Armadillo Sports
Sunday’s 6-pack:
Major league leaders in OPS:
1.184— Aaron Judge
1.010— Juan Soto
1.004— Bobby Witt Jr
.999— Shohei Ohtani
.959— Yordan Alvarez
.955— Marcell Ozuna
Tweet of the Day
“Clemson has all these playmakers but only 3 points. Something has to change.”
Clemson alum, NFL wide receiver Deandre Hopkins
Sunday’s quiz
Who was Clemson’s football coach, before Dabo Swinney?
Saturday’s quiz
Ryan Braun has hit the most home runs ever for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Friday’s quiz
Jeff Fisher was the Los Angeles Rams’ coach before Sean McVay.
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Sunday’s Den: Wrapping up a sports Saturday…….
— Vanderbilt 34, Virginia Tech 27 OT
Vandy led 17-3 at halftime.
Hokies rallied to lead 27-20 in 4th quarter.
Vandy tied game on a TD with 1:51 left.
Commodores averaged 11.9 yards/pass attempt.
— Texas Tech 52, Abilene Christian 51 OT
Abilene Christian scored TD in OT, tried for game-winning 2-point conversion, but they didn’t get it. ACU is a I-AA team, by the way ,
ACU’s QB McIvor threw for 506 yards, three TD’s.
Tech won, but this is a bright red flag for their prospects.
— UNLV 27, Houston 7
Impressive road win for Barry Odom’s Rebels.
UNLV outgained Houston 308-259, also had a pick-6.
— Georgia 34, Clemson 3
Dawgs led 6-0 at halftime.
Clemson was 9-4 last year, now this; the natives are restless.
Georgia outgained the Tigers, 447-188.
— Arizona 61, New Mexico 39
Arizona WR McMillan caught 10 passes for 304 passes and 4 TD’s.
He was responsible for 304 of their 422 passing yards.
Arizona led 27-24 at halftime, pulled away late.
— Boise State 56, Georgia Southern 45
RB Ashton Jeanty ran ball 20 times for 267 yards, six (6!!!) TD’s.
Broncos led 28-16 at halftime; Eagles led 37-36 early in 4th quarter,
— Upsets of the Day:
Vanderbilt (+10.5) 34, Virginia Tech 27 OT
Sam Houston State (+9.5) 34, Rice 14
North Texas (+6) 52, South Alabama 38
Eastern Michigan (+2.5) 28, UMass 14
— Famous birthdays, September 1st:
Rico Carty, 85
Lily Tomlin, 85
Garry Maddox, 75
Vinnie Johnson, 68
Gloria Estefan, 67
Tim Hardaway, 58
Jason Taylor, 50
Shota Imanaga, 31
Aidan O’Connell, 26
— Tigers 2, Red Sox 1
Tarik Skubal goes 8 IP, gets his 16th win.
Detroit honored its 1984 World Series champs before the game.
— Astros 5, Royals 2
Yusei Kikuchi struck out 12 Royals in 7 IP.
Game was scoreless after five innings; Astros scored five times in 6th inning.
— Phillies 3, Braves 0
Zach Wheeler tossed 7 IP, got his 100th career win.
Phillies now lead Atlanta by six games in NL East.
— Dodgers 8, Diamondbacks 6
Tommy Edman had game-winning hit in 9th inning.
First three Dodgers to bat in first inning all hit home runs.
— Angels 5, Mariners 4
Seattle led 4-1 in sixth inning.
Mickey Moniak, Jo Adell both homered twice for the Halos.
— Rockies 7, Orioles 5
Rookie C Drew Romo drove in three runs for Colorado.
Orioles are 1.5 games out of first place in AL East.
— Marlins 6, Giants 3
Edward Cabrera allowed two runs (one earned) in 5.1 IP.
Griffin Conine hit his first career home run for Miami.
Sunday’s 6-pack:
Major league leaders in OPS:
1.184— Aaron Judge
1.010— Juan Soto
1.004— Bobby Witt Jr
.999— Shohei Ohtani
.959— Yordan Alvarez
.955— Marcell Ozuna
Tweet of the Day
“Clemson has all these playmakers but only 3 points. Something has to change.”
Clemson alum, NFL wide receiver Deandre Hopkins
Sunday’s quiz
Who was Clemson’s football coach, before Dabo Swinney?
Saturday’s quiz
Ryan Braun has hit the most home runs ever for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Friday’s quiz
Jeff Fisher was the Los Angeles Rams’ coach before Sean McVay.
******************************************
Sunday’s Den: Wrapping up a sports Saturday…….
— Vanderbilt 34, Virginia Tech 27 OT
Vandy led 17-3 at halftime.
Hokies rallied to lead 27-20 in 4th quarter.
Vandy tied game on a TD with 1:51 left.
Commodores averaged 11.9 yards/pass attempt.
— Texas Tech 52, Abilene Christian 51 OT
Abilene Christian scored TD in OT, tried for game-winning 2-point conversion, but they didn’t get it. ACU is a I-AA team, by the way ,
ACU’s QB McIvor threw for 506 yards, three TD’s.
Tech won, but this is a bright red flag for their prospects.
— UNLV 27, Houston 7
Impressive road win for Barry Odom’s Rebels.
UNLV outgained Houston 308-259, also had a pick-6.
— Georgia 34, Clemson 3
Dawgs led 6-0 at halftime.
Clemson was 9-4 last year, now this; the natives are restless.
Georgia outgained the Tigers, 447-188.
— Arizona 61, New Mexico 39
Arizona WR McMillan caught 10 passes for 304 passes and 4 TD’s.
He was responsible for 304 of their 422 passing yards.
Arizona led 27-24 at halftime, pulled away late.
— Boise State 56, Georgia Southern 45
RB Ashton Jeanty ran ball 20 times for 267 yards, six (6!!!) TD’s.
Broncos led 28-16 at halftime; Eagles led 37-36 early in 4th quarter,
— Upsets of the Day:
Vanderbilt (+10.5) 34, Virginia Tech 27 OT
Sam Houston State (+9.5) 34, Rice 14
North Texas (+6) 52, South Alabama 38
Eastern Michigan (+2.5) 28, UMass 14
— Famous birthdays, September 1st:
Rico Carty, 85
Lily Tomlin, 85
Garry Maddox, 75
Vinnie Johnson, 68
Gloria Estefan, 67
Tim Hardaway, 58
Jason Taylor, 50
Shota Imanaga, 31
Aidan O’Connell, 26
— Tigers 2, Red Sox 1
Tarik Skubal goes 8 IP, gets his 16th win.
Detroit honored its 1984 World Series champs before the game.
— Astros 5, Royals 2
Yusei Kikuchi struck out 12 Royals in 7 IP.
Game was scoreless after five innings; Astros scored five times in 6th inning.
— Phillies 3, Braves 0
Zach Wheeler tossed 7 IP, got his 100th career win.
Phillies now lead Atlanta by six games in NL East.
— Dodgers 8, Diamondbacks 6
Tommy Edman had game-winning hit in 9th inning.
First three Dodgers to bat in first inning all hit home runs.
— Angels 5, Mariners 4
Seattle led 4-1 in sixth inning.
Mickey Moniak, Jo Adell both homered twice for the Halos.
— Rockies 7, Orioles 5
Rookie C Drew Romo drove in three runs for Colorado.
Orioles are 1.5 games out of first place in AL East.
— Marlins 6, Giants 3
Edward Cabrera allowed two runs (one earned) in 5.1 IP.
Griffin Conine hit his first career home run for Miami.
Armadillo Sports
Monday’s 6-pack:
Interesting college football spreads for next week:
— Arkansas @ Oklahoma State (-7.5)
— Texas (-3.5) @ Michigan
— Iowa State @ Iowa (-2.5)
— South Carolina @ Kentucky (-6.5)
— Michigan State @ Maryland (-7.5)
— Kansas (-6.5) @ Illinois
Quote of the Day
“A lot of things have been going against us. We need that break just to kind of help the morale in that clubhouse.”
White Sox interim manager Grady Sizemore
Monday’s quiz
In the history of the Houston Astros, which player has scored the most runs?
Sunday’s quiz
Terry Bowden (Bobby Bowden’s son) was Clemson’s football coach, before Dabo Swinney.
Saturday’s quiz
Ryan Braun has hit the most home runs ever for the Milwaukee Brewers.
************************************************************
Monday’s Den: Wrapping up a sports weekend…….
— USC 27, LSU 20
Trojans outscored LSU 14-3 in the 4th quarter.
USC QB Moss threw for 378 yards in his 2nd college start.
LSU lost its season opener for third year in a row.
Miller Moss is 2-0 as a college starter, throwing for 372/378 yards on neutral fields, after USC lost five of the last six games Caleb Williams played for them.
— College football home underdogs were 5-4 ATS this week.
Home favorites were 10-10 ATS.
— Too-early conference trends:
AAC 2-2 ATS
ACC 4-4 ATS
Big X 3-3 ATS
Big 18 6-6 ATS
C-USA 1-2 ATS, all as road underdogs
MAC 3-3 ATS, all as road underdogs
Mountain West 5-3 ATS
(I just typed Pac-12, had to delete it)
SEC 4-4 ATS
Sun Belt 3-3 ATS
— Minnesota Gophers’ QB Max Brosmer was at I-AA New Hampshire for five years before he became a Gopher; he threw for 6,603 yards the last two years. Has to be a huge jump from playing in the CAA to the Big 18— Minnesota has a 3-week stretch coming up wheee they play Michigan, USC and UCLA in consecutive weeks.
Little different than playing Monmouth, Albany and Towson State.
— Modern baseball
Sunday, the Red Sox took a 1-0 lead in the 5th inning in Detroit; P Cooper Criswell pitched the first four innings, retiring all 12 hitters he faced, striking out five of them. Then, for some freakin’ reason, they took him out of the game; why?!?!?!?!
Criswell has finished five innings in seven starts this year, six innings in two of those; if it ain’t broke, don’t freakin’ fix it. Tigers scored twice in 5th inning and won 4-1, as the overeducated morons in the front office cost the Red Sox a win.
— Two years ago, I couldn’t watch the World Series at home because DirecTV was at war with FOX, so channel 23 here in Albany was blacked out on DirecTV. When DirecTV lost the NFL Sunday Ticket, I dumped it for YouTube TV, which has been a big plus for me.
This weekend, DirecTV is now at war with Disney, which means no ESPN channels or ABC on DirecTV, kind of a big thing with football starting up.
I read on the Interweb that DirecTV once had 21 million customers; now they’re down to 9 million.
— Famous birthdays, September 2nd:
Terry Bradshaw, 76
Nate Archibald, 76
Mark Harmon, 73
Rick Manning, 70
Eric Dickerson, 64
Rex Hudler, 64
Keanu Reeves, 60
Tommy Maddox, 53
Willie Adames, 29
— Gavin Sheets is an OF/1B for the White Sox, who are 31-107 and at one point, lost 21 games in a row. His dad Larry Sheets was an OF/DH for ’88 Orioles, who wear 54-107 and started the season with a 21-game losing skid.
Ironically, after starting that season 0-21, Baltimore’s first win was against the White Sox.
— Random stat: all-time leaders in sacrifice flies:
128- Eddie Murray
127- Cal Ripken Jr
— Last week, basketball star Steph Curry got a contract extension for 2026-27 that is worth $62.59M, for that one season.
This year, the Oakland A’s entire payroll is $62.57M. For the whole team.
— In 2021, the Angels drafted 20 pitchers; no position players, just 20 pitchers, that’s how committed they were/are to improving their mound presence.
Angels 3, Mariners 2
20-year old Caden Dana made his MLB debut Sunday, gave up two runs in 6 IP, got the win in a solid performance. Dana was drafted in 2022, but he has flown thru the Angels’ farm system, and may be in the big leagues to stay now.
— P Jordan Wicks got a win pitching for the Cubs in Washington; he threw five innings, gave up a run, but he didn’t walk anyone, or strike anyone out. Really unusual to get a pitching win as a starter and not strike anyone out.
— This weekend was the deadline for teams to add players on waiver deals and have them be eligible for the postseason. Kansas City Royals added three players:
OF Tommy Pham, OF Robbie Grossman, 1B Yuli Gurriel, all older players who can hit.
— Phillies 3, Braves 2 (11)
Nick Castellanos knocked in all three runs for the Phillies.
Braves lead the Mets by a game for the last Wild Card slot in the NL
Phillies/Braves are done playing each other in the regular season.
— If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
NL: Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Diamondbacks, Padres, Mets
AL: New York, Guardians, Astros. Wild Cards: Orioles, Twins, Royals
Monday’s 6-pack:
Interesting college football spreads for next week:
— Arkansas @ Oklahoma State (-7.5)
— Texas (-3.5) @ Michigan
— Iowa State @ Iowa (-2.5)
— South Carolina @ Kentucky (-6.5)
— Michigan State @ Maryland (-7.5)
— Kansas (-6.5) @ Illinois
Quote of the Day
“A lot of things have been going against us. We need that break just to kind of help the morale in that clubhouse.”
White Sox interim manager Grady Sizemore
Monday’s quiz
In the history of the Houston Astros, which player has scored the most runs?
Sunday’s quiz
Terry Bowden (Bobby Bowden’s son) was Clemson’s football coach, before Dabo Swinney.
Saturday’s quiz
Ryan Braun has hit the most home runs ever for the Milwaukee Brewers.
************************************************************
Monday’s Den: Wrapping up a sports weekend…….
— USC 27, LSU 20
Trojans outscored LSU 14-3 in the 4th quarter.
USC QB Moss threw for 378 yards in his 2nd college start.
LSU lost its season opener for third year in a row.
Miller Moss is 2-0 as a college starter, throwing for 372/378 yards on neutral fields, after USC lost five of the last six games Caleb Williams played for them.
— College football home underdogs were 5-4 ATS this week.
Home favorites were 10-10 ATS.
— Too-early conference trends:
AAC 2-2 ATS
ACC 4-4 ATS
Big X 3-3 ATS
Big 18 6-6 ATS
C-USA 1-2 ATS, all as road underdogs
MAC 3-3 ATS, all as road underdogs
Mountain West 5-3 ATS
(I just typed Pac-12, had to delete it)
SEC 4-4 ATS
Sun Belt 3-3 ATS
— Minnesota Gophers’ QB Max Brosmer was at I-AA New Hampshire for five years before he became a Gopher; he threw for 6,603 yards the last two years. Has to be a huge jump from playing in the CAA to the Big 18— Minnesota has a 3-week stretch coming up wheee they play Michigan, USC and UCLA in consecutive weeks.
Little different than playing Monmouth, Albany and Towson State.
— Modern baseball
Sunday, the Red Sox took a 1-0 lead in the 5th inning in Detroit; P Cooper Criswell pitched the first four innings, retiring all 12 hitters he faced, striking out five of them. Then, for some freakin’ reason, they took him out of the game; why?!?!?!?!
Criswell has finished five innings in seven starts this year, six innings in two of those; if it ain’t broke, don’t freakin’ fix it. Tigers scored twice in 5th inning and won 4-1, as the overeducated morons in the front office cost the Red Sox a win.
— Two years ago, I couldn’t watch the World Series at home because DirecTV was at war with FOX, so channel 23 here in Albany was blacked out on DirecTV. When DirecTV lost the NFL Sunday Ticket, I dumped it for YouTube TV, which has been a big plus for me.
This weekend, DirecTV is now at war with Disney, which means no ESPN channels or ABC on DirecTV, kind of a big thing with football starting up.
I read on the Interweb that DirecTV once had 21 million customers; now they’re down to 9 million.
— Famous birthdays, September 2nd:
Terry Bradshaw, 76
Nate Archibald, 76
Mark Harmon, 73
Rick Manning, 70
Eric Dickerson, 64
Rex Hudler, 64
Keanu Reeves, 60
Tommy Maddox, 53
Willie Adames, 29
— Gavin Sheets is an OF/1B for the White Sox, who are 31-107 and at one point, lost 21 games in a row. His dad Larry Sheets was an OF/DH for ’88 Orioles, who wear 54-107 and started the season with a 21-game losing skid.
Ironically, after starting that season 0-21, Baltimore’s first win was against the White Sox.
— Random stat: all-time leaders in sacrifice flies:
128- Eddie Murray
127- Cal Ripken Jr
— Last week, basketball star Steph Curry got a contract extension for 2026-27 that is worth $62.59M, for that one season.
This year, the Oakland A’s entire payroll is $62.57M. For the whole team.
— In 2021, the Angels drafted 20 pitchers; no position players, just 20 pitchers, that’s how committed they were/are to improving their mound presence.
Angels 3, Mariners 2
20-year old Caden Dana made his MLB debut Sunday, gave up two runs in 6 IP, got the win in a solid performance. Dana was drafted in 2022, but he has flown thru the Angels’ farm system, and may be in the big leagues to stay now.
— P Jordan Wicks got a win pitching for the Cubs in Washington; he threw five innings, gave up a run, but he didn’t walk anyone, or strike anyone out. Really unusual to get a pitching win as a starter and not strike anyone out.
— This weekend was the deadline for teams to add players on waiver deals and have them be eligible for the postseason. Kansas City Royals added three players:
OF Tommy Pham, OF Robbie Grossman, 1B Yuli Gurriel, all older players who can hit.
— Phillies 3, Braves 2 (11)
Nick Castellanos knocked in all three runs for the Phillies.
Braves lead the Mets by a game for the last Wild Card slot in the NL
Phillies/Braves are done playing each other in the regular season.
— If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
NL: Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Diamondbacks, Padres, Mets
AL: New York, Guardians, Astros. Wild Cards: Orioles, Twins, Royals
Tuesday’s 6-pack:
Interesting college football spreads for this week:
— Virginia @ Wake Forest (-2.5)
— Tennessee (-7.5) vs NC State (@ Charlotte)
— Colorado @ Nebraska (-7.5)
— Texas Tech (-1.5) @ Washington State
— Mississippi State @ Arizona State (-6.5)
— Oregon State @ San Diego State (-4)
Quote of the Day
“I do not want to go to Brazil. You want to know why? I’m going to tell you why. They already told us not to leave the hotel. They told us we can’t do too much going on, because the crime rate is crazy. I’m like ‘NFL, why would you want to send us somewhere with a crime rate this high?'”
Philadelphia Eagles CB Darius Slay; the Eagles-Packers play in Brazil Friday night
Tuesday’s quiz
In the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who has the most passing yards?
Monday’s quiz
In the history of the Houston Astros, Craig Biggio has scored the most runs.
Sunday’s quiz
Terry Bowden (Bobby Bowden’s son) was Clemson’s football coach, before Dabo Swinney.
**********************************
Thursday’s game
Ravens @ Chiefs (-3)
Last 8 years, Baltimore is 7-1 SU/ATS in Week 1
Since 2015, Ravens are 20-9-2 ATS as a road underdog.
QB Jackson is 60-23 as an NFL starter.
Since 2008, Ravens are 11-5 ATS in their road opener.
Last three years, under is 15-10 in Baltimore’s road games.
Ravens have a first-time defensive coordinator.
Last 7 years, Chiefs are 5-2 ATS in Week 1.
Last four years, under is 21-11-1 in games at Arrowhead.
QB Mahomes is 89-25 as an NFL starter.
Last 3 years, Kansas City is 0-3 ATS in its home opener.
Last 21 years, defending Super Bowl champ is 11-7-3 ATS in Week 1 the next three years, 0-3 the last three years.
Chiefs won five of last six meetings.
Chiefs won 17-10 in Baltimore, in LY’s playoffs.
Ravens are 3-2 in Arrowhead, losing last two visits.
Friday’s game (@ San Paulo, Brazil)
Packers vs Eagles (-2.5)
Green Bay is 19-8 ATS in last 27 games as an underdog.
Last 6 years, Packers are 2-4 ATS in Week 1.
QB Love is 10-10 as an NFL starter.
Green Bay hasn’t opened at home since 2018.
Former Boston College HC Hafley is Green Bay’s new DC.
QB Hurts is 36-20 as an NFL starter.
Eagles have two new coordinators; Kellen Moore is new OC.
Last 8 years, Eagles are 7-1 SU/5-3 ATS in Week 1.
Since 2018, Eagles are 28-39-1 ATS as a favorite.
Last 5 years, over is 3-1-1 in their season opener.
Teams split their last six series games.
Eagles won last meeting 40-33, two years ago.
Sunday’s games
Cardinals @ Bills (-6.5)
Last 5 years, Arizona is 2-2-1 SU/4-1 ATS in Week 1.
Cardinals are 20-11-1 ATS in last 32 games as a road underdog.
QB Murray is 28-37-1 SU as an NFL starter.
Last three years, Arizona is 9-6 ATS vs AFC opponents.
Under is 5-1 in their last six road openers.
Arizona is one of 7 teams with same HC, coordinators as LY.
Last 8 years, Bills are only 4-4 SU in their season opener.
Last 5 years, Buffalo is 4-1 SU/3-2 ATS in its home opener.
Last 3 years, Bills are 12-12-1 ATS as a home favorite.
Since 2019, Buffalo is 14-8-1 ATS vs NFC opponents.
QB Allen is 68-35 as an NFL starter.
Under is 4-1 in their last five season openers.
Bills won six of last eight meetings.
Cardinals lost four of five visits to Buffalo.
Cardinals’ only win here was in first visit, in 1971.
Patriots @ Bengals (-9.5)
Patriots’ first game since 1999 without Belichick as coach.
Last 3 years, New England is 0-3 SU/ATS in Week 1.
Last 4 years, New England is 9-12 ATS as a road underdog.
Last 9 years, Patriots are 6-3 ATS in road openers.
Patriots starting QB Brissett is 18-30 as an NFL starter.
Last 2 years, Bengals are 9-3-2 ATS as a home favorite.
Last 8 years, Bengals are 2-6 SU/ATS in home openers.
Since 2016, Cincinnati is 0-5 ATS as a favorite in a home opener.
QB Burrow is 34-24-1 as an NFL starter.
Cincinnati has new OC this year, though HC Taylor is really the OC.
New England won seven of last nine series games.
Patriots won four of last six visits to Cincinnati.
Vikings (-1) @ Giants
This is only 2nd time in last 8 years that Vikings are opening on road.
Last 7 years, Minnesota is 0-6-1 SU/0-7 ATS in road openers.
Under is 13-7 in their last 20 road openers.
QB Darnold is 21-35 as an NFL starter.
Under O’Connell, Vikings are 8-8-3 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Minnesota is one of 7 teams with same HC, coordinators as LY.
Last 13 years, Giants started season 0-1 eleven times (both wins by one point).
Since 2012, Giants are 2-10 SU/1-11 ATS in home openers.
QB Jones is 23-37-1 as an NFL starter.
Under Daboll, Giants are 5-4-1 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Giants’ last ten home openers stayed under the total.
New defensive coordinator for Big Blue this season.
Minnesota won four of last five series games.
Giants won last meeting, 31-24, in ’22 playoffs.
This is Vikings’ first visit to New Jersey since 2019.
Titans @ Bears (-4.5)
Last 7 years, underdog is 7-0 ATS in Titans’ Week 1 games.
Last 11 years, Tennessee is 9-2 SU/8-3 ATS in its road opener.
Since 2018, Titans are 28-16 ATS as a road underdog.
Titans’ last five season openers stayed under the total.
QB Levis is 3-6 as an NFL starter.
Titans have an all-new coaching staff.
Since 2003, QB’s taken with #1 pick in draft are 0-14-1 SU/1-14 ATS in their first start.
Last 10 years, Bears are 2-8 SU/4-6 ATS in Week 1 games.
Last 10 years, Chicago is 0-3 ATS as a Week 1 favorite.
Under Eberflus, Bears are 2-3-1 ATS as a favorite.
Bears have a 3rd-year HC but have two new coordinators TY.
Tennessee won three of last four meetings.
Titans won four of six visits to Chicago
Steelers @ Falcons (-3)
Steelers OC Smith was Atlanta’s head coach the last three years (21-30 W-L)
Since 2017, Pittsburgh is 22-12-1 as a road underdog.
QB Wilson is 124-79-1 as an NFL starter.
Last two years, Steelers were 7-3 ATS vs NFC squads.
Pittsburgh won/covered its last four road openers.
Steelers’ last seven road openers stayed under the total.
Raheem Morris is 21-38 as an NFL head coach.
Last four years, Atlanta is 4-13-1 ATS as a home favorite.
Last two years, Falcons were 3-6-1 ATS vs NFC squads.
New QB Cousins is 77-70-2 as an NFL starter.
Last 7 years, Falcons are 5-2 ATS in their home opener.
This is fifth year in a row Atlanta has opened season at home.
Pittsburgh won last four series games.
Falcons’ last series win was 41-38 in 2006, in OT.
Steelers are 8-2 SU in Atlanta.
Jaguars @ Dolphins (-3)
Jaguars are 19-17 SU under Pederson (15-50 previous four years)
Since 2018, Jaguars are 14-23-2 ATS as a road underdog.
QB Lawrence is 21-31 as an NFL starter.
Last 7 years, Jaguars are 3-4 SU/5-2 ATS in road openers.
Jacksonville’s last four road openers went over the total.
Under Pederson, Jaguars are 8-7 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Under McDaniel, Miami is 10-4 ATS as a home favorite.
Since 2013, Dolphins are 8-2 ATS in Week 1 games.
QB Tagovailoa is 32-20 as an NFL starter.
Miami is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 home openers.
Over is 12-3 in their last fifteen home openers.
Under McDaniel, Miami is 4-5 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Jacksonville won three of last four series games.
Jaguars won two of three visits to Miami.
Famous birthdays, September 3rd:
Valerie Perrine, 81
Steve Schirripa, 66
Charlie Sheen, 59
Luis Gonzalez, 57
Robert Bailey, 56
George Lynch, 54
Damon Stoudamire, 51
Mason Crosby, 40
David Peterson, 29
Texans (-3) @ Colts
Houston was 10-7 LY, its first winning year since 2019.
Since 2016, Texans are 2-7-2 ATS as a road favorite.
Last 7 years, Texans are 5-2 ATS in road openers.
2nd-year QB Stroud is 10-7 as an NFL starter.
Under is 7-2 in their last nine road openers.
Houston is one of 7 teams with same HC, coordinators as LY.
Last 10 years, Colts are 0-9-1 SU/1-8-1 ATS in Week 1.
Since 2020, Colts are 3-8-1ATS in AFC South home games.
Since 2018, Indy is 5-7 ATS as a home underdog.
2nd-year QB Richardson is 2-2 as an NFL starter.
Colts are one of 7 teams with same HC, coordinators as LY.
Houston is 2-1-1 in last four meetings.
Texans won 32-21/23-19 in last two visits to Indy.
Under is 6-2 in last eight series games.
Underdogs are 8-5 ATS in last 13 meetings.
Panthers @ New Orleans (-4)
Last three years, Carolina is 7-15-1 ATS as road underdog.
2nd year QB Young is 2-14 as an NFL starter.
Last 5 years, Carolina is 1-4 SU/ATS in Week 1 games.
Since 2009, Panthers are 5-10 ATS in road openers.
Last nine years, Carolina is 11-15-1 ATS in NFC South road games.
Last three years, Saints missed playoffs, going 9-8/7-10/9-8
Last three years, New Orleans is 6-8 ATS as a home favorite.
QB Carr is 72-88 as an NFL starter.
Last 10 years, Saints are 4-6 SU/1-9 ATS in Week 1 games.
Last 9 years, New Orleans is 1-8 ATS in home openers.
Last six years, Saints are 8-10 ATS in NFC South home games.
Saints are 7-3 in last ten series games.
Panthers lost seven of last nine visits to New Orleans.
Last six series games stayed under the total.
Underdogs are 8-4 ATS in last dozen meetings.
Raiders @ Chargers (-3)
Raiders won their season opener four of last five years.
QB Minshew is 15-22 as an NFL starter; Raiders are his 4th team.
Since 2019, Las Vegas is 19-11 ATS as a road underdog.
Since 2007, Raiders are 12-4-1 ATS in road openers.
Last five years, Raiders are 9-6 ATS in AFC West road games.
Under is 5-2 in their last seven road openers.
Chargers also won their season opener four of last five years.
Harbaugh was 49-22-1 as 49ers’ coach (2011-14).
Since 2018, Bolts are 11-22-2 ATS as a home favorite.
QB Herbert is 30-33 as an NFL starter.
Last 7 years, Chargers are 2-5 ATS in their home opener.
Last four years, Chargers are 6-5-1 ATS in AFC West home games.
Home team won last six series games.
Raiders won last meeting 63-21 last year.
Raiders lost last three visits to SoFi, by 14-5-7 points.
Broncos @ Seahawks (-5.5)
Rookie QB Nix (61 college starts) makes his first NFL start.
In his career, Payton is 50-34-2 ATS as an underdog.
Last three years, Broncos are 7-10 ATS as a road underdog.
Last 7 years, Denver is 1-6 SU/2-5 ATS in road openers.
Last two years, Denver was 3-7 ATS vs NFC opponents.
Under is 4-2 in their last six road openers.
Last four years, Seahawks are 6-3 ATS as home favorites.
Since 2009, Seattle is 13-2 SU/10-5 ATS in home openers (3-5 ATS last 8).
Seattle is 10-7-2 ATS last 19 games vs AFC opponents.
QB Smith is 30-37 as an NFL starter, 18-18 with Seattle.
Under is 10-3 in their last 13 home openers.
First game as head coach for Mike MacDonald.
Seahawks won three of last four meetings.
Broncos lost last two visits to Seattle, 26-20/17-16.
Cowboys @ Browns (-2.5)
Last ten years, Dallas is 4-6 SU in Week 1 games.
Last four years, Cowboys are 6-10 ATS as a road underdog.
Last two years, Dallas was 4-8 ATS on natural grass.
QB Prescott is 75-46 as an NFL starter.
Last two years, Dallas was 6-4 ATS vs AFC opponents.
Cowboys covered four of their last five road openers.
Cleveland won last 2 season openers (1-21-1 from 1999-2021)
Browns were 11-6 LY, with four different QB’s getting a win.
Cleveland was 8-1 ATS at home LY, 6-0 as a home favorite.
QB Watson is 37-31 as an NFL starter, 8-4 with Browns.
Cleveland is 13-5-1 ATS in last 19 games vs NFC opponents.
Over is 4-1 in Browns’ last four home openers.
Dallas won four of five series games.
Browns won last meeting, 49-38 in 2020.
Cowboys won their last three visits to Cleveland.
Commanders @ Buccaneers (-3.5)
Rookie QB Daniels (55 college starts) makes his first NFL start.
Last eight years, Commanders are 29-23-1 ATS as road underdogs.
Last 5 years, Washington allowed 30+ points in road openers (1-4 SU/2-3 ATS)
Over is 4-1 in those five road openers.
Dan Quinn was 46-44 as coach of the Falcons (2015-20).
Last eight years, Washington has started 8 different QB’s in Week 1.
Under Bowles, Tampa Bay is 3-6-2 ATS as a home favorite.
Last four years, Tampa Bay is 4-0 SU/3-1 ATS in Week 1 games.
QB Mayfield is 42-28 as an NFL starter, 10-9 with Buccaneers.
Over is 3-1 in their last four home openers.
Last two years, under is 10-6 in Tampa Bay home games.
Washington won three of last four series games.
Commanders won last two visits to Tampa; their last loss here was in 2007.
Rams @ Lions (-3.5)
Under McVay, Rams started season 1-0 six of seven years.
Under McVay, Rams are 7-0 SU/5-2 ATS in road openers.
Under McVay, Rams are 11-10-2 ATS as a road underdog.
QB Stafford is 28-18 as Rams’ QB (was 74-93-1 with Detroit).
Over is 4-1 in Rams’ last five road openers.
Under Campbell, Lions are 9-4 ATS as a home favorite.
Last 9 years, Detroit is 2-7 SU/4-5 ATS in home openers.
Over is 6-1 in their last seven home openers.
QB Goff is 26-24-1 as Detroit’s QB (was 44-30 with Rams)
Last six years, Lions are 1-4-1 SU in Week 1 games.
Detroit beat LA 24-23 in LY’s playoffs.
Rams are 3-2 in last five series games.
Rams lost four of last five visits to Detroit.
Rams QB Stafford played for Detroit from 2009-20.
Lions QB Goff played for Rams from 2017-20.
Monday’s game
Jets @ 49ers (-3.5)
QB Rodgers played only 4 plays LY before he tore his achilles.
Rodgers is 159-85-1 as an NFL starter.
Last four years, Jets are 10-18 ATS as road underdogs.
Jets are 5-13-1 ATS in last 19 games vs NFC opponents.
Last 8 years, Jets are 2-6 SU/3-4-1 ATS in Week 1 games.
Over is 6-2 in their last eight road openers.
Jets coach Saleh was DC for 49ers from 2017-20.
Under Shanahan, San Francisco is 18-22-1 ATS as a home favorite.
Last two years, 49ers were 3-7 ATS vs AFC opponents.
QB Purdy is 21-5 as an NFL starter.
Last 7 years, 49ers are 3-4 SU/2-5 ATS in Week 1 games.
Under is 8-2 in their last ten home openers.
49ers are 11-3 in series games.
Jets are 2-4 in road meetings, winning last one 23-17 in OT in last one, in 2016.
Interesting college football spreads for this week:
— Virginia @ Wake Forest (-2.5)
— Tennessee (-7.5) vs NC State (@ Charlotte)
— Colorado @ Nebraska (-7.5)
— Texas Tech (-1.5) @ Washington State
— Mississippi State @ Arizona State (-6.5)
— Oregon State @ San Diego State (-4)
Quote of the Day
“I do not want to go to Brazil. You want to know why? I’m going to tell you why. They already told us not to leave the hotel. They told us we can’t do too much going on, because the crime rate is crazy. I’m like ‘NFL, why would you want to send us somewhere with a crime rate this high?'”
Philadelphia Eagles CB Darius Slay; the Eagles-Packers play in Brazil Friday night
Tuesday’s quiz
In the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who has the most passing yards?
Monday’s quiz
In the history of the Houston Astros, Craig Biggio has scored the most runs.
Sunday’s quiz
Terry Bowden (Bobby Bowden’s son) was Clemson’s football coach, before Dabo Swinney.
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Tuesday’s Den: our Week 1 NFL writeup……..
This information will be posted on our NFL page every week.Thursday’s game
Ravens @ Chiefs (-3)
Last 8 years, Baltimore is 7-1 SU/ATS in Week 1
Since 2015, Ravens are 20-9-2 ATS as a road underdog.
QB Jackson is 60-23 as an NFL starter.
Since 2008, Ravens are 11-5 ATS in their road opener.
Last three years, under is 15-10 in Baltimore’s road games.
Ravens have a first-time defensive coordinator.
Last 7 years, Chiefs are 5-2 ATS in Week 1.
Last four years, under is 21-11-1 in games at Arrowhead.
QB Mahomes is 89-25 as an NFL starter.
Last 3 years, Kansas City is 0-3 ATS in its home opener.
Last 21 years, defending Super Bowl champ is 11-7-3 ATS in Week 1 the next three years, 0-3 the last three years.
Chiefs won five of last six meetings.
Chiefs won 17-10 in Baltimore, in LY’s playoffs.
Ravens are 3-2 in Arrowhead, losing last two visits.
Friday’s game (@ San Paulo, Brazil)
Packers vs Eagles (-2.5)
Green Bay is 19-8 ATS in last 27 games as an underdog.
Last 6 years, Packers are 2-4 ATS in Week 1.
QB Love is 10-10 as an NFL starter.
Green Bay hasn’t opened at home since 2018.
Former Boston College HC Hafley is Green Bay’s new DC.
QB Hurts is 36-20 as an NFL starter.
Eagles have two new coordinators; Kellen Moore is new OC.
Last 8 years, Eagles are 7-1 SU/5-3 ATS in Week 1.
Since 2018, Eagles are 28-39-1 ATS as a favorite.
Last 5 years, over is 3-1-1 in their season opener.
Teams split their last six series games.
Eagles won last meeting 40-33, two years ago.
Sunday’s games
Cardinals @ Bills (-6.5)
Last 5 years, Arizona is 2-2-1 SU/4-1 ATS in Week 1.
Cardinals are 20-11-1 ATS in last 32 games as a road underdog.
QB Murray is 28-37-1 SU as an NFL starter.
Last three years, Arizona is 9-6 ATS vs AFC opponents.
Under is 5-1 in their last six road openers.
Arizona is one of 7 teams with same HC, coordinators as LY.
Last 8 years, Bills are only 4-4 SU in their season opener.
Last 5 years, Buffalo is 4-1 SU/3-2 ATS in its home opener.
Last 3 years, Bills are 12-12-1 ATS as a home favorite.
Since 2019, Buffalo is 14-8-1 ATS vs NFC opponents.
QB Allen is 68-35 as an NFL starter.
Under is 4-1 in their last five season openers.
Bills won six of last eight meetings.
Cardinals lost four of five visits to Buffalo.
Cardinals’ only win here was in first visit, in 1971.
Patriots @ Bengals (-9.5)
Patriots’ first game since 1999 without Belichick as coach.
Last 3 years, New England is 0-3 SU/ATS in Week 1.
Last 4 years, New England is 9-12 ATS as a road underdog.
Last 9 years, Patriots are 6-3 ATS in road openers.
Patriots starting QB Brissett is 18-30 as an NFL starter.
Last 2 years, Bengals are 9-3-2 ATS as a home favorite.
Last 8 years, Bengals are 2-6 SU/ATS in home openers.
Since 2016, Cincinnati is 0-5 ATS as a favorite in a home opener.
QB Burrow is 34-24-1 as an NFL starter.
Cincinnati has new OC this year, though HC Taylor is really the OC.
New England won seven of last nine series games.
Patriots won four of last six visits to Cincinnati.
Vikings (-1) @ Giants
This is only 2nd time in last 8 years that Vikings are opening on road.
Last 7 years, Minnesota is 0-6-1 SU/0-7 ATS in road openers.
Under is 13-7 in their last 20 road openers.
QB Darnold is 21-35 as an NFL starter.
Under O’Connell, Vikings are 8-8-3 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Minnesota is one of 7 teams with same HC, coordinators as LY.
Last 13 years, Giants started season 0-1 eleven times (both wins by one point).
Since 2012, Giants are 2-10 SU/1-11 ATS in home openers.
QB Jones is 23-37-1 as an NFL starter.
Under Daboll, Giants are 5-4-1 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Giants’ last ten home openers stayed under the total.
New defensive coordinator for Big Blue this season.
Minnesota won four of last five series games.
Giants won last meeting, 31-24, in ’22 playoffs.
This is Vikings’ first visit to New Jersey since 2019.
Titans @ Bears (-4.5)
Last 7 years, underdog is 7-0 ATS in Titans’ Week 1 games.
Last 11 years, Tennessee is 9-2 SU/8-3 ATS in its road opener.
Since 2018, Titans are 28-16 ATS as a road underdog.
Titans’ last five season openers stayed under the total.
QB Levis is 3-6 as an NFL starter.
Titans have an all-new coaching staff.
Since 2003, QB’s taken with #1 pick in draft are 0-14-1 SU/1-14 ATS in their first start.
Last 10 years, Bears are 2-8 SU/4-6 ATS in Week 1 games.
Last 10 years, Chicago is 0-3 ATS as a Week 1 favorite.
Under Eberflus, Bears are 2-3-1 ATS as a favorite.
Bears have a 3rd-year HC but have two new coordinators TY.
Tennessee won three of last four meetings.
Titans won four of six visits to Chicago
Steelers @ Falcons (-3)
Steelers OC Smith was Atlanta’s head coach the last three years (21-30 W-L)
Since 2017, Pittsburgh is 22-12-1 as a road underdog.
QB Wilson is 124-79-1 as an NFL starter.
Last two years, Steelers were 7-3 ATS vs NFC squads.
Pittsburgh won/covered its last four road openers.
Steelers’ last seven road openers stayed under the total.
Raheem Morris is 21-38 as an NFL head coach.
Last four years, Atlanta is 4-13-1 ATS as a home favorite.
Last two years, Falcons were 3-6-1 ATS vs NFC squads.
New QB Cousins is 77-70-2 as an NFL starter.
Last 7 years, Falcons are 5-2 ATS in their home opener.
This is fifth year in a row Atlanta has opened season at home.
Pittsburgh won last four series games.
Falcons’ last series win was 41-38 in 2006, in OT.
Steelers are 8-2 SU in Atlanta.
Jaguars @ Dolphins (-3)
Jaguars are 19-17 SU under Pederson (15-50 previous four years)
Since 2018, Jaguars are 14-23-2 ATS as a road underdog.
QB Lawrence is 21-31 as an NFL starter.
Last 7 years, Jaguars are 3-4 SU/5-2 ATS in road openers.
Jacksonville’s last four road openers went over the total.
Under Pederson, Jaguars are 8-7 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Under McDaniel, Miami is 10-4 ATS as a home favorite.
Since 2013, Dolphins are 8-2 ATS in Week 1 games.
QB Tagovailoa is 32-20 as an NFL starter.
Miami is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 home openers.
Over is 12-3 in their last fifteen home openers.
Under McDaniel, Miami is 4-5 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Jacksonville won three of last four series games.
Jaguars won two of three visits to Miami.
Famous birthdays, September 3rd:
Valerie Perrine, 81
Steve Schirripa, 66
Charlie Sheen, 59
Luis Gonzalez, 57
Robert Bailey, 56
George Lynch, 54
Damon Stoudamire, 51
Mason Crosby, 40
David Peterson, 29
Texans (-3) @ Colts
Houston was 10-7 LY, its first winning year since 2019.
Since 2016, Texans are 2-7-2 ATS as a road favorite.
Last 7 years, Texans are 5-2 ATS in road openers.
2nd-year QB Stroud is 10-7 as an NFL starter.
Under is 7-2 in their last nine road openers.
Houston is one of 7 teams with same HC, coordinators as LY.
Last 10 years, Colts are 0-9-1 SU/1-8-1 ATS in Week 1.
Since 2020, Colts are 3-8-1ATS in AFC South home games.
Since 2018, Indy is 5-7 ATS as a home underdog.
2nd-year QB Richardson is 2-2 as an NFL starter.
Colts are one of 7 teams with same HC, coordinators as LY.
Houston is 2-1-1 in last four meetings.
Texans won 32-21/23-19 in last two visits to Indy.
Under is 6-2 in last eight series games.
Underdogs are 8-5 ATS in last 13 meetings.
Panthers @ New Orleans (-4)
Last three years, Carolina is 7-15-1 ATS as road underdog.
2nd year QB Young is 2-14 as an NFL starter.
Last 5 years, Carolina is 1-4 SU/ATS in Week 1 games.
Since 2009, Panthers are 5-10 ATS in road openers.
Last nine years, Carolina is 11-15-1 ATS in NFC South road games.
Last three years, Saints missed playoffs, going 9-8/7-10/9-8
Last three years, New Orleans is 6-8 ATS as a home favorite.
QB Carr is 72-88 as an NFL starter.
Last 10 years, Saints are 4-6 SU/1-9 ATS in Week 1 games.
Last 9 years, New Orleans is 1-8 ATS in home openers.
Last six years, Saints are 8-10 ATS in NFC South home games.
Saints are 7-3 in last ten series games.
Panthers lost seven of last nine visits to New Orleans.
Last six series games stayed under the total.
Underdogs are 8-4 ATS in last dozen meetings.
Raiders @ Chargers (-3)
Raiders won their season opener four of last five years.
QB Minshew is 15-22 as an NFL starter; Raiders are his 4th team.
Since 2019, Las Vegas is 19-11 ATS as a road underdog.
Since 2007, Raiders are 12-4-1 ATS in road openers.
Last five years, Raiders are 9-6 ATS in AFC West road games.
Under is 5-2 in their last seven road openers.
Chargers also won their season opener four of last five years.
Harbaugh was 49-22-1 as 49ers’ coach (2011-14).
Since 2018, Bolts are 11-22-2 ATS as a home favorite.
QB Herbert is 30-33 as an NFL starter.
Last 7 years, Chargers are 2-5 ATS in their home opener.
Last four years, Chargers are 6-5-1 ATS in AFC West home games.
Home team won last six series games.
Raiders won last meeting 63-21 last year.
Raiders lost last three visits to SoFi, by 14-5-7 points.
Broncos @ Seahawks (-5.5)
Rookie QB Nix (61 college starts) makes his first NFL start.
In his career, Payton is 50-34-2 ATS as an underdog.
Last three years, Broncos are 7-10 ATS as a road underdog.
Last 7 years, Denver is 1-6 SU/2-5 ATS in road openers.
Last two years, Denver was 3-7 ATS vs NFC opponents.
Under is 4-2 in their last six road openers.
Last four years, Seahawks are 6-3 ATS as home favorites.
Since 2009, Seattle is 13-2 SU/10-5 ATS in home openers (3-5 ATS last 8).
Seattle is 10-7-2 ATS last 19 games vs AFC opponents.
QB Smith is 30-37 as an NFL starter, 18-18 with Seattle.
Under is 10-3 in their last 13 home openers.
First game as head coach for Mike MacDonald.
Seahawks won three of last four meetings.
Broncos lost last two visits to Seattle, 26-20/17-16.
Cowboys @ Browns (-2.5)
Last ten years, Dallas is 4-6 SU in Week 1 games.
Last four years, Cowboys are 6-10 ATS as a road underdog.
Last two years, Dallas was 4-8 ATS on natural grass.
QB Prescott is 75-46 as an NFL starter.
Last two years, Dallas was 6-4 ATS vs AFC opponents.
Cowboys covered four of their last five road openers.
Cleveland won last 2 season openers (1-21-1 from 1999-2021)
Browns were 11-6 LY, with four different QB’s getting a win.
Cleveland was 8-1 ATS at home LY, 6-0 as a home favorite.
QB Watson is 37-31 as an NFL starter, 8-4 with Browns.
Cleveland is 13-5-1 ATS in last 19 games vs NFC opponents.
Over is 4-1 in Browns’ last four home openers.
Dallas won four of five series games.
Browns won last meeting, 49-38 in 2020.
Cowboys won their last three visits to Cleveland.
Commanders @ Buccaneers (-3.5)
Rookie QB Daniels (55 college starts) makes his first NFL start.
Last eight years, Commanders are 29-23-1 ATS as road underdogs.
Last 5 years, Washington allowed 30+ points in road openers (1-4 SU/2-3 ATS)
Over is 4-1 in those five road openers.
Dan Quinn was 46-44 as coach of the Falcons (2015-20).
Last eight years, Washington has started 8 different QB’s in Week 1.
Under Bowles, Tampa Bay is 3-6-2 ATS as a home favorite.
Last four years, Tampa Bay is 4-0 SU/3-1 ATS in Week 1 games.
QB Mayfield is 42-28 as an NFL starter, 10-9 with Buccaneers.
Over is 3-1 in their last four home openers.
Last two years, under is 10-6 in Tampa Bay home games.
Washington won three of last four series games.
Commanders won last two visits to Tampa; their last loss here was in 2007.
Rams @ Lions (-3.5)
Under McVay, Rams started season 1-0 six of seven years.
Under McVay, Rams are 7-0 SU/5-2 ATS in road openers.
Under McVay, Rams are 11-10-2 ATS as a road underdog.
QB Stafford is 28-18 as Rams’ QB (was 74-93-1 with Detroit).
Over is 4-1 in Rams’ last five road openers.
Under Campbell, Lions are 9-4 ATS as a home favorite.
Last 9 years, Detroit is 2-7 SU/4-5 ATS in home openers.
Over is 6-1 in their last seven home openers.
QB Goff is 26-24-1 as Detroit’s QB (was 44-30 with Rams)
Last six years, Lions are 1-4-1 SU in Week 1 games.
Detroit beat LA 24-23 in LY’s playoffs.
Rams are 3-2 in last five series games.
Rams lost four of last five visits to Detroit.
Rams QB Stafford played for Detroit from 2009-20.
Lions QB Goff played for Rams from 2017-20.
Monday’s game
Jets @ 49ers (-3.5)
QB Rodgers played only 4 plays LY before he tore his achilles.
Rodgers is 159-85-1 as an NFL starter.
Last four years, Jets are 10-18 ATS as road underdogs.
Jets are 5-13-1 ATS in last 19 games vs NFC opponents.
Last 8 years, Jets are 2-6 SU/3-4-1 ATS in Week 1 games.
Over is 6-2 in their last eight road openers.
Jets coach Saleh was DC for 49ers from 2017-20.
Under Shanahan, San Francisco is 18-22-1 ATS as a home favorite.
Last two years, 49ers were 3-7 ATS vs AFC opponents.
QB Purdy is 21-5 as an NFL starter.
Last 7 years, 49ers are 3-4 SU/2-5 ATS in Week 1 games.
Under is 8-2 in their last ten home openers.
49ers are 11-3 in series games.
Jets are 2-4 in road meetings, winning last one 23-17 in OT in last one, in 2016.
Armadillo Sports
Wednesday’s 6-pack:
Sites for the Final Four the next six years:
2025— San Antonio
2026— Indianapolis
2027— Detroit
2028— Las Vegas
2029— Indianapolis
2030— Dallas
Quote of the Day
“Last year, I was in the worst mental space I’ve been in since I’ve been in the league. If I’m not in a good space, obviously that’s not the best for me. So that’s when things had to start shaking out.”
Texans WR Stefon Diggs, talking about why he left Buffalo after last year
Wednesday’s quiz
In the movie Someone to Watch Over Me, Tom Berenger is a New York City cop assigned to protect a woman who witnessed a murder. What well-known actress played the witness?
Tuesday’s quiz
In the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jameis Winston has the most passing yards.
Monday’s quiz
In the history of the Houston Astros, Craig Biggio has scored the most runs.
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Wednesday’s Den: Mid-week musings…….
— Milwaukee Brewers’ SS Willie Adames hit his 29th home run on his 29th birthday Monday, as the Brewers beat St Louis. Adames also hit his 13th 3-run homer of the season, tying Ken Griffey Jr (1996) for the most 3-run homers in a season.
Adames has homered in five straight games, leading Milwaukee to a 10-game lead in NL Central.
— Baltimore Orioles were -455 against the hapless White Sox Monday, the biggest betting favorite in any major league game this season.
Orioles won 13-3; White Sox have now lost 12 games in a row overall, and have lost Chris Flexen’s last 20 starts, which is an all-time record, breaking the previous mark, which was set way back in 1909.
— Mets’ TV announcers are pushing SS Francisco Lindor for MVP; he’s reached base in his last 31 games, which reminds me of baseball’s most underrated record.
In 1949, Ted Williams reached base in 84 straight games, which is the all-time record; no one ever talks about this, but it is an awesome record. Williams had a .490 on-base %age that year. In 1941, he had a .553 on-base %age. Amazing.
— Boston College 28, Florida State 13
Eagles were 9-16 on third down, Florida State 3-13.
BC outrushed the Seminoles, 263-21.
Florida State is just third team in last 45 years to start a season 0-2, when they were a double digit favorite in both games:
1978 Notre Dame lost to Missouri and Michigan
2007 Michigan lost to Appalachian State and Oregon.
— They have 2:00 warnings in college football now; one of the over-educated morons who run the sport finally figured out that if they had 2:00 warnings, they could run 10 more minutes of commercials and make a boatload of extra money. Go figure.
Weird thing is, they don’t called it “2:00 warning” they call it “2:00 timeout”
“There is a new two-minute timeout. We’ve been asked not to call it a warning.” Rece Davis said on TV Sunday night.
— How football has changed over the years:
From 1971-73, Miami Dolphins played in three straight Super Bowls; in those three games, Miami threw a TOTAL of 41 passes.
Chiefs beat San Francisco 25-22 in last year’s Super Bowl; Patrick Mahomes threw 46 passes in that game. Brock Purdy threw 38.
— In case you were wondering, 17 NFL teams play their home games on artificial turf, 15 play their home games on natural grass.
— Famous birthdays, September 4th:
Wendell Tucker, 81
Kevin Stacom, 73
Khandi Alexander, 67
Mike Piazza, 56
Ione Skye, 54
Scott Tolzien, 37
Adam Duvall, 36
JJ Hickson, 36
Andres Gimenez, 26
— Phillies 10, Blue Jays 9
Toronto led 6-1 in the first inning.
Kyle Schwarber went 5-6 with 3 homers, 6 RBI
Schwarber’s 3-run tater was aa game-winning in 9th inning.
Schwarber’s box score line was 6-4-5-6…….last time a major leaguer had a 6-4-5-6 game, with three home runs, was the great Dave Winfield, in 1991.
— Braves 3, Rockies 0
Chris Sale tossed seven shutout IP.
This will be the 6th year in a row Colorado will finish win a win %age under .460, all with Bud Black as manager; the last major league team to have six straight losing years like that, under the same manager, was in 1934-43, the Philadelphia A’s under Connie Mack.
— Diamondbacks 8, Giants 7
Randal Grichuk hit two homers, now has 199 career home runs.
Arizona has won its last seven road games.
Giants drew a season-low 23,545 fans at home.
— Dodgers 6, Angels 2 (10)
Mookie Betts hit a 3-run homer in 10th inning.
Angels walked Shohei Ohtani intentionally before Betts’ home run.
— Pirates 5, Cubs 0
Cubs scored total of 3 runs losing to Pittsburgh the last two nights.
Last week, Cubs scored 41 runs in a 3-game sweep at Pittsburgh.
Rookie Paul Skenes needed 100 pitches to get thru five shutout IP.
— Rangers 7, Bronx 4
New York led 4-1 in 8th inning.
Wyatt Langford hit a walk-off grand slam for Texas.
It was the Rangers’ third walk-off win in their last four games.
— A’s 3, Mariners 2
Seth Brown had a walk-off single in ninth inning.
A crowd of 3,924 saw the A’s sixth walk-off win this season.
Hogan Harris tossed three shutout IP in relief for Oakland.
Wednesday’s 6-pack:
Sites for the Final Four the next six years:
2025— San Antonio
2026— Indianapolis
2027— Detroit
2028— Las Vegas
2029— Indianapolis
2030— Dallas
Quote of the Day
“Last year, I was in the worst mental space I’ve been in since I’ve been in the league. If I’m not in a good space, obviously that’s not the best for me. So that’s when things had to start shaking out.”
Texans WR Stefon Diggs, talking about why he left Buffalo after last year
Wednesday’s quiz
In the movie Someone to Watch Over Me, Tom Berenger is a New York City cop assigned to protect a woman who witnessed a murder. What well-known actress played the witness?
Tuesday’s quiz
In the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jameis Winston has the most passing yards.
Monday’s quiz
In the history of the Houston Astros, Craig Biggio has scored the most runs.
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Wednesday’s Den: Mid-week musings…….
— Milwaukee Brewers’ SS Willie Adames hit his 29th home run on his 29th birthday Monday, as the Brewers beat St Louis. Adames also hit his 13th 3-run homer of the season, tying Ken Griffey Jr (1996) for the most 3-run homers in a season.
Adames has homered in five straight games, leading Milwaukee to a 10-game lead in NL Central.
— Baltimore Orioles were -455 against the hapless White Sox Monday, the biggest betting favorite in any major league game this season.
Orioles won 13-3; White Sox have now lost 12 games in a row overall, and have lost Chris Flexen’s last 20 starts, which is an all-time record, breaking the previous mark, which was set way back in 1909.
— Mets’ TV announcers are pushing SS Francisco Lindor for MVP; he’s reached base in his last 31 games, which reminds me of baseball’s most underrated record.
In 1949, Ted Williams reached base in 84 straight games, which is the all-time record; no one ever talks about this, but it is an awesome record. Williams had a .490 on-base %age that year. In 1941, he had a .553 on-base %age. Amazing.
— Boston College 28, Florida State 13
Eagles were 9-16 on third down, Florida State 3-13.
BC outrushed the Seminoles, 263-21.
Florida State is just third team in last 45 years to start a season 0-2, when they were a double digit favorite in both games:
1978 Notre Dame lost to Missouri and Michigan
2007 Michigan lost to Appalachian State and Oregon.
— They have 2:00 warnings in college football now; one of the over-educated morons who run the sport finally figured out that if they had 2:00 warnings, they could run 10 more minutes of commercials and make a boatload of extra money. Go figure.
Weird thing is, they don’t called it “2:00 warning” they call it “2:00 timeout”
“There is a new two-minute timeout. We’ve been asked not to call it a warning.” Rece Davis said on TV Sunday night.
— How football has changed over the years:
From 1971-73, Miami Dolphins played in three straight Super Bowls; in those three games, Miami threw a TOTAL of 41 passes.
Chiefs beat San Francisco 25-22 in last year’s Super Bowl; Patrick Mahomes threw 46 passes in that game. Brock Purdy threw 38.
— In case you were wondering, 17 NFL teams play their home games on artificial turf, 15 play their home games on natural grass.
— Famous birthdays, September 4th:
Wendell Tucker, 81
Kevin Stacom, 73
Khandi Alexander, 67
Mike Piazza, 56
Ione Skye, 54
Scott Tolzien, 37
Adam Duvall, 36
JJ Hickson, 36
Andres Gimenez, 26
— Phillies 10, Blue Jays 9
Toronto led 6-1 in the first inning.
Kyle Schwarber went 5-6 with 3 homers, 6 RBI
Schwarber’s 3-run tater was aa game-winning in 9th inning.
Schwarber’s box score line was 6-4-5-6…….last time a major leaguer had a 6-4-5-6 game, with three home runs, was the great Dave Winfield, in 1991.
— Braves 3, Rockies 0
Chris Sale tossed seven shutout IP.
This will be the 6th year in a row Colorado will finish win a win %age under .460, all with Bud Black as manager; the last major league team to have six straight losing years like that, under the same manager, was in 1934-43, the Philadelphia A’s under Connie Mack.
— Diamondbacks 8, Giants 7
Randal Grichuk hit two homers, now has 199 career home runs.
Arizona has won its last seven road games.
Giants drew a season-low 23,545 fans at home.
— Dodgers 6, Angels 2 (10)
Mookie Betts hit a 3-run homer in 10th inning.
Angels walked Shohei Ohtani intentionally before Betts’ home run.
— Pirates 5, Cubs 0
Cubs scored total of 3 runs losing to Pittsburgh the last two nights.
Last week, Cubs scored 41 runs in a 3-game sweep at Pittsburgh.
Rookie Paul Skenes needed 100 pitches to get thru five shutout IP.
— Rangers 7, Bronx 4
New York led 4-1 in 8th inning.
Wyatt Langford hit a walk-off grand slam for Texas.
It was the Rangers’ third walk-off win in their last four games.
— A’s 3, Mariners 2
Seth Brown had a walk-off single in ninth inning.
A crowd of 3,924 saw the A’s sixth walk-off win this season.
Hogan Harris tossed three shutout IP in relief for Oakland.
Thursday’s quiz
Who threw the first no-hitter in Arizona Diamondbacks’ history?
Wednesday’s quiz
In the movie Someone to Watch Over Me, Tom Berenger is a New York City cop assigned to protect a woman who witnessed a murder. Mimi Rogers played the witness.
Tuesday’s quiz
In the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jameis Winston has the most passing yards.
******************************************
2003: Buccaneers (+3) W17-0 @ Philadelphia
2004: Patriots (-3) W27-24 vs Indianapolis
2005: Patriots (-7.5) W30-20 vs Oakland
2006: Steelers (-1) W28-17 vs Miami
2007: Colts (-5.5) W41-10 vs New Orleans
2008: Giants (-4.5) W16-7 vs Washington
2009: Steelers (-6.5) W13-10 vs Tennessee
2010: Saints (-5) W14-9 vs Minnesota
2011: Packers (-5) W42-34 vs New Orleans
2012: Giants (-5) L17-24 vs Dallas
2013: Ravens (+7.5) L27-49 @ Denver
2014: Seahawks (-5.5) W36-16 vs Green Bay
2015: Patriots (-7) W28-21 vs Pittsburgh
2016: Broncos (+3) W21-20 vs Carolina
2017: Patriots (-8) L27-42 vs Kansas City
2018: Eagles (-1) W18-12 vs Atlanta
2019: Patriots (-5.5) W33-3 vs Pittsburgh
2020: Chiefs (-9) W34-20 vs Houston
2021: Buccaneers (-8) W31-29 vs Dallas
2022: Rams (+2.5) L10-31 vs Buffalo
2023: Chiefs (-4.5) L20-21 vs Detroit
(11-7-3 ATS, 0-3 ATS last three years)
— 17 of the 32 offensive coordinators are in new jobs this season; makes it difficult to handicap Week 1, not much idea what to expect.
— Steelers brought in Russell Wilson AND Justin Fields this year, as they totally re-made their QB room. Wilson is 124-79-1 with a Super Bowl ring, but he was 17-27 the last three years and he will be 36 years old in November.
Fields is 10-28 as an NFL starter, heading towards suspect more than prospect. Will they use him in goal line/short yardage situations?
— Pittsburgh OC Arthur Smith was the Falcons’ head coach the last three years, going 7-10 all three seasons, so they fired him; Steelers open up in Atlanta Sunday.
Think that game is a little personal for Smith?
— Deshaun Watson has already gone thru two years of his guaranteed, five-year $46M/year contract, but he’s only played in 12 of 34 games for the Browns so far. Cleveland went 11-6 last year, with four different QB’s earning a win- that isn’t sustainable- they need Watson to play like a QB who deserves $46M a year.
— Eagles started 10-1 last year, then lost six of their last seven games, then changed both of their coordinators— it came out that QB Jalen Hurts and coach Nick Sirianni aren’t exactly the best of buddies, which puts the focus on new OC Kellen Moore, who spent eight of the last nine years with division rival Dallas.
This is a franchise that let Andy Reid/Doug Peterson walk; is Sirianni on thin ice?
— Aaron Donald retired; when a team loses one of the best defensive players ever, it puts their defense in question, especially with a new defensive coordinator (Chris Shula).
— Famous birthdays, September 5th:
William Devane, 85
Billy Kilmer, 85
Michael Keaton, 73
Willie Gault, 64
Dennis Scott, 56
Austin Corbett, 29
Jarren Duran, 28
Steven Kwan, 27
Mac Jones, 26
— Jets’ QB Aaron Rodgers tore his achilles on the 4th play last season; his health is obviously a big key as the Jets try to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Jets have five prime-time games and a Europe game in their first nine contests; someone in the league office thinks Gang Green is a contender.
— Chargers QB Justin Herbert battled a plantar fascia injury all summer; he was in a walking boot for two weeks. Chargers recently traded for Taylor Heinicke to back up Herbert; Heinicke is 13-16-1 as an NFL starter.
— Last five years, Buffalo Bills are 58-24 in regular season, only 5-5 in playoff games; Bills have problems with the salary cap these days, the way a lot of contending teams do, so their roster may be a little thinner this season than it has been.
— It is difficult for me to process that Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll are no longer NFL coaches; did they suddenly become incompetent? Hopefully Carroll will surface on TV somewhere; with his enthusiasm, he’d be a great teacher on TV.
Belichick seems like he is kind of boring; hopefully I’ll be wrong about that, but we’ll see.
— Should rookie QB’s start right away? Patrick Mahomes didn’t start until the last game of his rookie year; watching for a while can be a help.
Bears/Commanders are going with rookie QB’s right away; we’ll see how that works out.
— How last 20 Super Bowl losers did in Week 1 the following season:
2003: Raiders (+3) L20-25 @ Tennessee
2004: Panthers (-3) L14-24 vs Green Bay
2005: Eagles (-1) L10-14 @ Atlanta
2006: Seahawks (-6) W9-6 @ Detroit
2007: Bears (+7) L3-19 @ San Diego
2008: Patriots (-16) W17-10 vs Kansas City
2009: Cardinals (-5) L16-20 vs San Francisco
2010: Colts (-1.5) L24-34 @ Houston
2011: Steelers (+1) L7-35 @ Baltimore
2012: Patriots (-5) W34-13 @ Tennessee
2013: 49ers (-5) W34-28 vs Green Bay
2014: Broncos (-7.5) W31-24 vs Indianapolis
2015: Seahawks (-3.5) L31-34 OT @ Rams
2016: Panthers (-3) L20-21 @ Denver
2017: Falcons (-6.5) W23-17 @ Chicago
2018: Patriots (-6.5) W27-20 vs Houston
2019: Rams (-1.5) W30-27 @ Carolina
2020: 49ers (-7) L20-24 vs Arizona
2021: Chiefs (-5.5) W33-29 vs Cleveland
2022: Bengals (-7) L20-23 OT vs Pittsburgh
2023: Eagles (-3.5) W25-20 @ Philadelphia
(5-16 ATS, 3-3 ATS last six years)
Who threw the first no-hitter in Arizona Diamondbacks’ history?
Wednesday’s quiz
In the movie Someone to Watch Over Me, Tom Berenger is a New York City cop assigned to protect a woman who witnessed a murder. Mimi Rogers played the witness.
Tuesday’s quiz
In the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jameis Winston has the most passing yards.
******************************************
Thursday’s Den: NFL notes, thoughts with the season starting tonite…….
How last 20 defending Super Bowl champs did in Week 1 the next season; 15 of the last 16 opened at home:2003: Buccaneers (+3) W17-0 @ Philadelphia
2004: Patriots (-3) W27-24 vs Indianapolis
2005: Patriots (-7.5) W30-20 vs Oakland
2006: Steelers (-1) W28-17 vs Miami
2007: Colts (-5.5) W41-10 vs New Orleans
2008: Giants (-4.5) W16-7 vs Washington
2009: Steelers (-6.5) W13-10 vs Tennessee
2010: Saints (-5) W14-9 vs Minnesota
2011: Packers (-5) W42-34 vs New Orleans
2012: Giants (-5) L17-24 vs Dallas
2013: Ravens (+7.5) L27-49 @ Denver
2014: Seahawks (-5.5) W36-16 vs Green Bay
2015: Patriots (-7) W28-21 vs Pittsburgh
2016: Broncos (+3) W21-20 vs Carolina
2017: Patriots (-8) L27-42 vs Kansas City
2018: Eagles (-1) W18-12 vs Atlanta
2019: Patriots (-5.5) W33-3 vs Pittsburgh
2020: Chiefs (-9) W34-20 vs Houston
2021: Buccaneers (-8) W31-29 vs Dallas
2022: Rams (+2.5) L10-31 vs Buffalo
2023: Chiefs (-4.5) L20-21 vs Detroit
(11-7-3 ATS, 0-3 ATS last three years)
— 17 of the 32 offensive coordinators are in new jobs this season; makes it difficult to handicap Week 1, not much idea what to expect.
— Steelers brought in Russell Wilson AND Justin Fields this year, as they totally re-made their QB room. Wilson is 124-79-1 with a Super Bowl ring, but he was 17-27 the last three years and he will be 36 years old in November.
Fields is 10-28 as an NFL starter, heading towards suspect more than prospect. Will they use him in goal line/short yardage situations?
— Pittsburgh OC Arthur Smith was the Falcons’ head coach the last three years, going 7-10 all three seasons, so they fired him; Steelers open up in Atlanta Sunday.
Think that game is a little personal for Smith?
— Deshaun Watson has already gone thru two years of his guaranteed, five-year $46M/year contract, but he’s only played in 12 of 34 games for the Browns so far. Cleveland went 11-6 last year, with four different QB’s earning a win- that isn’t sustainable- they need Watson to play like a QB who deserves $46M a year.
— Eagles started 10-1 last year, then lost six of their last seven games, then changed both of their coordinators— it came out that QB Jalen Hurts and coach Nick Sirianni aren’t exactly the best of buddies, which puts the focus on new OC Kellen Moore, who spent eight of the last nine years with division rival Dallas.
This is a franchise that let Andy Reid/Doug Peterson walk; is Sirianni on thin ice?
— Aaron Donald retired; when a team loses one of the best defensive players ever, it puts their defense in question, especially with a new defensive coordinator (Chris Shula).
— Famous birthdays, September 5th:
William Devane, 85
Billy Kilmer, 85
Michael Keaton, 73
Willie Gault, 64
Dennis Scott, 56
Austin Corbett, 29
Jarren Duran, 28
Steven Kwan, 27
Mac Jones, 26
— Jets’ QB Aaron Rodgers tore his achilles on the 4th play last season; his health is obviously a big key as the Jets try to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Jets have five prime-time games and a Europe game in their first nine contests; someone in the league office thinks Gang Green is a contender.
— Chargers QB Justin Herbert battled a plantar fascia injury all summer; he was in a walking boot for two weeks. Chargers recently traded for Taylor Heinicke to back up Herbert; Heinicke is 13-16-1 as an NFL starter.
— Last five years, Buffalo Bills are 58-24 in regular season, only 5-5 in playoff games; Bills have problems with the salary cap these days, the way a lot of contending teams do, so their roster may be a little thinner this season than it has been.
— It is difficult for me to process that Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll are no longer NFL coaches; did they suddenly become incompetent? Hopefully Carroll will surface on TV somewhere; with his enthusiasm, he’d be a great teacher on TV.
Belichick seems like he is kind of boring; hopefully I’ll be wrong about that, but we’ll see.
— Should rookie QB’s start right away? Patrick Mahomes didn’t start until the last game of his rookie year; watching for a while can be a help.
Bears/Commanders are going with rookie QB’s right away; we’ll see how that works out.
— How last 20 Super Bowl losers did in Week 1 the following season:
2003: Raiders (+3) L20-25 @ Tennessee
2004: Panthers (-3) L14-24 vs Green Bay
2005: Eagles (-1) L10-14 @ Atlanta
2006: Seahawks (-6) W9-6 @ Detroit
2007: Bears (+7) L3-19 @ San Diego
2008: Patriots (-16) W17-10 vs Kansas City
2009: Cardinals (-5) L16-20 vs San Francisco
2010: Colts (-1.5) L24-34 @ Houston
2011: Steelers (+1) L7-35 @ Baltimore
2012: Patriots (-5) W34-13 @ Tennessee
2013: 49ers (-5) W34-28 vs Green Bay
2014: Broncos (-7.5) W31-24 vs Indianapolis
2015: Seahawks (-3.5) L31-34 OT @ Rams
2016: Panthers (-3) L20-21 @ Denver
2017: Falcons (-6.5) W23-17 @ Chicago
2018: Patriots (-6.5) W27-20 vs Houston
2019: Rams (-1.5) W30-27 @ Carolina
2020: 49ers (-7) L20-24 vs Arizona
2021: Chiefs (-5.5) W33-29 vs Cleveland
2022: Bengals (-7) L20-23 OT vs Pittsburgh
2023: Eagles (-3.5) W25-20 @ Philadelphia
(5-16 ATS, 3-3 ATS last six years)
