (ankle) considered questionable, and Brian Griese slated to start first game as a Buc since 2005...Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan makes the first road start of his pro career...Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks (hamstring), who has never missed a game in his 14-year NFL career, regarded as questionable...Running back Warrick Dunn will make his first home start as a Buccaneer since 2001..
.Atlanta running back Michael Turner broke the franchise rushing record with 220 yards in last week's 34-21 win over the Lions, and
Falcons piled up Week 1-best 318 ground yards in the victory...Bucs outscored Falcons, 68-10, in two matchups last season...Cornerback and first-round Draft choice Aqib Talib makes his formal home debut as a Buccaneer...Tampa Bay wide receiver Michael Clayton and running back Michael Bennett were both healthy inactives last wee
Miami (0-1) at Arizona (1-0), Sunday, 4:15 (Arizona -6)


Cardinals enter Week 2 alone in first-place in the NFC West, and are trying to start 2-0 for the first time since 1991..
.Head coach Tony Sparano and quarterback Chad Pennington take to the road for the first time in their Dolphins careers...
Dr Jack Stat of week :
Miami was 0-8 on the road last season, and hasn't won an away game since winning at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day of 2006... ***
Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who played on offense, defense, and special teams last week, makes his home debut as a member of the Cardinals...Dolphins rushed for just 49 yards and completed only six passes to wide receivers in last week's 20-14 loss to the Jets..
.Miami cut fullback Boomer Grigsby and replaced him with ex-Titan Casey Cramer earlier this week...Cardinals running back J.J. Arrington was inactive for last week's win over the 49ers...Dolphins lost starting guard Donald Thomas (foot) for the year last Sunday.

Miami holds an 8-1 lead in its all-time series with the Cardinals, losing to Arizona (24-23) for the first time when the teams last met, at Dolphin Stadium in 2004.

San Diego (0-1) at Denver (1-0), Sunday, 4:15 (San Diego -2)


Chargers try to recover from heartbreaking 26-24 loss to Panthers last week, a game won on a touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme to tight end Dante Rosario as time expired...Denver tries to avenge 41-3 and 23-3 losses to the Chargers last season...Denver wide receiver Brandon Marshall returns from a one-week suspension for violating the NFL personal conduct policy...
Broncos posted the highest point total in the NFL (41) during Week 1...
Chargers will be without linebacker Shawne Merriman (knee) for the remainder of the season...
Denver rookie wideout Eddie Royal, who caught nine passes for an NFL-best 146 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut last week, will make his first home appearance as a Bronco...
San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers is 4-0 against the Broncos in his career as a starter...
LaDainian Tomlinson (toe) expected to be in lineup for Chargers, but tackle Marcus McNeill (back) and center Nick Hardwick (foot) are regarded as questionable
The fav is 14-6 since 1997 in this series
Baltimore (1-0) at Houston (0-1), Sunday, 4:15 (Houston -5)

Texans look to recover from 38-17 drubbing in Pittsburgh last week, while Ravens seek to build on 17-10 upset of Bengals...Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco makes the first road start of his pro career...Baltimore running back Willis McGahee (knee) was active last week but did not play against the Bengals...
Houston quarterback Matt Schaub was sacked five times and committed three turnovers against the Steelers...
Rookie Steve Slaton, who will make his formal home debut as a Texan, received most of the work at running back for Houston last week and rushed for 43 yards on 13 carries...
Ravens defensive tackle Kelly Gregg (knee) expected to play after missing Week 1...Houston seeking its fifth consecutive home victory...Ravens have lost five straight on the road and were 1-7 away from M&T Bank Stadium a year ago...Texans wideout Andre Johnson tied for the league lead with 10 catches last Sunday.

The Ravens' lone loss in Houston in their history came in 1996, when they fell to the Oilers at the Astrodome.

New England (1-0) at N.Y. Jets (1-0), Sunday, 4:15 (N.Y. Jets -1 1/2)
Brett Favre makes his home debut in a Jets uniform...
Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel makes his first meaningful start since the 1999 season, when he played for Chatsworth (CA) High School...
New England lost perennial Pro Bowl quarterback Tom Brady to a reportedly torn left ACL and MCL in last week's 17-10 win over the Chiefs...Jets looking to snap Patriots' NFL-record 20-game regular season win streak...Pats' last regular season loss came at Miami in December of 2006..
.New England plays a road game against the Jets for the first time since the infamous ...Spygate... incident in Week 1 a year ago...Journeyman Jay Feely was signed on Monday to temporarily replace injured Jets kicker Mike Nugent (thigh)...Patriots running back Kevin Faulk expected to return to the field after serving a one-game NFL suspension last week...\
Jets last started 2-0 in 2004, when they won their first five.

The Patriots are 8-0 at Giants Stadium since suffering a 20-19 loss to the Jets there during the 2000 season.
It's a statement game for Bill Belichick and the Patriots, who need to prove prove they're not a one-man team
The road team is 13-7 s/u and 16-3 ats L20 games in this series **
Pittsburgh (1-0) at Cleveland (0-1), Sunday, 8:15 (Pittsburgh -6)

Steelers have won nine straight against the Browns since 2003, have won seven consecutive times in Cleveland, and have taken 14 of the last 15 head-to-head meetings overall...Cleveland wideout Donte' Stallworth (quadriceps) considered questionable after missing last week's 28-10 loss to Dallas...Browns will reportedly be without safety Sean Jones (knee) for several weeks...
Ben Roethlisberger is 21-1 all-time in games (college and pro) played in his home state of Ohio, including 9-0 as a professional...Roethlisberger (shoulder) slated to play despite missing practice time this week...
Steelers running back Willie Parker rushed for 138 yards in last week's 38-17 win over the Texans, also scoring three touchdowns after finding the end zone just twice all of last season...Parker was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts...Browns return man Joshua Cribbs (ankle) considered questionable for Sunday after missing the opener against the Cowboys.



Philadelphia (1-0) at Dallas (1-0), Monday, 8:30 (Dallas -7)


Eagles (522 offensive yards) and Cowboys (487 yards) were 1-2 in the league in total offense last week...Running back Felix Jones and cornerback Pacman Jones make their home debuts as members of the Cowboys..
.Eagles enter Week 2 as the only NFL team that has not allowed a touchdown thus far...Dallas running back Marion Barber (ribs) expected to play on Monday...
Philadelphia receivers DeSean Jackson, Hank Baskett, and Greg Lewis all went over 100 yards last week, the first time a trio of Eagles players did that since 1960...Philadelphia wideout Reggie Brown (hamstring) expected to be available this week, but fellow receiver Kevin Curtis (sports hernia) remains out...Cornerback Terence Newman (knee) and linebacker Anthony Spencer (knee) among the injured Cowboys regarded as questionable for Monday...Eagles have a four-game winning streak dating back to last season, including a win at Dallas, and have allowed just 10.3 points per game over that span

The Cowboys rank first all-time in Monday Night Football wins (40), second in Monday night games played (69, trailing only the Dolphins), and tied for fifth in losses (29, trailing only the Dolphins, Bears, Broncos, and Giants).


Baltimore at Houston
BAL 22ND OFF; HOU 24TH DEF;
BAL 16TH RUN; HOU 19TH VS. RUN;
BAL 23RD PASS; HOU 25TH VS. PASS
BAL 24TH PTS; HOU 22ND PTS ALLOWED
HOU 14TH OFF; BAL 6TH DEF
HOU 22ND RUN; BAL 2ND VS. RUN;
HOU 11TH PASS ; BAL 20TH VS. PASS;
HOU 12TH PTS ; BAL 22ND PTS ALLOWED
HOU 31ST TO/TA ; BAL 32ND TO/TA
HOU IS 2-8 IN MATT SCHAUB’S LAST 10 STARTS.
BAL RBS RAY RICE AND LERON MC’CLAIN COMBINED TO RUSH FOR 150 YARDS LAST WEEK.
MCCLAIN CARRIED 19-86-0 IN WEEK ONE; HE HAD ONLY 37 CARRIES IN 4 SEASONS AT ALABAMA AND 8 CARRIES AS A ROOKIE.
BAL WAS 1-7 ON THE ROAD LAST SEASON.
BAL QB JOE FLACCO COMPLETED 15-OF-29 PASSES FOR 129 YARDS IN WEEK ONE. HE DIDN’T TURN THE BALL OVER.
HOU RUSHED FOR ONLY 75 YARDS ON 20 CARRIES IN WEEK ONE.
HOU DE MARIO WILLIAMS HAS NOTCHED AT LEAST ONE SACK IN 7 OF HIS LAST 8 GAMES DATING BACK TO LAST SEASON.
Pittsburgh at Cleveland
PIT 17TH OFF; CLE 30TH DEF
PIT 3RD RUN; CLE 27TH VS. RUN
PIT 22ND PASS; CLE 24TH VS. PASS
PIT 9TH PTS; CLE 21ST PTS ALLOWED
CLE 8TH OFF; PIT 1ST DEF
CLE 10TH RUN ; PIT 3RD VS. RUN
CLE 12TH PASS ; PIT 3RD VS. PASS
CLE 8TH PTS; PIT 2ND PTS ALLOWED
CLE 19TH TO/TA; PIT 12TH TO/TA
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME CLE HAS OPENED WITH BACK-TO-BACK HOME GAMES; THE FIRST TWO TIMES, THE BROWNS LOST THE HOME OPENER BUT WON THEIR SECOND GAME.
PIT HAS WON 9 STRAIGHT VS. CLE.
CLE WR BRAYLON EDWARDS WAS HELD TO 2-14-0 LAST WEEK..
CLE HELD THE BALL FOR ONLY 22:31 VS. DAL.
PIT RB WILLIE PARKER HAS AVERAGED 122.6 YARDS IN 5 STARTS VS. CLE.
PIT NOTCHED FIVE SACKS VS. HOU IN WEEK ONE.
PIT QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER THREW 6 TD PASSES IN 2 STARTS VS. CLE LAST SEASON.
Tennessee at Cincinnati
TEN 21ST OFF; CIN 27TH DEF
TEN 5TH RUN; CIN 21ST VS. RUN
TEN 27TH PASS: CIN 26TH VS. PASS
TEN 22ND PTS; CIN 24TH PTS ALLOWED
CIN 10TH OFF; TEN 5TH DEF
CIN 24TH RUN ; TEN 5TH VS. RUN
CIN 7TH PASS; TEN 10TH VS. PASS;
CIN 11TH PTS ; TEN 8TH PTS ALLOWED;
CIN 8TH TO/TA; TEN 16TH TO/TA
TEN NOTCHED 7 SACKS IN WEEK ONE.
TEN’S LAST TWO REGULAR-SEASON WINS HAVE COME WHEN QB KERRY COLLINS RELIEVED AN INJURED VINCE YOUNG.
TEN COMPLETED 3 PASSES TO WRS LAST WEEK.
TEN DTS TONY BROWN AND ALBERT HAYNESWORTH HAD 2 SACKS APIECE IN WEEK ONE.
CIN WRS CHAD OCHO CINCO CAUGHT 12-103-3 VS. TEN LAST SEASON.
CIN QB CARSON PALMER HAS THROWN 1 OR FEWER TD PASSES IN 10 OF HIS LAST 15 STARTS.
CIN ALLOWED 229 RUSHING YARDS IN WEEK ONE.
San Francisco at Seattle
SF 32ND OFF; SEA 15TH DEF
SF 27TH RUN; SEA 12TH VS. RUN
SF 32ND PASS; SEA 19TH VS. PASS
SF 32ND PTS; SEA 6TH PTS ALLOWED
SEA 9TH OFF; SF 25TH DEF
SEA 20TH RUN; SF 22ND VS. RUN
SEA 8TH PASS; SF 22ND VS. PASS
SEA 9TH PTS; SF 20TH PTS ALLOWED
SEA 5TH TO/TA; SF 30TH TO/TA
SF SURRENDERED 9 SACKS VS. SEA LAST SEASON.
SF COMMITTED 6 TURNOVERS IN WEEK ONE.
SF RB FRANK GORE RACKED UP 151 YARDS ON ONLY 19 TOUCHES LAST WEEK.
SEA HAS WON ITS LAST 5 HOME OPENERS.
SEA SURRENDERED 5 SACKS IN WEEK ONE; IT ONLY ALLOWED 2.3 PER GAME LAST SEASON.
SEA SWEPT THE SEASON SERIES IN 2007, OUTSCORING SF 47-3.
New England at N.Y. Jets
NE 1ST OFF; NYJ 18TH DEF
NE 13TH RUN; NYJ 29TH VS. RUN
NE 1ST PASS; NYJ 9TH VS. PASS
NE 1ST PTS; NYJ 19TH PTS ALLOWED
NYJ 26TH OFF; NE 4TH DEF
NYJ 19TH RUN; NE 10TH VS. RUN
NYJ 25TH PASS; NE 6TH VS. PASS
NYJ 25TH PTS; NE 4TH PTS ALLOWED
NYJ 20TH TO/TA; NE 3RD TO/TA
NE QB MATT CASSEL HASN’T STARTED A GAME SINCE 1999 WHEN HE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
NE QB MATT CASSEL LED NE ON A 98-YARD TD-DRIVE IN HIS FIRST SERIES LAST WEEK.
NE HAS WON AN NFL-RECORD 20 STRAIGHT REGULAR-SEASON GAMES.
NYJ QB BRETT FAVRE HAD A 125.9 PASSER RATING IN HIS 1ST GAME WITH NYJ.
NE BEAT NYJ IN 2 GAMES LAST SEASON BY A COMBINED 58-24.
Buffalo at Jacksonville
BUF 30TH OFF; JAX 12TH DEF
BUF 15TH RUN; JAX 11TH VS. RUN
BUF 30TH PASS; JAX 15TH VS. PASS
BUF 30TH PTS; JAX 10TH PTS ALLOWED
JAX 7TH OFF; BUF 31ST DEF
JAX 2ND RUN; BUF 25TH VS. RUN
JAX 17TH PASS; BUF 29TH VS. PASS
JAX 6TH PTS; BUF 18TH PTS ALLOWED
JAX 6TH TO/TA; BUF 6TH TO/TA
BUF HAD 2 SPECIAL TEAMS TDS LAST WEEK.
BUF’S 34 PTS LAST WEEK WERE ITS 2ND MOST SINCE 2005.
BUF WR LEE EVANS AVERAGED 25.5 YARDS ON 4 CATCHES LAST WEEK.
BUF RECORDED 5 SACKS LAST WEEK.
JAX RBS FRED TAYLOR AND MAURICE JONES-DREW COMBINED FOR 31 YARDS ON 14 CARRIES LAST WEEK.
JAX QB DAVID GARRARD THREW 2 INTS IN A GAME LAST WEEK FOR THE 1ST TIME SINCE 2006.
Indianapolis at Minnesota
IND 5TH OFF; MIN 20TH DEF
IND 18TH RUN; MIN 1ST VS. RUN
IND 6TH PASS; MIN 32ND VS. PASS
IND 3RD PTS; MIN 12TH PTS ALLOWED
MIN 13TH OFF; IND 3RD DEF
MIN 1ST RUN; IND 15TH VS. RUN
MIN 28TH PASS; IND 2ND VS. PASS
MIN 15TH PTS; IND 1ST PTS ALLOWED
MIN 13TH TO/TA; IND 2ND TO/TA
IND LOST IN WK 1 FOR THE 1ST TIME SINCE 2004.
IND ALLOWED CHI TO CONVERT 10-OF-16 3RD DOWNS.
IND IS 8-2 IN ITS LAST 10 GAMES VS. THE NFC.
MIN IS 2-8 IN ITS LAST 10 GAMES VS. THE AFC.
MIN QB TARVARIS JACKSON THREW 11 TDS AND 16 INTS IN HIS 1ST 2 NFL SEASONS.
Miami at Arizona
MIA 28TH OFF; AZ 17TH DEF
MIA 23RD RUN; AZ 9TH VS. RUN
MIA 24TH PASS; AZ 28TH VS. PASS
MIA 26TH PTS; AZ 27TH PTS ALLOWED
AZ 12TH OFF; MIA 23RD DEF
AZ 29TH RUN; MIA 32ND VS. RUN
AZ 5TH PASS; MIA 4TH VS. PASS
AZ 7TH PTS; MIA 30TH PTS ALLOWED
AZ 22ND TO/TA; MIA 22ND TO/TA
MIA RBS RICKY WILLIAMS AND RONNIE BROWN COMBINED FOR 47 YARDS ON 16 CARRIES LAST WEEK.
MIA’S TES CAUGHT TWICE AS MANY PASSES (12) LAST WEEK AS THEIR WRS (6).
MIA CONVERTED JUST 3-OF-13 3RD DOWNS LAST WEEK.
AZ HAS WON 3 STRAIGHT VS. THE AFC.
ALL 8 OF AZ WR ANQUAN BOLDIN’S RECEPTIONS LAST WEEK CAME IN THE 2ND HALF.
N.Y. Giants at St. Louis

NYG 16TH OFF; STL 21ST DEF
NYG 4TH RUN; STL 20TH VS. RUN
NYG 21ST PASS; STL 21ST VS. PASS
NYG 14TH PTS; STL 31ST PTS ALLOWED
STL 24TH OFF; NYG 7TH DEF;
STL 25TH RUN; NYG 8TH VS. RUN
STL 19TH PASS; NYG 11TH VS. PASS
STL 28TH PTS; NYG 17TH PTS ALLOWED
STL 26TH TO/TA; NYG 25TH TO/TA
NYG WON 11 STRAIGHT GMS AWAY FROM GIANTS STADIUM IN 2007 AFTER LOSING IN WEEK 1 AT DAL.
STL LOST 7-OF-8 HOME GAMES IN 2007.
STL ALLOWED PHI 522 OFFENSIVE YARDS IN WEEK 1.
STL DT ADAM CARRIKER AND DE CHRIS LONG, THE TOP 2 DRAFT PICKS THE PAST TWO SEASONS, COMBINED FOR 3 TACKLES IN WEEK 1.
STL HAD ALMOST TWICE AS MANY PENALTY YARDS (66) IN WEEK 1 AS THEY DID RUSHING YARDS (36).
SINCE A 4-1 START UNDER SCOT LINEHAN, STL IS 7-21 IN PAST 28 GAMES.
GIANTS RB BRANDON JACOBS RAN FOR 100 YARDS IN WEEK 1, HIS FIRST 100-YARD GAME IN HIS PAST 6 GAMES (INCLUDING PLAYOFFS).
New Orleans at Washington

NO 4TH OFF; WAS 8TH DEF
NO 28TH RUN; WAS 4TH VS. RUN
NO 3RD PASS; WAS 16TH VS. PASS
NO T-12TH PTS; WAS 11TH PTS ALLOWED
WAS 15TH OFF; NO 26TH DEF;
WAS 12TH RUN; NO 13TH VS. RUN
WAS 14TH PASS; NO 30TH VS. PASS
WAS T-18TH PTS; NO 25TH PTS ALLOWED
WAS 21ST TO/TA; NO 24TH TO/TA
NO ALLOWED TB TO RUSH 20 TIMES FOR 146 YARDS IN WEEK 1.
NO RB REGGIE BUSH TOTALED 163 YDS ON 23 TOUCHES IN WEEK 1. BUSH HAD A 26-YARD RUN AND A 42-YARD CATCH — BOTH OF WHICH ECLIPSED HIS BESTS FROM 2007.
NO PASSING GAME GOT 112 YARDS FROM BUSH; 6 CATCHES FROM TE JEREMY SHOCKEY; AND LONG TDS FROM DREW BREES TO WRS DEVERY HENDERSON (84 YARDS) AND DAVID PATTEN (39).
WAS HAD ONLY 174 YARDS IN WEEK 1 AND ONLY 98 PASSING.
WAS ALLOWED NYG TO CONVERT 7-OF-14 3RD DOWNS LAST WEEK AND CONVERTED ONLY 3-OF-13 ON OFFENSE VS. NYG.
Philadelphia at Dallas

PHI 6TH OFF; DAL 9TH DEF
PHI 8TH RUN; DAL 6TH VS. RUN
PHI 10TH PASS; DAL 13TH VS. PASS
PHI 17TH PTS; DAL 13TH PTS ALLOWED
DAL 3RD OFF; PHI 10TH DEF;
DAL 17TH RUN; PHI 7TH VS. RUN
DAL 4TH PASS; PHI 18TH VS. PASS
DAL 2ND PTS; PHI 9TH PTS ALLOWED
DAL 9TH TO/TA; PHI 25TH TO/TA
PHI HAS WON 3 OF LAST 4 MEETINGS VS. DAL.
DAL HELD CLE TO 114 YARDS ON 25 PASS PLAYS.
WITH STARTING WRS KEVIN CURTIS AND REGGIE BROWN OUT, PHI WRS DESEAN JACKSON (6-106), GREG LEWIS (5-104) AND HANK BASKETTT (2-102) HELPED PHI BECOME 1ST NFL TEAM SINCE CHIEFS IN 2000 TO HAVE 3 100-YARD RECEIVERS IN SINGLE GAME.
PHI IS NOW 9-0 WHEN BRIAN WESTBROOK SCORED A RUSHING AND RECEIVING TD IN SAME GAME.
JACKSON CAUGHT A 47-YARD PASS ON THE SECOND PLAY OF HIS CAREER AND LATER HAD A 60-YARD PUNT RETURN.
DAL WON THE GROUND GAME VS. CLE, OUT-RUSHING THEM 168 YARDS TO 91, AND WINNING TIME OF POSSESSION BATTLE, 36:14 TO 22:31.
Green Bay at Detroit

GB 2ND OFF; DET 32ND DEF
GB 21ST RUN; DET 23RD VS. RUN
GB 2ND PASS; DET 31ST VS. PASS
GB 4TH PTS; DET 32ND PTS ALLOWED
DET 19TH OFF; GB 11TH DEF;
DET 31ST RUN; GB 14TH VS. RUN
DET 9TH PASS; GB 12TH VS. PASS
DET 16TH PTS; GB T-6TH PTS ALLOWED
DET 18TH TO/TA; GB 11TH TO/TA
DET FELL BEHIND 21-0 VS. ATL IN WEEK 1 AND RUSHED ONLY 21 TIMES IN GAME (11 IN FIRST HALF).
DET ALLOWED 474 YARDS TO FALCONS IN QB MATT RYAN’S FIRST START.
DET ALLOWED FALCONS RB MICHAEL TURNER TO RUSH FOR CLUB-RECORD 220 YARDS.
GB RB RYAN GRANT RUSHED FOR 158 YARDS IN 2 GAMES VS. DET IN 2007, SCORING A TD IN EACH GAME.
GB SCORED 27 OR MORE IN 5 ROAD GAMES LAST SEASON, INCLUDING 37-POINT GAME AT DET IN WEEK 12.
GB WON 6-OF-8 ROAD GAMES BUT LOST 2 OF LAST 3 AWAY.
IN 2 GAMES VS. GB, DET QB JON KITNA COMPLETED 41-OF-88 PASSES FOR 470 YARDS, 3 INTS AND 4 SACKS.
Atlanta at Tampa Bay
ATL 23rd OFF; TB 2nd DEF
ATL 26th RUN; TB 17th VS. RUN
ATL 18th PASS; TB 1st VS. PASS
ATL 29th PTS; TB 3rd PTS ALLOWED
TB 18th OFF; ATL 29th DEF
TB 11th RUN; ATL 26th VS. RUN
TB 16th PASS; ATL 23rd VS. PASS
TB 18th PTS; ATL 29th PTS ALLOWED
ATL 30th TO/TA; TB 4th TO/TA
IN 2 WINS OVER ATL IN ’07, TB OUTSCORED ATL 68-10.
TB HAS DEFEATED ATL IN 5 OF THE LAST 7 GAMES BETWEEN THE TEAMS.
ATL RB MICHAEL TURNER SET AN ATL SINGLE-GAME RECORD WITH 220 YARDS RUSHING IN WEEK ONE.
ATL QB MATT RYAN BECAME THE FIRST QB TO THROW A TD ON HIS FIRST CAREER PASS SINCE 2000.
TB ALLOWED 438 YARDS TO NO LAST WEEK. GAVE UP AVERAGE OF 278.4 YARDS IN ’07.
TB RB EARNEST GRAHAM RUSHED 39 TIMES FOR 185 YARDS AND 2 TDS VS. ATL IN ’07.
San Diego at Denver
SD 20th OFF; DEN 19th DEF
SD 7th RUN; DEN 30th VS. RUN
SD 26th PASS; DEN 7th VS. PASS
SD 5th PTS; DEN 28th PTS ALLOWED
DEN 11th OFF; SD 14th DEF
DEN 9th RUN; SD 16th VS. RUN
DEN 13th PASS; SD 14th VS. PASS
DEN 21st PTS; SD 5th PTS ALLOWED
SD 1st TO/TA; DEN 13th TO/TA
SD HAS WON LAST 4 MEETINGS VS. DEN, OUTSCORING IT 147-53.
DEN QB JAY CUTLER HAD 3 INTS, 0 TDS VS. SD IN ’07.
DEN WR BRANDON MARSHALL HAD 13 CATCHES FOR 147 YARDS VS. SD IN ’07.
DEN HAS WON 8 STRAIGHT HOME OPENERS.
SD IS 1-4 IN WEEK 2 IN PAST 5 SEASONS.
SD QB PHILIP RIVERS WAS 30-OF-43 FOR 3 TDS, 0 INTS VS. DEN IN ’07.
Oakland at Kansas City
OAK 25th OFF; KC 13th DEF
OAK 6th RUN; KC 28th VS. RUN
OAK 31st PASS; KC 5th VS. PASS
OAK 23rd PTS; KC 14th PTS ALLOWED
KC 31st OFF; OAK 22nd DEF
KC 32nd RUN; OAK 31st VS. RUN
KC 20th PASS; OAK 8th VS. PASS
KC 31st PTS; OAK 26th PTS ALLOWED
OAK 28th TO/TA; KC 28th TO/TA
KC HAS WON 9 OF LAST 10 MEETINGS VS. OAK.
KC WR DWAYNE BOWE HAD 7 CATCHES FOR 147 YARDS VS. OAK IN ’07.
KC IS 3-5 IN LAST 8 HOME OPENERS.
OAK HAS LOST 5 OF LAST 6 AT KC.
KC RB LARRY JOHNSON RUSHED 162 TIMES FOR 746 YARDS AND 10 TDS IN LAST 7 GAMES VS. OAK.
Chicago at Carolina
CHI 27th OFF; CAR 16th DEF
CHI 30th RUN; CAR 18th VS. RUN
CHI 15th PASS; CAR 17th VS. PASS
CHI 18th PTS; CAR 15th PTS ALLOWED
CAR 29th OFF; CHI 28th DEF
CAR 14th RUN; CHI 24th VS. RUN
CAR 29th PASS; CHI 27th VS. PASS
CAR 26th PTS; CHI 16th PTS ALLOWED
CHI 17th TO/TA; CAR 13th TO/TA
CAR HAS WON 2 OF LAST 3 VS. CHI, INCLUDING PLAYOFFS.
CAR HAS LOST LAST 4 HOME OPENERS.
CAR WAS 2-6 AT HOME LAST SEASON.
SINCE LOVIE SMITH BECAME HEAD COACH, CHI 13-6 WHEN RB GAINS MORE THAN 100 YARDS RUSHING.
CHI WON 5 OF LAST 6 WEEK TWO GAMES.
CHI SCORED 19 POINTS OR LESS IN 5 OF 8 ROAD GAMES LAST SEASON.








READING BETWEEN THE STATS
We just completed the first week of the pro football season. Already there are mountains of stats and angles available for sports bettors to digest from this season and years past. Information certainly is a key when analyzing games and point spreads. Sometimes it can seem that there is too much info, but it's essential to understand that stats are only a starting point, as they don't always tell the whole story. In fact, stats can sometimes lie.
Sure, it's important to ask such questions as, "How many yards passing per game does this team get? How big is this offensive line compared to the opponent? Is a great quarterback going up against a team with slow defensive backs? What's their home record the last five years, straight up and against the spread?" However, it's important to learn when to look beyond stats. For example, here are some stats from the 2007 NFL season:
The Bucs ranked 17th defensively against the run. The Titans were No. 5 in rushing. The Chiefs were No. 4 against the pass. The Panthers had the No. 14 rushing offense. The Bears were 15th in passing. The Dolphins ranked 5th against the pass.
Now, all of those stats are true. However, they don't tell the real story about a football team's strengths. For instance, the Dolphins statistically may have ranked No. 5 against the pass, but they were not a good defensive team while going 1-15. They ranked dead last at stopping the run and ranked 23rd overall defensively. The Chiefs, Broncos and Jets fall into that same angle, ranked above-average against the pass, but had terrible run defenses. The Chiefs, Broncos, Jets and Dolphins defensively ranked 28, 29, 30 and 32 against the run, respectively.
This reminds me of 2005 when the Packers were tops defensively against the pass, yet they allowed 22 passing touchdowns, which was 10th worst in the NFL. Their run defense was 23rd, so overall the defense had more deficiencies than strengths. Teams that struggle against the run are likely to have "better" pass defensive stats, but it can be very misleading.
Take the 2007 Chicago Bears. The defending NFC Champions ranked right in the middle of the pack in passing the football (15th), but that was misleading. If you watched them play, you'd say the Bears had an erratic offense, weak overall. They had a revolving door at QB with Brian Griese, Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton, as the trio combing for 17 TDs and 21 INTs. Average? Certainly not! With zero running game (30th overall, 3.1 yards per carry), Chicago was forced to pass more and didn't do it well. Their 27th overall offensive ranking was more accurate than being 15th in passing.
The Carolina Panthers were similar in 2007, ranked 14th in rushing. Not bad, but the fact is the Panthers had all kinds of injuries to their starting QBs, even losing Jake Delhomme for the season in Week 3. Carolina was handicapped because of it and finished 29th in total offense.
I recall back in 2005 the Cardinals may have had the No. 1 passing offense, but that was because they had the worst running game. They also fell behind a lot, being forced to go to the air, and were a poor scoring team in the red zone. So that No. 9 offensive ranking was very deceptive. The Titans were No. 5 in rushing last season, but near the bottom in passing. The most successful offenses aren't one-dimensional.
Last year the Buccaneers ranked 17th defensively against the run, below average. Based on that the perception might be the front line was a weak spot, but that wasn't the case. They were a terrific overall defense, one of the best in the league. Tampa Bay ranked No. 1 against the pass and No. 2 in total defense.
Sometimes coaches can implement strategies designed to disguise weaknesses. The Giants didn't have a great secondary last fall, but the defensive schemes were able to mask that on the way to the Super Bowl, along with a dominant defensive front. A few years ago the Kansas City Chiefs tried something similar, ranked 7th overall against the run, but that was very misleading. They were a bad all-around defensive team, even against the run, allowing 4.6 and 4.0 yards per carry over two years, tying for worst in the NFL in 2004. Their 2005 ranking was deceptive because the pass defense was awful (30th), as KC stacked the line to stop the run in DC Gunther Cunningham's attacking defense, but was vulnerable against the pass.
The last four years the Steelers ranked 28th, 24th, 4th and 22nd in passing offense, yet three of those "poor" passing stats are deceptive. The Steelers are primarily a power-running team, and highly successful at it, getting out in front early and then chewing up the clock. It worked often, too, during a 15-1 regular season in 2004 and winning the Super Bowl in 2005. They didn't need to pass a lot, although when they were forced to pass, they were able to move the ball through the air with QB Ben Roethlisberger and terrific wide receivers, which was the case during their Super Bowl run. The stats may suggest a poor passing team, but the reality is quite different. Successful handicappers dig deep and weigh all different kinds of information before heading to the betting window.


Survivor picks :
(correct on all 3 whichever you chose last week)
Seattle
Tampa Bay
Arizona