Again, for info purpose only...
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
Tennessee 20 - MIAMI 13?Miami?s problems seem too numerous.
Undefined running game w/o Ricky Williams; rebuilt, less-experienced OL combo; budding QB controversy; WR David Boston through for the year; pass rusher Ogunleye (15 Sacks LY) packed off to Chicago; 1-7 vs. the spread at home LY. Despite being limited by salary cap TY, Tennessee seems to have escaped major losses, especially with RB Chris Brown cruising in the preseason to 240 YR in only 32 carries! With all due respect to Eddie George, his OLmen say they are amazed by Brown?s quickness and breakaway instincts. Steve McNair appeared to be in midseason form during the exhibitions. (03-TENN. 31-Miami 7...T.17-12 T.38/101 M.16/59 T.19/26/0/223 M.19/33/3/165 T.0 M.2) (03-TENNESSEE -5' 31-7...SR: Miami 15-13)
Oakland 23 - PITTSBURGH 20?Pittsburgh going to a run-first offense TY with Duce Staley & Jerome Bettis in order to afford better opportunities for pocket-locked QB Tommy Maddox (only 18 TDs vs. 17 ints. LY) & quality WRs. However, insiders report Steeler coverage problems in the secondary past two years have not been solved. And that run-first approach might not work so well against Raider defense that is re-stocked (add NT Ted Washington, DT Warren Sapp), healthier (DE Brayton & DT Parella back in action), and trying harder TY under new HC Norv Turner. Rich Gannon has enjoyed success vs. Pittsburgh in the past (Rick Mirer started LY?s loss). (03-PITT 27-Oak. 7...P.21-9 P.40/133 O.23/122 P.19/28/1/266 O.10/25/2/39 P.1 O.1) (03-PITTSBURGH -5' 27-7...SR: Oakland 11-10)
WASHINGTON 20 - Tampa Bay 15?T.B. scouts report Jon Gruden (15-6-1 as a dog) has never been more intense. He?s added quick Charlie Garner to perk up his ground game, and masher Mike Alstott is back. LSU WR Michael Clayton appears to be an impact rookie. But this opener is soooo special for Washington fans and HC Joe Gibbs, expect absolute, supreme effort from Redskins. Savvy QB Mark Brunell, terrific RB Clinton Portis, impressive rookie S Sean Taylor, and rejuvenated LB LaVar Arrington (who Gibbs wants to transform into an intimidating 21st century version of Lawrence Taylor) ready to make their mark immediately. Bucs speed defense in the past has been vulnerable to game-long pounding, which is Gibbs? plan with Portis. (03-T. Bay 35-WAS. 13...T.25-19 T.25/111 W.23/68 T.22/30/0/268 W.25/36/2/207 T.0 W.1) (03-Tampa Bay -3' 35-13...SR: EVEN 6-6)
Baltimore 20 - CLEVELAND 13?Baltimore had Cleveland?s number LY, as Jamal Lewis bulled for an amazing 500 yds. in two meetings, while stingy defense limited Browns to just 13 points. Even if Jeff Garcia and emerging RB Lee Suggs able to spark Cleve. offense a bit, defense must prove it?s up to the task. Not completely sold on Deion Sanders? return, but he?ll only be asked to cover in nickel situations. Rest of Raven defense voracious enough if Kyle Boller can avoid big mistakes. (03-BALT. 33-Cle. 13...B.14-9 B.41/343 C.20/60 C.17/37/2/115 B.7/18/1/50 B.2 C.1) (03-Balt. 35-CLE. 0...B.18-14 B.41/276 C.24/78 C.17/33/1/133 B.11/19/1/83 B.0 C.3) (03-BALTIMORE -2' 33-13, Baltimore -3 35-0...SR: Baltimore 7-3)
BUFFALO 19 - Jacksonville 13?First game for new Buffalo HC Mike Mularkey, a TE in his playing days who is determined to install a smashmouth ground game to allow immobile QB Drew Bledsoe better throwing situations. Thus, look for RBs Travis Henry (check status) & Willis McGahee to try to go inside or outside of the rugged Jacksonville defense and Jack Del Rio?s prized DTs Marcus Stroud & John Henderson. Mularkey?s own rugged defense should mostly bottle up the nascent Jag offense, testing rookie PK Scobee. Bills ?under? all 8 at home LY; 14 of 16 overall! (03-Buffalo 38-JACK. 17...20-20 J.22/95 B.32/43 B.20/27/0/328 J.26/40/0/192 B.0 J.0) (03-Buffalo -2' 38-17...SR: Buffalo 3-2)
NY JETS 31 - Cincinnati 16?First start for Cincy wonder child Carson Palmer. And Bengal off. coord. Bob Bratkowski has been telling Palmer all summer to prepare for every blitz, stunt, and disguised coverage in the book. Still, Palmer (had no reg.-season snaps LY) has to ?do it? on the field. And that should prove problematic against a NYJ defense that is faster, younger, healthier & deeper than LY and has adopted a more aggressive scheme under new def. coord. Donnie Henderson. New multi-millionaire QB Chad Pennington, running faster-paced scheme, has never looked better. (01-NY JETS -8' 15-14...SR: N.Y. Jets 12-6)
Detroit 20 - CHICAGO 17? Detroit has lost 24 straight road games! But Lions seemingly have never been better set to end the skein. Joey Harrington (tied for most ints. LY with 22) now has two years of experience. Chicago starter Rex Grossman has 3 career starts and was 8 for 27 in last two preseason games. Detroit RB Kevin Jones & former N.E. G Damian Woody have boosted the Detroit ground game. WRs Charles Rogers, Roy Williams & Tai Streets should become a top-flight trio. And the Lions new def. coord. is Dick Jauron, the fired former coach of the Bears! Rookie Chicago HC Lovie Smith wants new defense to live off turnovers. (03-CHI. 24-Det. 16...D.16-14 D.23/86 C.26/68 C.20/31/0/193 D.23/40/2/174 C.0 D.0) (03-DET. 12-Chi. 10...C.11-10 C.24/66 D.20/17 D.24/39/0/231 C.16/28/1/133 D.0 C.0) (03-CHICAGO -3 24-16, DETROIT -1' 12-10...SR: Chicago 83-60-5)
ST. LOUIS 31 - Arizona 16?Fundamental mismatch is Rams play their best. Marc Bulger trying to cut the 22 ints. he threw LY, and OL not 100% (check to see if LT Pace re-signs). But Marshall Faulk is healthy, rookie Steven Jackson is a terrific backup, and defense led the NFL with 46 takeaways LY. Meanwhile, new Arizona coach Denny Green trying to make due with an underachieving OL, injured DL, undersized LBs, retread RBs, and injured corps of WRs. St. Louis 6-2-1 as home fav. LY. (03-ST. LOU. 37-Ariz. 13...S.34-7 S.41/133 A.14/36 S.28/42/1/268 A.13/21/0/125 S.0 A.3) (03-St. Lou. 30-ARIZ. 27 (OT)...S.26-15 A.30/166 S.26/117 S.28/44/4/298 A.15/28/2/192 S.1 A.0)(03-ST. LOUIS -11 37-13, St. Louis -7' 30-27 (OT)...SR: St. Louis 28-21-2)
OVER 45 points NEW ORLEANS 28 - Seattle 27?Seahawks were 8- 0 SU at home LY, but only 2-7 on the road. So, even with N.O. QB Aaron Brooks (check status; bothered by a strained ab in preseason) hobbled a bit, prefer to be taking with offensively-potent Saints, especially with speed receiver WR Stallworth healthy again. Still, best option in this one might be ?over,? as it?s hard to see either of these defenses dominating, considering new ?hands-off? guidelines. Might back off N.O. if Brooks much less than 100%. (03-SEATTLE 27-N. Orl. 10...N.20-17 S.33/151 N.25/103 N.29/47/1/256 S.12/23/0/119 S.0 N.3) (03-SEATTLE -3 27-10...SR: EVEN 4-4)
PHILADELPHIA 26 - NY Giants 13?Giants have failed to score more than 10 points in last 4 meetings vs. Philly, so can?t count on much improvement TY with restructured OL and TO-prone Kurt Warner (4 TDs vs. 12 ints. L2Ys) at QB. Scouts report Warner?s thumb, hand & shoulder ailments of the past are improved, but that his declining mechanics & poor pocket presence have been tough for coaches to correct. Meanwhile, Terrell Owens gives Philly QB McNabb the bigtime target he has lacked, and speedy RB Westbrook is a major weapon. (03-Phil. 14-NYG 10...N.25-9 N.41/180 P.23/87 N.22/36/0/159 P.9/23/1/47 P.1 N.2) (03-PHIL. 28-Nyg 10...20-20 N.24/109 P.21/62 P.24/30/0/314 N.25/44/1/252 P.1 N.0) (03- Philadelphia +3 14-10, PHILADELPHIA -3' 28-10...SR: NY Giants 75-63-2)
MINNESOTA 27 - Dallas 20?Interesting matchup considering that few receivers figure to benefit as much as Randy Moss from the revised antibumping rules. And with the NFL seeking to feature speed and more wideopen play, Dallas has gotten older & slower TY with the additions of Vinny Testaverde, Eddie George & Keyshawn Johnson. Maybe their experience will turn out to be a telling factor. But Vikes expect to start an improving defense with 5 No. 1 draft picks & 4 No. 2s. And the ?Tuna? lost his last 4 as a dog LY by 16, 12, 26 & 19 points! (00-Minnesota -7' 27-15...SR: Dallas 13-11)
SAN FRANCISCO 30 - Atlanta 23?When former S.F. def. coord. Jim Mora Jr. left the 49ers to take over as Atlanta HC, Mora took S.F. off. coord. Gregg Knapp with him. Niner coach Dennis Erickson was quick to elevate assistants Ted Tollner to off. coord. & Willy Robinson to def. coord. So you can expect nothing but the best effort from S.F., whose top defender, LB Julian Peterson, has ended his holdout. And QB Rattay (groin, forearm) looked fine (14 of 18) once he got on the field in the late preseason. Falcon defense (last in NFL LY) youthful & problematic; Vick had only 29 exhibition snaps in new system! (01-SAN FRANCISCO -3' 16-13 (OT), San Francisco -3 37-31 (OT)...SR: SF 44-26-1)
*DENVER 30 - Kansas City 24?Even though Jake Plummer tossed four ints. in limited preseason duty, prefer to side with host and Mike Shanahan?s reportedly improved defense. Considering K.C.?s injury woes at WR this summer, the presence of deluxe CB Champ Bailey should allow him to lock down one wideout, allowing the rest of the Broncs to play 10 vs. 9 (unless Trent Green is suddenly going to run the option). Plummer 9-2 SU as a starter LY. Note, however, Chiefs 10-3-1 last 14 as an underdog. TV?ESPN (03-K. CITY 24-Denver 23...D.22-13 D.31/176 K.24/133 D.21/39/0/293 K.15/29/1/128 K.1 D.1) (03-DENVER 45-K. City 27...K.28-26 D.32/270 K.19/63 K.34/47/0/381 D.20/29/0/238 D.0 K.0) (03-KANSAS CITY -3' 24-23, DENVER -2' 45-27...SR: Kansas City 49-39)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
Tennessee 20 - MIAMI 13?Miami?s problems seem too numerous.
Undefined running game w/o Ricky Williams; rebuilt, less-experienced OL combo; budding QB controversy; WR David Boston through for the year; pass rusher Ogunleye (15 Sacks LY) packed off to Chicago; 1-7 vs. the spread at home LY. Despite being limited by salary cap TY, Tennessee seems to have escaped major losses, especially with RB Chris Brown cruising in the preseason to 240 YR in only 32 carries! With all due respect to Eddie George, his OLmen say they are amazed by Brown?s quickness and breakaway instincts. Steve McNair appeared to be in midseason form during the exhibitions. (03-TENN. 31-Miami 7...T.17-12 T.38/101 M.16/59 T.19/26/0/223 M.19/33/3/165 T.0 M.2) (03-TENNESSEE -5' 31-7...SR: Miami 15-13)
Oakland 23 - PITTSBURGH 20?Pittsburgh going to a run-first offense TY with Duce Staley & Jerome Bettis in order to afford better opportunities for pocket-locked QB Tommy Maddox (only 18 TDs vs. 17 ints. LY) & quality WRs. However, insiders report Steeler coverage problems in the secondary past two years have not been solved. And that run-first approach might not work so well against Raider defense that is re-stocked (add NT Ted Washington, DT Warren Sapp), healthier (DE Brayton & DT Parella back in action), and trying harder TY under new HC Norv Turner. Rich Gannon has enjoyed success vs. Pittsburgh in the past (Rick Mirer started LY?s loss). (03-PITT 27-Oak. 7...P.21-9 P.40/133 O.23/122 P.19/28/1/266 O.10/25/2/39 P.1 O.1) (03-PITTSBURGH -5' 27-7...SR: Oakland 11-10)
WASHINGTON 20 - Tampa Bay 15?T.B. scouts report Jon Gruden (15-6-1 as a dog) has never been more intense. He?s added quick Charlie Garner to perk up his ground game, and masher Mike Alstott is back. LSU WR Michael Clayton appears to be an impact rookie. But this opener is soooo special for Washington fans and HC Joe Gibbs, expect absolute, supreme effort from Redskins. Savvy QB Mark Brunell, terrific RB Clinton Portis, impressive rookie S Sean Taylor, and rejuvenated LB LaVar Arrington (who Gibbs wants to transform into an intimidating 21st century version of Lawrence Taylor) ready to make their mark immediately. Bucs speed defense in the past has been vulnerable to game-long pounding, which is Gibbs? plan with Portis. (03-T. Bay 35-WAS. 13...T.25-19 T.25/111 W.23/68 T.22/30/0/268 W.25/36/2/207 T.0 W.1) (03-Tampa Bay -3' 35-13...SR: EVEN 6-6)
Baltimore 20 - CLEVELAND 13?Baltimore had Cleveland?s number LY, as Jamal Lewis bulled for an amazing 500 yds. in two meetings, while stingy defense limited Browns to just 13 points. Even if Jeff Garcia and emerging RB Lee Suggs able to spark Cleve. offense a bit, defense must prove it?s up to the task. Not completely sold on Deion Sanders? return, but he?ll only be asked to cover in nickel situations. Rest of Raven defense voracious enough if Kyle Boller can avoid big mistakes. (03-BALT. 33-Cle. 13...B.14-9 B.41/343 C.20/60 C.17/37/2/115 B.7/18/1/50 B.2 C.1) (03-Balt. 35-CLE. 0...B.18-14 B.41/276 C.24/78 C.17/33/1/133 B.11/19/1/83 B.0 C.3) (03-BALTIMORE -2' 33-13, Baltimore -3 35-0...SR: Baltimore 7-3)
BUFFALO 19 - Jacksonville 13?First game for new Buffalo HC Mike Mularkey, a TE in his playing days who is determined to install a smashmouth ground game to allow immobile QB Drew Bledsoe better throwing situations. Thus, look for RBs Travis Henry (check status) & Willis McGahee to try to go inside or outside of the rugged Jacksonville defense and Jack Del Rio?s prized DTs Marcus Stroud & John Henderson. Mularkey?s own rugged defense should mostly bottle up the nascent Jag offense, testing rookie PK Scobee. Bills ?under? all 8 at home LY; 14 of 16 overall! (03-Buffalo 38-JACK. 17...20-20 J.22/95 B.32/43 B.20/27/0/328 J.26/40/0/192 B.0 J.0) (03-Buffalo -2' 38-17...SR: Buffalo 3-2)
NY JETS 31 - Cincinnati 16?First start for Cincy wonder child Carson Palmer. And Bengal off. coord. Bob Bratkowski has been telling Palmer all summer to prepare for every blitz, stunt, and disguised coverage in the book. Still, Palmer (had no reg.-season snaps LY) has to ?do it? on the field. And that should prove problematic against a NYJ defense that is faster, younger, healthier & deeper than LY and has adopted a more aggressive scheme under new def. coord. Donnie Henderson. New multi-millionaire QB Chad Pennington, running faster-paced scheme, has never looked better. (01-NY JETS -8' 15-14...SR: N.Y. Jets 12-6)
Detroit 20 - CHICAGO 17? Detroit has lost 24 straight road games! But Lions seemingly have never been better set to end the skein. Joey Harrington (tied for most ints. LY with 22) now has two years of experience. Chicago starter Rex Grossman has 3 career starts and was 8 for 27 in last two preseason games. Detroit RB Kevin Jones & former N.E. G Damian Woody have boosted the Detroit ground game. WRs Charles Rogers, Roy Williams & Tai Streets should become a top-flight trio. And the Lions new def. coord. is Dick Jauron, the fired former coach of the Bears! Rookie Chicago HC Lovie Smith wants new defense to live off turnovers. (03-CHI. 24-Det. 16...D.16-14 D.23/86 C.26/68 C.20/31/0/193 D.23/40/2/174 C.0 D.0) (03-DET. 12-Chi. 10...C.11-10 C.24/66 D.20/17 D.24/39/0/231 C.16/28/1/133 D.0 C.0) (03-CHICAGO -3 24-16, DETROIT -1' 12-10...SR: Chicago 83-60-5)
ST. LOUIS 31 - Arizona 16?Fundamental mismatch is Rams play their best. Marc Bulger trying to cut the 22 ints. he threw LY, and OL not 100% (check to see if LT Pace re-signs). But Marshall Faulk is healthy, rookie Steven Jackson is a terrific backup, and defense led the NFL with 46 takeaways LY. Meanwhile, new Arizona coach Denny Green trying to make due with an underachieving OL, injured DL, undersized LBs, retread RBs, and injured corps of WRs. St. Louis 6-2-1 as home fav. LY. (03-ST. LOU. 37-Ariz. 13...S.34-7 S.41/133 A.14/36 S.28/42/1/268 A.13/21/0/125 S.0 A.3) (03-St. Lou. 30-ARIZ. 27 (OT)...S.26-15 A.30/166 S.26/117 S.28/44/4/298 A.15/28/2/192 S.1 A.0)(03-ST. LOUIS -11 37-13, St. Louis -7' 30-27 (OT)...SR: St. Louis 28-21-2)
OVER 45 points NEW ORLEANS 28 - Seattle 27?Seahawks were 8- 0 SU at home LY, but only 2-7 on the road. So, even with N.O. QB Aaron Brooks (check status; bothered by a strained ab in preseason) hobbled a bit, prefer to be taking with offensively-potent Saints, especially with speed receiver WR Stallworth healthy again. Still, best option in this one might be ?over,? as it?s hard to see either of these defenses dominating, considering new ?hands-off? guidelines. Might back off N.O. if Brooks much less than 100%. (03-SEATTLE 27-N. Orl. 10...N.20-17 S.33/151 N.25/103 N.29/47/1/256 S.12/23/0/119 S.0 N.3) (03-SEATTLE -3 27-10...SR: EVEN 4-4)
PHILADELPHIA 26 - NY Giants 13?Giants have failed to score more than 10 points in last 4 meetings vs. Philly, so can?t count on much improvement TY with restructured OL and TO-prone Kurt Warner (4 TDs vs. 12 ints. L2Ys) at QB. Scouts report Warner?s thumb, hand & shoulder ailments of the past are improved, but that his declining mechanics & poor pocket presence have been tough for coaches to correct. Meanwhile, Terrell Owens gives Philly QB McNabb the bigtime target he has lacked, and speedy RB Westbrook is a major weapon. (03-Phil. 14-NYG 10...N.25-9 N.41/180 P.23/87 N.22/36/0/159 P.9/23/1/47 P.1 N.2) (03-PHIL. 28-Nyg 10...20-20 N.24/109 P.21/62 P.24/30/0/314 N.25/44/1/252 P.1 N.0) (03- Philadelphia +3 14-10, PHILADELPHIA -3' 28-10...SR: NY Giants 75-63-2)
MINNESOTA 27 - Dallas 20?Interesting matchup considering that few receivers figure to benefit as much as Randy Moss from the revised antibumping rules. And with the NFL seeking to feature speed and more wideopen play, Dallas has gotten older & slower TY with the additions of Vinny Testaverde, Eddie George & Keyshawn Johnson. Maybe their experience will turn out to be a telling factor. But Vikes expect to start an improving defense with 5 No. 1 draft picks & 4 No. 2s. And the ?Tuna? lost his last 4 as a dog LY by 16, 12, 26 & 19 points! (00-Minnesota -7' 27-15...SR: Dallas 13-11)
SAN FRANCISCO 30 - Atlanta 23?When former S.F. def. coord. Jim Mora Jr. left the 49ers to take over as Atlanta HC, Mora took S.F. off. coord. Gregg Knapp with him. Niner coach Dennis Erickson was quick to elevate assistants Ted Tollner to off. coord. & Willy Robinson to def. coord. So you can expect nothing but the best effort from S.F., whose top defender, LB Julian Peterson, has ended his holdout. And QB Rattay (groin, forearm) looked fine (14 of 18) once he got on the field in the late preseason. Falcon defense (last in NFL LY) youthful & problematic; Vick had only 29 exhibition snaps in new system! (01-SAN FRANCISCO -3' 16-13 (OT), San Francisco -3 37-31 (OT)...SR: SF 44-26-1)
*DENVER 30 - Kansas City 24?Even though Jake Plummer tossed four ints. in limited preseason duty, prefer to side with host and Mike Shanahan?s reportedly improved defense. Considering K.C.?s injury woes at WR this summer, the presence of deluxe CB Champ Bailey should allow him to lock down one wideout, allowing the rest of the Broncs to play 10 vs. 9 (unless Trent Green is suddenly going to run the option). Plummer 9-2 SU as a starter LY. Note, however, Chiefs 10-3-1 last 14 as an underdog. TV?ESPN (03-K. CITY 24-Denver 23...D.22-13 D.31/176 K.24/133 D.21/39/0/293 K.15/29/1/128 K.1 D.1) (03-DENVER 45-K. City 27...K.28-26 D.32/270 K.19/63 K.34/47/0/381 D.20/29/0/238 D.0 K.0) (03-KANSAS CITY -3' 24-23, DENVER -2' 45-27...SR: Kansas City 49-39)
