NFL Preseason Week 4 Betting: Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals
In the final game of the 2012 pre-season, the Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals will hook-up Thursday night. This game is a late game, due to Arizona wanting to play it late. The Broncos come into the game with a 1-2 record in the pre-season. For Arizona, they are 1-3 in the pre-season, being one of the two teams that had the opportunity to play five pre-season games. Denver is the defending AFC West champion, while the Cardinals fought for .500 out of the NFC West a season ago.
For Arizona, they are looking to bounce back from a 32-27 loss to the Titans last week. Before that, the Cardinals lost at New Orleans and Kansas City, and came away with a win over the Oakland Raiders. A season ago, the Cardinals were led by a combination of Kevin Kolb and John Skelton. The Cardinals have yet to decide on their opening game starter for 2012. Last season, Arizona was led by Beanie Wells with 10 rushing touchdowns, while Larry Fitzgerald caught 8 touchdowns via the air. Arizona starts the season against divisional rival Seattle.
For Denver, they are looking to adjust from quarterback Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning. The Broncos were division champions out of the AFC West a season ago. Now, the Broncos will be in a dog fight to defend the division, as Oakland, San Diego and Kansas City all hope to contend. The Broncos in the pre-season have beat the Chicago Bears, but then lost to Seattle and San Francisco in the past two weeks. Denver will open the season on September 9th against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a rematch of the first round playoff game a season ago.
Odds and Sports Betting Line
Denver Broncos +2.5
Arizona Cardinals -2.5
Free Prediction
This should be a pretty solid pre-season game. Look for Peyton Manning to spend a lot of time on the sideline in this one. The Broncos know he has been hurt, and do not want to risk that before the season. Arizona has a quarterback controversy, so both guys will come in with a lot to prove. Look for the Cardinals to do enough to come away with the win here.
Prediction: Arizona Cardinals 24-14
Free Pick
It’s difficult to bet on pre-season football, but we are going to pick the Arizona Cardinals to cover the spread in a win. Arizona -2.5 is the play we are giving from here.
Pick: Arizona Cardinals -2.5
NFL Preseason Week 4 Betting: New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans
The New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans will square off Thursday in Nashville. This is the final pre-season game for both teams. The Saints come into the game with a 2-2 record in pre-season. The Titans have played three games; winning two of them. New Orleans is the defending NFC South champion, and are again favorite this season, if they can solve some of their early season question marks. Tennessee is not the favorite out of the AFC South, but feel like they can be right there in case the Houston Texans stumble as the huge favorites.
The Tennessee Titans will have a different look in 2012. Behind center will be Jake Locker. Locker was the back-up for Matt Hasselback a season ago. Locker will look to get Chris Johnson off the ground running early this season. Johnson did not have a very good 2011 season. Tennessee is coming off a pre-season win over Arizona. Before that, the Titans beat Tampa Bay on the road, and in the opener they lost to the Seattle Seahawks. Tennessee opens up the regular season on September 9th against the New England Patriots, in a tough early season challenge.
The New Orleans Saints have a ton of question marks, specifically concerning their new head coach. Their former coach Sean Peyton was suspended for a season for his part in the bounty hits started by former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. New Orleans locked up their quarterback Drew Brees for several more seasons. Brees has been a great quarterback, including throwing for 5,400 yards passing and 46 touchdowns. His top target a season ago was tight end Jimmy Graham. Graham finished the season with 11 passing touchdowns.
Odds and Sports Betting Line
New Orleans Saints +3.5
Tennessee Titans -3.5
Free Prediction
This should be an interesting game. Both teams will not show a ton, as they load up for the start of the regular season. The Saints defense has a ton of question marks, but they will get to face a lot of the Titans second team offense. Overall, New Orleans is a more talented team, which is why we are picking them to come away with the win in this game.
Prediction: New Orleans Saints 24-21
Free Pick
Our final pick in this game is the underdog New Orleans Saints. We just feel that the Saints will be able to put points on the board, and then on the defensive side, have plenty of guys that are still fighting for positions in the defense, where they can come up with some plays. We like the underdog New Orleans Saints +3.5.
Pick: New Orleans Saints +3.5
NFL Preseason Week 3 Betting: Carolina Panthers vs. New York Jets
The Carolina Panthers and New York Jets will square off Sunday night at MetLife Stadium. Both teams are looking to improve upon their seasons of a year ago, which came up short from the postseason. The Panthers went 6-10 out of the NFC South, while the Jets finished 8-8. The Panthers are 1-1 in the pre-season, while the Jets have fallen in both their early games.
The Carolina Panthers are looking for another great season from their quarterback Cam Newton. In his rookie season, Newton threw for over 4,000 yards and 21 touchdowns. Carolina was the third best rushing team, led by Newton and his combination of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Carolina hopes to improve upon a defense that allowed teams to average nearly 380 yards per game. The Panthers open their regular season on September 9th at divisional foe Tampa Bay.
The New York Jets are off to a slow start. While getting all the media attention this pre-season, their performance on the field has got to have Rex Ryan a bit worried. New York has scored just 9 points in losses to the Bengals and the Giants. The Jets are trying out the two quarterback approach with Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow. Last season, New York ranked in the bottom half in both passing and rushing offense. New York opens the 2012 regular season on September 9th against the Bills in an AFC East tilt.
Odds and Sports Betting Line
Carolina Panthers +3
New York Jets -3
Free Prediction
The Jets need to get back on track. This week, we feel they will do just that. Look for Sanchez and Tebow to split time again, with both of them being much more effective than their previous two games.
Prediction: New York Jets 31-24
Free Pick
The Jets are favorites in this game over Carolina. We do not feel Newton will play a ton of time in this game, which favors the Jets. We are going to take New York to cover the field goal spread.
Pick: New York Jets -3