9-22-14

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R.A.W. Football

2* jets

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Philly GodFather

STRAIGHT BET

[480] NY JETS -2½ (-110)

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The Wager Wire / Joey Buckets

1 Unit - Jets -2.5 (-110)

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Bears visit Jets on MNF

CHICAGO BEARS (1-1) at NEW YORK JETS (1-1)

Line and Total: New York -3, Total: 45.5

The Jets look to put a disappointing loss behind them when they host the Bears on Monday night.

Chicago was trailing the 49ers 20-7 on Sunday night, but scored 21 unanswered points to come away with the improbable win. The Jets, on the other hand, were leading 21-3 in their game against the Packers and blew that lead on the way to a 31-24 loss. Bears QB Jay Cutler was brilliant against San Francisco in the second half and will carry that momentum into a matchup with one of the worst secondaries in the NFL.

New York will attempt to slow this game down by pounding away with its duo of RBs Chris Johnson and Chris Ivory. The Jets are 3-12 ATS off one or more straight Overs in the past three seasons, but the Bears are 1-9 ATS after a game with a turnover margin of +2 or better during that span. Five of the six games played between these teams since 1992 have gone Under the total.

WR Eric Decker (hamstring) is listed as questionable for the Jets in this game, while Chicago could be thin in the secondary with S Chris Conte (shoulder) and CB Sherrick McManis (quad) both questionable.

The Bears almost dug themselves an 0-2 hole to start the season, but QB Jay Cutler was able to rally his team back against the 49ers. Cutler was 23-of-34 on the game with 176 yards and four touchdowns. He now gets to tee off against a Jets secondary that allowed more than 200 receiving yards to Packers WR Jordy Nelson last week.

Top WR Brandon Marshall, who caught three touchdowns against the 49ers, and No. 2 WR Alshon Jeffery will be chomping at the bit for their chance to play against this miserable New York pass defense. One player who could have trouble in this game is RB Matt Forte, as the Jets are allowing only 52.5 rushing yards per game this season (1st in NFL) and will sell out to stop the run.

Chicago will need to set up some quick screens in order to get the ball into the hands of its best playmaker. The Bears pass defense has been solid this season, allowing 199.5 yards per game (10th in NFL), but has been shredded on the ground. Chicago is allowing opponents to rush for 160.0 yards per game (27th in NFL) and will need to do a much better job against a Jets offense that loves to pound away.

New York had a golden opportunity to start 2-0 with an 18-point lead at Lambeau Field, but became too protective of its lead and ran too often on the way to a 31-24 defeat. QB Geno Smith went 16-of-32 in the game with one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed for a touchdown. Smith was playing extremely well in the first half, but as the Jets became cautious of their lead, they were hesitant to let their quarterback make any plays.

New York did, however, rush for 146 yards as a team and it should be able to replicate that success against a poor Bears defense.

The Jets have been excellent defensively against the run this season, but defending the pass has been a whole different story. They are allowing 221.5 yards per game through the air (17th in NFL), but that number is low only because they played Derek Carr and a miserable Raiders passing game in Week 1. They were picked apart by Aaron Rodgers in Week 2.

If New York head coach Rex Ryan can’t find a way to have his secondary performing at a high level, this game could get out of hand early on Monday.

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Bears or Jets? NFL bloggers debate who will cover Monday night

This week, Monday Night Football brings us to MetLife Stadium where the New York Jets host the Chicago Bears as 3-point home favorites in the Week 3 finale.

The Jets have used a combination of great running (179 yards per game) and run stopping (52.5 yards allowed per game) to get out to a 1-1 straight up record and hung around with the Packers at Lambeau Field one week ago.

The Bears dropped their Week 1 game to the Buffalo Bills, but rebounded nicely to spoil the San Francisco 49er's debut at Levi's Stadium with a 28-20 victory, covering the spread as 7-point road dogs.

In order to get a grasp on this primetime matchup, we’ve enlisted the help of those who know these teams the best. Expert NFL bloggers Adam Oestmann of “Chicago Bears Huddle” and Joe Caporoso of New York blog “Turn on the Jets” strap on the pads and debate which team will not only win, but cover the spread Monday night.

WHY CHICAGO WILL COVER

Firepower

Marc Trestman honestly doesn’t care about run-pass balance, despite the fact that he talks about it each week, if only for the sole purpose of appeasing the media. And on the road versus the Jets’ secondary, I assure you he plans to attempt an offensive clinic through the air. If one Jets fans fan can tell me how that secondary stops Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, please feel free.

Tucker will stack the box

The Bears aren’t worried about Geno Smith beating them through the air, but they should be worried about the Jets’ rushing attack. All Mel Tucker needs do is stack the box and find ways to put pressure on Smith when he does drop back. Easier said than done? Maybe, but it’s a strategy that can work, as evidenced by the way Green Bay adjusted and held New York in check last week.

Santonio coming home

Santonio Holmes isn’t exactly what he used to be, but he has shown some flashes with the Bears through two weeks. Leading up to this game, there has been a little bit of bulletin board chatter around Chicago that Holmes always caught a bad rap from the New York media, not so much because he was a “locker room cancer,” but more because he simply didn’t care for reporters. I believe in motivation and intangibles, and if all else fails, Holmes could be an X-Factor in this game.


WHY NEW YORK WILL COVER

The Running Game

Chicago has the 27th ranked rushing defense in the NFL right now, while the Jets are first in the league in rushing. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that we will see plenty Chris Ivory, Chris Johnson and Bilal Powell. When the Jets get rolling on the ground they are tough to beat. A well established running game should help Geno Smith play well and keep Jay Cutler off the field as much as possible.

Strong At Home

Since Smith has taken over as the starting quarterback, the Jets are 7-2 at MetLife Stadium. In his last three home games, Smith's QB Rating is 88, 91 and 96. I'd anticipate a strong outing from the Jets still erratic quarterback and for the rest of the young roster to play well at home.

Sons Of Anarchy

The Jets have a defensive line (Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson, Damon Harrison and Quinton Coples) that should be able to get after Jay Cutler and force him into a few turnovers. Chicago is a different team when Cutler is sloppy and the Jets should have the personnel in the front seven that could potentially force him into that type of game.

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Monday Night Football: Bears at Jets

Chicago Bears at New York Jets (-2.5, 44)

Jay Cutler threw four touchdown passes as the Chicago Bears rallied from a 17-point deficit to defeat the San Francisco 49ers a week ago. Cutler already has six touchdown passes and looks to add to that total when the Bears visit the New York Jets on Monday night. Cutler is 6-1 on Monday Night Football, including three straight wins, with 14 touchdowns against just three interceptions.

While the Bears rallied, the Jets imploded last week, squandering an 18-point advantage in their upset bid at Green Bay - a loss that came in typical New York fashion. Just when it appeared that the Jets had climbed back into a tie with the Packers on a long touchdown pass by Geno Smith late in the fourth quarter, officials ruled that New York offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg called timeout before the play began. Rex Ryan's group will look to bounce back from that disaster and beat the Bears for the first time since 2000.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE HISTORY: Pinnacle Sports opened the Jets as 1-point home faves, but that is now -2.5. The total opened at 45.5 and is down to 44.

INJURY REPORT: Bears - WR Alshon Jeffery (Probable, hamstring), DE Jared Allen (Probable, back), C Roberto Garza (Questionable, ankle), S Chris Conte (Questionable, shoulder), DT Jeremiah Ratliff (Questionable, head). Jets - RB Chris Johnson (Probable, ankle), CB Dee Milliner (Questionable, quad), WR Eric Decker (Questionable, hamstring).

POWER RANKINGS: Bears (-2) + Jets (+2.25) + home field (-3.0) = Bears -1.25

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "The Jets blew a big lead in Green Bay but they catch Chicago in a possible letdown spot. The Jets are 6-0 against the spread in their last six home games off a loss versus an opponent off a SU/ATS win." Matt Fargo


ABOUT THE BEARS (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS, 1-1 O/U): Chicago's comeback on Sunday night was even more unlikely considering that Cutler actually seemed to respond after taking a huge blow to his ribs. He threw three scoring passes to Brandon Marshall and the Bears' defense shut down the 49ers in the second half. But, not all went well for Chicago, which lost five starters on the defensive side of the ball in the contest, including All-Pro cornerback Charles Tillman, who is out for the season with a torn triceps muscle.

ABOUT THE JETS (1-1 SU, 0-1-1 ATS, 1-1 O/U): The Jets could be without top receiver Eric Decker (hamstring) but they may want to run the ball anyway against a Chicago defense which ranks 27th in the league against the rush (160 yards per game). On defense, New York has yet to solve its problematic secondary and allowed Jordy Nelson to romp for 209 yards receiving last week. New York won its home opener but that victory is looking increasingly unimpressive as it came against Oakland, which appears to be one of the worst teams in the league.

TRENDS:

* Bears are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four meetings.
* Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
* Bears are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games following a ATS win.
* Over is 15-2 in Jets last 17 games in Week 3.

CONSENSUS: As of Sunday evening, 65 percent of wagers were backing the Bears.

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Over/Under 1.5 touchdowns for Cutler

Feel like making the Monday nighter a bit more interesting? How about mixing in some prop bets?

Below is what the Westgate LV Superbook is offering in terms of prop wagers for the Chicago Bears visit to the New York Jets.

FIRST SCORE OF THE GAME WILL BE:

TOUCHDOWN -155
ANY OTHER SCORE +135

TOTAL GROSS PASSING YARDS BY: JAY CUTLER (CHI)

OVER 259.5 -110
UNDER 259.5 -110

TOTAL TOUCHDOWN PASSES BY: JAY CUTLER (CHI)

OVER 1.5 -155
UNDER 1.5 +135

WILL MATT FORTE (CHI) SCORE A TOUCHDOWN?

YES +120
NO -140

TOTAL RECEIVING YARDS BY: BRANDON MARSHALL (CHI)

OVER 72.5 -110
UNDER 72.5 -110

TOTAL COMPLETIONS BY: GENO SMITH (NYJ)

OVER 17.5 -110
UNDER 17.5 -110

TOTAL TOUCHDOWN PASSES+INTERCEPTIONS BY: GENO SMITH (NYJ)

OVER 2.0 -160
UNDER 2.0 +140

TOTAL QB SACKS BY: BOTH TEAMS

OVER 4.5 EVEN
UNDER 4.5 -120

TOTAL POINTS BY: BEARS

OVER 21.5 -110
UNDER 21.5 -110

TOTAL POINTS BY: JETS

OVER 24.5 -110
UNDER 24.5 -110

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Forecasts calling for a clear evening for MNF
Andrew Avery

The weather forecast looks promising for the Chicago Bears visit to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.

According to Weather Underground, skies will be sunny and clear with temperatures hovering between the high-50s and low-60s. Wind will blow toward the south endzone at around seven mph.

The Jets are currently 2.5-point home favorites with a total of 44.

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Bears wide receiver questionable for Monday game
Andrew Avery

Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has been listed as questionable heading into the Monday Night game at the New York Jets.

Jeffery is still not 100 percent following a hamstring injury which kept him questionable last week leading into the game at the San Francisco 49ers.

The South Carolina product ended up playing in that game, catching three passes (six targets) for 47 yards.

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NFL

Bears (1-1) @ Jets (1-1) — Chicago lost at home to Buffalo, won at SF, hard team to figure; they’ve only run ball for 132 yards in two games, have only four plays of 20+ yards- with their WRs, they should have more of those. Bears are 3-12-2 in last 17 games where spread was 3 or less points; they’ve won last three games with Jets by 7-10-4 points, are 3-1 vs Jets in Swamp, with average total 22.0 in those four games. Gang Green is 4-0-1 in last five vs NFC, 20-13 under Ryan when spread was 3 or less points- they’re 9-6-1 in last 16 non-divisional home games. Jets ran ball for 146 yards at Lambeau, had 21-3 lead, but couldn’t hold it for 2-0 start- they’ve forced only one turnover (-2) this season, but do have three TD drives of 80+ yards.

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Pirates starting series in fine form for backers
Andrew Avery

The Pittsburgh Pirates open a four-game series with the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field Monday and they've been a particularly solid wager in series openers of late.

The Bucs have won their previous five series openers heading into Monday evening's game with wins versus the Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs (twice) and Philadelphia Phillies.

They'll send Francisco Liriano to the hill to face Aaron Harang as -142 road faves in Monday's series opener.

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MLB roundup: Yankees' Tanaka returns to action
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

The New York Yankees reinstated right-handed starter Masahiro Tanaka from the 60-day disabled list and he returned to the mound Sunday from a potentially serious elbow injury because he wanted peace of mind.

That reassurance began in the bullpen when catcher Brian McCann and pitching coach Larry Rothchild saw a sharp split-fingered fastball and other pitches.

Then it continued on the mound when Tanaka pitched 5 1/3 encouraging innings helping the New York Yankees to a 5-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Tanaka's (13-4) first outing since July 8 in Cleveland was the featured attraction for the Yankees, who were 34-31 while he was rehabbing from right elbow inflammation that also was diagnosed as a partial tear of ulnar collateral ligament.

"It's been a while since I've been out there," Tanaka said. "But overall I'm pretty satisfied."

Tanaka signed a seven-year, $155 million contract with the Yankees last winter.


---Tim Bogar is the runaway favorite to be named manager of the Texas Rangers, according to USA Today.

Bogar took over as interim manager of the Rangers when Ron Washington resigned on Sept. 5.

The Rangers lost five of their first six games under Bogar, but responded with a season-high seven straight wins. After going 53-87 under Washington, the Rangers are 8-6 since Bogar took over.

Bogar, 47, is 362-266 as a minor league manager. He has been manager of the year in three different minor leagues over five seasons. He has never been a full-time major league manager.


---Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman dropped his appeal of a six-game suspension from Major League Baseball. His ban was reduced to five games.

Stroman, 23, was suspended and fined on Wednesday for throwing a pitch that sailed over the head of Baltimore Orioles batter Caleb Joseph during Monday's game. Stroman's pitch occurred a half-inning after Joseph blocked the plate as Toronto's Jose Reyes slid home.


---While no definitive decision has been made, Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel likely made his last start of the season on Saturday night. Keuchel reached a career-high 200 innings for the season after working eight innings against Seattle.

If Keuchel is shut down, rookie right-hander Nick Tropeano will likely start the season finale against the Mets in New York.


---Detroit Tigers right-hander Anibal Sanchez, who has not pitched since Aug. 8 because of a right pectoralis major strain, threw a simulated game Sunday, and he could be activated soon.

Catcher Alex Avila, who has been out a week with a concussion, hit in the simulated game. If he feels good Monday, he would take concussion tests and be cleared to play if he passes.


---Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko was out of the lineup but said it had nothing to do with the hand injury that sidelined him from Sept. 2 until Friday.

The Rays aired a short video tribute to Konerko, set to retire after this season, on the scoreboard during the game.


---Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli missed his fourth straight game with injuries to his finger and back. He hopes to return at some point during the final week of the regular season.


---New York Mets second baseman Dilson Herrera will likely miss the rest of the season after straining his right quad beating out an infield hit in the sixth inning on Saturday.

The 20-year-old rookie, who hit a two-run homer earlier, had a .220 average with three homers and 11 RBIs in 18 games after being promoted from Double-A Binghamton.

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MLB

National League

Pirates-Braves
Liriano is 3-0, 0.45 in his last three starts.
Harang is 1-4, 5.34 in his last five starts.

Pirates won nine of their last eleven games.
Atlanta lost eight of its last nine games.

Five of last six Pittsburgh games stayed under.

Cardinals-Cubs
Wainwright is 4-0, 1.69 in his last four starts.
Wood is 1-3, 5.46 in his last six starts.

Cardinals won seven of their last nine games.
Cubs lost three of their last four games.

Five of last seven St Louis games stayed under.

Giants-Dodgers
Peavy is 4-0, 1.33 in his last four starts.
Haren is 3-1, 2.61 in his last five starts.

Giants lost six of their last eight games.
Dodgers won six of their last nine games.

Four of last five San Francisco games stayed under total.

Rockies-Padres
Matzek is 4-1, 1.56 in his last five starts
Stults is 1-4, 5.86 in his last five starts.

Colorado won last six games, scoring 61 runs.
San Diego won six of its last seven games.

Seven of last nine Colorado games went over total.


American League

Mariners-Blue Jays
Paxton is 3-2, 2.18 in his last five starts.
Happ is 0-3, 4.74 in his last three starts.

Mariners lost six of their last nine games.
Toronto lost eight of its last ten games.

Five of last seven Seattle games went over the total.

Royals-Indians
Duffy is 0-1, 3.54 in his last four starts; he left his last start in first inning with shoulder problems.
Carrasco is 5-1, 1.17 in his last eight starts.

Royals are 5-8 in their last thirteen games.
Indians won five of their last six games.
Extra inning suspended game will be finished before scheduled game.

Under is 7-1 in last eight Carrasco starts.

White Sox-Tigers
Bassitt is 0-1, 5.16 in his three starts this season.
Lobstein is 1-0, 3.68 in his four starts this year.

White Sox lost seven of their last ten road games.
Detroit won six of its last nine games.


Over is 5-1-2 in last eight White Sox games.

Orioles-Bronx
Chen is 3-0, 2.49 in his last four starts.
Pineda is 1-3, 3.16 in his last four starts.

Orioles won seven of their last ten games.
Bronx Bombers won four of their last five games.

Seven of last ten Bronx games stayed under the total.

Astros-Rangers
Tropeano is 1-1, 3.60 in his first two MLB starts.
Holland is 1-0, 0.99 in four starts this season.

Astros won last two games, are 4-6 in last ten.
Rangers won eight of their last nine games.

Six of last seven Texas games went over total.

Angels-A's
Wilson is 3-0, 2.95 in his last three starts.
Samardzija is 1-2, 1.89 in his last five starts.

Angels lost four of their last six games.
Oakland is 12-26 in last 38 games not started by Lester.

Eight of last eleven Oakland games stayed under the total.


Interleague game

Diamonbacks-Twins
Collmenter is 2-1, 1.26 in his last five starts.
Nolasco is 0-1, 1.80 in his last three starts.

Arizona lost its last six games, allowing 41 runs.
Minnesota lost 19 of its last 27 games.

Seven of last eight Minnesota games went over the total.


Teams' record when this starting pitcher starts:
-- Liriano 13-14; Harang 16-19
-- Wainwright 22-9; Wood 15-15
-- Peavy 5-15/6-4; Haren 16-15
-- Matzek 8-13; Stults 11-19

-- Paxton 7-4; Happ 11-13
-- Duffy 11-11; Carrasco 6-6
-- Bassitt 2-1; Lobstein 4-0
-- Chen 20-10; Pineda 4-7
-- Tropeano 1-1; Holland 3-1
-- Wilson 16-13; Samardzija 3-14/7-7

-- Collmenter 14-13; Nolasco 9-16

Pitchers allowing runs in first inning:
-- Liriano 7-27; Harang 8-35
-- Wainwright 4-31; Wood 8-30
-- Peavy 6-30; Haren 15-31
-- Matzek 6-21; Stults 12-30

-- Paxton 2-11; Happ 5-24
-- Duffy 4-22; Carrasco 2-12
-- Bassitt 0-3; Lobstein 1-4
-- Chen 10-30; Pineda 2-11
-- Tropeano 1-2; Holland 0-4
-- Wilson 7-29; Samardzija 10-31

-- Collmenter 9-28; Nolasco 8-25

[Can'tPickAWinner]

'NL West Rivals clash'

San Francisco 4 1/2 games back of Dodgers in the NL West and in a fight with Pirates for a wild-card spot have a tough road ahead. Giants swept in San Diego over the weekend extending the current slide to 2-6 need to get back into the win column. Hanging their hat on Jake Peavy (7-13, 3.82 ERA) in the opener of this three game set gives them a shot. The right-hander on a 4-0 streak, 6-1 stretch his last seven owns a 7-1 record, 2.85 ERA in 13 starts at Dodger Stadium (8-5 TSR) and hits the mound 14-3 life-time vs Dodgers with his teams 17-9 over 26 starts. Peavy trades pitches with Dodgers' Dan Haren (13-11, 4.14 ERA) looking to bouncing back from one of his worst performances charged with 5 runs over 5 innings in a loss vs Colorado. Haren faces SF for the first time this season bringing a 6-6 mark, 3.05 ERA in 16 starts against Giants (6-10 TSR). Backing struggling Giants has it's challenge but with Peavy's success vs L.A. and basically in a MUST-WIN situation roll the dice with the visitor as they've won 8-of-10 in this park.