Carolina(-3)(-130) over Jacksonville (1*)
I expect the star of Carolina HC John Fox will continue to shine bright in this league when it comes to devising game plans that will work and recognizing playmakers to make it work. With the defense on track, the focus for this season shifted to the offense, and while the days of Rodney Peete under center are surely numbered, I expect Fox will get what he is looking for out of the position this Sunday. While HC Jack Del Rio has to be a breath of fresh air in Jacksonville after the creaking demise of the Tom Coughlin era, I look for Del Rio's mentor and defensive charges from last year to give him anything but a cushy baptism.
(Note: I had San Francisco(-3') over the NY Giants on Thursday night to start last season, and when the Giants covered 13-16, I was on my way to an 0-5 start that didn't turn around until I was down over 30 units. Today, I bought the 1/2 point and I'll ease into the season a tad more cautiously.)
Minnesota(-6) over Green Bay (1*)
- From my first Madjack's post on 10/14/01: " I bleed the Green and Gold of the Packers, and that will never change. Lots of opinions on that topic, but only a handful of wagers during the last twenty years- it would be disrespectful." But I don't need a cash wager to invest in a posted selection.
- While the Vikings have issues, like improving a 29th rated pass defense, and an organization heavy with thugs and whiners that are a reflection of the top of the organization for the past decade, there was something close to a turning point for Minnesota last year in Geen Bay in a bitter loss to their bitter rival on a bitter cold December night. I think the Vikings believe they have some unfinished business this week . . . As for the Packers, the defensive philosophy under Ed Donatell has gone from a sturdy unit built to slug it out in December games at Lambeau to a Denver Broncos style of attacking, with mixed results at best and noticeable decline being closer to the mark; this season, the goal or emphasis was to build around speed, and I can tell you that by NFL standards that is not very descriptive of this bunch, and they will not be mistaken for the best tackling team in the league, either. Opportunistic would best describe the Packer's defense at its most successful over the last year or two. The depth is also thin and untested, and did I mention that Green Bay has been known to struggle in pursuit of mobile QBs? . . . The makings of an excellent and even an improved offense are in place if they can stay healthy and together, development of both talented and marginal players has been one of the hallmarks of the organization since the Wolf/Holmgren era, and HC Mike Sherman emphasizes and to date has achieved solid chemistry with the team. But as the Packers look to christen the refurbished Lambeau Field (and the visitors are moved out of the hokey trailers that served as their accomodations last year), I see an opponent that after months to prepare is likely a bit too steeled for my liking .
Denver @ Cincinnati (O43) (1*)
I don't see how this game plays itself out without a full quota of big plays.
Since I don't have any money riding on the Packers contest, I could add another game to this post and still be taking things slowly. But those are my best plays, so I'll keep my other wagers under my hat for Week #1.
GL
I expect the star of Carolina HC John Fox will continue to shine bright in this league when it comes to devising game plans that will work and recognizing playmakers to make it work. With the defense on track, the focus for this season shifted to the offense, and while the days of Rodney Peete under center are surely numbered, I expect Fox will get what he is looking for out of the position this Sunday. While HC Jack Del Rio has to be a breath of fresh air in Jacksonville after the creaking demise of the Tom Coughlin era, I look for Del Rio's mentor and defensive charges from last year to give him anything but a cushy baptism.
(Note: I had San Francisco(-3') over the NY Giants on Thursday night to start last season, and when the Giants covered 13-16, I was on my way to an 0-5 start that didn't turn around until I was down over 30 units. Today, I bought the 1/2 point and I'll ease into the season a tad more cautiously.)
Minnesota(-6) over Green Bay (1*)
- From my first Madjack's post on 10/14/01: " I bleed the Green and Gold of the Packers, and that will never change. Lots of opinions on that topic, but only a handful of wagers during the last twenty years- it would be disrespectful." But I don't need a cash wager to invest in a posted selection.
- While the Vikings have issues, like improving a 29th rated pass defense, and an organization heavy with thugs and whiners that are a reflection of the top of the organization for the past decade, there was something close to a turning point for Minnesota last year in Geen Bay in a bitter loss to their bitter rival on a bitter cold December night. I think the Vikings believe they have some unfinished business this week . . . As for the Packers, the defensive philosophy under Ed Donatell has gone from a sturdy unit built to slug it out in December games at Lambeau to a Denver Broncos style of attacking, with mixed results at best and noticeable decline being closer to the mark; this season, the goal or emphasis was to build around speed, and I can tell you that by NFL standards that is not very descriptive of this bunch, and they will not be mistaken for the best tackling team in the league, either. Opportunistic would best describe the Packer's defense at its most successful over the last year or two. The depth is also thin and untested, and did I mention that Green Bay has been known to struggle in pursuit of mobile QBs? . . . The makings of an excellent and even an improved offense are in place if they can stay healthy and together, development of both talented and marginal players has been one of the hallmarks of the organization since the Wolf/Holmgren era, and HC Mike Sherman emphasizes and to date has achieved solid chemistry with the team. But as the Packers look to christen the refurbished Lambeau Field (and the visitors are moved out of the hokey trailers that served as their accomodations last year), I see an opponent that after months to prepare is likely a bit too steeled for my liking .
Denver @ Cincinnati (O43) (1*)
I don't see how this game plays itself out without a full quota of big plays.
Since I don't have any money riding on the Packers contest, I could add another game to this post and still be taking things slowly. But those are my best plays, so I'll keep my other wagers under my hat for Week #1.
GL
