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2009 NFL Week One Preview
Published: September 12, 2009
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The 2009 NFL season got off to a great start on Thursday night, as the Pittsburgh Steelers got an overtime win against the Tennessee Titans in Pittsburgh.
Let’s take a look at week one’s top NFL games.
Cowboys vs. Buccaneers
Will the Cowboys put the TMZness of their “America’s Team” past in the trash and start playing football again?
No one except Romo and crew knows for sure, but one thing is for certain: the Cowboys are rock solid during the first half of the season. Romo is a capable QB that has all the tools to win, but who does he throw the ball to? Jessica TO has moved on to colder pastures leaving, a huge wide receiver hole in Dallas.
Roy Williams, Sam Hurd, and Pat Clayton are called upon to make receptions, but one will need to step up and be Romo’s go-to-guy after Jason Witten.
Luckily “the ‘Boys” still have a punishing runner in Marion Barber and a top defense that needs to show up during the second half of the season.
On the other side of the field you have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs are missing some key personnel including long term coach Jon Gruden, along with long term defensive player Derrick Brooks.
The reason Gruden is gone is because the Bucs, unable to win, saw a terrible melt down last year.
The Bucs offense will be lead by QB Byron Leftwich after the front office also parted ways with QB Jeff Garcia. Leftwich still possesses a strong arm and has help with a good offensive line and an excellent run game.
Overall, this year’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in transition, with a young coach in Morris and younger players on both sides of the field.
Pick
Dallas -6
Eagles vs. Panthers
Doubts in the minds of Philadelphians are growing each and every day going into Sunday’s game vs. Carolina. Working out offensive lineman Jon Runyan after passing on him means the offensive line has big questions.
To make matters worse, Brian Westbrook may not be ready to carry the team on his back and the defense has major questions that need to be answered.
Can D-Mac get his game on without all the offseason toys on the field? If the receivers can get open and D-Mac can stay off the ground, they have a shot.
The Carolina Panthers are somewhat of an enigma going into this game, due to preseason injuries and an 0-4 preseason record. The Panthers and Eagles are both horrible teams on opening day, which puts this game on some even ground.
Carolina still has a talented run game, utilizing both DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart to get the tough yards. The receivers are led by the talented Steve Smith and gun slinger Jake Delhomme.
Delhomme needs to stop making mental errors and play a clean game Sunday to have a shot.
Pick
Under 43 1/2
Chicago vs. Green Bay
No doubt, Chicago gets better with Jay Cutler at QB, but what about the rest of the team?
As Chicago gets older, its winning ways seem to dwindle. On offense, RB Matt Forte is an explosive weapon that will help Cutler in the pass game.
The big question will be at WR.
You can’t win games throwing to your TE and RB’s forever, can you? Deven Hester is not what you would call a number one receiver and depth at his position is lacking in a major way.
At least you have tons of talent on the defensive side of the ball, but they are getting old and less effective each year.
If you missed the Green Bay Packers in the preseason, they looked great on both sides of the ball. Pretty much the same team is in place that crushed the Bears last year 37-7 with QB Aaron Rodgers leading the Pack again.
Green Bay does well in the beginning of the year, so you would expect more of the same in 2009. No real super stars on this team, but Green Bay has all around talent and as long as they stay healthy, they will be a tough team to beat this year.
Pick
Green Bay -3 1/2
NFL betting at lines2bet.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
NFC East Odds Preview 2009
Published: August 27, 2009
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Let’s take a look at the 2009 NFC East Division and check the odds to win it.
Philadelphia Eagles
It seems the NFC East has become more difficult with emergence of Philly in early 2000s.
Andy Reid has changed the Eagles losing ways along with Donovan McNabb and the late Jim Johnson.
This year’s team might have had its best possible offseason in its history, but injuries might not see it play out.
Middle LB Stewart Bradley is gone for the year as is 3rd round draft pick TE Cornelius Ingram. QBs Kevin Kolb and Todd Herremans are also injured. Add the fact that Pro Bowler Shawn Andrews has not played since September 2008, Jason Peters, Stacy Andrews and Brian Westbrook are coming back from injuries, and you get a lot of unwanted stress if you’re Andy Reid.
To be honest, the Eagles were very lucky last year getting into the playoffs.
The Eagles have the play makers and soldiers to make something happen, but how far will they go is anyone’s guess. +130 at Lines2bet.com
Dallas Cowboys
With no more Terrell Owens and Jessica Simpson TMZ drama, the Cowboys might have a shot this year.
Jason Witten and Marion Barber are stable go-to guys, but it will take Patrick Crayton and Roy Williams to reach down and help Tony Romo move forward this year.
The Cowboys still have a solid defense and made a nice pick up getting DE Igor Olshansky out of San Diego.
The defense will need to match its beginning intensity all the way through the year for the Cowboys to be successful. +220 at Lines2bet
New York Giants
The Giants start with defense and end up handing the ball over to Eli Manning hoping he won’t make mistakes.
No Plaxico Burress or Amani Toomer will make Eli’s job more difficult, but lets see how rookie WR Hakeem Hicks picks up the NFL.
As long as LB Antonio Pierce gets back on the field the Giants are in good shape.
The Giants are well coached and have the tools to take the NFC East.
+130 at Lines2bet
Washington Redskins
The Redskins are a mystery.
Every year Dan Snyder spends, spends and spends more to create a another losing team.
What gives?
This year might change because they have a nasty front-four defensive line that includes newly acquired DT Albert Haynesworth. They have a solid LB crew and DB crew that includes young studs DeAngelo Hall and LaRon Landry.
Offensively they have good players as well and if there is weakness it might be on the offensive line.
Snyder’s expensive fantasy teams can’t lose forever can they?
Their odds make me want to back them for a penny at +400 at lines2bet.
Who do you think wins the NFC East in 2009?
NFL betting at www.lines2bet.com.
