Friday's Preseason Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Dolphins at Giants (-3, 36½)
Miami
Head Coach: Adam Gase (No preseason record)
Quarterback Rotation: Ryan Tannehill, Matt Moore, Brandon Doughty (Rookie), Zac Dysert
Beat Twitter Follow: Omar Kelly
The Dolphins haven’t made the playoffs since 2008 as the team turns to Gase to try and save a pedestrian offense. Miami dropped three of four preseason games in 2015 in Joe Philbin’s final (quarter) season as coach, including losing both road contests at Chicago and Carolina. The Dolphins are riding a four-game losing streak in preseason openers dating back to 2012, while scoring 10 points or less in three of those defeats.
New York
Head Coach: Ben McAdoo (No preseason record)
Quarterback Rotation: Eli Manning, Ryan Nassib, Logan Thomas
Beat Twitter Follow: Ralph Vacchiano
The Giants also made a head coaching change following Tom Coughlin’s departure after 12 seasons, as offensive coordinator McAdoo steps into Coughlin’s shoes. New York split four preseason contests last year, including a 23-10 defeat in the opener at Cincinnati. In the last two preseasons, the Giants have finished ‘under’ the total in six of nine games, including a 3-1 ‘under’ mark at home.
Lions at Steelers (-3, 35½)
Detroit
Head Coach: Jim Caldwell (8-12 SU, 10-10 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Matthew Stafford, Dan Orlovsky, Jake Rudock (Rookie)
Beat Twitter Follow: Dave Birkett
The Lions put together one of the more impressive preseasons in 2015 with a 3-1 SU/ATS record, while allowing 17 points or less in each of their three victories. All four games finished ‘under’ the total, as seven of Detroit’s past eight exhibition contests have gone ‘under.’ The Lions have won three consecutive preseason openers, but open on the road for the first time since a 23-7 setback at Pittsburgh in 2010.
Pittsburgh
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin (21-17 SU, 16-21-1 ATS)
Quarterback Rotation: Bruce Gradkowski, Landry Jones, Dustin Vaughan
Beat Twitter Follow: Ed Bouchette
The Steelers will be without several of their key offensive weapons in Thursday’s opener as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le’Veon Bell, and wide receiver Antonio Brown will all sit. Pittsburgh didn’t put too much stock into last preseason, posting a 1-4 SU/ATS record, while scoring 19 points or fewer in three of those defeats. Big Ben also sat out their opener last season against the Vikings in the Hall of Fame game, as the Steelers put up only three points.
Vikings at Bengals (-2½, 35)
Minnesota
Head Coach: Mike Zimmer (8-1 SU, 7-2 ATS)
Quarterback Rotation: Teddy Bridgewater, Shaun Hill, Joel Stave (Rookie)
Beat Twitter Follow: Chris Tomasson
If there’s one coach that cares about preseason results, it’s Zimmer. The Vikings have won eight of nine exhibition games under Zimmer, while compiling a 3-1 SU/ATS record as a road underdog. The ‘under’ has hit in five of nine preseason games since 2014 for Minnesota, as the Vikings yielded just six points in their opening week victory over Oakland.
Cincinnati
Head Coach: Marvin Lewis (28-25 SU, 28-24-1 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Andy Dalton, A.J. McCarron, Keith Wenning, Joe Licata (Rookie)
Beat Twitter Follow: Jim Owczarski
The Bengals have been extremely competitive the last four preseasons by winning 10 of 16 games, including a 3-1 mark in 2015. Cincinnati cruised to a pair of home victories over the Giants and Bears by double-digits apiece, while posting a 5-1 SU/ATS record in the past six exhibition games at Paul Brown Stadium. In all four preseason contests last season, the Bengals finished ‘under’ the total each time, which is in stark contrast to the 3-1 ‘over’ mark in the 2014 preseason.
Browns at Packers (-3½, 36½)
Cleveland
Head Coach: Hue Jackson (0-4 SU, 0-4 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Josh McCown, Robert Griffin III, Cody Kessler (Rookie), Austin Davis
Beat Twitter Follow: Mary Kay Cabot
The Browns scored the third-fewest points in the NFL last season, as Cleveland signed RGIII hoping to bolster its offense. In the 2015 preseason, Cleveland scored 17 points or less in its three defeats, while all four games went ‘under’ the total. The Browns won three of four road preseason games from 2012-13, but own a 1-3 SU and 2-2 ATS in the past four away exhibition contests in 2013-14.
Green Bay
Head Coach: Mike McCarthy (20-20 SU, 20-20 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Joe Callahan (Rookie), Marquise Williams (Rookie)
Beat Twitter Follow: Rob Demovsky
The Packers didn’t have to worry about injuring any of their players when Sunday’s Hall of Fame game against the Colts was cancelled due to poor field conditions. Green Bay returns home as Aaron Rodgers will likely sit out (as he was expected to in the HOF game), while Brett Hundley is questionable with an ankle injury. The Packers haven’t put much stock in their preseason opener recently by losing five of the past six in this situation, including setbacks to the Browns in 2010 and 2011.
Raiders at Cardinals (-3, 37½)
Oakland
Head Coach: Jack Del Rio (22-18 SU, 21-17-2 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Derek Carr, Matt McGloin, Connor Cook (Rookie)
Beat Twitter Follow: Vic Tafur
The Raiders have high expectations this season following a 7-9 campaign in Jack Del Rio’s debut season as head coach. Oakland cruised to an 18-3 victory over St. Louis, but lost its final three preseason contests, including a 30-23 home defeat to Arizona. The Raiders have struggled on the road in preseason by losing 10 straight games away from the Coliseum, while covering only once in this span, which coincidentally came against the Cardinals in 2012 in a 31-27 defeat as 4 ½-point underdogs.
Arizona
Head Coach: Bruce Arians (6-6 SU, 7-4-1 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton, Matt Barkley
Beat Twitter Follow: Kent Somers
The Cardinals played in four high-scoring exhibition games last season, finishing ‘over’ the total in all four contests. Following a 3-1 debut in the 2013 preseason, Arizona has lost five of its past eight exhibition games under Bruce Arians, including an 0-2 mark at home in 2015. The Cardinals pitched a pair of shutouts in preseason openers in 2013 and 2014, but allowed 34 points to the Chiefs in the 2015 opener.
Friday's NFL Week 1 Preseason Betting Preview
By Covers.com
Miami Dolphins at New York Giants (-2.5, 36.5)
According to reports, the Dolphins haven't worked on their run game much during training camp, so look for the 'Phins that to change in their preseason opener versus the Giants. Newly signed Arian Foster won't suit up, (essentially just to keep the injury prone back fresh), so expect second-year runner Jay Ajayi to get a healthy amount of touches Friday.
Expect fourth year quarterback Ryan Nassib to get most of the snaps when the Giants host the Dolphins Friday night. That has been the norm since being drafted by the G-Men. In three preseasons, Nassib completed 105 of 196 passes (53.6 percent) for 1,313 yards, seven touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 86.5.
Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3, 34.5)
If quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Marvin Jones both suit up for Friday's game, look for the new battery mates to work on their chemistry early in this contest. Reports out of camp are that Jones has emerged as Stafford's "go-to guy" since coming over as a free agent from Cincinnati this offseason, especially in joint practices with the Steelers this week. That's exactly what the Lions need with Calvin Johnson retiring.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Wednesday, that most of his key starters will not play in Friday's preseason opener. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receiver Antonio Brown, running backs Le'Veon Bell and center Maurkice Pouncey are all expected to sit out the game. Expect backup Landry Jones to play into the second half.
Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5, 35)
The Vikings will have a fairly healthy and in attendance lineup for this road game to open their preseason schedule. Most of their offensive starters will get some first quarter time. They will, however, be missing starting corner Terence Newman, linebacker Eric Kendricks and defensive tackle Sharif Floyd. As with most teams in preseason Week 1, Teddy Bridgewater and the starting offense will play a series or two before putting their helmets away.
Not many in the media are giving the Bengals much respect for this upcoming season, despite the fact that they've won 52 games over the past five years and made the playoffs in each of those five. Perhaps it has something to do with the way they exited the postseason back in January - respect is something that may have to be earned back. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green will play a series or two and A.J. McCarron will take over for the rest of the opening half.
Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers (-3.5, 34.5)
Two Browns wide receivers will miss Friday's game versus the Packers due to hamstring injuries, including their first round pick. Both Corey Coleman and Andrew Hawkins will be sidelined after failing to get on the practice field this week. Look for newly named starter Robert Griffin III to build some chemistry with former quarterback, now receiver Terrelle Pryor, but head coach Hue Jackson has not said how long his starters will stay in the game.
As was the case heading into the Hall of Fame Game, star quarterback Aaron Rodgers is not expected to suit up for the Packers preseason opener against the Browns. The problem is, it's looking like backup Brett Hundley may also be sidelined for the game with an ankle injury.
Oakland Raiders at Arizona Cardinals (-2.5, 37.5)
Latavious Murray is expected to be the Raiders bell cow running back this season, so that probably means you won't see too much of him Friday. However, the job as his top backup is up for grabs. Look for fifth round draft pick DeAndré Washington to get plenty of carries with fellow rookie Jalen Richard's status unknown after missing practice Wednesday.
Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin will be calling plays in three of four preseason games, including Friday night's preseason opener against the Raiders. Head coach Bruce Arians calls the plays during the regular season and should the same in the third preseason game when starters play the most minutes. The main piece of advice Arians has given Goodwin when it comes to play-calling has been "take more shots."