8-8-14

[Can'tPickAWinner]

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MARC LAWRENCE

NFLX

2* N.O. Saints

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Dave Cokin

Jags -1

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Friday's NFL Week 1 preseason betting primer

The opening week of the NFL preseason continues in full force Friday with six games on the docket. Here's a look at betting notes for Friday's NFL preseason action:

Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons (-3, 37)

* The Dolphins are expected to be without several key offensive contributors Friday night, including running back Knowshon Moreno (knee), wide receiver Mike Wallace (hamstring) and tight end Charles Clay (knee). The quarterbacking play behind starter Ryan Tannehill will likely fall to Seth Lobato and Brock Jensen, a pair of undrafted free agents.

* Falcons star receiver Julio Jones will likely sit out the game as he makes his recovery from foot surgery, though he did practice on a limited basis Wednesday and is hopeful of seeing action at some point during the exhibition season. Head coach Mike Smith is traditionally stingy when it comes to first-team offense in the preseason opener, which means Matt Ryan and Co., will likely only play the game's opening series.

Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers (+1.5, 37)

* The Bills may be dealing with a handful of major injuries - including standout linebacker Kiko Alonso's season-ending ACL tear early in training camp - but the kicking game is strong, as Dan Carpenter went a perfect 8-for-8 Wednesday. Buffalo will be looking for a better performance from its first-team offense than it had in its preseason opener, when it managed just 27 yards on 11 plays against the Giants.

* Quarterback Cam Newton has been careful with his surgically repaired left ankle, participating in only light passing drills Thursday and likely sitting out Friday's contest as a precaution. Head coach Ron Rivera says Newton won't see more than two series if he does take the field, and likely won't be allowed to scramble or use the read-option during the game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Jacksonville Jaguars (-1, 37)

* The Buccaneers have anointed offseason acquisition Josh McCown as the Week 1 starter, which means he should see limited action Friday while starter-turned-backup Mike Glennon sees as much or more playing time as the game goes on. Rookie wide receiver Mike Evans is "progressing" from a hamstring injury but may be limited Friday or held out altogether.

* The Jaguars will be without seven players for the preseason opener, including expected No. 1 running back Toby Gerhart (hip flexor), No. 1 wide receiver Cecil Shorts (hamstring) and tight ends Clay Harbor (calf) and Brandon Barden (illness). The Jaguars will go with a three-pronged rush attack in Gerhart's absence, with Jordan Todman starting and Storm Johnson and Denar Robinson spelling him.

Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears (-1.5, 42)

* With two of the Eagles' veteran wide receivers - Riley Cooper (ankle) and Jeremy Maclin (legs) - likely to sit out Friday's exhibition opener, unproven pass-catchers like Jordan Matthews, Josh Huff and Brad Smith will jockey for playing time. Head coach Chip Kelly doesn't see his starters playing more than two series, with 10-15 plays the target amount before the backups take over.

* The Bears suspended tight end Martellus Bennett for conduct detrimental to the team earlier in the week, but head coach Marc Trestman had a "very positive" conversation with Bennett and won't rule out his participation in the preseason opener. At quarterback, Jimmy Clausen and Jordan Palmer will both see plenty of action Friday as they duel for the No. 2 spot behind Jay Cutler.

New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams (-3, 38)

* Veteran receivers Marques Colston and Kenny Stills will likely see a lighter load Friday as they take a back seat to electrifying rookie Brandin Cooks, who has impressed the New Orleans coaching staff in training camp and will be a popular target against St. Louis. The Saints were an impressive 3-1 in preseason action last year, then rode that momentum to a season-opening five-game winning streak.

* The Rams will be without left tackle Chris Long, who spent the offseason recovering from ACL surgery last January and still isn't quite ready for game action. St. Louis also isn't expecting to play quarterback Sam Bradford, who took the first-team reps throughout the week but will be treated with caution by head coach Jeff Fisher after undergoing major knee surgery last season.

Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings (-3, 38)

* Head coach Dennis Allen told reporters Thursday that "everyone healthy" will see action against the Vikings, though it's likely quarterback Matt Schaub and the rest of the first-team offense will play just two series. Oakland is relatively healthy going into the game; left guard Lamar Mady missed Wednesday's practice with an ankle injury, those who participated came away unscathed.

* Those hoping to catch a glimpse of Adrian Peterson in the preseason will be disappointed; the All-Pro running back won't dress for Friday's opener and might possibly sit out the entire exhibition campaign to preserve himself for the rigors of the regular season. Matt Cassel will likely get the start at quarterback Friday, though Teddy Bridgewater will see time as the two remain locked in a battle for the Week 1 starting job.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Game of the Day: CFL doubleheader

Edmonton Eskimos at Montreal Alouettes (+5.5, 46)

Life in the post-Anthony Calvillo era has been miserable for the Montreal Alouettes as they prepare to face the visiting Edmonton Eskimos on Friday. The Alouettes have scored a league-low 75 points through their first five games, and have turned to a former CFL star in hopes of reversing its fortunes. Montreal added Jeff Garcia earlier this week in a yet-to-be-determined role - but his best course of action may be to take the field himself.

Quarterback issues have plagued the Alouettes, and were on full display last week in a 31-5 trouncing at the hands of the Toronto Argonauts. Troy Smith and Alex Brink combined to complete 14-of-33 passes for 123 yards and an interception, and things may not get any better Friday. The Eskimos own one of the league's stingiest pass defenses, having racked up 19 quarterback sacks through their first five games while allowing just four TD passes.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN

LINE HISTORY: The Alouettes opened as +4.5 before quickly moving to +5. The total jumped to +6 for a brief time Thursday before settling at +5.5. The total opened at 46 and has remained steady since.

INJURY REPORT: Eskimos - OL Justin Sorensen (Questionable, Knee), LB JC Sherritt (Questionable, Lower body) Alouettes: N/A

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Montreal will be in tough once again after getting blasted by the Argos last week. Coming off it's bye week Edmonton should be rested and ready. Despite the loss to Calgary two weeks ago, the Eskimos still have a lot going for them on both sides of the football. The fairly steep line is warranted in this situation. Value with Edmonton up to a touchdown favorite." - Covers Expert Sean Murphy

ABOUT THE ESKIMOS (4-1): Friday's showdown looks like a mismatch, but Edmonton has no plans to take it easy against a struggling Montreal team. "If you give an offence like that confidence, let them get a couple of plays in, it can make for a long day," middle linebacker Rennie Curran told the Edmonton Journal. "We really have to go in there and shut them down from the get-go and not let them have any hope or give them any confidence." The Eskimos are well-rested, having not played since dropping a 26-22 decision to rival Calgary on July 24.

ABOUT THE ALOUETTES (1-4): Adding a four-time CFL All-Star in Garcia may muddy an already murky coaching situation, but Smith doesn't see it that way at all. "For the starter and the guys who can be hands-on with these people, be blessed and humble that you have this many people wanting to help you out," Smith told the Montreal Gazette. "We have a plethora of people that are helping us." Smith will remain the starter despite sputtering all season for a team that has managed just five offensive touchdowns - and none in the past two games.

TRENDS:

*Eskimos are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 road games
*Under is 8-1 in Alouettes last 9 games overall
*Eskimos are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 meetings.

COVERS CONSENSUS: 57 percent of Covers backers are taking the Eskimos -6 with the total leaning slight toward the Over with 51 percent support.


Hamilton Tiger-Cats at BC Lions (-6.5, 49.5)

Kevin Glenn may be down to his last crack as a starting quarterback Friday night as he guides the BC Lions against the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Glenn has started the first six games in place of Travis Lulay, who is recovering from off-season shoulder surgery but participated in some first-team reps earlier this week. Glenn will need to be on point Friday as he takes on a Tiger-Cats team that has performed better than its record may indicate.

The Tiger-Cats are coming off a split of their two-game homestand, earning an impressive victory over the Ottawa Redblacks before dropping a 27-26 decision to Winnipeg on a game-winning TD pass as time expired. That has been a bit of a theme of late for Hamilton, whose last three defeats have come by a combined eight points. But relief may be on the way for the Tiger-Cats, who will play four of their next five games at home after leaving Vancouver.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, TSN

LINE HISTORY: The Lions opened at -7.5 home-faves, but have been bet down to -7 and eventually -6.5. The total opened at 49.5 and has remained steady.

INJURY REPORT:Ti-Cats - LB Craig Butler (Questionable, Foot) Lions - N/A

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "It will be interesting to see how Hamilton responds following that deflating last second loss against Winnipeg last week. The Ti-Cats are still working through some issues but so are the Lions, who have been wildly inconsistent thus far. We might see some additional value with the underdog Ti-Cats leading up to kickoff. B.C. hasn't done anything to prove it is an elite team to this point." - Covers Expert Sean Murphy

ABOUT THE TIGER-CATS (1-4): The nature of Hamilton's recent losses, coupled with the fact that not even a 1-4 team is out of contention for the East Division lead, has the Tiger-Cats somewhat upbeat. "We've been in three out of our four losses and literally, without exaggeration, it would've only taken one play in each of those games to win the game," coach Kent Austin told the Hamilton Spectator following Monday's practice. The Tiger-Cats will also look to be a more disciplined team against BC, coming into the week tied for the CFL lead with 74 penalties.

ABOUT THE LIONS (3-3): The week didn't start out so well for BC, which lost cornerback Dante Marsh early in Monday's practice. Marsh, who suffered an apparent hamstring pull, appears questionable at best to take the field against the Tiger-Cats - a surprising development for a player who has missed just two games in the past six years. "Dante doesn't do veteran days," coach Mike Benevides told reporters of Marsh, who was seen wearing an ice bag taped to his right leg after leaving the field Monday. "It does concern me a little bit."

TRENDS:

*Tiger-Cats are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 Friday games
*Under is 4-0 in Lions last 4 home games
*Tiger-Cats are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 meetings

COVERS CONSENSUS: 58 percent of Covers users are backing the Lions -7 with the total bets split virtually 50/50.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

CFL Betting Recap - Week 6
By Joe Williams

League Betting Notes

Underdogs went 3-1 straight up in Week 6
Underdogs went 3-1 ATS in Week 6
Road teams posted a 4-0 SU record in Week 6
Road teams posted a 3-1 ATS record in Week 6
The 'over' went 3-1 in Week 6

Team Betting Notes

Toronto (2-4) picked up a much-needed victory on the road at Montreal (1-4) by a 31-5 count. The 'under' has now cashed in four straight games for the Argos.

The Alouettes have been terrible this season, going 1-4 SU/ATS, and the 'under' has now cashed in four of the five games overall, too.

The BC Lions (3-3) have won three of the past four games after an 0-2 SU/ATS start, but perhaps was none bigger than its Week 6 triumph. BC stunned Calgary (4-1) 25-24 on the Stamps' home field. It was the first 'over' of the season for both BC (one over, five unders) and Calgary (one over, four unders).

Hamilton (1-4) was unable to carry over momentum from its first win in Week 5, slipping at home against Winnipeg (5-1) by a 27-26 score. It also ended a three-game cover streak for the TiCats.

Defending Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan (3-2) has won back-to-back games for the first time this season after throttling the expansion Ottawa (1-4) RedBlacks by a 38-15 count. More importantly, the champs have also covered back-to-back games while the 'over' cashed for the first time in three outings.

Looking ahead to Week 7, Edmonton (4-1) is back in action after a bye, traveling to last-place Montreal. The 'under' has cashed in all five games for the Esks.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

CFL Betting Notes - Week 7
By David Schwab

The underdogs got the best of it both straight-up and against the spread in Week 6 of the CFL regular season with a 3-1 mark as the last team fell from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Winnipeg got things started last Thursday with a 27-26 victory on the road against Hamilton as a 4 ½-point underdog. The total went OVER the 50 ½-point closing line. Friday’s action got underway with another SU upset when Toronto stunned Montreal 31-5 as a two-point road underdog. The total in that contest stayed UNDER 50 ½ points.

British Columbia kept the upset train going with a 25-24 squeaker over previously unbeaten Calgary as a four-point road underdog. This total went OVER against a closing line of 46 ½ points. The expansion Ottawa RedBlacks ended the underdogs’ run this past Saturday in a 38-14 loss to Saskatchewan as six-point underdogs at home. The total in that contest also went OVER with the line set at 50 ½ points.

Friday, August 8

Edmonton (4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS) at Montreal (1-4 SU, 1-4 ATS)
Point-spread: Edmonton -4
Total: 46 ½

Game Overview

Edmonton has been the other big surprise this year after posting just four victories last season. Mike Reilly has led the way for the Eskimos on offense with 1,142 yards through the air and slotback Adarius Bowman leads the CFL in receiving with 359 yards. Edmonton’s defense has done its part and it is ranked second in the league in points allowed (16.8).

The rebuilding process in Montreal took a huge step backwards with last week’s loss and overall this offense has only been able to score a total of 75 total in its first five games. Troy Smith has not been the answer at quarterback and Alex Brink did not fare any better in relief against Toronto.

Betting Trends

The Alouettes have owned this series in recent years with a 9-1 SU record in the last 10 meetings and an 8-2 mark ATS. The total has gone OVER in four of the last five games. Edmonton has failed to cover in six of its last seven trips to Montreal.

Hamilton (1-4 SU, 3-2 ATS) at British Columbia (3-3 SU, 3-3 ATS)
Point-spread: BC -7
Total: 50

Game Overview

Hamilton has just one SU victory on the year, but a win against BC would put the Tiger-Cats into a tie with idle Toronto for the lead in the watered-down East Division standings. Quarterback Zach Collaros remains on the Six-Game IR list with a head injury, so the T-Cats have turned to Dan LeFevour as their starter.

The Lions are trying to get their quarterback Travis Lulay back on the field after missing the first six games with a shoulder injury. His absence has been fairly evident on an offense that has averaged just 21.2 points per game. BC has been able to hang tough behind a defense that is allowing just 19.3 PPG.

Betting Trends

This series has remained tight in the last 10 meetings with each team posting five SU wins, but Hamilton has gone a very profitable 8-2 ATS during this stretch. The total has also been a good bet by going OVER in six of the last nine meetings.

Saturday, August 9

Ottawa (1-4 SU, 1-4 ATS) at Calgary (4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS)
Point-spread: Calgary -12
Total: 45 ½

Game Overview

The RedBlacks have not played all that bad in their inaugural season in the CFL, but they did look like an expansion team last week against Saskatchewan. They fell behind by 24 points in the first quarter and it was pretty much over from there. While Ottawa could not climb back into that game, Thomas DeMarco did give the team a spark in relief for an ineffective Henry Burris by completing five of six passes for 84 yards and a score.

Calgary is coming off a tough loss to BC, but it remains the best balanced team in the CFL this season. The Stampeders’ offense led by quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell is averaging 24.6 PPG, which are more than enough points when you have a defense that is holding teams to an average of 15.4 PPG.

Betting Trends

This will be the first meeting between these two teams this season. The Stampeders are 23-11-2 ATS in their last 35 games against a team with a SU losing record and the total stayed UNDER in eight of their last nine games overall.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

CFL Week 7 Betting Preview and Trends
By Mike Pickett

Edmonton at Montreal

Last 10 Meetings: Montreal 9-1 SU, 8-2 ATS | OU 6-4

The Montreal Alouettes only have one SU victory so far this season, but they're on an 8-0 SU and 7-1 ATS run against the Edmonton Eskimos as those teams meet for the first time this year on Friday night. Montreal went 2-0 both SU and ATS against Edmonton in their two meetings last season, with the OVER paying out for totals bettors in each of those games. The OVER is 4-1 in their last five meetings.

Hamilton at B.C

Last 10 Meetings: B.C. 5-5 SU, 2-8 ATS | OU 6-3-1

The B.C. Lions will be home favorites on the CFL Week 7 betting lines for Friday night against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, but they've only managed to pay off twice in the last 10 games between the two teams dating back to 2009. Last season B.C. went 1-1 SU but 0-2 ATS against Hamilton, with the OVER paying off for totals bettors at the sportsbooks in each of those two CFL odds matchups.

Ottawa at Calgary

Last 10 Meetings: Calgary 0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS | OU 0-0

The Calgary Stampeders will be trying to pick up their fifth SU victory in six games so far this season on Saturday night as they play their first ever game against the Ottawa RedBlacks. Calgary fell to 4-1 on the season last week with a 25-24 home loss to the Lions, while the RedBlacks are coming off a 38-14 home loss to the Roughriders that dropped them to just 1-4 so far this year.

[ziggylasvegas]

Is this Marc Lawrence play from his Preseason Newsletter of his service?

[golden contender]

GC: MLB Play

Friday card has 2 Big NFL Preseason Week 1 Power system totals plays, an MLB Blowout system that this by 4 runs per game and a 100% Late night MLB Totals system, MLB Sweeps on Thursday. Free plays 24-10 Run. MLB Road warrior system below.




On Friday the free MLB Road warrior system play is on the Washington Nationals. Game 907 at 7:35 eastern. The Nats cashed big in afternoon action on Thursday beating the Mets in Extras. Now they travel to Atlanta to take on a reeling Atlanta Team that has lost 8 straight and is scoring just 2 runs per game in that stretch. The Braves have lost all 5 games to winning teams in the 2nd half. Washington fits a powerful road warrior system that has won at a 90% clip. We want to play on road favorites off a home win, vs an opponent like Atlanta off a road favored loss and scored 4 or less runs. The Nationals have S. Strasburg on the mound and we will back him over Santana and the Braves. On Friday there are 4 Powerful pays up. In NFLX their are 2 Week 1 specific totals systems. In MLB Action we swept the board on Thursday. Tonight we have a Blowout system that wins on average by 4 runs. Then their a Perfect Totals system in late night Action. Jump on now and start the weekend big with the most Powerful data and Material in the Industry. For the free Play take the Washington Nationals. GC

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Baseball Crusher


Play of the Day
Seattle Mariners -144 over Chicago WhiteSox


Rest of the Plays
Washington Nationals -112 over Atlanta Braves
Baltimore Orioles -145 over St. Louis Cardinals
Arizona Diamondbacks -134 over Colorado Rockies

Soccer Crusher


Godoy Cruz + Banfield UNDER 2.5
This match is happening in Argentina

[Can'tPickAWinner]

EZWINNERS


3* Tigers -130


3* Rangers +100


3* Rockies +115


1* Buccaneers +1

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Maddux Sports

NFL

Buccaneers +1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bob Balfe

ATLANTA FALCONS -3
To say the Dolphins Offensive Line is a mess would be the understatement of the year. Nobody returns from last year on that starting line and this was a team that had to win one of its final two games to make the playoffs and failed to do so. I don’t think this is a quality football team this year. It will take a while for this team to gel and in the meantime you just hope the quarterbacks stay healthy. Atlanta is a tough crowd at home and on this surface I expect them to win with their speed. Take the Falcons.

BUFFALO BILLS -1.5
There is always an advantage when a team has a game under the belt already and especially when they fought hard and lost the football game. Cam Newton is not going to play and this team goes as he goes. I don’t expect the Panthers to play much of their starters and this will be a game that in the second half Buffalo can pull first downs running the ball with mobile QB’s. This is a Bills team that is going to make a playoff push this year. The Panthers have a great defense, but they will be extremely vanilla in the preseason. Take Buffalo.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS -120
Bumgarner/Vargas
Madison Bumgarner has been very solid all season long and he is starting to get stronger as the year goes on. The Giants bullpen is sensational. Neither team really does well against left handed pitching so I expect runs to be at a premium this evening. In a case like so I lean more towards Bumgarner who has better numbers and that bullpen which can go deep into the night. Take the Giants.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

PGA - 2nd Round Odds

The first round at Valhalla Golf Club is in the books and there is a three-way at the top of the leaderboard. Lee Westwood, Kevin Chappell and Ryan Palmer all shot 6-under 65s on Thursday to share the lead in the opening round of the 2014 PGA Championship.

The oddsmakers have updated their odds on the trio and they don’t believe any of them will be at the top of the leaderboard on Sunday.

Amongst the top three leaders, Westwood has the best chance according to the offshore outfit. He’s been made a 29/2 betting choice (Bet $100 to win $1,450) with Chappell (35/1) and Palmer (40/1) listed much lower.

Before the final major began, oddsmakers at Sportsbook.ag had Westwood (65/1) and Palmer (135/1) listed as serious longshots while Chappell, a late invite, didn't get any consideration from the books.

Rory McIlroy closed as a 5/1 choice prior to the tournament and he’s still the betting favorite, but his odds have been lowered to 37/20 (Bet $100 to win $185).

McIlroy is right behind the leaders and is tied for fourth place with four other golfers at 5-under 66, which include solid players in Jim Furyk and Henrik Stenson.


Odds to win 2014 PGA Championship

Rory McIlroy 37/20
Henrik Stenson 15/2
Jim Furyk 25/2
Lee Westwood 29/2
Rickie Fowler 19/1
Bubba Watson 22/1
Phil Mickelson 24/1
Sergio Garcia 27/1
Justin Rose 29/1
Adam Scott 30/1
Kevin Chappell 35/1
Ryan Palmer 40/1
Martin Kaymer 40/1
Luke Donald 45/1
Jason Day 50/1
Ian Poulter 50/1
Hunter Mahan 55/1
Edoardo Molinari 60/1
J.B. Holmes 60/1
Steve Stricker 65/1
Jimmy Walker 70/1
Geoff Ogilvy 75/1
Graham Delaet 75/1
Keegan Bradley 75/1
Jordan Spieth 85/1
Shane Lowry 85/1
Daniel Summerhays 90/1
Joost Luiten 90/1
Seung-Yul Noh 90/1
Hideki Matsuyama 90/1
Zach Johnson 95/1
Victor Dubuisson 95/1
Matt Jones 100/1
Kevin Na 100/1
Chris Wood 100/1
Charl Schwartzel 110/1
Louis Oosthuizen 120/1
Patrick Reed 120/1
Mikko Ilonen 130/1
Nick Watney 140/1
Marc Leishman 140/1
Shawn Stefani 150/1
Francesco Molinari 161/1
Jerry Kelly 190/1
Tim Clark 190/1
Ryan Moore 190/1
Jamie Donaldson 200/1
Paul Casey 210/1
Bill Haas 250/1
Bernd Wiesberger 250/1
Russell Henley 250/1
Danny Willett 250/1
Jonas Blixt 250/1
Brendon Todd 250/1
Webb Simpson 250/1
Chris Kirk 300/1
Stephen Gallacher 300/1
Rafael Cabrera-Bello 300/1
Alexander Levy 300/1
Robert Karlsson 300/1
Tiger Woods 300/1
Charley Hoffman 300/1
Gary Woodland 300/1