NFL Week 1

Quote Originally Posted by PajamaBoys:

You mentioned some Survivor plays in an earlier post.  do you still like Houston  as a potential play even if Fosters sits out?  Hou seems to be the right play, but all the sudden variables make it a little scary.

Great thread.  Best of luck.

Quote Originally Posted by glyde69:

Tough game.  I think it is gonna be a low scoring 13-10 absolute slugfest.  It is easy to look at the Bengals and think DOGSHIT, but I believe they will be a scrappy little squad this year.  They should be able to run the ball(assuming Dalton isn't completely overwhelmed as a starter, is useless, and teams stack 8 in the box all game), the WRs aren't A guys but can make plays(Caldwell, Quan, Grisham, Shipley), and their defense isn't bad at all.  In fact, the defense might be pretty good with some tough young LB along with two of the better CB in the league(hall, clements).  Zimmer should have these guys ready to go.

The Browns are a team that I think are gonna come out and look to beat their opponents into the ground.  It hurts that they are in such a physical division(1/4 of their games against Balt/Pitt is a load), and to the naked eye they get an "easy" start to the season with Cincinnati.  Cincy has a load of problems, but they are feisty and their defense might give Cleveland bigger problems than people think.  Cleveland might just be surprised at how physical Cincy is. 

So I'm thinking a slugfest with lots of 3 and outs, lots of jostling for field position, lots of FGs.  I don't trust Cleveland to cover the large number, but at the same time, I can't trust Dalton making his first NFL start on the road with a short camp as his only NFL experience.  I would say UNDER, but we all know what happens when I play a total.

 

Quote Originally Posted by andarmac99:



Yeah that's the turnoff for me. I do agree with what you said though. The Bengals two starting receivers are actually AJ Green and Jerome Simpson (who in his only 3 games last year caught 20 passes for 277 yards and 3 TD). If Dalton can play decent this year and not make mistakes this team is going to cover some numbers.

Quote Originally Posted by andarmac99:

Final easy to read card:

Already hit Green Bay -4
Denver pk
Atlanta -2
St. Louis +4.5
Tampa Bay -1
San Diego -8

Good luck tomorrow everyone. 

Quote Originally Posted by glyde69:

Looks like a winner.  Here's mine for the day.....

Pitt +3
Houston -9
Tennessee +1
St Louis + (still waiting for better line although I don't think it is getting better than 4; should have nailed it at 5 last week; fucked up)

GL to all.

Quote Originally Posted by 165yds:

I think they're getting disrespected here with this line drop.  This line holds a tremendous amount of value because the Ravens won't be -1 the rest of the year. 

Something  bothers me about the StLouis game, seems like the really hip pick today. 

The Cowboys first half  is the best play today, take a peek at that game if you get a chance.  GL

Quote Originally Posted by nepatriots_12:



I beg to differ Andy. Maybe it's just because I'm a Pats fan, but I truly believe they are the team to beat in the AFC.

Smallish Receivers - Can't disagree with you there, but they did add Ocho Cinco who has some size and it remains to be seen if he has anything left in the tank. If he does he can bring what they're missing on the outside. Your also forgetting they have 2 elite young Tight Ends in Hernandez/Gronkowski who have size and can gain those tough yards. Welker might be small but hes a tough SOB.

Running Backs - One of the reasons for their playoff loss was a lack of running game/predictable offense. When Green Ellis was in you knew they would run and Woodhead you knew it was a pass. The Jets took advantage of this and were able to call D's based on who they saw out there. They added a big time guy in Stevan Ridley who looked amazing in the pre-season showing a mix of power, speed and ability to catch the ball and he can become the all around back this offense needs.

Secondary - With the release of Merriweather, yea they have a hole there, but Chung is a great talent and hopefully he continues to get better. McCourty is an elite corner and he'll only continue to get better also. Something people are forgetting is the return of Leigh Bodden who was out all of last year. He was a number 1 corner before injury and if he recovers he can settle into the number 2 role and hopefully create an elite tandem. They let go of the weak links in Merriweather/Butler/Wilhite and new draftee Ras I'Dowling looks like a keeper also in that number 3 spot.

Their linebacking core is pretty solid with one of the best LB's in the league in Mayo. Spikes is a good run stopper and they have a few outside guys that will rotate and should do a decent job.

With the scheme change, they will mix in a ton of 4-3 looks also with Mayo on OLB and Spikes on MLB and they can afford do that because their big acquisitions this offseason are on the DLine. Andre Carter was a elite DE racking up 11 sacks before Shanahan played him at OLB in 3-4 which is completely out of position. If he can return to his former self, and from what he showed in the pre-season it looks likely, they just added a very good pass rusher on the outside. The biggest acquisition is obviously Albert Haynesworth and if, yes it's a big if, he has a few more good years left in him, him and Wilfork will be the best DT combo in the league stuffing the run, and putting tons of pressure on allowing Mayo to make even more plays on LB and we all know a good pass rush makes your secondary look good. From all accounts, Haynesworth is loving it here in NE, loves Coach B, enjoys coming to work and was quoted as saying he's ready to unleash the sleeping giant.

These are just my thoughts and if everything pans out, the Pats D could be elite and coupled with that offense could be deadly. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree for now and see what happens.

Quote Originally Posted by 165yds:

I think they're getting disrespected here with this line drop.  This line holds a tremendous amount of value because the Ravens won't be -1 the rest of the year. 

Something  bothers me about the StLouis game, seems like the really hip pick today. 

The Cowboys first half  is the best play today, take a peek at that game if you get a chance.  GL

Quote Originally Posted by glyde69:

What do you like about the Cowboys?  I was kinda leaning towards the Jets in this one.  Jenkins and Newman playing? 

Quote Originally Posted by 165yds:

A fan giving me about 6 big if's or hoping this player or that player comes through.  The if's rule, Pat's are from from a top 3 team in the AFC.