Dave Golokhov has written for Playboy.com, BETUS Sportsbook, Sportsfanmagazine.com, FOX, Askmen.com, Sports-central, and the FOXSports.com Funhouse.
The Atlanta Falcons have been overshadowed in their own division and in their own conference but on Sunday Night Football this week, they have a chance to make a statement. With a quality opponent in town, an impressive win in front of a national audience would go a long way from changing the Falcons from a sleeper to a serious contender.
The Denver Broncos have been impressive to this point in the season – there is no debating that. Similar to the New England Patriots of yesteryear, they have played smart football and done just enough to win each and every week. Quarterback Kyle Orton has just one turnover, the offense is functional and the defense has been stellar.
Time: 8:30 ET
Venue: Qualcomm Stadium
Broncos vs. Chargers Monday Night Football Lines
MoneyLine: Broncos +155 / Chargers -175
Spread: Chargers -3.5
Over/Under: 44
The Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals are more similar than you might think. Both teams have played very tight games this year and both teams have had games decided in the dying second. The difference has been that the Bengals have been smart and successful while the Texans have been sloppy.
The New York Jets had a loss last week and there was some concern on their part that it would open a window for the New England Patriots to take control in the division. But thanks to the Denver Broncos, the Jets maintain their one-game lead on the Patriots and can extend it tonight with a win over the Miami Dolphins.
Time: 8:35 ET
Venue: Land Shark Stadium
Jets vs. Dolphins Monday Night Football Lines
MoneyLine: Jets -155 / Dolphins +135
Spread: Jets -3.5
Over/Under: 36
The San Francisco 49ers have been one of the quietest 3-1 teams in the NFL this season. As is the norm, West Coast teams just don’t get the attention they deserve.
While most people are quick to point out that the Cincinnati Bengals would be perfect had it not been for a fluky last-second loss, the 49ers would also be 4-0 had it not been for a last-second Brett Favre miracle.
It will be a special edition of Monday Night Football this week as the backdrop of the game is one for the ages. Hall of Famer-to-be Brett Favre leads the Minnesota Vikings – yes, the Vikings – against the Green Bay Packers in a game that is rife with bitterness.
On one hand, Favre didn’t exactly handle his retirement/unretirement situation very well with Green Bay two years ago and when he could make up his mind, the Packers moved on to Aaron Rodgers.
The San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers, two teams that were supposed to be AFC contenders, have stumbled out of the gates early in the season and a lot of people now have some questions about the supposed power houses.
For starters, both teams are without key Pro Bowl caliber defenders and the losses have been evident early on.
The Houston Texans appear to be a popular suicide pick this week. After all, what better week to pick the Texans, right?
The Texans, who have been 6-2 at home in each of the last two seasons, are 0-2 so far at Reliant Stadium this year. On top of that, they get a visit from the lousy Raiders this week, who seem to be playing with an eye-patch just like their logo.
The popular scapegoat for the Carolina Panthers 0-2 start has been quarterback Jake Delhomme but in reality, the Panthers have more problems than just him. The Panthers defense has been a nightmare to start the season and “star” Julius Peppers has been nowhere to be found.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys are taking some heat but they actually have played fairly well. Last week, they nearly topped the New York Giants at home and that’s after turning the ball over four times. Most teams – like the Panthers – can’t afford to turn it over so many times and still be in the game.
The Indianapolis Colts are on a short week after barely getting by the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football. The Colts were badly outplayed but as has been the case in recent years for Indy, they make the plays when it counts.
Few teams execute better than Indianapolis and that should again be the name of the game this week in Arizona. Don’t underestimate this betting line, though. The Colts are accurately depicted as underdogs.
The 2008 Tennessee Titans finished 13-3 and didn’t experience their first loss until Week 12. Quite clearly, the 2009 version is having a very different experience.
Not only are the Titans still winless after two weeks of action, they are in danger of matching their total amount of losses from 2008 with one more defeat.
It’s no secret that the Miami Dolphins have the toughest schedule in the NFL and they are getting a very early, bitter taste to start the season.
After facing one 2008 playoff team from the NFC South, they face the 2008 AFC South winner on Monday Night Football.
The Dolphins were one of the surprise teams last season because of a number of reasons: they took care of the football, they were able to run the ball and they protected the quarterback.
The Dallas Cowboys will unveil their new billion dollar stadium on Sunday Night Football this week as the New York Giants come to visit. It’s an early statement game in the NFC East as both teams are considered contenders and maybe even more so now that the Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback Donovan McNabb has a rib injury.
The Seattle Seahawks have been the team to beat in the NFC West throughout this decade and after an injury-ravaged season, they are ready to take their crown back.
The Arizona Cardinals may not wear the crown for very long, especially not if they continue to play like they did in Week 1. The San Francisco 49ers went into the University of Phoenix Stadium and upended the NFC Champs.
There aren’t many reasons not to lay the nine points with the San Diego Chargers in the back end of the Monday Night doubleheader.
The Buffalo Bills are giving the Oakland Raiders a run for being the team in most disarray as the regular season kicks off. The Bills fired their offensive coordinator, Turk Schonert, just 10 days before the start of the season and there has been some internal squabbling as to whether that has been the right decision.
