Saturday Preseason Football

It is a large slate of action in Week 3 of the NFL preseason and every game has meaning to the players trying to make the team and coaches trying to be ready for the regular season. Here is a look at each game with key wagering information for each contest.

San Diego at Atlanta

This is will be the CBS game starting at 8:00 Eastern, with running back Michael Turner going against his old teammates from San Diego. Atlanta would be 2-0 if the backups had not surrendered lead late at Detroit in 27-26 loss. Quarterback Matt Ryan looks like we will avoid a sophomore slump, playing extremely well in limited action. The Falcons are 2.5-point favorites at Bookmaker.com with total of 42 and are 21-8 ATS after playing their last game on the road.

It’s been a different preseason for San Diego, as LaDainian Tomlinson has actually done something besides stand on the sidelines like in years past. L.T. isn’t being overworked mind you with eight carries and a couple of pass catches, however that is way more activity than he’s seen in recent years as he looks to rebound from injury. Even with last week’s 17-6 upset win in Arizona as 1.5-point underdogs, coach Norn Turner teams are 3-6 ATS as dogs or Pick.

Indianapolis at Detroit

Indianapolis may have rotten reputation as preseason team (6-18, 9-14-1 ATS), but Detroit is even less thought of as a team of any kind. In this NFL Network matinee, the Lions have gone from 1.5-point favorites to three-point underdogs. This is the dress rehearsal week for the regular season and the Colts are 6-1 ATS and Detroit is 2-10 SU and ATS in the next to last exhibition game.

New Orleans at Oakland

Another afternoon affair means another flip of the favorites, this time on the Left Coast. The always controversial Oakland Raiders have covered a pair of contests in sporting .500 record, however the wagering public isn’t sold this team that opened as Pick and fell to +2.5-points, is equipped to handle New Orleans who has won both contests by average of 17 points. The Saints are 23-10 ATS in August road games and 16-5 ATS in the visiting uniforms with six or less days rest.

Tennessee at Cleveland

Coach Eric Mangini will take one more look at Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn and decide who will be his starting quarterback in Cleveland, at least for game one. The Browns blew-up Detroit last week 27-10, but are 1-9 ATS after a win by 10 or more points. Tennessee played bored last Friday at Dallas, having played one more preseason contest thanks to Hall of Fame encounter. The Titans are two-point dogs, nonetheless are 11-1 ATS vs. opponent off a win and cover.

Buffalo at Pittsburgh

Buffalo is 1-2 and 1-1-1 ATS and this week have to solve turnover issues that are plaguing them, with 11 miscues already. Trent Edwards could use Terrell Owens, who is expected to miss another game with sprained toe. The Bills are six-point underdogs with total of 36, yet if they can score 15-21 points, they are 12-2 ATS on the road. Ben Roethlisberger was held out last week, but is presumed ready for action. Pittsburgh is 10-15 ATS in third preseason game and is 1-3 and 0-4 ATS since 2005.

Baltimore at Carolina

Carolina has yet to scratch in the win column in 2009, mostly due to run defense surrendering 140 yards a game. They’ll try and shore this area up this week, but it will be without linebacker Jon Beason, who strained his MCL, and who will be held out at least until regular season starts. Baltimore has been efficient 2-0 (1-1 ATS), looking like playoff contender again. Watch the total here (36) with Panthers on 6-0 OVER run and Ravens 14-4 UNDER off one or more straight Overs.

San Francisco at Dallas

For football fans, this encounter is a quick trip down memory lane of classic matchups these teams played in the 1980’s and 90’s. This won’t be the case today, with Dallas a seven-point favorite and total of 38. The 49ers named Shaun Hill as starting quarterback, but he and former No.1 pick Alex Smith might both be on the sidelines with injury. Say hello to Damon Huard and rookie Nate Davis for San Francisco who has two wins without a cover. The Cowboys played with purpose last in routing Tennessee 30-10, however is dastardly 1-9 ATS at home if opponent is off two SU wins.

Seattle at Kansas City

These former AFC division partners will meet again in Kansas City. Matt Hasselbeck looks all the way back from injured back of a year ago. Hasselbeck has the fastball back in repertoire and better accuracy on sideline routes. The Seahawks may be catching 2.5-points, however are 8-0 ATS in last eight August tries and 9-1 ATS since 2007. Kansas City has played like a team installing new offensive and defensive systems and is just the opposite of Seattle, posting 1-9 ATS mark the last three years.

N.Y. Jets vs N.Y. Giants

The Giants are the designated home team, which means they get the bigger locker room in bragging rights matchup. The G-Men have been hit hard on the defensive side of the ball with injuries, yet most Giants fans are more concerned if Eli Manning will mesh with wide receiver group quickly. The New York football Giants are 9-21 ATS in the last two weeks of the preseason. Rookie Mark Sanchez has enjoyed the bright lights of New York thus far, but now productivity will be his savior as Jets QB. Sanchez appeared a trifle overwhelmed by Baltimore’s defense last week and has to remain composed. Gang Green is 13-3-1 ATS in this Big Apple battle, on the receiving end of three points.