Thursday's Preseason Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Redskins at Falcons (-3, 37)
Washington
Head Coach: Jay Gruden (6-2 SU, 5-3 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Kirk Cousins, Colt McCoy, Nate Sudfeld (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Rick Snider
The Redskins have succeeded in the preseason in Gruden’s two seasons at the helm by winning six of eight games. Washington limited all four opponents last exhibition season to 17 points or less, while winning both of its road games at Cleveland and Baltimore. Gruden is unbeaten in two exhibition openers, while the Redskins own a 6-2 mark to the ‘under’ in their last eight preseason contests.
Atlanta
Head Coach: Dan Quinn (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS in preseason)
Quarterback Rotation: Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Sean Renfree, Matt Simms
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: D. Orlando Ledbetter
The Falcons split their four preseason games in Quinn’s first season, as both victories came at home against the Titans and Ravens. Since 2011, Atlanta has compiled a 3-7 SU and 2-8 ATS at the Georgia Dome in the preseason, while winning two straight exhibition openers since losing the first preseason game from 2011 through 2013. The Falcons last played the Redskins in the preseason back in 2004 as Washington grabbed a 24-0 shutout.
Buccaneers at Eagles (-3, 37)
Tampa Bay
Head Coach: Dirk Koetter (No preseason record)
Quarterback Rotation: Jameis Winston, Mike Glennon, Ryan Griffin
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Scott Smith
Tampa Bay posted a 2-2 SU/ATS record in Winston’s rookie exhibition season. The Buccaneers dropped their opener at Minnesota, 26-16 in 2015, their third straight Week 1 exhibition setback. Winston failed to throw a touchdown pass in three games, but did rush for two scores.
Philadelphia
Head Coach: Doug Pederson (No preseason record)
Quarterback Rotation: Sam Bradford, Chase Daniel, Carson Wentz (Rookie), McLeod Bethel-Thompson
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Jeff McLane
The Carson Wentz era begins in Philadelphia, although the second overall pick in May’s draft won’t be starting in the preseason opener. Chip Kelly’s final preseason with the Eagles ended with a solid 3-1 SU/ATS record, while scoring at least 36 points in all three victories. With Pederson at the helm, there is no early indication on how he will treat the preseason, but the Eagles have fared well at home in exhibition action by posting a 9-1 SU and 8-1-1 ATS since 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Jaguars at Jets (-2½, 36½)
Jacksonville
Head Coach: Gus Bradley (4-8 SU, 6-6 ATS preseason record)
Quarterback Rotation: Blake Bortles, Chad Henne, Brandon Allen (Rookie), Max Wittek (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Ryan O’Halloran
The Jaguars won more than one preseason game for the first time in Bradley’s three seasons with a 2-2 SU/ATS record in 2015. Jacksonville is riding a two-game winning streak in preseason openers, including a 23-21 home victory over Pittsburgh last August to barely cash as one-point favorites. The Jags have been a terrific ‘under’ team in the last two preseasons by going 7-1 to the ‘under,’ including a 4-0 mark on the road.
New York
Head Coach: Todd Bowles (3-1 SU, 3-1 ATS preseason record)
Quarterback Rotation: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith, Bryce Petty, Christian Hackenberg (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Rich Cimini
Following a 23-3 drubbing at Detroit in Bowles’ preseason debut in 2015, the Jets won their final three exhibition contests to close at 3-1 SU/ATS. New York won both home games against the Falcons and Eagles, while also picking up a “road” win against the rival Giants at Met Life Stadium. The Jets are riding a seven-game losing streak in preseason openers with their last victory in Week 1 coming back in 2008.
Panthers at Ravens (-1½, 36½)
Carolina
Head Coach: Ron Rivera (11-9 SU, 11-9 ATS preseason record)
Quarterback Rotation: Cam Newton, Derek Anderson, Joe Webb
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Joe Person
The defending NFC champions started strong in the preseason prior to a 15-1 regular season by putting together a 3-1 SU/ATS mark in exhibition play. The Panthers won each of their two road contests, including the opener at Buffalo as three-point underdogs, 25-24. Carolina owns a solid 5-2 ATS record as a preseason road underdog since 2012, while sailing ‘over’ the total in four consecutive exhibition openers.
Baltimore
Head Coach: John Harbaugh (20-12 SU, 19-13 ATS preseason record)
Quarterback Rotation: Joe Flacco, Ryan Mallett, Josh Johnson, Jerrod Johnson
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Jamison Hensley
The Ravens posted a perfect 4-0 SU/ATS record in the 2014 preseason, but dropped to 1-3 SU and 2-2 ATS in the 2015 preseason. Last season, Baltimore captured its exhibition opener against New Orleans, but the offense didn’t score more than 19 points in any of its final three losses. Under Harbaugh, the Ravens have won four straight preseason openers, while scoring at least 30 points or more three times.
Saints at Patriots (-3½, 39½)
New Orleans
Head Coach: Sean Payton (19-18 SU, 21-16 ATS preseason record)
Quarterback Rotation: Drew Brees, Luke McCown, Garrett Grayson
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Larry Holder
Since Payton took over as coach of the Saints in 2006, New Orleans never put together a winless preseason. Until 2015. The Saints slumped to an 0-4 SU/ATS mark last August, while the defense allowed at least 26 points in all four defeats. New Orleans had won four consecutive preseason openers prior to a 30-27 defeat at Baltimore last August, while the Saints are winless in their last two preseason matchups against the Patriots with the two losses coming by a combined three points.
New England
Head Coach: Bill Belichick (46-39 SU, 42-36-7 ATS preseason record)
Quarterback Rotation: Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Ben Volin
The Patriots haven’t put much stock in their last two preseason openers by scoring a combined 17 points in losses to the Redskins (’14) and Packers (’15). Brady played two series in last year’s opening loss to Green Bay, while the New England star will see action in the preseason prior to serving his four-game regular season suspension. The Patriots won all four home games from 2013-14, but dropped each of their two contests at Gillette Stadium last preseason.
Broncos at Bears (-1, 35)
Denver
Head Coach: Gary Kubiak (22-14 SU, 22-12-2 ATS preseason record)
Quarterback Rotation: Mark Sanchez, Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch (Rookie)
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Cameron Wolfe
The Broncos begin their title defense in the post-Peyton Manning era with questions at the quarterback position. Defending Super Bowl champions have struggled in their first preseason game the following season, owning a 1-4 SU/ATS record the last five seasons (Giants only winner in 2012). The Broncos won each of their two preseason road games in Kubiak’s first season as coach, beating the Seahawks and Texans last August. Since 2012, Denver has won seven of its past eight exhibition contests away from the Mile High City, which includes a 6-1 ATS mark as a road underdog.
Chicago
Head Coach: John Fox (31-25 SU, 27-28-1 ATS preseason record)
Quarterback Rotation: Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer, David Fales, Connor Shaw
Beat Writer Twitter Follow: Zach Zaidman
All three of Chicago’s wins last preseason came by double-digits, including a 27-10 rout of Miami in the opener. The Bears’ defense stepped up by allowing 11 points or less three times, while the ‘under’ went 3-0-1 in Fox’s first exhibition campaign. Chicago has won six of its previous seven home exhibition games, but were blown out the last time it faced Denver in the preseason, 31-3 in Manning’s Broncos’ debut in 2012.
Thursday's NFL Week 1 Preseason Betting Preview
By Covers.com
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5, 37)
Expectations are high for a slimmed down Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2016. Vincent Jackson is expected to miss Thursday's game which will mean plenty of No. 1 reps for wide receiver Mike Evans. The Bucs are going to give opposing defenses problems with their skill at the tight end position - Cameron Brate, Austin Saferian-Jenkins, Dan Vitale and Luke Stocker will rotate in and out for most of the game.
The Doug Pederson era gets underway in Philadelphia without 8-time Pro Bowler Jason Peters at left tackle to protect the blind side of second overall draft pick Carson Wentz and Sam Bradford. Matt "Turnstile" Tobin will attempt to fill in by moving from guard to starting left tackle for Thursday's game. Right tackle Lane Johnson will be on the field at his usual position despite the looming threat of a potential 10-game PED suspension. The Eagles will also be without wide receiver Jordan Matthews who is dealing with a bruised knee. QB rotation - Bradford and Chase Daniel to split first half, Wentz "will play the majority of the second half."
Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons (-3, 37)
The Redskins have won six of their eight preseason games over the last two seasons under Jay Gruden. Gruden will go with starting quarterback Kirk Cousins for a series or two, Colt McCoy for the remainder of the opening half, and rookie Nate Sudfeld for most, if not all, of the second half. The Skins will be without starting tight end Jordan Reed (thumb) so Vernon Davis, Niles Paul, Logan Paulsen, and Marcel Jensen will all move up a slot on the depth chart.
The Falcons open their preseason schedule at home and it is expected that head coach Dan Quinn will attempt to vastly improve his club's play on the defensive side of the ball in his second season at the helm. The key additions to their defense are first round draft pick, and now starting safety, Keanu Neal out of Florida and WILL Sean Weatherspoon - who is returning home after one season in Arizona with the Cardinals.
New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots (-3, 39.5)
Saints quarterback Drew Brees has been told he will be playing "a series or so" at the beginning of Thursday's game at New England. Typically, if they go three-and-out he will come back out for the second possession. Either way, backups Luke McCown and Garrett Grayson will see plenty of work. Saints' running back Mark Ingram (who has missed a couple of practices recently so it's unknown how much he will play - if at all) expects the offense to establish the run with a stiff running back competition for the No. 2 and No. 3 spots (Tim Hightower, Marcus Murphy, C.J. Spiller, and Travaris Cadet).
As usual with the Patriots, they aren't sharing much in the way of how much time the starters will see on the field or who will be the actual starting quarterback in this game. Coach Belichick did offer that their main, "priority now is to get Jimmy ready for the start of the season." It is expected that Brady will sit this one out and Garropolo will get the starter's reps in the first quarter. The Pats got a scare Tuesday when star wide receiver Julian Edelman threw his helmet and left practice with, what appeared to be, a knee injury. Edelman, however, was back at practice Wednesday in a limited role and is Questionable to play Thursday night.
Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens (-1.5, 36.5)
The post-Josh Norman era begins in Carolina with three rookie cornerbacks listed as the top three on the Panthers' depth chart. James Bradberry, Daryl Worley, and Zack Sanchez are all expected to be leaned on heavily in 2016, and play significant minutes in order to get their feet wet Thursday night. Cam Newton didn't have his big weapon, wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, for the entire 2015 season. The pair are expected to be a dynamic duo in 2016 but will only be on the field for a series or two in Baltimore.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is basically calling this one a game to test out the rookies and depth players. Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, Steve Smith Sr., Crockett Gillmore, Dennis Pitta, Breshad Perriman, starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley and Joe Flacco are all expect to sit this contest out entirely. Ryan Mallett, Josh Johnson and Jerrod Johnson will all share quarterback time, although no word yet on order or length of play. The fact that AT&T Stadium is going to air Michael Phelps' 200-meter individual medley from Rio 2016 on the video boards during the game says all you need to know about this one.
Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets (-2.5, 36.5)
The Jaguars are expected to be competitive in the AFC South this season. They have publically stated that one of their preseason goals is to "start fast". That'll mean the pressure will be on starting quarterback Blake Bortles in his limited playing time Thurday night to put up some points. Chad Henne will likely finish off the opening half, once Bortles is done, and be followed by rookies Brandon Allen and Max Wittek.
Newly acquired running back Matt Forte will sit this one out with a sore hamstring and the Ryan Fitzpatrick-led first team offense will see limited reps in the opening quarter before putting their helmets aside for the evening. The Jets have four quarterbacks clogging their roster at the moment, so games like this will be critical for Geno Smith, Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty to make some big impressions on head coach Todd Bowles and his staff.
Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears (-1, 35)
The uncertain Broncos quarterback situation is certainly no secret. The plan, announced by head coach Gary Kubiak, is for the co-No. 1 quarterbacks to split the first half - Mark Sanchez will play the first quarter and Trevor Siemian will play the second quarter. Rookie Paxton Lynch will see plenty of playing time in the second half and everyone in Denver will be watching his performance very closely. If Lynch has any hope of starting Week 1, he will have to light up the Bears' third string defense.
Bears fans, and backers, are excited to see the debuts of the team's last two first round draft picks. Wide receiver Kevin White will debut after missing the 2015 season with a stress fracture in his shin and pass rusher Leonard Floyd will be looking to get to Mark Sanchez early and often in order to make a good first impression. The other big storylines for John Fox's team will be another re-tooled offensive line and a vastly improving defense that has Bears fans salivating and fantasizing about classic "Bears football".