Preview: Patriots at Jaguars
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2018
The Jacksonville Jaguars were one step from advancing to the Super Bowl last season, only to be denied by an old nemesis with a narrow loss in the AFC Championship Game. The Jaguars will get a chance to avenge that defeat -- albeit with the stakes considerably lower -- when they host the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon in their home opener.
Reigning NFL MVP Tom Brady threw two touchdown passes in the final nine minutes to rally New England past Jacksonville in January, so he knows what he's up against in a defense that led the AFC in yards and points allowed last season. "They were a great team last year and gave us everything we could handle in the championship game, and they're at it again this year," Brady said. "They've got an incredible rush, great linebackers, great secondary. It's going to be very challenging, tough environment and we'll see what we're made of." The Jaguars turned in a strong defensive performance in a 20-15 season-opening victory at the New York Giants and may be more reliant on that unit with star running back Leonard Fournette a major question mark due to a hamstring injury. "We feel we're so talented on defense," said linebacker Myles Jack, who returned an interception for a score in the season opener. "We've got DBs that can score, linebackers can score. Even D-linemen who can strip sack fumbles and score. We don't put any pressure on the offense. If the offense scores, it puts even more onus on us. We try to create points."
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Pick. O/U: 45.5
ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (1-0): Brady threw for three first-half touchdowns and wound up with 277 yards in a 27-20 win over Houston, relying heavily on tight end Rob Gronkowski, who had seven catches for 123 yards and a score. With Julian Edelman sitting out the first four games while serving a suspension, Phillip Dorsett provided a boost to the passing game with seven receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown. New England has major issues in the backfield: Rex Burkhead (concussion), who rushed for 64 yards in Week 1, and first-round draft pick Sony Michel were both limited in practice Thursday and Jeremy Hill suffered a torn ACL in the season opener. The Patriots' defense had three sacks, forced a fumble and notched an interception against Houston.
ABOUT THE JAGUARS (1-0): Fournette was hurt in the second quarter last week, but he was unable to practice Wednesday or Thursday and labeled himself a "game-time decision." Backup T.J. Yeldon was solid after replacing Fournette, rushing for 51 yards on 14 carries and adding three catches for 18 yards and a touchdown. Blake Bortles, who lost top wideout Marqise Lee to a knee injury in the preseason, threw for only 176 yards on 18-of-33 passing against New York and completed at least three passes to five different players, led by Keelan Cole and Dede Westbrook with 54 and 51 yards, respectively. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey may get matched up against Gronkowski after saying last month that the tight end is "not as great as people think he is."
EXTRA POINTS
1. Brady is 8-0 (playoffs included) against Jacksonville, which has never beaten New England.
2. Jaguars DE Dante Fowler will return to the lineup after serving a one-game suspension.
3. The Patriots signed WRs Corey Coleman, a former first-round pick, and Bennie Fowler this week.
PREDICTION: Patriots 23, Jaguars 20
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Preview: Giants at Cowboys
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2018
In a division featuring the defending Super Bowl champions, neither the New York Giants nor Dallas Cowboys want to be staring at the prospect of an 0-2 start to the season. The longtime NFC East rivals each sputtered offensively in season-opening losses and will look to break into the win column when the Giants pay a visit to the Cowboys on Sunday night.
"It's a big hole, especially in this conference game. So, we need this game," New York safety Landon Collins said. "We need this win. It's definitely big to us. Out of the two teams that we're both 0-1, one of the teams got to come out with a victory." Dallas swept the season series in 2017, outscoring New York 49-13, and the trash-talking has already heated up between the clubs. Collins said the Giants will bolster their chances of winning by choking off the Cowboys' running game and putting the ball in Dak Prescott's hands, to which the Dallas quarterback responded: "Challenge accepted." Expect both teams to lean heavily on the ground game in the first matchup between Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and New York's Saquon Barkley, this year's No. 2 overall selection.
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Cowboys -3. O/U: 42.5
ABOUT THE GIANTS (0-1): New York struggled offensively against Jacksonville's ferocious defense in a 20-15 loss, but the highlights were provided by Barkley and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Barkley finished with 106 yards on 18 carries in his NFL debut and scored the Giants' lone touchdown with a highlight-reel 68-yard run while Beckham, who missed most of last season due to a broken foot, had 11 receptions for 111 yards. Beckham has five touchdown receptions in six games against Dallas, so he can expect another heavy dose of targets from Eli Manning, who was intercepted three times in the two matchups versus the Cowboys last season. New York's defense struggled to contain Jacksonville's ground game despite an injury to lead back Leonard Fournette.
ABOUT THE COWBOYS (0-1): Dallas did not get on the scoreboard until the fourth quarter in last weekend's 16-8 loss at Carolina, managing only 232 yards of total offense and allowing Prescott to be sacked six times. Elliott, who scored the only touchdown and finished with 69 yards on 15 carries, rushed for 104 yards and added five catches for 36 yards in his lone matchup against New York in 2017. The Cowboys' passing game struggled with the departures of longtime standouts Dez Bryant and Jason Witten as Prescott threw for only 170 yards, with Cole Beasley leading the way with seven receptions for 73 yards. Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory (concussion) missed practice again Thursday while defensive tackle Datone Jones (knee) was limited.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Manning has 49 career scoring passes against Dallas, his second-highest total versus any team (51, Philadelphia).
2. Prescott torched New York in the last meeting with three TD passes and a career-high 332 yards.
3. Barkley can become the first rookie since 2005 to rush for 100 yards in each of his team's first two games of the season.
PREDICTION: Cowboys 19, Giants 17
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NFL
Long Sheet
Week 2
Sunday, September 16
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INDIANAPOLIS (0 - 1) at WASHINGTON (1 - 0) - 9/16/2018, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 33-53 ATS (-25.3 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1992.
WASHINGTON is 62-95 ATS (-42.5 Units) as a favorite since 1992.
WASHINGTON is 87-116 ATS (-40.6 Units) in home games since 1992.
WASHINGTON is 87-116 ATS (-40.6 Units) in home lined games since 1992.
WASHINGTON is 87-116 ATS (-40.6 Units) in home games in games played on a grass field since 1992.
WASHINGTON is 14-31 ATS (-20.1 Units) in home games in September games since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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CAROLINA (1 - 0) at ATLANTA (0 - 1) - 9/16/2018, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 114-84 ATS (+21.6 Units) as an underdog since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 3-1 against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 3-1 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MINNESOTA (1 - 0) at GREEN BAY (1 - 0) - 9/16/2018, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GREEN BAY is 187-134 ATS (+39.6 Units) in games played on a grass field since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 3-1 against the spread versus GREEN BAY over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 3-1 straight up against GREEN BAY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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LA CHARGERS (0 - 1) at BUFFALO (0 - 1) - 9/16/2018, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CHARGERS is 95-69 ATS (+19.1 Units) in road games when playing with 6 or less days rest since 1992.
LA CHARGERS is 47-27 ATS (+17.3 Units) in games played on turf since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA CHARGERS is 1-0 against the spread versus BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
LA CHARGERS is 1-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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HOUSTON (0 - 1) at TENNESSEE (0 - 1) - 9/16/2018, 1:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
TENNESSEE is 2-2 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
TENNESSEE is 2-2 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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KANSAS CITY (1 - 0) at PITTSBURGH (0 - 0 - 1) - 9/16/2018, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 105-77 ATS (+20.3 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1992.
PITTSBURGH is 91-66 ATS (+18.4 Units) in home games when playing with 6 or less days rest since 1992.
KANSAS CITY is 55-36 ATS (+15.4 Units) in September games since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 3-0 against the spread versus KANSAS CITY over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 3-0 straight up against KANSAS CITY over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MIAMI (1 - 0) at NY JETS (0-0) - 9/16/2018, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 71-100 ATS (-39.0 Units) versus division opponents since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
NY JETS is 1-1 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 3-1 straight up against NY JETS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PHILADELPHIA (1 - 0) at TAMPA BAY (1 - 0) - 9/16/2018, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in games where the line is +3 to -3 over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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CLEVELAND (0 - 0 - 1) at NEW ORLEANS (0 - 1) - 9/16/2018, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 6-17 ATS (-12.7 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 8-24 ATS (-18.4 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 8-24 ATS (-18.4 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 8-23 ATS (-17.3 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 7-19 ATS (-13.9 Units) against AFC North division opponents since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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ARIZONA (0 - 1) at LA RAMS (0-0) - 9/16/2018, 4:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA RAMS is 184-232 ATS (-71.2 Units) in all games since 1992.
LA RAMS is 184-232 ATS (-71.2 Units) in all lined games since 1992.
LA RAMS is 132-183 ATS (-69.3 Units) against conference opponents since 1992.
LA RAMS is 31-51 ATS (-25.1 Units) in home games versus division opponents since 1992.
LA RAMS is 62-97 ATS (-44.7 Units) in games played on a grass field since 1992.
LA RAMS is 34-54 ATS (-25.4 Units) in September games since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA RAMS is 3-1 against the spread versus ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
LA RAMS is 3-1 straight up against ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DETROIT (0-0) at SAN FRANCISCO (0 - 1) - 9/16/2018, 4:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 5-20 ATS (-17.0 Units) in road games against NFC West division opponents since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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NEW ENGLAND (1 - 0) at JACKSONVILLE (1 - 0) - 9/16/2018, 4:25 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ENGLAND is 29-10 ATS (+18.0 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ENGLAND is 29-10 ATS (+18.0 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ENGLAND is 28-10 ATS (+17.0 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ENGLAND is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ENGLAND is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) in road lined games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ENGLAND is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ENGLAND is 22-7 ATS (+14.3 Units) against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ENGLAND is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ENGLAND is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
JACKSONVILLE is 1-0 against the spread versus NEW ENGLAND over the last 3 seasons
NEW ENGLAND is 1-0 straight up against JACKSONVILLE over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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OAKLAND (0-0) at DENVER (1 - 0) - 9/16/2018, 4:25 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 2-2 against the spread versus OAKLAND over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 2-2 straight up against OAKLAND over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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NY GIANTS (0 - 1) at DALLAS (0 - 1) - 9/16/2018, 8:20 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 2-2 against the spread versus NY GIANTS over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 2-2 straight up against NY GIANTS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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