After a few days of working for the Man, it's time to get back to work I don't have to
fake like I enjoy -- sports wagering. After Tuesday's
1-1 record, I now hold an all-sports total of
14-5. Although MLB has reached a point in the season that can be incredibly profitable,
teams with post season potential versus teams most likely to tank games, I simply could not resist playing a trio of week three NFL preseason games.
Why week
three, you might ask?
Week three of the NFL preseason is often referred to as a "dress rehearsal" for the true season, because nearly all healthy starters will play either one half or three quarters of the game. So whether you are a casual NFL fan, NFL fantasy fanatic, or NFL sports wagering freak, week three of the preseason is
the one to watch -- and take a few notes, of course.
I begin tonight's picks in the state responsible for
Friday Night Lights (the book, the movie, the TV show), Texas. Football is the biggest sport in Texas, with Beer Pong coming in a close second for college students on the University of Texas (Austin) campus. Tonight the 2-0 Houston Texans visit the 0-2 Dallas Cowboys. The line opened at -6 in favor of the Cowboys, but has since fallen to -5.5. As an intense Cowboy fan, I'd like nothing more than to confidently predict an easy cover. After all, it is hard to
ever picture America's Team losing three straight contests, preseason or not. However, they have simply been dreadful this preseason, losing 31-17 at San Diego and then 23-13 at Denver. Poor offense. Poor defense. The only thing missing thus far is Jerry Jones pacing the sidelines, his freshly botoxed face growing pale in disbelief. T.O. recently exclaimed, "We'll be fine once the regular season starts. I promise you." That cryptic message does not sit well with any Cowboy fan hoping his/her beloved team wins at least one preseason game. And now here comes in state rival Houston, 2-0, with a young defense that has already forced two interceptions this preseason. Last year the Texans beat Dallas in preseason 28-16. While I certainly hope that score is reversed in favor of Dallas this time around, my official pick is...
Texans/Cowboys Over 41.5 (-110)Besides Michael Turner's 113 yards last week, the rest of the Atlanta Falcons played poorly once again in a 16-9 loss. The team committed
five turnovers. Tonight the 2-0 Tennessee Titans pay the 0-2 Dirty Birds a visit. Although Vince Young has been downright invisible this preseason (54 yards and a passer rating of 45.3), backups Kerry Collins and newbie Ingle Martin have played very well. And the Titans have scored an impressive 51 points while only allowing 29. Former BC Eagle Matt Ryan will get the start (175 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) for the Falcons. I expect him to play well, but I am siding with...
Titans +3 (-120)Perhaps the Madden curse is working in
reverse, for Brett Favre appears to be on the precipice of a successful first season with the New York Jets, while Packer QB Aaron Rodgers, and really the entire Packer organization, are performing like they consumed some rotten cheese. Last week the Packers starting group amassed a whopping 46 yards and four first downs. The Packers may get Greg Jennings back tonight, but the player they could really use, Ryan Grant, will more than likely miss another game. Add to this frightening mix a number of injured defensive players, the Mile High air, and, well, Green Bay, ask the Cowboys what you get.
Broncos -3 (-110)
May all your wagers be winners!