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Philadelphia Nola +150
Philadelphia Nola +150
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Colorado/LA Dodgers UNDER 6½ RunsComment
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Colorado Rockies +270Comment
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Philadelphia Phillies/Washington Nationals under 8 1/2Comment
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Mike Wynn
Cincinnati/NY Mets Over 8 RunsComment
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When: 8:30 PM ET, Thursday, September 7, 2017
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Seven months removed from the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history that burnished the legacies of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots open the 2017 season on Thursday night against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs. Emotions should be high as the Patriots celebrate their fifth world championship in a pregame ceremony.
Brady, who turned 40 last month, became the first quarterback in history to win five Super Bowl titles, rallying New England from a 25-point deficit in the second half to a 34-28 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons. New England, the last team to repeat as Super Bowl champ in 2003-04, was not content to stand pat in the offseason and brought in an elite wide receiver in Brandin Cooks -- an acquisition even more noteworthy after fellow wideout Julian Edelman suffered a season-ending knee injury last month. The Chiefs face a daunting challenge against a club that has won 24 in a row at home against non-division AFC opponents, but they have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, having won 23 games over the past two seasons and claiming the AFC West title in 2016 with a 12-4 mark. "If you're in this business, that's what you thrive on, and I'd tell you both sides feel that way," Kansas City coach Andy Reid said of facing the Patriots. "The players, that's why they play the game. They want to play against the best. You want to coach against the best -- that's a beautiful thing."
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Patriots -9. O/U: 48.5
ABOUT THE CHIEFS (2016: 12-4, 1st in AFC West): Quarterback Alex Smith doesn't put up big numbers -- his 3,502 passing yards in 2016 were a career high -- and has been tagged with the label of game manager, but the former No. 1 overall pick has tossed only 28 interceptions versus 76 scoring passes in four seasons in Kansas City. With the departure of veteran Jeremy Maclin, Tyreek Hill becomes the top target following a flashy rookie season in which he amassed 12 touchdowns -- six via scoring passes, three on the ground and three in the air. Rookie running back Kareem Hunt, a third-round pick who piled up nearly 5,000 yards over four seasons at Toledo, ascended to the starting job when Spencer Ware underwent season ending knee surgery, while Travis Kelce is widely considered the league's No. 2 tight end behind New England's Rob Gronkowski. There's plenty of talent on the other side of the ball, with perennial Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry leading a secondary that tied for the league high in interceptions, and Dee Ford and linebacker Justin Houston providing a pass rush that needs to pressure Brady.
ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (2017: 14-2, 1st in AFC East): Brady missed the first four games in 2016 while under suspension for the Deflategate saga, but returned to throw for 28 touchdowns against only two interceptions before capping the season with a record 466-yard performance in the stunning comeback in Super Bowl LI. Edelman was Brady's most trusted target with at least 92 catches in three of the past four seasons, but Cooks provides a dynamic big-play threat with 17 scoring passes over the past two years in New Orleans while touchdown machine Gronkowski (68 in 88 games) returns after back surgery ended his season after eight contests. New England was willing to let LeGarrette Blount and his NFL-high 18 rushing TDs leave via free agency, bringing in Mike Gillislee from Buffalo and Rex Burkhead from Cincinnati to go with Super Bowl hero James White in the backfield. New England led the league with an average of 15.6 points allowed last season and bolstered the defense with the signing of free-agent cornerback Stephen Gilmore, who registered a career-best five interceptions for Buffalo in 2016.
EXTRA POINTS
1. The Patriots have won eight consecutive season openers and seven in a row on Thursday night.
2. Kelce had 85 catches last season and led all tight ends with 1,125 receiving yards.
3. Brady, the 13th QB to start a game at age 40 or older, is 9-0 with 24 TDs and two interceptions on Thursday night.
PREDICTION: Patriots 30, Chiefs 23Comment
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Trends - Kansas City at New England
ATS Trends
Kansas City
Chiefs are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games.
Chiefs are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Chiefs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in September.
New England
Patriots are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games on fieldturf.
Patriots are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games in September.
Patriots are 18-6-2 ATS in their last 26 home games.
Patriots are 18-7-2 ATS in their last 27 vs. AFC.
Patriots are 34-16-2 ATS in their last 52 games overall.
OU Trends
Kansas City
Over is 6-2 in Chiefs last 8 games in September.
Under is 9-4 in Chiefs last 13 games overall.
New England
Over is 4-0 in Patriots last 4 games overall.
Under is 4-1 in Patriots last 5 Thursday games.
Under is 4-1 in Patriots last 5 games in Week 1.
Over is 5-2 in Patriots last 7 home games.
Over is 60-28 in Patriots last 88 games on fieldturf.
Head to Head
Home team is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Chiefs are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
Chiefs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings in New England.Comment
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NEW ENGLAND is 16-3 ATS (+12.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons. NEW ENGLAND is 16-3 ATS (+12.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons. NEW ENGLAND is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons. NEW ENGLAND is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons. NEW ENGLAND is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) in home lined games over the last 3 seasons. NEW ENGLAND is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points over the last 2 seasons. NEW ENGLAND is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons. NEW ENGLAND is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) in games played on turf over the last 3 seasons. Comment
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TNF - Chiefs at Patriots
By Tony Mejia
VegasInsider
Kansas City at New England (-9, 48.5), 8:30 pm ET, NBC/NFLN
Nine years ago on the exact same date as Thursday's season opener, the Patriots opened the season against the Chiefs at Gillette Stadium and saw disaster strike almost immediately. Tom Brady suffered a season-ending ACL tear when Kansas City safety Bernard Pollard took out his knee in the first half, resulting in the only games he's missed since 2002 not related to Deflategate.
If not for eerie similarities between today and 2008, this game would be more easily billed as a potential AFC Championship preview given how stacked the Chiefs look coming off a 12-4 season. They finished with the second-best record in the conference behind the 14-2 Patriots but never ran into them in the playoffs, lasting only a single round following an 18-16 divisional playoff loss to Pittsburgh. Although Kansas City cut top receiver Jeremy Maclin and will be without top running back Spencer Ware for the season after he tore his PCL in the third preseason game, there are still plenty of weapons for New England to be concerned with.
Travis Kelce has emerged as a Rob Gronkowski type and has managed to stay healthy enough to replace him as the NFL's most productive tight end, leading the league in receiving yards and yards after catch while finishing second with 85 receptions. Tyreek Hill's speed makes him a dangerous weapon who scored 12 touchdowns last season as an electric return man and emerging receiver. Rookie Kareem Hunt, versatile Charcandrick West and veteran import C.J. Spiller are in the mix to help replace Ware, so Andy Reid will have plenty of options to try and trouble a Patriots defense that struggled some in the preseason and saw LB Shea McClellin and DB/KR Cyrus Jones join receiver Julian Edelman in being lost for the season.
Despite those injuries, the defending champion Patriots' hold on the favorite's role entering this season has strengthened following the preseason. Rob Gronkowski looks to be 100 percent and newly acquired receiver Brandin Cooks should be a valuable weapon whose role likely increases with Edelman out of the equation. James White, Mike Gillislee, Rex Burkhead and Dion Lewis are all on board as backfield options, so replacing LeGarrette Blount should also be manageable for Bill Belichick.
Even replacing Brady, as Belichick managed to do to the tune of a 3-1 start during last season's suspension, hasn't proven too daunting a task for the Pats of late. Unless he's out there mopping up after a blowout, New England doesn't want to see backup Jimmy Garoppolo doing anything but holding a clipboard. Brady had a productive preseason, throwing three touchdowns and completing 75 percent of his 24 passes. His 10 yards per attempt ranked among the highest in the league.
Alex Smith was inconsistent, but still easily held off the challenge of first-round pick Patrick Mahomes II. The Chiefs generated big plays on both sides of the ball in a 30-12 preseason Week 2 win against Cincinnati, then struggled mightily in Seattle in the dress rehearsal game, falling 26-13 after failing to execute on plays that were there to be made.
The Patriots are 14-1 in home openers in the Belichick/Brady era, while Belichick is 13-4 with New England in Week 1 (15-7 overall). Andy Reid has won three of four openers since joining Kansas City and won four of his last five with Philadelphia, so there's little doubt both teams should be prepared to get things started.
Kansas City Chiefs
Season win total: 9 (Over -120, Under +100)
Odds to win AFC West: 2/1 to 9/4
Odds to win AFC: 10/1 to 12/1
Odds to win Super Bowl: 20/1 to 25/1
New England Patriots
Season win total: 12.5 (Over +100, Under -120)
Odds to win AFC East: 1/14 to 1/25
Odds to win AFC: 3/1 to 5/4
Odds to win Super Bowl: 6/1 to 11/4
LINE MOVEMENT
The Patriots may as well have already won their division as far as the odds are concerned since they're a wild 1-to-25, which is almost as amusing as the Jets going from 100-to-1 to 200-to-1 to win the AFC East before playing a game that counts in the standings. Since 2003, New England has prevailed 13 of 14 times, with the lone outlier coming in '08 after Brady was lost for the season and Matt Cassel was pressed into duty.
Kansas City has the second-best odds to win the AFC West, placed behind favored Oakland (5/4) and ahead of Denver and San Diego (9/2). Considering the Chiefs have won 22 of their last 26 regular-season games, a projected win total placed below double-digits raised a few eyebrows. Between the loss of Ware and their inconsistent preseason, the Chiefs have seen their conference and Super Bowl future odds become more longer overthe last few weeks.
As far as this matchup is concerned, the Patriots are currently laying 9 points in this first contest after the line initially opened at 7 and hovered at 7.5. The total opened at 49.5 but is set at 48.5 at many books as of Wednesday afternoon. Weather conditions are supposed to be clear and perfect for football.
INJURY CONCERNS
Kelce made this week's injury report due to a calf injury but was removed and is expected to play without limitations. The news isn't as positive on guard Parker Ehringer, who was downgraded to doubtful along with new linebacker Reggie Ragland. DT Bennie Logan (knee) and kicker Cairo Santos (groin) are also expected to play.
The Patriots have seen speedy WR Malcolm Mitchell limited by a knee injury throughout camp, so we'll see whether he can be a factor. The Patriots traded for WR Philip Dorsett from the Colts and also envision a larger role for Danny Amendola. Backup offensive tackle Cameron Fleming returned to practice but is uncertain here. Safety Nate Ebner is also questionable for New England.
RECENT MEETINGS (New England 3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS last five; UNDER 3-2)
1/16/16 New England 27-20 vs. Kansas City (NE -5.5, 43)
9/29/14 Kansas City 41-14 vs. New England (NE -3, 46)
11/21/11 New England 34-3 vs. Kansas City (NE -17, 47)
9/7/08 New England 17-10 vs. Kansas City (NE -16, 43.5)
11/27/05 Kansas City 26-16 vs. New England (KC -3, 51)
PATRIOTS AS A HOME FAVORITE
Since losing to Seattle at Foxboro in Week 10, New England is a perfect 5-0 SU/ATS at home, including playoff wins over the Texans and Steelers. They're averaging 33.4 points in those wins. Both of the Patriots' losses last season came as a home favorite.
CHIEFS AS A ROAD UNDERDOG
Kansas City was a road 'dog only four times last season and won three of those instances outright, carrying a streak into 2017. The Chiefs beat the Panthers, Broncos and Falcons in a four game streatch from mid-November to early December in 2016. The Chiefs haven't been this heavy an underdog since Week 2 of the '14 season when they covered at Denver in a 24-17 loss as a 13-point underdog. The last meeting between these teams saw Kansas City in this role in the 2015 Divisional playoffs. New England won and covered.Last edited by New York Knight; 09-07-2017, 01:31 AM.Comment
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Chiefs @ Patriots
Last 14 years, defending Super Bowl champ is 12-2 in its first game the next year (8-3-3 vs spread). Patriots are 6-2 in last eight games with KC; Chiefs lost last six visits here- their last win in Foxboro was in 1990. New England is 12-1 in last 13 season openers (lost @ Miami in ’14); they’re 14-1 in last 15 home openers, but just 1-4 vs spread in last five- their last four wins in HO’s were by 7 or less points. Chiefs won three of last four season openers; they’re 3-8 in last 11 road openers (under 8-4 in last 12), but 6-5 vs spread in last 11 AO’s as an underdog. Under Reid, Chiefs are 4-7 vs spread as a non-divisional road underdog. Since ’13, Patriots are 17-8-3 as a home favorite, 11-4-1 vs non-division opponents.Comment
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NFL
Dunkel
Week 1
Thursday, September 7
Kansas City @ New England
Game 451-452
September 7, 2017 @ 8:30 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Kansas City
137.425
New England
151.405
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New England
by 14
52
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New England
by 8
47 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
New England
(-8); OverComment
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Thursday, September 7
KANSAS CITY vs. NEW ENGLAND
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 6 games when playing New England
Kansas City is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New England's last 6 games when playing Kansas City
New England is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Kansas CityComment
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Chiefs looking to make statement against champion Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) The New England Patriots are set to kick off another season in the afterglow of a Super Bowl title.
Seven months after completing the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, the Patriots will raise the franchise's fifth championship banner prior to Thursday night's season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.
It's what's come to be a familiar sight ever since Bill Belichick and Tom Brady captured their first Lombardi Trophy together in 2001.
Trying to spoil this latest party will be a Kansas City team that has been chasing its own post-championship commemoration since the franchise won its lone Super Bowl in 1970.
The Chiefs were the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs last season before having their postseason run truncated by an 18-16 loss to Pittsburgh in the divisional round.
The Patriots are 4-0 in season openers following a Super Bowl win, but have vast respect for a Kansas City team that has been responsible for some sour Patriots memories during the Belichick-Brady era.
The previous time Brady opened a season at home against the Chiefs in 2008, it ended with him limping off the field with a season-ending knee injury . Then in 2014, Kansas City flatly embarrassed New England 41-14 in Arrowhead Stadium.
''I respect the way they play. They're always tough. We've always had great battles with them,'' Belichick said. ''I can't think of too many teams that have handled us better than the way they handled us in 2014.''
But that win was Reid's lone head-to-head victory against Belichick.
''He does a heck of a job with his team,'' Reid said. ''To be able to sustain as long as he's sustained is really something. That's a phenomenal thing in this profession.''
Professional respect aside, the matchup will be an early glimpse of how formidable the Patriots are after only losing a few pieces off last season's roster. They will reveal a new-look running game after not re-signing LeGarrette Blount, last season's rushing touchdowns leader. In addition, receiving stalwart Julian Edelman is out for the season following a preseason knee injury.
And on defense they're without a dedicated edge rusher with Chris Long leaving in free agency and Rob Ninkovich retiring. But several familiar and important contributors remain.
''When the schedule comes out, you've got this first game that is the only one you're really looking at and all the preparation, everything's building for this week,'' Brady said. ''It goes for both sides. I'm sure they're looking forward to it, too.''
Here are some things to watch for:
EAGER DEFENSE: As much continuity as New England will have on the field, the Chiefs will trot out an equally stout defense that had a league-best 33 takeaways in 2016. They're eager to see how it fares against a now 40-year-old Brady and the defending champs.
''Nothing is downplayed,'' safety Eric Berry said of the matchup. ''We have our own perspective in the building among each other and we have big expectations for this season, but it takes place one game at a time. We are going to put everything we have into this game and this game plan and take it from there.''
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Reid and Belichick have matched wits plenty of times over the years. Belichick has the most wins among active NFL coaches with 263, while Reid is second with 184.
GRONK RETURNS: Being a spectator over the final eight games of the regular season and playoffs was not fun for Gronkowski. While rehabbing from back surgery this offseason, he also adopted the strict diet regimen that Brady says has helped keep him healthy since the 2008 injury. Gronk says he's eager to show he still has the skills that made him one of the most dominating tight ends in football.
''It's been a while, and I just can't wait to get out there,'' he said.
ROOKIE WATCH: The Chiefs planned to use Spencer Ware and Kareem Hunt in tandem at running back, but Ware went down with a season-ending injury in a preseason game at Seattle. So it's up to Hunt, a third-round draft pick, to carry the load for Kansas City. Charcandrick West and C.J. Spiller will give him a breather.
''We put a good amount on his plate,'' Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. ''So far, he's done a great job with it.''Comment
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Handicapped by The Walker Group at Delaware Park
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.
Race 3 - Maiden Claiming - 8.3f on the Turf. Purse: $14000 Class Rating: 67
FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $12,500, FOR EACH $2,500 TO $7,500 2 LBS.
RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks
# 1A SHAMROCK PARTY 12/1
# 6 TARHEEL RAVEN 5/2
# 9 EXTRA SALSA 9/2
SHAMROCK PARTY looks to be a formidable contender especially at a long price. Caiazzo has this filly travelling well and is a formidable choice based on the strong Equibase Speed Figures garnered in route races recently. With Davis getting the mount, watch out for this animal. TARHEEL RAVEN - Toledo and Merryman are a strong pair for profits. Has to be given a chance based on the quite good Equibase Speed Figure garnered in the last contest. EXTRA SALSA - Had one of the best Equibase Speed Figs of this group in her last contest.Comment
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F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Finger Lakes
Finger Lakes - Race 2
EXACTA * TRIFECTA * SUPERFECTA * DAILY DOUBLE (Races 2-3)
Maiden Special • 5 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 63 • Purse: $23,000 • Post: 1:39P
FOR NY-BRED MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. (THE (PLUS $7,000 NYSTBDF) ARE ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT WILL BE PAID OUT TO THE WINNER IF SIRED BY A NEW YORK STALLION APPROVED BY THE NEW YORK STATE-BRED REGISTRY).
Contenders
Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line
Accept
Odds
Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. SONG FOR THE SOUL is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * SONG FOR THE SOUL: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/su rface. Horse has the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
7
SONG FOR THE SOUL
9/5
2/1Comment
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