The 100th NFL season gets into full swing — all right, it is preseason — with every team playing preseason games this week. A look at some of the more interesting angles to watch and the odds Vegas somehow has come up with on these games. Bet with your head, not over it, as the saying goes. And in this case, it probably is safer to watch than wager. (Odds courtesy of Vegasinsider.com).
THURSDAY
Jets at Giants
Daniel Jones makes his debut at MetLife. Will be fascinating to see the greeting the rookie from Duke gets from the crowd. This one used to be the third game of the preseason but is an opener. On the Jets’ side, it gives the fans of Gang Green a chance to see Le’Veon Bell, assuming he’s able to go after battling cramps during early practices.
The lines: Jets minus-2 and over/under 33 1/2
Colts at Bills
This one could be considered the Frank Gore game. The great running back spent three seasons as a Colt, rushing for 2,953 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’s on to Buffalo, now, and needs to rush for 252 yards to crack the 15,000-yard mark. Of course, the drama surrounding Andrew Luck is the story in Indy.
The lines: Bills minus-1; o/u 34 1/2
Jaguars at Ravens
The Nick Foles era begins in Jacksonville. Don’t expect to see the prized free agent signee much in the game. As first-stringers don’t get a ton of action in preseason but Foles does need to build chemistry. It is also time to deliver for Leonard Fournette. He’s created more issues than yards gained of late and now he needs to grow up or expect to be looking for a new team. The Ravens will be exciting and full of speed as Marquise “Hollywood” Brown joins Lamar Jackson. Also, in the backfield with the Heisman winner from Louisville will be another Heisman winner, Mark Ingram.
The lines: Ravens minus-4; o/u 33
Titans at Eagles
The Eagles’ backfield will be of interest as Jordan Howard comes over from Chicago and second-rounder Miles Sanders from Penn State are dueling for work among others. On the Tennessee side, it is a season where Marcus Mariota must stay healthy and step up as well as his teammates, who have been battling injuries in camp.
The lines: Eagles minus-3 1/2; o/u 37
Falcons at Dolphins
Ryan Fitzpatrick has played his way into the starting job for Miami. It makes you wonder if a second-round pick for Josh Rosen was too much. Talk about a guy who has more headlines than wins. That said, if you are gonna learn it is good to have a teacher who went to Harvard. For Atlanta, let’s see how Devonta Freeman looks after injuries wrecked his 2018. Dan Quinn said Freeman is his No. 1 back on Sunday. He needs to carry and deliver.
The lines: Dolphins minus-3 1/2; o/u 35 1/2
Patriots at Lions
Sergio Estrada, USA TODAY Sports
Matt Patricia vs. Bill Belichick with nothing at stake. Don’t expect to see much from the Patriots. They are the Super Bowl champs and know what to do and when to push the “Go” button. The Lions have always been challenged at running back, seemingly, since Barry Sanders retired. Will be interesting if Kerryon Johnson can stay healthy and give them the No. 1 they need for the entire season. Zach Zenner keeps on plugging on. Medical school one day, but not now.
The lines: New England minus-3; o/u 36
Redskins at Browns
The old and the restless. Colt McCoy and Case Keenum are at quarterback as is first-round pick, Dwayne Haskins. Jay Gruden has a lot riding on this season and it will be fascinating to see how fast he hands the keys to the rookie from Ohio State … if he does. Meanwhile, the Browns are the “it” team for 2019. That can be a blessing and a curse. Imagine if Baker Mayfield, Freddy Kitchens & Co. don’t live up to the headlines and hype?
The lines: Washington minus-1; o/u 35
Texans at Packers
J.J. Watt gets to play in Wisconsin. Home, sweet, home. That’s a highlight for the Texans’ defensive star. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense is in the hands of coach Matt LaFleur. Will be interesting to see the chemistry between the future Hall of Famer and rookie coach for as long as Rodgers is in the game. Packerswire also gives us a heads-up on Danny Vitale, a fullback: Danny Vitale is the real deal. He not only lead blocks and pass protects, but he really is a skilled route runner and natural receiver out of the backfield. He caught several checkdowns underneath and then produced the play of the day when he made a contested catch over Zach Cunningham down the field on a wheel route. It was a pretty throw from Rodgers, and an incredible catch from Vitale. He’s just about a roster lock at this point. Coach Matt LaFleur trusts him to do everything. One Texan who isn’t making friends with Green Bay is second-round pick Lonnie Johnson, who earned an early shower for overzealous hits Monday.
The lines: Packers minus-2; o/u 36
Panthers at Bears
Expect to see a merry-go-round of quarterbacks for Carolina. Cam Newton is playing his way back into shape after off-season surgery. Ron Rivera, however, wants to get a look at all four QBs in camp: Newton, Kyle Allen, Will Grier and Taylor Heinicke. Sure the Carolina QBs won’t be anxious to look across at the vaunted Chicago defense. Rivera has decided not to use Newton or Luke Kuechly against the Bears. With Jordan Howard off to Philadelphia, Chicago definitely wants to see what David Montgomery can do in game situations.
The lines: Bears minus-3; o/u 37
Broncos at Seahawks
The Broncos are one of two teams playing their second game — Atlanta being the other. First-year coach Vic Fangio has to want to see more consistency out of Drew Lock, who will likely start the season behind Joe Flacco. It is a hard learning curve for rookies in general, but quarterbacks certainly feel it.
The lines: Seattle minus-1; o/u 36
Chargers at Cardinals
Kyler Murray was all of 3 years old when Philip Rivers was drafted by the Giants and flipped to the Chargers in 2004. Murray, who turns 22 on Aug. 7, and Kliff Kingsbury make their debut against Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers. Los Angeles gets into action sans Melvin Gordon, who is holding out. Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson will do their best to fill in while Gordon battles the front office.
The lines: Arizona minus-2; o/u 36
FRIDAY
A pair of games are on tap.
Buccaneers at Steelers
Bruce Arians is no stranger to the Steelers, so there is some synergy to him debuting as Bucs coach against Pittsburgh. The Steelers have shed the problem children in Anthony Brown and Le’Veon Bell. Will be intriguing to see if Ben Roethlisberger and the offense remain as powerful. Don’t be surprised if they do.
The lines: Steelers minus-2 1/2; o/u 37
Vikings at Saints
Ameer Adbullah is listed as the top spot at returner. Vikingswire astutely points out the RB has zero career punt returns in the NFL. This won’t happen this week but it is worth keeping an eye on Dez Bryant, who said he will give the Saints the first call if/when he is ready to play.
The lines: Saints minus-3; o/u 37 1/2
Saturday
Some teams will powerful fan bases will be playing on Saturday as a trio of games round out Week One.
Rams at Raiders
One player to keep an eye on for the Rams is RB Darrell Henderson Jr. With the questions around Todd Gurley and his knee, the third-rounder could be seeing plenty of action, especially in the preseason. The Raiders have three first-rounders and a lot of ground to gain to be competitive. RB Josh Jacobs from Alabama is another player who should be on the radar.
The lines: Raiders minus- 5 1/2; o/u 35 1/2
Bengals at Chiefs
The Zac Taylor era begins for the Bengals. One player who must deliver — now or never — has to be John Ross. He’s listed as No. 1 on the depth chart, for what it is worth. A.J. Green is, too, and he is injured. Per Bengalswire on Ross, who is perilously close to an all-time bust: “(T.J. Houshmandzadeh) told me while I was (in Los Angeles last month) that I shouldn’t be overworking it. I think that’s my problem. I don’t nearly do as much as you see people do on Instagram, but I do a lot and go very hard. Even Coach Taylor told to take it easy when I went back this summer. I feel like I toned it down, but I guess I didn’t enough. I think now I’ve got a better idea of how much I can do.” One player to eyeball on the defense is LB Germaine Pratt. The Chiefs will be looking at Carlos Hyde to see what he can do at RB. Hyde has bounced around and now he gets an opening with Damien Williams battling a hamstring.
The lines: Chiefs minus-5; o/u 36 1/2
Cowboys at 49ers
Dallas will probably be without Ezekiel Elliott, who is spending his holdout in Cabo, working out. Alfred Morris has been signed as a precaution. Also, look for the Cowboys to give a long look at Tony Pollard, who they drafted out of Memphis. The Niners are counting on Jimmy Garoppolo to bounce back in a big way after being lost to an ACL injury in 2018. Garoppolo won’t play this week. He is expected to see action in Weeks 2 and 3.
The lines: 49ers minus-3; o/u 36
