Sport Chit Chat

The first game of the NFL kicks off tomorrow with the defending Superbowl champs New York Giants playing division rival, the Washington Redskins.

I’m not a man of flashy introductions, let’s go into the games lines:
Spread: +/- 4 Washington (underdog - away), New York Giants (favorite - home)
O/U: 41
Money line: Redskins (+170), New York Giants (-200)

Better team: New York Giants, they are the Superbowl champs after all. While Strahan was a monster, I think they’ll be fine though Usi’s injury hurts. Besides the Giants CAN’T lose this game, it’s their first game back after winning it all. On paper the Redskins have a great team of individual high priced players, as we’ve learned it doesn’t work as well and they really need a good coach to put it together. Is Jim Zorn the right man? I doubt it - I think the team will need an overhaul.

Money line pick: None, at 2 to 1 on your money, it’s not great value either way. Not much action on these lines as it is just the first game of the season. I would just stay away and just enjoy a great game. (I’m not making a pick just for the sake of it, I don’t see anything stellar with this pick).

O/U: Take the under if anything (I typically don’t play O/U but just giving some advice). Primetime game with adjusting offenses against teams with very good defenses (if not also adjusting). The momentium of primetime games also takes a toll on these teams, we’re going to get a celebration of the Champs, we’ll get a long opening ceremony so they can’t warm up and longer commercials in between. Look for the teams to come out slow then perhaps pick it up in the 4th quarter when things are close. They also have grinders when it comes to RBs. So if ever team takes the lead look for the team to work on field positioning which these teams generally concentrate on.

Spread: I hate this type of spread. At +/- 4 it’s a choice between a field goal or not.
Zackdaddy’s pick: Redskins +4. His reasoning is that Redskins are a team on the rise, Jim Zorn is a good coach, Giants are hurting on their pass rush which is their biggest strength. Contradicts what I believe but he believes the Giants win by 3.

With my prediction of a low scoring game, I believe it’s better to take the points then not. I’m not putting any money on this game but will probably when the weekend comes around. Good luck.

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Due to an injury on the first day of Washington’s training camp to DE Philip Daniels, the Redskins traded two draft picks for Dancing with the Stars and DE Jason Taylor. This works out for both Taylor who wanted out of Miami and Washington who has now definitely cemented the DE position opposite Andre Carter.

Dancing with the Stars, Jason Taylor

Taylor brings a veteran’s knowledge to the position as well as leadership to the entire team. Taylor, while in Miami, totalled 435 tackles, 117 sacks, and 7 INT. This also adds some excitement to the NFC East as now the Redskins have become a greater force to be dealt with. I hope the Cowboys are up to it. The Redskins have struggled offensively as of late, specifically at the QB position but now that Jason Campbell has settled in, look for Washington to have a better 08 season. Washington has had a rough couple of seasons both with coaching issues and the recent death of DB Sean Taylor, a new Taylor could be the shining light that the Redskins need.

QUANSTRONG