NFL BETTING PREVIEWS WEEK 1

Chicago Bears (0-0-0) at Washington Redskins (0-0-0)
Sunday, September 11, 2005 1:00 PM EDT
NFL Betting Preview - Field - Grass - FedEx Field, Landover, MD
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Rookie Kyle Orton is expected to be behind center for the Chicago Bears on Sunday when they face the Washington Redskins in their 2005 season opener. Orton won the job after Rex Grossman was lost for the year with a fractured ankle suffered during the preseason. Chad Hutchinson, who came into camp as the expected backup, was released. Patrick Ramsey is expected to be the starter for the Redskins, but Mark Brunell outplayed him during the exhibition season. Watch for Brunell to take over if Ramsey falters.The Redskins sit as 6-point favorites at home in this contest. Not much offense is expected in this one, as the total is pegged at 33. The Bears rolled to a 3-2 record in the preseason, compared to Washington’s 1-3 mark.

Cincinnati Bengals (0-0-0) at Cleveland Browns (0-0-0)
Sunday, September 11, 2005 1:00 PM EDT
NFL Betting Preview -Field - Grass - Cleveland Stadium - Cleveland, Ohio
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The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns meet in an AFC North battle on Sunday that doubles as their season-opening contest. The Browns finished the preseason with a 3-1 record, while the Bengals ended up one game back with a 2-2 mark. The Bengals are road-favored in this one, getting listed by oddsmakers at -3.5. The total has been listed at 43.5. Cleveland has a new man in the pocket this season, as Jeff Garcia was ditched in favor of Trent Dilfer. The veteran QB will have a dynamic target in first-round pick Braylon Edwards, but Kellen Winslow’s injuries will keep him out for the season. For the Bengals, Carson Palmer made big strides in the second half of last season before suffering a strained medial collateral ligament in December. If he stays healthy, the team hopes their offense can become one of the league’s best.

Kansas City Chiefs (0-0-0) at New York Jets (0-0-0)
Sunday, September 11, 2005 1:00 PM EDT
NFL Betting Preview -Field - Grass - Giants Stadium - E. Rutherford, New Jersey
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The New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs will hit the gridiron at Arrowhead Stadium to kick off the NFL season on Sunday.The Chiefs finished last season with a 7-9 record and had one of the worst defenses in the NFL. This year they brought in five new guys to help out the ‘D’ including Sammy Knight and Patrick Surtain.With Trent Green (if healthy), Tony Gonzalez, and Priest Holmes on the offensive side the Chiefs could be one of the more dangerous teams to face in the AFC this season. Oddsmakers expect a close one on Sunday and have the Chiefs as 3-point favorites. With the Chiefs potent on offense the scoring is expected to be high, as the posted over/under is 48.5. With the return of WR Laveraneous Coles and the addition of CB Ty Law big things are expected from the Jets this year, who have made the postseason three of the last four seasons. Chad Pennington though is coming off shoulder surgery and may take a little time to warm up and Curtis Martin isn’t getting any younger (despite last year’s rushing title). Chiefs CB Eric Warfield will miss the opener because of a suspension.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0-0) at Minnesota Vikings (0-0-0)
Sunday, September 11, 2005 1:00 PM EDT
NFL Betting Preview -Field - Artificial - The Metrodome - Minneapolis, MN
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The Minnesota Vikings will welcome the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Metrodome on Sunday to battle in Week 1 action. The Vikings are favored by six points in the season opener, while oddsmakers have the over/under sitting at 43.5. The most notable change for the Vikings is the loss of receiver Randy Moss, who was traded to Oakland during the offseason. But the departure of Moss may help the Vikings more than hurt them, yes they lose a talented receiver but they also lose a major distraction to the club. Daunte Culpepper had a standout season last year that was overshadowed by Peyton Manning’s record-breaking season and continued to impress during the preseason. With receiver Nate Burleson an up-and-coming star, Culpepper should be able to come close to last year’s numbers. Meanwhile the Bucs are coming off a disappointing 5-11 year and are expected to go nowhere but up this season. The Brian Griese/Michael Clayton combo should be a dangerous one, while the Bucs’ defense is questionable but should still be better than most in the NFL. Vikings running back Onterrio Smith will be out for the season after receiving a substance-abuse suspension and Michael Bennett is listed as probable for the season opener.

New Orleans Saints (0-0-0) at Carolina Panthers (0-0-0)
Sunday, September 11, 2005 1:00 PM EDT
NFL Betting Preview -Field - Field - Bank of America Stadium - Charlotte, NC
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The New Orleans Saints will have to try and put the problems happening back home behind them as they travel to Carolina to kick their season off against the Panthers on Sunday. Oddsmakers like the Panthers in this one, as they have pegged Carolina as a 7-point favorite. The over/under sits at 45.5. Thanks to Hurricane Katrina, the Saints could be playing their entire season on the road. With all the trauma going on back home, it may be asking a lot for the Saints to focus on football and they will definitely be at a disadvantage for the majority of the season. The Saints, known as classic underachievers and very inconsistent, will turn to Aaron Brookes and Deuce McAllister to improve on their 8-8 record from last year and make some noise in the NFC South. Steven Davis is listed as probable for Week 1, and other than that the Panthers haven’t been this healthy since Week 1 of last season. The Panthers started last year 1-7 before picking up five straight wins to make a playoff run. The Carolina defense shouldn’t be anything short of dangerous, and if Davis can stay healthy and Jake Delhomme can fire up last year’s numbers, Carolina could make another run at a championship. Last year the two teams split their head-to-head matchups, with each team winning at the other’s home stadium.

Houston Texans (0-0-0) at Buffalo Bills (0-0-0)
Sunday, September 11, 2005 1:00 PM EDT
NFL Betting Preview -Field - Grass - Ralph Wilson Stadium - Orchard Park, NY
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J.P. Losman’s time as a starting quarterback begins on Sunday when his Buffalo Bills take on the Houston Texans in their season-opening game. The oddsmakers have some confidence in Losman, as the Bills are listed as 5-point home favorites in this game. The total sits at 38. Drew Bledsoe’s departure in the offseason paved the way for Losman, who combines with RB Willis McGahee and WR Lee Evans for a solid, young offensive core. The Texans will just be trying to keep improving this season, as they ended up a respectable 7-9 last year. If David Carr himself can improve, a winning record isn’t an impossible feat. Buffalo finished with a 2-2 preseason record, while the Texans ended up with a 1-3 mark.

Denver Broncos (0-0-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-0-0)
Sunday, September 11, 2005 1:00 PM EDT
NFL Betting Preview -Field - Grass - Florida Pro Players Stadium - Miami, FL
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Ricky Williams might be back, but he won’t be in the lineup for the Miami Dolphins in their season-opening game on Sunday. Williams is serving a four-game suspension, and won’t be available to the team until their Week 6 contest. That means top draft pick Ronnie Brown will get some work in the opening weeks. Gus Frerotte has been named the Dolphins’ starting QB for this game, with A.J. Feeley knocked down to third-string after a poor preseason performance. Jake Plummer will once again be the man for the Broncos, but WR Jerry Rice has reportedly decided to retire instead of staying on as the team's No. 4 receiver. The Broncos have been listed as 4.5-point road favorites in this season opener. The total has been pegged at 38.5. Miami was 1-4 in the preseason, while Denver was unbeaten in the exhibition schedule at 4-0.

Seattle Seahawks (0-0-0) at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0-0)
Sunday, September 11, 2005 1:00 PM EDT
NFL Betting Preview -Field - Grass - Alltel Stadium - Jacksonville, FL
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Mike Holmgren and the Seattle Seahawks will travel east to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 action on Sunday. Oddsmakers like the Jags’ chances at home, pegging them as 3-point favorites. The over/under is posted at 39.5. The Seahawks finished last season with a 9-7 record and have made the postseason three of the last six years, but haven’t produced a playoff victory since 1984. With the signings of defensive end Bryce Fisher, linebacker Jaime Sharper, and cornerbacks Andre Dyson and Kelly Herndon, to go along with their already strong offense, the Seahawks hope they finally have all the parts to make some playoff noise. Last year the Jaguars frustrated opposing offenses all season long and just missed making the playoffs with a 9-7 record. This year the defensive unit is still intact, but they’ve added Marcus Wiley and Reggie Haywood. But it’s the offense the Jags are counting on to step up. Last season the Jags scored 16.3 points per game, good enough for 29th in the league, but didn’t do much to upgrade it during the offseason. With a below-par Seattle defense in town, it should be a good test of what we can expect from the Jags’ offense this season. Ray Rhodes the Seahawks Defensive Coordinator may miss this matchup. He spent Sunday and Monday Night in a Seattle Hospital with an unknown illness.

Tennessee Titans (0-0-0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0-0)
Sunday, September 11, 2005 1:00 PM EDT
NFL Betting Preview -Field - Grass - Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA
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Jeff Fisher and the Tennessee Titans will roll into Heinz Field to do battle with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The Steelers look like the better team on paper, and oddsmakers think so too, setting them as 7-point favorites. The over/under is posted at 40. The good news for the Titans is Steve McNair is completely healthy to start the season, but that may be the only good thing they'll hear all season. Tennessee finished last year with a dismal 5-11 record, and with a large number of players not returning, including Pro Bowlers Derrick Mason, Samari Rolle, and Kevin Carter, this year doesn’t look too bright either. Meanwhile the Steelers, led by rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, finished the regular season 15-1 and one game shy of the Super Bowl. All the starters from the No. 1 ranked defense have returned, so expectations for this team will be high. Roethlisberger will have to prove last season wasn’t a fluke, but with the loss of his favorite receiver, Plaxico Burress, he may have a little trouble doing so. The Steelers will be hurting in the backfield when they play the Titans on Sunday, as both Deuce Staley and Jerome Bettis are questionable with injuries.

Arizona Cardinals (0-0-0) at New York Giants (0-0-0)
Sunday, September 11, 2005 4:15 PM EDT
NFL Betting Preview -Field - Grass - Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
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The Arizona Cardinals will travel to Giants Stadium to open up their season against the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon. Oddsmakers expect a close game as they’ve set the Giants up as 2-point favorites at home. Not a lot of points are expected in this one as the over/under is posted at 37. With the signings of quarterback Kurt Warner, offensive lineman Oliver Ross, safety Robert Griffith and linebacker Orlando Huff, the Arizona Cardinals are expected to be one of the more improved teams in 2005. Cardinals fans hope to see the Warner that led the St. Louis Rams to back-to-back Super Bowl games. With receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Aquaun Bolden on the field Warner could be in for an impressive season. The New York Giants finished a mere 6-10 last season, and with the departure of Warner the Giants will look to sophomore Eli Manning to turn things around in the Big Apple. With running back Tiki Barber, a healthy Armani Toomer and the addition of receiver Plaxico Burress, the Giants hope Eli can become more confident in the pocket and become a superstar like his brother in Indy

Green Bay Packers (0-0-0) at Detroit Lions (0-0-0)
Sunday, September 11, 2005 4:15 PM EDT
NFL Betting Preview -Field - Turf - Ford Field, Detroit, MI
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Brett Favre will enter his 14th season as the Green Bay's starting quarterback Sunday afternoon when he leads the Packers into Detroit to face the Lions. The Packers had an up-and-down preseason that saw them go 2-2 despite allowing 78 points compared to the 41 points they scored. The Lions are favored, opening as 2-point chalk, with an opening total of 45.5. Joey Harrington will lead what could be a potent Lions offense with Kevin Jones in the backfield and first-round picks Roy Williams and Charles Rogers ready to catch the ball. The Lions could be in trouble if Harrington falters or gets injured after backup QB Jeff Garcia broke his leg in Detroit’s final preseason game. These two NFC North rivals last met in December of last season when the Packers won 16-13 as a 9-point home favorite.

Dallas Cowboys (0-0-0) at San Diego Chargers (0-0-0)
Sunday, September 11, 2005 4:15 PM EDT
NFL Betting Preview -Field - Grass - Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
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The Dallas Cowboys may have caught a break in Week 1 because they get to play the San Diego Charger minus Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates. The Cowboys are coming off a successful 3-1 preseason and will try to carry that momentum into the regular season on Sunday afternoon. The Chargers are favored, opening as 4-point chalk, with an opening total of 40.5. The Chargers will miss Gates, but still boast a potent offense led by running back LaDainian Tomlinson and quarterback Drew Brees. This game will be the regular season debut for new Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe and will also be the first time receiver Peerless Price puts on a Cowboys uniform after he was signed late last week. It has been almost four years since these two teams last faced off. The Chargers won that battle 32-21 as a 4-point road favorite.

St. Louis Rams (0-0-0) at San Francisco 49ers (0-0-0)
Sunday, September 11, 2005 4:15 PM EDT
NFL Betting Preview -Field - Grass - Monster Park, San Francisco, CA
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The St. Louis Rams and the “greatest show on turf” returns with a few new performers this season as they battle the rebuilding San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. The Rams will feature a new prominent running back this season as Steven Jackson has been handed the starting role, while Marshall Faulk will be more of a specialist backup. Oddsmakers like the Rams in this one, opening the line at 4 in favor of St. Louis. The total has been set at 46. The 49ers snagged quarterback Alex Smith with the No. 1 pick in the draft, but Tim Rattay is expected to get the start in Week 1 as San Francisco eases the former Utah star into the NFL game. The Rams' lethal receiving duo of Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce could add another player into the mix this season after wideout Kevin Curtis and his blazing speed put up great numbers in the preseason. The Rams won the last meeting between these two teams in December of last season 16-6 as an 11-point home favorite.

Indianapolis Colts (0-0-0) at Baltimore Ravens (0-0-0)
Sunday, September 11, 2005 8:30 PM EDT
NFL Betting Preview -Field - Grass - M & T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
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One of the NFL’s best offenses collides with one of the league’s best defenses Sunday night when the Indianapolis Colts take on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. The only thing Peyton Manning can do to top his 49 touchdown passes from a year ago is to finally lead the Colts to the Super Bowl. The Colts may have been 0-5 during the preseason, but nobody expects that funk to carry over to the regular season. The Colts are favored slightly by the bookmakers, who opened the game at -3. The total has been set at 47. The Ravens defense is as solid as ever with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, and their offense received an upgrade with the addition of receiver Derrick Mason and the return of a healthy and jail-free Jamal Lewis. The Colts added another piece to their always improving defense by signing former Eagles defensive tackle Corey Simon last week. Indy doubled up on Baltimore 20-10 at home in December last season as a 7.5-point favorite.

Philadelphia (0-0-0) at Atlanta (0-0-0)
Monday, September 12, 2005 9:00:00 PM EDT
NFL Betting Preview - Field Turf of Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
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In a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship game the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons clash on Monday night in Week 1 of the NFL season. The Eagles appear to be the team to beat in the NFC again this season with Donovan McNabb ready to lead the offense and disgruntled receiver Terrell Owens on board, for now anyway. Atlanta gets its chance to prove the bookies wrong, who opened them as 2-point underdogs. The total opened at 42. The Falcons will continue to go as far as the arm and legs of quarterback Michael Vick will carry them. The Eagles flew past the Falcons 27-10 in last year’s NFC Championship game as a 4.5-point favorite. A trend to consider,
Philadelphia is 1-5-0 OU in their last 6 games against Atlanta.