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Sunday, September 24, 2006

New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks

Line: Seahawks -3½ (Opening: Seahawks -3½)

Over/Under: 43½

Key Points: Giants TE Jeremy Shockey will play in all likelihood, but it will be with an ankle injury, ditto for WR Plaxico Burress, who missed practice Thursday with a bad back. RB Tiki Barber, who has a deep bruise on his left arm, will play.

The Seahawks bolstered their receiving crops with the acquisition of former Superbowl MVP Deion Branch, who should see his first action of the season. He will be a welcome addition too, because TE Jerramy Stevens is on the sick bay with a knee injury.

TE Itula Mili, who would’ve started in Stevens’ place, will probably be available only in a backup capacity—also a knee injury—leaving Will Heller as the No. 1 TE.

MVP Shaun Alexander is listed as probable despite a foot injury and QB Matt Hasselbeck will play with tender ribs.

Seattle’s offensive line will enter into the game missing a key component. The hogs will be missing a little pork as OG Floyd “Pork Chop” Womack will be out.

The NFL football Giants love playing on artificial turf as they have batted .800 in their last 15 matchups ATS.

When favored by a margin of 3½ to a TD at Qwest Field, the Seahawks are an appalling 10-25.

Winneronline Opinion: A really good looking matchup and even though Eli and friends are probably still high after last week’s comeback, the Seahawks should still cover.

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots

Line: Pats -6½ (Opening: Pats -6)

Over/Under: 38½

Key Points: The Broncos have relied on a RB by committee with the two Bells, Mike and Tatum. But Mike will be playing with an injured finger going into the Sunday nighter.

Two games into the NFL regular season campaign, Denver’s passing game is struggling. Jake is playing like a plumber and has thrown five interceptions already and has a measly 66.7 QB rating.

WR Rod Smith is probable, although he did suffer a concussion last week.

Meanwhile the Patriots, who no longer have the services of David Givens and Deion Branch, will have a starting QB who is less than 100 percent. Tom Brady has an ailing shoulder and is listed as probable.

OT Nick Kaczur has a shoulder injury and is listed as questionable.

The Broncos haven’t fared well after a home win against a division opponent—they beat KC in a 9-6 barnburner last week—going 3-10 against the number in those situations.

In their last 43 matchups as a chalk, the Pats have covered 30 times.

If you are going to back New England you’ll be happy to know that the total is 38 and change as the Pats are 15-3 when the over/under is between 35½ and 42.

Winneronline Opinion: The Broncos will go the way of Jake Plummer.

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