08/29/2008 - Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kolby Smith ran six times for 38 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Kansas City Chiefs over St. Louis, 21-17, in the teams' final preseason game.
Brodie Croyle completed three of four passing attempts for 42 yards in a limited day for all Chiefs quarterbacks. Damon Huard finished 2-for-2 with a score, while Tyler Thigpen went 0-for-6 under center for Kansas City (2-2) in a game that was delayed at the outset by a rain and wind storm.
Dantrell Savage finished with 21 yards rushing on 11 attempts, while Jackie Battle ran nine times for 55 yards for the Chiefs, who finished with just 205 net yards. Kansas City opens its regular season on September 7 with a major test at New England.
Brock Berlin went 13-for-21 passing for 107 yards and a touchdown for the Rams (2-2), while Bruce Gradkowski completed 11 of his 18 passes for 105 yards and was intercepted once.
Lance Ball rushed 13 times for 70 yards and a score, while Dane Looker caught three passes for 32 yards and one touchdown. St. Louis begins its regular season on September 7, at Philadelphia.
<< Ramirez keeps Cubs rolling with late-inning slam against Phils
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aramis Ramirez hit a go-ahead grand slam as
part of a five-run eighth inning, as the Chicago Cubs shocked the Philadelphia
Phillies with a 6-4 comeback win in the opener of a four-game set from Wrigley
Field.
<< Bears rally to get the best of Browns in preseason finale
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Caleb Hanie totaled 115 yards on 12-of-17
passing but was intercepted once, and Rex Grossman connected on 5-of-7 passes
for 59 yards and a score, as the Chicago Bears edged the Cleveland Browns,
16-10,
<< Buccaneers defeat Texans in preseason finale
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dexter Jackson returned a punt for a touchdown,
as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers edged out the Texans, 16-6, in the preseason
finale for both teams.
Josh Johnson went 8-of-13 with 85 yards for the Buccaneers
<< Dolphins edge Saints
New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chad Henne's eight-yard touchdown pass to
Sean Ryan late in the second quarter was the difference, as the Miami Dolphins
clipped the New Orleans Saints, 14-10, in the exhibition finale for both
clubs.
Blue Jays designate Stairs for assignment >>
St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Blue Jays designated Matt
Stairs for assignment following Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays and
are expected to trade the designated hitter within the next two days.
The Blue Jay
Rivera's double gives Angels comeback victory >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jon Garland persevered through eight innings,
and Juan Rivera had a go-ahead three-run double, as the Los Angeles Angels
came from four runs down to beat Texas, 7-5, in the opener of a four-game set.
Garl
A's edge Twins in ninth >>
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kurt Suzuki had a pinch-hit, game-winning
double in the ninth to lead the Oakland Athletics in a 3-2 victory over the
Minnesota Twins in the opener of a four-game set.
With the contest knotted at 2-2
Choice, Cowboys beat Vikings >>
Irving, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tashard Choice helped his chances of securing a
roster spot by scoring a touchdown to lead the Dallas Cowboys over the
Minnesota Vikings, 16-10, in the preseason finale for both teams at Texas
Stadium
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers SPORTS TRASH TALK
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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