posted August 28, 2008 at 18:30 in NFL Free Picks
NFL Thursday Night Primer - Free Picks Galore!
New York Jets (2-1) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
Thursday, August 28th --- Lincoln Financial, Philadelphia --- 6:30pm EST
NFL Betting Line: Phi -1.5 (35.5)
New York is going to sit Brett Favre tonight because the old man is tired. Philadelphia has played very well this pre-season, including a 27-17 victory over the “we don’t give a crap about pre-season” Patriots. The Jets have done all they need to do, implementing their new roster and testing Brett Favre. So far, signs point favorably in the favor of the Jets and their betting faithful this football betting season.
The Eagles have played well during the offseason, using a strong foot from David Akers to help protect their leads. The defense has been strong, and I expect them to dismantle Kellen Clemens tonight. Bet on the Eagles to continue their 2-0 ATS streak to the end of pre-season betting tonight.
NFL Free Pick: Philadelphia -1.5 (OVER)
Detroit Lions (3-0) vs. Buffalo Bills (2-1)
Thursday, August 28th --- Raymond James, Buffalo --- 6:30pm EST
NFL Betting Line: Buf -3 (35)
Detroit rocked Cleveland last weekend on the foot of David Rayner while Kevin Smith punched in a 35-yard run to boot. The win had more to do with Detroit’s strong play at home, and Cleveland’s poor play overall. They do not handle the road that well, and Buffalo is coming off a 20-7 road win against the Colts.
The Bills continue their strong play in the pre-season at home tonight to close out the exhibition. Buffalo is a great play tonight as they get a 3-point margin over Detroit. Expect the game to be much worse for Detroit as they try to play on the road in Buffalo, who has too many questions to answer from rookies James Hardy and their back-up tailbacks before they close the book on pre-season.
NFL Free Pick: Buffalo +3 (UNDER)
Tennessee Titans (2-1) vs. Green Bay Packers (1-2)
Thursday, August 28th --- Lambeau Field, Green Bay ---87:00pm EST
NFL Betting Line: Tennessee -5 (36)
The Titans are 0-2 ATS in their last two games, which included a squeaker against Oakland and a brutal defeat at the hands of Atlanta. Green Bay has not fared as well heading through the pre-season, but should close out a win to end the pre-season against Tennessee. The Titans simply won’t risk their thin starting roster on the field for a pre-season win. That, and they’re on the road.
NFL Free Pick: Green Bay +5 (OVER)
St. Louis Rams (2-1) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (1-2)
Thursday, August 28th --- Arrowhead Field, KC --- 7:00pm EST
NFL Betting Line: EVEN (34)
Oh my lord. Their starters are bad enough. After they let their backups in, can you imagine how unwatchable this game will be? Are they even televising this game? St. Louis should push the score farther than expected, so bet on the Rams to win this game as Kansas City just prays they don’t get demolished by the Patriots in the season opener.
NFL Free Pick: St. Louis PK (UNDER)
Chicago Bears (0-3) vs. Cleveland Browns (0-3)
Thursday, August 28th --- Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland --- 7:30pm EST
NFL Betting Line: Chi PK (38)
The Browns are pretty banged up heading in to the season. They’re also winless and haven’t been able to cover the spread in the past three games. It would be easy to wager on them if they could produce points .But against Detroit, they posted six lousy points.
It’s not that Chicago is much better, it’s that they’ve been posting points in the pre-season. Whether they go with Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton tonight, Chicago will be able to pull of a win in a pick ‘em game with relative ease. Brady Quinn has proven to be less of a savior and more of a waste of hype, so don’t expect much.
NFL Free Pick: Chicago PK (UNDER)
Minnesota Vikings (1-2) vs. Dallas Cowboys (1-2)
Thursday, August 28th --- Texas Stadium, Dallas --- 8:00pm EST
NFL Betting Line: Dal -2.5 (36)
One team is supposed to be the favorite to win the NFC. The other is the sexy underdog pick that everyone is jumping all over.
It’s not Minnesota’s defense I’m worried about. It’s their offense. After suffocating Pittsburgh’s punchy offense to only to only 281 yards, the offense took the field and posted an uninspiring 10 points.
Dallas lost against the spread last week when Houston posted 22-points on their defense, but don’t expect Minnesota to be able to do the same. Bet heavy on Dallas as they prepare to answer the hype.
NFL Free Pick: Dallas -2.5 (UNDER)
Miami Dolphins (2-1) vs. New Orleans Saints (2-1)
Thursday, August 28th --- Superdome, New Orleans --- 8:00pm EST
NFL Betting Line: NO -3 (36)
Miami needs to see what else they have moving forward. Can Chad Henne back up Chad Pennington? What does Ronnie Brown have to offer with a strained thumb and a recovering knee? What the hell is catching the ball other than Derek Hagan? A lot of questions need to be answered before any of the Dolphins betting backers lump in on a team that crumbled to a 3-12 SU last season.
New Orleans has flip-flopped against the spread during the pre-season but they have nothing left to prove. They know what they’re capable of and will drop a game to Miami, which is still finding it’s way. Miami is riding a 2-0 ATS streak that will continue to close out exhibition tonight.
NFL Free Pick: MIA +3 (UNDER)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) vs. Houston Texans (2-1)
Thursday, August 28th --- Reliant Stadium, Houston --- 8:00pm EST
NFL Betting Line: EVEN
I loved the Bucs last week, but their quarterbacks struggle caused their downfall as Jacksonville victimized them for three picks. Houston isn’t capable of doing that with their secondary, and the backup quarterbacks in Tampa won’t risk losing the rights to the second spot behind Jeff Garcia.
Houston’s defense has really come alive in the past few seasons, but they still allow people to score, even if it isn’t at will. The Texans are riding a 2-1 ATS streak this pre-season, but won’t be able to keep that going against a Tampa team that travels relatively well.
Tampa Bay took a loss to Jacksonville on the chin that they will rectify tonight when they visit Houston tonight in a pick ‘em matchup.
NFL Betting Free Pick: Tampa Bay PK (UNDER)
