Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins (-3, 31.5)
Matchup stats and trends
Starter and injury report
The Jaguars take their first steps towards erasing the memories of a disappointing 2008 campaign on Monday. With some youthful additions to the offensive line and a veteran star on board at wide receiver, Jacksonville is hoping to resemble the squad that defeated the Steelers at Pittsburgh in the 2007 playoffs.
The Jags tabbed a pair of offensive linemen with their initial two picks in April's draft. Unfortunately, first-rounder Eugene Monroe was just inked to a deal earlier this week. He has some catching up to do and is unlikely to play against the Dolphins. Second-rounder Eben Britton of Arizona is already making a push to win the starting right tackle spot.
For the first time since the days of Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith, Jacksonville has an elite wide receiver to throw the ball to. Torry Holt's 817 receptions lead the NFL in this decade but there are some questions about how much the 33-year-old has left in the tank.
Head coach Jack Del Rio has indicated that starting QB David Garrard will play the entire first quarter and possibly some of the second against Miami. Garrard will be followed in the contest by veteran Todd Bauman and former Tulsa standout Paul Smith.
The Dolphins will try to quiet skeptics who suggest that Miami will not be able to repeat its success from a year ago. The Fish led the NFL in turnover ratio (+17) in 2009 which helped the club pull out some close calls. In their 9-1 run to end the regular season, the Dolphins recorded only one double-digit victory.
The home fans will get their first look at rookie QB Pat White on Monday. Head coach Tony Sparano said that White and No. 2 quarterback Chad Henne will get significant playing time against the Jags after starter Chad Pennington exits the game.
Line Movement
The Dolphins opened as a 3-point favorite with a total of 32. The total is now down to 31.5.
Trends
Del Rio is 17-7 (15-9 against the spread) in the preseason with a 3-3 ATS mark in preseason openers. Sparano went 3-1 (3-1 ATS) in the 2008 preseason but lost in the exhibition opener.
Weather
The forecast calls for a high of 91 degrees with a 30 percent chance of rain in Miami.
Carolina Panthers at New York Giants (-3, 32.5)
Matchup stats and trends
Starter and injury report
These two clubs were expected to square off at Giants Stadium in the 2008 NFC Championship game, but the top two seeds in the conference were humbled at home in the Divisional round.
Carolina is basically returning the same squad that captured the NFC South. The defense took a hit up front with defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. On offense, WR Steve Smith and RB Jonathan Stewart are questionable for Monday night's matchup with some minor injuries.
Despite a dreadful effort in last year's post-season exit to the Cardinals, veteran Jake Delhomme is the clear No.1 under center. The backup spot is open for competition between journeyman Josh McCown and youngster Matt Moore. Rookie Hunter Cantwell out of Louisville could also get some late game snaps at the QB spot against New York.
The Giants have a mix of good and bad news entering their preseason opener. The good revolves around the return of star defensive end Osi Umenyiora to the fold after missing all of last season with due to injury. The bad involves questions about New York's ability to find a suitable replacement for wideout Plaxico Burress.
New York hopes that first round draft pick Hakeem Nicks can help to fill some of the void at wide receiver this season.
For Monday's exhibition opener, head coach Tom Coughlin has said that this starters will get about 12-15 snaps against Carolina. Rookie signal-callers Andre Woodson and Rhett Bomar are also will play following the exits of Eli Manning and David Carr.
The secondary is a little banged up for New York. Cornerbacks Corey Webster and Aaron Ross will be held out of the game due to some minor injuries.
Line Movement
The Giants opened as a 3-point favorite with the total set at 33.5. The total has dropped a point down to 32.5.
Trends
John Fox is 18-10 (15-12-1 ATS) in the preseason with a 5-2 ATS record in his August openers. As head coach of the Giants, Coughlin is 11-9 (11-7-2 ATS) in preseason action with a 1-3-1 ATS mark in exhibition debuts.
Weather
The forecast calls for a high of 89 degrees in East Rutherford, New Jersey.