There are many questions the preseason presents to the betting public. Who’s playing and for how long? Who’s motivated to win and who’s simply going through the motions?
The Hall of Fame Game is a special scenario for teams involved because even after Sunday’s matchup, the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints both still have four more games to play before the regular season. Will the killer instinct be there?
The official team answers are murky. A truth potion would help, but until it becomes legal to drug NFL coaches to get honest answers out of them the best we can do is read between the lines with the facts we're given.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has shown no mercy in his preseason practices. The first-year head coach has continually stressed the importance of intensity early on. The Steelers were the first team to open for training camp and Tomlin has been borderline cruel with his two-a-day practices.
“Week 2, this is where it probably gets a little miserable,” Tomlin told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Monday. “You get to know people under duress. Nobody feels great. It’s getting hot, I like that; keep turning up the heat. We’ll get to know them more, they’ll get to know themselves more.”
Covers Expert Scott Rickenbach says he normally stays away from the first preseason game but admits there are some factors favoring Pittsburgh backers.
“With Pittsburgh having a new coach this game certainly means more to them than the Saints,” Rickenbach says.
That’s not always the case. Last preseason Sean Payton was in his first year as head coach of New Orleans and the Saints looked terrible. Payton left bettors reasoning it was going to be an ugly year for the club. After a 10-6 regular season, they instead went on to win a NFC South division title and fall one win short of a Super Bowl berth.
What does that New Orleans flip-flop mean for this year's exhibition season?
“Payton showed he had absolutely no interest in the preseason last year,” Covers Expert Ted Sevransky says.
Sevransky also believes the game in Canton, Ohio, to be essentially a home game for the Steelers – another factor that shouldn’t be disqualified.
What's hurting the Steelers' chances are injuries. Pittsburgh is a bit banged up coming into Sunday’s matchup. Linebackers James Harrison and Lawrence Timmons are both expected to miss the game as is starting running back Willie Parker. Parker has a sore left knee but it’s not believed to be serious. With Parker out, Najeh Davenport will likely get the start at tailback.
“That’s exactly what injures are about – it’s unfortunate for someone but it’s an opportunity for someone else,” Tomlin said. “I look forward to seeing what those other guys will do with the opportunities they get.”
Depth is something the experts say can’t be ignored when betting the preseason, particularly with quarterbacks. The Steelers have a proven backup in Charlie Batch while the Saints QB outlook is a little less certain after Pro Bowler Drew Brees.
Jamie Martin has only made one start last season and Jason Fife has yet to take a snap in an NFL game.
“I don’t want to put my money on those two guys,” Sevransky says.