CNOTES 2025-2026 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE + NEWS, NOTES BEST BETS !

[Cnotes53]

Sunday’s Den: Trends for Week 1 NFL matchups……​

Early season trends for Week 1 NFL matchups:

— Cowboys @ Eagles
Dallas is 4-2 SU/5-1 ATS in its last six road openers.
Since 2007, Cowboys are 14-4 ATS in road openers.
Over is 5-3-1 in their last nine road openers.
This is first time Philly opened at home since 2019.
Last four years, Eagles are 4-0 SU/3-1 ATS in Week 1.
Eagles are 2-3 SU/1-4 ATS in last five home openers

— Chiefs vs Chargers (@ San Paolo, Brazil)
Last ten years, Chiefs are 8-2 SU/7-3 ATS in Week 1.
Over is 7-1-1 in Kansas City’s last nine Week 1 games.
Last six years, Chargers are 5-1 SU in Week 1.
Last five years, under is 4-1 in their Week 1 games.

— Giants @ Commanders
Since 2011, Giants are 2-11 SU/2-10-1 ATS in Week 1.
Last eight years, under is 7-1 in their Week 1 games.
Since 2009, Giants are 5-9-1 ATS in their road opener.
Last seven years, Washington is 4-3 SU/ATS in Week 1.
Over is 4-2 in their last six Week 1 games.
Last five years, Commanders are 4-1 SU/3-2 ATS in their home opener.

— Cardinals @ Saints
Last six years, Arizona is 3-3 SU/6-0 ATS in its road opener.
Last seven years, under is 5-2 in their road openers.
Last six years, Cardinals are 2-3-1 SU/5-1 ATS in Week 1 games.
Since 2015, Saints are 4-6 SU/2-8 ATS in their home opener.
Over is 7-2 in their last nine home openers.
Last 11 years, New Orleans is 5-6 SU/2-9 ATS in Week 1 games.

— Dolphins @ Colts
Last four years, Dolphins are 4-1 SU/3-1 ATS in Week 1 games.
Last 10 years, Miami is 6-4 SU/7-3 ATS in its road opener.
Under is 19-4 in their last 23 road openers.
Since 2014, Colts are 0-10-1 SU/2-8-1 ATS in Week 1 games.
Over is 5-2 in their last seven Week 1 games.
Last six years, Colts are 3-3 SU/4-2 ATS in home openers.

— Raiders @ Patriots
Last six years, Raiders are 4-2 SU/ATS in Week 1 games.
Since 2007, Raiders are 12-5-1 ATS in their road opener.
Under is 6-2 in their last eight road openers.
Last four years, Patriots are 0-4 SU/0-3-1 ATS in home openers.
Last seven years, under is 6-0-1 in their Week 1 games.
Under is 5-1 in their last six road openers.

Steelers @ Jets
Pittsburgh won/covered its last five road openers.
Under is 11-1 in their last dozen road openers.
This is 10th time in 11 years Steelers open on the road.
Last six years, Jets are 1-5 SU/ATS in Week 1 games.
Last two years, Jets won/covered their home opener.
Under is 7-1 in their last eight home openers.

Panthers @ Jaguars
Last six years, Panthers are 1-5 SU/ATS in Week 1 games.
Since 2009, Carolina is 5-11 SU/ATS in road openers.
Under is 8-4 in Carolina’s last 12 home openers.
Last 8 years, Jacksonville is 4-4 SU/5-3 ATS in Week 1.
Since 2012, Jaguars are 3-10 SU/ATS in home openers.
Jaguars’ last four home openers stayed under the total.

— Bengals @ Browns
Bengals started 0-1 in five of the last six seasons.
Under is 5-1 in their last six season openers.
Bengals are 1-5 SU/3-3 ATS in last six road openers.
Since 2005, Browns are 2-17-1 SU in Week 1 games.
Last six years, Browns are 3-3 SU/1-5 ATS in home openers.
Over is 5-1 in their last six home openers.

— Buccaneers @ Falcons
Last six years, Bucs are 5-0 SU/4-1 ATS in Week 1 games.
Tampa Bay is 7-3 SU/ATS in its last ten road openers.
Over is 7-3 in Tampa Bay’s last ten home openers.
Last seven years, Falcons are 1-6 SU/2-5 ATS in Week 1 games.
Since 2008, Atlanta is 12-5 SU/13-4 ATS in home openers.
Since 2004, under is 15-6 in their road openers.

— 49ers @ Seahawks
Since 2015, 49ers are 7-4 SU/6-5 ATS in Week 1 games.
49ers are 4-6 ATS in their last ten road openers.
Under is 6-2 in their last eight road openers.
Seahawks started out 1-0 five of the last six years.
Seattle is 3-6 ATS in its last nine home openers.
Under is 10-4 in their last 14 home openers.

— Titans @ Broncos
Last five years, Titans are 1-4 SU/ATS in season openers.
Under is 4-1 in their last five road openers.
Since 2012, Tennessee is 3-10 ATS in home openers.
Last six years, Denver is 1-5 SU/3-3 ATS in Week 1 games.
Broncos’ last six home openers stayed under the total.
Last three years, Denver scored 16-16-6 points in its home opener.

— Texans @ Rams
Last six years, Texans are 1-5 SU/4-2 ATS in their road opener.
Under is 7-3 in its last ten road openers.
Last six years, Houston is 4-2 ATS in its season opener.
Under McVay, Rams are 6-2 SU/ATS in home openers.
Rams won six of last eight season openers.
Over is 3-1 in their last four home openers.

— Lions @ Packers
Last four years, Detroit is 2-2 SU/4-0 ATS in Week 1 games.
Over is 6-2 in their last eight season openers.
Lions are 6-3 ATS in their last nine road openers.
This is first time since 2018 that Packers are at home in Week 1.
Since 2013, Green Bay is 12-0 SU/9-3 ATS in home openers.
Under is 6-2 in their last eight home openers.

— Ravens @ Bills
Last nine years, Ravens are 7-2 SU/ATS in Week 1.
Since 2008, Baltimore is 11-6 ATS in road openers.
Over is 12-5-1 in Ravens’ last 18 road openers.
Last eight years, Bills are 5-3 SU/4-4 ATS in Week 1.
Last six years, Buffalo os 5-1 SU/3-3 ATS in home openers.
Under is 7-2 in their last ten road openers.

— Vikings @ Bears
Last nine years, Minnesota is 6-3 SU/ATS in Week 1 games.
Since 2017, Vikings are 1-5-1 SU/1-6 ATS in road openers.
Under is 10-1 in their last eleven home openers.
Last 11 years, Chicago started season 0-1 eight times.
Last five years, Bears are 4-1 SU/3-2 ATS in home openers.
Under is 7-1 in their last eight home openers.

 

[Cnotes53]

— Notes for the Indianapolis Colts:
Colts went 9-8/8-9 in two seasons under Shane Steichen.
Lou Anumumo is the new defensive coordinator.
OC Jim Bob Cooter was Peyton Manning’s backup QB at Tennessee.

This year, Colts are #14 in $$$ spent on offense (last year, #3)
This year, Colts are #5 in $$$ spent on defense (last year, #17)

Indy was minus-4 in turnovers last year (25-29)

Colts were 8-5 LY in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Colts were 5-3 LY in games decided by 3 or fewer points.

Over is 12-5 in their last 17 home games.

Colts are 5-2 ATS in last seven games as a home favorite.
Colts are 2-5 ATS in last seven games as a road favorite.

 

[Cnotes53]

— Notes for the Jacksonville Jaguars:
Liam Coen is the new coach; he was OC for the Buccaneers last year.
Jaguars went 4-13 last year, after a couple of 9-8 seasons.

Last year, Jaguars were 3-10 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.

This year, Jaguars are #30 in $$$ spent on offense (last year, #15)
This year, Jaguars are #23 in $$$ spent on defense (last year, #15)

Jacksonville had only nine takeaways LY; they were minus-15 in turnovers; the new DC is Anthony Campanile, who comes to the Jaguars from Green Bay.

Last four years, Jaguars were 18-13 ATS as an underdog.
Jaguars are 3-7 ATS in last ten games as a home favorite.
Jaguars are 8-4 ATS in last 12 games as home underdogs.

 

[Cnotes53]

— Notes for the Kansas City Chiefs:
Last three years, Chiefs were 40-11 SU; they lost Super Bowl LY.
Last year, Chiefs were 15-2, 11-0 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.

Kansas City was +6 in turnovers (20-14) last year.

This year, Chiefs are #2 in NFL in $$$ spent on offense
This year, Chiefs are #20 in NFL in $$$ spent on defense (#30 LY)

Under is 17-9 in Kansas City’s last 26 home games.
Last four years, Chiefs are 10-13 ATS as a home favorite.

 

[Cnotes53]

Monday’s 6-pack:
Colleges with the most Pro Football Hall of Famers:
14— USC
11— Miami
11— Notre Dame
10— Pittsburgh
9— Michigan
9— Ohio State

Quote of the Day
“There’s times guys have left here that we really wanted. We just couldn’t make it work. But I can tell you, I’m hopeful when we’re sitting here at next year’s training camp that James Cook is out there practicing and still representing the red, white and blue.”
Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane

Monday’s quiz
In the movie Little Big League, when a 12-year old kid inherits the Minnesota Twins from his late grandfather, what well-known actor played the grandfather?

Sunday’s quiz
The first time the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl (2000 season), Trent Dilfer was their QB.

Saturday’s quiz
Brandon Marshall holds the Chicago Bears’ record for most receiving yards (1,508) in a season

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Monday’s Den: Wrapping up a summer weekend……..​

— Cubs 5, Orioles 3
Justin Turner hit his first-ever walk-off home run to end the game.
Three oldest major leaguers to hit their first-ever walk-off homer:
41 years, 278 days- Murray Dickinson, 1958
40 years, 253 days- Justin Turner, Sunday
40 years, 4 days- Rick Dempsey, 1989

— Pirates 9, Rockies 5
Leadoff hitter Spencer Horwitz homered twice, drove in six runs.
Saturday, leadoff hitter Liover Peguero hit three homers, drove in five runs for Pittsburgh, making the Pirates the first time in the last 100 years to get 5+ RBI from leadoff hitters in consecutive games.
Shohei Ohtani had 12 RBI in consecutive games while he was batting leadoff last year, but he had 10 RBI in one game, two in the other game.

— Giants 12, Mets 4
Rafael Devers homered, had four RBI.
In their last 44 games, Mets’ starting pitchers have thrown only 9.2 innings in the 6th inning; relievers have thrown 34.1 of the 44 innings in the 6th inning.

— Braves 4, Reds 2
They sold 91,032 tickets for the Braves-Reds ballgame at the Bristol Raceway in Tennessee; game was suspended by rain in the first inning Saturday night- they finished Sunday, with Eli White hitting two home runs for the Braves.
Hurston Waldrep pitched 5.2 innings in relief for Atlanta; he was with his AAA team Saturday night, but drove 250 miles, joined the Braves Sunday morning, was one of the game’s stars.

— In his Hall of Fame career, the late Ryne Sandberg played in 10 playoff games; he had a hit in all 10 games, making him the only player since 1903 to play in 10+ playoff games, and to get a hit in all of them.

— Saturday night in Anaheim, White Sox won 1-0, with C Kyle Teel driving in the game’s only run. Angels had only one hit against Aaron Civale and the Chicago bullpen.

Teel is the first catcher since Buster Posey in 2014 to catch a one-hitter (or no-hitter) and also drive in all the runs in that game.
— Players who have a home run in every inning (and in extra innings) this season:
Riley Greene, Tigers
Nick Kurtz, A’s
James Wood, Nationals

— Famous birthdays, August 4th:
Billy Bob Thornton, 70
Michael Holton, 64
Roger Clemens, 63
John Farrell, 63
BJ Surhoff, 61
Meghan Markle, 44
Jason Adam, 34
Kevin Newman, 32
Brady Singer, 29

— Ben Cherington is in his sixth year as GM of the Pittsburgh Pirates; he previously worked for Blue Jays, Red Sox. He is really book-smart; his grandfather won a Pulitzer Prize.
In Cherington’s tenure in Pittsburgh, he’s acquired a top 30 prospect from the Bronx baseball team via trade ten times. Here’s a list of the names; how is he doing?

Roansy Contreras
Rafael Flores (just got called up to AAA)
Miguel Yajure
Canaan Smith-Njigba
Edgleen Perez
Keiner Delgado
Brian Sanchez
Hoy Park
Maikol Escotto
Diego Castillo

So far, not so good.

— Earlier this year, Shohei Ohtani hit a home run in the first inning of a game, but also gave up a home run in the first inning, as a pitcher; he is the first pitcher to do that since the Phillies’ Randy Lerch in 1979.

— How times have changed; from April-July 1977, Angels’ P Frank Tanana threw 14 consecutive complete games, and two of those games went to extra innings. Angels were 9-5 in those games.
Last season, the entire season, there were a total of 28 complete games in the major leagues.

— Red Sox 7, Astros 3
Red Sox have won 20 of their last 24 home games.
First loss since May 2nd for Framber Valdez, a span of 14 starts.

— Dodgers 3, Rays 0
Game was scoreless after five innings.
Dodgers scored in 6th inning, ending an 18-inning scoreless streak.
Yamamoto got 17 outs on 88 pitches- he is 10-7, 2.51 this year.

— Brewers 14, Nationals 3
Brice Turang hit two home runs, drove in four runs.
Brewers were 6-0 vs Washington this season, scoring 60 runs.
Milwaukee leads the NL Central by two games.

— Phillies 2, Tigers 0
Cristopher Sanchez threw 7 shutout IP, on only 84 pitches.
Kyle Schwarber hit his 38th homer of the season.

If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
AL: Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros. Wild Cards: Red Sox, New York, Mariners
NL: Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Cubs, Mets, Padres

 

[Cnotes53]

— Information on the Las Vegas Raiders:
Pete Carroll is the Raiders’ new coach; he is 181-131-1 as an NFL coach, 11-11 in playoff games, with a Super Bowl win 12 years ago. Carroll is the Raiders’ 4th head coach in five years.

Geno Smith is the Raiders’ new QB; he is 40-44 as an NFL starter, 0-1 in playoff games.

The new offensive coordinator is former Eagles/Oregon/UCLA coach Chip Kelly.

Last three years, went Raiders 6-11/8-9/4-13; they haven’t won a playoff game since 2002, making playoffs only twice since then, 2016/2021.

This year, Raiders are #31 in $$$ spent on offense (#7 at QB), #13 on defense. Raiders are #32 in $$$ spent at CB, #311 at linebacker.

Last year, Raiders were minus-16 in turnovers (13-29); they were 3-4 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.

Last two years, Raiders were 7-3 ATS as a favorite, 11-12 as an underdog.

 

[Cnotes53]

Eight NFL teams that need preseason the most: Bears, Browns, Steelers among clubs with key questions to answer​

The 2025 NFL preseason kicked off with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. It was a mostly one-sided affair between the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions, with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance among the most notable players to headline the contest. Now comes the fun part: the first full slate of exhibition action, which begins Thursday.

Plenty of contenders, like the reigning Super Bowl foes in the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, are expected to rest most, if not all, of their best talent in advance of the regular season. Still plenty of others are set to intensify summer roster battles, and/or try to foster team chemistry in the lead-up to September.

So which NFL teams need this preseason the most? Which clubs could especially stand to get key players and position competitions into live game settings? Here are eight teams that fit the bill, including at least one Super Bowl hopeful, as well as key questions that each team hopes to have answered in the coming weeks of play:

Atlanta Falcons​

Key questions:

• Will Michael Penix Jr. build enough momentum to gain legitimate internal and external trust as the Falcons' new full-time starting quarterback?
• How will Kirk Cousins' ongoing presence as Penix's backup play out in preseason action, and how might his performance change what's left of his trade market?
• Does Raheem Morris' defense, which now features a pair of rookie edge rushers in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., have enough talent to make a sizable leap?

Chicago Bears​

Key questions:

• Can quarterback Caleb Williams, who is perhaps best known for his backyard-like freestyling, settle into Ben Johnson's offense before the real games begin?
• Will Johnson get the discipline and attention to detail he's looking for from Williams' top weapons, including Rome Odunze and rookie Luther Burden III?
• Can returning veterans like Montez Sweat and Tremaine Edmunds show game-day comfort inside new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's system?

Cleveland Browns​

Key questions:

• Can anyone separate themselves from the ultra-crowded quarterback room featuring Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders?
• On a similar note, is it possible coach Kevin Stefanski could even be convinced to start anyone other than Flacco to open the 2025 regular season?
• Which young skill player might emerge to give Stefanski's offense a true building block: Jerry Jeudy, Quinshon Judkins, Cedric Tillman?

Indianapolis Colts​

Key questions:

• Can Anthony Richardson stay upright and showcase improved accuracy as a passer for coach Shane Steichen, reclaiming his job as the top quarterback?
• Alternatively, can Daniel Jones earn a new lease on a first-team gig by outdoing Richardson as a more efficient operator of the preseason offense?
• How will new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo sort out a secondary currently battling injuries to Charvarius Ward, Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents?

Jacksonville Jaguars​

Key questions:

• Can Trevor Lawrence, who's out to rebound from a turnover-marred start to his career, steady himself in his first live action under new coach Liam Coen?
• How much chemistry, if any, can Lawrence build with new wide receiver Travis Hunter during exhibition action and/or carry into the real schedule?
• Will Tank Bigsby continue to push Travis Etienne Jr., who's entering a contract year, for the right to serve as Coen's top multipurpose ball carrier?

Minnesota Vikings​

Key questions:

• Is J.J. McCarthy, the new starting quarterback, capable of moving the chains against a live pass rush after an offseason program dominated by the Vikings defense?
• Can coach Kevin O'Connell find reason to trust his backup situation under center, with both Sam Howell and Brett Rypien producing mixed results this summer?
• Which of the club's new cornerbacks, including Jeff Okudah and Isaiah Rodgers, will emerge as a clear Day 1 starter for defensive coordinator Brian Flores?

New Orleans Saints​

Key questions:






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• Which young quarterback will new coach Kellen Moore actually gravitate toward in the rotation: rookie Tyler Shough or holdovers Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener?
• How will new left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. hold up in all areas of protection, serving as the expected cornerstone of New Orleans' present and future front?
• Can new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley settle the back end of the Saints' secondary with new veteran safeties Justin Reid and Julian Blackmon?

Pittsburgh Steelers​

Key questions:

• Will Aaron Rodgers actually want, or be granted, legitimate preseason playing time? Because the clock is ticking on the 41-year-old adapting to another new program.
• Can a downfield threat emerge opposite DK Metcalf out wide, ensuring Rodgers has someone other than young Roman Wilson to target on deep shots?
• How will Mike Tomlin's new-look secondary shake out with Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay added to a defensive back group now missing safety Minkah Fitzpatrick?

 

[Cnotes53]

Thursday’s 6-pack:
Passing yardage leaders for the Detroit Lions:
45,109— Matthew Stafford
16,887— Jared Goff
15,710— Bobby Layne
12,647— Scott Mitchell
12,451— Greg Landry
11,885— Gary Danielson

Quote of the Day
“ESPN and the NFL are redefining how fans engage with the game — anytime, anywhere. This deal helps fuel ESPN’s digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service.”
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro

Thursday’s quiz
Tennessee Titans lost their only Super Bowl appearance after the 1999 season; who was their quarterback in that game?

Wednesday’s quiz
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the Super Bowl in 2002, they beat the Oakland Raiders; Bucs coach Jon Gruden was the Raiders’ coach the year before.

Tuesday’s quiz
Washington Nationals won the World Series in 2019; they beat the Astros, in seven games.

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Thursday’s Den: Doing some thinking out loud…….​

— NFL preseason games start in earnest tonight; interesting scheduling, with Pete Carroll’s first game with the Las Vegas Raiders back in Seattle, where he coached the Seahawks for 14 years (147-98-1 and a Super Bowl title).
QB Geno Smith is also a Raider now; he was 28-25 in five years with Seattle (0-1 in playoffs).

— ESPN has bought the NFL Network and other NFL media assets, including the linear rights to the RedZone channel, in a deal that will see the NFL get a 10% equity stake in ESPN.
ESPN will also buy the NFL’s fantasy product and merge it into its existing platform, making ESPN Fantasy Football the official game of the NFL.
Later this month, ESPN is starting its direct-to-consumer streaming product, which I think is going to be $22/month.

— There are only five NFL teams left who take their training camp on the road to a college campus; Buffalo Bills go to St John Fisher College in Rochester.
Bills are on Hard Knocks this summer; first episode ran this week, with decent amount of interesting stuff in there, including a look at their new stadium, scheduled to open in 2026.

— Los Angeles Rams signed RB Kyren Williams to a 3-year, $33M contract extension; last two years, Williams ran ball for 2,443 yards and 26 touchdowns.

— Washington Nationals P MacKenzie Gore is struggling; in his last four starts, Gore has given up 23 runs in 15.2 IP. Not good.

— This week, A’s catcher Shea Langeliers became the first player EVER to hit three home runs in his first game as the leadoff hitter.
Langeliers has 79 career home runs in 395 games; you don’t see a lot of catchers batting leadoff, but he made the most of his chance in this game.

— Seattle Mariners’ P Bryan Woo has started 22 games this season, and pitched 6+ innings in all 22 games, which is a huge plus for the Mariners, taking a lot of strain off their bullpen.

— Famous birthdays, August 7th:
David Rasche, 81
Alan Page, 80
Fred Brown, 77
Steve Kemp, 71
Wayne Knight, 70
Joe Cocozzo, 55
Danny Graves, 52
Charlize Theron, 50
Édgar Rentería, 49
Tommy Kahnle, 36
DeMar DeRozan, 36
Mike Trout, 34
Josh Smith, 28
Kyler Murray, 28
Jalen Hurts, 27

— Guardians 4, Mets 1
Gavin Williams threw 126 pitches, didn’t give up a hit until the 9th inning. Juan Soto’s home run broke up the no-hitter.
Angel Martinez hit a two-run homer.
Williams’ 126 pitches are by any pitcher in a game this year; Zack Littell threw 117 pitches in a game for Tampa Bay in a 16-3 win May 31st.

— Boston Red Sox signed rookie OF Roman Anthony to an 8-year, $130M extension; Anthony is hitting .276 this year, with an .809 OPS.

— Brewers 5, Braves 4
In his last 12 games, Andrew Vaughn is hitting .435 with 16 RBI.
Milwaukee has won six in a row overall, is 33-24 on the road.

— New York 3, Rangers 2
Paul Goldschmidt’s pinch-hit HR in 7th inning was a game-winner.
Mark Leiter Jr got the win in relief.
His cousin, Jack Leiter, started and threw 3.1 IP for Texas.
With the win, New York holds on to the AL’s last Wild Card slot.

— Orioles 5, Phillies 1
Coby Mayo hit a three-run homer.
Trevor Rogers improved 5-2, 1.44 in ten starts this season.
Phillies still lead NL East by 2.5 games.

— Rays 5, Angels 4
Junior Caminero hit two homers for Tampa Bay.
Six Tampa Bay pitchers combined to strike out 16 Angels.
Just the fourth win for the Rays in their last 14 games.

— Random football trivia; back in the 1960’s, the first-ever game between an NFL team and an AFL squad ended with the Denver Broncos upsetting the Detroit Lions 13-7 in an exhibition game at Mile High Stadium.

If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
AL: Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros. Wild Cards: Red Sox, Mariners, New York
NL: Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Cubs, Mets, Padres