Cnotes National Football League Week # 5 Rated Plays - Trends - News Etc. !!

[CNOTES]

NFL RATED GAMES: (as of 10/04/15 )


SUNDAY'S RESULTS: ( 10/04/15 )




*****.........................3 - 2 - 0
DOUBLE PLAYS............4 - 2 - 0
TRIPLE PLAY................1 - 2 - 0
BLOW OUT...................2 - 0


OVER ALL RATED PLAYS


*****.......................................... 11 - 8 - 2
double play...................................24 - 13 - 1
triple play......................................11 - 8 - 1
blow out........................................4 - 1
gom..............................................0 - 0
goy.............................................. 0 - 0
totals........................................... 22 - 9 - 2 ( TOTALS INCLUDED IN RATED PLAYS )


THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL


******.....................................2 - 0 - 1
DOUBLE PLAY............................1 - 2 - 1
TRIPLE PLAY..............................1 - 0
BLOW OUT.................................0 - 0
THURSDAY NIGHT GOM............0 - 0
THURS. NIGHT GOY..................0 - 0


SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:


SINGLE PLAY........................... 3 - 0
DOUBLE PLAY.......................... 4 - 0
TRIPLE PLAY............................ 1 - 1
BLOW OUT............................... 0 - 0
SUNDAY NIGHT GOM...............
SUNDAY NIGHT GOY...............


MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL


******......................................1 - 0
DOUBLE PLAY............................2 - 0
TRIPLE PLAY.............................2 - 1
BLOW OUT................................0 - 0
MONDAY NIGHT GOM...............0 - 0
MONDAY NIGHT GOY................0 - 0




GOING INTO MONDAY EVENING'S FOOTBALL GAMES: 10/05/15

 

[CNOTES]

MNF - Lions at Seahawks


October 4, 2015


The Lions and Seahawks each made the postseason in 2014, but both clubs have combined for only one win through each of their first three games. Detroit travels to the Pacific Northwest to hostile CenturyLink Field shooting for its first victory of the season, while Seattle looks to build off a shutout last week against another NFC North opponent.


The Seahawks (1-2 SU, 1-2 ATS) overcame a slow start to blank the beat-up Bears, 26-0 to cash as 16 ½-point home favorites. Rookie Tyler Lockett returned the second half kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown to open up a 6-0 lead into a 13-0 advantage for Seattle, while Russell Wilson connected with Jimmy Graham on a 30-yard touchdown strike to put the game out of reach. Seattle’s defense limited Chicago to 146 yards in safety Kam Chancellor’s first game of the season after missing the first two losses due to a contract dispute.


Detroit (0-3 SU, 0-3 ATS) jumped out to a 21-3 lead at San Diego in the opener, but since then, the Lions have been outscored 80-27 in the last 10 ½ quarters. In last Sunday night’s 24-12 setback to the Broncos, Detroit rushed for just 28 yards on 19 carries, while scoring their least amount of points at Ford Field since a 7-3 victory over Green Bay in 2010. Matthew Stafford was intercepted twice, bumping his total to five on the season, while dealing with a rib injury suffered in the Week 2 loss at Minnesota.


Pete Carroll’s club has won 26 of their last 28 home games (including playoffs) since the start of 2012, including a 6-3-1 ATS mark last season. In the role of a double-digit home favorite in this span, Seattle owns a barely profitable 6-5-1 ATS record, while losing outright at home to Dallas last October. The Seahawks are a perfect 6-0 SU while covering five times in their last six home games against NFC North opponents with the only non-cover coming against the Packers in the dramatic NFC Championship game last January.


The last time these teams hooked up in Detroit during Wilson’s rookie season of 2012, the Lions rallied for a 28-24 victory thanks to a late touchdown pass by Stafford to Titus Young with 10 seconds remaining. Detroit picked up the cover as 2 ½-point favorites, as Stafford put together one of the best games of his career by throwing for 352 yards and three touchdowns. The Lions are visiting Seattle for the first time since Stafford’s rookie campaign of 2009, as Detroit squandered a 17-0 lead to lose 32-20 as 11-point underdogs. In case you don’t remember, Stafford was intercepted by Seattle’s Josh Wilson with 22 seconds left, as Wilson returned the pick for a score to give Seattle the front-door cover.


Seahawks’ star running back Marshawn Lynch is listed as out for Monday night with a hamstring injury, as the All-Pro suffered the injury at Green Bay in Week 2. Lynch tried to play through the injury against Chicago, but carried the ball only five times for 14 yards before exiting, giving way to rookie Thomas Rawls. The former Central Michigan standout rushed for 104 yards on 16 carries in place of Lynch, as Rawls will likely be counted on, along with former Bills' running back Fred Jackson.


From a totals perspective, each team has hit the ‘under’ the last two weeks following an ‘over’ in Week 1, as the Lions are seeing their lowest total of the season on Monday with a 43. Under Jim Caldwell, Detroit has cashed the ‘under’ in eight of 10 games away from Ford Field, while scoring 20 points or less seven times in this stretch. Seattle’s defense has allowed 17 points or less in six of the past seven games at CenturyLink Field, with the ‘under’ cashing four times.


The Seahawks have won five straight Monday night games during the Carroll tenure, as the last Monday night contest take place in the Pacific Northwest came in December of 2013, a 34-7 blowout of New Orleans. The Lions are making their fifth Monday appearance since 2011 and just their second on the road in this span, as they blew out the Giants to kick off the 2014 campaign at home, 35-14.


Underdogs have ruled on Monday night this season, posting a 3-1 SU/ATS record, as the Chiefs were the first ‘dog to lose in last week’s setback at Green Bay. The ‘under’ cashed in each of the first three Monday games, but that streak also came to an end thanks to the high-scoring affair at Lambeau Field in Week 3.


The Seahawks opened up as a 9 ½-point favorite, but that number really hasn’t moved significantly, hitting 10 at several books. The total has stayed steady at 43 throughout the week, as weather doesn’t look to be a factor. The game kicks off at 8:30 PM EST and can be seen nationally on ESPN.

 

[CNOTES]

NFL Today, Week 4


October 4, 2015


SCOREBOARD


Monday, Oct. 5


Detroit (0-3) at Seattle (1-2), 8:30 p.m. The Lions rank last in rushing at just 45 yards per game, and try to avoid their first 0-4 start since 2010. Seattle RB Marshawn Lynch is plagued by a hamstring injury, but rookie Thomas Rawls rushed for 104 yards last week.


---


STARS


Passing


- Philip Rivers, Chargers, threw three TD passes and finished 23 of 38 for 358 yards to lead San Diego to a 30-27 win over Cleveland.


- Andy Dalton, Bengals, had 321 yards passing and a TD in Cincinnati's 36-31 victory over Kansas City.


- Sam Bradford, Eagles, had three touchdown tosses and was 15 of 28 for 270 yards in Philadelphia's 23-20 loss at Washington.


- Alex Smith, Chiefs, threw for 386 yards on 31-of-45 passing in Kansas City's 36-21 loss at Cincinnati.


- Kirk Cousins, Redskins, had 290 yards and a TD on 31-of-46 passing in Washington's 23-20 win over Philadelphia.


- Josh McCown, Browns, threw for 356 yards and two scores in Cleveland's 30-27 loss at San Diego.


---


Rushing


- Chris Ivory, Jets, ran for a career-high 166 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries in New York's 27-14 over Miami in London.


- Rookie Todd Gurley, Rams, had 146 yards rushing on 19 carries in his first extensive action as a pro while helping St. Louis top Arizona 24-22.


- Doug Martin, Buccaneers, rushed for 106 yards and a TD on 20 carries in Tampa Bay's 37-23 loss to Carolina.


- Devonta Freeman, Falcons, ran for three scores in Atlanta's 48-21 win over Houston.


- Ronnie Hillman, Broncos, had 103 yards and a TD on just 11 carries in Denver's 23-20 victory over Minnesota.


- Jeremy Hill, Bengals, ran for three touchdowns to help Cincinnati top Kansas City 36-21.


---


Receiving


- DeAndre Hopkins, Texans, caught nine passes for 157 yards in Houston's 48-21 loss at Atlanta.


- Jeremy Maclin, Chiefs, had 11 receptions for 148 yards in a losing cause as Kansas City fell 36-21 at Cincinnati.


- Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers, made 10 catches for 147 yards and a TD in Tampa Bay's 37-23 loss to Carolina.


- Brandon Marshall, Jets, helped lead New York over Miami 27-14 in London with seven catches for 128 yards.


- Allen Hurns, Jaguars, caught 11 passes for 116 yards and a TD in Jacksonville's 16-13 loss at Indianapolis.


---


Special Teams


- Cairo Santos, Chiefs, kicked a club-record seven field goals - from 22, 40, 51, 34, 40, 29 and 51 yards - in Kansas City's 36-21 loss at Cincinnati.


- Robbie Gould, Bears, booted a 49-yard field goal in the closing seconds of Chicago's 22-20 win over Oakland.


- Adam Vinatieri, Colts, made a 27-yard field goal in overtime to lift Indianapolis to a 16-13 victory over Jacksonville.


- Josh Lambo, Chargers, kicked a 34-yard field goal to win it, moments after getting another chance when Cleveland was offside on his missed 39-yard attempt in a 30-27 victory.


- Chandler Catanzaro, Cardinals, kicked five field goals - from 21, 27, 42, 38 and 29 yards - in Arizona's 24-22 loss to St. Louis.


---


Defense


- Josh Norman, Panthers, returned an interception 46 yards for a touchdown and another 34 yards to set up another TD in Carolina's 37-23 win at Tampa Bay.


- Nate Stupar, Falcons, had an 84-yard fumble return for a score in Atlanta's 48-21 win over Houston.


- Muhammad Wilkerson, Jets, had two sacks and forced a fumble in New York's 27-14 win over Miami in London.


- Desmond Trufant, Falcons, returned a fumble 24 yards for a touchdown to help Atlanta top Houston 48-21.


- Safety T.J. Ward, Broncos, had two of his team's seven sacks in a 23-20 victory over Minnesota.


---


STARTS


Cincinnati improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2005 with a 36-21 win against Kansas City. The game marked the first time in franchise history in which the Bengals amassed at least 300 net yards passing (321) and four rushing touchdowns. ... Denver's 23-20 win over Minnesota marked the seventh 4-0 start Peyton Manning has had, the most of any starting quarterback in NFL history. ... Atlanta is 4-0 for only the fourth time in franchise history. The Falcons reached the NFC championship game the past two times they started 4-0, in 2004 and 2012. ... Cincinnati (4-0) matched the third-best start in franchise history, two wins shy of the club record. ... Green Bay has its first 4-0 start since winning the initial 13 games in 2011.


---


STREAKS & STATS


The New York Jets had 207 yards rushing in their 27-14 win over the Miami Dolphins in London. Chris Ivory's 166 yards were the most by a Jet since Thomas Jones ran for 210 in 2009. ... Buffalo was flagged 17 times for 135 yards in a 24-10 loss to the Giants, two weeks after the Bills were penalized 14 times for 140 yards in a 40-32 loss to New England. ... Green Bay went on the road after a Monday night game for just the fifth time since 2006, improving to 4-1 in those games with a 17-3 win at San Francisco. The Packers also improved to 10-2 during the regular season in California since 1990.


---


MILESTONES


Chicago's Matt Forte had 91 yards rushing and 64 receiving in the Bears' 22-20 win over Oakland, becoming the second-fastest player (111 games) in NFL history to reach 8,000 yards rushing (8,071) and 3,500 receiving (3,860). Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk is the only player to reach the milestone in fewer games (107). ... Denver's Peyton Manning earned his 100th win at home as a starter, joining Brett Favre (113) as the only QBs to reach that mark. ... Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski matched Hall of Famer Tim Brown's club record by playing in his 240th game. ... The Giants' Odell Beckham Jr. finished with five catches for 38 yards in New York's 24-10 win at Buffalo, and upped his total to 1,612 yards, the most by an NFL player through his first 16 games. ... Indianapolis' Adam Vinatieri broke Mike Vanderjagt's franchise scoring record with his first field goal, a 54-yarder, then became the first player in NFL history to top 1,000 points with two teams on his second field goal, a 32-yarder. He won it with this third kick.


---


FLYING FALCON


Atlanta's Devonta Freeman became the first player in franchise history to have seven rushing touchdowns in the team's first four games to begin a season. He's also the only player since at least the 1970 NFL-AFL merger to rush for at least three touchdowns in each of his first two starts. He is also the first player to rush for at least seven TDs in his team's first four games to start a season since LaDainian Tomlinson had eight in 2005.


---


SENIOR LIVING


With a right shoulder injury keeping Andrew Luck out of an NFL game for the first time, 40-year-old quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and 42-year-old kicker Adam Vinatieri celebrated their personal throwback day. Hasselbeck led the Colts on a 53-yard drive in overtime Sunday and Vinatieri finished it with a 27-yard field goal for a 16-13 victory over Jacksonville.


---


JUST JOSHIN'


Cornerback Josh Norman became the first Carolina player to return a pair of interception for TDs in the first four weeks of a season. He's also the first in the league to do it in the past five years. Norman returned an interception 46 yards for a touchdown and another 34 yards to set up another TD in Carolina's 37-23 win at Tampa Bay.


---


LONDON CALLING


The New York Jets' 27-14 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday was the 12th regular-season NFL game at Wembley Stadium, the home of England's national soccer team. Later this season, Buffalo will take on Jacksonville on Oct. 25, and Detroit will face Kansas City on Nov. 1. It was the first time the Jets played in the NFL's International Series, the third time for the Dolphins. Miami lost the first game in 2007, 13-10 to the New York Giants. Last year, the Dolphins beat the Oakland Raiders 38-14.


---


DIVISION DOMINANCE


Indianapolis defeated Jacksonville 16-13 in overtime, giving the Colts their 15th consecutive division victory - which ties the 1972-73 Miami Dolphins for the longest streak since 1970. Indianapolis' active win streak against AFC South opponents began on December 30, 2012, when the Colts earned a 28-16 win against Houston. The Colts can break the record Thursday night at Houston.


---


COMEBACK COUSINS


Kirk Cousins capped a 90-yard drive with a go-ahead, 4-yard TD toss to Pierre Garcon with 26 seconds left Sunday, lifting the Redskins past the Philadelphia Eagles 23-20.


Cousins finished 31 for 46 for 290 yards, the one TD - and, most importantly for a guy with a pair of two-interception games already this season, no turnovers. He did fumble a snap in the first half at Philadelphia's 1, but recovered it and plunged forward for a touchdown, with the help of a push from running back Matt Jones.


---


DISGRUNTLED DEMARCO


Philadelphia's DeMarco Murray, who missed last week's victory over the Jets with a leg injury, gained just 36 yards on eight carries in the Eagles' 23-20 loss at Washington and voiced disappointment with the way he's being used by coach Chip Kelly. After leading the NFL in rushing last season for Dallas, Murray joined Philadelphia as a free agent, and has 47 yards on 29 carries so far.


---


NOT SO FAST


San Diego's Josh Lambo kicked a 34-yard field goal to win it with 2 seconds left, moments after getting another chance when Cleveland was offside on his 39-yard attempt in a 30-27 victory. Lambo was wide right as the Browns jumped up and down, thinking they'd forced overtime. But Cleveland's Tramon Williams was whistled for offside, giving Lambo another chance.


---


SIDELINED


Playing at Wembley Stadium, Miami lost top cornerback Brent Grimes to a knee injury in the first quarter of the Dolphins' 27-14 loss to the Jets. ... New York lost strong safety Calvin Pryor in the fourth quarter, also to a knee injury. Linebacker David Harris hurt a quadriceps muscle in the fourth quarter, and running back Bilal Powell hurt a groin muscle in the second quarter and didn't return. Jets rookie defensive lineman Leonard Williams also sprained an ankle late in the game. ... St. Louis inside linebacker Alec Ogletree, who was carted off the field with just over five minutes left in the third quarter in Arizona, will need surgery on his injured ankle. ... The Chicago Bears got Jay Cutler back from an injured hamstring Sunday, but they lost center Will Montgomery on the opening possession with a broken leg. ... Dallas LB Sean Lee sustained a concussion at New Orleans.


---


SPEAKING


''Just seeing the ball pop up like a greased pig, nobody really panicked because Ed picked it up mid-stride. We've just got to work on him taking that car out of neutral when he's running.'' - Carolina's Cam Newton on 255-pound tight end Ed Dickson, who recovered a fumble and rumbled 57 yards for a TD in the Panthers' 37-23 victory over Tampa Bay.


---


''Thankfully I got a second chance. I missed the first one and I just started laughing. Then I saw a flag on the field and said, `Oh, OK, let's try again.' Fortunately I had a second chance.'' - San Diego's Josh Lambo, who kicked a 34-yard field goal to win it 30-27, moments after getting another chance when Cleveland was offside on his missed 39-yard attempt with 2 seconds left.

 

[CNOTES]

Levy, Robinson out for Lions against Seattle


October 4, 2015


ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) Injured linebacker DeAndre Levy will not play for the Detroit Lions on Monday night at Seattle.


The team says Levy and tackle Corey Robinson did not make the trip. Levy was listed as doubtful Saturday with a hip injury, and Robinson was also doubtful with an ankle injury.


Detroit running back Joique Bell (ankle) and tight end Brandon Pettigrew (hamstring) are also out.

 

[CNOTES]

3 things we learned about the Chiefs


CINCINNATI -- On Cincinnati's fourth play from scrimmage Sunday, quarterback Andy Dalton scooped up a poor snap then passed to wide receiver A.J. Green for a 36-yard gain.


It was an indication of how the game would go for Dalton and the still unbeaten Bengals.


Dalton completed his first 10 pass attempts and finished with 321 yards. Running back Jeremy Hill scored three touchdowns as Cincinnati improved to 4-0 for the fourth time in a franchise history with a 36-21 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Paul Brown Stadium.


The Chiefs entered Sunday's game with an NFL-leading 14 sacks. But Dalton wasn't sacked while being hit rarely.


"We knew the challenge was going to be up front today," Dalton said. "The guys answered and I didn't get hit too much."


Conversely, Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith was sacked five times and pressured often.


Despite the constant barrage, Smith was 31 of 45 for 376 yards passing for Kansas City (1-3).


"We've got to tighten that up," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of the sacks. "We're young in some spots and inexperienced in some spots. (The Bengals) have a good defensive front, which isn't an excuse. We're moving backwards and we have to take care of that."


Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles had 145 all-purpose yards, and receiver Jeremy Maclin had 11 catches for 148 yards.


Despite 461 yards and nearly a 15-minute advantage in time of possession, the Chiefs managed just seven field goals by Cairo Santos.


Cincinnati led by two points in the third quarter when it had another fortuitous play.


With Dalton scrambling, wide receiver Brandon Tate broke free from Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters, then made a diving catch inside the 5-yard line. Tate, however, was not touched down by Peters, so he got up and dove into the end zone for a 55-yard touchdown, making the score 21-12.


What we learned about the Chiefs:


1. Kansas City must find a way to protect quarterback Alex Smith, who was sacked five times in Sunday's 36-21 loss at Cincinnati and hit on 10 other occasions. He's been sacked 18 times already this season. "It's too much," said coach Andy Reid. "We have to tighten that up and keep working on it. We're young in some spots and inexperienced in some spots. I never say it's a long season, but you can expect improvement." Negative plays like the five sacks directly contributed to Kansas City's inability to score a touchdown despite 461 total yards on Sunday.


2. Running back Jamaal Charles continues to be weapon both in the run and pass game for Kansas City. In Sunday's loss at Cincinnati, Charles had 75 rushing yards on 11 carries and six catches for 70 yards. Charles was the Chiefs' second-leading receiver and leading rusher with 145 of KC's 461 total yards on Sunday.


3. The hot topic of conversation in the Kansas City Chiefs' locker room Sunday was missed opportunities. When you amass 461 total yards and get 148 receiving yards from receiver Jeremy Maclin and a big day all-around from running back Jamaal Charles, you would assume the Chiefs' 21 points resulted from three touchdowns. Instead, all they could muster were seven field goals by Cairo Santos. "We have to find ways to get into the end zone," said left guard Ben Grubbs. "I'm pretty sure when we look at the film, it will come down to blocking and making good decisions. In the red zone, we need to come away with six points instead of three."


Etc.:


--CB Sean Smith returned to action for Kansas City on Sunday after being suspended three games due to a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy. He finished with two tackles and one pass defensed. "It feels great," Smith said. "I was out there with the guys. It's different from practice. I got to compete and test my talents and technique against someone else."


--WR Chris Conley started for Kansas City on Sunday with WR Eric Wilson inactive due to a shoulder injury. Conley had two receptions for 53 yards, including one 44-yarder.


--K Cairo Santos kicked seven field goals in Sunday's 36-21 loss at Cincinnati. It was the second-most field goals in NFL history and the most-ever for a Bengals opponent. It also represented missed red-zone opportunities for the Chiefs. "It always feels great to go out there and perform well," Santos said. "But I think I would have been happier kicking seven extra points."


--TE Travis Kelce starred at the University of Cincinnati, making Sunday's game against the Bengals a homecoming for him. But, he also regretted a third-quarter fumble when he was stripped of the ball after a catch by defensive tackle Michael Johnson. Cornerback Reggie Nelson returned the fumble to the 5-yard line, and that later resulted in a touchdown. "You have to hold on to the ball," Kelce said. "That's all I have to say about that." He finished with five catches for 49 yards.

 

[CNOTES]

3 things we learned about the Bengals


CINCINNATI -- On Cincinnati's fourth play from scrimmage Sunday, quarterback Andy Dalton scooped up a poor snap then passed to wide receiver A.J. Green for a 36-yard gain.


It was an indication of how the game would go for Dalton and the still unbeaten Bengals.


Dalton completed his first 10 pass attempts and finished with 321 yards. Running back Jeremy Hill scored three touchdowns as Cincinnati improved to 4-0 for the fourth time in a franchise history with a 36-21 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Paul Brown Stadium.


The Chiefs entered Sunday's game with an NFL-leading 14 sacks. But Dalton wasn't sacked while being hit rarely.


"We knew the challenge was going to be up front today," Dalton said. "The guys answered and I didn't get hit too much."


Conversely, Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith was sacked five times and pressured often.


Despite the constant barrage, Smith was 31 of 45 for 376 yards passing for Kansas City (1-3).


"We've got to tighten that up," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of the sacks. "We're young in some spots and inexperienced in some spots. (The Bengals) have a good defensive front, which isn't an excuse. We're moving backwards and we have to take care of that."


Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles had 145 all-purpose yards, and receiver Jeremy Maclin had 11 catches for 148 yards.


Despite 461 yards and nearly a 15-minute advantage in time of possession, the Chiefs managed just seven field goals by Cairo Santos.


Cincinnati led by two points in the third quarter when it had another fortuitous play.


With Dalton scrambling, wide receiver Brandon Tate broke free from Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters, then made a diving catch inside the 5-yard line. Tate, however, was not touched down by Peters, so he got up and dove into the end zone for a 55-yard touchdown, making the score 21-12.


What we learned about the Bengals:


1. Through four weeks this season the Bengals have 122 rushes and 128 pass attempts, just the type of balance offensive coordinator Hue Jackson prefers, especially since it has resulted in four straight wins. "We try to have as much balance as you can have each week," said quarterback Andy Dalton. In Sunday's 36-21 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati attempted 26 passes and 24 rushes. Six different receivers had catches, led by A.J. Green who had 10 catches for 82 yards. Running backs Gio Bernard and Jeremy Hill had 62 and 40 yards, respectively. It will be interesting to see what schemes opposing defenses will impose to slow the Bengals' attack.


2. Bengals left tackle Andrew Whitworth quipped earlier this week that he was having a good day until he watched Chiefs OLB Justin Houston on film. That was the collective sentiment for the Bengals offense coming into Sunday's game against Kansas City, which came in with an NFL-leading 14 sacks. But in the end, quarterback Andy Dalton wasn't sacked once and was rarely touched. "We knew the challenge was going to be up front today," Dalton said. "The guys answered and I didn't get hit too much."


3. Bengals running back Jeremy Hill enjoyed limited duty the past two weeks, partly due to a pair of fumbles in a win over San Diego and a solid start for backfield mate Gio Bernard. On Sunday against the Chiefs, Hill scored Cincinnati's first TD on an 8-yard run and finished with 40 yards on nine carries and three TDs. Hill said quarterback Andy Dalton was relentless in his motivational tactics this this. "I kept saying, 'What happened to Jeremy Hill?'" said Dalton. Hill averaged 4.4 yards per carry on Sunday. "Andy was in my ear all day," Hill said. "People were ready to crucify me. I don't pay attention to any of that."


Etc.:


--WR Brandon Tate's first catch of the season was a big one. Cincinnati led by two points in the third quarter when receiver Tate beat Chiefs corner Marcus Peters, then made a diving catch inside the 5-yard line. Tate, however, wasn't touched down by Peters so he got up and dove into the end zone for a 55-yard TD, making the score 21-12. "He's got a role and he's always trying to take advantage of his opportunity," said coach Marvin Lewis.


--RB Jeremy Hill had a rough couple of weeks with a pair of fumbles against San Diego and limited playing time in last week's victory at Baltimore. But, with quarterback Andy Dalton in his ear throughout the game, Hill produced 40 hard-earned yards on nine carries and three TDs. "Andy was in my ear the whole time," Hill said. "Telling me 'you're washed up' or 'sophomore slump.' It's a team effort. People wanted to crucify me. I can't pay attention to all that stuff."


--S George Iloka was inactive Sunday due to a shoulder injury, which had him listed as questionable on Friday. Shawn Williams made his first career start at safety in Iloka's place. It's the first game Iloka has missed since 2012, his rookie season.


--CB Adam Jones started Sunday's game against the Chiefs after being listed as questionable with an elbow injury. Jones also handled kickoff-return duties. He finished with one assist and two kickoff returns, including a 25-yarder.


--WR A.J. Green, coming off a 227-yard game last week that earned him AFC player of the week honors, had 10 catches for 82 yards in Sunday's 36-21 win over the Chiefs. Green got more attention in the second half, opening up some opportunities for teammates, such as receiver Brandon Tate, who had a 55-yard touchdown catch to put the game away. "They were trying to find ways to take him away and other guys were able to make plays," said quarterback Andy Dalton.

 

[CNOTES]

Falcons, Bengals remain perfect SU and ATS

There's no slowing down the Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals in the early stages of the 2015 NFL season as both teams improved to 4-0 straight up and against the spread with big wins Sunday.


The Falcons thumped the Houston Texans by a score of 48-21, crushing the closing spread as 4-point home faves.


Over in the AFC, the Bengals dominated the Kansas City Chiefs in the first and third quarters en route to a 36-21 victory as 2.5-point home favorites.


The Bengals will be tested in Week 5 as they host the Seattle Seahawks, while the Washington Redskins travel to Georgia to face the Falcons.

 

[CNOTES]

Seahawks RB Lynch out for MNF


Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch won't play in Monday's game against the Detroit Lions because of a hamstring injury.


Undrafted rookie Thomas Rawls will likely be the starter. Rawls had 104 yards on 16 carries in the victory over the Bears.


Defensive tackle Brandon Mebane was also officially ruled out by the Seahawks.


Lynch injured the hamstring Week 3 against the Chicago Bears. He was dealing with a calf injury entering that game.

 

[CNOTES]

Lions or Seahawks? NFL bloggers debate who will cover the spread Monday night


The curtain will close on Week 4 of the NFL schedule in Seattle as the Seahawks host the Detroit Lions at CenturyLink Field Monday night.


In order to get a grasp on this primetime matchup, we’ve enlisted the help of those who know these teams the best. Expert NFL bloggers Jeremy Reisman of Detroit blog Pride of Detroit and Rob Davies of Seattle blog Field Gulls strap on the pads and debate which team will not only win, but cover the spread Monday night.


WHY DETROIT COVERS THE SPREAD


Desperation


Already 0-3, the Detroit Lions absolutely need a win on Monday to salvage any hope for the season. This week, several players and coaches have come under fire for their performances, so they will come out playing for their jobs.


Competitive


Though the Lions are 0-3, they have been competitive in every game so far. They had the lead in the fourth quarter in San Diego, they never trailed by more than two possessions against Minnesota, and Denver was a two-point game with 10 minutes to go. A 10-point spread is too high of a spread for a team this competitive.


Golden Tate's motivation


It's no secret that Tate left Seattle on rocky terms and he will be highly motivated to take it to his previous team. The Lions offense has really needed a spark this season and Tate's motivation may help Detroit get back on track against this tough Seattle defense.




WHY SEATTLE COVERS THE SPREAD


Will Detroit be able to run the ball?


The Lions rank dead last in rushing YPG (45) and rushing YPA (2.6). Both totals must improve quickly otherwise Detroit will soon be planning for next season. However, it's unlikely to increase in Seattle on Monday night. Brandon Mebane may not suit up at defensive tackle for Seattle, but Jordan Hill is playing lights out in relief. Joique Bell averages 1.1 YPA and will be swallowed up by the Seahawks, which likely results in rookie Ameer Abdullah carrying the load. He's shown promise, but against a snarling-all-over-again Seahawks defense looking to show off on MNF, Abdullah will need to fight for every inch.


Seattle has its boom back


Kam Chancellor returns to the Seahawks and they immediately shut out an opponent. Yes, it was against an offense minus Jay Cutler and Alshon Jeffery, but shutting out any team in the NFL is no mean feat. Unlike the previous two weeks, Seattle's defense was a swarm of tacklers last Sunday, having found their verve and tenacity once again. Could it be Kam Chancellor's influence? You bet your life it is. Without Chancellor, Seattle's secondary is just a Legion. His presence is felt not only on the field, but also in the locker room. Chancellor is a true leader of men, made of granite that opposing offenses truly fear. Be it running the ball or passing it on Seattle this week, Kam's back there waiting for you.


CenturyLink Field


In the Russell Wilson era, the Seahawks are 5-0 SU and 5-0 ATS when playing at home on national television, be it a Thursday, Sunday or Monday night, which makes them practically unbeatable at CenturyLink Field in primetime. This current Detroit team doesn't look in any shape to threaten that record. The home crowd goes bananas when it comes to these occasions and better teams than these Lions simply haven't been able to cope with the noise in the stadium. It simply spurs the patrons on and the defense feeds from it gleefully. Kam Chancellor won't need to do much rabble rousing.

 

[CNOTES]

Detroit visits Seattle


October 5, 2015




DETROIT LIONS (0-3) at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-2)


Sportsbook.ag Line: Seattle -9.5, Total: 43


The Lions try to get their first win of the season in arguably the toughest stadium in the NFL when they visit the 1-2 Seahawks on Monday night at CenturyLink Field.


Detroit is 0-3 (SU and ATS), and has lost its games by an average of 9.0 PPG. The offense was terrible last Sunday night in a 24-12 home loss to Denver with three turnovers and only 28 rushing yards. It will be even more difficult to gain yardage against a Seattle defense that forced Chicago to punt 10 times in 10 possessions in last week's 26-0 drubbing, which improved the team to 1-2 (SU and ATS).


These clubs last met in 2012, which resulted in a 28-24 Lions home win, and the last meeting in Seattle was won 32-20 by the Seahawks. There are plenty of reasons to bet either side on Monday night. Detroit is 24-11 ATS after a double-digit home loss since 1992 and Seattle is 6-19 ATS in this same timeframe when coming off a home win by 21+ points. But the Seahawks are 15-5 ATS after their game has gone Under the total since 2013, and the Lions are 4-18 ATS when visiting NFC West teams since 1992.


Injuries could also be a huge factor in this game, as Detroit has five key players questionable in RB Joique Bell (ankle), TE Brandon Pettigrew (hamstring), G Larry Warford (ankle), DE Ezekiel Ansah (groin) and LB DeAndre Levy (hip). But Seattle could be missing star RB Marshawn Lynch (hamstring), and have four others questionable in TE Luke Willson (back), DT Brandon Mebane (groin), CB Tharold Simon (toe) and S Steven Terrell (hip).


Detroit has managed only 18.7 PPG and 305 total YPG this season, due largely to a weak 27:17 average time of possession. The running game has been downright atrocious with an NFL-low 45 rushing YPG on 2.6 YPC (2nd-worst in league), and it won't get any better if Joique Bell doesn't play. Shifty RB Ameer Abdullah (3.9 YPC) has been much more effective than the powerful Bell (1.1 YPC), but the rookie has only one 20-yard gain all season. QB Matthew Stafford has also had a down season, completing 64% of his passes for 814 yards (6.4 YPA), 5 TD and 5 INT. He has been sacked six times and only one of his touchdown passes has been to a wide receiver.


Superstar WR Calvin Johnson has a career-low 10.0 yards per reception (career avg. is 16.0), while No. 2 WR Golden Tate isn't much better with 10.7 yards for his average catch. Johnson has been targeted 30 times in the past two games, but will not likely see that kind of action being covered by Seattle CB Richard Sherman. Detroit's defense has also been subpar, allowing 27.7 PPG on 396 total YPG. The most alarming part is the pass defense that has allowed opposing quarterbacks to throw for 284 YPG on 8.4 YPA and a whopping 78% completion rate. The run-stop unit has also fallen off dramatically from last year when it led the NFL with allowing only 69 rushing YPG. This year just 12 teams have given up more rushing yards than the Lions (112 YPG) on 3.7 YPC, but Detroit could catch a break if the Seahawks have to play without their top ball carrier.


Seattle RB Marshawn Lynch had only five carries last week before exiting with his bad hammy, and is said to have a 50% chance of playing on Monday. If he cannot go, Central Michigan rookie RB Thomas Rawls will try to duplicate last week's success when he ran for 104 yards on just 16 carries (6.5 YPC). But the Seahawks may have an easier time throwing on Detroit's weak secondary with QB Russell Wilson. The fourth-year pro has completed 70% of his passes this season for 692 yards (6.9 YPA), 4 TD and 2 INT. But the team is averaging less than 10 yards per catch and really needs star TE Jimmy Graham to produce like he did last week when he hauled in seven catches on eight targets for 83 yards and a touchdown.


Wilson's favorite target this season has been WR Doug Baldwin who has secured 17-of-20 throws for a team-high 162 yards. Even with last week's success, the Seattle defense hasn't been all that special, allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 69% of their throws for 7.2 YPA, and Matthew Stafford will be the second-best thrower the team will have seen this year behind league MVP Aaron Rodgers. After forcing three turnovers in the season opener at St. Louis, the Seahawks have only one takeaway in the past two weeks. Look for them to try to make more plays on the ball as Detroit already has eight giveaways with multiple turnovers in all three contests.

 

[CNOTES]

Books rebound in Week 4


October 5, 2015


Las Vegas sports books had lost two of the first three NFL Sunday's and needed a boost to kickoff the start of the fiscal fourth quarter after failing miserably in the third quarter with a rough baseball season. The NFL season was supposed to be the savior for the books, but it turned out to be just the opposite.

So when book directors were looking at the risk charts for NFL Week 4 action, they saw seven teams they needed to beat down as the gateway to a winning week, and those seven teams had combined to go 17-4 (81%) against the spread through three weeks. They were the popular teams. They were the teams blowing everyone out, covering spreads and making every regular betting Joe's wallet fat.


Seven Teams


Carolina


Atlanta


Oakland


Philadelphia


Denver


Green Bay


Arizona

If the books were to lose five of those games, a losing day would occur. If they lost six of those games, it would be a disaster. If they lost all seven, it would be 'Black Sunday' with almost every big parlay cashing.

However, things cycled around as they usually do in pro football where the point spread eventually catches up with teams. The books would end up winning four of the seven games the public loved and it was enough of a hiccup in the popular parlay across town to make the books a winner.

"Solid day for the book," said Station Casinos sports book director Jason McCormick.


"The Jets and Dolphins all made us get up early, but it was worth it for the public who cashed on the Jets. The Bears, Redskins, Rams and Vikings were all good for the books."

The sports books barely blinked when Jay Cutler was announced as the Bears starting quarterback where the Raiders ended up closing as 3-point road favorites. But Cutler actually showed some heart and emotion in a 22-20 win. The Raiders were 2-1 ATS before the game while the Bears were 0-3 ATS. The Raiders are fun, the Bears stink and that's the way the public bet it.

The Eagles won back some support from bettors by winning at the Jets last week while the Redskins looked bad on national television the week before for everyone to witness. Yep, the Eagles should cover -3 easy, right? Nope. It would be the Redskins winning by three points, 23-20, and be one of four outright underdog winners on the day.

The Broncos had covered all three of it's games so far and despite being down on an aging Peyton Manning, the public is starting to warm to the Broncos new and improved defense under Wade Phillips. The Vikings had played well this season, but the majority had no trouble laying -7 with Denver. The Vikings would play very well, but still lose. Denver wins 23-20, but doesn't cover the number.

The back breaker for most of the public on Sunday was the Cardinals losing its first game of the season. Arizona had covered its first three games of the season by an average score of 42-16. Laying only seven-points at home against the Rams who had lost its previous two games seemed like easy money. In addition to being the most popular parlay game, it was also a huge link to several teasers. The Rams would pull off the 24-22 upset.

And that's the perfect recipe for a winning day at the sports books for the individuals behind the betting counter.

Lots of other things happened in the nine other games that included some wins for the players, but they just couldn't gain any momentum when those four key games didn't come through.

"The Packers, Falcons, Panthers and Bengals, who are all undefeated, continue to cash tickets for the public," said McCormick.

Those four teams are a combined 15-1 ATS (94%) so far, and you can believe next week the public will be all over them again except for Carolina, who is on its bye week.

 

[CNOTES]

Dolphins fire Joe Philbin after 1-3 start


October 5, 2015


MIAMI (AP) Joe Philbin has been fired four games into his fourth season as coach of the Miami Dolphins, and one day after a flop on an international stage sealed his fate.


The firing came Monday after the Dolphins (1-3) lost their third game in a row and turned in their fourth consecutive lackluster performance. They were beaten Sunday in London by the archrival New York Jets, 27-14.


Midseason head coaching changes are unusual in the NFL, but few will accuse owner Stephen Ross of impatience. He ignored calls to fire Philbin in December after the Dolphins faded to finish 8-8 for a second successive season.


But doubts only grew regarding Philbin's inability to motivate players with his bland demeanor.

 

[CNOTES]

Betting Recap - Week 4


October 5, 2015




Overall Notes


NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE WEEK 4 RESULTS


Wager Favorites-Underdogs


Straight Up 10-4
Against the Spread 7-6-1


Wager Home-Away


Straight Up 7-7
Against the Spread 5-8-1
Wager Totals (O/U)
Over-Under 5-9

The largest underdog to win straight up
Rams (+7, ML +260) at Cardinals, 24-22


The largest favorite to cover
Packers (-7.5) at Packers, 17-3
Bad week to be favored


-- There were seven favored by four or more points on Sunday. While five of those teams won straight up (Broncos -7 vs. Vikings), (Chargers -4.5 vs. Browns), (Colts -4 vs. Jaguars), (Falcons -4 vs. Texans) and (Packers -7.5 at 49ers), only the Falcons and Packers were able to cover. The other two teams lost straight up (Bills -6.5 vs. Giants) and (Cardinals -7 vs. Rams) in their home games.
Sunshine State?


-- Things are anything but sunny these days in Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa, as all three of Florida's teams lost in Week 4, with only the Jaguars earning a cover. The Dolphins head home from London and into a bye week contemplating a regime change, too. Each of the teams have a 1-3 SU record, with the Buccaneers and Dolphins also going 1-3 ATS, and the Jaguars going 2-2 ATS. One of those covers for Jacksonville came in Week 2 when they beat Miami as a short dog at home. The Jags and Bucs meet at the Ray Jay next Sunday.
Buckeye $tate!


-- Both of Ohio's teams covered in Week 4. The Browns have covered two of their past three games, while the Bengals have cashed in each of their four games to date. The over is also a perfect 4-0 for Cleveland this season, and 3-1 for Cincinnati.
Unwanted guests


-- There were six divisional games in Week 4, and there were some mighty rude guests. Technically, the Jets were the road team in their game against the Dolphins at Wembley Stadium in London, and they won and covered as a road favorite. The only two teams to win their divisional games at home were the (Colts -4 vs. Jaguars) and (Redskins +3 vs. Eagles). Road teams finished 4-2 SU and 5-1 ATS.
AFC vs. NFC


-- There were four intraconference battles in Week 4, and the NFC dominated the slate going 3-1 SU and 4-0 ATS. The Broncos were the only AFC team that was victorious, holding off the Vikings by a 23-20 count. The under was also 3-1 in the games, with the Texans-Falcons (47.5) cashing rather easily.




Total Recall


-- The game with the lowest total, the Panthers-Buccaneers (40) game easily hit the over this week with a total of 60 points. In fact, Carolina nearly took care of it themselves with their 37-point outburst.


-- The two games with the highest totals, Cowboys-Saints (49) and Packers-49ers (48), each saw the under come through.


-- Primetime games continue to be defensive slogs, with the under hitting in the game Thursday and Sunday night. After the over edged out the under in Week 3, 2-1, defense reigned supreme again. So far this season the over is just 4-8 (33%) through 12 games. In 2014, the over went 33-17 (66%) in primetime games, and the over was 28-22 (56%) in 2013.


Injury Report


-- For the first time in weeks, the injury bug wasn't as prevalent through the NFL. There were just a smattering of minor role players suffering injuries, and no major stars heading to the trainer's table.


-- Browns WR Brian Hartline (thigh) was forced out of Sunday's game in San Diego due to a thigh ailment.


-- Chargers WRs Malcom Floyd (concussion) and Stevie Johnson (hamstring) were each forced out of their win against the Browns.


-- Cowboys RB Lance Dunbar (knee) suffered what looked to be a serious knee injury in New Orleans, while LB Sean Lee (concussion) was unable to pass concussion tests.


-- Jets RB Bilal Powell (groin) was unable to finish the game in London against the Dolphins due to a groin injury. LB David Harris (calf) also checked out early. Both have the bye to rest their injuries.


-- Ravens WR Steve Smith Sr. (back) left Thursday's game in Pittsburgh due to a back injury and he was unable to return.


-- Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch (hamstring) has been ruled OUT for Monday's game against the Lions.


-- Texans WRs Cecil Shorts (arm) and Nate Washington (hamstring) each left the blowout loss in Atlanta early due to ailments.


Bad Beats


-- Cowboys (+3) side bettors were staring at a hard-earned push, but the Saints kicker clanked a field goal try off the upright in the waning seconds of regulation. The Saints struck on the first play of overtime for an 80-yard touchdown, turning a push into a tough ATS loss.


-- The Eagles were covering with :26 left in regulation before allowing a 4-yard touchdown pass to turn a cover into a loss. The Eagles had a chance to move down the field and try a game-tying field goal to force overtime, but the offensive line couldn't protect the quarterback and they never even invaded enemy territory to get close.


-- The Steelers completely mismatched the final moments of regulation, allowing the Ravens to get the ball back and get an unexpected game-tying field goal to force overtime. Eventually the Ravens were able to win in overtime, changing plenty of Steelers side bettors' tickets from winners into pushes. They should have easily covered if Josh Scobee could have made a few field goals earlier, and if head coach Mike Tomlin didn't mismanage things at the end, a rare coaching misstep for him.


Looking Ahead


-- The Colts and Texans get together Thursday in Houston. Neither team comes in with much momentum, and Indianapolis has a question mark at quarterback with Andrew Luck (shoulder). The Colts have won four straight meetings, including two in a row at Houston, while going 3-0-1 ATS. The last time Houston topped Indianapolis was a home game Dec. 16, 2012.


-- The Ravens host the Browns, and that usually ends well for Baltimore. They have won 13 of the past 14 meetings straight up, although the Browns are 5-4-1 ATS in the past 10 meetings. The last time the Browns won in Baltimore was a 33-30 overtime win Nov. 18, 2007, the last time Cleveland swept the season series.


-- The Raiders head home to host the Broncos in Week 5. Denver has dominated this series lately, winning seven straight meetings dating back to Sept. 12, 2011, and the Broncos are 6-0-1 ATS during the span. That includes a 4-0-1 ATS mark in the past five meetings with Denver installed as a double-digit favorite. The over has cashed in eight of the past 11 meetings, too. Denver has won four straight in Oakland, going a perfect 4-0 ATS since their last loss at the Black Hole Dec. 19, 2010.

 

[CNOTES]

NFL RATED GAMES: (as of 10/04/15 )


SUNDAY'S RESULTS: ( 10/04/15 )




*****.........................3 - 2 - 0
DOUBLE PLAYS............4 - 2 - 0
TRIPLE PLAY................1 - 2 - 0
BLOW OUT...................2 - 0


OVER ALL RATED PLAYS


*****.......................................... 11 - 8 - 2
double play...................................24 - 13 - 1
triple play......................................11 - 8 - 1
blow out........................................4 - 1
gom..............................................0 - 0
goy.............................................. 0 - 0
totals........................................... 22 - 9 - 2 ( TOTALS INCLUDED IN RATED PLAYS )


THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL


******.....................................2 - 0 - 1
DOUBLE PLAY............................1 - 2 - 1
TRIPLE PLAY..............................1 - 0
BLOW OUT.................................0 - 0
THURSDAY NIGHT GOM............0 - 0
THURS. NIGHT GOY..................0 - 0


SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:


SINGLE PLAY........................... 3 - 0
DOUBLE PLAY.......................... 4 - 0
TRIPLE PLAY............................ 1 - 1
BLOW OUT............................... 0 - 0
SUNDAY NIGHT GOM...............
SUNDAY NIGHT GOY...............


MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL


******......................................1 - 0
DOUBLE PLAY............................2 - 0
TRIPLE PLAY.............................2 - 1
BLOW OUT................................0 - 0
MONDAY NIGHT GOM...............0 - 0
MONDAY NIGHT GOY................0 - 0




GOING INTO MONDAY EVENING'S FOOTBALL GAMES: 10/05/15




--------------------------------




Team Open Line Movements Current Moneyline Halftime Scores


8:30 PM EDT


277 DETROIT LIONS 43 43 / 43.5 / 42.5 42.5o11 +400
278 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS -9 -10 / -10 -05 / -10 EVEN -10 -05 -520


SEA-RB-Marshawn Lynch-Doubtful | TV: ESPN, DTV: 206 | FAIR, NORTHWEST WIND 3-8. GAME TEMP 71, RH 49% HEAT INDEX 71


-------------------------------


NFL Consensus Picks


SIDES (ATS)


Time Away Line Picks Pct Home Line Picks Pct Detail Odds


8:30 PM Detroit +10 1521 44.53% Seattle -10 1895 55.47% View View


TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)


Time Away Total Over Pct Home Total Under Pct Detail Odds


8:30 PM Detroit 43 1547 61.07% Seattle 43 986 38.93% View View


----------------------------


MONDAY, OCTOBER 5


Game Score Status Pick Amount


Detroit - 8:30 PM ET Seattle -10 500 TRIPLE PLAY


Seattle - Over 43 500 DOUBLE PLAY

 

[CNOTES]

Under Carroll, Seahawks hot in prime time


October 5, 2015


SEATTLE (AP) As part of the program he has built in Seattle, Pete Carroll insists that all games are equal and those with a higher profile carry no extra significance for the team.


Except Seattle has proven to be nearly unbeatable in prime time during Carroll's six seasons in charge.


''We put everything into every game as far as we can take it, regardless of when it is, who it is, where we're playing, what the ramifications may be, or what logo they're putting on the screen on TV. It doesn't matter,'' Carroll said.


The Seahawks are 13-2 in regular-season games on Thursday, Sunday or Monday nights since Carroll's arrival in 2010, the only two losses coming in 2012 at San Francisco and in Week 2 of this season at Green Bay.


Beyond just winning, the Seahawks have been dominant in those victories, winning by an average margin of 13.5 points per game. At CenturyLink Field, Seattle's dominance in prime time is even more pronounced, winning by an average margin of 18.5 points.


All those blowouts at home even led to unfounded speculation at one point that the NFL didn't want to put the Seahawks in prime time at home for fear of another blowout that would cause viewers to lose interest.


''There's a real discipline that it takes to consider every game exactly the same,'' Carroll said. ''It has nothing to do with not respecting the opponents. We respect them so ultimately every time we go. It calls for everything that we have to play the best we can possibly play.''


Along with their general prime-time excellence, the Seahawks have been exceptional on Monday nights. Seattle enters Monday's game against Detroit on a nine-game winning streak on Mondays. That's tied for the second-longest streak in the history of Monday Night Football, behind only Oakland's 14 consecutive wins from 1975-1981. Seattle's last Monday night loss was a 43-39 home defeat to Dallas in December 2004.


Detroit hasn't been nearly as successful in prime time. The Lions are 21-32-1 all-time in Thursday, Sunday or Monday night games. Since 2011, they're 2-7 in prime time.


''The great thing about professional football is the fact that our stage is pretty big and we do get a lot of coverage,'' Detroit coach Jim Caldwell said. ''Often times, it's the guys that have been in those games that usually jump out at you and stand out because they understand it and know what it's like. It's a bit different atmosphere, I think. It's a great atmosphere.''


Not everyone is thrilled with playing these night games. Richard Sherman is one of those who would prefer to play first thing, not seeing the allure of playing in prime time. He's not one who enjoys sitting around most of the day waiting for kickoff to arrive.


''It's just another football game where you lose a lot of the day and you have to play at night for some apparent reason,'' Sherman said. ''I wish we could play early. I hate playing at night. I feel like it's a day wasted.''


And because every game is now available for viewing in some format through technological advances, the luster of playing a prime-time showcase game has worn off.


''So whether the league's watching or not, it doesn't make too much of a difference,'' Sherman said. ''It doesn't affect, honestly I don't think, how guys play.''

 

[CNOTES]

NFL RATED GAMES: (as of 10/07/15 )


MONDAY'S RESULTS: ( 10/05/15 )




*****......................... 0 - 0 - 0
DOUBLE PLAYS.............0- 1 - 0
TRIPLE PLAY.................0 - 1 - 0
BLOW OUT....................0 - 0


OVER ALL RATED PLAYS


*****.......................................... 11 - 8 - 2
double play...................................24 - 14 - 1
triple play......................................11 - 9 - 1
blow out........................................4 - 1
gom..............................................0 - 0
goy.............................................. 0 - 0
totals........................................... 22 - 10 - 2 ( TOTALS INCLUDED IN RATED PLAYS )


THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL


******.....................................2 - 0 - 1
DOUBLE PLAY............................1 - 2 - 1
TRIPLE PLAY..............................1 - 0
BLOW OUT.................................0 - 0
THURSDAY NIGHT GOM............0 - 0
THURS. NIGHT GOY..................0 - 0


SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:


SINGLE PLAY........................... 3 - 0
DOUBLE PLAY.......................... 4 - 0
TRIPLE PLAY............................ 1 - 1
BLOW OUT............................... 0 - 0
SUNDAY NIGHT GOM...............
SUNDAY NIGHT GOY...............


MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL


******......................................1 - 0
DOUBLE PLAY............................2 - 1
TRIPLE PLAY.............................2 - 2
BLOW OUT................................0 - 0
MONDAY NIGHT GOM...............0 - 0
MONDAY NIGHT GOY................0 - 0




GOING INTO THURSDAY EVENING'S FOOTBALL GAMES: 10/08/15

 

[CNOTES]

Tech Trends - Week 5


October 6, 2015




THURSDAY, OCT. 8
NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
INDIANAPOLIS at HOUSTON (CBS/NFL Network, 8:30 p.m. ET)
Colts have won-covered 5 straight in series. Texans just 6-12 vs. line at home since 2013 (5-5 for O'Brien). Houston "under" 3-1 in 2015 and 8-3 "under" last 11 since mid 2014. Indy "under" 7-1 last 8 games and 9-2 "under" last 1. Colts 8-3 as road chalk with Luck since 2012 entering season.
Tech Edge: "Under" and Colts, based on "totals" and series trends.


SUNDAY, OCT. 11
NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
JACKSONVILLE at TAMPA BAY (CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Lovie Smith is 0-10 SU at home with Bucs since last year (2-8 vs. spread). Lovie 0-4 as home chalk since last season. Also "under" 13-7 since last year. Jags, however, just 12-22-1 as an underdog since head coach Gus Bradley arrived in 2013.
Tech Edge: "Under" and slight to Jags, based on "totals" and team trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
BUFFALO at TENNESSEE (CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Rex Ryan was 10-5 as road chalk with the Jets. Bills not yet exhibiting last year's "under" trends when 13-3 "under" as Rexy 2-2 "over/under" to date. Titans were 2-12-2 vs. line at home past two seasons before cover vs. Colts in Week 3. Rookie QB Mariota also "over" 2-1 this season.
Tech Edge: Bills and slight to "over," based on team and recent "totals" trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
CLEVELAND at BALTIMORE (CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Make a note that this has been a competitive series as these two have split spread decisions each year for the past five seasons! The last four meetings at Baltimore all "under" as well. Browns were 5-1-1 as road dog last season but lost first try this year at Jets in Week 1.
Tech Edge: Slight to "under," based on "totals" trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
WASHINGTON at ATLANTA (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Falcons are 4-0 both SU and vs. spread for rookie head coach Dan Quinn. Falcons also "under" 13-8 since late 2013. Redskins are 5-12 vs. spread away since 2013 (0-1 this season).
Tech Edge: Falcons, based on team trends..


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
CHICAGO at KANSAS CITY (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Bears 1-3 SU and vs. line, head coach John Fox now on 4-8 spread run since late last year including Denver. Bears "over" 8-3 last 11 away even with "under" at Seattle.
Tech Edge: "Over" and slight to Chiefs, based on "totals" and team trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
NEW ORLEANS at PHILADELPHIA (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Chip Kelly just 8-9 as home chalk with Birds. He was "over" 8-2 last 10 at home prior to "under" vs. Dallas. Saints only 4-7-1 last 12 as road underdog in regular season and "over" 7-3 last 10 away.
Tech Edge: "Over," based on "totals" trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
ST. LOUIS at GREEN BAY (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Rams just 5-12 vs. spread away since 2013. Packers are 8-1-1 vs. spread at home in regular season since 2014, also "over" 10-3 last 13 at Lambeau Field in regular season.
Tech Edge: Packers and "over," based on team and "totals" trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
SEATTLE at CINCINNATI (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET)
If Seattle listed as underdog, make a note Pete Carroll 7-3-1 getting points since 2012. Seahawks "under" 7-2 last nine in regular season, but Bengals "over" 12-6 last 18 at home. Cincy 4-0 SU and vs. line and note head coach Marvin Lewis 17-4-1 vs. line last 21 as regular season host.
Tech Edge: Slight to Bengals, based on team trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
ARIZONA at DETROIT (FOX, 4:05 p.m. ET)
Cardinals 3-1 SU and vs. line, Lions 0-3 SU and vs. line. Big Red 9-2 vs. line last eleven games finished by quarterback Carson Palmer. Also 12-5 vs. line on road in reg. season under Bruce Arians. Cardinals "over" first four in 2015.
Tech Edge: Cardinals and "over," based on team and "totals" trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
NEW ENGLAND at DALLAS (CBS, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Belichick "over" first three this season, now "over" 17-7 last 24, also "over" 25-14-1 last 40 on regular season road. Belichick 2-7 as road chalk 2013-14 years but did cover at Buffalo in Week 2. Dallas is 12-3 as an underdog since 2013 but that is mostly a Romo mark. Cowboys "over" 20-15-1 last 36.
Tech Edge: "Over," based on "totals" trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
DENVER at OAKLAND (CBS, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Denver 7-0 SU and vs. line last seven meetings vs. Raid-uhs. Manning 13-7 as road chalk with Broncos since 2012.
Tech Edge: Broncos, based on series trends.


NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
SAN FRANCISCO at N.Y. GIANTS (NBC, 8:30 p.m. ET)
Niners a bad 0-2 SU and vs. line on road this season, now no wins or covers last four on road since late last year. Tom Coughlin 11-5 last 16 as home chalk.
Tech Edge: Giants, based on team trends.


MONDAY, OCT. 12
NFL Matchups NFL Matchups
PITTSBURGH at SAN DIEGO (ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET)
Steelers 11-6-1 last 18 as dog but that was with Big Ben. Steelers "over" trends with Big Ben do not necessarily translate to Vick. Bolts on 3-12 spread skid since early 2014.
Tech Edge: Slight to Steelers, based on recent Charger spread woes.

 

[CNOTES]

Colts, Texans hook up


October 7, 2015




INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (2-2) at HOUSTON TEXANS (1-3)


Sportsbook.ag Line: Indianapolis -1, Total: 45


The Colts hope to get back star QB Andrew Luck on Thursday night when they visit the reeling Texans.


Indianapolis is off to a slow start in 2015 at 0-4 ATS (2-2 SU), but is riding a current streak of 16 straight wins versus AFC South foes. The club escaped past Jacksonville last week with a 16-13 overtime victory, as Luck was sidelined with a shoulder injury.


Houston has started 1-3 (SU and ATS) and is eager to get back on the field after a humiliating 48-21 loss in Atlanta last week in a game that was 42-0 after three quarters before some garbage touchdowns made the score closer than it should have been.


The Colts own a commanding 22-4 SU mark all-time in this series, including five straight victories, but the Texans are 8-5 ATS at home all-time against their rival. While bettors for Indy can point to the fact that road teams after being beaten by the spread by 21+ points in their previous three games are 54-21 ATS (72%) in the past 10 seasons versus conference foes where the line is +3 to -3, Houston falls in the category of slow starting offensive teams (7 or less PPG in first half) going 56-26 ATS (68%) since 1983 after allowing 40+ points in their previous game.


Luck isn't the only questionable injured Colts player on Thursday, as LB Jerrell Freeman (groin), CB Jalil Brown (groin), DE Kendall Langford (back) and LB Bjoern Werner (hamstring) also share that same status. The Texans also have a slew of players with a questionable tag, with the most notables being WR Cecil Shorts (shoulder), LB Whitney Mercilus (thigh), LB Akeem Dent (hamstring) and S Quintin Demps (hamstring).


The once-mighty Indianapolis offense has managed only 18.0 PPG and 338 total YPG this season. The Colts are looking for better balance, as they have thrown for 240 yards in all four games, but have topped 100 rushing yards just once, averaging 87 rushing YPG on 4.0 YPC. Luck has faced Houston six times in his career, going 5-1 SU (4-1-1 ATS) with a weak 52% completion rate, but he also has thrown for 231 YPG with 14 TD and only 3 INT. If he is unable to play, the team will again turn to 40-year-old QB Matt Hasselbeck who completed 30-of-47 passes for 282 yards, 1 TD and 0 INT in last week's win.


The biggest disappointment for Indy's stalling offense is WR Andre Johnson, who after posting seven 1,000-yard seasons with Houston, has just seven receptions for 51 yards in four games this season. That includes zero catches in Johnson's past two contests. But the most important receiver on the field is top WR T.Y. Hilton, who has a team-high 294 receiving yards, but zero touchdowns. In last season's trip to Houston, Hilton exploded for 223 receiving yards and a touchdown on nine catches (24.8 avg). Top RB Frank Gore has been dealing with a foot injury, but has been very productive in the past two weeks with 181 total yards and 2 TD.


The Colts defense has surrendered 388 total YPG in 2015, but has allowed only 23.2 PPG. Their main problem has been giving up too many first downs (21.0 per game), leading to a poor 33:28 time of possession. While the run-stop unit has been adequate (119 YPG on 4.1 YPC), the secondary is allowing 268 passing YPG on 7.3 YPA and a 62% completion rate. It hasn't helped that the defense has only three takeaways this year, but the Texans already have eight turnovers in four games.


Houston has been able to gain a good chunk of yardage (384 YPG), but has only 19.2 PPG to show for the efforts. The ground game has a pedestrian 100 YPG on 3.7 YPC, while quarterbacks have thrown for 285 YPG, but have a subpar 53% completion rate with 6 TD and 4 INT. The Texans will start QB Ryan Mallett (5.3 YPA, 3 TD, 3 INT) over Brian Hoyer (7.3 YPA, 3 TD, 1 INT) despite Mallett playing horribly last week (12-of-27, 150 yds, 5.6 YPA, 0 TD, 1 INT) and Hoyer faring much better (17-of-30, 232 yds, 7.7 YPA, 2 TD, 0 INT).


While there are certainly questions on which quarterback can be most successful, there is no question that WR DeAndre Hopkins is the go-to receiver in town with 31 catches for 409 yards and 3 TD this year. With No. 2 WR Cecil Shorts (236 rec yds, 1 TD) questionable to play, veteran WR Nate Washington (210 rec yds) may see some more targets. RB Arian Foster made his season debut last week after missing the first three games with a groin injury, but gained only 10 yards on eight carries. Foster has always been a nightmare for Colts defenders though, as he has gained a robust 1,125 total yards (141 YPG), 6.0 YPC and 8 TD in eight career meetings.


The Houston defense has been a huge disappointment this season in allowing 27.0 PPG on 344 total YPG. A big part of the large amount of points allowed is the unit's mere two takeaways, as the per-play averages of 5.4 YPP, 3.8 YPC and 6.9 YPA aren't that bad. While superstar DE J.J. Watt has been his typical productive self with four sacks and 8 TFL, his teammates have combined for only two sacks and 6 TFL. The Texans need somebody else to pressure the quarterback, such as 2014 top draft pick OLB Jadeveon Clowney who has yet to record a sack in eight career games.

 

[CNOTES]

3 injured Colts stay behind, but Luck heads to Houston


October 7, 2015


INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Colts quarterback Andrew Luck made the trip to Houston but three of his teammates stayed home.


Team officials said linebackers Jerrell Freeman and Bjoern Werner and running back Tyler Varga did not travel Wednesday. None of the three practiced this week. Freeman is out with a groin injury, Werner has an injured hamstring and Varga will miss his second straight game with a concussion.


The bigger question has been Luck, who was limited in practice this week with an injured right shoulder.


He missed his first pro game Sunday, ending a streak of 57 consecutive starts including playoffs. Luck said Tuesday he is preparing to start.


If he can't go, 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck probably would. Hasselbeck missed Tuesday's practice because of illness.

 

[CNOTES]

Colts-Texans Capsule


October 7, 2015


INDIANAPOLIS (2-2) at HOUSTON (1-3)


Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, CBS/NFL Network


OPENING LINE - OFF


RECORD VS. SPREAD - Colts 0-4, Texans 1-3


SERIES RECORD - Colts lead 22-4


LAST MEETING - Colts beat the Texans 17-10, Dec. 14, 2014


LAST WEEK - Colts beat Jaguars 16-13, OT; Texans lost to Falcons 48-21


AP PRO32 RANKING - Colts No. 17, Texans No. 28


COLTS OFFENSE - OVERALL (21), RUSH (26), PASS (12).


COLTS DEFENSE - OVERALL (27), RUSH (25), PASS (23).


TEXANS OFFENSE - OVERALL (7), RUSH (21), PASS (6).


TEXANS DEFENSE - OVERALL (11), RUSH (22), PASS (11).


STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES -


Colts have won 15 straight against AFC South opponents. ... Colts QB Andrew Luck is expected to play after sitting out last week with shoulder injury. He is 5-1 against Houston with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions. ... WR Andre Johnson spent first 12 seasons in Houston. He had just one game without a catch with Texans, but has had two in last two weeks. ... Johnson (1,019) needs six catches to pass Isaac Bruce for eighth most in NFL history. ... LB D'Qwell Jackson leads Colts with 47 tackles, including 17 last week. ... K Adam Vinatieri (1,004) became Colts' all-time leading scorer last week and first player in NFL to score 1,000 or more points with two teams after scoring 1,158 for New England. ... WR Donte Moncrief has touchdown in three of Colts' last four games. ... Houston QB Ryan Mallett will make first career start within division. ... Thursday will be 150th career game for WR Nate Washington. ... In last nine games DE J.J. Watt has 15 sacks, two forced fumbles, fumble recovery, safety, six passes defensed and touchdown catch. ... LB Brian Cushing leads Texans with 33 tackles, including 11 last week. ... RB Arian Foster made season debut last week after missing first three games after groin surgery. Foster and had eight carries for 10 yards. ... Fantasy Tip: WR DeAndre Hopkins had nine catches for 157 yards last week and has 816 yards receiving with five touchdowns in last nine games. Hopkins might get even more targets with WR Cecil Shorts out with shoulder injury, making him even more attractive fantasy option.