Mondat Night Mayhem

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Bills at Patriots

The opening weekend of the NFL concludes Monday night with a pair of divisional games. The Patriots and Bills kick off at 7:00 PM EST from Gillette Stadium, as New England looks to regain its swagger from the 2007 season that saw Bill Belichick's team finish 16-0. However, the perfect season came to an abrupt halt with the shocking 17-14 loss to the Giants in the Super Bowl.

Things got worse in the opener of the 2008 campaign, as reigning MVP Tom Brady tore his ACL in the first half against the Chiefs. Brady's season was done, and for all intents and purposes, so was New England's. The Pats managed an 11-5 mark behind backup QB Matt Cassel, but finished shy of the postseason, as the Dolphins won the AFC East.



The Bills, meanwhile, made plenty of offseason headlines with the signing of the entertaining, but sometimes destructive Terrell Owens. Buffalo started last season on fire, going 4-0, then 5-1, but then lost eight of ten games to end the year. The Bills burned bettors with a 3-7 ATS mark to wrap up the season, including a 1-5 ATS record when laying points.

Buffalo ran the table inside the AFC East, but not in a positive manner. Dick Jauron's club finished 0-6 SU and 1-5 ATS against division opponents, with the lone pointspread cover coming last December in a 31-27 loss at the Jets as an eight-point underdog. The Bills will be without starting running back Marshawn Lynch on Monday, serving the first game of a league-mandated three-game suspension.

The Pats and Bills played two low-scoring games in '08, with New England sweeping the series. The Patriots beat the Bills in Foxboro, 20-10, in Week 10 as 3 ?-point favorites. New England bounced Buffalo in Orchard Park the final week of the season, 13-0, as 5 ?-point 'chalk.' The Bills are 1-5 ATS and 0-6 SU in Jauron's three seasons against the Patriots.

Last season, the big ticket that was cashed on Monday nights was the 'over,' which hit 13 of 17 times, including each of the first seven weeks. There was not a huge advantage either way taking the home teams or favorites, as both finished with a 9-8 ATS mark.

Randy Scott, the sportsbook manager at BetED.com, says that a healthy majority of the money is coming in on New England. "The line opened at -9 ?, and has moved all the way up to -10 ?, and it likely hasn't stopped moving up. I can see that line crossing -11 maybe as far as -13 by game-time. The total also jumped a point up from 46 ? to 47 ?," Scott says.

Most books currently list the Patriots as an 11-point favorite, with the total set at 47 ?.

 

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Chargers at Raiders

Chargers at Raiders

Chargers at Raiders


This season marks the 50th anniversary of the American Football League, so it only makes sense that Week 1 would close between rivals of that upstart group. The Chargers invade Oakland to take on the Raiders in the 10:00 p.m. EDT game of ESPN?s Monday Night Football.

Las Vegas Sports Consultants initially opened the line for this game in mid-June with the Chargers as 6 ?-point road favorites with a total of 43 ?. Over the past two months, sharp money and public perception helped push up the line to 9 ? with a total of 43.

San Diego comes into the third season of the Norv Turner era with high expectations. It?s not everyday you?ll say that for a team that is coming off of an 8-8 campaign, but this team has the goods. After all, they went to the AFC Title Game in Turner?s first year at the helm.

One of the things that the Bolts didn?t have last year was the services of Shawne Merriman due to torn knee ligaments. He appears to be back at full strength (his choice in women not withstanding) now after logging four solo tackles during limited playing time in the preseason.

Merriman?s presence will no doubt help improve a defensive unit that gave up 349.9 yards per game during the 2008 season. Luckily for the Chargers, they?re getting a team that hasn?t been too impressive on offense.

The Raiders ranked 29th in the NFL last season with just 272.2 YPG gained last year. However, they ranked 10th in the league with 124.2 rushing YPG.expert handicapper believes this is how Oakland must play to stay in the game. ?Of course, the Raiders need to play ball control with their three-headed monster of backs. Starter Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas, and Michael Bush represent which is arguably the deepest set of backs in the NFL. But JaMarcus Russell is the quarterback and he must not make any mistakes including hanging onto the ball too long.? Advertisement




makes a great point when it comes to Russell. He had a decent sophomore campaign with 2,423 passing yards with 13 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. However, Russell was sacked 31 times which led to him fumbling the ball 12 times, losing possession on seven off those. Couple that knowledge with him going against a San Diego defense that has pulled down the QB 70 times over the last two years and you can determine that it?s going to be a tough day for Russell.

Defensively, there is nowhere else to go but up for Oakland?s defense. This unit surrendered 360.9 total YPG last season. And if the preseason can be any sort of indicator, then it won?t be a whole hell of a lot better as they allowed 386.0 YPG and 26.8 points per game.

Those numbers don?t bode well when you consider they?re taking on one of the more explosive offenses in football. The Chargers were second in scoring offense last season, averaging 27.4 points per game.

Philip Rivers anchors the Bolts? attack under center after compiling 4,009 yards through the air and a touchdown-interception ratio of 34-11. It?s hard not to put up those numbers when you have players like Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates and LaDainian Tomlinson at your disposal. That trio accounted for 2,228 receiving yards and 16 scores.

The Chargers were just 2-2 straight up and 1-3 against the spread when posted as road favorites last season. Oakland wasn?t much better as a home pup, posting a 2-5 SU and ATS record in ?08.

The Raiders saw the ?under? go 5-3 at home last year, while San Diego saw the ?over? go 5-3 away Qualcomm Stadium.

This series has been extremely one-sided over the last five years as the Bolts have won 11 straight battles SU, covering the spread in 10 of those meetings. The ?under? is 6-2-1 in the last nine head-to-head meetings.

 

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What bettors need to know: Monday NFL doubleheader

What bettors need to know: Monday NFL doubleheader

What bettors need to know: Monday NFL doubleheader

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (-11, 47)



Offensive issues

Do the Bills (7-9 straight up, 7-9 against the spread in 2008) have enough offense to trade scores with the explosive Patriots? This is the primary concern for Buffalo entering their regular season opener after the struggles of the offense in the preseason.

In 15 offensive series, the first team offense was limited to just a field goal during exhibition action. The club promptly fired offensive coordinator Turk Schonert at the end of the preseason.

Buffalo will stick with their new no-huddle offense on Monday, much to the chagrin of new wide out Terrell Owens. The controversial playmaker initially told Boston reporters he was not enjoying the hurry-up offense. He tried to downplay his comments afterwards.

?No, it?s all right, it just gets you a little winded, and for myself I haven?t really practiced much the last few preseason games so I?m still trying to get myself into shape and that?s coming around.?

The trade of All-Pro offensive tackle Jason Peters to the Eagles has left a void up front and the Bills also won?t have their top best running back with Marshawn Lynch serving the first of a three-game league suspension.

The offense will also be seeking to secure the ball better in 2009 after leading the conference in lost fumbles a year ago with 15.

It?s been such a long time

All eyeballs will be glued on Tom Brady?s every move Monday night. The three-time Super Bowl winner hasn?t played a down since the first half of the Pats? first game last season. New England?s success in 2008 will largely depend on whether Brady can return to his 2007 MVP form, or close to it ? especially with some many question marks on the defensive side of the ball.

Last week's controversial trade of defensive lineman Richard Seymour to the Raiders is just the latest example of the turnover in the defense. Mike Vrabel, Teddy Brushci, Rodney Harrison and Ellis Hobbs are also no longer with the Patriots. New England was tenth in the league in total defense in 2008.

?A lot of years of experience have walked out the door in the last couple years,? Brady told the Boston Globe over the weekend. ?It?s kind of the evolution of it. The turnover we?ve had is significant. But coach (Bill) Belichick coaches us all the same way.?

Line movement

The Patriots opened as a 9.5-point favorite in the contest with a total of 46.5. New England is now an 11-point choice in the matchup.

Trends

Bill Belichick is 16-2 (13-5 ATS) against the Bills since becoming the head coach of the Patriots in 2000. New England has won the last 11 meetings in the series. The Patriots are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 home games (playoffs included). The under is 19-7 in the Bills/Patriots series since 1996.

San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders (+9.5, 43)

What to expect from LT?

While winning the AFC West for the fifth time in the last six years appears to be a forgone conclusion for the Chargers (8-8, 7-8-1 ATS in 2008) in 2009, their season will ultimately be defined in January.

On offense, the focus is on 30-year-old star runner LaDainian Tomlinson. After his rushing average dropped from 4.7 yards per carry in 2007 to 3.8 in 2008, there are questions about Tomlinson's ability to dominate again at a young man's position.

While LT could be on the decline, QB Phillip Rivers is just coming into his own after leading the NFL in quarterback rating in 2008.

Under pressure

SD?s defense (25th in NFL in total defense in 2008) is hoping that the return of linebacker Shawne Merriman will enable the unit to rebound in 2009. Despite registering 39.5 sacks in his first three years in the league, there are questions about his future in San Diego after last year's injury and his off-field antics.

More of the same?

The dysfunctional Raiders (5-11, 7-9 ATS in 2008) may have given their fans a preview of things to come in the most significant game of the preseason. In the traditional warm up game for the regular season, the Raiders entertained the Saints in Week 3 of the exhibition slate. Oakland's starters were promptly outscored (31-0) and outgained (344-60) in a brutal half of football.

The NFL's worst passing offense in 2008 isn't likely to be much better in 2009. QB JaMarcus Russell doesn't appear to be ready to live up to the expectations of being a first overall draft pick three years ago.

Rookie Darrius Heyward-Bey will improve a marginal group of receivers, but the offense will rely on the ground game in 2009. Second-year tailback Darren McFadden has supplanted Justin Fargas as the starter to begin the year.

?I just think everything he is in terms of being multiple, running the football and catching the football,? Raiders head coach Tom Cable told the San Francisco Chronicle.

After working out some personal issues, Seymour is expected to be on board in Oakland for the opener. The veteran duo of Seymour and Greg Ellis will be counted on to strengthen a defensive line that struggled to stop the run in 2008 (last in AFC in rushing defense).

The secondary, led by star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, should also benefit from an improved pass rush up front.

Line movement

San Diego opened as a touchdown favorite with a total of 44. The Chargers are now favored by 9.5 points while the over/under is down to 43.

Trends

The Chargers are 11-0 (10-1 ATS) in the last 11 meetings in the series. Oakland's 24-72 record since 2003 is the worst in the NFL.

 

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Monday night NFL mismatches

Monday night NFL mismatches

Monday night NFL mismatches

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (-10.5, 47)

Terrell Owens vs. Patriots cornerbacks

You can say whatever you want about Owens' antics, but he remains a very difficult cover for even the best cornerbacks. Veteran Shawn Springs likes to play a physical style but had a knee injury during preseason. Leigh Bodden was signed as a free agent and will start opposite Springs, with second-year man Jonathan Wilhite figuring to see plenty of action if the Bills use their no-huddle as much as they say they are going to use it. Even with a sprained toe, Owens has a huge advantage over all three guys.

Buffalo's pass protection vs. New England's pass rush

There were questions about the Patriots' ability to put pressure on the quarterback even before Richard Seymour was traded, but those questions may not be raised after this game. New England still has O-line crusher Vince Wilfork, who can create openings for capable pass rushers Ty Warren, Jarvis Green and Adalius Thomas. The Bills have huge questions on their offensive line, with a handful of newcomers and several guys not playing their most familiar positions.

San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders (+10, 42.5)

JaMarcus Russell vs. San Diego's pass rush

The starting job was Russell's to lose in preseason, and he didn't lose it. But he threw only one TD pass and didn't look markedly better than he did last season, when he displayed happy feet and an inability to go through his progressions. Outside linebackers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips will be zeroing in on Russell, a big target who shows panic in the pocket.

Nnamdi Asomugha vs. Chris Chambers

Even with a broken bone in his wrist, Asomugha is still way too much for Chambers, who is masquerading as a No. 1 receiver but really doesn't warrant that type of attention. Expect to see Philip Rivers looking away from Chambers and toward Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates for most of the game.

Kirk Morrison vs. LaDainian Tomlinson

Tomlinson isn't solely the responsibility of Morrison, the Raiders' middle linebacker and leading tackler the last four years. But Morrison sometimes seems like the only member of the front seven playing defense, and he has an elbow injury that could impact his ability to wrap up perhaps the best running back in the game.

 

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Bettor's best friend (BBF): Monday's helpful wagering tips

Bettor's best friend (BBF): Monday's helpful wagering tips

Bettor's best friend (BBF): Monday's helpful wagering tips
Home on the Ranger

Texas righthander Scott Feldman has been absolutely lights-out in his last four starts, winning all four and allowing just one run and 17 hits in 26 1-3 innings. He is pitching as well as any American League pitcher right now.

Keep in mind that Feldman's hot streak took place entirely on the road. His last start that the Rangers lost was a home outing vs. Minnesota on Aug. 18 and his last loss was a home start vs. Detroit on July 29.

For the season, Feldman has a 4.56 ERA at home compared to just 2.58 on the road. He and the Rangers are -201 vs. Oakland.

Back in the bigs

Blue Jays lefthander David Purcey makes his first major league start in 4 1/2 months. The rookie began the season in Toronto's rotation but didn't get out of April, going 0-2 with a 7.01 ERA in five starts before being demoted to Triple-A Las Vegas.

In his last 10 starts there, Purcey was 6-3 with a 4.37 ERA, getting advice from minor league pitching coach Dave LaRoche. Toronto is +222 at Detroit.

Pat answer

The Patriots have won their last 11 meetings with the Bills, going 9-2 against the spread. The only two covers by Buffalo came at New England when the Bills were getting 10 points and lost one-score games. The host Patriots are giving 10.5 points in the opener of the MNF doubleheader.

Road rage

When the Pirates squeezed out a 2-1 victory at Houston on Sunday, they ended 13-game road losing streak in which they scored three runs or less 11 times. Pittsburgh has not won consecutive road games since June 10-11 at Atlanta. The Pirates are +222 at the Dodgers and were outscored 23-9 in their first visit there this season.

Not a Ray of hope

During their 12-game losing streak, the Rays have scored more than three runs just once. Over the last week, Gabe Gross (2-for-13), Pat Burrell (1-for-21), Fernando Perez (1-for-15) and Ben Zobrist (3-for-19) are a combined 7-for-68. Tampa Bay is -122 at Baltimore.

Not ready for prime time players

The Raiders once were the unquestioned kings of Monday Night Football. Their overall straight-up record of 36-23-1 ranks fourth all-time for any franchise that has made 20 or more appearances.

However, Oakland is 0-7 against the spread in its last seven MNF games and has been outscored 68-14 in season-opening Monday night home games in 2008 and 2006. The Raiders are getting 10 points from the Chargers.

Notable Quotable

"Offensively, we just sucked. Let's be honest."

-- Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith, after his team committed seven turnovers - five by starting quarterback Jake Delhomme, who was booed and benched - in a 38-10 home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Panthers had a touchdown on their first drive and did not get in the end zone again, managing 169 total yards.

 

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Preview: Bills (0-0) at Patriots (0-0)

Preview: Bills (0-0) at Patriots (0-0)

Preview: Bills (0-0) at Patriots (0-0)
Date: September 14, 2009 7:00 PM EDT

The New England Patriots' defense will have a distinctly different look to begin coach Bill Belichick's 10th season in Foxborough, but the three-time Super Bowl champions will be happy to have a familiar face again at the helm of their offense.

Tom Brady will be back under center to open the season Monday night after he missed nearly all of last year due to injury, and he'll be hoping to lead the Patriots to an NFL-record 12th straight win against a single opponent.

That foe is the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills, who will feature newcomer Terrell Owens in an offense that still has plenty of questions to answer after its coordinator was fired barely a week before the first game.


There aren't many concerns about the Patriots' ability to score with Brady back. The 2007 NFL MVP, who set a league record with 50 touchdown passes that year while leading the team to a 16-0 regular season, played less than a quarter in 2008 before tearing his left ACL when he was hit by Kansas City's Bernard Pollard.

Backup Matt Cassel played well in his absence as New England became just the second team ever to miss the playoffs after going 11-5.

Cassel, though, was dealt to the Chiefs and the reins of the unit are back in Brady's hands. He'll have some familiar weapons at his disposal, such as top wide receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker, and some new ones to use, like veterans Fred Taylor and Joey Galloway.

"I've played a lot of games, so it's not like it's the first game of my rookie season, that type of excitement," Brady said. "I think there's just an excitement for a new season and to see what kind of team we have and to see what kind of mental toughness we have and what kind of character we have."

The Patriots will also be curious to see what kind of defense they have after mainstays Mike Vrabel, Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison and Richard Seymour all departed via trade or retirement. Seymour was surprisingly dealt to Oakland on Sept. 6 for a 2011 first-round draft pick.

The unit will take on a younger look, led by linebacker Jerod Mayo, the NFL's top defensive rookie last year. New England also seems to have improved its secondary after adding cornerbacks Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs and drafting safety Patrick Chung with its first pick early in the second round.

"We have a lot of good leaders on our team and especially on the defensive side of the ball," Belichick said. "No doubt about it, it's different, but I think it's good."

Whoever has played for the Patriots has been good enough the last 11 times they have faced Buffalo - and often by a wide margin. The average score during the streak has been 29-9, and New England outscored the Bills 94-17 in two wins the last time Brady faced them in 2007.

No NFL team has ever won 12 straight against one opponent, and the Bills would have to pull off a major upset to avoid that fate. They've never won at Gillette Stadium, losing eight straight at New England since a 16-13 overtime win Nov. 5, 2000.

Buffalo added the controversial Owens following its third straight 7-9 season, but its offense has hardly clicked. After offensive coordinator Turk Schonert installed a new no-huddle attack during the offseason, the first-team offense managed three points in 15 preseason series, and Schonert was fired Sept. 4.

"(Bills coach Dick Jauron) wants a Pop Warner offense," Schonert said. "He limited me in formations and limited me in plays."

Schonert was replaced with former Bills quarterback Alex Van Pelt, who is still expected to employ a no-huddle approach.

"This is going to be a little bit of a transition for us," Owens said. "We have to take accountability, we have to go out there and jell with one another and go out there and play."

Asked Wednesday if he liked playing without a huddle, Owens said, "No, not really, but I gotta deal with it." Owens later posted a note on his Twitter page insisting that he was "clearly joking."

This will be the fourth team in the last seven years for the enigmatic but talented 35-year-old, who had his ninth 1,000-yard receiving season last year with Dallas.

Trent Edwards will be the newest quarterback trying to get Owens the ball. Edwards led the Bills to a 4-0 start last season before they stumbled down the stretch, losing eight of their last 10. He'll begin this season without his starting running back, as Marshawn Lynch was suspended for the first three games after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge in March.

Another key spot on offense will be also in doubt after the Bills released starting left tackle Langston Walker on Tuesday. Second-year man Demetrius Bell will make his first career start protecting Edwards' blind side.

"I think we've come a long way," Jauron said. "We'll find out on Monday night how far we've come. It's not going to be easy, there's no doubt about that. There's a lot of worry."

Jauron has returned for a fourth season as the Bills coach even though his contract ran out last year, and he may be under pressure to show some early signs of progress

 

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BUFFALO (7-9) vs NEW ENGLAND (11-5)

BUFFALO (7-9) vs NEW ENGLAND (11-5)

BUFFALO (7-9) vs NEW ENGLAND (11-5)

Game Time: 7:00 p.m. EDT Monday, September 14

Stadium: Gillette Stadium

Surface: grass






RECORD ANALYSIS
STRAIGHT-UP VS. SPREAD OVER/UNDER
BUFFALO HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL

Year-to-Date 3 - 5 4 - 4 7 - 9 2 - 6 5 - 3 7 - 9 4 - 4 5 - 3 9 - 7
Last 5 games 0 - 3 1 - 1 1 - 4 0 - 3 2 - 0 2 - 3 0 - 3 2 - 0 2 - 3
YTD vs. Div. 0 - 3 0 - 3 0 - 6 0 - 3 1 - 2 1 - 5 1 - 2 1 - 2 2 - 4
STRAIGHT-UP VS. SPREAD OVER/UNDER
NEW ENGLAND HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL
Year-to-Date 5 - 3 6 - 2 11 - 5 3 - 5 6 - 2 9 - 7 4 - 3 4 - 4 8 - 7
Last 5 games 1 - 1 3 - 0 4 - 1 1 - 1 2 - 1 3 - 2 2 - 0 2 - 1 4 - 1
YTD vs. Div. 1 - 2 3 - 0 4 - 2 1 - 2 3 - 0 4 - 2 2 - 1 1 - 2 3 - 3
AWAY VS. SPREAD HOME VS. SPREAD
Year-to-Date FAV DOG GRASS TURF FAV DOG GRASS TURF
BUFFALO 2 - 0 3 - 2 4 - 3 1 - 0 1 - 5 0 - 1 0 - 0 2 - 6
NEW ENGLAND 4 - 1 2 - 1 4 - 1 2 - 1 3 - 5 0 - 0 3 - 5 0 - 0



TEAM LOGS/SCHEDULE:
( * = overtime)

BUFFALO
LINE OVER/UNDER
DATE DAY OPP SCORE SU OPEN CLOSE ATS &
MARGIN OPEN CLOSE O/U &
MARGIN G/T
09/07/08 Sun SEA 34 - 10 W 0.0 -1.5 W 22.5 40.0 38.0 O +- 6.0 T
09/14/08 Sun @JAC 20 - 16 W +7 +4.5 W 8.5 37.5 37.0 U -1.0 G
09/21/08 Sun OAK 24 - 23 W -9.5 -10.0 L -9 37.5 36.5 O +-10.5 T
09/28/08 Sun @STL 31 - 14 W -8.5 -8.5 W 8.5 42.0 43.5 O +- 1.5 T
10/05/08 Sun @ARI 17 - 41 L -1.0 +2 L -22 46.0 44.5 O +-13.5 G
10/19/08 Sun SD 23 - 14 W 0.0 0.0 W 9 46.0 44.5 U -7.5 T
10/26/08 Sun @MIA 16 - 25 L -2.5 +0 L -9 41.5 42.0 U -1.0 G
11/02/08 Sun NYJ 17 - 26 L -4.5 -5.0 L -14 43.0 42.5 O +- 0.5 T
11/09/08 Sun @NE 10 - 20 L +4 +3.5 L -6.5 42.0 41.5 U -11.5 G
11/17/08 Mon CLE 27 - 29 L -5.5 -5.0 L -7 43.5 40.5 O +-15.5 T
11/23/08 Sun @KC 54 - 31 W -4.0 -3.0 W 20 44.0 43.0 O +-42.0 G
11/30/08 Sun SF 3 - 10 L -6.0 -6.5 L -13.5 46.0 42.5 U -29.5 T
12/07/08 Sun MIA 3 - 16 L -1.5 -1.5 L -14.5 42.5 42.5 U -23.5 T
12/14/08 Sun @NYJ 27 - 31 L +7 +7.5 W 3.5 42.0 41.0 O +-17.0 G
12/21/08 Sun @DEN 30 - 23 W +7 +6 W 13 46.0 45.0 O +- 8.0 G
12/28/08 Sun NE 0 - 13 L -5.5 -5.5 L -18.5 41.0 34.0 U -21.0 T


NEW ENGLAND
LINE OVER/UNDER
DATE DAY OPP SCORE SU OPEN CLOSE ATS &
MARGIN OPEN CLOSE O/U &
MARGIN G/T
09/07/08 Sun KC 17 - 10 W -14.5 -16.0 L -9 48.0 43.5 U -16.5 G
09/14/08 Sun @NYJ 19 - 10 W +3 +1 W 10 38.5 37.0 U -8.0 G
09/21/08 Sun MIA 13 - 38 L -11.5 -12.5 L -37.5 37.5 37.0 O +-14.0 G
10/05/08 Sun @SF 30 - 21 W -3.0 -3.0 W 6 42.0 41.0 O +-10.0 G
10/12/08 Sun @SD 10 - 30 L +6.5 +6 L -14 45.5 44.5 U -4.5 G
10/20/08 Mon DEN 41 - 7 W -4.0 -3.0 W 31 44.5 48.0 U 0.0 G
10/26/08 Sun STL 23 - 16 W -7.5 -8.5 L -1.5 44.0 41.5 U -2.5 G
11/02/08 Sun @IND 15 - 18 L +3.5 +6 W 3 44.0 44.0 U -11.0 T
11/09/08 Sun BUF 20 - 10 W -4.0 -3.5 W 6.5 42.0 41.5 U -11.5 G
11/13/08 Thu NYJ 31 - 34 L -4.0 -3.0 L -6 41.0 40.5 O +-24.5 G
11/23/08 Sun @MIA 48 - 28 W +2 -2.0 W 18 41.0 42.0 O +-34.0 G
11/30/08 Sun PIT 10 - 33 L -1.0 -1.5 L -24.5 41.0 40.0 O +- 3.0 G
12/07/08 Sun @SEA 24 - 21 W -4.5 -7.0 L -4 43.0 42.5 O +- 2.5 T
12/14/08 Sun @OAK 49 - 26 W -7.5 -7.0 W 16 41.0 39.0 O +-36.0 G
12/21/08 Sun ARI 47 - 7 W -7.5 -7.5 W 32.5 48.0 42.0 O +-12.0 G
12/28/08 Sun @BUF 13 - 0 W -5.5 -5.5 W 7.5 41.0 34.0 U -21.0 T



PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

LINE OVER/UNDER
DATE DAY VIS SC HOM SC OPEN CLOSE ATS &
MARGIN OPEN CLOSE O/U &
MARGIN G/T
10/30/05 Sun BUF 16 NE 21 -7.0 -10.0 NE --5 43.5 44.0 U -7 G
12/11/05 Sun NE 35 BUF 7 +3.5 +4.5 BUF --23.5 38.0 35.0 O +-7 T
09/10/06 Sun BUF 17 NE 19 -8.5 -10.0 NE --8 42.0 41.0 U -5 G
10/22/06 Sun NE 28 BUF 6 +5.5 +5.5 BUF --16.5 37.5 36.5 U -2.5 T
09/23/07 Sun BUF 7 NE 38 -17.0 -16.5 NE +14.5 41.0 41.0 O +-4 G
11/18/07 Sun NE 56 BUF 10 +16 +16 BUF --30 48.0 46.5 O +-19.5 T
11/09/08 Sun BUF 10 NE 20 -4.0 -3.5 NE +6.5 42.0 41.5 U -11.5 G
12/28/08 Sun NE 13 BUF 0 +5.5 +5.5 BUF --7.5 41.0 34.0 U -21 T





STATISTICAL AVERAGES:


AWAY/HOME RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM FGP
BUF (off) 25.6 18 27 112 4.1 29 19 0.7 186 6.4 298 1.0 1.0 1.00
NE (def) 19.4 16 28 115 4.1 30 18 0.6 190 6.3 305 1.0 0.6 1.00
RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM FGP
BUF (def) 25.1 21 28 136 4.9 35 22 0.6 250 7.1 386 0.9 1.0 1.00
NE (off) 25.3 22 31 142 4.6 35 22 0.6 229 6.5 371 0.6 1.0 1.00
ALL GAMES RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM FGP
BUF (off) 21.0 18 27 115 4.3 30 19 0.6 190 6.3 305 0.9 0.9 1.00
NE (def) 19.3 17 26 107 4.1 30 18 0.6 201 6.7 308 0.9 0.5 1.00
RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM FGP
BUF (def) 21.4 18 28 122 4.4 31 19 0.6 204 6.6 326 0.6 0.8 1.00
NE (off) 25.6 22 32 142 4.4 34 21 0.6 223 6.6 365 0.7 0.6 1.00



SCORING AVERAGES:

BUFFALO (away) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 3.3 9.1 12.4 5.4 7.9 0.0 13.3
POINTS ALLOWED 7.4 6.3 13.7 5.5 6.0 0.0 11.5



NEW ENGLAND (home) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 5.5 8.3 13.8 6.5 5.0 0.0 11.5
POINTS ALLOWED 2.9 6.0 8.9 2.9 7.3 0.4 10.6



BUFFALO (all) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 2.9 7.1 10 4.6 6.5 0.0 11.1
POINTS ALLOWED 6.8 4.8 11.6 5.1 4.8 0.0 9.9



NEW ENGLAND (all) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 5.3 7.7 13 6.6 6.1 0.0 12.7
POINTS ALLOWED 4.7 4.9 9.6 3.8 5.7 0.2 9.7



VALUE INDEX COMPARISON TO LAS VEGAS LINE:

LV POINTSPREAD VALUE INDEX VALUE INDEX
OPEN CURRENT RATING LINE EDGE
BUFFALO 49.5
NEW ENGLAND 60 -14.0 3.0
LV OVER/UNDER VALUE INDEX VALUE INDEX
OPEN CURRENT RATING EDGE
OVER/UNDER 46 1.5 under

 

[Lumi]

Weather Report

Weather Report

Weather Report

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


NFL WEATHER
Matchup Conditions Game Time Temp Heat Index
BUF BILLS
NE PATRIOTS
Mon 7:00 p.m. ET MOSTLY FAIR. WEST WIND 5-10 73 N/A%
Humid -
SD CHARGERS
OAK RAIDERS
Mon 10:15 p.m. ET PARTLY CLOUDY. WEST WIND 8-13 67 N/A%
Humid

 

[Lumi]

Preview: Chargers (0-0) at Raiders (0-0)

Preview: Chargers (0-0) at Raiders (0-0)

Preview: Chargers (0-0) at Raiders (0-0)

Date: September 14, 2009 10:15 PM EDT

The Oakland Raiders' roller coaster of controversy and absurdity began with the abrupt firing of their coach last year.

It didn't shown any signs of stopping this week as they prepare to open the season Monday night against the visiting San Diego Chargers.

The latest involves newly acquired defensive lineman Richard Seymour, who was obtained from New England last Sunday in exchange for a first-round draft pick in 2011 but did not report to the Raiders.

The five-time Pro Bowler, though, told the Boston Herald that he would report Saturday after initially being taken aback by the trade.




"First of all, I was blindsided by this whole event," Seymour told the Herald. "When you get blindsided, you should take a moment to gather your thoughts. I have a lot of personal issues more pressing than football."

Seymour said he has been in regular contact with Raiders owner Al Davis and coach Tom Cable, and plans to be on the field Monday night.

"I'll be the guy on top of the quarterback," he said.

Cable is embroiled in his own ongoing saga after allegedly assaulting defensive assistant Randy Hanson and fracturing his jaw during training camp. The case is being investigated by the Napa, Calif., police department and the NFL.

Aside from any fallout from the investigation, Cable might be another in a line of revolving coaches if he can't break Oakland's string of losing years.

Since falling to Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl in January 2003, the Raiders have employed five coaches in six seasons. They have posted an NFL-worst 24-72 record in that time, losing at least 11 games in a record six consecutive years.

After taking over for Lane Kiffin, Cable lost eight of 12 games during last season's 5-11 finish.

The temperamental Davis fired Kiffin by telephone Sept. 30 and called his former coach "a flat-out liar" who was "bringing disgrace to the organization" at a press conference later that day. Davis had reportedly drafted a letter of resignation in January 2008 that Kiffin refused to sign.

Amid the continuing turmoil, the Raiders will try to break their 11-game skid to the Chargers.

San Diego also dealt with controversy this week.

Linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested early last Sunday on suspicion of choking and restraining his girlfriend, reality TV star Tila Tequila, as she tried to leave his Southern California home. The San Diego County district attorney's office began reviewing the case Wednesday and decided to dismiss those accusations Friday.

With the focus now back on the field, San Diego will begin its quest for a fourth straight AFC West title. The Chargers, though, are considered a perennial underachiever.

They have the fourth-most wins since 2004 with 54, but the three teams with more - Indianapolis, New England and Pittsburgh - have all won the Super Bowl in that time.

San Diego needed to win its final four games last season, beginning with a 34-7 home victory over Oakland, to finish 8-8 and edge out Denver in the division. The Chargers recorded an overtime victory over Indianapolis to open the playoffs but were stopped by eventual champion Pittsburgh in the divisional round.

General manager A.J. Smith said his club had "lost its elite status," and star running back LaDainian Tomlinson said he knows time is running out to make a title drive.

"You can't say, 'We will get it next year.' The window of opportunity is closing, and it's not as wide as it used to be and we certainly know this," Tomlinson said.

The Chargers, however, have one of the league's rising stars in quarterback Philip Rivers. Last season, he threw for a career-best 4,009 yards, had a league-leading 105.5 passer rating and broke Dan Fouts' team record for touchdown passes with 34. San Diego rewarded Rivers with a six-year contract extension worth $93 million.

Tomlinson, who turned 30 in June, said he's recovered from a nagging toe injury that hampered him last year. He also sat out the playoff loss to the Steelers with an ailing groin - the first time in his career he missed a game due to injury.

Tomlinson rushed for a career-low 1,110 yards, which still ranked fourth in the AFC. His 12 touchdowns were the fewest since he had 10 in his rookie season.

Tomlinson enters the season with 11,760 rushing yards (14th all-time) and his 141 total touchdowns are tied with Buffalo's Terrell Owens for fourth on that list. The Chargers also signed backup Darren Sproles to a $6.62 million contract as the team's franchise player.

San Diego, however, is looking to improve a defense that ranked 25th last season - two spots ahead of Oakland.

The Raiders are hoping their investment in quarterback and former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell will finally start paying off after a promising end to last season. Russell, who signed a six-year deal with $31.5 million guaranteed in 2007, had an 88.5 passer rating over his final seven starts, winning three of them while throwing seven touchdowns against four interceptions.

Oakland is looking for a similar breakout year from another former top draft pick, running back Darren McFadden. As a rookie in 2008, he rushed for 499 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games but was plagued with toe and ankle problems.

The Raiders drafted wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey from Maryland with the seventh pick this year, ahead of the more accomplished Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin.

 

[Lumi]

SAN DIEGO (8-8) vs OAKLAND (5-11)

SAN DIEGO (8-8) vs OAKLAND (5-11)

SAN DIEGO (8-8) vs OAKLAND (5-11)

Game Time: 10:15 p.m. EDT Monday, September 14

Stadium: Oakland Coliseum

Surface: grass






RECORD ANALYSIS
STRAIGHT-UP VS. SPREAD OVER/UNDER
SAN DIEGO HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL

Year-to-Date 5 - 3 3 - 5 8 - 8 4 - 4 3 - 4 7 - 8 3 - 5 5 - 3 8 - 8
Last 5 games 2 - 1 2 - 0 4 - 1 2 - 1 1 - 1 3 - 2 1 - 2 2 - 0 3 - 2
YTD vs. Div. 3 - 0 2 - 1 5 - 1 2 - 1 1 - 1 3 - 2 1 - 2 3 - 0 4 - 2
STRAIGHT-UP VS. SPREAD OVER/UNDER
OAKLAND HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL
Year-to-Date 2 - 6 3 - 5 5 - 11 2 - 6 5 - 3 7 - 9 3 - 5 3 - 5 6 - 10
Last 5 games 1 - 2 1 - 1 2 - 3 1 - 2 1 - 1 2 - 3 1 - 2 1 - 1 2 - 3
YTD vs. Div. 0 - 3 2 - 1 2 - 4 0 - 3 2 - 1 2 - 4 2 - 1 0 - 3 2 - 4
AWAY VS. SPREAD HOME VS. SPREAD
Year-to-Date FAV DOG GRASS TURF FAV DOG GRASS TURF
SAN DIEGO 1 - 3 2 - 0 3 - 2 0 - 2 4 - 4 0 - 0 4 - 4 0 - 0
OAKLAND 0 - 0 5 - 3 4 - 2 1 - 1 0 - 1 2 - 5 2 - 6 0 - 0



TEAM LOGS/SCHEDULE:
( * = overtime)

SAN DIEGO
LINE OVER/UNDER
DATE DAY OPP SCORE SU OPEN CLOSE ATS &
MARGIN OPEN CLOSE O/U &
MARGIN G/T
09/07/08 Sun CAR 24 - 26 L -9.5 -9.0 L -11 41.0 41.0 O +- 9.0 G
09/14/08 Sun @DEN 38 - 39 L -2.5 +1 L 0 45.0 46.0 O +-31.0 G
09/22/08 Mon NYJ 48 - 29 W -8.5 -8.0 W 11 42.5 46.0 O +-31.0 G
09/28/08 Sun @OAK 28 - 18 W -8.0 -8.5 W 1.5 45.5 45.0 O +- 1.0 G
10/05/08 Sun @MIA 10 - 17 L -7.0 -6.5 L -13.5 43.5 44.5 U -17.5 G
10/12/08 Sun NE 30 - 10 W -6.5 -6.0 W 14 45.5 44.5 U -4.5 G
10/19/08 Sun @BUF 14 - 23 L +0 +0 L -9 46.0 44.5 U -7.5 T
10/26/08 Sun @NO 32 - 37 L -3.0 -3.0 L -8 46.0 45.5 O +-23.5 T
11/09/08 Sun KC 20 - 19 W -13.5 -14.5 L -13.5 44.0 47.5 U -8.5 G
11/16/08 Sun @PIT 10 - 11 L +4.5 +4.5 W 3.5 43.0 41.0 U -20.0 G
11/23/08 Sun IND 20 - 23 L -3.0 -3.0 L -6 48.5 49.0 U -6.0 G
11/30/08 Sun ATL 16 - 22 L -4.0 -6.0 L -12 48.0 48.5 U -10.5 G
12/04/08 Thu OAK 34 - 7 W -9.0 -9.0 W 18 43.0 41.5 U -0.5 G
12/14/08 Sun @KC 22 - 21 W -4.5 -5.5 L -4.5 45.5 41.0 O +- 2.0 G
12/21/08 Sun @TB 41 - 24 W +4 +4 W 21 42.0 42.5 O +-22.5 G
12/28/08 Sun DEN 52 - 21 W -8.5 -7.0 W 24 48.5 50.0 O +-23.0 G


OAKLAND
LINE OVER/UNDER
DATE DAY OPP SCORE SU OPEN CLOSE ATS &
MARGIN OPEN CLOSE O/U &
MARGIN G/T
09/08/08 Mon DEN 14 - 41 L +1.5 +3 L -24 42.5 40.5 O +-14.5 G
09/14/08 Sun @KC 23 - 8 W +3.5 +3.5 W 18.5 34.5 36.0 U -5.0 G
09/21/08 Sun @BUF 23 - 24 L +9.5 +10 W 9 37.5 36.5 O +-10.5 T
09/28/08 Sun SD 18 - 28 L +8 +8.5 L -1.5 45.5 45.0 O +- 1.0 G
10/12/08 Sun @NO 3 - 34 L +8.5 +7 L -24 47.5 47.5 U -10.5 T
10/19/08 Sun NYJ 16 - 13 W +3.5 +3 W 6 43.5 41.0 U -12.0 G
10/26/08 Sun @BAL 10 - 29 L +7 +7.5 L -11.5 35.5 35.0 O +- 4.0 G
11/02/08 Sun ATL 0 - 24 L +2.5 +3 L -21 41.0 41.5 U -17.5 G
11/09/08 Sun CAR 6 - 17 L +7.5 +10 L -1 37.0 37.5 U -14.5 G
11/16/08 Sun @MIA 15 - 17 L +13 +10 W 8 38.0 38.0 U -6.0 G
11/23/08 Sun @DEN 31 - 10 W +11 +8 W 29 43.5 43.5 U -2.5 G
11/30/08 Sun KC 13 - 20 L -3.0 -3.0 L -10 41.5 41.5 U -8.5 G
12/04/08 Thu @SD 7 - 34 L +9 +9 L -18 43.0 41.5 U -0.5 G
12/14/08 Sun NE 26 - 49 L +7.5 +7 L -16 41.0 39.0 O +-36.0 G
12/21/08 Sun HOU 27 - 16 W +6 +7 W 18 44.0 44.0 U -1.0 G
12/28/08 Sun @TB 31 - 24 W +12 +11 W 18 40.0 39.0 O +-16.0 G



PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

LINE OVER/UNDER
DATE DAY VIS SC HOM SC OPEN CLOSE ATS &
MARGIN OPEN CLOSE O/U &
MARGIN G/T
10/16/05 Sun SD 27 OAK 14 +1.5 +1.5 OAK --11.5 51.0 51.0 U -10 G
12/04/05 Sun OAK 10 SD 34 -10.0 -12.0 SD +12 50.5 51.0 U -7 G
09/11/06 Mon SD 27 OAK 0 +2.5 +3 OAK --24 47.5 42.5 U -15.5 G
11/26/06 Sun OAK 14 SD 21 -13.0 -14.0 SD --7 42.0 43.0 U -8 G
10/14/07 Sun OAK 14 SD 28 -9.0 -9.5 SD +4.5 45.5 44.0 U -2 G
12/30/07 Sun SD 30 OAK 17 +7 +9.5 OAK --3.5 42.5 41.0 O +-6 G
09/28/08 Sun SD 28 OAK 18 +8 +8.5 OAK --1.5 45.5 45.0 O +-1 G
12/04/08 Thu OAK 7 SD 34 -9.0 -9.0 SD +18 43.0 41.5 U -0.5 G





STATISTICAL AVERAGES:


AWAY/HOME RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM FGP
SD (off) 24.4 18 22 86 3.9 33 21 0.6 245 7.4 331 1.0 0.6 1.00
OAK (def) 26.0 21 35 181 5.2 28 16 0.6 186 6.6 367 1.4 0.3 1.00
RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM FGP
SD (def) 23.8 24 29 113 3.9 37 26 0.7 263 7.1 376 0.6 0.5 1.00
OAK (off) 15.0 15 29 123 4.2 29 15 0.5 163 5.6 286 0.6 0.9 1.00
ALL GAMES RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM FGP
SD (off) 27.4 19 26 108 4.2 30 20 0.7 241 8.0 349 0.7 0.6 1.00
OAK (def) 24.3 20 34 160 4.7 29 17 0.6 201 6.9 361 1.0 0.5 1.00
RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM FGP
SD (def) 21.7 21 26 103 4.0 38 26 0.7 247 6.5 350 0.9 0.6 1.00
OAK (off) 16.4 14 29 124 4.3 26 14 0.5 148 5.7 272 0.7 0.8 1.00



SCORING AVERAGES:

SAN DIEGO (away) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 3.8 5.5 9.3 4.6 10.5 0.0 15.1
POINTS ALLOWED 4.4 11.6 16 4.8 3.0 0.0 7.8



OAKLAND (home) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 3.9 2.1 6 5.0 3.6 0.4 9
POINTS ALLOWED 7.8 6.8 14.6 2.5 9.0 0.0 11.5



SAN DIEGO (all) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 4.8 7.9 12.7 5.3 9.5 0.0 14.8
POINTS ALLOWED 4.0 8.8 12.8 3.7 5.2 0.0 8.9



OAKLAND (all) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 2.9 3.4 6.3 4.6 5.4 0.2 10.2
POINTS ALLOWED 5.1 7.2 12.3 3.6 8.4 0.0 12



VALUE INDEX COMPARISON TO LAS VEGAS LINE:

LV POINTSPREAD VALUE INDEX VALUE INDEX
OPEN CURRENT RATING LINE EDGE
SAN DIEGO 55.5 -7.0
OAKLAND 45 2.5
LV OVER/UNDER VALUE INDEX VALUE INDEX
OPEN CURRENT RATING EDGE
OVER/UNDER 43 PK pick

 

[Lumi]

Top 5 Trends

Top 5 Trends

Top 5 Trends
SD
OAK Over is 7-0 in SD last 7 games in September.
SD
OAK SD are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 meetings in Oakland.
BUF
NE Over is 5-0 in BUF last 5 Mon. games.
BUF
NE Favorite is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
BUF
NE Over is 4-0 in NE last 4 games on fieldturf.

 

[Lumi]

Buffalo (0-0) at New England (0-0)

Buffalo (0-0) at New England (0-0)

Buffalo (0-0) at New England (0-0)





- Tom Brady makes his formal return to the NFL field on Monday night, when the three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback and his New England Patriots play host to the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills, in the regular season lid-lifter for both teams.

Brady missed the final 15 games of 2008 after suffering reported tears of his left ACL and MCL on a low tackle attempt by Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard. In his absence, New England managed to finish a surprising 11-5 behind backup Matt Cassel, but missed the playoffs one year after finishing the regular season 16-0 and reaching the Super Bowl.

The 2007 season was a record-setting one for Brady as well, as the four-time Pro Bowler threw for 4,806 yards and an NFL-record 50 touchdowns versus just eight interceptions. Twenty-three of the scoring strikes went to wideout Randy Moss, also establishing a new league mark.

With Brady back in the fold, expectations are high for the Patriots again in 2009, and the addition of several well-regarded veterans has done little to diminish those hopes. Running back Fred Taylor, wide receiver Joey Galloway, and cornerback Shawn Springs are among the new Patriots who will be making their respective debuts with the team on Monday.

Meanwhile, former lineup staples such as linebackers Mike Vrabel (traded to Kansas City), Tedy Bruschi (retired), safety Rodney Harrison (retired) and, perhaps most surprisingly, defensive end Richard Seymour (traded to Oakland), will no longer be a part of the New England defense.

Seymour was dealt to Oakland in exchange for a 2011 first-round draft choice last Sunday, although as of the time of writing, Seymour had not reported to the Raiders and subsequently placed the trade in jeopardy.

The Bills are not without their own share of drama as the 2009 regular season commences.

With little more than a week to go before Monday's opener, Buffalo head coach Dick Jauron fired offensive coordinator Turk Schonert, elevating quarterbacks coach and former Bills signal-caller Alex Van Pelt to his position.

Van Pelt will have his work cut out for him, as the Bills are expected to start three players - tackle Demetrius Bell along with guards Andy Levitre and Eric Wood - who have never appeared in a meaningful NFL game.

Meanwhile, the Bills will be without top running back Marshawn Lynch, who will begin serving a three-game suspension for violation of the NFL personal conduct policy.

One Buffalo player who is expected to be in uniform on Monday is wide receiver Terrell Owens, who missed the team's final four preseason games with a toe injury. Owens was signed to a one-year, $6.5 million contract by Buffalo on March 8th, days after being released by the Dallas Cowboys.

SERIES HISTORY

The Patriots hold a 56-40-1 edge over the Bills in a series that dates back to 1960, and have claimed 16 of the last 17 overall, including 11 in a row since Buffalo's 31-0 home victory over New England to open the 2003 campaign. Last year, New England took a 20-10 home win over the Bills in Week 10, and gutted out a 13-0 win in blustery weather conditions at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Week 17. Buffalo is 0-8 in New England since last winning there in 2000, when the then-Wade Phillips-coached club was a 16-13 overtime victor.

The Bills have averaged just 8.7 points per game during their 11-game losing streak to the Pats.

The clubs have also met once in the postseason, a 26-8 New England road victory in a 1963 AFL Division Playoff.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick holds a 16-3 record against the Bills in his career, including a 16-2 mark while with New England. Buffalo's Jauron is 1-7 against both the Patriots and Belichick as a head coach, including 0-6 since taking over the Bills.

WHEN THE BILLS HAVE THE BALL

Van Pelt is going to have to get very creative about moving the football, and if he's smart, that approach will put the ball in the hands of Owens and fellow starting wideout Lee Evans (63 receptions, 3 TD) early and often. The presence of the future Hall of Famer Owens (69 receptions, 10 TD with Dallas) in the lineup should make things much easier for Evans, though whether quarterback Trent Edwards (2699 passing yards, 11 TD, 10 INT) has the time to find Evans deep remains to be seen. With Lynch sidelined, the running game will fall mostly to the underrated Fred Jackson (571 rushing yards, 3 TD, 37 receptions), who averaged 4.4 yards per rush a year ago but is going to find the sledding tough while working behind Buffalo's green line. Second-year-pro Xavier Omon, who had six carries a year ago, will spell Jackson against the Patriots. The Bills were 14th in NFL rushing offense and 22nd in the league in passing last season.

Belichick proved his notorious lack of sentimentality in the period since the Patriots last took the field for a meaningful game, ushering out many of the players who helped New England reach four Super Bowls earlier this decade. Experience remains among that group, however, with defensive linemen Vince Wilfork (66 tackles, 2 INT) and Ty Warren (41 tackles, 2 INT) anchoring the club's three-man front and Adalius Thomas (35 tackles, 5 sacks) and second- year star Jerod Mayo (126 tackles) continuing to do their thing at the outside and inside linebacker spots, respectively. Among the newcomers to the New England starting lineup who will be counted on for consistency are inside linebacker Gary Guyton (28 tackles), who will fill Bruschi's former role; Pierre Woods (27 tackles), who will be looked to for a spark in the pass rushing game; and the new cornerback tandem of Leigh Bodden (73 tackles, 1 INT with Detroit) and Shawn Springs (36 tackles, 1 INT with Washington), who will have a tall order right off the bat in handling Evans and Owens. New England was 15th in the league against the run last year, and 11th versus the pass.

WHEN THE PATRIOTS HAVE THE BALL

As he makes his return in full to the NFL field on Monday night, Brady will find himself surrounded by some intriguing new weapons. Joining Moss (69 receptions, 11 TD) and Wes Welker (111 receptions, 3 TD) in the group of primary targets will be 37-year-old flier Joey Galloway (13 receptions with Tampa Bay) along with former Jets tight end Chris Baker (21 receptions with New York). But Brady's ability to locate those pass-catchers will be determined in large part by the offensive line, which returns largely intact despite allowing 48 sacks last season. The man doing the running for New England should vary from series to series, though mainstay Sammy Morris (727 rushing yards, 7 TD) figures to get the start, with ex-Jaguars Pro Bowler Fred Taylor (556 rushing yards, 1 TD with Jacksonville) and Laurence Maroney (93 rushing yards) getting their opportunities as well. Even with Brady absent from the lineup last season, New England finished eighth in the league in scoring.

Buffalo's ability to stay in this game will be predicated on its success at pressuring Brady, and defending the Patriots' bevy of receivers. The Bills were not a good pass-rushing team last season, with a foot injury that sidelined Aaron Schobel (19 tackles, 1 sack) for the majority of the year a major culprit in their paltry showing of 24 sacks. But Schobel is back and healthy, and the presence of first-round draft choice Aaron Maybin (Penn State) off the edge should help as well. Buffalo also looks solid in the secondary, with Terrence McGee (66 tackles, 3 INT) and Leodis McKelvin (31 tackles, 2 INT) manning the corners and Bryan Scott (64 tackles) and Donte Whitner (61 tackles, 1 sack) lending the all-important support over the top. The Bills were only 22nd in the league against the run last year, but are expecting a better year from Marcus Stroud (45 tackles, 2.5 sacks) and Kyle Williams (55 tackles, 2 sacks) at the point of attack, with linebackers Paul Posluzsny (110 tackles, 1 INT), Keith Ellison (71 tackles), and Kawika Mitchell (82 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 INT) a year wiser behind them.

FANTASY FOCUS

If you picked Brady in your fantasy league, you did so with the vision of him being your starting quarterback, and he did nothing in the preseason that should make you nervous to use him. There should also be little hesitation in opening with Moss or Welker, who put up numbers in the New England offense no matter who is running it. It's risky to start a Patriots running back given their probable committee approach, but Morris figures to end up with the most touches of that group. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski is always a must-start, and the Patriots defense is a good play this week due to the quality of the Bills offense.

On the Buffalo side, there isn't a single player who looks like a can't-miss, but Owens, Evans, and kicker Rian Lindell are those most worth taking a flier on.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

It's hard to say what NFL teams the Bills could hope to beat while in the midst of such a major offensive transformation, but it's safe to assume that the Patriots are not one of them. Even with some of the changes the New England defense has gone through in recent weeks, the noted defensive guru Belichick will throw the store at the woefully inexperienced Buffalo o-line, a situation that is going to yield negative consequences for Edwards and the rest of the Bills attack. On the other side of the ball, Brady might not look totally sharp in his first full game since February of 2008, but he'll get some short fields, make some big plays, and walk away with a confidence- building victory.

Predicted Outcome: Patriots 24, Bills 3

 

[Lumi]

NFL Preview - San Diego (0-0) at Oakland (0-0)

NFL Preview - San Diego (0-0) at Oakland (0-0)

NFL Preview - San Diego (0-0) at Oakland (0-0)




The San Diego Chargers will have a golden opportunity to get off to a much-needed strong start to the 2009 campaign on Monday night, when they travel to meet the AFC West rival Oakland Raiders in the regular season lid-lifter for both clubs.

The Chargers have won AFC West titles in their first two years under head coach Norv Turner, despite getting off to dismal starts in both 2007 and 2008.

In 2007, Turner and company emerged from September with a 1-3 record, eventually sputtering to 5-5 before going on an eight-game winning streak that would land them in the AFC Championship.

Last season, the Bolts went 0-2 out of the box, eventually falling to 4-8 before a late-season winning streak, coupled with a collapse by division- leading Denver, allowed San Diego to win the AFC West crown at 8-8.

The perceived weakness of the AFC West this season would not preclude San Diego from recovering from another poor start, though the Chargers' ability to be among the top playoff seeds in the conference would take another hit.

But another September loss on Turner's resume' would be a surprise in this case, due to the Chargers' recent ownership of the Raiders.

San Diego owns 11 straight wins over Oakland since the Raiders got by the Chargers at home in 2003, and eight of those victories have come by double- digits.

Though the Raiders' five wins last season matched their most since 2002, and head coach Tom Cable was rewarded by having the "interim" label removed from his job title, few NFL observers are expecting the Silver and Black to return to their former greatness in 2009.

Oakland elicited widespread criticism in April, when they selected Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey at No. 7 in the draft, ahead of consensus top wideout Michael Crabtree and several spots before most draft experts had projected the fleet-footed target with questionable hands.

Once training camp started, Heyward-Bey's exploits were overshadowed by a reported incident in which Cable allegedly attacked assistant coach Randy Hanson, leaving him with a broken jaw.

More recently, the Raiders raised the hopes of their beleaguered fan base by making a trade for Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour last Sunday, though Seymour had yet to report to the team as of Thursday afternoon, placing the trade in jeopardy.

SERIES HISTORY

Oakland has a 54-42-2 record in its all-time regular season series with San Diego, but as mentioned, has lost 11 in a row since last defeating the Chargers at home during the 2003 season. San Diego swept its fifth consecutive home-and-home over Oakland last season, notching a 28-18 road win in Week 4 and a 34-7 home triumph in Week 14. The Raiders are 0-6 in San Diego since last winning there in 2002.

Oakland won the only postseason meeting between the teams, prevailing by a 34-27 count in the 1980 AFC Championship.

Turner is 5-1 all-time against his former employer the Raiders, including 4-0 since coming to San Diego. Oakland's Cable is 0-1 against both Turner and the Chargers as a head coach.

WHEN THE CHARGERS HAVE THE BALL

Though he remained a focal point of the San Diego offense last season, there was a consensus among NFL observers that running back LaDainian Tomlinson (1110 rushing yards, 52 receptions, 12 TD) had a down year in 2008. Never fully healthy, Tomlinson averaged just 3.8 yards per rush and ceded part of the backfield spotlight to the electrifying Darren Sproles (330 rushing yards, 29 receptions, 6 TD), who was "rewarded" by being named the Chargers' franchise player during the offseason. Tomlinson, who played in the preseason for the first time in recent memory, is eager to prove that he can still deliver the goods at the age of 30. If he can't, San Diego has a great fail- safe with one of the underrated passing games in the league. Philip Rivers (4009 passing yards, 34 TD, 11 INT) had a terrific year in 2008, making a 1,000-yard receiver out of Vincent Jackson (59 receptions, 7 TD) and helping tight end Antonio Gates (60 receptions, 8 TD) to continue his productivity as well. A very effective offensive line helps to power the entire Chargers attack, and right guard Louis Vasquez (Texas Tech), a third-round rookie, is the only new starter there.

New Oakland defensive coordinator John Marshall had to be salivating when the team dealt for Seymour, a player who could be critical in stopping Oakland's long-standing problems against the run. The Raiders were 31st in NFL rushing defense a year ago, and their issues in that area were prevalent during the 2009 preseason as well. Without Seymour, the run-stopping effort will fall to a four-man front led by tackles Gerard Warren (39 tackles, 4 sacks) and Tommy Kelly (56 tackles, 4.5 sacks), with linebackers Kirk Morrison (135 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) and Thomas Howard (97 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) working behind them. No Raider finished with more than five sacks last season, a situation that Oakland sought to resolve by signing longtime Cowboy Greg Ellis (36 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 INT with Dallas) in free agency. The work of Ellis, Trevor Scott (15 tackles, 5 sacks) and the pass rush should make things easier for cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (40 tackles, 1 INT) and his group on the back end. Asomugha will likely be matched up with Jackson on Monday, with safeties Hiram Eugene (51 tackles) and Tyvon Branch (7 tackles, 1 INT) responsible in part for defending Gates.

WHEN THE RAIDERS HAVE THE BALL

Though quarterback JaMarcus Russell (2423 passing yards, 13 TD, 8 INT), Heyward-Bey, and the Raiders passing game will face some scrutiny on Monday, Oakland's game plan against San Diego figures to emphasize the run in a major way. The trio of Justin Fargas (853 rushing yards, 1 TD), Darren McFadden (499 rushing yards, 4 TD) and Michael Bush (421 rushing yards, 3 TD) was integral to the Raiders' transition into a competitive team late last season, and Cable will try to get the ball into the hands of his backs in any way possible. When Russell has to throw downfield, Oakland could be in more trouble. Heyward-Bey, who hasn't caught the ball consistently since being drafted, will start. The other would-be starter, Chaz Schilens, is out with a foot injury. That leaves holdover Johnnie Lee Higgins (22 receptions, 4 TD), fourth-round rookie Louis Murphy (Florida), and trusty tight end Zach Miller (56 receptions, 1 TD) as some of the team's best options in the aerial game. The Raiders were 10th in the league in rushing last year, but finished dead last in passing offense.

Many eyes figured to be focused on Chargers pass rusher Shawne Merriman anyway on Monday night, as the former Pro Bowler attempted to make his formal return after missing the final 15 games of last year with a knee injury. But a recent allegation of battery against his girlfriend has thrust Merriman even further into the spotlight, and the one-time Maryland star will want to erase some of that chatter with a strong performance against the Raiders. Also looking to tee off on Russell will be fellow outside linebacker Shaun Phillips (74 tackles, 7.5 sacks), the team's sack leader a year ago. On the back end, cornerback Antonio Cromartie (64 tackles, 2 INT) is among the players seeking to have a bounce-back year within a secondary that combined for just eight interceptions all of last season. The Chargers were 31st in the NFL against the pass last year. The San Diego run-stopping group will face a stern test from the Raiders bevy of running backs, with nose tackle Jamal Williams (56 tackles, 1.5 sacks) and Luis Castillo (39 tackles, 1.5 sacks) looking to maintain control at the point of attack, and inside linebackers Stephen Cooper (98 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 INT) and Kevin Burnett (26 tackles, 2 INT with Dallas) making plays behind them.

FANTASY FOCUS

Your final opportunity to polish off a fantasy win comes here, and there should be little hesitation in using the Chargers' offensive principles. Rivers, Tomlinson, Jackson, and Gates are all definite starts, and kicker Nate Kaeding and the San Diego defense also merit being in your lineup.

Things are always less certain when Oakland has the ball, with the team's three-headed approach at the running back position making the use of Fargas, McFadden or Bush problematic. Probably best to wait and see on those players, and there's certainly no need to risk using any member of the Raider aerial game, with the possible exception of the tight end Miller. Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski was 24-of-32 on field goals last season, and there's no guarantee he'll get a wealth of scoring opportunities in this one.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

Though you won't find the Raiders and Chargers in close proximity to one another on most NFL power polls, it bears noting that Oakland hung with San Diego in the first meeting between the teams last year, when the Raiders took a 15-3 lead into the fourth quarter before the wheels came off the bus in a 28-18 loss that marked the swan song of the Lane Kiffin era. If San Diego comes out flat in this trip to the Bay Area, Oakland just might be equipped to finish the job, with an offense that has some real strength in the running game and a defense that should be able to accurately predict what its AFC West opponent will be trying to do. Ultimately, however, it will probably come down to the quarterbacks in the fourth quarter, and Rivers figures to make one fewer mistake than Russell when it counts.

Predicted Outcome: Chargers 21, Raiders 13

 

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Chargers at Raiders

Chargers at Raiders

Chargers at Raiders
September 14, 2009


Date: September 14, 2009
Time: 10:15pm ET
TV: ESPN
Line: Chargers -9 ?
Total: 43

It is a battle of polar opposites in the AFC West for the final game of week one. Former Raiders Coach Norv Turner will not admit it, but sources close to Turner say he takes great pleasure in pounding the Raiders. His chances to do so are greatly improved with the return of Shawne Merriman, and impact offensive weapons LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, and Chris Chambers back healthy after an injury plagued 2008 campaign.

To say the Raiders are having a typical year would be a major understatement. With reports of Head Coach Tom Cable breaking the jaw of an assistant, the head scratching release of veterans Jeff Garcia and Lorenzo Neal, and trading a future number one pick for the aging Richard Seymour (who has yet to report to the team) The silver and black appear to be on their way to a seventh straight 11 loss season.


Quarterbacks:

The Chargers are feeling good about their future after locking up franchise quarterback Philip Rivers towards the end of camp. Rivers has been everything the team wanted and more. He has taken over as the leader of this team, and is not afraid to yell at teammates if he feels it is needed. In 2008 Rivers had a Dan Fouts like year throwing for more than 4,000 yards, and 34 TD?s to only 11 int?s. Coaches tell us he is under-rated in the league for his decision making skills. With questions about Tomlinson?s durability, look for Rivers to handle the transition from a run heavy offense to a more balanced ?o? smoothly.

For the Raiders, the jury is still out on JaMarcus Russell. There is no question he has a big time arm; it just would be nice if he showed a work ethic to go with it. Last year?s numbers (2400 yards, 13 tds, 8 interceptions, and a QB rating of 77.1) would be bad for anybody, but they are a large blinking light when you remember Russell was the first pick in the 2007 draft. With San Diego expected to come after him with speed linebackers Shaun Phillips, Larry English, and the returning Merriman, Russell is going to have to make smart, quick decisions in order for the Raiders to have any chance of pulling the upset.

Running Backs:

Just two years ago LaDainian Tomlinson was the fair-haired boy of the Chargers, this spring there were questions if he would be back. Tomlinson swallowed his pride, re-structured his contract, and comes into the 2009 season with a large chip on his shoulder. When told by a local radio station that he was ranked no higher than sixth in rankings of running backs, he answered ?If I felt I was not one of the top five backs in this league, I would retire.? That quote made for good radio, but it is hard to deny the questions about his durability heading into his tenth season. The Chargers have ended their past two seasons in playoff games that saw LT hurt, and unable to play. Most people assume this is Tomlinson?s last year in San Diego, and he plans on showing the league that he still has the skills to make him one of the top play makers in the game. He is backed up by the speedy Darren Sproles, and former Viking Michael Bennett who forced his way on to the roster with a strong camp.

When the Raiders released a depth chart at the start of training camp that had Darren McFadden listed as the third back behind Justin Fargas and Michael Bush, insiders around the league were stunned. How could the fourth pick of last year?s draft fallen so quick? Any questions were answered earlier this week when Coach Tom Cable announced that McFadden was his starter. McFadden was slowed by a turf toe injury in his rookie campaign, and only rushed for 499 yards. Look for a much better year in 09. The Raiders feel their best chance to win games is to control the clock. McFadden is expected to see time as a wideout to make room for Fargas and Bush, and don?t be surprised when he is under center in the wildcat formation.

Wide Receivers:

Antonio Gates, the Pro Bowl Tight End for the Chargers could not stop smiling on the third day of training camp. When asked what was going on, he replied ?I forgot how good it feels to run pain-free!? That is good news for Charger fans, and very bad news for teams like the Raiders. Gates was one of many Charger players that tried to play through the pain in 2008, and while still putting up respectable numbers (60 catches, 700 yards, 8 TD?s) look for him to return to double digit TD?s this season. Vincent Jackson has developed into a solid deep threat after his 1000 yard effort last year. Veteran Chris Chambers had four touchdowns in San Diego?s first five games before an ankle injury slowed him down. He is back healthy, and in a contract year. He has the trust of Rivers, and will be one of his go to guys.

With Chaz Schilens sidelined with a broken foot, the spotlight will shine on first round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey. Oakland passed on Michael Crabtree (maybe a smart move in hindsight) to select Bey who has blinding speed, but questionable hands. Until Schilens is healthy, and Heyward-Bey gets his legs under him, look for JaMarcus Russell to find TE Zach Miller. Miller is a big guy with soft hands, who has a knack for making big catches. San Diego is weak at the strong safety position which could mean a big day for Miller.

Defense: San Diego comes into the 2009 season promising to be more aggressive under new Coordinator Ron Rivera. Rivera took over for Ted Cottrell midway through last season, and has gone back to basics. He will allow Merriman and Phillips to do what they do best, rush the QB. He got rid of Matt Wilhelm who most teammates felt was a nice guy, but too soft to play middle linebacker, and replaced him with Kevin Burnett from Dallas. When a member of Chargers front office was asked if there was a guy on the team that he didn?t like, it took less than 3 seconds for the staff member to answer ?Burnett? when asked why, the answer was ?He is always in a bad mood? That is good news for Rivera who needed some attitude in his group. Mix-in Pro-Bowl cornerbacks Quinton Jammer and Antonio Cromartie, and you can see why SD is picked by many to be in the Super Bowl.

Oakland doesn?t have many highlights on the defensive side of the ball, but they do have a gem in cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha who is considered the best shut down corner in the game. The Raiders are one of the few teams that still use a 4-3 defense. Last season Tackles Tommy Kelly and Gerard Warren struggled against the rush. In order to help them, Oakland brought in Greg Ellis from Dallas, and made the trade for Seymour. John Marshall replaces Rob Ryan as coordinator, and we have been told to look for a more disciplined defense. Kirk Morrison will continue to be the heart and soul of the unit from his middle linebacker position.

Special Teams:

This game features two of the league?s best punters in Mike Scifers from San Diego, and Shane Lechler from Oakland. San Diego put the franchise tag on RB/KR Darren Sproles who will look to prove he is worth his 6 million dollar salary by continuing to make plays in the return game. Bolts PK Nate Kaeding is solid, but has been known to miss an easy kick now and then. Sebastian Janikowski of the Raiders still has one of the strongest legs in the league, and could be counted on to score a majority of the team?s points

Betting Trends:
The Chargers are 11-1 ATS in their last 12 games against the Raiders
The Chargers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games
The Raiders are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games on MNF

 

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Pats begin Super run

Pats begin Super run

Pats begin Super run

The New England Patriots begin their Super Bowl run tonight against the Buffalo Bills

New England is an 11-point favorite at ANYSports.com with an Over/Under of 47 points. This is one of two Monday night games beginning at 7 pm ET. The San Diego Chargers (-10) at the Oakland Raiders is the nightcap.

New England picked the right opponent to begin their season with. The Pats have beaten Buffalo 11 times in a row with the last loss coming in the opening week of 2003.

The Patriots are 9-2 ATS in their 11 game winning streak over Buffalo. They are 5-0 ATS in the last five years.


The last two wins and covers came with quarterback Tom Brady sidelined with his knee injury. Matt Cassel did a solid job filling in, leading the team to an 11-5 straight-up record, but their Super Bowl hopes all rely of a healthy Brady.

That?s because the Patriots? defense had major veteran losses beginning with the retirement of Rodney Harrison and ending with the surprising trade of Richard Seymour to Oakland. There are several young players ready to step up like linebacker Jerod Mayo, but the unit is a serious question mark.

Buffalo a live dog on Monday night?

Buffalo is attempting to avoid another dreaded 7-9 record. Coach Dick Jauron is on the hot seat already and firing the offensive coordinator in the preseason is not how they wanted to start.

Wide receiver Terrell Owens is a great compliment to Lee Evans on the outside. The question is whether Trent Edwards and the new ?no-huddle? offense can get Owens the ball enough to keep him from dismantling the team chemistry.

The Buffalo defense was a decent group last year, ranking in the middle of the NFL. They?ll be in good shape if they can generate more of a pass rush, although New England?s offensive line is very good at keeping Brady clean.

Running back Marshawn Lynch is serving a suspension for this game, so Buffalo will have to rely on the passing game.

Buffalo backers will note that New England is just 3-9 ATS in their last 12 home games. That number was 1-5 ATS at the end of Brady?s Super Bowl run in 2007.

Buffalo failed to cover in Foxboro the last two years, but they turned the trick in both 2005 and 2006 with Brady playing.

New England just 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games giving 10.5 points or more.

 

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MNF Doubleheader

MNF Doubleheader

MNF Doubleheader
September 13, 2009
By Sportsbook.com

The NFL & ESPN continue their tradition with an opening week Monday night doubleheader. Both games are divisional battles. In the opener, New England hosts Buffalo as a double-digit favorite. In the nightcap, the Raiders welcome the Chargers and will be playing as near-10-point dogs at Sportsbook.com. In both cases, bettors love the favorites at Sportsbook.com. Read on for a brief look at both games then be sure to utilize the GAME MATCHUPS before hitting the confirm button on any wagers.

BUFFALO at NEW ENGLAND

The opening game of the MNF Week 1 doubleheader pits Buffalo & New England in a AFC East showdown. QB Tom Brady returns for the Patriots after missing all of last season while being hurt on opening day. He seems at full strength and oddsmakers have taken notice, making HC Bill Belichick?s team a 10-point favorite. The Patriots have had winning marks in divisional games every year this decade, including 4-2 ATS a year ago, when they missed a playoff berth despite going 11-5. Buffalo was 7-9 in ?08, including 0-6 SU & 1-5 ATS in AFC East play, but has brought WR Terrell Owens into the mix to lift an offense that was 22nd in passing yardage. New England is 10-2 SU & 8-3 ATS in its L12 hosting the Bills, and UNDER the Total is 16-4 in the L20 series meetings.

Prediction: New England by 16




SAN DIEGO at OAKLAND

Oakland?s 2008 season began with hope on a home Monday night divisional contest vs. Denver, only for that optimism to be squashed in a 41-14 rout. The Raiders hope history doesn?t repeat itself when they host San Diego to open this campaign. They come off a season in which they won five games, tying their most since 2002, including the final two. Oakland is a 6-1/2 point home dog, and needs to improve its home record of recent years, 13-33 ATS over the L6 seasons. They also need breakout performances from QB Jamarcus Russell & RB Darren McFadden, both recent high draft picks. San Diego meanwhile is the defending AFC West champ and a prohibitive favorite to return to that perch. The Chargers are 8-5 SU & 11-2 ATS in their L13 visits to Oakland.

Prediction: San Diego 23, Oakland 17

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