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Monday, September 10, 2007

Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals (Opening: Cincy -3, Total 40)

In true AFC North fashion, this will be a smash mouth football affair with Jamal Lewis’ successor Willis McGahee grinding out yards on the ground for Baltimore and Rudi Johnson scrapping for every yard on the ground for Cincinnati. Both defenses will limit the opposing RB to about 3 point something yards a carry, with the point something being on the low side.

The Ravens’ secondary will smother Ocho Cinco and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, further limiting the number of options for Cincy QB Carson Palmer and the final score will be significantly below the total of 40½ set by bookies in Las Vegas.

Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers (Opening: 49ers -3, Total 45)

Like KC-Houston, another under will fall by the wayside as ‘Zona’s Matt Leinart will be involved in a gunfight with San Fran’s Alex Smith at Monster Park at Candlestick Point.

Smith will take advantage of former enemy (from Seattle) WR Darrell Jackson, WR Ashley Lelie and emerging youngsters RB Frank Gore and TE Vernon Davis.

Gore will rack up a lot of yards on the ground, setting up Smith passes to Jackson, Lelie and Davis.

Under new coach Ken Whisenhunt’s new system, Leinart will throw TD strikes to the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Bryant Johnson, while RB Edgerrin James will also hit one of the three talented WRs for a TD on a trick HB pass play.

The total will only go over by a few points and unlike the Vegas line, the Cards will be the team that ends up winning by 3-points, as Arizona will finally take a step in the right direction.

September 6, 9, 10