Toughest Week 1 NFL game

[Stephen]

Oakland-Tennessee is another tough Week 1 opener. The Raiders looked terrible in preseason. Either they're still nursing a Super Bowl hangover or laying in the weeds.

It looks like Tennessee is the choice with McNair looking sharp and double-revenge going. But the Titans have matchup problems here in the secondary. They surrendered an average of 46.5 points in their two losses to the Raiders last year. They don't have enough secondary depth to cover all the Raiders weapons.

 

[Dante]

what do you guys think about the RAVEN @ Steelers...will the ravens cover the 6..I think they might

 

[Stephen]

I think so, too, Dante. The Ravens have the better defense and the Steelers are switching to a version of the West Coast offense.

On the trend side, Steelers are 4-11-1 ATS as a favorite, while Ravens 19-9-1 ATS as a 'dog under Billick.

The one thing that worries me about the Ravens side is Billick starting a rookie on the road. I'm not a Chris Redman fan, but in this case starting Redman would have been the better choice.

 

[ChuckSims]

Anybody know what the opening line on Tenn-Oak was? I'm talking about the line the books opened up with 2 months ago. I thought it was Tenn -1½, now I see Tenn -3½.

 

[PatrickMcIrish]

Another tough game to me is Tampa/Philly.

 

[TheGeneral+]

Who are we trying to kid?

It's NFl.

They are all tough

 

[winbet]

Key to the Raiders is Charlie Garner, when he plays their tough to stop.

 

[tuleythetout]

Amen, General...truer words were never posted

Chuck Sims...I'm not sure about offshore books, but the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas opened that game at Titans -1 back in April. Vegas books are holding the line at 3 so far.

For those who are curious, here are the Week 1 openers from April (half of them were within 1/2-point of the current numbers...the switch of favorites have only occured because of Vick/Pennington injuries):

Jets -2 (was down to PK before Pennington injury, now at Skins -3)
Lions -4
Broncos -6
Browns -2.5 (down to -1)
Packers -6
Chiefs -4
Steelers -5.5
Dolphins -10 (up to 13.5)
Panthers -4
Bills -3 (down to -1.5)
Giants -2
Falcons -2.5
Seahawks -2.5
49ers -6.5
Titans -1 (up to -3)
Eagles -3

 

[ChuckSims]

Thanks Tuley

 

[CharlieMaxwell]

The Lions helped themselves a bit today by acquiring running back Olandis Gary from Buffalo

 

[wilheim]

With Vinny T. as back-up I am looking to unload on the Jets plus 3.5 if it shows (doubtful). Jets can easily win this one on the field so ML is another option. imho.


wil.

 

[jls626]

Redskins are 1-8 ATS when favored by 3 or more as an opening day favorite!!

 

[HacheMan]

All games are tough in week one, as some of us talked about a few weeks ago in NFL forum. New beginning for every team, and those that did poorly the year before, have new hope and usually keep it close the first couple weeks, until the truth finally comes out.