Indian Cowboy
5 Unit Play. Over 44 Jets @ Texans (Sunday @ 1pm). The Jets offense looked great over the offseason and that is primarily due to the wealth of quality quarterbacks they have. The total on this game has gone up slightly since its release and rightfully so. I suspect the Jets will be active dogs in this contest and put up 20+ points and in the same token, I expect a strong Houston offense against a porous Jets defense. But, more importantly, the Jets have a great shot at winning this game outright and I suspect they will be game. I look for the Jets to lead and early and help push this game over the posted total as Schaub and company will be playing catchup. The Over is 5-2-1 for the Jets when they are dogs by this margin and the Over is 6-0 for the Texans in September.
3 Unit Play. Under 43.5 Dolphins @ Falcons (Sunday @ 1pm). Its tough for me to say this as a Falcons fan, but this is a dangerous game for Atlanta. The Dolphins looked great over the preseason. I know the preseason doesn’t count for much to must, but the Dolphins went 4-0 and their defense looked solid holding opponents to just 13 total points on the road. This coaching staff and management stresses defense relentlessly. I’m not a big fan of the Dolphins offense as much as I am of their defense, but I suspect this game likely dips under the posted total. With the Dolphins offense still not having a wealth of playmakers and the Dolphins defense expected to carry the mantle, I like this game going under in Hotlanta as scoring will likely be at a premium.
3 Unit Play. #462. Cleveland Browns +4 (Sunday @ 1pm). I think the public is being set up for a burial here. With 77% riding the coat tails of Minnesota, I think the Browns likely get it done. Cleveland looked against Tennessee and Detroit at home and frankly, they looked against Chicago on the road. It is a battle of the Minnesota defense vs. the Cleveland offense. This game can go many ways, but at the end of the day, it is the biggest public fade of the day and now as the line stands at four. I like the Browns to cover here and have an outside shot at winning outright. I love public fades and usually I will be on at least one such fade. These two teams are familiar with each other and with having this game as a home opener and the line refusing to budge beyond the 4 point margin here, I look for the Browns to indeed make an upset. Remember, regardless of which quarterback takes over for Cleveland, they will be on a short leash and I expect efficient offensive drives. In the end, Cleveland likely loses by a field goal and I think the four points become significant here.
3 Unit Play. San Francisco 49ers +6.5 (Sunday @ 4:15pm). I think Arizona looked dismal during the preseason. With San Fran ending last season extremely strong, and making more strides this offseason, I expect them to start off very well in this division opener. This is a game that I believe San Fran can win outright and I think the points are an added bonus. I like the 49ers plus the points as remember, this team lost in a last second possession in this same field last time and they are certainly capable of winning this game outright. Arizona was outscored 53-100 during the preseason. This is a chance for San Fran to start the season fresh and frankly, I would not be a bit surprised if Singletary and company win this division or make the Wild Card this year.