Cowboys vs. Saints: Are underdog Saints primed for an upset on SNF?
By: Dan Orlando
This game would look much different if Drew Brees were under center for New Orleans on Sunday Night Football.
Instead it’s the Teddy Bridgewater show. The result is a 3-point unfavorable spread at home against the 3-0 Dallas Cowboys.
I’d argue, the projected deficit is being generous to the Saints.
An injured Brees isn’t the whole problem…it actually may not be the problem at all
The Cowboys had an NCAA-level cupcake slate to begin the season, with their opening opponents having one total win between them. Still, the Dallas offense has looked impressive. That’s not likely to stop when they take on a Saints defense that is averaging more than 27 points allowed-per game.
Dallas is averaging 32.3 points-per-game and is currently the league’s third strongest offense. The Saints are only averaging 24, but at this early point in the campaign, that number is severly hampered by one poor performance. The 9-point outing against the Rams has marred two other 30-or-above showings.
The Saints hung 33 on Seattle last week despite being without Brees.
Bottom Line
This game will show the league if Dallas is for real. They’ll be without Michael Gallup but the focal points of the offense will be there. The Saints defense won’t contain Dallas much better than their previous three opponents.
The deciding factor comes down to the Cowboys averaging 14.7 points allowed-per-game.
Seattle is averaging over 26. You won’t see Bridgewater’s Saints getting to 33. Even if you tax Dallas with another TD due to the weak stable of opponents that they’ve held down.
Dallas 28 - Saints 21. Dallas doesn’t need to feat the three point spread.
Note: All articles by Dan Orlando on this site are analysis. They are not guaranteed outcomes of games.
Chargers vs Dolphins: Is 44.5 too high?
The Chargers are in Miami to take on Tua Tagovailoa’s future team in a matchup that pits the current tanker against an offense attempting to get Phillip Rivers one more shot at glory.
Always the bridesmaid and never the bride, Rivers has been unable to break through the Brady barrier, and has yet to lead his Chargers past the AFC title game.
Hopes were high that the 16-year vet could manage that this year, especially with the Colts losing Luck unexpectedly. But here they sit in Week 4, 1-2 and nursing multiple offensive injuries as the hapless Dolphins await them.
Even with Melvin Gordon back and expected to take limited snaps, will the Chargers have enough incentive to push this game past 44 points?
LA will need to do it themselves
Miami’s best offensive performance so far this season is 10 points. They put up 0 against New England.
Their cellar-dweller defense will likely put them behind early, meaning LA can ease up on the gas in the second half.
Will the Chargers put up 34 points if they don’t have to?
Bottom Line:
The view of this over/under weighs heavily on if the Dolphins can upgrade to a 17-point performance, which takes some of the pressure off of the Chargers. Even then, this is a close call.
LA had a good showing against Indianapolis, notching 30. But the Chargers needed overtime to do it.
I’ll project them to 24 against this woeful Dolphin defense, because they will likely be in control of this one before the fourth quarter and can trade scores for clock drainage.
Add in an extra field goal somewhere along the line and you’re still landing at 44. That’s with Miami exceeding expectations.
This line looks sound.
Note: All articles by Dan Orlando on this site are analysis. They are not guaranteed outcomes of games.
Giants vs. Washington: How much is Saquon Barkley's absence impacting the line?
By: Dan Orlando
Daniel Jones may only be entering his second start, but the rookie’s inexperience is not why DraftKings has the Giants and Washington separated by only 3 points in Week 4.
New York will be entering the matchup without star running back Saquon Barkley. This loss alone arguably accounts for at least 7 points not going on the board.
But is this spread realistic?
The Giants are both the home team and the favorite. Winless Washington is in such bad shape, that they are opting to keep their first-round rookie QB on the bench due to a lack of weapons and protection.
Both teams are averaging 31. 3 points allowed per game. But the Giants hung 32 on Tampa Bay last week in Jones’ debut and Washington managed 27 against the Eagles and 21 against the Cowboys, before a flat 15-point outing against Chicago in a game that looked better for them on paper than it actually was.
Two struggling defenses tells me we’ll see three TD’s from both sides, but I don’t see Jones & Co stopping there.
Barkley is irreplaceable, but the rookie signal caller didn’t miss a beat last week when he was without Saqoun for the majority of the game against a respectable defense.
Bottom Line:
Washington may not be as bad as their 0-3 record suggests and defender Landon Collins enters Sunday’s game with an extra-large chip on his shoulder. They may keep this within one score on the road.
But that score will be a touchdown. Giants win 28-21.
Note: All articles by Dan Orlando on this site are analysis. They are not guaranteed outcomes of games.
Patriots at Bills: Will they reach the over?
By: Dan Orlando
On the back-half of 2019, cars still can’t fly and teleportation isn’t a reality. But you’re actually checking a sports blog to see if the Patriots will struggle with a 7.5 spread against the Bills.
So change is certainly upon us.
Despite the hype surrounding this game, the Patriots should cover. I don’t see Tom Brady sweating out a one possession lead in the final minutes of any divisional game this year.
In reality, the more interesting bet- and perhaps the more telling one for a Buffalo team looking to move up in weight class- is the 43.5 over/under.
The Patriots are averaging 5.7 points allowed per game and have only surrendered 110 rushing yards through three weeks.
Buffalo is no lay down. They’re entering the final lap of the first quarter with the 5th ranked defense.
But who have they played?
After being the only team to face what was thought to be a high ceiling Jets offense in Week 1 before health issues tore that unit to shreds, undefeated Buffalo beat a floundering Eli Manning-led attack in the QBs final stand and an 0-3 Cincinnati squad at home.
The Bengals are only averaging 18- points per game.
Today’s game in Western New York may not lead to a Bills upset victory, but if the home team can corral the Patriots and their 35.3 points per game average, Buffalo is for real.
Bottom Line
The Bills are averaging 22 points per game against three of the NFL’s weakest defenses. That number will drop against the Patriots.
Buffalo’s defense is in for a gut-check afternoon against the Pats but they’re still a unit on the rise. They’ll keep Brady & friends under their average and stop the bleeding at 31 or lower.
It will take a fluke play or two, like last week’s events against the Jets to push this game into 44-point territory. There will likely be less opportunity for that, given that the up-and-coming Bills are a more formidable opponent, and the Patriots may keep their starters in later.
Note: All articles by Dan Orlando on this site are analysis. They are not guaranteed outcomes of games.
NFL: 5 Questions for Week 3 Sunday
By: Dan Orlando
1. What will the debut of Daniel Jones do for The Giants?
How quickly things have changed for 6th overall pick, Daniel Jones. Once, the latest questionable decision from the Giants front office, Jones is now one of the franchise’s biggest draws as it attempts to stop the bleeding in Tampa Bay.
Jones lit up the preseason, going 29 for 34 with 416 yards and and two touchdowns. Can he keep up that impressive pace against a regular season Todd Bowles defense?
Maybe the stat sheet will be a bit less impressive, but Jones has a real chance to make a good first impression with his new team.
The rookie signal caller brings a mobility and arm strength to the Giants, that has been clearly lacking in Eli Manning’s later years. There’s a strong belief within the organization that Jones is better suited to run HC Pat Shurmur’s offensse than Eli, which would mean higher score totals for the New York Giants once the rookie settles in.
2. The Rams and Browns square off tonight in a potential Super Bowl preview. Is Cleveland for real?
Cleveland needs a signature win over a true contender, after getting fleeced in Week 1 by the struggling Titans. Luckily for them, they get home turf and the momentum that comes from smacking around a severely mismatched opponent in Week 2.
The 2-0 Rams are obviously know for being offensive pace-setters, but if Baker Mayfield and his surrounding cast of weapons can outpace the Rams fifth ranked defense, Cleveland is for real.
3. Are the Steelers Sunk?
Are the Steelers headed towards 0-3? Former 3rd round pick, Mason Rudolph has the tall task of trying to keep Pittsburgh in contention early in 2019 now that Ben Roethlisberger is out for the year.
Rudolph when 12-of-19 for 112 yards, 2 TDs and 1 interception last week in a loss. Today, he’ll take on the 2-0 49er’s on the road. It will be his first of what could be a 13-start audition for the role of Pittsburgh QB1 in 2020 and beyond.
4. Are the Bengals headed towards 0-3?
In a division dominated by Cleveland’s potential rise, the Steeler’s fall from perennial contention and the emergence of Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, the Bengals have become an afterthought.
Today they’ll take on the hot Buffalo Bills in Western New York. Former first-round pick, Andy Dalton in on pace for a nearly 6,000 yard, 32 TD season, but one has to wonder what his future holds if he fails yet again to deliver a deep playoff run to Cincinnati.
5. Is this Teddy Bridgewater’s comeback moment?
It may have to be for the Saints, who will have to go without their iconic QB, Drew Brees for a significant portion of the season.
The former Viking struggled last week when thrust into action against the Rams, failing to notch a TD. He’ll be taking on the 2-0 Seahawks Sunday in arguably the toughest venue for away teams in the NFL.
The Seattle defense has been middle of the pack thus far in 2019 and Bridgewater will need to exploit that if he wants to avoid facing the Super Bowl contender Dallas Cowboys from a 1-2 hole in Week 4.
Free Daily Fantasy Lineup to Start the Year! Packers v. Bears
If you have been following our work over the past few weeks here at dbwins, you may be asking yourself: Where is the fantasy advice from supposed expert Money Mike??
The answer is that yearly fantasy, while fun, makes significantly less money for you. Obviously I take my yearly fantasy league with my buddies very seriously as well, but there are plenty of expert opinions out there for you to look at. If you would prefer my opinion on your weekly start-em sit-em troubles, shoot me a tweet or dm @MoneyMikeWins, or check out my twitch show found at twitch.tv/moneymikewins.
Now let’s get down to business.
Daily fantasy sports is quickly becoming one of the most popular and lucrative modes of playing throughout the betting world. Some are saying that daily fantasy sports is the “New Poker”. There are strategies and tips available that most people simply won’t be bothered to learn. Luckily for all of you, I have done that research for you, and the time has come to win some tournaments. Keep in mind this lineup is for Draft Kings.
Packers @ Bears
Captain: QB Mitch Trubisky
Flex: QB Aaron Rodgers
Flex: WR Davante Adams
Flex: K Mason Crosby
Flex: K Eddy Pineiro
Flex: TE Adam Shaheen
When playing DFS, it is important to have players in your lineup that are scoring touchdowns (obviously). This is even more important in single-game contests such as tonight. For that reason, I like to have both quarterbacks in the lineup, with a slight edge to Trubisky to save myself a little cap room. Captains cost more because they are rewarded 1.5x points scored. Obviously Davante Adams is a major part of the Green Bay offense and it is crucial that he gets involved for the Packers to have a chance.
Kickers are a great cheap fit in DFS lineups as well because they are a guaranteed handful of points. Finally with Shaheen, he is a very low cost player tonight that has high upside and touchdown potential with his red zone usage.
If you have any questions about what contests to join, how Daily Fantasy Sports work, or anything else regarding fantasy football, shoot me a text over at 551-500-3291.
Ezekiel Elliot: Do the Cowboys need him to remain the favorites in Week 1?
By: Dan Orlando
When the 2019 NFL schedule was released, the Dallas Cowboys were tabbed the favorites in a Week 1 matchup that you can set your watch by against the New York Giants.
The availability of Ezekiel Elliot, their two-time NFL rushing leader and 4th year player, was assumed at the time.
It is currently very much in doubt as his contract holdout remains stuck in neutral.
But the Giants find themselves in -what they hope is- the final stages of an aggressive rebuild. The defense is arguably the bigger question mark of both sides of the ball with young or untested players at most positions.
So do the Cowboys, who will field a competent QB, a marquee wide receiver and a formidable defense truly need their star RB to remain in control against a team they’ve beaten four-straight times?
A man who has managed to become a Dallas player and legend simultaneously feels that the absence will certainly be noticed.
"My gosh, look what he's done in his time in the NFL," said Witten in a recent interview. "And you're not the same when someone like that's not on the field. No excuses. You've got to go find ways, different ways to do it."
Rookie, Tony Pollard is the first man off the bench with Zeke not in the lineup.
A fourth-round rookie out of Memphis, Pollard averaged over 1,600 all-purpose yards (including specials) during his time in school. He averaged almost 8.5 yards per carry and found the end zone against the Rams during a preseason matchup in Hawaii.
While what Pollard does in extended regular season action remains a bit of an unknown, the Giants inability to cove tight ends is well documented.
Does Dak Prescott take some pressure off of his running game by attacking New York’s second level?
Perhaps. The previously mentioned Witten may very well return to his Giants-killer status, but with a year spent in the broadcast boost instead of on the field hanging over him, his effectiveness is it’s own question mark.
In a meaningless Week 17 contest last year, Blake Jarwin came alive. He notched 7 receptions for 119 yards and three – yes three – touchdowns.
But the uncertainty remains. Those three scores are the only ones of Jarwin’s then two-year career. He has only caught 20 passes outside of that particular matchup as well.
Which brings us to the main aerial matchup. Amari Cooper.
The former Raider’s 75 receptions and 1005 yards after gelling into a new offense last season should mean a young Giants secondary will bleed field position and points on 9/8. Right?
Yet again, only maybe.
Cooper is optimistic that he’ll be on hand for Week 1, but he has been dealing with plantar fasciitis all summer.
Even if Cooper is on the field against the Giants, there is a chance he’s not 100%. If New York’s top CB, Janoris Jenkins, is on his game, Cooper’s effectiveness may be significantly limited. This is especially true if the running game is deemed less of a threat than usual.
Bottom line, this may be one of the toughest matchups to call on opening weekend.
Question marks abound for both teams on both sides of the ball.
A Zeke return tips this back into the Cowboy’s favor but right now, this matchup is in no-man’s land.
New York Yankees: A Statistic that Must Continue on the Quest to 28
By: Jim Pizappi
2019 has been a very interesting year for the New York Yankees thus far. Whether it has been the devastating injuries to major players, the men who stepped up behind them, or the suspect starting pitching from guys you expect more from, this season has had it all. As the Yankees wind down their final west coast trip of the year (thank goodness, I’m tired), I’d like to highlight something this team has done exceptionally well that is a key reason they are competing for home field advantage with their sights set on their first World Series appearance of the 2010’s. Hitting with runners in scoring position.
The Yankees lead all of Major League Baseball with a .298 BA with men in scoring position, a massive contributor to their stellar record. This has been especially important given the fact that their starting pitchers have been anything but consistent. It’s no secret the Yanks can hit the ball out of the park. Hell, they crushed the record for most home runs in a month EVER with a few games still to go. This season, however, they can do even more thanks to a well-rounded lineup.
The following numbers are ranks in the American League. We all know the legend of DJ LeMahieu with RISP, who is hitting .398 in those situations and trails only Miguel Cabrera (wow), but how about Gio Urshela who is right behind him? Gio is hitting .374 with RISP, and man do Aaron Boone and company have some tough decisions to make when guys like Luke Voit, Edwin Encarnacion and Giancarlo Stanton come back. Gleyber Torres is also hitting .357 with RISP in the middle of a MONSTER season at 22 years old. This is going to be a difference maker for the Yankees moving forward because in playoffs’ past (see the 2017 ALCS) the Yankees just could not get the job done with men in scoring position.
Not only have the Yankees been hitting with men on, they have been hitting for power. They lead everyone and their mother with an .894 OPS with RISP. I am not the biggest advanced stats guy, I think things like WAR and what not are for the birds, but OPS is a very telling number. Do you get on base and do you hit for extra bases? The Yankees do both of these things exceptionally well, especially with a few ducks in the pond.
If the Yankees are going to roll out a playoff rotation consisting of Tanaka, Paxton, German and some combination of arms for a bullpen game, they will need to hit the ball when they inevitably create some traffic. Their team OBP of .343 suggests they will have baserunners since this is good for third in the majors. So there you have it, as long as starters aren’t giving up 8 runs in 3 innings (please, PLEASE do not do that) then the Yankees have the ability to beat anyone. Yes, even them.
Sam Darnold: Week 1 is an Early Test
The Sam Darnold led Jets are -3.5 favorites when the Buffalo Bills come to town Week 1.
The matchup is a crucial first step for a New York club with high expectations despite having a new head coach and young QB.
Yes, the addition of Le’Veon Bell should provide the Jets some strength on the ground.
But perhaps the most intriguing matchup to watch is how Darnold competes against 2018’s stingiest passing defense.
Despite a 6-10 record, the Bills frustrated opposing quarterbacks last season. They split with the Jets, dropping the second meeting.
However, they trounced New York in their first tilt, holding the Jets attack - albeit without Darnold- to only 10 points.
Darnold will likely lead Adam Gase’s offense past Buffalo and onto a home win come September 8th. But this may not be the sure thing some envision it could be. A sub-7 line should certainly keep this one interesting.
NFL Week 1: Eli Will Start Despite the Rise of 'Danny Dimes'
By: Dan Orlando
Daniel Jones has-at least-temporarily quieted his critics three-straight with impressive preseason performances.
Under typical circumstances, a sixth-overall selection in the NFL Draft with the hot hand and superior athleticism would edge out an incumbent starter who has gone 8-23 in the past two seasons.
However, the Giants have made it abundantly plain that they intend to give Eli Manning one more chance to end his New York tenure (and perhaps career) on a high-note.
There are reasons for the hesitation to hand over reigns in order to hold on to a 16-year veteran that has struggled since barely missing the playoffs in 2012.
After Manning delivered the franchise two Super Bowl wins before the close of his 8th season, years of sub-par drafting caught up with the Giants. The result was a squandering of the back-half of Manning’s prime.
A quarterback once making a case for elite status was forced to play behind basement-dwelling offensive lines for six -straight seasons, attempt to prop-up a comically bad secondary that blew multiple late-game leads in 2015 and carry an entire offense on his back before New York revived its running game in 2018 behind Saquon Barkley.
So what can Manning do behind the revitalized offensive line that is set to take the field with him on September 8th? What kind of plays can he make with one of the league’s biggest stars making the offense two-dimensional once again?
Quite honestly, the Giants don’t know. It may be too little, too late. But Manning is going to get a chance in a game that counts to show that he’s got a few laps left.
If Manning can regain some of his old form, the Giants enter 2019 with a championship-caliber QB who is armed with a plethora of in-game experience and veteran intuition.
That’s not exactly a bad spot for a team that may have all the other pieces in place that it needs to be competitive in December once again.
If the reinforcements aren’t enough to make him dangerous again? Then “Danny Dimes” won’t need to wait until 2020 to see some time under center.
NFL Week 1: Did Cam Newton's injury ensure LAR is your best Cali play?
By: Dan Orlando
FanDuel has the defending NFC Champion LA Rams opening up as only 3 point favorites when they visit a Panthers club that finished 2018 at 7-9 on Sept. 8th.
Even with a healthy Cam Newton- which is now on shaky ground-, this projection is a bit hard to buy into.
Carolina was the 19th ranked defense last season.
Yes they added Brian Burns for the edge in the NFL Draft and signed Gerald McCoy to give this unit a bit more teeth, but I’m not yet buying that the Panthers keep up with Sean McCoy and company just yet.
Last season, Goff landed about 325 yards shy of a 5,000-yard campaign. He threw for 32 TDs and only 12 interceptions. This was in addition to his top RB, Todd Gurley, eclipsing 1,200 yards.
Newton fell short of 3,400 yards while tossing 8 less TDs and one more interception. The offense finished above the mean at 14th overall, a solid 12 spots behind LAR.
Newton was already entering the 2019 opener fresh off of shoulder surgery. On Thursday night, in a preseason matchup against New England, Newton dinged his left ankle/foot, casting doubt on his availability for Week 1.
If Newton can’t go, or is not on his A-game, it’s hard to imagine the Panthers keeping pace with one of the most dynamic offenses in football and finishing Q4 within 3 points of the Rams.
Even if top-shelf Cam is ready to roll, I don’t see the Rams winning by less than 7.
*As always, the analysis and projections in this piece are suggestions based off of opinion, and do not guarantee the outcome of any contest.
NFL Fantasy Football: Expert Advice on 8/21 via Twitch
By: Mike Solan
The number of fantasy football teams drafted online is now in the millions, and that number continues to climb with each passing minute. If you ask me, it is still a bit early to be drafting with full confidence. It has already been a tumultuous training camp regarding injuries, but to each their own I suppose.
In general, I would say the more serious fantasy leagues will be waiting at least another week or two before finally drafting. Which means now is an extremely important time for owners to decide which direction they want to take their team.
Maybe last year you went wide receiver heavy, and struggled with running back depth. Maybe the opposite. It is easy to look back on your previous season with regrets and a ’shoulda-woulda-coulda’ mindset. However, the great thing about fantasy football is that each season gives an opportunity to change strategies and start fresh.
This Saturday (8/24), the first official dbwins.com Fantasy Football Newsletter will be released, with all the starting information you need to prepare for this years draft. The newsletter alone is guaranteed to give you a boost over the preparation you had any previous season, and I will be by your side for the duration of the season to help you work through those tough decisions.
Starting tomorrow (8/21), I will begin my live fantasy football show on twitch.tv. The show will run weekdays from 6-12 P.M. Eastern Time, as well as all morning on Sunday. The show is designed to help you through start-em sit-em situations, but for the time being will be entirely focused on draft preparation. Drop by the show anytime @ twitch.tv/moneymikewins to chat and discuss all things sports.
I look forward to interacting with you all, and stay tuned for more content as we inch closer to another fantastic NFL season.
NFL 100: Bears Head Into Packers Matchup as Super Bowl Favorites
By: Dan Orlando
Vegas is feeling the deep dish love, with Caesars sportsbook giving the Bears 9-1 odds to take home the Lombardi.
While it’s only August, and the season opening tilt between Chicago and NFC North rival Green Bay doesn’t kickoff until Thursday, September 5th, it may take a practice field injury to derail the Bears chances ahead of that date.
Coach Matt Nagy has been keeping his starters in bubble wrap, opting to simulate games in practice rather than submit his headliners to exhibition matchups against other teams that are eager to hit and pop on tape.
The Bears aren’t likely to face a speed bump in Week 1 either. Yes, Aaron Rodgers is coming to town. But he’s bringing a pedestrian offense and last season’s 18th ranked defense with him.
Last season, the Packers finished 19th in points, 29th in overall yards, 28th in passing and 26th in rushing.
Rodgers, won’t have the weapons to overcome what should be a daunting, Khalil Mack defense.
Mitchell Trubisky has a good chance to build on last year’s 66.6 completion percentage against a Green Bay defense that has potential to be good in time but likely won’t dominate its first outing.
The Bears should enter Week 1 Super Bowl favorites and will likely keep that mantle heading into Week 2.
*This article is not meant as official betting advice. For expert insight into which plays to make, signup to talk to Danny B!
New York Giants: Mid-Preseason Final 53 Projection
The Giants will head into what has traditionally been the dress rehearsal for the opener when they play the Bengals on Thursday night in Week 3 of the preseason.
The depth chart can certainly shakeup over the next two weeks, but if the summer ended today, this is where I’d put New York’s 53-man roster:
Quarterback (3): Eli Manning, Daniel Jones, Alex Tanney
After parting ways with Tom Coughlin, the team has not shied away from carrying three QBs on the final 53.
Jones is likely the next man off the bench should anything happen to Manning (or if the latter should struggle) but Shurmur prefers to have veteran QB waiting in the wings.
Two more lights-out showings by Daniel Jones could swing this, and the Giants could use this roster spot elsewhere, but at least for one more year they will carry 3 signal callers.
Running Back (4): Saquon Barkley, Wayne Gallman, Rod Smith, Paul Perkins
The dilemma here was giving the nod to Perkins over FB Eli Penny. Perkins seemed to knock the rust off against the Bears and two more games like that should keep him around.
The Giants are overstocked with TE depth and Rod Smith can take on FB duties when needed, making the demand for a true one less urgent.
Wide Receiver (7): Golden Tate*, Sterling Shepard, Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler, Russell Shepard, Darius Slayton, T.J. Jones
Golden Tate, who is currently in the concussion protocol, is a mandatory scratch until Week 5 due to his suspension.
In his absence, Latimer, Fowler and Russell Shepard have all stepped up. Slayton should see his first game action Thursday night after returning from injury. The rookie is expected to provide a top-end speed to the Giants passing game that his teammates don’t bring to the table.
Jones has come on strong with TD catches in both preseason games and is likely to make the team for the duration of Tate’s absence at least.
Tight End (4): Evan Engram, Rhett Ellison, Scott Simonson, C.J. Conrad
The Giants use heavy sets often enough to keep 4 TE’s. Conrad is believed to have the edge over Garret Dickerson. However, Dickerson has two more games to pop on tape.
With Simonson dropping an on target Daniel Jones pass against the Bears, the ink is not yet dry on this position group.
Offensive Line (9): Nate Solder, Will Hernandez, Jon Halapio, Kevin Zeitler, Matt Remmers, Spencer Pulley, Chad Wheeler, Chad Slade, Nick Gates
The Giants have depth along the O-Line for the first time in recent memory. Pulley is the top interior reserve with Slade and Gates earning spots as the reserve tackles.
I would not be shocked to see a backup OT snatched up after cut day, which would bump off either Slade or Gates.
Defensive Line (5): BJ Hill, Dalvin Tomlinson, Dexter Lawrence, Olsen Pierre, RJ McIntosh
McIntosh is still a bit of an unknown after being limited by injury his rookie year. Thus far, none of the Giants reserves have done enough to pass him.
Linebackers (8): Alec Ogletree, Tae Davis, Ryan Connelly, Nate Stupar, Lorenzo Carter, Markus Golden, Kareem Martin, Oshane Ximines
Connelly is playing like a steal on the level of Chase Blackburn, Stupar is a special teams standout and B.J. Goodson is a former Reese draft pick playing with the 3rd stringers.
On the edge, I could see the Giants pulling from another spot to keep 5 edge rushers, but their ideal situation is likely stashing Jake Carlock on the practice squad.
Cornerback (6): Janoris Jenkins, Deandre Baker, Grant Haley, Sam Beal, Corey Ballentine, Antonio Hamilton
The young corners have looked strong opposite Jenkins and if Sam Beal can string together some practices and get on the field, this unit may get even stronger.
Safety (5): Antoine Bethea, Jabrill Peppers, Julian Love, Michael Thomas Sean Chandler
Love can play both CB and safety and Chandler is another special teams standout. Peppers has potential be a star but time will tell if he exceeds Landon Collins in Washington.
Special Team (3): Aldrick Rosas, Riley Dixon, Zak DeOssie
No turnover here despite the Giants bringing in another punter to compete with Dixon.
NFL Preseason Week 2: The Rams left Goff & Gurley on the mainland
By: Dan Orlando
If you're looking for action before the games count, keep in mind that the LA Rams didn’t bring the whole family on vacation.
Jared Goff and Todd Gurley didn’t make the trip to Hawaii which in theory should limit the amount of points LAR will put up against whoever Dallas decides to trot out there for their exhibition tilt tonight at 7 PM Pacific.
This is the latest development in a new trend that’s begun to take hold around the league, as more coaches forgo knocking off star players’ rust in a game setting and instead dedicate the preseason to depth matchups and position battles.
The Bears opted not to play their starters in last night’s loss to the Giants, while NYG coach Pat Shurmur let the majority of his starting offense and defense take the field as they continue to gel. The second-year head coach suggested that it’s the team’s youth and status as a rebuilt club that factored into the decision, perhaps hinting that August 2020 may see less playing time for starters than this go-around.
Star RB Saquon Barkley, oft-injured but dangerous TE Evan Engram, and starting WR Sterling Shepard have yet to see summer snaps and may stay sidelines until Week 1 in Dallas. One has to wonder if Golden Tate would also be sitting out if he wasn’t already facing a four-game hiatus due to an upcoming suspension.
While their is certainly arguments for both strategies, injuries to players such as Derwin James and Avery Williams underscores the gamble of putting stars in live-action situations when the games don’t count.
What shows up on injury reports over the back-half of August will impact your picks when September rolls around. We’ll have to wait and see if any other marquee players are snatched up by the dreaded preseason injury bug.
Until then, enjoy watching the third stringers fight for the 53.
Dallas Cowboys: Will they get to 10 Wins in 2019?
By: @MoneyMikeWins
Over/Under 9.5
Last Season- 10-6 (1st in NFC East)
Philadelphia’s main contention for the NFC East title, the Dallas Cowboys enter 2019 with playoff hopes, as well as financial headaches. Can they reach 10 wins? Let’s take a look:
As of today, contract disputes remain the black cloud over the otherwise optimistic Cowboys. It is my true belief that all three players in question (Elliot, Prescott, Cooper) will be on the field for Week 1. Following a playoff loss in the divisional round to the NFC Champion Rams, this Cowboys team features a plethora of additions that could put them over the hump. The biggest of any addition is the return of all-pro center Travis Frederick. It’s no secret that the Cowboys look to be a run-first offense, and Frederick brings unparalleled leadership to an incredibly talented front.
The defensive side of the ball returns emerging stars Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch holding down the middle of the field. These two have only gotten better as they progress through their short NFL careers, and are widely regarded as a top 2 linebacker duo. Question marks at safety were ‘fixed’ with band-aids rather than reinforcements with the signing of George Iloka. A solid career NFL player, Iloka is a guy that will help you more than he will hurt, and at the end of the day. Without any major injuries, this should be a top 5 defense.
The main thing to focus on with team total win over/under is scheduling. The Cowboy schedule this season is as follows:
Week 1: Giants
Week 2: @ Redskins
Week 3: Dolphins
Week 4: @ Saints
Week 5: Packers
Week 6: @ Jets
Week 7: Eagles
Week 8: @ Giants
Week 9: Vikings
Week 10: @ Lions
Week 11: @ Patriots
Week 12: Bills
Week 13: @ Bears
Week 14: Rams
Week 15: @ Eagles
Week 16: Redskins
The key games that will determine the result of this season begins with a rematch with the New Orleans Saints. The Cowboys manhandled New Orleans all game during last season’s matchup, but struggled to move the football in a 13-10 win. This game will speak volumes for both teams.
The following game is no bigger or smaller in value to the mindset of Dallas. Aaron Rodgers has lived rent free in the minds of every Cowboy fan over the last decade. A win at home over the Packers is vital for this group to make the next step.
Lastly regarding the schedule, the Cowboys must go 4-2 against the division (if not better) if they want to secure separation from the extremely talented Philadelphia Eagles.
Look for the Cowboys to show vast offensive efficiency improvements under new Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore. I look for Ezekiel Elliot to thrive against defenses that have to be wary of the pass for a change. Assuming Dak Prescott gets paid, I see him having his most efficient season thus far, especially considering a full offseason with superstar receiver Amari Cooper.
Final Prediction 11-5
Verdict- OVER
New York Jets: Williamson lost for season after questionable Gase decision
By: DB Staff
Avery Williamson tore his ACL after new coach, Adam Gase, opted to keep him in the game after the other starters had been sent to the bench on Thursday night in Atlanta.
Gase defended the decision after the game, citing that they wanted to see the former Titan in certain packages before ending his night.
Nevertheless, losing the free agent pickup will be a blow for a new look Jets LB corps that also sports CJ Mosley. Williamson had previously only missed one game since his rookie campaign in 2014. He also notched 80 solo tackles in 2018, including 6 for loss.
Williamson will look to take the field again during the second year of his new $22.5 million deal, $16 million of which is guaranteed.
New York Giants: Who's behind Saquon Barkley in 2019?
By: Dan Orlando
In NFL Preseason action against the Chicago Bears, the New York Giants saw their RB3 - and possibly their RB2 - competition get much closer.
Wayne Gallman currently sits at number two on the depth chart and may very well stay there. But after missing last night’s matchup due to injury, the former Clemson standout may see his snaps reduced if the other RB understudies continue to hog the spotlight.
For Paul Perkins, Friday night was an opportunity at redemption after a shaky outing against the Jets where he committed a fumble and a dropped pass.
The UCLA alum looked sharp, hitting the hole with force and fighting for tough yards. He also notched an impressive chunk play down the sideline that may remind fans of the 67-yard catch-and-run in 2016 against Minnesota that elevated his career.
He notched only 112 yards rushing and 15 receptions as a backup during his rookie year in limited duty, but that was enough for the McAdoo administration to name him the starter in 2017.
That experiment would flame out quickly, and he would only put up 90 yards on the ground that season before missing all of 2018 due to injury.
Rod Smith clearly outperformed Gallman in the first week of the preseason and had bright moments against Chicago as well, including an impressive hurdle over an incoming defender.
However, after committing his own fumble, he did his part to keep Perkins in the hunt after the latter looked like he may be headed towards being cut before Friday night.
While Jon Hillman, put up 56 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries towards the end of the contest, it may be tough for the rookie to even make the roster, especially if the team decides to seep Eli Penny as a FB.
NFL Week 1: Why the Chargers may 'Luck Out'
By: Dan Orlando
The Chargers are set to enter Week 1 as the favorites against a team that some felt could challenge for the AFC Title in 2019. The projection is due in part to the development of a “high ankle problem” that has star QB Andrew Luck’s status for yet another season opener shrouded in mystery.
It’s worth noting that the Chargers, who enter the season with strong expectations as well and are listed as a favorite to win the Super Bowl by USA Today- are still not heavy favorites over Indy, despite hosting a Colts team that may not even field it’s biggest star.
With the line hovering around 3, Los Angeles has some concerns of their own.
Star running back Melvin Gordon has still not shown for camp despite sustaining $30K per day in fines. He hasn't even been rattled by additionally losing about $330K per preseason game, which suggests he could be inclined to go the route of current Jet, Le’Veon Bel, and leave the Chargers without his services when the games count.
Gordon played in a career-low 12 games last season, notching just under 900 yards and 10 TDs. He finished 17th in total rushing yards.
Despite the middle-of-the-pack ranking, going without Gordon would certainly temper expectations for a Chargers team that expects to compete for Phillip Rivers’ first Super Bowl appearance, let alone title.
Top contender to take over the feature back mantle, Austin Ekeler, will be entering his third season. In 2018 he found the end zone three times and barely broke 550 yards. A relatively unproven entity, it stands to reason that early lines could shift backwards on San Diego if Gordon has yet to take the practice field come September.
But for now, LAC are looking like a strong play against a Luck-less Colts. Stay tuned.
NFL Preseason Week 2
Hello my friends make sure to tune in this Saturday to Inside The Numbers with Danny B recorded Live from #MSG
Money Mike Solan joins Danny B in studio to discuss and breakdown this weekends games…