NFL Preseason Week Four Preview
We have finally reached the final week of the 2009 NFL betting preseason and now have our sights set on opening day weekend. Before we begin to completely focus on the regular season there are still 16 more preseason games to be played this Thursday, September 3rd and Friday, September 4th. While week three provided a glimpse into which teams look like they are going to be for real and which teams may already be” on the clock”, week four is primarily about roster spot decisions.
Some players are still fighting for chance to be the starter, while many players are fighting for their professional lives as a football player.
Here is a preview of three of the more intriguing match ups for the final games of the preseason.
Detroit Lions @ Buffalo Bills (-3) Current over/under 34
Thursday September 3rd
Ralph Wilson Stadium 6:30 P.M.
The primary reason this game made my list is the ongoing quarterback battle in Detroit. As of now head coach Jim Schwartz has yet to make up his mind on whether eleven year veteran Daunte Culpepper or the first pick in this year’s draft, Matthew Stafford will get the start when the Lions travel to New Orleans to play the Saints in week one. Both QB’s looked impressive in last week’s win over the Colts. Stafford completed 13 of 19 attempts for 160 yards, while Culpepper threw for 1 TD and had an overall passer rating of 101.7. Stafford may get a good chance to earn the top spot this week against Buffalo, as Culpepper has been out with a foot injury and his status for Thursday is uncertain. The Bills have looked awful this preseason and the prospects for improvement this week look slim.
Free Lions vs. Bills Pick:
I like the Lions to win this one outright, but there will not be a lot of points scored so stick with the under.
Cleveland Browns @ Chicago Bears (-3) Current over/under 37
Thursday September 3rd
Soldier Field 8:00 P.M.
This game features the other main quarterback battle that has yet to be decided. Cleveland head coach Eric Mangini is still trying to decide between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson as his starter heading into the regular season. Neither player has been able to separate themselves with their play so Mangini has been keeping his thoughts close to his vest. Quinn did however throw the Brown’s only touchdown pass of the preseason, a 20 yard toss to WR Braylon Edwards in last week’s 20-17 win over Tennessee. Chicago is finally set at QB, as Jay Cutler has looked sharp in his last two games and appears to be settling into the Bear’s offense which is bad news for the rest of the NFC North. Defensively the Bear’s first unit looks much better than they did toward the end of last season, as they have not given up a touchdown in the first half of all 3 preseason games. I’m going with Bears in this one as Cleveland has a few more problems than just figuring out who will be the QB.
Free Browns vs. Bears Pick:
Even though the reserves will play most of this one, stick with Chicago’s D and the under.
Miami Dolphins @ New Orleans Saints (-3) Current over/under 38
Thursday September 3rd
Superdome 8:00 P.M.
Both these teams come into this game undefeated in the preseason and have been playing extremely well. Last week the Saints demolished the Oakland Raiders 45-7 and appear ready to make some serious noise in the NFC South this season. Drew Brees and this New Orleans offense have been unstoppable so far having racked up 100 points in three games. Miami has taken a bit more conservative approach, but the results have been the same. They are the undisputed preseason champions of Florida having beaten both Jacksonville and Tampa Bay as their defense has only given up 34 points in three games. While the starters will only see limited action this should still be a good game as an undefeated preseason is on the line.
Free Dolphins vs. Saints Pick:
I like the Saints at home to cover the three and since they are averaging 33 points a game on their own, I’m going with the over as well.
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