Deciding factors: NFL weather and injuries
By BLAKE EDWARDS
New York Jets vs Tennessee Titans
Line/Total: Titans opened -5 and 40. We’ve seen some small
action on the favorite. -5 is such a dead number that moving to 5.5 is pretty
insignificant. We have seen some decent action on the over, but I doubt
we’ll go to 41. We’re talking about two very stout defenses and two conservative
coaches that like to run the ball and control the clock.
Matchup of the Game: QB Brett Favre and his 12 INTs vs.
Titans’ No. 6 pass defense that leads the NFL with 15 INTs. Favre needs
to play near flawless football for the Jets to win this game.
Key Injuries: Jets - TE Bubba Franks upgraded to Probable.
Titans – DE Kyle Vanden Bosch upgraded to probable. DE
Jevon Kearse, DE William Hayes, CB Reynaldo Hill and CB Nick Harper all
listed as questionable.
Weather: Sunny with temperatures in the mid 40’s with
a slight breeze.
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins
Line/Total: Dolphins opened -2 with the total at 42. Significant
action has come in on the Pats. We’re currently dealing Pick’em on the game.
Little action on the total so far. Going into Sunday, this is by far our
biggest decision.
Matchup of the Game: Patriots’ 13th ranked rush defense
vs. the Dolphins’ Wild Cat formation and a rushing attack that scorched
the Patriots for 216 rushing yards in their first meeting.
Key Injuries: Patriots - LB Tedy Bruschi listed as questionable.
Center Dan Koppen upgraded to probable.
Dolphins – No significant injuries to report.
Weather: Temperature in the mid 70s with 15 mph winds.
Slight chance of scattered showers.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Baltimore Ravens
Line/Total: We opened Ravens -1, small action on the favorite
so we’ve made a slight move to 1.5. We’ve seen some solid two-way action
at that number. The total has seen some big action on the over. We opened
38.5 and are currently dealing 39.5.
Matchup of the Game: Eagles’ 26th ranked rushing attack
(possibly playing without their stud RB Westbrook) vs. Ravens’ 3rd ranked
rush defense. Eagles might be forced to pass on every down.
Key Injuries: Eagles - RB Brian Westbrook downgraded to
questionable. Safety Brian Dawkins injured last game and is listed as questionable.
Ravens – OG David Hale is questionable. OT Willie Anderson
upgraded to expected to be available. RB Willis McGahee injured last game
and is listed as questionable.
Weather: Looks to be pretty mild weather for Baltimore
this time of year. Game-time temperature in the mid 30s with a slight breeze.
New York Giants vs. Arizona Cardinals
Line/Total: Giants opened -3 with the juice at -120 the
total set at 48.5. There’s been zero movement on the side or total. I suspect
we’ll go to Giants -3 with the juice at -125 at some point late Saturday
or early Sunday morning because we’re seeing more action on the favorite.
Matchup of the Game: Giants’ top ranked rushing offense
(172.7 yards/game) vs. Cardinals’ 7th ranked rushing defense (yielding 89.8
yards/game).
Key Injuries: Giants – RB Brandon Jacobs, CB Aaron Ross,
LB Gerris Wilkinson, LB Jonathan Goff, LB Chase Blackburn all upgraded to
probable. DE Jerome McDougle, S Sammy Knight and WR Plaxico Burress all
listed as questionable.
Cardinals – LB Clark Haggans & LB Travis LaBoy both listed as questionable.
Weather: Perfect weather expected in Arizona, game-time
temperatures in the mid 70s.
Indianapolis Colts vs. San Diego Chargers
Line/Total: Chargers opened +2.5 and 50.5. Zero movement
on the side, but sharp action has forced us to move the total to 49.5.
Matchup of the Game: QB Peyton Manning vs. the league’s
worst ranked passing defense.
Key Injuries: Colts - S Melvin Bullitt and S Bob Sanders
both listed as questionable. CB Kelvin Hayden upgraded to Probable.
Chargers - CB Antonio Cromartie is as probable. CB Cletis
Gordon is questionable. DE Luis Castillo injured last game, listed questionable.
Weather: It’s San Diego, it’s perfect football weather
for a night game. Game-time temperature around 70 degrees with a little
breeze.
