Carson Palmer isn't sweating the preseason.
USPRESSWIRE
There are seven games this weekend in NFL preseason action as teams prepare to cut their rosters to 75 players Monday. We give you the essential tidbits on 6 of them to make your wagers.
SATURDAYIndianapolis Colts at Washington Redskins (-3, 43)
The No. 1 and 2 picks in the draft, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, meet in a matchup that has about as much hype as you can stand for a preseason game.
Colts owner Jim Irsay was Tweeting about a potential big trade Thursday night, so you might want to be cautious with betting Indy in case of any major personnel changes. That said, Indy has 62 points through two preseason games (most in the league) and has covered both spreads.
Washington’s starters are expected to play about three quarters. Fans are calling for the Skins to let RG3 air it out more but Washington still has to sort out its backfield before Week 1.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills (+2, 40.5) The Steelers fired special teams coach Al Everest this week in a strange move in spite of great special teams play from the Steelers the past couple years. Mike Wallace ended his holdout and is expected back Saturday night, which gives the Steelers their top receiver back.
The Bills’ defense got picked apart last week by Minnesota in a 36-14 loss. Not a good sign for the worst red zone defense in the NFL last season. They’ve only generated 20 points through two games also as they try to determine who their backup QB is – Vince Young or Tyler Thigpen - and figure out their top five receivers.
Detroit Lions at Oakland Raiders (+3, 44) Lions head coach Jim Schwartz says he treats exhibition games as dress rehearsals and has ‘no set plans’ for how long the starters will play Saturday. He said the staff will ‘take it as it comes’ and they’d like to play well and win the game as the top two priorities.
The first-team offense doesn’t have a touchdown yet for the Raiders and QB Carson Palmer has struggled in the first two preseason games, both losses. Palmer told the
San Fran Chronicle the preseason is more about trying out new plays and coach Gregg Knapp agrees. "I will sacrifice some of the ups and downs that go with that,” he said. The starters are expected to play at least the first half Saturday.
Also, click here to see why gambling is paying off for over bettors in Rams preseason games so far. SUNDAY
Carolina Panthers at New York Jets (-2.5, 41)
The first team offense is clicking early for the Panthers and they scored a field-goal and two touchdowns in their first-quarter drives against Miami last game. Receiver Steve Smith missed a practice this week with a sore ankle so the first team could be missing him Sunday.
The Jets have said they’re not going to unleash the Wildcat in the preseason so Tim Tebow fans are just going to have to wait. In the meantime, Rex Ryan says he’d like to see Mark Sanchez air it out a little more. He might have wide receiver Santanio Holmes back Sunday night to help him do that.